PIER DAMAGED IN CHRISTMAS EVE STORM

POPULAR PICNIC IS ON AGAIN IN AUGUST

SUPPORT FOR LOCAL GROUPS

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN SHOPPING

Kent Trading Standards are reminding shoppers of their consumer rights if they still have Christmas presents to buy or are planning purchases in the New Year sales. They say all goods purchased by consumers should be:
AS DESCRIBED on the packaging, in the advertising or on signs in store;
OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY so they are safe, work properly and are free from defects; and
FIT FOR PURPOSE so they're capable of doing what they are meant for (e.g. a kettle must boil water).

Goods bought on the Internet carry the same rights as those from the high street. In addition, there's a seven day "cooling off" period from the date goods are received, with the right to a full refund regardless of the reason for return - even just a change of mind (unlike buying from a shop). This doesn’t apply to everything though; for example CDs, DVDs or console games where the seal has been broken, perishable or personalised items, or goods that are not in the same condition as when delivered. When you buy goods, your contract is with the retailer not the manufacturer and you should always go back to the retailer in the first instance to request an exchange or refund. If you have a manufacturer's warranty you can contact them as well as the retailer. Don’t delay – act as soon as you discover the problem. You do not need a receipt to obtain a refund for faulty goods. However, you may be required to show proof of purchase with a credit card slip or bank or credit card statement. Although you do not have the legal right to take back goods bought on the high street just because you’ve changed your mind, many stores do offer a "no questions asked" refund or exchange policy, so check the store policy when you buy.

Counterfeit goods are a growing problem so be suspicious about bargains. The price is often a clue – if something is very cheap be wary. Examine the quality of the goods and check labels and packaging for misspellings and poor logos. Take extra care at street markets, car boot sales, computer fairs or on the Internet where it may be more difficult to get in touch with the trader after the purchase. For further consumer advice including tips on how to shop safely on-line, contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.  (December 16, 2010)

EXPERT ADVICE TO MANAGE FESTIVE SPENDING

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES FOR 2010

DealWeb and WalmerWeb's roundup of public services over the 2010 Christmas and 2011 New Year holiday period. Details will be updated regularly....

  BUS SERVICES

Services by local bus operator, Stagecoach:

Normal services up to Sunday 19 December and from Tuesday 4 January.
Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 December: Monday to Friday school holiday timetables.
Friday 24 December (Christmas Eve): Monday to Friday school holiday timetables during the day with an early finish. Buses will stop running by just after 10pm. Locally, affected routes are: routes 13, 14, 14A, 15, 15A and 15X - with the last journeys on these services at 7.14pm (15X) and 7.34pm (14) from Deal (South Street); 5.40pm (15) and 6.35pm (13) from Canterbury. (NB: The 10pm Diamond route 14A from Canterbury to Walmer will not operate.)
Saturday 25 December (Christmas Day): no buses will be running.
Sunday 26 December (Boxing Day): no buses will be running *.
Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December: Sunday timetable.
Wednesday 29 December and Thursday 30 December: school holiday timetables.
Friday 31 December: Monday to Friday school holiday timetables during the day with an early finish. Buses will stop running by just after 10pm. Locally, affected routes are: routes 13, 14, 14A, 15, 15A and 15X - with the last journeys on these services at 7.14pm (15X) and 7.34pm (14) from Deal (South Street); 5.40pm (15) and 6.35pm (13) from Canterbury. (NB: The 10pm Diamond route 14A from Canterbury to Walmer will not operate.)
Saturday 1 January: no buses will be running *.
Sunday 2 January and Monday 3 January: Sunday timetable.

* there are a few exceptions for services in other areas.

For further timetable information: 0871 200 2233 or see the company's website.

  DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL

The main council offices at Whitfield will be closed from 5pm on Friday 24 December to 9am on Tuesday 4 January.
Deal area office (which is located in Deal Library, Broad Street, Deal) will close at 5pm on Friday, 17 December, and reopen after completion of refurbishment work on Deal Library. This is expected to be for about four weeks and the re-opening date will be confirmed.

Emergency out-of-hours number over the holiday period: 01304 821199 (leave a message or stay on the line to speak with the out-of-hours team).

Refuse and Black Box+Paper Recycling: There will be no changes to collections over the Christmas period. They will continue as normal and remain on their usual day.
Green Waste Collections: These will stop after the collection on Friday, 17 December and start again on Monday, 3 January 2011.

Deal Pier Opening Times
Fishing: daily 8am - 10pm; all night opening Friday and Saturday
Restaurant: Sundays-Thursdays 8am-8.30pm; Fridays and Saturdays 8am-9.30pm; Christmas Day - closed; Boxing Day and New Years Day 10am-6pm.

For more details, see the Dover District Council website or call 01304 872428.

   RAIL SERVICES

SouthEastern Trains Christmas and New Year timetable arrangements are as follows:

Friday 24 December – Normal service with early finish
Saturday 25 December and Sunday 26 December – No services
Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December – Sunday timetable services
Wednesday 29 December, Thursday 30 December and Friday 31 December – Saturday timetable services
Saturday 1 January – Normal Saturday service
Sunday 2 January – Normal Sunday service
Monday 3 January – Sunday timetable service

For more details, see the SouthEastern website

  ROYAL MAIL - LAST POSTING DATES

Recommended last posting dates for Christmas are:
UK mail
Saturday 18 December: Second Class
Tuesday 21 December: First Class
Wednesday 15 December: Standard Parcels
Wednesday 22 December: Parcelforce 48
Thursday 23 December: Parcelforce Next Day
Thursday 23 December: Special Delivery
International Airmail
All airmail for other countries should have already been sent.
Friday 10 December was the last day for: Eastern Europe, USA and Canada.
Monday 13 December was the last day for: Western Europe
International Surface Mail
All overseas surface mail should have already been sent.

