- 7 months ago
Catch up with all your latest news from across the county with Finn Macdiarmid.
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01:02There's definitely a much higher engagement in lessons.
01:08We know that students aren't distracted in any way.
01:12And hear ye, hear ye, have you got what it takes to be Sheppie's next top town crier.
01:27But your top story tonight.
01:29Dozens descended on Sevenoaks District Council over a solar farm that locals say will destroy the character of new ash
01:35green.
01:35Evolution Power say the scheme will create energy for tens of thousands and won't significantly damage the landscape.
01:41But the planning committee had concerns about heritage and public health.
01:46Our local democracy reporter Olly Leder was at the packed out meeting last night.
01:50Sevenoaks planning meetings don't normally get a turnout like this.
01:55A testament to the real anger in new ash green over a proposed solar farm development that would encompass 235
02:07acres of land.
02:08This field beside me has been earmarked for development.
02:13Evolution Power say it will help produce energy for more than 17,000 households.
02:18But local opposition here is far less convinced of the benefits to them or their way of life.
02:25Well it's a complete destruction of the green belt and for farmers in the area it's a loss of livelihood
02:31and loss of food production into the food chain.
02:35You know, when did electricity become more important than actually feeding people on our best farmland?
02:42Counsellors on the chamber floor were left equally unconvinced, with concerns about fire risks and public health all being floated
02:52under the watchful eye of a packed public gallery.
02:56But planning is quasi-judicial.
02:58The decisions made here have to be backed up by evidence, with consultee organisations like the Environment Agency not raising
03:08any serious concerns.
03:10This site is considered grey belt and the proposal does not constitute the inappropriate development in the green belt and
03:16therefore causes no harm to the green belt.
03:18The committee may have originally voted to reject the scheme, but with evidence in mind, they eventually settled for delaying
03:27a final decision in order to seek expert advice.
03:32Proceedings were clear and a clear decision was made to refuse the application.
03:36I don't believe there is any further debate that needs to be done.
03:41Rejecting the decision risks a costly appeal for taxpayers.
03:46Evolution Power have made clear that if the committee can't find a legally sound reason for the project not to
03:54go ahead, it must be approved.
03:56But local councillors say this is a first step to stopping the scheme.
04:02Well, in a way it's disappointing for it to be deferred, but we got a thorough, you know...
04:11Tunbridge MP Tom Tugendhar has had his sanctions from China lifted after Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended a state visit.
04:19The Conservative MP faced sanctions in 2021 after accusing China of human rights violations against the Uyghur community, which China
04:27has denied.
04:28As a consequence, he was banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as doing business with China
04:34and its citizens.
04:36And Megan Shaw joins me to talk us through the story now.
04:39So, Meg, we heard that Tom Tugendhar is no longer banned from China.
04:42Take us back to the start. How did this actually happen in the first place?
04:45Absolutely. So, in 2021, nine British citizens were banned from China.
04:50That included two members of the House of Lords and five Conservative MPs, one of which is the MP for
04:55Tombridge, that's Tugendhar.
04:57So, these citizens faced sanctions from China after speaking out about violations or so-called violations against Uyghurs.
05:04So, Uyghurs are a Turkish ethnic group.
05:06They're predominantly Muslim and are a recognised ethnic minority in China.
05:10They've faced persecution for many years.
05:12China has actually been accused of committing crimes against humanity, some groups even going so far as to accuse the
05:19country of genocide,
05:20although the state denies all accusations of human rights abuses.
05:24And Tugendhar has spoken out against the treatment of these individuals.
05:27It was subsequently banned, as you said, from China, Hong Kong and Macau.
05:31And the ban also included stopping Chinese citizens and institutions from doing business with him.
05:36I see. We saw some pictures of Tom Tugendhar there.
05:39Now, this has been announced during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's state visit to China.
05:44What else could be on the cards between the two nations going into the future?
05:47Of course, sir.
05:48As you said, this week, Starmer was on a visit to China to meet the president over there.
05:53That's Xi Jinping, which Tom Tugendhar actually condemned that visit from the Prime Minister as well.
05:58And this is the first UK Prime Minister to visit China since Theresa May did so in 2018.
06:04And Xi Jinping was quite eager to prove that China could be a strong trading partner for the UK.
