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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Chloe Brewster.
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00:26Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight live here on
00:29KMTV. I'm Chloe Brewster and here are your top stories on Monday the 7th of September.
00:34Facing the tide, South East Waterboss meets with angry Benenden residents. A man who mattered.
00:42Ramsgate's community come together to remember a local man who was stabbed in the town.
00:47We remember Ashley. We give thanks for the life he lived, for the people we knew him.
00:52Retail therapy. A community shop in Chatham continues to work to reduce waste and help those in need.
01:00This is the alternative high street shop and what that means is we are putting on lots of different workshops
01:06that can basically teach people how to upcycle items.
01:19First tonight, members of Ramsgate's community have come together to remember Ashley Jones,
01:24who was fatally stabbed at the end of August. Family and friends gathered in the town centre
01:30for a vigil organised by the mayor, Roshan Ara. Our reporter Sophie Denny was at the vigil for us.
01:38Kind, caring and friendly. Those just some of the words used to describe Ashley Jones,
01:45the father of four who was fatally stabbed in Ramsgate at the end of August.
01:51Today we remember Ashley. We give thanks for the life he lived, for the people who knew him,
01:58for friendship shared, for kindness given and for all those memories which belong uniquely to those
02:04who loved him. Family, friends and members of Ramsgate's community came together with balloons
02:10and flowers, lighting candles and holding a minute's silence to remember Ashley.
02:16Emotions were understandably high here in Ramsgate Town Centre. Lots of tears, hugging but also a real
02:24sense of the community coming together to remember the man they loved.
02:28Tragedy can make us afraid of one another, but it can also remind us how much we need one another.
02:35Today we choose to stand together, neighbour beside neighbour, friend beside stranger. Amen.
02:42Ashley was pronounced dead in the early hours of the morning on the 23rd of August,
02:48after he and another victim were stabbed in Ramsgate's harbour area.
02:52Kieran O'Rourke, a 21-year-old Ramsgate local, has since been charged with Ashley's murder.
03:00Ashley was more than the circumstances in which he died. He was a person, a father, a friend,
03:09a member of our community, a man whose life mattered.
03:13And his death shocked the whole community here. But I think I just want people to know that as a
03:21community in Ramsgate, we stand together. You know, we all believe that we are here for each other.
03:28And for many in the community, Ashley's death has increased fears around knife crime.
03:34And as we've seen today, there has been such a big support to come and say goodbye to Ashley
03:39and recognise just how awful his death was. Recognise the impact that it's had upon many
03:46other people, those who are also involved. And I think our whole community, that fear
03:51that knife crime continues and people are dying in our streets.
03:55A father and a friend, those who knew Ashley continue to mourn his loss.
04:02Sophie Denny for KMTV in Ramsgate.
04:06Now, a protest in Dover brought the UK's busiest port to a standstill on Saturday morning.
04:12200 people took to the streets as part of an anti-immigration protest, many of whom were
04:17wearing face coverings. Kent Police says the incident was treated in line with national
04:21guidance, highlighting that the only criminal offence committed was damage to a road.
04:26And they always support the right to peaceful protest.
04:29But MPs and local leaders and residents say that response just wasn't good enough.
04:33One MP that has criticised the response is Sir Roger Gale, the Conservative MP for Herne Bay
04:38and Sandwich, who joins me now. Thank you so much for joining us, Roger.
04:43Could you provide your initial reaction to what we saw over the weekend?
04:47It was quite appalling. It was an act of intimidation on a very large scale.
04:56I've been criticised for daring to say that this was out of order and that people have a right
05:02to protest. Well, yeah, people do have a right to protest. But I'm sorry, peaceful protesters
05:07do not wear black shirts and balaclavas and turn themselves out as a paramilitary. And the
05:13fact that they were allowed to bring the port of Dover to a standstill for several hours to delay
05:21passengers, sailings of ferries, delay continental traffic, delay traffic within the town, delay
05:28ambulances, cause distress to local people. All of that is not part of peaceful process.
05:34It's wholly unacceptable intimidation. And I will have no part of it.
05:40Well, Kent Police said that the protest itself was spontaneous, but you've posted on Facebook
05:44that protesters are actually using a park in your constituency as a kind of base ahead
05:49of it. Is that right?
05:50Well, let me start by saying that when I dialed 999 on Saturday morning and reported the matter
05:57to the police, within minutes, the constabulary were on site. The reason we wanted them there,
06:03of course, was to be able to record officially the registration number plates of all of the
06:08cars parked in our village car park and on the recreation ground wholly improperly, so that
06:16they can be traced and that perhaps in the future, some of those people may come to light again.