  SPORTS CENTRES

Tides Leisure Centre, Deal, will operate its "holiday time" pool programme from 12pm on Friday, 17 December. The "termtime" programme will resume on Tuesday, 4 January. For more details of the Dover and Tides leisure centres, run by Vista Leisure for Dover District Council, please see Vista Leisure.

  WALMER PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council Office at 10 Victoria Road, Deal will close at 3pm on Friday, 17 December and reopen at 9am on Tuesday, 4 January.

MASSIVE HIKE IN COMMUTER FARES

TOWN COUNCIL WANTS VIEWS ON NEXT YEAR'S SPENDING

Health watchdog Kent LINk wants to find out what young people think of health and social care services in Kent. For example, how aware are they of support and advice for mental health problems, acting as a carer or dealing with a sexually transmitted infection? To see how things might be improved, the organisation is looking for people aged 18 to 24 to act as voluntary community researchers. They’ll talk to other young people and find out their views as part of a new project launching early in 2011. The researchers will get valuable training by the University of Greenwich to help them carry out the research – and a certificate at the end of the programme.

BE WARY OF "BEAT THE VAT" DEALS

In the run up to Christmas, people tempted by the idea of buying "micro" pig as a gift or family pet are being urged by Kent Trading Standards to consider what is really involved. "Micro" pigs have been selectively bred over generations to create a smaller pig than other breeds. They weigh around 9oz at birth and when they are fully grown, at two years, they are expected to only weigh up to 65lb and stand at about 14in. But there is no guarantee they will stop growing and they can live for up to 18 years. There are also strict regulations that owners must meet. They include the same record-keeping requirements, animal welfare rules and stringent disease control measures as ordinary farm pigs.

ECO-CHRISTMAS IDEAS

ADVICE ON COPING WITH SNOW AND ICE

The government's DirectGov website has lots of advice on how people can help themselves and their neighbours if the threatened snow and bad weather materialises in the next few days. They also emphasise that "there's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully." For more information and the "snow code" for clearing snow and ice safely go to: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868.

There's information on Kent Highways arrangements for dealing with wintry weather - including an interactive map showing the county's primary and secondary roads due to be gritted - on the KCC website at: www.kent.gov.uk/roads_and_transport/highway_maintenance/
winter_weather_maintenance.aspx

Kent Police say that drivers who are tempted to warm up their vehicle by leaving it with the engine running during frosty conditions are risking serious insurance problems. If the keys are in the ignition and the vehicle is unattended, there is a risk that it can be stolen or items taken. If this happens, most insurance companies will not accept a claim. The best advice is to never leave a vehicle unattended whilst the keys are in the ignition.    (November 24, 2010 - updated November 25, 2010)

ROAD CLOSURES IN BLENHEIM ROAD

Work to replace gas supply mains will mean that sections of Blenheim Road, Deal will need to be closed to traffic at times over the next four months. The works were due to start this week with phase 1 between the junctions with Wellington Road and Beaconsfield Road scheduled to last about seven weeks. Phase 2 is between the junctions with Beaconsfield Road and Hope Road and should start around 17 January 2011 and take about six weeks. Phase 3 is between the junctions with Hope Road and Gilford Road and will start around 28 February and take about three weeks. The gas emergency helpline can provide further advice and deal with problems on 0800 111 999.   (November 25, 2010)

DOORSTEP SURVEY COULD BE A CROOKS' "CHARTER"

Kent Police are drawing the public's attention to a report on the BBC’s “Watchdog” programme on 4 November about a survey that is soon to be sent to over one-million homes. It is sponsored by N-Power, Unilever, Talk Talk and a number of other companies and will be sent out by postal delivery company TNT. They request you fill in a questionnaire detailing your personal information and to leave it on your doorstep in an unsealed paper bag for collection the following day. The questionnaire is five pages long and contains 186 questions about your personal circumstances. Very serious doubts have been raised about the security of the information which, if it was stolen, has been described as a "burglar's or identity thief's charter". There's much more information on the BBC's website at www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/11/tnt_survey.html.    (November 17, 2010)

BARN DANCE FOR HEROES

Mike Wheeler of the Abbey Capers Barn Dance Band in Faversham - who hails from this part of the world and is a regular supporter of the Deal Maritime Folk Festival - has asked our local websites for a bit of publicity for a really special cause. On Friday, 26 November, Mike and a group of friends are putting on a Big Barn Dance in support of the Help for Heroes charity. It's at the Queen Elizabeth School, Abbey Place, Faversham from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. The music will be provided by The Faversham Festival Band (all 10 of them plus a caller!) and tickets are available at £6 by calling 01795 536635. It's suggested people take their own refreshments.

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL TRANSPORT

Local transport and how to improve it will be under the spotlight at environmental lobby group Deal With It's next monthly meeting. Being held at Dealability, 43 Victoria Road, Deal at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 23 November, the meeting is open to anyone interested. The organisers say one aim of the evening is to have a constructive discussion about making bus services serving Deal more attractive to car users. Joining in will be a guest speaker from the Stagecoach bus company. Representatives of the Trains4Deal local rail service improvements lobby will explain latest developments effecting the town's rail services. Also on the menu will be car sharing schemes, making cycling safer and a look at transport innovations elsewhere.

