DEAL COMMUTERS FACE ANNUAL SEASON TICKETS RISE

With the announcement that average fares on Southeastern rail services are to rise by just under 2% next year, Deal commuters will see an increase of almost £100 on an annual season. The current £5,228 season ticket on the high-speed service from Deal to St Pancras goes up to £5,324. For Deal to Charing Cross passengers the annual ticket of £5,184 increases to £5,286.

For details of other journeys and season ticket periods, see the National Rail calculator at: http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/seasonticket/search.    (December 9, 2016)

SEEKING "SNOW WARDENS" TO HELP THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Dover District Council and the Dover/Deal Volunteer Centre are keen to recruit volunteer Snow Wardens to help clear snow if bad weather strikes. The scheme is designed to enable residents to help out in their local community by clearing snow from footpaths and spreading salt to prevent ice from forming. Registered Snow Wardens need to be physically fit and available throughout the winter months. They have access to grit bins and additional salt can be provided if required.

To ensure safe working, the volunteers are asked to wear high-visibility warm clothing, suitable gloves and non-slip waterproof footwear. Advice on equipment - like shovels - is available if required. For more details, see www.dover.gov.uk/Community/Snow-Wardens.aspx or contact Dover District Volunteer Centre on 01304 367898.    (December 9, 2016)

NEW MEMBER FOR RINGWOULD+KINGSDOWN PARISH COUNCIL

Ringwould with Kingsdown Parish Council has a new councillor. She's Sarah Gleave of 23 Kings Close, Kingsdown who, with no other candidates putting their names forward, has been automatically elected to fill a casual vacancy on the nine person council. The result of the uncontested by-election was formally announced by Returning Officer Nadeem Aziz on Friday 25 November.    (December 9, 2016)

PLANS FOR NHS AND CARE CHANGES UNDER FIRE

Fears that many local people are unaware of current moves to reorganise NHS and care services are being voiced by local "green" campaigner Rosie Rechter. In drawing attention to the development of Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) by NHS, social care and public health bodies across the country, Rosie suggests their implementation could lead to privatisation, charges and insurance-funded care. Critics in some of the 44 separate STP working party areas across England regard STP as "yet another reorganisation" with a risk of hospital closures and insufficient funding rendering some proposals as "pie in the sky".

Locally, the STP process has brought together hospital bosses, community health organisations, GPs, commissioners and local authority social care leaders in Kent and Medway. They say they are "working together to plan how to transform health and social care services to meet the changing needs of local people". The hope is to provide "positive and genuine improvement in health and social care delivery over the next five years". In the New Year, they plan to publish detailed STP proposals and a timetable for public consultation.

For more information on the Kent and Medway STP, download this explanatory leaflet and the local STP Draft Plan.    (December 9, 2016)

"BLOOM" TEAM ARE AIMING FOR GOLD

Campaigners aiming for Deal to gain top honours in the 2017 South and South East in Bloom competition are seeking even more public support. The local Deal in Bloom Working Group held its first meeting on Tuesday (7 December) - with how to boost next year's town entry high on the agenda. This year, Deal only missed out on top Gold recognition by a few points and was awarded Silver-Gilt.

Working Group member Linda Ford said: "The competition isn't just about flowers; it also covers green spaces, shrubs and local biodiversity, including birds, wild flowers, butterflies, bees and other insects." The cleanliness and appearance of the town are key to success. Lack of litter, a clean beach, no graffiti, cleanliness of paving, lack of weeds and lack of dog mess are vital. The competition judges also look at Deal's community as a whole - including schools and community groups, business support with hanging baskets, window boxes and floral shop window displays, as well as local council and residents' displays.

Linda added: "It takes a lot of co-ordination to win an award. Every single piece of help from the public makes a big difference; from just picking up a piece of litter to joining one of the local groups of volunteers involved in projects like the Sandown Castle Community Garden." Apart from making the town pleasant for local people, the regional competition organisers say winning towns can prove an attractive destination for visitors. This brings in revenue and is especially good news for small businesses. For more on the Gold Award bid and how to be involved, call Linda Ford on 07751 362949.    (December 8, 2016)

VOLUNTEERS NET OVER 420 KGS OF BEACH JUNK DURING 2016

Deal With It green group members and supporters held their final Deal Beach Clean of 2016 last Sunday (4 December). Organiser Wendy Boorman said: “We had a great turnout with 28 volunteers who managed to collect some 45kgs of rubbish off Deal beach in a little over an hour. This was the eighth Deal With It beach clean in 2016. We have had 176 participants who collectively volunteered over 300 hours to collect over 420kgs off the beach during the year. A fantastic effort by the community and it shows how much people locally value our common asset, our beach."

