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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.

New school proposed for children with autism to meet growing demand

28 January 2025
New school proposed for children with autism to meet growing demand

The office block of a former chemicals factory could become home to a new school for students with autism.

Much-loved musician ‘will be greatly missed’

28 January 2025
Much-loved musician ‘will be greatly missed’

A hugely talented musician has died after decades of service to his church and town.

Light festival planned to brighten up town and battle winter blues

28 January 2025
Light festival planned to brighten up town and battle winter blues

A parade of hundreds of schoolchildren carrying lanterns is planned to bring light to a town centre and encourage people to venture out.

Village pub on the market following co-owner’s death

27 January 2025
Village pub on the market following co-owner’s death

A village pub with 500 years of history is for sale for £495k following the death of its co-owner last year.

School among top in the country for pupils’ progress

27 January 2025
School among top in the country for pupils’ progress

A Kent school is among the top 6% in the country for the progress students make during their time at secondary.

‘To destroy this wildlife for the sake of a road would be bonkers’

27 January 2025
‘To destroy this wildlife for the sake of a road would be bonkers’

A rare butterfly could scupper plans for a £250m major road overhaul.

18

Hospital to build hundreds more car parking spaces as patient numbers rocket

26 January 2025
Hospital to build hundreds more car parking spaces as patient numbers rocket

A hospital has been given planning permission to create a second car park to cope with a huge rise in the number of patients it treats.

7

Look out for Grittersaurus Rex! Kent road gritter named in kmfm competition

24 January 2025
Look out for Grittersaurus Rex! Kent road gritter named in kmfm competition

A kmfm competition to name a Kent road gritter has found a winner.

CCTV released after four people attacked in town centre

24 January 2025
CCTV released after four people attacked in town centre

Police want help identifying four men after unprovoked assaults on two men and two women in a town centre.

1

Old infant school building could become family home

24 January 2025
Old infant school building could become family home

Part of a school which has been a first-aid training centre and a boxing gym could now be turned into a home.

‘I was addicted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling - but now I’m helping others’

24 January 2025
‘I was addicted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling - but now I’m helping others’

A man who turned his life around after a 33-year addiction is hoping to help others avoid the misery that he and his family endured.

Ambulance driver who caused colleague’s death avoids being struck off

23 January 2025
Ambulance driver who caused colleague’s death avoids being struck off

A tribunal has suspended the paramedic who caused the death of a colleague through careless driving but did not ban him from the profession.

2

Developer tries again with plans for 100 homes and football pitch

23 January 2025
Developer tries again with plans for 100 homes and football pitch

Five years after its original proposal, a developer is trying again to gain permission for 100 homes following river pollution concerns.

2

1,000 back bid to save 'dangerous' dog as owner disputes claims it's an XL bully

23 January 2025
1,000 back bid to save 'dangerous' dog as owner disputes claims it's an XL bully

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for police to return a dog to his distraught owner after he was seized under XL bully laws.

61

Royal Navy intercept Russian spy ship ‘operating’ in waters off Kent

22 January 2025
Royal Navy intercept Russian spy ship ‘operating’ in waters off Kent

The Royal Navy has responded to repeated incursions by a Russian spy ship in the English Channel.

10

Police incident forces closure of tunnel

22 January 2025
Police incident forces closure of tunnel

A key commuter tunnel was forced to close due to concerns for a woman’s safety.

Plans revealed for £250m upgrade to one of the worst roads in the county

21 January 2025
Plans revealed for £250m upgrade to one of the worst roads in the county

Detailed plans have been revealed for a £250m upgrade to a major route, ranked the second worst A road in the county for delays and accidents.

9

‘Give us a 30mph limit’ - decision on speed reduction faces further delays

21 January 2025
‘Give us a 30mph limit’ - decision on speed reduction faces further delays

There is disappointment at the lack of progress in reducing speed limits on a key route.

‘This is a lifeline for passengers’ - Kent given £23m to fund bus services

21 January 2025
‘This is a lifeline for passengers’ - Kent given £23m to fund bus services

Kent County Council has been given a £23 million government grant to support bus services across the county.

10

'Shock' as council officer steps in to stop new housing estate being rejected

21 January 2025
'Shock' as council officer steps in to stop new housing estate being rejected

Councillors who voted to refuse housing plans for an orchard were stopped from making the decision.

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