06:09As, of course, tensions are still quite high between the UK and the White House and the US president over
06:15there over things like Greenland.
06:16So many deals were agreed over there.
06:18And crucially, for people who might have China on their holiday bucket list, the two countries actually came to an
06:23agreement over scrapping visas for British citizens wanting to visit China for up to 30 days.
06:29That's for business and for pleasure.
06:30So before, you need to pay quite a bit of money to visit China.
06:33Now, if it's less than 30 days, you won't need to just to get your visa.
06:37Another thing on the cards was it was a great day for Scottish distilleries as China agreed to halve tariffs
06:43on Scottish whisky,
06:45and which the government in the UK actually predicted that could generate £250 million for the UK.
06:50So I would say, you know, lots of things were agreed there.
06:54I see. Well, thank you so much for bringing us all the latest on this, Meg.
06:59Next, it is 10 years ago to the day since the Dover protests that turned the town centre into a
07:06battlefield.
07:07A decade on, some traders say Dover's reputation has never fully recovered from the horrendous scenes.
07:12Pandemonium erupted on Saturday, January 30th, back in 2016,
07:17as a far-right march countered by so-called anti-fascists distended into violence on Dover's streets.
07:23Stones, bottles and bricks were hurled along Effingham Street and Folkestone Road,
07:27and they stormed the Dover Discovery Centre, home to the town's library.
07:3164 people were convicted with prison sentences totaling 85 years.
07:36Next, a man will face trial after denying causing the death of an 89-year-old by dangerous driving.
07:42Dental surgeon Tom Wallace died on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham at around 12pm on December in a hit
07:50-and-run crash.
07:51Today at Maidstone Crown Court, Albert Matrigu admitted a lesser charge of causing his death by careless driving,
07:58but denied dangerous driving.
08:00Prosecutor Ryan Richter said this was unacceptable and called for a trial.
08:04Judge Julian Smith accepted this and a five-day trial was set for July 13th on the dangerous driving charge.
08:11Next, schools across Kent and the rest of the country are set to follow new government guidance
08:15requiring pupils to remain phone-free throughout the entire school day.
08:21The Education Secretary, Bridget Philipson, announced this earlier this week.
08:25Under the guidance, mobile phones should no longer be used as calculators or for research during lessons,
08:30and as well, they shouldn't be used during break times or lunch times.
08:33Teachers have also been advised not to use their phones in front of pupils,
08:37and Maisie Walker has more on the story.
08:41Education Secretary, Bridget Philipson, has said that all schools in England should comply with new government guidance
08:47by banning mobile phones for the entire school day.
08:50It's expected for Ofsted to be inspecting schools on the administration of their mobile phone policies going forward,
08:57with teachers also being advised not to use their phones in front of pupils.
09:02Since introducing a smartphone ban in October,
09:05a school in Sevenoaks has seen students reportedly benefit, according to staff.
09:10There is enough research now that shows the detrimental effect of social media,
09:15of the reliance of mobile phones on young people's mental health,
09:20how addictive they can be, how they can affect students' sleep patterns.
09:27There's definitely a much higher engagement in lessons.
09:33We know that students aren't distracted in any way.
09:36We know that their mobile phone is not a device that they're going to think about or want to check,
09:43because they can't.
09:44And we've seen a massive decline in the amount of communication we're getting in school,
09:51people bringing things like cyberbullying to us,
09:56or social media bullying that's happening maybe in and around school time,
10:01maybe just before school or just after school.
10:03We've seen a huge reduction in that.
10:05The initiative works by requiring students to place their mobile phones
10:08into sealed magnetic pouches at the start of the school day,
10:12preventing access during lessons and social time.
10:15At the end of every school day, students will walk down this path
10:19and be met with devices such as this.
10:21It will be opened and they'll be able to pop their phone out of its pocket.
10:26But does this initiative have widespread support across Kent?
10:30I would say the schools where access to phones is freer
10:33is where they're having these problems.
10:35Oh gosh, not schools. Definitely not schools.
10:37I think parents do have a lot of responsibility.
10:39After all, we're supposed to be preparing children for the world out there.
10:44I think 16 is a bit, is old enough for the children to make decisions for themselves.
10:49My opinion.
10:50One of the most concerning things is not necessarily that young people
10:54are picking up phones and looking at information.
