• Podcast: Man dies in hospital after attending Margate Drum & Bass Festival at Dreamland prompting event to shut down early
    Jun 30 2025

    Dreamland says it is supporting the emergency services in their enquiries after the death of a 21-year-old man at a drum ‘n’ bass festival.

    You can hear from a KentOnline reporter who was at the event in Margate – which was shut down hours earlier than planned following the tragic incident.

    Also in today’s podcast, a grieving family in Herne Bay believe a 73-year-old father was “put in an early grave” after being attacked by teenagers who left him lying helpless in the rain.

    He was walking home to his flat when he was targeted by thugs near the seafront last December.

    We’ve spoken to fire bosses after number of blazes broke out over the weekend in the hot weather.

    Call outs included to a top-rated fish and chip shop which was forced to close after suffering from a fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    There are concerns a strong, “toxic” smell coming from a new roundabout could be harmful to people’s health

    Work finished on the roundabout near Maidstone last November – we’ve heard from a motorist who thinks he knows the source of the “chemical” smell.

    And the date has been revealed for when new overnight parking charges and a ban on caravans at a scenic seafront dubbed a “squatter camp” will come into effect.

    The measures come after Sheppey residents raised their concerns people were living there more than a year ago.

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    24 mins
  • Podcast: Man jailed for life for murdering Tunbridge Wells grandfather Wayne Woodgate and dumping his body in woodland
    Jun 27 2025

    A man who murdered a grandfather from Tunbridge Wells has been told he'll spend at least 25 years behind bars.

    Stephen Castle hid Wayne Woodgate's body in woodland after attacking him over a long-standing grudge last October.

    The 59-year-old from Hastings Road near Matfield was found guilty by a jury following a trial last month.

    Also in today's podcast, a teenager from Maidstone who left his neighbour with more than 50 stab wounds has been jailed.

    Police were called to reports of a disturbance at a building in Fairmeadow last September. Hear the moment the 19-year-old was arrested.

    The prime minister's made big adjustments to his planned welfare reforms following pressure from Labour MPs.

    It means those with disabilities who currently receive the Personal Independence Payment will continue to get it. It's good news for people like 17 year-old Lukas from Ashford who had his leg amputated because of a rare condition he was born with.

    A Kent weight loss expert is urging people who've turned to jabs to shed the pounds to make sure they're getting the right support.

    It's thought around one and a half million people in the UK are using the likes of Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic.

    Thousands of people are expected at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham tomorrow for Armed Forces Day.

    There'll be military parades, bands and a service paying tribute to the skill and sacrifice of our armed forces - hear from Medway Council leader Vince Maple who will be there.

    Football, and Gillingham fans have been planning their season after the fixtures were released.

    They'll kick off their league two campaign away at Accrington Stanley on August 2nd - we just a full roundup from our sports reporter Luke Cawdell.

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    23 mins
  • Podcast: Kings Park School in Ashford remains empty two months after opening for SEN students after council confusion
    Jun 26 2025

    A brand-new special needs school remains empty months after opening despite being inundated by daily calls from parents “who want their children there”.

    The independent provision, which has space for 40 pupils, is targeted at children aged seven to 16, with lower special educational needs who do not fit into mainstream schools.

    Also in today’s podcast, a cyclist has appeared in court accused of killing a pensioner after hitting him on his e-bike almost two years ago.

    The victim was injured outside his home after the electric bicycle allegedly struck him while being ridden on the pavement in Rochester in 2023.

    A farmer says he would be better off dying now to spare his family a £2 million inheritance tax bill before new rules come into force next April.

    It’s as a new survey claims that up to 5,000 jobs could be lost in Kent and hundreds of millions of pounds wiped from its economy due to the controversial changes.

    A family who say they were mis-sold an assistance dog with a hereditary hip problem now need to fork out more than £25,000 for his surgery.

    The dog was bought for a 17-year-old girl in with autism and anxiety in the hopes it would “change her life”

    And controversial plans to overhaul one of Kent’s most renowned religious buildings into a holiday let have sparked a strong public backlash.

    The landmark dates back to 1520 and is arguably one of the most photographed Christian sites in the country.

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    22 mins
  • Podcast: Herne Bay dad’s warning to ‘phone zombies’ after Canterbury schoolgirl daughter distracted by Snapchat hit by car and seriously injured
    Jun 25 2025

    A Herne Bay dad has issued a warning after his daughter suffered a badly broken leg when she was hit by a car while scrolling on her phone.

    Dashcam video shows 12 -year-old Lola walking straight out in front of the vehicle as she messaged friends on Snapchat.

    Also in today's episode, the founder of a Kent baby loss charity has told us she's reached out to Kelsey Parker to offer support.

    The podcaster, who was previously married to Tom from The Wanted, has shared that her baby son Phoenix was born sleeping a week before he was due.

    Kelly Wells from Making Miracles has been telling us about the help they offer to families going through baby loss.

    An Indian takeaway in Folkestone has been given a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found mouldy chopping boards and holes in the kitchen floor.

    Ivy was also discovered growing next a broken toilet in the staff area of The New Delhi on Sandgate Road.

    A meeting has been held to discuss growing concerns about anti-social behaviour in Herne Bay.

    One of the town's business owners has been telling us how children and teenagers are physically and verbally attacking people.

    Some are reportedly throwing rocks and using catapults to target residents and visitors.

    Elsewhere, experts in Kent are investigating whether tea can be grown in space.

    They have teamed up with producers in Dartmoor and are planting saplings in soils similar to those found on the surface of the Moon and Mars.

    And in football, defender Connor Masterson has signed a new deal with Gillingham.

