Millie Bowles

A supermarket delivery van damaged St Eadburg’s Well in Lyminge, a 12th-century landmark and Grade II-listed site at the source of the River Stour. The collision dislodged roof tiles and chipped an adjacent wall, although the timber structure was unharmed. The vehicle reportedly left the scene, but the supermarket was quickly identified and accepted full responsibility. Lyminge Parish Council has received offers from local businesses to repair the structure for free.

Crossroads Care Kent is losing its 30-year Kent County Council contract for council-funded short breaks and home care in East Kent from August 31, 2026. Involve Kent has won the East Kent contract, while Imago will deliver services in West Kent with Crossroads as a subcontractor; Crossroads says its West Kent short-break provision will be cut by half. The charity is disappointed but is prioritising a smooth handover and reviewing its future services. KCC and the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board say the new three-year, approximately £5.7 million contract will create a more joined-up service without reducing support, while staff consultations and arrangements for carers continue. Crossroads’ paid-for services remain available, although its Macmillan-funded support service ended on July 31.

Kent Police released an e-fit of a man they want to identify following a report that he exposed himself to a woman at Botany Bay beach near Broadstairs on June 28, 2026. The force is seeking information from the public and provided contact details for Kent Police and Crimestoppers.

Blue-green algae has been detected in Ocean Lake at Leybourne Lakes near Snodland, prompting warnings for dog owners to keep pets away because the algae can cause severe illness or death. Leybourne Lake Watersports Centre remains open while awaiting water-quality test results, although visitors may choose not to swim or paddleboard and can receive refunds. The centre is scheduled to close on Wednesday and reopen Thursday.

Around 800 properties in Challock, Charing and Molash near Ashford continued to experience water-supply problems after prolonged hot, dry weather caused critically low storage levels and power-related pumping issues. South East Water apologized and said crews were working to restore supplies, while bottled-water stations remained available in Challock and Herne Bay. About 3,000 Kent properties had experienced intermittent outages over the weekend, with further disruption possible in Herne Bay and Whitstable. The company’s new chief executive, John Halsall, has announced a £1.9 billion infrastructure program focused on storage, reservoirs, treatment works and pipe-network improvements.

Rail services between Robertsbridge and Tunbridge Wells were temporarily delayed after a flock of sheep escaped onto the railway near Robertsbridge. A response team worked with a local farmer to clear the animals, and Southeastern later confirmed that the lines had reopened and trains were running normally.

A bus shelter at the Guilton Corner bus stop in Ash, near Sandwich, was destroyed and a silver Volkswagen Golf was written off in a crash believed to have occurred at about 1:30am. Police attended after being alerted later that morning, located and spoke to the vehicle owner, and reported the driver for traffic offences. Ash Parish Council is liaising with police about the incident.

Fire crews tackled separate wildfires in Wouldham near Rochester and North Farm Lane in Tunbridge Wells as hot, dry conditions heightened fire risks across Kent. The Rochester blaze, believed to have been caused accidentally by an electrical fault, was extinguished after several hours, while the Tunbridge Wells fire required ten engines and crews remained at the scene for more than 12 hours. The incidents followed a government emergency alert warning residents not to use disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks, with Kent Fire and Rescue Service reporting 130 accidental grass fires in July.

Concrete barriers have been installed at Sandwich Toll Bridge after drivers moved plastic barriers and ignored signs following significant damage caused by a Southern Water tanker on August 8. Kent County Council is maintaining pedestrian access while inspections and repairs are carried out, but the bridge may remain closed for months. The closure has created a ten-minute diversion for nearby residents and affects a major route into Sandwich, while a separate Southern Water-related closure on the A256 Ramsgate Road is causing a 31-mile southbound diversion.

A driver involved in a November crash on Brielle Way in Sheerness was found unconscious and not breathing after his car struck a tree. Police officers Abbie Penfold and Emily Savage helped administer CPR for about 50 minutes before doctors declared him dead, but he regained a pulse and began breathing while being loaded into an ambulance. The Royal Humane Society awarded Penfold and Savage resuscitation certificates and recognized Braden Farrow with a Certificate of Commendation for helping free the trapped victim.

Dean Smith, 51, was sentenced to three years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply. Police had monitored suspicious activity at a communal garden in The Cockpit, Marden, and saw Smith throw a package containing cocaine under a parked car as officers arrived to execute a search warrant. Kent Police said the investigation was supported by local residents’ information and urged people to report suspicious activity.

