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PRAISE FOR WALMER'S FESTIVE LIGHTS
Walmer Parish Council has announced the winners in its annual Christmas lights competition. Awards for the most impressive festive lights displays by local householders go to: Mrs Lesley Farlow and her family at The Maltings; Mr Steve Fuller of Newlands Drive; and Elizabeth and Robert Peacock of Generals Meadow, St Clare Road. Residents in Blake Close, off Grams Road, were commended for their impressive community effort. (December 23, 2009)GASWORKS SCHEME GETS "GO AHEAD"
Plans for a doctors' surgery, community centre and housing on the former gasworks site in Cannon Street, Deal have been given the green light. On Thursday, 17 December, Dover Council's planning committee approved the scheme subject to finalising various conditions with the developers. (December 23, 2009)GLASSY PAVEMENTS ARE "SNOW JOKE"
Failure to deal with Saturday's (19 December) heavy snowfall in Deal's
main shopping area has been condemned by town mayor Cllr Bill Gardner.
He is reported to have criticised Kent Highways and Dover Council for
the lack of snow clearance and gritting on what was expected to be the
busiest shopping day before Christmas. He said: " Walking on the
pavements was like sliding on glass." A spokesman for Dover Council
said that although pedestrian precincts and pavements are the responsibility
of the highways unit, his council was providing support through its own
contractors. Kent Highways said that the scale of the problem - with over
4,000 miles of pavements - meant that clearing and gritting had to be
prioritised. If anyone considered that a particular pathway merited priority
treatment they should call the unit on 
0845 824 7800.
"STREETLIGHT STORM" ON DEAL PIER
A novel art project that will see lights along Deal Pier flicker in time with lightning strikes as they happen across the world begins on Monday (21 December). Entitled "Streetlight Storm", it is the work of artist Katie Paterson and relies on antenna on the pier picking up lightning discharges from as far away as the North Pole and North Africa. These are then used to modulate the pier lights. As the pattern of the lightning strikes changes, so the pier lights will change to show the power and drama of the storms. The artwork will be switched on at 4.30pm on 21 December and continue every evening until 30 January 2010, with lights on from around 5pm to 10pm Sundays to Thursdays and all night on Fridays and Saturdays. (December 17, 2009)GERRY'S STORM PICTURE LANDS HIM WILDLIFE PHOTO HONOUR
Keen local amateur photographer Gerry Costa has, this week, been awarded the second place in the Landscape and Coastal category of the Kent Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 contest. His picture of a fierce storm lashing the beach at Deal on Easter Saturday in March 2008 won over the judges in the Kent Wildlife Trust's competition. Gerry's photo has already proved very popular with Deal residents and visitors, a number of whom have bought copies to send to friends and relatives across the world.
TORIES WIN CRUCIAL TOWN COUNCIL SEAT
Labour has lost overall control of Deal Town Council following the election of Conservative candidate Carol Stickler. Turnout for the by-election poll on Thursday, 3 December was low with only 21.26 percent of local voters taking part. Results of the poll were: Carol Stickler (Conservative) - 529 votes; Eleanor Mary Inch (Labour) - 337 votes; and Nathan Bernard Sewell (Liberal Democrat) - 198 votes. The by-election followed the resignation of former mayor Sue Delling. (December 11, 2009)ON-LINE PETITION FOR BETTER LOCAL TRANSPORT SERVICES
Local people are being asked to support a drive to encourage transport operators to improve services and so persuade more folk to travel by bus or train. Environmental group Deal With It has launched a petition calling for faster, more frequent and affordable services that would make leaving the car at home an attractive option. They also want to see far better facilities for cyclists, making it easier to use a bike to cover short journeys to and from stations. To see or sign the petition, go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/cleantravellingdealkent. Deal With It has web pages at http://transitiondeal.blogspot.com. (December 11, 2009)
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES FOR 2009
A round-up of local services over the Christmas and New Year period....
DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL
The main council offices at Whitfield will be closed from 5pm
on Thursday 24 December to 9am on Monday 4 January.
The Deal area office will close at 3pm on Thursday 24 December
and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 5 January.
All refuse and recycling collection days are "as normal" except:
Refuse: No collections on Friday 25 December. (The two weeks' refuse
will be taken on Friday 1 January.)
Black Box Recycling: No collections on Friday 25 December. (The
next black box collection is on Friday 8 January.)
Green Waste Recycling: There will be no collections after Thursday
24 December until they start again on Monday 11 January.
Collection times may vary so please ensure waste is out for collection
by 7am.
Deal Pier will be closed all day on Friday 25 December (Christmas
Day).
Other opening times over the holiday period are:
Wednesday 23 December: 8am - 10pm.
Thursday 24 December: 8am - 4pm.
Saturday 26 December: 10am - 6pm.
Sunday 27, Monday 28, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 December: 8am - 10pm.
Thursday 31 December: 8am - 4pm.
Friday 1 January: 10am - 6pm.
For more details, see the Dover District Council website
or call 01304
872428.
SPORTS CENTRES
The Dover and Tides leisure centres, run by Vista Leisure for Dover District Council, will be closed Thursday 24, Friday 25, Saturday 26, and Thursday 31 December and also Friday 1 January. For further details please contact Vista Leisure.
WALMER PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Office will close at 2.30pm on Friday 18 December and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 5 January.
BUS SERVICES
Services by local bus operator, Stagecoach:
Normal services up to Sunday 20 December.
Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December: Monday to Friday school
holiday timetables.
Thursday 24 December (Christmas Eve): Monday to Friday school holiday
timetables during the day with an early finish.
