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00:28Transcription by CastingWords
00:30Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
00:33I'm Finn McDermott and here are your top stories on Wednesday, the 12th of August.
00:37A harsh sentence, a grandmother says.
00:39She feels she's been handed a bigger punishment than the driver
00:42after a car crashed into her bedroom wall.
00:45I will always have that fear that will it happen again?
00:50That will always stay with me.
00:53A broken system?
00:54Medway Council write to government as social care costs skyrocket.
00:58Unless the government is going to significantly change the way they fund adult social care
01:02and children's services, we're not going to see any change of that.
01:05And once in a lifetime, we cover everything there is to know about the rare partial eclipse
01:09we'll be seeing this evening.
01:11Whatever you do, do not look at the sun directly.
01:13Use some special glasses like this, then you look at the sun quite safely.
01:27First tonight, an 84-year-old grandmother from Stroud has said it felt like she was the one
01:32who was handed a tougher sentence after a car crashed into her bungalow.
01:36Jill Robson had to spend 10 months in a Premier Inn as emergency services said her home was unsafe to
01:41live in.
01:42After almost a year of procedures, the driver of the car, Tamara Bowen, was sentenced.
01:46Leila Mohamed was at Maidstone Magistrates Court for the sentencing.
01:50This is the moment Tamara Bowen crashed into Jill Robson's bungalow.
01:55On the 19th October 2025, Jill found a car in her bedroom wall in Cookston Road in Stroud.
02:03The driver, Tamara Bowen, pled guilty to dangerous driving and for driving a vehicle with an alcohol level
02:10two times over the limit.
02:13CCTV footage shows Bowen colliding with a stationary car,
02:17pushing that car forward along the road before crashing into the victim's property.
02:22The damage done meant that Jill, who has leukaemia,
02:26had to live in a Premier Inn for the last 10 months,
02:29which she felt she was being handed a sentence.
02:32I did feel as though I was doing her time.
02:36Because I was in one room, I have a bed and a shower and a television and a kettle.
02:43She got to be home, she's with her family, she can come and go as she wants.
02:46And go and visit people.
02:48Christmas time.
02:49Maid So Magistrates Court heard that Bowen had been drinking at home
02:53before getting behind the wheel to collect her children.
02:56Her defence also explained that Bowen had come out of an abusive marriage,
02:59that she was about to lose her house and that drinking had become a coping mechanism,
03:03at which Bowen began to cry.
03:06The 44-year-old was then sentenced to
03:09a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months,
03:13an alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement for 120 days,
03:17an interim driving ban extended until October 2028.
03:22Bowen also has to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions
03:27and was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.
03:32What I was told, I thought she's getting off lightly,
03:36but after being in call and what she's got,
03:40yes, I'm content with what she's got and deserves every bit of it.
03:46Even though the sentencing was meant to offer some sense of justice
03:49and relief for Jill, she says she's still living in fear.
03:54I will always have that fear, that will it happen again?
03:59That will always stay with me.
04:01I'm just going to carry on as best I can.
04:04That's the only thing I can do.
04:06For Jill, the court case may now be over,
04:08but the consequences of that crash are something she says
04:12she will live with for the rest of her life.
04:14Nayla Mahamud for KMTV in Maidstone.
04:19Firefighters in Singleton near Ashford
04:20battled a fire for almost 12 hours at an industrial site
04:24that had spread to a neighbouring field.
04:26Large plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the scene
04:29off Chart Road near the Singleton Environment Centre
04:31that happened yesterday evening.
04:33The road was blocked off by police
04:35before six fire engines and a bulk water carrier
04:38was sent just after 6pm.
04:39Crews were working to extinguish the flames
04:41until around 10 to 6 in the morning.
04:44The fire service said the fire started
04:46at an industrial premises
04:47but then spread to that nearby field.
04:49No injuries have been reported
04:51and the cause of the fire is at this stage
04:53believed to be deliberate.
04:55A historic bridge in Sandwich
04:57could remain closed for months
04:58after a tanker smashed into it.
05:00A southern water tanker
05:01hit the toll bridge in Ramsgate Road
05:04on the morning of 8 August
05:06forcing Kent County Council Highways
05:07to close the route until 21st
05:09to survey the damage.
05:11Those living on estates
05:12on the other side of the crossing
05:13now face a 10-minute diversion
05:15to access the town.
05:16Pedestrians and cyclists
05:17are still able to cross
05:18but there are fears that repairs
05:19would require the bridge
05:20to be closed entirely.
05:22A spokesperson for Southern Water
05:23said they're investigating
05:24the circumstances surrounding the incident
05:26and added they are sorry
05:27for any inconvenience caused.
05:30With another heat wave on the horizon
05:32how can we make sure
05:33that we're staying safe
05:34and healthy under the sun
05:35and can repeated exposure
05:37to high heat
05:37have a negative effect on us
05:39even indoors?
05:40As well as that
05:41a care home in Gillingham
05:42has made the unusual decision
05:43to close their doors
05:44temporarily over safety concerns.
05:46Well, what will this mean
05:47for its residents
05:48and as many across the county
05:49and the country
05:50prepare to watch this evening's
05:51once-in-a-lifetime
05:53partial eclipse.
05:53How can we make sure
05:54we're watching the skies safely?
05:56Well, Dr Julian Spinks
05:57will join us in a second
05:58to talk through
05:59the latest health news
06:00here in Kent.
06:08Yes, Julian.
06:09First of all,
06:10we're seeing heat health warnings
06:11return for this Friday evening.
06:13Another amber alert
06:14going up from the recent
06:15yellow alert
06:16that we had recently.
06:17In your experience,
06:18how has this kind of heat
06:19affected healthcare response times
06:21whether that's GP surgeries,
06:23clinics, A&E?
06:25Talk us through
06:26your experience in that.
06:27Well, there's an impact
06:28on the health service, definitely.
06:30It puts up the number
06:31of people going to A&E,
06:32admissions,
06:33number of people contacting
06:34the GP and being seen by them.
06:36We have difficulty
06:38with some of the older
06:39buildings in the NHS
06:40which don't have air conditioning
06:42and it hasn't happened
06:43so far in Kent
06:44but there's one practice
06:45in the country
06:45which has actually decided
06:47to close
06:47because they feel
06:48it's unsafe in that.
06:49For patients,
06:51having these repeated episodes
06:52does put an increasing strain
06:54on their body
06:55and really getting
06:56very few days to recover
06:57before the next one comes in
06:59and the most interesting one
07:00is to do with mental health.
07:01With prolonged heat,
07:03you would get a rise.
