KentOnline

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

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

A hearing's been told how a young man died in a tragic accident on a railway line in Kent as he attempted to leave the UK. An inquest was told the 25-year-old Albanian national was trying to cross the tracks near the Motis Lorry Park last September. Also in today's podcast, There's been a mixed reaction to new bus fares that've come into force in parts of Kent. Stagecoach have increased their prices by 10p for short or medium-length journeys. We've been hearing what people in Maidstone think while Stagecoach have told us why the price hike is necessary. Plans for 100 new homes and sports facilities in a village near Maidstone have been delayed again. Residents in Lenham have been waiting six years for a decision on the development off Old Ashford Road. Hear from the chairman of the parish council. Kent Fire and Rescue are praising the work of their volunteer unit, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. The Volunteer Response Team is on call 365 days a year and works with crews at the scene of fires and floods. Drivers have helped rescue three dogs after they were dumped by a roadside in Sittingbourne. The animals were seen being left by a van driver on Ruins Barn Road before the vehicle sped off. In sport, hear from the Gillingham manager who has revealed he will be undergoing planned heart surgery this week. Meantime, Gillingham's unbeaten run under Gareth Ainsworth has come to an end. We've got reaction from midfielder Bradley Dack. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A "greedy and manipulative" gambler who fleeced family, friends and teammates out of life-changing sums of money as he blew more than £4 million on betting sites has been sent to prison. Kenny Sanders convinced some of those closest to him to part with their savings, inheritances and pension pots, assuring them he was investing their cash in a thriving IT company. Also in today’s podcast, the family of a British couple detained in Iran have said they have “no clear information” on their upcoming court appearance, claiming UK officials are also “in the dark”. Lindsay and Craig Foreman were taken into custody in January during a motorcycle tour around the world and were later charged with espionage. Council leaders, MPs and local business bosses will meet in Ashford today, calling for international rail services to return to Kent. The event is being hosted by Kent County Council who say the move could boost the visitor economy by 300-million pounds a year. In sport, Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth is looking forward to the club making a statement to the rest of the division this weekend. Priestfield will be near to capacity for the visit of Harrogate Town, with the Rainham End sold out, and all available tickets for the bottom section of the Town End also snapped up in the week. And in the women’s game you can hear from the managing director of London City Lionesses who have approval to completely overhaul their Kent training ground. The rebuild of facilities at Cobdown Park in Aylesford will cost tens of millions of pounds and rivals those built for men’s teams. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The need for yet more restrictions on a “rollercoaster” stretch of the New Thanet Way has been branded an “absolute disgrace” – with highways bosses unable to say how long a reduced 50mph speed limit will stay in place. Kent County Council says “urgent” action was needed because dangerous bumps in the dual-carriageway between Faversham and Herne Bay are putting drivers at risk. Also in today’s podcast, a pensioner who drove his car into another man at a gated residential park, which was caught on camera, had previously attacked another resident . The 70-year-old deliberately drove into the man in Hoo after wrongly believing the victim was trying to harass him just months after being charged with assault by beating. Residents whose road has been turned into a ‘dangerous’ rat run after a major landslip more than two years ago fear someone will be killed. People living in Stanhope Road in Swanscombe say life has become intolerable since nearby Galley Hill Road was shut after the collapse in April 2023. A primary school in Gravesend is trying to raise £20,000 to fix their pool, which has fallen into disrepair It's believed Cecil Road Primary and Nursery is the only one in the area with a swimming pool – you can hear from the school’s head and from some of the students about what it means to them. And you can hear from international DJ Joel Corry who’s been on kmfm’s Hit List. He’s taken some time out to talk to Jack about his new fitness sessions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four men are being questioned by police after another man is said to have been stabbed. Police were called to reports of a disturbance inside a property in Halfway Road on Sheppey last night – you can hear from one of our reports who’s been at the scene. Also in today’s podcast, former Gillingham FC chairman Paul Scally is being sued in the High Court over the £7 million takeover of the club by its American owners. Brad Galinson and the club are taking legal action, alleging a whole host of financial wrongdoing concerning the League 2 side’s affairs. A motorist says he’ll think twice about ever buying a vehicle from a used car dealer again after the stress of buying a car with a “serious underlying fault“ gave him sleepless nights. Gary Faber bought a 2019 Jaguar E Pace online from Hippo Motor Group for £22,000 but six days later the engine management light came on. Management at Gillingham are backing a fan-led campaign to try and get 8000 people in Priestfield this weekend. It follows their 3-1 win over Newport County last Saturday which set a new club record for the number of games unbeaten. And, you can hear from a Kent singer/songwriter who wrote an original song every day, for more than 400 days. Jasper Hodges started busking on the streets of Canterbury when he was just 13 – he's now played festival at Hyde Park and Ally Pally. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

