ROADWORKS FOR LIVERPOOL ROAD, WALMER

Kent Highways have announced that there will be a temporary road closure at Liverpool Road, Walmer from Monday, 16 January 2012. It is expected to last up to two weeks. The section of road affected is between the junctions with Cambridge Road and Grove Road. The alternative route is via Cambridge Road, A258 Dover Road and Liverpool Road. The reason for the closure is to enable works to repair a damaged sewer; these will be carried out by contractors Clancy Docwra working with Southern Water. For more details of roadworks, see www.elgin.gov.uk or call KCC Highways & Transportation's 24-hour contact centre on 08458 247 800.  (December 29, 2011)

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES FOR 2011/2012

DealWeb and WalmerWeb's roundup of public services over the 2011 Christmas and 2012 New Year holiday period. Details will be updated regularly...

 (updated on December 23, 2011)

"STAY SAFE" MESSAGE FOR LOCAL REVELLERS

Pub- and club-goers in the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area could be leaving night spots not with music ringing in their ears but with a safety message from Kent Police. It's part of a police campaign - Stay Safe This Winter - in which a pre-recorded CD will be played at venues at closing time. Recorded by Heart FM radio station presenters, it urges customers to pay attention to personal safety and not get involved in fights or other disorder. A police spokesperson explained: “We hope the CD will be a reminder to those who may be under the influence of alcohol to get home safely and not get involved in disorder and remember those who are trying to sleep. It is being distributed to pubs and clubs in the Dover district and we hope that licensees and managers will also play their part in ensuring the safety of their customers.”  (December 23, 2011)

FOOD RECALL FOR SOME WAITROSE CHRISTMAS PUDS

People who have bought a Waitrose 454g Hale & Hearty Luxury Christmas Pudding with a "best before" date of 30 March 2013 and a batch number: 01126001 need to check it has been correctly packed. Some have been packed without a film seal, causing the pudding to become mouldy. Any customers who have puddings with the above batch code should check if a film seal is present underneath the plastic lid. If the seal is missing, do not consume the pudding and return it to Waitrose for a full refund. For more advice, call Hale & Hearty Customer Services on 0207 6168427.  (December 23, 2011)

BOGUS "OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING" CALLS

Kent Trading Standards have issue a warning about calls from scammers claiming to represent the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). People are told that the OFT can reclaim bank or other charges for them and that this service requires an up-front fee to be paid by money transfer. Several Kent residents have been asked to pay between £100 and £200. DO NOT PAY – you will lose your money. The Office of Fair Trading say these bogus telephone callers have no connection with the genuine OFT which never requests money from consumers.  To report any concerns call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.   (December 23, 2011)

ANGER AT SHOLDEN HOUSING SCHEMES APPROVALS

A decision to allow two large housing developments on farmland at Sholden has been condemned by local residents, parish councillors and local MP Charlie Elphicke. They say that Dover Council's planning committee agreement to plans for over 500 new houses by developers Hillreed Homes and Ward Homes fly in the face of massive local opposition and will create serious problems. As well as loss of Grade 1 agricultural land, there are fears about traffic congestion on inadequate road links, potential flooding and overloading of local services for health and education. Mr Elphicke is reported as saying the Dover planners' decision was "appalling" and "a catastrophic error". Sholden Parish Council chairman Councillor Phil Marsh expressed dismay at the prospect of "years of uncertainty and disruption" for Sholden residents with, he believed, no benefit to the parish from the new developments.   (December 22, 2011)

SOUND HOUSE RECORD SHOP TO CLOSE

A long-standing source of recorded music and a box office for many local events, the Sound House in Deal High Street is to close in January. Proprietor Paul Savage says the impact of competition from on-line music stores and cut-price deals in supermarkets, together with expensive town centre car parking charges, had made his record store unviable. The shop is due to close on 23 January.    (December 22, 2011)

BEWARE OF "STORM DAMAGE" COWBOYS

With stormy weather being forecast for the south east, KCC’s Trading Standards Officers are warning householders not to let it become a rogue trader’s Christmas bonus! The fear is that, following gales or snow, the cowboys could turn up on doorsteps to suggest that repairs are necessary when they are not. Previous examples of this type of con have included "roof repairs" and "making trees safe". They often charge extortionate sums for any work and may say the cost can be claimed back through the home insurance. Trading Standards advice is not to be fooled and panicked into agreeing. If anything does need fixing, talk to the insurance company FIRST. For more details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (December 16, 2011)

RECYCLING BOOST FROM NEW BIN SCHEME

Dover District Council is claiming success for its new recycling service thanks to good support from local householders. October saw recycling rates boosted to 45% - a 9% increase on the total for the same month last year (36%), and an 11% increase on the total for October 2009 (34%). The council says that around 30,000 properties are now able to recycle under the new scheme and more will be included as the last stocks of bins are delivered to householders during the next month.

The cost of the new containers and wheeled bins is being paid for by Kent County Council out of the savings made as households recycle more items. These now include beverage cartons (Tetra Pak), batteries, empty aerosols and all types of plastics packaging (pots, tubs and trays) but not plastics bags. By combining resources for the new recycling scheme, Dover Council, Shepway Council and the KCC reckon they could save around £4million a year.     (December 15, 2011)

FREE FESTIVE PARKING

Shoppers will have free parking on Saturday, 17 and Sunday, 18 December in all Dover District Council's own car parks across the district. There are some exceptions, though. A few car parks managed by the council but owned by others are not included and usual fees will be payable. However, Sainsbury’s in Deal has stated that they will also be offering free parking on the two days. Users of on-street "pay and display" areas and car parks not forming part of the scheme will still have to pay and road markings such as double yellow lines and on-street parking areas will be enforced as usual.     (December 15, 2011)

NODDING REINDEER SAFETY WARNING

Two major high street retailers - Argos and Homebase - have issued a safety warning about nodding reindeer Christmas decorations sold in their stores during October and November. They say there is a risk that the products may suffer an electrical fault which could lead to the risk of electric shock if handled when in use. The Argos silhouette reindeer is CATALOGUE NUMBER 269/9189 and the Homebase reindeer is CODE 991788. The companies advise to STOP USING IT immediately and return the items to a nearest store for a full refund. They say no other Argos or Homebase products are affected by the recall.     (December 9, 2011)

GO AHEAD FOR WETHERSPOONS IN QUEEN STREET

Public house chain JD Wetherspoon has been granted a license to operate in the former Jobcentre building in Queen Street, Deal. The firm is reported to be now seeking to buy the premises but currently has no firm date for a possible opening. News of Dover Council's approval of the licensing application - albeit with a number of conditions to control customers' use of the pavement and side alley of the building - has been critcised by several local publicans. They say the location for the new Wetherspoons is unsuitable and there are some fears about a negative impact on their trade.     (December 9, 2011)

