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00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
00:28I'm Finn McDermott and here are your top stories on Wednesday the 19th of November.
00:34A new chapter as Sevenoaks District Council leader finally steps down after no confidence vote.
00:39That is definitely the aim, is to steer the ship in a calm direction.
00:44Blue badge battle. Kent Online continues its fight to ease up parking pass applications for those with life-limiting illnesses.
00:51You know, the planning, it would just be simpler because I know it would be easier.
00:56Whereupon now I have to really think about where can I park.
01:00And a rising star. Former KMTV staff member wins TikTok award.
01:04So to be recognised in this way and to have kind of, someone called it my origin story.
01:09But my origin story started here at KMTV.
01:11But first tonight, a shake-up in local politics as the leader of Sevenoaks District Council has finally stepped down
01:27after months of instability and infighting at the local authority.
01:31Roddy Hogarth faced defections and a vote of no confidence with his successor, Kevin Maskell,
01:37saying he hopes to be a safe pair of hands.
01:40The change comes after several Conservative councillors broke away earlier this year to form the West Kent independence.
01:47But will they return to the party?
01:49Our local democracy reporter, Olly Leder, was at the meeting last night to find out.
01:52However, tonight I'm honoured to present to this council and for this cabinet my resignation.
02:03The moment many people here at Sevenoaks District Council had been waiting for.
02:10As Roddy Hogarth resigned as leader of the council following a vote of no confidence last month
02:17that left him fighting for his political future.
02:21So I declare Councillor Maskell is duly elected as leader of the council.
02:30There were only two contenders to the throne, with Liberal Democrat Alan Lehmann being beaten
02:38by Conservative Kevin Maskell.
02:4124 votes to 14.
02:43The new leader has a big job ahead of him.
02:47His predecessor's tenure was rocked with defections,
02:52leaving him in charge of a minority administration during a crucial period for the council.
02:59Can Councillor Maskell set a course to calmer waters?
03:04That is definitely the aim, is to steer the ship in a calm direction.
03:09I think it's absolutely a perfect description of what I want to do.
03:14So my aim is to ensure that continuity, but also in addition to bringing perhaps many more viewpoints
03:25into any discussions and how to move forward, it's a very complex area, complex time,
03:34and that needs many more heads to get around how to go forward.
03:39Maskell's ascendancy was supported by the West Kent Independent Group,
03:45made up of the same disgruntled Conservatives that made the previous leader's position untenable.
03:52Will a safe pair of hands help bring the wikis back into the fold?
03:57I think this is a start point for us.
03:59So we said to them, basically, once you have a new leader, we will talk to you.
04:03They have the ability potentially to work with us to form a majority again.
04:07We're not going to come running back to the Conservatives,
04:09but whether we can form some kind of political cooperation is what we need to explore now.
04:16But we haven't been able to explore it up until now because of the previous leaders still being in post.
04:20So, new chapter now to be written, and I can't tell you what the answer is yet
04:25because we haven't even had those discussions yet.
04:27The vote capped off a nearly four-hour meeting.
04:30Whatever relief there was in the room was tempered with exhaustion.
04:36But there are still expensive capital projects to get over the line,
04:42a new political geography to establish as the government reshapes Kent councils.
04:49It may be a new chapter for Sevenoaks, but it won't necessarily be a quieter one.
04:58Olly Lieder in West Kent.
05:01And Olly joins me now.
05:03So, Olly, why is this so significant given what's happening around Kent's councils?
05:08It's all to do with what's on those documents right there.
05:11Local government reorganisation.
05:13It's complicated what it means.
05:15The government's trying to reshape our local authorities, making them bigger.
05:20It creates an economy to scale is their plan, which will mean abolishing all our current councils,
05:25replacing them with unitary authorities that do everything.
05:29This week, all the councils in Kent are submitting what they think should be,
05:34how we should redraw the political map.
05:37At the meeting I was at, that long, chunky, nearly four-hour meeting,
05:42they were even debating their proposals.
05:45And this is why it's so crucial they have strong leadership.
05:48They need to have a unified voice around local government reorganisation
05:53and devolution in the coming years.
05:57Now, most people in Sevenoaks do agree about what they want.
06:01They want to be married up with Tunbridge, Tunbridge Wells,
06:05maybe even Maidstone thrown into the mix.
06:08I actually asked this new leader, Kevin Maskell,
06:11what he hopes to achieve in regards to local government reorganisation.
06:16Here's what he said, but spoilers, he doesn't really give much away.