06:23But look, this was not spontaneous. People were arriving in and camping in one garden, I understand,
06:31in Mill Lane, in the evening, parking their cars in the car park, parking on the recreation
06:37ground, going down to the pub, then going back to the pub to park their cars there as well,
06:43parking all along the roads. That's not spontaneity. They were then transported by various people who
06:52said various things, whether it was a low loader or a bus or whatever. But it's quite clear that the
06:58transport was organised for about half past six in the morning to get them down to the port by seven
07:03o'clock. That's not spontaneous. That was a lot of activity and a lot of organisation. And if that
07:10organisation was behind this, then surely to God, Kent Police should have had some intelligence on the
07:16matter.
07:17Well, Kent Police have said that the actual actions of the protests, it wasn't illegal. They said that
07:25it was only some damage to a road that actually happened. They said face coverings also are not
07:29illegal. What is it that you were actually disagreeing with here?
07:33Well, first of all, yes, the protest itself was, quote, peaceful in the sense that there was no
07:40aggravation physically. It was not peaceful in the sense of the amount of disruption that it caused
07:46to people going about their lawful business in the town of Dover. And I don't believe that
07:53intimidation on that scale, people wearing black people presenting themselves effectively as some
07:59sort of pseudo Nazi militia. That's not peaceful. That's intimidatory. And the face covering issue I take
08:07issue with. Because actually, the constabulary do have powers. Under the Police and Crime Act,
08:14passed relatively recently, if the police designate a site, and if they say that face coverings cannot
08:23be worn, then face coverings cannot be worn. That could have been done. But it wasn't. Why not?
08:33Thank you so much for joining us, Roger.
08:39Well, Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Brooke said the force was disappointed with the
08:45disruption, but they will always support people's right to peaceful protest and seek to police
08:50proportionately, fairly and reasonably. They said that moving forward, they would look to identify
08:55and engage with those who attended to understand their future plans in a bid to support their rights
09:00and balance those rights with the needs of the local community.
09:05Now, the government has unexpectedly pressed pause on local government reorganisation in Kent.
09:10The changes would have meant the biggest shake-up to local councils in more than half a century.
09:15Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner made the decision to pause any reorganisation across all counties
09:21earlier today, with reasons expected to be to ensure a more robust process. Kent was due to abolish all 14
09:27of its councils and replaced them with four large unitary authorities.
09:33Police are appealing for witnesses after two cyclists died and three people were arrested after a collision
09:38in Sol Street yesterday. A man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were confirmed to be deceased
09:45at the scene,
09:45and a third cyclist was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Two men aged 20 and 21 were subsequently arrested
09:53on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old woman was also detained
09:59on suspicion of assisting an offender. Kent County Council member for Gravesham Rural Diane Morton
10:07said that her sincere condolences go to the deceased families and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
10:14We spoke to local reform councillor Dakota Dibbon about the incident and how he feels about that.
10:20I mean, when I saw first the comments coming on Facebook, and obviously I was truly devastated by such an
10:28accident
10:28that was taking place in Sol Street, that was my initial reaction. I just think it's just such a devastating
10:35accident
10:36for the community. It's very sad. Obviously there were cyclists going out on a Sunday morning, enjoying the countryside,
10:42and this happens, this fatality happens. Yeah, it's deeply sad, and yeah, I can't put it into words if I'm
10:51honest with you.
10:52It really has sort of, it really has sort of touched a lot of people, this accident. It is sort
10:57of, yeah,
10:59yeah, it's made a lot of people reach out in terms of sharing their condolences to the family and friends
11:05of the loved ones that passed away. It really is, yeah, very sad. It's a very sad day
11:11for the community and a very sad day for the family and friends of the loved ones that have passed
11:14away.
11:16Thank you so much for watching the show so far. We have to take a break now, but coming up
11:20after that break,
11:21we'll be joined by Andy Richards, who will join us to discuss a meeting attended by the senior leadership team
11:27of South East Water, including the CEO, about the series of water outages in Kent and the specific area of
11:33Beddington.
11:34What does this mean for the water company, and does this mean a changing tide in transparency for them?
11:39We'll also be learning about the new plan for local skills improvement,
11:43where we speak to a friend of the channel, Tudor Price, about what Kent needs to boost its finances.
11:48All that and more after this short break. See you then.
16:33However, they're now starting to do the rounds. There was a meeting, a similar meeting in Whitstable last week. So
16:40they seem to be trying to go to the various different areas that have been affected. What it will actually
16:45mean, who knows, because really they need to put money into the infrastructure. But maybe a better comms is a
16:51good place to start.