Buses will stop running between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Locally, affected routes
are: routes 13, 13A, 14 and 14A - no buses after 8.50pm with the last
journeys on these services at 7.34pm (14) from Deal (South Street) and
7.25pm (13A) from Canterbury.
Friday 25 December (Christmas Day): no buses will be running.
Saturday 26 December (Boxing Day): no buses will be running.
Sunday 27 December: Sunday timetable.
Monday 28 December: Sunday timetable.
Tuesday 29 December: Saturday service *.
Wednesday 30 December: Saturday service *.
Thursday 31 December: Saturday service *.
Friday 1 January: no buses will be running *.
Saturday 2 January: normal Saturday timetable.
* there are a few exceptions for services in other areas.
For more information:
08456 002299 or see the company's website
RAIL SERVICES
South Eastern Trains services are as follows:
Friday 25 December (Christmas Day): no services (apart from limited
services on Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express).
The rail company will operate modified services from Monday 21 December to Sunday 3 January inclusive. For details, see the SouthEastern website .
CHURCH SERVICES
Details of local church services at Christmas, are included in December's coming events.
ROYAL MAIL POSTING DEADLINES
Recommended final posting dates for UK mail:
Tuesday 15 December for Standard Parcels.
Friday 18 December for Second Class letters.
Monday 21 December for First Class letters.
Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery.
International Airmail final posting dates are:
Thursday 10 December: USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern Europe.
Friday 11 December: Western Europe.
(December 5, 2009 - updated December 9, 2009)
SEEKING NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR
Walmer Parish Council will be inviting applications from people who would like to be considered for a vacancy that has occured. It follows the resignation of Councillor Vanessa Harrison due to the extra demands of a promotion at work. Details of the arrangements for co-opting the new member of the council will be available shortly. Applicants for the voluntary position need to provide a written application and brief CV by the closing date of Wednesday, 3 February. Selection of the new member will be made at the full meeting of the parish council on Wednesday, 10 February. For more information, contact the Parish Clerk on
01304 381506 or by e-mail:
. (December 7, 2009) NEW MONDAY DATE FOR HAWKSHILL VOLUNTEERS
There's going to be an additional opportunity for people who would like to help in maintaining the Hawkshill Freedown amenity area at Walmer. Members of Walmer Parish Council's Hawkshill Working Group are to introduce regular sessions on the third Monday in each month. They are hoping that adding a weekday session to the current Sunday working parties will prove popular with local retired people. (December 7, 2009)BUS STATION FACELIFT ONLY LIKELY AFTER NEXT APRIL
Walmer parish councillors have taken up the concerns of the Deal Society over the poor appearance of the South Street bus station in Deal. At their November meeting, councillors agreed to press Dover Council to clean and paint the waiting room. In response, the district council says the building is constantly monitored and a contractor used to clean it. Decoration is being considered and any necessary works will be carried out in the coming financial year. (December 7, 2009)'TIS THE SEASON... FOR DODGY E-MAILS
Most users of e-mail will be familiar with unsolicited messages:
apparently
from banks they may or may not have an account with encouraging them to
reveal their account details,
from Nigerian
"officials" offering untold riches in lapsed bank accounts,
or
inviting
them to apply for lottery prizes from draws they haven't even entered.
Other messages can feature dire warnings of the latest computer virus or some other threat involving everything from high cost phone calls to car hijacking. Virtually all of these are either attempts by crooks to steal your money or mischievous bogus warnings - and recently there has been a marked increase in this type of dodgy "spam".
Kent Trading Standards and most financial bodies advise not to respond to unsolicited requests involving your finances. Banks never use e-mail to ask for your account details which, of course, they know already. And in the case of those dire warnings - often accompanied by a request to pass them on to everyone you know - it's worth checking their veracity before circulating them further. Typing a few key words into Google (or another search engine) could well reveal it is a hoax! There are also several websites that advise on scams, hoaxes and urban myths and a good one to look at is Hoax Slayer at www.hoax-slayer.com. Other reliable sources of information on how to avoid being fooled or cheated when using the Internet include www.banksafeonline.org.uk, www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent and many on-line banking services. (December 5, 2009)
PUBLIC INVITED TO HELP PLAN LOCAL SEA DEFENCES
There's an opportunity on Tuesday, 8 December for local people to take part in planning Deal's future sea flooding defences. Members of The Environment Agency's project team will be in The Chamber of the Town Hall, High Street, Deal from 2pm to 8pm. People are being encouraged to drop in and see initial proposals for improving sea defences between Sandwich Bay Estate and Deal Castle. In Deal, these could involve construction of a low wave wall between the Royal Hotel and Deal Castle, adding more shingle on the beach and extra rock to strengthen the beach north of Sandown Castle. There could also be an improved cycletrack and footpath along the promenade and inclusion of lighting, seating, shelter areas and planting in any new sea wall. The project is at a very early stage. Having gathered local views and ideas, the project team will then prepare outline designs which the public will be invited to see and comment on at local displays expected to be held in 2010. For more details see: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ and search on "Sandwich Deal". (December 4, 2009)
SATURDAY'S STORMS CLOSE DEAL PIER
THREE IN CONTEST FOR DEAL TOWN COUNCIL SEAT
There are three candidates for the vacant North Deal Ward seat
on Deal Town Council. They are:
Eleanor Mary Inch (Labour) of 7 Western Road, Deal;
Nathan Bernard Sewell (Liberal Democrat) of 121 Blenheim Road, Deal; and
Carol Stickler (Conservative) of 3 Alfred Square, Deal.
