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04:33Chloe is here in the studio now to talk to me about this in more detail.
04:37So, Chloe, first of all, talk to us about this data.
04:40What exactly is it referring to?
04:42So, the data was released last week by DEFRA.
04:45That's the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
04:48And they were looking into the number of fly tipping incidents across the UK.
04:52You can see on this graph, while I did most of my report in Sevenoaks, Medway is actually
04:57pipping that top spot there of 6,200 cases.
05:01After that, that's Canterbury, but Canterbury is less than half of what Medway is.
05:06So, clearly a serious problem here.
05:08Looking at the general outlook of the data, you can see that actually in the whole of
05:11the southeast, Medway is the second highest for fly tipping cases.
05:16Well, the only people to beat that in the southeast is Southampton.
05:20So, yeah, pretty serious there.
05:23Also, this data, it breaks it down based on the types of fly tipping.
05:26As I mentioned in that report, there were 212 incidents of agricultural or private fly
05:32tipping last year.
05:33For Sevenoaks, that's four times per week.
05:36I see.
05:37And what are the government doing about this?
05:39What have Kent's MPs said?
05:40So, the government say they're going to be investing in funding.
05:44They're going to be looking at technology to sort out this crime and look into it.
05:49They're also going to be boosting the Environment Agency funding to put more waste crime officers
05:54on the ground.
05:55As well as that, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued guidance
06:00for local authorities that advises them how to seize and crush vehicles that are used
06:05to dump waste.
06:06So, not only are they trying to track these people down, they're going to be actually tackling
06:10it at the cause, which is when people go to these country lanes in their vehicles and
06:14drop off large amounts of waste.
06:17They said the new guidance, Vehicle Seizure Powers for local authorities, will provide
06:22the first comprehensive overview for councils, offering clear instructions on identifying,
06:26seizing and disposing of these vehicles involved in fly tipping, as well as advice in taking
06:32cases to court.
06:33I see.
06:34Thank you very much for bringing us all the latest on this data.
06:37Next, a Tunbridge Wells man living in Abu Dhabi has spoken about his experience amid
06:41the current Middle East conflict.
06:44Justin Cook, who grew up in Kent, now lives in the United Arab Emirates with his family.
06:49On Saturday, they received emergency alerts on their phones with warnings of an impending
06:53missile attack.
06:54Soon after, they noticed loud bangs and puffs of white smoke in the sky from interceptions
06:58by the UAE on missiles.
07:00Justin remains assured that Abu Dhabi is prepared for whatever someone can throw at it and are
07:05currently safe and carrying on with their lives.
07:07Now, next, four days into the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, hundreds of flights have been grounded.
07:13The death toll has reached almost 800 and oil and gas prices have spiked.
07:17For British citizens stranded across the Middle East, the U.K. government has announced its
07:21first charter to flight to bring them back to British soil.
07:24But things are looking bleaker for British Iranians with family in affected countries as
07:28missiles continue to fire.
07:30Earlier, we spoke to Meena Safavi, a Dover resident originally from Tehran.
07:35I'm really worried about Iran because I need to work for the cost of living.
07:40On the other hand, I'm worried about my family and also about my fellow citizens in Iran, specifically
07:47in Tehran, because we are residing in Tehran, and some explosion happens.
07:52And we are happy that the humanitarian intervention is going to help the defenseless civilians.
08:05But on the other hand, you know, we just want peace for Iran.
08:09I suppose, could you tell me the moment where you heard first about the U.S.-Israeli strikes
08:14in Iran and your immediate reactions and your worries for your family?
08:17Tell me about that.
08:20Yes.
08:21You know, it was around two days ago that we heard that Khamenei, the dictator leadership
08:29of Iran, passed away.
08:30And as you see that on media, that lots of people were dancing.
08:35And yes, yesterday, I think it was yesterday, yes, that I realized that it was a strike in
08:41Iran.
08:42And now at the moment, I understood that just in our street in Tehran, there is explosion.
08:49Yes.
08:50And I'm really worried about what's going on in Iran at the moment.
08:55But, you know, I have both feelings at the same time, I can say.
08:59So one of my feelings shows that, oh, something is going to be changed and the humanitarian intervention
09:05is taking action on behalf of us.