The next beach clean will be on Sunday 29 January and, as always, existing and new volunteers are most welcome. For further details, see www.dealwithit.org.uk, or call 01304 372673.    (December 7, 2016)

SEEKING WALMER'S BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Walmer Parish Council is encouraging Walmer residents and businesses to help brighten the dark winter nights by entering its annual Christmas Lights Competition. The event is now in its fourteenth year and judges will be touring the parish in the week commencing Monday 12 December to spot the most eye-catching and colourful displays. For the winning residential property there's a trophy cup and the two runners up receive certificates. Local businesses can take part as well with the winning business display earning a special accolade.

Thel winners will be notified as soon as possible after the judging, and the results will be announced just before Christmas. Residents can nominate their own or a neighbour’s house or local business by contacting the parish council's assistant clerk Sarah Plews on 01304 362363.    (November 22, 2016)

LONELY AT CHRISTMAS? ACE HAS AN ANSWER

The organisers of Deal's annual Christmas lunch and social for people who may be on their own over the holiday period are inviting them to book a place now. Kathy Hostettler from the Alternative Christmas Experience (ACE) team says the Boxing Day event at the Astor Theatre in Stanhope Road, Deal, is open to any residents of Deal and Walmer who are facing a lonely Christmas. It starts at 11.30am on Monday 26 December and is completely free of charge - but places need to be booked in advance.

Kathy explained: "We like to provide good food, entertainment and friendly company. Transport is available to those who may need it, courtesy of volunteer drivers who will collect guests and deliver them home." To find out more about ACE, book a place or volunteer to help, call 01304 361622 or 07757 113503. The organisers rely on support from local businesses and the public to ensure the event's success. Donations of a meal item or raffle prize would be especially appreciated.    (November 21, 2016)

Deal's annual "Cards For Good Causes" pop-up shop has returned to the Landmark Centre on Deal High Street. The extensive selection of cards supports the work of a range of charities who receive 70p or more from every £1 of sales. Staffed by volunteers, the shop is open Mondays to Saturdays 10am-2.30pm until Saturday 17 December.   (November 17, 2016)

TOP MARKS FOR LOCAL BEACHES

The Environment Agency's latest report on bathing waters around the UK coastline awards "top marks" to three local beaches. Sandwich Bay, Deal and St Margaret's Bay are all rated as "excellent" in the Environment Agency's 2016 report on bathing water quality.

The Agency carries out weekly checks on water quality between May and September and uses these for annual ratings to classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor. For details, see: http://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/.    (November 13, 2016)

FREE CHRISTMAS PARKING FOR LOCAL SHOPPERS

The district and county councils have announced free parking in car parks and at on-street meters in the run up to Christmas. The move is to encourage shoppers to support local High Street shops and small businesses across Dover district during their key Christmas trading period. The free parking days are:

• Small Business Saturday on December 3; and
• The two weeks from Monday December 19 to Monday January 2 inclusive.

The public car parks included in the scheme are only those operated by Dover District Council. Parking charges will still apply in Deal's privately operated car parks: Sainsbury's off West Street and the Co-op (St Ethelburga's and Park Street). Kent County Council has agreed to offer free on-street parking over the same periods. But drivers are warned that all other parking restrictions, like yellow lines, will continue to be enforced. For more details, see Dover DC website.    (November 13, 2016)

HAVE A SAY ON BT'S PLANS TO REMOVE LOCAL PHONEBOXES

Dover District Council has been asked to provide feedback to British Telecom on proposals to remove local public phone boxes. The district council says it would like to hear the views of local communities which can be included in its formal response to BT. The phone boxes in Deal, Walmer and neighbouring parishes that could be removed are listed below:

For a full list of the telephone boxes across Dover district, see: phone boxes for potential removal.

For details of how the removal procedure works, see: Ofcom's Removing Public Call Boxes: a guide to the rules.

