Catch up with all the news across the county with Finn Macdiarmid.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Kentonite live on KMTV, I'm Finn McDermott and here are your top
00:29stories on Tuesday the 3rd of December.
00:33A lucky escape, quick response saves historic High Street after Canterbury fire.
00:37This would have seen the whole block destroyed which would have been devastating to the city
00:42of Canterbury.
00:44Unfair assessment, families fury as a school street fine is upheld by Medway council.
00:49Council should really take into account that the information isn't there.
00:55And we visit the goat of animal shelters, Kristen's surrounded near Maidstone.
01:15First tonight, Canterbury's high streets had a lucky escape after a huge fire in the city.
01:20Streets have been cordoned off for most of the day as emergency services battled to keep
01:24the incident under control.
01:26Oliver Leader de Sacks was at the scene for us earlier today and spoke to residents in
01:29the area.
01:30Caught on camera, one of Kent's most famous high streets burning into the night.
01:38Fifty firefighters and eight fire engines were called to Canterbury city centre after
01:44a derelict department store caught fire.
01:48As the smoke cleared this morning, the flames were under control, but far from out.
01:56With police cordons blocking off Canterbury's main through way.
02:00There have been fires, but I haven't seen one on the high street, no, and I've been
02:05here for 74 years.
02:08It's empty, it was only discovered late last night I believe, but an empty building has
02:13got risk of fire because no one's keeping an eye on it.
02:17It's ruined about four hours this morning, I need to get to the bank to rectify an error,
02:24a payment error that they've made on my account and I can't do that now.
02:31Just over my shoulder you can see Kent Fire and Rescue hard at work.
02:36Dozens have been tackling the fire that broke out in the old Debenhams building since last
02:42night with at least 20 people being forced out of their homes by the fire.
02:49But what we've been hearing, it could have actually been much worse despite much of the
02:55high street being cordoned off.
02:58So we evacuated about nine flats in the close proximity, about 30 people, but if we hadn't
03:04have acted in an assertive, safe and effective manner, this would have seen the whole block
03:10destroyed which would have been devastating for the city of Canterbury.
03:15And for the businesses based in the historic buildings near the fire, those fears were
03:20felt first hand.
03:22About three o'clock in the morning I got a message from one of my colleagues saying be
03:26aware that the centre of Canterbury is ablaze, that was the expression he used.
03:30We're very worried about the whole city going up because it's all wood round here and it
03:33may look like brick, it's all mathematical tile and cover and if there was something
03:37as backdraft or flashback it would catch all these buildings alight.
03:42Residents will be allowed to return to their homes when the fire is finally out.
03:48Only then will investigators be able to start piecing together exactly what caused Canterbury
03:56to have such a narrow escape.
03:59Oliver Leader of the SAC for KMTV.
04:03For more on that story you can see the article on Kent Online.
04:07But next, the BBC have dropped Christmas editions of Masterchef after Kent resident and co-host
04:12Greg Wallace was accused of inappropriate behaviour.
04:17The judge has hit the headlines over the last week after 13 complaints were made by women
04:22about his behaviour on the show over the years.
04:25The BBC has launched an investigation into the allegations and he's stepped away from
04:28future production of the show whilst this is carried out.
04:32There's also been criticism that pre-shot episodes of the various formats of the series
04:36are still airing on the BBC's platforms.
04:38He denies any wrongdoing but has apologised for a post where he recorded a video saying
04:43that the complaints were coming from middle class women of a certain age.
04:48Next two secondary schools in Dover and Ramsgate have been ranked inadequate by Ofsted.
04:55The inspections at Sandwich Technology School and Chatham and Clarendon Grammar, which you
04:59can see there in Ramsgate, highlighted alleged bullying and low attendance.
05:04They also allege exposure to gang activity and poor employment checks for teachers as
05:08grounds for their rating.
05:10Deborah Liddicott, headteacher of the Ramsgate school, claims the findings were inconsistent,
05:15unfounded and show a lack of understanding.