07:04There's about a 10% rise
07:05in the number of people
07:06needing admission
07:07from mental health problems
07:08and in fact,
07:09there's a 2% rise
07:09in the number of people
07:10dying with mental health problems
07:12so there's a very significant
07:14effect of this
07:15probably due to
07:16the combination
07:17of being stuck indoors
07:18because people don't want
07:19to go out in the heat
07:20plus things like
07:21being unable to sleep at night
07:22and sleep deprivation
07:23is pretty bad.
07:24I see.
07:25So what are some
07:27of these precautions
07:28that we can be taking
07:28to ensure that
07:29during these prolonged periods
07:31we can withstand
07:33this kind of heat?
07:35The most important thing
07:36as far as I'm concerned
07:37is staying hydrated.
07:38So having fluids
07:39on a regular basis.
07:41Alcohol unfortunately
07:42dehydrates you
07:43so having that
07:44entirely in beer
07:45is not a good idea.
07:48Staying out of the sun
07:49during the middle of the day,
07:5011 through till 3 in the afternoon
07:52is a good idea.
07:53Also that means
07:54you're less likely
07:55to get things like sunburn.
07:57So that's very helpful as well
07:59and actually watch out
08:01for each other
08:01particularly if you've got
08:02a neighbour who's elderly
08:03and maybe lives on their own
08:05popping and making sure
08:06they're okay
08:07is a good idea
08:08because people
08:08who are older
08:09particularly over 85
08:10are at particular risk.
08:12I see.
08:12And very quickly Julian
08:13we have the picture
08:15of the eclipse here
08:16as quick as you can
08:17can you just give us
08:18a quick insight
08:19into why we shouldn't
08:19be looking at this eclipse.
08:21The lenses of the eye
08:22are a powerful magnifying lens
08:24and when you look
08:25at the sun
08:25it concentrates here
08:26and it actually
08:28burns the back of the eye
08:29so don't look at the sun.
08:30I see.
08:31Thank you so much
08:31for your time Doctor.
08:38Now it's been six years
08:39since water erosion
08:41caused a landslip
08:42that closed Aylesford towpath
08:44and two and a half years
08:45since it secured
08:46government funds
08:46to fix it.
08:47Our reporter Maisie Walker
08:49has been down to the site
08:50to tell us more
08:51about what exactly
08:52is happening
08:53with this repair.
08:53A new crack in a towpath
08:55which has been closed
08:56for six years
08:57is raising concerns
08:58among the Aylesford community.
09:00The Aylesford towpath
09:01experienced a landslip
09:03caused by water erosion
09:04in 2020
09:05and since then
09:06it's remained fenced off
09:07from residents
09:08with frustrations
09:09growing among locals
09:11and councillors
09:11who say they've had enough.
09:13I think there is
09:14every intention
09:15of beginning work next May.
09:16But I fear
09:18there is a lack
09:19of political leadership here.
09:21I'm not sure
09:22active travel
09:23and healthy walking
09:24is high on
09:25Reform UK's agenda
09:26so I suspect
09:28without continual
09:29political pressure
09:29the work may
09:31yet again be delayed.
09:33We are
09:34in a society
09:35where there's traffic
09:36and congestion
09:37where people
09:38are more and more
09:39busy and stressed
09:40with everyday life
09:41and to have this facility
09:43this wonderful towpath
09:45linking Aylesford village
09:47with Maidstone
09:48is a benefit to everybody
09:50and KCC just need
09:51to get on
09:52and get it done.
09:53It's stopping a generation.
09:55We've had COVID
09:56and now we've got this
09:57and this has run
09:58through COVID
09:58this has run
09:59much much longer
10:00than COVID
10:01and the effect
10:02is to get people
10:03frankly going
10:04to school by car
10:06and this sort of thing
10:07whereas teenagers
10:08should be out
10:09on their bikes
10:10and getting to know
10:11a bit about life
10:12and enjoying
10:13their own freedom
10:15to travel
10:15and this is a major
10:17impediment to it.
10:18Kent County Council
10:19says repairs are now
10:20due to begin next May
10:22but after three
10:23previous delays
10:24residents remain
10:25sceptical.
10:26I've been keeping
10:26an eye on it
10:27since we moved in
10:28so we've been here
10:28for about 18 months
10:29and the first thing
10:29I looked at was
10:30what's going on
10:31what are the time
10:32scales etc
10:32and it just seems
10:34that there's like a delay
10:35after delay
10:36like I say
10:36the funding was approved
10:37but there seems
10:38to be another issue
10:39another bit of bureaucracy
10:40red tape
10:40that's saying
10:40well we can't do it
10:41just yet
10:42I used to meet
10:42so many people
10:43and there was lots
10:44of people dog walking
10:45and it was actually
10:46really great for people
10:47say on mobility scooters
10:49and things like that
10:50because they could
10:51come onto the footpath
10:52they could bring
10:52their little dog
10:53and they could get
10:54all the way up
10:55to Allington Lock
10:56and go to the coffee shop
10:58there and it was
10:58a social thing for them
11:001.2 million pounds
11:02was secured
11:02through the government's
11:03active travel scheme
11:04over two years ago
11:05to pay for these repairs
11:07but there are fears
11:08it could be withdrawn
11:09if the project continues
11:10to be delayed
11:11and so with these costs
11:13likely to rise
11:14the longer the work
11:15is put off
11:15councillors are fearing
11:17the worst
11:17so here is actually
11:19a new crack
11:20that has happened
11:20in response to the landfall
11:22over there
11:23and councillors are actually
11:24really concerned
11:25that this may be the start
11:26of a bigger issue
11:27I've contacted
11:28Kent County Council
11:29for a response
11:30but have not yet received one
11:31in a previous statement
11:33KCC said
11:34they are committed
11:35and will continue
11:35to work closely
11:36with relevant authorities
11:37to secure approvals quickly
11:40for now
11:40the barriers remain
11:42and residents
11:42will have to wait
11:43until next May
11:44to find out
11:45if they can finally
11:46get back on the path
11:47they've been missing out on
11:48for six years
11:49Maisie Walker
11:50for KMTV
11:52Asford
11:53Well that's all the time
11:54we have for this part
11:54of the show
11:55but we'll see you
11:55with more of Kent's news
11:56in just a few minutes
12:25We'll see you next time
12:56We'll see you next time
13:09Thank you
13:39Thank you
14:14Thank you
14:42Thank you
15:18Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight
15:20live here on KMTV
15:22A veteran from Laybourne
15:24who was involved
15:24in nuclear bomb testing
15:26says the new Prime Minister
15:27has given him hope
15:28of some compensation
15:30Terry Quinlan
15:31was only 19 years old
15:33when he was exposed
15:33to the nuclear explosion
15:35on Christmas Island
15:36and at the time
15:36the effects of radiation
15:37weren't fully understood
15:38many servicemen
15:39including him
15:40weren't given protection
15:41the veterans have been told
15:42they can seek compensation
15:43if they can prove
15:44any health problems
15:45were connected to their service
15:46something they've said
15:47is incredibly hard to do
15:48Andy Burnham
