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00:00Hello and welcome to a very festive Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
00:27I'm Olly Leder and here are your top stories on Wednesday the 24th of December.
00:33A gift for farmers. Kent reacts to government climb down on inheritance tax.
00:39I think it was a really badly thought out policy and the partial U-turn I think has reflected a little bit of this.
00:48Help for hundreds as Herne Bay Food Bank provides essentials in the lead up to the holidays.
00:54So our aim today is to make sure people have food on the Christmas table and gifts underneath the Christmas tree.
01:02And poach your presents. Has Kent been on top of their Christmas shopping this year or left it to the last minute?
01:09This is my Christmas shopping today. I haven't really done anything so yeah it's lastminute.com.
01:16First tonight. Kent farmers have told us they will not have to sell parts of their lands to cover inheritance tax.
01:32Following the government's easing of farmland tax proposals.
01:35The planned threshold has increased from £1 million to £2.5 million.
01:40This comes after months of protest by farmers and concerns from some Labour backbenchers.
01:47Maisie Walker has been down in several notes to speak to one farmer previously worried for his future.
01:53Government proposals to tax inherited farmland have been watered down.
01:58With the planned threshold increasing from £1 million to £2.5 million.
02:02So this farm here in Kent isn't going anywhere.
02:06But for many others across the county there had been concerns they would have to sell parts if not all of their land in order to cover inheritance tax.
02:15Under this government's plans agricultural assets including crops, livestock and machinery worth more than £1 million would be taxed at 20%.
02:25This was announced at Rachel Reeve's first budget last year which sparked months of protest by farmers with some even travelling to Westminster.
02:34This has all been about the campaigning and the NFU work along with other trade bodies.
02:39The reality, these decisions would never have happened without that work that people like the NFU do in the corridors of power,
02:52in those discussions with MPs, with those discussions with ministers.
02:56Many farmers across Kent are relieved by the announcement, which has eased much of their worry ahead of Christmas.
03:01Yeah, it's a big relief for us. We're a sort of medium-sized farm, so the allowance shared between my wife and myself will pretty much cover what we need to be doing.
03:17We would have had a pretty massive bill under the £1 million, particularly as it wasn't transferable between husband and wife.
03:24So that has made a big difference, the allowance changing.
03:31The government says it supports farmers, describing them as the backbone of Britain's rural communities
03:36and are determined to secure a profitable future for British farming.
03:41So after months of pressure, the revised plans are easing concerns for local farmers, making the new year a positive one.
03:49Maisie Walker for KMTV, Sevenoaks.
03:52Well, I spoke to one councillor who was going to be impacted by these plans earlier today.
03:59And to discuss this more, I'm joined by Conservative Maidstone councillor Claudine Russell,
04:04who is a farmer herself and was actually in Westminster for the inheritance tax protests.
04:12This is good news for you, right?
04:14Yeah, this is really good news. A welcome Christmas present.
04:17Why is that? Because many people at home struggling at Christmas, the idea of inherited land assets being worth more than a million,
04:27being taxed at 20 percent might not necessarily sound unreasonable, let alone above £2.5 million.
04:35Why is this such a big issue for Kent farmers?
04:38I think the thing was, and I think I might have come on your programme before to say that it was actually hitting the family farms and the real workers of the industry,
04:50really, really difficult, you know, really difficult.
04:52And I think I know it sounds a lot of money and I think I said this on your programme, but that's a lot of asset.
05:00But actually, the cash that that generates is a very small amount.
05:03So to pay that tax that they were talking about would have literally crippled family farms and businesses as well.
05:10Don't forget the businesses in our rural areas.
05:13So it's a very welcome U-turn from the government.
05:17Your party has opposed these inheritance tax measures,
05:21but Labour say it's about putting an emphasis on those with the broadest shoulders and this threshold will take out those family farms as part of these tax measures.
05:34Do you think that this is Labour backing British farmers as the Environment Secretary has laid out?
05:42I think this goes some way to provide a bit of hope, certainly a bit of respite for the hardest working in the sector.
05:50So, you know, I don't dismiss that easily.
05:52I think that is is really good news.
05:55But I think there's a long way to go, particularly, you know, when we're talking about imported food.
06:00And that's a big issue if we are having such high standards in our farming and yet we're importing food from elsewhere.
06:07I think they really need to have a look at that if they really want to back us properly.