09:09But on the other hand, I don't want defendants or defendants civilians, you know, get harmed
09:14or bringing casualties to the hospitals.
09:19I spent most of my time and most of my life in Iran.
09:22I always was witness to what happened in Iran.
09:25And I'm really worried in total because also the internet is cut off.
09:30We have no access to internet in Iran to communicate with our families.
09:37Tell me about what kinds of things your family were describing.
09:40You said you didn't have much contact with them because the internet went out.
09:43Was there much communication before that about the conflict?
09:47So you mean about the USA conflict that happened recently?
09:53Yes.
09:54Yes, about this conflict, you know, some of them are biased news that they try to broadcast
10:04on the medias and on the news about the ordinary people that they are trying to complain against,
10:11for example, USA or against Israel, that, oh, they are just bombarding,
10:16they are just destroying the constructions or the buildings.
10:23But it is unbelievable.
10:25And it is really difficult for you to understand it because you have never been in this situation.
10:33People are really worried about this situation.
10:36And also, the last time that I called my mom, they said that we can hear lots of explosion voice,
10:43which can be really threatening and it affects on our heart because our parents are pretty old
10:49and it affects on their healthiness.
10:53Now it's time to take a look at the weather.
11:01Well, this evening looks to be quite cold in some areas.
11:04Lows of 6 in Royal Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury.
11:06Highs of 10 in Medway.
11:07Little bit more sun coming out with temperatures dipping slightly tomorrow morning.
11:12Highs of 9 degrees in Margate and Dover.
11:14Getting very warm into tomorrow afternoon.
11:17Highs of 15 degrees there in Maidstone and Dartford.
11:19Lows of 12 in Margate with some sun.
11:21Then here's your outlook.
11:22Thursday will be sunny.
11:24Friday and Saturday slightly more cloudy.
11:26Temperatures lowing to 11 degrees on Saturday.
11:36Now we have got a short break, but stick with us for some more news afterwards,
11:41including a talk about Ramadan with a representative from Nisir Mosque.
11:45We'll also be speaking to the CEO of Kent and Victor Chamber of Commerce,
11:49all about how the conflict in the Middle East is affecting Kent's economy and prices.
11:53And we'll be taking a look at a local football club who have been struggling to improve their facilities amid
11:59a planning dispute.
12:00All that and more after this short break.
15:32Now, it's the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a month for fasting, prayer, reflection
15:38and community.
15:39And I'm pleased to say that in the studio, I'm now joined by Imam Safir Khan from Nasir
15:44Mosque.
15:44Thank you so much for joining me to tell me more about the holy month and some of the
15:48longstanding traditions associated with it.
15:50But first, I think it's now time for us to break our fast.
15:54So, we have here some dates.
15:56So, first of all, could you tell me a little bit before we begin about the significance
16:00of the dates to Ramadan?
16:01Yeah.
16:02So, the month of Ramadan is very holy, the most holy month for Muslims during the year.
16:09And the significance of dates is that because Islam was a religion that started in Arabia
16:14by the advent of the holy prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
16:20So, there, obviously, dates is the most common fruit that is consumed.
16:25It's very nutritious.
16:26It's very good for you.
16:27And it's a nice, sweet way to start our fast.
16:29I see.
16:30Open our fast.
16:31I see.
16:31Okay.
16:32Well, do you typically tend...
16:34Is there a specific time you will break your fast?
16:37Does it always fall at the same time?
16:38Tell us a bit about that.
16:38Yeah.
16:39So, the fast opens with the sunset.
16:43And you initiate or you start your fast before sunrise.
16:46So, we started our fast this morning, just around five o'clock in the morning.
16:50And then now it's the time to open the fast.
16:53So, shall we?
16:54Yeah.
16:54Let's do it.
17:02I've never had dates before, I have to say.
17:04You haven't?
17:05Yeah.
17:05Okay.
17:05It's very nice, isn't it?
17:07Yeah, it is.
17:08It is.
17:08So, when people tend to think of Ramadan, they tend to think of just the fasting.
17:12But there's more elements to it, right?
17:15There's more...
17:17The most important thing is, obviously, the spiritual aspect of Ramadan.
17:23Prayers, worship.
17:24Fasting is also a way of worship because you reduce your physical nourishment and you increase
17:31your spiritual nourishment.
