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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Kristin Hawthorne
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00:28Transcription by CastingWords
00:34Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight Live on KMTV.
00:38I'm Kristen Hawthorne and here are your top stories on Tuesday 9th June.
00:42Playing with fire. Green residents hit back after leak reveals their fire station might close.
00:48Fire stations, especially retained stations, are a bit like insurance.
00:52You buy it hoping you're never going to need it. You don't want to be without it.
00:57Building a brighter future. New Kent Skills Hub getting unemployed youngsters into work.
01:03What we've done is a case of building and they will come.
01:05It makes me feel very accomplished, very proud.
01:08And shed turned studio.
01:11Dale Artist opens up her shed turned art studio to the public.
01:14When I do my large scale paintings, which is my comfort zone, that is the only time that my brain
01:23kind of goes a bit quiet.
01:36But first, our top story tonight.
01:38Green Fire Station is one of nine listed depots that could be axed, according to a leaked email by the
01:44Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
01:46Residents and ward councillors alike are calling for the organisation to reconsider, given the geographical difficulties of Green being far
01:53from the next closest stations.
01:55Megan Shaw has been finding out why.
01:57It came out of nowhere.
02:00But Green has been revealed as one of the nine fire stations in the county that could close.
02:06After an email was mistakenly shared with fire service staff.
02:12Five on-call sites could be axed.
02:15Green, Y, Chillum, Westerham and Cliff, which are staffed by on-call emergency responders.
02:22Green has its own geographical challenges, such as only being accessible by one road and being quite far from other
02:29stations like Hoo and Strood,
02:31which is why controversial councillor Chris Spaulding weighed in.
02:35The big thing about grain is it's not just a village or agriculture.
02:40We have some serious major industry here.
02:43We have the Grain Liquid National Gas Import Terminal.
02:47We have BP's Aviation Import Terminal.
02:50Both of these are designated by the Health and Safety Executive as coma sites, major hazardous areas of industrial infrastructure.
02:59So what could this mean for those actually living in the peninsula?
03:03I'm in Grain right now.
03:06And with this fire station set to close, there's also one at the other end of the peninsula in Cliff.
03:12That leaves just Hoo Fire Station to cover the entire peninsula.
03:16How far away is that?
03:18Well, if we have a look on the sat-nav, we can see that were a fire engine need to
03:25come from Hoo to Green, it would need to travel 18 minutes.
03:31Residents felt their Hoo village was under fire.
03:34Well, it's ridiculous, it's stupid.
03:37We've got one road in to all these villages, so if there was a really big fire, it's going to
03:43be stupid.
03:45I know they're only a part-time fire station, but it's still quicker because they all work in the facility.
03:52And it's still quicker than getting them out from Stroot.
03:56The nearest one is Worcester, innit?
03:57By the time they come out here, right, nothing went down, couldn't it?
04:03There's been so many accidents and incidents.
04:06We need a fire brigade.
04:07But the head of Kent Fire and Rescue Service claimed that the demand just wasn't there.
04:14So they'll be Stroot and Hoo, and on that basis they will be able to get to those people in
04:18the peninsula.
04:19It'll be slightly more time, but again, we have very, very little demand in that area, very little.
04:26But until Green residents find out further information, they'll have to try and not let the news dampen their spirits.
04:35Megan Sharp for KMTV, InGrain.
04:40And Megan Shaw joins us now to tell us more.
04:43So where else could be affected other than Green?
04:46Of course.
04:46So I mentioned in that report there that the on-call sites that could be affected are Green, White, Chillum,
04:52Westrum and Cliff.
04:53There could also be closures at on-call sections at 24-hour stations.
04:58That's in Herne Bay, Deal, Tunbridge Wells and Faversham.
05:01So these are stations that have full-time members of staff and they have an on-call section.
05:06So it seems to be just on-call firefighters and fire stations that seem to be at risk here.
05:11But it is across the entire county.
05:13And what happened with the leak?
05:15It seems to be quite confusing of how the build-up to this has happened.
05:18Absolutely.
05:19It is all a little bit unclear.
05:21So potential closures to fire stations were first announced back in April.
05:25But what we didn't know is which ones might be, you know, facing being cut.
05:29The leak was kind of the revealing of this list of potential stations.
05:34And all of this would have meant to be revealed in a public consultation later this month on June 25th.
05:40But I actually spoke to the CEO of the fire service to kind of put that to her.
05:45And this is what she said.
05:47So when we say leak, actually it wasn't a leak.
05:49What happened is we had something like 300 pages of documents, tons of data, as you'd imagine, looking at seven
05:55years' worth of information.
05:57So what we, in putting together a pack to send out to firefighters to help them understand that, one map
06:03ended up being in there.
06:04Absolute mistake.
06:06I would apologize very fulsomely for that mistake.
