KentOnline

A grandmother of 12 has been left heartbroken after a council confirmed she cannot return to her home of more than 25 years following a devastating fire.

The blaze ripped through her three-bedroom house in South Ashford last month and she was initially told she would be able to return once repairs to the council-owned property had been completed.

Also in today’s podcast, the KentOnline Podcast has been told the Port of Dover will be ready for the full rollout of new border checks for passengers heading to the EU.

From the 10th of April, everyone travelling through to mainland Europe will have to provide a fingerprint and photo – you can hear from the Port CEO ahead of the changes. 

You can hear from a mum-of-two was told she had multiple brain tumours after previously battling breast cancer twice.

The 35-year-old underwent successful surgery in 2024 but just before Christmas last year, she started suffering from severe headaches and problems with her vision.

Another Kent town has bid to become the first-ever UK Town of Culture. 

The competition aims to celebrate the legacy and creativity of some of the country’s smaller places – Chatham’s bid is being led by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. 

And the local authority in Maidstone say there's been an incredible community response to a campaign to save Swift colonies. 

They're taking action to try to bolster declining populations but handing out free boxes for the birds to nest in. 

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Swimmers say they are anxious about going in the sea at Hythe because of the amount of sewage being discharged into the water.

The group regularly travel from Ashford to swim at sunrise, but say they've seen an increasing number of floating objects.

Hear from one of the group, and we've had a response from Southern Water.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent campaigner's told us she has some concerns over the government's plans to reform the special educational needs system.

Yesterday, they announced a £4 billion package and say more youngsters with SEN will be taught in mainstream schools by offering language therapists and specialist teacher training. Lisa Lloyd from Aylesford has some concerns.

We've been hearing from the bosses of a Kent vineyard about how they've been impacted by the wet start to the year.

Bosses at Nucleus Winery at Fort Borstal say heavy and persistent rainfall can wash nutrients away from the soil and hamper harvesting efforts.

A dental practice has opened on a new-build estate in north Kent after hundreds of residents called for one.

Smile Tech Dental's set up a branch at The Prep Rooms in Castle Hill which is part of Ebbsfleet Garden City and is designed to be a one-stop shop for people living there.

And in sport, Gillingham's Marcus Wyllie has gone out on load for the rest of the season.

The striker hasn't played a league game for the Gills in four months and has moved to National South side Ebbsfleet United.

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Plans have been put in to add another shop to the retail park in Sittingbourne.

The owners want to convert an area of land that's currently used for parking between Carpet Right and Dunelm at the site in Mill Way.

Hear from reporter Alex Langridge who has been covering the story.

Also on today's episode, a Sheppey woman who lost her dad to cancer is calling on peers not to stand in the way of the assisted dying bill.

MPs voted it through last June with a narrow majority. It's now being debated in the House of Lords, but faces more than 1,000 amendments.

Claire Blythe's dad Thomas passed away in December after being diagnosed with lung cancer, she's been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

Nurseries in Kent are taking on a challenge to read at least four books a day, as data show children's reading has hit a 20-year low.

Figures from the National Literacy Trust show one in ten children don't own a book and only half of parents read with their child daily.  

Busy Bees Nurseries across the county are taking part in a nation wide initiative to help promote reading at home.

A former arcade on Sheppey is set to reopen as a sports lounge.

The site in Beachfields in Sheerness has been empty for several years after closing during Covid.

Neptune Sports Lounge is moving from its current location in Neptune Terrace and we've been speaking to owner Charlie Minta.

Bosses at Rochester Cathedral are hoping to install solar panels on the roof of the historic building.

The Church of England has set targets for all of its sites to be carbon neutral by 2030, and we've been speaking to Simon Lace who's Chief Operating Officer at the Cathedral.

And in sport,  it was a very disappointing weekend Gillingham.

They were beaten by 3-0 by Oldham at Priestfield on Saturday, leaving them 16th in League Two.

We've got reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth and midfielder Bradley Dack.

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A school in Chatham has been placed in special measures by inspectors who found staff physically intervened with pupils.