16:52Well, yes. Is this a sign for more transparency? Because residents in Kent, they were growing increasingly frustrated with the
16:59old CEO. Is this going to be a change, turning the tide for Selfies Walker?
17:04Well, you would think in his job interview, they'll be asking, how do you deal with the public, given how
17:09badly it went last time with the previous CEO? I've also seen there's been some other senior appointments, people very
17:18experienced in corporate communications, former journalists.
17:21So surely they will know that they need to improve this area of the business. But the most important thing
17:28that people in Kent want, Chloe, is the water to stay on.
17:33I'm all for people talking about making things better, but let's see how much they invest in the infrastructure and
17:40make sure that we don't have similar problems like this in the future.
17:44Yes. Well, thank you so much for joining me, Andy, and I'm looking forward to seeing that report.
17:48Let's see what Justine has tomorrow.
17:49Let's see what the meeting is actually, what actually happens there.
17:54Gravesham Council has admitted underpaying £320,000 in tax on pantomime ticket sales at the Woodville.
18:02The misunderstanding came as part of a contract between the council and the production company.
18:07HMRC say they are now conducting a review of the situation and it is possible a penalty charge may be
18:13applied.
18:14Gravesham Council said that the payment would be paid out of the council's existing cash balance and wouldn't significantly affect
18:20finances going forward.
18:22The budget monitoring report is due to be discussed by the cabinet later this evening.
18:27The Kent and Victor Chamber of Commerce has released its Local Skills Improvement Plan for 2026 to 2029.
18:35The plan hopes to bring together leaders, educators and employers to establish local skills needs and how groups can work
18:42together to help more young people into work.
18:45I went down to the launch event to find out more.
18:47In Kent, working age adults make up just 61% of the total population.
18:54This relatively small percentage creates unique workforce challenges here.
18:58Challenges which mean converting NEETs to those not in education, employment and training becomes all the more important.
19:05Now this is the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026 to 2029.
19:11It's what these guys in the hall behind me are discussing at the moment.
19:14It's local leaders, employers and educators all coming together to see how they can make sure that the workforce of
19:21the future is secure.
19:22So today marks the launch of the new Local Skills Improvement Plan.
19:26This is a report that we've been working on for a number of years.
19:29It's in its third iteration and we're launching here today for the report that sort of forecasts and predicts the
19:35next three years, so up to 2029.
19:37And it's specifically looking at the lessons we've learned following the research and consultations we've done with the business community
19:44in terms of understanding what it is that they need and the sort of challenges they think they're going to
19:49face in the next few years.
19:50And then how that then relates into an action plan for all of the education providers and those other stakeholders
19:56that are part of helping young people move into employment and developing a career path.
20:00The Kent Chamber of Commerce have talked to all these businesses and identified the skills that these businesses need now
20:08and importantly in the future.
20:10And so as colleges providing education and training for over 25,000 people across the county, that's hugely important for
20:20us.
20:20So we take this blueprint, as it were, and then we're able to adapt our courses and programmes accordingly.
20:28The plan forms part of a framework aimed at boosting growth, inclusion and economic resilience.
20:34It mainly presents how skill gaps can be plugged, with industries like social care, construction and hospitality crying out for
20:41more well-trained staff.
20:43A project of this scale requires people of all different levels.
20:47And what young people don't often realise, a career in infrastructure, a career in construction, isn't just about being out
20:55on the road.
20:55There is so much more involved in an organisation of that nature.
21:00So it's about the careers that exist today and those coming up in the future, but the careers that they
21:06can be involved in that's on their doorstep.
21:09This new roadmap takes us to 2029 and hopes to create more opportunities for young people or those out of
21:16work and help Kent realise its full economic potential.
21:21Chloe Brewster for KMTV in Lenham.
21:25And now let's take a look at the weather.
21:33Partly cloudy skies across the county tonight.
21:35Lows of 17 degrees in Ashford.
21:36Highs of 19 in the north of the county.
21:39Temperatures are dropping slightly going into tomorrow morning, so make sure you've got your blanket on.
21:42It's lows of 15 degrees.
21:44Highs of 17.
21:45Still partly cloudy throughout the day.
21:47Going into tomorrow afternoon.
21:49Clouds stay the same, but gets warmer into the afternoon.
21:51Highs of 21 in parts of north Kent.
21:53Lows of 19 and 20 across the rest.
21:55Going into the rest of the week, it's staying pretty similar over the next few days.
21:59Clouds are sticking around and temperature's sticking around 20 degrees.