​A woman spared jail for lacing a bottle of coke with laxatives which left a man with severe diarrhoea boasted on Facebook she was free within hours of leaving court. The 38-year-old poured more than half a bottle of lactulose into the fizzy drink which was then guzzled by the unsuspecting victim. Also in today’s podcast, a rugby referee rushed to hospital after almost collapsing during a match is warning others not to ignore their body if they are not feeling right. He was officiating a tie between Duke of York School in Dover and King’s Rochester in Medway when he began struggling just minutes after kick-off. There are calls for more of us to have conversations about organ donation as figures reveal 120 people from Kent have died while on the transplant list over the last decade. Numbers given to the KentOnline Podcast also show 118 people from the county received potentially life-saving surgery over the past year. A hairdresser is cutting her losses and has transformed her salon into a private healthcare clinic in Sittingbourne - with the help of a former client. She’s been in the hair industry for 40 years but says the salon had become unprofitable in recent years so she made the “devastating” decision to close it. And, a “nurturing and inclusive” music school for youngsters with special needs is set to move into its new home. Specialist college SupaJam will set up shop at the former NatWest building in Swanley next year – you can hear from their CEO about who they are and what they do. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An off-grid grandad says he won’t be forced out of his creekside home despite being “more or less” fenced in. Bob Thwaites has lived off the bank of the Swanscombe Peninsula without any problems since 1991 but the new landowner have now put up a 6ft to keep people out. Also in today’s podcast, there are fears the government's decision to approve a second runway at Gatwick Airport could lead to more noise pollution for Kent residents. £2.2 billion of private money is going to be spend on the expansion - which will allow for another 100-thousand flights a year. An MP is calling for a crackdown on excessive numbers of houses of multiple occupancy in Gillingham. Naushabah Khan says too many HMOs are being permitted in Gillingham and warns the current system could damage community cohesion and change the character of neighbourhoods forever. More than 130 people will carry the Baton of Hope at it travels through Kent today. The tour aims to change the narrative around suicide and started in Medway earlier - we’ve spoken to some of the people taking part. And in football we’ve got plenty of reaction from what was a record breaking weekend for Gillingham. Their in over Notts County has seen their unbeaten run in League Two to 21 games. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kent County Council have backtracked on a pledge to treat climate change as an emergency. An official declaration was made in 2019 - but a Reform UK councillor has now led a motion to scrap the statement, describing the science behind global warming as "nonsense". Despite a protest outside County Hall in Maidstone, the motion was voted through by 50 votes to 21 with three abstentions. Also in today's podcast, a Kent headteacher says children are being traumatised by content they're seeing online. Damian McBeath banned children from having phones in class last year and is now backing a national campaign calling for the digital age of consent to be raised to 16. Anti-immigration protestors are set to rally in Kent again this weekend. Demonstrators will march through Canterbury to a facility being used to house asylum- seeking children, while a counter demonstration is also due to take place. Hear from our local democracy reporter Dan Esson. The final Salute to the 40s event will take place at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham this weekend. The retro festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors but, after running for 18 years, this will be the very last one. Hundreds of people will be taking part in a fundraising walk for a hospice charity in Gravesend this evening. ellenor's annual Twilight Walk starts and ends at St Georges C of E School with an eight kilometre route around the town. And in football, Gillingham have the chance to break a club record this weekend. They're currently 20 games unbeaten in league two. A win or draw at Newport County tomorrow would make it the longest run without a defeat in the side's history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pictures have emerged of a Costa Coffee in the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford that's been turned into a makeshift ward. Health campaigners have described it as humiliating, with the main seating area blocked off by screens and patients wheeled in on beds. It's as the hospital continues to struggled with demand. Also in today's podcast, we're being encouraged to sleep rough for a night to experience what it's like for the 194 people in Kent who're currently on the streets. Canterbury based charity Porchlight are trying to raise awareness as winter and the bad weather approaches. Hear from a Kent councillor who's defected to a different political party. David Knight has left the Tunbridge Wells Alliance and joined the Conservatives, saying he wants to work with a party that can deliver across the whole borough and wider Weald. A mum from Deal has joined a celebrity-backed campaign to make bedtime stories accessible for blind and partially sighted children. Bedtime Donations allows parents to record themselves reading a story through an app - it's then added to an online library which can be accessed by anyone. Alison Steadman, Jon Richardson and Ralf Little are among those who've taken part. And, researchers at the University of Kent have shown it could be possible to grow tea on the Moon. Scientists planted saplings in soil similar to that found on the lunar surface, and we're told they flourished. