KentOnline

It's an historic day in Kent as the enthronement of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury takes place.

Today's ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral is the symbolic start of Dame Sarah Mullally's leadership of the Church of England.

More than 2,000 people including the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Prime Minister will be at the ceremony.

Three students from the John Wallis Church of England Academy in Ashford will also be taking part hear from MacAnthony Ihejirika and the school's chaplain Ian Rich.

Also in today's podcast, you're now able to travel around Canterbury on e-bikes.

Rental firm Beryl is bringing the vehicles to the city and already runs similar schemes in Manchester, Plymouth and Bradford.

We're joined on the episode by reporter Brad Harper who went along to the launch.

Residents of a village near Maidstone have criticised plans to build 26 homes on an agricultural field near their homes.

Developers have submitted an application for land off Gallants Lane in East Farleigh.

Meantime, there are fears a new development in Dover will result in the loss of almost all of the parking spaces around a nearby church.

11 homes are set to be built along Northbourne Road in Great Mongeham, with double yellow line directly outside.

And in sport, Kent's head coach Adam Hollioake says there's no reason some of his young players couldn't represent England at senior level one day.

Several of them were given their first-team debuts last summer and are said to be showing promise.

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An investigation's underway following a fire at a café in Strood.

Emergency crews were called to the High Street at about 4am and at its height seven fire engines were at the scene along with a height vehicle.

Also in today's podcast, drivers have been stuck in gridlocked traffic because of a closure of the Medway Tunnel.

There was a power failure overnight which led to long delays through Strood, Gillingham and Chatham. We have the latest on the situation from councillor Alex Paterson.

Two of Kent's MPs are calling for a crackdown on catapults being used to hurt animals.

Dartford's Jim Dickson has raised the issue in the commons, meantime, Faversham and Mid Kent's Helen Whately has been to visit an animal rescue centre where volunteers deal with wildlife that's been injured.

Hear from Mark Henderson from the Columbines Wildlife Care in Teynham near Sittingbourne.

Also on the podcast, we've been hearing from the mother of a young girl from Kent who lives with a rare condition that's left her locked in her own body.

11-year-old Poppy has Rett Syndrome, a degenerative disease that's rarely seen in boys but affects one in every ten-thousand girls.

And in sport, Sam Northeast says he wants to help Kent secure a move back to the top flight this season.

The batsman has rejoined the county after being involved in Glamorgan's promotion from league two last summer.

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There have been tributes to a “selfless” and “brave”  Kent Police officer who has died after being involved in a crash while responding to an emergency call.

27-year-old PC Bradley Corke died yesterday after being critically injured in the line of duty after a serious crash in Farningham last week. 

Also in today’s podcast, latest figures show there have been no new meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in Kent.

It means 20 cases have been confirmed, with nine still under investigation – it’s as business bosses are hoping this week’s enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury will bring tourists back to the city. 

Tom Burke is best known for playing a troubled private detective haunted by his past in hit crime series Strike.

But the 44-year-old is now trying to solve a “complex issue” off screen: helping Ashford town centre overcome an “identity crisis”.

We've been hearing from a Kent mental health nurse, who works with the team that offered her support during pregnancy.

After suffered severe bipolar and psychotic episodes while expecting her fourth child Tynisa Nixon received help from the Kent and Medway Mental Heath NHS Trust perinatal support team. 

And in football, you can hear from the Gillingham manager after his side threw away an advantage on Saturday.

The Gills looked in charge at the break, but two minutes into the second half Bristol took the lead and went on to secure the 2 – 1 win. 

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A huge fire has engulfed several vehicles and industrial buildings after breaking out near Sittingbourne late last night.

Fire crews were called to Matts Hill Farm shortly after people reported hearing loud explosions.

Also in today’s podcast, the father of an 18-year-old girl who died during the Kent meningitis outbreak has described his family’s devastation as “immeasurable” as they call for urgent changes to vaccine access.

Juliette Kenny, a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, died on Saturday - less than 24 hours after first falling ill.

