Catch up on all the latest news from across the county with Bartholomew Hall.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live on KMTV.
00:27I'm Bartholomew Hall. Here are your top stories on Monday the 9th of June.
00:32A Kent reformed? Voters in the county's largest supporting town of Reform UK say local issues were forgotten at the election.
00:41A lot of it seems to focus on a feeling of a loss of identity. That seems to be one of the major driving forces.
00:50Green spaces, clear mines, Favisham Community Garden plant seeds of well-being.
00:56It's a holistic wellness experience, I would say.
01:01And pride without prejudice. Thousands gather for Kent's biggest pride celebration in Canterbury.
01:08Pride is like inclusivity, everybody's welcome, you know, no one's judged, it's a judge-free zone.
01:15But first this evening, a little more than a month ago, Reform UK stormed to victory at the Kent County Council elections, winning 57 of the 81 available seats.
01:34In the time since, voters have seen the formation of its flagship Doge Group, the man who set it up, then leaving the party, before, as of Saturday night, Zia Yusuf returning to head up Kent's cost-cutting team.
01:49A rocky start, but with 63% of those who cast a ballot not voting for Nigel Farage's party here in the county,
01:56our local democracy reporter, Oli Leda, has been speaking to voters in Romney Marsh to find out why the party won so much control.
02:04They want change, they want it now. They've done it five years' time, they want it now.
02:08And they voted for the tsunami of reform that's flowing through the marsh, and that's what did it.
02:14It is very clear that something remarkable is happening out there, that's why on the 1st of May there was a total and utter rejection of a two-party political system.
02:29They gave a national picture as well as a local picture, and I think that influenced voters immensely.
02:35I think people are depressed, I think people are lacking hope.
02:39Reform to them, I'm hearing a lot of people say that they seem to be the only other options that they can think of.
02:46Communities like Lyd, where I'm stood right now, turned away in droves from the Conservatives during the local elections.
02:55Nearly 4,000 people voted for Reform UK across the entirety of Romney Marsh.
03:02The real question then, is why?
03:05A Ukrainian flag high above New Reform Heartland.
03:14An irony, given the Reform UK administration's decision to ban such symbols above County Hall.
03:23But down below, different realities concern voters here.
03:29Something the local vicar for the parish knows all too well.
03:35Well, certainly a number of people who I've spoken to just in general, in the community, have expressed a sense of fear around an awful lot of aspects of the national picture.
03:52A lot of it seems to focus on a feeling of a loss of identity.
03:56That seems to be one of the major driving forces.
04:01Romney Marsh, like much of Kent's coast, is on the front lines of the small boat crisis.
04:09With migrants being rescued off the shores of one of Kent's most deprived areas.
04:16For the former mayor of New Romney, the handling of migration was a core part of Reform success here in the town.
04:27What they're not seeing at this moment in time from central government are hard and positive things which are having a positive impact.
04:36I think particularly, as I said down here, with the boat crossings and the number of them and the scale of them, which is what is frustrating a lot of local people as well.
04:47While the party may have been more visible than their rivals, turnout was low here, with 59% of people not turning up at the ballot box.
05:02Despite this, Reform's David Wimble still managed to oust the incumbent Conservative by nearly 3,000 votes.
05:12I want Reform to succeed in one way. Because if they don't, my residents are going to get clobbered.
05:19So I think at Kent, it's vital they don't screw things up.
05:24If Reform fail, then that's where I think we could see a certain amount of civil disobedience, even civil unrest.
05:30Fear, desperation, uncertainty. All explanations for an unprecedented upheaval on the marsh.
05:40But none of this will bring any comfort to the political outsiders left behind in Reformland.
05:51Olly Leder in Lead.
05:53Now, new data has shown that Kent has seen a significant rise in exclusions in our schools, with children being removed or suspended from classrooms more than doubling in five years.
06:08In the 23 to 24 academic year, 107 children were permanently excluded the year before, only seeing 30 children.
06:17Well, Finn is here in the studio now. Finn, take us through this data.
06:20Well, it actually seems to be part of a national trend, Bartholomew. It's been happening since Covid.
06:24Experts say that lockdowns, remote learning, social isolation have meant those returning to schools, especially young people in their teenage years, are just really struggling to adapt again to a structured classroom environment.
06:36One former headteacher has actually labelled it a teacher crisis.
06:40Peter Reid says teachers have a far tougher job than they did before Covid.
06:43But getting a hold of teachers is very difficult now, including headteachers.
06:47He went on to say there are other issues. Those with special needs are being forced into mainstream schools.
06:52And this is backed up by this new data, which shows that just more than 11,000 pupils were suspended in the 18 to 19 academic year to more than 21,000 last year.
07:02And what are the experts saying that is the most concerning part of this data?
