James Pallant

Former Canterbury GP Gregory Manson has been erased from the UK medical register after a tribunal found that he posed a high risk to public protection and that his misconduct was incompatible with continued registration. He was convicted in 2025 of 12 sexual assaults and four indecent assaults involving nine male patients, including teenagers, during unjustified genital examinations at Cossington House Surgery between 1998 and 2017. Manson was sentenced to seven years in prison; his erasure takes effect after 28 days unless he appeals.

Robert Johnson, owner of Herne Bay’s two-screen Kavanagh Cinema, describes a career that began with mobile film screenings in village halls and led to his purchase of the cinema in 2009. Despite studios’ control over film schedules and their large share of ticket revenue, the Kavanagh keeps admission and concession prices low, including £4 Wednesday film-club screenings. The independent cinema has invested £100,000 in renovations, new seats and WatchWord augmented-reality glasses that provide private captions for deaf or hard-of-hearing customers. It also supports local history and filmmakers through themed events and premieres. Johnson says audiences have returned after the pandemic, Hollywood strikes and the cost-of-living crisis because cinemas offer a communal atmosphere and shared laughter that home streaming cannot replicate.

Temple Ewell Nursing Home near Dover has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures by the Care Quality Commission after inspectors identified seven regulatory breaches. Findings included six incidents of unexplained bruising that were not properly investigated or reported, poorly managed wounds, dehydration risks, incomplete care plans, a resident’s unaddressed 10% weight loss, and serious errors in fire evacuation information. The home, which cared for 41 residents, also faced concerns about staffing and sponsored workers’ reluctance to report safety issues. Operator Crownwood Healthcare said it had changed management, introduced action plans, hired an independent consultant and made considerable improvements since the inspection.

Rob Harvey and his partner have taken over the former Stag pub in Challock and reopened it under its original name, The Halfway House. They aim to restore it as a traditional country pub and prevent the site from being acquired by developers. The venue will offer classic pub food prepared by three-rosette chef Scott Aldridge, alongside beers, cocktails, quizzes and bingo. Future plans include a children’s play area and an outdoor clay pizza oven, while the pub’s previous incarnation faced complaints over the behaviour of motorists attending supercar-themed events.

The Cave Hotel and Golf Resort near Boughton-under-Blean has withdrawn plans for a major expansion featuring a new 36-bed hotel, holiday lodges, spa, padel courts, plunge pools and an upgraded driving range. The project, submitted to Swale Borough Council in March, would have been partly funded by selling 24 self-build housing plots and was expected to create more than 100 jobs. Resort owners cited the significant costs incurred during the planning process and said they were bitterly disappointed. Local residents had objected over the loss of green space, traffic congestion and the potential impact of additional guests and housing on local infrastructure. The owners declined to say whether revised plans would be submitted.

An arson attack at Arlington House, an 18-storey residential building in Margate, was enabled by inadequate perimeter fencing and unsecured vacant commercial units opened ahead of repair works. Intruders entered on 6 April 2026 and set fire to timber materials, sending smoke into the building’s residential areas, although no one was injured. The incident occurred amid serious existing safety concerns, including potentially dangerous concrete cladding, unprotected service ducts and unresolved compartmentation issues. Additional fencing and security patrols have since been introduced, while the Building Safety Regulator continues to assess compliance and the building’s owner, Metropolitan Property Realization Limited, faces ongoing regulatory and refurbishment challenges.

Esther Ng has submitted plans to convert the ground floor of a Victorian townhouse on Station Road West, Canterbury, into a dog grooming parlour and pet spa. The upper floors would remain a licensed five-bedroom HMO. The proposed family-run K9 SPA would provide bathing, grooming, styling and other pet treatments, while selling pet-care products. External changes would be limited, with soundproofing intended to reduce disruption to residents above. Canterbury City Council is expected to decide the application in the coming months.