Tesco is asking people who have purchased a 1200W or 1600W Tesco Halogen Heater to not use it and return it to the nearest Tesco Extra or Superstore for a full refund. Following a detailed investigation, Tesco says it is recalling the heaters as a "precautionary measure". It follows an isolated incidence of a house fire caused by an identical product sold by another retailer. Consumers who need further advice can call the Tesco helpline on (freephone) 0800 50 55 55.     (December 9, 2011)

"FRACKING" TEST APPROVED

Kent County Council's planning committee has agreed that an application by Coastal Oil and Gas to drill a borehole at Woodnesborough to test for shale gas should be allowed. Local environmental groups - including Deal With It - are concerned that the exploratory tests could lead to applications to carry out full-scale "shale fracking" in the area. They say "fracking" has a dubious reputation with reports of ground water pollution, release of methane and earth tremors. This has been sufficient for some countries to have placed a ban on the process.    (December 9, 2011)

COSTLY "COMMUNAL DRAIN WORKS" SCAM

The public is being warned about a serious scam that cost one Tonbridge householder £10,000. Similar incidents have been reported in other areas. A “Mr Newman” called on the householder claiming to be a neighbour living with his disabled aunt at nearby property. "Newman" stated that there was a problem with a shared communal drain. So he had arranged for a trader to fix the problem and the trader would be in contact shortly. This was followed by an elaborate series of phone calls from the "trader" and even a bogus "trading standards officer". The victim was persuaded to pay £10,000 by bankers draft and that was the last he saw of the money. For the full story, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (December 9, 2011)

DANGEROUS "ENERGY SAVERS" AND NOVELTY SWEETS

Consumers are being warned about two new problems. Rogue traders are currently targetting the elderly with ineffective and dangerous "energy saving" devices. They are a waste of money and could cause a fire! And there's a product recall for some batches of novelty confectionery - Felko brand "Christmas Figures with Candy"and "Gumball Machine with Candy". For details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (December 6, 2011)

CONSUMER WARNINGS: CO-OP BEEF AND PET PILLOWS

Kent Trading Standards have issued warnings about two products that might pose a danger to users. They are:

• Two batches of the Co-operative Group's own brand British Beef Roasting Joint (1.1kg to 2.2kg) that have been labelled with incorrect "use by" dates of 22 December 2011 and 23 December 2011. The products should have been labelled with a "use by" date of 5 December 2011. The Co-operative has recalled the affected batches from shops but anyone who has bought this product should not use it; instead return it to the store for a full refund or contact the Co-operative Group on freephone 0800 0686 727. No other Co-operative products are known to be affected.
• Squishee Pillow Pets - an animal shaped pillow that would especially appeal to children. The distributors, Sherwood Agencies, have been made aware of a potential safety issue affecting pillows with a model number 83-81 and batch number 187-10. Under certain circumstances the eyes on this product might become detached and pose a possible choking hazard. People who possess one of these products should store it away safely and contact Sherwood Agencies by or call them on 01706 898100 for further advice.     (December 1, 2011)

SEARCHING FOR WALMER'S BEST FESTIVE LIGHTS

Walmer householders and businesses are being invited to take part in the parish's annual Christmas lights competition. Parish Council judges will tour the area in the week beginning Monday, 12 December. To make sure they don't miss a good display - either yours or someone else's - let Mandy Brooks at the Parish Council Office on 01304 381506 have details before Thursday, 8 December.     (December 1, 2011)

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE: GLEN ROAD AND LIVERPOOL ROAD

Essential road repairs, due to start on Monday, 5 December and last up to five days, will close Glen Road, Kingsdown and Liverpool Road, Walmer to traffic between 7am and 7pm each day. The length of road involved is from the junction of Glen Road and The Rise at Kingsdown to the junction of Liverpool Road and Grams Road in Walmer. The recommended alternative route is via The Rise, Ringwould Road, A258 Dover Road and Grams Road. For more information call Kent County Council's Highway Services on 08458 247 800 or see their website.     (December 1, 2011)

KCC PLANNERS TO CONSIDER "FRACKING" APPLICATION

Local environmental campaigners Deal With It are urging people who share their concerns about the shale gas fracking process to turn out in force for a county council planning meeting on Tuesday 6 December. Starting at 10am at Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, councillors will be considering an application by Coastal Oil and Gas Limited to drill a test bore hole at Woodnesborough, near Sandwich.

Deal With It co-ordinator Rosie Rechter said: "It would be great to have as much support as possible at the beginning of what may be a long process in the possible exploitation of shale gas by means of fracking in our district. A show of strength at this point would help to persuade the members of the planning committee that is not a good idea to open the way to an industrial procedure that could contaminate our water, degrade our environment, cause long term health problems and distract us from the need to develop renewable energy and preserve our lovely countryside to grow our food on."

Anyone wishing to join the Maidstone protest on Tuesday and needs - or can offer - a lift is asked to There is more information on the group's website and Facebook page and group members will also be outside M&S in Deal High Street on Saturday morning from 10.15am. The KCC's planning report can be downloaded here.     (November 29, 2011)

ALERTS ON CHEAP VODKA, BANK CARDS AND CHARITY COLLECTIONS

Kent Trading Standards have issued warnings about several new scams and dodgy products that could snare consumers. They include:

• cheap illegal vodka that could damage health;
• leaflets from a company that closed in 2010 asking for donations of clothing and other goods; and
• bogus calls offering "replacement" bank cards.

For details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (November 28, 2011)

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SPREAD WORD ABOUT DIGITAL TV CHANGE

Action with Communities in Rural Kent is looking for volunteers to help ensure that no-one misses out when local television signals switch to digital in 2012 and the current analogue signals are switched off. Although the BBC’s “Switchover Help Scheme” has been well publicised, the Action with Communities organisation is worried that there will still be people who do not understand what Switchover is about and could end up looking at a blank screen. So they would like to enlist the help of members of local communities who can mobilise others to spread the word to any folk who are eligible for special help. Typically, these might be the very elderly, housebound through a disability or other health issues or have lived in a care home for six months or more. Training and support will be given to volunteers and their out-of-pocket expenses paid. Training sessions are being held in December and January. For further information or to volunteer, contact Kathy Bugden on 01303 813790 or before Monday, 5 December.    (November 23, 2011)

WALMER PARISH COUNCILLORS TO CONSIDER PLANNING CHANGES

Members of Walmer Parish Council's Planning Committee will be holding a special meeting on Monday, 28 November to discuss important changes in local planning. Top of the agenda for their meeting are  the Department for Communities and Local Government's public consultations on proposed Neighbourhood Planning Regulations and  revision to the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The consultation on Neighbourhood Planning Regulations invites people's views on the Government’s proposed changes to the local planning system for England in its Localism Bill. These could include establishing neighbourhood areas and forums, "Community Right to Build" arrangements and the preparation of neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders. The Community Infrastructure Levy is a new levy that local authorities in England and Wales can choose to charge on new developments in their area. The money can be used to help pay for infrastructure that the council, local community and neighbourhoods want - for example new or safer road schemes, park improvements or a new health centre. The system applies to most new buildings and charges are based on the size and type of the development.

