KentOnline

A Gravesend tenant says he's living in constant fear of his council home falling down around him due to ongoing subsidence issues.

Sunder Khutan moved in to the mid-terrace property off Windmill Street in 2019 - only a few months later he notices cracks in the walls and ceilings.

Also on today's podcast, a person's died after being hit by a train in Medway.

Police were called to Otterham Quay Lane in Rainham this morning forcing the road to be closed near to Leigh Academy secondary school. Hear from our reporter who was at the scene earlier.

It's thought it'll cost hundreds of pounds to carry out repairs to a Labour party office in Medway following an alleged attack by vandals.

A brick was repeatedly smashed against the window of the building on Maidstone Road in Rochester. We've got reaction from councillor Alex Paterson who represents Rochester West and Borstal.

Another Medway councillor is calling for a change in the rules after one of his former colleagues defected to Reform UK.

We told you last week how Robbie Lammas - who represents Princes Park ward in Chatham - had decided to leave the Conservative party.

At the moment, a councillor switching parties doesn't trigger a bi-election but Cllr Habib Tejan thinks that should be altered.

People using a public footpath in Maidstone say it's constantly flooded because of a blocked culvert, and no one is taking responsibility.

It's affecting the walkway in Unicumes Lane in Fant, which is part of the Millennium River Park.

Football, and it was a last gasp equaliser for Gillingham at Priestfield over the weekend.

Despite having 30 attempts at goal with 10 in target - the Gills went 1-nil down to Cheltenham Town late on in the second half.

Substitute Elliott Nevitt managed to salvage a point with the last kick of the game, hear from him and Gillingham's assistant manager Richard Dobson.

And, a former Love Island star has been chatting about his plans to open a padel venue in Kent.

Charlie Brake from Ashford appeared on the reality show in 2019.

The 30-year-old is now converting a unit on the Wincheap Industrial Estate in Canterbury into courts, a café, pro shop and changing facilities.

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A grieving mum who lost her four-year-old son in a bus tragedy is hoping to raise money to buy her own home so she can bury him in the garden.

Little Zaahir Jan Feizi was laid to rest after being knocked down outside the QEQM Hospital in Margate in August, but the cemetery is a long journey from his mum's home.

Also in today's podcast, a woman who was sofa surfing with her young daughter and two bin bags of clothes has revealed how she turned her life around.

Jodie had fled a relationship and suffered episodes of psychosis after smoking cannabis. She went clean four years ago after seeking help from Canterbury based homeless charity Porchlight and has been sharing her story to mark World Homeless Day.

A ground-breaking new sixth form academy will be opening for STEM students in Kent next year.

Carbon Six will be be based in Discovery Park in Sandwich and offer 60 places for A-level students of biology, physics, chemistry and maths.

A brown bear from Kent who had to have pioneering brain surgery has been presented with a cake to mark one year since the operation.

Boki, who lives at the Wildwood Trust near Canterbury, was suffering from seizures because of a build-up of fluid which has now been removed.

In sport, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been discharged from hospital following heart surgery.

Hear from assistant boss Richard Dobson who says the gaffer is making 'really good progress'.

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The owner of an ice cream van says he has received death threats after being falsely linked to suspicious behaviour in Tonbridge.

A young girl reported seeing three men running in her direction and was possibly grabbed on the arm while walking through the cemetery last month.

Kent Police have been forced to confirm the Drifters Whippy van, which was parked nearby, is not linked in any way - despite rumours online.

Also in today's podcast, one person's been arrested and the bomb disposal team called in after "suspicious items" were found in a flat in Margate.

Officers were called to Rosedale Road at around 4pm yesterday - several surrounding roads were also evacuated and a cordon put in place. Hear from one resident and our reporter Brad Harper who was at the scene.

A report out today is calling for urgent improvements to mental health services in Kent and Medway.

An inspection was carried out by the Care Quality Commission on the NHS Social Care Partnership Trust in March.

The boss of a café in Snodland has told the podcast how a nearby gas leak has affected them.

The A228 bypass road has been closed since Sunday night and it's led to traffic diverting along the narrower Malling Road - causing long delays and congestion.

And, the RSPCA have launched their Adoptober campaign, and are asking people in Kent to consider adopting larger breeds of dog.

Huskies and Akitas are among the pets waiting to be rehomed at the Leybourne Animal Centre.

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A woman who feared she would die at the hands of her controlling husband has told of her horror after he avoided prison despite years of abuse that left her with life-changing injuries.

She says what began as “the most incredible love” turned into a suffocating and terrifying relationship in which she was constantly monitored, isolated and attacked inside her own home. 

