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00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
00:17I'm Oli Leder and here are your top stories on Thursday the 28th of August.
00:23Flag fury, war of words erupt over St George's cross vandalism.
00:28There's lots of things they could do that would be constructive and positive and inclusive
00:33and the fact that they're choosing to take this course of action suggests that that's not what's motivating them.
00:40Lost too soon. Hundreds in Dartford gather for funeral. A four-year-old killed in fatal crash.
00:47Dartford came to a standstill today as they paid their final respects to four-year-old Peter Morn
00:52who tragically lost his life earlier this year in June.
00:56And stepping into the limelight, pop star at centre stage as Chatham Theatre launch their 2025 Panto.
01:05We say to people, look, any troubles in your life right now, just leave them at the door.
01:09Come in, let yourself go and just have a fantastic time.
01:13First tonight, anger and confusion across Medway and Kent as a wave of St George's flags of graffiti
01:30have painted our towns red and white, with supporters arguing it's just harmless patriotism.
01:37But some here worry that the national trend will end up putting the cost of removal back on councils
01:44and will divide our communities.
01:46St George's flags have recently been appearing on roundabouts, road markings and signs across Kent,
01:58with some residents also flying them outside their homes and in local streets,
02:02mirroring a trend that's seen nationwide that's been fuelled by social media.
02:07This is just one example of the kind of graffiti that's been popping up across Kent.
02:12Doing this is actually illegal.
02:14But residents that I spoke to here in Chatham say that it's a symbol of national pride,
02:18rather than an act of vandalism.
02:20I actually think it's a good idea, it's quite positive and it shows the feeling of a lot of the country at the moment.
02:26I think it's okay to have something like that, as long as it doesn't go too over the top,
02:33as long as they put their opinions across civilly.
02:36I think hopefully they can get communities together that can hopefully bring,
02:42rather than the division, it's bringing people close together, hopefully.
02:47But this support is far from universal,
02:50with those in charge of traffic enforcement in Medway flagging their concerns.
02:54People have every right to fly a flag from their own property.
02:58If that's something that's really important to you,
03:01if that's a really important way for you to express your national pride,
03:06go ahead and do it on your own property.
03:09Leave public property alone.
03:11Do not damage public property.
03:12It's not yours to do with what you want.
03:15We represent the whole community and that's what I'm here to defend.
03:19But Medway Council isn't the only one responsible for enforcement in the county.
03:24Kent County Council also manages highways,
03:26but they've made clear that they won't be removing the flags.
03:30I think it's a wonderful thing if you want to put your national flag up,
03:33wherever you are, in your garden, on the street, outside.
03:36I think it's an absolutely fantastic thing.
03:38I think in Britain, we've gone a little bit crazy in the last few years.
03:42We're probably the only country I can think of
03:44where it could be considered a bad thing to display your national flag.
03:47KCC do stress that they will still remove flags or markings
03:52if they pose a safety risk, such as obstructing signage or CCTV.
03:57But Medway Council say that where public safety is a concern,
04:00they will remove the flags and repaint markings as soon as they can.
04:04But given the feeling on the streets, that might be easier said than done.
04:09Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Chatham.
04:14Well, Kristen, that he joins me in the studio now.
04:17And this is a very significant thing we're seeing across much of Kent,
04:21from Staplehurst all the way to Dartford.
04:24Why are there some concerns?
04:26Because people here in Chatham seem to believe
04:29there's nothing really wrong with what's happening.
04:33So there are concerns because of some organisers
04:36that began this graffiti and raising the flags.
04:42Alex Patterson, that is something that concerns him
04:45due to, you know, he thinks maybe people don't quite know
04:47about the background of doing this.
04:51And, you know, so it's debatable really
04:53what the intentions are, I suppose.
04:55I suppose there are also concerns when people climb up lampposts
04:58and go on roads, that people are taking their lives
05:02into their hands for some of the symbolic actions they're taking.
05:07Can you break down some of that for us?
05:09Sure.
05:10So Natalie Poulton, it was one person that I spoke to you about this.
05:14She didn't appear in the story, but I do have a clip from her.
05:18She was talking about how she's seen people, you know,
05:21like you said, going up to Rochester Bridge,
05:23going on to roads to do the markings.
05:25And, yeah, I spoke to her so we can hear a bit about her,
05:29from her now and what she has to say about it.
05:32Well, obviously I've heard about this campaign
05:35for putting flags all across the country,
05:38but I'm not really convinced that this is true
05:41patriotism and love for a country,
05:43because if there was this care and consideration,
05:47then they would know which way up to hang the flags,
05:50because an upside-down union flag is a sign of distress.
05:54I'd rather see that they invested the money
05:57that they've been spending on these flags and this paint
05:59perhaps into doing something good within the community.
06:04Well, some people don't think
06:05that there's going to be any repercussions to this.
06:08Obviously, we've also heard that some councils,
06:11such as Kent County Council,
06:12aren't going to be taking action
06:13unless it does put people in danger.
06:16Will people actually be arrested for this?