07:06Well, it's actually the amount of very young children who are being suspended.
07:09In primary schools here in the county, suspensions have jumped from just below 2,000 to almost 3,500 a year.
07:15Now, these children are aged just between four and five years old, such as Brunswick House Primary in Maidstone, who recorded 39 last year in its reception classes.
07:24And where in Kent are we seeing this is most severe? I know you mentioned one of the schools there.
07:28Yes. So for total permanent exclusions across the county last year, this would be Dartford.
07:34We actually have some numbers here you can see here. They've excluded 21 out of the 107 total students across the county.
07:40That's mostly from secondary schools, whereas areas like Maidstone, that placed third on the list, had four from nursery to year six and nine, from seven to 14, sorry.
07:49But this is a problem across Kent, and notably except for Folkston and Hyde, which had zero across all schools, with Dover and Thanet recording low numbers.
07:57But this is still a very big and interesting data set that really tells us schools are struggling right now.
08:03Well, Finn, thank you very much for bringing us those details.
08:06Now over to Favisham, where a community garden that's been making a difference to those struggling with mental health issues.
08:15From recently winning the King's Award for its voluntary services, to the neighbourhood with the Best Buzz Award.
08:22They have everything from beehives to plants to a cafe.
08:25Well, to find out more about the service and how gardening is making a difference, Kristen went to visit Abbey Physick.
08:30Gardening isn't just a hobby, but a proven way to boost both your physical and mental health.
08:36From getting a dose of vitamin D and exercise, to enjoying fresh air and finding a moment of peace, the benefits are as varied as the plants themselves.
08:45The Abbey Physick Garden has been open for over 30 years now, and throughout that time it's been able to help people with exercise, mental health and well-being, all through the act of gardening.
08:54I'm going to have a go at planting, what is this, sweet corn?
08:57Sweet corn?
08:58I really like it here, I enjoy gardening, I enjoy gardening, and talking to different people.
09:04It's really helped me with my confidence, I've learned to talk to different people, which I think.
09:08But what if you don't have your own green space?
09:10Well, that's where community gardens like this one in Favisham come in.
09:14So we'll grow here, we'll cook food, we have singing, we have Tai Chi, we have yoga, all outside.
09:23It's a space, outdoor gardening is a hobby that just keeps giving.
09:30Nothing bad about being in a garden or part of a garden or setting a garden up, it's just a win-win-win all through, and it's just incredible what can happen on a little bit of space.
09:43So it doesn't have to be good.
09:45One worker here is currently on placement as part of her occupational therapy degree.
09:50She says gardening offers a wide range of holistic benefits.
09:53I think for a lot of people the thought of, well definitely for me, the thought of going to the gym and doing something sweaty and hard work and difficult is really intimidating.
10:03But actually when you're focused and you're engaged in growing something and nurturing something, you're not realising all the steps you're doing, all the different bending and lifting that you're doing.
10:15And so it's passive in one way but it's actually really effective, good mobilisation and you're using all of those balance skills all the time.
10:24And I think it's just, yeah, it's a holistic wellness experience I would say.
10:31The organisation itself has received numerous awards for its work, including the prestigious King's Award for Voluntary Service last year.
10:38It has so many roles in the community, supporting people with mental health issues massively, getting in contact with nature, having time for yourself, making connections, I suppose, with nature and with people as well.
10:53In today's world, places like Abbey Physic are vital to communities as it provides a place of comfort and solitude.
10:59So whether you're planting tomatoes, flowers or just cutting the grass at home or as part of a community, gardening might just be the breath of fresh air you need this summer.
11:09Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Faversham.
11:15Time for a short break now but coming up we'll be taking a look at all of Kent's sporting headlines ahead of a new episode of Invicta Sport this evening.
11:24And earlier we spoke to Jim Widit who is the operations manager at Kent Trading Standards.
11:29about the recent disposable vape ban a week after the ban came into force.
11:35Kent Trading Standards has been sending patrols around the county to find out which stores are breaking the rules and stopping them.
11:42Well, we'll be hearing just how well that operation has been going after the break.
11:47See you soon.
