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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.

Town council campaign hots up

16 June 2025
Town council campaign hots up

Will a new town council fill a “democratic deficit” or simply add to bills - residents are invited to a public meeting to find out.

‘The road markings look ridiculous - there’s no common sense any more’

15 June 2025
‘The road markings look ridiculous - there’s no common sense any more’

The way road markings have been repainted, following weeks of gas works and disruption, has been slammed as “ridiculous” by frustrated residents.

6

Trampolining champion left disabled after horrific training accident now battling cancer

15 June 2025
Trampolining champion left disabled after horrific training accident now battling cancer

An appeal has been launched to help a former UK trampolining champion and paramedic who has been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.

‘It’s an honour to represent this great town’: Tory pub manager bucks the national trend

11 June 2025
‘It’s an honour to represent this great town’: Tory pub manager bucks the national trend

Meet the Tory assistant pub manager who gained a seat for the Conservatives amid Reform UK’s landslide victory.

2

Council offices in ‘appalling state’ to get £7.7m eco-friendly makeover

11 June 2025
Council offices in ‘appalling state’ to get £7.7m eco-friendly makeover

Plans to spend up to £7.7 million on making council offices more eco-friendly have been described as an “irresponsible use of public funds”.

8

‘This space has made a really big difference to the community already’

10 June 2025
‘This space has made a really big difference to the community already’

A new club has moved into an “underutilised” space, based at a social housing complex, to much fanfare.

1

Missing teen last seen at shopping centre found safe

09 June 2025
Missing teen last seen at shopping centre found safe

Police concerned for the welfare of a missing 19-year-old have now safely located him.

More HMO applications ahead of tougher rules on converting family homes

09 June 2025
More HMO applications ahead of tougher rules on converting family homes

A council is considering two more HMO applications ahead of a new tougher policy to control the spread of the developments.

1

Open space will be protected from development as a village green

09 June 2025
Open space will be protected from development as a village green

A council and cabinet have shown unanimous support for a new village green.

Cooker hob left on blamed for fire at flat

09 June 2025
Cooker hob left on blamed for fire at flat

A person had to be treated for smoke inhalation after three fire crews attended a blaze at a flat that started in the kitchen.

Scheme for new homes on former orchard is back after being refused

09 June 2025
Scheme for new homes on former orchard is back after being refused

A housing developer has not given up plans to build over a former pear orchard.

Plans for workshop and showroom for iconic British cars

09 June 2025
Plans for workshop and showroom for iconic British cars

A business centre could find a new purpose restoring and selling an iconic British car from the sixties.

Home planned for site of Georgian mansion destroyed in fire

09 June 2025
Home planned for site of Georgian mansion destroyed in fire

Proposals have been lodged to redevelop a stable block belonging to a Grade-II listed home which burned down in a suspected arson attack.

3

Families on new-build estate save hundreds as council tax bandings lowered

08 June 2025
Families on new-build estate save hundreds as council tax bandings lowered

Residents are celebrating after a review of council tax on their development saw 68 homes rebanded.

Shopping centre shut after flooding

08 June 2025
Shopping centre shut after flooding

A town’s shopping centre is closed after being hit by floods following yesterday’s downpours.

Delays after train hits tree

08 June 2025
Delays after train hits tree

Rail services between two of the county’s busiest stations were suspended after a train hit a tree.

David Beckham sends surprise gift to Tony Hudgell

08 June 2025
David Beckham sends surprise gift to Tony Hudgell

The former England captain surprised the double amputee with a gift which lifted his and his family’s spirits after a challenging week.

4

‘They fined us £100 for parking in our own spaces’

08 June 2025
‘They fined us £100 for parking in our own spaces’

Pensioners in sheltered accommodation have received multiple £100 fines for parking outside their own homes.

12

Self-storage warehouse near M&S and Next rejected for being too big

07 June 2025
Self-storage warehouse near M&S and Next rejected for being too big

Plans for a five-storey self-storage business near M&S and Next on a retail park have been rejected as “jarring, incongruous and utilitarian”.

4

High street parade bursting with colour kicks off as Pride gets underway

07 June 2025
High street parade bursting with colour kicks off as Pride gets underway

A joyous parade brimming with colourful costumes in celebration of diversity in Kent made its way through a city’s streets today.

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