NEW RURAL ROUTE FOR DEAL TO DOVER CYCLISTS

Local cycling campaigners are celebrating the official launch in July of a safer route for cyclists between Deal and Dover. Linking the existing cycle path on Telegraph Road in Deal to Guston and Cycle Route 16 down into Dover, the new Skylark Trail provides a well-signed route on quiet country lanes. It avoids the hazards of the busy A258 and is seen as a good inland alternative to the National Cycle Route 1 along the White Cliffs coast.

Members of the Dover District Cycling Forum say the improvement was prompted by the death on the A258 at Ringwould of a local cyclist Daniel Squire. Cash for creating the new route and erecting essential direction signs was provided by county councillor for Dover North, Steve Manion, from his local highways budget. The formal launch of the Skylark Trail is on Saturday 12 July at 11.30am at The Old Lantern Inn, The Street, Martin, near Dover. All local cyclists are invited to be there to celebrate. For more details and maps of the new cycle route, see: http://doverdistrictcycleforum.weebly.com/  (June 28, 2014)

MANSTON'S FIGHTER PLANES' MUSEUM STILL OPEN

The management team for the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum on Manston Airfield near Ramsgate say "it's business as usual". Reacting to numerous enquiries from potential visitors to their display of Second World War fighter planes, they are keen to assure the public that, at present, they are unaffected by the recent closure of flight operations at Manston Airport. In a statement they say: “Currently the museum is unaware of any plans regarding its future, and is continuing to operate as usual. The museum has no political affiliations, and is not generally involved with its landlord’s business decisions. If appropriate, the museum will up-date its visitors and stakeholders via the website as the situation develops. The Museum and Museum Trust would like to thank you all for your continued support.”

To contact the museum call 01843 821940, or see their website www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk/.   (June 26, 2014)

MOTORISTS URGED TO THWART PETTY THIEVES

Police are urging motorists to take care about locking their vehicles and not leave valuable items on show. The advice follows a sharp rise in thefts from vehicles in the Deal and Walmer areas. In May alone there were 66 recorded incidents. Basic precautions involve closing all windows, locking doors and setting an alarm if fitted, even if leaving the vehicle for only a few minutes. Where a vehicle is to be unattended for a longer time, not leaving valuable items is recommended. Most thieves are canny enough to check glove boxes and boots and anything more visible can be an "open invitation".   (June 26, 2014)

COOKERY SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

There's cash help towards the cost of a five-day intensive cookery course for young people (16+) being run in Deal in mid-July. Organisers Cinque Ports Community Kitchen are offering four bursaries, each worth £250, to cover half the cost of the training. The sessions at the Community Kitchen in Golf Road, Deal, are from Monday 14 to Friday 18 July, 9.30am to 4.30pm each day. As well as appealing to budding chefs, the course will be invaluable to young people leaving home and wanting to cook properly. Full cost of the course is £495 and includes all ingredients and a lunch each day. For more information and how to apply contact Stephanie on 01304 362288.    (June 25, 2014)

DEALWEB AND WALMERWEB ON FACEBOOK

The two local community websites WalmerWeb and DealWeb both have Facebook pages. These provide an extra opportunity for local residents to have their say on local issues, publicise coming events, mention local club activities and even advertise commercial services. To take a look at the Facebook pages, go to:

•  Walmer Kent at https://www.facebook.com/groups/walmer/; and
•  DealWeb at https://www.facebook.com/groups/
  742277899128634/

As with many Facebook groups, the posted messages can be seen by everyone - but people need to have their own Facebook account to join the groups and post messages. Administrators of other local Facebook pages - covering everything from friendship groups to foodbanks and environmental issues to charity events and local history - are welcome to promote their groups and possibly gain new members.    (June 21, 2014)

SOUTHEASTERN TRAINS ENGINEERING WORKS

Train operator Southeastern has announced engineering works that will affect some weekend and late night services between Dover Priory and Ramsgate in July. The following services will be replaced by buses to link Dover, Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal, Sandwich and Ramsgate:

• The whole weekend from 0055 on Saturday 5 July to 0400 on Monday 7 July.
• From 0005 to 0450 on each of the nights of Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July. *
• From 1935 on Saturday 12 July to 0450 on Monday 14 July.
• From 0005 to 0450 on each of the nights of Monday 14 July to Friday 18 July. *
• From 1935 on Saturday 19 July to 0450 on Monday 21 July.
• From 0005 to 0450 on each of the nights of Monday 21 July to Friday 25 July. *
• From 0055 on Sunday 27 July to 0450 on Monday 28 July.
  
  * These works will affect the 22:10 London Charing Cross to Ramsgate via Dover Priory; and the 23:12 St Pancras International to Ramsgate via Dover Priory.

There is more engineering work in August - this time between Folkestone Central and Deal - from 0150 on Sunday 3 August to 0330 on Monday 4 August. All services will be replaced by buses between Folkestone Central and Deal.

For full details, see: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey
/engineering-work.     (June 20, 2014)

HELP FOR BUDDING WRITERS WHO'VE LOST THE PLOT

Deal's creative writers group reckon their next meeting could provide some practical solutions for anyone who writes poetry or prose but has got bogged down. Maybe the characters take over, the plot isn't working or it's the same plot structure all the time. On Thursday 19 June, successful writer and Kent Adult Education tutor Caroline Greville is guest speaker at the Deal Writers meeting at Dealability, 43 Victoria Road, Deal. She has promised an interesting evening explaining her approach to developing plot lines and narrative structure plus some practical exercises to get her audience working and thinking. The meeting is at 7.30pm and new or prospective members are welcome. For more information,     (June 12, 2014)

