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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Finn Macdiarmid.
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00:22Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
00:25I'm Finn McDermott and here are your top stories on Wednesday the 9th of September.
00:30Holiday on hold. Kent residents stranded on tarmac for hours because of flight cancellations.
00:37We meant to fly back to Gatwick yesterday evening and we got to the airport and there was a delay
00:42and they eventually told us, yeah, it's cancelled.
00:47Protect our pipes. Benenden residents hold southeast water to account at public meeting.
00:52It's never quite knowing. If the pressure goes down, it's that awful moment.
00:57Is there going to be water coming out of the taps?
00:59And serenity in the sea. We speak to the sober mermaid who's sharing her journey from addiction to recovery.
01:06It chips away at you over time and it will eventually just consume you.
01:11So I found with the sea, it's a safe place to be, to become present in the moment.
01:27Hundreds of thousands of people all across the country and overseas have been hit by flight cancellations and delays
01:33because of a technical problem at air traffic control yesterday.
01:37And the people of Kent have been experiencing the same problems.
01:40We've been speaking to them.
01:41They've been travelling from around the world to get back to the Garden of England.
01:44And there's those who've had their holiday plans disrupted,
01:47some having to stay in a grounded airplane for almost six hours.
01:51Sophie Denny has the story.
01:53Chaotic scenes at airports across the country with thousands of flights being cancelled.
01:59And many people from Kent have found themselves stranded,
02:02including Philip Davis, a golf instructor from Tunbridge who's currently stuck in Alicante.
02:08We actually came to Valencia for a day trip.
02:12So we flew out yesterday morning, meant to fly back to Gatwick yesterday evening.
02:17And we got to the airport and there was a delay.
02:20And they eventually told us, yeah, well, it's cancelled.
02:24We've had to travel down to Alicante because there are no more flights available from Valencia to the UK tonight.
02:32This was our next best option.
02:33Disruption caused by a technical glitch at air traffic control has continued for two days,
02:39meaning people like Rebecca Mitchell, also from Tunbridge, have had their holidays cancelled.
02:45Rebecca, who didn't want to appear on camera,
02:47was meant to be travelling to Tenerife with her children and one-year-old grandson
02:52as a birthday present for her daughter.
02:54It was horrendous, really.
02:57For about two hours, we was trying to find all of that baggage.
03:00It was chaotic. There was hardly any reps in there.
03:03No one was telling us what was going on.
03:05Thousands of people in baggage reclaim.
03:07Bags everywhere.
03:08Rebecca and Philip aren't the only Kent locals affected by this.
03:13Paul Dello from Chartam also had to wait for over six hours on the tarmac before his flight was cancelled.
03:20Now, he didn't want to appear on camera,
03:22but these were the scenes at baggage reclaim as he and his family collected their luggage,
03:27but not to go to a hotel to go back home.
03:30We were basically going up and all over the place on the aeroplane,
03:34just taxiing here, there and everywhere.
03:36And then I think at about five o'clock,
03:39basically we weren't going nowhere.
03:414.35 o'clock, it was like, no, it looks like the flight's been cancelled.
03:45Both Rebecca and Paul have managed to reschedule their trips
03:48and will receive a refund for the holidays that got cancelled.
03:52In a statement, National Air Traffic Services said their operations are stable
03:57and that they continue to work closely with airlines and airports to support their recovery.
04:02They also reiterated their apology to all those affected.
04:06They added that while their immediate focus is on safely managing today's flights,
04:10a full investigation will be conducted.
04:14Meanwhile, Jet 2 said they apologised to everyone who was due to fly
04:18and that they shared their frustration.
04:19They added that their teams are continuing to work to communicate with
04:23and look after all customers affected by the disruption,
04:26which was ultimately out of their control.
04:29For those who have managed to secure another flight,
04:32they're hoping for less turbulence next time they travel.
04:36Sophie Denny for KMTV.
04:38A man has appeared in court, charged with dangerous driving,
04:41after two cyclists were killed and another was injured in a crash in Cobham.
