TIMETABLE CHANGES IN WAKE OF CLOSED RAIL LINK

Damage to the sea wall and rail tracks between Dover and Folkestone are set to cause several months of disruption to local rail services. Inspections by rail engineers following a storm tide on Christmas Eve revealed severe cracking of the wall and subsidence alongside and beneath the tracks. Services between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central were immediately halted and it is, currently, expected they will not be resumed until remedial works are completed, possibly in late February.

In the meantime, passengers using services from a number of local stations face extended journeys - either by alternative rail routes or using a shuttle bus service between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central and West stations. Car users who choose to by-pass the problem are being offered free parking at Folkestone West station. Southeastern says it will be operating a shuttle train service throughout each day between Dover Priory and Ramsgate, stopping at Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich. The train service from Dover to London via Canterbury East will operate as normal.

The train company has also published a revised timetable for the affected services which comes into operation on Monday 4 January. For more details and a link to the revised timetable, see: southeasternrailway website.   (December 31, 2015)

ANGER AT BROKEN PROMISE FOR REGENT

Failure to meet a promise to submit plans for redevelopment of the former Regent cinema and bingo hall on Deal seafront have sparked fresh criticism on local social media. In November the developers suggested to the local press that they would submit plans to Dover District Council planners by the end of the year. This has not happened and, in a further press report, the developers now say they will lodge a full application with the council in January.

For members of the Reopen the Regent facebook group, the broken "end of year" pledge is seen as yet another unwelcome delay in restoring the building as a cinema for the town. They say: "For far too long it has been left in a dilapidated state and is fast becoming an eyesore. There have been repeated discussions and numerous plans to convert it back into a cinema and cafe. But the constant delays and prevarications are now inexcusable and untenable. The building is an embarrassment and a disgrace to the town."

There are also concerns over reported discussions between council planners and the developers over incorporation of "high end" flats into the scheme. For one member of the facebook group it raises a suspicion that development of housing is taking precedence over the original promise of a cinema and cafe. The Reopen the Regent group is at: www.facebook.com/groups/reopentheregent/     (December 31, 2015)

WALMER FESTIVE LIGHTS WINNERS

The winners of this year's best Christmas lights displays in Walmer have been announced by the parish council who organise the annual competition. First prize goes to the Dixon family of Dover Road for their display set on their garage roof. As well as pleasing passers-by, the display is proving a useful fund raiser for the Stroke Association charity. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of 26 households, Kennedy Drive wins the award for Community Effort.

General store Wale and Sons on The Strand win the business category award for their display..
Children’s choice - judged by young Florence Payne, the winner of the 2014 Walmer in Bloom poster competition - goes to the Schofield family in Hawksdown. Runners-up in the competition include Mr Bourner of 27 Station Road and Mr Holt of Blake Close.   (December 24, 2015)

LEAFY VISTA FOR DOVER ROAD

A plan to restore trees along a stretch of the Dover Road in Walmer is set to go ahead. The scheme follows consultation with residents between Archery Square and Gothic Close in October. The parish council hand-delivered 88 letters to households and received 55 replies - a 63% response rate with 95% in favour of tree planting.

Parish councillor Mrs Marguerite Beard-Gould said she and members of the Amenity and Environment Committee are delighted that the scheme is coming to fruition. Planting sites have been located and, subject to testing for services, phase one is expected to commence before Christmas. Mrs Beard-Gould explained: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and I would like to thank the soft landscape team at Kent County Council for their help and advice. The project will be subject to final approval by Kent Highways engineers and we have tried to address the issues raised by those three residents who did not support the project.” The selected tree varieties will pay careful consideration to location, size, colour of blossom and foliage, and change of season.   (December 11, 2015)

Betteshanger Country Park, on the A258 Deal-Sandwich road near Sholden, has announced its programme of activities for the festive season. Highlights include:

• Christmas Art Workshops to make some decorations using natural material from the park, on Saturday 13, Sunday 14 and Sunday 19 to Wednesday 23 December, 11am to 3pm. Cost £3.
• Christmas Trail to head out around the park and help Santa save Christmas, on Monday 14 December to Sunday 3 January, 10am to 3pm. Cost £1.50.
• Husky Day with live music, food and drinks, Father Christmas (at 12noon). sleigh rides (£15 per person - bookable in advance) and face painting (£3 per person) on Saturday 19 December, 11am to 3pm.
• Willow Lantern Making to create a withy lantern to light the dark winter evenings on Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 December, 11am to 4pm. Cost £3 per lantern.

