Gerry Warren

Kirsty Pellant, a former Canterbury primary-school teacher, fears for her safety after learning that Jonathan Bates, who was convicted of stalking four women and sentenced to five years in prison, may qualify for early release under new sentencing rules. Bates allegedly used fake sexualised images and escort profiles to harass Pellant and other victims, causing lasting emotional, reputational and financial harm. Pellant says victims have not been told whether Bates received interventions to address his behaviour and believes digital stalking is treated as less serious than physical harassment. Alongside fellow victim Donna King, she is petitioning for reputational abuse and reputational sexualisation to become distinct criminal offences, with guidance for law-enforcement and justice agencies. The Ministry of Justice declined to comment on Bates's case but defended its wider early-release policy and said dangerous offenders would remain in prison.

Chilham’s sub-post office, believed to have opened in 1850, will close on 22 September after the building’s freehold was put up for sale and postmaster Peter Higgs’s lease expires. Higgs, who has operated the branch since 2011, said the decision was effectively beyond his control and that relocating it to his farm shop was impractical because of required security measures. Villagers and the parish council expressed concern over the loss of an important community service. The Post Office said the branch vacancy is being advertised and identified Chartham, Boughton and Wye as alternative branches.

South East Water chief executive John Halsall has agreed to visit Whitstable after repeated outages, leaks and critically low supplies in the Whitstable and Herne Bay area. Local councillors James Flanagan and Peter Old say the network is already at breaking point and cannot support a proposed 1,400-home development at Brooklands Farm. South East Water says storage levels are stable but below what is needed, with high demand and hot weather creating a continuing risk of interruptions; it is using tankers, altering network operations and preparing bottled-water stations and community hubs if necessary.

The 254-flat build-to-rent development on Ashford’s former Powergen site is being marketed to investors for £65 million after a series of financial and construction setbacks. The original contractor, Vidi, entered administration in 2025, followed by the insolvency of joint developer Kings Crescent Homes (Ashford) Ltd. Construction resumed in July under new contractor Antvic, with funding from OakNorth Bank. Administrators Grant Thornton have appointed Newmark to sell the scheme while work continues, with completion expected within 13 months. The project will comprise four seven-storey blocks with gardens, roof terraces, a rooftop bar, co-working space, concierge services and a gym, but neither phase includes affordable housing.

Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury has submitted plans to Canterbury City Council for a new elephant house and expanded enclosure after abandoning efforts to relocate its 12-elephant herd to Africa. The two-phase project would include a 3,300-square-metre indoor facility and 10,000 square metres of additional outdoor habitat, with improved pools, wallows, shelters and sand areas. The Aspinall Foundation’s relocation appeal raised more than £250,000, but the funds were spent exploring potential rewilding projects without finding a suitable destination. The park says the development is needed to meet future welfare requirements. Young bulls Impi and Mchumba have moved to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, while bull Shaka has joined the Howletts herd; the trust is also conducting a workforce consultation because of rising costs.

Heron Model Boat Club has cancelled its annual regatta in Herne Bay Memorial Park because the pond is too shallow for most model boats. Chairman Robin Graham blamed Canterbury City Council for years of inadequate maintenance, saying silt has accumulated and water levels have fallen dangerously low, affecting fish and birds as well as the club's activities. The council acknowledged the concerns and said it had fitted a replacement pump, widened pipework and planned to install a modular sluice, larger aeration equipment and further desilting works later in the year.

Former Canterbury MP Sir Julian Brazier has resigned from the Conservative Party after 50 years and joined Reform UK, citing the Conservatives’ failure to address immigration, small-boat crossings, welfare spending and damage to the armed forces. He praised Nigel Farage as a potential future prime minister and joined him on the Reform campaign trail in Clacton. Brazier, who lost his parliamentary seat to Rosie Duffield in 2017, said leaving the Conservatives was difficult but ruled out standing for Parliament again.

Restoration work on Faversham’s Grade II*-listed Guildhall is scheduled to begin in autumn after surveys revealed significant structural issues. The town council plans to increase its Public Works Loan request from £200,000 to £250,000 to cover rising costs and ensure contingency funding. Repairs will address roof and exterior deterioration, damaged oak columns, stone plinths, and paving replacement. Councillors opted against a full re-roofing to reduce costs and chose to retain the building’s current duck egg blue colour. Work will commence after the Hop Festival, with completion expected in about three months.

A public emergency bleed control kit has been installed at Faversham Recreation Ground, a site previously affected by violent incidents, to provide rapid first aid before paramedics arrive. Supplied by Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and supported by Project Youth founder Carl Scott, the kit includes a tourniquet and haemostatic gauze and sits beside an existing defibrillator. Local leaders note that safety in the area has improved since recent upgrades, though some residents express concern about the perceived need for such equipment. The installation was attended by local officials and community group representatives, with a similar kit already located outside Faversham Cottage Hospital.

Tributes honour Dorothea Pragnell, an admired German teacher in Canterbury who taught across several local schools and later with the University of the Third Age. Born in wartime Germany, she overcame early upheaval before settling in England after marriage and building a respected four-decade career. She was known for her meticulous teaching, cultural insight and dedication to students, as well as her active role in the local German community and St Stephen’s Church. Her family highlighted her strong commitment to family life, with a celebration of her life scheduled in Canterbury.

Previously unknown artwork and models created by children’s television figure Peter Firmin were discovered by his daughters while clearing his longtime home in Blean and will be auctioned by Canterbury Auction Galleries in a two‑day sale featuring more than 400 lots. The collection includes early illustrations, hand‑drawn storyboards, character models and unpublished children’s books, alongside personal artwork and limited‑edition prints. Firmin’s daughter Katy described the emotional process of uncovering decades of material reflecting his meticulous approach and passion for his craft. Some key items have already been placed in exhibitions, while the sale offers the public a chance to acquire pieces connected to his influential career.