15:49has previously spoken
15:50in support of their cause
15:51when he was Mayor of Manchester
15:53We can hear more
15:54from Terry Kinlan now
15:56very awful
15:59very awful
16:00very awful indeed
16:02since Andy Burnham
16:04has sort of
16:05standing his ground
16:07for
16:08he was for the nuclear veterans
16:11as a Mayor of Manchester
16:14and carried it on
16:17as MP
16:19and made a speech
16:21in Parliament
16:22just recently
16:23standing up for the
16:25nuclear veterans
16:26and now
16:27as a Member of Parliament
16:29that
16:31should help us
16:32a great deal
16:32and very awful
16:33about it
16:35Medway Council
16:36say they're writing
16:36to the government
16:37over the rising costs
16:38of adult social care
16:39and the authority
16:40is already facing
16:41a £42 million
16:42overspend
16:43so far this year
16:44The leader of the council
16:45says that rising costs
16:46and demand
16:47is driving the bleak
16:48financial pictures
16:49but opposition councillors
16:50say the situation
16:51is untenable
16:52our local democracy reporter
16:54Olly Leader
16:54has this for us
16:55It's been a tough start
16:57to the financial year
16:58for Medway Council
16:59there's no doubt
17:00about it
17:01day-to-day spending
17:02is £42 million
17:04more than it should be
17:06and even with
17:07proposed strategies
17:09to bring the budget
17:10in line
17:11the council
17:11is currently looking
17:13at a £26 million
17:14overspend
17:16opposition
17:17councillors say
17:18is simply
17:19not good enough
17:20Well look it's
17:21complete shambles
17:22we're really concerned
17:23nearly £50 million
17:25projected overspend
17:26in the year
17:26that the administration
17:27seem to be adamant
17:29that they're going
17:29to be able to get down
17:30through management action
17:31well we've got
17:32a whole load of concerns
17:33about why the gap
17:34in this year's budget
17:36is nearly as large
17:37as some of the entire budgets
17:38as some of the other
17:39district councils
17:40in North Kent
17:41Medway Council
17:43has a legal duty
17:45to provide support
17:46to vulnerable children
17:47and adults
17:48and much of its overspend
17:50is for these
17:50essential statutory services
17:52You just have to look
17:54for example
17:54at our 15
17:56highest individual
17:57spends
17:58for individual residents
17:59and we want to support
18:00every resident
18:01who needs adult social care
18:02the cost of that
18:03is over £5 million
18:04a year
18:05just for 15 individuals
18:07The authority
18:08is now writing
18:09to the Secretary of State
18:11for Health and Social Care
18:12for more support
18:14We do need now
18:15to speak directly
18:16to government
18:17because we're not going
18:17to let Medway
18:18be underfunded
18:22compared to everybody else
18:24that is probably unfair
18:26The government
18:27is looking
18:28to reform
18:29social care
18:30at a national level
18:32a long-term fix
18:33to a problem
18:34facing our councils
18:35in the here
18:37and now
18:37Olly Leader
18:38in Medway
18:40Now let's take a look
18:42at all your sports news
18:52And the new
18:52Gillingham FC
18:53signing James Brophy
18:54has spoken about
18:55how Gareth Ainsworth
18:56persuaded him
18:56to join the team
18:57He was released
18:58by Cambridge
18:59after five years
19:00when they were promoted
19:00and there was plenty
19:01of interest in him
19:02but he says
19:02Ainsworth was the first
19:03he met from among
19:04those teams
19:05He said
19:06I hadn't met
19:06a new manager
19:07or been interviewed
19:07for about five years
19:08so I was fairly cold
19:09to that kind of game
19:10He said
19:11He came across
19:11as a manager
19:12I would want to play for
19:13The Gills face off
19:14against Walsall
19:15this weekend
19:15after a 3-0 loss
19:16to Luton Town
19:17in the first round
19:18of the Carabao Cup
19:20Dover Athletic
19:20have credited
19:21league rivals
19:22Horsham
19:22with helping them
19:23sign their new
19:23midfielder
19:24Jack Bates
19:25He was playing
19:26at Horsham
19:27but the club
19:27weren't putting on
19:28a deal for him
19:28and instead
19:29recommended him
19:29to the Whites
19:30Manager Jake Lubell
19:31you can see there
19:32said Horsham
19:33weren't in a position
19:33to offer him anything
19:34and it was in an area
19:35where we were a bit light
19:36We've seen a bit of him
19:37in training
19:37and we like the look of him
19:39Bates most recently
19:40came off the bench
19:40in a 2-0 loss
19:41against newly promoted
19:42side Billeriki Town
19:43at the weekend
19:45Folkestone and Invicta
19:46have missed out
19:46on the chance
19:47for a new Kent Derby
19:48after their promotion
19:48because of the ongoing
19:49financial issues
19:50with Epps Fleet United
19:52Invicta were meant
19:53to travel to Stonebridge Road
19:54for their second game
19:55in the National League South
19:56but the league
19:56has postponed
19:57the Fleet's first three games
19:58The club have unpaid debts
20:00going back to April
20:00and in a statement
20:01on their website
20:02say they'll clear
20:03the HMRC debts
20:04by the end of August
20:04Meanwhile Folkestone
20:05beat Walton and Hersham
20:06five goals to one
20:07at the weekend
20:08having a dream start
20:09to their new league
20:10Over to rugby now
20:11where Kent's clubs
20:12have permission
20:13to postpone
20:14their opening day games
20:15the dry weather
20:15leaving some pitches
20:16unsafe for training
20:17The RFU said
20:18several clubs
20:19have expressed concerns
20:20that pitch conditions
20:21mean players
20:21are currently unable
20:22to prepare adequately
20:23for contact
20:24in league matches
20:24Now it is worth noting
20:26this is the fourth time
20:26in five seasons
20:27this has happened
20:28with the union saying
20:29other clubs should advise
20:30their opposition
20:30and of any concerns
20:32by noon on September 4th
20:34They added the situation
20:35will be reviewed
20:36later in August
20:37and further guidance
20:37for other games
20:38beyond will be issued
20:39if appropriate
20:41Two young swimmers
20:42in Maidstone
20:43had an impressive showing
20:44at this year's
20:45Aquatics GB
20:46Next Gen Championships
20:47in Sheffield
20:49Romeo Ball
20:50and Elise Butler
20:51race in the 13
20:52and 14 year age group
20:53and both took home gold
20:54Ball in the 200
20:55and 400 metre
20:56individual medley
20:57and Butler
20:57in the 100 metre
20:58backstroke
20:58and 800 metre freestyle
21:00The Aquatics GB
21:01Next Gen Championship
21:02featured more than
21:03220 clubs
21:04and is the country's
21:05premier 50 metre
21:06swimming event
21:07The two also picked up
21:08some regional records
21:09on the way
21:09with Butler saying
21:10I'm so pleased
21:11with how I was able
21:11to consistently perform
21:12throughout the whole week
21:13Each swim was
21:14their personal best for me
21:15and to come over
21:16with two golds
21:16three silvers
21:17and a record
21:18is really something
21:19And lastly
21:20one of Ashford's
21:21young skiing prospects
21:22Tallulah Tandy
21:23has been celebrated
21:24after winning
21:24the British Dry Slope Championships
21:26At eight years old
21:27Tallulah beat
21:28the competition
21:28in the under 10 girls