Also on the agenda for the special meeting is an item to discuss proposed changes to parking restrictions in Marine Road, The Strand and Wellesley Avenue. Monday's meeting at the Parish Council Office, 10 Victoria Road, Deal, is open to the public and starts at 2pm. Anyone who would like a copy of the Agenda for this extra meeting should contact the Parish Clerk by    (November 23, 2011)

BUS DIVERSIONS FOR MILL ROAD, DEAL

Emergency sewer repairs in Mill Road, Deal are affecting traffic and buses between the junctions of Park Avenue and Beechwood Avenue. The works started on Monday (21 November) and are expected to last a week. Local operators Stagecoach say that their buses will be diverted at the Brickmakers Arms on Mill Road, operate up Park Avenue and turn right at the Hospital onto London Road during the closure. Services coming out of Deal will use the same diversion but in reverse. For further information call Stagecoach on 0845 600 2299.    (November 23, 2011)

BEWARE OF EXPENSIVE "LIFELINE" ALARMS

The public is being warned to be wary of companies "cold calling" to offer expensive "lifeline" alarm systems. Whilst these telephone systems can provide a valuable means for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to quickly summon help, there may well be much more affordable suppliers. For details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (November 20, 2011)

ROADWORKS FOR GLEN ROAD, KINGSDOWN

Roadworks involving the closure of Glen Road in Kingsdown are scheduled for Tuesday, 15 November and the next five days. They will affect local drivers and the 82 / 82A bus service. While the closure is in place, buses will turn at Cliffe Road (Jarvist Place bus stop) and return to Deal using Cliffe Road and Kingsdown Road. Stagecoach say that no buses will serve stops at Kingsdown Primary School and Osbourne Road during the closure. Passengers wishing to use these stops need to wait at the Jarvist Place bus stop on Cliffe Road. If the road is re-opened earlier than planned, buses may be able to return to their normal route. For more bus service information, call 0845 600 2299.  (November 13, 2011)

The connections between the Deal community’s efforts to combat climate change and protecting the biodiversity of our area is the hot topic when local "green" campaigners Deal With It meet later this month. Among the issues to be discussed are Deal and Walmer's possible future role as a "green tourism" destination and whether we should be taking more action now to look after the sites that attract birds and birdwatchers, butterflies, bees and nature lovers. Guest speakers are Mel Wrigley of the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and a representative of the Hawkshill Freedown Volunteers.

Sarah Gleave, who is organising the meeting, says: "We are very fortunate to be living in an area so rich in its wildlife and bio-diversity. It adds massively to our community’s well-being but it is under threat from climate change and our own human impact. We have much to learn from the inspirational work that groups and community volunteers like the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and Hawkshill Freedown do to maintain and foster this important local asset." The meeting is at Dealability, 43 Victoria Road, Deal on Tuesday, 22 November and starts at 7.30pm. The organisers say the meeting is open to all and hope that anyone interested in this topic or green issues in general will attend.    (November 12, 2011)

NOT AN EMERGENCY? DIAL 101

Starting on Monday, 14 November, there's a new way to telephone Kent Police to report incidents that are not serious emergencies or talk to someone about policing services. They are introducing "101" as the non-emergency contact number. People dialling 101 will speak to call handlers in the Kent Police Control Room and they will connect callers to their local neighbourhood officer, team or relevant department, to deal with incidents or questions as required. The good news for users of the new service is that each call to 101 will never cost more than 15p, no matter how long the call, what time of day it is or whether they are calling from a landline or mobile. The more familiar 999 service should only be used for serious emergencies or where crime is in progress.   (November 11, 2011)

Deal's annual "Cards For Good Causes" shop is back at its regular home in Deal Library. Last year the outlet for charity Christmas cards was unable to use its normal space in the Library due to major building works and had to set up shop in Victoria Road instead. Now back in the Broad Street Library, the range of cards is bigger than ever and supports the work of over 25 different charities. It is staffed by volunteers which means most of the proceeds - normally around 75p from every £1 of card sales - go to the charities. Opening times are: Mondays to Saturdays 10am-4pm from now until Saturday, 17 December.   (November 11, 2011)

YAHOO! CASH PRIZE E-MAIL IS A SCAM

Kent Trading Standards have issued a warning about an e-mail that purports to be from Yahoo! It tells the recipient that they are the winner of a very large cash prize and asks them to provide personal details. Yahoo! has not sent any such e-mail and there is no prize. It's yet another scam. The advice is to delete the message and not make contact with the crooks. Anyone who may have been a victim of this or any other scam can contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 for advice.   (November 11, 2011)

LOCAL WELCOME FOR THE OLYMPIC FLAME

Walmer, Deal and Sholden will be on the route for the Olympic Torch as it is carried around Britain in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. The local opportunity to see the torch is set for Thursday, 19 July - day 61 of the route linking over 1,000 communities in the UK. Dover will host an Olympic Torch celebration on the previous evening (Wednesday, 18 July).