06:12Land value here in Kent is above the national average.
06:15There are many parts of the country where this tax won't have a significant impact in the same way as someone at the Garden of England will see.
06:24Do you think that farmers like yourself here in Kent and the South East have been impacted disproportionately?
06:29I think, you know, farming is very different in our area of the country and there's good and bad to that, as with all things.
06:39But I just I'm really pleased that everyone from farmers, growers and a few and the Labour backbenchers that backed us as well all got together over this.
06:50And I think that's where farming needs a bigger countrywide voice.
06:55And I just hope that going forwards, the government will actually turn to that voice as a whole and listen to it a bit more.
07:03Where do we go from here? Is this enough to make farming sustainable again here in Kent?
07:09What else can the government do in the new year to make your lives easier?
07:12I think this was obviously one section of the whole.
07:18I mean, when you've got things like all of the employers section contributions going up, I mean, that really hits the workforce.
07:27So there's lots of different elements, I think.
07:29And, you know what, I don't want a single farming out.
07:31I think we've got rural businesses and pubs that are in exactly the same issues, slightly different, but, you know, same sort of things.
07:38And I think, really, if they want to work towards a working economy and building Britain from work, then they need to really look at some of these measures and try and tackle them.
07:53Now, a Heron Bay food bank has been handing out presents to help those in need on the Kent coast.
07:58This is the fourth year that Maya's Community Support Centre has run its Christmas food bank and free shop, with everything donated by the community.
08:08Our reporter Nayla Mohamed went along to see how volunteers are supporting the community leading up to Christmas.
08:17It was the night before Christmas Eve and hundreds of people queued outside a food bank organised by Maya's Community Support Centre.
08:25Now, in its fourth year, the Christmas food bank offers food, clothing, toys and books, all under a no-judgment policy.
08:35There's no need to prove financial hardship, just a request to leave enough behind for others.
08:41Maya Amangel Dieva is the founder of the food bank.
08:45So our aim today is to make sure people have food on a Christmas table and gifts underneath the Christmas tree.
08:52Because of cost of living prices, people doesn't have money.
08:58So we're kind of compensating that they can, with the money they have, they can pay their bills.
09:03That's all it's about, about kindness, about power of giving, about making kids happy.
09:09The amount of kids I've seen today, smiles on their faces.
09:13It's just changing lives and giving hope to them.
09:16Santa is not the only one making deliveries.
09:19Last year alone, Maya and her volunteers delivered around a quarter of a million meals to people across the community.
09:27And sticking to their no-race policy, surplus food is never thrown away.
09:31We're one of the largest surplus food collectors in the area.
09:35So we collect slots every day of the week from the major supermarkets through a network.
09:39And then we give it out at 9pm.
09:42Anything that doesn't go that day will go to local farms or animal rescue charities.
09:48So literally everything that would have been surplus goes to feed something.
09:52In the middle of this industrial site in Herne Bay, Maya's Community Centre is open every single day.
09:58Providing food, clothing, toys, support, anything that the community may need, all for free.
10:04Now, the community centre is run entirely by volunteers who travel not just across Herne Bay, but across Kent.
10:12Providing these packages, the support to whoever may need it.
10:16And even amid the cold December weather, a local ice cream van stopped by to spread a little festive cheer.
10:22I think with the way times are, to take the edge off people and to help out any way you can,
10:31I think there's always need.
10:32You know, there's always need for a helping hand.
10:37At a time when many are struggling, Maya's Community Support Centre shows how compassion, dignity and community spirit
10:45can make all the difference this Christmas.
10:48Nayla Mahamud for KMTV.
10:52Now, more than 100 households have been hit by Christmas Eve power cuts,
10:58while fallen trees are causing issues for drivers across Kent.
11:02Outages have been reported in North Fleet, the Hoon Peninsula and Headcorn,
11:06as engineers race to fix the issues for homes in the run-up to Christmas.
11:11UK Power Network says it understands how disruptive this must all be,
11:15and that their engineers are working hard to get the faulting section of their network repaired.
11:21Well, we have a short break coming up, but in a few minutes' time,
11:28we'll be talking to our health expert, Dr. Julian Spinks,
11:33about everything festive and how to keep safe over the holidays.
11:37And our reporter, Finn McDermott, has been catching up with those still catching up on their Christmas shopping.
11:43All that and more in a few minutes' time.