FIREMEN'S STRIKE AND OVERTIME BAN IN COMING DAYS

Firemen in Kent and across the country will be striking for 24 hours commencing at 9am on Thursday 12 June and, again, for 7 hours commencing at 10am on Saturday 21 June . Members of the Fire Brigades Union are also banning voluntary overtime from 9am on Friday 13 June until 10am on Saturday 21 June and from 5pm on Saturday 21 June to 9am on Sunday 22 June. The industrial action is the latest move in the continuing national dispute on pensions between the Government and the union.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service says it is putting plans in place to provide a "contingency level" of services during these periods. But it is urging people to do what they can to help reduce the risk of fire in their home or work place and take extra care when driving. Safety advice is given on the KFRS website at www.kent.fire-uk.org/.     (June 11, 2014)

CONTEST FOR WALMER'S BEST FRONT GARDENS

Walmer residents and businesses are, once again, being invited to take part in the annual Walmer In Bloom best gardens competition. Preliminary judging of gardens and floral displays that can be seen from the public highway is in the week beginning Monday 7 July. Final judging is then in the following week. For the winners, there's a presentation event on Sunday 14 September. For details of the competition categories and how to enter, contact the Walmer Parish Council Office at 8 The Strand, Walmer, phone 01304 362363 or      (June 9, 2014)

NEW MOVES IN ANTI-FRACKING CAMPAIGNS

Campaigners opposed to shale gas exploration in east Kent are pressing Kent County Council to take greater account of public concerns before making any decisions. In an open letter to KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter, the chairman of the East Kent Against Fracking group, Rosemary Rechter, lists her main fears over drilling for shale gas in the area and calls for the council to clarify its position on the controversial technique.

Mrs Rechter says: “It increasingly seems to us that KCC unthinkingly endorses the government’s ill-considered dash for gas, and seeks to stifle all dissenting views when it should be encouraging an open and informed debate on what all the independent evidence suggests is a decidedly complex and inherently dangerous technology. Should this industry be developed within the county, Kent will be changed out of all recognition by the thousands of wells which we understand will be necessary to ensure viability.”

She draws attention to the potential risk of water pollution through toxic spills and the impact on the lives of residents. There is, she says, a need for more public consultation, better transparency within the council and greater sensitivity in its role to protect residents’ welfare. EKAF's Facebook page is at: https://www.facebook.com/EastKentAgainstFracking.

In a separate move, the 38 Degrees on-line campaigning group is highlighting a government proposal in yesterday's (Wednesday 4 June) Queen's Speech to change the law so fracking companies can drill under people's homes without their permission. They say the future of fracking in the UK rests on this new law being passed. The head of major fracking company Cuadrilla is reported to have said that without the law change he didn't think "the industry will go ahead in the UK." 38 Degrees are urging the public to contact their local MP to impress on them their strong opposition to this move. For details, see: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/06/05/fracking-update
-queens-speech.     (June 5, 2014)

BBC TV'S "COAST" PROGRAMME SEEKS HELP

The production team for the BBC-tv programme "Coast" is seeking help with a World War II item they would like to film in the local area. It's about WWII and the Flame Barrage defences that Britain installed and trialled to protect the south coast. The programme makers want to find someone who lived in the local area during the time and maybe remembers the Flame Barrages being installed or trialled. Also what it was like growing up so close to occupied France. The programme is filming in St Margaret’s Bay and Walmer and would like to hear about anyone in the surrounding area with memories or who might be able to help. Contact Hannah Ward, Director - Coast, on 0292 032 2590 or      (June 5, 2014)

SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH SERVICES AT LOCAL MEETING

Local heath services will be the main topic at a Neighbourhood Forum meeting in Deal on Thursday 19 June. The latest in the series of regular public meetings organised by Dover District Council and Kent County Council is at the Town Hall in Deal High Street. Tea and coffee will be available from 6.30pm and the meeting will start at 7pm. Speakers from the area's Clinical Commissioning Group and other health care professionals will start the proceedings and the meeting will then open up around 7.30pm for round table discussions and question and answer sessions. All local residents are invited to attend, to hear what is happening about local heath care and raise any concerns. For more information contact: Shuna Body (KCC) on 01622 694943 or Kirsty Ash (DDC) on 01304 872421.      (June 4, 2014)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION RESULTS

Following last week's (Thursday 22 May) elections, the new line-up of MEPs for the South East England region in the European Parliament is:

• Ukip: Nigel Farage, Janice Atkinson, Diane James and Ray Finch.
• Conservative: Daniel Hannan, Nirj Deva and Richard Ashworth.
• Labour: Anneliese Dodds.
• Liberal Democrat: Catherine Bearder.
• Green Party: Keith Taylor.

The new MEPs officially will take office on Tuesday 1 July 2014. For details the MEPs who were elected for a five-year term in June 2009, see www.walmerweb.co.uk/walm-services/mp.html.      (May 26, 2014)

COACH COMPANY IN BID FOR RAIL COMMUTERS

Deal-based coach company Bayliss Executive Travel has started a new commuters' coach service to London. Users are promised a comfortable seat with free wi-fi and tea and coffee plus substantial savings on the current cost of rail travel. Pick up points in Deal are 05.45 South Street, 05.47 London Road Fire Station, 05.49 Deal Hospital and 05.51 Sholden Church. Arrival times at a number of destinations in London range from 08.10 Canary Wharf to 08.49 Milbank. Return journey times are 17.00 Milbank with seven other pick up points to 17.45 Canary Wharf. Arrival at Sholden is at 19.55 and South Street at 20.07. The coach company says an annual rail season ticket from Deal to London Bridge is £5,012. Their new coach service is £3,100 and the company's website offers a free one-week trial to existing rail season ticket holders. As well as annual tickets, there is a range of options including single and return journeys and four-week seasons.