For more details, see: www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk/news.   (December 11, 2015)

Southern Gas Networks (SGN) are planning gas main replacement works on Liverpool Road, Walmer, during January and February 2016. This will mean closures of sections of the road between its junctions with Grams Road and Granville Road starting on Monday 4 January and expected to finish by 29 February. The works will be carried out in four separate phases.

• Phase #1 - involves closure across the junction with Grams Road.
• Phase #2 - closure between the junctions with Grams Road and St Clare Road.
• Phase #3 - closure across the junction with Walmer Castle Road / St Clare Road.
• Phase #4 - closure between the junctions with Walmer Castle Road and Granville Road.

Alternative diversion routes will be signposted. For more information, see the SGN website.    (December 4, 2015)

TIE A RIBBON FOR A CANCER VICTIM

A Christmas tree, set to be decked with ribbons representing cancer victims, returns to St George's churchyard in Deal High Street on Saturday 5 December. Following the success of last years "Tree of Nostalgia", the organisers are inviting people to tie a ribbon in a colour of their choice to represent somebody who has survived, is going through or has lost their fight with cancer. At Saturday's launch at 12.30pm, young cancer survivor Megan Gridley will tie the first ribbon and The Landmark Show Choir will be providing a musical backdrop to the event.

There's information on the appropriate ribbon colour for each cancer and ribbons will be available at the event and also from Merrygardens shop in the High Street. As well as celebrating the lives of local people affected by cancer, the event provides an opportunity for the public to support the work of the Cancer Research UK charity. Several High Street traders are helping with collection tins in their premises. They include the Rose Hotel, Merrygardens, Hope and Lane and Taylor and Jones. The large Christmas tree has been donated by the Vince family at The Old Lorry Farm shop on the Deal-Sandwich road. The "Tree of Nostalgia" will remain in the churchyard until Wednesday 6 January and ribbons can be added at anytime.    (December 2, 2015)

SWING BAND'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT REMEMBERS TONY

This year's Railway Swing Band's charity concert in Deal has a special significance for the popular local musicians. To be held at St George’s Church in Deal High Street, the concert is being staged in memory of their vocalist Tony Martin who died from cancer earlier this year. Half the funds raised by the evening will be donated to the Viking Day Unit at the QEQM Hospital where Tony was cared for in his last days. The other half of proceeds will support the work of the 2235 (Deal) Royal Air Force Cadets Squadron.

After retiring as a drill instructor in the Royal Marines, Tony Martin put his DI’s commanding voice to good use when he started a new life as a vocalist. High points included voyages on the QEII liner and singing with the Royal Marines Band in the Royal Albert Hall. Locally he was very well-known at many venues and could regularly be heard on a Sunday lunchtime at the Clarendon Hotel.

The concert in St George's Church on Wednesday 16 December starts at 7.30pm. Conducted by Dave White and with regular vocalists Didi and Martin Farbrother, the programme includes over 20 popular hits rounded off with a selection of classic Christmas favourites. Tickets, price £10, are avaiable from Biggs Opticians in Deal High Street or by calling 01304 362181, 01303 264579 or 07973 761651.    (December 2, 2015)

FESTIVE THEME FOR WINTER BEACH CLEAN

Deal With It, the town’s local green community group, will be holding it’s last Deal Beach Clean for 2015 on Sunday 6 December. The grand tidy up of a section of the local beach will start at Deal Pier at 10am and last about 1½ hours, depending on the weather.

Deal beach warden Wendy Boorman said “This will be our sixth beach clean of 2015. So far this year volunteers have collected over 340kgs of rubbish from our beaches. We supply pickers, bags and gloves. People should dress for the season and children are welcome as long as they are supervised by an adult." The organisers are hoping volunteers will make the event a festive one with Santa and elf hats especially welcome. There's also a rumour that there will be mince pies to share.