06:19Well, again, there's a lot of continuity from Councillor Hogarth
06:25and indeed the previous leader.
06:30And so I will be taking their advice and their knowledge forward with me.
06:38So I feel well able, with that advice, to move forward and to ensure continuity.
06:45So, Oli, with all this in mind, what's next?
06:48It's a good question, Finn.
06:50And the answer really depends on the wikis,
06:53this independent group of disgruntled Conservatives.
06:55Are they going to support Kevin Maskell?
06:59Now, they lent him their support.
07:01And part of the reason why is because, yes, he used to work with him.
07:04Lots of the policies the Conservatives are working on,
07:07the projects they're trying to get money towards are projects
07:11the wikis would have had some sort of say in
07:14when they were part of that Conservative group.
07:17So they might be lending their support here and there.
07:19But according to Julie, as we heard in the piece,
07:21they're quite enjoying their independence.
07:24It really depends how strong the leadership of
07:26the 7th District Council really is now.
07:29I see.
07:29Thank you for bringing us this story, Oli.
07:30In some more political news now,
07:34Thanik councillor Helen Whitehead has hit back at Reform MP Richard Tice
07:38after he called it insane for children to wear ear defenders in class.
07:43Whitehead, who is autistic and relies on ear defenders,
07:46argues they help people manage sensory overload
07:48and shouldn't be stigmatised.
07:50The Labour politician says they're as valid a support
07:52as a physical disability aid,
07:54helping her function in public and political life.
07:57Whitehead, who is a former teacher, added that Tice's comment
08:00shows a lack of understanding
08:01about what pupils with conditions such as autism require.
08:06Next, a Medway mum says she was horrified to discover maggots
08:09in her McDonald's chicken nuggets
08:11from the strewed branch of the fast food chain.
08:14Susan Badham told Kent Online that both she and her 10-year-old son
08:17fell ill afterwards,
08:19believing they may have eaten some of the contaminated food.
08:22An inspection by Medway Council found no clear or evidence of pest activity,
08:26while McDonald's insists it maintains rigorous food safety procedures.
08:31Next, Kent Online has launched a petition
08:33to urge Kent County Council to look again
08:35at proposals to reform the blue badge system.
08:38The current rules mean cancer patients and those with short-term,
08:41but serious mobility issues
08:42are routinely refused disability parking permits.
08:45The campaign is backed by all 18 of the county's MPs.
08:49Our reporter Chloe Brewster met with cancer patient Ray
08:52to discuss why he thinks receiving the badge would transform his life.
08:56Kent Online launched a blue badge battle in March this year
08:59after receiving a flurry of emails from readers
09:01with life-altering conditions
09:02who'd experienced difficulties getting hold of a badge.
09:05Eight months later,
09:06Kent County Council have said it will not change
09:08the strict eligibility process to get the badge.
09:11But for people like Ray from Bortonmont, Chelsea,
09:13who has been fighting prostate cancer since the pandemic,
09:16daily life is constantly disrupted.
09:18Obviously, you have a biopsy, which in itself is very painful.
09:23That leads to some side effects,
09:25which means that, you know, really you have to be near a toilet
09:29because, you know, obviously the urge to go is very quick.
09:34Sometimes it might be that you have 15 seconds
09:36to get from a feeling to actually, you know,
09:40so it can be difficult to manage.
09:43But I think the main thing is that problem
09:45in terms of making sure it's almost like the mental anguish
09:49and concern and anxiety, you know,
09:52you're thinking about the problem before it occurs
09:55and that adds to the whole difficulty.
09:58He just wants to use spaces like this one
10:00just behind me here, outside the Odeon in Maidstone.
10:03He says he loves the cinema,
10:04but hasn't been able to go through being too nervous
10:06about where he'd be able to park if he was to visit.
10:08I tested how long it would take Ray
10:11to walk from the nearest general available parking space
10:13to the cinema in Maidstone had he wished to visit.
10:16While there were two blue badge spots right outside,
10:19the nearest available spot lunchtime on a weekday
10:21was 100 metres away.
10:23While not a huge difference,
10:24it can mean boatloads more stress for people like Ray.
10:27For me, it's all about, you know,
10:28I intend to work as long as possible
10:30because I enjoy keeping busy.
10:32And I think it just makes things like, you know,
10:34meeting people, going to appointments,
10:36you know, the planning,
10:38it would just be simpler
10:39because I know that it would be easier
10:41whereupon now I have to really think about
10:42where can I park, you know, how can I manage that?
10:46Maidstone and Mauling MP Helen Grant
10:48wrote to the Transport Secretary
10:49and Minister for Disability and Social Security
10:51in March last year.