06:19What have Kent Police said?
06:21Kent Police have said that they won't be arresting people
06:24who are doing this or taking part
06:27without a need to do so for public safety reasons.
06:33So if someone is in danger in traffic
06:35or causing any disorder in any way,
06:37then they will be arrested.
06:38But if you're simply putting up a flag or taking part,
06:42they say that, I mean,
06:43their role is to protect and serve the people here in Kent,
06:46but that includes not infringing on people's rights
06:48to freedom of speech.
06:50Kristen, thanks for bringing us all the details on this one.
06:52We'll have more on it later in the programme.
06:56Now, a woman has been arrested after a stabbing
06:58near a Swale Council office building last night.
07:02Swale has been swamped in police taping vehicles.
07:05And with an investigation currently underway,
07:09detectives from Kent Police are appealing to witnesses.
07:12Our reporter, Joe Crosley, has been on the scene for us.
07:15Police have made an arrest
07:17after a serious attack in the town centre.
07:19A woman in her 40s was injured
07:22near the Swale Council offices
07:24in E Street, Sittingbourne,
07:26around 8pm yesterday.
07:27She was taken to a London hospital
07:29and later discharged.
07:30Officers cordoned off part of the Swale House premises,
07:33including the car park,
07:35until around 12.40pm today.
07:38A six-year-old woman was arrested yesterday
07:41in connection with the incident.
07:43Detectives are appealing for witnesses
07:45to come forward to help them with their investigation.
07:48Joe Crosley, in Sittingbourne.
07:50Now more news from Swale.
07:55Police have been seen at a home in Minster
07:57following the death of a baby.
07:59The authorities have been called to the home
08:01over welfare concerns,
08:04with detectives now treating the baby's death
08:06as non-suspicious.
08:07The incident is said to have happened
08:08only paces away from the death
08:10of baby Eli Cox in 2016,
08:13with one resident labelling both deaths
08:15as heartbreaking.
08:16Officers have remained outside the house
08:18since the death on the 16th of August.
08:23Now a funeral has been held in Dartford
08:26for four-year-old Peter Malkin,
08:29who lost his life earlier this year.
08:31It was in June this year
08:32Peter was travelling in a 4x4 with his parents
08:35when it collided with another vehicle.
08:37Two men have now been charged with his murder.
08:40Today, 300 people from the traveller community
08:42dressed in baby blue and lemon colours in tribute.
08:45Gabriel Moore has sent us this report
08:47from Stone Cemetery.
08:49My dad who came to a standstill today
08:51as they paid their final respects
08:53to four-year-old Peter Morn,
08:55who tragically lost his life earlier this year in June.
08:58And currently at Stone Cemetery,
09:00where hundreds are here,
09:01mostly from the traveller community,
09:03which is where Peter was from.
09:04He was affectionately known as Peter Rabbit,
09:07and this is the site where he will be laid to rest later.
09:10And some key moments from his life
09:12have been featured here,
09:12particularly in floral tributes.
09:14Van of Peter Rabbit,
09:15some of his highlights he liked,
09:16some of his favourite games,
09:18McDonald's and other such things such as that.
09:21There's also going to be some white rabbits,
09:22actual white rabbits here today as well,
09:24and he'll come in on a horse and cart.
09:28But his funeral service took place earlier today
09:30in the town centre
09:31at St Vincent's Roman Catholic Church,
09:34where he came in
09:35with a possession of 10 Rolls-Royces and a Porsche,
09:39and there were LCD screens on vans
09:41displaying some videos from his life.
09:44After that service,
09:45he was taken on a final tour,
09:47a lap of Dartford,
09:48going past some key places from his childhood,
09:51including the primary school where he attended,
09:53before he ended up here this afternoon
09:56to be laid to rest for the final time.
09:58Now, he's had an outpouring of love
10:01from the traveller community,
10:02both locally and nationally,
10:03being described as a kind and loving angel.
10:08Now, Peter tragically died on the 1st of June
10:11following a car collision in Southleet
10:13involving two Ford Rangers.
10:15He was travelling with his parents
10:17and his baby sister.
10:19Now, Peter died from head, chest and abdominal injuries,
10:22according to a pre-inquest review,
10:24and his father was left in a critical condition,
10:27but following rehabilitation,
10:28he was able to be at the funeral today.
10:32Now, going back to the incident,
10:33two men, Francis Patrick Mourne, age 53,
10:36and Owen Mourne, 27,
10:37have both now been charged with Peter's murder,
10:39as well as offences relating to injuries
10:42sustained to his parents and sister.
10:44Both men are believed to be related to Peter.
10:48Their trial is scheduled for February 2nd next year.
10:50We're pleased due to be entered on October 7th.
10:54Now, back to today,
10:55the family wanted this to be a celebration of his life
10:57and encouraged everyone to come down,
10:59and it's clear from Stone Cemetery this afternoon
11:01that hundreds have,
11:03particularly from the traveller community.
11:05It's an outpouring of grief,
11:06but they're wearing bright colours of baby blue and yellow,
11:11closely associated to what he was affectionately known as,
11:14Peter Rabbit.
