KentOnline

Podcast: Homes Under the Hammer star Clive Emson from Kent dies aged 79

A Kent auctioneer who starred on episodes of Homes Under the Hammer, has died. Clive Emson started his career as an estate agent [https://kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/homes-under-the-hammer-star-dies-aged-79-340329/] before setting up his own company. Also in today's podcast, the Canterbury MP has revealed she would consider re-joining the Labour Party [https://kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/rosie-duffield-says-she-could-rejoin-labour-under-new-leader-340320/], if Andy Burnham became leader. The Mayor of Greater Manchester is going to ask to stand in a by-election in a bid to make a return to Westminster. It's thought he could then make a leadership bid against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who's been under pressure since last week's local election results. There's going to be a protest in Folkestone this weekend over the amount of sewage that's still ending up in our seas and water ways. It's as no swim warnings remain in force at near by Dymchurch and Littlestone beaches, because the water quality there is rated as poor. The parents of young boy from Kent with Tourette Syndrome [https://kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/doctors-dismissed-our-sons-symptoms-as-tics-i-was-bangin-340231/] have told the podcast there's a severe lack of support groups available. Seven year-old Max from Sellindge was diagnosed last year but first started showing signs of tics when he was three. After being dismissed by a number of GPs, he was seen by a specialist in London. A boutique in Gravesend has closed suddenly [https://kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/i-did-not-want-to-end-like-this-independent-boutique-clos-340324/], with the owner blaming an increase in running costs. For Girlys has been trading in Stone Street for the past 30 years but is shutting down after a 65% increase in rent and rising overheads. And in sport, just days after signing a new contract at Whitstable Town, Jamie Coyle has quit as manager [https://kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/sport/title-winning-boss-quits-for-rivals-11-days-after-agreeing-n-340345/]. He's joining Margate along with assistant Matt Longhurst. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podcast: Chatham man banned from JD Gyms at Horsted Retail Park after threatening to stay ex partner

A Medway man has been banned from a gym after threatening to kill his former partner [https://kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/rejected-ex-banned-from-gym-after-threats-to-stab-former-par-340273/]. A court's been told Kyal Ferguson also said he would harm himself - and damaged his ex's property after turning up at her home. The 39 year-old from Frost Crescent in Chatham admitted harassment and criminal damage. Also in today's podcast, major repairs could be carried out on a property in Dover [https://kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/the-run-down-1950s-town-centre-block-where-rain-leaks-into-s-340227/] that's home to a number of businesses, after rain started leaking through balconies. Dolphin House in Market Square was built in the 1950s and people who own companies below flats above say the situation is particularly bad during heavy downpours. Kent's police and crime commissioner has launched a survey about changes to policing that'll reduce the number of forces across England and Wales. The government announced the idea earlier this year. A Kent man who spent six years trying to have a baby with his wife has described their IVF journey as a turmoil and brutal. Toby and Katie Trice had two failed rounds on the NHS [https://kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/six-years-of-trying-for-a-family-was-brutal-if-only-i-kne-340268/] and spent thousands on private tests. Toby, who's 35, is now a racing driver and is using that to raise awareness of male infertility problems. And in sport, the man in charge of England cricket says Zak Crawley's time in the national side isn't over for good [https://kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/sport/crawley-axed-from-england-test-squad-340263/]. The Kent batter has been dropped from the Test squad for the first game against New Zealand this summer. He struggled during the Ashes defeat in Australia over the winter, hear from England's director of cricket. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podcast: Major incident declared at Miller Heights on Lower Stone Street, Maidstone after basement flood affected electrics

