A family from Kent who shared a video of their living room performance of a lockdown-themed adaptation of a Les Misérables song have become a sensation online. Ben and Danielle Marsh and their four children changed the lyrics of One Day More to reflect common complaints during the Covid-19 lockdown. They say the video, which has gone viral, was intended to give friends and family a laugh during this stressful time
Continue reading...Category Archives: Kent
UK police chiefs: coronavirus could bring out worst in humanity
Warning after crimes including theft of oxygen canisters and puncturing of ambulance tyres
Police chiefs have warned the coronavirus pandemic could “bring out the worst in humanity” after a spate of opportunistic crimes hindered efforts to control the crisis.
The theft of oxygen canisters from a hospital, the puncturing of ambulance tyres and the raiding of food banks by thieves were among the “worrying isolated incidents” in recent days raised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
Continue reading...The child refugees risking the Channel by boat – one year on
Kent youth asylum seeker charity has seen a 50% rise in demand for its services since December 2018
Bridget Chapman, who swims regularly in the Channel, wasn’t surprised when desperate asylum seekers began travelling to the UK on small dinghy boats last year. On a clear day she can see France’s coastline from where she lives in Folkestone, Kent. “If you’re stuck in Calais and you can see the British coast quite clearly, it must be really tempting to think: I’ll just get a boat,” she said.
It has been a year since the then home secretary, Sajid Javid, declared the increasing number of migrants attempting to cross the Channel a “major incident”, but boat arrivals are still a regular occurrence. On Boxing Day this year, more than 60 migrants were picked up while attempting to cross in small boats.
Continue reading...Mother of drowned girl ‘told friend not to let daughter go in water’
Inquest into death of six-year-old Dajahnel Young, who died during beach trip to Margate
The mother of a six-year-old girl who drowned at a seaside resort has said she told the woman looking after the child she did not want her daughter to go in the water.
Dajahnel Young, from Erith in south-east London, was seen lifeless in the sea off Margate, Kent, on 28 July last year, after being reported missing during a trip with friends from her local church.
Continue reading...Search continues after Lucas Dobson, six, falls into Kent river
Specialist divers and volunteers look for child as aunt says he fell into water after trying to get on a boat
Police have resumed searches for missing six-year-old Lucas Dobson, who fell into the River Stour while fishing.
Specialist diving teams and emergency services are being supported by a large group of public volunteers in the search on Sunday.
Continue reading...Secret report reveals government fear of schools chaos after no-deal Brexit
Risk of axed exams and food shortages, while informing the public ‘may cause panic’
Schools may have to close, exams could be disrupted and fresh food for pupils’ meals could run short because of panic buying with prices soaring by up to 20%, according to a secret Department for Education analysis of the risks of a no-deal Brexit obtained by the Observer.
The five-page document – marked “Official Sensitive” and with the instruction “Do Not Circulate” – also raises the possibility of teacher absences caused by travel disruption, citing schools in Kent as particularly at risk.
Continue reading...Church of England appoints its first black female bishop
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, born in Jamaica, will be consecrated in November as bishop of Dover
The Church of England has appointed its first black female bishop.
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, was announced by Downing Street as the new bishop of Dover.
Continue reading...UK’s first black police chief asks why there have been no others
Michael Fuller, who led Kent force, says women have hit top ranks but not black officers
Britain’s first black chief constable has questioned why no one has been given the opportunity to follow his path, despite the talent available.
Michael Fuller was expressing his concerns to an audience at Hay festival, where he also asked why the Football Association had not done more to combat racism against players, and revealed he was approached to join the Masons.
Continue reading...Historic lost garden in Kent to be opened to the public
Walmer Castle’s overgrown glen, dating from the 19th century, has been revived
An abandoned chalk pit, which has been an impenetrably dense jungle of bramble, gorse and fallen trees for more than a century will this month be revealed as an extraordinary lost garden created by two former prime ministers.
The lost garden of Walmer Castle in Kent was laid out in the early 19th century by William Pitt the Younger and completed by Lord Liverpool.
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