DODGY "DEBT SOLVING" CALLS TO WALMER RESIDENTS

Kent Trading Standards has issued a warning about unsolicited telephone calls offering to solve debt problems. It follows a call received by a Walmer resident from a business offering to pay off her debts. The caller seemed to know her surname and asked her to confirm it. The call was made on a very poor telephone line, possibly from abroad. The consumer rightly declined to give out any personal information and politely ended the call. Trading Standards advise that anyone receiving a call of this kind should be careful not to give any personal details and never reveal any bank or other financial information. Any business conducting debt resolution should be licensed and operate within relevant legislation. However, if there is interest in what is offered, insist that details are sent in writing before carefully considering making any commitment. Never agree to anything over the telephone. There are plenty of legitimate sources for obtaining debt advice and assistance if needed such as Citizens Advice Bureau. Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 can also advise and Kent Trading Standards website at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent is worth a look.

GREEN LIGHT FOR 2011 FOLK FESTIVAL

A new organising committee has been formed to plan the 2011 Deal Maritime Folk Festival. It follows in the wake of a last-minute rescue by local folk musicians and publicans when it seemed likely this year's annual folk music weekend would not go ahead. Despite limited resources, the weekend was hailed as a great success with around 60 performances, many on the streets and seafront at Deal and Walmer. The dates set for the 2011 festival are Thursday, 15 to Sunday, 18 September. The organisers meet on the first Sunday of every month at 7pm in The Green Berry pub, Canada Road, Walmer. Anyone interested is invited to attend.    (November 11, 2010)

NEW YEAR START FOR WASTE COLLECTION CHANGES

NORMAN WISDOM STATUE COULD BOOST TOWN

SWITCH ON FOR FESTIVE LIGHTS

GREEN DAY AT THE ASTOR

Deal is playing host to one of a series of "Zero Carbon Concerts" being held around the world to coincide with the UN's Climate Change Conference in Mexico in November and December. It's part of what local environmental action group Deal With It are billing as "Deal's Big Green Experiment", a day of green activities and entertainment at the Astor Community Theatre in Stanhope Road on Sunday, 28 November.

In an afternoon session - between 2pm and 5pm - the public can find out more about green issues from stalls manned by many organisations including Deal With It, Canterbury Greenpeace, White Cliffs Freegle, Dover Beekeepers, Friends of the Earth, The Coop, UNA, EcoShed, Bicycle Blacksmith and Deal Fairtrade. There will also be displays by local artists, a clothes swap, a set of 10-minute talks on green energy and the Sustainable Livestock Bill, films and a chocolate making demonstration, plus acoustic music from The Deal Hoodeners, Smugglers Singers, Driftwood, Old Lone Gin Band and Way Out. The evening's Zero Carbon Concert - from 7pm to 10pm - features a Smugglers music session complete with a novel bicycle-powered ampifier and entertainment from Will Varley and local groups Spyplane and the Cocos Lovers.

Admission to everything is free, with a voluntary collection for the Astor Theatre's roof insulation fund. For further information , see Deal With It's website or ring 01304 372673.    (November 6, 2010)

"SPIRIT OF COALFIELDS" PHOTO CHALLENGE

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has launched a photographic competition with a theme of "the changing face of the coalfields". The competition is nationwide and includes pits in the East Kent area. For more details, see www.coalfields-regen.org.uk.    (November 6, 2010)

NEW VENUE FOR CHARITY CARD SHOP

Deal's annual "Cards For Good Causes" shop has a new location this year. The outlet for charity Christmas cards was unable to use its normal space in Deal Library due to current building works and has set up shop in Victoria Road instead. It is staffed by volunteers which means most of the proceeds go to the supported charities. Opening times are: Mondays to Saturdays 10am-4pm.    (November 6, 2010)

HAVE A SAY ON NEW HOUSING PROPOSALS

Local people are being asked to give their views on areas that Dover District Council has been asked to consider as possibly being suitable for future housing developments. Around 120 new sites are being suggested as additions to the existing Local Development Framework - a blueprint for housing, business and employment in the district over the next 20 years. In Deal the potential new sites are land between St Richards Road and Ellens Road (for 444 properties), the former South Deal County Primary School site (24 homes) and Southwall Road (mixed use development). Comments on the proposals can be made on Dover Council's website or by or in writing to: Dover District Council, Forward Planning Section, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ. The consultation period ends on Thursday, 23 December 2010.    (November 6, 2010)

NEW CINEMA DELAYED

Plans to re-open the former Regent bingo hall on Deal seafront as a modern cinema are being bedevilled by delays in the purchase of the building by Silver Screen Cinemas from Dover Council. According to local press reports early hopes by the prospective new owners James Wallace and Mark Digweed to refurbish the building and screen the latest Harry Potter movie before Christmas have failed. They say the purchase has taken longer than expected with protracted negotiations involving surveyors and both parties solicitors.    (November 5, 2010)

DELICIOUS DEAL - UNLEASHED!