05:18Headteacher of Sandwich Technology, Tracey Savage, said the most likely outcome is the
05:22school being closed and transferred to a multi-academy trust.
05:28Next a man from Medway is battling with the council after he was fined for driving down
05:32a restricted street.
05:33Gary Peter's appeal was denied after he said he was using the road when it was allowed
05:38to be used.
05:39During the holidays, the council say fines won't be issued.
05:42However, in the October half-term, Mr Peter did in fact receive one.
05:46Well, he's been telling our local democracy reporter, Gabriel Morris, why he feels so
05:50aggrieved.
05:51It's for scheme designed to get children to school more safely by closing roads.
05:57However, some drivers say school streets in Medway are testing their patience.
06:03Take a turn into the enforcement area at the wrong time and you'll be given a fine of up
06:08to £70.
06:11Now every school street in Medway has different restricted hours.
06:14However, during the school holidays, well, there is no enforcement in place.
06:19So in theory, if I was to drive down this road during the restricted hours, I shouldn't
06:24receive a fine.
06:26It's emerged that's not quite the case.
06:29Gary drove down Glencoe Road when the children were off for the half-term.
06:34A few days later, he received this fine.
06:37He presumed it was a mistake, but council officers told him there was a teacher training
06:42day at Phoenix Junior Academy.
06:45That means the enforcement came back in, even though it was during the school holidays.
06:51I was really angry, to be honest, and frustrated as well, because the council should really
06:56take into account that the information isn't there and the whole idea was to protect children
07:02and obviously there were no children there, so there was no need for them to issue the
07:06ticket.
07:07And do you think most people living around here would actually know when it's a teacher
07:09training day?
07:10No, they're not going to know when it's a teacher training day, of course not, unless
07:14you happen to be one of the children's parents and the letter was sent directly to them.
07:20But when you check the website, it's not on there.
07:22The restrictions are currently around seven Medway schools, but there are plans to continue
07:27rolling out more in the next academic year.
07:31For me personally, they need a refund of the money, I've paid it up front because I didn't
07:36want to get the fine to be doubled or go to the county court, or make the signage better
07:43on the entrance to the roads, explain it is for schools or make sure that the schools
07:48have got the information on the website for people to see.
07:50The council says keeping school children safe is their priority and they say they won't
07:55be excluding the enforcement any time soon, but for Gary, he hopes this will teach the
08:01authority a lesson in fairness.
08:03Gabriel Morris in Chatham.
08:08Medway council has since confirmed to us that enforcement shouldn't be in place during the
08:12school holidays and a senior officer is now reviewing the appeal.
08:17Just tonight, a Kent charity is welcoming the news that more power will be given to
08:21victims of stalking.
08:23Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has proposed some updates designed to help people find
08:28out more details about perpetrators.
08:31The Right to Know guidance will let them find out the identity of their abusers at the earliest
08:35opportunity.
08:37The Office of National Statistics say 1.6 million people are stalked in England and
08:42Wales every year.
08:44Kent charity Protection Against Stalking launched the National Stalking Helpline in
08:492011.
08:50I was joined by Alison Bird from the charity earlier today.
08:53Thank you so much for joining me Alison.
08:56First off, are you pleased with Jess Phillips, the Safeguarding Minister's updates to the
09:01Right to Know guidance?
09:03Absolutely.
09:05We as a sector really welcome the Right to Know for cyber stalking victims.
09:14It's been something that we have been talking about and campaigning for for a long time.
09:20So this isn't something that is new for us as a frustration or for victims as a frustration
09:28and it's extremely welcome.
09:32And would you be able to quickly summarise for our viewers at home what exactly the Right
09:35to Know guidance will set out?
