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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.

‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

21 December 2024
‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

A farmer claims he has been left in the lurch by Southern Water after a sewage spillage ran through his farmyard and “soaked and ruined” it.

5

Kent pool named best in the UK

19 December 2024
Kent pool named best in the UK

A council’s newly refurbished splash pool has won a national award.

£60m regeneration project taking shape

19 December 2024
£60m regeneration project taking shape

Phase one of a huge development project is ready to see the start of construction of the first affordable homes.

3

Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

18 December 2024
Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

SGN is working around the clock to repair a gas main on a busy route - and more roadworks are coming.

2

Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

17 December 2024
Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

A 140-home retirement community is a step closer to fruition after the appointment of a main contractor.

1

New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

17 December 2024
New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

A family firm with a long history has been helping spread festive cheer ahead of opening new car showrooms.

The district in Kent building three times more affordable housing than anywhere else

17 December 2024
The district in Kent building three times more affordable housing than anywhere else

One local authority is way ahead of all the other Kent districts when it comes to providing affordable homes.

34

Huge Christmas display made entirely of ‘rubbish’

16 December 2024
Huge Christmas display made entirely of ‘rubbish’

Workers at a household waste centre have recycled decorations to cheer up their visitors.

1

Women share distressing stories of violence in bid to improve safety for others

16 December 2024
Women share distressing stories of violence in bid to improve safety for others

Female councillors have spoken of their own experiences in a debate on violence against women and girls.

‘It’s quantity over quality’: Bid to convert hotel annexe into HMO returns

15 December 2024
‘It’s quantity over quality’: Bid to convert hotel annexe into HMO returns

A hotelier has resubmitted plans to turn an annexe into an HMO due to a drop in guest numbers, saying “we simply cannot continue like this”.

2

Bus driver ‘punched in face’ after altercation with passenger

13 December 2024
Bus driver ‘punched in face’ after altercation with passenger

Police are searching for a man after an Arriva driver was reportedly assaulted at a bus station.

‘Branch came down like a spear - it’s lucky it didn’t hit anyone’

13 December 2024
‘Branch came down like a spear - it’s lucky it didn’t hit anyone’

A retired scientist is calling on the council to cut back trees after a falling bough impaled itself on a verge outside his home.

1

Abandoned charity shop could become home

13 December 2024
Abandoned charity shop could become home

Plans have been put forward to turn a branch of Save the Children which was closed more than four years into a house.

‘Put green before greed’: Villagers devastated at countryside home plans approval

12 December 2024
‘Put green before greed’: Villagers devastated at countryside home plans approval

Residents are “devastated” after a council approved plans for 150 homes which opponents say will turn the land into an “ecological desert.”

6

RAF Chinook lands at school

11 December 2024
RAF Chinook lands at school

A military helicopter caused a stir when it touched down on a grammar school’s playing field.

‘If we don’t bump up parking fees, we’ll have to hike council tax’

10 December 2024
‘If we don’t bump up parking fees, we’ll have to hike council tax’

A council is looking to bring in £500k by raising parking fees, with charges for one of its parks planned to shoot up by 50%.

43

Kent company makes bronze sculptures for memorial park in Alabama

09 December 2024
Kent company makes bronze sculptures for memorial park in Alabama

An innovative casting technique has won a Kent firm an industry award for helping bring an artist’s work to life.

Care company moves to explain potential fees hike

09 December 2024
Care company moves to explain potential fees hike

Existing residents at a former military veterans’ care home have been assured by the new owners their fees will not rise.

School expansion opposed over fears it could put others ‘at risk’

08 December 2024
School expansion opposed over fears it could put others ‘at risk’

Plans to enlarge one village primary have met opposition from some who believe it’s the wrong way to deal with a “temporary increase” in pupils.

Tributes to former pub landlady and ‘formidable’ politician

08 December 2024
Tributes to former pub landlady and ‘formidable’ politician

A former pub landlady and politician has been remembered as a “formidable” woman who cared deeply for the people she represented.

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