11:21Our thoughts with everyone involved in the tragedy.
11:23Now, coming up after the break,
11:25benefits fraudster has been jailed
11:27over nearly a quarter of a million pounds
11:30being taken from taxpayers.
11:32We'll have a court report on that after the break.
11:35And it's not quite Christmas yet,
11:37but you wouldn't know it
11:38if you're at the Central Theatre in Chatham
11:40earlier today,
11:41as they unveiled their brand new Panto.
11:44Very exciting stuff.
11:46Stick with us.
11:47We'll see you next time.
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16:11him taken down to the cells. As for his wife who aided in the deception, 18 months suspended for
16:18two years. Both pled guilty to all charges that applied for them. We saw Mrs Churchman break down
16:27into sobs as she left the courtroom alone. Between January 2013 and January 2024, Mr Churchman claimed
16:36for seven types of benefit which he wasn't entitled to. During the same period he took home 400,000
16:43pounds while working as a delivery driver for Every. Despite being employed he also claimed that
16:49he couldn't cook his own meals and that some days his back pain was so great that he needed help using
16:55the toilet and couldn't walk more than 10 to 20 meters without being an agonizing pain. These
17:01claims were untrue but they helped him claim 38,000 pounds in personal independence payment.
17:09The court also heard that Mr Churchman had 11 previous convictions for 27 offences,
17:1510 of which were to do with using deception for financial gain. His wife on the other hand had a
17:22spotless record and the judge said that Mr Churchman had pulled his wife into a life of crime, something
17:29for which he would spend the rest of his life paying for. Of the £235,000 that was taken from
17:36the taxpayer, £3,500 has been paid back and the couple are paying back £250 a month.
17:45For more stories from court you can head to our website kmtv.co.uk. They will find all our stories
17:53and reports including this one. All about, sorry I don't have my notes with me right now,
18:01oh it's all come on the screen for me, thank you so much, it's all about TikTok stashing her unusual
18:05talents in Maidstone. A busker is turning heads in Maidstone and it's not just the music people are
18:17intrigued by. It's actually her instrument that's catching eyes, a piano mounted on a bike.
18:24My name is Chloe Marie Aston, I'm a singer and busker from North Devon and I'm trying
18:29to busk in every town and city in the UK. Travelling across the south so far, Chloe also
18:35documents her whole journey on her various social medias including her TikTok where she is dubbed
18:39the piano bike girl. I've been playing piano for the last six years since I was 15 years old and
18:50I had a few lessons to begin with but I'm mainly self-taught. I started off just busking in my
18:55hometown in North Devon but now I'm going all over the UK. I've really really loved Kent so much,
19:02everybody here is really friendly, all the local businesses and that have been really really friendly
19:07and I've been given drinks from cafes and stuff and offered shade and stuff so it has really been
19:14a wonderful experience here in Kent. My favourite place was Faversham. They had the market on, it was
19:19really busy, really lovely weather and it was just an amazing atmosphere. Building the piano bike with
19:27her dad, she's been riding around on it for six years creating original music and singing many covers,
19:33amassing a fan base of more than 17,000 followers on TikTok.
19:37I've always loved music from a very young age, I've always been into singing and dancing and all
19:42those things. I did musical theatre for quite a few years and I just yeah now I do this and it's just
19:50evolved from there really. I'd really like to like take it to the next level and yeah maybe do my own
19:55shows and stuff and just maybe get a record contract, something really big like that. I also asked
20:01Passer Byers what they thought and all the responses I received were very positive. I was online
20:07last night and I just saw it on TikTok and I thought oh that's really good so I decided to come down
20:13and have it. She's got the voice of Karen Carpenter and you don't get that very often. I've seen her
20:19on them on the internet and everything so I was surprised that somebody that good and creative would
20:27be here in Maidstone. Hoping to return to Kent someday she's loaded the piano bike into her van
20:37and continues on her mission to spread her music across England. Kai Wei for KMTV in Maidstone.
20:43We're keeping the musical news going in a small bit but first we have the weather as the Met Office
20:58have issued a yellow rain weather warning across the county. That comes to effect today and remains
21:04throughout tomorrow so let's have a look what the forecast has for us.
21:13That yellow weather warning in effect this evening. Lows of 14 degrees in Tunbridge Wells
21:18and highs of 16 in Dover. Into tomorrow morning heavy rain across the county, high wind speeds in the
21:25east and into the afternoon though those wind speeds drop. Still seeing that rain but a bit of sun poking
21:32through. We like to see that and for your outlook a rainy weekend with temperatures of 20 on Saturday
21:38and Sunday dropping on Monday.
21:51Now we have months to go until Christmas but the festive spirit is already in the air here in Chatham.
21:57Rehearsals are in full swing for the 2025 pantomime which will take place at the Central Theatre.
22:03Sleeping Beauty will begin on the 11th of December with a reporter Ethelie Reynolds catching up with
22:09some of the stars of the show including Lee Latchwood-Evans of Steps fame.