The election follows the resignation of former mayor Sue Delling and will
be held on Thursday, 3 December.
(November 11, 2009)
PARISHES ASKED TO TAKE ON CASH-STRAPPED COUNCIL'S SERVICES
Fears of severe cuts in cash grants from central government and public demand for any council tax increases to be limited have prompted Dover Council to ask local town and parish councils to consider taking over a number of services. The district council says it needs to cut its spending by £2.3million over the next two years and suggests this is likely to mean dropping services like grass cutting and the operation of public toilets and children's playgrounds. It is hoping that the smaller local authorities, which do not have the same strict spending controls imposed by government on district and county councils, will pick up the bill. It is understood that representatives from the district, town and parish councils will be meeting in coming days to see what can be agreed to safeguard the threatened services. (November 11, 2009)NEW COUNCILLOR NEEDED FOR WALMER PARISH COUNCIL
There is a vacant seat on Walmer Parish Council following the resignation of parish councillor Vanessa Harrison. This can be filled by election if the Returning Officer at Dover Council receives a valid request for an election before Tuesday, 24 November. If an election is called and there is more than one candidate the poll then has to be held before 1 February 2010. Notices giving details of the vacancy and the electoral arrangements have been posted on parish council notice boards at Walmer. (November 11, 2009)ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BAND CONCERT ON SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Steve Misson, the proprietor of the Walmer-based company Cinque Port Music, has arranged for the Central Band of the Royal British Legion to give a concert in the Winter Gardens, Margate on Sunday 15 November. He's promising "an entertaining programme under the baton of Captain David Cole, the former Royal Marines Director of Music of HM Royal Yacht Britannia". The concert is something of a milestone for Steve, being the 50th he's organised and will include many popular film themes. The same programme was recently performed in Southwark Cathedral, London, and received a double standing ovation. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are now on sale at £9, £10 and £11, available from Cinque Port Music on
01304 362181 and at the door on the night (subject to availability).
(November 9, 2009) SIGNS TO WELCOME VISITORS
Two separate initiatives to make Deal more welcoming to visitors are in the pipeline. Deal Town Council is to install two new "Welcome to Deal" road signs on the London Road approach and outside Deal Castle. For people exploring on foot, the area's historic information boards are to have a facelift thanks to county councillor Julie Rook deciding to use her KCC special projects allowance to pay for the work. (November 6, 2009)
CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO "APPALLING" BUS STATION
Members of a local conservation group are asking when something is going to be done to improve facilities for bus and coach passengers at Deal's South Street bus station. Robin Green, the chairman of The Deal Society, says they have received a number of complaints and they consider the area to be in an "appalling state". He slates the "sub-standard facilities" at what he maintains is an important amenity for both residents and visitors. His society's members believe that development of good public transport is crucial to the local economy and tourism.
Although there are long term plans to improve the South Street area, no definite dates or money for the work have been allocated. Dover District Council says any regeneration of South Street will be a joint venture involving district and parish councillors, Kent Highways and the Stagecoach bus operators. In an attempt to get some action, Robin Green has written to local district councillors asking them to look into the matter and say when regeneration of the South Street bus station is likely to happen. The Deal Society's concerns will also be discussed by Walmer Parish Council at its meeting on Wednesday, 11 November. (November 6, 2009)
YELLOW LINES REQUESTED TO SOLVE LORRY HAZARD
Concerns about regular parking of a lorry opposite the junction of Church Street and Court Road, Walmer have prompted Walmer parish councillors to ask Kent Highways to install double yellow lines. Councillors agreed with local residents' fears that parking at this point created a serious hazard for other road users. (November 6, 2009)
DVD OF MARINES' 2009 CONCERT NOW ON SALE
A DVD of the concert and march by the Royal Marines Band at Walmer on 12 July 2009 is now available. The event, which was seen by an estimated 10,000 people, marked the 20th anniversary of the bombing by the IRA of the Walmer School of Music in which 11 musicians were killed. Profits from the DVD will help towards maintenance and the programme of concerts on the memorial bandstand at Walmer Green. Price £15, the "Band Plays On" DVD is on sale at a number of local outlets including: The RMA Club, The Strand; Walmer Stores, Dover Road; The Kings Head, Beach Street; and Mark One Music, Victoria Road. (November 5, 2009)YOUNG PEOPLE INVITED TO HAVE A STRONGER SAY IN THEIR SERVICES
There's an opportunity for young people between 11 and 17 years of age to have an effective voice in the provision of local services for youth. Kent Youth Service is currently working with local councils to set up a Youth Council for the CT14 postcode area (which, of course, includes Deal and Walmer). Up to 23 local youngsters can be members of the Youth Council which is due to start meeting in December. Membership of the new forum is by election and anyone interested in putting their name forward as a candidate needs to submit a completed application by Tuesday, 17 November. Training will be available to help with debating skills and there will be regular opportunities to meet with local councillors to discuss issues affecting young people. More details and application forms are available from local secondary schools; Deal Town Hall; Walmer Parish Council's office in Victoria Road, Deal; the East Kent Mercury office in Queen Street, Deal; and The Area Youth Office at Linwood Youth Centre in Mill Road, Deal
01304 375559). (November 5, 2009)
CASH BOOST FOR CANNON STREET "GASWORKS" SCHEME