17:32And we see that, obviously, in a lot of religions, in Christianity, in Judaism, you see fasting
17:39is some, in different ways, practiced.
17:42So, what it does is that when you have less distractions, when you have less food in your stomach, it
17:48makes
17:49you able to focus on your spirituality, be better in prayers, worship.
17:53And the hunger that you feel actually motivates you to worship with more zeal and passion.
18:02I see.
18:03And can you tell me a bit about some of the events that Muslims might be doing to boost
18:07that sort of sense of community that Ramadan would bring?
18:09Yeah.
18:09So, obviously, in the month of Ramadan, the prayers increase.
18:14We spend more and more time in the mosque.
18:16We do have five daily prayers on a regular basis anyway, even outside of Ramadan.
18:23But during the Ramadan, we have special longer prayers in the mosque.
18:28And at occasions, we also arrange a collective opening of the fast.
18:33So, we'll have the whole community come to the mosque, sit at the table, open the fast
18:38together, pray together, and then have food together.
18:41It's just a lovely way to increase that spiritual bond between the community as well.
18:45Absolutely.
18:46Well, thank you so much for joining us and for breaking your fast with us.
18:50We really appreciate this insight into all the community and culture that's really happening.
18:54Thank you for joining me.
18:57Next, as the war between the US and Israel on Iran continues, international markets have
19:02seen soaring gas and oil prices that have rippled across the globe.
19:06This has even affected the British government's spring statement, which Rachel Reeves delivered
19:10to the House of Commons earlier this afternoon amid a background of concern as conflict in
19:14the Middle East intensified.
19:15But what do terms like fiscal, headroom and inflation actually mean?
19:18And how can they affect you here in Kent?
19:20Well, I'm pleased to say I'm joined now by the CEO of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
19:24to explain this to me.
19:25Hi, Tudor.
19:26How are you doing?
19:26Thank you so much for joining us.
19:28I'm very well.
19:29Good to see you.
19:29Good to see you as well.
19:31First of all, could you talk to me a bit about some of these oil and gas prices?
19:35We've been following the Israel, US and Iran war and seeing it could affect oil and gas
19:40prices across the globe.
19:41Can you go into some more detail about these kind of effects?
19:45Yeah, so as you would expect, someone like Iran is probably the third biggest producer of
19:51oil.
19:51We also have a number of development sites up and down the Gulf Coast there, which produce
19:57liquid natural gas, which is used in a whole host of different parts of industry.
20:01And so whilst it's not the only supply that we have in the world, of course, we can get
20:06it from the US.
20:07We can get it from other countries around the world.
20:09What it does, of course, is it puts pressure on the supply.
20:12And what happens is markets get a bit worried.
20:14They start to get panicky.
20:16And of course, that means that they're worried that there's less fuel available.
20:19And so they start to put the price up to try and maximise the profits of the fuel that
20:23they have left.
20:25So the longer the dispute and the conflict goes on in the Gulf and the more trouble we
20:30have getting oil and gas out of that part of the world, then obviously knock on effect
20:34it will have on prices for us here.
20:36I see.
20:37We haven't got too much time, so I'd like to move on a little bit to the spring statement.
20:42So we've seen the autumn budget a few months ago, but can you tell us a little bit about
20:45what the spring statement is and what it sets out for the government?
20:49So the Chancellor last year said that really they were going to have one budget, proper
20:55budget a year, and she sort of stuck to that commitment.
20:57So today's fiscal event was more of a fiscal non-event, which was great.
21:02And to be honest with you, for most businesses, no news is good news.
21:05We've had national insurance contribution rises.
21:07We've had business rates going up.
21:09There's another number of other legislative things coming into play this 1st of April.
21:13So it was a bit of a non-event, which is good news for us in business.
21:17We're quite happy.
21:18We'd like to know what's going on and no shocks and surprises.
21:21There was a bit of a down forecast for the economy.
21:24The rate of growth is going to slow slightly.
21:26And of course, as things carry on in the Middle East, we're not quite sure how that's going
21:30to affect us moving forward.
21:31But generally speaking, today was a no-news day from the Chancellor.
21:34So all in all, not bad.
21:36I see.
21:37I think that's all the time we have.
21:38Thank you so much for joining us, Tudor.
