KentOnline

For the second time in three days, protesters from Insulate Britain have caused major disruption on the M25.
They blocked the motorway at Dartford with some campaigners gluing their hands to the road.
We’ve been speaking to the group to find out how long they plan to continue their campaign of disruption – plus we have your views and hear from a mum who was delayed in getting her autistic son to school.
Also in today’s podcast, firefighters have been tackling a huge fire at a National Grid site near Ashford – hear from our reporter who’s been at the scene.
We’ve got reaction to the government’s plan announced yesterday to try and avoid another lockdown this winter.
A lawyer who managed to flee Kabul with his family before it fell to the Taliban has been speaking from the hotel in Canterbury where they’ve been staying.
It’s emerged £320,000 worth of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers grown at Thanet Earth have gone to waste because they didn’t have enough pickers this harvest.
The issue has been raised in the Commons by MP Sir Roger Gale.
And find out why the Gillingham chairman’s family aren’t going to game.

A 12-year-old drag queen from Broadstairs has revealed how he’s been inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and thinks it could lead to a full-time career.Miles Pullman performed in front of thousands at Canterbury Pride at the weekend and has been speaking along with his mum Nicola.
Also in today’s podcast, the government has revealed its plan to deal with Covid this winter.Ministers say going into a national lockdown is a ‘last resort’ and they are hoping booster jabs will avoid that.We’ve also got reaction to news that children aged between 12 and 15 are going to be offered a single dose of the Pfizer jab.Climate campaigners who brought sections of the M25 in Kent to a standstill yesterday say they are prepared to do it again – find out what they want done.And hear from a tennis player from Kent hoping to follow in Emma Raducanu’s footsteps.Ben Gusic-Wan from Canterbury was named under 18 LTA player of the year in 2020 – the same year Emma took the female title.

There’s been traffic misery for thousands of drivers in Kent today.
Climate protestors caused lengthy delays on parts of the M25 after blocking slip roads by sitting on the carriageway and holding up banners.
In Medway, six months of roadworks have started leading to some companies fearing customers will stay away.
And new rules have been brought in in Faversham as major work to install traffic lights continues.
Also in today’s podcast, we’re being given the chance to take part in the world’s largest trial of a new blood test that could detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.
With more of us heading back into offices, a workplace psychologist from Kent says younger people in particular may need more time to re-adjust.
In sport, the boss of the Lawn Tennis Association says Emma Raducanu’s historic US Open victory is a huge boost for the sport in the UK.
The 18 year-old from Bromley became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam on Saturday night.
And we caught up with Gillingham’s assistant manager following their 1-1 draw at Burton Albion at the weekend – hear what he had to say about the game.

A man has died following a light aircraft crash in Ashford.
Find out what we know so far.
Kent’s Emma Raducanu is through to the final of the US Open tennis in New York.The 18-year-old is the first qualifier to reach the final of any Grand Slam.Hear what she had to say after the game and from her former coach.Also in today’s podcast, we’ve got more reaction to the home secretary’s plan to turn around asylum seeker boats in the Channel in a bid to stop them getting to Kent.The tactic is known as ‘push back’ but we’ve been told it could be dangerous and is unlikely to be used.Young people in Kent who are active on TikTok are being told to consider a career in the creative industries.A new festival is under way at Margate’s Dreamland to show off what opportunities and jobs are available.Jax Jones and Joel Corry have been on our sister radio station kmfm chatting about their new single, Out Out.And we’ve caught up with Gillingham Alex Macdonald ahead of their game at Burton Albion this weekend.

A homeless man has spoken frankly about the harsh realities of sleeping rough.
Michael Cordes has been on the streets of Canterbury since May.
In just three months, he’s been robbed, urinated on and had his tent set on fire.
The 38 year-old is hoping that by speaking out he’ll change people’s opinions of those on the streets and make them more compassionate.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s been a major development in how people trying to cross the Channel to Kent in small boats could be dealt with.
The Home Secretary has reportedly given the go ahead to a new tactic called ‘pushback’. 
Priti Patel wants the Border Force to be able to turn around boats of asylum seekers wo they’re dealt with by French authorities instead.
We’ll be hearing from various sides of the debate.
There’s a chance we might need vitamin D supplements this winter following a pretty poor summer.
We’ve been speaking to a Kent GP and nutritionist on why our levels could be low.
The owner of an internet sensation has been chatting about his rise to fame.
And, Kent’s Emma Raducanu has been speaking following her incredible victory in the quarter finals of the US Open tennis.