Redevelopment of the former Cannon Street gasworks site in Deal has received a boost thanks to a £2-million Government grant. The award to developers Mildvalley and Statelane comes from the Homes and Communities Agency as part of their Kickstart scheme designed to help the construction industry in the current recession. The plans for the site - which include 69 new homes, a doctors' surgery and a community centre - have received a thumbs up from Deal Town Council and now await a final decision on whether they can go ahead from Dover Council's planning committee. (November 5, 2009)CHARITY CARD STALL IN LOCAL LIBRARY
The annual "Cards For Good Causes" stall will be in Deal Library from Monday, 2 November until Friday, 18 December. Run by volunteers between 10am and 4pm every day except Sundays, the project hands over 75p from every pound it receives to the individual charities. (October 31, 2009)
FOOTBALL PLAYERS CRY "FOUL" AT DOGS' MESS PROBLEM
Concerns have been raised over dog fouling problems at the Betteshanger sports ground off Cavell Square, Deal. Local sports club organisers say that they often have to remove dogs' mess from the games areas before young players can hold their matches. Apart from having to cope with the unpleasant task, there are serious concerns at the health risks from the toxocariasis parasite often present in dogs' mess. Dog owners are being urged to make an extra effort to clean up behind their pets and Lynne Miller, secretary for Betteshanger Youth Football is appealing for donations to help provide dog waste bins for the site. To contact her by e-mail, . (October 31, 2009)
POLL ANNOUNCED FOR VACANT TOWN COUNCIL SEAT
Prospective candidates for a vacant seat on Deal Town Council have until 12noon on Friday, 6 November to get their nomination papers in to the Returning Officer at Dover Council's offices at Whitfield. The vacancy - for the North Deal Ward - follows the resignation of former mayor Sue Delling. If contested by more than one candidate, the election will be on Thursday, 3 December. (October 31, 2009)
END OF LATE AFTERNOON FREE PARKING
The "free parking after 4pm" concession in a number of Dover Council carparks finishes today (Saturday, 31 October). The late afternoon free parking was introduced in April to compensate users for problems with changing ticket prices to reflect the Government's VAT reduction. There will be free parking on Thursday, 26 November in a couple of Dover Council's carparks close to the Deal Christmas Lights Switch-on outside St George's Church in the High Street. The "free for one day" carparks are at: Union Road, St George's, the Town Hall and Stanhope Road and the switch-on is scheduled for 7.30pm. (October 31, 2009)
JACKIE STEPS DOWN AFTER 13 YEARS
Walmer Parish Council's clerk for the past 13 years, Jackie Warrington, is to step down in the New Year. Her decision to resign means that the Council will be advertising the post over coming weeks and holding interviews for applicants in mid-November. At their Council Meeting on Wednesday, 14 October, parish councillors agreed that the advertised post would be for a 26-hour week spread over four days, Tuesday to Friday. The salary for the part-time post will be based on an approved local government scale for a full-time equivalent salary of between £22,221 and £28,635. The successful applicant will be appointed on the scale according to their qualifications and experience. Councillors voiced their appreciation of Jackie's service to the parish council and recorded a vote of thanks for her work over the past 13 years. (October 21, 2009)
A three-week drive to combat anti-social behaviour and crime is about to be launched by Kent Police. The Not In My Neighbourhood campaign will run from Monday, 19 October until Sunday, 8 November and aims to reduce incidents which are considered to have the greatest impact on local people. To achieve this Kent Police will be working closely with Neighbourhood Watch, local councils, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Clean Kent, the Probation Services, the Kent and Medway Camera Safety Partnership, Kent County Council and the Medway Unitary Authority. The campaign covers the half term school break and the Halloween and firework celebrations.
The campaign will focus on three major concerns:
Crime and disorder - this will include action to reduce incidents of anti-social
behaviour associated with Halloween and fireworks and protect the most
vulnerable members of our communities.
Anti-social use
of vehicles - this will include specialist patrols targeting those motorists
who put lives at risk through the use of inappropriate speed, using mobile
phones, not wearing seatbelts, driving uninsured/un-roadworthy/untaxed
vehicles and off-road motorcycling.
Environmental anti-social
behaviour - action to improve the environment through the removal of graffiti,
rubbish and abandoned/untaxed vehicles. Enforcement activity will include
the identification and targeting of those individuals/companies who are
responsible for fly-tipping. (October 16,
2009)
PUBLIC'S VIEWS SOUGHT ON LOCAL SCHOOLS' MERGER
The public is to have an opportunity to comment on proposals to merge the area's two secondary schools - Walmer Science College and Castle Community College. The possible amalgamation is suggested in a County Council report that forecasts a falling local student population and recommends closing both schools and creating a new school on the Castle College site in Mill Road, Deal - possibly to open in 2013. County councillors have agreed that the public and the school governors should have their say and public meetings are scheduled at Castle College on Tuesday, 17 November at 7pm and at Walmer College on Wednesday, 18 November at 7pm. (October 15, 2009)
QUILTERS HAVE IT ALL SEWN UP WITH 1,600 GIFTS
Scores of youngsters placed in foster care will be receiving a special gift thanks to the work of a charitable quilt-making project supported by patchwork enthusiasts from across the county. On Friday, 9 October members of quilting groups from Aldington, Faversham, Whitstable and Thanet met in Walmer to hand over their latest batch of 50 quilts to representatives of the National Fostering Network. There were also a further 15 quilts for a Maidstone-based charity for homeless teenagers and adults.
Organiser Terrance Gilbert of Church Street, Walmer started the Kent project in 1995, inspired by American quilting expert Becky Brown's "Helping Hands" scheme. He said: "I contacted Becky who readily agreed to my using the Helping Hands name and developing something similar here in Kent."