Local Green group Deal With It is launching a "local food"group on Saturday, 13 November with a special event open to the public. The group's aim is to bring together projects and ideas to encourage local food production and consumption under the banner of "Delicious Deal". Deal With It co-ordinator Rosemary Rechter explained: "The purpose of the day is to get everyone passionate about eating and promoting local food. We see the aim of the new group as fostering the links between people who buy, sell, produce and supply food in our district. In doing so we hope to reduce Deal’s carbon footprint and enjoy some really delicious local food."

The launch day will see the group looking at ideas such a local garden share scheme, research into allotment provision and a survey of where local people buy their food linked to a local food mapping exercise and directory. Practical skills will also come under the spotlight – helping people to learn about cooking real bread, making preserves and producing cheap but good family food. The organisers say all are welcome and they want people to offer their ideas and get involved. Refreshments in the form of Fairtrade tea and coffee will be on offer and the group is hoping participants will bring some homemade cakes and biscuits to share.

"Delicious Deal" is on Saturday, 13 November between 2pm and 5pm at DealAbility, 43 Victoria Road, Deal. There's more on the Deal With It website at www.dealwithit.org or you can    (November 1, 2010)

INSIGHT TO DEAL AND WALMER IN 1938

A local guidebook to Deal and Walmer, published in 1938, has provided a fascinating insight into the area just before the Second World War. One surviving copy of the 64-page booklet ended up in a charity shop on the other side of the world - in Wellington, New Zealand. It was spotted and snapped up by former UK resident Debbe Kohler who now lives in New South Wales, Australia. Debbe contacted the DealWeb community website to see if it would be interested in receiving the publication. Webmaster Harold Wyld said he certainly was and agreed to feature some of the booklet's photographs, advertisements and description of the area on the local website at www.dealweb.org.uk.

Published by the, then, Deal Corporation as part of a drive to attract visitors, the guidebook's photographs provide a strong reminder of the local resorts at the height of their popularity. Crowded beaches, hordes of young anglers on the pier and a flotilla of small boats on the shoreline are among the many scenes depicted. The publication's advertisements are particularly fascinating and although many of the local traders - like Worsfolds estate agents and Vyes grocers - have long gone, a few such as Ebdens garage and the Royal and Beachbrow hotels remain. The train fares from London to Deal are an eye-opener with a 3rd class day return costing 11 shillings (55p) on a Pullman Express.

ROAD WORKS

Kent Highways has advised two sets of temporary road closures that will be in operation over the next few days. The first is in Gladstone Road, Walmer from 23 October and possibly lasting for up to nine days (including weekends). Gladstone Road will be closed outside number 184 to enable service connections to be made for a new funeral directors' premises. There will be no access for through traffic between the junctions with Cornwall Road and Canada Road. The alternative route is via Cornwall Road, A258 Dover Road and Canada Road. For more information contact Phil Lightman at Kent Highways Services on 0845 824 7800 or

BIG PURPLE BUS TO BOOST VOLUNTEERS

Voluntary groups seeking supporters and people thinking of giving some time to help good causes are being encouraged to meet up with the organisers of the Big Purple Bus when it visits the area in November. The Bus is part of a Kent-wide project to promote the work of the voluntary sector and volunteering in general and will be coming to Dover District on Thursday, 4 and Tuesday, 9 November when it will be manned by staff from Dover District Volunteering Centre. They currently work with over 350 organisations and reckon they can find perfect opportunities to suit any prospective volunteer. Their service can also help local charities, voluntary community groups and not-for-profit organisations in successfully recruiting and managing volunteers.

FASTER BROADBAND FOR DEAL AND WALMER

ST MARGARETS TO SHARE GREEN EXPERTISE

Deal's nearby neighbour of St Margarets-at-Cliffe will be sharing its experience of reducing local residents' impact on the environment at local "green" group Deal With It ‘s next monthly meeting. Guest speaker Alistair Gould, the chairman of The Bay Trust and a member of St Margarets-at-Cliffe Energy Committee, will explain how St Margarets is aiming to become "carbon neutral" by 2012. The village became one of KCC’s "Low Carbon Communities" in 2007. This led to an number of local initiatives, which included mapping of the local community's carbon footprint, looking at sustainable standards for local housing and an appraisal of possible green energy options.

Dover District Council's area office for Deal is closed while Deal Library is undergoing refurbishment. The works are over a two weeks period and the Library and area office are due to reopen on Monday, 18 October.    (October 8, 2010)

MORE SCAMS

The Police and Kent Trading Standards have drawn attention to the latest round on scams designed to cheat people out of their money. One involves offers of tickets for popular sporting events such as the Ryder Cup at a reduced price. Before being tempted, people are advised to check a website's credentials and that it gives the name and address of the business running it. Also Google the company name to see if there's more information. Generally, it's best to stick to event promoters or reputable ticket agencies for ticket purchases. Another scam involves an unsolicited e-mail or phone call offering work, through an agency, as "mystery shoppers". An advance registration fee of £29.95 is requested but all this provides is a list of companies who use mystery shoppers - something anyone can find out for free using a search engine like Google. Consumers are also asked to give personal details - and are strongly advised not to! Yet another dodgy approach comes in a widely circulated e-mail from someone claiming to be working on behalf of HSBC Bank. It is most likely to be a phishing scam and should be deleted. Reputable banks do not contact customers by e-mail to ask for personal or account details.    (September 29, 2010)

FREE TREES ON OFFER - UNTIL END OF OCTOBER

Kent County Council is offering free trees to anyone with a garden or plot of land who is willing to plant and care for them as they grow. Local "green" group Deal With It is urging public and private landowners and those with suitable gardens to have a serious look at the scheme which closes at the end of October. The environmental group's co-ordinator Rosemary Rechter, said: "We need more trees in the district. They have a really positive effect on the landscape and biodiversity and can improve health and wellbeing long term." The KCC scheme offers individuals and organisations up to 25 native trees, free of charge. All successful applicants have to do is collect them, plant them and look after them. It's estimated that every 25 trees planted will result in up to seven tonnes of carbon-dioxide being absorbed over their lifetime.