17:31stuffed and rather sort of groggy and so on and sleep all the way through the king's speech.
17:36If you actually look and say, I'm going to eat less in the morning so I can go through that big
17:41Christmas dinner, and then in the evening you're probably not going to want to eat very much.
17:45Boxing Day is a chance to recover. I know traditionally you have the sort of curried turkey
17:49and so on, but two days in a row is too much. The calorie count of a Christmas dinner is enormous,
17:56but once a year, that's fine. Having it multiple times a year is not good news.
18:01Well, I'm not going to take you up on the offer of Boxing Day, unfortunately, I don't think,
18:06but it is that thing where lots of people will be drinking a lot to go with the food. They may be
18:11lining their stomachs, but what are your recommendations when it comes to alcohol?
18:16Obviously, keeping an eye on the roads and make sure everyone gets home safe for Christmas this year.
18:20Well, the message has to be don't drink and drive. You need to have a designated driver or get yourself
18:26a cab or something like that to get home. As far as the alcohol is concerned, I think most
18:31people are going to have a glass of wine or champagne or something around there. Drinking
18:35a bottle of it is not going to be good news. What we look at with alcohol is not only the
18:39sort of regular use, how much you're drinking every week, but binges are not good. It overloads
18:45your poor liver, which is trying to detoxify, to get rid of the alcohol. And in the process
18:50of that, it produces basically the same chemicals we use to preserve organ specimens for medical
18:56school. So it's formaldehyde. That's not very good because it actually starts to preserve
19:01your own liver. And that's why you get cirrhosis.
19:03Not very long to go. How can we get healthy after all the Christmas binge eating, as it were?
19:11What are your tips and tricks to get back healthy in the January new year?
19:16I think you've got two things. You've got food going in. And yes, I mean, the temptation is
19:20to use up all the stuff you haven't done at Christmas, but space it out a bit. Look for lighter
19:24foods and simpler foods. The other side is exercise, exertion and so on. And once you've
19:29got past those couple of days when you really don't feel like doing anything, actually getting
19:33out and doing some walking or other things. It's not the perfect weather at the moment
19:37to do that sort of thing. If you like indoor sports, then do those as well. Those two things
19:42will make a difference. And maybe think about having a dry January. So have a month off the
19:49alcohol to allow your poor liver to recover.
19:51Julian Spinks, our elf expert there. Thank you so much for joining us.
20:03Sticking with Christmas now, online shopping and experiences over gifts becoming more common
20:08across Kent and the rest of the county. We thought we'd find out how the county have been
20:14this year for gifts. Have people bought their presents in good time? Or has it been last
20:18minute mayhem at the shops today? Finn McDermott went down to the Ashford designer outlet to
20:24find out if people have been making a list and checking it twice.
20:28The holiday season is a little bit different every year, whether it's more people shopping
20:32online or favouring experiences over traditional gifts. But every Christmas time, there's always
20:37those who've left their shopping to the last minute. And Kent is no different. Data shows
20:42that across the UK, the majority of people wrapped up their Christmas shopping by the 21st of December.
20:47But there's still 15% of people who'll leave it down to the last few days before the 25th.
20:52Well, I'm here at the Ashford designer outlet to answer the question, have people been naughty
20:56or nice this year when it comes to their Christmas shopping? Have they gotten it all done well in advance?
21:00Or have they left it to the last minute? Well, let's find out.
21:03This is my Christmas shopping today. I haven't really done anything. So yeah, it's lastminute.com.
21:09I've been really organised. I've got an Excel spreadsheet. So I've got it going back about 10 years.
21:14So it's very organised.
21:16Naughty.
21:17Yeah, I've done mine about a month ago, but I'm just getting the last bits.
21:21I'll start today and I'll end up buying this Coke myself instead. So I'm going to have to start doing a bit better.
21:27I've always been naughty. Always naughty. I like waiting until the last minute, grabbing all the, hopefully the sale bargains.
21:34Half and half. I've got like cousins and stuff now. And then like earlier, I did like my mum and my sister and my dad and stuff like that. So part and part.
21:43Do you have any tips for anyone who's attempting a last minute Christmas shop like yourself?
21:48Start early. I hate queues.
21:51Oh, if you're going to be a gift, keep a list from the previous year so you don't mess up. Yeah.
21:57Leave it to the boss.