06:09We were, of course, going to be talking just a week later and saying all the information out there.
06:14So I suppose there's an initial shock in having it come out in that way.
06:17But literally within hours, we'd spoken to every station and, in effect, got back on track.
06:22We'd had a lot of people asking for the information anyway early.
06:25So not ideal, but in the end, this is a mistake.
06:30Now, eight more parents come forward claiming they're owed over £27,000 after paying a football academy boss overseas for
06:38overseas tournaments that never happened.
06:41With five previous accusations, Billy Bone denies any wrongdoing and maintains that the parents signed terms and conditions that stated
06:49that problems with the trips may arise.
06:51The latest complaints concern his behaviour from between 2020 to 2024, where parents are yet to receive funds for trips
06:59to all over Europe.
07:01While some have received a portion of their refunds, many still haven't received a penny.
07:07And with nearly a million young people out of work, a new skills hub has launched outside Maidstone to tackle
07:12the unemployment epidemic impacting 16 to 24 year olds.
07:17Created in partnership with the Lower Thames Crossing, the hub is designed to get young people certified and trained in
07:23an industry despite the needs, desperate needs, with a desperate need for new workers.
07:28Local democracy reporter Oli Leder has been finding out how this could be the key to boosting construction across Kent.
07:35Training, certification and opportunities for those out of work.
07:42That's what a new skills hub that has just opened at the Hermitage Quarry is designed to deliver.
07:49In an industry forecasted to need nearly 240,000 new workers over the next five years.
07:57We're expecting that we can train up to 24 to 30 people at a time.
08:03And I would think in the static classroom we'd be looking to do maybe at least a session once a
08:11month and try and get people through.
08:13And then from the mobile unit, even more than that.
08:16Right now, nearly one million young people are not in employment, education or training.
08:24With more than 100,000 estimated to be living across the southeast.
08:29Those behind this skills hub hope to capitalise on successes elsewhere to bring down those numbers.
08:36So the last couple of years, working around other skills hubs nationally, we've had 2,500 successful achievements.
08:4327% of all those achievers have been NEATS.
08:47The hub has already been making a difference.
08:50In fact, this building here was converted from a container into a training centre by NEATS while on placement here
08:59at the quarry.
08:59It makes me feel very accomplished, very proud.
09:02I've got family, I've got friends who have struggled.
09:05They've gone into uni and they've almost gone two, three years without a proper job.
09:11And it's very hard since they asked for experience.
09:13And it's hard because not many are looking for experience.
09:17Thankfully, at Kent Skills Hub, they are looking for experience.
09:21They're looking to give experience to young people.
09:23The Skills Hub was built in partnership with the Lower Thames Crossing, the long-awaited construction project to create a
09:32second road connection to Essex from Kent.
09:36The training provided here could be critical in getting the tunnel delivered on schedule.
09:43Our target is to get at least a minimum of that 45% of your local workforce.
09:47We would really like to try and increase that percentage because we do think that there are the opportunities here
09:53and there's people here in the local area in order to be able to do that.
09:56But with the number of young people out of work and employment at a 12-year high, this hub could
10:03make all the difference in helping people out of work access those opportunities.
10:10Olly Lieder at the Homestead Quarry.
10:14According to a 2021 census, six out of the top 10 biggest LGBTQIA spaces in the county resided in and
10:24around Canterbury.
10:25From this thriving community in the city has come the well-renowned Canterbury Pride, which marked its 10-year anniversary
10:33this year.
10:34We spoke to the Lord Mayor of Canterbury about the place of pride in the city.
10:40It's just an honour to be invited.
10:41I was fortunate enough to stand behind the lead car, leading the procession, and it's just an incredible event.
10:50Last year, because of the work in Danejohn Gardens, it was in Westgate Gardens, but it's come back to its
10:55true home.
10:56The rain has stopped.
10:57Everybody's incredibly happy.
10:59It's going to be a really good, fun event.
11:01And it happens every year, so thank you to everybody that comes and everybody that's set up this incredible pride
11:07event.
11:07Representing any minority group is incredibly important today.
11:14We see polarised politics and we need to try and unify people.
11:19I'm here and I'm an ally and pride's fantastic and we shouldn't just wear our colours for a month.
11:28We should live through equality and equity, but for a celebration, a month of celebration is fantastic.
11:35We do this very well in Canterbury.
11:38It's always good to see people out and about enjoying themselves in the city.
11:42But now, that's all we've got for this part of the show, but we'll be back in just a few
11:46minutes for more.
11:47We have got an artist from Dale who's opening their home to the public to speak about their work
11:52and make new contacts and discover opportunities in the local area for artists.
11:57All of that and more to come.
11:58We'll see you in just a few minutes.
12:00Bye-bye.
12:38Bye-bye.
13:10Bye-bye.
13:40Bye-bye.
14:10Bye-bye.