Kerry Singh, a 37-year-old mother of two from Ashford, died from massive bleeding and cardiac arrest during emergency surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to replace failing pacemaker leads. A coroner found that William Harvey Hospital delayed specialist referral, failed to ensure test results and key tasks were handled promptly, did not adequately involve or inform Singh, and had not conducted an internal review before the inquest. Although the coroner could not conclude that earlier treatment would have prevented Singh’s death, she warned of a significant risk of future deaths and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. The trust must respond by August 20 and says it is reviewing the concerns.

Folkestone Harbour Arm’s upper section will be closed for the weekend after a persistent increase in people jumping or diving into the sea from the structure. Managers described tombstoning as extremely dangerous and illegal across the harbour, while keeping businesses open and apologising to anglers and visitors affected by the closure. The attraction highlighted the case of teenager Jack Dolan, who suffered brain damage after jumping from a pier, prompting mixed reactions from local residents.

A rare white stork was seen on South Road playing fields in Hythe, after also being spotted over the town’s seafront and at Hythe Golf Club. The sighting delighted local birdwatchers and prompted photographs and excited reactions in the Kent Birding Facebook group. White storks had nearly disappeared from the UK, but reintroduction projects at sites including Knepp Estate and Wadhurst Park have helped bring them back to the region.

The UK government sent an emergency alert warning residents nationwide of a very high wildfire risk and urging them to avoid disposable barbecues, firepits, bonfires, garden incinerators, fireworks and other activities that could ignite fires. The alert follows numerous grass fires in Kent and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham amid hot, dry weather. Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended 130 accidental grass fires in July, while Swale Borough Council separately urged people to protect homes, wildlife and open spaces.

Marine Gardens in Margate was closed in both directions on the evening of August 13 after Southern Gas Networks investigated a gas leak between Belgrave Road and Grosvenor Place. The closure caused congestion on surrounding roads, and the fire service was reportedly called. The road reopened at 8:30 p.m. while SGN continued its work.

Two people were taken to a London hospital with life-changing injuries after a two-car collision on Stone Street in Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury, on August 12, 2026. Two other people were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended, and the road was temporarily closed before reopening.

Stone Street in Stelling Minnis, between Canterbury and Hythe, was closed in both directions after a serious collision involving two cars at about 3:35 p.m. on August 12, 2026. Police, paramedics, firefighters and an air ambulance attended, with the aircraft landing in a nearby field. Diversions caused congestion through Stelling Minnis, and motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

The A28 Island Road in Hersden, near Canterbury, was closed in both directions between East View and Hoplands Road while investigators examined a crash. Multiple ambulance crews treated two patients at the scene before taking them to a local hospital, and a fire engine also attended.

Firefighters battled an industrial-site fire near the Singleton Environment Centre in Ashford for almost 12 hours after it spread to a neighbouring field. Six fire engines and a bulk water carrier attended, while police closed Chart Road and residents near Chilmington Green were advised to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke. The fire was declared out at about 5:50 a.m., with no injuries reported; authorities believe it was started deliberately.

Two people were treated by paramedics after a garage fire in Salisbury Avenue, Rainham, near Rainham School for Girls. Four fire engines attended shortly before 5pm, and crews extinguished the blaze using breathing apparatus and hose-reel jets. Nearby residents were advised to close doors and windows because of smoke, while the fire service said the cause remained unknown.

The Environment Agency has officially declared drought conditions in Kent after the county received just 1% of its average July rainfall, with exceptionally low river flows, falling reservoir levels, algal blooms, wildfires and harm to farming and wildlife. Customers of South East Water and Thames Water in Kent are already under hosepipe restrictions. Officials are urging residents to reduce water use, while measures include farmer support, fish rescues, reservoir releases and increased business compliance checks. The declaration forms part of wider drought conditions affecting 73.1% of England and 45 million people.

An inquest heard that 75-year-old Dover resident Christine Faunch fell from an ambulance stretcher while unconscious and struck her head and side on concrete and ambulance equipment. She later died at William Harvey Hospital from catastrophic bleeding caused by a ruptured spleen. Medical experts said the spleen injury most likely began before the fall, although the fall may have worsened it, and coroner Katrina Hepburn recorded an accidental-death conclusion. The South East Coast Ambulance Service apologised because crew members had not secured all stretcher straps and said it had introduced safety changes, including improved chest-strap design and pre-clipped straps.