21:59Ask a month in advance not to make it bait. So you just know what to get. I'm proud and think about it.
22:04Do it earlier rather than Christmas Eve. Boxing day sales start Christmas Eve. And they don't tell you that.
22:10Now, 73% of us here in the UK have been doing our Christmas shopping online.
22:14So for Kent's stores, has it been a silent night or have they still seen people coming through their doors?
22:20We still seem to have, as consumers and as a society, we still have quite a desire to really sort of try and stock up and buy opportunities, buy presents and gifts for people while we can for that time of year.
22:35So it's been, I think it's been consistent. The real shift has been the trend away from face-to-face physical shopping to online. I think that will continue to grow over the years.
22:47The numbers show that most people will shop equally online and in person, but a large number will stick mostly to the internet for their gifts.
22:54This Christmas, whether you've done a whole spreadsheet for your gifts or you're still searching around the stocking here in Kent,
22:59as long as you're getting in the generous spirit of the holiday, I don't think you'll be getting cull this year.
23:04Finn McDermott for KMTV in Ashford.
23:07Well, joining me in the studio now is Finn McDermott. You're out today catching up with those people catching up on their Christmas shopping.
23:16What was on everyone's Christmas list this year?
23:19Well, it's been a range. A lot of the people I spoke to very much wanted clothes, a little bit of food here and there.
23:25And we've actually got some numbers from Statista. They've got their most desired gifts of Christmas 2025 in the UK.
23:32So I'm going to be giving you a bit of a quiz to determine if you can tap into what people actually want this Christmas.
23:39I don't know if you're like me. I'm always struggling. Do I know what people want? My family, my friends?
23:44Am I going to get them a gift? Are they actually going to use it or is it just going to sit in the back of their cupboards?
23:48So let's put it to the test, Ollie. First of all, do you think on average in the UK people would prefer to receive some kind of cologne or perfume
23:56or would they prefer some kind of accessory like a watch?
23:59I'm not sure. I feel like with a watch, you already have a mobile phone. You don't really need a watch in 2025 or 2026 in the same way.
24:06Cologne, I think everyone kind of wants cologne or perfume. I would go with that one, I think.
24:11Well, you would be right on that, Ollie. It might be calling time on a classic timepiece.
24:15As 32% of people say they would have preferred to have a watch, whereas 38% of people say they would prefer to have perfume.
24:22Now, this next one is a bit different. I think this one's a bit of a no-brainer. We'll see what you make of it.
24:28Do you think on average people would prefer furniture or would they prefer a donation to charity?
24:34I think, I wish I was in a Christmas spirit a bit more, but I'm going to be a bit scroogey here and say I think people, by and large, would probably prefer a bit of furniture.
24:44Though, a donation to charity is always a lovely thing to do.
24:47Absolutely. You would be wrong on that one, Ollie. I was pleasantly surprised as well.
24:53I figured, I sort of thought, well, unless you're really moving, maybe you wouldn't want furniture.
24:58But I still thought maybe people would want furniture just to have around.
25:01But 14% of people say they would like a gift as a donation to charity, whereas 7% wanted furniture.
25:09I haven't really moved that much, so I suppose I wouldn't really need it.
25:14Next up, do you think, on average, people would prefer some kind of travel or would they prefer a computer, that kind of tech?
25:22What would you prefer?
25:23I mean, personally, I love going everywhere.
25:26It's the reason why I'm a reporter. I love going out around the county.
25:29I would love to go to somewhere sunny, but I think people do love a bit of tech, don't they?
25:34A mobile phone, a laptop. I'm going to go with tech on this one.
25:37You would be wrong again, I'm afraid. It's only the one out of three you've gotten so far.
25:41And so far, people on average would prefer to travel rather than have a brand new computer.
25:45I suppose you're right.
25:46Luckily, we have both the tech we can use as journalists and trips, whether it's, you know, Ramsgate, Dover, Herne Bay, we get to go all over.
25:53So that is nice.
25:54Thanks, Vin.
25:56To be fair, there is loads of amazing places in Kent you can visit in the new year, but we do have a short break coming up.
26:06Afterwards, we'll be looking back at our top story this evening.
26:09A Christmas joy for farmers across Kent as the government scaled back inheritance tax plans.
26:15We'll also be looking at the drink drivers Kent police have caught out in the lead up to the big day.