10:53I know that cancer can be mentally
10:55and physically debilitating.
11:00I had major surgery in the form of a mastectomy
11:03and some abdominal surgery as well.
11:04And it was very difficult to move around and walk.
11:08And lots of people as well, you know,
11:11in addition to major surgery,
11:13they also have radiotherapy and chemotherapy,
11:15which is completely draining.
11:17And I think anything that we can do to help people
11:20to be mobilised and to access goods and services
11:24while they're going through these difficulties
11:27is important.
11:28With Kent County Council maintaining
11:30they will not be changing the eligibility process,
11:32Kent Online's blue badge battle for ages on.
11:35You can sign the petition on the Kent Online website.
11:38Chloe Brewster from KMTV in Boughton, Monchelsea.
11:42Now it is time for a short break.
11:45When we come back,
11:45we'll be bringing you more stories from around the county.
11:48See you in a few minutes.
11:50See you in a few minutes.
12:20See you in a few minutes.
12:50See you in a few minutes.
12:51See you in a few minutes.
12:51Got it.
19:20into tomorrow morning. It's getting even colder with the average temperature dropping to zero
19:24degrees and partly cloudy skies across Kent. Tomorrow evening it's looking a little bit
19:28more promising though. The temperature rising to an average of four degrees but still like I say
19:32partly cloudy skies across the board. They're looking into the end of the week. Here's your
19:36outlook. The temperature will continue to rise. Highs of six degrees on Friday with partly cloudy
19:40skies. Saturday some sunshine and Sunday quite a lot of downpours.
19:44Now today marks the 19th of November and those across Kent and globally will be celebrating
19:55International Men's Day arriving during Men's Mental Health Month commonly known as Movember.
20:01The day helps spread the message to men that it's okay to talk. Gravesend mindfulness coach
20:06Bupinder Sandhu joins me today to tell me about his work towards the yearly occasion. Thank you
20:11so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. No trouble at all. So what is International
20:15Men's Day to you? What does it mean to you? You know there's a big stigma around mental health
20:20and especially about men's mental health and for some strange reason we men are born with
20:26this unsaid rule, unwritten rule that we men have to be strong, silent, sorted, emotion proof
20:33just like super humans, superheroes where there's no room for failure or maybe weakness but we are human
20:44beings. So this day is all about talking about the label behind the word human, the man sorry. So we
20:56men have been brought up in certain way as growing up we hear the word don't cry beat off and the most
21:03thing that bugs me these days is be a man. We tell a 10 year old boy or 12 year old boy or teenager be
21:10a man when he just fails at something or he's asking for help we shut them down. From my personal
21:17experience growing up as a boy been shut down so many times we are not let we're not allowed to let
21:25our emotions or expressions out like especially the big thing that hit me and I think it hurt me in a long
21:33time emotionally as well when my grandfather passed away and you want to cry and they're just taking
21:39him for the funeral and I was about to cry and my mom was just like help me and now boys don't cry
21:47and that took me a long long time that grief just stayed in me and this is happening with all majority
21:53of the boys it's not just I'm saying everyone but most of the men grew with this conditioning and when we
22:00become adults men then we face all other challenges but we don't have that we're never taught that
22:08outlet to express ourselves we shut down because we have to look soil and we have to look sorted and
22:15strong so this is thing that is killing so that's why more than 70 percent of suicide are men 80 percent
22:23of homeless in this country are men about 40 percent of domestic violence cases are like victims are
22:31men so these numbers are appalling big numbers but very less is done about that there will be women
22:38circle women groups doing women coffee groups women talk a lot about these things now especially they're
22:45more aware of their mental health as a mindfulness coach when I do sessions say if I go to a company
22:52company they have 70 percent of men in the company 30 percent women but when we do a talk on mental
22:59health or mindfulness 70 percent will be women and 30 percent of men 30 percent of men are there in the
23:06workshop or the session because we think everything is sorted we can't be in the mindfulness session
23:13mindfulness session is for women only that's the mentality we're still living in when 21st century we
23:20have so much and it's every 60 seconds a man is committing suicide so this is what we need more
23:30international Wednesday I think one is not enough in 21st century what do you think needs to be done
23:37to get more men talking because it's like you say the stereotype as always is that men like you say need
23:44to be strong they need to not talk about their feelings what do you think are the steps to kind of
23:48breaking down these walls and allowing men to be vulnerable giving them safe space to talk where
23:56they can trust that they will be heard and this should be support system which is the genuine support
24:03system it's not like tick boxes support system it's more about opening up I always say simply speak if
