Phil Harrison

Special educational needs and disabilities tutor Glynda Cullen is running a free weekly online reading club for neurodiverse children during the summer holidays. The children read Peter Burns’s novel Shadow Thieves in manageable sections and discuss its characters, plot and settings during Zoom sessions. Participants say the club makes reading more accessible and enjoyable, while Burns praised the initiative after joining a question-and-answer session. The club will continue through the holidays, with another book planned for the Christmas break.

SEND tutor Glynda Cullen is running a free weekly online reading club for neurodiverse children in Kent during the summer holidays. Participants read Peter Burns's novel Shadow Thieves in manageable sections and discuss its characters, plot and settings over Zoom. The club aims to reduce the sense of overwhelm some children experience with longer books, and Burns joined a session to answer questions. Sessions will continue through the holidays, with another book planned for the Christmas break.

The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, together with the 256-acre Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, has been put up for sale by owner Targetfollow. Local traders welcome the prospect of investment to improve the historic landmark but worry that higher rents could threaten independent businesses. Targetfollow says existing leases will remain unaffected and describes the combined sale as a rare UK property-market opportunity. The borough council expects repairs to be completed but will not bid, while the Friends of the Commons group hopes eventually to acquire the commons for community ownership.

Ursa, a Eurasian lynx rescued from the outskirts of Kyiv during the war in Ukraine, has begun exploring grass in a new purpose-built habitat at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent. Staff say she is settling in confidently alongside three other rescued small cats. The sanctuary has also opened the UK’s largest habitat for rusty-spotted cats, using climate and welfare technology to support an international endangered-species breeding programme.

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, has opened new habitats for small wild cats, including Ursa, a Eurasian lynx rescued from the outskirts of Kyiv during the war in Ukraine. Ursa is settling confidently into her first grassed enclosure alongside three other rescued cats. A separate conservation centre for rusty-spotted cats, designed to replicate habitats in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, will support an international endangered-species breeding programme using advanced welfare and climate-control technology.

Campaigners opposing the extension of a quarry into Oaken Wood in Kent plan to continue their efforts after the county council supported moving the proposal forward for government review. Friends of Oaken Wood warn of irreversible ecological damage, while Gallagher Aggregates argues the quarrying will be phased and the woodland restored using stored topsoil. Concerns focus on wildlife displacement, loss of ancient woodland and climate considerations, while the company cites resource demands and previous successful restorations. The proposal now awaits examination by government inspectors.

Residents in Southfleet, Kent voice strong opposition to plans for a 145-acre AI data centre proposed by infrastructure developer Clearstone, citing concerns about traffic, environmental impact and the village being overwhelmed. Clearstone argues the site is suitable due to land availability, connectivity and workforce access, and expects construction to require 750 workers followed by 420 operational jobs, targeting a 2030 opening pending consultation and approval.

A threatened snooker club in Tunbridge Wells is supporting a bid to list the Victorian building it occupies, which faces demolition under a council redevelopment plan to build a new cinema and leisure facilities. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society has submitted an emergency listing application to English Heritage, while the council has requested a certificate of immunity from listing. The club’s owner warns the venue cannot survive relocation, and civic representatives argue the site is a rare historic example of 19th‑century voluntary organisations. A government decision on both applications is pending.

Fans across South East England celebrated England’s dramatic 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico, sharing reactions ranging from excitement and pride to stress over the tense match. Supporters in Dartford and Brighton praised the team’s heroic defending despite being reduced to ten players, and local bar owners highlighted the game’s drama, penalties, and suspense. England will face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Residents across Kent say they will not report neighbours who break the incoming South East Water hosepipe ban, despite potential fines of up to £1,000. Interviewees express frustration over the ban, with some arguing that fixing water company leakages should take priority. Certain disabled residents note they are exempt from the restrictions. The ban follows record water demand and recent supply disruptions during hot weather.

Residents in Thanet report widespread confusion and missed collections following changes to local recycling services mandated by new national rules. Complaints focus on inconsistent schedules, uncollected waste and inadequate communication from Thanet District Council. While some households report no major issues, others describe weeks-long delays and problems with separated food waste. The council acknowledges recent disruption, attributes it partly to service changes and extreme heat, and says additional resources are being deployed as it works to restore regular collections. A full report on the issues is expected at an upcoming council scrutiny meeting.

A family-run lavender farm in Shoreham, Kent, has begun its annual tourist season, attracting visitors from 56 countries. Growing social media interest has led the farm to install Wi‑Fi boosters to support influencers. Unusual weather, including early rainfall, a spring drought and May frosts, reduced oil yields and delayed blooming, but the current dry conditions are extending the flowering period, benefiting tourism. Visitors often travel long distances, sometimes directly from Heathrow, to see the fields.

Castle Farm in Shoreham, Kent, has opened its lavender fields for the summer season, drawing visitors from 56 countries as social media interest continues to grow. Despite weather challenges including heavy early rainfall, a prolonged spring drought and damaging May frosts, the lavender crop has recently begun thriving in dry conditions, extending the display period. The farm has added wi-fi boosters to support influencer activity and continues to offer walks and picnics, with international tourists sometimes arriving directly from Heathrow to visit the fields.