26:21And we'll also be speaking to the Bishop of Rochester about some of the amazing services happening across Medway and in Rochester Cathedral.
26:30We can also go to our website for even more news during the break, kntv.co.uk.
26:36Follow us on socials as well.
26:38We're on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
26:41But I will see you in a few minutes time.
27:08Here again.
27:13Keep answering these questions.
27:14We'll see you afterwards.
27:15We'll see you next time 사 förullern to desk.
27:17I can hear you.
27:18Might be having fun for some serious questions.
27:20Tell us about your permission, etc.
27:22Let us see you next time.
27:23You can see us.
27:24I have started part research on Facebook during the coming news program.
27:28We've done a few years.
27:29We have started not because it's most technical, although it was a bit tricky, but writers 400,
27:32we have got a few strategies and legislative policies that we repeat nó.
27:34We're working for them.
27:36We're speaking with you next time.
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30:20Hello and welcome to a very festive Kent Tonight live here on KMTV. I'm Oli Leder and here are your top stories on Wednesday the 24th of December.
30:32A gift for farmers. Kent reacts to government climb down on inheritance tax.
30:38I think it was a really badly thought out policy and the partial U-turn I think has reflected a little bit on this.
30:47Help for hundreds as Herne Bay Food Bank provides essentials in the lead up to the holidays.
30:54So our aim today is to make sure people have food on a Christmas table and gifts underneath the Christmas tree.
31:01And punctual presents. Has Kent been on top of their Christmas shopping this year or left it to the last minute?
31:08This is my Christmas shopping today. I haven't really done anything. So yeah, it's lastminute.com.
31:14Well, I look back at our top story this evening as Kent farmers have told us they will not have to sell parts of their land to cover inheritance tax.
31:32Following the government's easing of farmland tax proposals. The planned threshold has increased from 1 million to 2.5 million.
31:39And this comes after months of protest by farmers and concerns from some Labour backbenchers.
31:45Maisie Walker has been down to 7 Oaks for us to speak to one farmer previously worried for his future.
31:52Government proposals to tax inherited farmland have been watered down with the planned threshold increasing from 1 million to 2.5 million pounds.
32:03So this farm here in Kent isn't going anywhere. But for many others across the county there had been concerns they would have to sell parts if not all of their land in order to cover inheritance tax.
32:15Under this government's plans, agricultural assets including crops, livestock and machinery worth more than 1 million pounds would be taxed at 20%.
32:25This was announced at Rachel Reeves first budget last year, which sparked months of protest by farmers, with some even travelling to Westminster.
32:33This has all been about the campaigning and the NFU work, alongside other trade bodies.
32:39The reality, these decisions would never have happened without that work that people like the NFU do in the corridors of power, in those discussions with MPs, with those discussions with ministers.
32:55Many farmers across Kent are relieved by the announcement, which has eased much of their worry ahead of Christmas.
33:01Yeah, it's a big relief for us. We're a sort of medium-sized farm, so the allowance shared between my wife and myself will pretty much cover what we need to be doing.
33:16We would have had a pretty massive bill under the 1 million, particularly as it wasn't transferable between husband and wife.
33:24So that has made a big difference, the allowance changing.
33:30The government says it supports farmers, describing them as the backbone of Britain's rural communities, and are determined to secure a profitable future for British farming.
33:41So after months of pressure, the revised plans are easing concerns for local farmers, making the new year a positive one.
33:49Maisie Walker for KMTV, Sevenoaks.
33:53Now, while many of you will be enjoying a drink over the Christmas period, there are serious consequences for driving under the influence.
34:00More than 170 drink-driver offences were committed in the first half of December across Kent alone.
34:07And this report by Kai Wei from earlier this month can be found on our website, kmtv.co.uk.
34:13And show us a spotlight on the enforcement efforts keeping motorists safe.
34:18Kent Police have launched their annual Christmas enforcement campaign to crack down on drink and drug driving offences.
34:25But within the first half of their campaign, 172 offences have already been committed.
34:3050 of these for drink driving, 46 for drug driving, 56 for being unfit to drive due to drinks or drugs, and 20 for failing to provide a specimen for testing.
34:41These statistics were all discovered during stop checks or tests taken during road traffic collisions across the county.
34:48So I'm arresting you for being over the prescribed limit of alcohol whilst driving, so drink driving.
34:53So you do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention one question, something you lay to allow in court.