The following Deal With It event will be its DealWali (Festival of Light) event at the Landmark Centre Garden in Deal High Street on Saturday 19 December. The plan is to celebrate the Winter solstice and the season by covering the garden in candle light. For further details, see www.dealwithit.org.uk or or phone 01304 372673.    (December 1, 2015)

There's cash help on offer for community groups looking for funding towards projects that will benefit the local area. Dover District Council is launching its community grant scheme on Tuesday 1 December, with individual grants from £500 up to £1,000. The council has allocated funding to each of the district's areas, (Dover West, Sandwich, Dover North, Dover Town and Deal and Walmer).

Successful projects last year included: funding for Trudy’s Wheels to provide a community car service; funding towards an educational trip for young people from Nonington to see dolphins in Cardigan Bay; and specialist riding equipment for the Alkham Valley Therapeutic Riding Centre.

Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the district council’s website from 1 December. For more details, see www.dover.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums or contact Emily Barnes on 01304 872274 or . The closing date for applications is Friday 15 January 2016.   (November 24, 2015)

Walmer Parish Council is encouraging Walmer residents and businesses to enter its annual Christmas Lights Competition. For the event's thirteenth year, the judges will be touring the parish in the week commencing Monday 14 December. Their mission is to spot the most eye-catching and colourful displays. The winning residential property receives a cup and there are certificates for the two runners up and the winner of the business category. The results will be announced just before Christmas. To nominate your own or a neighbour’s house or local business, contact Sarah Plews at the Parish Council Office on 01304 362363.    (November 24, 2015)

The public is being invited to have a say on plans to improve three children's play areas in Deal. Following earlier consultations about the facilities people would like to see in their communities, draft proposals have now been drawn up for the refurbishment of play areas at William Pitt Avenue and Wilson Avenue and the green space at North Deal Playing Field.

To help people see the proposals and comment, displays of each design are being held at William Pitt Avenue Play Area on Thursday 26 November from 2pm-4pm; Wilson Avenue Play Area on Friday 27 November from 2pm-4pm; and Golf Road Community Centre on Wednesday 25 November from 9am-5pm and Thursday 26 November from 9am-5pm. District council officers will be on hand to answer questions and gather views using a survey form. Pupils at several local schools are also being invited to complete the survey and it is also possible for residents to do so on-line on Dover District Council's website. Completed surveys need to be with DDC by Friday 27 November. For more details, contact Kieron Burrett on 01304 872442.    (November 19, 2015)

Deal's new Linwood Youth Hub, next to the Victoria Park skate-park and close to Tides Leisure Centre, opened on Saturday (14 November). Costing close on £1million, the building is open for five evenings a week, due to increase to six after Christmas. Facilities include a large social area with touch-screen computers, a pool table and a café – run by the young users themselves. It also has an art room, a music room and a digital media suite with a recording studio. Most rooms are multi-purpose, so the music room can also be a meeting room and the art room can be used for group work and training.

There is a dedicated private space where individuals can discuss any personal issues and an outside area for sport and physical activity. During the day, the centre provides classroom space for a pupil referral unit and office space for KCC early help and preventatives services teams.

Deal youngsters were among the guests when KCC Cabinet member for community services Mike Hill and Dover District Council’s chairman, Cllr Sue Chandler officially opened the new centre. Cost of the £998,400 scheme was met by just under £800,000 from the county council and £200,000 from the district council who also provided the site.    (November 19, 2015)

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW RETURNS TO WALMER CASTLE

This Sunday (22 November) Fiona Bruce presents the second of two Antiques Roadshow programmes recorded at Walmer Castle. This time the team sees a jacket worn by President Kennedy that could be one of the most valuable items ever featured on the series. Other items brought in include an art deco mask that terrifies its owner's children, an enamel advertising sign, and a letter from Lord Nelson that has an unexpected connection to the owner's dead husband. The programme is on BBC One at 8pm on Sunday.    (November 17, 2015)

WALMER HOUSING SCHEME GAINS APPROVAL

The Taylor Wimpey housing scheme on Station Road, Upper Walmer (application no: DOV/14/00361) received formal planning permission on Friday 2 October. The development for 223 dwellings includes 66 "affordable units", roads, car parking, landscaping and an open space. It is set to be created in several phases over the next few years. Taylor Wimpey originally forecast they might start work in September. However, according to local residents, the only sign that something may start soon is that the field has been left uncultivated following this year's harvest.