CALL FOR HIGH-SPEED TRAINS FOR OPEN GOLF

News that rail chiefs have finally agreed to see whether train connections between Dover and Ramsgate can be improved after meeting local MP Charlie Elphicke has been welcomed by the Trains4Deal pressure group. But they are critical that Network Rail and Southeastern have offered no indication of when it may happen. Organisers of Trains4Deal consider that stopping the Javelin high-speed trains that run empty past Deal and Sandwich is, they say, "not rocket science and should be done in a matter of months not years". They suggest the Open Golf Championship next July would hugely benefit from an improved service with some direct high-speed trains.

Kent Trading Standards is receiving complaints from the public about letters from a loan company demanding repayments for a loan of £513. Recipients are very concerned as they have not applied for the loan and think the letter may be some kind of scam. However, the company is genuine, based in Finland and with a registered office address in London. It seems likely that a number of consumers have had their identity stolen and criminals have used these details to make fraudulent online loan applications. Trading Standards say that anyone receiving one of these letters should not ignore it and should write to the company to confirm that a loan has not been requested and payment has not been received. Their address is MCO Capital Ltd, trading as Help Loan, Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway, London WC2B 6UN.

DEAL BUSINESS LUNCH CLUB RETURNS

WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT GARDEN WASTE

Householders who use Dover Council's fortnightly green garden waste collection might be interested in what happens to all the grass cuttings, weeds and prunings when their green bags and sacks are emptied. The council says it's all taken to a composting facility near Capel-le-Ferne and composted using the "windrow" process *. The material is shredded and placed into rows, two to four metres high and up to 100 metres long. The temperature and moisture content is closely monitored and the rows are turned every three to five days to introduce fresh oxygen into the mixture. The high temperature reached ensures any pathogens, diseases and seeds are destroyed. The entire composting process takes approximately 10 weeks, with the finished soil improver being used at same location for agricultural purposes. The facility can process up to 12,000 tonnes of organic material each year.

Anyone who wants to know more about the free green waste collection service can get details - including if and when their street is included - by logging on to www.dover.gov.uk/..../green_waste.aspx. It's also possible to sign up for a helpful e-mailed reminder the day before a collection is due.   *If you want to gen up on the windrow process, see Wikipedia's article on the subject.   (September 22, 2010)

MONTHLY TREAT FOR FILM BUFFS AT THE ASTOR

INTERNET CROOKS IN "TAX REBATE" SCAM

MANSTON TO MANCHESTER IN 70 MINUTES

Budget airline Flybe has launched a new service from Manston to Manchester. A one-way fare is £24.99 with a journey time of one hour and 10 minutes. The new service operates six days a week and is in addition to existing Flybe flights between Manston and Edinburgh. For details, see www.manstonairport.com.    (September 14, 2010)

LOCAL FOOD FOR DEAL

Local green group Deal With It will be looking at current practices for food production and distribution when they hold their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, 28 September. They would like to see more food produced and consumed locally. This, they say, would reduce the local carbon footprint, support local food producers and give consumers good quality fresh food. It would help avoid the sort of arrangements, recently reported nationally, where a tub of clotted cream, made in Cornwall, was transported 340 miles to a supermarket's distribution centre and then to one of its stores in Redruth, two miles from the creamery where it was produced.

Patients at the Cedars Surgery in Walmer are being invited to play an important role in how it is run and the services it provides. The GPs' practice on The Strand is planning to set up a novel Patient Reference Group to provide a voice for all patients registered at the Cedars. Although those patients who volunteer to serve on the group will need to agree exactly how it will operate, it is expected it will meet every four months with, ideally, at least six patients present. Probable tasks for the new group will include supporting initiatives to consult patients on current and future services, spotting gaps in services and suggesting solutions, considering any trends in complaints and coming up with ways to resolve them. Minutes will be taken at each of the group's meetings and presented to the practice's GP partners at their formal meetings.

SIXTH "PICNIC" A SUCCESS - DESPITE DULL WEATHER

Blustery winds and cloudy skies could not keep the crowds away from Walmer Parish Council’s sixth annual Picnic on the Green on Saturday, 21 August. An exciting new addition to the afternoon’s activities was local band City Lightz who attracted a younger crowd, followed by The Kingsdown Band who delighted as usual. It was not long before people were on their feet, informally led by Landmark Centre-based group Dance Dedication Deal. Representatives of local community groups as diverse as Linwood Youth Club, The Cleary Club and Diabetes UK chatted to people in the marquees, giving advice and information on the wide range of services and opportunities available in Walmer and Deal.