22:17Five, six, seven, eight and this year's Chatham Panto has been launched.
22:22And in just four months time this theatre will be full of eager audience members watching an
22:26incredible panto performed by a talented cast and put together by a hard working crew.
22:32This year it's sure to be no tragedy. Sleeping Beauty will open early December
22:37and offers a traditional yet well-loved panto experience and this year it features some familiar
22:43faces from returning cast members to Lee Latchwood-Evans from the group Steps.
22:49You have to wear a different hat I think with every single different job that you do. So pantomime for me is
22:54more about it's about me it's about Lee from Steps it's about having fun it's entertaining the audience
23:00and it's kind of what Steps is all about a panto audience is very very similar to a Steps audience.
23:05We say to people look any troubles in your life right now just leave them at the door come in let
23:11yourself go and just have a fantastic time that is what panto is about. Even with these familiar faces
23:17the panto still brings the community together both on and off stage. We also have a fabulous show that can
23:24include um loads of kids from our community that live in and around Medway that are involved in
23:31the show you have two teams of kids this year red team and blue team and they it's they look forward
23:36to every year they love doing it and their and their family just love coming to watch them and support
23:41them so I think you have to have both. It's not just the cast looking forward to the opening night
23:46the staff that work behind the scenes are getting ready for all their hard work and organisation to come
23:51together. It takes a year to get it together and then literally in one week in the theatre you pull
23:58all those elements into one coherent show. I find it a very very satisfying job. Blending both celebrities
24:06and the local community with the magic of panto audiences will certainly stomp their feet along to
24:12the songs and talent. Ethelie Reynolds for KMTV in Chatham.
24:19Ethelie joins me in the studio now it's an exciting time I love pantomime and I think you do as well
24:26how are the cast feeling? The cast are all very excited for this pantomime I was speaking to all of
24:32them as we we saw Lee and the Dame they're both looking forward to kind of bringing that mix of celebrity
24:39and community but some of the other cast members as well are also very excited to kind of get started
24:45and get that panto magic going. First what we love about pantomime is it brings these big stars down
24:51to our local communities but also gets the community involved as well. What's the mix looking like on this
24:57one? So obviously as mentioned multiple times we do have Lee Latchel Evans from Steps but when I was
25:04speaking to the cast about kind of bringing that community and celebrity together they mentioned
25:10and a few of them mentioned not only the hard-working people of the theatre at the box office that are
25:15local to the community but also those younger children who take part in panto it's often a
25:20tradition for younger children to take part in the dance teams. We actually spoke to two more of the
25:26cast members who gave us a bit more insight into this mix of celebrity and community.
25:31It's just nice to get local people in who don't necessarily go to their theatre a lot and when
25:37they see somebody they that they might recognise they'll go along off that old thing but um yeah
25:44it's just nice and once they've been at the theatre once they think oh this is actually a really good
25:48experience i'm going to go more so i think it's okay and and also of course you do involve all the
25:53local people everybody who works behind the the the scenes everybody in the box office everyone works so
25:59hard in the theatre as well it's not just the people on the stage so so often it's children's
26:04first experience of theatre and it's so fun and so exciting that you really hope it will then
26:10lead them to want to go to the theatre more and perhaps even work in it one day very quickly
26:15absolutely any big surprises to expect this year well i was told there might be a bouncy castle at some
26:21point in this as well with a big dragon and just multiple special effects so there is a lot to look
26:26forward to this year at the panto who doesn't love a bouncy castle estherly thanks for all the
26:32details we'll be bringing you more news straight after the break including a recap of all our headlines
26:38including all the controversy surrounding flags cropping up over the county and of course
26:45kent film clubs later on we're joined by the presenter of that as well see you in a minute
27:15post a few minutes to get some sort of video you might have heard of like this one that I had done
27:18more the previous steps so you can kind of make some of the events of the video
27:21and we're gonna come back and see you in the two weeks and we'll get started
27:23in the next couple weeks and see you in the next couple weeks we'll be putting up
27:24on the next couple weeks and we'll be explaining the issue that we can go to the next couple weeks
27:25of the classes before theouncing concerto and we'll be able to receive the news
27:28guys have been a couple weeks and there's a couple weeks with the tuds so we can go but
27:30i'll be able to give up a great idea of what you want to manage this and then it's going to be a bit
27:33so have a little bit of a bit of a starting point of the stream that's going to be a bit as well
30:37And stepping into the limelight, pop star at centre stage as Chatham Theatre launch their
30:422025 Panto.
30:43Now, anger and confusion across Kent and Medway.
30:50Anyway, as a wave of St George's flags and graffiti have painted our towns red and white, with
30:56supporters arguing it's just harmless patriotism.
30:59But some here worry that national trend will end up putting the cost of removal back on councils
31:05and divide our communities.
31:07Our reporter Kristen Hawthorne is tracking down the damage.
31:14It's just a few years ago.
31:15It's just a few years ago.
31:16It's just a few years ago.
31:21It's a few years ago in our homes and in local streets.