Dover District Council's planning permission document can be seen on the council's website at: http://planning.dover.gov.uk/online-applications/files/30B2D990CB501DAC1122249885A7EF50/pdf/14_00361-DECISION_NOTICE-297909.pdf.     (October 29, 2015)

Kent County Council's revised plans for Deal's South Street local transport hub are currently open to public consultation. People who wish to comment need to do so by Friday 13 November. There is also a display of the proposals in Deal Town Hall on Friday 6 November at 2pm. The new plans take into account some of the strong criticism of an earlier proposal to switch locations of the taxi and bus waiting areas and reverse the traffic flow in South Street.

A plan of the new proposals can be downloaded at: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/gf2.ti/f/633954/17391909.1/PDF/-/South_Street_Consultation_Plan__Revised.pdf.
To comment on the revised scheme, go to: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/SouthStreet_Deal2/consultationHome.   (October 29, 2015)

A study of the Conservation Area in Kingsdown by the village's Conservation Group has been given a "thumbs up" by Dover District Council. Members of the district council's cabinet agreed to adopt the study as a Local Development Document when they met on Monday 5 October. It is the first appraisal prepared by a local group to be adopted in the district.

Two extensions to the Conservation Area identified in the report and further restrictions on what development in them will be allowed are to be investigated and could be subject to public consultation. Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC cabinet member for planning, said: “We are delighted to adopt this appraisal. The Kingsdown Conservation Group has done an excellent job in identifying what makes the conservation area so special, and we congratulate them on their great work. This document will help to ensure the conservation area’s unique character remains protected.”      (October 24, 2015)

HAVE YOUR SAY ON STREETLIGHT CHANGES

Kent County Council says it is planning to start converting all of its street lights to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) from early in 2016. The more efficient LEDs are now regarded as "the first choice" for street lighting with, for Kent, an estimated annual saving around £5.2million on energy and carbon emission costs when the work is completed in three years time.

The new LED technology is more flexible and the county council is inviting the public to say how it would like street lighting to operate. Possible options are: part-night lighting (the current level of service); all-night lighting; and dimming street lights when roads are less busy. More details and an on-line consultation form are available on the KCC website. Comments need to be submitted by Sunday 29 November.      (September 24, 2015)

TUESDAY DOWNPOUR CAUSES ROADS CHAOS

Heavy rain early on Tuesday 22 September saw flooding on a number of roads in East Kent and problems for many drivers heading for work. In Deal, residents in Albert Road and Canute Road watched anxiously as rising levels of water threatened their homes. In Walmer Lord Warden Avenue was one of the worst affected. Local MP Charlie Elphicke is reported to have called for work to improve drainage in the worst hit areas.      (September 23, 2015)

DEAL'S BLOOMING SUCCESS

Thanks to the green-fingered skills of local residents and Deal in Bloom working party volunteers, the town has gained a prestigious Silver Gilt award in this year's South East in Bloom competition. The win improves on last year when Deal gained a Silver award. Prior to that, Deal had not entered the competition since 2005. Spurred on by their latest success, members of the Bloom group are setting their sights on a Gold award for 2016.      (September 18, 2015)

ALL SET FOR THE TOWN'S ANNUAL BRADERIE

Bargain hunters are expected to be out in force for the Deal Braderie on Sunday (20 September). The town’s annual street market features over 130 stalls selling antiques, bric-a-brac, vintage clothing and jewellery, plants, books, memorabilia and crafts goods along the stretch of Deal High Street between St George's Church and the Water Street junction. It runs from 8.30am to 4pm. For details, see: www.deal.gov.uk.

The Astor Theatre in Stanhope Road is also getting in on the act with an Antiques Market between 8am and 3pm. Entry is free.      (September 18, 2015)

DEAL SUPPORT FOR THE "GREAT BRITISH BEACH CLEAN"

On Sunday 20 September, Deal is participating in the ‘Great British Beach Clean’ – a nationwide monitoring of rubbish on our coastline organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The local Deal event is organised by green community group Deal With It and starts at 9.30am outside Deal Pier.