24:10you're going through a issue psychologically or anything to do with your mental health just simply
24:17speak because there's so much help out there today it's just asking the right questions and reaching
24:23out to right people so just speak don't suffer in silence absolutely and we can see you here is this
24:31you walking is this canterbury or cardiff this is card outside cardiff castle all right and tell us a
24:37bit about what you're doing here this is the walk i did in october this is london to cardiff walk to
24:43raise awareness about mental health so that's the second one we did the last one we did was in
24:48december 24. and while you were out doing this what if and during your work as a mindfulness coach
24:55what is it you're hearing from men about these things what's been the response they will talk
25:00about football they will talk about cricket they will talk about pub evening in the pub yeah but nobody
25:05wants to talk about mental health so that's the biggest thing that's why i want to do more and more of
25:10these walks to raise awareness about mental health especially men's mental health absolutely and tell
25:16us you mentioned there your grandfather's funeral if i can talk about that for a moment with you you
25:21mentioned that you had that moment of sort of someone held you back and said well you know you're not
25:27allowed to do this why is it so important to raise that awareness that it is okay to do these things
25:33because it's emotion either you take it out or it stays with you for a long long time it's just like
25:41you have to clear the cupboard it's you have to wipe that out you have to hoover that if we don't hoover
25:47it there is an issue there is a dust in there think of this problem as something spilled on your carpet
25:55so you have to hoover it if you leave it there it stays there and the stains become more and more and
26:01when you reach it out after five years six years it's even harder to so sooner the better sure and
26:09i think very quickly i haven't got much time but i think a lot of men out there are sort of afraid to
26:14take that first step and whether it's you know going seeing a professional or doing things like that but
26:19do you think it's more just even if it's not professional just talk to your friends talk to your
26:22family that sort of thing talk to anyone you trust if you can if you don't have anyone to talk to
26:29you have a mirror in the house talk to yourself first that's the starting point if you don't have
26:34anyone out there i see thank you so much for your time thank you now it is time for a short break but
26:40join us after a few minutes we'll be talking about more issues and news from around kent see you in just
26:46a few minutes
26:59you
30:46A vide Unfortunately Parkinson's
30:47Checkup in Local Politics as the leader of Seven Oaks District Council has stepped down
30:48after months of instability and infighting at the local authority.
30:52Rawley Hogarth faced defections and a vote of no confidence.
30:56With his successor Kevin Maskell saying he hopes to be a safe pair of hands.
31:01The change comes after several Conservative councillors broke away earlier this year to form
31:05the West Kent Independence, but will they return to the party?
31:09To find out local democracy reporter Oli Leyla was at the meeting.
31:12However, tonight I'm honoured to present to this council and for this cabinet my resignation."
31:23The moment many people here at Sevenoaks District Council had been waiting for.
31:29As Roddy Hogarth resigned as leader of the council following a vote of no confidence
31:35last month that left him fighting for his political future.
31:40So I declare Councillor Maskell is duly elected as leader of the council.
31:50There are only two contenders to the throne, with Liberal Democrat Alan Lehmann being beaten
31:57by Conservative Kevin Maskell, 24 votes to 14.
32:03The new leader has a big job ahead of him.
32:07His predecessor's tenure was rocked with defections, leaving him in charge of a minority administration
32:14during a crucial period for the council.
32:18Can Councillor Maskell set a course to calmer waters?
32:23That is definitely the aim, is to steer the ship in a calm direction.
32:28I think it's absolutely a perfect description of what I want to do.
32:33So my aim is to ensure that continuity, but also in addition to bringing perhaps many more viewpoints
32:46into any discussions and how to move forward.
32:51It's a very complex area, complex time, and that needs many more heads to get around how to
32:57go forward.
32:59Maskell's ascendancy was supported by the West Kent Independent Group, made up of the
33:05same disgruntled Conservatives that made the previous leader's position untenable.
33:12Will a safe pair of hands help bring the wikis back into the fold?
33:17I think this is a start point for us, so we said to them basically once you have a new
33:21leader we will talk to you.
33:23They have the ability potentially to work with us to form a majority again.
33:27We're not going to come running back to the Conservatives, but whether we can form some
33:29kind of political cooperation is what we need to explore now, but we haven't been able
33:36to explore it up until now because of the previous leaders still being in post.
33:40So new chapter now to be written and I can't tell you what the answer is yet because we
33:44haven't even had those discussions yet.
33:46The vote capped off a nearly four-hour meeting.