Ofsted found safeguarding measures at Wayfield Primary were not being met, and demanded urgent improvements be implemented.

School bosses and the trust running it, say they take the report very seriously and have already been implementing a robust programme of improvement.

Also in today's podcast, a father and son accused of murdering a four-year-old boy in a hit-and-run in Southfleet have been found not guilty.

Peter Maughan was in a Ford Ranger which was "clipped at speed" by another vehicle on New Barn Road last June. Hear from a detective who reacted to the verdict outside court.

We've been hearing from a business owner in Canterbury who's still unable to trade, days after a devastating fire nearby.

The Odeon cinema in St George's Place caught alight last Saturday afternoon and we've been chatting to Louise Jones-Roberts who runs Tokyo Tea Rooms.

Young people in Kent are being encouraged to show their love for nature by taking part in a hedge planting campaign.

Tomorrow is being dubbed Hedgentines Day and is being celebrated with a planting event in Chislet near Canterbury as part of a joint project between the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Youngwilders.

In sport, Chatham Town are getting ready for a big weekend - they're playing in the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup.

They'll be the underdogs tomorrow as they take on WSL 2 side Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

And, the Gillingham boss is looking for a response from his squad in this weekend's league two clash with Oldham Athletic. 

The Gills suffered another defeat away at Chesterfield during the week - hear from Gareth Ainsworth.

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A good Samaritan has told of the terrifying moment boiling sugar water was poured over her as she lay in bed.

What started as a decent deed from the Whitstable mum ended with a horror attack, which also saw her hit around the head with a hammer.

Also in today’s podcast, the Folkestone son of a woman who was arrested with her partner in Iran on charges of espionage has confirmed they’ve been jailed for 10 years.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained in January 2025 while travelling through the country on a motorcycle journey.

Frustrated residents have joined forces to demand the return of their lost community centre, described as “the heart of the village”.

They came together outside the now-shut building which previously served as the base for Age UK day centre.

There are calls for parents in Kent to be more aware of the impact physical activity can have on their children's mental health.

Exercise is being suggested as a way of helping those who might be struggling with things like stress, depression or anxiety.

And you can hear from a couple who are relishing the opportunity to realise a lifetime’s ambition of running their community pub.

They’ve taken over The Rising Sun in Rochester, a venue they’ve frequented for many years.

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One of the county’s biggest classical concerts is ending after more than 40 years.

It’s been announced the annual Leeds Castle Classical Concert, which has been running since 1978, will no longer continue after this year. 

Also in today’s podcast, youths on e-bikes and e-scooters gathering in the car park of a leisure centre at night have been accused of intimidating residents.

Community leaders now want to reassure people that the police and council are cracking down on the anti-social behaviour reported at Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham. 

Reform UK councillors who were booted out of the party at Kent County Council have joined a new rival political party. 

MP Rupert Lowe announced yesterday that seven defectors had joined his new party, Restore Britain – we’ll take a look at who they are and what this means for the county. 

A new bar has opened on a farm following a village backlash over the closure of a popular taproom.

But while many pubs are struggling, The Loddington Tap is already looking to expand, despite having opened just two months ago.

And in football, Gillingham’s manager defended his players after watching them lose again – but even he’s losing patience over conceding from set-pieces.

For the second time in four days, the Gills were beaten by a top-half team 1-0 after defeat at Chesterfield on last night.

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A misconduct panel has heard a teacher touched pupils’ legs and encouraged them to recite sexually suggestive song lyrics. 

He was investigated for serious professional misconduct following complaints about his behaviour during one-to-one sessions and small group training exercises.

Also in today’s podcast, a detective leading an investigation into the death of a man killed near a Kent beach says the “sad” case has ruined multiple lives.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 16 and 15, were cleared by a jury after being accused of murdering Alexander Cashford in Leysdown last year.

Bosses in Maidstone say they're working on a solution to address concerns over violence against women and girls. 

A recent council survey found nearly a third of residents think it's a "very big problem", while hundreds of people reported being a victim of physical or sexual assault. 