15:30The Shelford landfill facility is an eyesore which has grown into a stinking mountain of rubbish and they want it
15:36shut down.
15:37Those living near to the landfill have described that operators Valencia Waste Management have no consideration for anybody else who
15:44lives nearby.
15:44Due to the stinking sulphurous smell, loud noises and constant HGVs passing by.
15:51On Friday a public meeting was organised by the Canterbury Landfill Action Group where residents from the surrounding area met
15:57with representatives of the Environment Agency.
16:00It was declared that they are renewing the site and that current commercial planning, the site is expected to close
16:06to waste inputs by 2031 ahead of restoration.
16:12Now let's take a look at all the latest business news from across the county with Nathan Hardy.
16:47We'll see you next time.
16:51Next campaigners say a proposed Little move in Folkestone could worsen congestion and are calling for a park and ride
16:57system, possibly using a tram route along the former harbour branch line.
17:01Little wants to relocate from Shellyn Street to East Station Goods Yard, but residents have objected, citing traffic concerns and
17:08claiming the site conflicts with local planning policy, which earmarks housing and commercial space.
17:13The application has drawn nine objections, no support, and remains undecided as Little continues talks with planners and highway authorities.
17:20Backers say transit links could cut road use.
17:23Next, retired couple David and Trish Fewsdale have become the new landlords in the Peacock Inn in Goldhurst, preventing the
17:29village pub from closing after its previous owners chose not to renew their lease.
17:33After struggling to find operations, Shepard Neum contacted local event director Chris Yates, who persuaded David to come out for
17:39retirement.
17:40The pair received the keys, restocked and reopened within days.
17:43They are starting with light snacks, whilst refurbishing the kitchen.
17:46The local businesses and residents have strongly supported the pub's revival.
17:50Construction is underway on Dover's new McDonald's drive-thru, approved after a lengthy planning battle.
17:54More than 320 objections cited risks to nearby heritage sites.
17:58The council approved the scheme twice, after a legal error forced a review.
18:02Campaigners propose social housing instead, but work has now begun.
18:05The restaurant is due to open later this year, creating up to 120 jobs, with 55 parking spaces and EV
18:12charges.
18:13Dover has lacked a McDonald's since its town centre branch closed in 2017.
18:17Nearby rival chains are already there.
18:19And finally, the former Ladywell annexed gym and boxing club in Dover could be converted into six one-bedroom flats.
18:25Applicant Matt Weston plans to redevelop the Grade II listed building.
18:28The site housed Hourglass Fitness Club from 2012, but closed in 2019, due to competition from Dover District Leisure Centre.
18:35And later operators, including an instructor and boxing club, also left.
18:39Upper floors already contain 14 flats, supporting residential use.
18:50And of course, don't forget, you can keep up to date with all our latest stories across Kemp by logging
18:54on to our website, kmtv.co.uk.
18:58There you'll find all of our reports, including this one, about how Five Acre Wood School took to Maidstone's High
19:03Street to spread the word on their new cafe, Made For You.
19:07Take a look.
19:08Anyone passing through Fremlin Walk in Maidstone today might have been greeted with a surprise free cookie from students of
19:14Five Acre Wood that were baked in their new commercial kitchen.
19:18This was funded by the Costa Foundation, and it means the school students can get more work experience, whether that's
19:23in a kitchen or interacting with the public.
19:25It gives them the skills to go into real-life work.
19:29A lot of our youngsters really want to get jobs, and we can prepare them for the work.
19:36The work, and things like catering, we also have a cafe, so barista waiting on the cafe, we have a
19:45shop as well, so serving in the shop, all of those things, all of those jobs, give them those real
19:50-life experiences.
19:51Now, the cafe is called Made For You, and they've brought cookies that are made for the people of Maidstone,
19:57but it's not just about spreading the word of the new cafe.
19:59It's also about improving their oracy skills and making sure they can become more employable in the future.
20:05So the cookies have been made by our students in the Made For You commercial catering space, but that's only
20:12been made possible by the incredible generosity of the Costa Foundation.
20:17And let's put this in context, only 5.1% of adults with a disability, with a learning disability, that
20:23are known to their local authority are in paid employment.
20:26With projects like this, and thanks to the Costa Foundation, we're going to change that, and we're going to change
20:31the life stories of our young people.
20:32The Costa Foundation have started supporting more local education courses here in the UK, transitioning from more global projects.
20:39The Costa Foundation has been funding education projects across the world in coffee-growing communities for the last almost 20
20:45years.
20:45And the past year, we decided to bring our charity closer to home and to fund some UK projects, one
20:51being 5 Acre Wood here.
20:53So we have just funded a renovation of a kitchen space within 5 Acre Wood School, which will allow children
20:59and young people to access life skills that they can take into work and work around.