£40 MILLION BOOST FOR JOBS IN KENT

FIREWORKS ADVICE

For information on local community fireworks displays, check out the November coming events listings on WalmerWeb or DealWeb. Kent Trading Standards have also issued advice on the current laws for the sale and possession of fireworks. For example: people under 18 years of age can’t legally buy fireworks or have possession of fireworks in public places. Get caught and the Police can issue an on-the-spot fine of £80. For more details, see WalmerWeb's consumer advice page.     (October 29, 2011)

TALK, EXHIBITION AND CONCERT TO HONOUR ARTIST

A talk by Sebastian Peake, son of the writer and illustrator Mervyn Peake, will launch several events celebrating the extraordinary life and work of the artist at Deal's Astor Theatre in December. Sebastian's talk is at 6pm on Thursday, 1 December and will also provide a preview of an exhibition of his father's paintings, drawings and illustrations at the theatre between Thursday, 1 and Wednesday, 21 December. The talk and viewing on 1 December will be followed by a concert featuring the Le Page Trio at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15, available from The Sound House, Deal High Street ( 01304 381134).     (October 28, 2011)

CLAMP DOWN ON RAIL FARE CHEATS

Fare dodgers are to be targetted in a crackdown by Southeastern trains. The move follows complaints to the company and local MP Charlie Elphicke that there was increasing evidence that some people were travelling on parts of the line between Dover and Ramsgate without buying a ticket. The cheats are said to avoid on-board ticket inspectors and even resort to hiding in toilets. Southeastern's response is to say it is introducing extra patrols and will be involving British Transport Police.     (October 28, 2011)

MORE SCAMS HIGHLIGHTED

Kent Trading Standards latest alerts to the public highlight scams involving:
a High Street confidence trick for a "winning lottery ticket",
dodgy companies offering to purchase timeshare and holiday club contracts,
fears that bogus callers might pretend to be involved in Southern Water's water meter installation scheme; and
a trader offering expensive and unecessary work on mobile homes.
For details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (October 24, 2011)

GET THE FACTS ON FUTURE SEA FLOODING RISKS

LOCAL GROUPS NEED YOUR VOTE

A number of local voluntary groups have applied for a share in the latest round of NatWest Community Force grants. Succeeding in their bids for up to £6,000 towards local projects hinges on support by the public who are invited to vote for the best schemes. Among the local groups hoping for a cash grant are:

• Dover Community Radio
• North Deal Community Company: IT Learning for older people in the community centre
• Northbourne Recreation Projects: for football and basketball
• Friends of Deal Town Rangers: club house development
• Kingsdown & Ringwould Primary School PTFA: new school kitchen
• Kingsdown Village Hall: Building Maintenance & Development
• 2235 Squadron - Deal Air cadets: education & training
• Pilgrims Hospice

Voting ends next week and details are on http://communityforce.natwest.com/.   (October 18, 2011)

RESURFACING FOR A258 DEAL/SANDWICH ROAD AND MILL ROAD, DEAL

Kent Highways say that they are planning to carry out resurfacing works on the A258 Deal to Sandwich road on or after Sunday, 16 October. This will mean closure of the main road in the vicinity of the junction with Jubilee Road at Worth for up to one day. Traffic diversions will be in place with a lengthy recommended alternative route via Deal, the A2 and the A256 (Eastry and Whitfield by pass).

More resurfacing has now been announced... for Mill Road in Deal. These works are due to start on Monday, 24 October and could last for five days. The road will be closed to traffic north of the junction with Hamilton Road. Local diversions will be signposted.

For details, call 0845 824 7800 or see www.kent.gov.uk/highways.   (October 7, 2011 - updated October 14, 2011)

SPOTLIGHT ON LEONARD COHEN'S LYRICS IN ASTOR SHOW

The work of Canadian song-writer Leonard Cohen receives a unique interpretation from singer Keith James when he performs at Deal's Astor Theatre next month. His concert at 8pm on Friday, 18 November is part of a current UK tour with 49 dates at selected art centres and theatres. Keith James approach to Cohen's songs has been described as "Each song stripped back – Desolate, Naked and Sensual". Keith explained: "I’m endeavouring to pare each song back to its central core and original sense of purpose by performing each song as near to the way it was originally written, exposing Cohen’s unprecedented sense of humanity." For details and booking, see the Astor website at www.theastor.org.uk or call 01304 381134.   (October 13, 2011)

Deal's "green" credentials received an airing when the town’s deputy mayor Eileen Rowbotham and Deal With It supporter Alan Gleave participated in a special meeting at Detmold in Germany on how local communities can combat climate change. The sessions between 6 and 9 October involved seven towns across Europe. The opportunity for Deal to participate was thanks to links forged by the Deal/Saint-Omer Twinning Association. Visits and presentations allowed Eileen and Alan to promote Deal as a "green" tourism destination and learn how manufacturing companies and local transport authorities are reducing their carbon footprints dramatically and how local housing projects are incorporating a variety of renewable energy resources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The two Deal representatives, who entirely funded their own trip, will be speaking at Deal With It’s January meeting to report back on ideas that might be implemented in Deal and Walmer. For more, see http://transitiondeal.blogspot.com/ .   (October 13, 2011)

PRODUCT RECALLS FOR ELECTRIC BLANKET AND PASTA SAUCES

COMMEMORATIVE ROSE SCHEME FOR MARKE WOOD

Walmer residents are being offered an opportunity to remember a loved one and help to beautify a local park in the Pilgrims Hospice Rose Gardens scheme. The local rose garden is to be created at the Marke Wood recreation ground on Dover Road, Walmer and the public can add to the display by sponsoring extra bushes. The chosen variety is the popular very hardy and fragrant Margaret Merryll. Each rose costs £25 and this includes planting and a donation to the Pilgrims Hospices, the charity which provides free palliative care to people in east Kent. Planting is scheduled over the next few months and the new gardens will be formally opened when in full bloom next June. For details, see www.pilgrimshospices.org/.../
a-rose-to-remember/.   (October 7, 2011)

DOVER AREA'S PARLIAMENTARY BOUNDARY CHANGES

Proposed changes to the Dover Parliamentary constituency have been published by the Boundary Commission for England. The Commission is an independent public body which reviews all Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England every five years. The latest review is being carried out under new rules laid down in the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 and will involve reducing the total number of constituencies in England from 533 to 502 and with each constituency having a similar number of registered electors.

Before the final shape of the new constituency boundaries is decided the public is being encouraged to comment, whether to support or object to the initial proposals. This could result in revisions to the suggested new boundaries. To see the proposed shape of the Dover constituency, you can download a map at: http://rr-bce-static.s3.amazonaws.com/
.../Dover-CC.pdf?9d7bd4. For full details of the Boundary Commission's review, see: http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland
.independent. gov.uk/. All representations will be published on the Commission's website in Spring 2012 for further comment. Any revisions will be published in Autumn 2012 and may be subject to a further consultation before final recommendations by 1 October 2013.   (October 7, 2011)

FIRE AT FOOTBALL CLUB PAVILION

SPARE FOREIGN COINS CAN HELP LIFEBOAT

People with foreign coins left over from trips abroad are being asked to use them to support the work of the Deal and Walmer branch of the RNLI. Local RNLI secretary Mrs Sylvia Main says she is hoping the public will gather up any spare coins and drop them into a special collecting box at the entrance to Deal Pier. The coins are then taken to the bank and exchanged for sterling so providing a welcome boost to the local lifeboat service funds. A similar scheme last year produced £200.   (October 6, 2011)

