Episodes
A videographer has hit back after complaints from several couples who were let down on their wedding day.KentOnline has spoken to dozens of brides who've had issues with services provided by Wallflower Weddings, based in Tonbridge. We've also got their response.Also in today's podcast, staff at a family hub in Margate say plans to cut more than half of their funding will be a huge blow for the community.The Milmead site employs 27 paid workers as well as seven volunteers, providing support for parents, people with mental health issues and domestic abuse victims.A motorcyclist who died in a ...
A young man found dead in a Kent park following a suspected scooter accident has been described as kind and incredibly talented.Police and paramedics had been called to Mote Park in Maidstone just before 5.30am last Saturday and Anatolii Cherevko was pronounced dead at the scene.Also in today's episode, we've been told what it'll mean for patients in Kent after GPs voted to take 'collective action' for the first time in 60 years.It's in a row about new contracts and means family doctors could limit the number of patients they see each day to 25. Hear from Dr Caroline Rickard who represents ...
It's been revealed an almost 100-year-old Kent railway needs £30million pounds over the next 10 years to upgrade its facilities.Bosses at Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway have set out their financial situation as they prepare to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.Also on today's podcast, the KentOnline Podcast has discovered there's been a large jump in reports of racism at Kent schools.Data provided voluntarily by schools shows more than 900 racist incidents were believed to have happened last year.The highest number, 473, were from primaries; some 332 came from secondary schools a...
There's shock today at the sudden closure of Folkestone Sports Centre.Trustees have released a statement saying the facility can “no longer afford to remain operational”. We've got reaction from Folkestone Swimming Club which uses the pool. A petition has also been set up in a bid to save the facility.Also in today's podcast, a mum from Faversham has written a book to try and raise awareness after being diagnosed with a mostly symptomless condition that can cause infertility.Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb and can be extremely painful.An urgent search i...
The family of a woman who died after spending months on an NHS waiting list say she was 'let down'.43-year-old Jo Sharpe from Ashford had been referred to a specialist after suffering a seizure in January - but passed away earlier this month.Also on today's podcast, there's a warning temperatures could top 30 degrees in Kent today.A heat health alert is in force across the county and won't end until Friday morning. We've been chatting to Kent's deputy director of public health.If you live in Folkestone, you're being asked what you think should happen to the town's library.The building on Gr...
People living near Sittingbourne are worried sewage leaks could get worse as plans for nearly 300 new homes have been approved.Residents of Frognal Lane in Teynham say waste water regularly runs down the street and into their gardens. Our reporter Joe Crossley's been chatting to Wayne Kennett who lives there.Also in today's podcast, a survey's being sent out to 75,000 households in Kent to find out how you want police to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour.The police and crime commissioner's office has identified 25 known 'hot spots' and they want to see if targeted local patrolling c...
The bin collection crisis in parts of Kent could be about to get worse, with the GMB Union confirming they're balloting members on potential strike action.Suez has already been under pressure over waste not being taken away on time, with a recent council meeting being told there have been 36,000 missed collections.Also in today's podcast, Kent's roads are expected to be especially busy on what's being dubbed Frantic Friday.The summer getaway coincides with the start of the Olympics in Paris. We've been speaking to Toby Howe from the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum.A single dad's told KentO...
A man's been charged with attempted murder after a soldier was stabbed near an Army base in Medway.24-year-old Anthony Esan from Mooring Road in Rochester is due in court accused of carrying out the attack near Brompton Barracks on Tuesday evening.Also in today's podcast, every council leader in Kent has signed a letter calling on the government to reduce the risk of disruption when the new EU entry exit system is introduced this autumn.There are concerns the biometric checks at the port of Dover and Eurotunnel at Folkestone will cause traffic congestion in the county. We've been speaking t...
Our top story today is the shocking news that broke overnight - the stabbing of a soldier in uniform close to an army barracks in Medway.Emergency crews were called to Sally Port Gardens which is near Brompton Barracks just before 6pm. Hear from our reporters at the scene, we've also go reaction from Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards.Also in today's podcast, some people living in run-down tower blocks in Thanet have been told they face a huge bill to cover the cost of essential refurbishments.Work on the buildings is said to total £40 million. We've got the full details from our local ...
The top story on today's episode is that a huge fire that's broken out in Ramsgate.Crews were called shortly to Northwood Road shortly after 4am to tackle the flames at a near 100 year-old business.Also in today's podcast, a convicted killer has been sentenced to life in prison, after an attack in Dartford which left his victim with more than 70 stab wounds.A new report by the National Police Chiefs Council has described violence against women and girls as a 'national emergency' with over 3,000 offences every day. It accounted for just under 20% of all recorded crime excluding fraud across...
