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A digital journalist with over three years of experience who is always looking for the next big story.
A Master's of Art from the prestigious Newspaper Journalism course at Cardiff University.
'There is nothing like the thrill of discovering news whether it is across the street or abroad!'
KENT Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes has called an urgent meeting with Chief Constable Alan Pughsley tomorrow over the fracking debate fiasco. She has stepped in after a row over claims in The Guardian newspaper today that the force asked debate hosts Canterbury Christ Church University for a list of attendees.
THREE teens have been arrested after a Kent Police officer was reportedly kicked in the groin whilst intervening in an assault in Chatham's High Street.
Kent Police is appealing for witnesses after three people were left injured following a house party in Canterbury early this morning. The three were injured in two separate incidents in Salisbury Road and Beaconsfield Road. Officers were called to an address in Salisbury Road at 1.12am after reports that two people had been assaulted.
Twenty-two years after it shut its doors, St Augustine's Hospital still remains a topic for much debate. The hospital provided shelter and work for many locals for well over hundred years but one controversial inquiry left a stain on its reputation.
View all the latest pictures in the gallery, In pictures: Life in Canterbury - Residents v Students, on Canterbury Times.
THE RSPCA has asked pig lovers to rehome piglets after two sows, who were rescued near Faversham, unexpectedly gave birth to 17 babies. Gill and Sandra, two micro-pigs, were found in an underweight, neglected state in Boughton-Under-Blean, Faversham, Kent last September.
By Ylazar | Our large student population may have something to do with more than a few of these signs or notes but some of them are simply...odd. Scroll to see our funniest collection yet. The pictures are courtesy of Spotted in Canterbury.
PEOPLE across Kent, including in Canterbury, have woken up by a violent shake this morning. The British Geological Society revealed an earthquake measuring 4.3 hit the region just before 3am. The European Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed a tremor hit near Sandwich at 2.52am.
A Whitstable councillor has apologised for any offence caused by a picture she re-tweeted criticising the Conservative party's austerity policy. Bernadette Fisher, who the Labour Party's representative Gorrell ward only last month, has drawn criticism over a retweet she made last weekend.
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong rain and wind across the South East this Friday (24 July). The yellow warning will run from noon on Friday to 9am on Saturday. Friday is expected to remain dry in the morning but as the day progresses, clouds will thicken with heavy and persistent rain expected to hit Kent in the afternoon.
Wallett's Court, Dover More information here. Pinewood Camping Pods, Port Lympne near Hythe More information here. Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site More information here. Folkstone Camping and Carvanning Club Site More information here. Bloomsbury's, Buddenden near Ashford Little Halden Farm, Cranbrook not far from Ashford Gooseberry Field Campsite, Pluckley near Ashford More information here.
If you take a walk through the streets of Canterbury you are very likely to come across some of these 'sun-face' plaques - but some may wonder what they represent. David Lewis from the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS) has taken several pictures of the plaques, explaining their significance.
A film featuring elderly people travelling in Canterbury shows what life was like in the city in the 1970s. A YouTube user has uploaded the footage, which runs for over 13 minutes, stating it is "Showing the typical dullness of British old folks taking trips out in the late 1970s."
Maria Grenham More than ten cars in Herne Bay have been targeted by vandals who have squirted them with bright colours. The vehicles targeted are in Kings Road, Richmond Street, Reculver Road, School Lane, Hunters Chase and Margate Road. A Kent Police spokesman confirmed investigation is under way after owners woke up to find their cars painted over overnight.
Puritan England was a dangerous place for people, mostly women, who acted differently or attracted unwanted attention from locals. Kent, being one of the oldest regions in Britain and one of the most significant places to Christianity in the country, was certainly no exception.
By Ylazar | WITH the heatwave set to hit our region, we've had a look on Google Street View to see what residents do on a sunny day. Can you find yourself, or someone you know, on the streets of Herne Bay? Related picture galleries Most recent picture galleries
Byron is offering free burgers and beer to celebrate the opening of its new restaurant in Canterbury. The famous gourmet burger chain is set to open its first restaurant in 45 Burgate on Thursday 2 July, just four days before the big arrival of Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
The abandoned radar station near Faversham played an important role in protecting Britain in the Second World War. The RAF Dunkirk was built in 1937 to alert the army of bombing raids over the Thames Estuary area. The derelict station is located near the Dunkirt village and is spread over 26 acres.
