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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.

More than 2,000 people back petition to save farmers market and stop ‘unfair parking charges’

06 March 2025
More than 2,000 people back petition to save farmers market and stop ‘unfair parking charges’

More than 2,400 people have signed a petition calling for a lifting of parking restriction that threaten their monthly farmers market.

Pub licence suspended over fears of ‘serious crime and disorder’

04 March 2025
Pub licence suspended over fears of ‘serious crime and disorder’

A pub recently featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed has had its licence suspended following a fight.

'The area has just been flattened - it's an unforgivable travesty'

03 March 2025
'The area has just been flattened - it's an unforgivable travesty'

Care home developers have been accused of “jumping the gun” and cutting down around 30 trees on top of an ancient monument to the anger of neighbours.

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Food bank charity moves to reassure users as charge almost triples

02 March 2025
Food bank charity moves to reassure users as charge almost triples

Vulnerable users of a food larder project have voiced concerns after the service was given to a charity which plans to hike charges.

1

‘I just like building things’: Wonderkid earns £1.2k to build own hybrid go-kart

01 March 2025
‘I just like building things’: Wonderkid earns £1.2k to build own hybrid go-kart

A remarkable 15-year-old engineering student who has been building things since he was six has finished his most impressive project yet.

1

‘This is just too much’: Fightback over HMOs

28 February 2025
‘This is just too much’: Fightback over HMOs

A council is making moves to control the spread of HMOs as three more are in the pipeline for an area where they have already caused controversy.

5

Two of borough’s villages to see top council tax bills exceed £5k

27 February 2025
Two of borough’s villages to see top council tax bills exceed £5k

A borough council has set its precept for the next financial year, and agreed to hike parking costs at the same time.

4

Flat proposed above historic high street store

27 February 2025
Flat proposed above historic high street store

Plans have gone in to convert the space above a Grade II-listed shop into a flat.

Protesters celebrate victory in battle against orchard homes

27 February 2025
Protesters celebrate victory in battle against orchard homes

A planning committee has rejected plans to build 52 homes on a green space - but the final decision has been taken out of their hands.

Road to stay closed for days due to burst water main

27 February 2025
Road to stay closed for days due to burst water main

Work to repair a water leak will see a route shut into next week.

Junction closed after 20ft void discovered beneath the road

25 February 2025
Junction closed after 20ft void discovered beneath the road

A key junction remains closed after a subsidence problem following a burst water main proved greater than expected.

Man taken to hospital after police called to pub brawl

25 February 2025
Man taken to hospital after police called to pub brawl

Police were called to a fight at a high street pub at the weekend which left one man needing hospital treatment.

‘Bryn’s commitment to conservation and his passion were unparalleled’

25 February 2025
‘Bryn’s commitment to conservation and his passion were unparalleled’

Tributes have been paid to a much-respected conservationist, former firefighter and family man.

1

‘These roadworks will affect all the surrounding villages - it could be chaos’

24 February 2025
‘These roadworks will affect all the surrounding villages - it could be chaos’

A councillor says drivers and parents of school children are stressed out by the planned closure of a key crossroads.

1

Thirteen year planning battle over five fishing lakes could soon be over

24 February 2025
Thirteen year planning battle over five fishing lakes could soon be over

An application to create five fishing lakes will finally be determined this month after a 13-year planning battle.

9

Water firm admits deliberately not giving customers early warning about supply problem, says MP

19 February 2025
Water firm admits deliberately not giving customers early warning about supply problem, says MP

An MP says she’s disappointed with some of the answers from a utility company after 5,000 homes were left without water.

New homes plan for 18th-century town centre offices

19 February 2025
New homes plan for 18th-century town centre offices

The upper two floors of a Grade II-listed building could be converted into four flats.

Long queues expected as work begins at busy junction

19 February 2025
Long queues expected as work begins at busy junction

A crossroads on one of the county’s busiest routes faces two months of disruption while traffic lights are updated.

Police crackdown on boy racers

19 February 2025
Police crackdown on boy racers

Police have been patrolling known hotspots for boy racers in a bid to tackle anti-social driving.

1

The best and worst towns for anti-social behaviour in Kent

19 February 2025
The best and worst towns for anti-social behaviour in Kent

There’s been a drop in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour across Kent, but some boroughs are still struggling.

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