Sam Lennon

Nathan Baintree, a chronically ill former tenant, left his one-bedroom council bungalow in Dymchurch after severe black mould spread throughout the property and allegedly worsened his health. Nearly a year after leaving, Folkestone and Hythe District Council is seeking £636.80 for repairs, alterations and clearance, including work on cameras, electrical sockets and a kitchen door. Baintree disputes the bill, saying some issues predated his tenancy or had already been reported and that mould spores made it unsafe to remove his remaining belongings. The council says tenants may be charged to return properties to a lettable condition but declined to comment on the individual case, noting that the bill can be challenged through its complaints process.

Drone images document the transformation of former farmland off Shottendane Road and Northdown Road in Margate into Hartsdown Gardens, a 450-home development. Thanet District Council rejected the scheme three times in 2021 over affordable-housing, flooding, wildlife and agricultural-land concerns, but approval was granted on appeal in 2022. Places for People later acquired the site and increased the affordable-housing share to 49%. The first 138 homes were approved in 2024, with residents moving in from December 2025, while construction continues on a second phase of 312 homes. The development includes a link road, parking and EV chargers, 10 acres of open space, five play areas and a protected bird habitat, and will sit alongside a separate 250-home scheme.

A fire at Dover's Crypt restaurant in March 1977 killed seven people, including three children and firefighter John Sharp, after a fryer switch and fractured wiring caused the blaze. Ahead of the 50th anniversary in 2027, the Crypt Memorial Group, led by Councillor Graham Wanstall, is seeking a wreath-laying ceremony, information panels and eventually a permanent memorial garden at the long-vacant Bench Street site. Dover District Council says the location is being considered within wider town-centre regeneration plans and that any proposals would involve consultation with relatives, campaigners and other stakeholders.

Organisers of the Weald of Kent Steam and Country Show say the event will proceed in Woodchurch despite residents’ concerns that sparks from steam engines could ignite wildfires near dry fields and timber-built homes. Organiser Bill Giles said a specialist team from G1 Fire and Rescue, including current and former firefighters, will have extensive equipment on site, while Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was satisfied that reasonable safety measures had been implemented. The concerns come after weeks of dry weather and more than 20 vegetation fires in Kent since July 20. Nearby Kent & East Sussex Railway has suspended steam services until August 7, while Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway continues to operate under a fire mitigation plan.

Shepherdswell residents, particularly elderly people with mobility problems, say they are effectively stranded after the village lost its regular daytime bus service. The previous Stagecoach Connect shuttle was replaced by the 92 minibus, which bypasses Shepherdswell and Coldred, while a limited school service has stopped for the summer. Residents report paying substantial taxi fares for medical appointments, shopping and care-home visits. The parish council has demanded a review, but Dover District Council says the developer funding did not require a Shepherdswell connection, and Kent County Council says limited resources prevent it from guaranteeing socially necessary services everywhere.

Dover District Council has unanimously approved revised plans to redevelop the former Original Factory Shop site in Deal with five shop units and 17 flats. The scheme includes extensions and changes to the building’s windows, but no longer provides affordable housing after a viability assessment found it financially unworkable. The site has remained vacant and deteriorated since the shop closed, prompting complaints from residents and the Deal Society. Despite 32 objections, including concerns about design, empty retail space and parking, the approval is expected to allow work to begin.

Lewis Stevens received a 22-year six‑month extended prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offences, including the rape of two children. Investigators uncovered additional victims, including a woman who reported being raped and others who received indecent images or were assaulted. Detectives described Stevens as a persistent danger whose denial forced victims through a difficult trial process. Authorities expressed satisfaction that he will remain imprisoned for a substantial period, offering a measure of justice to those affected.

Family and friends of Ash Annett will skydive from 12,000 feet on what would have been his 36th birthday to honor the Dover veteran, who died by suicide in 2025. The five participants aim to raise funds for the suicide‑prevention charity Legend on the Bench, following a previous campaign that funded a memorial bench at River Recreation Ground. The group hopes to collect £2,000 to install another memorial bench for another family affected by suicide. The article highlights Ash Annett’s military service, the circumstances of his death, and the rising suicide rates in England and Wales, while providing information on available mental‑health support services.

Filming for Heartstopper Forever took place at several Herne Bay seafront locations, supported by the Kent Film Office, contributing an estimated £99,000 to the local economy. The production marks a return to the town following earlier scenes from the series, which is based on Alice Oseman’s Kent-rooted graphic novels. Kent County Council officials praised the continuing relationship with filmmakers and highlighted the wider investment brought into the region over two decades.