Kent County Council has issued an urgent warning over what may look like "cute but cuddly" teddy bears after 2,000 unstuffed teddies were seized recently. A total of 2,193 teddy bears, originally produced in China, were stopped in Dover.
By Ylazar | WITH pictures of the London 'Lego cake' going viral, we've decided it's time to boast some of the most amazing cakes in the Canterbury district. From Game of Thrones to Frozen, scroll to see them all.
University of Kent via flickr As the University of Kent students are preparing for their graduation day, we've put together a guide to help them make it the best day this year. Hundreds of students are set walk on the stage next week and receive the certificate they've worked so hard to obtain for the past few years.
By Ylazar | Whether a barn or a seaside hut, the Canterbury area offers a range of options to spend a lovely time in Kent. Scroll to see the highest ranked accommodations according to Air BnB users. Whether a barn or a seaside hut, the Canterbury area offers a range of options to spend a lovely time in Kent.
The Herne Bay Cartoon Festival will display these posters, created by award-winning cartoonist for the Financial Times Jeremy Banks. The festival is returning for the third year after securing grants from the Arts Council and the Procartoonists Organisation. Mr Banks, a self-confessed fan of Herne Bay, is set to make an appearance at the bandstand on Sunday, August 2.
NEW meets old in a striking combination of decorative Victorian juxtaposed with glass, copper and steel at a home for sale in Canterbury. From the front, number 260 is a picture of Victorian architecture, with its large bay windows in perfect symmetry, framed with detailed stonework.
View all the latest pictures in the gallery, In pictures: The top 15 restaurants in East Kent, on Canterbury Times.
Group singing can help fighting depression and anxiety, according to a new research published by two Canterbury universities. The first rigorous research in this field was conducted by University of Kent's Simon Coulton, Professor Stephen Clift and Ann Skingley from the Canterbury Christ Church Univeristy as well as John Rodriguez of NHS Kent and Medway in Ashford.
By Ylazar | We've all seen black-and-white pictures from Herne Bay showing the life in our lovely seaside town long before most of us were born. But here's a chance to explore old Herne Bay in colour. The pictures are courtesy of the Kent Photo Archive.
If you ever wondered why Canterbury has gained the reputation of a fine city, if not posh, this footage taken by British Pathé may assist. A video taken in 1962 shows the various ways in which children were taken to and back from school across the country.
Motorists are facing long queues on the M2 this evening following reports of an accident. According to several reports, a collision involving two vehicles took place outside the Faversham junction. A lane has been blocked at Junction 6 on the coastbound M2, leaving a long tail 'for miles'.
This piece highlights an increasing problem in South Wales, where pedigree dogs are stolen from the owners' garden.
A walk around the ancient city centre of Canterbury is often very enjoyable with a range of brilliant shops and cafes but have you ever stopped and taken time to look at the buildings around you? A few months ago we shared a collection of pictures exploring the features of some of our most famous building s - but did you actually recognise them?
By Ylazar | THE River Cottage in Wingmore, Canterbury has captured attention in the press when it made it onto a list of the most stunning houses with secret green spaces. Scroll to explore it.
By Ylazar | A BEAUTIFULLY converted chapel in Faversham is set to be open for viewing tomorrow. Take a look inside and tell us if you'd pay £300,000 for this lovely property. St Saviour's is a grade II listed converted chapel in Faversham's Whitstable Road.
CANTERBURY and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier has defended his voting record after a video was published to YouTube mocking his time in office. The video, "Easy Rider" shows a moustached puppet wearing a brown suit and a bow tie singing about some of the controversial votes the MP has cast in his 28 years in office.
By Ylazar | OVER the years, Canterbury has seen a long list of shops closed down and replaced by others. Warning: Some may bring back fond memories. Scroll to see which stores used to be found on these streets. THE list, including shops in the 1950's up to the early 1970's, has been provided by John Copsey.
POLICE are at the scene of a Faversham home after two women in their 70s have been taken to hospital in a serious condition. An air ambulance was spotted at the scene after police were called to the residential property just before 5pm.
A film showing the decay of St Augustine's Hospital in Chartham provides an eerie insight into what has happened to the site in the past twenty years. Flip through the pictures at the top to see some of the most shocking pictures captured by the team.
NOW that spring-time is upon us we are all a bit more eager to leave home and even date. But if you're not convinced why you should still date locally, we've come up with a fun list of reasons why you should.
The camping season has certainly begun but DiscoBoy has taken it one level up, when he pitched a tent and paused the Ashes warm-up game between Kent and Australia in Canterbury.
