KentOnline

A Medway mum’s received an apology from Aldi after being branded a shoplifter.
She was approached by staff at the store in Gillingham and accused of stealing goods.
Hear what happened when she contacted the company’s chief executive.
Also in today’s podcast, tests on CBD products by scientists in Kent have found most contain illegal substances.
It’s taken by some people to manage pain or anxiety, but it’s feared people don’t always know what they’re consuming.
The head of the laboratory that carried out the research is on to tell us more.
A leading charity supporting former service personnel in Kent say an increasing number are struggling with the rising cost of living.
Help for Heroes has had to increase how much money is available for veterans so they can afford to pay energy and food bills.
Elsewhere, the boss of a Kent foodbank says he’s had to expand into providing school uniform as parents struggle to afford it because of the cost of living crisis.
It’s estimated families spend around £300 a year on uniforms including shoes and a bag.
Environmental campaigners are worried reopening Manston Airport will create more pollution for people living in Thanet.
This is an update on Friday’s news that the owners have been given permission to turn it into a cargo hub.
We’re told homes and businesses along a stretch of coastline in Kent could be allowed to flood in future.
Documents say part of the shoreline at Seasalter near Whitstable could be taken by the sea when maintenance of the current defences there ends in 2055.
And in sport, we’ve been getting reaction to Gillingham’s 0-0 draw with Walsall at the weekend.
It’s left them struggling towards the bottom of the league two table.

A man in his 20s has died after being stabbed in Tonbridge.
Police were called in the early hours of this morning and a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Hear from our reporter at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, Manston airport has been given the go ahead to re-open.
The site in Thanet has been closed for eight years but work to get it running again can get underway as early as next month after permission was granted by the government.
We’ve been speaking to our business editor Chris Britcher and have reaction from North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale.
Learner drivers in Kent are facing a six month wait to book their test because of a huge backlog.
The industry’s been struggling to keep up with demand since the pandemic. 
A pollution warning has been extended to nine Kent beaches after waste water was released into the sea.
Find out which sites are affected.
A 10-year-old girl from Sheppey is being praised for getting help after her aunt fell down stairs – leaving her with a broken arm and badly cut head.
It happened at flats on Russell Street in Sheerness. We’ve spoken to both of them.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager Neil Harris and midfielder Alex MacDonald ahead of this weekend’s game against Walsall.
The Gills will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s defeat to Harrogate.

A woman’s been arrested after a man, woman and two children were hit by a car in Chatham.
It happened on Dock Road – hear from our reporter who’s been speaking to people who live nearby.
Also in today’s podcast, A level results are out today.
Hear from a students who’s off to Oxford University and an incredible 12-year-old who’s already got two A levels in maths.
But, if results didn’t go how you’d hoped, the clearing process is under way.
We’ve been speaking to the student union president at the University of Kent who got his place that way – plus a third year who’s helping to man the phones at the clearing centre.
Almost £1.5m is going to be spent on making Kent safer.
Hear from the county’s police and crime commissioner who successfully bid for the cash and will spend it in parts of Canterbury, Gravesham, Maidstone and Medway.
Victims and relatives of those affected by a contaminated blood scandal which happened in the 70s and 80s are finally going to get compensation.
We have reaction from Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks.
Rail services in Kent have been disrupted by further strike action – hear from Network Rail and the general secretary of the RMT Union.
And in sport, we have details on Emma Raducanu’s latest game at the Cincinnati Masters.

A Kent school that drafted in a headteacher described as ‘Britain’s strictest’ has been rated inadequate by inspectors.
Parents complained when Barry Smith was parachuted into Abbey School in Faversham for a number of days last September.
Ofsted have found that its strict rules are considered “oppressive” by pupils, many of whom are “unhappy and do not feel safe”.
We have reaction from an education advisor, we’ve also found out what some parents think and have a response from the school.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s an anxious wait for thousands of teenagers in Kent as A level results are out tomorrow.
Pupils sat exams for the first time since before the pandemic. We’ve been catching up with education specialist Graham Jones.
£17.5m has been spent on doing up a holiday park in Kent – creating more than 100 jobs.
It’s the biggest investment Haven have made in one of their parks this year and will see a number of new attractions open at the site in Allhallows.
Drivers who keep parking in a church carpark in Medway are being urged to go there for services – or move their vehicles.
There are several spaces behind St Matthew’s in Borstal near Rochester. Hear from the church warden.
In sport, Gillingham have suffered another defeat in the league. We have reaction from manager Neil Harris following their 2-0 loss to Harrogate.
But there was better news for tennis star Emma Raducanu who beat legend Serena Williams in America overnight.
 

A homeless man has suffered serious burns after reportedly being set on fire while he slept in a tent in Canterbury.
It happened on land behind a leisure centre.
Hear from our reporter Gerry Warren who’s been at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s feared Thanet will be one of the worst affected places in the country when energy prices rocket this autumn.
The most recent figures, seen by the KentOnline Podcast, show 1 in 8 households there is already in fuel poverty – the previous year it was 1 in 10.
Hear from councillor Rob Yates who represents Margate central ward.
A caravan’s been destroyed in an explosion at a holiday park on Sheppey.
Fire crews were called to the Shurland Dale site in Eastchurch last night.
A Maidstone mum’s trying to raise money to get her daughter an assistance dog so she can go to college.
16-year-old Ellie Bourner was diagnosed with Tourette’s a few years ago, and her family got a dog to help with therapy and alert her when a tic attack is coming on.
The famous Knife Angel sculpture is returning to Kent.
It’s made from over 100,000 blades seized by police and was previously on display at Rochester Cathedral in 2019.
Barbie’s launching a doll with hearing aids, following a campaign by Kent Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The actress from Hythe became the first deaf contestant to win the dancing show last year.
And in sport, Gillingham welcome Harrogate to Priestfield for the first time tonight.