21:29category at the national
21:30event held in Stoke
21:31Not only taking
21:32the under 10 girls title
21:33but her times
21:34were also faster
21:35than every competitor
21:36except one
21:36in the under 10 boys
21:37category as well
21:38A great achievement
21:39for the young prospect
21:41That's all the time
21:41we have for our sports news
21:42See you soon
21:52Now it's time to take a look
21:53at our weather forecast
22:00Well this evening
22:01it's staying semi-mild
22:03We've got temperatures
22:04of 22 there
22:05in Dover and Margate
22:07Clear skies
22:07and even clearer skies
22:08into tomorrow morning
22:09that amber heat
22:10health alert
22:11sticking around
22:12highs of 27
22:12there in Ashford
22:13and it's getting
22:14even hotter
22:15highs of 34
22:15in Maystone
22:16and Royal Tunbridge
22:17wells in the afternoon
22:18wind speeds of eight
22:19with more sun
22:20sticking around
22:21and it looks like
22:22we'll get some relief
22:22this weekend
22:23with some slight drizzle
22:24predicted on Saturday
22:26Friday we'll still have
22:27that extremely high heat
22:29and the sun returning
22:30behind the clouds
22:30on Sunday
22:35A festival promising
22:37good food, music
22:38and shopping
22:38is set to return
22:39this weekend
22:40Herne Bay Summer Fest
22:42Feastival
22:42I should say
22:43organised by Zoom Events
22:44is ready to take over
22:45Clock Tower Plaza
22:46from Friday to Sunday
22:47Food lovers can enjoy
22:49international delights
22:50and a spokesperson
22:50for Zoom Events
22:51said with a fantastic
22:52selection of street food
22:54shopping
22:54and live entertainment
22:55the Summer Feastival
22:56provides something
22:56for everyone to enjoy
22:57The event will be open
22:59from 11 to 7
22:59on Friday
23:00August the 14th
23:02and at varying times
23:03throughout that weekend
23:05Now it's a rare sight
23:07that many have been
23:07waiting years for
23:08as tonight
23:09Skies Across Kent
23:10will put on a
23:11spectacular show
23:12It's the eclipse of course
23:13and it will unfold
23:14over around two hours
23:15giving people plenty of time
23:17to see the moon
23:17slowly pass in front of the sun
23:19but how do you watch it safely
23:21and what else can you expect to see
23:23Kristen Hawthorne
23:23met with the professionals
23:24to bring you this report
23:26At exactly 6.17pm UK time
23:29a partial solar eclipse
23:31will start to darken skies
23:32across the world
23:33Here in Kent
23:34we'll be seeing
23:35what is known
23:36as a partial solar eclipse
23:37Professor David Rees
23:39from the Mid-Kent
23:40Astronomical Society
23:41says it will be
23:42the best eclipse
23:43we've seen in Kent
23:44in the past 30 years
23:45These eclipses
23:46only occur rather rarely
23:48The last really good one
23:49we had in the UK
23:50was in 1999
23:52so 27 years ago
23:54so this one
23:55is one we've been
23:56looking forward to
23:57for some time
23:57A lot of my astronomy colleagues
23:59are out getting ready
24:00and will be making observations
24:02of the sun
24:06as the moon crosses its surface
24:07later this afternoon
24:09and this evening
24:09The once in a generation event
24:11is grabbing the attention
24:12of all ages
24:13Judy, who's on work experience
24:15is particularly excited
24:16to get the chance
24:17to see it from a professional's perspective
24:19The best bit
24:21will probably be the peak
24:22when it's almost fully covered
24:24and you can see both
24:25at the same time
24:26and I'm really really excited
24:27for that definitely
24:28I have some friends
24:29who are like celebrating it
24:30and going out and seeing it
24:31when they usually
24:32don't really like space stuff
24:33so it's nice that it kind of
24:35incorporates everyone really
24:36because everyone knows
24:37how amazing it is
24:39So these are the glasses
24:40that have been selling out
24:41across the country
24:42as people prepare
24:43for the solar eclipse
24:44this evening
24:45but people like David
24:46are going to be using
24:47special telescopes
24:48with special filters
24:49in order to see it
24:50this set up cost around
24:52£10,000
24:53but he says tonight
24:54is particularly exciting
24:55because it's not just
24:57the solar eclipse
24:57that he's preparing to see
24:58Well, we'll be using
25:00the big telescope
25:02at the back
25:04for observing
25:05what's called
25:06the Omega
25:08Nebula
25:08which is a bright
25:10gas nebula
25:10we were doing some
25:11observations of it
25:12last night
25:13Later on in the night
25:14we'll be taking images
25:15of what's called
25:16the Lunar Sodium Tail
25:18This is a great cloud of sodium
25:20released from the lunar surface
25:22which comes past the Earth
25:24like a comet tail
25:25and is focused
25:26by the Earth's gravity field
25:27into a spot in the sky
25:29After that
25:30we'll probably have a look
25:31for a comet
25:32and then we'll be trying
25:34to observe a comet
25:35as dawn approaches
25:37and maybe also look at Saturn
25:38If you were not lucky enough
25:40to get your hands on a pair
25:41of the solar viewing glasses
25:42there are a number of other methods
25:44you can use to get a glimpse
25:45It is safe to use a piece of paper
25:49with a small hole in it
25:50like a millimetre diameter
25:52and then project the sun's image
25:54onto another sheet of white card
25:55that's perfectly safe
25:57it's also safe to use a colander
26:00but you know
26:00don't look at the sun directly
26:02without having your glasses on
26:04make sure they fit properly
26:06and then it's safe to look at the sun
26:08If you're hoping to see the eclipse
26:10this evening
26:11make sure you do it safely
26:12and with clear skies expected
26:14across Kent
26:15we're in for a spectacular show
26:17so keep your eyes protected
26:19look up safely
26:20and certainly enjoy it
26:22Kristen Hawthorne
26:23for KMTV
26:23in Rye
26:26Great piece there
26:27from Kristen
26:28Now coming up
26:29an 84 year old
26:30grandmother from Strood
26:31we'll be hearing from her
26:32after a car crashed
26:33into her bungalow
26:34and she had to stay
26:35in a Premier Inn
26:35for multiple months
26:37It's also been six years
26:38since water erosion
26:39caused a landslip
26:40that closed
26:41Eltesford Towpath
26:42We'll be talking all about
26:43the active repairs
26:44that are happening there
26:45and what locals
26:46and councillors make
26:47of the situation
26:48We'll also take a look
26:49at Medway Council's
26:50writing to government
26:51over the rising cost
26:52of adult social care
26:53All that and more
26:54after this very short break
26:55See you in a second
27:24We'll be talking to you in a second
27:41Thank you
28:11Thank you
28:43Thank you
29:11Thank you
29:45Thank you
29:58Thank you
30:29Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight
30:31live here on KMTV
30:33I'm Finn McDermott
30:34and here are your top stories
30:35on Wednesday 12th August
30:37A harsh sentence
30:38a grandmother says
30:39she feels she's been handed
30:41a bigger punishment
30:42than the driver
30:42after a car crashed
30:44into her bedroom wall
30:45I will always have that fear
30:47that will it happen again
30:51that will always stay with me
30:53A broken system?
