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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Finn Macdiarmid.
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00:11Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV. I'm Finn McDermott and here are your
00:17top stories on Thursday 25th June.
00:20Paused plans. Kent Fire and Rescue station closures delayed after heated debates and
00:25rallies.
00:26Well, it's slightly disappointing because obviously we want to go and talk to the public.
00:30Keeping schools cool. Lenham Nursery fundraisers for air conditioning after heatwave closure.
00:36Having the aircon, we kind of go inside, the children can have a break from the heat, we
00:39can have a break from the heat and it will just be a godsend.
00:43And finally, the best school in the world. Five Acre Wood in Maidstone announced their
00:48shortlisting for the top education award.
00:50Really proud to be associated with some incredibly inspiring schools from across the world.
01:04First of all, South East Water have introduced a hose pipe ban for Kent after another day
01:09of extremely high temperatures.
01:12The ban will be enforced by the 3rd of July, but South East Water are asking customers to
01:16stop using their hoses immediately. I'm joined by Nayla Mohamed to tell us a little bit more
01:22about this ban. So Nayla, what more can you tell us?
01:25Well, it's coming into enforcement next Friday. That's the 3rd of July. But like we said there,
01:30they want people to stop using hose pipes kind of intermediately in the meantime. And it's
01:35covering many areas across Kent such as Sevenoaks, Snotland, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tenteden,
01:41Ashford, Fabersham. I mean, we can see the areas there on the screen now. These are all the areas
01:46that have been or will be impacted. And this is not the first time they've done this. They have done
01:50this before. And the spokesperson from South East Water has said, you know, it is natural to enjoy our
01:56gardens and to cool down. And we know how frustrating it is to hear these restrictions in place. And they
02:01are
02:01being enforced, like I said, by the 3rd of July, which is next Friday. And they are asking customers to
02:06respect these restrictions, especially with the heatwave at the moment.
02:11I see. Thank you so much for bringing us all that. Nayla, we'll be covering this story more as it
02:16develops.
02:17Next, firefighters and their families, as well as councillors and MPs have been protesting outside Kent Fire
02:23and Rescue headquarters over proposals to close five on-call fire stations and remove several on-call crews in the
02:29county. Kent Fire and Rescue Service say the changes are based on risk and demand. But opponents fear that
02:36some communities will be left unsafe. Today, at a consultation, the plans were paused for six
02:42weeks after what was reportedly a heated debate. We spoke to protesters, councillors, those on both
02:49sides of this discussion that's been widely discussed, not just by the people, but also by
02:55politicians, as Kristen Hawthorne's been speaking with.
02:58A noisy protest outside Kent Fire and Rescue headquarters, as firefighters, union representatives
03:05and campaigners made their opposition clear. They're fighting against proposals that could see on-call
03:11fire stations close, such as Grain, Wye, Chillum, Westerham and Cliff, as well as removing attached on-call
03:19sections from four whole-time fire stations, including Herne Bay, Deal, Tunbridge Wells and Faversham.
03:26A number of fire engines will also be relocated to match demand which is higher during the day.
03:32These changes are dramatic, which worries protesters.
03:35Seconds count in a fire and closing your fire station undoubtedly will put the public more at risk.
03:43Puts our firefighters at risk while we're waiting for other appliances to attend.
03:47Intrinsically makes stations and communities unsafe. You know, we've got a lot of very committed people
03:53to try and help our community that we live in and we do an amazing job and that's going to
03:59be taken away.
04:00And moving a fire engine from somewhere that can cover the M25, in my case within five minutes,
04:06and the closest one is now 15 minutes away, that weight for people who are in trouble
04:11and need help is just going to extend. Strike action is not off the table.
04:15Any type of industrial action is not off the table for the members of Kemp.
04:19The people protesting today fear the proposals could leave some communities with less cover,
04:24while Kemp Fire and Rescue say that the changes are based on demand, data and risk.
04:30That disagreement is why today's debate became heated and why the plans have now been paused for six weeks.