He estimates that, in all, his teams of enthusiatic patchworkers have made over 1,600 quilts for donation to good causes. Recipients of the beautifully made quilts include fostered youngsters, premature babies at a Sidcup hospital and people needing the welfare services of organisations like the Maidstone Christian Care and the Church Housing Trust in Sittingbourne. Dozens of quilts have also been donated as raffle prizes, helping good causes to raise much needed funds. Terrance said the total amount raised through the quilts was unknown but guessed it must be "several thousand pounds by now".
Helping Hands supporters in Kent normally get together two or three times a year for a work day. Many other quilts are produced by groups at their meetings or by individuals working at home. A highlight of many meetings is the heart-warming letters received from foster parents and others explaining how a donated quilt has become a treasured possession. Terrance explained: "Everyone involved in the project gains. The quilters have the satisfaction of using their skills to benefit others. And for the recipients, many of whom are experiencing emotional or social problems, it is compelling evidence that others - complete strangers - genuinely do care about them." (October 15, 2009)
MOVES TO SORT OUT SEAFRONT PROBLEMS
Dover Council has responded to concerns raised by Walmer Parish Council over vehicles parking on the seafront footpath and unauthorised parking and development at the boat sheds at Walmer Green. The district council says its fencing contractors have now carried out works near the seafront Scout Hut to to protect the grass and the cycle track and footpath. Planned introduction of a closed circuit television camera should help in recording any future illegal parking or use of the footpath. The boat shed owners are also being contacted to remind them of the licencing conditions for use of the beach plots. The district council says it will be updating and strengthening its licence conditions for next April and anticipates that where an offending licensee does not comply after two written warnings the annual licence will not be renewed. (October 12, 2009)FREE RAIL TRAVEL FOR OVER-60S?
Walmer parish councillors are being asked to support a campaign to extend the current senior citizens' free bus pass scheme to cover free train travel in Kent after 9.30am each day. Writing to the parish council, Mr Harry Farrow of Kemsley near Sittingbourne suggests that the extra concession would help some over-60s seek work rather than claim benefits and could improve the environment by reducing car usage. He cites the London freedom pass and a similar scheme in Derbyshire that include free or reduced-price rail travel as examples of what can be achieved "with the right will". Parish councillors will discuss Mr Farrow's campaign at their council meeting on Wednesday (14 October). (October 12, 2009)FEARS OF FEWER AND SLOWER RAIL SERVICES FROM DEAL AND WALMER
Concerns have been raised about a poorer rail service from Deal and Walmer stations to London when the full high-speed train services from Ramsgate and Dover start in December. Deal's Mayor Cllr Bill Gardner is reported to have fears that slower and less frequent services outlined in a draft timetable could damage the local economy. He is calling for Deal and other local stations to be added to the high-speed service and says he is asking local MP Gwyn Prosser for his support. Conservative prospective candidate for Dover and Deal Charlie Elphicke has taken up the issue of the "unwelcome timetable changes" with the rail operators, emphasising the importance to commuters of maintaining frequent through services from local stations to Charing Cross and Victoria. The draft timetables can be downloaded on the SouthEastern Trains website at www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/ (September 10, 2009 - updated October 12, 2009)LIBRARY CAN HELP WITH HOMEWORK WOES
Youngsters who would like some extra help with their studies could find staff in Deal Library have the answer to their prayers. Not that the librarians will do their homework for them! But where help in needed in finding information on-line or in books, the staff will be able to provide expert advice. Students can drop in to the Broad Street Library in Deal after school when there is free use of computers and printers as necessary. For details, visit the Library or call
01304 861100. (October
8, 2009) Mary Millgate of Kent Trading Standards in Ashford says that there has been a big increase in "scam mailings" with elderly people prime targets. She warns that criminals from all over the world are sending scam letters into Britain, often with a Royal Mail printed stamp to give the impression they are from the UK. A wide range of ploys - including bogus prize draws, clairvoyants' services and fake lotteries - can be used to try to relieve people of their money. Wording of the letters can be manipulative and even sinister and victims are often sworn to secrecy.
According to www.thinkjessica.com, a website set up by Marilyn Baldwin whose late mother was a scam victim, millions of elderly people are being befriended, tricked and threatened by criminals. It can lead to older or confused people emptying bank accounts and selling homes to keep up with scammers' demands. Trading Standards, Citizens Advice, Help the Aged and Age Concern organisations are all said to have received reports of victims in this country. The problem is believed to be much greater than many would believe possible. Marilyn says that £3.5 billion is sent to scammers each year and only one in five victims comes forward. In just one example, 22,000 elderly victims replied to one scam in one day sending around £500,000. Marilyn has relaunched her campaign, helped by a report on GMTV on 1 October. Anyone needing advice about scam mail or wishing to report a scam should contact Consumer Direct on
08454 040506. There's also a booklet "A Smart Guide to Scams"
available online at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/documents/AE
factsheets/The smart guide to scams.pdf.
(October 8, 2009) PROMOTION FOR LORNA
Deal Town Council has a new deputy town clerk. She is Lorna Crow who has served as the mayor's secretary for the past three years. Lorna will work with Linda Dykes who was recently appointed as town clerk following the retirement of Leslie Bullman. The staff changes mean that the town council is now seeking a new mayor's secretary and also has a vacancy for a clerical officer. (October 8, 2009)BEWARE OF DODGY ADVERTISING OFFERS
Kent Trading Standards are warning all businesses in Kent to be wary of unsolicited calls offering advertising space in local community magazines. The callers usually explain that the publication is linked in some way to the fire brigade, ambulance service or local schools in the hope of traders feeling obliged to agree to assist their local community. Examples include a doctor's surgery contacted and given the impression that by placing an advert they would be contributing to Cancer Research, a company told that the Guild of Master Craftsman had asked that they sign up to their advertising and schools contacted and given the impression that by placing adverts they will help the local community by supporting the ambulance or fire services.