You can hear from a Kent animal park who have managed to rescue a Eurasian Lynx from war-torn Ukraine.

Ursa spent three years living in a converted horse stable after being kept illegally as a pet and she's now been transported over to the Big Cat Sanctuary. 

And in football, Gillingham face another tough game in league two tonight – they're travelling to take on Chesterfield after losing 1-nil to Crewe Alexandra at the weekend.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth says we can expect some changes to the squad. 

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A driver has issued an urgent warning to Kent residents selling vehicles online after ruthless “black oil” scammers sabotaged his car.

The Folkestone man says conmen posing as buyers distracted him while secretly pouring oil on the engine of his Mercedes in a calculated bid to convince him it was worthless.

Also in today’s podcast, an inquest has heard a much-loved dad died after being crushed by a concrete drain at the construction site he was working on. 

Joe Heath was helping build a new logistics centre for COOK Classic in the Eurolink Industrial Estate in Sittingbourne when his death occurred. 

Angry residents say their new-build homes have been “ruined” by a spiked metal fence installed just feet from their windows.

Homeowners and council tenants at the Woodlands development in Broad Oak, near Canterbury, told KentOnline they now feel like prisoners.

People living in a country lane are fed up with flooding on the road outside their homes – but there’s no obvious cause. 

There is a section of Vicarage Lane in East Farleigh that floods every time it rains and then remains flooded for days afterwards.

And in sport, Tunbridge Wells' Matt Weston is a double Olympic champion - and a history maker twice over - after steering Team GB to victory in a dramatic inaugural team skeleton event at Milano Cortina.

Following a record-breaking victory in the men’s event, Weston once again proved he is the world's best with a storming run with he and his partner topping the podium in a landmark moment for British sport.

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A schizophrenic man who repeatedly stabbed a soldier in a “vicious, deliberate attack” has been handed a life sentence.

The Rochester man tried to kill Lt Col Mark Teeton near Brompton Barracks in July 2024, after his mental health deteriorated and he started to have “murderous fantasies.”

Also in today’s podcast, the Reform UK Kent County Council budget passed amid warnings from the opposition and a senior officer about its risks.

It went through by 48 votes to 26, with one abstention, to applause, whistles and a standing ovation after a meeting lasting eight hours.

There'll be no road access to a Kent village overnight this weekend, as work's being carried out to replace a level crossing.

Residents on the Isle of Grain have raised concerns about being "cut off" – we’ve spoken to Network Rail about the work and the impacts it’ll have.

A project aimed at tackling underage vape sales is being launched in Maidstone today.

It's the next phase of Local Vape Action, which sees Trading Standards and Kent Police work with retailers to drive compliance and protect young people.

And in football, it's another long trip north for Gillingham in league two this weekend.

They travel to take on Crewe Alexandra who're four places above them in the league two table with both sides are pushing for the play-offs.

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A Dover man involved in a hit-and-run while driving without a licence has avoided being sent to prison .

24 year-old Tyler Keyes from St Radiguns Road was driving his girlfriend's BMW when he collided with a moped at the Whitfield roundabout last June, leaving the rider unconscious.

Also in today's podcast, a meeting is taking place at County Hall to discuss KCC's budget for the next financial year.

It's Reform UK's first in charge of the authority and leader Linden Kemkaran has previously said the council is focused on delivering savings for residents. Hear from our local democracy reporter Simon Finlay.

There's going to be a public meeting later over the regular closure of a busy road in Medway.

The Lower Rainham Road, which runs from Gads Hill to Otterham Quay Lane, was shut for 100 days last year. We've been speaking to Gillingham and Rainham MP Naushabah Khan who has organised the event.

Employers across Kent are being encouraged to consider taking on an apprentice.

The EKC Group is looking for 100 pledges from businesses to consider it in the next 100 days.

And, Leigh-Anne has been on our sister radio station kmfm talking about her debut album.

The former Little Mix star caught up with Jack on the Hit List ahead of the release of 'My Ego Told Me To' next week.

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