SHOLDEN RESIDENTS IN FIGHT TO HALT HOMES PLANS

Plans by two development companies to build 500 homes on farmland at Sholden have provoked condemnation from residents and local MP Charlie Elphicke. Following exhibitions of their proposals by Ward Homes and Hillreed Homes, Mr Elphicke is reported to have said he shared residents' concerns at increased traffic and risk of flooding. Also opposed to the plans are the Sholden Parish Council and a Sholden Action Group. Parish council chairman Derek Wanstall deplored the loss of grade-one agricultural land and the prospect of more traffic on the already overloaded London Road. He regarded the impact on the quality of life for many existing residents as unacceptable and he echoed the MP's concerns at flooding which already occurred locally. Action Group supporters questioned the need for 500 new homes in Deal when the area suffered from a shortage of employment opportunities. There's more on the parish council website at: www.sholdenpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/    (August 26, 2010)

GO AHEAD FOR NEW TENNIS CENTRE

EXHIBITION RECORDS MARINES BOMBING

LAST-MINUTE RESCUE FOR DEAL'S FOLK WEEKEND

Fears that Deal's Maritime Folk Festival wouldn't be happening this year have been averted. The regular organisers are understood to have faced a number of problems and, according to the official folk festival website, had decided they "will be taking a break" for this year. However a number of local bands, the Astor Theatre and several of the town’s pubs have joined forces and the popular local folk festival is on between Thursday, 16 to Sunday, 19 September.

So far, 50 performers are coming together in 60 sessions at ten venues. Included are a "Day of Dance" hosted by Offcumduns when seven Morris and traditional dance groups will perform in the town centre on Saturday followed by a Ceilidh dance in the evening. Also on the Saturday is a "Songs of the Sea" concert with traditional singers Chris Roach, Kerry and Mandy and Paul Sirman at the Royal Hotel. The Astor Theatre has a whole day of folk-based activity on the Saturday including workshops from percussion to sea shanties; film-making; an all-day Smugglers Session in the Balcony room and a Smugglers Presents in the evening with Senegalese soul singer Nura Kane supported by local group Cocos Lovers - a world music "first" for Deal.

MEETING TO CONSIDER "TRANSITION TOWN" FUTURE FOR DEAL

Local green group Deal With It has organised a one-day workshop on Saturday, 4 September to consider how Deal could become a "transition town". Hundreds of towns and communities - including Canterbury, Whitstable, Faversham, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks – have signed up to the "transition" aims for meeting the challenges of climate change and reducing dependency on oil. To be held in the Rippledown Environmental Centre on Dover Road at Ringwould, the event will explain what a carbon free and sustainable Deal would look like and what needs to happen to achieve this. Sessions will cover the "transition town" concept, options for community energy generation and greener approaches to local food, local transport and dealing with waste and recycling. Deal With It supporters, local community organisations and individuals are all welcome to attend the workshop which is from 10am to 4pm. Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available and participants need to bring their own lunch. For more details and to book a place, contact Rosemary Rechter by phone 01304 381849 or . There's also more on the Deal With It website.     (August 23, 2010)

SHOW OFF YOUR HOME ON NATIONAL TV

ITV 1 is looking for proud home owners from Kent to appear on the next series of its "May The Best House Win" daytime television show. Lucy Mans, a researcher for the programme, says: "We want to find interesting, stunning or unusual properties and house proud people. Over the summer we will be filming across the UK. We are currently seeking properties of all shapes and sizes - from country cottages to stunning new builds, or homes with a different or quirky theme."

During two days filming, four strangers take turns in giving each other a guided tour round their pride and joy. The most impressive home wins a £1,000 cash prize. The production company say they'd like to hear from prospective participants before the end of this month (August). For more information see: www.itv.com/lifestyle/maythebesthousewin/.     (August 19, 2010)

ASTOR REVEALS ITS COMING ATTRACTIONS

Deal's Astor Theatre has unveiled its programme for the months up to Christmas. Included are a wide selection of musical events with rock, folk and some top line groups like Dr Feelgood and The Blockheads. There's also a monthly cinema club, tea dances, comedy nights and a murder-mystery evening. For more details on events and facilities at the refurbished theatre in Stanhope Road go to www.theastor.org/.     (August 18, 2010)

MEETING TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS

Family support charity Cordomus is inviting people interested in improving local services for victims of domestic abuse to attend a conference at The Ark, Dover on Friday, 17 September from 10am to 3pm. Main aim of the meeting is to explore what is available and what needs to be done to provide comprehensive support for victims of domestic abuse. Among the issues delegates will consider are: what support do women need to reintegrate socially and economically after a crisis?; which support services exist and where are the gaps?; and how can statutory agencies and third sector providers work in partnership to fill any gaps in services? The conference is funded by an ESF Community Grant and free of charge to delegates. For more information, see www.cordomus.info/ and to reserve a place .

Cordomus was founded last year by Deal-based solicitor Donna Payne as a development of her free scheme to assist and represent the victims of domestic abuse. It has a Board of Trustees comprising local people with a wide range of relevant skills and experience. Cordomus' help to families in crisis whether pre- or post- separation is currently available in the area covered by Dover District Council. The ultimate aim is to have a centre offering all services at one location.     (August 18, 2010)

RUGBY VOLUNTEERS COULD SOLVE SPORTS FIELD PROBLEMS

Problems over security and cleaning at the Drill Field multi-user games area off Walmer's Canada Road could be solved in the near future. Parish councillors have been on the receiving end of numerous complaints from members of the public concerned about unauthorised out-of-hours use, disturbance and litter. A company hired to lock and unlock the access gates and clean the sports field had, councillors felt, proved unsatisfactory. Council chairman Cllr Pat Heath said he had informally suggested to members of the main users, the Deal and Betteshanger Rugby Club, that they might be able to find some volunteers willing to lock and unlock the site each day in return for an annual gratuity from Walmer Parish Council. He understood that members of the rugby club were keen on the idea and were due to put the proposal to their directors at a coming meeting.     (August 12, 2010)