A Kent dog owner faces an anxious wait to see if his Staffordshire bull terrier cross will be put down after it attacked another man.He’ll learn next month if a court has decided Demba will be destroyed following the alarming incident near Whitstable.Also in today’s podcast, the family of a one-year-old who unexpectedly died says the wait for answers and “missed opportunities” has prevented them from grieving.During five hospital visits, medics missed the fact the “happy and always smiling” child suffered an undiagnosed and extremely rare heart condition.Families have hit out at a former ma...
There’s disruption in Kent as a Worldwide IT outage shuts down essential services. Thameslink, Southern Rail and Port of Dover have all reported problems, as well as GP surgeries, airports and banks. Also in today’s podcast, a waste management company that’s caused four months of bin collection chaos is to be penalised - but residents will not see a penny.Suez started collecting recycling and rubbish across Swale, Maidstone and Ashford as part of a £152 million contract in March.Motorists in one Kent town are facing a summer of misery thanks to what feels like an avalanche of roadworks.Frus...
Podcast: Man arrested following reports a woman was raped in the Marlborough Road area of Gillingham
A man's been arrested following reports of a sex attack in Gillingham.An area was cordoned off by police earlier - hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who was there earlier.Also in today's podcast, The mum of a boy who died in a hit and run in Folkestone is calling for reforms to the justice system.Seven-year-old William Brown Jr was trying to collect a football from Sandgate Esplanade when he was struck last December.Almost 40 fines have been issued to food delivery riders in Canterbury after new rules came into force.The public spaces protection order bans riders from aggressive driving, ...
Parents are worried about the safety of their children as they're set to be banned from parking in a nearby village hall during the school run.They currently use the space in Wingham before taking pupils to the primary school - but from September, that won't be allowed to happen.Also on today's podcast, planning reforms, a new border security bill and re-nationalising rail firms are expected to be among the announcements in today's King's Speech.The Prime Minister's using the State Opening of Parliament to set out Labour's aims for Britain. We've been speaking to the new Tunbridge Wells MP,...
There are calls for a review of Dreamland's licence as it's emerged more than 20 teenagers ended up in hospital after a gig at the venue in Margate.A 17 year-old girl had died after attending a drum and bass event at Dreamland.Emily Stoke suffered from a suspected MDMA overdose - and it's now emerged 21 other teenagers also ended up in hospital.Also in today's podcast, Figures seen by KentOnline show a 70% rise in fines issued to parents in Kent for taking their children out of school.More than 13,000 penalty notices were handed out for unauthorised absences last year - up from around 7,700...
Video footage showing people risking their lives at level crossings has been released as part of a major safety campaign.It's after near misses in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Gravesend and East Farleigh.Plans to scale back the number of children eligible for special needs places in Kent have been described as 'terrifying' by worried families.Kent County Council say there's an over-reliance on special school placements and want to change the admissions guidance so they're only for those with the most complex needs.A Medway man says he's been hounded by a gas company for seven month...
A teenager's been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were injured at a temple in Gravesend...Emergency crews were called to the Gurdwara just after 8pm last night - the air ambulance was also seen to land within the grounds off Saddington Street.Four people have died after their boat capsized in the English Channel as they attempted to cross to Kent.The French Coast Guard says 63 people were rescued off the coast of Boulogne. We've been getting reaction from Samphire Project the works with refugees in Dover.A couple have told the podcast their damp, cold and mouldy f...
A mum has praised her son for saving her from a fire at their home near Dartford.The blaze broke out in a bedroom of the property on Capel Place in Wilmington, setting off the smoke alarms.Loren Ringshall has lived there for 16 years and initially attempted to fight the flames, before being dragged to safety. She's been speaking to reporter Ben Austin.More than a thousand days after major work started on the redesign of the Stockbury roundabout drivers can now use the new flyover.One lane, heading Maidstone bound, opens today - then a lane in the Sittingbourne direction opens tomorrow.A for...
Frustrated neighbours say “rude and lazy” school-run parents are making their lives hell by parking and driving recklessly.Residents in Ashford say vehicles are regularly left on double-yellow lines, across dropped kerbs and even on driveways by people dropping children at the nearby schools. Also on today’s podcast, a cleaner at a school in Sandwich who was signed off work has told of her shock at being sacked by text message.She’d been on sick leave with anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome - but was told via WhatsApp that her P45 was in the post. The long wait to use a £92 million flyover for...
The son of a Gravesend man who was attacked by an XL Bully says he was one bite from death. The 69-year-old suffered injuries to his arms, legs, shoulder and upper thigh after being mauled by the animal while on his evening walk. Also in today’s podcast, police have had to cordon off a town centre street after a man and a woman were found dead.Emergency services were called to The Butchery in Sandwich after concerns were raised for two pensioners.Furious residents say housebuilding has spiralled out of control as 1,500 homes are planned across just 1.5 square miles of Ashford.An application...
