KentOnline

More than a dozen people have been arrested following another Insulate Britain protest.The group said yesterday they would stage action despite another injunction aimed at trying to stop them.They gathered not far from the Dartford Crossing this morning – hear from a man who was caught up in the traffic.Also in today’s podcast, find out what chancellor Rishi Sunak had to say in today’s budget.We’ve also spoken to the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.Women are being urged to avoid pubs, clubs and bars in Kent tonight as part of the Girl’s Night In protest.They want to raise awareness of drink spiking and say they’re worried about the number of cases.The president of the Kent Union has spoken out and we’ll hear from the owner of Club Chemistry in Canterbury which is shutting tonight in solidarity.In sport, Gillingham are out of the EFL Trophy – we have reaction from their assistant boss following last night’s defeat to West Ham under 21s.

Hundreds of people have lined streets in Maidstone to remember four men who died in a crash near Headcorn.Johnny Cash, his son Johnboy, Miles ‘smiler’ Cash and Jacko Cosgrove died when the car they were in hit a tree earlier this month as they travelled to watch the fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder on TV.
An inquest into their deaths has also got under way – hear from our reporter who was there.Also in today’s podcast, millions of people are set to get a pay rise next year.The chancellor has announced the minimum wage will go up from from from 8-pounds-91 to 9-pounds-50 and a freeze on public sector pay is also being scrapped.But many fears families won’t be any better off – hear from Neil Charlick who runs the Gillingham Street Angels and a Chatham woman who’s on universal credit.The owner of a Maidstone restaurant fears his business could suffer again, after another large sinkhole closed the road outside.The Taj Barming suffered an estimated £200,000 loss in revene the last time a void opened up nearby.Mimi Webb has been telling us how her music teachers at Kent College gave her the confidence to get into the industry.And the Gillingham manager reveals he’s not interested in the EFL Trophy ahead of their game tonight.

Two sisters from Canterbury have made the brave decision to speak out about the abuse they suffered at the hands of their grandad.
Sophie and Toni Quirke were aged about eight and six when the abuse started.
Paul Wallis from Hoades Wood Road in Sturry has now been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Also in today’s podcast, with less than a week to go until COP26 gets under way, the first ever Climate Action Week is taking place in Canterbury.
Hear from Dr Carl Wright who’s chair of the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership.
Some of the incredible people in Kent who’ve been helping improve mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic have been recognised.
The first even Kent Mental Health and Wellbeing awards have taken place. We caught up with 16-year-old Madison Hinton from Sittingbourne who made positivity boxes during lockdown.
Olympian and South Kent Mind ambassador Jack Green also spoke at the event.
And, the Gillingham boss was disappointed following their 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.

A man has admitted going on a wrecking spree at a hotel in Maidstone after getting frustrated with his job.A court’s been told the rampage caused around £100,000 worth of damage at Larkfield Priory Hotel.Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who covered the case.Also in today’s podcast, a Palestinian refugee says a giant puppet of a young asylum seeker that’s been visiting Kent will change perceptions.Amal arrived in Folkestone earlier in the week and has also visited Dover and Canterbury.But, not everyone is convinced – hear from Nigel Farage who’s described it as ‘rather sinister looking’.There’s been a blow for those calling for the old Manston airport in Thanet to re-open for freight flights. Our political editor Paul Francis has more.A debate had been taking place in the House of Lords on assisted dying – hear from a nurse from Sevenoaks who’s backing a change in the law after her father took his own life while battling cancer.The Gillingham boss has been speaking ahead of their game against Bolton Wanderers this weekend.And Kent Olympian Kate French has picked up a special award after winning gold at the Games in Tokyo back in the summer.

The rules on booking coronavirus booster jabs have changed in a bid to speed up the rollout as cases continue to rise.NHS England’s updating its website so anyone who had their second dose six months ago can book, even without an invitation.Hear from Kent GP Dr Julian Spinks on the pressures they’re currently under.Also in today’s podcast, Kent Test results are out today.The results will determine which children can apply for a place at a grammar school in the county for next September.Education expert and former headteacher Peter Read gives us his thoughts on the results and the system.A little boy from Kings Hill who was abused by his birth parents features in a new book to mark National Adoption Week.Tony Hudgell’s inspirational story is told in Bravely Being Me which has been put together by charity Aoption UK.His mum Paula has spoken about their adoption journey and the difference he’s made to their lives.And, Maidstone has got its own version of Monopoly.Leeds Castle takes the Mayfair square – and there’s even a spot for our sister newspaper, Kent Messenger.

