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Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

Four flats proposed to replace workshop and offices

13 May 2025
Four flats proposed to replace workshop and offices

A vacant commericial unit could be pulled down and replaced with flats.

New hotel plans for historic town centre spot

13 May 2025
New hotel plans for historic town centre spot

Plans have been submitted to create a 36-bedroom hotel on the upper floors of an historic High Street building.

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‘It’s crazy how long this has taken’: Road could soon reopen after three month

13 May 2025
‘It’s crazy how long this has taken’: Road could soon reopen after three month

A junction closed after the road surface subsided could reopen this weekend.

Police custody suite to be closed

11 May 2025
Police custody suite to be closed

An efficiency review by Kent police points to the closure of a town’s custody suite and cells.

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Landlord Fergus Wilson to sell world heavyweight boxing champ’s belt

11 May 2025
Landlord Fergus Wilson to sell world heavyweight boxing champ’s belt

A world heavyweight champion boxer’s belt that was bought by private landlord Fergus Wilson is to go under the hammer at auction.

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Upset over £10k replacement lampposts

10 May 2025
Upset over £10k replacement lampposts

Kent County Council forking out £10k on replacing four lampposts has been questioned by a resident.

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Two charged after power tools taken

09 May 2025
Two charged after power tools taken

Two suspected burglars have been charged and will appear in court after power tools were allegedly stolen.

Woman ‘targeted’ for her jewellery while waiting at bus stop

09 May 2025
Woman ‘targeted’ for her jewellery while waiting at bus stop

Police are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly tried to steal the jewellery of a woman waiting at a bus stop.

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‘It’s heart-wrenching’: Eight families being forced to move as social landlord to sell up

09 May 2025
‘It’s heart-wrenching’: Eight families being forced to move as social landlord to sell up

Eight families have been told to leave their social housing flats as the cost of repairs is uneconomic.

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‘It was a day of total happiness’

08 May 2025
‘It was a day of total happiness’

For the 80th anniversary of VE Day two women have revisited air-raids tunnels where as school girls they hid from bombing during the Second World War.

School rated ‘outstanding’ after first inspection in 10 years

08 May 2025
School rated ‘outstanding’ after first inspection in 10 years

In its first Ofsted inspection for a decade, a primary school has been declared “outstanding” in every area.

‘Dad is paying hundreds of pounds extra in Council Tax after move from house to flat’

05 May 2025
‘Dad is paying hundreds of pounds extra in Council Tax after move from house to flat’

A son has discovered his diabetic father’s assisted living flat is in one of the highest Council Tax ratings while neighbouring flats pay far less.

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School judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in first inspection for 10 years

04 May 2025
School judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in first inspection for 10 years

A grammar school has received top marks from inspectors, who weren’t able to find any areas for improvement.

Cheers! Beer brewed in fight to find cure for Connor

04 May 2025
Cheers! Beer brewed in fight to find cure for Connor

A new beer has gone on sale to support a campaign to help a Kent family raise money for research to help beat a life-limiting condition.

‘I have a brain tumour but had to fight to get my £2,700 family holiday refunded'

02 May 2025
‘I have a brain tumour but had to fight to get my £2,700 family holiday refunded'

A mum who was forced to cancel her dream holiday after being diagnosed with a brain tumour had to fight with an airline for a refund.

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Good news as river quality improves

30 April 2025
Good news as river quality improves

An Earth Watch survey has found that the water quality of a town centre mill pond has improved over the past six months.

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Quad bikers tear up cricket green

30 April 2025
Quad bikers tear up cricket green

Police are hunting for quadbikers who ruined four cricket pitches.

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‘Our neighbours have the same-sized homes - why are we paying more council tax?’

29 April 2025
‘Our neighbours have the same-sized homes - why are we paying more council tax?’

Neighbours are battling to find out why they are paying more council tax than their neighbours, and a government department won’t change things.

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Zombie knives and drugs seized following village raids

28 April 2025
Zombie knives and drugs seized following village raids

Four were arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs after police raided three homes in the same village.

Hand-delivered letters against development plans ‘close to harassment’

28 April 2025
Hand-delivered letters against development plans ‘close to harassment’

Councillors felt intimidated after residents opposing a controversial planning application posted objections through their letterbox.

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