21:43Next, plans for hundreds of homes near Snodland have been resubmitted to no longer include
21:48football pitches for a non-league club.
21:50Larkfield and Newhithe FC play in the Southern County's East Football League and are hoping
21:54for promotion.
21:55But with that, they say they need improved facilities.
21:58I went down to the club to find out more.
22:01Larkfield and Newhithe FC have played in Snodland for more than 60 years and have built up a
22:06dedicated following as they moved up the football pyramid to the Southern County's East League,
22:11playing alongside clubs like Punjab United, Westable Town and other teams from across the
22:15county.
22:15For three years, they've been working with OB Developments on plans to build 150 homes and
22:20new community sports facilities on the abandoned Oast Park Golf Club.
22:24But after the company submitted them, they've now been withdrawn.
22:27Their new proposal is aiming for 320 homes, a community hub and a grass football pitch,
22:32removing the 3G all-weather pitches, pedal tennis court and golf driving range.
22:37For the club, who are hoping to expand, it's a real blow.
22:41Yeah, well, at the moment, there's already no spare capacity in the local area for all-weather pitches.
22:50We're trying to really progress the club.
22:52We've done really well the last few years in promotions and we want to get promoted again
22:58this year into the Ishmann South East and you basically, you need to have a 3G in order.
23:04So you've got control of your own training, you've got development of all the youth coming
23:07through, they've got somewhere to train, you've got a community club because you're all training
23:11in the same place.
23:12You know, all these things are the bedrock of what you need if you're going to progress as
23:16a whole as a club.
23:17For Larkfield and New Hyde FC, they may as well be playing on a pitch that's slanted
23:21like this, just because of how difficult it's been to get this development through the door.
23:26For three years, they've been hoping for an upgrade to their clubhouse, which would
23:30have a new tier added to it, two entirely new 3G pitches and even a paddle court on site.
23:35But once the developers withdrew that application and then changed it, the future they were
23:40hoping for isn't going to come to pass quite yet.
23:43Larkfield and New Hyde FC aren't the only ones who are opposing the new development,
23:47with the area being designated as part of the national landscape, being home to rare birds
23:52and dormice.
23:52The number of houses was unacceptable to us.
23:55It was a major development.
23:56This is national landscape land and we are trying to protect it.
24:01So we're doing a lot of conversations with councillors.
24:05We've had meetings with both borough and local councillors and communication with planners
24:10to try and protect the land.
24:11OB Developments have said the revised scheme is being designed to minimise landscape impact,
24:16maintain a clear buffer between Snodland and Burling and protect the distinct character
24:20of both settlements.
24:21The plans respond to feedback received from the local planning authority on a previous
24:25planning application and reflect a sensitive approach to landscape, access and the provision
24:29of homes and community amenities.
24:31For Larkfield, it's not just about their first team.
24:34There's youth, women's and other teams that they want to provide with a place to train.
24:37And they say they're having to start from square one for their future.
24:41Finn McDermid for KMTV in Snodland.
24:47Next, armed police, drones and a helicopter were called to an abandoned school in Hive after
24:52shots were heard.
24:55Foxwood School on Seabrook Road was abandoned almost a decade ago and has become subject to
25:00vandalism and fires since then.
25:02On the 2nd of March, at around 2pm, gunshots were heard, or sorry, what was believed to
25:07be gunshots were heard near the school, prompting armed police responses.
25:10Witnesses say there were at least seven emergency vehicles on the scene, including fire engines
25:14and police cars, while drones were also spotted.
25:17A police spokesperson said nobody was located at the premises and enquiries are continuing
25:23into the circumstances.
25:27Five years ago today, 33-year-old Sarah Everard was killed by ex-police officer Wayne Cousins.
25:34It's a story that shook the community's faith in the police, sparked protests on the streets
25:38and shone a light onto the safety and security of women in our society.
25:43On the 3rd of March, 2021, at 9pm, a little over half an hour into her walk home, Sarah was
25:48stopped by Cousins.
25:49After showing her his Met Police warrant card, it's believed he claimed he was arresting her
25:53for breaching COVID guidelines.
25:54What happened next is entirely unclear, but Sarah was raped and murdered, likely with his
25:59police belt.