A major incident was declared at a block of flats in Maidstone, following a flood which caused an electrical fault. Miller Heights on Lower Stone Street has been issued with a prohibition notice [https://kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/it-s-a-nightmare-hundreds-without-power-after-electrical-340199/] after a burst pipe in the basement wiped out the power supply. Around 200 people have been forced to leave their homes and are being supported by the local authority. Also in today's podcast, there's serious division within the Labour party as the Prime Minister continues to face pressure to resign [https://kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/kent-mp-says-keir-starmer-s-position-is-not-recoverable-340242/]. Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer told his top team he won't be quitting, despite taking responsibility for poor results at last week's local elections in England. Around 80 MPs have called on the PM to go - but 100 or so have signed a letter supporting him. Hear from two Kent MPs on either side of the debate. A sauna and steam room at a sports centre in Medway is going to be replaced [https://kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/leisure-centre-users-slam-council-s-secret-plans-to-scrap-340209/] with a gym for under 15s. Medway council is spending £700,000 on changing facilities at the site they run in Strood. As mental health awareness continues, we've been told how hundreds of people in Kent have been offered help, thanks to a service that provides homelessness, debt and mental health support at the same time. Live Well Kent and Medway is a network of charities and organisations aiming to break the cycle for people struggling with their wellbeing and cost of living crisis. And in sport, Kent have added another player to their squad [https://kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/sport/south-african-overseas-signing-blast-switch-for-spitfires-340254/] ahead of this summer's T20 Blast. Dian Forrester comes in as a replacement for Senuran Muthusamy who suffered a knee injury at the start of the season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podcast: Lorry drivers jailed for attacking man in row over parking space at Moto Medway service station on M2 near Gillingham

Three lorry drivers who attacked a man at a service station on the M2 have been jailed. A court's been told the victim suffered multiple fractures, a bleed on the brain and seizure [https://kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/violence-at-service-station-m2-car-park-row-leaves-man-with-340172/] after it happened at the site in Gillingham in February. Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP has joined calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign after stepping down from her government role. Naushabah Khan, who represents Gillingham and Rainham, says the Prime Minister has "lost the confidence of the public" [https://kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/the-kent-mps-backing-starmer-and-those-saying-he-should-go-340191/]. Folkestone and Hythe's Tony Vaughan is also calling for an orderly transition of leadership. For the first time, we're able to hear the moment a teaching assistant from Iwade admitted to spitting at a child in her care. The 47-year-old was questioned by police [https://kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/teaching-assistant-who-abused-special-needs-pupils-jailed-fo-340097/] following accusations she'd physically abused four disabled pupils. A man who was a key member of a county line drug supply network in east Kent has been jailed. The 29-year-old was identified as a key suspect in 2022 - when a car he was driving spend away from police in Canterbury [https://kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/ridiculous-driving-drug-dealer-hits-72mph-in-30mph-zone-d-340177/], reaching speeds of 72 miles per hours in a 30 zone. A Kent driving instructor has told us he's concerned about big changes to booking a test that come into force today. Learners are now the only ones who can do it via the government website. Previously instructors were able to deal with test dates, and amend them if necessary. And, a new group's been set up to try and improve standards for mental health nurses in Kent. Demand for support services has risen in recent years, and now a Nursing Council has been established to give staff more of a voice. The announcement comes as we mark International Nurses Day which also falls during mental health awareness week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podcast: Cash payments at council-run car parks in Dover could be scrapped as the council looks to replace all existing pay-and-display machines

Cash payments at council-run car parks in part of Kent could become a thing of the past. Bosses in Dover are looking at ditching all existing pay-and-display machines [https://kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/it-s-unbelievable-shock-at-council-plan-to-make-all-its-c-340078/] and replacing them with cashless units. It would force drivers to use contactless cards or mobile phone app payments instead. We've been finding out what some motorists in the town think. Also in today's podcast, there's pressure on the Prime Minister following local election results [https://https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/national/minister-backs-decade-of-starmer-as-pm-faces-more-calls-to-quit-166491/]. Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors and 40 local authorities in England - while Reform made significant gains. There were also good results for the Green Party and the Lib Dems. At the start of mental health awareness week, work's underway at a Kent school to recruit wellbeing ambassadors. Students at Herne Bay High are going to be trained on how to spot issues and have meaningful conversations.  It fits in with this years theme of taking action - hear from Simon Dolby from East Kent Mind [https://eastkentmind.org.uk/]. One of our most read stories today is that a long-awaited airshow at Manston Airport [https://kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/sadness-as-long-awaited-kent-airshow-cancelled-for-second-ye-340132/] has been cancelled for a second year running. The news has left people disappointed. Lucy Hudson has the details on why it's been axed and what happens if you had booked tickets. And in sport, a leading disability golfer from Kent is hoping to encourage more children into the sport. Kipp Popert is currently world number one after winning the US Adaptive Open three times [https://kentonline.co.uk/dartford/sport/inclusivity-takes-centre-stage-with-international-flavour-339874/] and the G4D Tour. He's invited some of the biggest names in the sport to the London Golf Club in Sevenoaks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.