30:54Medway Council write to government
30:56as social care costs skyrocket
30:58Unless the government
30:59is going to significantly change
31:00the way they fund adult social care
31:02and children's services
31:03we're not going to see
31:04any change of that
31:05And once in a lifetime
31:06we cover everything
31:07there is to know
31:08about the rare partial eclipse
31:09we'll be seeing this evening
31:11Whatever you do
31:12do not look at the sun directly
31:13use some special glasses
31:15like this
31:16then you look at the sun
31:17quite safely
31:27An 84 year old grandmother
31:29from Strood
31:30says she felt like
31:31she was handed
31:32a tougher sentence
31:33after a car
31:34crashed into her bungalow
31:35Jill Robson
31:36had to spend
31:3710 months
31:37in a Premier Inn
31:38as emergency services
31:39said her home
31:40was unsafe to live in
31:41After almost a year
31:42of procedures
31:43the driver of the car
31:44Tamara Bowen
31:45was sentenced
31:45Naila Mohamed
31:46was at the
31:47Maidstone Magistrates Court
31:48for the sentencing
31:49This is the moment
31:51Tamara Bowen
31:52crashed into
31:53Jill Robson's bungalow
31:55On the 90th of October
31:572025
31:58Jill found a car
32:00in her bedroom wall
32:01in Cookston Road
32:02in Strood
32:03The driver
32:04Tamara Bowen
32:05pled guilty
32:07to dangerous driving
32:08and for driving
32:09a vehicle
32:09with an alcohol level
32:10two times
32:11over the limit
32:12CCTV footage
32:14shows Bowen
32:15colliding
32:16with a stationary car
32:17pushing that car
32:18forward along the road
32:19before crashing
32:20into the victim's property
32:23The damage done
32:24meant that Jill
32:25who has leukaemia
32:26had to live
32:27in a Premier Inn
32:28for the last 10 months
32:29which she felt
32:30she was being handed
32:31a sentence
32:32I did feel
32:34as though
32:34I was doing her time
32:36because I was in one room
32:38I have a bed
32:39and a shower
32:39and a television
32:41and a kettle
32:42she got to be home
32:44she's with her family
32:45she can come and go
32:45as she wants
32:47and go and visit people
32:48Christmas time
32:50Maid's own magistrates
32:51court heard that
32:52Bowen had been drinking
32:52at home
32:53before getting behind
32:54the wheel
32:54to collect her children
32:56her defence
32:57also explained
32:57that Bowen
32:58had come out
32:58of an abusive marriage
32:59that she was about
33:00to lose her house
33:01and that drinking
33:02had become
33:02a coping mechanism
33:03at which
33:04Bowen began to cry
33:06the 44 year old
33:08was then sentenced to
33:09a 12 month
33:10custodial sentence
33:11suspended for 18 months
33:13an alcohol abstinence
33:15and monitoring requirement
33:16for 120 days
33:17an interim driving ban
33:19extended until October
33:212028
33:22Bowen also has to complete
33:2415 rehabilitation
33:25activity requirement sessions
33:27and was also ordered
33:28to pay a £187
33:30victim surcharge
33:32what I was told
33:33I thought
33:34she's getting off lightly
33:36but after being in court
33:37and what she's got
33:40yes
33:41I'm content
33:42with what she's got
33:44and deserves
33:45every bit of it
33:46even though the sentencing
33:47was meant to offer
33:48some sense of justice
33:49and relief for Jill
33:51she says she's still
33:52living in fear
33:53I will always have that fear
33:56that will it happen again
33:59that will always
34:00stay with me
34:01I'm just going to
34:02carry on the best I can
34:04that's anything I can do
34:05For Jill
34:07the court case
34:08may now be over
34:09but the consequences
34:10of that crash
34:11are something she says
34:12she will live with
34:13for the rest of her life
34:14Nayla Mahamud
34:15for KMTV
34:15in Maidstone
34:18Plans to build
34:19825 more homes
34:20on an orchard
34:21after a council U-turn
34:22have been called sneaky
34:23by residents
34:24who have vowed
34:25to fight them
34:25Esquire Developments Ltd
34:28have submitted
34:28a scoping opinion
34:29for land off
34:30Pump Lane
34:30in Rainham
34:31for the project
34:32with plans to include
34:3315 temporary accommodation units
34:35public parks and schools
34:36Jo Sage
34:37who is a member of the
34:37Stop Pump Lane
34:38development campaign
34:39said residents were
34:40incredibly angry
34:41with the decision
34:41MP Nishabha Khan
34:43added that while
34:43Medway needs a local plan
34:45she argues that
34:46the site shouldn't have
34:46been allocated
34:47at such a late stage
34:48in the process
34:49and will keep pressing
34:50the council on the application
34:52An influencer from Gravesend
34:54who has been accused
34:55of murdering her boyfriend
34:56in Dubai
34:56is set to appear
34:57in court next month
34:58Brooke George
34:59has been charged
35:00with the murder
35:00of Bill Treby
35:01who is originally
35:02from Rainham
35:03she has admitted
35:04to stabbing Mr Treby
35:05but says she acted
35:06in self-defense
35:07George has been held
35:08in prison
35:08in the United Arab Emirates
35:10since the incident
35:10in June
35:11and she is due
35:11to appear in court
35:12on the 2nd of September
35:15it has been six years
35:17since water erosion
35:18caused a landslip
35:19and closed
35:19Aylesford Towpath
35:20two and a half years
35:21since it has secured
35:22£1.2 million
35:23from the government's
35:24active travel scheme
35:25to pay for the repair
35:26locals have said
35:27the towpath
35:28gives them a safe
35:29walking route
35:29from Aylesford
35:30to Allington Lock
35:31and Maidstone
35:32Kent County Council
35:33have announced
35:33that works will begin
35:34next year
35:34but residents say
35:35they aren't too confident
35:36the repairs will be made
35:38our reporter
35:39Maisie Walker
35:39has the story
35:40a new crack
35:41in a towpath
35:42which has been closed
35:43for six years
35:44is raising concerns
35:45among the Aylesford community
35:47the Aylesford towpath
35:48experienced a landslip
35:49caused by water erosion
35:51in 2020
35:52and since then
35:53it's remained fenced off
35:54from residents
35:55with frustrations
35:56growing among locals
35:57and councillors