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear the moment a man was arrested after a drone was allegedly used to deliver drugs to inmates at a prison in Maidstone. 

Police called after the device had been found within the grounds alongside a package containing a large quantity of cannabis.

We’ve spoken to a Medway councillor who has become one of the latest Conservatives to defect to Reform UK. 

Cllr Robbie Lammas has represented the Princes Park ward since August 2021 as a Tory but has now switched, saying his former party “is over”.

In sport, Gillingham’s stand-in boss Richard Dobson was disappointed to lose their EFL Trophy match but delighted with the lessons learned by many of their young players.

The Gills lost 2 – 1 after sending a young team out to meet a seasoned Colchester United team away. 

And, a play about Gareth Southgate's time as England manager has arrived in Kent as part of its first UK tour.

Dear England is based on a letter the former footballer wrote to fans during Covid ahead of Euro2020 – you can hear from the man who’s stepping into the lead role. 

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A Dover woman has been detained in a psychiatric unit after randomly attacking a stranger in the street with a kitchen knife.

The victim was taken to a London hospital for treatment after she was stabbed in the back while walking down Biggin Street in January.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told 90% of retailers in Tunbridge Wells have complied with new rules around single use vapes since they were introduced in June.

That's 10% higher than in other parts of the county.

The town was the first in Kent to take part in a 'Local Vape Action' scheme where experts work with shops.

A man who drove from Dartford to Maidstone to meet a child he'd been sending explicit messages to on Snapchat has been jailed.

The 47-year-old had arranged a meeting in February but was intercepted by police who spotted his van being repeatedly driven in and out of a car park.

A Kent charity says Ellie Goldstein's appearance on Strictly is showing the world what people with disabilities can achieve.

Before taking to the dancefloor this season, Ellie made history by becoming the first model with Down Syndrome to feature in British Vogue. Hear from We Are Beams which supports young people and their parents in north Kent.

A mum from Walderslade says she was inspired to take up a career in funeral arranging, following the death of her baby.

Delphine Craig went into early labour with her son and sadly lost him at around 21 weeks in 2006.

Despite working for 13 years as a martial arts teacher - the 47-year-old is now working at the Co-op Funeral Care in Sittingbourne High Street.

And in sport, Gillingham are in EFL Trophy action tonight as they travel to take on Colchester United.

It follows back-to-back defeats in the league after a record breaking run of 21 games unbeaten. Hear from defender Logan Dobbs.

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An Asda employee has faced court after abusing a company taxi account to fund more than £6,000 worth of personal journeys – including a 115-mile round trip to visit his mum in London.

He repeatedly booked cabs on the supermarket’s tab despite having no right to use the system, exploiting it for weeks before being caught.

Also in today’ podcast, bosses in Medway say red routes will be repaired - after pictures revealed the painted lines in one town have already worn away.

The double lines were controversially introduced on busy routes - including the A2 in Rainham - in May last year in a bid to tackle congestion.

The KentOnline Podcast has been hearing how teachers, nurses and young families are among those struggling to afford hygiene products in Kent.

You can hear from a local charity who provide products including toilet roll, washing powder and deodorant to those who can't afford it as we start a national awareness week. 

A mum says it is “irresponsible” that a shop window displayed an uncensored cushion with an expletive in view of children.

She was walking past the Urban Outfitters in Tunbridge wells when she saw the embroidered pillow on display.

And in sport, you can hear from Gillingham’s weekend goalscorer Jonny Williams who’s frustrated at the team’s performance in the loss to MK Dons. 

It’s back to back defats for the Gills who have now dropped to fourth in the table. 

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Campaigners are gathering on the Kent coast this weekend to protest against sewage leaks and rising water bills.

SOS Whitstable says Labour aren't doing enough to tackle the issue, more than a year after winning the general election.

Also in today's podcast, police in Kent have told us they're providing reassurance to the Jewish community in the county following a terrorist attack in Manchester.

Two people died when a man drove into crowds outside a synagogue before attacking people with a knife. Hear how MPs in Kent have reacted to what happened.

It's been confirmed today Sarah Mullally is the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

The former nurse is the first female head of the Church of England and takes over the role from Justin Welby who stood down in January. Hear from our reporter who's at Canterbury Cathedral.

A coven of witches in Kent has been told they can't hold a psychic fair in a village hall, just six days before it was due to take place.

The Coven of the Sacred Oak booked Bredhurst Village Hall for the event to share their skills and raise money.

More than 10,000 dancers from around 60 different countries are going to be heading to Medway over the next few days.