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17:43side of the road with my leg, my bone sticking out of my boot of my leg. Yeah, getting M-edded
17:50over to Nobles. They looked after me really well there. And we obviously had the first
17:55surgery there on the ankle to put an external fixator on it, clean up all the, any, because
18:01it was compound fracture, anything that came out of the body. Yeah, put it back together
18:07the best they could there. And then I think I spent three or four days in Nobles before
18:13they M-edded me back over to Aintree for the, for the surgery to get the metal work put
18:17in there. To be honest, it's just been a constant fight with pain relief, to be honest. I've
18:23been in a lot of pain. I've been, obviously, just trying to get, get the dose right and
18:29get the meds right and how we deal with it. But I've been very exhausted with it all, to
18:33be honest. But yeah, I, I crashed. I took the risk and here I am. I've got to pay the
18:40consequences, I suppose, overnight. And we'll have that full interview on Invicta
18:45Sport with Bartholomew just after this. Now, it was a victory for the Kent Spitfires after
18:51Zach Crawley hit an unbeaten half-century to earn the side a nine-wicket win against the
18:55Hampshire Hawks on Sunday. It follows disappointment last Friday when the Spitfires lost out against
19:00Surrey County by 42 runs. But just before heading off for England duty, Crawley made
19:0475 not out of 43 balls, helping the Spitfires beat the Hawks by eight wickets. Here's the
19:1127-year-old batsman speaking after the match. Yeah, absolutely. The boys on a bit of, you
19:17know, we've got some momentum and we feel like, you know, we feel like we're a good team in
19:20this comp. So we know if we play well, we can beat anyone. Surrey is a good team, but if
19:24we play well, we know we can win. So it's just great playing with Kent. Some of my best mates in the world
19:27playing this team and I get to spend time with them and always want to come back and play
19:31for Kent, spend time with them and spend time with all the boys to be honest. And it's always
19:34nice to get a couple of nice knocks and contribute to a win. You know, it feels nice.
19:39Now in football, Bradley Dack says he's got unfinished business at Gilliam after a frustrating
19:44past season. The 31-year-old recently signed a new one-year contract. He told Kent Online he
19:50hopes the next season brings with it promotion out of League Two. The Gilles ended the season
19:55sitting 17th in the table, with things looking on the up, having finished with an unbeaten
19:59streak of 12 games. It comes as the Gilles have also extended the contracts of former
20:04Charlton midfielder Ewan Williams and left-back Max Clarke.
20:08And don't forget, as the transfer window continues, you can catch all the latest at Kent Online.
20:12But did you also know you can have your weekly digest of Gill's news sent directly to your
20:17email inbox? Just search Kent Online email alerts and sign up on the website for all the latest
20:22written transfer news, match reports and interviews. And if the Gilles isn't your cup of tea, well,
20:27there's plenty more email alerts to choose from, including all the latest non-league
20:30football news too. And finally, Kent's double Olympic champion, Dame Kelly Holmes, has called
20:36on the government to bring the World Athletics Championship to London for 2029.
20:41In an open letter with more than 100 supporters, including Holmes, Sir Mo Farah and Dame Jessica
20:46Ennis Hill, they say it's a rare chance to inspire the nation and create a lasting legacy.
20:51The letter outlines plans for the championships to be funded during 2028, with £45 million
20:56needed, but a projected economic boost of over £400 million.
21:00Well, that's all for this week's Sports Bulletin. But as always, you can catch all that sports
21:05news and more on Invicta Sport right after Kent tonight.
21:18And as Finn said, there are plenty more to come on Invicta Sport this evening. Now, though,
21:22time to take a look at the weather.
21:28Well, this evening's looking rather mild, with partly cloudy weather coating the night skies,
21:33temperatures around the mid-teens. As we go into tomorrow morning, the clouds taking over
21:37across Kent, with temperatures rising to around 16 and 17. As we go into the afternoon, staying
21:43rather cloudy for most of us, temperatures just dipping into the 20s, highs of 21 in Maidstone
21:48and Dartford. And as we go towards the rest of the week, things are hotening up as we reach
21:53Friday, where we'll see highs of 25 degrees, clouds staying firmly in the sky, though.
22:03Looking rather lovely after the weekend's wet weather that we had, isn't it?
22:09Now, Kent Trading Standards says officers have been patrolling every district in the county
22:13to hunt down businesses continuing to sell or supply disposable vapes. It comes a week
22:19after the UK wide ban came into effect with the aim of reducing the effect of single-use vapes
22:25have on the environment. Well, I caught up with Jim Widett, the operations manager at Kent
22:30Trading Standards earlier. Hi, Jim. Thank you for joining us on Kent
22:35Tonight this evening. It's good to have you here. So it's been more than a week now since
22:39the disposable vape ban has come into effect. What sort of job is that tasked with your team
22:44at Kent Trading Standards with?
22:45OK, so we're quite fortunate within Kent Trading Standards because we've got a vape
22:50team. But in response to the new ban that came in, we actually had more of the service
22:57going out at about last Monday so that we covered all the 12 districts across Kent to go and see
23:02what was actually going on. For many people, they weren't expecting too much change. Of course,
23:07this is the disposable vapes that have been banned. But reusable ones are still sort of stocking
23:13the shelves. And we're still seeing those sort of different flavours, for example, being advertised
23:17on the side of of buildings. But the main side of shops, sorry, but the main idea behind this was to
23:23actually cut some of the environmental impacts of vaping. So to see less litter. What have we sort
23:29of seen in the first week of it?