MOPED MENACE

Speaking to Walmer parish councillors at their July meeting, Kent County Councillor Julie Rook said there had been various complaints about very loud mopeds racing around local streets. She suggested that councillors could help by taking and reporting registration details of any offenders they witnessed. Local Police Community Support Officer Lisa White also highlighted the problem. In her monthly report to the parish council she explained that the police had also received complaints about noisy and speeding mopeds around the town. The nuisance had also occured, after dark, in Marke Wood recreation ground off the Dover Road although, so far, no damage to the grounds appeared to have been caused.       (August 12, 2010)

CASTLE SCHOOL GOES FOR ACADEMY STATUS

Castle Community College in Mill Road, Deal is set to become an academy in September. Earlier plans to amalgamate the Castle school with Walmer Science College in new premises on the Castle site were among the casualties in a wave of spending cuts announced by the government. As a result Castle College decided to take up an invitation to apply for academy status.

Principal Christine Chapman has said that the new academy means future of the school site is more secure and none of it can be sold off by the county council. She anticipated that the academy would receive more money which would come direct from central government and not through the local education authority. There could also be more flexibility in setting school timetables and the curriculum - something that she felt would also benefit students.     (August 11, 2010)

PUBLIC'S VIEWS SOUGHT ON COUNCIL CHANGES

How Dover District Council will be run after May 2011 is due to be decided at the end of this year and the public is being invited to make its views known beforehand. Currently, Dover's 45 elected councillors select a Leader who appoints a Cabinet of up to nine other members each year. They are then responsible for recommending an overall budget and policies to the full council and, if agreed, seeing these are implemented. There is also an elected Chairman who presides over full council meetings and has a traditional ceremonial role.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, local authorities have to review these decision-making arrangements. It means Dover District Council needs to consider two alternative options for how executive decision-making by councillors should operate from next May. The two options are Option A for a Leader and Cabinet or Option B for a directly elected Mayor and Cabinet.

Option A is similar to the current arrangements where councillors elect one of them as the Leader. However, under the new law, the Leader would serve for a period of four years instead of just one. Again, as at present, the Leader would request the council to appoint up to nine councillors to form a Cabinet. He would appoint a Deputy Leader to serve a four-year term. Other councillors would continue to scrutinise the decisions of the Leader and Cabinet and undertake in-depth reviews into topics of local concern.

Option B for a directly elected Mayor and Cabinet means that voters in Dover would directly elect the Mayor at the same time as they elect the other councillors, to serve for a period of four years. The Mayor would then choose a Cabinet of not more than nine councillors. The remaining elected councillors would continue to have a role on the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committees and to hold the directly elected Mayor and Cabinet to account. The Mayor would appoint a Deputy Mayor who would also serve a four-year term. The Council would have to decide whether to continue to have a traditional, civic and ceremonial Chairman or have the directly elected Mayor carry out these functions. There is no provision for the removal of a directly elected Mayor during the four-year term of office.

MINER'S MEMORIAL "COMES HOME" TO FOWLMEAD

The Waiting Miner, a statue reflecting the commitment and sacrifices of Kent's former local colliery workers, has been resited from Dover seafront to the entrance of Fowlmead Country Park. The move follows a four-year campaign by local people for the memorial to be located close to the actual site of the coalfields. The statue was originally commissioned by the Central Electricity Board as a "thank you" to local miners for supplying fuel for the old Richborough power station. When the power station closed, the statue was re-located outside National Coal Board offices in Dover. After these offices also closed, a small group of enthusiasts prompted a growing demand for the statue to be moved to a more fitting permanent home. A site was agreed beside the A258 Deal to Sandwich road immediately outside the entrance to the new Fowlmead leisure area, created on former coalfield workings. With the statue now in place, a final phase of the project is to create a memorial plinth recording the names of all fatalities that occured in the area's coalfields.      (August 6, 2010)

HAVE A SAY ON CASH AID FOR VOLUNTEERS

The public is being invited to help decide how cash grants to local voluntary groups and worthy causes are allocated. It's all part of a move by Dover District Neighbourhood Forums to pilot "participatory budgeting" which involves local people in deciding how £61,400 in this year's Small Community Capital Projects fund is awarded. Available for community projects by all types of groups across the district, grants of up to £2,500 are on offer.

Organisations that want more details and an application pack need to see: www.dover.gov.uk/community/neighbourhood_forums/
funding_information.aspx. Typical projects last year included new equipment, small building works, replacement railings, display boards and fencing. All grants need to show benefit to the community. The closing date for applications is Friday, 27 August.

Eligible applicants will then be invited to a "You Decide" event to make a short three-minute presentation on their project. For the Walmer, Deal and Sandwich area, this will be at Walmer Science College, Salisbury Road, Walmer on Saturday, 2 October. Local residents and groups can attend and will be invited to vote electronically on how they score each project. These votes will then be the primary deciding factor when councillors finalise the awards.      (August 6, 2010)

Dover Council's Deal Area Office which recently moved to Deal Library in Broad Street (from the Town Hall in the High Street) will be closed from 2 August to 16 August while the library is refurbished.      (August 6, 2010)

BOGUS "DEBT SOLVING" CALLS

Kent Trading Standards have received reports of bogus callers claiming to be from Citizens' Advice, telephoning to say that they can clear consumers’ unsecured debts. They can’t! The callers have heavy Asian accents that are difficult to understand but they know people's names. The advice from Trading Standards is to be very wary of anyone "cold calling" and never to disclose any personal or bank details to them. If in any doubt at all, end the call by hanging up.

