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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Gabriel Morris.
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00:00Hello, very good evening to you.
00:25Welcome to Ken Tonight, live here on KMTV.
00:28I'm Gabriel Morrison, here are your top stories on Thursday, the 21st of August.
00:34Barley, noticeable.
00:36Hidden threats causing painful problem for dogs in Raynham's Cozzenton Park.
00:41As a dog walking community, we find this unjust and unfair.
00:46Results are in.
00:48Pupils across Kent receive their GCSE grades today as pass rates falls.
00:53I've got 60 dogs with me.
00:55Oh my God, I'm going to pay.
00:56Oh my God.
00:58And seizing the occasion, painting marks 43 years since HMS Endurance returned to Chatham.
01:06If it's not the greatest day of my life, it is certainly one of the greatest days of my life.
01:12First tonight, dog owners in Raynham are accusing Medway Council of putting their four-legged friends at risk.
01:29After a certain type of grass at Cozzenton Park left them with vet bills running into the hundreds of pounds.
01:35They say sharp seeds, heads of the wool barley, can lodge into paws, ears, eyes and even noses, often sending their pets for urgent treatment.
01:46Now, Medway Council say patches of wool barley do remain in place, arguing they play an important role in supporting the local biodiversity.
01:54Maizey Walker has this story.
01:57Wool barley, also known as flea darts, can pose a serious threat to dogs.
02:02Contact with the plant can lead to emergency vet visits, sedation and medication, with some costs reaching upwards of £1,000.
02:10So today I'm in Cozzenton Park to talk to a local dog-walking community about their ongoing concern about the growth of wool barley.
02:19Local residents say they feel ignored by the council and are anxious every time they walk their dogs, fearing expensive vet bills.
02:27We come in here, must have been around about two months ago.
02:31We walked in the park and it was particularly bad over in that corner and he's rolled around.
02:37Within literally five minutes of being up here, we carried on walking around and he was shaking his head.
02:43He had his ear dropped to the side, so I knew there was an issue.
02:47I got home and he was still shaking his head, so I took him up to the vets and the vets said there's probably something in his ear.
02:55So I had to leave him there for four hours so he could be sedated and have whatever was in his ear removed.
03:02I've had various vet visits with darts between their toes, up their leg, in their ears as well.
03:16Residents have been told the wool barley will remain in Cozzenton Park for biodiversity reasons.
03:21The council says the plant is vital due to the sharp decline in native wildlife across Medway.
03:27It's not in other parks, so if it is biodiverse, why isn't it all up the grass verge, up the A2, and why isn't it in other parks?
03:38As a dog walking community, we find this unjust and unfair.
03:43Why are we being treated differently than any other dog walkers across Medway?
03:48Wool barley seeds have sharp points with tiny barbs.
03:51These can hook onto fur, skin or paws, and once stuck, they only move forward, not backward.
03:57This is a piece of wool barley that was removed from a dog which visited Cozzenton Park.
04:02It was embedded five centimetres into their skin.
04:05As the debate continues, dog owners are left weighing the risk of daily walks against the rising cost of care,
04:11while the council stands by its commitment to biodiversity.
04:21What have they told you about this issue?
04:25Yeah, so a Medway council spokesperson said that wool barley is a naturally occurring grass species,
04:32commonly found in grassland and countryside across Britain and Europe.
04:37As with many of our parks, we have left a perimeter section of Cozzenton Park uncut to support wildlife
04:48and encourage greater biodiversity, while the grass in the main central section has been cut short.
04:56Medway council prides itself on our parks and our open spaces,
05:00and we currently have eight naturally recognised green flag parks,
05:05along with a wide range of other green spaces for residents to enjoy.
05:11They're saying how they monitor the plants growing to ensure they don't start to dominate the park.
05:16However, there is no legal requirement to remove them.
05:20Now, interesting.
05:20So, you've spoken to many dog walkers in this park, in Reign, in Cozzenton Park.
05:26How exactly do these dogs get injured?
05:28What are the owners saying? What are vets saying?
05:31Right, so wool barley seeds, to be precise, have sharp points with tiny barbs
05:37that easily latch on to dog's fur, skin or paws.
05:42And once they're attached, the barbs only move forward, not backwards,
05:46allowing the seeds to actually burrow deeper.
05:50They often dig into the paws, but residents in Reignham have reported cases
05:54where seeds have also lodged in ears, eyes and even the nose.
05:59The result of this is severe pain, infection and, in many cases, the need for veterinary removal.
06:06And what are some of the signs to look out for if owners are worried about their dogs being injured?
06:09Right, yeah. So, dog owners want to look out for limping, licking or swelling between the toes.
06:17It's also good to look out for things like head shaking, scratching, sneezing and red watery eyes.
06:26And what treatment might be needed if an owner believes their dog is injured?
06:31Yeah, so often it requires a vet to sedate the dog and remove the seed.
06:35However, it does depend on the severity of the case.
06:39Sometimes antibiotics or anti-inflammatories may also be prescribed.
06:44And it can get quite expensive, can't it?
06:46Mm-hmm. Yeah, so typically it ranges from £150 to £1,200.
06:55Maisie, thank you for bringing us those details.
06:58Now for some news in brief.
07:01A Medway nurse fighting for her life has launched a £70,000 fundraiser after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.