The district council says comments should try to include the following information:

1. You or your organisation's name and contact details.
2. Whether you are commenting as an individual or on behalf of a community/organisation.
3. The phone boxes you are commenting on.
4. Whether you object or agree to the removal of the phone box or if your community group wants to “adopt” a red phone box for £1. For details see: https://business.bt.com/solutions/small-business/communities/adopt-a-kiosk/.
5. If appropriate, please state your reasons for objection as follows:
   - No mobile phone reception from any operator;
   - In an accident black spot area;
   - In a suicide black spot area;
   - Phone box is within 400 metres of the coast;
   - There is “reasonable need” for the phone box as defined by BT: It is the only payphone within 800 metres; AND the payphone was used at least 12 times in the last year; AND there are more than 500 households within 1k of the phone box (all three must apply);
   - Other reason for objection.
6. More details of your objection or agreement.

Comments to Dover District Council should be e-mailed to developmentcontrol@dover.gov.uk to arrive by Wednesday 16 November.   (November 9, 2016)

An election to fill a vacancy for the North Deal Ward on Deal Town Council will take place on Thursday 24 November. Voters will have a choice of two candidates for the seat: Sue Beer (Labour) and Oliver Richardson (Conservative).

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm and are located at:
1: The Golf Road Centre, 28 Golf Road, Deal, Kent (electoral registration numbers: AD1-1 to AD11979);
2: Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal (electoral registration numbers: AD2-1 to AD2-1890); and
3: Community Church Deal, Stanley Road, Deal (electoral registration numbers: AD3-1 to AD31218).

For more details, see: Dover DC website.     (November 9, 2016)

TV DRAMA TO FILM ON DEAL PIER

Deal Pier is set to provide the location for scenes in an upcoming television drama 'Liar'. Filming between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 November will involve the Pier's stem, lower deck and Jasin's restaurant. The arrival of the actors and film crew will require some restrictions on public access.

Dover District Council says: "The pier will be closed on Tuesday 15 November between 8am-10am and 3pm-5pm. The restaurant will be closed throughout the filming. Fishing will be limitied within certain times and areas of the pier." The council apologised, in advance, for any inconenience to the public. For more information, e-mail: propertyservices@dover.gov.uk or see Dover DC website.     (November 9, 2016)

KENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST BURGLARY

Kent Police have launched a campaign to encourage the public to reduce the risk of burglary and also deal with bogus doorstep callers. Included in the tips to deter and thwart burglars when the home is unoccupied or everyone is in bed are:

• using timer switches on lights and radios to make it look like someone is home;
• storing car keys and cash/handbags somewhere safe and out of sight;
• security-marking and photographing important items to help identify them if needed.

For more tips to keep the home and important items safe, see www.kent.police.uk/burglary,

Dealing with unexpected callers on the doorstep can be a worry for some elderly parents, neighbours or friends. Helping them to know what to do about cold callers could give them confidence and avoid them being cheated or robbed. For useful advice see: www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/.    (November 8, 2016)

Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) is seeking people to help it raise vital funds by taking part in the 2017 London Marathon. The charity's Laurie McShea says: "By taking part in this event you are doing something amazing for our charity; not only raising awareness of sight loss but also raising much needed funds for us to be able to continue our work supporting visually impaired people in the local area." Participants will receive plenty of support with fundraising ideas and personalised materials and resources. In the new year there will be a get together in Maidstone for all the runners in "Team KAB",

Currently Kent Association for the Blind helps over 11,000 visually impaired people across the region to live independent lives. This includes all ages from toddlers and teenagers right through to people in their nineties and beyond - with services ranging from mobility training and a digital Talking News service to advice and guidance and courses in Assistive Technology. Last year, what is, in effect, an entirely bespoke service tailored to the individual’s needs received 2,450 new referrals.

For more information, contact Laurie McShea at Kent Association for the Blind, 72 College Road, Maidstone ME15 6SJ, call 01622 691357, or see www.kab.org.uk.     (November 1, 2016)

SERGEANTS MESS PANTO TICKETS ON SALE FROM 3 OCTOBER

Tickets for the popular Royal Marines Sergeants Mess annual pantomime go on sale to the public from 9am on Monday 3 October. The 2017 panto is "Dad's Barmy", running nightly at 7.30pm in the Astor Community Theatre in Stanhope Road from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 14 January. Tickets for the January 3 and 14 performances are only available to the cast. Ticket prices are: front rows £17; middle and back rows £15. They are only on sale at the theatre's box office and are not available by telephone or on-line. For details, see: http://theastor.org/TheAstor.dll/Home.     (September 30, 2016)

ROADWORKS: BEACH STREET, DEAL: 26 AND 27 SEPTEMBER

Beach Street between its junctions with Market Street and Oak Street will be closed to through traffic during the daytime on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 September. This is to allow Kent County Council to carry out works for carriageway patching, high-friction surfacing and new signage. The closures will be between 9am and approximately 4pm each day.