Bayliss Executive Travel is based at Unit 7, Deal Business Park, Southwall Road, Deal Kent CT14 9PZ. For details of the commuter service, call them on 01304 363600, or see www.commutebycoach.com.      (May 22, 2014)

SOUTHEASTERN TRAINS - NEW TIMETABLE AND ENGINEERING WORKS

Southeastern trains has published its summer timetables which will operate from Monday 19 May to Sunday 5 October 2014. New pocket timetables are available at all staffed stations. They can also be downloaded at www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/timetables/.

The train company has also announced engineering works that could affect some passengers in this area. There will be no Southeastern services operating out of London Victoria on Sunday 18 May while Network Rail carry out essential engineering work. London Victoria/Ashford International/Dover Priory/Ramsgate Mainline services will be diverted to operate out of London Cannon Street calling at London Bridge. The diverted services will not call at Bromley South.

There are more engineering works over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend with no trains between Ashford International and Dover Priory on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 May. The line will also be closed between Dover Priory and Ramsgate on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May. Replacement bus services will be provided. For more details, see www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
about-us/latest-news/.     (May 14, 2014)

PARISH COUNCIL TO DISCUSS HOUSING PLANS

Plans for 226 new homes on land off Station Road at Upper Walmer will be considered by Walmer Parish Council's planning committee when it meets on Tuesday 13 May. The meeting, which is open to the public, is in St Saviour's Church on The Strand, starting at 7pm. (The church is a change from the normal parish council office venue, as a large attendance is anticipated). The parish council's views on the scheme by developers Taylor Wimpey will, then, be passed to Dover District Council which determines the application.

Details of the application (reference: DOV/14/00361) can be seen on the district council's planning website. This also provides information on how the public may comment directly by post or by using an on-line form. Comments need to be submitted by Monday 19 May. Local objectors to the new housing say not enough consideration has been given to the impact on local services and transport links. Their concerns can be seen on the Protect Upper Walmer Facebook page.      (May 11, 2014)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION CANDIDATES

The list of candidates seeking election to represent the South East England region in the European Parliament has been published. Polling is on Thursday 22 May when 118 hopefuls from 15 parties will be seeking to win one of the region's 10 available MEP seats. Local polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

MEPs are elected under a proportional representation system in which each party puts forward a list of candidates and voters choose one of these lists. So people vote for a party, rather than an individual. The number of MEPs elected from each party depends on the party's overall share of the votes received. In Kent, there will be local counts in each district and at Medway, with the results passed on to the regional counting centre at Southampton where the final results are due to be declared on Sunday 25 May. These will be the eighth Europe wide elections to the European Parliament since the first direct elections in 1979.

For a full list of South East candidates and their politcal affiliations, there is a downloadable file on the Dover District Council website.     (May 6, 2014)

FIREMEN'S STRIKE

Kent Fire and Rescue Service say that industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union means that firefighters will be on strike for part of the bank holiday weekend. The strike periods are: Friday 2 May between 12noon to 5pm; Saturday 3 May between 2pm to 2am and Sunday 4 May between 10am to 3pm. The public is being urged to take extra precautions to keep homes and businesses safe. Among the suggestions are: drive carefully and wear a seatbelt in the "extra" holiday traffic; if going away for the weekend go round the home and unplug any unused electrical items; check smoke alarms; take extra care with BBQs and bonfires; and don’t leave any cooking unattended. There is more advice on www.kent.fire-uk.org.      (May 2, 2014)

TIME TO ENROL FOR PRE-SCHOOL

Spaces are now being allocated for the autumn term at Kingsdown Pre-School. Its sessions are held in the St Johns Village Hall in Upper Street, Kingsdown. Children who will be aged at least two-and-a-quarter in September can be eligible for a place. For details, call Ann Jackson or Denise Hodges on 01304 379727 or 07968 263185 or The Pre-School's website is at www.kingsdownpreschool.org.uk.     (May 2, 2014)

PROPOSED CHANGES FOR COUNCIL CAR PARKS

Dover District Council has published proposals for a number of changes to its off-street car parks. If approved, the Dover District Council (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2014 is due to come into force before 2 June 2014. The main changes include: reducing the parking charging times from the current 9am-6pm period to 9am-5pm; a new pre-paid parking permit for Leisure Centre users who have a 12 month membership;and to extend Business Permits in Dover and Deal to include Saturday and Sunday.

All the proposed changes can be seen on the district council's website. The public can comment on the proposals in a consultation period which ends at 12noon on Thursday 22 May. Write to: Christopher Allen, Head of Community Safety, CCTV and Parking, Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3PJ or      (May 1, 2014)

COLDBLOW "VILLAGE GREEN" INQUIRY SET FOR JUNE

Demands for land at Coldblow Woods in Ripple to be designated as a "village green" will be considered at a public inquiry in June. The hearing will be at Deal Town Hall, starting on Monday 9 June and taking up to five days. Controversy over the public access to the site arose after the owner, Mr Nicholas Fielding, revealed plans to establish an enclosed sports ground on the 23-acre area of woodland and meadow. This met with vocal opposition, protesters maintaining that, what had been a military sports field until its sale in November 1992, had long been available for a range of recreational activities such as dog walking.

The application for designation as a "village green" was submitted to Kent County Council a year ago. A planning application by the landowner for fencing and gates on the site boundary was approved by Dover District Council planners in July 2013. The protesters' views can be seen at www.savecoldblowwoods.co.uk.      (May 1, 2014)

SETBACK FOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP HOSTS

Sunningdale in Berkshire is to replace the Royal Cinque Ports links in Deal as one of the four venues for the Open Golf Championship Final Qualifying at the beginning of July. The change is the result of the Deal course being affected by the severe storms and flooding over the winter. The Championship's organisers say that the course on Golf Road in north Deal is recovering well and they look forward to returning there in 2015.      (April 28, 2014)

PLANS SUBMITTED FOR UPPER WALMER HOUSING SCHEME

Plans by Taylor Wimpey to build 226 new homes on land off Station Road at Upper Walmer have been lodged with local planning authority Dover District Council. The proposed scheme includes 67 "affordable units" and details vehicle access, car parking arrangements, landscaping and open space. Some 79 documents are included in the application and range over the types of houses, the site layout, environmental issues, transport and highway links and local services.