By Ylazar | TANKERTON, which was formally known as Tankerton-on-Sea, was a great destination for holiday makers in the last century. Here are some pictures that celebrate its past. TANKERTON started as Tankerton-on-Sea - a commercial development by the Tankerton Estate Company in the late nineteenth century.
WITH the 2015 Oscars taking place on Sunday (February 22), the last place you may be thinking of as the stars tread the red carpet is east Kent. But Hollywood does indeed have its own close links with Canterbury, as well as Thanet, Medway and Dover.
From a 17-bedroom mansion to a 19th century castle, and homes boasting 14 bedrooms or a golf course, here are Wales' most expensive homes. By Yafit Lazar Are you on the look out for a new house? Have you got up to £5m to spare?
CANTERBURY sports-lovers may find themselves drooling over this stunning flat, not because of what's awaiting inside but because of its unusual location. Lime Tree House is a collection of five two-bedroom, meticulously designed, luxury and contemporary apartments, combining striking modern architecture with flexible living accommodation.
The University of Kent may have been ranked fairly low on the latest student survey but we simply disagree. We could go to recent prestigious rankings that have placed the university among Britain's 20 best universities but that wouldn't be that fun, would it?
A fully-packed room of over 300 people attended last night's Hustings at Canterbury Christ Church University. The event included all the six candidates in the Canterbury and Whitstable constituency, and the evening provided several highlights with some brilliant punch lines.
By Ylazar | CANTERBURY is world-famous for its ancient buildings and sites but in the city's long history, the 1930's were perhaps a very special time to capture - just a few years before the Second World War.
PEOPLE in the Canterbury area have been urged to adopt free range hens before they are slaughtered. Thanet-based TAG pet rescue charity has appealed for people in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Thanet to save 14000 hens. They warn that unless rescue places will be found for the hens in the coming fortnight they fear they'll be be slaughtered.
Watch our video and see the pictures as the 03 (Welsh) Field Hospital unit is given the highest honour by the capital city Soldiers from the 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital marched through the streets of Cardiff today after being granted the Freedom of the City, writes Yafit Lazar and Josh Thomas .
A CANTERBURY artist has taken to YouTube to sing against the local MP's policies. The video was created by Richard Navarro under the name Crown Jools and features a singing puppet. The YouTube clip is just over three-minute long and features the puppet with footage of Canterbury screened in the background.
From the first map of Wales to the first ever to be printed in Welsh, Yafit Lazar looks at an exhibition of our borders taking place next weekend They are highly collectable and give us an intriguing insight into our past.
IF you wonder what are their links to our lovely area, have a look here: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed at a cottage in Ickham a few years ago and left a few locals rather shocked when they popped into the local pub. Sandi Toksvig is a resident of Herne Bay.
By Yafit Lazar Super Furry Animal's Cian Ciaran talks about why Welsh matters and hits back at Cardiff Council for letting Welsh children down. For Cian, the Welsh language is part of everyday life. "I was brought up bilingually. My mother learned Welsh as she's from Armagh.
Andrew Culham TWO roads have been closed in Faversham and air ambulance is at the scene following an incident this evening. Partial closures have been reported on Springhead Road and Fostall Road. A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Kent Police is investigating an incident at a private residential address in Fostall Road, Faversham.
A discussion on a few rare maps of Wales exhibited at a unique little English shop.
CANTERBURY Christ Church University's political expert claims it would be a surprise if Julian Brazier loses his seat as the Canterbury and Whitstable in next month's General Election. The comment from Canterbury Christ Church University's Dr Mark Bennister comes in reaction to several publications by national papers, including the Telegraph, which claim the current MP Julian Brazier's seat may be in danger.
The event, which will take place on Saturday evening, is part of this year's Wales One World film festival. It will feature a performance by the Bollywood Brass Band and will offer a taste of traditional Gujarati food.
By Ylazar | IT'S a beautiful day this May Day today so why not head to one of the lovely pubs that offer a beautiful garden to relax in the sun? Here are our top 28 places int he Canterbury area to do just that!
A Welsh medium school campaigner has warned Cardiff Council's plans to build a new school may split the local community. A member of the TAG campaign for a Welsh medium school in Grangetown, Huw Williams, has expressed concern at the council's list of potential sites.
Councillor Ashley Govier has hit out out at parents for seeking referendum on the future of play centres ahead of next week's key vote. Days before parents in Grangetown meet in an attempt to gather 150 signatures to trigger a local referendum, Coun Govier attacked their decision to continue their campaign despite the Council's announcement to keep the centres open for a year.