Often there is no actual advertisement and, if one is produced, it is of very poor quality. Trading Standards advise terminating such calls immediately to avoid answering questions which when played back, give the impression you have entered into a contract. To report these dubious approaches, contact Consumer Direct on
08454 040506. (September
23, 2009) CRACKDOWN ON SEATBELT AND MOBILE PHONE OFFENDERS
Motorists who break the law by not wearing seatbelts or using mobile phones while driving could be in for a nasty shock. The Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership say that, starting in October, they will be deploying mobile camera vans on the county's roads to film motorists speeding or committing seatbelt or phone offences. People who are spotted face having three penalty points on their driving licence plus a £60 fine for each speeding, seatbelt or mobile phone offence. For more details, see: www.kmscp.org. (September 17, 2009)SEAFRONT CINEMA IS PROPOSED
The former Regent Bingo Hall on Deal seafront could be given a new lease of life as a cinema. It is reported that Screen on the Green promoter George Wood is approaching the owners of the building, Dover District Council, to see if a deal can be struck to bring the building back into use. The Regent was originally a cinema, then became a venue for bingo players and, faced with dwindling numbers, closed its doors in January. Mr Wood considers there is a strong demand for a local cinema in the town. The art deco building is seen as an ideal location but will require considerable work to restore it as a regular centre for film entertainment. (September 17, 2009)NEW YEAR OPENING FORECAST FOR ASTOR THEATRE
Deal Arts Management, the group spearheading the refurbishment of Deal's Astor Theatre, says it is making good progress and hopes to re-open the building early in 2010. Although they have received grants of over £50,000 from local councils, there is a need for more funds to complete the work. A series of fund raising events is being planned including film shows later this month in the St George's Hall, off Deal High Street. (September 10, 2009)WEEKEND CELEBRATION OF FOLK MUSIC HERITAGE
Deal's annual Maritime Folk Festival starts on Friday, 18 September and is promising three days of top-line folk music with international and local artists. Full details of the events - in local halls and pubs and at outdoor venues - can be found in a free leaflet available from the Landmark Centre and various outlets in Deal. Many events are free and tickets for the main concerts can be purchased from the Sound House, High Street, Deal. For more details see the Folk Festival website. (September 10, 2009)TRANSYLVANIAN YOUTH BAND TO PLAY LOCALLY
Young musicians from Transylvania are heading for East Kent. The members of a youth brass band from Transylvania, Romania, will be giving several local performances to help promote the work of the White Cross Mission which cares for young people rescued from orphanages. On Thursday, 15 October they will appear with the Manwood Singers at Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich. The next day (Friday, 16 October) they will perform with the choir at St Mary's Church in Walmer and on Saturday, 17 October they will give a concert with the Wind Orchestra at St Edmund's Catholic School in Dover. For more on the concerts, call Rosalind Shawcross on
01304 374755 or
. There's more on the White Cross Mission project on www.casadelureni.com.
(September
8, 2009) "WAITING MINER" HEADS FOR FOWLMEAD
Dover Council planning committee has agreed to the re-siting of a bronze statue from Dover seafront to the A258 roadside verge alongside the entrance to Fowlmead Country Park near Sholden, Deal. The statue, known as the Waiting Miner, was originally located at the former Richborough Power Station and, in the 1980s, was moved to Dover. The decision to place it at Fowlmead follows a long-running campaign by people who felt that the commemorative statue should be located within the former Kent coalfields of which Fowlmead is part. Timing of the move has yet to be announced. (September 3, 2009)
FACELIFT FOR SHOPPERS' ALLEY
The narrow St George's Alley linking Deal High Street with Middle Street has been brightened up thanks to the artistic efforts of local church members and businesses. Members of the local St George's Church youth group were among those who have created several bright murals and the passageway has been tidied up by relocating a waste bin and regular sweeping by local traders. (September 3, 2009)
YOUNG CYCLISTS TO SUPPORT AFRICAN "COW AID" PROJECT
Local youngsters and their parents are being urged to join in the Rotary Club of Deal’s second Bike-a-Cow sponsored cycle ride at Fowlmead Country Park on Saturday, 19 September. Over the past few weeks a team of Rotarians has been visiting local primary schools to recruit pupils to undertake ten laps of the Park's 0.9-mile cycle track. Participants are provided with a sponsorship form to raise money for the Christian charity Send-a-Cow, established in 1988 to help rural families in several African countries.
The novel scheme provides a pregnant British Friesian cow to a family who have received all the necessary training to look after the animal. Its calf is then passed on to another family. Friesian cows provide around ten times more milk than African cows and the new owners are taught how to use the animal's manure to enrich the land and its urine as an insecticide. Send-a-Cow now breeds the cows in Africa to save on transportation and also donates plants, bees, chickens and many more items to African families to enable them to become more self-sufficient and healthy. They are also encouraged to pass on their learning and surplus to others in desperate need. There's more on the scheme on www.sendacow.org.uk/ and for further information about the local cycle ride call
01304 366929. (September
2, 2009) COUNCIL CASH ON OFFER FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Local voluntary groups are being urged to bid for cash to help
with their work. Grants of up to £5,000 are being offered by the
Dover District Neighbourhood Forums for projects that will benefit the
community. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 30 September.
