Get all the Strictly glitz direct to your email Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters Muddy Stilettos has now announced all of the winners for its yearly regional awards highlighting some of the best businesses from around Kent the publication seeks out those independents that are truly excelling within their field and deserve to have their hard work recognised Awards are given out across a wide range of categories with firms from 35 counties going head to head in a public vote to determine the crème de la crème This year, a whopping 105 Kent businesses were vying to be crowned the county’s best for their respective field and now the full list of winners has been announced Half-a-million people nationwide took part in the vote over eight weeks to pick their favourites Announcing this year’s batch of winners, Muddy Stilettos said: “Now in their 12th year we've always proudly run the Muddy Awards free for all businesses to take part and it's still as thrilling as ever to shine a light on brilliant lifestyle indies that make our lives so much more fun and vibrant A whopping great thank you to all our Muddy readers who took part or voted - the Muddy Awards are nothing without you!” All of the regional winners will automatically go through to the hotly contested National Finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards Editors will judge who is the ‘best of the best’ in each category before announcing the national winners on Wednesday Winner: The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle (Edenbridge) Winner: The Clockwork Cocktail Company (Margate) Winner: Elmley Nature Reserve (Isle of Sheppey) Cellar Door Dining at Balfour Winery (Staplehurst) Rascal's Events & Catering (Tunbridge Wells) Kent Academy of Musical Theatre (Maidstone) Kent School of Performing Arts (Whitstable) Winner: Kent & East Sussex Railway (Tenterden) Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest (Goudhurst) Winner: Gingerly Green Flower Farm (Folkestone) Winner: The PIG - at Bridge Place (Canterbury) Find out more about things to do in Kent with our free What’s On email HERE. Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox In Folkestone and Hythe district in the 2025 Local Elections there were gains for the Lib Dems and Reform as they took one and five respectively of the Kent County Council seats on offer who will be the main opposition party at county hall after the election Sandgate and Hythe East from the Conservatives Reform UK gained the other five seats by taking Elham Valley Folkestone West and Romney Marsh from the Conservatives Hythe West from the Green Party and Folkestone East from Labour Overall on Kent County Council Reform UK now has overall control and holds 57 out of the 81 seats the Lib Dems are the second largest party with 12 councillors The final two seats are taken by Labour councillors down from the five the party held before the election Full results for Folkestone and Hythe district are listed below: Sandgate and Hythe East - LIB DEM GAIN FROM CON For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from the other 11 Kent County Council areas Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells New Forest District Council is developing the Hythe Memorial Hospital site to deliver 22 new affordable homes Local firm AJC commenced construction in autumn 2024 and a variety of soft and hard landscaping features all homes are being built to high standards of energy efficiency Voters across Folkestone and Hythe district will head to the polls on Thursday (May 1) to elect six councillors to represent them on Kent County Council Residents in Folkestone as well as the town of Hythe and areas such as Romney Marsh have the chance to use their vote to influence policies on issues such as roads Folkestone and Hythe district has 34 candidates standing across six seats with each ward electing one councillor to county hall the six Folkestone and Hythe seats are held by four Conservatives one Labour councillor and one Green councillor was elected in a by-election in March 2023 after the incumbent Conservative councillor stood down 425 candidates are standing for your votes in 72 wards across the 12 boroughs and districts that make up the Kent County Council region Medway Council does not have elections scheduled in 2025 Kent County Council currently has a Conservative majority with the Lib Dems as the next largest party on six Labour and the Green Party hold five seats each three members for Reform and one each for the Heritage Party and the Swale Independents Elections in Kent are going ahead this year despite the ongoing devolution process that is set to see the county’s current councils abolished to be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities A full list of candidates for all of the Folkestone and Hythe district seats in the 2025 Kent County Council elections are listed below: For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here KCC has been a Conservative stronghold almost since its creation in 1974 with only a brief gap of no overall control in the 1990s Decades of near-unbroken Tory hegemony have been shattered by Reform UK KCC has been a Conservative stronghold almost since its creation in 1974 Decades of near-unbroken Tory hegemony have been shattered by Reform UK... like each of Nigel Farage’s outfits before it depends on capturing an anti-system energy: being seen to be the party against all the established ones This is a viable strategy for an insurgent opposition – but is it one for governing ...The risk of being unable to deliver on their priorities or solve KCC’s financial woes may not bode well for their general election prospects Recent polling suggests Reform would be the largest party in a general election if held now – perhaps not so if they have to govern parts of the country for the next several years.. They will soon have to vote on a leader of their group who will become leader of KCC and no doubt any number of the first-time councillors wearing Reform rosettes today see themselves potentially at the helm results have been confirmed in from up and down the county Heading into the 2025 elections Kent County Council had a