31:23Mirroring a trend that's seen nationwide.
31:25It's been fueled by social media.
31:28This is just one example of the kind of graffiti that's been popping up across Kent.
31:33Doing this is actually illegal.
31:35But residents that I spoke to here in Chatham say that it's a symbol of national pride rather
31:39than an act of vandalism.
31:40I actually think it's a good idea, it's quite positive and it shows the feeling of a lot
31:45of the country at the moment.
31:46I think it's OK to have something like that, as long as it doesn't go too over the top,
31:53as long as they put their opinions across civilly.
31:57I think hopefully they can get communities together that can hopefully bring, rather
32:03than the division, it's bringing people close together hopefully.
32:08But this support is far from universal, with those in charge of traffic enforcement in Medway
32:13flagging their concerns.
32:15People have every right to fly a flag from their own property.
32:19If that's something that's really important to you, if that's a really important way for
32:24you to express your national pride, go ahead and do it on your own property.
32:29Leave public property alone.
32:31Do not damage public property.
32:33It's not yours to do with what you want.
32:36We represent the whole community and that's what I'm here to defend.
32:40But Medway Council isn't the only one responsible for enforcement in the county.
32:44Kent County Council also manages highways.
32:47They've made clear that they won't be removing the flags.
32:50I think it's a wonderful thing if you want to put your national flag up, wherever you are,
32:54in your garden, you know, on the street, outside.
32:57I think it's an absolutely fantastic thing.
32:59I think in Britain, we've gone a little bit crazy in the last few years.
33:03We're probably the only country I can think of where it could be considered a bad thing
33:06to display your national flag.
33:08KCC do stress that they will still remove flags or markings if they pose a safety risk, such
33:15as obstructing signage or CCTV.
33:17But Medway Council say that where public safety is a concern, they will remove the flags and
33:22repaint markings as soon as they can.
33:25But given the feeling on the streets, that might be easier said than done.
33:30Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Chatham.
33:32Well, to explore some of the community aspects of this, I'm joined by Ajayb Hussein from the
33:40Medway Interfaith Action Group.
33:43Having seen Kristen's report there about the recent surge of St George's flags popping up
33:49across the county, are there any concerns from groups here?
33:53Because there are some worries that this is linked to groups that have far-right connections.
33:59While some say it's all about patriotism, others are concerned that this could inflame
34:03community tensions.
34:04Yeah, of course, there's a lot of truth in that.
34:08We're all patriotic.
34:09We love England.
34:10We love Britain.
34:11I'm an immigrant myself.
34:12I wasn't born in the UK, but I've made the UK my home.
34:17And there are many, many people like that.
34:19Many people have left their countries for a better future.
34:24And you know, the whole thing started a little bit, I mean, I'm not into the details of it,
34:30but around the hotels and the asylum seekers and so forth, every person has a right to leave
34:38for a better living.
34:41And as a community, it's very fearful when isolated aspects are taken out and blown up
34:50at full proportions.
34:53Look, the way the government has handled asylum, that's a totally different situation and thing.
35:02They could have done a much better way of housing asylum seekers, much more human, if you like.
35:08I mean, who wants to stay in a hotel for a month on end, you know?
35:12I suppose that's the thing people fear here is that, like, this is inflaming tensions.
35:17And we've seen outside asylum hotels.
35:21Now, people who do put this graffiti up, they're arguing it's all to do with being patriotic
35:26and loving your country.
35:27Do you buy that?
35:29We can love our country in many different ways.
35:31And, you know, I can say heart on heart as well, you know, there are ways to love your
35:37country, be patriotic, flying flags is one, supporting your teams and working together
35:42for a better England, that is supporting, that is patriotic.
35:46But is it patriotic to paint these things that is going to cost our government, which is already
35:53struggling with money, you know, that is going to have to be put up from somewhere?
36:02Asylum actually takes a lot of responsibility.
36:05We have to be responsible citizens, whether we're asylum seekers, whether we're UK born.
36:13And UK born can be of all colours and all backgrounds and all religions.
36:19And we can be patriotic about that without making a movement that gives a little ill feeling,
36:26if you like, of fear to some communities, you know.
36:29So if there's nothing to fear, what is it from asylum seekers or even immigrants?
36:35They bring millions and billions of dollars into the community.
36:39So if you're concerned about jobs being taken, those jobs are created by immigrants.
36:44So very quickly then, is that something that you and your community are feeling?
36:49Do flags like these make you feel more anxious?
36:52I feel that some people, everyone has a right to display what they want to display in their
36:58homes.
36:59And it feels like we're in the middle of a movement.
37:04That is, the undertones of that movement are not very good long term, if I believe, and
37:11I may be wrong, you know, if I believe that back in the 70s and 60s, you know, there were
37:16a lot of race riots and all these tensions that rise up and bubble up.
37:22It's no good for the economy.
37:24It's no good for the people.
37:25It's no good for our society.
37:27To live peacefully is where, you know, we are a nation of 70 million people.
37:34And we cannot judge, you know, even 0.01% of that population and then target those, you
37:42know, and say...