26:01By July of that year, Cousins admitted he was guilty of the rape, kidnap and murder of
26:05Sarah Everard, and by 2021, he was sentenced to a whole-life order.
26:09Our reporter, Megan Shaw, is currently at a vigil for Sarah Everard and will bring you
26:13more on that story in tomorrow's show.
26:15And now, it's time for the weather.
26:22This evening, we're having cloudy skies all around the counties with some mist in Dover.
26:26Temperatures keeping to around 6 to 10 degrees, and wind speeds pushing 7 miles per hour.
26:30Tomorrow morning, evening, we'll have some cloudy skies clear in Allbutt, Dartford and Margate.
26:37Temperatures 8 and 9.
26:38Into tomorrow afternoon, some sun poking out in the centre of the county.
26:43See, apologies for some technical difficulties with my microphone.
26:47We can also see some sun on Thursday, with some cloud on Friday and Saturday.
26:58It's now time for a quick break, but be sure to stay tuned as we recap the top stories of
27:03the evening in a few minutes.
27:05See you then.
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36:34can begin to recover from this frightening experience now that the offender has been brought to justice.
36:41I see. Thank you for bringing us all the latest on this, Kristin.
36:46Next, a pensioner has denied murdering his daughter's boyfriend on what was his 25th birthday.
36:52Stephen Rook, who is 68, is alleged to have killed Robert Else on the morning of January 29th.
36:58Emergency services were called to report of an assault in Rose Gardens in Athorn near Dover at around 9 in
37:05the morning.
37:06Despite life-saving efforts, Mr Else was pronounced dead.
37:09Today, having pleaded not guilty to the offence during a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court,
37:13he was told his trial is due to start on July 27th, which is expected to last two to three
37:19weeks.
37:20In other news, a man accused of causing serious injury to three people in a collision
37:24has had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to show up at court.
37:29Luke Wells was charged with three counts of causing serious injury
37:33and one count of perverting the course of justice after the crash, which happened more than a year and a
37:37half ago.
37:38Those injured included Susan Brown, Terence Brown and Jack Fitzgibbon,
37:42and Mrs Brown was left in a coma as a result of their injuries.
37:45Wells, of Lapwing, Close, Minster, was arrested shortly after the crash and later charged with the offences.
37:51He was due to appear before magistrates in Medway this morning but failed to show up for the hearing.
37:57Now, let's have a look at all your sports news.
38:08First off, Gillingham FC are looking likely to field a young squad in their upcoming Kent Senior Cup semi-final
38:13against Tunbridge Angels.
38:15The Gills managed to secure a victory against Sevenoaks in the last round with the former youth boss Joe Dunn
38:20leading the young team.
38:21With a few of their players being injured, several lone players are expected to make an appearance with Louis Dayal
38:26and Michael Luxton confirmed to be available.
38:29Tunbridge are expected to put up a strong fight as the Tunbridge boss Alan Dunn said he will be naming
38:35a strong team for the game.
38:37Next, Chatham Town have the chance to claim victory against Whitehawk in the Isthmian Premier after a draw 0-0
38:43with them four days ago.
38:45Kevin Haake, Chatham Town's boss, opened up about the struggles they faced in Saturday's game at the enclosed ground.
38:50With Jorley Robbins, their midfielder, being sent off 25 minutes into the game, they only had ten men on the
38:55pitch.
38:56He acknowledged their keeper Nathan Harvey providing a strong defence against the opposition and went on to praise the team
39:01for their organisation, concentration and sticking together.
39:04The redemption game will happen tonight at the Beauville Stadium as Chatham welcomes Whitehawk to their home ground.
39:09Next, Maidstone United defender David Sesay has scored his first league goal for Maidstone in a late match comeback that
39:15won them the game.
39:17While they were playing against Salisbury, Sesay struck eight minutes from full time to give George Elikovi's side victory, keeping
39:23them on track for their National League South playoff.
39:25Sesay shared that despite their win against Enfield being 8-0, something about the passion and fight for the late
39:31goal felt more satisfying.
39:33Maidstone have managed to cut the gap to the playoff places from eight to two in only two weeks and
39:37they're playing in the Gallagher tonight against Western Supermare.
39:40In other news, Sheppie United are gearing up to end their nine-game losing streak in the Isthmian South East
39:45against Sittingbourne.