The impact on traffic movements at the Dover Road/Station Road junction was a cause of much local concern during a consultation exercise last September. The developer's suggestions on how this might be dealt with are included in one of the documents (Transport Assessment - part 1). Details of the application (reference: DOV/14/00361) can be seen on the district council's planning website. People who wish to comment on the plans can do so by writing to the council or by using an on-line form.      (April 22, 2014)

DEAL BEACH IS TOPS FOR BATHING WATER QUALITY

Deal beach has retained its reputation for excellent water quality in the Marine Conservation Society's 2014 Good Beach Guide. The annual guide uses sampling data collected by environment agencies and local authorities during the previous summer to assess water quality at beaches around the UK. Ratings cover from best to worst water quality, with the top accolade "MCS Recommended" denoting "excellent water quality". For more, see: www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.

As well as offering great bathing water quality, the town's beach gets a regular "spring clean" thanks to the efforts of local volunteers. The next beach clean projects are on the mornings of Wednesday 30 April and Sunday 4 May. New volunteers are always welcome and details are listed in the DealWeb coming events for April and May.      (April 18, 2014)

LEARN TO COOK ON A BUDGET

A new free weekly session for people who want to become more confident about cooking from scratch and on a tight budget starts on Thursday 1 May. Organised by Stephanie Hayman of the Cinque Ports Community Kitchen, the new Keen2Cook classes are in a newly created training kitchen at the Chequers Restaurant and Cookery School on Golf Road, north Deal. The sessions are designed to be friendly and fun. Participants only need to provide their ingredients each week. For more details and to book a place, call Stephanie on 01304 362288 or      (April 17, 2014)

EASTER BUS AND RAIL SERVICES

Stagecoach have issued details of local bus services in East Kent over the Easter holiday period.

• Maundy Thursday 17 April: normal Monday to Friday school holiday service.
• Good Friday 18 April: Sunday service on all routes.
• Easter Saturday 19 April: Saturday service on all routes.
• Easter Sunday 20 April: Sunday service on all routes.
• Easter Monday 21 April: Sunday service will run on all routes.
• Tuesday 22 April: normal schoolday service resumes on all routes.

MAKE SURE OF A VOTE IN MAY'S EURO ELECTION

On Thursday 22 May local voters will decide which candidates will represent them in the European Parliament for the next five years. But to take part in the European Parliamentary Election people need to be sure that they are registered to vote. Dover's electoral registration officer Nadeem Aziz emphasised the importance of being on the electoral register. He said: “Even if you think you’re already registered, it’s really important to double check. Many people think they are automatically registered because they pay council tax, but this isn’t true. If you live within the Dover District Council area, you can do this by calling the elections helpline on 01304 872344 or ”

If it turns out registration is needed, there's an application form at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and, once completed, it needs to be returned to the Electoral Services Office, Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Whitfield, Dover CT16 3PJ. The strict deadline for applying is Tuesday 6 May.        (April 11, 2014)

LOCAL COAST AND COUNTRY WALKS IN AUGUST

The programme of walks for the 2014 White Cliffs Walking Festival has been announced. Organised by the White Cliffs Ramblers, the events cover much of the local coast and countryside - with many starting in Deal and Walmer. The aim is to provide something for everyone, whether a strong walker or someone looking for a leisurely stroll with the family. Dates of this year's Walking Festival are from Thursday 21 to Wednesday 27 August. Details of all the walks and how to join in are at www.whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk.        (April 8, 2014)

ADVICE FOR EVENT ORGANISERS

The Government has published a new booklet entitled "Can Do..." which has a wealth of useful advice for people organising community or fundraising events. The aim is to dispel the myths about what is required and help people to plan and run successful events with a minimum of red tape. Where organisers need specialist advice, such as the latest guidance on running street parties, there are details of the best reliable sources. To download a copy of the booklet, CLICK HERE.        (April 8, 2014)

DEAL IS GREAT FOR WEEKEND "GETAWAYS"

Deal has been named among the top “30 best places for a weekend retreat” by The Times national newspaper. As part of a series of articles showcasing Britain’s best locations, the town earned recognition as a great place for a short break - much helped by its Deal and Walmer Castles, the Middle Street conservation area and its range of shops and restaurants. The latest "thumbs up" for the town comes close behind winning the Daily Telegraph's "High Street of the Year" award.        (April 3, 2014)

SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS SEEK HELP

Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR) - trained volunteers who assist the police when people "go missing" - are looking for fresh help with their publicity and fundraising. KSAR is part of "Lowland Rescue", the national body for search and rescue teams in lowland areas of the country. There are now 33 such teams in the UK, Kent is one of the oldest and busiest and provides specially trained teams to Kent Police, using search dogs, boats and kayaks as necessary and offering flood rescue services.

Over 10,000 people are reported missing in Kent each year. - with approximately 360 of these classed as "high risk". In the most serious of cases, the police will call for KSAR assistance. In 2013, KSAR were called out 72 times. They have over 100 operational members but desperately need more supporters to help raise awareness and raise money. These "KSAR Champions" need to be over 18-years-of-age, with their own transport and able to spare a couple of hours each month. Everything needed for publicity or fundraising will be provided. To find out more, see www.ksar.co.uk or        (April 2, 2014)

Southern Water has announced its plans for installing water meters for most properties in the Walmer and Deal areas. It's part of a five-year scheme to install nearly 500,000 water meters and exchange 100,000 existing meters for households across Sussex, Kent and Hampshire. The new meters are described as ‘intelligent’ and are equipped with leak alarms to help the water company detect leaks on supply pipes and inside properties, as well as on the mains network. Where leaks occur on a customer's own supply pipes, Southern Water says, where possible, it will fix up to three external leaks free of charge,

For Deal and Walmer, the water company says it expects to be installing meters in June, July and August. In June it will be working in the postcode areas CT14 6.. and CT14 0... In July it will be installing in the postcode areas CT14 9.... and CT14 7... In August, it's CT14 8...