Thanet District Council has agreed to sell a vacant 0.2-hectare former depot beside Pierremont Park in Broadstairs to the highest commercial bidder after a community bid from Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council fell substantially below professional valuations and competing offers. The site had previously been proposed for housing, but planning permission was refused because of concerns about vehicle access through the busy park. Friends of Pierremont Park condemned the sale, arguing that the land should remain publicly owned and warning that any future development would face strong opposition. The decision remains subject to a possible councillor call-in by August 14, and any redevelopment will require planning permission.

An Ofsted inspection of Valg Care Services in Canterbury identified serious and widespread safeguarding failures at accommodation for looked-after 16- and 17-year-olds, including an allegation of physical abuse, mouldy food, holes in walls, ineffective safeguarding procedures, poor records and an unassessed adult living at the property. The local authority had already moved the children elsewhere. Ofsted ordered improvements by September 9, while the company disputes the findings and says it no longer provides supported accommodation for children.

Cartoonists painted humorous images of Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage on renovation hoardings at Herne Bay Bandstand. The artwork was created during a community event organized by local businessmen Nejmi and Hassan Hassan, who are investing in the venue and plan to operate a café, wine bar and restaurant there. Canterbury City Council-owned bandstand is undergoing repairs to its corroded stage, with live performances and community events expected to resume by Christmas.

Plans submitted to Canterbury City Council could transform a vandalised, Grade II-listed former oast house beside Canterbury Castle into a non-profit community hub. Julie Dod proposes a cafe-cum-bar, commercial kitchen, catering school in partnership with the Prince of Wales Youth Club, community hall, meeting rooms and youth and creative facilities. The project would also include a glazed atrium, fire escape, cycle and refuse storage, and disabled parking. The Canterbury Heritage Design Forum supports the building's reuse but has questioned the lack of a disabled lift. A previous proposal to convert the site into seven flats stalled over Natural England's Stodmarsh nutrient-neutrality requirements.

A planning application has been submitted to demolish the vacant former Air Training Corps centre on Cossington Road in Canterbury and build four three-bedroom terraced houses, two one-bedroom flats and parking for six cars. The brownfield site, which was destroyed in a 1942 bombing raid and later used by air cadets until 2014, has been broadly welcomed for redevelopment. However, the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum and local resident Allen MacDonald have criticized elements of the design, including the setback front gardens, casement windows and visible solar panels.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses and mobile-phone footage after a man in his 30s was allegedly assaulted by a stranger at The Cuban nightclub on Canterbury High Street shortly before 2:30am on July 16. The man suffered a head injury, was treated at a local hospital and later discharged. After reviewing CCTV and speaking with witnesses, police released an image of a person who may assist the investigation.

Reported fuel thefts in Kent nearly doubled from 47 incidents in the eight weeks before the Iran conflict began on February 28 to 92 in the following eight weeks. Drive-offs without payment rose 71%, from 38 to 65, while fuel siphoned from vehicles trebled from nine to 27. Petrol station workers say further price rises after the collapse of peace talks could trigger another increase, as more customers struggle to afford fuel and payment cards are declined. Kent Police recommends measures including pay-at-pump systems, pre-payment authorisation, CCTV and locked petrol caps, while the RAC warns that retailers may pass theft-related losses on to other motorists.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after an alleged assault during the Broadstairs Summer Fireworks event, where police dispersed groups of young people amid reports of antisocial behaviour. Officers used dispersal powers 15 times, conducted 10 stop searches, seized a small amount of cannabis and issued two community resolutions. A 60-year-old man was separately arrested for failing to appear at court. The fireworks display was ultimately cancelled because of strong winds, while Kent Police said high-visibility patrols would continue across Thanet during the summer.

Emergency services closed Margate Road and Haine Road near the Westwood Cross shopping centre in Broadstairs following reports of a gas leak. Kent Fire and Rescue Service deployed one fire engine to secure the area, while Kent Police managed road closures and confirmed no injuries. Crews continued work to make the scene safe and manage traffic disruption.