35:58who say they've had enough
35:59I think there is
36:01every intention
36:02of beginning work
36:02next May
36:03but I fear
36:04there is a lack
36:06of political leadership
36:07here
36:08I'm not sure
36:09active travel
36:10and healthy walking
36:11is high on
36:11Reform UK's agenda
36:12so I suspect
36:14without continual
36:15political pressure
36:16the work may
36:17yet again be delayed
36:19we are
36:21in a society
36:22where there's
36:23traffic and congestion
36:23where people
36:25are more and more
36:26more busy and stressed
36:27with everyday life
36:28and to have this facility
36:30this wonderful towpath
36:32linking Aylesford village
36:34with Maidstone
36:35is a benefit to everybody
36:37and KCC just need to get on
36:38and get it done
36:40it's stopping a generation
36:41we've had Covid
36:42and now we've got this
36:44and this has run
36:44through Covid
36:45this has run much
36:46much longer than Covid
36:47and the effect is
36:49to get people
36:50frankly going
36:51going to school
36:52by car
36:53and this sort of thing
36:54whereas teenagers
36:55should be out
36:56on their bikes
36:57and getting to know
36:58a bit about life
36:59and enjoying
37:00their own freedom
37:02to travel
37:02and this is a major
37:04impediment to it
37:05Kent County Council
37:06says repairs
37:07are now due
37:07to begin next May
37:08but after three
37:09previous delays
37:10residents remain sceptical
37:12I've been keeping an eye
37:13on it since we moved in
37:14so we've been here
37:15for about 18 months
37:16and the first thing
37:16I looked at was
37:17you know
37:17what's going on
37:18what are the time scales
37:19etc
37:20and it just seems
37:21that there's like a delay
37:22after delay
37:23like I say
37:23the funding was approved
37:24but there seems to be
37:25another issue
37:25another bit of bureaucracy
37:26red tape
37:27that's saying
37:27well we can't do it
37:28just yet
37:28I used to meet
37:29so many people
37:30and there was lots of people
37:31dog walking
37:32and it was actually
37:33really great for people
37:34say on mobility scooters
37:35and things like that
37:36because they could come
37:37onto the footpath
37:38they could bring their
37:39little dog
37:40and they could get all the
37:41way up to Allington Lock
37:43and go to the coffee shop
37:44there
37:45and it was a social
37:46thing for them
37:461.2 million pounds
37:48was secured through the
37:49government's active travel
37:51scheme over two years ago
37:52to pay for these repairs
37:53but there are fears
37:55it could be withdrawn
37:56if the project continues
37:57to be delayed
37:58and so with these costs
38:00likely to rise
38:00the longer the work
38:01is put off
38:02councillors are fearing
38:03the worst
38:04so here is actually
38:06a new crack
38:06that has happened
38:07in response to the landfall
38:09over there
38:09and councillors are actually
38:10really concerned
38:11that this may be the start
38:12of a bigger issue
38:13I've contacted
38:15Kent County Council
38:16for a response
38:16but have not yet received one
38:18in a previous statement
38:19KCC said
38:20they are committed
38:21and will continue
38:22to work closely
38:23with relevant authorities
38:24to secure approvals quickly
38:26for now
38:27the barriers remain
38:28and residents will have to
38:30wait until next May
38:31to find out
38:31if they can finally
38:32get back on the path
38:33they've been missing out on
38:35for six years
38:36Maisie Walker
38:37for KMTV
38:38Ellsford
38:40A thief who told
38:41magistrates
38:41she doesn't like queuing
38:43has stolen around
38:44£70 worth of make-up
38:45and food
38:45from shops in Canterbury
38:47Carla Sharp
38:48stole a £38 contour stick
38:50from Space NK
38:51in Whitefriars
38:52on February 13th
38:53and took food
38:54worth £32.80
38:55from a co-op
38:56two months later
38:56She's from the
38:58Sturrier area
38:59of Canterbury
38:59and pled guilty
39:00to both offences
39:01when she appeared
39:01at Margate Magistrates Court
39:04Jack Stewart
39:05who was defending
39:06told the court
39:06that Sharp
39:07had borderline
39:07personality disorder
39:08and relied on medication
39:10which Judge Cox
39:10took note of
39:11She's now on a
39:1212-month conditional
39:13discharge
39:14and is ordered
39:14to pay back
39:15the month
39:16at £20 a month
39:18Medway Council
39:19say they're writing
39:20to the government
39:20over the rising costs
39:21of adult social care
39:22The authority is already
39:23facing a £42 million
39:25overspend
39:26for this year so far
39:27The leader of the council
39:28says that rising costs
39:29and demand is driving
39:30the bleak financial pictures
39:31but opposition councillors
39:33say the situation
39:33is untenable
39:34Our local
39:35Democracy reporter
39:36Olly Lieder
39:36has this breakdown
39:37for us
39:38It's been a tough start
39:39to the financial year
39:40for Medway Council
39:42there's no doubt
39:42about it
39:43Day-to-day spending
39:45is £42 million
39:46more than it should be
39:48and even with
39:50proposed strategies
39:51to bring the budget
39:52in line
39:53the council
39:54is currently looking
39:55at a £26 million
39:57overspend
39:58opposition
39:59councillors say
40:00it's simply
40:01not good enough
40:02Well look
40:03it's complete shambles
40:04we're really concerned
40:05nearly £50 million
40:07projected overspend
40:08in a year
40:09that the administration
40:09seem to be adamant
40:11that they're going
40:11to be able to get down
40:12through management action
40:13well we've got
40:14a whole load of concerns
40:15about why the gap
40:17in this year's budget
40:18is nearly as large
40:19as some of the entire budgets
40:20as some of the other
40:21district councils
40:23in North Kent
40:23Medway Council
40:25has a legal duty
40:27to provide support
40:28to vulnerable children
40:29and adults
40:30and much of its overspend
40:32is for these essential
40:33statutory services
40:35You just have to look
40:36for example
40:36at our 15
40:38highest individual spends
40:40for individual residents
40:41and we want to support
40:42every resident