04:36So what we're trying to do is convert where we have stations where there's very little demand
04:40and quite difficult to recruit firefighters as well after many years of trying.
04:45Convert that money into creating whole time firefighters where it means we get much more guaranteed daytime cover,
04:51where we have our greatest risk. So it's an ability to actually improve our service,
04:56get more productivity and literally make sure that we end up with more home fire safety visits,
05:04more ability to go into people's homes, give them advice and at the same time equally cover through changes
05:10in other ways our different kind of peak periods which tend to be morning, afternoon with Russia.
05:14We go to far more road crashes nowadays than we go to fires.
05:18Councillors felt that more time was needed before those proposals were ready to go out to a public consultation.
05:24So I proposed a short cross-party working group to look at some granular detail on some of these issues.
05:30Can we find alternative proposals which will make both the financial but operational requirements?
05:35It's about our role as elected members, ensuring that we're doing everything that we can.
05:39So if there is a public consultation, it's got the possible options which we have confidence in as we move
05:45forward.
05:45I feel that where Vince, the Labour guy, has basically come up with an amendment where we can then look
05:51over the papers longer,
05:53it's a very good idea because we've only had four weeks to look at a 400 page document.
05:58So while the immediate decision has been paused, the debate over the future of fire cover in Kenton-Medway is
06:05far from over.
06:11A Kent man who was allegedly murdered in Dubai by a TikTok influencer has been pictured for the first time.
06:18Bill Treby and TikTok influencer Brooke George met on Facebook going to Dubai after developing an online relationship.
06:27On their second Dubai trip, George allegedly stabbed Treby, claiming it was in self-defence after being repeatedly assaulted.
06:33Despite her claim, George was arrested on the 22nd of June for murder and being held at Burr Dubai police
06:40station.
06:40If she is convicted, George could face a firing squad.
06:45Many tributes have appeared online for Bill Treby and the UK embassy in Dubai has offered the Treby family support
06:52in this time.
06:54As most of you may be aware, there is a red health alert in place for most of Kent.
06:59So on that note, let's take a look at the weather.
07:07Tonight, we'll be seeing highs of 29 degrees in Tunbridge Wells, lows of 24 in Dover, wind speeds of 12
07:13and 13 miles an hour, clear skies throughout the evening.
07:16Into tomorrow morning, nice and sunny throughout the day, highs of 33 in Ashford and lows of 23 in the
07:23north of the county.
07:24Into the afternoon, an increase in temperature across the county, highs of 35, lows of 27.
07:29And here is your outlook, highs of 30 on Saturday, clear and sunny skies, 26 on Sunday and a cooler
07:34Monday, temperatures of 23 degrees.
07:46A preschool is holding a fundraiser to buy an air conditioning unit so it can stay open for its pupils
07:51during the heat wave.
07:52It's called Wooden Tots and it's in Lenham. Our reporter Henry Luck went down there to find out more.
07:57Wooden Tots in Lenham has fewer pupils than usual.
08:03Because of the ongoing heat wave, the preschool has allowed parents and guardians to pick up their children early and
08:10has closed the back area of its play cabin due to the overwhelming heat.
08:15The team and the toddlers have been hit hard by the weather because of their focus on outdoor games and
08:23activities.
08:24Normally, the playing fields here at Wooden Tots would be filled but because of the heat wave, the nursery has
08:32recommended that parents keep their children at home.
08:36However, the nursery has set up a GoFundMe page to allow the community to donate towards an air conditioning system
08:45in the rear play area.
08:47So, we are very much trying to stay open. We feel that nurseries should be able to stay open. However,
08:55because we are predominantly outdoors, we're very reliant on shade.
08:59So, in order for us to continue for children to have the opportunity to be with us all day, we'd
09:07like to raise funds for some air conditioning in our indoor spaces to give children the opportunity to have a
09:13rest from the sun.
09:15Yeah, absolutely. I think those cabins are just like, it's actually warmer in the cabins than it is outside. So,
09:21I think having the aircon, we kind of go inside, the children can have a break from the heat, we
09:24can have a break from the heat and it will just be a godsend.