34:58Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
35:00I also spoke with David Barter, a solicitor who specialises in motorist incidents about the consequences of drink and drug driving.
35:07I've been doing this work for over four decades, and every year, for as long as I can remember, police have run these awareness campaigns.
35:15And you'd think by now that the message really would have got through to people.
35:19It's an unusual period of time because there are occasions when people will drink more than they might otherwise.
35:25There's a significant criminal law consequence.
35:28There's a criminal conviction that can lead to significant financial consequences, job loss.
35:35If there's an accident, insurers won't cover injury or damage to third parties.
35:42I think, above anything else, people, they need to just think, be aware of how long it can take the body to metabolise alcohol and even longer to metabolise drugs.
35:56In a statement, the head of roads policing, Chief Inspector Craig West, said,
36:00Our officers tackle drink and drug driving every day, but this campaign is about raising awareness and hopefully preventing families from losing loved ones.
36:08If you're planning to visit family or attend events over the coming weeks, please do not drink or take drugs before driving.
36:15If you intend to drink, arrange alternative transport to get home safely.
36:19Kai Wei for KMTV.
36:21Now, a traditional tea room in the heart of Rochester is shutting its doors after 43 years of trading.
36:34Pogosi's parlour has blamed increased running costs, which they are badly impacting independent businesses.
36:40Businesses have faced pressure from rising wages and national insurance following last year's budget.
36:45The cafes also faced stiff competition in recent years, with up to 30 similar outlets within a third of a mile.
36:52Now, the RSPCA is calling on animal lovers across Kent to help pets in need this winter by knitting homemade blankets.
37:01The charity says the blankets can provide vital warmth, comfort and reassurance for animals,
37:06particularly as the cost of living crisis continues to leave many families struggling to care for their pets.
37:12Earlier, I spoke to Kirsty Gillard from RSPCA to find out more.
37:16We're seeing a lot of increase of requests for our services, people that are struggling, especially this time of year,
37:24and blankets can provide a little bit of comfort and reassurance for those animals.
37:29And how will the handmade blankets be used?
37:33I know my dog personally loves being curled up in her warm blankets, in her crate.
37:39Which animals are most likely to benefit from this?
37:44So we're going to make them available for all animals.
37:47Every animal deserves comfort, but we're generally seeing it probably be cats and dogs, all shapes and sizes.
37:55The cost of living crisis, I think, is a big thing for pet owners this year.
38:00From the price of pet food to getting those essentials such as those warm winter blankets.
38:07How is this affecting pet owners and their pets and animals right now?
38:12Yeah, I think the cost of living crisis combined with a boom in pet ownership during the pandemic has created kind of a bit of a perfect storm for pet owners.
38:25And things are really difficult.
38:28We've personally seen a increase in abandonments nationally, which are up 23%.
38:34And that's just in the first 10 months of 2025.
38:37So I think our teams are braced for a hard winter.
38:42How do you think we're going to address this in the new year?
38:47Is this just a trend that's happening over the winter period?
38:51Or are you expecting this to move forward in the new year at the same rate?
38:55I think, sadly, it probably is going to continue to increase.
39:02It doesn't look like anytime soon things are going to get easier for anyone.
39:06So, yeah, the RSPCA have committed an extra 1.5 million of funding towards crisis measures.
39:15And we've also launched a online cost of living hub that people can go and get some advice for on there.
39:23But, yeah, we're committed to being there for every animal when they need us.
39:28And how have pet owners in Kent been reacting to things like these small donations?
39:33Because they do make such a big difference, don't they, to an animal's welfare?
39:39Yes, it definitely does make a massive difference.
39:42I mean, I think we all have heard about small acts of kindness.
39:45But, yeah, especially for an animal this time of year, so many people, their animal is their absolute world.
39:51And they do anything for their animal and include it and feed their animal before they feed themselves.
39:56So people are so appreciative of a small bit of help.
40:01So what happens tomorrow if I pick up my knitting needles after my Christmas roast and I'm knitting a blanket?
40:08Are there any tips or tricks that make sure that these blankets can be safe or usable for pets supported by the RSPCA?
40:17We're just asking if people can use pet safe yarn, so acrylic or wool, and just make sure the holes in the blanket aren't too big.
40:28I'm sure there's probably a specific name for that that knitters have, but I'm not a knitter myself.