Two 19-year-old burglars, Ben Aspinall and Jonathan Dehaviland, were jailed after targeting homes across Kent and stealing keys to high-value cars including BMWs, a Volvo and a Mercedes-Benz. Arrested on March 10, they later pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court. Dehaviland received a five-year three-month sentence and Aspinall four years and one month. Police said the pair caused both financial loss and emotional distress to victims by violating their homes.

A collision between a Land Rover and a hatchback on the A20 in Smeeth left two people seriously injured and closed the road for several hours as emergency services responded. Three individuals were taken to the hospital, and a witness described a chaotic scene with multiple emergency vehicles present. The crash occurred near the Caldecott Foundation entrance and close to a crossroads previously flagged for safety concerns, with Kent County Council noting recent improvements to the junction.

The long‑running Hollis Motors dealership in Dover is being put up for auction after more than 60 years, with its future dependent on potential buyers. Co‑director Billy Hollis, who plans to retire if the site sells, says the business could continue if bought by another car dealer or if the property receives no bids. The auctioneers note the site may be suitable for redevelopment, and a separate MOT site could also be sold later. The dealership, founded in 1964 and known for longstanding staff and community ties, has prompted strong public support as residents reflect on its service and legacy.

Inspectors rated Milestone House in Deal inadequate for the second time, citing continued safety risks, staffing shortages, poor management oversight and multiple regulatory breaches. Residents were observed struggling during a fire drill due to lack of seating, and some staff worked back‑to‑back shifts. The report identified failures in safeguarding, recruitment, record-keeping, and ensuring residents’ basic safety and dignity. Some environmental improvements and positive staff interactions were noted, and residents reported liking the home, but overall oversight and safety remained insufficient.

Two longstanding Kent theatres, the Theatre Royal in Margate and the Roundhouse in Dover, remain on the Theatres Trust’s At Risk Register due to vacancy and uncertain futures. The Margate theatre, empty since 2022, is undergoing planning and operator recruitment efforts by Thanet District Council as part of a multimillion-pound refurbishment, with hopes of reopening in 2027. The Roundhouse in Dover, located in the Dover Discovery Centre, has seen redevelopment proposals withdrawn, and councils are exploring a return to community-focused cultural use. Both venues remain classified as vulnerable until concrete progress is made, though the Theatres Trust continues to support local authorities’ efforts to restore theatre provision.

A woman in her 60s who uses a wheelchair was sexually assaulted by an unknown man in Joyes Road, Whitfield. Police describe the suspect as a white, stocky male about 6ft tall wearing a faded white T‑shirt, green shorts and white trainers. The incident occurred on June 19 between 7.15pm and 7.45pm, and authorities are appealing for information, urging witnesses to contact Kent Police or provide anonymous tips through Crimestoppers.

Dungeness and Botany Bay were ranked among the top five beaches in southern England in The Times and The Sunday Times annual 50 Best UK Beaches guide. The list, compiled by travel writer Chris Haslam, evaluates beaches based on criteria such as cleanliness, accessibility and water quality, with a new focus on community engagement. Shanklin on the Isle of Wight took the top southern spot, with Compton Bay and Cuckmere Haven also highlighted. The guide emphasizes the beauty of the UK coastline and encourages domestic travel amid ongoing heatwaves.

Urine stains from dogs have discoloured Michael Bennett’s newly installed Sound Mirror sculpture on Deal seafront, prompting the artist to clean the bronze artwork himself. Residents expressed disappointment over the damage and urged dog owners to act responsibly. The £45,000 memorial, funded by a bequest from Bill Elliott, charts historic shipwrecks off the Kent coast and has been widely welcomed by the community. Deal Town Council is working with the artist on long‑term solutions, including protective wax or raising the sculpture, to prevent further damage.

New DNA testing will be conducted on evidence from the 1996 Chillenden murders as Michael Stone seeks to prove his innocence. The Criminal Cases Review Commission will collect a saliva sample and pursue advanced forensic analysis on items including a bloodstained shoelace and body tapings not tested since the original investigation. Stone’s legal team argues that identifying male DNA from another individual would challenge his convictions, which lacked forensic links to him. The CCRC has been reviewing the case since 2023, with both sides developing forensic strategies. Stone, who maintains innocence and has not applied for parole, was convicted in 1998 and again in 2001 for the murders of Lin and Megan Russell and the attempted murder of Josie Russell.