39:47With Sittingbourne having the home advantage of being in fourth place, the Ites have admitted the odds aren't in their
39:52favour.
39:53The team is hoping to end their winless streak to ward off worries and threat of a potential relegation.
39:57The new joint bosses Ian and George Batten have been assuring fans the recent results will improve as they learn
40:03more about the players.
40:04Currently, only two goals have been scored in the last six league outings.
40:07Sheppie United are playing against Sittingbourne tonight at Staxon Stadium.
40:12Now hot off their weekend win against AFC Greenwich Borough, Rochester United are looking to continue their victory streak in
40:18their game against the South East Dons.
40:20A recent 3-1 win against Greenwich, the Spartans are in a three-way battle to claim the top spot
40:25of the league.
40:26And after less favourable performances over the Christmas period, Michael Betts, the boss, is glad the players have found their
40:32footing again.
40:33Even though the Dons are currently 12 points ahead of Rochester, they have played five games more.
40:37So there's still room to close the gap.
40:39United will be playing the Dons tonight at Reid Court Road.
40:43A Favisham company have partnered with the Isthmian League to improve accessibility for fans.
40:49The collaboration will allow every club to be captured through high-quality 360 virtual tours, letting any potential visitors explore
40:57any of the 88 clubs before they attend in person.
41:00Fans with anxiety, autism or mobility needs will be able to plan their visits to allow a more enjoyable experience
41:06for some supporters.
41:07The league's chairman Nick Robinson said he showed full support for the project and its benefits to those intending to
41:13attend the games.
41:15That's all for your sports news.
41:27Now it is time for a short break, but coming up next as Pokemon celebrates its 30th anniversary, our reporter
41:35Ethan Mataringi went to a local event celebrating the famous card game.
41:39We'll also be talking to Marcellus Almazar on some more stories from around Kent.
41:45And we'll also be joined by Jay Blakeslee, who presents Made in Kent, all about what we can expect from
41:51tonight's episode, which is centred around local handmade craft businesses.
41:55And it's all been sunshine in parts of Kent today, but we'll have a look at whether or not their
41:59sunny weather will continue.
42:00See you soon.
42:01See you soon.
42:34See you soon.
43:02Bye.
43:04Bye.
43:32Bye.
43:33Bye.
44:02Bye.
44:03Bye.
44:33Bye.
44:34Bye.
45:01Bye.
45:26Hello, welcome back to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
45:29Now, Pokemon recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, from its humble beginnings in 1996 all the way to a global phenomenon
45:37around the world and here in Kent.
45:40Fans around the world celebrated in various ways, and here in the county we held the Kent Card Show, an
45:46event for buying, celebrating, and selling trading cards, or TCGs.
45:51It was a huge event over last weekend, including some voices from the original Pokemon series itself.
45:56Our reporter Ethan Maturinge has more.
46:05I'm here at the Kent Card Show to take a look at the event and discover how Kent is celebrating
46:1130 years of Pokemon and trading card games as a whole.
46:16But it's more than just cards you see at this event.
46:19It's a passionate, tight-knit community with people from far and wide, from here in Maidstone to across the UK,
46:28and even internationally.
46:31It's kind of amazing because the amount of people that have come to this has really made a big difference,
46:39and people are very nice, and it's been busy, and very friendly, and I've been enjoying the day.
46:51Whilst Pokemon is undeniably the main event, all sorts of hobbies and interests are represented at the card show, from
46:58anime to Disney, and from Dungeons & Dragons to sports.
47:01But the cards are, of course, the main focus.
47:04I've seen a lot of familiar faces, a lot of new customers as well.
47:08There's definitely a lot of work.
47:10There's a lot of constant changes in pricing, and markets, so you have to spend a lot of time, like,
47:16basically pricing cards.
47:18Honestly, it's one of the best communities out there, there's a lot of people that don't see all the behind
47:24the scenes, but it's one of the only communities where you can be brand new, and people welcome you with
47:28open arms, and there's something for everyone.
47:31The show took place at Deadlink Showground, and was organised by Dan Davies, director of the Subcentre, a TCG business
47:40in Herne Bay, and comes the day after Pokemon Day, a yearly international celebration of Pokemon as a game, hobby,
47:48and community.