04:45Nathan Lewis and Stephen Anscombe were confirmed to be deceased at the scene
04:50and Aaron Turner has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving,
04:55failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and possession of a Class C drug.
04:59At Medway Magistrates Court, he was remanded into custody this morning and was granted bail.
05:03He will next appear at Woolwich Crown Court next month.
05:07South East Water have come face-to-face with Benenden residents
05:10at a public meeting aimed at getting their water back 100%.
05:13After multiple outages this summer, the villagers were very unhappy with the company
05:17and were more than willing to hold South East Water to account.
05:21Justine Lata was there for us and has this story.
05:24Help us.
05:25That's what the Water for Benenden Action Group has demanded from South East Water.
05:30It was here in the village that residents were subjected to multiple water outages during heatwaves
05:37in what the Met Office has said has been the hottest UK summer on record.
05:42It's just really challenging and, I mean, personally, it's never quite knowing.
05:47If the pressure goes down, it's that awful moment.
05:50Is there going to be water coming out of the taps today?
05:52So, despite the issues that residents here have been facing this summer,
05:57they're optimistic that this meeting could solve a few of their problems.
06:01We shouldn't, in this country, have less than 100% of taps running 100% of the time.
06:07What I'm really reassured with is that the new CEO does have that ambition, so that's good.
06:12The response from South East Water after putting all the plastic bottles out on the cricket pitch
06:20has been very positive, and I hope tonight will be positive.
06:24But this meeting is just the first step to getting Benenden's water system back on track.
06:31Justine Lata for KMTV in Benenden.
06:35Justine joins us now to tell us a bit more.
06:37So we know what the residents of Benenden want,
06:39but was there any progress actually made at that meeting?
06:42So the residents were very pleased to be face-to-face with the people who control their water supply,
06:47and there was definitely a sense of determination to be heard there.
06:52John Halsall, the CEO of South East Water,
06:56he previously agreed on four points for South East Water to commit to.
07:00Two of those were already completed.
07:02That's an explanation video on how the Cranbrook water supply works,
07:07as well as a main point of contact for day-to-day information for the residents in Benenden.
07:11The other two points were short- and long-term plans for water efficiency there.
07:16Paul Lonsdale from South East Water set that out at the meeting.
07:20So in the short-term plan, you had things like site risk assessments and accelerating the minor works team.
07:25And in the long-term plan, they planned to expand the Buell water treatment works by 2032
07:30and increase local drinking water storage.
07:33And what did the residents have to say about those plans?
07:36Well, they felt they had been listened to,
07:38and they were grateful to have South East Water taking them seriously,
07:42but they were still disgruntled with the treatment they'd received.
07:45For example, there was one business owner.
07:47He runs a wedding venue, and they had a wedding there when there was no water.
07:51The bride had to book a hotel room in another town,
07:55and he ended up with the bill for that hotel room.
07:58He lost over £2,000 on that wedding.
08:00And he said he was very upset with South East Water.
08:03And, you know, this meeting is a step in the right direction,
08:07but it's not over for the residents in Benedin yet.
08:10I see. Thank you so much, Justine.
08:13A Nepalese restaurant in Chatham has been able to fundraise more than £2,000 in just two days
08:19for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in Nepal.
08:21Through support from their local community and their customers,
08:24Gurkha Flyer plans to hold more fundraising events, including a charity dinner next week.
08:29This comes as more than 1,000 people are still missing following the flash floods in the country.
08:34Naila Mohamed has the story, and a quick warning.
08:36This report may contain some distressing images.
08:39Today marks two weeks since the flash floods in Nepal,
08:43the scale of which is still unfolding.
08:46More than 1,000 people have been killed,
08:49thousands are missing,
08:50and more than 8,000 homes have been destroyed.
08:54In Chatham, the tragedy is being felt close to home.
08:57It was like a shocking news for us.
09:00Actually, no one was expecting that things were there.
09:04And when we see the news on socials and TVs,
09:08and actually we try to contact our relatives, friends and families,
09:13but some of our relatives are still missing.