The Towns are hosting the qualifiers for the 72nd International Dance Festival ahead of the final at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Celia Imrie's going to be heading to Kent to chat about her new book.

The Bridget Jones's Diary and Thursday Murder Club star will be at the Hazlitt Theatre as part of Maidstone LitFest.

In sport, Gillingham will be looking to bounce straight back this weekend from their first defeat of the season.

They lost 1-0 to Harrogate Town at Priestfield last Saturday and head to MK Dons tomorrow.

Assistant boss Richard Dobson is taking charge of the side while manager Gareth Ainsworth is away having heart surgery.

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An inquest has heard a mum stabbed her daughter in the back with a 12-inch kitchen knife while she was cooking a family meal - before fatally turning the blade on herself.

She’d told a psychiatric nurse of her fear of being sectioned just hours before the tragedy unfolded in Ashford in June. 

Also in today’s podcast, a family has accused planning officers of acting “cruelly” following the “flawed” refusal of an annex for their severely disabled son.

The family say the outbuilding extension in Hoo could provide a suitable home for their son, who has autism and complex needs, to live and be cared for by them. 

A church leader will chair an evening with leaders in Medway to discuss what our country’s flag means. 

It’s after St George Crosses appeared on lampposts and spray painted on roundabouts over the summer – Reverend Nathan Ward says a bigger conversation needs to be had. 

We've been hearing how charitable trusts in Kent are helping support young carers.

We’ve spoken to Imago, as figures show as many as one-in-five people under the age of 18 are responsible for looking after a loved one.

And you can hear from a Kent cheerleading squad that will be taking part in one of the world’s most competitive championships.

MCDA Allstars, based in Chatham, will be representing the UK at the Allstar World Championship 2026 in Florida.

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An investigation by KentOnline has uncovered the scale of bed blocking in Kent's hospitals with some patients waiting months to be discharged.

Over the past year, almost 40,000 people in two parts of the county were kept in wards after their treatment had finished - costing the NHS around £50 million.

Hear from the daughter of a woman who ended up in hospital for a month longer than she needed to be.

Also in today's podcast, the government is being urged to invest more into GP surgeries as a survey in Kent shows the workforce is in crisis.

Doctors and practice managers across the county were asked about their experiences and almost three quarters reported being under 'significant stress'.

As Stoptober gets underway, pregnant women in Kent are being urged to stop smoking as figures reveal hundreds are still doing it while expecting.

Stats show more than 1 in 10 mums-to-be in Thanet are having cigarettes - the highest in the county.

A grandmother from Goudhurst says she's still in shock after her home was targeted in a suspected arson attack.

Neighbours spotted the blaze on the edge of Valerie Excell's house on High Ridge on September 18th.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told it's still important the stories of the Windrush generation are shared today.

Thousands of people moved from the Caribbean between the 1940s and 70s to rebuild Britain following the second world war.

Among them was Asquith Xavier who lived in Chatham and fought against discrimination to become the first Black train guard at Euston station. Hear from his granddaughter, Camealia Xavier-Chihota, who runs Medway Culture Club which is putting on events during Black History Month.

A wine producer that has a vineyard in Kent has picked up one of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

Nyetimber has a site in Thurnham and has been recognised for their 2016 Blanc de Blancs, while their head wine maker also won Sparkling Wine Maker of the year.

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People living in part of Dartford say lives are being put at risk by mounds of hoarded waste in a garden.

Pictures at KentOnline show the state of the land outside the bungalow on Joyce Green Walk in the town, and a fire that recently broke out there is being treated as suspected arson. Hear from reporter Alex Langridge who has been covering the story.

Also in today's podcast, police have cordoned off part of Rochester High Street following reports of a suspicious item.

The bomb squad was called to a residential property near Corporation Street yesterday evening.

Residents in Dover say they are suffering sleepless nights due to a generator at a new store.

The machine has been running at the Co-op on Archers Court Road in Whitfield for the past seven weeks.

The deputy leader of Reform UK says the party taking control of Kent County Council will show the country what they can do.

They won this years' local elections in a landslide. Richard Tice has been the guest on the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast.

A bus that used to take passengers around Maidstone has been given a new lease of life, as a soft play facility for SEN children.

The Nu-Venture vehicle had to stop running a couple of years ago when it's engine died and was donated to Five Acre Wood School in Loose.

And in sport, Kent rugby player Rosie Galligan says being part of the World Cup winning squad has been "phenomenal".

The 27-year-old from West Malling came on as a 70th-minute replacement in Saturday's victory over Canada at Twickenham.

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