40:43who needs adult social care
40:44the cost of that
40:46is over £5 million
40:46a year
40:47just for 15 individuals
40:49The authority
40:50is now writing
40:51to the Secretary of State
40:53for Health and Social Care
40:54for more support
40:56We do need now
40:57to speak directly
40:58to government
40:59because we're not going
41:00to let Medway be underfunded
41:04compared to everybody else
41:06that is probably unfair
41:08The government is looking
41:10to reform social care
41:12at a national level
41:14a long-term fix
41:15to a problem
41:16facing our councils
41:18in the here and now
41:20Olly Lieder
41:21in Medway
41:23A Spider-Man obsessed fan
41:25was left in tears
41:26after feeling invisible
41:27at a disabled viewing area
41:28at the latest Spider-Man premiere
41:30Tony Lyons
41:31from who says
41:32her son
41:3314-year-old Ewan
41:34who has
41:34Ella's Dathlos Syndrome
41:36watched hundreds of fans
41:37get pictures
41:38and autographs
41:38from the cast
41:39at the Odeon
41:39in Leicester Square
41:40whilst he was sat
41:41in a separate viewing area
41:43Tony accused
41:44Sony Pictures
41:45of excluding him
41:45and other children
41:46with disabilities
41:47The two received tickets
41:48from Premiere Events
41:50fan pens
41:51and both Sony
41:51and Premiere Events
41:52fan pens
41:53were approached
41:53multiple times
41:53for comment
41:54but did not respond
41:56more apologies
41:57more news for you
41:58after this break
42:08We'll be right back
46:03Can you hear me okay?
46:04Hello.
46:05There we are.
46:06Kristen, apologies for that.
46:07Yes, just a bite fin.
46:09You were just in rapture, I suppose, in the moment.
46:10Tell us about how you're feeling.
46:18We're having some technical issues.
46:21We're having some technical issues.
46:21Let's take a look at Kristen's report she's prepared for us.
46:24She's gone down to an observatory that belongs to the Kent Society for Astronomy.
46:29We'll have a look at that.
46:30We'll have a look at that and hopefully we can catch up with Kristen in just a few minutes.
46:33At exactly 6.17pm UK time, a partial solar eclipse will start to darken skies across the world.
46:42Here in Kent, we'll be seeing what is known as a partial solar eclipse.
46:46Professor David Rees from the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society says it will be the best eclipse we've seen in Kent
46:52in the past 30 years.
46:54These eclipses only occur rather rarely.
46:57The last really good one we had in the UK was in 1999, so 27 years ago.
47:02So this one is one we've been looking forward to for some time.
47:06A lot of my astronomy colleagues are out getting ready and will be making observations of the sun as the
47:14moon crosses its surface later this afternoon and this evening.
47:17The once in a generation event is grabbing the attention of all ages.
47:22Judy, who's on work experience, is particularly excited to get the chance to see it from a professional's perspective.
47:28The best bit will probably be the peak when it's almost fully covered.
47:32And you can see both at the same time and I'm really, really excited for that, definitely.
47:36I have some friends who are celebrating it and going out and seeing it when they usually don't really like
47:41space stuff.
47:42So it's nice that it kind of incorporates everyone, really, because everyone knows how amazing it is.
47:47So these are the glasses that have been selling out across the country as people prepare for the solar eclipse
47:52this evening.
47:53But people like David are going to be using special telescopes with special filters in order to see it.
47:59This setup cost around £10,000.
48:01But he says tonight is particularly exciting because it's not just the solar eclipse that he's preparing to see.
48:07Well, we'll be using the big telescope at the back for observing what's called the Omega nebula, which is a
48:17bright gas nebula.
48:19We were doing some observations of it last night.
48:21Later on in the night, we'll be taking images of what's called the lunar sodium tail.
48:26This is a great cloud of sodium released from the lunar surface, which comes past the Earth like a comet
48:33tail and is focused by the Earth's gravity field into a spot in the sky.
48:37After that, we'll probably have a look for a comet and then we'll be trying to observe a comet as
48:44dawn approaches and maybe also look at Saturn.
48:47If you were not lucky enough to get your hands on a pair of the solar viewing glasses, there are
48:51a number of other methods you can use to get a glimpse.
48:53It is safe to use a piece of paper with a small hole in it, like a millimetre diameter, and
49:01then project the sun's image onto another sheet of white card.
49:04That's perfectly safe.
49:05It's also safe to use a colander.
49:08But, you know, don't look at the sun directly without having your glasses on.
49:13Make sure they fit properly and then it's safe to look at the sun.
49:17If you're hoping to see the eclipse this evening, make sure you do it safely.
49:21And with clear skies expected across Kent, we're in for a spectacular show.
49:26So keep your eyes protected, look up safely and certainly enjoy it.
49:30Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Rye.
49:34Well, a great piece there, Kristen.
49:36Hopefully you're able to hear us now.
49:38Tell us a bit about how you're feeling about to witness this historic event.
49:41It should have started already.
49:42Can you notice things getting a bit darker?
49:46It's currently not got much darker at the moment.
49:50We're out here.
49:50It is very, very exciting.
49:51And maybe it's best that you heard from the professional first instead of me.
49:55This is a two-hour event in total.
49:58So at about 6.17pm, which I think is just about now, it'll make first contact.
50:06And then we will be at maximum contact at about a quarter past seven.
50:10And then last contact is about 8.15.
50:12So, I mean, if you're watching the show and you're not outside or whatever you're doing,
50:16you will not be missing it.
50:18You can certainly watch it for the next two hours.