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parents have hit out at a secondary school in Medway after their daughters were singled out over the length of their skirts. Some pupils at Hundred of Hoo Academy have been told their hemlines fall above the knee, and have been removed from class. Hear from one mum who has now pulled her daughter out of the school. Also in today's podcast, protests have taken place at the start of Donald Trump's second State visit to the UK. Earlier, giant projections showing the US president alongside disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein were beamed onto Windsor Castle. We've been speaking to an international relations expert from Canterbury Christ Church University. The first cohort of doctors will be graduating today from the Kent and Medway Medical School. It opened in 2020 and is the county's first facility of its kind. Hear from Amelia Townsend who is one of today's graduates. A group of MPs have handed a letter in to the rail regulator, calling for changes to be made so new international trains can stop at Ashford. Eurostar services haven't called at stations in the county since Covid, and there's a campaign to allow other operators to use the high speed route. The local democracy reporting service has spoken to Ashford's Sojan Joseph. And Kent has had another Royal visit. Find out who's been in the county. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Kent mum at the centre of an online storm says she “absolutely” regrets posting a controversial TikTok video about the murder of US activist Charlie Kirk – but insists her words have been “totally misconstrued”. She’s been bombarded with vile threats and even had her business kicked out of the county’s largest indoor market after she uploaded a clip in the wake of the 31-year-old’s death. Also in today's podcast, a mum whose partner died in a building site accident has told how her life has “completely changed” since the tragedy - and how she stays strong for their children. David Archer suffered fatal injuries two years ago when he fell down a manhole at an unfinished housing estate in Ramsgate. The KentOnline Podcast has been told 200 species in Kent are at risk - and £3 million is needed to help save them. Bosses at Kent Wildlife Trust have launched their most ambitious fundraiser as they say we're facing a nature crisis. Handmade poppies in memory of men who lost their lives during the second world war have gone on display at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham. The Threads of Remembrance installation also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the conflict. And in football, the draw has been made for the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. We’ve got a full list of fixtures for teams across the county. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Twelve weeks worth of lane closures are starting today on the main road linking Medway and Maidstone. It's so survey work can take place on the A229 Blue Bell Hill before a £250 million improvement scheme goes ahead. There'll be a temporary speed limit of 40 miles per hour while work is being carried out. Also in today's podcast, residents of a housing estate on Sheppey say they've been left with thousands of pounds worth of debt after getting rid of their property management firm. FirstPort was removed by people living on the Queenborough Phase One development earlier this year. The MP for Canterbury says she'd love to return to the rank of Labour, but not under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer. It's been a year since Rosie Duffield quit the party to stand as an independent over heavy-handed management. A Rainham man has stepped into help renovate the home of a 16-year-old girl who was left brain damaged after collapsing at a park in Ashford. Rubie Boyton now has severe, complex disabilities after suffering cardiac arrest at Bridgefield Park in May last year. Plasterer Dan Boalch is giving his time and expertise free of charge to help adapt her family home. In sport, Gillingham have equalled their club record - going 20 games unbeaten. They secured a 1-0 victory over Notts County at Priestfield on Saturday thanks to a goal from Josh Andrews - hear from him and manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parking charges at one of Kent’s most popular shopping destinations have been branded “insulting” after rising for the third time in as many years. Ashford Designer Outlet has increased its minimum parking fee to £3 for four hours - up from £2.50 last year and £2 the year before. Also in today’s podcast, a serial burglar has been jailed again after cutting a hole in Bluewater shopping centre’s roof and stealing £1.4million worth of watches. The notorious thief, who has previously targeted the home of Lord Alan Sugar, was on licence when he targeted Watchfinder at the shopping complex in February. There's just one month to go until the new Entry/Exit System is rolled out in Dover and Folkestone. It will involve people from non-EU countries – such as the UK – having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the EU but we’re being assured it won’t lead to long delays and backlogs of traffic. In football Gillingham will face a different kind of challenge this weekend as they look to maintain their impressive start to the season. The Gills welcome Notts County to Priestfield this Saturday – you can hear from boss Gareth Ainsworth and midfielder Jonny Williams. And we’ve spoken to the boss of a textile business in Kent who welcomed the Princess of Wales for a royal visit. Kate was at the Marina Mill in Cuxton as part of a series of engagements celebrating the British textile industry.