37:43I suppose the question is, is obviously interfaith is all about bringing communities together.
37:48Are you worried that we've seen protests in Dover and Maidstone?
37:51Are you worried that we could see more protests as well?
37:54Yeah, I think there will be, I mean, obviously there will be more protests and there will be
37:59counter-protests and there will be, from an interfaith point of view, we like to say we
38:03have common values.
38:05We share a lot of common values.
38:07Okay, it's faith-related.
38:08But as a society, we live in a society where we can live in peace and harmony.
38:15And peace and harmony is all about bringing love.
38:20And nationalism is also love, but it's love in a direction that goes maybe, maybe.
38:27And I'm only saying maybe because sometimes it can misuse.
38:30You know, nationalism is what took in Germany and so forth.
38:33Hey, I'm going to have to wrap you up there.
38:34It's been great having you on the programme.
38:36It's always a pleasure having you on the show, but we'll come back to this later today.
38:39Thank you so much.
38:40Thank you very much, yeah.
38:41Now, in more tragic news, a funeral has been held in Dartford for four-year-old Peter
38:46Maughan, who lost his life earlier this year.
38:49It was in June this year Peter was travelling a 4x4 with his parents when it collided with another
38:53vehicle.
38:54Two men have now been charged with his murder.
38:57Today, 300 people from the Traveller community dressed in baby blue and lemon colours.
39:01In tribute, Gabriel Morris was there earlier.
39:04My Dartford came to a standstill today as they paid their final respects to four-year-old
39:09Peter Maughan, who tragically lost his life earlier this year in June.
39:13And currently at Stone Cemetery, where hundreds are here, mostly from the Traveller community,
39:17which is where Peter was from.
39:19He was affectionately known as Peter Rabbit.
39:21And this is the site where he will be laid to rest later.
39:25And some key moments from his life have been featured here, particularly in floral tributes.
39:29A fan of Peter Rabbit, some of his highlights he liked, some of his favourite games,
39:33McDonald's and other such things such as that.
39:36There's also going to be some white rabbits, actual white rabbits here today as well.
39:39And he'll come in on a horse and cart.
39:42But his funeral service took place earlier today in the town centre at St Vincent's Roman Catholic Church,
39:49where he came in with a possession of 10 Rolls Royces and a Porsche.
39:54And there were LCD screens on vans displaying some videos from his life.
39:58After that service, he was taken on a final tour, a lap of Dartford,
40:03going past some key places from his childhood, including the primary school where he attended
40:08before he ended up here this afternoon to be laid to rest for the final time.
40:13Now, he's had an outpouring of love from the traveller community,
40:17both locally and nationally, being described as a kind and loving angel.
40:23Now, Peter tragically died on the 1st of June, following a car collision in South Fleet involving two Ford Rangers.
40:30He was travelling with his parents and his baby sister.
40:34Now, Peter died from head, chest and abdominal injuries, according to a pre-inquest review.
40:39And his father was left in a critical condition.
40:42But following rehabilitation, he was able to be at the funeral today.
40:46Now, going back to the incident, two men, Francis Patrick Morne, age 53, and Owen Morne, 27,
40:52have both now been charged with Peter's murder, as well as offences relating to injuries sustained to his parents and sister.
40:59Both men are believed to be related to Peter.
41:02Their trial is scheduled for February the 2nd next year.
41:05We're pleased due to be entered on October the 7th.
41:09Now, back to today, the family wanted this to be a celebration of his life and encouraged everyone to come down.
41:14And it's clear from Stone Cemetery this afternoon that hundreds have, particularly from the traveller community.
41:19It's an outpouring of grief, but they're wearing bright colours of baby blue and yellow,
41:26closely associated to what he was affectionately known as Peter Rabbit.
41:31Our thoughts are with the friends and family at this difficult time.
41:38We're going to have a short break now.
41:40Coming up, everything you know about Chatham's latest pento.
41:44It's going to be a very special event indeed.
41:48Stick with us.
42:14Thanks so much for giving the fans behind theängen of Chatham's Poseidon
45:36Lee Latchard-Evans of Steps fame.
45:39Our reporter Ethelie Reynolds went down to find out a little bit more.
45:42Five, six, seven, eight and this year's Chat and Panto has been launched.
45:48And in just four months' time, this theatre will be full of eager audience members watching
45:53an incredible panto performed by a talented cast and put together by a hard-working crew.
45:59This year, it's sure to be no tragedy.
46:02Sleeping Beauty will open early December and offers a traditional yet well-loved panto experience.
46:08And this year, it features some familiar faces, from returning cast members to Lee Latchard-Evans
46:14from the group Steps.
46:16You have to wear a different hat, I think, with every single different job that you do.
46:20So Pantomime, for me, is more about, it's about me, it's about Lee from Steps, it's about
46:24having fun, it's entertaining the audience.
46:27And it's kind of what Steps is all about.
46:29A panto audience is very, very similar to a Steps audience.
46:32We say to people, look, any troubles in your life right now?