07:09Charlotte Flannery, seen pictured there from Rainham, has worked for the NHS for more than 20 years.
07:15She first discovered a tumour on her ovary, with fewer than 100 recorded cases worldwide.
07:21The mother of six underwent multiple surgeries and gruelling chemotherapy, but later doctors found the cancer had spread to her brain and spinal tissue.
07:31Now specialists say immunotherapy could help keep the disease at bay, but Charlotte says she will continue to fight for cancer with her family and everything she's got.
07:41And to the railways now.
07:42Southeastern is trialling new technology designed to keep trains moving on the Tunbridge to Hastings line.
07:47The rail operator has teamed up with Flint Engineering to tackle extreme heat that they say often causes major disruption to that route.
07:57The system can instantly and silently transfer heat without power, maintenance or any internal modification.
08:04The operator says the innovation could be a game changer, helping the company to keep services running smoothly, even during heat waves.
08:13Next up, it's results day across Kent.
08:16Students are collecting their GCSEs, BTECs, Tech Awards and other Level 2 results today.
08:22Despite a national drop in the pass rates this year, Kent's pupils have actually performed above the national average.
08:29Our reporter, Alfie Rowe, visited St John's Catholic School to catch for celebrations and reactions as students opened their results.
08:38It starts in the usual nervy way.
08:41Students line up, envelopes are handed out and then...
08:45I've got an 8-7 in science, an 8 in citizenship, a 7 in history, a 5 in maths, an 8 in RE, a 6 in PE and a 7 in language.
08:55My best was an 8 in maths and everything else was a 6 except history.
08:59On what is always a nerve-wracking day, students across Kent will be receiving their GCSE results in schools just like this one.
09:07The results will be ranked from 1, which is the lowest, to 9, the highest, with 4 being a standard pass.
09:14With these results in hand, students can then plan their next steps, whether that's A or T levels at a 6th form college or an apprenticeship.
09:21At St John's Catholic Comprehensive School, there's reason to celebrate.
09:26We're always expecting another set of good results, which we've achieved and, you know, when the results came in yesterday, we get a sneak peek.
09:37So we had a look yesterday and we're very pleased with how the school's performed.
09:42And then seeing the students come in today, it's clear how excited and how proud they are of their achievements.
09:49In the same way, we're incredibly excited for them and proud as a school for all that they have achieved.
09:56But the larger picture is more complex.
09:59National GCSE pass rates have fallen from last year, with experts warning of a recent crisis.
10:05I think it is slightly concerning that there is a drop.
10:09But I think as we get the next cohort start coming through, we will then start to see an improvement in that as schools are now putting in place all that extra support that they need.
10:19Part of the reason for the pass rate decline in recent years is the push to return to pre-pandemic levels.
10:26For this cohort, COVID-19 has played a large role throughout their education.
10:31It's the first cohort that had, were in the pandemic when they started secondary school.
10:39And so they missed a lot of education.
10:41They missed their SATs and so on.
10:44And so they've done really, really well.
10:47It's a real testament to the work of the school and the dedication of the teachers,
10:52the support they've had from their parents and the really hard work that they've put in as well.
10:57Though it will be a day of joy for some and disappointment for others, at St John's School, the message to students is clear.
11:08The school is here for them and continues to be here for them.
11:12And we're proud of each and every one of them.
11:15Alfie Rowe for KMTV in Gravesend.
11:17Well, we're going to take a short break now.
11:21But coming up, we'll be speaking to our reporter, Fimba Dermid, who will be live from us from Upnor,
11:26where a cannabis farm has been found by Kent police in an abandoned former charity shop.
11:33Also, Chatham Historic Dockyard has welcomed veterans of HMS Endurance.
11:37The ship played a key role during the Falklands War, warning the UK of Argentina's invasion.
11:43Now, a new painting has been unveiled.
11:46We'll have all that and more coming up after this short break.
11:50See you then.
15:13Welcome to Kent tonight, live here on KMTV.
15:16Now, in Herne Bay, businesses say they're picking up the pieces after the town's main public toilets were shut earlier this year.
15:24Traders on central parade say people keep using their loos, whilst the temporary toilets nearby are being called unhygienic and an eyesore.
15:32With no repairs, with no repairs, locals fear this could just drag on for years to come.
15:38Krista joins me now.
15:39Krista joins me now.
15:43These toilets here.
15:44These toilets here.
15:45These toilets here, they were closed in April 2025, so this year.
15:47The footpath has been closed off as well just because the Canterbury City Council found structural
15:53issues that made the building unsafe.
15:55Due to this, businesses are calling for the toilet block to be fixed as people are constantly having to use their loos, which in turn blocks the drains.
16:02The council have provided portal loos as temporary replacements, but they are reportedly not being cleaned enough and people call them disgusting.
16:09However, the council has stated that there's no date for repairs for the original toilets or long-term plans.
16:17And businesses have been affected by this, right?
16:20Yes. So, Kent Online spoke to the owner of iFun Arcade.
16:24She said that the toilet block, the way it is cordoned off, it spoils the view and hurts tourism.
16:30She says it's difficult enough for independent businesses and this is not helping the flow of customers.
16:35The owner of Harry's Cafe, we saw the pictures just earlier.
16:39You can see just how close it is.
16:41It's just down the road, next door to the corner and off.
