KentOnline

A Kent mum fears she could be left homeless with her elderly, ill nan if the council can't find her a property.

Nina Darbey has been privately renting her home for six years but the landlord wants to sell up. The 46-year-old has been telling the podcast how she's been unable to find another home she can afford, and is struggling to bid for a council house.

In other news, police, firefighters and paramedics have been called after a blaze broke out at a former school in Chatham.

Part of the old St John Fisher Catholic School in Ordnance Street was taped off last night. Hear from reporter Brad Harper who was at the scene.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day - the end of the second world war in Europe and events are taking place across Kent to mark the occasion.

We've been speaking to teachers at Bradfields Academy in Chatham, a 90-year-old man from Dartford who remembers VE Day in 1945, they Mayor of Broadstairs where a beacon will be lit tonight, and the RBLI who're encouraging us to get active to mark the anniversary.

And in sport, Whitstable Town fans are being warned of travel disruption ahead of the FA Vase final this weekend.

Around 7,000 supporters will be heading to Wembley from Kent for the match against AFC Whyteleafe.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The landlady of a pub in Chatham says allegations of animal neglect against her simply aren't true.

It's after pictures posted on social media of several farmyard animals being kept at the Waggon and Hale, went viral. Hear from our reporter Charlotte Phillips who has been covering the story.

Also in today's podcast, the Labour leader of Medway Council has been telling us how Reform UK are in for a rude awakening as they take over control of Kent County Council.

They swept to victory in last week's local election, winning 57 seats and leader Nigel Farage has already said they'll be looking to slim down the size of local government.

The KentOnline Podcast has been hearing from a doctor who's told us 34 more GPs working in Kent and Medway is good, but more are needed.

Health bosses say the recruitment drive will allow patients to book appointments more easily and help bring an end to the 8am scramble.

The process of choosing the next Pope has officially started in Rome.

133 cardinals have gathered at the Vatican for the centuries-old process of voting for the next leader of the Catholic Church. We've been speaking to Professor Bob Bowie from Canterbury Christ Church University.

Plans have been unveiled for a multi-million pound redevelopment of a Kent shopping centre.

The Forum in Sittingbourne was sold to a new owner last December and they want to introduce more restaurants and cafes - as well as building 74 flats on the roof.

And in sport, hear from Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris after he agreed a new one year deal at Priestfield.

At 41, he's the oldest player in the Football League.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A homeowner has issued a stark warning after he says his life was “destroyed completely” by having an HMO next door.

The resident in Sittingbourne was stunned to wake up and find scaffolding and the roof missing on the adjoining property in the terraced street.

Also in today’s podcast, a mum has branded Medway council “clueless” after it wrongly refused her 17-year-old daughter a parking permit — and then asked for hers back as well.

She’d applied on behalf of the learner driver for an additional pass to park outside the family’s terraced home in Gillingham but the authority insisted they aren’t living within a controlled parking zone. 

People living at an retirement complex fear “every day will become a nightmare” if a live music venue opens directly opposite.

Those living in Folkestone town centre say the prospect of late-night music and “people drinking on the street” is making them “incredibly anxious”.

Plans have resurfaced to convert a pub into a place of worship - just six months after they were refused.

Charity Al-Haqq Academy initially wanted to transform the ground floor of the now-closed public house into an academy with community and religious services, including a prayer hall, a food bank, a youth club, and a mosque.

And there’s been plenty of football action across the long weekend – with Gillingham FC, Maidstone United and Dover Athletic all having reason to celebrate. 

We’ve spoken to their managers about unbeaten streaks, league finals and promotion. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today is a big day in the battle to take over control of the Kent County Council with results coming in from the local elections. 

All eyes are on the rise of Reform UK who have taken significant victories nationally – we’ll hear from reporters at counts across the county. 

Also in today’s podcast, three beaches have received the highly unwanted title of having some of the worst bathing water quality in England.

They’ve all been awarded the dreaded gongs in the 2025 'Brown Flag Awards' – these are beaches rated as 'poor' by the Environment Agency due to their potentially unsafe levels of bacteria in the water. 

There’s been backlash over plans to install a Ferris wheel in the middle of Ashford Designer Outlet – with some residents complaining “this isn’t an amusement park” 

Bosses at the shopping centre have applied for permission to put the wheel in the main car park for half of the year.

The Sweeps Festival is back in Rochester this long weekend in a celebration of music, dancing and street vendors. 

We’ve been chatting to a restaurant owner on the High Street about what the annual event brings to the community. 

And in sport, Gillingham will be hoping to spoil the party for Port Vale as they head up north for their final game of the season. 

Their hosts will be pushing for the title, but the Gills will be looking to keep their 11 game unbeaten run alive. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A teenager who collapsed in a park in Ashford has been diagnosed with rare heart disorder after previous seizures were blamed on ‘anxiety’. 

The 16-year-old survived the ordeal but she has been left brain damaged – her family say her illness should have been detected much sooner. 

Also in today’s podcast, dogs will be kicked off many of Kent’s most popular beaches from today to make way for visitors coming to the coast this summer.

The rules, in place until September 30, could see any dog walker caught breaking the rules risking a £100 fine – we’ve been on the coast to get reaction. 

Free rape alarms are being offered to all residents in a village after multiple flashing incidents were reported.

One perpetrator is said to have exposed themselves to terrified women on several occasions near Whitstable last year.

A village pub is set to have its licence reviewed over alleged fire safety failings.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has made a formal request to Medway Council to review the licence of the boozer in High Halstow over inadequate fire safety assessments and warning systems.

And a pregnant Orangutan at at Kent animal park has been trained to have ultrasound scans like a human. 

Awan is critically endangered and the imminent arrival at Wingham near Canterbury is being seen as significant for the conservation of the species.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's anger after dozens of trees on a road near Sandwich were cut down.