Motor Fuel Group has submitted plans to Canterbury City Council to extend the Shell petrol station at the junction of the A2990 Thanet Way and Chestfield Road near Whitstable, creating space for a new Greggs next to the existing Costa Coffee. The expansion would enlarge the sales building from 125 to 205 square metres, add six new jobs, increase parking from three to nine spaces, and remove the HGV refuelling island. The site’s electric vehicle charging hub, valet facilities and jet washes would remain, while the new Greggs is expected to operate around the clock. Council officers are expected to decide on the application in the coming weeks.

A derelict bungalow in Herne Bay is proposed for demolition to allow HMT Care to extend its specialist neurological care home from seven to 13 beds. Planning documents cite previous severe disrepair and rat infestation at the property, while the new building would provide accessible en‑suite rooms and shared facilities. Neighbours object over parking pressures, loss of light and potential impact on solar panels. The proposal is under review by Canterbury City Council, with a decision expected next month.

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Gallop, a long‑time Faversham resident who dedicated decades to rescuing and rehoming stray cats through her charity Faversham Animal Welfare, has died at age 96. Friends recalled her lifelong commitment to animal care, her 50 years running a fundraising market stall, and her 2003 invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party in recognition of her service. Local residents shared tributes, crediting her with helping countless animals and positively impacting the community.

Thanet residents report severe disruption to waste collections, with some bins left unemptied for three to eight weeks and nearly 2,000 missed collections recorded between February and June. Problems followed the introduction of fortnightly collections under the Simpler Recycling programme and have been compounded by population growth, hot weather and financial pressure on Thanet District Council. Residents cite foul smells, vermin and potential health risks, while council officials say two additional collection vehicles will operate for six months and that collection routes and the wider service will be reviewed. The council also faces a projected £1.1 million budget deficit in 2027/28.

A motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital with a leg injury after a collision involving a car on Dymchurch Road in New Romney. The A259 was briefly closed on July 16 while police attended the scene and vehicles were recovered.

Jennifer Everrett, a Herne Bay taxi driver known locally as the “Queen of Taxis,” has died aged 76 after a lung cancer diagnosis. She drove for nearly 40 years, transporting an estimated 100,000 passengers while raising her two sons and supporting friends and neighbours. Six Herne Cars taxis will join her funeral procession from her home to Herne Bay Crematorium on July 30, with family, friends and colleagues remembering her humour, generosity and lasting impact on the town.

Ofwat has ordered South East Water shareholders to fund a £30.5 million improvement and redress package following investigations into widespread supply outages affecting more than 286,000 customers from 2020 to 2023 and up to 70,000 homes during outages between November 2025 and January 2026. The package includes network resilience work, free water butts, smart meters, business water storage, vulnerable-site improvements and community funding, with an independent monitor overseeing delivery. Ofwat found failures in planning, customer communication and bottled-water provision, while South East Water accepted the findings and apologized. Kent politicians and residents welcomed the action but called for greater investment in infrastructure, stronger enforcement and, in some cases, public ownership of the company.

Two people were taken to hospital after a collision involving two vehicles on the A225 Shoreham Road between Otford and Lullingstone at 7:28 a.m. One person was treated for injuries and the other was taken as a precaution. Neither injury is believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

Lydd is a geographically isolated and relatively deprived town in southern Kent, with poor public transport, limited services, rising food-bank use and difficulties accessing healthcare and opportunities. Yet residents and local figures emphasize its low crime, historic character and unusually strong community spirit, where neighbours look out for one another and children can safely play outside. Residents would welcome more shops, investment and transport links, while opposing a proposed solar farm on arable land, but most say they would not trade Lydd’s friendliness and sense of belonging for life elsewhere.

An elderly woman in Lydd seeking help for a bleeding finger cut was told by both a local pharmacy and her GP surgery to call 999 because staff were not trained or available to assist. The pharmacist said he could not handle blood and offered to call an ambulance, while the GP surgery cited having no nurse on duty. She declined emergency services, considering it inappropriate, and was ultimately helped by a neighbour. Invicta Health stated it could not comment on individual cases, and NHS guidance notes 999 should be used only for life‑threatening emergencies.