23:32OK, so, I mean, you're dead right. So the changes in the legislation bring in the fact that you've got to
23:37have a rechargeable battery, a refillable tank or a pod system that can be moved on and off and replacing
23:44wooding and coil. So the other thing that we're also telling businesses is they must have a recycling
23:52scheme as well for those vapes that don't work anymore. So it's a bit early days yet to see that
23:57kind of change coming through onto the litter that you've just mentioned. But you can't now buy a single
24:02use vape. It's got to be reusable.
24:05And there are a few sort of loopholes that we're seeing, not the shops, but the actual producers
24:10of vapes being able to sort of use in order to still sell some of those products that were similar
24:16from before. You said there about the rechargeable batteries. We're now seeing some vapes being stocked
24:22that simply have charging points in them rather than those sort of those pods, right?
24:27And that would mean it wouldn't be currently legal. So obviously, if the team find those,
24:31then there's different measures within the legislation as well. So there's quite a few
24:36different notices we can issue, and the team have been issuing some of those during the
24:40week. And we can also, if in the right circumstances, issue a fixed penalty notice. So there is a variety
24:46depending on what we find. And obviously, if there are devices out there that are incorrect,
24:51then we can take that. We can seize them, remove them from the marketplace, and then follow that
24:56up with the manufacturers and importers.
24:57And tell us a bit more about the work that has been going out in all of the districts,
25:03because I know you've had 81 visits, which has seen six seizures and 10 of those notices. For those
25:09businesses that have received notices, what will it mean for them going forward?
25:13Okay, so it depends on the notice. So the majority of notices that we've issued are
25:19intention compliance notices. And that means that within 28 days, as a service, we've got to go back
25:25and see if the business has followed that advice and guidance we've given them to become compliant.
25:29And then other notices, like a stop notice, that activity must stop right now. And that's for more
25:36serious issues. And they're the ones that we've issued at the moment. So the legislation requires
25:42us to go back 28 days later.
25:45And of course, one of the services that you're offering now for people, if they recognise a business
25:51that they are concerned, might be doing a bit of dodgy selling, they can actually get in touch with you
25:55to sort of let you know. Yep, so we've got an email address that people can ping us to, and that's
26:01vapes at kent.gov.uk. And that goes straight through to the vape team. So as we've had more
26:08offices out and about, Monday of last week, a dedicated vape team is still there doing their job
26:13on a daily basis, going out and about. So if consumers see something they're not sure of, or if a business
26:18wants some further advice and guidance, if they drop us a line on that email, we'll get in contact.
26:22Well, Jim, thank you very much for joining us today. It's been really good to speak with you.
26:28Thank you very much.
26:29Well, time for a break now, but plenty more still to come on the programme this evening.
26:33You know how much we love a national day here on KMTV. Well, to talk about
26:37Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day. Yep, that's right. It is a real one.
26:42We're going to be joined by great British Bake Off star Hazel Vaughan from Kent to maybe break down
26:47how her journey on the show was. All that and plenty more after this.
26:52We're going to be joined by great British Bake Off star Hazel Vaughan.
26:53Thank you very much.
30:18A reminder of your top stories this evening.
30:20A Kent reformed voters in Kent's largest supporting town of reform say local issues were forgotten at the election.
30:30Green spaces, clear minds, faversham community garden plants the seeds of well-being.
30:40And Canterbury Pride.
31:10The party's executive returned to head up Kent's cost-cutting group.
31:14But with 63% of the electorate here not voting for Nigel Farage's party, our local democracy reporter Oli Leda has been speaking to voters in Romney Marsh to find out why the party won so much control.
31:26They want change, they want change, they want it now. They want change, they want it now.
31:31And they voted for the tsunami of reform that's flowing through the marsh. And that's what did it.
31:37It's very clear that something remarkable is happening out there. That's why on the 1st of May there was a total and utter rejection of a two-party political system.
31:52They gave them a national picture as well as a local picture and I think that influenced voters immensely.
31:58I think people are depressed. I think people are lacking hope.
32:03Reform to them. I'm hearing a lot of people say that they seem to be the only other options that they can think of.
32:09Communities like Liz, where I'm stood right now, turned away in droves from the Conservatives during the local elections.
32:18Nearly 4,000 people voted for Reform UK across the entirety of Romney Marsh.
32:26The real question then is why?
32:28A Ukrainian flag high above New Reform Heartland.
32:37An irony given the Reform UK administration's decision to ban such symbols above County Hall.
32:46But down below, different realities concern voters here.
32:52Something the local vicar for the parish knows all too well.