The poplars that lined the A256 southbound heading towards Dover have been reduced to stumps with environmentalists concerned it happened during nesting season.

However, landowners insist all the correct rules were followed.

Also in today's podcast, the deputy leader of Medway Council says GP practices need to modernise to help meet a growing demand for appointments.

Theresa Murray says younger doctors in particular don't want to be responsible for the mortgage on a surgery building - and would prefer to just have a salary.

A former Kent journalist who's died at the age of just 40 has been described as a 'compassionate soul' with the 'kindest heart'.

Tim Collins used to work for our sister newspaper the Kentish Express in Ashford before becoming a freelance writer.

A woman who suffered severe injuries in a fall at her home has told the podcast how she's still waiting to be rehouses three years later...

Denise O'Toole spent 10 months in hospital, including five weeks in a coma, after falling down the staircase at the property in Tonbridge.

Figures from the Kent Wildlife Trust shows there's been another decline in flying insect populations.

The Bugs Matter survey, which is carried out by counting the number of bug splatters on number plates, shows numbers have fallen by 8% between 2023 and 2024.

And in sport, Sittingbourne are through to the Isthmian South East play-off final.

They beat Merstham 4-2 last night after going the whole season unbeaten at home.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three men have been taken to hospital with stab wounds after a dispute in Margate which sparked a massive emergency response.

Forensic investigators and detectives were called to the High Street yesterday evening after reports of the violence erupting.

Also in today’s podcast, an inquest has opened into the death of a woman who went missing from a mental health hospital and was found dead on a town centre bench later that same day. 

She’d been an inpatient at Littlebrook Hospital in Dartford but disappeared after being let out into the grounds to have a cigarette – she was found unresponsive in Ashford. 

People living near Dover have reported hearing “explosions and bangs” after a fire broke out at a recycling yard. 

It’s just one of a number of call outs Kent Fire and Rescue have had over the last few days as the weather heats up – we’ll bring you all the details. 

More than a hundred businesses are being asked to sign up as “safe havens” to help women and girls feel safer when walking through town at night.

You can hear from women’s safety organisation #TogetherAsAllies and Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin who have teamed up to launch the new project.

And a cafe boss has hit out at his museum landlords after much-needed picnic benches were “impounded” in a row over land. 

The manager of the Spitfire Cafe in Manston made the claims against the Spitfire & Hurricane Museum who argue they only acted after negotiations for additional rent broke down. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A seafront bar has closed after its licence was suspended for failing to hand over crucial CCTV footage to police.

The lease for the unit in Margate has now gone on the market after the owner failed to give police information about a nearby chemical attack. 

Also in today’s podcast, a devastated dog owner is demanding answers after his much-loved pet died while receiving care from a leading animal charity.

The PDSA has launched an investigation into what happened to eight-year-old Diesel amid claims from Lee Taylor that a drugs mix-up occurred.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in a Kent town over the weekend for anti-immigration demonstrations.

More than 900 people had confirmed their attendance on Facebook for an event titled: ‘Stop the boats now! 10,000+ bikers and friends illegal migrant protest ride to Dover’ – you can hear from some of the demonstrators. 

Frustrated neighbours say gas works outside their homes have made the area “messy, dangerous and noisy” as a five-week road closure begins.

Bin collections have also been delayed and driveways blocked due to the network upgrades in Ashford.

And in football, Gillingham finished Saturday’s game with nine men but Gareth Ainsworth admitted he liked the fighting spirit within his side.

You can hear from the manager, as well as fullback Remeao Hutton after the Gills kept their unbeaten streak alive. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shop workers in a Medway village say they’ve been left “traumatised” after a series of “shocking” attacks on the store.

Staff at the newsagent in Hoo say they’re suffering regular verbal abuse and have had display stands chucked at them and have even been threatened with acid.

Also in today’s podcast, an abusive man who assaulted his partner for almost two years and made her life an “absolute misery” has been jailed.

The offences starting shortly after the pair met in July 2022 and included belittling the victim in front of her friends and family, constantly demanding to know her whereabouts and making insults about her appearance.

A nursery has been rated ‘Inadequate’ after Ofsted inspectors discovered staff were giving children medicine without the “required written permissions” from parents.

The site on Romney Marsh was given the lowest grading possible after being visited by the government watchdog last month.

Anger is mounting in Britain’s smallest town as it remains shut off so repairs can be carried out on the mayor’s house - despite work grinding to a halt last week.

The only road through the town - a route used by thousands of motorists a day - was closed on April 7 for more than three months, leaving many facing travel misery.

And in football you can hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of their final home game of the season. 

They’re hosting Swindon Town and will be hoping to keep their ten game unbeaten run alive. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A hearing has been told how a mum believes her daughter was let down by health professionals in the days and months before her death.

25-year-old Dani Tuohy passed away after falling from a bridge in January - just hours after being discharged from the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

The Conservative leader's asked the Prime Minister to say sorry to Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield over historic disagreements on trans issues.

Kemi Badenoch's told Sir Keir Starmer he was wrong when he previously said 'transwomen are women' - following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

The first event of its kind looking at how boys are affected by masculine stereotypes on social media is taking place in Kent today.

It follows on from Adolescence on Netflix which highlighted the influence of the so-called manosphere - promoting misogyny and opposition to feminism.

A Gravesend boy who fought a rare type of cancer when he was just two years-old is celebrating a milestone birthday.

Aaron Lindridge was diagnosed in 2011 and went to America for life-saving treatment. We've been chatting to his dad Mark.

And, with just over three weeks until Eurovision, the UK entry have told our sister radio station, kmfm, they're starting to get a bit nervous.

Remember Monday will be performing 'What the Hell Just Happened' at the final in Switzerland.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.