A pregnant woman who pulled into a McDonald’s car park after feeling faint has been forced to pay a £100 fine for overstaying the time limit. The mother-of-four stopped at the fast-food restaurant in Orbital Park, Ashford, as she feared she would pass out at the wheel. Also in today’s podcast, we’ve got more reaction to the news the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich are going to merge to form one “super uni”. We’ve spoken to university bosses who haven’t ruled out redundancies, and the Canterbury MP who’s unhappy about how the news broke. Floral tributes and touching messages have been placed at a school as heartbroken staff, pupils, and parents mourn the loss of a much-loved teacher. Concerned colleagues went to the 45-year-old’s home on Monday, after she did not turn up for work and failed to call in sick. A Reform UK councillor has launched a campaign to try and prevent drink spiking after he was targeted at a pub in Ashford. Dean Burns is thought to have had his beer tampered with while out with friends and was left virtually unconscious. And a former boxing coach is hoping to launch a pie and mash empire after opening his first east London-style shop to much fanfare. You can hear from the owner of Julian’s Pie and Mash in the Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne which opened last week.

The Universities of Kent and Greenwich are set to ‘merge’ in a shock move that’s the first of its kind. An email's been sent to staff at the University of Kent this morning announcing the "formal collaboration" – it follows a difficult period financially for the Uni of Kent. Also in today’s podcast, a group of MPs says our food security could be at risk as 'alarming amounts' of meat and diary products are being illegally imported into the UK. A report by the committee has described conditions within a facility at the Port of Dover where checks are carried out as 'inadequate'. A man who had just put down a deposit on a house with his partner is fighting for his life after suffering four strokes and a bleed on the brain. The 23-year-old from Maidstone had suffered a headache all week when he sneezed in Costco last month. A town that has been without direct train services to London for almost four decades could see them return. Since 1989, passengers heading to the capital from Sheerness have had to get off at Sittingbourne and wait for a connection – but Southeastern is looking to bring back a direct service. And final preparations are being made for a relay around Kent and Medway to spread the message of suicide prevention. More than 130 baton bearers will carry the Baton of Hope across the county in memory of people who've been lost - we’ve spoken to one of the organisers.