Kent’s first homeless pods are set to launch later this year with 23 currently being stacked on an industrial estate in Ashford. They’re designed to be an energy-efficient alternative to building new homes and will offer temporary accommodation to rough sleepers. Also in today’s podcast, plans to drastically scale back the number of children eligible for special needs school places in Kent have been described as ‘terrifying’ by worried families.Kent County Council has revealed proposals to address what it says is an over-reliance on special school placements.A lollipop lady has told the Ken...
Labour have swept to victory in the general election.Sir Keir Starmer is the country's new Prime Minister after going to meet the King following the official resignation of Rishi Sunak.Labour claimed more than 400 seats across the country with the Tories suffering their worst results in history.In Kent, the political picture is very different with Labour and the Lib Dems taking seats previously held by the Conservatives.There are now 11 Labour MPs in the county. The Tories have six representatives while the Liberal Democrats won Tunbridge Wells.Hear from our reporters at counts across the c...
A primary school teacher from Gravesend has been banned from the profession after she was caught drinking wine during her lunch break.She was in her car at the time and was later called into the office for questioning.Also in today's podcast, a former soldier from Canterbury has been telling KentOnline how medicinal cannabis "changed his life" after years struggling with PTSD.Christopher Monteiro-Sharratt served in Bosnia, and found it difficult to adjust to normal life when he came home.Thousands of people across Kent will be heading out to vote today in the general election.There are 18 c...
It’s been confirmed four Kent restaurants owned by the same company will be closing.They’re all owned by Whitbread, which is also the owner of Premier Inn, which earlier this year confirmed plans to convert 112 of its low-performing restaurants into hotel facilities and to sell 126 of its branded restaurants.Also in today’s podcast, a woman has now been charged with murder after a 25-year-old man was stabbed.Police were called to Harrietsham yesterday afternoon but the victim later died in hospital. School children have been stuck on a bus home for hours during traffic “madness” that brough...
The family of a teenage boy who suffered severe brain damage after jumping off a pier into the sea at Margate have described him as 'amazing but as wild as they come'.Jack Dolan was knocked unconscious after performing a flip off Stone Pier last month. The 15-year-old was flown to a London hospital but a scan revealed no brain activity.Also in today's podcast, with less than 48 hours until polls open for the general election, it's feared some people in Kent might not get the chance to vote.There have been concerns about delays with sending out postal ballots for those who are on holiday or ...
People living in a village between Folkestone and Dover say plans to build 90 more homes is "concreting over countryside and will spoil views".Developers have lodged plans to transform farmland in Capel-le-Ferne - and it's already raised more than 100 letters of objection.Also in today's podcast, a woman's described the moment a car crashed into her house in a village near Ashford.Jenny Garrad was upstairs in the property when it happened on Chequer Tree Farm Road in Mersham - she's now calling for improvements to the junction with Colliers Hill.With just three days until the general electi...
A dad has told of his heartbreak following the death of his kind, loving and talented daughter - aged just 16.Sasha Ghosh, from Smeeth, near Ashford, had been competing internationally in gymnastics before being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer two years ago.Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from election experts on which was the county is expected to vote in next week’s general election. According to Electoral Calculus, constituencies on the south coast are the ones to watch. Picnic goers were left in shock after witnessing a “lost” lorry reverse into a fence after managing to...
The company behind a £30 million regeneration project in Canterbury has been put into administration.It means the development of the former Nasons department store in the city is now in doubt.As the fall out from the election betting scandal continues, the KentOnline Podcast has been hearing your thoughts about those involved.Earlier this week the Conservatives withdrew support for two candidates under investigation for betting on the timing of the election - Labour has also made one suspension.Meantime, With the general election just a week away, we've been speaking to a local pub boss abo...
A frustrated patient waiting in a busy A&E has been involved in a stand-off with staff after his friend brought in a mattress for him to lie down on. The make shift bed was dragged onto the floor of the emergency unit at Ashford's William Harvey hospital.Also in today's podcast, we've got an extended chat with a Chatham woman who was taken into care when she was just four.Natasha Morgan is now 33 and is using her experience as a child to help those who're now going into the care system.A group representing care providers in Kent is urging the next government to increase funding for the soc...
The head of a Kent grammar school is calling for a non-selective secondary nearby to re-open.David Clark is in charge at Cranbrook school and says a replacement for the High Weald Academy, which closed nearly two years ago, is desperately needed.It's because a lot of homes are being built in the area and many parents face sending their children miles from home.An NHS worker from Kent has been telling the podcast about life in Ukraine, more than two years after the war there started.Brian Grove from Sittingbourne delivered a convoy of ambulances to the country just weeks after the invasion.W...