A petition with more than 2,000 signatures urges Canterbury City Council to abandon plans to evict six long‑standing businesses from the Nursery Industrial Estate in Herne Bay to enable a proposed 14‑home development. Business owners say they were blindsided and face high relocation and operating costs, while residents criticise the loss of local services and strain on infrastructure. The council argues the ageing units require major investment and the site is needed for housing identified in the draft Local Plan, extending the notice period to nine months and offering support in finding new premises. Public opposition continues as campaigners hope the council reconsiders before any planning application proceeds.

Canterbury City Council has told six long‑standing small businesses at the Nursery Industrial Estate in Herne Bay to leave by March 2027 as the site is allocated for housing in the draft Local Plan. Traders, many operating for over a decade, warn the relocation will dramatically increase their costs and may force them to close. Several business owners describe severe financial and personal strain, while MP Sir Roger Gale criticizes the council for treating them discourteously. The council says it extended the deadline after discussions and will offer support to find new premises.

Ofsted issued a Welfare Requirements Notice to Rock of Ages Nursery in Ramsgate after inspectors found significant failures in curriculum quality, staff oversight, behaviour management and welfare provision. Children were observed wandering unengaged, misusing equipment and lacking support, particularly those with special educational needs. The report criticised leadership as weak, activities as mundane and welfare arrangements as inadequate, though safeguarding standards were met. The nursery remains open while required improvements are implemented.

Police are investigating reports that a naked man was acting inappropriately at an unofficial nudist area of Botany Bay in Broadstairs. Witnesses described the man as repeatedly walking around beachgoers and performing a lewd act between 12:30pm and 3pm on June 28. The suspect was described as a tall, tanned man aged 45 to 55. Authorities are appealing for information related to the incident.

Stonemasons from Canterbury Cathedral completed a hand‑chiselled pavement design marking the outline of the medieval Church of St George the Martyr beside St George’s Tower. Led by head mason John Crump and commissioned by Canterbury City Council, the project recreates architectural elements from the 1100s, 1400s and 1800s. As part of wider Levelling Up works, the adjacent Clocktower Gallery has been created and is now hosting its first exhibition, Eszter Novák’s ‘Obscurities Overheard’, through a partnership with the University for the Creative Arts.

Dover District Council plans a £75,000 upgrade of the Elms Vale Recreation Ground play area, including resurfacing, new equipment and replacement of worn features. Funding will combine Section 106 developer contributions with council funds. Schoolchildren from three local schools will be consulted on preferred themes and equipment. The revamp will align with the conversion of a nearby multi‑use games area into a 3G football pitch, with the full site expected to reopen next spring. A procurement process will follow public feedback, and the council cabinet is scheduled to consider the project on July 6.

A derelict Grade II-listed seafront property in Ramsgate has been transformed into the Royal Harbour Suites after a two‑year, £350,000 renovation by Keith and Louise Knapp. Purchased at auction in 2024 for £418,000, the building was cleared of extensive rubbish, repaired structurally and restored to highlight its Georgian-era features. The new boutique hotel now offers ten units priced from £76 to £420 per night, with bookings already underway, primarily from visitors from London. The owners hope the redevelopment will contribute to Ramsgate’s regeneration and preserve the historic character of the building.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council sold Hay House, a Grade II-listed former Napoleonic barracks converted into six social housing flats, for £826,000 at auction after previously encouraging tenants to relocate. The property had long required extensive repairs estimated at over £1.2 million, prompting the decision to sell. Despite initial resistance, all tenants accepted alternative social housing offers in 2024. The sale significantly exceeded the original guide price, and proceeds will support the development of new council homes.

A Canterbury garage lost its phone line for more than a week after a BT-led switch from analogue to digital service failed, costing the business hundreds of pounds daily. Owner Oscar Hummerstone reported repeated unsuccessful attempts to get updates from BT until a partial fix was provided through a mobile app with poor audio quality. BT apologized, said it is working to fully restore the line, and will discuss potential compensation as the UK transitions to digital landlines ahead of the 2027 analogue switch-off.