50:20We have got some gadgets here to have a look at, which you saw a sneak peek of in my
50:24video there.
50:25So we're going to have a quick look at that.
50:28But, yeah, I mean, this is a very exciting event and people across the world have been looking forward to
50:33this quite a lot.
50:34I spoke to David Rees further to find out a little bit about where it is across the world
50:40and a little bit about how partial, look, this is a partial solar eclipse, but it's total in other parts
50:46of the world.
50:46Take a look.
50:47From relatively rare occasions, something like one every other year,
50:52we get a situation where, in fact, the sun is eclipsed totally by the moon.
50:57And in this case, it's going to be visible as a total eclipse from places like Iceland
51:02and all the way down to the south of Spain, most of it over water, of course, which is not
51:09much good.
51:09We're over land, but we see 90% of the sun surface covered during the peak of the eclipse,
51:15which is really quite good.
51:16That's more than we saw, for example.
51:21From Kristen and a little bit from the astronomer there,
51:25all about how the professionals are checking out the eclipse.
51:27But where in Kent is best?
51:28Where can everyone else spot it from and what are some of these premier spots?
51:31Let's take a look.
51:32We can see here this is the path of totality.
51:35The experts saying this is where the eclipse will be most visible from here in the UK.
51:38It'll have more than 90% of the sun obscured.
51:41Some of the best spots to view the once-in-a-lifetime event include here at Samphire Ho.
51:45As a broad outlook west, very little to obstruct the view across the channel.
51:49This is Reculver Towers.
51:50Also have a clear spot to see the astrological phenomenon across the Thames estuary.
51:54And similarly, here in the Lees in Folkestone,
51:57that'll let viewers look across the open waters to see the sight.
52:03So we know the where, the why and the what, but we haven't quite yet gone over the how.
52:09Now, while some are using special glasses like you saw in that report there
52:13to be able to watch the eclipse as there's plenty of safety concerns
52:16around looking directly at the eclipse as it's happening.
52:20For those who are unable to get a pair, they've been in very high demand, as you can imagine.
52:25They've had to improvise exactly how they can make their own versions.
52:28Our reporter, Daniel Ward, has been showing us how we can watch the skies safely this evening.
52:33With eclipse glasses flying off the shelves in preparation for tonight's event,
52:37some struggle to find a safe way to view it.
52:41Now, a homemade solution is a pinhole projector,
52:44which you can make at home in just a few minutes.
52:48First off, you'll want to take a moderately sized cardboard box
52:51and trace the bottom of it on some white paper.
52:54Next, cut out the traced piece and tape it to the inside bottom of your box like so.
53:00Afterwards, you'll need to cut out a square on the left top and right top of the box.
53:04Remember to see all the middle part, you can do this with tape.
53:08Now, take a piece of aluminium foil and use it to cover the left top open corner
53:12before taping it down in place.
53:15Then, poke a tiny hole in the middle of the foil.
53:17This is where the sun's light will go through.
53:19And now you're ready.
53:20To use it, point it to the ground with the sun behind you and look through the eye hole.
53:24You'll see its projection at the bottom of the box.
53:28That was Daniel Ward there telling us a bit about how you can make your own viewing device for the
53:33eclipse.
53:33And now, let's rejoin our reporter, Kristen Hawthorne, who's on the ground.
53:37Kristen, I can see you've got a colander there.
53:40Tell us a bit about some of the items you've prepared to be able to watch that eclipse for us.
53:47Well, this is just one of the methods.
53:49And David earlier, everything I know today I've learnt from David,
53:52but he taught me that this is one of the best methods.
53:54You can use a piece of paper, a piece of card like this,
53:58and then a piece of paper with a hole in it.
54:00That also works.
54:01But a colander is very good because it has many, many more.
54:04So what you're supposed to do is hold it up in the direction of the sun.
54:08Hopefully you can see it with my brilliant camera operator there.
54:12And, I mean, we're not seeing anything just yet.
54:15But, I mean, in the next two hours,
54:17we're hoping to see some of those holes in the colander being covered by the shade
54:21as we see that partial solar eclipse.
54:24So, I mean, we're going to be out here for the next couple of hours.
54:27We have got a live stream on our Facebook as well,
54:30which will be up and running after the show.
54:32But, yeah, so that's just one of the methods.
54:34And then we've got the thing that Daniel made as well,
54:38where it's this box.
54:42And you kind of have to hold it up,
54:45and then you see the circle there.
54:46But basically the idea is that these circles and these little holes
54:51are going to be covered by the shade.
54:53So, I mean, I wasn't one of those lucky people to get the sunglasses
54:56and to get those special solar eclipse glasses.
55:00But, I mean, maybe you can have a look.
55:02Maybe you can see what I can't see if we turn the camera around.
55:09It is, I mean...
55:12Out there, Chris.
55:12Yeah, I mean, it's quite difficult to see it.
55:16Oh.
55:17Okay, you can't yet see anything.
55:18All right, well, I'll stand in front of it,
55:20and then maybe behind me you'll be able to see.
55:22You can let me know if you see something spectacular.
55:25We'll let you know.
55:26It does look like it's getting a little bit darker out there.
55:30Yeah, it does feel a bit dark.
55:32It does feel a little bit, I don't know,
55:34because usually at this time of day it's bright, bright sunshine.
55:37But, I don't know, there's a different feeling about the air.
55:40So, I mean, if you're at home, step outside and have a look
55:43because it's certainly very interesting.
55:45Amazing.
55:45And how are you feeling, Kristen?
55:47Obviously, this is an event.
55:49If I'm correct, we won't see another like it in 90 years.
55:53How does it feel?
55:53This is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
55:58Yeah, I mean, usually, I mean, I'm from Ireland,
56:01so we always miss these things, and it's very, very cloudy.
56:03So, the fact that we actually have a chance of seeing it,
56:07I mean, without my glasses, is, I think it is very exciting.
56:11And I'm excited to see if I can actually see it
56:13using our special calendars and our cardboard boxes and everything.
56:18The next one is going to be in 2090.
56:21So, I mean, I'll be in my 90s, yeah.
56:25I see.
56:26Well, thank you so much for joining us, Kristen.
56:29Well, hopefully, you enjoy the rest of that.
56:32Well, that is all the time we have for Kent tonight, this evening.
56:37As always, there is more news made just for Kent throughout the evening.
56:41You can check out, as they mentioned there,
56:43that live on our Facebook as you're continuing to check out this solar eclipse.
56:47Please stay safe while watching it, and thank you so much for watching.
56:51We'll see you soon.
56:51Goodbye.
57:17Goodbye.
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