09:18Keshav and Raju are from Nepal,
09:20and opened Gurkha Flyer in 2024 to spread their love for Nepalese food.
09:25Now, they're using their workplace to raise money for those affected in their home country.
09:31In just two days, Gurkha Flyer, a Nepalese restaurant,
09:35has been able to fundraise over £2,000 for their families and homes back in Nepal.
09:40With over 1,000 people still missing from these flash floods,
09:44community is more important than ever,
09:46whether that's back in Nepal or here in Medway.
09:49We are getting a lot of support from our local community and customers,
09:53and they encourage us to do the fundraising things,
09:57and so we started just giving a page,
10:00and also organising the charity event on 15th.
10:05We are trying to raise as much as we can,
10:08so every small help will be the big support for now, for this situation.
10:15Funds from the charity dinner will also go towards the continuing search and rescue operations,
10:20as well as moving survivors to safe locations and long-term rehabilitation.
10:25And so far in their fundraising efforts,
10:28Keshav and Raju have exceeded their £1,000 target,
10:32leaving their best friends overwhelmed by all the support for their home country.
10:54The area has a long-standing connection with the Gurkhas,
11:00Nepalese soldiers who have served in the British Army for more than 200 years,
11:03and their families have made their homes here in Medway.
11:07And as Nepal continues to recover from the devastation,
11:10the fundraising here in Medway shows just how far community connection can reach.
11:16Nina Mahomet for KMTV in Chatham.
11:19Well, that is all the time we have for now,
11:22but coming up after this short break, we'll be meeting Rebecca Presley.
11:26She's also known as The Sober Mermaid.
11:28Her podcast and social media presence are all about healthy habits to fight addiction.
11:32She swims in the sea.
11:34We'll also be finding out about this weekend's competition
11:37to find out who Kent's strongest man is.
11:39Well, we'll find out after this short break.
11:42They have some events like lorry-towing, and we'll see that in a few minutes.
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15:07Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
15:11Now, the RNLI's chief executive has called the abuse of volunteers
15:14wholly unacceptable following anti-migrant protests in Dover at the weekend.
15:19Peter Sparks says volunteers have been subjected to online
15:22and at times physical abuse due to misinformation spread online.
15:26This comes after footage on social media labelled
15:29some RNLI volunteers as traitors for helping a dinghy to safety
15:33from the English Channel.
15:34We can hear part of his statement now.
15:35I have seen some ludicrous rumours that we house asylum seekers on RNLI premises
15:41or that there are RNLI missions to move migrants to secret locations.
15:47These rumours are completely baseless and untrue.
15:53Illegal immigration is a polarising issue,
15:56a subject that generates strong views locally and nationally.
16:01But please be mindful of misinformation.
16:04The impact it has upon others
16:06and be reassured that the RNLI and our crew strive only
16:11to prevent people like you and me from drowning at sea.
16:15Today also marked Prime Minister Andy Burnham's second Prime Minister's questions,
16:19where he was asked about his preference for the south or for the north by Grosheim MP Lauren Sullivan.
16:25She went on to ask about her plans to bring back the Tilbury Ferry to the town.
16:30Now, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, on that day I spoke to him about mine and my honourable friend,
16:36and the member for Thoreau's long campaign to get the return and the sustainable funding of the Grey Zone Tilbury
16:42Ferry.
16:42Will the Prime Minister give his support again and help us unlock barriers to back this ferry route as connectivity
16:48to supporting high streets matter?
16:53Well, I'm glad to correct something of a myth at this dispatch box, Mr Speaker.
16:58Like you, I do love the south of England, so thank you for my honourable friend giving me that opportunity.
17:05On the day I became Lady Leader, I visited and I saw where the ferry link used to go across
17:12the head of the river.
17:15And, of course, critical connectivity for her constituents.
17:22I do not think it's acceptable that a link that used to be there just gets abandoned and it goes.
17:29I will work with her to find ways of bringing that service back.
17:34A garden centre boss says any chance of making a profit this year is gone after a month-long road
17:40closure has cost them £110,000 in lost trade.