22:08From unwanted furniture and old clothes to food that might otherwise go to waste.
22:13One community project in Chatham is giving it all a second chance.
22:17Tracy and her team are bringing people together to repair, upcycle and create, while helping build a more sustainable community
22:24along the way.
22:25Kristen Hawthorne went down to the shop to learn more.
22:31From old furniture to unused wood, clothes and food, Thrift and Thrive in Chatham has been working against waste to
22:39help build the community.
22:40This is one of the groups they have, where people come together to upcycle or repair furniture, or make something
22:47entirely new to sell.
22:49Part of the Thrift and Thrive collection, we've got shops and donations that come in.
22:56And if something's not quite up to scratch, we'll refurbish it, we'll repaint stuff.
23:01And if we can't refurbish it, we'll strip it down and build new things out of materials.
23:06It's a group of people, volunteers that are retired, or people who just want to do something to help the
23:12community.
23:12And it all just drops from there, really. We work on a Monday and a Tuesday, and it's 10 to
23:193, and anyone's welcome.
23:21So this is an example of something that someone made and upcycled from an old chair, which you can see
23:28at the back, which is very cool.
23:30They've also got lots of other things, like bug houses, bird houses.
23:34But those are just some of the things that are made here every week.
23:37We had a thing in the school holidays, and the school children came in, and they were making bird boxes
23:44and mosaics.
23:45And we do work with a local residential care sort of place for people with learning difficulties.
23:54And they come in on a Tuesday and love doing building stuff.
23:57So part of the helping people learn new skills.
24:01So we've got the woodworking and the upcycling.
24:03But including that and the clothes, as well as the food, both of these shops' main purpose is reducing waste.
24:10We do have the community workshop.
24:12We have a bike upcycling team that operates on a Tuesday.
24:17We have behind us the revival.
24:19So this is the alternative high street shop.
24:21And what that means is we are putting on lots of different workshops that can basically teach people how to
24:28upcycle items.
24:29You know, we all like to buy new stuff, but there's no need to.
24:32We can also kind of put items together, so from pre-loved clothing, from pre-loved accessories, etc.
24:40So within the shop, there's lots of little different areas for people to come, sit down, meet like-minded people,
24:45learn some new skills, build some confidence, and reduce our landfill.
24:49As the project grows, Tracey hopes to breathe new life into even more unwanted items, with cooking classes and catwalks
24:58already in the works.
24:59She says it's a place where waste isn't the end of the story, but the start of something new.
25:05Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV, Chatham.
25:12Now we've got a series of positive news to bring you.
25:15So, councillors have approved a pilot scheme aimed at saving money for Honesty Box and Cake shed owners.
25:21Maidstone Council had been set to force Honesty Box businesses to obtain a street trading licence costing nearly £400.
25:27Instead, though, the new pilot will allow small traders to set up their business for £75, benefiting owners like Sarah
25:34Baker, who runs the Baker Cake Honesty Box in Moat Avenue.
25:38Hopefully making our treats a little bit cheaper there.
25:42Next, the village is set to be lit up with festive joy once again, after a U-turn from the
25:46owners of Kent's most festive house.
25:48The Clarke family in Boughton-Under-Bleen between Canterbury and Faversham had announced that their traditional Christmas lights switch on
25:56would be cancelled this year due to personal matters.
25:59However, following hundreds of messages of support, the family have changed their mind and are set to start putting up
26:06lights in the next week with hopes of saving the display, ready to switch on the 24th of November.
26:12It's never too early to put up your Christmas lights, is it?
26:14Now, a Kent metal detectorist has discovered what's believed to be a medieval golden cross on the Isle of Sheppey.
26:22Shelley Cousins unearthed the artefact on the island on August 28th at a location which is being kept a secret
26:29to prevent the site being targeted by night hunters.
26:32Shelley said that when she first found the cross, she thought it was costume jewellery, but that instead she believes
26:37that the find may be from the Tudor period.
26:39The cross had been reported as treasure and is set to be examined by the Fines Liaison Officer and may
26:45eventually be assessed by the British Museum.
26:48Thank you so much for watching. See you later.
30:26Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
30:29I'm Chloe Brewster and here are your top stories on Monday the 7th of September.
31:02Facing the Tide.
31:03We're putting on lots of different workshops that can basically teach people how to upcycle items.
31:18First tonight, the CEO, John Hallsall and other senior staff will be meeting Benenden residents at a public meeting.
31:25This follows the Water for Benenden action group's peaceful protest in August, where they spelt out help us with thousands
31:32of plastic water bottles.
31:34Paul Hallsall, who became CEO, who became CEO, said one of his priorities was responding to customers' immediate concerns.