16:44See, the toilet blocks are just down there.
16:46So, people always go to his cafe to use the toilets.
16:50He says that they're having to clean their toilets five times a day just to keep them decent.
16:55And what have the council said about this, as it was their loos which closed?
16:59Yes.
17:00So, Councillor Dan Watkins, one of the people who put in the portal loos, says that there are very
17:05ugly sticking plaster solution.
17:07And they're calling on the City Council to plan a repair and reopen the toilet block.
17:11A spokesperson for the council said that while they're working on it, in order to open up the pavement,
17:17they'd have to fix the toilets.
17:18But there is currently no date for any work to take place on the structural issues that forced us to close them
17:24and therefore no date for which they may reopen.
17:27And Chris, and it's not just in Herne Bay. Toilets are important in the public for many different people.
17:32It is important and I think more and more people are telling us they're seeing less and less loos out in public.
17:38Certainly. I mean, a lot of them closed down after Covid.
17:41And because of the cost of living in things, we're not seeing a lot of them reopen because it's not deemed as an essential use.
17:48But certainly for the vulnerable older people or children, they certainly are essential.
17:54Chris, thank you for bringing us those details.
17:56I'm sure the story's going to go on for some time.
17:58Businesses saying they're being impacted, but people have got to go to the toilet somewhere.
18:03I suppose the win-win solution here is people going to use the business as well as the facilities.
18:10So that might be the win-win, but not everybody wants to go to use a business like that or vice versa in different places.
18:17Kristen, thank you for those details.
18:19Now, American fast food chain.
18:22Captain Dee's is coming to Kent for the first time.
18:26The seafood chain, which has more than 530 restaurants across the United States, will open its first European branch here in Kent.
18:36And they've chosen Westwood Cross in Broadstairs to open that.
18:40Now, they plan to launch more than 20 other locations across the country after that Kent store is established.
18:47They say there's a large fish and chip market here in the UK, but believe no one has applied this standard and quality at the level they're planning to do before.
18:57Now, we don't know an official opening date, but it has been confirmed by the shopping centre.
19:04It's coming soon on social media.
19:06Now, plans to refurbish a Sevenoaks oast house and create new homes are moving forward.
19:14Councilors hope converting this building here into a multiple-purpose community space will help turn their estates into a thriving neighbourhood.
19:24Sevenoaks Town Council is leading the project, aiming to meet locals' residents' needs while fostering a sense of belonging.
19:31One of the local councillors, Claire Shea, representing the northern half of the town, said the quarry redevelopment will only succeed if it builds a real community from the start.
19:43And now, don't forget, you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent by logging on to our website, it's kmtv.co.uk.
19:52There you'll find all our latest reports, including this one, about a council grant in Maidstone, giving local organisations a boost to expand their work in the community.
20:02A new fund by Maidstone Borough Council is investing in the community.
20:07The Creative Community Grant offers up to £2,000 per project.
20:11One organisation which has received funding is Harmony, who provide opportunities for young people to help with a variety of skills, ranging from drama, music to graffiti workshops.
20:22But receiving this fund has allowed the charity to expand its work.
20:26This year, they had a stage at the River Festival.
20:29We had music workshops, beatboxing workshops, we had some poetry, and then we opened up the stage for our young people to come and jam.
20:36And as part of that event, we also had young people backstage.
20:39So our photographer was 15, our videographer was only 18.
20:44We had a 19-year-old sound engineer, a 15-year-old stage manager.
20:48So it was really about bringing the young people in and getting them involved in the activities and in the events.
20:53And then as part of that grant, we're also hosting an event on Saturday, the 23rd of August in Brennishley Gardens, which will form part of the Switch Outreach event.
21:02But it's not all about art and culture.
21:05The fund also looks at promoting health and wellbeing.
21:08Fusion Healthy Living Centre is a community hub in Parkwood, providing accessible healthcare and support for physical and emotional wellbeing.
21:17With services ranging from a coffee shop, social gatherings like Knit and Natter, and health checks,
21:22the Fusion staff and their over 100 team of volunteers work to support their community in a range of ways.
21:28Some of the services we offer are to look at public health and address the health inequalities in the area.
21:33So we would offer, for example, we have a diabetic eye screen in here four days a week, an NHS sexual health comes in.
21:40We have a full one-new service offering. So one-new offer programmes around smoking cessation, healthy eating, living well, so things like that.
21:51And then the other programmes and services we offer were four core values that Fusion works with.
21:56So it's public health, food poverty, social inclusion and mental health.
22:02The creative fund is helping sport one of the larger annual events, the Fusion Panto.
22:07The sense of community in that room when we're doing the pantos is just, you can feel it.
22:12Everyone's so happy. They're so, like, thankful that we've bought this activity to them.
22:18In our feedback, they've told us that normally they wouldn't be able to go to these shows because they're too expensive,
22:24they don't have access to transport, and so bringing the pantomime to Parkwood has just had an overwhelmingly positive reaction.
22:33Providing organisations with funding to support their work helps communities in more ways than one.
22:39Daisy Page for KMTV.
22:41And now, Chatham Historic Dockyard welcomed veterans of HMS Endurance, plus the journalists who witnessed its return 43 years ago.