09:27With the hot weather here to stay, Wooden Tots is looking to raise enough money for the vital calling that
09:36its pupils and staff need.
09:39Henry Luck for KMTV in Lenham.
09:43Well, as you know, we are in the middle of a heat wave, so everyone needs to be making sure
09:49they're wearing plenty of sunscreen.
09:51Now, last month was Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but in this heat wave, Dr Amy Perkins is joining us now
09:57to tell us how we should be looking after our skin.
09:59So, doctor, how does a heat wave affect people's risk of developing skin cancer?
10:07A big risk for various reasons. Number one, we don't get much sun in the UK, so many people's temptation
10:14is to run outside, top up their tan.
10:17But unfortunately, this is the opposite of what we want you to be doing. And unfortunately, if people who are
10:22doing that are often likely to run into problems later in life with skin cancer in particular.
10:27I see. And do people tend to underestimate how much sunscreen they should be putting on or the dangers of
10:34the sun since we don't have that consistent sun here in the UK?
10:39Absolutely. You know, for many people, they might get a tan over the next few days and probably next week,
10:45they'll get lots of compliments.
10:47Because in our society, unfortunately, many people associate a tan with being healthy and looking good and beautiful.
10:55Unfortunately, that tan is the opposite of that and it's really causing that long term damage.
11:00The best thing to do if you want to have a tanned complexion is to use a fake tan.
11:05Now, it's a really true point that on holiday, people associate, you know, bring packing their sunscreen and having that
11:13sort of sunscreen smell as part of the whole holiday experience.
11:16But many people don't realise that especially during a UK heat wave, the UV levels are actually might be even
11:23higher than those holiday destinations.
11:25I see. Well, thank you so much for joining us and giving us all the latest on that, Doctor.
11:30I'm afraid that's all the time we have for now. We'll see you in just a few minutes after this
11:33short break.
14:56Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
15:00Now, several arrests were made after reports of anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs and Margate happened yesterday afternoon.
15:07We can see the footage on screen now.
15:10At around 5.35pm, the police were notified of a fight in Broadstairs involving a small group of people.
15:16Officers arrested two men and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of assault.
15:21In Margate, patrols were called to reports of fighting on the beach and a disturbance at the town's railway station,
15:26where several people were reported to have been assaulted.
15:29The district commander for Thanet said,
15:30we've made it very clear we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our coastal towns this summer.
15:37This morning, there was a lorry collision in the Medway Tunnel, causing closure and traffic diversions.
15:42The council estimated the clean-up would take all day, but it has now reopened.
15:46Nayla Mohamed brings us the update.
15:47The Medway Tunnel has now reopened after a lorry collision this morning caused some really serious damage.
15:54The tunnel, heading Stroudbound, was expected to be closed for the majority of the day following the incident.
16:00And Medway Council said they had closed the tunnel so the lorry could be removed,
16:04any debris from the roads could be cleared off,
16:07and that the appropriate light repairs and safety checks could be carried out.
16:11Police were called to the scene at 9.30 this morning, and even though traffic has cleared,
16:16officers are still on the scene, helping with the flow of traffic.
16:20And speaking of traffic, traffic was also at a standstill at the roundabout,
16:24just above Pier Road at the time of the incident.
16:27But the tunnel has now reopened in both directions,
16:30and has been open since just before 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
16:33A former builder's merchant site could become industrial units instead of housing.
16:38The Maidstone-based former Juicin Builders merchant site has been a prominent town centre landmark since the 90s.
16:44In December, the warehouse was bought by Terence Boulder Butler Holdings,
16:48which is on the opposite side of the road.
16:50They got planning permission to turn the land into flats and houses.
16:53Demolition had begun when they decided to change their mind.
16:56It seems the well-known site will remain as first intended, a builder's merchant site.
17:02Two people were taken to hospital after eight were rescued from the sea off the Kent coast.
17:08Yesterday evening, there were emergency services that rushed to Mermaid Beach in Folkestone
17:13after reports of people in difficulty in the water.