40:33So, but yeah, just make sure the holes aren't too big so little paws can't get through there.
40:37And I have to ask, have you seen any of these blankets so far?
40:42Any of these knitted, warm winter wear?
40:46Are they as interesting or exciting or as useful as the appeal hopes they will be?
40:53Yes, they come in. I've seen some come in so far and they're all sorts of different colours.
41:00I love seeing all the different colours.
41:02I'm not sure the animals are too worried about what colour they are.
41:05So whatever wall you have would be brilliant, but I like seeing the colours of the wall.
41:12They look so impressive, don't they?
41:14I would love to be wrapped in a blanket like that.
41:16They look so warm.
41:17And of course, that's not all we have in this programme this evening.
41:21After the break, we'll be speaking to the Bishop of Rochester about some of the fantastic services happening around Medway.
41:28And whilst we're at Rochester, we'll be asking members of the public what their favourite Christmas tunes are
41:34and if they can sing along with them as well.
41:36It's all good fun here on KMTV.
41:38Back in a few minutes' time.
41:40We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
41:41We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
42:10We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
42:13We'll be right back in a few minutes.
42:14So this is my senior peripheries from Victoria Moto.
42:17It's in the UK RM1.
42:18We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
42:19It's not everything that has come through.
42:20We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
42:22But we will be right back at me.
42:24What happens nextもの for the longitudinals?
42:26We'll be right back in a few minutes' time.
42:28Let's open your leaflets.
42:29How much it can I see that!
42:30We're fully on the field of大哥'sém anlam giàuptiveエディー
48:13they're young or old, whatever background they come from. And it's a message of hope for our world.
48:20One thing that really struck me about these services at Rochester Cathedral and even further
48:24down the road in Canterbury is how they're always advertised as being free and open to everyone.
48:30Why is it so important that all of these services are so accessible to people here in Kent?
48:37Well, absolutely, because the message of the gospel, the message of the good news of God's
48:42love shown to us in Jesus is for everyone. And it was wonderful. I walked past Rochester Cathedral
48:48this afternoon, about half past two, out with the dog for a walk. People were streaming in. The place
48:54was nearly full already. People of all ages. And it is so important that the doors of our churches
49:01are open because the message is of God's love for each and every one of us.
49:06My last question I have to ask is there's many, many people at home this Christmas who don't have
49:11family or friends that really find community in services such as this. Why do you think that
49:19these sorts of services have become so vital to people in the local area, even if they may not
49:25even be of the faith themselves?
49:29Well, I think that's true. And that's why it's so important that even if you've not been to church
49:35before, you're so welcome to come. The message of God's love for each one of us is something that we
49:41experience through our relationship with other people, through being part of a community. So if people
49:46are on their own this Christmas, we'd love to welcome them into our churches so that they can be part of
49:52that community, part of the family of God, which is for everybody, young and old, whatever background
49:58we come from. So that the message of the gospel offers light and hope and the welcome of the church
50:05expresses that love of God to the people of our community. So we'd love for people to join us,
50:10whether it's at the cathedral, one of our Church of England churches, many of the ancient churches
50:14across our county, or churches of other traditions too. Come along and be sure you'll find a warm welcome
50:20and the message of the love of Jesus for each one of us. Reverend, have a very merry Christmas.
50:27Thank you for joining us. A very happy Christmas to you all. And now to sport. For Gillingham FC this
50:33weekend, manager Gareth Ainsworth says he's looking ahead to a Boxing Day clash against former Gilles
50:38boss Neil Harris. In late 2023, Harris left Priestfield and went north to Cambridge United, where he still
50:45manages despite a brief stint as the boss of Millwall. He's replaced by Stephen Clement, Mark
50:50Bonner, John Coleman, before Ainsworth took the reins. Cambridge are in quite in form, sitting
50:56eighth in place in the league, a few points above the Gilles. Now let's take a look at that Christmas
51:04weather for the weekend.
51:13It's clear skies tonight for Santa Claus, though he might want to be wrapped up warm as temperatures
51:17drop to three and four degrees. And as we look forward to a sunny, if brisk Christmas day,
51:23two degrees in Ashford, three in Dartford, no snow in sight. Into the afternoon, temperatures
51:28rise to four up in Medway and Margate, still nice and sunny. And that Christmas luck is continuing
51:34to Boxing Day and the weekend. Temperatures rising to eight degrees.