Lewis Baker, 29, was jailed for 27 months at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to intentionally suffocating and assaulting his partner at her Herne Bay flat. He held a duvet over her face, blocked seven emergency calls, threatened her and attempted to mislead police. Officers later found him hiding in a disabled toilet at a Wetherspoon pub, where they also discovered cannabis. The victim has experienced continuing trauma, worsening epileptic seizures and fear of men. Baker must serve at least half of his sentence in custody.

Therapist Chris Kidd, who runs the Canterbury Hope Foundation, has had his British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy membership withdrawn indefinitely after a regulator found he pursued a secret relationship with a client, encouraged her to delete messages and breached other clients’ confidentiality. The conduct was deemed a serious misuse of the therapist-client power imbalance that risked harm and undermined public confidence. Kidd accepted the findings, took responsibility and said he was deeply sorry, citing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent personal and professional development.

Tamago, a Japanese restaurant in Northgate, Canterbury, will close on September 6 after 13 years because owner James Routh says rising costs have made it impossible to keep the business afloat. The restaurant will take its annual break from August 3 to 13 before reopening for its final weeks. Routh has also supported the VAT’s The Problem campaign, which calls on the government to reduce VAT for hospitality businesses to 10%.

Maria Mason, a 57-year-old woman from Ramsgate, died at Pilgrims Hospice on July 23, just one week after doctors at QEQM Hospital diagnosed her with stage-four pancreatic cancer that had spread to her lungs, stomach and lymph nodes. Her daughter, Kay Mason-Johnson, described her as courageous, generous and determined despite the sudden illness. The family is fundraising to cover funeral costs and travel to Thailand to scatter Maria’s ashes alongside those of her late soulmate, Derek Saunders, whose ashes were scattered there 25 years ago.

The body of a man in his 20s was found near Botany Bay beach in Broadstairs after police were called to the area on the evening of July 28. Kent Police said the death is being treated as non-suspicious, the man’s next of kin has been informed, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Martin Bugden was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 12 years in prison for violently raping a woman at his Ashford home in January 2021 and later harassing her with repeated texts and calls while on bail. He had denied the offences during police questioning, but was later charged with nine sexual offences, including two counts of rape. Kent Police said the attack caused the victim lasting mental anguish and praised her resolve during the investigation.

After 58 years of running hairdressing businesses in Kent, 85-year-old George Antoniou is retiring and closing his final two salons: Antoniou Hair in Faversham, which shut recently, and Antoniou Hair and Beauty in Canterbury, whose last trading day will be August 14, 2026. Antoniou opened his first Canterbury salon in 1968 and expanded the business to 12 branches across the county, alongside a training school and charity fashion shows. He credits his staff, loyal customers and wife Marika for the company’s success, while saying the COVID-19 lockdown caused him to lose enthusiasm for continuing. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family but feels sadness at the end of an era.

The A258 Dover Road between Walmer and Deal was closed in both directions near Archery Square and Cornwall Road after a three-vehicle collision. Kent Police and ambulance crews attended, with minor injuries reported; traffic reports indicated that one car overturned. Police remained at the scene while recovery of the vehicles was arranged.

Canterbury couple India Rusbridge and Ryan Hallett, aged 30 and 31, have fostered a child through ISP Fostering for two years after previously working as teachers. Despite initial concern from friends and their own anxieties about fostering, they say the experience has been rewarding and that younger carers can offer an appealing source of energy and support for some children. They are encouraging other people in their age group to consider fostering, noting that the UK’s foster-carer population is considerably older on average. ISP Fostering says more carers are urgently needed, while government figures show nearly 2,000 children were in care in Kent at the end of the previous year.

Four men involved in an east Kent conspiracy to supply at least £150,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine have been jailed for a combined 16 years. Perri Gulliford was identified as the operation’s leader and received seven years and six months; Kieran Majmader, Craig Amer and James Larkin received sentences of five years and three months, three and a half years, and two years and eight months respectively. The convictions followed a Kent Police investigation involving seized phones and digital evidence, which established the gang’s hierarchy and links to local dealers.

Poundstretcher will open a new store at 25 High Street in Broadstairs on July 31, with the launch expected to create 16 jobs. Town Mayor George Rusiecki will open the store, and the first 100 customers will receive free goody bags. CEO Andy Atkinson said the expansion aims to improve access to affordable products while household budgets remain under pressure. The opening follows Poundstretcher’s acquisition by Fortress in 2024 and the retailer’s wider expansion across the UK.

