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Lauren Abbott

Lauren Abbott was news editor of the Dartford and Gravesend Messenger series until 2011. She then took responsibility for the KM Group's My Kent Family website before also taking on the role of Trending Content Writer across the Iliffe Media group in 2021.

Lauren Abbott

Parents’ anger at trust ‘erasing school’s history’ with name changes

10 July 2024
Parents’ anger at trust ‘erasing school’s history’ with name changes

Families have accused one of Kent’s biggest academy trusts of ‘erasing’ its primary’s history as it prepares to rename more than 15 schools it runs.

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‘Labour wants homes on the grey-belt but how do you control the green land released?’

09 July 2024
‘Labour wants homes on the grey-belt but how do you control the green land released?’

Labour proposes homes on the ‘grey belt’ but - asks our columnist - what will stop landowners letting their green land deteriorate so they can sell?

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‘I’m absolutely terrified. What will this mean for children?’

08 July 2024
‘I’m absolutely terrified. What will this mean for children?’

Education plans to send children with special needs to mainstream schools have been branded ‘terrifying and damaging’.

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The Kent councils that have closed the most public toilets

08 July 2024
The Kent councils that have closed the most public toilets

Vandalism and cash-strapped council budgets are putting public toilets at risk, fear charities, as one suggests charging a fee may be the answer.

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The number of dog owners prosecuted for not chipping their pet revealed

06 July 2024
The number of dog owners prosecuted for not chipping their pet revealed

Compulsory microchipping for dogs has been law since 2016 yet despite the number of canines found without ID, few people ultimately face prosecution.

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‘An amnesty for lockdown breakers would be an insult to all those who stuck to the rules’

02 July 2024
‘An amnesty for lockdown breakers would be an insult to all those who stuck to the rules’

Calls from some Conservatives for a Covid fine amnesty has angered our columnist, who says it shows disregard for all those who stuck to the rules.

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‘Spelling out the policies that’ll improve our lives must now be the priority’

25 June 2024
‘Spelling out the policies that’ll improve our lives must now be the priority’

Forget betting scandals and tax rows, says our columnist, with a week to go parties need to spell out exactly how they plan to improve our lives.

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‘England flags are out in force but would you put up a party political poster?’

18 June 2024
‘England flags are out in force but would you put up a party political poster?’

With two weeks until the election where are people’s party posters asks our columnist - or has politics become too nasty and voters disillusioned?

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Cadbury to relaunch retro chocolate bar after 20 years

14 June 2024
Cadbury to relaunch retro chocolate bar after 20 years

A Cadbury chocolate bar, which was first made in 1993, is being returned to shop shelves as part of the company’s 200th birthday celebrations.

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The surprising law which could cost you a £1,000 fine for watching the Euros at work

14 June 2024
The surprising law which could cost you a £1,000 fine for watching the Euros at work

The men’s Euros are about to kick off but watching a game at work could be costly.

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

12 June 2024
Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Public health officials have issued a strongly worded message to pregnant women in the county after the deaths of eight babies from whooping cough.

Supermarket recalls chocolate bars over peanut allergy fears

11 June 2024
Supermarket recalls chocolate bars over peanut allergy fears

Tesco is recalling various chocolate bars amid fears that the snacks could contain peanuts not listed on the labels.

‘Forget sun and sangria - new Brexit border checks spell cold tea in a queue if the government gets it wrong’

11 June 2024
‘Forget sun and sangria - new Brexit border checks spell cold tea in a queue if the government gets it wrong’

Post-Brexit border checks for travellers are looming and whoever wins next month’s election, says our columnist, must focus on getting this right.

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Cat owners risk £500 fines as new law comes into force

10 June 2024
Cat owners risk £500 fines as new law comes into force

New rules for cat owners mean that felines must now be microchipped by law and a failure to do so could see people face a £500 fine.

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Child Benefit warning to be sent to one million families at risk of payments stopping

05 June 2024
Child Benefit warning to be sent to one million families at risk of payments stopping

Child Benefit payments will stop for more than a million families this summer unless parents with teenagers staying in education update their claim.

King Charles banknotes to enter circulation but how can you get one?

05 June 2024
King Charles banknotes to enter circulation but how can you get one?

New banknotes featuring a portrait of King Charles are entering circulation for the first time but how can you guarantee getting your hands on one?

‘Society doesn’t need National Service - it needs to stop viewing teens with such suspicion’

04 June 2024
‘Society doesn’t need National Service - it needs to stop viewing teens with such suspicion’

Moaning about the ‘youth of today’ is nothing new but it doesn’t mean they all need whisking into National Service, argues our columnist.

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How do I register my child for the Kent Test?

03 June 2024
How do I register my child for the Kent Test?

Registration forms for this year’s Kent Test are now open for parents and carers who want their child to be considered for a Kent grammar school.

Where can kids eat out for free or £1 this May half term?

28 May 2024
Where can kids eat out for free or £1 this May half term?

School holidays can be expensive when it comes to eating and drinking so where can you take the kids to eat either for free or just £1?

The full list of items people are being told to store in new emergency kits

23 May 2024
The full list of items people are being told to store in new emergency kits

Households have been told to build and store new emergency kits in the event of a national crisis as the government issues new preparation advice.

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