22:51Wondership played a crucial role in the Falklands War, alerting the UK to Argentina's invasion,
22:57and a new painting has now been unveiled to honour its legacy.
23:01Community reporter Henry Luck has more.
23:04This painting recaptures the incredible moment 10,000 people welcomed the HMS Endurance at Medway.
23:20Created by Beerstead artist Catherine Oetham, this special artwork was revealed for the homecoming of the Vessels veterans,
23:29and even some of the journalists who witnessed the ship's return after it was at sea for 11 months as part of the Falklands War.
23:39Endurance played a major role in that.
23:41It warned the British government that the Argentinians were going to invade the Falklands.
23:47It played a major part during the Falklands War, and so returning home needs to be remembered.
23:53We need to know why it is important to remember our history.
23:58It might have been scrapped long ago, but the HMS Endurance has come back to life thanks to this oil painting.
24:06The reveal was followed by a toast of rum to memories of the last remaining icebreaker in the conflict.
24:14HMS Endurance!
24:16HMS Endurance!
24:18It was unbelievable. School kids on the tugs all screaming and just like going into everywhere else.
24:28And I'd say, you know, 66 year old, if it was not the greatest day of my life, it is certainly one of the greatest days of my life.
24:38You know, live with me till I dare die.
24:43I came to Chatham about five years ago, and there was a big display about the Endurance there then, and that was quite emotional, bringing tears to my eyes, because it was a big part of my life being on board.
24:55Well, I think it's because we've done so much before the war down the Antarctic, and just to keep it Nick Barker, Captain Nick Barker, we'd like to keep his memory alive, and he was HMS Endurance.
25:08He was a true gentleman and a true professional. A man that's shut from the hip, and he was just a very, very professional man.
25:18So it looks like this legendary Navy ship will live on in painting to inspire a new generation.
25:26Henry Luck, for Kane TV, in Chatham.
25:31Now, it's time to take a quick look at the weather for the coming days. Will we get a warm weekend? Let's find out.
25:46Tonight, it'll be partly cloudy, with temperatures around 15 degrees, dipping to 14 in Ashford and Tunbridge Wells.
25:53Tomorrow morning, things warm up slightly, mostly the same weather, with clear skies in Margate and light winds.
26:00Tomorrow afternoon, clouds move in across the region. Highs reaching 19 to 20 degrees, with a gentle breeze to be expected.
26:07Looking ahead, the weekend starts partly cloudy, with highs of 20 degrees clearing by Sunday.
26:12Then Monday looks sunny, with 22 degrees to kick off the start of the new week.
26:16OK, we'll be taking a short break now, but coming up, we'll be giving you a recap of today's headlines, covering GCSE results day here in Kent.
26:32And also, we'll be finding out about that building, former charity building in Upnor, which has been raided by police, with cannabis being found in the area.
26:44Whilst you wait, you can watch some of our other latest stories on TikTok, but for now, we'll see you in just a few minutes.
30:12Welcome back to Kent Tonight Live here on KMTV.
30:16I'm Gabriel Morris and here is a recap of your main stories tonight on Thursday the 21st of August.
30:22Barley Noticeable Hidden Threats causing painful problems and expensive for dog owners in Rainham's Cosington Park.
30:31Results are in.
30:32Pupils across Kent received their GCSE grades today with results coming up above the national average.
30:39Seizing the occasion, painting marks 43 years since HMS Endurance returned to Chatham.
30:46But we return to our main story tonight.
30:49Dog owners in Raynham are accusing Medway Council of putting dogs at risk
30:54after a certain type of grass at Cosington Park left them with vet bills running into the hundreds of pounds.
31:00They say the sharp seed heads of wool barley can lodge into paws, ears, eyes and even noses,
31:06often sending their pets for urgent treatment.
31:09Now, Medway Council say patches of wool barley will remain in place,
31:12arguing they play an important role in supporting biodiversity.
31:16Maisie Walker has this story.
31:19Wool barley, also known as flea jarts, can pose a serious threat to dogs.
31:24Contact with the plant can lead to emergency vet visits, sedation and medication,
31:28with some costs reaching upwards of £1,000.
31:32So today I'm in Cosington Park to talk to a local dog walking community
31:37about their ongoing concern about the growth of wool barley.
31:41Local residents say they feel ignored by the council
31:44and are anxious every time they walk their dogs, fearing expensive vet bills.
31:49We come in here, must have been around about two months ago.
31:53We walked in the park and it was particularly bad over in that corner and he's rolled around.
31:59Within literally five minutes of being up here, we carried on walking around and he was shaking his head.
32:04He had his ear dropped to the side.
32:07So I knew there was an issue.
32:08I got home and he was still shaking his head.
32:11So I took him up to the vets and the vets said there's probably something in his ear.
32:16So I had to leave him there for four hours so he could be sedated and have whatever was in his ear removed.
32:24I've had various visits with darts between their toes, up their leg, in their ears as well.
32:37Residents have been told the wool barley will remain in Cosington Park for biodiversity reasons.
32:43The council says the plant is vital due to the sharp decline in native wildlife across Medway.
32:49It's not in other parks. So if it is biodiverse, why isn't it all up the grass verge, up the A2 and why isn't it in other parks?
33:00As a dog walker community, we find this unjust and unfair.
33:05Why are we being treated differently than any other dog walkers across Medway?