33:50Whatever relief there was in the room was tempered with exhaustion.
33:56But there are still expensive capital projects to get over the line and new political geography
34:03to establish as the government reshapes Kent councils.
34:09It may be a new chapter for Seven Oaks, but it won't necessarily be a quieter one.
34:17Olly Leader in West Kent.
34:21Next it's big news for Disney fans.
34:23For the first time ever, Blue Water is rebranding as Zoo Water in a special collaboration with
34:28the Walt Disney Company to celebrate the release of ZooTropolis 2.
34:33Visitors will see the iconic horse logo transformed into Mare Wind Dancer, explore colourful pop-ups
34:38and even take a ride down a ZooTropolis 2-themed slide, replacing one of the centre's escalators.
34:44Plus look out for Russ the Walrus and other surprises from Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps across
34:48the centre.
34:49It's a two-week takeover that promises fun, adventure and maybe just a little bit of Disney
34:53magic for everyone.
34:55Next, patients on the books of Estuary View Medical Centre in Whitstable are being warned
35:00they may experience severe disruption.
35:04The delays might come as the patient car park and main entrance will be closed.
35:08This is also groundwork can take place as part of the final phase of a car park extension.
35:13Once finished there will be 80 spaces.
35:15As well as providing GP and other primary care services, Estuary View is also home to an urgent
35:20treatment centre.
35:21It takes walk-in appointments for minor illnesses and injuries, suspected broken bones, wounds
35:25and allergic reactions.
35:29Next up, the 2025 Bugs Matter Survey has highlighted the extent of decline in insect populations around
35:34Kent.
35:36An annual decline of 19% has been reported.
35:40And all this news comes after COP30, the UN climate conference that aims to discuss actions
35:44to tackle climate change, which is one of the main driving forces for bug population decline.
35:50Paul Hetherington from Bug Life spoke earlier on some actions we can take on a local level.
35:56On a personal level, of course, we can all stop using herbicides and pesticides in our gardens,
36:03on our allotments.
36:04We really don't need to be using them.
36:06There are plenty of easy ways to control things, even if it's just going out and squashing
36:11aphids with your fingers, if you have to, rather than putting those pesticides on there,
36:15which will linger around for ages.
36:17But why not just get a load of ladybirds in, they'll come in and they'll eat things for
36:20you.
36:21So there's lots of things we can do at the local level.
36:25Think about stuff.
36:26If you've got a garden, plant a few things that are good for invertebrates and wildflowers,
36:31or some cultivated flowers that have got very open flower forms.
36:36Herbs are actually a very, very good thing to plant because if you let them flower, they're
36:40brilliant for pollinators.
36:42And of course, if you don't have a garden, maybe live in a flat, if you can put a window
36:46box up or if you've got a little balcony, you can put some chubs on there.
36:50Again, I would always recommend herbs as the first thing to plant.
36:54Now as winter bills kick in and Christmas spending ramps up, Kent residents will be keeping
36:58a close watch on Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget next week.
37:02But what do local residents think about the current economic climate and where should money
37:06be allocated?
37:07Well, we went down to Rochester to ask some local shoppers.
37:11Well, I'd just like to be able to see a doctor and not have to go through the e-consult
37:16form and then phone up and then you say you get a phone call two days later or something
37:22and then they find they're going to send you to the local hospital, which is actually jam
37:27packed with people because they go there rather than going to their doctor.
37:32So I think I'd like to see them sort GP practices out.
37:35Just some more help with bills and things like that, really.
37:38That's the main problem at the moment is our pensions don't stretch to looking after
37:46ourselves.
37:47The two-child benefit cap should be abolished, should give money to children and parents
37:55and children.
37:56There's a lot of what I call legacy landfills in Great Britain.
38:00They cause a lot of pollution.
38:03There's pollution, current pollution in rivers and streams, but it's old landfill sites and
38:08they're toxic, they burst into flames sometimes.
38:11It would be very costly to clean up, but we have the money to do it.
38:16I think we should.
38:18And it would also provide a lot of work, well-paid jobs, and you could take it from rich people
38:26and do that.
38:27I guess I hope the budget goes to where there is immediate sorts of concerns about where
38:35people are living.
38:36So I think in Tunbridge Wells, for example, there was a lot of floods and stuff, so just
38:41to make sure that people's livelihoods and stuff are protected and things like that.
38:46But I guess that's more of a local thing.
38:49Earlier in the show we heard from cancer fighter Ray Puttack who told us how a blue badge would
38:54help him in his daily life.
