Your Shepway, Issue 169, January 5, 2011

6.8 MB·English

by  KOS Media

yourshepway
yourshepway.co.uk
K O S
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F
w e e k
mniedw s p a p er Issue No 169
Available from Wednesday,
THE NEWSPAPER FOR FOLKESTONE, HYTHE AND DISTRICT January 5, 2011
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS
AND READ YOUR PAPER ONLINE
at yourshepway.co.uk
NEW AIRPORT
Picture ADRIAN KETTLE
ACTION GROUP
DENIES SPLIT
‘We’re just presenting the business view’
CAMPAIGNERS backing (cid:2)BY JAMES ALEXANDRE Government conservation body
Lydd airport’s controversial Natural England, whose advice had
also been overridden by councillors.
expansion plans have denied Lydd landlord Tim Crompton,who Mr Crompton,who runs The George
any rift following the setting- helped set up SOLA,said the group hotel in Lydd high street, told
up of another support group would speak up for the business and Yourshepway:“The fact is the town is
community benefits of the proposed dying,it needs some investment and
ahead of a public inquiry. development,which was approved in the only place we are going to get any
Supporters Of Lydd Airport, or March last year when Shepway coun- is from something like the airport.
SOLA, will run alongside the more cillors chose to reject the recommen- “When you’ve something willing to
established Friends Of Lydd Airport dation of their own officers. put millions of pounds into an area,
(FLAG) to provide a ‘dual approach’ to The decision to build a 500,000- you should really grab it.”
argue both the technical and commu- passenger terminal and 444-metre He said SOLA differed from FLAG
nity aspects of the proposals, it is runway extension will be scrutinised due to the latter concentrating on the YOUR PURPLE GAZE
claimed. at public inquiry after an appeal by CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
WHAT’S ON & WATCH ALSO INSIDE
One of the highlights of last year was the first-ever successful breeding
by purple herons in the UK, at Dungeness RSPBreserve. The event
yourkenttv.co.uk LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 9 brought thousands of visitors to Romney Marsh and thrust the area into
the national-media spotlight. We can but wait to see what this year holds
LEISURE . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGES 14-20
ALLYOURLOCALSTORIES: Watch videos MOTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGES 21-23 feonrv Sirhoenpmweanyt, –b uwth micahn ayt itnr atchtes dsios tmriucct ha rwee haoltphin –g w thilal tn oitts breic sha ncaritfuicreadl in
of all the major news stories in your area
JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGES 26-27 a spree of development. Only time will tell, but for a round-up of the
issues likely to affect us all in 2011, turn to page 3.
Upload your favourite clip SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGES 30-31
2 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected] (SH)
Window-punch man
Earthquake Ed
THIS WEEK
INSIDE
is wanted by police
POLICE are appealing for inform-
NEWS. . . . . . . . . . PAGES 2-11 PROPERTY. . . PAGES 24-25
ation after a man punched in a
Q&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 8 JOBS. . . . . . . . . PAGES 26-27 looks forward charity-shop window in Hythe,caus-
ing hundreds of pounds in damage.
LETTERS. . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 9 CLASSIFIED. . . . . . PAGE 28 A man was seen arguing with
someone he was talking to on a
SCHOOLS. . . . . . . . PAGES 12 SPORT. . . . . . . . PAGES 30-31 mobile phone and became very irate.
A woman with him asked him to
stop, but he punched the 8ftx6ft
INSIDE yourlifestyle to quieter life toughened plate-glass window val-
ued at £800.He was afterwards seen
walking towards Red Lion Square.
The man is white,aged about 21,
6ft and of thin build.
He was wearing a dark hooded top,
dark jeans and has a pierced eyebrow.
A MAN who helped make
The woman he was with is described
safe hundreds of buildings as 5ft 6in and with dark hair.She was
in the aftermath of the heavily pregnant.
The incident happened on
Folkestone earthquake has Saturday,December 11,shortly after
retired as a council officer 7pm.Call the police on 01622 690690
after 25 years. and quote crime number FY/19919/
10, or Crimestoppers on 0800
PAGES LEISURE Ed Elcock, nicknamed Earth- 555111,if you can help.
14-16 quake Ed,is stepping down as head
Witness appeal after
of community safety and regulatory
PAGE WEATHER control at Shepway council,having
18
spent his career in local govern- A259 death smash
PAGE CINEMA/TV ment.
20 However, he said that none of
what he did during that fateful day POLICE have launched a fresh ap-
PAGES MOTORING would have been possible without peal after a second person died from
21-23 the help of the fire service and other injuries caused in a car crash on
emergency services. RETIRING: Ed Elcock at Shepway council Romney Marsh.
He told Yourshepway when the Carole Griffin, 66, passed away
SEE OUR SISTER PAPERS KENT ON SUNDAYAND THE SATURDAY earth shook on April 28, 2007: “I arm with them and I did go up on a peacefully at the William Harvey
EDITIONFOR ALL THE WEEKEND’S COUNTY NEWS AND SPORT was at home in Mersham and the couple of roofs to see the damage.” Hospital on Monday.