The founder of an animal sanctuary has described the moment she thought she’d have to close it down after a planning application was supposedly turned down – describing it as ‘whack’.
The Happy Pants ranch want to stay on their site in Bobbing and have an application in with the council.
They’ve now been told a software issue was to blame and an investigation is under way.
Also in today’s podcast, the boss of Britain’s oldest brewery in Kent says another lockdown in October would be a disaster for the hospitality industry.
It’s been reported the government are planning firebreak restrictions over the half term, although that’s since been denied.
MPs are going to vote today on controversial plans to raise National Insurance to pay for social care reforms.
The Kent Wildlife Trust is backing a campaign to reduce the number of grass fires in the county following the recent spell of hot weather.
Duncan James says he can’t wait to spent Christmas in Kent.
The former Blue singer has been speaking to our What’s On editor about starring in panto in the county.
And, it was a win for Gillingham in the league trophy last night – hear from assistant manager Paul Raynor.
 

A teenage boy has been told he is lucky not to have been paralysed after being attacked with a wrench at a park in Tonbridge.
Freddy Wheatley was taken to hospital with severe bruising after it happened in Longmead Park on Saturday.
He’s spoken of the moment and his mum has explained why she has started a petition calling for CCTV cameras to be installed.
Also in today’s podcast, Boris Johnson has announced plans to reform social care.
It’ll see National Insurance contributions increase by 1.25% from next April.
Hear from a care home boss, our political editor and the chair of the National Care Association.
In sport, Kent’s Emma Raducanu is through to the quarter finals of the US Open tennis.
And Will Bayley from Tunbridge Wells has received a heroes welcome as he arrived at the airport from Tokyo after winning two silver medals at the Paralympics.

It’s been a stressful return to school for pupils and parents in parts of Medway.In Rainham, emergency gas works and planned roadworks caused long delays as some children returned to class for the first time after the summer break.In Wainscott as many as 40 youngsters were left stranded at a bus stop because the service meant to take them to school was already full.Hear from a mum whose son was among those needing to get a lift to class.Also on today’s podcast, it’s feared a rise in energy bills and removal of the £20-per-week Universal Credit top up payment will leave many families in Kent struggling from next month.We’ve spoken to a worker at a foodbank in Sittingbourne and a man who helps families in Thanet avoid falling into poverty.A former British intelligence officer from Kent has told the podcast the threat of terror attacks in the UK has increased following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.A mum from Maidstone says she’s ‘frustrated’ that her daughter’s school can’t offer accessible exams.And find out if the heatwave is going to continue.

There are calls for docking bays to be installed in Canterbury after reports of e scooters being left dumped on pavements.
The vehicles are part of a trial in the city but have led to concerns over safety and vandalism.
Hear from a worried resident and the response from the council leader.
Also in today’s podcast, businesses on the A2 near Faversham say they’re worried about roadworks which are due to take place over several weekends.
The manager of a new hotel in Ashford has spoken about the impact he hopes it’ll have on the town.
The Elmer the Elephant art trail in Maidstone comes to an end this weekend – we’ve caught up with the town’s Mayor at the Heart of Kent Hospice who put it on.
And, Kent’s Will Bayley has won his second silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Tributes have been paid to a two-year-old boy from Dartford who’s died following a crash which also killed his dad.
Joshua Hoyle was in the car that collided with three other vehicles on the A267 Tunbridge Wells Road last month. Police have confirmed he later passed away in hospital.
His mum has released a statement as investigations continue.
Also in today’s podcast, the man who represents headteachers in Kent says staff are keen to welcome children back after the summer break – but they remain anxious.
Pupils are being urged to do regular Covid tests but Alan Brookes says more measures to prevent the spread of the virus should have been put in place.
A mum is calling for barbers and hairdressers to do more to accommodate children with additional needs.
Andrea Bartha has explained how she was forced to cut her own son’s hair because he found the whole experience overwhelming.
And, hear from Maidstone drag queen Madame Mu Mu who’s been telling our Instagram live how performing has helped him love himself.