38:56He is just one person who's backed Kenton Lion's campaign calling for a fairer blue badge
39:00system for cancer patients and those with short-term but serious mobility issues.
39:05Joining us earlier was reporter Ellie Hodgson who's been spearheading the campaign.
39:10The system was needed and today we've launched this petition to really drum up public support
39:15and just sort of signal how many people in Kent and Medway would really benefit from such
39:19a scheme and so that's why we've launched it today.
39:21It's already got over a hundred signatures.
39:24Well that's great, it's gotten some immediate attention, but tell me what is the plan going
39:29forward?
39:30When you get enough people signing this petition, you mentioned drum up public support, is there
39:33anything that it will achieve when it gets to a certain level?
39:36I think that's the point of the petition is to try and get as many people in Kent and
39:40Medway behind us and we're hoping that will signal to the authorities that people are involved
39:46in this and want people to take action.
39:48So it's about sending a message to the local authorities and our hope really is that this
39:52petition helps prompt some sort of action from them.
39:56We'd really like to meet with the local authorities, particularly Kent County Council to discuss
40:01our plans and see how we can improve the blue badge system because at the moment people
40:05are saying it's not fit for purpose.
40:07Absolutely.
40:08And you've been spearheading this campaign.
40:10Where did this all start?
40:11Was it from one specific individual and then it sort of bloomed out to multiple people sharing
40:16their stories?
40:17So the very first case study that prompted this whole campaign was a woman called Sandy
40:24Burr.
40:24She is a cancer patient that was diagnosed with cancer.
40:28She had a toe amputation and she was given, she was told she had blood clots on her lungs,
40:33which affected her mobility and how fast she could walk.
40:36But despite this, she was denied a blue badge.
40:39And her case study was one of many that started coming through once we told her initial story.
40:43And from there, it's snowballed and it made us realise that something needs to happen.
40:48The current system is letting so many people down in their worst moments.
40:52I see.
40:52And for anyone out there, obviously signing the petition, but what other things can people
40:56do to get involved and help with the petition?
41:00I think it's really about sharing, sharing our petition, getting the word out.
41:05I mean, so many people have been touched by someone that has cancer or might have, you
41:09know, dialysis or another short term but serious condition that they've tried to get a
41:13badge for, but they've been denied.
41:15And currently there's nothing that they can apply for apart from this three-year badge.
41:20So I think, you know, having these conversations about it, contacting their local MP to say,
41:24you know, with their own experiences, if they've been denied is another way that they can really
41:28sort of drum up support.
41:30Well, it's now time for another short break, but join us afterwards for more Kent news.
41:35We'll be speaking to our community reporter, Henry Luck, who's talking to us about the
41:39snowfall that's just starting to hit Kent, but also what risks it could pose for residents.
41:44We'll take a look at that and more after this very short break.
47:01Through you.
47:07I suppose, just checking in on them.
47:10And if you need to make any driving trips,
47:14make sure it's suitable to drive,
47:17check the trains, check the buses.
47:20Also, just keep an eye on the heating.
47:23And if there's any problems,
47:24just get in touch with healthcare services.
47:28Absolutely.
47:29You know, snow can always look magical,
47:31but it can be deceptive as well.
47:34And it can be dangerous sometimes.
47:35But yeah, thank you so much for joining us on the sofa, Henry.
47:38Thank you very much.
47:40Now, with what we've just learned from Henry,
47:42let's take a look at the weather for the coming days
47:44and see, could we be in for a snow day?
47:52Well, into tonight, it's looking pretty chill
47:54with an average temperature of two degrees
47:56and partly cloudy skies across the county.
47:58Then into tomorrow morning, it's getting even colder.
48:01Average temperature dropping to zero degrees
48:04and partly cloudy skies, no snow yet.
48:06Tomorrow evening, looking a bit more promising.
48:08Temperatures rising to an average of four degrees.
48:10Still, partly cloudy skies across the board.
48:13Now, looking at your outlook,
48:14the temperature will continue to rise
48:16with highs of six degrees on Friday,
48:18partly cloudy skies, and some sun there on Saturday,
48:20and then downpours on Sunday.
48:22No snow.
48:23Now, don't forget, you can keep up to date
48:29with all your latest stories across Kent
48:31by logging on to our website.
48:33That's kmtv.co.uk.
48:35There, you'll find all our reports, including this one.
48:39I really do like this one.
48:40Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been around
48:44for over 95 years, and its celebrity guy
48:46has made it one of the most iconic
48:48firework night celebrations in the nation.