A misconduct panel barred former Kent Police officer Thomas Beaumont after multiple incidents in London and at work in which he groped a female colleague, made sexualised comments, urinated in public, and continued unwanted behaviour despite warnings. The panel ruled his actions constituted gross misconduct and warranted dismissal had he remained in service, adding him to the barred list. Kent Police leadership condemned his behaviour as falling far below professional standards while emphasising accountability within the force.

A Canterbury lawyer says her mother was failed by the NHS after a three‑month delay in starting liver cancer treatment, leaving doctors to declare the illness terminal. Despite a national 62‑day treatment target, care at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital began 93 days after diagnosis and did not halt the tumour’s rapid growth. A private scan later revealed significant deterioration that the family says NHS clinicians failed to act upon. The family is now fundraising for treatment in India, including potential transplant options. Hospital officials say the complaint is under investigation.

Police used drone technology to track down nuisance bikers reported for dangerous and antisocial riding in Stanhope, Ashford. Footage led officers to two bikes at a house, resulting in the arrest and charging of a 15‑year‑old with multiple vehicle and shoplifting offences, with a court appearance scheduled for July 21. A second teenager has been identified for interview, and two bikes were seized. Police emphasised their commitment to using technology and swift action to address community disturbances.

A woman subjected to months of stalking by her ex-partner fears the harassment will continue after a judge, following new sentencing guidelines, suspended his nine‑month jail term and imposed an eight‑year restraining order. The court heard extensive evidence of repeated harassment, property damage and breaches of bail, along with the defendant’s traumatic background and mental health issues, which were cited in mitigation. The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the stalking but said the law required a suspended sentence, while assuring the victim he understood the impact on her life. The victim hopes speaking publicly will encourage others to seek help and use disclosure schemes designed to prevent abuse.

A power cut at the Port of Dover triggered a large emergency response after witnesses reported a loud bang and smoke from an electrical transformer near the Western Docks. Fire crews attended but found no fire or ongoing danger. Around 3,000 cruise passengers experienced delays before traffic movement resumed, with teams working to restore power to affected cruise terminals.

A man in his 50s was taken to hospital with a head injury after an assault near The Parade and Rose Lane in Canterbury. Police arrested a 32‑year‑old man from Folkestone on suspicion of assault before releasing him on bail. Investigators are seeking witnesses or footage and have issued contact details for Kent Police and Crimestoppers.

A physiotherapist at Victoria Hospital in Deal was struck off the professional register after a tribunal found he used unsafe handling techniques, including pulling a patient into a standing position by her incontinence pad, and kept inaccurate clinical records. Witnesses reported multiple incidents raising concerns about patient safety, inadequate communication, and missed mandatory training, which led to supervisory restrictions before his resignation. The panel deemed his conduct dishonest, noted his lack of remorse, and determined he should be removed from the register for at least five years.

A national investigation led by Baroness Valerie Amos finds that despite improvements in morale, leadership and facilities within midwifery services at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, maternity care remains fragmented and inconsistent. Families report missed warning signs, inadequate monitoring and poor responses to complaints, while neonatal services show weak leadership, poor staff relationships and equipment shortages. Inspectors note ageing facilities that restrict safe and compassionate care. The trust acknowledges both progress and ongoing failings, committing to long-term improvement as the government moves forward with national recommendations and increased investment for maternity and neonatal safety.

A food hygiene inspection at Queen’s Kebab in Ramsgate found raw kebabs stored in a mouldy wooden box, cross‑contamination risks, inadequate cleaning, poorly maintained equipment, waste management problems and lack of staff training, resulting in a one‑star hygiene rating. A follow‑up visit found some issues unresolved, prompting warnings of possible enforcement. The manager says the kitchen has since been reorganised, staff retrained and waste disposal arrangements updated, expressing confidence the business will regain its previous five‑star rating.

An Ofsted inspection confirmed Sandwich Technology School remains in special measures, noting improvements but identifying major weaknesses in achievement, attendance, leadership and curriculum. Headteacher Simon Sharples resigned a week earlier, citing political pressure, though distancing his decision from a proposed transfer to the Barton Court Academy Trust. Attendance remains significantly below national averages, and teaching and pupil outcomes show wide variation. Staff wellbeing, behaviour expectations and inclusivity have improved, and bullying incidents have decreased. School leaders acknowledged progress while stressing continued work with the academy trust on attendance and academic standards.