Deal beach warden Wendy Boorman explained: “The ‘Great British Beach Clean’ is an important benchmark of what is happening to our beaches in terms of the rubbish blight facing our coastal wildlife and people’s enjoyment of this great asset. Our beach clean in Deal is open to all. We supply pickers, gloves, bags and counting sheets – we just need some volunteer enthusiasm and energy! If people have not done one of our beach cleans before they last for about one to one-and-a-half hours, suitable for all the family and great fun."

For details see www.dealwithit.org.uk, or call 01304 372673.      (September 13, 2015)

"WALMER IN BLOOM" COMPETITION WINNERS

Winners in the 14th year of Walmer Parish Council's "Walmer In Bloom" gardens competition have been announced. The proud householders and businesses who impressed the judges with their front gardens and hanging baskets are:

• Best gardens: lillian Hubble of St Mildred's Court; Douglas Brookes of Salisbury Road; and Mr and Mrs Tan of Archery Square.
• Best containers: Mrs Kelly of York and Albany Close; and Allan Scott, Herschell Road West.
• Best use of small space: Betty Grant of Coventry Court; and "A resident" of Devon Avenue; and Jeremy McAdam of Mayers Road.
• Business Category winners: 1st Generals Meadow residential home; 2nd The Lighthouse pub; 3rd Walmer Baptist Church.

In the early stages of judging, over 400 premises gained "commended" certificates. The main prizewinners have been invited to attend an awards event on Sunday 13 September.      (September 4, 2015)

MAJOR CHANGES PROPOSED FOR SOUTH STREET SCHEME

It could be "back to the drawing board" for plans by Kent County Council to change traffic flows, bus stops and taxi ranks at South Street, Deal, Following public consultation and strong local objections, Kent Highways engineers are recommending an alternative scheme to improve the transport hub for Deal's town centre.

The new proposals, which leave the traffic flows from the seafront into South Street unchanged , are to be considered by members of Dover Joint Transportation Board when they meet on Thursday 10 September. Taxis remain on the north side of the road with a pedestrian strip providing safer access for users. For bus passengers, the proposal is for wider pavements, new shelters and an extra bus stopping area - all on the southern side of South Street. If the local transportation board is in favour of the new plans, the scheme will be open to further public consultation and, if necessary, further minor improvements.

Details of the original scheme and the new proposals can be seen by clicking here. A plan of the revised scheme can be seen by clicking here.      (September 3, 2015)

MINING FESTIVAL FOR AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY

The Kent Miners’ Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday has a new home. The annual event is now at the Betteshanger Community Park on the Colliers Way link off the A258 Deal/Sandwich Road near Sholden. The organisers say that the free event is set to be bigger than ever with displays recalling Kent's mining heritage and a wealth of entertainment and activities for all the family. Also included in the all-day (10am-5pm) event are colliery brass bands, a skate board park, a display of home grown produce and flowers, a fun dog show and a Coal Queen Parade reviving memories of the popular beauty contests held at the old mining galas.

Dover Community Radio will provide a road show and the organisers anticipate the planned fun fairs and entertainers, food courts and stalls, dancing and boxing, beer tent and mining reunion will ensure there is "something for everyone". There's free parking on the site and a shuttle bus service from Deal. For more details, see: www.kentminersfestival.org.uk.      (August 29, 2015)

DEAL HIGH STREET WILL BE BUZZING ON SATURDAY

Local "green" group Deal With It has a "bee theme" for its "Seedy Saturday" plant and seed swap at the Landmark Garden on Deal High Street this coming Saturday (22 August). Members of the Dover Beekeepers will be putting on a show of their bees, honey and produce. Head volunteer gardener at the Landmark Imogen Kitching explained: "They will be giving advice on what we all can do to make our gardens friendly to bees and other pollinators - as well as information on how to get started in beekeeping or sharing your garden with a beekeeper. Bees play a vital role in our food chain and we must do as much as possible to support and sustain them."