17:16Multiple teams were on the scene, with four patients being treated.
17:19Two were discharged, and the other two were taken to hospital for further treatment.
17:23Two of the patients were swimmers, with the other coming off a jet ski.
17:27The other four people were members of the public who went out to help them.
17:30All eight were safely recovered and brought ashore.
17:35Now, don't forget, as always, you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent
17:39on our website, kmtv.co.uk.
17:42You can find all of our stories, like this one, about the Faversham Community Hub
17:45raising money for meningitis research in memory of their colleague.
17:52With music pumping and energy high, the wheels are in motion to fundraise for Meningitis Research Foundation
17:58in memory of Juliet Kenny, a former member of the McNaid Cafe team,
18:03who lost her life during the Canterbury meningitis outbreak in March.
18:07This morning I just said, look, let's make Juliet proud.
18:09That's the most important thing.
18:11And then if we can fundraise and get lots of money along the way as well, that would be the
18:15dream.
18:15You know, having children of my own as well, I look at that and I reflect and I go,
18:19this is such an important thing to know and understand, to know the signs,
18:23to understand what to look out for, because it is just such a tragic thing.
18:28And I think we all sort of want to do something with that.
18:31Juliet's friends, family and co-workers have all came here today to cycle for the cause.
18:36They're trying to reach a goal of 1,447 kilometres from 9 till 5pm.
18:44And before 12, they already reached halfway to their goal.
18:48And now they're at 850 kilometres, well on their way to reaching the end point.
18:53And that 900 miles is significant because it's the equivalent distance of here to Verona.
18:59Verona was one of Juliet's favourite places.
19:01And so we thought that that would be a really nice landmark and a goal for us to get to.
19:05So we've got Italy on the screen as well, keeping us going.
19:09Men Drives to Research Foundation will be our charity for a whole year.
19:11So through to sort of May time next year, we'll do tonnes more fundraising events.
19:15I'm going to have to come up with a load more ideas.
19:16She was an incredible, incredible individual.
19:19And really this is about leaving a legacy for her and her legacy.
19:22So it's, yeah, it's really special.
19:24The fundraiser has already passed £3,500, more than double its original target.
19:30That money will support Meningitis Research Foundation's work
19:33and its campaign for wider protection against MenBee.
19:37Meningitis is a very complex disease.
19:40We still have so much about it that we don't know.
19:44For example, the Kent outbreak looks like the bacteria has evolved and done something new.
19:50The UK Health Security Agency has said it's an unprecedented outbreak.
19:55We have to find out why the bacteria does this.
19:58And that's basic research we need to do.
20:01Now, Five Acre Wood School in Maidstone has been shortlisted for one of the best in the,
20:07not the country, the entire world.
20:10This amazing feat comes after multiple things they've done already.
20:13I mean, they've got a plane in their playground
20:15and they've got an entire train that they have as a cafe.
20:19I went down to the announcement ceremony and I was joined by not only the staff, the students,
20:24but also some celebrities who chose to send in video messages as well.
20:28Let's have a look.
20:30Five Acre Wood in Maidstone is up for the best school in the entire world.
20:34They're in the innovation category.
20:36And while the announcement event is, as you can see, now closed voting has opened up.
20:41So you have the chance to make sure that dream can become a reality.
20:44Let's take a look at the moment where the students found out the good news.
20:49We are the only school in the UK that has been shortlisted for innovation.
21:01So the shortlisting has happened today and the global embargo has been released today.
21:06The announcement will be made in November.
21:09And there are five main categories that an expert panel of judges choose who will win.
21:14And then there is a sixth category for the community choice.
21:18And we're really hoping that between now and the end of October, people will get behind us and vote for
21:22the community choice award.
21:24And there will be details on our website and all our socials around how to do that.
21:28Of course, it's been an absolute brilliant day.
21:30It is hot, but it's been a lovely day.
21:33Of course, I've been singing in the choir today.
21:36Of course, we've just released our new album, The Climb.