Southern Water will contact customers before their meters are fitted. Installation is free and in most cases the meter will be fitted in the public footpath outside a property so there is no need to enter customers’ homes. Customers will be provided with written information about their meter and metered bill, as well as hints on how to save water, energy and money. Detailed information about the metering programme is available at: www.southernwater.co.uk/metering. There is also a Metering Customer Contact Centre on 0333 2003 013.       (March 27, 2014)

TRY ANGLE AWARD CHALLENGE FOR YOUNG ACHIEVERS

The search is on for young people in the community who really try, often with little recognition, to do their best. Organised by Kent County Council and local district councils the 2014 Try Angle Awards are open to all 11- to 18-year-olds in Kent. Candidates can be nominated by anyone who knows of a youngster exhibiting personal achievement in the arts, music, sport, community involvement, personal development, caring or bravery. All nominees receive a Try Angle certificate in recognition of their nomination. The winners of the district awards receive a Try Angle Award Trophy. Nominations need to be submitted by Wednesday 7 May. For further information call 01622 694238 or Full details and nomination forms are also at: www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/youth_services/
try_angle_awards _2014.aspx.        (March 24, 2014)

ROADWORKS ALERT

Kent Highways say the following works are scheduled on local roads:

• Willow Woods Road, Little Mongeham - closed between Lower Mill Lane and Beacon Hill for road patching works for 3 days starting Wednesday 2 April.
• Willow Road and Northbourne Road, Great Mongeham - closed between Beacon Hill and Mongeham Road for road patching works for up to 3 days starting once the Willow Woods Road works are completed.

Diversions will be signposted. Scheduled dates for the works may be affected by adverse weather. For more information call Kent Highways on 03000 418181 (local rate) or see www.kent.gov.uk/highways.       (March 22, 2014)

VISITOR INFORMATION HEADS FOR THE TOWN HALL

During the coming week Deal Visitor Information Centre will be moving along Deal High Street from the Landmark Centre to the Town Hall. The Information Centre will close on Monday 24 March and re-open in its new Town Hall setting on Monday 31 March. The works involved in setting up the new Visitor Information service mean that the Deal Town Council office will also be closed to the public during the week. It will re-open on Monday 31 March at 9.30am. For more, see Deal Town Council website.      (March 20, 2014)

NEW MOVES TO REVIVE DEAL'S REGENT CINEMA

Plans to return The Regent on Deal's seafront back to its original role as a cinema have taken a step forward. Dover District Council planners say they have received amended plans for the building on behalf of owners James Wallace and Mark Digwood. The latest plans are said to only involve minor amendments to plans for refurbishing the building submitted in July 2013. These anticipated providing a three-screen cinema with a cafe and snack bar.      (March 20, 2014)

DRIVE TO RECRUIT MORE "SPECIALS"

Kent Police say they are keen to recruit more volunteer police officers, which most people will know as Special Constables. They have full police powers, uniforms and equipment and work alongside police officers and PCSOs. Currently there are 320 Special Constables in Kent between 18½ and 67 years of age. They are involved in roads policing, the marine unit, CID, rural policing and town centre policing. For anyone interested in joining this voluntary service, the main requirements are being 18 years old or older (with no upper limit), meeting the required medical and fitness standards and willing to give a minimum of 16 hours per month. For more details, see: www.kent.police.uk/join_us/specials/volunteer_officers.html.      (March 20, 2014)

HELP FOR THE ELDERLY TO AVOID FALLS

A free service to help older people avoid the problems of stumbling and falls has been announced. The Brighter Futures organisation will be running a programme of falls prevention classes in east Kent. Funded by Public Health, these are specialist classes for people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling. They develop confidence, strength, balance and postural stability and recognise how falls can have a terrible effect on older people, limiting confidence and increasing isolation longer term. It's a free programme with transport available for those who need it.

For further information contact Amanda Duddle (Postural Stability Coordinator - Brighter Futures Falls Prevention Service) on 01622 762403 or 07723 397214 or .   (March 20, 2014)

"GREEN FINGERED" VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR A BRIGHTER DEAL

Volunteers from the local DealWithIt "green" campaign are stepping up their efforts to brighten up neglected areas in and around Deal. The group has already provided planters at Deal train station and taken the Landmark Centre garden under its wing. Latest projects include cultivating a scruffy island bed in the town's station carpark and the border in front of the West Street telephone exchange.

DealWithIt organiser Steve Wakeford says that even more is planned. On Friday 21 March, new planters will be delivered to Deal station at 9.30am and some helpers are needed to put them in place. On Saturday 5 April (10am-12noon) volunteers are needed to help fill the new planters with soil and on Saturday 12 April l (also 10am-12noon) it's planting time. Contact Alan on 01304 389553 for details or to offer help. There's a gardening session at the Landmark Centre every Saturday from about 10.30am to 1pm. New helpers are always welcome: contact Steve on 01304 372673 for details. On Saturdays 22 and 29 March, there's a big project to transform waste ground on the Ramsgate side of Deal rail station into a mini-meadow. Steve says that he needs lots of willing hands for the sessions between 10am and 12noon. Some tools will be available for clearing the ground of annual weeds, but it helps if people can bring their own forks, spades and gloves.