10:57I think it is the mental health effect on some of that stuff
11:00that they're getting access to.
11:02These algorithms are so clever now.
11:05And you don't even know if what you're being fed is real or not real.
11:09And I think the effect of that is not just information overload,
11:13but some of the material feeds into insecurities.
11:17And I think really for me, it's not about banning something
11:21and it shouldn't really be a freedom issue at this point.
11:25We've got a challenge where we need to start really helping young people
11:29with their mental health.
11:31And I think this gives us a breather.
11:33As phone-free policies are rolled out
11:35and enforcement becomes a focus for inspections,
11:38schools may start to see changes in the classroom.
11:41But whether these measures deliver lasting improvements remains to be seen.
11:45Maisie Walker for KMTV, Sevenoaks.
11:48Now it's time for a quick break, but don't go anywhere.
11:52Madonna said that Margate is her idea of heaven
11:54and I'll be doing tryouts for the new Sheppie Town Crier.
11:58All that and more after this short break.
18:27You've got a bit of a darker tone with the executions and rebellions, but what
18:31can viewers expect in the future?
18:33So in honor of Valentine's day, we're actually going to focus on that week on love, love throughout
18:39the ages, where we delve deep into love, what love was like in the past compared to
18:43what it's like today.
18:44So yeah.
18:45Brilliant.
18:46Can't wait to see it.
18:46And thank you so much for joining me.
18:48You can catch the show at 7pm, but for now, a look at the weather.
18:57it's looking like light rain across the county tonight mild temperatures of
19:01around 8 degrees some moderate winds of around 15 miles per hour into tomorrow
19:05morning the rain expected to clear up with some sunny spell temperatures
19:07dropping to 7 degrees tomorrow evening still slightly cloudy temperatures
19:12rising slightly to around 9 degrees those winds aren't going anywhere staying at
19:16around 11 miles per hour and finally your outlook for the coming days Sunday
19:19mostly cloudy temperatures around 10 Monday mostly the same temperatures
19:23dropping slightly and Tuesday that rain returning temperatures staying the same
19:33now don't forget you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent
19:37by logging on to our website that's kmtv.co.uk there you'll find all our reports
19:42including this one about an animal sanctuary reopening to visitors after a
19:45temporary closure linked to an outbreak of bird flu taking to the skies is usually
19:51a regular task for birds like bald eagle phoenix but an outbreak of avian flu has
19:56meant she's had to stay grounded for a few months great Britain became an avian
20:00influenza prevention zone in November with the Department for Environment Food and
20:05Rural Affairs applying mandatory measures to house birds inside four sites in
20:10Kent saw infection towards the end of 2025 prompting Eagle Heights Wildlife
20:14Foundation to take the difficult decision to close visitors to safeguard the
20:18animals keeping Crystal Palace celebrity Phoenix on his perch for now and we've been
20:23open now for coming up on 30 years it's actually our 30th anniversary this year so
20:28we're very excited about that we are here to give people a good day out and be
20:33entertaining but mostly we are here to look after the animals and you know that
20:37that's our number one priority when it really comes down to it and having these
20:41birds out and about obviously once they're out we are in control of them in terms of
20:46their training but we're not in control of exactly where they go they're in the
20:50trees they're going off on the roofs and wherever they really feel like
20:53landing and that gets them in contact with all sorts of wild bird influence
20:59mostly you know what other wild birds poop to put it bluntly and that is the
21:03number one transmitter of avian influenza but tomorrow the foundation will reopen
21:08following confirmation there have been no recent local outbreaks and after a
21:12negative avian flu result of a deceased wild bird found on site without proper
21:17precautions it's getting more and more real to be honest you know bird flu has
21:21always been a thing it's always been around it comes and goes every winter but
21:25we've never had serious cases this far south at least not for a very long time
21:30so it's become scarier and scarier really as it goes on and with proper
21:35precautions and you know some hard decisions you can be pretty safe but
21:42with without that you we could have been in trouble while the centre will be
21:46reopening for visitors from tomorrow some of the bird related attractions will
21:49remain closed to protect the safety of the wildlife here we are still going to be
21:54keeping the birds locked down a little bit for now until we can have the
21:59housing also lifted which is going to allow us to then be able to do offline displays
22:03again and bring the birds out for more regular exercise and you know all back