Opposition parties have stormed out of a “divisive fantasy debate” on immigration at County Hall.

In scenes of high drama rarely seen at Kent County Council Liberal Democrat leader Antony Hook led the members out after saying the motion was a “political stunt” based on “discriminatory assumptions”.

Dad-friendly play dates are being launched in Tunbridge Wells this weekend by support group Dad La Soul.

The two hour sessions blend play and culture, offering men a place to connect and engage with their children

And in football, Gillingham’s run of games against promotion chasers is over, but they’re still expects a tough test at Priestfield this weekend. 

The Gills have conceded 12 goals in their last three games –  you can hear from striker Ronan Hale as they prepare to welcome Bristol Rovers. 

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Coming up in today's episode, the KentOnline Podcast has been told a jail in Kent is one of the worst in the country.

An inspection of HMP Swaleside on Sheppey, found incidents of violence and drug supply were high.

Concerns have also been raised about the risk to the public, with the site failing as a training and rehabilitation facility.

But first, there's been another increase in the number of cases of meningitis in Kent following a deadly outbreak.

Health experts say 15 are confirmed and 12 are being investigated - bringing the total to 27.

Two young people have died and others are being treated in hospital.

The outbreak centres around Canterbury, hear from the acting vice chancellor at the University of Kent, and the city's MP who is calling for a MenB vaccine to be more widely available.

A man's been arrested following a stabbing in Gillingham.

Armed police were called to Mill Road near the Medway Park sports centre yesterday lunchtime, we've got reaction from people in the area at the time.

And in sport, Maidstone Grammar School will compete in the final of the National Under 18 Vase today.

They'll take on Newcastle's Dame Allen School at Twickenham after a hard fought campaign.

As a state-funded school, they've competed against mostly independent schools in the knock-out rounds.

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The number of cases of meningitis in Kent has risen to 20.

Medics say six are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease - or MenB.

Meantime, a mum has spoken of her shock after her daughter became ill and ended up in hospital.

21-year-old Keeleigh Goodwin lives in a house share in the Wincheap part of Canterbury and started to feel unwell over the weekend.

The outbreak is being linked to three events at Club Chemistry in the city and anyone who went there is being urged to get antibiotics as a precaution.

So far, 2,500 doses of antibiotics have been handed out at four clinics in the county. In this episode, you can also hear from Dr Anjan Ghosh who is Kent's director of public health.

Other top stories, and, a Birchington man who organised the supply of class A drugs across east Kent has been locked up.

Police say the 30-year-old used a luxury watch business as a cover up and was caught singing while handling his illicit money.

A father and step-daughter have joined forces to bring traditional English dishes to a Kent town with a new “upmarket” eatery in a former landmark pub.

Businessman Henry Cooper and Tabitha Bennet are transforming the old King’s Head in Sittingbourne into a café and restaurant.

And in sport, the Gillingham manager is focusing on performance, rather than results, after last night's loss to Swindon Town.

They were defeated 2-0 at Priestfield despite managing 20 shots on target.

Hear from Gareth Ainsworth and young striker Harry Waldock.

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The family of a teenager from Faversham who died after contracting meningitis say they're 'beyond devastated'.

18-year-old Juliette Kenney was in the sixth form at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School. A student from the University of Kent has also died, while other young people remain in hospital.

The UK health security agency has confirmed Meningitis B is the strain behind the outbreak.

Babies have been vaccinated against it since 2015, but older students aren't protected unless they've had the jab.

Also in today's podcast, the multi-million pound rebuild of a school near Sittingbourne has been completed, following more than 18 months of work.

It means Teynham Primary will be able to welcome more pupils in future, as hundreds of new homes are also planned for the area.

The new Archbishop of Canterbury is setting off on an 87-mile pilgrimage today - ahead of her installation at Canterbury Cathedral.

Dame Sarah Mullally will walk from St Paul's Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, joining prayer services at churches and abbeys along the way.