33:10Wool barley seeds have sharp points with tiny barbs.
33:13These can hook onto fur, skin or paws and once stuck, they only move forward, not backward.
33:19This is a piece of wool barley that was removed from a dog which visited Quisenton Park.
33:24It was embedded five centimetres into their skin.
33:27As the debate continues, dog owners are left weighing the risk of daily walks against the rising cost of care,
33:33while the council stands by its commitment to biodiversity.
33:38Well, interesting story there. Something I haven't heard of before.
33:41Reporter Maisie Walker joins us in the studio now.
33:44What has the local authority had to say?
33:45Right, yes. So a Medway Council spokesperson said that wool barley is a naturally occurring grass species
33:53commonly found in grassland and countryside across Britain and Europe.
33:59As with many of our parks, we have left a perimeter section of Quisenton Park uncut
34:06to support wildlife and encourage greater biodiversity, while the grass in the main central section has been cut short.
34:16Medway Council prides itself on their parks and open spaces,
34:20and they currently have eight nationally recognised green flag parks,
34:25along with a wide range of other green spaces for residents to enjoy.
34:31They will monitor the plants growing to ensure they do not start to dominate the park.
34:35However, there is no legal requirement to remove them.
34:39The general advice to dog owners after any walk in the countryside, woodland or grass area
34:44is to check their pets thoroughly after walks using a comb to remove burrs and tweezers for fawns.
34:52Maisie, thank you for bringing us those details.
34:54Now for some more news in brief, an inquest has opened into the death of a delivery driver
34:58who was stabbed in Gravesend.
35:01Police rushed to Augustine Road late on the night of the 12th of August
35:05after reports of disturbance outside a home.
35:08Detectives launching a merge investigation.
35:10Three people were later charged and in connection with the attack.
35:14An inquest began into the death of a 33-year-old Latvian delivery driver
35:17this week who died the following day at Darrant Valley Hospital in Dartford.
35:24A former military barracks in Folkestone will continue housing asylum seekers into 2026,
35:30despite earlier plans to close it next month.
35:32Nepia barracks, which was due to be returned to the Ministry of Defence in September,
35:36won't now shut.
35:37The 130-year-old site housing asylum seekers back in 2020
35:42under the previous government as a cost-saving move on hotels,
35:45the decision has faced strong opposition with Labour MPs and local members
35:49calling for the closure.
35:51The Home Office say they're working with stakeholders nationwide
35:53and aim to end the use of asylum hotels by the end of Parliament.
35:57And it's results day across Kent,
35:59and students have been collecting their grades today
36:01for GCSEs, BTECs, Tech Awards and other Level 2 results.
36:05Well, the national drop in pass rates this year has not been reflected in Kent,
36:09as Alfie Rowe found out at a school in Gravesend.
36:12It starts in the usual nervy way.
36:17Students line up, envelopes are handed out, and then...
36:21I've got an 8-7 in Science, an 8 in Citizenship,
36:24a 7 in History, a 5 in Maths, an 8 in RE, a 6 in PE and a 7 in Language.
36:31My best was an 8 in Maths and everything else was a 6 except History.
36:35On what is always a nerve-wracking day,
36:38students across Kent will be receiving their GCSE results in schools just like this one.
36:43The results will be ranked from 1, which is the lowest, to 9, the highest,
36:47with 4 being a standard pass.
36:50With these results in hand, students can then plan their next steps,
36:53whether that's A or T levels at a 6th form college or an apprenticeship.
36:57At St John's Catholic Comprehensive School, there's reason to celebrate.
37:01We're always expecting another set of good results, which we've achieved.
37:09And, you know, when the results came in yesterday, we get a sneak peek.
37:13So we had a look yesterday and we were very pleased with how the school's performed.
37:18And then seeing the students come in today,
37:20it's clear how excited and how proud they are of their achievements.
37:25In the same way, we're incredibly excited for them
37:28and proud as a school for all that they have achieved.
37:31But the larger picture is more complex.
37:35National GCSE pass rates have fallen from last year,
37:38with experts warning of a recent crisis.
37:41I think it is slightly concerning that there is a drop.
37:45But I think as we get the next cohort start coming through,
37:49we will then start to see an improvement in that
37:51as schools are now putting in place all that extra support that they need.
37:55Part of the reason for the pass rate decline in recent years
37:59is the push to return to pre-pandemic levels.
38:02For this cohort, COVID-19 has played a large role throughout their education.
38:07It's the first cohort that were in the pandemic
38:12when they started secondary school.
38:14And so they missed a lot of education.
38:17They missed their SATs and so on.
38:20And so they've done really, really well.
38:23It's a real testament to the work of the school
38:25and the dedication of the teachers,
38:28the support they've had from their parents,
38:30and the really hard work that they've put in as well.
38:37Though it will be a day of joy for some
38:39and disappointment for others,
38:41at St John's School, the message to students is clear.
38:44The school is here for them and continues to be here for them,
38:48and we're proud of each and every one of them.
38:51Alfie Rowe for KMTV in Gravesend.
38:55Now, Kev Police has raided an abandoned building in Lower Upnor,
39:00which they say was being used as a cannabis farm.
39:04Officers seized several plants whilst shocked onlookers looked on.
39:08The force has confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.