Access to the remainder of Beach Street continues from either direction up to where it is closed, but there will be no through access. The alternative routes are Northbound via A258 Broad Street / Queen Street, West Street, Park Street, High Street, College Road, King Edward Road, Godwyn Road, The Marina and Beach Street. Southbound via Beach Street, The Marina, Godwyn Road, King Edward Road, College Road, High Street, King Street and Beach Street.  (September 23, 2016)

FIND OUT ABOUT "NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH"

The public is being invited to hear how the Neighbourhood Watch scheme can help combat crime and encourage "neighbourliness" where they live. Members from Dover and District Neighbourhood Watch are mounting an information stand at Deal Library in Broad Street, Deal from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 5 October.

As well as promoting the Watch scheme, they will also offer advice on avoiding scams and fraud and the benefits of property marking. No appointment is necessary; just drop in. For more details, see the Library events website.  (September 23, 2016)

EXTENDED RUN FOR POPULAR BUS DISPLAY

An exhibition celebrating the centenary of the East Kent Road Car Company is being extended into September. Originally scheduled to run throughout August, the display at the Deal Maritime and Local History Museum in Deal's St George's Road will now continue until Wednesday 7 September. Museum supporter Judith Davies says the display of company documents, books, badges and other memorabilia - including uniforms and ticket machines - had proved very popular.

The museum's September opening times are: Tuesdays-Fridays 2pm-4.30pm, Saturdays 11am-4.30pm and Sundays 12noon-4pm. It is closed on Mondays. For more about the Museum, see: www.dealmuseum.co.uk.   (August 26, 2016)

ANNUAL WALKING FESTIVAL UNDERWAY

The third annual White Cliffs Walking Festival is underway. Running from Thursday 25 August to Wednesday 31 August, the event features over twenty walks in the oountryside around the Deal area. The organisers, the White Cliffs Ramblers, say there's a warm welcome to all walkers and the 2016 event has a number of new routes with a particular emphasis on culture and nature as well as some of great scenic beauty. All the walks are led by experienced walk leaders.
For details, see: www.whitecliffswalkingfestival.org.uk.   (August 25, 2016)

FAMILY HELP SCHEME NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEERS

Home-Start Dover District is seeking volunteers with parenting experience who might have a couple of hours spare each week to support a family with young children. The scheme's manager Tracy Perrow says she is particulary interested in recruiting volunteers from the Deal area. Home-Start is a voluntary organisation that offers support, friendship and practical help to families with one or more children under five years of age. The project started in 1973 and now operates nearly 330 schemes with more than 7,000 volunteers visiting families throughout the UK.

Volunteers receive full training and, locally, the next training course starts on Tuesday 13 September. For more details and to consider becoming involved, call 01304 242314 or . Home-Start Dover has a website at www.home-startdoverdistrict.org.uk/.   (August 18, 2016)

FOLK MUSIC WEEKEND FOR DEAL AND WALMER

Local musicians will be raising funds for the RNLI Walmer Lifeboat with a weekend of folk music in September. The Songs To The Sea event will see three days of folk music with a concert, shanties, busking, pub sessions and sing-arounds in Deal and Walmer. For the programme of events, CLICK HERE or go to the event's Facebook page. Martin Thomson on 01304 239765 can also provide details.   (August 18, 2016)

"DROP IN" SESSION FOR WALMER RESIDENTS

There's an opportunity for Walmer residents to meet parish council and local police representatives to discuss problems or seek advice on Saturday 27 August. There will also be a free security marking service for people's property. Useful if something gets lost or stolen. The Police and Council "Surgery" is in Walmer Parish Council Office, 8 The Strand, Walmer from 10am to 12noon. No appointment necessary - just drop in.   (August 16, 2016)

LOCAL GUIDED HISTORY WALKS

The Deal Society is arranging two public guided walks covering aspects of Deal and Walmer’s heritage and the town’s links with the miliitary. One is on Sunday 28 August and the other on Sunday 11 September. For details, see: www.thedealsociety.org.uk/guided-history-walks.   (August 16, 2016)