09:40So we are hopeful that the Right to Know will ensure that anyone who is being cyber stalked
09:47where the actual stalker is weaponising their phones or Instagram or Snapchat or any kind
09:56of cyber tool to stalk their victim and then remain masked, then this will actually unveil
10:03the stalker and the mask will be taken off and police will be able to tell the victims
10:11who their stalker is because it's an absolutely terrifying crime and it has an effect and
10:19an impact psychologically and physically.
10:23And really, if you don't know your stalker as well, then that can be a whole lot more
10:28frightening.
10:30Do you think these measures will certainly help towards creating a safer experience for
10:37those who are suffering from being stalked?
10:41I think it will help safeguard the victims more, however there are other stalking victims
10:50who might not know who their stalker is and it's not clear yet whether this is just cyber
10:56stalking cases or whether this will also be extended to other cases where the stalker
11:03is unknown to the victim.
11:05So for me, I just would like a bit more clarity but this is definitely a step in the right
11:11direction.
11:12What we would really like to see is more stalking charges, more stalking prosecutions and getting
11:19through to that sentencing stage.
11:22Amazing, thank you so much for joining us to give us more information on that, Alison.
11:29And coming up after the break, a family who hosts an annual Christmas lights display in
11:33Larkfield are raising money for Cancer Research UK following their grandfather's diagnosis.
11:37We'll also visit Buttercup's Goat Sanctuary near Maidstone.
11:42They've found the number of animals they're taking in rising dramatically.
11:45Well, all that and more just after the break.
11:47See you soon.
15:12Welcome back to Kent Tonight, I'm Finn McDermott.
15:15Now, Buttercup's Sanctuary near Maidstone say they're seeing a huge increase in the
15:20amount of goats being abandoned.
15:22In the cold winter months, they worry even more will be at their doors in the coming
15:26weeks.
15:27They don't know why there's so many more of the animals being dumped by their owners.
15:30Well, our reporter Kristen Hawthorne went to the sanctuary to find out more.
15:35In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the amount of goats handed over to the
15:39Buttercup Sanctuary near Maidstone.
15:41Usually, they take in around three to four a month but have received over 30 in November
15:46alone.
15:47One of the goats in this farm is called Hank and he was dangerously abandoned at a petrol
15:51station, surviving on handouts from drivers.
15:54Thanks to Buttercup's Sanctuary, however, he is much safer and caregivers even say that
15:58he's thriving.
15:59Surprisingly though, this is only one of 130 other stories on this sanctuary.
16:06Around Christmas time, we usually hear about dogs or cats being abandoned, but this year
16:11it seems like goats have joined them.
16:13Buttercup Sanctuary alone have over 130 goats that they care for every day, each costing
16:18an average of £1,000 a year.
16:21Being a very intelligent animal, they are often harder and more expensive to look after
16:26than people may expect.
16:27Personally, I've been involved with Buttercups since 2011 and prior to that, I would never
16:32have thought that anyone would have a goat as a pet.
16:34And it's astonishing to realise that the majority of the goats here at the sanctuary
16:38at Buttercups have come from Kent and Sussex alone.
16:40I think there's a common perception that goats eat everything.
16:44Our goats here particularly are quite picky.
16:46So if, for example, we supplement feed them with hay, especially in the winter months,
16:50and if the hay hits the floor, they won't eat it.
16:54There is a common perception where goats can be tethered and be left out like sheep
16:58and they haven't got a lanulin part to their fur, so they can get waterlogged, they can
17:03get hypothermia in cold conditions and they do need to be put away at night.
17:07At this sanctuary, however, they appreciate when people admit they need help and do the
17:11best that they can for the animal, even if it means giving them up.
17:15Claire has fostered seven goats that live at her home.
17:18She says they aren't too difficult to take care of, but the right facilities are needed
17:22for their health and safety.
17:24They need proper fencing, a big area to graze, the correct food and plenty of socialisation
17:29with other goats.
17:31You should care about everything.
17:32You should care about people.
17:33You should care about animals.
17:34You should care about climate change.
17:37You should care about everything in the world.