Ahead of the publication of the results of a review by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, the Director of Protection, Scrutiny and Human Rights, Anna Buchanan, warns a lack of communication could hurt elderly people and their families.
THE Local Government Ombudsman is set probe whether Canterbury City Council lacked impartiality in an e-mail exchange with bus company Stagecoach. The Ombudsman's investigation comes after a resident had made a request under the Freedom of Information Act concerning a leaked e-mail between a Council officer and representatives of the bus firm.
A local campaigner claimed he was banned from taking part in the London Marathon due to religious reasons.
CANTERBURY'S The Beaney is set to host a special dance show, featuring Ian Cooper who was born with Down's Syndrome. The show is staged by Canterbury-based Confidance, a dancing initiative that empowers people with, and without, special needs. "I am looking forward to the show," Ian said.
By Ylazar | CANTERBURY has a spectacular variety of restaurants that wouldn't shame larger cities. But some dishes are almost part of our culinary life in the city. Scroll for our best 19 dishes in the area. NINETEEN different dishes from top eateries in Canterbury have been selected as the city's best dishes.
PEOPLE from all across Thanet have voted for the person whose contribution to our community in 2014 had to be recognised. Seven tremendous locals were lined up to win the title but only one received an overwhelming amount of votes this year.
EACH and every one of Faversham's lost pubs has its own fascinating history and we've managed to dig in and find some interesting stories. Here is what we know about these lovely 22 ex pubs: 1. Anchor Inn in 33 Ospringe Street is now in residential use. 2.
This beautiful manor near Canterbury offers a lovely and relaxing place to unwind. The original Building, which dates back to 1181, is only a short drive from everything there is to see in East Kent, including the beaches and the ancient city of Canterbury. Address: Howfield Manor , Howfield Lane, Chartham Hatch, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7HQ.
A Cardiff Councillor has said the approval of a reduced contribution to a planning scheme in the Bay could set a dangerous precedent. The Council's planning committee approved on Wednesday the application of Bayscape Ltd. to reduce its contribution towards affordable housing in Grangetown from £1.2m down to £400,000.
FIVE cases of health care failures in Kent hospitals have been investigated by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The report comes after East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust was placed in special measures in September 2014 after a damning report by the Care Quality Commission.
Grangetown Councillors shunned a meeting on play centre referendum yesterday following plans to appoint Plaid Cymru official as chair of community vote. Councillors Ashley Govier and Lynda Thorne, who held a private meeting with a few Grangetown play centre employees ahead of the poll meeting, released a statement explaining their move.
PEOPLE from across the country and the world visit Kent largely due to its spectacular gardens. But what are the region's best gardens? Now that the sun is out, you may want to browse through our 15 best gardens in Kent: This internationally renowned garden, which lies about 28 miles away from Canterbury, was developed by Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicolson around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion.
By Ylazar | HERE is your chance to test yourself and find out how well you know the Canterbury area! Have a look at these bird's eye pictures from Google Map and tell us: what landmarks are on the list?
The decision to choose a logo was accepted unanimously by the 14 members of the Parochial Church Committee on Wednesday night. The new logo was launched by the church's Father David Thomas Morris on the congregation's Facebook page.
A warning about a new wave of coastal flooding in the south of Cardiff has been issued ahead of a stormy night. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have urged the public to take care and keep from the coastline as high tides and strong winds in south and west Wales are expected to cause flooding from tonight running into tomorrow.
IN HIS book, Herne Bay Historical Records Society Curator and Archivist Mike Bundock take a look at some of the more interesting stories behind famous buildings in town. The first picture is taken from the top of the clock tower, looking east.
Bus delays across the city have led to a wave of complaints on Twitter yesterday. Cardiff Bus took to Twitter to explain the delays, saying they were due to "staff issues." Gareth Stevens, Business Development Manager at Cardiff Bus, commented on the problem, which left many travellers frustrated.
THE Pound Bar & Kitchen has open its doors for a unique tour through its venue's unique past and its exciting new future. This gallery illustrates the long restoration that has been done to transform the place - almost entirely. "It's been a long process, and a lot of work",co-owner James Caldon Caldon told The Canterbury Times in December.
Cardiff Council could withdraw its proposal that would see the closure of six of the city's play centres amid growing public pressure. The cabinet yesterday heard a request, made by a Grangetown councillor, to take play centres out of its budget proposals for 2014/15, only days before the consultation phase ends.