COFFEE MORNING BOOST FOR MACMILLAN FUNDS

A coffee morning in memory of former Walmer parish councillor and St Mary's Church member Mrs Christine Orridge has raised £314 for the Macmillan Cancer Care charity. Held at Elizabeth House in St Mary's Road, Walmer on Saturday, 1 October the morning was one of a number of local events for the annual World's Largest Coffee Morning scheme. Apart from fresh coffee and home-made cakes, local residents and friends and family of Mrs Orridge enjoyed a tombola and raffle for a patchwork quilt.   (October 6, 2011)

HISTORY MUSEUM RE-OPENS

AUDITION FOR ASTOR'S CHRISTMAS SHOW

For its first community Christmas show - "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree" - Deal's Astor Theatre is looking for actors, singers and dancers of all ages and experiences. Auditions are on Sunday, 9 October from 12noon to 4pm. The organisers say: "Just turn up with something to sing and scripts will be provided. Come and be part of what will be the best Christmas show in town." The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree has been adapted from the award winning animated film to create a heartwarming holiday musical. The performances at the Astor will be on Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 December at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday 17 December at 2.30pm.   (October 6, 2011)

Customers using the car parks at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal will no longer receive a reimbursement of parking fees after today (Thursday, 29 September). The arrangement where people using the centre could claim the cost of parking when arriving has been withdrawn by Dover Council. In future, car park charges will be by the minute with a minimum payment of 50p (30 minutes). There's a small bonus for the leisure centre's Direct Debit customers who will continue to receive free parking up to a maximum of two hours.    (September 29, 2011)

Business owners are being reminded by Kent Trading Standards that sales of tobacco from vending machines are banned from Saturday (1 October). It will be illegal to sell cigarettes or any other form of tobacco to anyone from an automated vending machine or for any machines to display advertisements or promotion for tobacco products. Business owners with vending machines on their premises are responsible for ensuring they conform with the law. Breaches could result in a fine of up to £2,500. There's more information on the Business Link website.     (September 29, 2011)

UNPROTECTED SHARE DEALING AND DODGY "INVOICES"

Kent Trading Standards has drawn attention to approaches from the Barrington Group, a financial firm based in New York, offering to buy shares at grossly inflated prices. As the Barrington Group is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to carry out regulated activity in the UK, people using the service are not protected by the Financial Services Ombudsmen Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

The Kent consumer watchdog has also warned businesses to look out for misleading “invoices” that are in circulation again. Businesses can be fooled into thinking they've got a demand for payment for agreed advertising. However, contained in the small print at the bottom of the document it explains that it is actually an "invitation" to advertise their business on a website. The advice is to be vigilant and not pay for services that weren't ordered. For more details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (September 29, 2011)

SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH DEAL'S FUTURE

Latest progress on a study into how Deal could develop in the future will be on show in a public exhibition at the Golf Road Community Centre in North Deal on Wednesday, 5 October from 5.30pm-7.30pm. Prepared by consultants GVA for Dover Council, Kent County Council and the Environment Agency, the study focuses on the flood risk and transport issues that affect the northern part of the town and the Sholden area. It aims to see whether there are ways of dealing with these issues and whether there would be any scope for further development.

£3,000 IN PRIZES FOR BEST TECHNOLOGY IDEAS

The public is being invited to come up with ideas for innovative ways of using technology to improve their neighbourhoods. Kent Connects - the body that encourages the use of technology to improve public services across the county - has launched a competition with prizes of £500 for the best ideas and £1,000 for people who go on to develop the best prototypes. Entrants are invited to suggest ways that new technology could be used to:
help people help each other in their neighbourhood; or
make it easier for people to report issues to their council.

Time is running out for the "best idea" part of the competition with the organisers planning to award prizes on 25 October. The awards for those creating best prototypes for the two challenges will be made on 25 November. The competition is open to UK residents, as individuals or in a team. There is no age limit but under-16s should have the permission of a parent or guardian. Enter as many ideas as you like. For more information and to enter see:
http://bit.ly/submityouridea.    (September 27, 2011)

"BEST WEEKEND OF MUSIC" FOR DEAL

NEW CLUB HELPS OVER 40s MAKE FRIENDS

For people over 40 who want to expand their circle of friends in Deal and the surrounding area, there's a new social club called SocialDEALights. Started recently by Sybil Stevens of Princes Street, Deal, the aim of the club is to help people get together in groups to enjoy local events and make new friends. Sybil explained: "We use a facebook page, texts and phone calls to make contact and meet up."

The club has a website at http://socialdealights.weebly.com where existing members can check on coming "meet ups" and prospective members can join. On the website, Sybil says she'd found that although there were singles friendship clubs in other areas there were none locally. So she decided to start one "to provide a relaxed and happy atmosphere to meet, make new friends and have fun". She emphasises: "This is not a dating club, but who knows who you might meet!" Primarily for people over 40, membership is not restricted to singles.
For more contact details for Sybil and the club, see the SocialDEALights listing on WalmerWeb's clubs and societies pages.    (September 17, 2011)

BOGUS ADVERTISING, DOMAIN NAME AND COUNCIL TAX "OFFERS"

Kent Trading Standards have issued warnings about the latest batch of dodgy "offers" that could leave local householders and businesses out of pocket. They include:

• Phone calls from people offering advertising space in bogus publications that they claim are linked to the fire brigade, ambulance service or local schools;
• Calls to businesses and individuals from companies claiming that their web domain registration needs to be updated for a cost of around £75; and
• Mail shots suggesting householders could be paying too much council tax as their property has been banded too high and offering a "no win – no fee" service to sort it out.

BRADERIE STREET FAIR THIS WEEKEND

Deal's annual Braderie street market is on Sunday (18 September). For people keen to find a bargain antique or collectible, the town's High Street with around 130 stalls, should prove a happy hunting ground. The Braderie is from 8.30am to 4pm and is expected to feature street entertainment from musicians supporting the weekend's Maritime Folk Festival. St George's Church is planning to offer refreshments and will even be giving away snacks and drinks to passers-by between 11.30am and 1pm. Also on Sunday, the Astor Theatre in Stanhope Road will have its monthly Antiques and Collectors Market from 9am to 4pm.    (September 15, 2011)

BOTULISM SCARE FOR FRENCH "LA RUCHE" PASTES

Past and present residents of the Elvington and Eythorne area are being invited to get together for a special event celebrating the former local colliery and village life. Lynne Steward of Dover Library says the organisers would like to contact all those people and families that live worked or went to school in the area around the village and Tilmanstone coalmine.

