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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

‘There are talented, dedicated kids in this town and I don’t think people realise’

30 December 2024
‘There are talented, dedicated kids in this town and I don’t think people realise’

A personal trainer coaching young athletes in a town plagued with stories of unruly youths says there are also dedicated, hard-working kids there.

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New 50p is crowned the rarest coin in circulation

26 December 2024
New 50p is crowned the rarest coin in circulation

The rarest 50p pieces currently in circulation have been unveiled by The Royal Mint and there’s a new coin to have taken the top spot this year.

‘There was an awful online public pile-on when someone asked about children’s ear piercing’

24 December 2024
‘There was an awful online public pile-on when someone asked about children’s ear piercing’

Do you follow your local online residents’ group? It’s the season of goodwill but our columnist says things have taken a turn in the virtual world.

‘Have we allowed the most magical time of year to become the most stressful?’

17 December 2024
‘Have we allowed the most magical time of year to become the most stressful?’

Christmas expectations, says our columnist, feel off the scale this year so have we allowed the most magical time to now be nothing but stressful?

4

New cafe unveiled as Dunelm gets makeover

11 December 2024
New cafe unveiled as Dunelm gets makeover

A new cafe is opening inside a major homeware store which is promising customers an “upgraded” shopping experience.

‘After four named storms in two months are we at risk of ignoring winter warnings?’

10 December 2024
‘After four named storms in two months are we at risk of ignoring winter warnings?’

The UK has named storms since 2015 but with climate change causing more extreme weather our columnist asks if we’re at risk of ignoring the warnings?

7

The number of e-scooters seized by police where you live

04 December 2024
The number of e-scooters seized by police where you live

The number of e-scooters being seized by police is rising but in some parts of Kent it remains in single figures.

48

‘Pavement parking should be banned but what would we all do with our cars?’

03 December 2024
‘Pavement parking should be banned but what would we all do with our cars?’

Pavement parking is the reality when the number of cars outweigh space on new narrow streets, argues our columnist - so would you support a ban?

2

The cost of dying crisis: Rise in ‘pauper's funerals’ as price spirals

27 November 2024
The cost of dying crisis: Rise in ‘pauper's funerals’ as price spirals

With funeral costs soaring more people are being laid-to-rest in public health funerals, while others turn to direct cremations to relieve the burden.

12

‘Two cinemagoers came in pjs and one took off their smelly shoes - is etiquette dead?’

26 November 2024
‘Two cinemagoers came in pjs and one took off their smelly shoes - is etiquette dead?’

Cinemas, theatres and public transport have become etiquette battlegrounds, says our columnist, but is what we find socially acceptable now changing?

5

‘I’ve lost great staff because pharmacy customers have become so abusive’

23 November 2024
‘I’ve lost great staff because pharmacy customers have become so abusive’

Angry customers are unleashing violent and verbal attacks on pharmacists with one chemist owner saying abusive patients have cost him ‘caring’ staff.

‘Brexit, rain and energy costs exposed our fragile food chains - will furious farmers be next?’

19 November 2024
‘Brexit, rain and energy costs exposed our fragile food chains - will furious farmers be next?’

Brexit, bird flu, energy costs and weather have all exposed delicate food chains, argues our columnist, who fears protesting farmers could be next.

3

‘Why is it so hard these days to get tradespeople to even call back?’

12 November 2024
‘Why is it so hard these days to get tradespeople to even call back?’

Why is it so hard to find tradespeople who call back - is it poor customer service or is everyone just too busy these days, asks our columnist?

22

Oversubscribed primary school on new-build estate to offer more nursery places

07 November 2024
Oversubscribed primary school on new-build estate to offer more nursery places

A highly sought-after school, which was forced to deny nursery places to children living just metres away, is to expand its popular pre-school.

‘Banning smoking outside schools, hospitals or playgrounds is government interference at its worst’

05 November 2024
‘Banning smoking outside schools, hospitals or playgrounds is government interference at its worst’

We mustn’t turn smokers into criminals trying to keep cigarettes from children, argues our columnist, who says adults have a right to make decisions.

15

‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

28 October 2024
‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

Can children cope without a smartphone until age 14 or 16? Thousands of Kent parents think so and they’re on a mission to change things.

18

‘Up to £40 for a family ticket? When did swimming get so expensive?’

22 October 2024
‘Up to £40 for a family ticket? When did swimming get so expensive?’

Since when did swimming become so costly asks our columnist - who fears charges have turned it into a luxury outing and no longer a regular activity.

7

From chickens to children - what are the noises angering Kent’s neighbours?

21 October 2024
From chickens to children - what are the noises angering Kent’s neighbours?

There were 9,000-plus noise complaints in Kent last year - but with children playing and babies crying among the gripes are we becoming less tolerant?

27

How to spot ‘very convincing’ parking scam circulating in Kent

18 October 2024
How to spot ‘very convincing’ parking scam circulating in Kent

Police are warning people not to answer ‘very convincing’ parking fine messages circulating in Kent - but can you get your money back if caught out?

10

‘Stories of poor water quality have gone from a trickle to a flood but we’re no further forward’

08 October 2024
‘Stories of poor water quality have gone from a trickle to a flood but we’re no further forward’

Water bills are to rise but £157m must be returned in rebates so is improving our waterways taking one step forward and two back asks our columnist?

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