46:35Just leave them at the door, come in, let yourself go and just have a fantastic time.
46:40And that is what Panto is about.
46:42Even with these familiar faces, the panto still brings the community together, both
46:46on and off stage.
46:48We also have a fabulous show that can include loads of kids from our community that live
46:55in and around Medway that are involved in the show.
46:58You have two teams of kids this year, red team and blue team, and they look forward to
47:03every year, they love doing it, and their family just love coming to watch them and
47:07support them.
47:08So I think you have to have both.
47:10It's not just the cast looking forward to the opening night.
47:13The staff that work behind the scenes are getting ready for all their hard work and
47:17organisation to come together.
47:19It takes a year to get it together.
47:21And then literally in one week in the theatre, you pull all those elements into one coherent
47:28show.
47:29I find it a very, very satisfying job.
47:31Blending both celebrities and the local community with the magic of panto, audiences will certainly
47:37stomp their feet along to the songs and talent.
47:40Italy Reynolds for KMTV in Chatham.
47:43What a great news story, that one.
47:47You can find more like that on our website, kmtv.co.uk.
47:52They'll find all our reports, including this one.
47:55Long passes, runs into the end zone, and clever plays are just some of the weapons that the
48:16South East Legion have used to fight their way to the top of their American football league.
48:21The under-19 team are based in Maidstone and played their very last game of the season
48:25this month to win their entire division without a single loss.
48:29The achievement means that the team, ranked first in the country for their whole age group,
48:33are headed to the national finals this weekend in October to attempt to earn a trophy and
48:37cement their title as the undisputed number ones.
48:40I don't think we expected it to be as good as it has been.
48:44I think we knew we had something special with the players that are playing at the level they
48:48have, but yeah, absolutely didn't expect it to go this well, but after the first two
48:54tournaments we could see where it was going, and I think we're on an upward trajectory now.
48:59Some say that American football is for everyone, and that's because there's so many different
49:03positions that you can play.
49:05Cornerback, running back, tackle, linebacker, safety, wide receiver, fullback, and I haven't
49:10even named all of them, and while it sounds complicated, it's a very simple game.
49:14What you're trying to do is get this to the end zone.
49:17Despite that, American football is still a complicated game, and the players understand
49:22the finals won't be easy, but that hasn't hurt the atmosphere at training one bit.
49:27We're all excited, we're all buzzing for it.
49:30We're all like talking within each other, like, oh, imagine this happens, imagine this happens.
49:36We're like hyping ourselves up towards it, because we've come so far, we would hate
49:39to lose it.
49:41I'm very optimistic, you know, I come into a lot of games with a very positive atmosphere.
49:46We come there to win, you know what I mean, we're not coming for anything else, really.
49:49I mean, losing's not an option to us, really, you know, so at the end of the day, we're
49:54going to get it done, and I know we're going to get it done.
49:56The team have risen the ranks only recently after building and developing their squad,
50:00with coaches putting an emphasis not just on their physical development as players,
50:04but on their mental and personal development as well.
50:07We want our players to go on to some of the great programmes in the UK, the NFL Academy,
50:12Bristol SGS, just two of them.
50:16So we're trying to develop football players that think for themselves.
50:19As a coach, we've done our job, if they can do it themselves, and even on game day, lots
50:26of our players, you know, they call the plays, you know, they read the game, they read the
50:30defences if they're on offence.
50:32So, yeah, we're trying to build young men which are great football players.
50:36The team's motto is hard work, full gas.
50:39And as they train for hours in the sweltering heat ahead of the finals, it isn't hard to
50:43see why.
50:44Let's give it a national finals one, yeah?
50:47Hard work!
50:48Full gas!
50:49Finn McDermid for KMTV in Maidstone.
50:52Well, hopefully they can play in all weathers, as the Met Office have issued a yellow rain
50:58weather warning across the county.
51:00That comes into effect today and remains throughout tomorrow.
51:03With that in mind, let's take a look at the weather.
51:11That yellow weather warning in effect this evening.
51:14Lows of 14 degrees in Tunbridge Wells, highs of 16 in Dover.
51:18Into tomorrow, heavy rain across the county, high wind speeds in the east.
51:23But into tomorrow afternoon, those wind speeds drop.
51:26Still seeing rain with a bit of sun poking through at least.
51:30And for your outlook over the weekend, a rainy one with temperatures of 21 on Saturday and
51:35Sunday, dropping to 20 degrees on Monday.
51:38Now, just before we go, Thursday means it's time for another episode of the Kent Film Club.
51:53Just after the break, the show that invites guests from all over the county to share their
51:57films and how they define them.
52:00There's also another Kent Club which has to take place on a Thursday, heading to Netflix.
52:04That's getting quite a lot of attention, but that one is slightly more grisly than the
52:08others.
52:09To discuss that, we're joined by the film presenter here at KMTV, Chris D.C.
52:13We're talking, of course, about Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
52:17It's a best-selling book.
52:18It's now a film starring this talented cast of people.
52:22What do you think of it?