48:50Last year, the guy was Ticketmaster and the Oasis Brothers,
48:53swaying from the typically political guy choice.
48:55There were plenty of options for who was going to be
48:57the Edenbridge guy this year,
48:59but for the people of Edenbridge, the answer was obvious.
49:02It's Starmer, Starmer the Farmer Harmer,
49:03as seen on his badge on his chest just there.
49:06Now, there are other people in the running,
49:07including the name that's been on everybody's lips.
49:09We did have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
49:12He came in a very, very close second.
49:14We had other nominations.
49:15I think people have suggested Angela Rayner,
49:17Andrew Tate, Rachel Rees.
49:19I love the fact that he's got the traditional Guy Fawkes hat
49:22and the frilly rough on,
49:24because it sort of brings the whole story round
49:26back to Parliament,
49:27which is what, obviously, Guy Fawkes was trying to blow up
49:30in the first instance.
49:31We feel that Keir Starmer's doing quite a good job by himself
49:34of sort of causing the destruction of it.
49:36The build begins from early October,
49:38with the caricature painted in the space of just 10 days.
49:41One artist has been in charge of painting the effigy
49:44for nearly 10 years.
49:45The scale is definitely the biggest challenge,
49:48because I don't actually get to see it
49:50until you guys see it.
49:51So I'm seeing it with the whole world,
49:53and I'm basically on the edge thinking,
49:55is it going to look OK?
49:57And if it isn't,
49:58then there's nothing I can do about it.
49:59So, yeah, the scale of proportions of the body parts mainly
50:04is my biggest nightmare,
50:07but I think it looks all right.
50:10I took to the high street in Edenbridge
50:11to get a feel for local reactions.
50:15That's good, that's good.
50:17That's brilliant.
50:18Who is it?
50:19No idea.
50:21No, I haven't.
50:22No, I haven't.
50:22Yes, it's a very good likeness.
50:28Yeah, it's really creative.
50:31I like the sausages on the head.
50:32It's a nice, nice touch.
50:33Oh, actually, that's really good this year.
50:35It's better than the last year's.
50:37That's really good.
50:38As people here look forward to lighting up the bonfire on Saturday,
50:42we're sure Labour are hoping the upcoming autumn budget
50:44won't go up in smoke too.
50:46Chloe Brewster for KMTV in Edenbridge.
50:49I always do love predicting who's going to end up on the effigy every year.
50:55So, great package there from Chloe.
50:58Now, last Thursday, the TikTok Awards were held in London
51:01and all of us here at KMTV were cheering on one of our own.
51:05With a red carpet and live musical performances,
51:08the awards shed light on achievements and creators across the app.
51:12The Rising Star Award went to Joy Anokoru,
51:15sorry, known on TikTok as Dose of Joy,
51:18who was once a member of our team.
51:21Joy joined me in the studio to talk about her journey.
51:24So, thank you so much for joining us, Joy.
51:26And I suppose my first question is,
51:28when you won, when your handle was read up on that stage
51:31for the TikTok Rising Star Award,
51:33what was the first thought going through your head?
51:34I couldn't believe it was me.
51:36Like, me and my partner were like, who is that?
51:38Because I just recently changed my handle.
51:40I used to be called It's Just Joy with three Ts.
51:42And so, I changed it to Dose of Joy, X,
51:45because I wanted to establish myself as a brand, as an outlet.
51:48And so, when they read it, we were like, oh, wait, who is that?
51:50And I wasn't expecting to win.
51:52So, yeah, I was definitely in shock.
51:54Amazing.
51:54And you mentioned your partner there.
51:55What were the reactions from people around you,
51:57your friends, your family?
51:58We were like, what?
52:00Like, because it was such a big category,
52:02like, so many massive creators.
52:03Like, I really wasn't expecting it.
52:06And as soon as I accepted the award and came off stage,
52:09I ran to find my best friend, and I burst into tears.
52:14My mum was like, yeah, she knew I was going to win at any rate.
52:17Like, she knew it, because that's just, yeah,
52:20my mother's belief in her daughter.
52:22But, yeah, everyone was really supportive.
52:23Fair enough, and you're quite used to the red carpet.
52:26But what was it like sort of being on the other side,
52:28not being the interviewer, but being the star of the show?
52:31It was good.
52:32I mean, I've been a reporter for so many years,
52:34and I'd always wanted to be on the other side
52:36and be the one wearing the pretty dress
52:38and answering the questions.
52:40So, it was nice to have a taste of the future.
52:43So, yeah.
52:44Absolutely.