32:58Certainly a number of people whom I've spoken to just in general, in the community, have expressed a sense of fear around an awful lot of aspects of the national picture.
33:15A lot of it seems to focus on a feeling of a loss of identity.
33:19That seems to be one of the major driving forces.
33:23Romney Marsh, like much of Kent's coast, is on the front lines of the small boat crisis.
33:32With migrants being rescued off the shores of one of Kent's most deprived areas.
33:39For the former mayor of New Romney, the handling of migration was a core part of Reform success here in the town.
33:50What they're not seeing at this moment in time from central government are hard and positive things which are having a positive impact.
33:59I think particularly, as I said down here, with the boat crossings and the number of them and the scale of them, which is what is frustrating a lot of local people as well.
34:10While the party may have been more visible than their rivals, turnout was low here, with 59% of people not turning up at the ballot box.
34:24Despite this, Reform's David Wimble still managed to oust the incumbent Conservative by nearly 3,000 votes.
34:35I want Reform to succeed in one way, because if they don't, my residents are going to get clobbered.
34:43So I think at Kent, it's vital they don't screw things up.
34:47If Reform fail, then that's where I think we could see a certain amount of civil disobedience, even civil unrest.
34:54Fear, desperation, uncertainty.
34:57All explanations for an unprecedented upheaval on the marsh.
35:03But none of this will bring any comfort to the political outsiders left behind in Reformland.
35:14Olly Lieder in lead.
35:21Now, fears have been raised over whether cargo ships are sailing too close to an explosive-filled shipwreck off the coast of Sheppey.
35:29This WEC lines vessel was pictured sailing close to the infamous SS Richard Montgomery.
35:36It's since been confirmed the boat had not breached the exclusion zone, but questions have been left around the safety of the shipping lane after a new no-fly zone was implemented over the area in May.
35:47A new, well, staying with the island of Sheppey, because there was a very special visit from television royalty this weekend.
35:56Danny and Danny Dyer, who are running for a new reality TV show, hosted an open day at Priory Hill Holiday Park in Laysdown.
36:05The two were seen taking selfies and pictures with excited members of the public for the official opening of the holiday park.
36:10It's all part of their new show, which will follow the family as they take over the business, including Priory Hill and its sister site, Nuts Farm.
36:19One attendee commented, it's really positive to have the dyers here and will be bringing the park some great attention.
36:27One will be watching out for, for sure.
36:29Now, next this evening, something a little bit unique, maybe something delicious for you, you might not know, but today is Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day.
36:37Yep, that's right, it is a real thing.
36:39With mid-May and early June marking the start of the rhubarb harvest, the day is all about celebrating one of the vegetable's most loved uses.
36:47Well, joining me now is someone who is no stranger to baking, former Bake Off contestant and Westbrook local Hazel Vaughan.
36:55Hazel, thank you very much for joining us this evening.
36:57It's lovely to have you on, on Invicta, not Invicta, sorry, on Kent tonight, this evening.
37:03First of all, there you are, there you are on the screen now.
37:07First of all, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, is it one that you've attempted before?
37:10Because it is, it is a lovely looking dessert.
37:13We've got some pictures to show, I've forgot mine this evening.
37:17Yes, yeah, I have, I've made it before, it's lovely, really, really nice.
37:22It's, you've got the sweetness of the strawberries and then the sharpness of the rhubarb.
37:27It is, it is a really lovely sight, isn't it?
37:32And it is, yes, yeah, I make the lattice top as well, lovely.
37:37I think that's, I think that's the most iconic part of it, that, that lovely lattice top when it goes and it's nice and crispy.
37:42And it is, it's a lovely, lovely taste.
37:44What are some of the things that you would sort of, what are all the tips for making it?
37:50Because I know that when you're trying to make a pastry that looks so lovely, like the Strawberry Rhubarb, it can sometimes go a little bit wrong.
37:56Yes, it can.
37:59You need to put some corn flour and obviously sugar in with the fruit, which, which keeps it all together as well, rather than, then it's not too runny then.
38:13Well, I'll keep it in mind.
38:15We've got, we've got the tips from the expert here this evening.
38:17Look, it's been a while since you were on Great British Bake Off.
38:21How did you find the whole experience?
38:24It was quite, quite daunting really.
38:30And very, it was quite tiring as well, being on there.
38:34And because you're there in the more early hours of the morning, seven o'clock in the morning till seven at night.
38:41So that, that, to go into that tent is just amazing.
38:45Yeah, absolutely.
38:46Some, some pretty long days there.
38:47I think it's, I know, I know you're, you're, you're a grandmother.
38:50You've got, you go, you have a big family behind you as you went on to the show.
38:54I think a lot of people would, would sort of say they've got someone in their family that's good at baking, you know, give it a go.
38:59What was it that made you apply for the show?