The free event runs from 10.30am to around 1pm and will feature the usual "swap" where local gardeners can exchange surplus plants and seeds. Also joining in the morning will be stalls from Deal Fairtrade and AnSugan recycled clothes and accessories, plus music by the popular Sunshine Ukes band.      (August 16, 2015)

WALMER COUNCILLORS TO DISCUSS SOUTH STREET PLANS

A proposal by Kent County Council to change traffic flows and location of bus stops and taxi ranks at South Street, Deal, is to be discussed by members of Walmer Parish Council's Planning Committee when they meet next Tuesday (11 August). Their meeting, in the Parish Council Office at 8 The Strand, Walmer, starts at 7pm and is open to the public. It will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on what are proving to be controversial plans. The agenda for the Walmer Planning Meeting can be downloaded at: www.walmerpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=3990.      (August 7, 2015)

UPGRADE FOR WALMER LIFEBOAT STATION

Major renovation works, now underway at Walmer RNLI lifeboat station, are set to provide improved training facilities for the lifeboat crew, operations team and volunteers plus a more practical layout to the boat hall. The last modifications to the RNLI building on Walmer Green were 21 years ago to cater for the Atlantic 21 lifeboat. The new works are expected to be completed by November. The improvements include:

• Upstairs: a new much larger crew training room, a galley and an office for the operations team.
• On the ground floor: a new crew/shore crew changing area and drying room, a shower room and toilet, a workshop area for the stations three volunteer mechanics and, it is hoped, a viewing platform giving the public a closer look at the A85 lifeboat and its equipment.

During the boathouse modernisation the lifeboat station shop will be closed but it will reopen once the works are complete. Both of the stations lifeboats the A85 Donald McLauchlan and D class Duggie Rodbard will remain on station and in service during the works. Crew training will continue afloat and ashore using temporary facilities at the Downs Sailing Club. For more, see: http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Walmer-RNLI-lifeboat-station -undergoes-major-renovation.aspx.    (August 6, 2015)

Among the attractions at Walmer's popular annual "Picnic on the Green" are local musicians After Shock and Dodgem and a small children's funfair. The free event on Walmer Green from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday 15 August combines a social occasion for local residents with displays by the area's community groups to offer advice and information on the range of available services and opportunities. For more details, call Walmer Parish Council on 01304 362363 or      (August 6, 2015)

YELLOW LINES PLAN FOR SALISBURY ROAD

The public is invited to comment on plans by Kent County Council to introduce double yellow lines on Salisbury Road and a short section of Court Road, Walmer. But time is short as all views, in favour or against, have to be in by 12noon on Monday 10 August. The proposed double lines are on the southern side of Salisbury Road from opposite the school to the Court Road junction and round the corner into Court Road for a further 14 metres. They would prohibit waiting at any time.

For details, see: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/SalisburyRoadCourtRoad_
Walmer/consultationHome. Comments need to be submitted to Traffic Schemes Team, Kent County Council Highways and Transportation, Ashford Highway Depot, 4 Javelin Way, Henwood Industrial Estate, Ashford, TN24 8AD or by e-mail to tro@kent.gov.uk.    (August 6, 2015)

FOWLMEAD'S NAME CHANGE

Fowlmead Country Park has a new name; it's now Betteshanger Country Park. On Saturday 18 July visitors to the 200-acre recreational area were invited to celebrate the new name by taking part in a series of art workshops on the mining heritage of the East Kent coalfield, and the flora, fauna and wildlife that has colonised the area since Betteshanger colliery was closed.

The country park, off the A258 Deal-Sandwich Road near Sholden, is part of a major £40m Betteshanger Sustainable Parks project which will see creation of a visitor centre, a Kent Mining Museum and a green energy centre. The Hadlow Group who are managing the scheme anticipate it will help to "regenerate the community of Betteshanger and surrounding area and sit alongside the development of office space and micro-business incubation units, training and development and further and higher education on the Enterprise Park". For more on the country park see: www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk.    (July 23, 2015)

CONCERNS AT SOUTH STREET CHANGES

Plans by Kent County Council to change traffic flows and location of bus stops and taxi ranks at South Street, Deal, have sparked strong local opposition. The proposals, which are currently available for public consultation, would mean traffic for South Street entering from Victoria Road and exiting onto Beach Street. Bus stops and new shelters would be located on the northern (Lloyd's Bank) side of South Street and taxi ranks moved to the southern (Walmer Castle pub) side.