39:13Our reporter, Finn Bedermid, is at the scene for us now,
39:1624 hours after the raid, to show us what it looks like now.
39:22Finn, the connection doesn't look so good,
39:24but can you hear us at all?
39:27Yeah, thank you, Bob.
39:29It's an interesting signal in the air.
39:31He's been made and choosy.
39:32OK, I think the signal is a little bit too bad for us to talk to Finn.
39:38We'll try and get a better line with him.
39:40But you can read more about that story on Kent Online.
39:43We're struggling to hear that through.
39:45OK, we'll just go to a previous story we had earlier today.
39:47In Herne Bay, businesses say they're picking up the pieces
39:50after the town's main public toilets were shut earlier this year.
39:54Traders on Central Parade say people keep using the loos,
39:57while the temporary toilets nearby are being called unhygienic
40:01and an eyesore with no repairs in sight.
40:03The locals are fearing this just could drag on for years.
40:07Kristen, join me in the studio now.
40:08What is the situation here we're facing?
40:10So these toilets that we can see now,
40:13yep, they're there on screen,
40:15they were closed in April this year by Canterbury City Council
40:19after they found structural issues that made it unsafe.
40:21Due to this, businesses are calling for the toilet block to be fixed
40:25as people are constantly having to use their bathrooms,
40:28which in turn blocks the drains just because they're being used so much.
40:32The council have provided portable loos as a temporary replacement,
40:36but they are reportedly not being cleaned enough
40:38and people are labelling them as disgusting.
40:41The council has stated that there is no date for repairs
40:43or long-term plans for the original toilet block.
40:46Business is impacted, right?
40:47Yes, very much so.
40:49We can see there's a picture.
40:50This is Harry's Café.
40:52He lives just beside it.
40:54So basically, he's a neighbour to these bathrooms.
40:57He says that we've had people coming in droves to use our toilets,
41:00saying that the port-a-loos are disgusting, they are nasty.
41:03And although he's got a big sign on the door
41:05that says the toilets are for customers only,
41:07he says he can't say no to people,
41:09especially the elderly or children.
41:11They're having to clean their toilets five times a day
41:13just to keep them decent.
41:14And what have the council said?
41:15So the council, in short, have basically said
41:19that there's no current date for any work to take place
41:21on the structure because the structure issues
41:25that force them to close them.
41:27Therefore, there's no date for which the toilets may reopen.
41:31Kristen, thank you for bringing us those details.
41:34Well, we're going to take a short break.
41:35Now, apologies about not being able to go to film a Dermond live
41:38in up north this evening,
41:40but you can read more about that story on Kent Online.
41:42But coming up, we'll be speaking with film expert Chris Stisi
41:45about the use of AI in films.
41:48And we'll also find out about what movies
41:50you should be watching at the pictures right now.
45:12Hello there.
45:13Welcome back to the final part of Kent Tonight,
45:15live here on KMTV.
45:17Now, let's really test if this programme is live or not.
45:20We're going to try and go back to live to Finn
45:22as Kent police have raided an abandoned building
45:24in Lower Upnor, which they say was being used
45:28as a cannabis farm.
45:30Officers see several plants whilst shocked locals unlooked.
45:34The force has confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.
45:38Well, our reporter, Finn McDermott, is at the scene live for us now,
45:41more than 24 hours after the raid,
45:43to show us what it looks like now.
45:45Finn.
45:50Hi, Gabriel.
45:51And sorry for the connection issues,
45:52but I think that really goes to show
45:54just how remote of an area we're in.
45:57It's a very residential riverfront area here in Lower Upnor.
46:00And like you said, it is 24 hours,
46:03or sorry, more than 24 hours actually,
46:05since the raid took place.
46:07At the abandoned, or sorry, I should say derelict,
46:09charity building you can see here.
46:12There was a strong smell of cannabis in the air this morning,
46:15and you can slightly detect it lingering in the air even now.
46:18We were actually just allowed to cast this police tape by police
46:21to see some of the bags of cannabis that they have.
46:24And since it's been more than 24 hours,
46:28it's sort of returning to a natural, quiet, residential area
46:31where there are still police vehicles here.
46:35Some residents have said they normally walk their dogs around this area.
46:38It's actually the last thing they would ever expect to happen in this area.
46:44Up on the screen,
46:46the scene, but we can still see police there.
46:48What's the latest from them?
46:49Well, the latest we've heard from the police is they told us
46:55they were called at around 5am on Wednesday morning,
46:59so yesterday,
47:00to report of suspicious activity at a building in Lower Upnor.
47:04Officers attended the scene where a quantity of cannabis plants
47:07were located and seized.
47:10Nobody has been arrested at this stage,
47:13and they say inquiries are still underway
47:15to identify those responsible.
47:17But since then, we haven't heard any exact updates.
47:21Thank you for bringing us those details this evening.
47:26Well, we got there in the end, didn't we?
47:29Well, we're going to have more on the programme soon from Chris D.C.
47:33But first of all, we're going to go to the Chatham Historic Dockyard,
47:36where they welcomed veterans from HMS Endurance,
47:40plus for journalists who witnessed its return 43 years ago.
47:44The ship played a crucial role in the Falklands War,
47:46alerting the UK to Argentina's invasion,
47:49and the new painting has been unveiled to honour its legacy.
47:53Community reporter Henry Luck has more.