Together with the Eythorne NHS Health and Wellbeing coordinator, the Library is holding a Heritage Day at Elvington Community Centre on Sunday, 6 November from 11am onwards. Lynne explained: "It will include all aspect of village history - not just the links with the mining community. There must be lots of people who may have lived in the surround area and had links - like farming, community shops, milkmen, postmen or school teachers - who may now live in other local towns and villages and would like to take part in some small way." It is hoped that people coming together for the event will be able to add to displays of photos and memorabilia along with a scrapbook of memories. There will also be a screening of unique film footage of the closing of Tilmanstone Colliery. For more information and to be involved contact: Carol Duffield (nee Sheppard) on 078550 45650 or Brigitte Ryeland on 075459 34728.     (September 13, 2011)

BOGUS PIN NUMBER ADVICE

Kent Trading Standards has been contacted by a concerned resident who received an e-mail purporting to be from Crime Stoppers. The e-mail stated that anyone forced by a robber to withdraw money at a cash machine can alert the bank and the Police they are under duress by entering their PIN number in reverse. This is a hoax, and entering a reverse PIN will have NO effect. Many similar e-mail hoaxes are in circulation and Trading Standards advise that unsolicited e-mail is checked carefully before responding. Many of these hoaxes are described on the Internet on sites such as www.hoax-slayer.com.     (September 13, 2011)

NEW REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE STARTS THIS MONTH

BOGUS BANK CALLS ARE LATEST SCAMS

GET CRACKING TO APPLY FOR PROJECT CASH

DEAL'S HIGH SPEED TRAINS ARE "ONLY A START"

The introduction of a limited weekday high speed train service from Sandwich and Deal to London St Pancras on Monday, 5 September has been welcomed by local rail pressure group Trains4Deal. But they and others - including Deal's town mayor Cllr Jim Cronk - regard it as only a start and want to see the services extended to cover off-peak travel on weekdays and also at weekends. The current service by rail operator Southeastern is Mondays to Fridays with three trains in the morning leaving Sandwich at 5.50am, 6.18am and 6.50am - calling at Deal six minutes later. Return journeys in the evening are from St Pancras at 5.40pm and 6.40pm. Travel time via the high speed train is approximately 90 minutes. Existing mainline services between London and Deal take approximately 135 minutes. For details, see www.southeasternrailway.co.uk.     (September 8, 2011)

OPEN WEEKEND FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Two events this weekend (9 and 10 September) offer an opportunity to learn more about local history and visit the area's significant buildings. As part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme, Deal Town Hall will be opening its doors to visitors on Friday, 9 September from 1pm to 8pm and on Saturday, 10 September from 10am to 4pm. One of the attractions will be the original Turner painting depicting a storm off Deal's shoreline.

MEMORIES OF BARRACKS BOMBING

A display recording the memories of people affected by the IRA bombing of Walmer Barracks on 22 September 1989 will be on view at the Deal's Astor Theatre from Monday, 19 to Friday, 30 September. Created as a Dover Museum oral history project, "Eleven Empty Spaces" provides a permanent commemoration of that tragic event. The timing of the free exhibition at the Astor Theatre in Stanhope Road is especially poignant, including, as it does, the anniversary of the bombing.  (September 4, 2011 - updated September 13, 2011)

THEY'LL BE DANCING IN THE STREET

The Deal Maritime Folk Festival will be playing host to one of the largest gatherings of Morris and other dancers in Kent on Saturday, 17 September. Lis Clayson, one of the festival organisers, said "We have over a 100 confirmed dancers coming to the popular 'Offcumduns day of dance' at the festival. These include the Minster Mayhems, Bishop Gundulf’s Morris, Cinque Ports, Penny Royal and Wantsum Morris. We even have an all-women group Loose Women (who take their name from the village near Maidstone!). It’s going to be an amazing spectacle to watch, especially the mass morris finale on the seafront between 3pm and 4pm."

More details on the festival - which runs between Thursday, 15 and Sunday, 18 September - can be found at www.dealmaritimefolkfestival.org and at the festival’s Facebook page or on Twitter at "DealFolk". Printed programmes are available at the Landmark Centre, Astor Theatre, Sound House, Mark1 and many other outlets.  (September 4, 2011)

PRESSURE GROWS TO SAVE LOCAL YOUTH CENTRE

"BIG FOLK NAMES" COMING TO DEAL

The organisers of this year's Deal Maritime Folk Festival reckon it will be "one of the most varied and exciting musical experiences in Kent for 2011". Festival team member Ray Fielder said "Deal has an amazing variety of great local folk music and, to this mixture, we'll have some fantastic headline acts at the Astor Theatre." These will include a folk-punk hoedown dance from Cut A’Shine supported by Deal’s own Cocos Lovers on Thursday 15 September. The next day sees the return to Deal of Nuru Kane, the Senegalese singer/songwriter and master of the guimbri (a three-stringed Moroccan bass). His sell-out concert at last year’s festival was described as one of musical highlights of 2010. On Saturday 17 September the masters of Shanty singing, Kimber’s Men, will be in concert and the festival finale on Sunday has Martha Tilston, noted for her clear and seductively beautiful voice.

£6,000 CASH AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

ENTERPRISE ZONE STATUS FOR PFIZER SITE

NEW REFUSE AND RECYCLING SCHEME FROM SEPTEMBER

Dover District Council's new arrangements for refuse and recycling collections will be introduced across the district from September. Residents will receive four new containers:

• a small food waste caddy for the kitchen,
• a lockable food waste bin to keep outside,
• a blue-lidded wheeled bin for recycling glass bottles and jars, cans and tins, all types of plastic packaging and cartons
  and
• a bin for the remaining rubbish that can't be recycled or composted.

Existing black boxes will be used just for paper and card. People who currently receive a garden waste collection, will continue to receive the service. Alternative collection methods will be used for homes which cannot have wheeled bins. The food waste collections will be weekly; all the other collections will be fortnightly.

DEARER TRAIN FARES FOR 2012

KETTLE CHIPS PRODUCT WARNING

The public is being asked to check if they've bought KETTLE® brand crisps. The manufacturers, Kettle Foods Ltd, have issued a product warning about what they say is a limited number of bags of KETTLE® Chips. Only those with a "best before" date of 29 October 2011 are involved and limited to four products:

• KETTLE®Chips Wave Cut Lightly Salted 150g,
• KETTLE® Chips Wave Cut Salt & Pepper 150g,
• KETTLE® Chips Wave Cut Salt & Vinegar 150g (all three affected products were only sold through Asda Stores)
  and
• KETTLE® Chips Lightly Salted 150g (only sold through Tesco Stores).