Caravan owners on Sheppey say they fear some people could be left homeless after suddenly being told they need to pay thousands of pounds.
Those with mobile homes over 10 years old at a number of sites are no longer going to be able to pay ground rent and water rates monthly.
Hear from our reporter John Nurden who’s been following the story.
Also in today’s podcast, are we heading for another national lockdown this winter?
The business secretary has spoken out after health bosses called for face masks to be mandatory again.
We’ve also been hearing how the music industry has been affected by Covid despite a recovery fund from the government.
Plain-clothes police officers will video call a uniformed colleague to confirm their identity when stopping a lone woman.
It follows the murder of Sarah Everard by then serving police officer, 48 year-old Wayne Couzens from Deal.
It’s hoped a giant puppet of a child refugee that’s going through Dover later can help challenge the stigma around asylum seekers.
Little Amal has been travelling through eight countries from the Syria-Turkey border since July.
And, the Gillingham boss has given us his views following their 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at Priestfield last night.
 

Tyson Fury has paid tribute to four men who died in a crash near Headcorn.
They’d been travelling to watch the boxer’s fight against Deontay Wilder on TV when the vehicle they were in hit a tree.
A 15-year-old boy remains in a London hospital after being seriously injured.
Also in today’s podcast, the Archbishop of Canterbury has led a memorial service to MP Sir David Amess who was killed while holding a surgery in his constituency last Friday.
Fellow MPs have also been paying tribute in the commons.
The chairman of Gillingham Football Club has threatened to ban some fans from the ground after trouble at Saturday’s game against Sunderland.
A group of supporters were heard shouting ‘Scally Out’ at Priestfield and an arrest was made following a scuffle in the club’s Factory bar at half time.
Hear from Paul Scally and our reporter Luke Cawdell who was at the game.
Find out about the Kent village that could more than double in size if building work is given the go ahead.
It’s hoped the opening of a new community café in Folkestone will help young adult with learning difficulties to develop the skills they need for work.
And we look ahead to Gillingham’s game tonight as they welcome Doncaster Rovers.

As MPs pay tribute to Sir David Amess, the issue of their security is very much back on the agenda.The Southend West MP was killed while holding a surgery in a church in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday.Police are continuing to question a 25-year-old man.We’ve been speaking to Tonbridge and Malling’s Tom Tugendhat on the abuse suffered by members of parliament.Police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott gives us his views on whether MPs should have security.Also in today’s podcast, October is Black History Month, and a Kent actor says there are still racial difficulties in society. Hear from Kayne Lee Harrison who starred in the Alicia Keys movie ‘Resort to Love’ on Netflix.A Tunbridge Wells man is calling for more awareness of male breast cancer.Mark Winter has shared his story.Find out how homeless people are hoping to change perceptions of people on the streets through a new photography exhibition.And the Gillingham boss reacts to their defeat at the weekend which has left them perilously close to the league on relegation zone.

A Walderslade man has been told he faces going to prison for an attack which has left a firefighter in a coma.It happened when the pair met at a pub in Rochester High Street two years ago.Hear from our reporter at Maidstone Crown Court.Also in today’s podcast, a report has raised concerns there aren’t enough midwives at East Kent Hospitals Trust to keep women and babies safe.We’ve been speaking to the Care Quality Commission about their findings.At the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week a dad whose son was stillborn at 32 weeks has spoken about how a cold cot gave him and his partner vital time with their baby.Finn Guthrie is now raising funds for charity Abigail’s Footsteps.The Canterbury Festival gets under way this weekend – organisers say it’ll something for everyone over the next two weeks.The Wanted have been on our sister radio station kmfm as they release their first music together for seven years.And, Thanet will play host to the final of a national paddleboarding championship this weekend.

GP surgeries are going to be rated on league tables as part of plans to improve services.The government has also announced millions of pounds aimed at improving access to doctors – although practices which don’t provide an “appropriate” level of face-to-face appointments will not be eligible for the new funding.Hear from our resident health expert Dr Julian Spinks on the demands facing GPs.Meantime, a campaign is under way to try and reduce the amount of abuse being suffered by nurses and doctors and some hospitals in the county.Also in the podcast, Insulate Britain have announced they are suspending their campaign of action until October 25.The boss of Southern Water has spoken out about sewage spills in the county.We’ve also been hearing from organisers of the national paddleboarding series due to happen in Thanet this weekend.And an Australian swimmer has broken the record for the number of Channel crossings by a single person.