Two new murals by artists Luke Smile and Greg Stobbs have been unveiled in central Dover, featuring bold typographic and illustrative designs reflecting local heritage and modern themes. The works have received strong positive feedback from residents, with comments praising the added colour and vibrancy. The project was delivered through collaboration between local councils, community arts groups, the Port of Dover and property owners, with joint funding from the councils and the port authority.

A four‑year‑old boy was seriously injured after being struck by a black Range Rover while crossing Nelson Road in Gillingham. Emergency services responded and the child was taken to a London hospital, where he remains. Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage, providing contact details and a case reference for information.

Emergency services closed Harbour Street in Ramsgate after a police incident, with multiple police cars and ambulances present and an air ambulance landing near the Eastcliff Bandstand. Local workers reported being asked to remain inside their premises. Authorities have been contacted for further information as the situation continues to develop.

A former boarding master and French teacher at Junior King’s School in Canterbury, Dennis Fletcher, was sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison for sexually abusing two boys between 1978 and 1982. One conviction followed a guilty plea and the other a jury verdict. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted Fletcher’s abuse of authority and commended the victims for coming forward. Fletcher had previously been jailed in 2000 for similar offences at the same school. King’s School issued a statement condemning his actions and affirming its commitment to safeguarding.

A three-year-old boy from Canterbury was diagnosed with leukaemia after being taken to QEQM Hospital for an infected cut finger. Following immediate tests, doctors identified the condition, prompting treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital, where he is now in remission with a good prognosis. Community fundraising efforts in Canterbury and Deal have raised thousands of pounds to support the family with travel and living costs during treatment, with local residents, organisations, and businesses contributing through events and donations.

A telecoms tower owned by BT caught fire near Margate Road in the Broomfield area of Herne Bay, sending smoke across the A299 Thanet Way slip road. Emergency services responded as witnesses reported seeing smoke and fire engines arriving at the scene. The fire service and BT have been contacted for further information and updates are pending.

A Sandwich-based builder, Michael Rylands, was jailed for 22 months after admitting multiple fraud offences involving incomplete building work, unpaid supplier debts and retaining money for undelivered goods. He repeatedly deceived victims between 2019 and 2021, including a pre-school, homeowners and a building firm, taking thousands of pounds without carrying out the promised work. Rylands attempted to avoid accountability by falsely claiming he had cancer, even trying to delay a previous fraud trial with fabricated medical appointments. A Kent Police investigation uncovered numerous victims, confirming that his claims of illness and a frozen bank account were false. Authorities emphasised his lack of remorse and persistent dishonesty.}

Developers have applied to demolish the deteriorated Victorian Godwyne Hurst building in Dover and replace it with 18 modern flats. The proposal reduces parking from five to two spaces, with consultants arguing that nearby public transport and town-centre services make car ownership unnecessary. The structure’s historic features are acknowledged, but planning agents claim extensive alterations have diminished its character and viability. The new development includes mostly one-bedroom flats, many with private balconies or terraces. No public comments have yet been submitted to the council’s planning portal.

Docker Bakery will open a new branch in Dover’s nearly completed Bench building in late August as part of a wider £21 million regeneration scheme supported by government funding. The venue will include a café offering baked goods, coffee and a seasonal menu, launching ahead of the building’s full opening in September, which will house East Kent College facilities and business workspace. The expansion coincides with the bakery’s 10th anniversary and adds to its existing sites across Kent.

The southbound carriageway of the A2 Jubilee Way in Dover will close for drainage repairs from 8pm on June 27 until 6am the following morning. The shutdown is part of a wider National Highways scheme that also includes planned lane closures along the A20 between York Street and the Eastern Docks, with dates yet to be confirmed.

A new flexible workspace called Benchworks will open within The Bench, a £21 million regeneration project in Dover designed to support business growth, education and creative industries. The facility will offer co-working areas, hot-desking and meeting rooms, operated by the team behind Coachworks. EKC Dover College will expand into the building to host creative programmes, while Screen South is confirmed as an early tenant. The project is backed by significant UK government funding through the Levelling Up Fund and Future High Streets Fund, with expected economic benefits exceeding £90 million and a key role in the wider Dover Beacon regeneration initiative.

Kent’s current red heat warning prompts a reflection on the extreme 1976 heatwave, remembered for melting roads, dry rivers, widespread drought and swarms of ladybirds. Residents recall coping with prolonged heat, water shortages and standpipes, while rare heavy July rain briefly interrupted conditions. The summer remains the UK’s hottest on record for average maximum temperatures, with the Met Office highlighting its significance in understanding long-duration extreme weather and climate impacts.