A dad has accused a school of ‘sweeping violence under the carpet’ after his son was attacked.
The Meopham School pupil was left with a black eye after it happened as he waited to be picked up at the end of term.
We have a response from the head teacher.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s being suggested schools in Kent are kept open in the evening and at weekends this winter so children have somewhere to go to keep warm.
A councillor has put forward the idea – hear reaction from Lorraine Schulze who helps to run the Medway foodbank.
After a heat alert last week, we’ve now got a warning for possible flooding in Kent as heavy rain is forecast.
Plus you can hear how wildlife experts say nature could be used to combat climate change in the county.
Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show £5.5m has been paid out in redundancy packages by the county council over the last five years.
It went to just over 200 employees whose roles were no longer required – our political editor has spoken to the council leader.
A Medway woman is sharing her experience with the menopause after being hospitalised six times.
Annie Cardone from Rainham suffered from insomnia and sleep psychosis, but doctors were slow to give her a proper diagnosis and treatment.
She’s now written a book in a bid to help others.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following their defeat at Tranmere at the weekend.

A teenager has been taken to hospital following a stabbing in Gravesend.
It happened near a Tesco in the town centre. We have the latest as a 37-year-old man is arrested.
Also in today’s podcast, Kent is now officially in a drought.
It’s been the driest summer for 50 years – we get reaction from Maidstone Green councillor Stuart Jeffery.
A hosepipe ban for a large part of Kent has also come into force, but residents in part of Ashford say a water leak near their homes hasn’t been fixed for weeks
Hear what they had to say.
A vigil’s been held for a father and daughter who died in a suspected hit-and-run in Ramsgate.
78-year-old Yoram Hirshfeld and 40-year-old Noga Sella were knocked down by a car and killed in Leopold Street on Wednesday night.
Bosses at Canterbury’s only gar bar say they’ll fight to stay open as they face a licence review.
Police are urging the city council to examine the operating conditions at Limes Lounge in Rosemary Lane following dozens of call-outs over the last year.
We’ve spoken to the co-owner.
The KentOnline Podcast can reveal the most popular destinations for Kent holidaymakers this summer.
And in sport, hear from Gillingham’s new co-chairman.
Paul Fisher has been speaking about why he took on the job and his hopes for the future.

A man and woman have been killed while a child is being treated in hospital following a suspected hit and run in Ramsgate.
It happened on Leopold Street last night.
Hear from our reporter at the scene, a witness and the Mayor of Ramsgate.
Also in today’s podcast, an amber weather warning for extreme heat has come into force for most of Kent.
Forecasters say temperatures will reach the low to mid 30s by Sunday.
We’ve been speaking to Medway’s director of public health.
It’s also been revealed how the hot weather is impacting wildlife in Kent.
The owner of an unauthorised glamping site in Kent that’s been described as ‘worse than a detention centre’ – has defended her decision to try and open it permanently.
The facility in Westbere near Canterbury was set up in April using a temporary post-Covid licence.
While most of us might be sweltering in the heat – wine growers in Kent have been telling the KentOnline Podcast how they’re loving the hot summer.
Balfour Winery have had vineyards on the Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst near Maidstone for the past 20 years.
Hear from their head winemaker.
And in sport, find out who Gillingham will play in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

A man has died after a car crashed into a bus during a police chase in Margate.
An Audi TT failed to stop for officers on Shottendane Road yesterday morning.
The driver has been named as a 23-year-old – hear what tributes have been posted online.
Also in today’s podcast, two more people have caught monkeypox in Kent – and now there are concerns about a vaccine shortage.
The new cases are in Canterbury and Folkestone & Hythe.
The only secondary school on the Isle of Sheppey has been rated inadequate.
Inspectors made a surprise visit to Oasis Academy in June.
Their damning report out today reveals details of bullies using racist, homophobic and sexist language – a lack of permanent teachers and half of students not turning up to lessons.
Hear from the founder of Oasis, Steve Chalke.
Kent Fire and Rescue say they’re experiencing an exceptional level of demand because it’s just so dry at the moment.
Anything from a discarded cigarette to pieces of litter can start a blaze in these conditions.
We’re being urged not to have bonfires at this time of year, and to be extra careful with disposable barbecues.
A Gravesend woman who sells content on Only Fans has been speaking about some of the more bizarre requests she receives.
Miki-rose is 22 and been in the sex trade since she was 18.
Hear from her and we have safety advice from Zoe Cairns, a social media expert from Medway.
In sport, Gillingham are through to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
They beat AFC Wimbledon 2-0 away from home last night. Hear from goal scorer Jordan Green.

Two teenagers who filmed themselves punching a man and kicking him in the head in Dover have avoided being sent to prison…
19-year-olds Tyler Hart from Sidney Street in Folkestone and George McGee from Longfield Road in Dover carried out the late-night attack outside the Premiere store on Pencester Road in February last year.
Hear from our reporter Sean Axtell who was in court for the case.
Also in today’s podcast, a dad from Sittingbourne who shares custody of his son and has criticised what he claims is a ‘sexist policy’ when it comes to organising school travel.
11 year-old Milo lives equally with his parents but in different houses and needs to go to a specialist school in Cranbrook.
Hear from his dad and find out what the council have said.
An amber warning for extreme heat has been issued for Kent as our long hot summer continues.
It’ll be in force across most of the county from Thursday until Sunday.
In sport, we’ve been catching up with some of our Commonwealth athletes after the games came to a close last night.
Hear from hockey gold medalist Grace Balsdon and para table tennis star Ross Wilson who won bronze.
And in football, Gillingham are getting ready for their first game in the Carabao Cup.