Celebrities Rob Beckett, Josie Gibson, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Josh Widdicombe, Harriet Kemsley and Joe Marler filmed a pilot episode of the game show Let’s Play Ball in Canterbury, maneuvering giant inflatable spheres through city streets while facing obstacles such as security bollards and scaffolding. Two teams tackled challenges designed for comedic effect, drawing interest from shoppers and bystanders. The show, based on a Dutch concept from StukTV, is being produced by Banijay UK labels Initial and Zeppotron, whose executives expressed enthusiasm for developing the format.

A fire that began in a neighbouring caravan destroyed Morgan Stuart’s home in Ramsgate after he woke up choking on smoke and escaped. Police are treating the early-morning blaze as suspicious and have launched an arson investigation, with no injuries or arrests reported. Kent Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire using three engines, and the Royal Harbour Approach tunnel was closed during the investigation. Authorities are appealing for information or dashcam footage.

A newly installed sign at the Coastal Park car park in Folkestone misspelled the name as “The Costal Park,” prompting criticism from residents over wasted public money. The council acknowledged the mistake, calling it frustrating, and plans to cover the error with a sticker to avoid the cost of replacing the sign entirely.

A suspected arson attack at Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour Approach Tunnel destroyed two caravans and led to a 15‑hour closure of the A299. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, no injuries were reported, and police launched an arson investigation. The tunnel and surrounding road reopened by early evening, and authorities appealed for information or dashcam footage from the public.

Kent County Council says Aldi’s proposed 122-space car park for a new Herne Bay store is too small and is requesting additional spaces and wider bays. Local David Lloyd gym members report severe parking shortages and fear Aldi’s car park will become an overflow area, further increasing pressure. The gym has taken measures to reduce demand, while Aldi insists its plans meet requirements based on assessments. The project would create about 40 jobs but still requires planning approval.

A 19-year-old from Margate, Olly Mitchell, has been selected for England’s under-23 pool squad after winning a national trial, crediting the sport with helping him manage autism-related social anxiety. Supported by his mother and his local club, he progressed rapidly through Kent’s pool ranks and will compete at the World Eightball Pool Championship in Morocco, requiring £3,500 in sponsorship to cover travel and competition costs.

Martyn Hillier has retired after more than two decades running The Butcher’s Arms in Herne, the UK’s first micropub, transferring the business to long-time regular Paul Monroe. Monroe plans minor repairs and modest expansions while preserving the pub’s character. Hillier, awarded an MBE for his role in founding the micropub movement, intends to spend retirement travelling and visiting micropubs around the country.

An 11-year-old boy from Lympne who has lived with juvenile idiopathic arthritis since toddlerhood is preparing for the Three Peaks Challenge after surviving a life‑threatening bout of sepsis and respiratory failure in 2024. Following intensive treatment, setbacks including a major flare‑up in 2025, and subsequent stabilisation on new immunotherapy, he has returned to full activity. He and his father aim to raise £3,000 for three organisations that supported him during his illness.

Residents oppose a proposal to replace Canterbury’s derelict Rosemary Lane car park with 146 small co-living flats, arguing the scale, height and likely student occupancy would harm the neighbourhood. The developer says the scheme would improve the site and align with surrounding high-density buildings, while a councillor supports the project as an opportunity to redevelop an eyesore. Heritage advisers question the small unit sizes and lack of detail on communal facilities. Canterbury City Council will review and vote on the plan in the coming weeks.

Travellers established a site on farmland in Hoath shortly after Canterbury City Council rejected a planning application to station caravans there. Rubble, a septic tank and a mobile home were brought onto the land, prompting the council to issue a stop notice and plan further checks. Local resident Jayne Pilbeam and MP Sir Roger Gale had previously objected to the proposal, citing concerns about rural character, traffic, land use and environmental risks. Residents now fear repeated unauthorised activity and potential environmental impacts from unassessed infrastructure.