52:44And you mentioned the future there.
52:45You know, you were an intern with us six years ago.
52:47Could you ever imagine, you know,
52:49doing something like what you're doing now?
52:51Never.
52:51Honestly, it's so crazy to be back.
52:53And, like, I'd always dreamed of, like, you know,
52:56a life, like, that's, you know,
52:58full of success and greatness and recognition.
53:01So, to be recognized in this way
53:03and to have kind of, someone called it my origin story.
53:06But my origin story started here at KMTV.
53:08You know, this place was integral,
53:10and working here was integral in terms of my career
53:13and in my next steps afterwards.
53:15So, yeah.
53:16My origin was here,
53:17and it's amazing everything that I've achieved afterwards.
53:21If your career was a video
53:24and you could put sort of highlights to specific points,
53:27what do you think are those sort of turning points
53:28in your career where you felt,
53:29well, I'm on the verge of moving on to the next big thing?
53:32Tell us about some of those moments.
53:33I think number one is getting my internship at KMTV.
53:38Number two is, you know,
53:39becoming the presenter on Generation Gina,
53:42one of the presenters on there.
53:44I'd say, yeah, my start in, you know,
53:46working with PRs and celebrity interviews,
53:48interviewing Margot Robbie and Dwayne The Rock Johnson
53:51and having my interview with Fantasia
53:53and Danielle Brooks go mega globally viral.
53:56That's a massive kind of point in my journey.
53:58And then, obviously, yeah, winning the award.
54:00So, yeah, there'd be loads of points where I'm like,
54:02oh, I'm going to stop there.
54:04Brilliant.
54:05And you've been talking to some students today
54:07about your career
54:08and about sort of, you know,
54:10the next steps in these kind of careers.
54:12What advice would you give to people
54:14who might be making that entry point in their careers,
54:17especially in content creation?
54:18What advice would you give them?
54:20I'd say find your niche that you want to kind of explore
54:24and what you're passionate in
54:26and understand and begin to see yourself as an outlet.
54:30You know, a lot of young people nowadays
54:32are becoming their own independent media outlets,
54:35independent media houses in their area,
54:39whether that's auto, whether that's sport,
54:41whether that's automotive, sorry,
54:43whether that's sport or entertainment.
54:44So I'd say, yeah, once you find what your area is,
54:49treat yourself like an outlet,
54:50build your personal brand,
54:51establish a confident voice online,
54:53and people will tune in,
54:55especially, yeah,
54:55if you're making that high-quality content.
54:57Yeah, personal branding is everything.
55:00So I'd say, yeah, build your personal brand
55:02that you're proud of.
55:04Absolutely.
55:04And your personal brand has earned you
55:06more than 100 million views on your page this year.
55:09What was it like to reach that milestone?
55:11Something like that.
55:12It's crazy.
55:13Like, yeah, no, the views are definitely up there.
55:14I think it's bizarre to have gone viral at multiple times
55:20and to kind of study the trends
55:23and study conversations that people are having
55:24and make my own content and make my own version.
55:28You know, if I'm not breaking the story,
55:29if I'm not, yeah, if I'm not breaking the story,
55:32I'll do a video.
55:33I'll do the story around the story.
55:36I think that's what people relate to
55:38and kind of doing it in my own joyful way,
55:40I think it's been, yeah, really good.
55:42Amazing.
55:42And what is next for Dose of Joy?
55:45What's next?
55:46I think just to continue,
55:48just making the content.
55:49I love it at the end of the day,
55:50so just keep on making content.
55:52I'd love to find management.
55:53Finding the right management, I think, is my next step
55:56and hopefully breaking America.
55:58That will be next.
55:59I see.
55:59And, you know, you've joined us back on the sofa here,
56:02but I suppose we'll have to see you very soon
56:04back on our screens again.
56:06So thank you so much for your time, Joy,
56:08and it's been lovely having you.
56:09Thank you so much.
56:10Great talking to Joy there,
56:12and congratulations to her again on her award.
56:16But it looks like that's all the time we have.
56:18You've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV,
56:21and don't forget there's more news made just for Kent
56:23throughout the evening.
56:24And you can always keep up to date with the latest news
56:27by logging on to our website, kmtv.co.uk.
56:30You can also keep us on your social timelines
56:33by liking us on Facebook and following us on our TikTok.
56:36And if you have a story you think we should be covering,
56:38please don't hesitate to get in touch.
56:40But from me, for now, that's all the time we have.
56:43See you soon.
56:43We'll see you soon.
56:51We'll see you soon.
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