47:49Well, an event like this takes an awful lot of planning, as you can probably imagine.
47:53It's a large venue, over 300 vendor tables, kids' area for the kids, and thousands of visitors every day, so.
48:02When we first started the show, we didn't know what the show was going to be like, we didn't know
48:08whether it would have a long life or not.
48:12We hit, like, ten years, that seemed incredible, and then every anniversary now is, like, another kind of surprise.
48:21There's nobody in the original cast imagined that the show would still be going strong at 30 years.
48:35Ethan Meteringue, for KMTV.
48:39Next, a pop-up cinema screen is set to tour Kent this summer, showcasing musical and family favourites.
48:45Adventure Cinema will be visiting Cobham Hall in Gravesend, Hawkehurst's St Ronan's, in June and August, for open-air screenings
48:52of The Greatest Showman, Star Wars, Pride and Prejudice, and more.
48:562008's Wild Child, which was filmed in Gravesend, will also be shown at its filming location.
49:01The schedule will also include sing-song viewings of Mamma Mia, an ABBA-themed disco, and a concert film of
49:06Andrea Bocelli performing at the Teatro del Silenzio in Italy.
49:10Tickets are on sale now.
49:14Now, we are bringing you some more stories from all around Kent with our reporter, Marcellus Almazar.
49:21Let's have a look.
49:22So, Marcellus, tell us about the first story you've got for us.
49:25So, Pink Pantheress, who's a local from Canterbury, has actually won Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards.
49:29So, she's the youngest person ever to win, and also the first woman.
49:34So, she joins the likes of Sir George Martin, who's a collaborator with The Beatles, Calvin Harris, and also another
49:40Kent local, Charles Andrew.
49:42So, she couldn't make it to the event, unfortunately, but she did post on Instagram that she was very grateful
49:47for all the love that was being given to her.
49:49And on the path to the event, she was actually announced as the guest announcer on the trams in Manchester,
49:55and she was encouraging people to go watch the Brit Awards with her.
50:00And she aims to inspire others like her because she herself started at university in her room, and she was
50:08editing and creating her own music in GarageBand, which is just a free application on your laptop.
50:13So, she hopes to inspire others to go follow music because now she has so many hit singles and over
50:18one billion streams in total.
50:21Amazing. And tell us a bit about our second story.
50:24So, everyone loves a good safari park.
50:26Port Lim Reserve in Hithe is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a bunch of special events that I'm sure people
50:33aren't going to want to miss out on.
50:35So, the reserve spans over 600 acres of land and has led conservation efforts in the area and has ultimately
50:43become the county's largest animal attraction.
50:45So, the festivities are going to be spanning the whole year round.
50:48And even though they haven't been officially announced, we all know that it's going to end in the well-loved
50:54return of the Port Lim illuminated,
50:56which sees the whole reserve become a glittery grotto covered in twinkling lights, family fun, colourful art installation and immersive
51:06soundscapes.
51:08Amazing. And can you tell us a bit about our third and final story?
51:11So, a factory worker from Herne Bay is raising money for a mental health charity by running from his local
51:17pub, Hampton Inn, all the way to the Eiffel Tower in France.
51:22So, he's going to be raising money for a campaign against living miserably.
51:26So, Finn Dale will run 212 miles over the span of two weeks, which means he'll be running over a
51:32half marathon every single day.
51:35And at only 22, he was inspired to commemorate his grandfather, Malcolm Coppock, who took his own life when he
51:41was only six.
51:42And despite his young age, he was speaking about how he remembered how it affected everyone around him.
51:46So, his first stint will be from Herne Bay all the way to Aylsham, and then he'll be taking a
51:52port from Dover to go to Calais, which will continue all the way to France.
51:57Thank you so much for bringing us those stories, Marcellus.
52:01Coming up after this, we'll have a new episode of Made in Kent, our student-led programme that talks all
52:07about different businesses across the county.
52:11This week, they're exploring different heritage crafts that might have been lost to time.
52:15But they've caught up with some modern incarnations of those, whether it's blacksmithing, candle making or some other things.
52:21But you'll just have to watch to see.
52:23But for a bit of a preview, I spoke to the show's presenter, Jay Blakeslee.
52:27So, Jay, first of all, just tell us a bit about Made in Kent in general.