EDITOR:Dave Mairs 01303 817022 whole place shuddered.I thought it They were soon joined by other Her 67-year-old husband Barry
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TELEPHONE DISTRIBUTION: 01303 817070 heard a very loud bang because the Other emergencies Mr Elcock has about 10am.
EMAIL:Editorial:[email protected]. Sales:[email protected] epicentre was just out in the had to deal with in his time include Mr Griffin, of Lydd, died shortly
HEADOFFICEADDRESS: Apple Barn, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SS Channel.There were rumours fly- the St Mary’s Bay oil-spill,helping after the collision. The driver and
© 2010 KOS Media. yourshepway.co.uk. Printed by Archant Print ing around as to what it was – a the police after ram-raids and even passenger in the Vitara were left
KOSMedia is a division of Archant Regional Limited plane crashing,a bomb going off – entering burning buildings to make with non-life-threatening injuries.
but I headed straight down there sure they were safe for fire crews. Police want to trace the driver of a
and for the next three or four days I He also played a part in over- silver car thought to be a Ford Focus
didn’t sleep a lot.” seeing the building of Saga’s that may have been behind the Micra.
Mr Elcock and his team set about Sandgate offices,the Stop 24 motor- Phone [phone] if you can help.
checking and securing 1,500 dan- way services and Bouverie Place Flatscreen TV theft
gerous structures within the space shopping centre.Over the years he
of a few short hours after the trem- added parking services, environ-
or,prioritising which ones needed to mental health,coastal defence and POLICE are appealing for inform-
be seen first by the fire service. community safety to his portfolio. ation about the theft of a 50-inch
He said:“We ran out of [building Mr Elcock said:“I’m retiring,but flatscreen television set from a home
control] people within an hour – we I’m going to carry on doing a bit of in Littlestone.
knew we had a major problem on surveying,possibly project manage- The Samsung TV was stolen from
our hands. ment. Obviously I will have more an address in Coast Road between
“The fire brigade obviously knew time to improve my golf handicap 9am and 7pm on Wednesday,
what they had to do because they and to walk the dog. December 22.Anyone with informa-
were saving as much as they could “Towards the last few years it was tion is asked to phone PC Andy
and making sure everybody was quite a wide-ranging role – it was Perham on 01303 289139 or email
safe.We worked absolutely arm-in- very enjoyable and I will miss it.” [email protected].
‘Nothing new to the party’
HERNE BAY
CONTINUEDFROMFRONTPAGE He dismissed suggestions that only “Natural England object to every-
Licensed Bar National Game/Link more ‘technical’ side and pointing out lower-level catering and cleaning thing.If they had their way all the
how little had changed since the last jobs would be made available to local time we would live in a sterile country.
Open daytimes games/House games public inquiry. people, citing the example of three “Lydd used to be busier than Heath-
(up to £25,000 in Mr Crompton said the plans would former Marsh Academy students row – in the late 1950s and early
and evenings any one prize) bring much-needed prosperity to the who are undertaking apprentice- 1960s it could manage 220 flights in
Marsh: “It will eventually create a ships at the airport. one day and they were big,dirty,heavy
£500 Jackpot machines couple of thousand jobs,both directly Natural England, in addition to aircraft,yet the Marsh is still here.”
and indirectly. objecting to the development, also Louise Barton, of anti-expansion
Tel [phone]for special offers and “They would be divided between wants to expand the Dungeness to group LAAG, said: “My interpret-
those working at the airport, for Pett Level Special Protection Area ation is there’s been a fight between
full details www.gambleaware.com people in ancillary services,induced (SPA) and to designate a new the various factions.You don’t create
jobs by shops employing more work- Ramsar site, or protected wetland a new action group two minutes
ers due to more money in the area area,around the airport. before a public inquiry.
and those created by airlines and If granted,the SPA boundary would “It’s normally done when there are
businesses moving in. be brought closer to the airport’s disagreements or there’s a view that
“At the moment there are all the perimeter,while the proposed Ramsar these people are not capable of pre-
youngsters who can’t get jobs locally site would surround the runway. senting the correct case.
and have to move out of the area – Mr Crompton said:“People are far “They’re putting a nice rosy com-
U£2p5, 0t0o0 there’s no career path,which you will more important than plants when it plexion on it and not contributing
get with the airport.” comes to investing in the area. anything new to the party.”
(SH) Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email the editor, [email protected] 3
Year of change and transition
THIS year promises to be eventful for Shepway,with
As the party hangovers fade and we embrace
key decisions being made about the district’s
future, together with world-renowned contempo- the new year and a fresh set of resolutions,
rary artists descending on Folkestone.