Conservative majority The Conservatives suffered a terrible set of Kent results They began as the largest party and were in control of 55 of Kent County Council's 81 seats but end the election with just five councillors the Lib Dems had a positive outcome as they increased their number of councillors from six to 12 after picking up seats in Tunbridge Wells The Greens started and ended the results on five seats while the Labour party saw its number of councillors reduced from five to just two It was also bad news for independents who have been wiped off Kent County Council Follow along the blog to read every update The Kent County Council Local Elections 2025 have now come to an end It was a fabulous set of results for Reform UK who now hold a sizeable majority The Lib Dems also picked up seats and will become the main opposition party while the Greens maintained what they had they were very bad results for the Conservatives and Labour who now only have five and two seats respectively Full list of Kent County Council Local Election results 2025 For detailed results from each of the 12 Kent County Council areas click below: Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone and Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells Nigel Farage took aim at leaders who want to “please everybody” in favour of having opinions He told the PA news agency: “Politics is about choices you like an individual you like what they stand for and over the last few years it’s become about leaders who want to please everybody and stand for nothing in particular.” “It’s pretty straight forward where I am on nearly all issues and if people like it that’s great and if they don’t it’s called democracy.” The Reform UK leader also suggested that councils under his party’s control would look to scrap “crackpot” clean energy initiatives Mr Farage said: “We produce less than 1% of the world’s carbon dioxide consumption of coal oil and gas is going up every single year globally and will continue to do so “All we’ve done actually by crackpot policies and Kent’s got it’s issues of course with solar farms particularly which I think our chaps will deal with here in Kent don’t worry about that “All we’re doing is giving ourselves the most expensive energy in the world all I’ve ever said about this is it makes no sense.” The final results for the Kent County Council elections 2025 are in Of the 81 seats available Reform now control 57 giving them a sizeable majority at county hall The Lib Dems have also made gains and now have 12 seats twice the number they went into the election with The Greens and the Conservatives both have five seats meaning the Tories have lost 50 seats while the Greens have stayed even three fewer then it started with while independent councillors have suffered a wipe out All votes have been counted and the people of Kent have elected their new local leaders and representatives for the county council Read the full results here: Kent Local Election results full list as Reform takes control of county council and Lib Dems make gains Reform UK have won full control of Kent County Council! pic.twitter.com/wW0ZipNboG The final ballots have been counted and re-counted the results are in: it's dramatic close to a long day as Green Party candidate Stuart Jeffrey wins by just one vote ahead of Reform in Maidstone Central Reform UK's Oliver Bradshaw takes the other seat- creating an unlikely pair to represent the county ward The final result of the Kent County Council elections is in and no wonder it took a while Reform's Oliver Bradshaw took the first seat with 2,477 votes However there was just one vote seperating the Green Party's Stuart Jeffery (2,373 votes) and Reform's Peter Jarvis (2,372 votes) who just misses out in third Reports from the ground suggest there is a re-count in Maidstone central The final results have been trickling in with some last-minute wins for the Green Party Tonbridge has re-elected Mark Hood and Paul Stepto back into their seats on the county council Tonbridge. Elected: HOOD Mark Antony James. Green. & STEPTO Paul Andrew. Green. https://t.co/0mKvuTFolA #kccelection pic.twitter.com/9cq9hLbFxK Have you enjoyed KentLive's coverage of the local elections? If you want to hear more from us you can get more news from KentLive straight to your inbox for freeHERE. Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Essen writes: Reform UK are ready to celebrate a historic takeover of a Conservative heartland All 5 Ashford seats won + the Weald of Kent.Thanks to all who voted for us There might be some sore heads tomorrow as the local Reform UK reps say they have "smashed" the local elections Hopefully all the pubs in Kent have stocked up on booze We smashed it. pic.twitter.com/f5MmGRcKjs Although not all the votes are in yet- Reform has at least 53 seats on KCC it is likely to be easier for councillors to make decisions and the change they want to see in Kent Reform's success in Kent builds a bigger picture in the UK where the party has gained around 282 seats in the local council and mayoral elections The results confirm what has been shown in the national polls for quite some time: Reform is more popular than Labour Will it shake Prime Minbister Kier Starmer to calling an election Will he step down over Reform's success With the next general election potentially four years away Not long left to go until all the votes have been counted and the full makeup of the council is shown You can find out the results here: Kent Local Election results full list as Reform takes control of county council and Lib Dems make gains Marc Logan hoovered up the votes in Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley and has ousted the former head of the tories in Kent Perhaps one of the worst local election cycles for the Tories in Kent so far the Conservatives only have retained 2 seats out of their previous 55 From a party that did not even exist until 2021 Reform UK has taken control over Kent County Council As the votes still trickle in- keep watch and see just how many councillors Reform UK can get DON\u2019T MISS THIS YEARS ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE Get the \u2018cene CULTURE SHOT straight to your inbox on each release By using this website, you agree to our T&C\u2019s, privacy policy & use of cookies. We use analytical data to provide you with an enjoyable experience and to help our website run effectively. Nestled in the picturesque town of Hythe, VWell Studio offers a sanctuary where health, wellness and mindfulness converge. This boutique studio has quickly become a cornerstone for those seeking to nourish their body, mind and spirit. But it’s more than just a fitness space; it’s a holistic health destination designed to cater to all levels of experience. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi, a fitness enthusiast or a beginner exploring wellness for the first time, VWell provides a welcoming environment tailored to your journey. The studio boasts an impressive array of classes, from dynamic yoga flows and pilates to strength training and meditation sessions. Each class is led by experienced instructors who bring passion and expertise, ensuring that every participant feels supported and inspired. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VWell Studio (@vwell_studio) What sets VWell Studio apart is its commitment to community and personalised care one-on-one coaching and a tranquil space to unwind Members rave about the sense of connection and belonging fostered within these walls making it more than a place to work out - it’s a place to grow With its serene interiors and a schedule brimming with opportunities to rejuvenate VWell Studio invites you to step away from the daily grind and focus on what truly matters: your wellbeing.  Website @vwell_studio independent and multi-award winning magazine which focuses on sub-cultures in-and-around the county of Kent ‘cene endorses those who use their ideas and originality to revive the creative landscape of the South-East high-quality content and an approachable tone ‘cene continues it’s drive for inclusivity in the subjects and delivery of it’s free-to-take printed magazines and online platforms Get the ‘cene culture shot for updates on local offers Also don’t miss when the latest print edition is available to pick up or buy We won’t share details with third-party companies other than the Auditing Bureau of Circulation for proof of ‘cene’s annual circulation figures We may also send interesting updates about our partner’s news Please check your inbox to verify your email address We will keep you posted on all the good stuff Kent has to offer KENT PRESS & BROADCAST AWARDSMAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2023Magazine of the Year 2022Magazine of the Year 2020Magazine of the Year 2019Magazine of the Year 2018Design of the Year 2017 SALES : +447510 066 610EDITORIAL + STUDIO © 2017-2025 CENE MEDIA LTD | All rights Reserved | All content on this website is not to be copied or distributed | ‘cene® and KEEPITKENT® are Registered Trademarks of CENE MEDIA LTD A SPACED AGENCY WEBSITE Police have urged members of the public to call 999 if they see a man reported missing from Hythe Sam Elam left his home in St Leonards Road during the early hours of Sunday The 30-year-old was then captured by a CCTV camera walking along the Hythe Ranges at 2.30am A still image from the CCTV footage has been released by police Another image of Sam has been provided by his family to help in his identification and location which can be seen above A spokesperson for Kent Police said that the image is “several years old but believed to be the most recent taken and still a good likeness Anyone who sees Sam or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 999 quoting reference 02-0480 Get more news from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE. Lyminge and Ashford's Christmas Fair on 30th November Get into the holiday spirit this year at the Age UK Hythe The fair promises to be a magical day filled with festive cheer Whether you're looking for unique Christmas gifts the Christmas Fair will have something for everyone The event is the perfect way to support the local community while enjoying the holiday atmosphere There will be plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained and holiday tunes to get everyone in the festive mood so bring your family and friends along to celebrate the start of the Christmas season All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the vital work Age UK Hythe Lyminge & Ashford does in the community Your web browser is out of date. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience You can continue to the site using your current browser Thank you to the residents of Folkestone & Hythe and Dover districts who have significantly boosted their food waste recycling Since bright bin stickers were rolled out in the autumn over 200 extra tonnes of food waste have been recycled in just 15 weeks Folkestone & Hythe residents recycled 14% more food waste while those living in Dover district have increased their rate by 11% compared to the previous year Recycling food waste creates biogas and fertiliser not only reducing the reliance on fossil fuels to power our homes but also bringing down chemical fertiliser use on farms It also uses less energy and is much less costly to manage than mixing food with general rubbish it can also help households see what is not being used and take steps to reduce waste and save money themselves The great response to this campaign shows residents are keen to play their part in recycling even more The stickers remind residents to use their caddies for food waste rather than binning it while a free roll of caddy liners and tips helped encourage people to recycle more food waste This initiative is being rolled out more widely by us working with many local councils and stickers will be hitting bins in Canterbury and Maidstone this spring You can help support even more recycling across Kent by completing a short survey on your habits to inform future campaigns and services By completing the survey you have a chance to win one of five £50 shopping vouchers Take part in the survey updates and information from us direct to your inbox For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 04:15 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average