47:55This painting recaptures the incredible moment
48:0410,000 people welcomed the HMS Endurance at Medway.
48:11Created by Beerstead artist Catherine Oetham,
48:14this special artwork was revealed for the homecoming
48:18of the vessel's veterans and even some of the journalists
48:22who witnessed the ship's return after it was at sea for 11 months
48:27as part of the Falklands War.
48:30Endurance played a major role in that.
48:32It warned the British government that the Argentinians
48:36were going to invade the Falklands.
48:38It played a major part during the Falklands War,
48:41and so returning home needs to be remembered.
48:44We need to know why it is important to remember our history.
48:49It might have been scrapped long ago,
48:52but the HMS Endurance has come back to life
48:55thanks to this oil painting.
48:58The reveal was followed by a toast of rum
49:00to memories of the last remaining icebreaker in the conflict.
49:05HMS Endurance!
49:07HMS Endurance!
49:08It was unbelievable.
49:11School kids on the tugs all screaming,
49:15and just like going into everywhere else.
49:18And I'd say, you know, 66-year-old,
49:22if it was not the greatest day of my life,
49:24it was certainly one of the greatest days of my life.
49:29You know, live with me till I dare die.
49:34I came to Chatham about five years ago.
49:37And there was a big display about the Endurance there then,
49:41and that was quite emotional,
49:42bringing tears to my eyes,
49:44because it was a big part of my life being on board.
49:46Well, I think it's because we'd done so much
49:49before the war down the Antarctic,
49:51and just to keep it...
49:53Nick Barker, Captain Nick Barker,
49:56we'd like to keep his memory alive,
49:57and he was HMS Endurance.
50:00He was a true gentleman and a true professional.
50:03A man that's shut from the hip,
50:05and he was just a very, very professional man.
50:09So it looks like this legendary Navy ship
50:12will live on in painting
50:13to inspire a new generation.
50:17Henry Luck for Kane TV in Chatham.
50:22Now it's time to take a look at the weather.
50:30Tonight here will be partly cloudy,
50:31with temperatures around 15 degrees,
50:33dipping to 14 in Ashford and Tunbridge, Wales.
50:36Tomorrow morning, things warm up slightly,
50:38mostly the same.
50:39Weather with clear skies in Margate
50:41and lighter winds.
50:43Into the afternoon, clouds move in across the region,
50:45highs reaching 19 to 20 degrees,
50:47with a gentle breeze of 6 to 7 miles an hour.
50:50And looking ahead, weekend starting cloudy
50:52with highs of 20 degrees,
50:54clearing by Sunday.
50:55Then Monday looks sunny with 22 degrees
50:57to kick off your new week.
51:05And finally, before we go this evening,
51:07it's time for our resident film expert
51:10to share the top movie picks from across Kent.
51:13And we'll be diving into AI in films too.
51:17Well, Chris Deesey joins me on the sofa now,
51:19the host of the Kent Film Club,
51:20to talk us through it all.
51:22Chris, how's your week been?
51:23Have you been to a theme park?
51:25I have.
51:26Some movie themes there as well, right?
51:28Well, I would,
51:28although when you're being catapulted across the sky
51:31and going at 100 miles an hour
51:33and you're 180 degrees,
51:35I didn't think that was the best research
51:37for Kent Film Club, I'll be honest.
51:38But when you think about it,
51:40think of those rides.
51:41I mean, Back to the Future,
51:42which I know is one of your favourite films,
51:43that was turned into a ride by Universal Studios.
51:46When you consider the Star Wars ride,
51:50I mean, Pirates of the Caribbean,
51:52an entire movie based on what was effectively
51:54a ride that, well, let's put it this way,
51:57you normally queue for a lot longer
51:58than the ride itself takes.
52:00So it's quite a transition
52:02from a theme park ride
52:04to multi and length as well,
52:07blockbuster movie.
52:08With these rides, though, do you think,
52:10do you think they add to, say,
52:12Star Wars, Back to the Future,
52:13even Harry Potter has one as well now,
52:14doesn't it?
52:15Do they add to the franchise,
52:16to the universe?
52:17Is it canon what happens on this ride
52:19or is it just a bit of fun?
52:20Well, I think it's a bit of both
52:22because my children are huge fans,
52:24certainly my eldest twin,
52:25of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.
52:28So going on all the sort of
52:29the lopteraptus rides,
52:31and they know more about dinosaurs than I do,
52:33and of course they get that
52:34largely from watching the Spielberg movie
52:36and all the various spin-offs.
52:37So I think it all helps.
52:38I think it helps that sense
52:39that going on this ride,
52:41it's kind of an educational journey
52:43as well as a great foray
52:44into the world of movies.
52:46Well, theme park rides
52:48based on films
52:48have been around for some time,
52:50but something we're starting to see
52:51in recent years
52:52is the use of artificial intelligence,
52:54AI, being used to curate movies.
52:57Now, AI is no stranger to films.
53:00I know 2001 Space Odyssey
53:01had HAL 9000.
53:03So that's been talked about.
53:05That was back in the 60s.
53:06Oh, absolutely, late 60s.
53:07And you think of even,
53:08well, Anthony Hopkins
53:09in The Science of the Lambs
53:10based his voice, Hannibal Lecter,
53:12on HAL.