31:40This meeting takes place this evening and our reporter, Justine Lartill will be bringing you the full details tomorrow.
31:48Now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now,
31:50now, now, now, now, now, a protest in Dover brought the UK's busiest port to a standstill on Saturday morning.
31:54Now, next morning, 200 people took to the streets as part of an anti-immigration protest, many of whom were
31:59wearing face coverings.
32:00They caused traffic disruption for much of the morning, but dispersed by midday after officers attended.
32:06Kent Police say the incident was treated in line with national guidance, highlighting that the only criminal offence committed was
32:12damage to a road,
32:14that they always support the right to peaceful protest.
32:16but MPs and local leaders say the response wasn't good enough. Now Naila
32:21Mohammed joins me in the studio. Naila, tell me some more information about what
32:25happened. So you said that 200 people were in attendance at this, so Kent
32:29police took guidance, took national guidance and treated this as a
32:33spontaneous gathering and what that means, what spontaneous gathering is, it's
32:37a public gathering that happens really suddenly without any prior organisation
32:41or planning and they're often reactive, often emotional, it's also often an
32:46emotional response to a sudden event or a bit of news and you can see the image
32:52here on screen, people showing up wearing face coverings all in black or for the
32:57the same reason shouting you know stop the boats, stop the boats when they were at
33:00the port of Dover and we heard Roger Gale earlier and early in the show who's
33:06quite critical of these protesters and he was like this isn't a spontaneous
33:09gathering at all, but Kent police very much want to distinguish a difference
33:13between them, he wants to distinguish a difference between conduct that is
33:17disruptive compared to one that is a criminal offence. They also as we said
33:22there say that peaceful protests are a right to right to democracy but they did
33:27an assessment of what happened over the weekend and the assessment showed that
33:30there was only one criminal offence and that was just damage to a road.
33:34And lots of people were mentioning like you say you see in the pictures lots of
33:39people wearing face coverings, some might say they looked quite intimidating. What
33:44are the rules around that? Is it illegal to be protesting with face coverings on?
33:48Well as you said there there's a lot of criticism about this especially on social
33:52media but wearing a face covering is not a criminal offence. There are specific
33:59statutory requirements when it comes to police powers, specifically the Crime and
34:03Policing Act which came into force of June this year and it's a bit of a
34:07complicated one so I'll try and explain it as best as I can. But these are powers
34:10given to the police to keep the public safe and it enables police to stop
34:15individuals from hiding behind a face covering to conceal their identity to
34:20avoid being convicted. Wearing one wearing a face covering does not
34:24institute a criminal offence however police do have the right to place a
34:28designation on a particular area and those within that area cannot wear a face
34:34covering or police have the right to cease that face covering when asked. This
34:38designation is in place for 48 hours as well and what they can place a
34:43designation when they believe a protest is taking place, when it may take place,
34:48that the activity of the protest is likely to involve a commission of offences and
34:52that's an offence that is likely to be carried out and performed and having the
34:57designation there would prevent or control the commission of offences.
35:01However there is a little bit of a loophole here that police are aware and that
35:06loophole is that even if you're in the designated area if you move out of that
35:10you can put the face covering back on but they are trying to work on fixing that at
35:14the moment. Thank you so much Neda for clearing all of that up.
35:18Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Brooke said the force was
35:22disappointed with the disruption but they will always support people's right to
35:26peaceful protest and seek to police proportionately, fairly and reasonably. They
35:31said that moving forward they would seek to identify and engage with those who
35:35attended to understand their future plans and a bid to support their rights to
35:38protest and balance those those rights with the needs of the local community.