21:40And of course, that's incredible.
21:41Of course, that's another achievement.
21:43But it's just really fun to be at this school.
21:48The shortlisting means the SEND school will face off against nine others from countries around the world,
21:54including Brazil, India, Spain, South Korea, Canada, Chile, Argentina and the USA.
21:59So for the global announcement, some of Kent's most important figures were in attendance.
22:04Now, we all know there's a World Cup going on for football at the moment.
22:08We want England to do really, really well in that.
22:12We want England to win that World Cup.
22:14I want England, I want this country to win this World Cup for schools, guys.
22:19And some from further afield as well.
22:22Hello, everybody at Five Acre Woods School.
22:25I just want to say a massive congratulations.
22:28I'm reading here shortlisted for the top ten world's best schools for innovation.
22:33That is so, so incredible.
22:35And you should be so, so proud.
22:37For a school that's hit the iTunes charts, has a working cafe made from an old train,
22:41and a library built inside a plane, the fact that they've hit new heights with the shortlisting
22:46shows that for them and their students, it's not just the sky that's the limit, it's the world.
22:50Finn McDermid for CAME TV in Loos.
22:54They'll be going up against multiple schools from around the world, including the USA, Brazil, as you heard there.
23:01And I'm pleased to say we were joined earlier by Five Acre Woods head teacher, Tim Williams, and their principal.
23:08Let's have a look.
23:09Well, thank you both so much for joining us.
23:12First of all, just tell me a little bit about the pride you must feel, both of you, as part
23:16of Five Acre Wood.
23:17You know, now shortlisted for one of the best schools in the world.
23:22And that's not hyperbole.
23:24No, it's not.
23:27It is a massive, massive, big thing for us to have this presented to us.
23:36We're really honoured.
23:37You know, as we've said earlier, to be acknowledged and to be shortlisted as one of the top schools in
23:43the world,
23:44alongside some of the most inspirational schools is an incredible honour and an incredible accolade.
23:50Absolutely.
23:51And I'm aware it's specifically for the innovation part of that.
23:55So tell us a bit more about the award and what exactly that means.
24:00It's about all of our wonderful things that we've set up for our young people to make learning as exciting
24:09as possible.
24:09So it's about having an Airbus that we have as a library, because what better place to learn how to
24:18read than in an aeroplane?
24:21Yeah, it's doing things differently, really thinking out of the box to give our young people the very best that
24:29we possibly can and to meet their needs.
24:31And all of our innovation projects start with the child, start with their needs, their outcomes, their aspirations.
24:38We look at our local labour market information and we track that.
24:41Tell us about the timeline, I suppose.
24:43I'm curious about from where we are now, what's the system?
24:46Can we vote exactly what's what's going to happen to make sure that, fingers crossed, Five Acre Wood could make
24:52that top spot?
24:54There are ten schools in each of the five categories. A panel of judges decide on who's going to win
25:05each category.
25:07But there is also a community vote so that one of the schools, depending on how many people vote, will
25:14win the community award.
25:17And that will be on our website. I think we're putting it on.
25:20Yeah, we put the information on our website. So we would ask everyone to vote for us.
25:24I believe the closing date is towards the end of October and then the top three in the world and
25:29then the winner will be announced towards the end of November of this year.
25:35Well, you've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
25:39And as always, there's more news made just for Kent throughout the evening.
25:43And don't forget, you can always keep up to date with the latest news across your county by logging on
25:48to KMTV.co.uk.
25:51You can keep us on your social timelines as well by liking us on Facebook and following our TikTok.
25:56And if you have a story that you think we should be covering, maybe it's about this current heat wave
26:02or if your school has also won any kind of award, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
26:07And as you may know, we also have a series of special programs in Victor Sport, Kent on, sorry, based
26:13in Kent, Kent Film Club and the Kent Politics Show.
26:16You can watch those throughout the week or catch up with them on our website.
26:19But it's looking like that all the time we have.
26:22Thank you so much for watching and have a very good evening.
26:25See you soon. Goodbye.
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