52:30Well, Made in Kent is a show that you can see further, a deeper look into the business and cultural
52:36side of Kent's economy.
52:38And you can see what goes into making our county just that so much special.
52:42We speak to small and local business owners and sometimes their colleagues to get a wider view of the behind
52:49the scenes of their work and maybe even the history of it.
52:53And also sometimes we do speak to their customers or even the general public to get their opinions on the
52:57certain things.
52:58But every week we explore a menagerie of businesses through the lens of a theme for that week.
53:05In the past, we've gone through hair and beauty.
53:08We've done our first episode in this group was for family businesses.
53:12And my personal favourite episode we did quite recently was for hobby space.
53:16This is a nerd culture.
53:18Amazing. Tell me a bit about the theme for tonight's episode and what viewers could expect.
53:22Well, in tonight's episode, we're going into the world of Kent's arts and crafts.
53:27And despite they are often some of the least respected kind of arts in our culture, even though the vast
53:35majority of them still require considerable skill.
53:38So we wanted to highlight some of them tonight and give them the attention that we think they ought to
53:44get.
53:45So the three stories that we'll be covering in tonight's episode we'll cover today involves a solely independent wax business
53:53that features completely out of the owner's own home.
53:57We go into a more hands on craft with the world of pottery and ceramics making and the one that
54:02I'm most looking forward to.
54:04We go into what's essentially more of a heritage craft.
54:08We managed to speak to an actual, a genuine blacksmith.
54:11Amazing. I'm putting you on the spot here a little bit, but just give us a pitch about why people
54:14should tune in.
54:16Well, it's because it's just nice to learn about where you live.
54:19I've only lived here in Kent for a short few years, but my time working on Made in Kent has
54:24genuinely broadened my entire perspective of the county.
54:27And I really, really hope that watching the show gives you that broadened perspective as well.
54:33Absolutely. Do you have a favorite part of the show this evening?
54:36Something you're really, really excited that people get to see?
54:38Oh, well, like I already said, I'm very, very excited to watch that blacksmith story all the way through.
54:44I've heard very small details. I've heard that the blacksmith that we talked to is actually potentially third generation blacksmith.
54:51And all of the things that he's learned have come through his family. It gives very fantasy vibes for me,
54:56which I'm a big fan of.
54:58Absolutely. And just before we go, could you give us a brief rundown of where people can watch Made in
55:02Kent?
55:02Well, all of our previous episodes are on kmtv.co.uk, but our upcoming episodes will be going live at
55:097pm every Tuesday.
55:10That does include tonight.
55:12Amazing. Can't wait to tune in. Thanks so much, Jay.
55:15That was Jay Blakeslee there talking all about Made in Kent, which you can watch a little bit later.
55:20Now, we've recently been having some great weather. Beer gardens, beaches, the perfect kind of weather for those sort of
55:27activities.
55:27But will it stay into the weekend? Fingers crossed. But now let's have a look at our weather forecast.
55:39This evening, we're having cloudy skies all around the county. Some mist in Dover. Temperatures around 6 to 10 degrees.
55:45And into tomorrow morning, slightly low temperatures, 8 and 9 degrees with some sun across the county.
55:51Now, moving into tomorrow afternoon, getting quite a bit hotter. Lows of 12 in Margate and Dover. Highs of 15
55:58in Dartford.
55:59And here's your outlook for the remaining days. Thursday with some sun, 16 degrees. Getting a bit clarier as we
56:05head towards Saturday.
56:05And a bit colder ending on 11 degrees.
56:16Apologies for that there. You've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
56:20And there's more news made just for Kent throughout the evening.
56:24Don't forget, you can always keep up to date with the latest news across your county by logging on to
56:28kmtv.co.uk.
56:31You can also keep us on your social timelines by liking us on Facebook and following our TikTok.
56:36And if you have a story that you think we should be covering, then please don't hesitate to get in
56:40touch.
56:40We also have a series of special programs in Victor Sport, Made in Kent, Kent Student 101, Kent Film Club,
56:47The Kent Politics Show and Kent Chronicles.
56:49You can watch all of those throughout the week or catch up with them on our website.
56:52But from me, for now, have a very good evening and I'll see you soon. Goodbye.
57:22We'll see you soon.
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