17:44Appledore Road, where Tenton and Garden Centre is, was closed throughout August to allow utility connections, drainage works and roadworks.
17:52The project, led by UK Power Networks and Kent County Council, is focusing on building 141 new homes.
17:58Garden Centre owner Edward Bolt joined 1,600 residents in signing an opposing petition, fearing disrupted travel and trade, like
18:07the images you've seen there.
18:08A Vistri spokesperson said they understand residents' concerns and always aim to be a considerate neighbour.
18:15September marks National Recovery Month, while tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day.
18:20For one, Kent women both have a deeply personal meaning.
18:23After experiencing homelessness and alcohol addiction, Rebecca has now rebuilt her life as the self-proclaimed sober mermaid.
18:31She's sharing her story in the hopes that it can help others.
18:34Kristen Hawthorne met her down in Dover.
18:36Maybe my purpose of survival is to help others and to spread the message that you can come out the
18:43other side and your hard days will get easier.
18:47It's beautiful. Recovery is such a beautiful thing.
18:50Every day, no matter the weather, Rebecca heads to the sea.
18:54But these swims are more than just a routine.
18:57They're part of a life she never thought was possible.
19:00She says it's become an important part of her recovery, after years of alcohol addiction and homelessness.
19:06Online, she's known as the sober mermaid, sharing the reality of addiction, recovery and life in sobriety.
19:12So I have been through alcoholism. That started from like the age of 16 and then from 20 it escalated
19:20and then from 20 it became homelessness.
19:23There was trauma and it became very hard to get out.
19:27So I'm two and a half years sober now and it's been an amazing journey.
19:33And this mermaid page, I don't want it to sound like in a silly way, but it's really, really helped.
19:38The community and the kindness and the support I get really helps my recovery.
19:43But she's also turned her experiences into books and a podcast.
19:47You can't do this on your own. You have to have people to help you.
19:50So I think I relapsed before because I was so stubborn and thought, I can do this.
19:54So this time round, I went to the community.
19:56I said yes to every opportunity that came to me, even if I was scared or anxious.
20:01I was like, I'll do it. I'll turn up. I can help.
20:04I just put myself out there like mental health and alcohol.
20:07You can imagine it numbs you and it's a place to escape.
20:11But in the end it does consume you.
20:13At the time you think it helps, but it doesn't.
20:15It chips away at you over time and it will eventually just consume you.
20:20So I found with the sea, it's a safe place to be, to become present in the moment.
20:26It's a nice place to be for just clarity and peace.
20:29So Rebecca comes down here to the beach every day to swim for about five minutes.
20:34And she says it really helps to quieten her mind.
20:36I was going to swim with her today, but because it's so windy, I just thought it'd be far too
20:41cold.
20:41But as you can tell, Rebecca is a lot more used to it than I am.
20:45I feel good.
20:47It's not as cold as I'd like it, but I love it regardless.
20:51I absolutely love it.
20:52And you know what?
20:54When I come out, it's just pure gratitude that I am here.
20:59For Rebecca, the water is now part of everyday life.
21:03And part of the recovery and hope she wants to share with others.
21:06Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV, Dover.
21:13Now it was a blast from the past for Maidstone United's Tom Leahy, returning to his former club, Tunbridge Angels,
21:19to fire in the winning goal in the Kent Derby, putting the Stones at the top of the National League
21:24South table.
21:24Equally, a strong start for Tunbridge Juddians rugby club, who were victorious over Sheffield, while county cricket has seen a
21:30new rising star.
21:31Let's take a look at all your sports headlines.
21:42Tom Leahy's goal in the 80th minute against Tunbridge has put Maidstone United at the top of the National League
21:47South table with points to spare.
21:49Leon Gravato played him the ball just outside the box, where he beautifully curled it past the Angels' keeper Nathan
21:55Harness for the lone goal of the match.
21:56The strike makes it five wins in a row for the Stones, and it was a nostalgic win for them,
22:01with five of their ex-players lining up against them.
22:04Manager Craig Fagan has said it was a bit of brilliance from the forward to put the Stones three points
22:08above second place Dagenham.