35:44Police are appealing for witnesses after two cyclists died and three people were
35:49arrested after a collision in Seoul Street yesterday. A man in his 60s and a woman in
35:54her 50s were confirmed to be deceased at the scene and a third cyclist was taken to
35:59hospital with minor injuries. Two men aged 20 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of
36:04causing death by dangerous driving and a 19 year old woman was also detained on
36:09suspicion of assisting an offender. Kent County Council member for Gravesham Rural
36:14Diane Morton said that her sincere condolences go to the deceased families and
36:18friends at this incredibly difficult time. We spoke to local reform councillor Dakota
36:23Dibbon about the incident. I mean when I saw first when I saw first the comments
36:29come on Facebook and obviously I was truly devastated by such an accident that's
36:34taking place in Seoul Street. That was my initial reaction. I just think it's just
36:40such a devastating accident for the community. It's very sad. Obviously there were
36:44cyclists going out on a Sunday morning enjoying the countryside and see if this
36:49happens this fatality happens. Yeah it's deeply sad and yeah I can't put it into words if I'm
36:57honest with you. It really has sort of it really has sort of touched a lot of people
37:02this accident. It is sort of yeah yeah it's made a lot of people reach out in terms of
37:08sharing their condolences to the family and friends of the loved ones that passed away. It really is
37:13very sad. It's a very sad day for the community and a very sad day for the family and friends
37:19of the
37:19loved ones that have passed away. The government has unexpectedly pressed pause on local government
37:25reorganisation in Kent. The changes would have meant the biggest shake-up to local councils in
37:31more than half a century. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner made the decision to pause any reorganisation
37:37across counties earlier with reasons expected to be to ensure a more robust process. Kent was due to
37:44abolish all 14 of its councils and replace them with four large unitary authorities which foreshadow
37:50elections due in May 2027. Gravesham Council has admitted underpaying £320,000 in tax on pantomime
37:59ticket sales at the Woodville. The misunderstanding came as part of a contract between the council and the
38:05production company. HMRC say they are now conducting a review of the situation and it is possible a
38:11penalty charge may be applied. The council say that the payment would be paid out of the council's
38:16existing cash balance and wouldn't significantly affect finances going forward. The budget monitoring
38:22report is due to be discussed by the cabinet later this evening. You can catch up with all your
38:28latest stories from across the county by logging on to our website kmtv.co.uk. There you can watch stories
38:33you've missed like this one. Home to rare farmland birds, protected wildlife and now potentially a
38:41national energy converter station. Construction on Minster marshes is part of the national grid's
38:48sea link plan to create an undersea electricity link between Kent and Suffolk. John Rothman who lives
38:55next to the marshes isn't happy about the proposals. Like any development of that sort when you're when
39:01you're building on farmland and what is probably a nature reserve of one sort or another, it can never
39:07be good. It's all about money, it's never about anything else. So right behind me here on Minster
39:13marshes you can see the proposed site for the converter station and what seems to be two bridges being
39:20built, one on each side of the site connecting it to the surrounding marshes. The proposed location sits within
39:2720 metres of a site of special scientific interest, a status given to areas valuable for their wildlife,
39:34plants or the makeup of the land. And local campaign group Save Minster marshes are particularly concerned
39:41about the impact on the wildlife. It's the most environmentally damaging site out of any of them.
39:47You know there's just hundreds and hundreds of different species of birds. There's lots of schedule
39:52one birds like long-eared owls and marsh harriers, I mean water voles, beavers, you name it. Fears about
40:01what the current work at the site could mean have even reached parliament. Can I direct his attention
40:08to the predatory activities of another private company, National Grid, who are seeking to pre-empt
40:16the construction of a station on the Minster marshes? The National Grid say they are developing the
40:25Sea Link proposals responsibly, accounting for the local environment and community feedback. In a
40:31statement they said the current work near Minster is limited to archaeological excavation and other early
40:37investigative activity, which is approved by the local authority. They added that any permanent
40:43infrastructure would still need development consent from the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State
40:49for Energy Security and Net Zero will announce her decision at the end of October, and in a statement
40:55her department said that they are reversing decades of underinvestments to upgrade the grid, building
41:00an energy system that can bring down bills for good. They added that all projects are subject to a
41:06rigorous planning process in which the views and interests of the local community are considered.
41:11Residents and MPs have just under eight weeks before they find out about the future of
41:16Thanet's Minster marshes. Sophie Denny for KMTV in Thanet. A council has demanded that its residents
41:24are given priority booking for the display of the Bayeux Tapestry when it goes on display at the British
41:29Museum. The exhibition housing the thousand-year-old tapestry, widely considered to have been made in
41:35Canterbury, opens to the public on Thursday. Residents of the city, however, will not be given priority
41:40booking access to view the sold-out exhibition. After the break we'll be learning about the new plan
41:47for the local schools improvement. All that and more after this short break.
44:28.
45:14Members of Ramsgate's community have come together to remember Ashley Jones, who was fatally stabbed at the end of August.
45:21Family and friends gathered in the town centre for a vigil organised by the mayor, Roshan Ara.
45:27Our reporter Sophie Denny was at the vigil for us.
45:31Kind, caring and friendly.
45:34Those just some of the words used to describe Ashley Jones, the father of four who was fatally stabbed in
45:42Ramsgate at the end of August.
45:44Today we remember Ashley.
45:46We give thanks for the life he lived, for the people who knew him, for friendship shared, for kindness given,
45:54and for all those memories which belong uniquely to those who loved him.