AFTER their engagement gallery went viral, the lucky and very engaged couple from Whitstable has shared the video from this special event at The Duke of Cumberland. Many readers were incredibly excited to see the pictures from the emotional event at the local pub so this video should be rather exciting to see.
A petition has been launched by local musicians against a perceived crackdown on the city's buskers. Organisers of the petition, which has received over 1,800 signatures on change.org, have accused the Canterbury City Council of using provisions in last year's Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act to target buskers.
Labour cabinet member Coun Ashley Govier said Council Tax will have to rise in order to keep open Cardiff's play centres. This follows the announcement for centres to be spared another year after the Labour party endorsed a proposal to explore new ways of running them.
OLIVIA Lee from Herne Bay is planning to donate her hair to a charity that creates wigs for children with cancer and is now asking for your help to raise money for another wig. The 6-year-old girl has decided to cut 10 inches of her hair and donate it to the Little Princess Trust and inspire others to donate money.
Councillors are due to meet with Cardiff Council's director of sport, leisure and culture in an attempt to keep a threatened play centre open. Grangetown Councillor Chris Lomax, who estimated that £100,000 a year is needed to keep the play centre open, confirmed all options are on the table ahead of a key meeting on Tuesday.
Ashley Govier, Cardiff Council's Cabinet member for Environment, has reacted to the proposals for a £45 million reduction in the council budget. "It's not an emergency budget, it's a reality budget," the councillor from Grangetown said. "We have a conservative government, it's what they want."
Kent Police will carry out an internal investigation after allegations undercover officers attended a fracking debate at Canterbury Christ Church University. Canterbury Green Party candidate Stuart Jeffery claimed the force made a deliberate decision to send two inspectors to the debate - and failed to make their presence clear.
PAT Lamb's family are expected to visit Canterbury today after one of the search team was contacted about a potential sighting. The 28-year-old has disappeared nearly a month ago after a night out in Maidstone with friends. A woman contacted the team, saying she may have seen him near the Fenwick Store, in St George's Street, over a week ago.
Cardiff City Council has slashed 58 green bag and food liner stockists. The move was announced following the publication of an efficiency review on Monday January 3. According to the council, the change was made to ensure the remaining green bag and food liner stockists are provided with sufficient stock.
Grangetown parents prepare for a community meeting to fight for their local play centre's future. Over 3000 leaflets have been handed out in the past week calling local residents to take part in a poll over the centre's future. Walking from house to house, a group of parents have been knocking on every door to ask for the locals' support.
FIVE inspirational people from Herne Bay have been nominated by one of our readers to feature in this poll. Who deserves the title? 1. Jo Mumford - the young musician has made a video and sold jewellery she created to raise money and awareness for charity Epilepsy Action.
Dozens of Downton Abbey fans poured into the Millennium Centre's Western Studio for an eagerly anticipated evening of parody of their favourite programme. And they were not let down. The show featured every one of the Downton regulars, all of whom are perfectly portrayed by the brilliant Luke Kempner.
AFTER a very long campaign, the election is finally over and now it's time to find out who will represent Canterbury and Whitstable and Faversham and Mid Kent in the next parliament. Our reporters are at the count centres in Canterbury and Maidstone - where they will announce Faversham's next MP.
THE Queen is set to make her first visit to the Canterbury Cathedral in thirteen years later today. Her majesty will be accompanied by her husband The Duke of Edinburgh to unveil a new statue of the royal couple at the cathedral.
Victoria Fearn Gallery on Heol y Deri is not what you'd expect when you walk into a gallery. On a street full of pretty little boutique shops, finding a couple of hand-made harps and wooden toys on display is not too unusual.
Co-authored with Mari Eccles. Ukrainians are facing one of the biggest crises in their country since the fall of the Soviet Union. After being hit by waves of protest, the government's heavy-handed response - and its own subsequent disintegration - has seen Ukraine pushed into the spotlight, even here in Wales.
AFTER blaming traffic and immigration for his late appearance at a Ukip event in Wales over the weekend, Nigel Farage says he is not likely to miss his party's Spring Conference in Margate. Mr Farage in his typically ebullient mood brushed off the controversy that seems to follow him around.
THE BAY Promo Team are looking for extras to appear alongside a Game of Thrones star in a new and exciting short film in Herne Bay. One Last Dance, will be filmed in Herne Bay on 12, 13 and 14 June and is expected to feature some familiar sites.