And in sport,  the Gillingham boss has told his squad they need to toughen up ahead of tonight's clash against Swindon Town.

The Gills have suffered a run of disappointing results - losing 5 - 0 to Cambridge United last time out.

They're sitting 17th in League Two, while tonight's visitors to Priestfield are in 6th.

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Two young people have died following a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury.

One was studying at the University of Kent in the city while the other was in the sixth form at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.

Several other young people, who are believed to be Uni students, are understood to be in hospital.

Hear from our reporter Max Chesson who has been at the campus. We've also been speaking to a leading GP about how contagious the infection is.

Also in today's podcast, figures seen by KentOnline show more than 2700 households in Kent are living in temporary accommodation. That includes more than 1,600 families with children.

Medway has the highest number, followed by Dover. But, some areas have managed to reduce their figures including Thanet, where it's dropped from 302 to 219 in the space of a year.

A Kent family have been accused of fraud, after launching a fundraiser to help build an accessible home for their disabled son.

Eight-year-old Evan has muscular dystrophy and money is being raised to build a property near Maidstone with all the required adaptations inside.  

Mum Laura says their GoFundMe was reported by people who believe Evan looks too healthy.

And in sport,  the Gillingham manager's said his side have hit 'rock bottom' after another heavy defeat in league two.

They lost 5-0 away at Cambridge United on Saturday - following a 5-1 loss to MK Dons on Tuesday night.

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Tributes have been paid to a “fiercely loyal” and “always smiling” big sister who died in a crash.

Ammber Fenn was driving her car towards Sittingbourne on the A249, near Sheppey Crossing, when it collided with a BMW on January 30.

Also in today’s podcast, a leading expert has been asked to help with a project to tackle health inequalities in Kent.

The county council say it's one of their top priorities - after stats revealed people in some coastal areas have poorer health and a shorter life expectancy that those inland.

We’ve got the details as it’s been revealed one of Kent’s MPs has declared more in outside interests since the start of 2025 than any other by some distance.

Tom Tugendhat has two additional jobs paying almost twice the average salary for only a few hours a month, and has taken expensive trips around the globe paid for by foreign governments and think tanks.

The KentOnline Podcast has spoken to a Kent woman who's recovering from an eating disorder and says weight loss jabs are creating a worrying new dynamic for people with body image issues.

Shannon Travers-Spencer says she tried to purchase them when suffering a relapse - and found it far too easy.

And in football, it's a trip to promotion chasing Cambridge United for Gillingham this weekend.

It follows Tuesday night's 5-1 defeat to MK Dons at Priestfield – you can hear from striker Sam Vokes who says they're determined to put things right. 

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House-building plans are in jeopardy as South East Water has warned that it has the capacity to supply water to only one third of all the new homes being planned.

Bosses in Tonbridge and Malling are in the process of drawing up a new Local Plan which allocates land for more than 19,000 new homes across the borough by 2042 - expanding the borough’s population by over a third.

Also in today’s podcast, the 999 call an e-bike rider made to the emergency services after striking a 91-year-old as he put the rubbish out has been released.

Clifford Cage has become the first cyclist in British legal history to be convicted of manslaughter but has avoided being sent to prison – you can hear from the daughter of the victim who spoke following the sentencing. 

A mum-of-three who created an award-winning podcast after losing her husband in a scuba diving tragedy has published her first book about coping and recovering from losing a partner.

Ben Moss from Faversham failed to resurface during a trip near Dover and his body's never been found – wife Rosie started a podcast to share her story and hear from other widows. 

The owner of an animal sanctuary has spoken to us about her relief after legal proceedings against her were dropped.

The action had been brought against the Happy Pants Ranch near Sittingbourne after it was alleged that the animal sanctuary had failed to comply with a noise abatement order it had served after neighbours reported disturbance.

And a visitor car park at one of the UK’s most famous beauty spots is now being locked overnight following a surge in anti-social behaviour.

The National Trust has introduced the restrictions at a 300-space site serving the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.

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