22:07to normality so we are reopening but we still some restrictions in place to keep
22:13them safe as the foundation preps the animals for socializing they say they're
22:18looking forward to seeing the birds take flight once again Chloe Brewster for
22:22KMTV in Ainsford now for years Sheerness residents haven't heard the yell of a
22:28hear ye or the ringing of the crier's bells but that's set to change as tryouts to
22:33select a town crier for a month-long culture and history festival will begin
22:36at Blue Town Criterion Museum in Sheerness on Saturday this February now today I'm
22:42pleased to say I'm joined by Jenny Herket she's the founder of the Heritage
22:45Centre and prospective town crier Ray Seeger thank you so much for joining us
22:50first of all could you tell us a bit about what exactly a town crier is the
22:54role and the history I'll come to you first Jenny what exactly can we expect well
22:58before social media and other things that's how people found out what was
23:02going on so we thought as it's a heritage festival we'll try the old ways as well
23:06so the idea is that any information would be shared with someone with a very loud
23:12voice and a commanding presence Ray I can see you smiling there what prompted you to
23:18to put yourself forward I've always been known for someone who can project their
23:22words and and and when this wasn't first mooted Jenny was immediately on the phone
23:28to me to say why are you gonna put your name forward for the for the audition and
23:32I've gone yes but at the time I think when I was in an audition I thought I was in
23:36how
23:38did it feel receiving the phone call basically saying you're the loudest man on the
23:41aisle I couldn't believe it I know I people will tell you I am but yeah brilliant
23:50brilliant and Jenny tell us a little bit more about the actual on the day auditions
23:54how many judges will there be on the panel talks to how it's gonna so we've
23:57got the mayor of Swale mayor Queenborough and then three other people and so the
24:02idea is that we will give them a proclamation to read out and have a
24:06little chat with everyone and then let them decide who's okay brilliant and tell
24:11me a bit more about the wider festival I mentioned earlier what we expect there and
24:15why is it necessary to have a town crier during that festival well such a lot goes on
24:20on Shepi but people don't realize it and we are an island so it's not just a
24:24town it's a whole island is having this town cry and the idea is to actually put
24:29a spotlight on everything that happens on Shepi just in one month we chose June
24:33and there is such a lot going on so it would be fun to have somebody who can
24:38actually help us promote that in a fun way brilliant and Ray I'm not and don't
24:44want to put you on the spot here could you give us a bit of a preview of your
24:47edition I'm aware there's a script we have yes I don't know where this where is
24:52the screen I have a script with me if that's all right okay I am aware that I
24:58may need yes so tone it down to our viewers at home I've been warned about
25:03our microphones and that was so this is sort of going to be a very quiet preview
25:08through your TV screen so no one jumps with their tea at home all right oh yay oh
25:14yay oh yay oh yay pray attend good people the sun kissed isle of Shepi the historic island
25:23by proclamation let it be known across our fair island that preparations are underway for the grand and glorious
25:32festival of Shepi to be celebrated throughout the whole month of June
25:41amazing brilliant brilliant very good but I had I would read I was reading that in
25:45okay that's in can may I give it a go Jenny as well I'd love to give it a chance
25:49I feel
25:50it's sort of oh do I continue from there to herald this magnificent occasion we seek a
25:57town crier for Shepi a voice of strength clarity and pride one who can command I've been instructed to
26:03turn it down sorry apologies viewers one who can command the square captivate the crowd and carry
26:10the spirit of our island far and wide there we go well thank you thank you how did I do
26:16Jenny
26:17extremely well thank you it's a pity you had to rein in but I think yes you've got the phone
26:21we will
26:21never know we'll never know how well I could have done unless you turn up on the 14th oh well
26:26now I
26:26feel tempted did you say the 14th is it a February yes Valentine's Day I'll see you I'll see if
26:31I can
26:31make it I'll see if we've got any plans on the day surely you've got something else planned I do
26:35have
26:35some plans for Valentine's Day in the evening but 10 o'clock in the morning 10 o'clock I'll see
26:39if my
26:39girlfriend would I'll have to say I've got a goat I've got to go to the Sheppi town cry I'll
26:44have to
26:44tell her I'll tell her the bad news is she's not watching I think that's all the time we've got
26:48but thank you both so much for joining me and thank you for watching and we'll see you soon good
26:53night
27:04you
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