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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.

Vote counting underway in local elections

03 May 2024
Vote counting underway in local elections

Candidates are facing a nervous few hours as votes in two borough council elections are counted.

15

‘Care home plans will overload all the GP surgeries in our district’

03 May 2024
‘Care home plans will overload all the GP surgeries in our district’

Patient groups are concerned their doctors’ surgeries will not be able to cope with extra demand from new care facilities in the pipeline.

2

New rooftop apartments to be craned in

02 May 2024
New rooftop apartments to be craned in

A block of flats is to be given an extra floor thanks to a novel construction approach being touted as a quick fix to the housing crisis.

Voters head to the polls

02 May 2024
Voters head to the polls

Voters will today elect two new borough councils and choose the next Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.

‘There are still so many people homeless, alone and vulnerable who need help’

01 May 2024
‘There are still so many people homeless, alone and vulnerable who need help’

An outreach programme inspired by the tragic death of a homeless man is looking to expand.

Delight at U-turn over car park plans for ‘cherished’ green space

01 May 2024
Delight at U-turn over car park plans for ‘cherished’ green space

Parents have won their battle to keep a treasured green space, but campaigners again Sunday parking charges were less happy.

3

‘Proud moment’ as Gurkhas gain recognition

01 May 2024
‘Proud moment’ as Gurkhas gain recognition

A ceremony has been held to dedicate a standard for a Gurka veterans’ association.

1

Memorial for teenage RAF hero who died in top secret mission

30 April 2024
Memorial for teenage RAF hero who died in top secret mission

A war hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while on a mission as part of a squadron of Lancaster bombers has been honoured, 80 years on.

3

Pooches take the plunge in first doggy-swim event

30 April 2024
Pooches take the plunge in first doggy-swim event

An open-water swimming club has held its first event strictly for dogs.

Housebuilder to take over 455-home scheme

30 April 2024
Housebuilder to take over 455-home scheme

A firm is set to take on a project to build homes, a county park and community hall in one of Kent’s fastest-growing villages.

3

‘People are fuming over crazy plan for 1,300 homes’

29 April 2024
‘People are fuming over crazy plan for 1,300 homes’

More than 200 residents at a public meeting to condemn plans to build a new community on farmland.

2

Patient cuts ribbon on ‘amazing’ £14m health centre

29 April 2024
Patient cuts ribbon on ‘amazing’ £14m health centre

Patients have been speaking about what a lifeline their new health hub has been, from helping with medical care to wellbeing and loneliness.

New parking fees ‘final nail in the coffin’ for traders

29 April 2024
New parking fees ‘final nail in the coffin’ for traders

A council has been urged to rethink new parking fees described as “anti-business” and “absolutely wicked”.

10

School children protest over car park extension near green space

27 April 2024
School children protest over car park extension near green space

Pupils painted banners and played bongos to protest against their council’s plans to extend a town’s car park near their school.

2

New traffic fine powers used sparingly - but bus gate cameras on the way

27 April 2024
New traffic fine powers used sparingly - but bus gate cameras on the way

New powers for councils to enforce so-called moving traffic offences have been used sparingly to date - although new ANPR cameras could be on the way.

53

‘Nothing can bring mum back, but we hope hospital’s learned from mistakes’

27 April 2024
‘Nothing can bring mum back, but we hope hospital’s learned from mistakes’

Medics did not spot a 91-year-old’s broken leg and failed to give her vital medication, an inquest has heard.

1

Row over ‘misleading’ election pamphlet

25 April 2024
Row over ‘misleading’ election pamphlet

A councillor has defended a privately-funded election pamphlet after claims it resembled an official parish council release.

1

Hope for parents protesting loss of green where children play

25 April 2024
Hope for parents protesting loss of green where children play

A controversial decision to build a car park on a green space near a school could be reconsidered.

MPs urge people to object to 1,300-home plans in ‘precious’ countryside

25 April 2024
MPs urge people to object to 1,300-home plans in ‘precious’ countryside

Two MPs are urging their constituents to object to plans for 1,300 homes on a greenfield site.

7

Mayor takes blindfolded train journey

25 April 2024
Mayor takes blindfolded train journey

Dignitaries donned blindfolds to experience what it is like for the visually impaired to travel on the railways.

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