39:02Um, everybody's been saying to me for years, I should apply.
39:07And I just thought I wouldn't, um, I wouldn't get on.
39:11So, but eventually I just thought, well, I'll just go for it.
39:14And, um, and yeah, and I got on.
39:17So.
39:18We've got a clip of you there.
39:19Was there a particular highlight from your, from your time on the show?
39:24Um, yes, making my handbag was really, but everything else seemed to be a disaster.
39:30Well, that's, I think that's the thing that people enjoy about the show, isn't it?
39:34Because it feels, it feels real.
39:35It feels like, you know, we're just seeing people that we know baking.
39:39And I think that's, that's kind of the fun part of baking, isn't it?
39:41It brings people together.
39:44Yes.
39:45Oh, definitely.
39:45Yes.
39:46Yes.
39:47I mean, of course, and the first technical that we did on the program, and they'd never done it before.
39:52They didn't give us a recipe at all.
39:54We just had to make eight Battenbergs without a recipe.
39:58I wouldn't even know where to start.
40:00I mean, that, that does sound daunting.
40:02What's been the response from your family since being on the show?
40:05Have they expected more from you in the kitchen?
40:09Oh, um, no, not really.
40:12I think, you know, I make cakes and I, I, I say, do you want some?
40:16And they're all a bit, no, we're all, we're okay.
40:18But I do bake for my local bakers every day.
40:22I bake for them.
40:24Oh, that's...
40:24Crums and Deli in Westgate.
40:26Yeah, I bake for them.
40:29That's absolutely lovely.
40:30What sort of things...
40:31You have Fresh Cream Friday.
40:32Yeah, what sort of things are you baking for them?
40:33Well, I make, um, uh, I make chocolate brownies, I make scones, um, Tottenham Slice.
40:41Um, she has Fresh Cream Friday, so I make coffee eclairs, chocolate eclairs, cream slices, um, I'll count anything.
40:52I do cinnamon buns, uh, Belgian buns.
40:58That's incredible.
40:58I mean, you're making me hungry, hungry just thinking about it all.
41:01And what, what lovely way as well to support the, the local bakers as well, because, um, you know, of course, it's, it's not an easy time for them at the moment with, with costs rising here and there.
41:10No, no, no, I know.
41:13Um, yeah, and she's, she's not long had it.
41:16She's had it since October, I think, and, um, she's doing really well there, so.
41:21Oh, great stuff.
41:21Well, people will have to...
41:22I bake for her most days.
41:24Well, I'd, I'd love to try some of your baking, so, uh, maybe it's one to, one to look out for.
41:28Um, Hazel, thank you very much for joining us this evening.
41:30It's been a pleasure to speak with you, uh, and wish you all the best, uh, in the future.
41:34Okay.
41:35Thank you very much.
41:38I am feeling very hungry now.
41:39Right, time for a break.
41:40We'll have plenty more, including a round-up of this year's Canterbury Pride after the break.
46:45We've got everywhere you can write a note to yourself and we'll send it back to you in the future. And so it's just a really lovely, calm, friendly vibe today.
46:55While I was there, I also asked people at the event what pride means to them.
46:59What does pride mean to you?
47:01What does pride mean to you?
47:03It's showing up to you?
47:04It's showing up to you?
47:05It's showing up for yourself and it's showing up for your community.
47:07Pride is like inclusivity, everybody's welcome, you know, no one's judged, it's a judge free zone.
47:13It's a protest. It's a protest. It's really important that we keep pride like a positive, welcoming space for everybody because it's the sort of thing that a lot of people here don't get that a lot of the year round.
47:25And acceptance, acceptance, visibility and kind of being who you are.
47:30Someone to come where they feel comfortable and appreciate love is love at the end of the day.
47:36Pride is really important to us because we're an inclusive organisation.
47:39I feel like I'm with people that know kind of what I'm going through in a way and how proud it is to be different, that you don't have to hide yourself.
47:49In a time when politically and socially it's a bit tenuous at the moment, it's nice that we can be visible.
47:58It's about putting on a bit of colour, coming out and reminding people that we still need to carry on.
48:02Whilst we've come so far and a lot of people are very grateful, we still have to keep those rights and keep pushing for the rights of those who don't have as many as we do.
48:12It's clear that this festival was more than just a rainbow of colours, as Canterbury stands together with pride.
48:18Kai Wei for KMTV in Canterbury.
48:22Some joyous scenes there in Canterbury.
48:25Now, time to bring you all the latest business news from across Kent, including the redevelopment of a former university
48:30and a Victorian pub for sale.
48:33Our Business Roundup has all the details.
48:42First up in this week's Business Roundup.
48:45There are new plans to transform Rochester University of Creative Arts into a 20 million housing scheme.