17:40Having more than 70 volunteers already, many seem to be eager to spend time with and care
17:45for the goats.
17:46From my time here, I can see why so many love the animal.
17:50Buttercup Sanctuary are open to donations, new volunteers and they even offer adoptions.
17:55The takeaway is, always do what is best for the animal and never be ashamed to ask for
17:59help.
18:00Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Boughtonland, Chelsea.
18:05And now a family in Larkfield have held their annual Christmas lights display, which transforms
18:09their home to celebrate the festivities.
18:12But after 30 years, they will be retiring the tradition, as the grandfather of the Green
18:16family who leads the event was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer.
18:21With donations and a GoFundMe page, they've managed to raise money for Cancer Research
18:25UK.
18:25Well, Henry Luck was at the event.
18:31The Greens have been bringing festive joy to the Larkfield community for the past 30
18:40years, thanks to their beautiful Christmas light displays.
18:44But 2024 is the last time they'll be celebrating the spirit of the season like this, as the
18:51family's grandfather, Kevin, the one who organises the event alongside his wife, Pat, is terminally
18:59ill with bladder cancer.
19:18As a result, hundreds of people turned up to show their support and congratulate the
19:25Greens for all their achievements.
19:28To surprise Kevin, the family arranged a firework display and even the Larkfield community group
19:35singers got involved to allow the celebration to go out with a bang.
19:41Money raised from this final light display will be going towards Cancer Research UK to
19:48honour Kevin's long battle with the condition.
19:51So far, they've raised over £2,000.
19:56Dad got diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and then mum had throat cancer in 2012,
20:032010, 2011, yeah, and it's only due to Cancer Research that they've both been here as long
20:09as they are.
20:10Mum's fully recovered.
20:11Unfortunately, dad then ended up with second cancer and that ended up getting the better
20:16of him, quite soon.
20:17Despite losing to the disease, Kevin is looking back happily on memories of the family tradition
20:26I mean, when Covid first came out, people weren't allowed out of the houses.
20:33And I said, you know, I said, I'm not going to, not going to put, not going to not put
20:38them up.
20:38And I still put them up.
20:40And I think we made more money that, that time than a few of the other times.
20:47Because it brought a smile to their faces rather than sadness.
20:52Now, sadly, it's the end of an era for the Green family, as the Christmas lights behind
20:57me will no longer shine after tonight.
21:01But hopefully, the festive spirit they've brung will live on in the Larkfield community.
21:08Henry Luck for KMTV in Larkfield.
21:13Now, don't forget you can keep up to date with all your latest stories across Kent by
21:17logging on to our website, kmtv.co.uk.
21:20There, you'll find all our reports, including this one about a disabled bus passenger's
21:24run-in with a driver.
21:26Just get off the bus.
21:28OK.
21:29You give disabled people a bad name.
21:31Always have priority.
21:33This bus driver is being investigated by Arriva after a woman from Strood says she couldn't
21:39board due to a baby's pushchair taking up the space.
21:43Nargis Fakhri suffers with several spinal and back conditions, meaning she relies on
21:48a wheelchair to get around.
21:49She's done so for the last 13 years.
21:52Just get off the bus.
21:54OK.
21:54You give disabled people a bad name.
21:56He just said, oh, you cannot get in.
21:58So I'm like, I peeked a little bit.
22:00I said, there's a space.
22:01Can I please get in?
22:02Can you give me a ramp?
22:04And then he said, no, there's no space.
22:06And I'm like, could you please ask the people?
22:09I'm wet and I'm shivering.
22:11I'm cold.
22:12He said, you have no priority.
22:15You cannot ask people to move.
22:17Nargis says another passenger hit her when she tried to film the bus driver's attitude
22:22and that the whole incident has left her feeling scared to go out of her house.
22:26She took my mobile and I was like, who took my mobile?
22:29It happened so fast.
22:31All I was feeling pain on my hand.
22:34You took my mobile.
22:35You're not giving my mobile back.