21:05For the students of 5 Acre Wood, the new kitchen lets them develop their skills in a supportive environment and
21:10allows them to grow their confidence, one cookie at a time.
21:13Finn McDermid for KMTV in Maidstone.
21:16And we've had a rainy day today as well as the past few days, but will that continue?
21:21Let's take a look at the weather to find out.
21:28Well, now, it looks then that we've got highs of 15 degrees up in Dartford, lows of 12 in Ashford.
21:34Wind speeds quite moderate at 9 and 13.
21:37Wind speeds decreasing into the morning.
21:39Cloudy skies coming in.
21:40We've got highs of 14 degrees across much of the county.
21:44That increases to 17 degrees in Maidstone and 16 towards other areas into the PM.
21:49Wind speeds going down to 10.
21:51On Thursday, we have rain, 17 degrees.
21:54Friday, we've got cloudy skies, 23 degrees.
21:57And then going up to 24 degrees on Saturday with a bit of cloud.
22:08And 100-year-old Kent golfer is still in full swing and has no thoughts about putting down his clubs.
22:15Christopher Martin is the oldest member of Canterbury Golf Club and driving range and continues to play a couple of
22:21times a week.
22:23He walks unaided, carries a heavy bag of clubs and is celebrated as a remarkably accurate putter.
22:28Mr. Martin credits his longevity to remaining active and keeping a healthy lifestyle.
22:35A celebratory lunch was held for Christopher in May and he was presented with a certificate by the club captain,
22:43granting an honorary membership, providing him three free golf sessions whenever he chooses.
22:49And here he is now speaking a bit about it.
22:55I enjoy doing it.
22:56It's nice to get outside, but it's a challenge to play as well as I can, despite getting old.
23:10I can't hit the ball nearly as fast as I used to, but I just keep going.
23:17In the past, when I was a bit younger, I could walk a round in the morning and another round
23:23in the afternoon.
23:25So it shows it's really good exercise.
23:30I was just particularly smoking, because when I was young, everybody smoked, which I never did.
23:37But I had two old friends that I played several years with, once a week and then in the clubhouse.
23:49Are you hoping to play golf for as long as possible?
23:54Well, yes, as long as I can.
23:58Maybe golfing is the secret to a long life, but you've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
24:04There's more news made just for you, though.
24:06We've got a bulletin at 8pm and then Made in Kent will be airing at 7pm.
24:13And before we go, we also have...
24:20We have a quick look, I'm being told, at an art trail in Dale, so let's take a look at
24:24that.
24:26Open Studios is a creative arts organisation that encourages artists to open their working studios to the public starting the
24:32first weekend of June each year.
24:34This year marks the 30th anniversary of Open Studios in the South East, in Kent.
24:38And I'm here in Dale to speak with one of the artists on the trail about her experience as a
24:43mature student studying fine art and how she expresses herself through her artwork.
24:47Let's take a look.
24:50Well, it's very colourful.
24:53It's intuitive and automatic mark making.
24:56And when I do my large scale paintings, which is my comfort zone, that is the only time that my
25:02brain kind of goes a bit quiet.
25:03But it's all to do with my experience as an ADHD person.
25:10I like to take it as like, I make a mess and then I tidy up.
25:14In the current cost of living crisis, Vicky sees Open Studios as a way of overcoming barriers that often face
25:20artists and students.
25:21Basically, it's quite a cheap way to get your work out there, really.
25:24And it's part of a trail, so there's lots of artists to see.
25:28And I've just moved my studio space into my childhood home, which is my dad's back garden.
25:35As well as her experience as a person with autism and ADHD, Vicky has also faced the added obstacle of
25:41joining the art industry in her 50s.
25:44It's difficult.
25:45I think I have done quite well.
25:47I've been quite resilient because I ended up working in an office all my life.
25:52All I ever really wanted to do was art, but I didn't think it was for somebody like me.
25:57And I found this free course and it was for people who didn't have any formal education in the arts.
26:04I was really encouraged where I kind of hadn't been before and they encouraged me to do an access course.
26:10I went in there thinking this isn't just for doing like a hobby.
26:14I was quite serious about it, but I was very proactive and very motivated.
26:19And I think that comes from being a mature student.
26:22But I also realised that I was really overwhelmed while I was there.
26:27I'd suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my life.
26:31And when I went to uni, I kind of realised being amongst all the other students who were neurodivergent, that
26:38I'm actually neurodivergent myself.
26:41But I do feel like I have come up a lot against quite a lot of age discrimination.
26:47There's a lot more opportunities for younger people.
26:50Despite the challenges Vicky faces, she hopes that sharing her art and how she views the world will help others
26:55facing a similar situation.
26:57Elena Gonsalves for KMTV in Deal.
27:01Thanks so much. Bye bye.
27:21Bye bye.
27:21Bye bye.
27:21Bye bye.
27:23Bye bye.
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