45:58Family, friends and members of Ramsgate's community came together with balloons and flowers,
46:05lighting candles and holding a minute's silence to remember Ashley.
46:09Emotions were understandably high here in Ramsgate Town Centre.
46:14Lots of tears, hugging, but also a real sense of the community coming together to remember the man they loved.
46:22Tragedy can make us afraid of one another, but it can also remind us how much we need one another.
46:28Today we choose to stand together, neighbour beside neighbour, friend beside stranger. Amen.
46:35Ashley was pronounced dead in the early hours of the morning on the 23rd of August,
46:41after he and another victim were stabbed in Ramsgate's harbour area.
46:47Kieran O'Rourke, a 21-year-old Ramsgate local, has since been charged with Ashley's murder.
46:53Ashley was more than the circumstances in which he died.
46:57He was a person, a father, a friend, a member of our community, a man whose life mattered.
47:07And his death shocked the whole community here.
47:11But I think I just want people to know that as a community in Ramsgate, we stand together.
47:17You know, we all believe that we are here for each other.
47:21And for many in the community, Ashley's death has increased fears around knife crime.
47:27And as we've seen today, there has been such a big support to come and say goodbye to Ashley
47:32and recognise just how awful his death was.
47:38Recognise the impact that it's had upon many other people, those who are also involved.
47:41And I think our whole community, that fear that knife crime continues and people are dying in our streets.
47:49A father and a friend, those who knew Ashley continue to mourn his loss.
47:54Sophie Denny for KMTV in Ramsgate.
47:59The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce has released its Local Skills Improvement Plan for 2026 to 2029.
48:06The plan hopes to bring together local leaders, educators and employers to establish the needs of employers
48:12and how groups can work together to help more young people into work.
48:15I went down to the launch event to find out more.
48:18In Kent, working age adults make up just 61% of the total population.
48:23This relatively small percentage creates unique workforce challenges here.
48:28Challenges which mean converting needs to those not in education, employment and training becomes all the more important.
48:35Now, this is the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026 to 2029.
48:41It's what these guys in the hall behind me are discussing at the moment.
48:44It's local leaders, employers and educators all coming together to see how they can make sure that the workforce of
48:51the future is secure.
48:52So today marks the launch of the new Local Skills Improvement Plan.
48:56This is a report that we've been working on for a number of years.
48:59It's in its third iteration.
49:01And we're launching here today for the report that sort of forecasts and predicts the next three years, so up
49:07to 2029.
49:08And it's specifically looking at the lessons we've learned following the research and consultations we've done with the business community
49:14in terms of understanding what it is that they need and the sort of challenges they think they're going to
49:19face in the next few years.
49:20And then how that then relates into an action plan for all of the education providers and those other stakeholders
49:26that are part of helping young people move into employment and developing a career path.
49:30The Kent Chamber of Commerce have talked to all these businesses and identified the skills that these businesses need now
49:38and importantly in the future.
49:40And so as colleges providing education and training for over 25,000 people across the county,
49:48that's hugely important for us.
49:50So we take this blueprint, as it were, and then we're able to adapt our courses and programmes accordingly.
49:59The plan forms part of a framework aimed at boosting growth, inclusion and economic resilience.
50:04It mainly presents how skill gaps can be plugged, with industries like social care, construction and hospitality
50:10crying out for more well-trained staff.
50:13A project of this scale requires people of all different levels and what young people don't often realise,
50:20a career in infrastructure, a career in construction, isn't just about being out on the road.
50:26There is so much more involved in an organisation of that nature.
50:30So it's about the careers that exist today and those coming up in the future,
50:35but the careers that they can be involved in, that's on their doorstep.
50:39This new roadmap takes us to 2029 and hopes to create more opportunities for young people
50:45or those out of work and help Kent realise its full economic potential.
50:51Chloe Brewster for KMTV in Lenham.
50:55Well now, let's take a look at the weather.
51:02Well, it's traditional September weather tonight, with cloud everywhere across the county this evening,
51:08looking at 19 degrees and 18 degrees in the north, slightly cooler towards the south.
51:12Going into tomorrow morning, temperatures dropping slightly, having a cold start.
51:16Going into the afternoon, we're looking at clouds sticking around still, 20 degrees across the board.
51:22Looking towards the rest of the week, it's really not changing.
51:26The clouds are sticking around, you're not going to need your umbrella
51:28and equally you're not going to need your sunglasses.
51:30So, yeah, sticking around the 20 degree mark too.
51:40From unwanted furniture and old clothes to food that might otherwise be going to waste,
51:45one community project in Chatham is giving it all a second chance.