Steve explained: "The idea is to transform the eyesores into bee and wildlife friendly areas and make them attractive for everyone." He and his team are also planning to use a poppy seed mix at some of the locations in remembrance of those who fell in World War 1.    (March 16, 2014)

NAME SEAGULLS TO WIN BARN DANCE TICKETS

Buskers and dancers will be out on Deal High Street on Saturday (22 March) to raise money for the town’s September Folk Festival. It's the latest in a series of monthly fundraising events for the Festival which relies heavily on voluntary and public support. Saturday's shoppers will be invited to have a go at a free competition to guess one of the names of the festival’s two knitted seagull mascots. The prize will be two free tickets to a barn dance on 12 April at St George’s Hall in Deal High Street. The dance starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £5 with accompanied children under 12 free. Music will be provided by the Old Lone Gin Band with caller Nic Lucas. Tickets are available from the Landmark Centre. This year’s festival is over the weekend 19-21 September and details are at www.dealfolkbythesea.org.uk.    (March 16, 2014)

COUNCIL TAX FOR THE COMING YEAR

Dover District Council has published local Council Tax levels for the coming 12 months. The precise sums that residents will pay depend on the banding for their property (from "band A" to "band H"), their parish or town area and any personal reductions. The average total bill for a "band D" property in Dover District will be £1,510.36 - an increase of 1.74%. This includes the element of Council Tax for Kent County Council (£1,068.66), Dover District Council (£167.49), Kent Police (£144.28), Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (£69.30), and an average for town and parish councils of £60.63.

For "band D" properties in Deal the total bill will be £1,508.95 and for "band D" in Walmer it's £1,488.76. Details for all the Council Tax bands in each of the local parish and town areas in Dover district can be seen at: www.dover.gov.uk/
Benefits-Council-Tax/Council-Tax/Banding-and-charges/
Charges-2014-15.aspx.    (March 15, 2014)

DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS PLANNED FOR DEAL SHOPPERS

A loyalty card scheme to encourage people to use shops and businesses in Deal is set to be launched on Monday 5 May. Operating as the Deal Card, it will offer discounts and special offers to local residents and visitors to the town. Two sorts of cards will be available - a paper version included with promotional leaflets and a plastics card for those who register on-line. The scheme's organisers say local businesses can join in for free, although there will be a "premium membership" option costing £60 a year. For early details of the new Deal Card scheme, see: www.dealcard.co.     (March 13, 2014)

LATEST MOVES FOR BETTER HIGH SPEED TRAIN SERVICE

Plans by train company Southeastern to upgrade its high speed rail service for east Kent have now been submitted to the Department for Transport. If approved, the new services will start in December. They will include a "coastal loop" service connecting Faversham, Ramsgate and Dover Priory. The route features stops at Walmer, Martin Mill, Deal and Sandwich using full 12-car trains and adding hundreds of seats. Southeastern says that it wants to make it an all day service and it would help speed up journey times.

The proposals for the new off-peak all-day high-speed service for Deal, Sandwich, Martin Mill and Walmer were featured in news items on this website in December and January and the original items can be seen here.    (March 13, 2014)

DEAL LIBRARY - TEMPORARY CLOSURE

Deal Library will be closed to the public from Monday 24 March to Friday 18 April. Kent County Council says this is to allow contractors to lay a new floor. The temporary closure affects both the library and the Dover District Council desk. The library will re-open on Saturday 19 April. For information on KCC library services - including on-line renewal and ordering of books - see www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries.aspx. For Dover District Council services, see: www.dover.gov.uk/Home.aspx.     (March 12, 2014)

DEAL'S NEW YOUTH CENTRE COULD OPEN IN SPRING 2015

Plans for a new youth centre in Deal have taken a step forward with the symbolic cutting of a "first turf" on Wednesday 26 February. Representatives from Kent County Council and Dover District Council were on hand to see the area next to Tides leisure centre on Park Avenue earmarked for the new £1-million building. Plans for the project are expected to be agreed by Dover planners in coming weeks and construction could start early in the summer. When the new building opens - probably in Spring 2015 - it will replace the ageing Linwood Youth Centre in nearby Mill Road.     (March 6, 2014)

FARMERS' MARKET LAUNCHES ON FRIDAY 7 MARCH

Local farm produce, quality foods and a range of craft work will be among the attractions at a new Farmers' Market coming to Deal next Friday (7 March). Organised under the Kent Farmers' Market Association banner, it's in The Landmark Centre in Deal High Street from 9am to 1pm. Future Deal Farmers' Markets will be on the first Friday of each month. For more details, see: www.kfma.org.uk/Deal.     (February 28, 2014)

HEAR THE LATEST ON DEAL'S SEA DEFENCE WORK

There's an opportunity to get latest information on progress on Deal's £10-million sea defence scheme on Saturday 1 March. Representatives of the Environment Agency team responsible for the project will be at the Royal Hotel on Deal seafront from 10am to 2pm. Recent storms and spring tides have slowed efforts to regrade the shingle along the beach but the project team say they are hoping to complete the work by May.     (February 27, 2014)

STUDENTS' TRAVEL PASS CONSULTATION

Kent County Council is inviting the public's views on new proposals to replace the Kent Freedom Pass with a Young Persons Travel Pass. For 11- to 16-year-olds, the new pass would be £200 and provide unlimited travel between 6am and 7pm, Monday to Friday from September to July (but not August) - a £100 increase on the current "Freedom Pass". For those over 16, there's a "16+ Scheme Amendment" where the travel pass costs £400 for unlimited year round travel to allow access to apprenticeships, weekend educational activities and work placements. If it goes ahead, the new Travel Pass scheme will start in September 2014.