For details, see www.doverdc.co.uk/community/neighbourhood_forums/funding
_information.aspx. (August
27, 2009)
WEEK OF WALKS TO SEE OUR BEST COUNTRYSIDE AND COASTLINE
There's an opportunity for people to combine healthy exercise with exploring
some of the best local countryside during the second Deal Walking Festival
being held next week. Open to local residents and visitors, there is a
range of organised walks between six and 12 miles. Most of the walks involve
taking public transport to reach the start or to return to Deal. They
include:
Sunday, 30 August - Duke of York's roundabout-St Margaret's-Deal
(10 miles), meet South Street, Deal at 9.45am to catch 9.47am bus.
Monday, 31 August - Deal-Sandwich (6 miles), meet South Street,
Deal at 10am.
Tuesday, 1 September - St Margaret's-Ringwould-Deal (6 miles),
meet South Street, Deal at 9.15am to catch 9.19am bus.
Wednesday, 2 September - Walmer Castle carpark-Hawkshill Freedown-Kingsdown
Woods-Walmer Castle (4 miles), meet Walmer Castle carpark at 9.45am.
Thursday, 3 September - Worth-Eastry-Finglesham-Deal (7 miles),
meet South Street, Deal at 10am to catch 10.02am bus.
Friday, 4 September - Duke of York's roundabout-Guston-Sutton Vale-Deal
(7 miles), meet South Street, Deal at 9.15am to catch 9.19am bus.
Saturday, 5 September - Wingham-Chillenden-Eastry-Finglesham-Deal
(12 miles), meet South Street, Deal at 10am to catch 10.02am bus.
For more details and to check times, call Alan Sutton on
01304 375079. (August
27, 2009)
25TH YEAR FOR SPONSORED CHURCH RIDE
Saturday, 12 September sees the 25th anniversary of The Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Ride and Walk. The fund-raising day is open to the public - whether churchgoers or not - and provides an opportunity for people to raise money for their choice of local church or chapel. Participants ask friends and colleagues to sponsor them for visiting as many churches as possible by bike or on foot between 10am and 6pm on the Saturday.
Among the local churches that will be open to welcome participants are:
Deal: St George The Martyr, St George’s Road; St Thomas, Blenheim
Road; St Andrew, St Andrews Road; St John the Evangelist, St Richard’s
Road; Victoria Baptist, Victoria Road; St Leonard, Rectory Road; St Richard,
Mill Hill; and Trinity Church, Union Road.
Walmer: Blessed Mary of Walmer, Church Street; St Mary the Virgin,
St Clare Road; St Saviour, The Strand; and Baptist Church, Dover Road.
Great Mongeham: St Martin.
Kingsdown: St John the Evangelist.
Ripple: St Mary the Virgin.
Sholden: St Nicholas, London Road.
For more information, see www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/bike_ride.php
or contact Carolyn Millen on
01622 843383 or by e-mail:
. (August
21, 2009)
HIGH SPEED TRAINS TO RUN FROM DOVER IN SEPTEMBER
Southeastern Trains will be introducing a limited service for its new high-speed Javelin trains from Dover Priory station to London St Pancras on Monday, 7 September. This follows the preview service between Ashford and London started in June. For Dover commuters, it will reduce journey time to just over an hour - a saving of 38 minutes on the current service. Fares for the new high-speed service are single £32.70; return £55.10 and weekly season £114.40. The initial service from Dover provides two morning and early evening peak-time services. The full high-speed service is due to start in December. For more details, see: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk. (August 21, 2009)
| SUNNY SUCCESS FOR WALMER'S PICNIC | ||||
| Brilliant sunshine and a sparkling programme of entertainment guaranteed the success of Walmer Parish Council's annual community picnic on Saturday, 8 August. For an estimated 1,000 local residents who flocked to Walmer Green there was music from local bands, an opportunity to learn about the work of local voluntary groups, some children's rides and - not least - a relaxing picnic with friends and families. Cllr Christine Orridge, chairman of the parish council's events working party, said she was delighted at the continuing public support for the event. She added: "After last year's poor weather for the picnic, this year's sunshine is really welcome." Clearly Walmer residents agreed! | ||||
|
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| WalmerWeb recorded some of the afternoon's activities and - in addition to pictures here - you'll find more in the WalmerWeb local events photo album. (August 8, 2009) |
NEW BOOKLET TO HELP THWART THE CHEATS
As part of its activities to provide advice and guidance to consumers and businesses, Kent Trading Standards has published a booklet "The Smart Guide to Scams - How to deal with doorstep criminals, scam mail and unwanted phone calls". To get a copy, e-mail tsadvice@kent.gov.uk or view it on line at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/...smart guide to scams.pdf.
Trading Standards staff also say they are keen to disrupt the activities
of doorstep criminals by prosecuting the worst offences. However, they
need sufficient evidence and this is where the public can help by reporting
incidents involving doorstep criminals by calling Consumer Direct on
0845 404 0506. Consumer Direct can also provide information on people's
rights as consumers. There's more on their website at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent
and you'll also find a range of good advice and useful contacts on the
WalmerWeb
neighbourhood watch page.