Thirteen men from across the UK, including Whitstable resident Daniel Rayner, have been charged in an alleged scheme to drug and rape a woman whose husband has admitted multiple sexual offences against her. The husband, who cannot be named, faces additional charges related to drugging and conspiring with others. Several co-defendants have entered not‑guilty pleas, while others have admitted some offences. The case is scheduled for further hearings ahead of a 12‑week trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Water quality tests following a sewage outfall near the Port of Dover led to no‑swim notices across several seafront and marina areas. Elevated microbiological levels breached bathing water standards, prompting precautionary restrictions and daily testing until conditions improve. A confirmed release at the Elizabeth Street outflow and multiple overflow incidents across Kent added to concerns as high temperatures drove crowds to local beaches.

Police responded to multiple fights and disorder on beaches in Margate and Broadstairs as large crowds gathered in hot weather, arresting several young men for assault and affray. Body‑cam footage showed officers chasing suspects through crowded areas, deploying tasers and dispersing groups. Additional disturbances occurred at Margate railway station, where further clashes were reported. Kent Police emphasized zero tolerance for antisocial behaviour and confirmed that dispersal orders remain active across several coastal towns to prevent further disorder.

Five teenagers aged 15 to 17 were arrested following reports of robberies and knife threats on trains traveling from Margate toward London. Police responded after multiple complaints of aggressive and violent behavior targeting commuters, including theft of phones and valuables. The suspects were detained at Faversham station and remain in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are seeking additional witnesses and information through British Transport Police and Crimestoppers.

Two children struggling in the water near Ramsgate Harbour were rescued by members of the public before emergency services arrived. A coastguard helicopter, lifeboat crews and police responded after the alarm was raised around 3.27pm during extreme heat conditions affecting Kent, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees.

A Ramsgate businesswoman, Charlotte Silver, won the Miss Great Britain Kent pageant just 12 weeks after an emergency C-section following a difficult pregnancy marked by hyperemesis gravidarum. Despite severe sickness, cancelled surgery and her newborn’s early health issues, she recovered and earned multiple awards at the competition. Now running her business while caring for her daughter, she aims to inspire other mothers through a support group she founded, Mums Who Dream, and will compete in the national Miss Great Britain final in October.

A single‑vehicle crash on the A2 between Bridge and Canterbury caused delays, and one person was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to William Harvey Hospital for further care.

A kitchen fire at a bungalow in Willesborough, Ashford led to the death of one cat while another was rescued. Four fire engines attended, using hose reel and main jets to extinguish the blaze. No people were injured, and the incident is believed to have been accidental. A volunteer response team supported residents before crews left the scene at 6:38pm.

Violent crime in Thanet is rising despite declines across the rest of Kent, with recent incidents including a murder, multiple stabbings and increased drug and antisocial offences. Acid attack survivor Paul Atkins describes lasting physical and psychological trauma and warns that crime feels increasingly out of control. Data from the Thanet Community Safety Partnership highlights concentrated harm in deprived areas such as Margate Central, where knife crime is identified as a key concern. Local authorities and Kent Police outline plans for targeted patrols, improved CCTV and lighting, and multi‑agency interventions addressing underlying socioeconomic drivers. East Thanet MP Polly Billington calls for additional resources to support policing and protect vulnerable residents.

The McDonald’s restaurant at Eureka Park in Ashford is closed for refurbishment, with the drive‑thru scheduled to reopen on July 9 and full reopening on July 30. The company is directing customers to its newer nearby branch at the Tank Roundabout. Contractors are currently on site, and the refurbishment aims to improve the customer and staff experience.

Demolition has begun on Canterbury’s former Odeon cinema after a February fire, suspected to be arson, left the structure unsafe. Drone images show crews dismantling the building, which had been deemed dangerous by the city council, prompting Section 77 notices and securing measures. Nearby businesses, including Tokyo Tea Rooms, were affected, remaining closed due to safety concerns. The incident required a major emergency response involving more than 60 firefighters, and police have arrested four teenagers, three of whom remain on bail. The site had previously been earmarked for redevelopment into a mixed‑use scheme with homes and commercial space.

A motorcyclist was injured in a suspected hit‑and‑run on Manston Road near Margate after a collision with a car whose driver allegedly left before police arrived. Emergency services responded around midday, with enquiries under way to locate the driver. Traffic delays were reported and the rider’s injuries are not believed to be life‑threatening.

A 32-year-old Iraqi national was arrested after 67 vehicles were damaged over two days in several areas of Folkestone, including Black Bull Road, Radnor Park Road and Wear Bay Road. Police are contacting affected residents, reviewing enquiries and seeking further information or footage from the public. They are not looking for additional suspects at this stage.