Information on the proposals and a link to an on-line consultation form are at: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/TravelPass/
consultationHome. The consultation will let current and future service users give feedback about the impact the changes will have on them. Although the council believes the new scheme is the best option given intense pressure on its budget, it says the consultation is an opportunity to highlight any incorrect assumptions or any unidentified flaws in the proposed system. The consultation closes on 24 March, after which the results will be analysed and presented to a KCC Cabinet Member who will make the final decision.     (February 25, 2014)

"NUISANCE CALLS" SCAM

There are reports of people receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). The caller says there has been a lot of nuisance calls in the local area and these can be prevented for a one-off payment and fitting a device that links to the phone. It is a scam! The TPS is a free service to help curb unsolicited sales and marketing calls. TPS does not sell equipment to stop nuisance calls and never asks for payment details. For more on this, see: www.walmerweb.co.uk/walm-services/trading_standards.html
#alerts.     (February 25, 2014)

SWAP SPARE SEEDS AND PLANTS AT FREE EVENT

Local gardeners are being invited to swap seeds, plants and seedlings at a free event in Deal on Saturday 1 March. Organised by local green group Deal With It, it's seen as a good way to trade any half-used packets from last year and newly-grown surplus plants. People can drop in between 11am and 2pm at the Landmark Centre Garden in Deal High Street. If it's raining, it will be inside the Landmark. For details, contact DealWithIt     (February 23, 2014)

UPPER WALMER HOUSING ON FACEBOOK

Concerns about the proposed development of 226 Houses in Station Road at Walmer are highlighted on a new Facebook page. The scheme on farmland to the south of the road near Walmer Station is by national developers Taylor Wimpey. The company held a public consultation meeting last September and is expected to submit its formal planning application to Dover District Council during the next few months.
The "Protect Upper Walmer" Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/
pages/Protect-Upper-Walmer/214423632096482.
Taylor Wimpey has information on its Station Road scheme at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/proposed-developments/england/
kent/deal/land-off-station-road-walmer.
Dover District Council planning applications can be found at: www.dover.gov.uk/Planning/Planning-Applications/View-
Applications--Decisions/View-Applications.aspx.     (February 18, 2014)

GALES CLOSE DEAL'S PIER

Gale force winds and high seas led to Deal Pier being closed to the public just before 3pm today (Wednesday 12 February). Pier attendant Chris Burrows considered the popular attraction was becoming too dangerous and anticipated that it would not reopen untill 8am on Thursday. Closure of the pier meant that the pier head restaurant, Jasins, had also had to close. Elsewhere in Deal, motorists were faced with flooding at the junction of Canute Road and Sandown Road.     (February 12, 2014)

ROADWORKS ALERT

Kent Highways say the following works are scheduled on local roads:

• Cornwall Road, Walmer - Temporary closure to through traffic on the section of Cornwall Road between its junctions with Dover Road and Downs Road from Monday 17 February for up to five days. This is for essential carriageway repairs.
• A258 Sandwich Road, Sholden - This road will be closed to all traffic between its junctions with Betteshanger Road and Sholden New Road on the nights of February 20, 21, 24 and 25 from 7.30pm to 4am each night. This is to enable works on junction modifications and resurfacing. It means that there will be no direct access between Sandwich and Deal and the recommended diversion for traffic is via the A256, A2 and A258.

Diversions will be signposted. Scheduled dates for the works may be affected by adverse weather. For more information call Kent Highways on 03000 418181 (local rate) or see www.kent.gov.uk/highways.    (February 2, 2014)

IMPROVE COMPUTER SKILLS AT NEW CLUB

There's a new club in Walmer for people who want to get more out of using their computer. Catering for both new and experienced users, the Walmer Computer Club is held every Tuesday in Elizabeth House, 32 St Mary’s Road, Walmer from 10am to 12noon. Organiser Chitra Swami says the aim is to help people develop their computer skills in a friendly, relaxed environment. Windows basics, internet, e-mail, creating a letter, transferring photos from digital camera to the computer and computer security are among the topics that can be covered. Participants need to bring their own fully charged laptop or tablet computer to the sessions which cost £2. No pre-booking is required - just drop in.

Chitra says: "The sessions are run by experienced volunteers. They are ideal for a new user struggling to get to grips with a computer and also for more experienced users seeking an answer to a specific problem." For more details, contact Chitra     (February 2, 2014)

Proposals by the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust to centralise many of its outpatient clinics could have an impact on Deal Hospital. A number of local voices have been raised in concern, fearing for the future of the local hospital. If implemented, the Hospital Trust's plan would see many of Deal's current services moved to the new Buckland Hospital in Dover. Before going ahead, the Trust is obliged to seek the public's views on its proposals to reduce the number of sites where it offers outpatient clinics from 15 to six.

Information about the proposals and how to take part in the consultation are at www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/consultation-on-outpatient
-services. Locally, there will be a public meeting about the changes on Thursday 6 February in Deal Town Hall from 6pm to 9pm.    (January 23, 2014)

MORE HIGH SPEED TRAINS PLAN FOR LOCAL TOWNS

Southeastern Rail's proposals for its services from January 2015 include a new off-peak all-day high-speed service for Deal, Sandwich, Martin Mill and Walmer. The local stations will become part of a new Kent coast circular service connecting Faversham, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Birchington-on-Sea Ramsgate and Dover Priory - most gaining faster journey times to London. Southeastern says that, if the plans are agreed, passengers will benefit from two direct services to London rather than the existing one train per hour and better links between North and East Kent.

The new high-speed service will replace the existing lightly-used off-peak mainline service. For passengers from Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich bound for London but not wanting to go to St Pancras it will mean changing at Ashford (for Charing Cross) or Rochester (for Victoria). Southeastern are proposing to create "route-based fares" for passengers from the four local stations so they will not pay a premium when travelling to St Pancras via Faversham in the off-peak.