The packs may contain pieces of plastic that are similar in appearance to the crisps. As a precautionary measure, customers are advised not to eat the product and to contact Kettle Foods for a full refund including postage. The empty packs together with your name and address should be sent to: Kettle Foods Ltd, Barnard Road, Norwich NR5 9JP. If more information is required, call 0800 616996 (freephone).   (August 10, 2011)

TOWN COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR TRANSITION TOWN

Deal Town Council has formally agreed to support local "green" group Deal With It's aim for Deal becoming a Green "Transition Town". At their full council meeting on Tuesday 26 July, councillors agreed in principle to support community groups working towards making Deal a Transition Town and to assist "where possible and practicable" in that aim. The Transition Town movement is proving popular and, in less than six years, over 500 towns and villages around the country have signed up to change their communities from high-carbon to lower-carbon dependancy by local action on energy generation and reduction. Typical initiatives include greater use of local food, better transport and schemes to reduce waste. In Kent, Whitstable, Faversham, Canterbury, Hythe, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden have already taken up the idea.

Cllr Eileen Rowbotham , vice-chair of Deal Town Council, said: "This is an important step for Deal and great vision for the future of town. We are going to meet with Deal With It to look in detail at the practicable support the town council can provide to make Deal a greener town." For more details, see www.dealwithit.org.    (August 8, 2011)

ROAD CLOSURES IN ST GEORGE'S ROAD AND WEST STREET, DEAL

Kent Highways say that cabling works at St George's Road and West Street, Deal are due to start on (or shortly after) Monday, 22 August and are expected to take three days. St George's Road - from West Street to the High Street - will be closed to through traffic, as willl West Street in the vicinity of its junction with St George's Road. Local diversions using Duke Street, Union Road, the High Street and Stanhope Road will be signposted. For information, call 0845 824 7800 or see www.kent.gov.uk/highways.     (August 7, 2011)

LOCAL SCREENING OF SHALE FRACKING DOCUMENTARY

Deal’s "green" group Deal With It has arranged a local screening of the film "Gasland" on Tuesday, 16 August. An award-winning documentary by Josh Fox, it looks at the experience of people and communities across America who became the victims of the extraction of gas power from shale deposits by the controversial hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" method. Deal With It co-ordinator Rosie Rechter said: "Gasland is about the terrible environmental impacts that a rush to shale gas has had in the States. We have a planning proposal in front of Kent County Council to do the exploratory work for this at Woodnesborough, near Sandwich. We have real concerns if these proposals were to progress on the potential impact on our environment, especially to our already stressed water supply. A similar scheme near Blackpool has been associated with earth tremors."

The screening on 16 August is at DealAbility, 43 Victoria Road, Deal at 7.30pm and will be followed by a discussion on the threats of shale gas exploitation to East Kent. The film runs for 107mins and the show is free. For more details, see www.dealwithit.org.     (August 7, 2011)

FREE ALERTS SERVICE FOR FOOD ALLERGY SUFFERERS

People who have food allergies might want to sign up for the Food Standard Agency's text alert service. It sends out free text messages when it learns about any products that could cause problems due to inadequate labelling. To read more, see the Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.  (August 30, 2011)

SEPTEMBER START FOR HIGH SPEED TRAINS

Rail operator Southeastern is to introduce a limited weekday high speed train service from Sandwich and Deal to London St Pancras from Monday, 5 September. On Mondays to Fridays there will be three trains in the morning leaving Sandwich at 5.50am, 6.18am and 6.50am - calling at Deal six minutes later. Return journeys in the evening are from St Pancras at 5.40pm and 6.40pm. Travel time via the high speed train is approximately 90 minutes. Existing mainline services between London and Deal take approximately 135 minutes. For details, see www.southeasternrailway.co.uk.     (August 4, 2011)

NEW CENTRE OPENS IN NORTH DEAL

The new £750,000 Golf Road Community Centre in North Deal is now open. Creation of the building, which will cater for a wide range of activities and features a bright modern cafe, follows a lengthy campaign by the North Deal Community Partnership and local residents. The Centre, located on a former gasworks site, is open on weekdays from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Among the first activities at the new Centre are Art and Crafts Family Workshops being held 10am-12noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout August. Cost per session is: adults £3, children £1.50 or a combined family price of £5. There's a 50% discount for booking in advance; drop in at the Centre to book. Call 07985 623190 for more details.     (August 3, 2011)

ROUTE 15A BUS CHANGES IN DEAL

In an effort to improve time-keeping, Stagecoach has made some changes to its 15A bus route. Since 24 July route 15A no longer calls at South Street en route to Sandown. Passengers for Sandown need to board the bus in Queen Street, at the Pier or in the High Street. On its return from Sandown, the 15A will still call into South Street and provide the usual service to Dover and Canterbury. All buses to Dover, Sandwich and Canterbury will still use South Street. For timetables, see www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables.aspx .   (August 3, 2011)

ROADWORKS IN ALBERT ROAD, DEAL

Kent Highways say that they are planning to carry out repairs and resurfacing work in Albert Road, Deal on (or shortly after) Tuesday, 9 August. The section of Albert Road between the junction with Middle Deal Road and the level crossing will be closed to through traffic. The work is expected to take one day and traffic will be diverted via Albert Road, London Road, West Street and Western Road. For information, call 0845 824 7800 or see www.kent.gov.uk/highways.     (July 24, 2011)

SHOW OFF YOUR BACK GARDEN IN WALMER PHOTO CHALLENGE

Keen Walmer gardeners proud of their back gardens are being invited to let everyone see their efforts in a photo competition organised by Walmer Parish Council. There are three entry categories: "Garden Close Up", "Garden Panoramic" and ""Garden Animals". The competition is open to anyone with a garden in Walmer, whatever their age or camera skills. Entries need to be in the form of prints no larger than 7 inches x 5 inches and mounted on card. They have to be pre-registered with the Parish Council Office before the closing date of Friday, 5 August. Each person can submit up to three photos and entry is free. As many entries as possible will be displayed at the "Picnic on the Green" event on Saturday, 13 August when the public will be able to vote for the images they consider the best. The winners in each category receive a cup and certificate. More details and entry forms are available on the Walmer Parish Council website.     (July 6, 2011 - updated July 23, 2011)

"GOOD CITIZEN SCHEME" DOESN'T EXIST!