The owner of several vape shops says he’s not the criminal he’s being made out to be and claims he’s being “harassed” and “targeted” by the authorities. It’s after a new report accused him of an “ongoing pattern of criminal behaviour”, from underage sales to selling fake designer goods and illegal products. Also in today’s podcast, a body has been discovered in the sea amid a search for a missing woman. Police and the coastguard were called to St Margaret’s Bay yesterday afternoon. A family-run hotel has been forced to deny rumours it is housing asylum seekers after organisers of an anti-immigration protest planned to demonstrate outside. Bosses at The King Charles Hotel have slammed claims it was housing people under government schemes as “completely untrue”. A campaign urging action on the impact of smartphones and social media on students has gained the support for a local MP. You can hear from Independent Rosie Duffield who was at a public meeting held by Whitstable Unplugged - a local group pushing for more regulation. And a much-loved community marching band has been granted an extension to stay in its home while it battles to find a permanent solution. The St John Ambulance music group on Sheppey, the last of its kind, was first handed an eviction notice at the end of June.

The mum of a hit-and-run victim says he was stunned to discover he had been discharged from hospital and someone else was in his bed. Azar Harnden spent months being treated at King’s College Hospital in London before being transferred to the QEQM in Margate after sustaining serious injuries in a horror crash in Westbrook in April. Also in today’s podcast, we've been hearing from a war veteran from Canterbury who says the "Raise the Colours" campaign is just a passing phase. The controversial movement has seen St George's Flags put up across the county and red crosses spray painted on signs and roundabouts. The eviction deadline for a Kent boat club fighting for survival has been extended by a month. The campaign to save Broadness Cruising Club has now received the backing of Thamesbank, a group of stakeholders and campaigners for the Thames, which champions its users and the environment. A Larkfield man has described his surprise at finding around three tonnes of fly-tipped waste inside his garage. Martyn de Young has had his lock-up for the past 30 years without any problems, but on Bank Holiday Monday, he found it full of rubbish. And in football it was a dramatic comeback that saved Gillingham during their match at Bromley over the weekend. You can hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth and from penalty taker Max Clarke.

An irate motorist who gave chase after another driver clipped her car ended up in court herself thanks to her own child’s video footage. She was so enraged when her wing mirror was hit she followed the other driver for four minutes, getting her teenage daughter to video what was happening on her mobile phone. Also in today’ podcast, a small Kent firm used by Angela Rayner to buy a flat she has since admitted underpaying stamp duty on has denied giving her tax advice. The Deputy Prime Minister has said incorrect “advice from lawyers” led her to pay too little tax when she purchased the property in Hove this year. The boss of several secure re-educational centres in Spain says he was “disappointed” after hearing about England’s first “secure school” in Rochester shutting due to problems with violence. It follows an announcement Oasis Restore would be temporarily closing after safety concerns were raised over children making weapons and kicking down doors. Charities in Kent that help reduce crime and keep people safe are being given the chance to bid for cash from the man who oversees the police in Kent. You can hear from Matthew Scott who’s announced up to 2-thousand pounds will be made available after items seized by police were auctioned off. And in football, it’s a huge weekend for Gillingham as they travel to take on the only other undefeated league two team this season. It’s a local derby against Bromley – we’ve spoken to manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Disgruntled drivers are refusing to pay their admin fees and say they’re prepared to go to court over parking fines at one of Kent’s country parks. It’s after it was revealed some were issued penalty notices, despite having proof they’d paid to park. Also in today’s podcast, a drink-driving teacher has avoided being banned from the profession after claiming he only got behind the wheel because he “feared for his life” following a knife attack. The former head of chemistry was more than double the legal limit when he was stopped by police. People living on newbuild estates across part of north Kent are banding together to help others in their battle with management companies. Firms have been coming under the spotlight following reports of charges going up - but work not being carried out. You can hear from wildlife experts who were against plans for 2000 homes near Canterbury and are now welcoming news the land's been removed from the city council's local plan. The site is not included in a revised document which sets out where building could take place - meaning properties will need to go elsewhere in the district. And with children back at school this week and autumn under way - we're being encouraged to make sure winter vaccines are booked in. Online bookings have opened for Covid and flu jabs which will start to be delivered next month.