KentOnline

In today’s podcast:
– There are suggestions vaccine passports could be needed to go the pub. Hear from the Chief Exec of Shepherd Neame, which is Kent’s oldest brewery.
 
– Also, It’s understood Kent’s mass Coronavirus vaccine sites could temporarily close, due to a shortage of jabs. We speak to Dr Julian Spinks, a GP from Medway.
 
– A woman from Tunbridge Wells has started a petition to improve street lighting in the towns parks.
 
– And… Maidstone is getting its own version of Monopoly and you could get involved!
 

– In today’s podcast, we hear from Jo James from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, after it was confirmed John Lewis stores in Ashford and Tunbridge Wells won’t be reopening.
– Also in the podcast, we hear from a Gravesham teenager about the challenges of securing a job during the Covid-19 crisis.
– And… plans have been unveiled to overhaul the UK’s asylum system, but charities say it won’t stop people crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats.

Today marks one year since Kent, and the rest of the UK, entered the first Coronavirus lockdown.
In this episode, we reflect on the events of the past 12 months.
 
Also in today’s podcast, the MP for Dartford has chaired a debate about a controversial new £3.50 charge for people crossing the border between Dartford and Bromley.
 
And, hear about a new animal project being carried out by the Aspinall Foundation.

In today’s podcast:
– The Care Minister and MP for Faversham, Helen Whately, is calling for the UK and EU to “work together” to ensure the UK’s Covid vaccine supply is not impacted.
– A Kent charity says new immigration plans won’t stop people making dangerous journeys to get to Kent.
– Tonbridge and Malling’s Tom Tugendhat wants the maximum sentence for child cruelty offences to be increased to life imprisonment.
– A paperboy from Medway’s saved a 94-year-old woman’s life, after noticing she hadn’t picked up her newspapers for three days.
– And… reaction after Gillingham draw 2-2 with Doncaster Rovers.

The redevelopment of two former department stores in Canterbury has been delayed because of fears over water pollution.
Contamination at Stodmarsh lakes has already led to a number of housing developments in east Kent being put on hold.
The chief exec of Canterbury BID tells the KentOnline Podcast what the implications are for the city.
Also in the podcast, the government’s considering Covid certificates as a way of mass gatherings being able to go ahead this summer – we find out what you think.
The bosses of a Kent wedding venue explain how they’ve adapted to try and keep going until they can host ceremonies again.
Kent cricket’s head coach chats ahead of the start of the new season which is less than three weeks away.
And, the Gillingham boss looks forward to their game against Doncaster Rovers at Priestfield this weekend.

An inquest into the death of Sarah Everard has opened in Kent.
The 33 year-old’s body was found in woodland near Ashford last week after she disappeared while walking home in London.
Hear from our reporter who was at County Hall in Maidstone.
Also in today’s podcast, we have the latest on delays to Covid jabs and what it could mean for you.
A skateboarder who ended up in a scuffle with a police officer in Canterbury speaks out.
There’s a warning to children about the dangers of railway lines in Kent.
And a singing family from Faversham are set to appear on Comic Relief.

An internal investigation has been launched by McDonald’s following claims Covid rules at a Kent branch were ignored.
Workers at a restaurant in the county have raised concerns – our reporter Oliver Kemp has the details.
Also on today’s podcast we speak to the man who has been at the helm of one of Kent’s most well known charities for the past six years.
Ryan Campbell is the chief exec of Demelza hospice care for children but has announced he’ll be leaving in May.
Tom Grennan has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm.
And it’s was a fantastic win for Gillingham at Lincoln City last night – we’ll hear from boss Steve Evans.

A serving Met police officer from Deal has appeared at the Old Bailey via video link charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.
The 33 year-old’s body was found in woodland near Ashford last Wednesday, a week after she disappeared from Clapham in London.
Hear the very latest on the investigation as searches continue in parts of the county.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP say we still need to be very careful when it comes to lifting lockdown restrictions.
It’s just under two weeks until the rule of six could be brought back outside.
The stark reality of how children have been affected by homeschooling is being realised – we speak to a Kent headteacher.
And hear from the Gillingham boss and striker Vadaine Oliver ahead of their trip to Lincoln City tonight.

Another site in Kent is being searched as part of the Sarah Everard investigation.
Police have cordoned off areas of Sandwich with divers among those drafted in.
Over the weekend a serving Met police officer from Deal appeared in court charged with the 33 year-old’s kidnap and murder.
Hear from our reporters in Sandwich and also at the site where Sarah’s body was found near Ashford.
Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale speaks about the police response to a vigil close to where Sarah Everard disappeared.
A self defence coach says she’s been inundated with requests for classes as women take steps to ensure their safety.
Also in today’s podcast, a police officer’s going to be investigated following a clash with a teenage skateboarder in Canterbury.
We catch up with Gillingham’s Vadaine Oliver following their win over Swindon Town at the weekend.
And Kent Cricket’s Heino Kuhn on spending the winter in sunny South Africa.

Police have confirmed a body found in woodland near Ashford is that of missing Sarah Everard.
The discovery was made on Wednesday, a week after the 33-year-old went missing while walking home in Clapham in London.
We have the latest from reporters at the search site in Great Chart and also a disused garage which used to belong to the family of the Met police officer being held on suspicion of murder.
Also in today’s podcast, land in north Kent earmarked for a huge theme park has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We’ve been speaking to Buglife.
A Medway student will be back on The Voice this weekend.
And we catch up with Gillingham’s Vadaine Oliver ahead of their match at Swindon Town.