In criticising the proposed changes traders and taxi operators say that deliveries to the High Street precinct would be compromised. Also locating the head of the taxi queue nearer the seafront would be inconvenient for many elderly or infirm shoppers. One Middle Street resident feared that the change would encourage more use of the narrow road. For more details and a form to comment on the proposals, see the KCC consultations website or post a completed form to Mr Ben Hilden, KCC Highways and Transportation, Javelin Way, Ashford, Kent TN24 8AD. Comments have to be submitted by 12noon on Friday 14 August.    (July 23, 2015)

MINING FESTIVAL FOR AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY

The annual Kent Miners’ Festival will, this year, be hosted by Hadlow College at its £40-million Sustainable Park project on the site of the former Betteshanger coalfield. The free event on August Bank Holiday Monday will feature displays recalling Kent's mining heritage and a wealth of entertainment and activities for all the family. Included in the all-day event are colliery brass bands, a skate board park, a display of home grown produce and flowers, a fun dog show and a Coal Queen Parade reviving memories of the popular beauty contests held at the old mining galas.

Dover Community Radio will provide a road show and the organisers anticipate the planned fun fairs and entertainers, food courts and stalls, dancing and boxing, beer tent and mining reunion will ensure there is "something for everyone" For more details, see: www.kentminersfestival.org.uk.

AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR FREE STALLS
One of the event's supporters, Chris Tough, is urging anyone who is interested in having a free stall at the festival to get in touch. He says: "Those who have shown interest but not booked please do so as pitches are running out in the Charity Health Wellbeing Arena." To contact Chris, call him on 07939 626237.    (April 6, 2015 - updated July 15, 2015)

Work has started on rebuilding of the Deal Town Football Club clubhouse at the Charles Sports Ground off Mill Road, Deal. Dover District Council, who own the ground and lease it to the club, has awarded the contract for the work to local building contractor Mark Beevers of Sholden. An earlier clubhouse was destroyed by fire in October 2011 with the loss fortunately covered by insurance taken out by the council. It is anticipated the building will be completed by early September.     (July 14, 2015)

DEAL PUBS CALL TIME ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

A number of Deal's pub landlords are relaunching the Pubwatch scheme which bans problem individuals and misbehaving groups from their premises. The move, which is supported by Dover Partnership Against Crime (DPAC), follows a recent increase in anti-social behaviour from drunken revellers. When trouble occurs, staff can share information using radio and social media. Anyone ejected will then be refused entry to other premises in the DPAC Pubwatch.

The first premises in the scheme are: The Lane, The Sir Norman Wisdom, The Ocean Rooms and The Hole in the Roof. Other pubs interested in joining the Deal scheme should contact DPAC co-ordinator Karen Griffiths on 01304 218172.     (July 4, 2015)

DOGS ALLOWED ON PIER IN NEW LOCAL LEGISLATION

From the end of July, dog owners will be allowed to take their pets on Deal Pier - for the first time since 1838. The change follows adoption of a new Public Spaces Protection Order by Dover District Council. The new legislation replaces outdated bye-laws relating to fouling and dog control for Deal, Walmer, St Margaret's and Dover. Many previous rules will still apply and are currently in force. They include:

• Dogs must be kept on leads at all times on the promenade and off the beach between May and September between 9am and 8pm, from Sandown Castle to Deal Castle;
• Dogs are banned from a number of children's play areas and most cemeteries, except for a few which are no longer used;
• Dogs must be kept on leads on Walmer Green from May 1 to September 30 between the hours of 9am and 8pm.

The new Order comes into force on Monday 27 July and gives powers to PCSOs to instruct a person responsible for a dog to put and keep it on a lead. Any breach could result in a fine of £75 (currently £50) and up to £1,000 if refused and successfully prosecuted. Campaigning local dog owners and the Deal Dog Community pressure group have welcomed the new freedom to use the Pier. But some of the anglers who use the Pier have voiced concerns over what they suggest are "considerable angling-related health and safety risks".     (July 2, 2015)