52:23Do you know, I was so impressed because I think it was about a year ago that we were
52:26talking about this when we knew that Chris Columbus, who made Mrs. Doubtfire and Home
52:30Alone and a couple of the Harry Potter films, was going to be directing it.
52:34And it's today released on Netflix, but it's been showing at a few select cinemas, including
52:40the Curzon in Canterbury, this week.
52:42I've actually seen it twice.
52:43I went in thinking, oh, is it going to be a bit silly?
52:45We've seen all those Agatha Christie adaptations, you know, the Kenneth Branagh one as Poirot,
52:50also, of course, the Knives Out films.
52:52I have to say, you've got characters here.
52:54They're all meant to be in their 70s and 80s, but they've all sort of, they know they've
52:58got past lives.
52:59I mean, they're clearly very rich.
53:00They're in this palatial retirement home.
53:03I mean, Chris Columbus, think of Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone.
53:05All his characters seem to have all these great sort of palatial residences.
53:09And it's a perfect setting here because they're able to outwit the police.
53:13Indeed, they're able to, not least to Helen Mirren's character's connections, obviously
53:17something like MI6 connection there.
53:20They're drawing on their past lives in order to sort this out.
53:24But it's a very poignant film.
53:25And this is the thing that really worked for me, because you really feel that these
53:28characters, yes, they're in their dotage, but they had a life which we're not privy
53:33to.
53:34But we realised that characters around them are obviously not necessarily in great
53:37health.
53:38And some of them have dementia, as with Jonathan Price, one of the most moving characterisations,
53:42actually.
53:42She plays the, he plays the husband of Helen Mirren.
53:45And that's how it works.
53:47And there's the use at the very end of the Cat Stevens song, Oh, When We're Young.
53:50And do you know what?
53:51I don't always cry when I'm in the cinema, but it really worked.
53:54And it's this sort of very nostalgic piece.
53:57Anyone who sort of likes those Sunday afternoon TV adaptations will enjoy this.
54:03But then this is, you know, cinema on a huge scale.
54:06It's going to, I think, do really well.
54:09Because obviously it's got such British talent in it.
54:11And I'm not sure about you.
54:12I think everyone here in the UK loves a good murder mystery.
54:15I'm not sure what that has to do with us as a country or as a county.
54:19Because this here is actually set in Kent.
54:22In fact, in the book, they even reference our show on right now, Kent Tonight.
54:27Do you think people here in Kent will see a little bit of themselves in the movie?
54:32Well, do you know, I was watching it, and I'm not going to deny it.
54:34I was hoping, because Kent Tonight is referenced in the book, that it might appear in the film.
54:38But we do have a radio station, Celia Emery, who makes very nice cakes, by the way, in the film.
54:43And she's got the radio on, and she learns about one of the murders.
54:46And it's on something like, you know, fictitious radios in, like, KS Radio for Kent.
54:50So I guess that's the closest we're going to get.
54:52So I think it was filmed in Berkshire, but it seems to be set in this very county.
54:57Well, hopefully one day I'll get my call from the team at Netflix for the sequel.
55:01Who knows?
55:02Fingers crossed.
55:03But isn't the only movie out at the moment?
55:06What other great films can people go to in the cinemas at the moment?
55:09Well, Materialist, as I was talking about on the show, I think, a couple of weeks ago.
55:13A wonderful deconstruction of a rom-com.
55:16I mean, I went into that again thinking, it's going to be nothing wrong with that.
55:18I mean, if you see the trailer, you've got Madonna's Material Girl.
55:21And I thought, it's fine, you know, but I didn't expect it to be necessarily all that deep.
55:26And it does feel that this is a time of year with weapons that's out there as well,
55:30which is one of the most, you know, eerie horror adaptations that I've seen in a while.
55:35Well, this seems to be a particularly strong month for movies.
55:39Now, normally we think of August as being the time for the big summer blockbusters.
55:42But here we are now with films of a range of genres that seem to be doing the ground from the comedy,
55:48like with a naked gun, and all sorts of things coming out,
55:50including Christopher Nolan movies that are doing the rounds as well at the moment.
55:54So there's quite a lot to look out for.
55:56No, it is a very good month for films.
55:58I actually saw Materialist last night.
56:00Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, what more could you want from a movie?
56:03But the big release everyone wants to talk about tonight is the Kemp Film Club.
56:07New episode. What can we expect from it?
56:09We have an amazing David Lawrence.
56:10Now, I have to say, he met Spike Lee, and he brought the jacket that Spike Lee gave him,
56:16and he asked me to wear it after we did the recording.
56:20So it was one of the most enjoyable, quite surreal experiences of doing that.
56:25And he's a great kind of like raconteur, you know,
56:28his personal life interwoven with the films that he selects.
56:31So I think we'll be in for a treat tonight.
56:33And obviously, new Spike Lee coming out very soon as well.
56:35So watch this space.
56:36Chris, always blessed to have you on the show,
56:38and stick around for the Kemp Film Club.
56:40That's all for Kemp tonight. See you soon.
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