22:10To rugby now, and Tunbridge Juddians open the new National League One season with a win over newly promoted Sheffield.
22:16It was a close 31-26 victory, their strong defence holding throughout against the opponent's attack.
22:22Tries were traded early on, with Sheffield opening the scoring.
22:26After only eight minutes, the Judds not far behind, putting it to 24-12 by the end of the first
22:30half.
22:31Then the hosts started the next one strong, getting to 31-12.
22:34Jack Nagel sent off, giving Sheffield some more numbers, who were quick to bring the score up to the end
22:39of 31-26.
22:40Judds will face off against London Scottish next.
22:44Lightning might not strike twice, but Hasan Mahmood did for Kent County Cricket Club at the weekend against Derbyshire.
22:50It was a great start to the match, with the Bangladesh Pace bowler taking two wickets in the first two
22:54balls.
22:55Despite his strong bowling, Derbyshire's Martin Anderson had an unbeaten 129 from 190 balls, sharing 91 with Lewis Rees.
23:03With some early wickets and bonus points taken, they looked good, but the day's match ended in Derby's favour.
23:09That's all for your sports.
23:19Let's take a look at your weather forecast.
23:26A warm night across Kent, temperatures reaching 15 degrees in Margate, loads of 12 in Royal Tunbridge, Welsh and Ashford.
23:32Be partly cloudy in many parts of the county.
23:34To the morning now, temperatures reaching 20 across Kent, partly cloudy everywhere except Dartford.
23:38Weather staying much the same into the afternoon, temperatures climbing to 21 and 22 degrees.
23:43Wind speeds will climb to 9mph in the west, 11 in the east.
23:47Friday cloudy with temperatures of 22 degrees, partly cloudy on Saturday at 23 degrees and cloudy on Sunday 23 degrees
23:54again.
24:03Could you carry 160 kilograms in each hand?
24:06Well, how about dragging a 16-ton truck? No? Me neither.
24:09Well, if you want to be Kent's strongest man, then these are the kinds of challenges you'll need to complete
24:13at the Chatham Historic Dockyard this weekend.
24:16The event will see a range of athletes, both novice and more experienced, trying to claim the title with marine
24:22-themed strength exercises.
24:24I spoke to Andy Gower from Evolution Strength and Fitness in Aylesford about the event.
24:29So we've got five events that are versions of traditional strongman events.
24:34So we've got a maximum log press, which is where the guys will press a metal cylindrical object, which is
24:44shaped like a log, above their head for the maximum weight possible.
24:48Event 2.
24:49Event 2 is a farmer's walk, where the guys will be carrying two large timbers, one in each hand, for
24:5620 metres.
24:58In the opens category, these go up to 160 kilos in each hand.
25:04So it's a heavy, heavy event.
25:07Event 3 is a chain drag, and it's a huge chain that's come off of a large ship, and the
25:16guys have got to drag it backwards as far as they can.
25:19Event 4 is a super yoke, which is a heavy frame that's carried on their back, and they have to
25:26walk it for 20 metres in the fastest possible time.
25:31And the last event is we've got a truck pull event, which is a 16-tonne Matador truck that's the
25:39dockyard provided, and the guys have got to pull that up to 30 metres in the fastest possible time.
25:46So, yeah, they're going to be very tired by the end of the day.
25:50Amazing.
25:50And if anyone is maybe at home watching this right now, you know, getting some reps in and they think
25:55they might be able to give it a go, what would you say to them?
25:57How can they get involved?
26:00So it depends on where you are in the county.
26:03There are a number of gyms that facilitate strongman-type training.
26:10You can Google that and just put in strongman training in Kent, and I'm sure it will come up with
26:16a list of places that you can come.
26:19And it obviously includes coming to us in Aylesford at Evolution Strength and Fitness, where a lot of the guys
26:26and girls that compete, not just locally, but nationally and even internationally, come to train.
26:33You've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV. Thank you so much for watching and we'll see you very
26:38soon. Goodbye.
26:39Bye-bye.
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