These and a range of other changes to services on the Southeastern rail network are currently open for public consultation. Views on the proposals need to submitted by 7 February and should be sent to Mike Gibson, Public Affairs Manager, Southeastern, Friars Bridge Court, 41-45 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8PG or The final decision on the timetable and any changes in fares structure will be made by the Department for Transport. For more details, see Southeastern's website.    (December 19, 2013 - updated January 23, 2014)

METERED PARKING PROPOSED FOR SONDES ROAD

Kent County Council has published a proposal to change the street parking arrangements in Sondes Road, Deal. The current residents' and short stay parking would be replaced by pay-and-display parking with a two-hour maximum limit. Details are available on Dover District Council's website at: www.dover.gov.uk/
Transport,-Streets--Parking/Parking/ Proposed-New-Parking
-Restrictions.aspx. People who wish to object to the proposed change need to write to or e-mail the council before 12 noon on Monday 10 February. Details of how to object are the same webpage.    (January 18, 2014)

A national charity that helps the elderly and terminally ill care for their pets, is making a new plea for volunteers in the Walmer area. The Cinnamon Trust says it urgently needs people to help keep owners and pets together. This might be by walking a dog for a housebound owner or fostering pets when the owner needs hospital care. The Trust's Sally Collins says: "We are currently looking for dog walking volunteers to help a resident of Walmer. Our aim is to relieve the owners of any worry concerning the welfare of their pets both during and after their own lifetime." Volunteers help in the ways that are most appropriate to them. As well as walking dogs some volunteers are happy to take pets to the vet or, even, clean the budgie's cage out. Sally reckons: "We take on any problem posed in day-to-day care of pets." Anyone who feels they can help can learn more on www.cinnamon.org.uk or contact Sally on 01736 758707 or    (January 16, 2014)

MOVES TO REPAIR KINGSDOWN SEAFRONT

Temporary repairs are in prospect for serious storm damage at Kingsdown's promenade. The village's environmental campaigners Kingsdown Conservation Group say their seafront is "dangerously vulnerable", especially when strong easterly winds coincide with unusually high tides. They cite the deterioration of protective groynes and lack of regular beach replenishment as major concerns. However, there are hopes that Dover District Council will have sufficient funds to carry out some urgent repairs. A longer term solution depends on a successful bid to the Environment Agency for a £3-million protection scheme. For more on this, see the Kingsdown Conservation Group's website.   (January 15, 2014)

NEW TREES FOR OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS

People wondering what to do with their old Christmas cards are being invited to support a special recycling scheme. Organised by the Woodland Trust and with a local collecting point in the Marks and Spencer store in Deal High Street, the nationwide project plants a new tree for every 1,000 cards collected. Last year the scheme resulted in 10,000 new trees in UK woodlands. This year's collection runs up to 31 January. For more details, see the Woodland Trust website.    (January 9, 2014)

NEW VIDEO ON LOCAL HEALTHCARE

A short film has just gone on-line to explain how local healthcare is planned and paid for. Produced by the NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the video gives information about the new organisation which covers Dover, Deal and Shepway and the way it works. Set up last year, the CCG comprises a group of healthcare professionals responsible for commissioning the majority of local health services for people in their area. This includes most hospital and community NHS-funded services, though not primary care or specialised services.

It works with a £253million budget allocated by the Department of Health for spending on a range of vital services including district nurses, health visitors, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy; acute services for people who are ill or injured; mental health services; and the medication that patients receive through their GP or consultant. The new video can be seen on the CCG's website and also on YouTube.    (January 9, 2014)

ROGUE TRADERS AND STORM DAMAGE

KCC Trading Standards have issued warnings about rogue traders cashing in on recent storm damage. In Dover, two men have been knocking on doors offering to repair "damaged chimneys". Elsewhere there are reports of dubious doorstep callers wanting to sort out and clear up flood damage. For details, see the Kent Trading Standards page on WalmerWeb.    (January 8, 2014)

NEW SERVICE TO SORT DANGERS AND PROBLEMS

Deal has a new Facebook group designed to provide a quick source of information and advice to help people deal with various types of problems. Organiser George Franklin said: "The new Deal Watch Facebook group is for all Deal residents who appreciate their town and want to be part of a community network." The main aim would be to alert residents to illegal, criminal or anti-social behaviour in the town and share information about dangers such as storm damage, floods and accidents. The new group would also be a good place to post messages about lost and found items and, George suggested, "helping the more vulnerable amongst us". He emphasised the idea was not to replace the official emergency services - although the new page does include details of who best to contact in an emergency. George hoped that lots of local residents would sign up and use the service to share vital local information. Deal Watch is at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/
314116078720070/.    (January 5, 2014)

NATIONAL AWARD FOR DEAL'S HIGH STREET

Deal town centre has been declared "High Street of the Year" by a national newspaper. The award is part of the Daily Telegraph's Reinventing the High Street campaign which, during 2013, invited readers to debate the future of Britain’s 5,000 high streets and vote for their favourite. Over 500 nominations were received.

Close behind winners Deal were joint runners-up Leek in Staffordshire and Ramsbottom in Lancashire. Other high streets in the "top ten" were: Bridport (Dorset); Bury St Edmonds (Suffolk); Malmesbury (Wiltshire); Mill Road, Cambridge; Sherborne (Dorset); Teddington (south-west London); and Yarm (Teesside).    (January 3, 2014)

ANNUAL RAIL FARE TO LONDON NOW MORE THAN £5,000

Rail commuters travelling to London from Deal and Dover Priory now face an annual season ticket cost of £5,012 - up from £4,864. Users of the high-speed service pay even more - with an annual season now costing just under £6,000. The hike in rail fares came into effect on Thursday 2 January.

The increase has been described as the smallest rise in four years by the pan-industry Rail Delivery Group and is understood to fall in line with Chancellor George Osborne's recent promise to keep fares in line with July's Retail Price Index inflation rate of 3.1%. However campaigners say that fares are rising three times faster than incomes with one group, Railfuture, condemning "10 years of inflation-busting fare increases... with our trains easily the most expensive in Europe".    (January 3, 2014)