Kent Trading Standards has warned that telephone calls offering big cash rewards under a "Good Citizen Scheme" are bogus. The scheme doesn't exist and it's yet another ploy to cheat people out of their money. To read more, see the Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (July 20, 2011)

TOP CHANGES AT SCIENCE COLLEGE

There are major changes at Walmer Science College in the wake of a critical inspection report by Ofsted. Headteacher Simon Heaton has left and is replaced by Mrs Julia Scannell and a new executive head Paul Luxmoore.     (July 14, 2011)

TOP BRITISH FILMS FOR CASTLE SCREENINGS

Open air cinema returns to Walmer for two evenings in July and August. Staged in Walmer Castle's Gardens, the Oscar-winning drama "The King's Speech" (certificate 12A) is on Wednesday, 20 July and the acclaimed stately home upstairs-downstairs whodunit "Gosford Park" (certificate 15) is on Wednesday, 17 August. Doors for "The King's Speech" open at 8pm with the screening at 9.15pm. For "Gosford Park", admission is from 7pm with the screening at 8.35pm. Refreshments will be on sale - or patrons can bring a picnic. Tickets are £10 and must be purchased in advance, online via organisers Lexi-Nomad's website.     (July 13, 2011)

TRIBUTE CEILIDH FOR CHRIS

DEADLINE OF 25 JULY FOR HOUSING PLAN COMMENTS

People concerned at proposals by developers Hillreed Homes to build 230 houses on green field sites at Sholden are being urged to let Dover Council planners have their views.  In applying for outline planning permission, the developers would like to see a "residential development of up to 230 dwellings and public open space, with access from Hancocks Field, Hunters Walk, and Hyton Drive, including roads, cycle paths, footpaths, ancillary works incorporating landscaping, a pond, and alterations to existing public rights of way".

Sholden Parish Council's clerk Mrs Mary Shaw said: "These plans are due to go to Dover Planning Committee possibly later this summer. Deal Town Council's planning committee recently rejected unaninimously the revised Hillreed application." Mary suggested that many will be anxious at the impact of the proposals on traffic and local flooding and at the loss of prime agricultural land and explained: "Local people are well aware that currently negotiating around Deal, Sholden and Walmer is a slow process at the best of times! Imagine the problems with 1,000 more local cars on our roads and no planned infrastructure improvements?" She considered that flooding would almost inevitably be a problem. The drains in the Deal area were currently pressed to cope and covering Grade 1 agricultural land with concrete begged a question on where all the extra surface water would go.

"Sholden has no surface water drains - only soakaways that flood after a downpour," Mary added. "And should we cover perfecly good Agricultural land with concrete when the world food supply is in crisis?" The revised plans can be seen on www.dover.gov.uk; follow the links to Plan Reference 10/01012. Comments can be made via the website. Alternatively, write to Phil Taylor, DDC Planning Section, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ by 25 July.    (July 13, 2011)

MORE TELEPHONE SCAMS

Unsolicited phone calls - one offering a large "bank charge refund" and the other asking recipients to use a bogus automated service - are the latest scams that Kent Trading Standards is highlighting. To read more, see the Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.     (July 8, 2011)

AVOID OPEN GOLF TICKET SCAMS

Kent Trading Standards are advising businesses to be wary if they are considering booking corporate hospitality tickets for the 2011 British Open Golf Championship in Sandwich. The county's consumer watchdog says they have received complaints about companies offering expensive tickets and packages that they are not able to provide. Before booking, they advise:

• reading a company’s terms and conditions to avoid any hidden extra costs;
• using an Internet search on the company to see if others have voiced complaints;
• checking if the trader is a limited company on the Companies House website.

It's also possible that counterfeit Open Golf goods may be on offer. To avoid fake goods, stick to retailers authorised by the organiser and be especially careful with internet sellers. To report concerns call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.     (July 6, 2011)

MORE ATTRACTIONS INVITED FOR MINERS' FESTIVAL

MEETINGS TO DISCUSS REVISED SHOLDEN HOUSING PLANS

There are new developments in proposals to build 1,600 houses on green fields sites at Sholden.

• Hillreed Homes have amended their scheme for new homes on Grade 1 agricultural land in the area around Church Lane.
• Deal Town Council planning committee is expected to be meeting representatives of Hillread Homes at Deal Town Hall tonight (Tuesday, 5 July). Deal With It "green" group says no-one, not even Sholden Parish Council, has been notified of the meeting which starts at 7.15pm and is open to the public.
• The revised plans can be seen on www.dover.gov.uk; follow the links to Plan Reference 10/01012. Comments can be made via the website. Alternatively, write to Phil Taylor, DDC Planning Section, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ by 25 July.
• Sholden Parish Council will be holding two events where residents can see plans and give their views to parish councillors. They are in Sholden Village Hall on Saturday, 9 July at 10am–1pm and Monday, 11 July at 6pm–8pm.
• Sholden Parish Council has invited all members of Dover District Council planning committee and district councillors to hear the views of local residents.     (July 5, 2011)

OPEN GOLF - BUS DIVERSIONS AT SANDOWN

Local bus service operator Stagecoach says that its 15A service will be affected by a road closure as part of the Open Golf traffic restrictions in north Deal between 10 and 17 July. Ethelbert Road will be closed at its junction with Golf Road so route 15A will operate via College Road, Harold Road and Golf Road. Buses will be unable to serve King Edward Road, Godwyn Road, Ethelbert Road and Sandown Road. To assist passengers a temporary bus stop will be located in Harold Road during the period of diversion. For more on Stagecoach bus services see their website. For more on the Open Golf traffic arrangements, see our earlier news item.     (July 3, 2011)

HOUSEHOLDERS AND BUSINESSES ALERTED TO NEW SCAMS

Householders and businesses need to be wary of the latest approaches from people offering dodgy deals. Kent Trading Standards say that cold callers selling household goods are operating in Folkestone - but might move on to neighbouring areas. Once they have gained access to a property the prices are hugely inflated... with one man charged £80 for a mop. There have also been reports of money being stolen. The trading watchdog's advice is not to buy goods from doorstep traders and never to let them into the home.

TOWN COUNCIL HEARS THE BENEFITS OF A "TRANSITION TOWN"

Deal town councillors are being asked to support the idea of Deal becoming part of the Transition Town network. In a presentation to a full meeting of the town council on Tuesday, 28 June, local Deal With It "green" group chair Rosie Rechter explained how backing the scheme would benefit the area. Deal would be able to do more and speed up the process of becoming a sustainable low-carbon community and coping with the challenges of climate change, rising fossil fuel prices and, even, the global financial crisis.

Rosie stressed that many initiatives have already been undertaken. With local democratic representatives' support, she believed the grass roots movement could move faster towards a low-carbon lifestyle and promoting local producers, retailers, local transport links and green tourism. Other Kent transition towns and low carbon communities were already involved. Speaking after the meeting, Rosie said: "The presentation was well received and town councillors agreed to discuss the matter fully next month. Our hopes are raised and our fingers firmly crossed!"     (July 1, 2011)