53:12But I saw that film
53:13actually in Blue Water
53:14only about a year ago
53:15on the big screen.
53:16And you're right,
53:17it's almost that sense,
53:18and we see it in the Terminator movies
53:19and Blade Runner in the 80s,
53:21that sense of technology,
53:23the machines,
53:24effectively having more intelligence
53:26or being able to outclass
53:27or outwit us.
53:28So, you know,
53:29often when we're using
53:30ChatGPT thinking,
53:31well, let me just tighten up
53:32that sentence
53:32or whatever people
53:34might use ChatGPT for.
53:35In a way,
53:36there are those questions
53:37that cinema's been raising
53:38for decades longer
53:39about whether machines
53:41can be more capable.
53:43And of course,
53:43what happens when we see
53:44it in James Cameron's world
53:45of what happens
53:46when effectively
53:46you get into the world
53:47of military operations
53:48and literally travelling
53:50across time.
53:51Well, we can play a clip
53:52on the screen now,
53:53which is a film
53:54which has been entirely made
53:55out of AI.
53:56Let's just have a quick look
53:57at this.
53:58I think this is called Frost.
54:00It was on the Sundance
54:01Film Festival
54:02from a couple of years ago.
54:03I'm not sure that was the one
54:04you were at.
54:05I may have been there
54:06because there's so many films
54:07that I don't get a chance
54:08to watch.
54:09You can sort of tell it's AI.
54:10It's very cartoon-like,
54:12but it's interesting.
54:14It raises all these questions,
54:15doesn't it,
54:16about whether sometimes
54:18even things like scripts,
54:19movie scripts,
54:21can be written
54:22by a computer.
54:24And I suppose it's
54:25whatever you put into it,
54:26really,
54:26because there have been a few,
54:28I mean, the film Megan,
54:29I'll put it that way,
54:30which is all about the doll,
54:32which might have been,
54:33you know,
54:33a computer
54:34that's effectively gone AWOL,
54:37and outclassed the humans
54:39and all out of control.
54:41But often the script itself
54:42can be very kind of generic.
54:44So it's almost like playing
54:45that game with us,
54:46like, do you know whether
54:47even this movie,
54:49you know,
54:49is effectively designed
54:51by a human,
54:52whether artificial intelligence
54:54is behind it.
54:55It's a very clever,
54:56multi-layered film.
54:58But when you think
54:58we've been talking about this
54:59on Kent Tonight
55:00and also on The Morning Show
55:01earlier in the year,
55:02about films where,
55:03you know,
55:03through AI,
55:04you can effectively,
55:05and certainly CGI,
55:06you can create actors
55:08who may have,
55:10in something like Oliver Reed
55:11in Gladiator,
55:11passed away.
55:12So there are ways
55:13of putting them back
55:14into the narrative
55:15that weren't there.
55:16And that's why
55:17the Hollywood writer's strike
55:18a few years ago was big,
55:19because it was the sense
55:20that actually maybe
55:21we don't need writers anymore
55:22because we can use computers
55:24to do the job for us.
55:26All right,
55:26the weekend's coming up,
55:27Friday night tomorrow,
55:28maybe even tonight.
55:29People want to head to the cinema.
55:31What's your suggestion
55:31for this week?
55:32What should they be watching?
55:33Well, the film that I was talking
55:34about the other week,
55:35Weapons,
55:35which I think,
55:36which I'm actually going
55:36to watch again tonight,
55:37I noticed that some of the cinemas
55:38are doing a Christopher Nolan series.
55:41They're showing
55:41Interstellar Tonight,
55:42Batman Begins,
55:43is out there as well.
55:44But I'm actually really looking forward
55:46to a film called Sorry Baby,
55:48which is showing
55:49at the Curzon in Canterbury.
55:50You mentioned Sundance
55:50a moment ago,
55:51one of the best films
55:52that I've seen,
55:53which raises some very difficult
55:55questions around trauma
55:56and pain,
55:57but situating it
55:58in a very believable context
55:59and the implications
56:00many, many years later.
56:03Chris,
56:03thank you so much
56:04for your time.
56:05Just quickly before we go,
56:06what's a good kids movie
56:08at the moment?
56:09Oh,
56:09you asked me that question
56:10last week.
56:11Now,
56:11that's a good one.
56:12Superman,
56:13I think is a good one
56:14that can appeal to adults
56:15and children alike.
56:16Also,
56:17the Fantastic Four
56:19is still doing the rounds
56:20and How to Train a Dragon.
56:21There we go.
56:21We had a bit longer
56:22than I thought
56:22and we did,
56:23so I thought I'd ask you
56:23a quick last bonus question.
56:25But there we go,
56:25we are actually now
56:26out of time here.
56:27You've been watching
56:28Kent Tonight
56:28live on KNTV.
56:30We've got more news
56:30throughout the evening.
56:32Kristen Hawthorne
56:33will be back
56:33with your late bulletin
56:34at 8pm.
56:35Join us then
56:36for all the latest headlines
56:37for Kent.
56:38But for me
56:39and the rest of the Kent Tonight
56:40team,
56:40have a very lovely evening.
56:41Whatever you're up to,
56:42we'll be back tomorrow
56:43at 5.30
56:43to another episode
56:44of Kent Tonight.
56:45Bye-bye.
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