22:36There's lots of CCTV camera and everyone watch you took my mobile.
22:41And then she said, ha ha, I delete your all videos.
22:46I was having a panic attack.
22:47I called police and I reported police everything what happened.
22:54A spokesperson for Arriva South said the bus operator is aware of the incident
22:59and it is being investigated.
23:01Conditions of carriage state wheelchairs have priority
23:04and that drivers are expected to ask pushchairs to fold down to make space.
23:09Although if they refuse, they say drivers are advised not to get into conflict.
23:14However, Nargis says this isn't the service she received
23:17and that the passenger with a pram was happy to fold down their pushchair.
23:22The thing is we have priority wheelchairs and this is the only place,
23:27the designed area, this is the only place we can travel.
23:30It makes me scared because I used to go every day,
23:35every day outside to meet people, doing something, you know.
23:39Now I didn't go.
23:40Since those things happened, I didn't go.
23:42I'm very upset.
23:44Kent Police is also looking into the incident
23:46and says it's investigating the report of an assault.
23:49It was at this bus stop just outside Strood Retail Park
23:52where Nargis first tried to board the bus.
23:54She says it could take some time, if at all,
23:57before she feels comfortable to come back and catch one again.
24:00I'm Follow Me Hall for KMTV in Strood.
24:05This evening...
24:06Oh, sorry, excuse me.
24:07Now it's time for the weather.
24:15This evening, there will be cloudy skies across the county
24:17with an average temperature of 6 degrees.
24:20Going into tomorrow morning, the clouds start to clear slightly,
24:23letting in some sun as temperatures rise to a high of 7 degrees
24:26in Dartford and Maidstone.
24:28And Wednesday afternoon, we'll see temperatures continue to rise,
24:31reaching an average of 9 degrees
24:33as more sun breaks through on the coast.
24:35And here's the rest of the week.
24:37We'll see light rain on Thursday and Saturday,
24:39though it should remain partly cloudy for Friday
24:41with temperatures slowly dropping.
24:45And finally, last week was Thanksgiving,
24:53and though most don't celebrate the holiday here in Kent,
24:55our university is one of the most diverse in the country.
24:58For three years, one student organised a game of American football
25:02to help him and other students feel more at home.
25:04Let's have a look now.
25:06The University of Kent has one of the highest number of international students,
25:09but across the country,
25:10less and less foreign students are coming to UK universities.
25:14One American student found that he missed being back home,
25:17especially on Thanksgiving, a very family-oriented day.
25:21So he organised an annual game of American football
25:23with his friends and other foreign students who might be missing home.
25:29They call it the turkey bowl,
25:30and it's a way for American students living in Medway
25:33to just feel a bit more at home during the holidays.
25:35Some of those classic Thanksgiving features,
25:38turkey, breaking the wishbone and, of course, being thankful.
25:41Well, I'm going to be thankful for this nice, big, warm coat.
25:44The people I started with aren't here anymore, which is really sad,
25:49but, you know, more people have come in.
25:52It's such a new thing.
25:53It might be the last turkey bowl here involving me,
25:56but I think the legacy after me, it'll continue without me.
25:59Even students from outside the United States
26:01enjoy the community feel that the game can offer,
26:04like Konstantin from Germany.
26:06Yes, of course.
26:07Normally, I celebrate Thanksgiving with my family,
26:09but they're not here, obviously,
26:11so I'm happy to be here, celebrate with my friends here,
26:15and I'm really comfortable doing it.
26:17It feels very included.
26:18I really like it, especially because you have stuff to do,
26:22and you get out and meet friends,
26:23so you're not, like, sitting in a room and doing nothing.
26:25So I really like it.
26:27Seeing them, I thought I should give it a go,
26:29but not packing cleats ended up being a mistake.
26:35Finn McDermott for KMTV in Medway.
26:38You've been watching Kentonite live on KMTV.
26:40Thank you so much for watching, and we'll see you soon.