(August 1, 2009)
WALMER'S ANNUAL PICNIC ON 8 AUGUST
Walmer's big annual get-together, the Community Picnic at Walmer Green, is on Saturday, 8 August from 1pm to 4pm. Organised by Walmer Parish Council, the afternoon will feature live music, sideshows and games, a range of displays by local voluntary groups and a flower show. As in previous years, the organisers are expecting a good turnout for the free event. Given fine weather, many are likely to bring a picnic meal and make an afternoon of it. (July 24, 2009)NEW CLERK FOR DEAL TOWN COUNCIL
Deal Town Council is set to appoint a new clerk. She is Mrs Linda Dykes who, following formal approval of the appointment on Monday (27 July), is due to start in her new role on 1 August. Mrs Dykes joined the council as deputy town clerk earlier this year following the resignation of the former deputy Stella Leitner. The latter's troubled departure sparked off an East Kent Audit Partnership investigation into the council's finances and procedures and the retirement in June of Mr Leslie Bulman, the town clerk for 10 years. A major task facing Mrs Dykes will be to help in implementing the recommendations and changes in the EKAP report. (July 24, 2009)
CCTV PLAN FOR SEAFRONT
Residents of The Strand, Dover Road and Canada Road, Walmer are being asked by Dover Council for their views on proposals to locate a CCTV camera on no:1 The Beach. If the money can be found, it is also hoped to install one on a lamp column between the Memorial Bandstand and Lifeboat House. Responses have been requested by the end of July. The move follows concerns raised by Walmer parish councillors over a series of incidents involving criminal damage and theft on this part of the seafront. (July 22, 2009)2010 RETURN DATE FOR THE MARINES
A provisional date of Sunday, 11 July has been agreed for next year’s annual visit by the Royal Marines to the Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green. The actual date is expected to be confirmed early in 2010. The 2009 visit by Royal Marines bandsmen two weeks ago attracted a record crowd of close on 10,000. (July 22, 2009)SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT WALMER
Walmer parish councillors have been giving thought to how to gain even more value from their Walmer Design Statement publication. The glossy illustrated book provides an authoritative view of the parish's past and present day development and is taken into account by Dover Council when deciding local planning applications. Councillors agreed to donate six copies to the Deal Society, up to ten copies to The Downs CEP School, The Parochial School, Walmer Science College, Deal Library and Deal Maritime Museum. There will also be a copy for each winner in the Walmer In Bloom garden competition and the Walmer Picnic Flower Show. Further copies are available for sale at £4.95 from the Parish Office in Victoria Road, Deal and also at Elizabeth House in St Mary's Road, Upper Walmer. (July 22, 2009)MORE CASH TO HELP LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
Several local good causes and voluntary groups are the latest to benefit from Walmer Parish Council cash grants. Organisers of the "Move the Miner" Campaign will get £150 towards St John Ambulance first aid cover at the Kent Miners' Festival on 31 August. There's £400 for the 1st Deal (Walmer) Scout and Guide Hall Committee for improvements to emergency lighting, smoke/heat detection and the gents/boys urinal. And the Deal, Betteshanger and Walmer Rugby Football Club will receive £660 for general maintenance of the playing area and surrounding field. (July 22, 2009)BT WORKS AT HAWKSHILL AGREED
A request from British Telecom for permission to put a cable duct under part of Hawkshill Freedown has received a "thumbs up" from Walmer Parish Council who own the land. The scheme is in conjunction with EDF electricity supply works in the same area. Although there had been some concerns expressed by a local resident over the EDF scheme, councillors considered there were no problems with the location of the substation. It was close to a hedge, one metre off the road and compliant with all normal Health and Safety requirements. (July 22, 2009)BEWARE OF BOGUS TICKET DEALS!
Kent Trading Standards say they have seen an increase in the number of complaints about bogus websites offering tickets for well known music artists, bands, concerts, festivals and sports events. The tickets do not arrive and the trader ignores requests for a refund. Consumers are losing £100s to the fraudsters. The majority of these dodgy websites seem to be hosted outside the UK where there is very little people can do to pursue the trader and get their money back. Trading Standards advise that if you have paid by debit card, switch, solo, electron or cheque, it is unlikely you will see your money again. Although credit card companies might accept liability for failed purchases of over £100, it's obviously not sensible to give card details to dubious traders.
Before buying goods or services on-line, it's a good idea to run a search
on the Internet to find out if other people have used the vendor's website
and are happy with it. Even then, the advice is to be very cautious. For
events, it could well pay to check with the promoter or venue to find
out where tickets are to be sold, to try to buy only from official agencies
and, if possible, pay using a credit card. For more advice on how to deal
with scams, call Consumer Direct on
08454 040506. (July 4, 2009)
A PACKED MONTH OF EVENTS FOR DEAL AND WALMER
There's no lack of things to see and do in Deal and Walmer this month. The Deal Festival of Music and The Arts kicks off on Saturday, 4 July and runs until Saturday, 18 July. Full details are on the Festival Website and the Box Office is at The Sound House, High Street, Deal 01304 381134). Meanwhile
a number of local artists are putting their work on show as part of the
South East Artists Open Studios weekends as well as mounting several
exhibitions in the town. For more details, see their website at www.seasopenstudios.co.uk.
This year's visit by The Royal Marines Band to the Memorial Bandstand
on Walmer Green is at 2pm on Sunday, 12 July. It will mark the 20th anniversary
of the IRA bombing of the former School of Music and is expected to attract
record numbers. Deal Regatta and Carnival Week is from Saturday,
25 to Thursday, 30 July with the Carnival Procession on the Thursday evening.
For more details, see: www.dealcarnival.moonfruit.com.
There's a lot more on offer and you'll find plenty of information in the
July events listings on DealWeb
and WalmerWeb.
(July 2, 2009) END OF LINE FOR DOVER TO DIEPPE FERRY SERVICE
The latest cross-channel ferry operator LD Lines has scrapped its Dover-to-Dieppe service after failing to attract sufficient customers. The completely new route was started in February but, although LD Lines expected it to be popular with people heading for western France, it has not proved financially viable. The company's services to Boulogne are unaffected. (July 2, 2009)