If required, there is free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems on the National Debt Line on 0808 808 4000 or by logging on to www.nationaldebtline.co.uk. For advice on consumer rights or to report any businesses or incidents you have concerns about contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 or go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.      (July 31, 2010)

WOULD-BE CHICKEN OWNERS EGGED ON BY GREEN GROUP

If you are tempted by the idea of keeping chickens and enjoying their fresh eggs, local green group Deal With It could help you find out what's involved. During the next few weeks, they are organising a number of short visits to meet local chicken keepers and learn about looking after chickens in your own garden. Flying under the "Open Chicken Runs" banner, the first sessions in the scheme are in Walmer on Saturday, 7 August from 2pm to 3pm and in Deal on Saturday, 14 August between 2pm and 4pm. A Deal With It spokesperson explained: "We will be running 15-minute sessions and those interested in attending need to contact us either or by phoning 01304 372673."

Deal With It is also conducting an online survey to see how many urban chickens there are in the district. Their Great Big Deal Chicken Count runs from 1 to 31 August and can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ChickenCount. For more information on the count and the "Open Chicken Runs" visits, see www.dealwithit.org.      (July 31, 2010)

The specialist water and sanitation charity WaterAid is asking people to put on their walking shoes on Saturday, 11 September and join in a fundraising event, CoastAlong for WaterAid, on coastal paths around the UK. The event aims to have groups of walkers on 187 sections of coastline, including the Kent coast from Faversham round to Folkestone and Hythe which, of course, includes Deal and Walmer. The individual sections are between four and 15 miles in length so there should be something to suit all ages and abilities.

CoastAlong Steering Committee member Sue Past, says that a total of 12 teams have already registered on the Kent section. She explained:"This is the fourth time that WaterAid has held this event but the first year that it has been nationwide, so this amount of interest in our own area is very encouraging. There are still opportunities for local people and visitors to get involved in the event in Kent. "

DRAMA TAKES TO THE STREETS OF DEAL

A modern retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story is set to be played out on the streets at the north end of Deal on the evening of Friday, 30 July. Members of Deal People's Theatre Company will be performing "Sea Side Story", which adapts Shakespeare's drama and sets it in Deal during the “Boys strike" of 1938. It also features original music by local guitarist Mike Morgan. The organisers are expecting over 200 people will follow the actors as they stage their novel on-street drama. It starts outside the Landmark Centre in Deal's High Street at 7pm and ends in the Astor Community Theatre in Stanhope Road.

The Astor's publicity officer Zoe Dawes said that the central idea behind the "Sea Side Story" production was to retell the experience of the mining community in Deal through drama. It also touched on broader issues such as why people move, what happens to their families when they do, the impact this has on the host community and how, with time and love, these may be resolved. Zoe said that a previous production - "Ambrose Gwinnet is Innocent" - had demonstrated the importance and value of this type of activity. The young participants gained skills and confidence and the town saw a reflection of itself that was both entertaining and thought provoking.    (July 19, 2010)

DEAL WILL BE BUZZING

Local Green group Deal With It will be considering "What’s happening to bees" at its July meeting when Maggie Harrowell from Dover and District Beekeepers Association is giving a talk on bees and the environment. Experienced local beekeeper Maggie will also be bringing some of her bees to illustrate her talk. There will also be a honey tasting to show how nectar from different crops affects the flavour of honey as well as various bee wax products to try and buy.

Bee populations are in severe decline all over the world and beekeepers and scientists are unsure what is causing these losses. They emphasise that this matters because bees pollinate a third of the food we eat. Rosemary Rechter, Deal With It co-ordinator said: “Our intention is to show how important bees are to a sustainable food cycle and also to encourage people to take action by planting bee friendly plants, creating habits for solitary bees, campaigning against pesticides and perhaps considering beekeeping”. There will be some free seeds for bee friendly plants, factsheets and DVDs at the meeting donated by the Co-op’s "Plan-Bee" campaign.

SCHOOLS MERGER PLAN SCRAPPED IN SPENDING CUTS

BACK GARDENS GET A SHOWING IN "BLOOM" COMPETITION

Walmer householders who are proud of their back gardens are being invited to let everyone admire their efforts thanks to a new photo competition being organised by their parish council. It's all part of the Walmer In Bloom scheme which, each year, provides and encourages the parish's public floral displays and runs a competition to acclaim the best front gardens.

DEAL HIGH STREET FACELIFT UNDERWAY

GREEN LIGHT FOR HOUSING AT GARAGE SITE

IT'S A PACKED MONTH OF EVENTS FOR DEAL AND WALMER

LUNCH CLUB REVIVAL COULD HELP BUSINESS

BEE DECLINE COULD THREATEN FOOD SUPPLY

Local environmental campaigners Deal With It are often looking for ways to sting people into helping to save the planet's resources. Their next meeting on Tuesday, 27 July promises to have much more of a "sting" than usual! Maggie Harrowell from Dover Beekeepers will be giving a talk on her years of experience as a beekeeper and will be accompanied by some of her live bees. She will also offer honey to taste and bee related products to try and buy.