51:49Tracey and her team are bringing people together to repair, upcycle and create
51:54while helping build a more sustainable community along the way.
51:57Kristin Horfam went down to the shop to learn more.
52:03From old furniture to unused wood, clothes and food,
52:08Thrift and Thrive in Chatham has been working against waste to help build the community.
52:12This is one of the groups they have, where people come together to upcycle or repair furniture
52:18or make something entirely new to sell.
52:21Part of the Thrift and Thrive collection, we've got shops and donations that come in
52:28and if something's not quite up to scratch, we'll refurbish it, we'll repaint stuff
52:33and if we can't refurbish it, we'll strip it down and build new things out of materials.
52:38It's a group of people, volunteers that are retired or people who just want to do something
52:44to help the community and it all just drops from there, really.
52:48We work on a Monday and a Tuesday and it's 10 to 3 and anyone's welcome.
52:54So this is an example of something that someone made and upcycled from an old chair
53:00that you can see at the back, which is very cool.
53:03They've also got lots of other things like bug houses, bird houses,
53:06but those are just some of the things that are made here every week.
53:10We had a thing in the school holidays and the school children came in
53:14and they were making bird boxes and mosaics
53:18and we do work with a local residential care sort of place
53:25for people with learning difficulties and they come in on a Tuesday
53:28and love doing building stuff.
53:30So part of the helping people learn new skills.
53:33So we've got the woodworking and the upcycling,
53:36but including that and the clothes as well as the food,
53:39both of these shops' main purpose is reducing waste.
53:43We do have the community workshop.
53:45We have a bike upcycling team that operates on a Tuesday.
53:49We have behind us the revival.
53:51So this is the alternative high street shop
53:54and what that means is we are putting on lots of different workshops
53:58that can basically teach people how to upcycle items.
54:01You know, we all like to buy new stuff, but there's no need to.
54:04We can also kind of, we can put items together,
54:08so from pre-loved clothing, from pre-loved accessories, etc.
54:12So within the shop, there's lots of little different areas
54:15for people to come, sit down, meet like-minded people,
54:18learn some new skills, build some confidence and reduce our landfill.
54:22As the project grows, Tracey hopes to breathe new life
54:25into even more unwanted items,
54:28with cooking classes and catwalks already in the works.
54:31She says it's a place where waste isn't the end of the story,
54:35but the start of something new.
54:37Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV, Chatham.
54:44Well, I've got a few positive stories to bring you
54:46at the end of today's show.
54:48So, councillors have approved a pilot scheme
54:50aimed at saving money for Honesty Box and Cake Shed owners.
54:54Maidstone Council had been set to force Honesty Box businesses
54:58to obtain a street trading licence, costing nearly £400.
55:03Instead, though, the new pilot will allow small traders
55:05to set up their business for £75,
55:07benefiting owners like Sarah Baker,
55:10who runs the Baker Cake Honesty Box in Moat Avenue.
55:14Sarah said that the new scheme means that...
55:17The new scheme will mean she doesn't have to go and get a licence.
55:20It also means that sweet treats can be a lot more affordable
55:22for passers-by.
55:25A village is set to be lit up with festive joy once again
55:28after a U-turn from the owners of Kent's most festive house.
55:31The Clark family in Boughton-Under-Bleen
55:33between Canterbury and Faversham
55:35had announced that their traditional Christmas light switch-on
55:38would be cancelled this year due to personal matters.
55:41However, following hundreds of messages of support,
55:43the family have changed their mind.
55:45The family are set to start putting up lights in the next week
55:48with hopes of having the display ready to switch on
55:51on the 24th of November.
55:53Never too early to start putting your Christmas lights up, is it?
55:56Now, finally, a Kent metal detectorist has discovered
55:59what's believed to be a medieval gold cross on the Isle of Sheppey.
56:03Shelley Cousins unearthed the artefact on the island on the August 28th
56:07at a location which is being kept a secret
56:09to prevent the site being targeted by night hunters.
56:13Shelley said that when she first found the cross,
56:15she thought it was costume jewellery,
56:17but that instead she believes that the find may be from the Tudor period.
56:20The cross has been reported as treasure
56:22and is set to be examined by the Fines Liaison Officer
56:26and may eventually be assessed for the British Museum.
56:30You've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
56:34There's more news made just for Kent throughout the evening.
56:37Don't forget, you can always keep up to date
56:39with the latest news across your county
56:41by logging on to kmtv.co.uk
56:43or by following us on your social timelines.
56:46Thank you so much for watching. Goodbye.
56:59Thank you so much for watching.
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