48:52The empty art college, branded as an ugly blot on the landscape, has now been given the yes.
48:58The college was home to some of the most talented names in the art and fashion world.
49:02It was brought to a close in 2023 due to spiralling costs and cuts to the government funding and has since been relocated to Canterbury and Surrey.
49:11But now we'll have a different look as a London based entrepreneur will build new apartments with Medway Council approval to build a luxury redevelopment.
49:20Next up, a jewellery brand plans to move into a former phone shop.
49:24The shop was previously occupied by the O2.
49:27Bosses at Warren James have made the application to move into the vacant unit at the St. James Shopping Centre in Dover.
49:34Two applications were submitted to Dover District Council for a bid.
49:38One for New Sands and the other for Shopfront.
49:41This means there is now 215 stores across the UK including five in Kent alone.
49:48Finally in Lee, a Victoria pub is on the market for purchase.
49:51The pub Fleur de Lis is up for sale from the current owner and chain Green King.
49:57The building is priced at £475,000 by estate ages, the floret.
50:04That's all for this week's business roundup.
50:06Good stuff there and plenty more on those stories available at Kent Online's business page.
50:16Now though, time to take a look at the forecast again for the coming days.
50:20Well this evening's looking rather mild, partly cloudy weather coating the night skies.
50:30Temperatures around the mid-teens too.
50:32As we go into tomorrow morning, clouds taking over across the county.
50:35Temperatures rising to around the 16 and 17 degree mark.
50:39As we go into the afternoon, highs of 21 expected.
50:42Some sun peeking through the clouds up in the north of the county.
50:45And here's your outlook as we go towards the rest of the week.
50:49Hotting up as we go towards Friday.
50:5125 degrees is your high, but clouds staying firmly in the skies.
51:04Well, someone who was hoping for a bit of sunny weather at the weekend.
51:08One of our reporters has swapped the studio for the fields of Surrey.
51:12Kristen took on a mud run organised by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.
51:17She managed to clean off and joins me now in the studio.
51:20We've got a picture of you here.
51:21You look very, very muddy.
51:23Take us through the thoughts behind this.
51:26Why would you put yourself through this?
51:28Well, I just did it because I don't often do too much around the area.
51:32You know, I didn't grow up here or anything.
51:34So, like, to kind of explore aside from work, I thought it would be quite fun.
51:38You know, OCD, taking on the drive, doing something like this,
51:43where I have quite a perfectionist mindset, just to get covered in muck.
51:47It was quite good.
51:48And as you can see, I did have a good time.
51:50Yes, these are the pictures.
51:51This was before.
51:52I thought this photo was so funny.
51:53I asked Amanda to take it and he made my forehead look massive.
51:56But, yeah, this was me after.
51:59That was the professional photo that they took.
52:01You can see the GoPro, which did actually run out of charge.
52:03Oh, yeah.
52:04Those are my shoes.
52:05Look at that.
52:06I mean, you did get yourself absolutely stuck in.
52:07I mean, this is something that I know you've spoken about before,
52:10but, you know, you did get yourself completely stuck in with the mud.
52:13And was that a challenge?
52:15It was.
52:16So, they had obstacles as well.
52:17So, you did, like, monkey bars.
52:19And, do you know, a quarter of the way through, I thought it was done.
52:22I was like, this is easy.
52:23Seven kilometres.
52:24This is fine.
52:25Right.
52:26It was dance and all.
52:27That was, yeah, it wasn't over.
52:28And then...
52:29You had to do it three more times.
52:30Exactly.
52:31Exactly.
52:32And then there was big, deep things of mud.
52:34It was, like, clay, nearly.
52:36Like, watery clay.
52:37And then you had to, like, go up, like, big hills of mucks on your hands and knees going up.
52:43I don't know.
52:44It was mental.
52:45And you got the way through.
52:46You got a lovely medal there.
52:47I was lucky to bring it in with you today.
52:48Yeah.
52:49But, no, I mean, you must be very proud of yourself for getting through it.
52:52I am, yeah.
52:53I mean, I was smiling when I crossed the finish line.
52:55They were like, you look very happy.
52:56And I was like, yeah, because it's over.
52:58OK, great.
52:59And that's why you're still smiling there, I assume, as well.
53:01Yeah.
53:02And, of course, for an important cause as well, a little bit of money raised for air
53:06ambulance charity Kent Surrey Sussex.
53:08Yeah, yeah.
53:09I didn't raise too, too much.
53:10I...
53:11What did I do?
53:12I did about £60.
53:13So, hopefully, now that people have seen that I've actually done it, they'll
53:16get a little bit more.
53:17But I was sort of...
53:18I spoke to some people that were on the same pace as me, and I interviewed them after.
53:23So, hopefully, we can hear from them now if it's working OK.