    The 26-year-old has played over 100 league games for the Gills and started every match under new manager Gareth Ainsworth.

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    22 mins
  • Podcast: Parents of girl raped by three strangers in Dover and Folkestone reveal the impact it's had on the whole family as they say she deserves justice
    Jun 24 2025

    The parents of a girl who was raped by three strangers have spoken out after the men were found guilty following a trial...

    A court heard how the child was plied with drugs and assaulted by the group after they came across her in a supermarket car park.

    Reporter Lauren Abbott has spoken to the victim's parents and joins today's episode of the podcast.

    Also in this episode, police have told us a 'perfect storm' led to anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs at the weekend.

    It's thought a number of young people from other parts of Kent headed to the town after the end of GCSE exams which coincided with the hot weather.

    Fights broke out and footage online shows a restaurant being smashed up. Hear from a shop owner, local councillor and police.

    Meantime, the podcast has been told antisocial behaviour in Herne Bay has got so bad - there's going to be a public meeting about it tonight.

    Police and councillors are due to face questions from fed-up residents and business owners.

    The man who oversees the police in Kent has been giving us an update on how they're tackling so called 'heritage crime'.

    It's after a high profile theft of two First World War memorial plaques from a church in the Luton part of Chatham last month.

    Football, and former Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence has taken on a role at Blackpool.

    He's joining the backroom staff at league one side Blackpool - joining up with former Gills player Steve Bruce who's manager there.

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    22 mins
  • Podcast: Couple in new-build house in Aylesham Village near Canterbury say they are 'living a nightmare' as it has been plagued by flooding
    Jun 23 2025

    A couple say their new build home in Kent is still suffering from flooding issues eight years after they moved in.

    The most recent happened during a severe storm earlier this month when water got into the front room of the building in Aylesham Village near Canterbury. Hear from reporter Millie Bowles who has been following the story.

    Also in today's podcast, two housing estates in Maidstone could receive funding for upgrades, after being selected for a "trailblazing neighbourhood" scheme.

    Senacre and Park Wood will receive £20 million over the next ten years as part of community-led renewal efforts.

    One of Kent's new Reform UK councillors has told us we'll be 'blown away' by what a DOGE team have uncovered at county hall.

    They were sent in to examine the finances at the county council after the party swept to victory at the local elections in May. Hear from Councillor Maxwell Harrison who is the new deputy cabinet member for communications and engagement.

    The next phase of a £60 million regeneration project is due to get under way in part of Maidstone.

    More than 100 new homes are already being built in Shepway.

    A terminally ill Rochester woman has had her tongue rebuilt after a sore in her mouth turned out to be cancer.

    Emma Byron was first diagnosed in 2023 before the disease returned the following year. She's now decided to do a 200-metre-high zip line above Lake Bled in Slovenia and has been speaking to reporter Charlotte Philips.

    Students have moved into a multi-million-pound new building aimed at doubling the intake at Teynham Primary School.

    Plans for expansion of the site near Sittingbourne were submitted in 2023 and work began last spring.

    And in sport, Kent's Alex Mitchell and Ben Earl have arrived in Australia for a tour with the British and Irish Lions.

    It follows their defeat to Argentina in Dublin on Friday night.

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    25 mins
  • Podcast: Girl, 3, undergoes surgery after being attacked by dog outside Miers Court Primary School in Rainham
    Jun 20 2025

    A three-year-old girl had to undergo surgery after being attacked by a dog opposite a primary school.

    Bunnie was walking along a narrow road in Rainham with her family when the dog suddenly lunged for her.

    Also in today’s podcast, a former prison guard who sexually attacked a woman and held her at gunpoint has died in jail.

    Just a day after his 50th birthday, the Dover man was found dead at HMP Isle of Wight – it’s triggered an investigation.

    An NHS trust’s decision to hike parking charges for patients and staff has been branded “absolutely disgusting”.

    Those working for East Kent Hospitals will face a 10% increase from July 1.

    You can hear from the bosses of Thanet’s only baby bank who lost thousands of pounds worth of donated goods in last week’s storm.

    Mama to Mama say there are families in desperate need of help who are having to go without – you can find out how you can support them.

    And the family of an elderly sick widow who is stranded in a care home in France have launched a campaign to bring her back home.

    She suffers from advanced dementia, and moved into a nursing residence after her husband and full-time carer died suddenly last year.

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    20 mins
  • Podcast: Tunbridge Wells Hospital apologises after ‘human failings’ led to ‘tragic death’ of beauty therapist
    Jun 19 2025

    A hospital trust has apologised after “human failings” meant opportunities to properly diagnose a happily married beauty therapist were missed which would have saved her life.

    The 36-year-old passed away after collapsing at her home in Tonbridge – just days after she was discharged from hospital.

    Also in today’s podcast, a shocking wave of youth-led catapult attacks on birds, swans, ducks and foxes in Kent has been described by wildlife workers as “a new kind of pandemic”.

    We’ve got figures on just how many catapult attacks have been reported to police over the last three years.

    A cash-strapped local authority will have to cough up tens of thousands of pounds for legal fees after failed attempts to evict a group of Travellers.

    Medway Council tried to move Romani Gypsy families from Wigmore Coach Park resulting in a court hearing where a judge ruled in the group’s favour.

    Farmyard animals have been removed from a pub garden due to licensing issues.

    The landlady of the Waggon at Hale in Chatham has kept goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs at the pub for years.

    And bosses of a luxury hotel adored by celebrities have unveiled exciting plans to expand by creating a “country club-style resort”.

    Those behind the Cave Hotel and Golf Resort between Faversham and Canterbury have say their ambitious project is to meet “increasing demand”.

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    22 mins