51:38Now today is the last day of the Canterbury Christmas market for 2025, with nearly 200
51:54stool holders getting ready to take off their Christmas hats and put their feet up. Our reporter
52:00was down there for us.
52:01From mulled wine and festive treats, to woolly hats and seasonal beets, this year in Canterbury,
52:07the Christmas markets have got it all. With the markets extending over sections in White
52:11Fires, St George's and the new section within the Cathedral precincts, the total sums up
52:16to 120 hats and 172 stool holders, making Canterbury one of the largest Christmas markets in the
52:23South East and in Kent.
52:23It fundamentally changed what the cathedral looks like this time of year. So when we came
52:29out in November, in a normal year, November is the quietest season for visitor footfall,
52:35but now we have a Christmas market. At least 500 people a day, just to come and see the market,
52:41engaging with the cathedral, coming to the grounds, people that wouldn't have otherwise been a part
52:45of the cathedral story suddenly take part. And that's really encouraging and really what
52:49the cathedral is about at the moment. The tourist economy in Canterbury is what keeps all these
52:54businesses going, the cathedral included. We rely on visitor footfall and having that
53:01part of the cathedral and part of the city working together really drives that footfall.
53:05We've seen in the last two or three years the impact of a really successful and thriving
53:10market and it does bring a sense of sort of collectivity and unity to the city and it
53:16helps independent businesses really grow and have a platform that they wouldn't have otherwise had.
53:21The Christmas spirit is at an all-time high in the city of Canterbury. We've got the lights,
53:25we've got the markets, the food and the public are loving it. I spoke to some of them to find out more.
53:31I like them, I think they're quite nice to be honest.
53:33I love the Christmas markets. I always make sure to go around with my friends,
53:37I go with my boyfriend, we always have a little mooch.
53:39Well I've been up the high street so I've had a look around that market.
53:42I think a lot of the shops are obviously like it's all handmade or handcrafted. People obviously
53:46put a lot of money and effort into making things so that's why I think they are good for presents,
53:50things like that because it's like niche little things that you can buy. You can't just go to
53:53the shops and buy them. I like having a look around, have a look and see if there's something
53:58that's good. If I like something I'll get it. But bringing the festive spirit to the town are the
54:02stall holders providing their unique gifts to buy. I make all the reeds myself and we sell plants
54:08at the shop but not here. A lot of our products are fair trade as well so we support families in
54:14India and Africa and places like that. So handmade crafts and little trinket bits that are always good
54:22for Christmas time. So it's all hand crocheted here in Canterbury and they are good for kids
54:29and also adults alike. But as we enter the colder months it's not just the Christmas cheer they need
54:34to worry about. We did it last year and we got blown away twice. We were in the big gazebo and that got
54:41blown away in Storm Burt and then we were given a hut and then that got blown over as well so we
54:46were very unlucky last year. If it gets too busy our card readers go down. They are hooked up to
54:53internet connections so if it gets a bit too windy everything just cuts out and our stall gets damaged
55:00due to the wind sometimes but it's always fun. For those looking for the perfect gift shopping small
55:06could be the answer. Lucy Keane for KMTV in Canterbury. And finally Christmas in Kent means
55:14different things to different people. Good food, good company or for many good or slightly bad music.
55:20That's right Christmas songs are a staple this time of year whether you're stuck in traffic at the
55:24Dartford crossing or out doing that last minute shopping at the Ashford outlet centre. What are
55:29your favourite festive sing-alongs? We went to Rochester to find out. We're here today to ask people about
55:36their favourite Christmas songs and hear a little bit of their musical talent. What is your favourite
55:40Christmas song? That's a good one. Jake and Stephens, Merry Christmas everyone. Very old but
55:47it's still around nowadays. Old school Frank Sinatra or something like that. My favourite Christmas song?
55:56Noel. Probably All I Want For Christmas Is You. Driving home for Christmas by Chris Ria.
56:02Yeah All I Want For Christmas Is You. Would you mind giving us a few bars of that song?
56:06No, I'm not a good singer. I don't want to embarrass myself. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas.
56:23We wish you a Merry Christmas. And a Happy New Year.
56:27Trust me, you don't want to hear me sing any Christmas songs. But for me, from the whole team,
56:36have a very, very Merry Christmas. Good night.
56:57Let's see.
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