53:26Yeah.
53:27It's definitely a laugh.
53:28You've got to have a strong nose, though.
53:29Rip on shoes is useful as well.
53:30Like, I did in barefoot shoes and they were like...
53:31Really attractive.
53:32Yeah.
53:33And definitely motivation to get working out the upper body as well.
53:34Yeah.
53:35Yeah.
53:36We wanted...
53:37We were just saying, the last one, there was one where, like, you hooked some rings over
53:41the different bars, and we could, none of us could do it.
53:43So, we're going to come back and try and do that.
53:44Work out a little bit and then come back here.
53:45Yeah.
53:46Well, I think the thing you noticed from that is that everybody has a big smile on their
53:47face.
53:48Yeah.
53:49Was that the general feel around the place?
53:50Nobody sort of, you know, getting to the end?
53:51Nobody lost their spirits, even if they were covered in the mucky stuff?
53:52Exactly.
53:53I mean, even the people that were complaining, there was sort of, what do you call them, like,
53:58people that stood at each of the obstacles to make sure people were safe?
53:59Like, the marshals?
54:00Yes, that's the word.
54:01When people were passing, people were complaining, they were saying, you never stop complaining
54:05all this here.
54:06So, it was good fun.
54:09After one of the obstacles, people were giving me jelly babies and all.
54:11Oh, nice.
54:12That helpful.
54:13Was it going to keep you going?
54:14It was.
54:15It was.
54:16It was.
54:17It was.
54:18It was.
54:19It was.
54:20It was.
54:21It was.
54:22It was.
54:23It was.
54:24It was.
54:25It was.
54:26It was.
54:27It was.
54:28I was thinking of the sugar when I was running.
54:30Yeah.
54:31I took on one of these mud runs once and I think I got it, I got sort of, yeah, about
54:35a quarter of the way through and I was just thinking, I really want some pasta.
54:38That was my craving.
54:39But the jelly babies did the work for you, kept you, you know, energetic.
54:42You need something.
54:43You need the sugar, for sure.
54:45But, yeah, I mean, it was brilliant fun.
54:47Something that I'd never done before.
54:49I have never ran a race or anything at all.
54:51I didn't even think I was sporty.
54:53But then after that, I just thought, yeah, I had a lot of energy.
54:55I mean, I just kept running.
54:56The before and after is great.
54:57I mean, look at that.
54:58So that's the same top.
54:59Yes.
55:00Right.
55:01That one's bright red and now it's completely covered and it's brown.
55:04Yeah.
55:05It's a shame about the GoPro footage.
55:06Would have loved to have had a look at that bit.
55:07I know.
55:08Completely covered in it.
55:09Do you think you'll take on something like this again in the future?
55:12Well, I think there's, so the people that were running behind me, they were very funny.
55:15But he said he's taken on one called Tough Mudder.
55:19OK.
55:20Yeah.
55:21Which is, I think he's doing that in London in September.
55:22So I might do something like that, although it's a lot longer.
55:25How long was this one in comparison?
55:27This was seven kilometres.
55:28OK, yeah, seven.
55:29So this was the short one.
55:30But I think the Tough Mudder one is like nearly 14 or 10 at the lowest.
55:34So.
55:35Goodness me.
55:36I mean, you'd be fine at a park run on a muddy day.
55:38Because I know that sometimes makes people go, oh no, I'm not going to do the park run
55:42today.
55:43But clearly after you've done this, you can run through anything.
55:46Have you done much running in the past?
55:48Is this a new hobby of yours?
55:50I used to do a little bit, like years ago when I was maybe like 18 or something.
55:56But nothing like that since.
55:57I've been a bit lazy recently, to be honest.
56:00But yeah, I thought it was good to get it kick started, do something like this.
56:03And now I'm a bit addicted to getting medals.
56:05So I'm like, get me another one.
56:06That's the thing.
56:07I mean, we've got Invicta Sport coming up after the break.
56:09And there's an interview in there with Kent Online editor, Phil Hayes, who spoke to me
56:14about his sub three hour marathon attempt.
56:17And he did succeed.
56:18But he was telling me some of the tricks and tips that he did to get there.
56:22And he was telling me all about the fact that he's done one and he's just, you know,
56:26he's sort of addicted to it now and wants to carry on doing it.
56:29So maybe you could be our Tough Mudder, Mud Running reporter.
56:33Maybe so.
56:34Maybe so.
56:35Chris, thank you very much for joining us.
56:37Good to hear.
56:38And congratulations on the run.
56:39Right.
56:40You've been watching Kent Tonight Live on KMTV.
56:42Plenty more throughout the evening on the channel.
56:44We'll see you tomorrow with more news made for Kent.
56:46Bye-bye.
56:47.