Despite the Government’s slashing of the council’s budget by some JAMES ALEXANDRE offers a glimpse of what
£3.5 million over the next two years,arts and culture will still receive a
hefty boost with the second Triennial,starting this summer. the year ahead could hold for Shepway
The three-yearly festival has put Folkestone on the arts map,with the
inaugural event in 2008 leaving
pCWTTeorohranlmeectyerian’eysn e neE NnemSoot tntihwrn esi’osneir gtgksn, es vEHaievnnenecad rlv us emdKHnian eaIlgnpls tpANb er anaoPtsnrlh taziaecisnnest Picture ADY KERRY
Baby Things scattered about town.
This year sees featured works by
acclaimed artists from countries such
as Morocco,Algeria,Egypt,India and
Brazil, together with the world-
renowned Spanish artist Cristina HOME MAID: Folkestone’s homage to the
Iglesias and Scottish-born Hew famous Copenhagen-harbour sculpture
Locke, who is nominated for the
what could lead to a single authori-
fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
ty for the two districts.
Curator Dr Andrea Schlieker told
Councillors met to approve the
Yourshepway: “The first Triennial
idea in principle with the aim of
was very much an exhibition that
making savings and cutting costs,
centred on Folkestone itself. It
although opponents claim it will
became a kind of polyphonic portrait
make local decision-making more
of the town.
remote and detached.
“The next Triennial is called A
The two authorities have already
Million Miles From Home and cen-
agreed to a joint waste and recy-
tres on Folkestone’s geographical
cling service, provided by Veolia,
position as a gateway and a portal
NEW GENERATION: Folkestone Triennial returns in 2011, including works by Cristina Iglesias. Dungeness’s future will be decided this year. which is due to start this summer.
and it’s much more about bringing
The partnership includes intro-
the wider world to Folkestone. So
decision in March last year, when staff but is due to be decommissioned that if we continue to look at inno- ducing a weekly collection of cooked
whereas the first time we looked in,
councillors voted 27-12 in favour, by 2018. vative ways of working we can bal- and uncooked food waste from a
this time we’re looking out.”
overriding both Natural England’s Were Dungeness C to be approved, ance our budget without reducing small caddie;collection of glass and
The circular brick building of
advice and that of council officers. it could create temporary 2,000 jobs frontline services.” a wider range of plastic,paper and
Martello 4,which is overgrown with
The inquiry, scheduled for six during construction and a further In November, Yourshepway card;fortnightly collection of resid-
thick vegetation,will be made visible
weeks but expected to last consider- 350-450 over a 60-year period. exclusively revealed plans for ual waste from a wheelie-bin;
again by Iglesias’s sculpture on the
ably longer,will decide the final out- It would also produce a maximum Shepway and Dover councils to and alternative arrangements for
tower’s ramparts.
come of the £25m scheme to build a output of 1,600MW – sufficient for share their chief executive and top households with no room for
A walk-in viewing platform will let
terminal capable of handling 500,000 some 2.5 million households. management,in the first steps of wheelie-bins.
people see the tower – built in 1804
passengers a year,plus a 444-metre Parliament is expected to debate
to defend the coast from the threat of
runway extension. and vote on the national policy state-
Napoleonic invasion – and its moat,
Airport bosses claim it could create ment,which will produce the final list
together with surrounding wildlife.
up to 500 new jobs on Romney of sites,between Monday,January 24,
Folkestone’s oldest building, St
Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church,
will have 100 model ships collected
from around the world suspended
from its ceiling in a work that artist
Locke says is inspired by The Royal
Unit 19, The Glenmore Centre, Pent Road,
Navy Hymn by William Whiting.
A former deckchair storage hall Shearway, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 4RJ
under the Leas will be turned into a
cinema and a life-size bronze statue Showroom Now Open
of one local woman will be unveiled
in the pose of Copenhagen harbour’s
PVCWhite,LightOakandRosewoodProfileStandardFinishes
famous Little Mermaid.
IN ADDITION to the Triennial,
which runs from June 25 to
September 25, the Folkestone
Book Festival based at Quarter-
house makes a return in November. SHIPSAHOY: Artist Hew Locke’s maritime proposal for St Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church
Both are managed by the Creative Fullglass,glazingandsealedunitserviceavailable
Foundation, the arts-based charity Marsh, but campaigners say a sec- and the end of spring. Individual
chaired by former Saga owner Roger ond regional airport in Kent would planning applications will then PVC-U Conservatories
De Haan which is regenerating the be underused and unnecessary,and go to the Infrastructure Planning
old town and harbour area. that it would destroy valuable Commission to give approval on a
A striking £2m fish restaurant will wildlife habitat and pose a risk to site-by-site basis.
also open at Folkestone harbour in Dungeness nuclear power station.
time for the Triennial,which will be The Government also intends to WITH regards to the much-
at the forefront of Sir Terry Farrell’s make a final decision on the future publicised council cuts from
masterplan for the seafront. location of a new network of nuclear central government,Shepway
A planning application for the first stations,with Dungeness’s fate still has yet to decide how best to use its
phase of the harbour regeneration, in the balance. The Coalition tough settlement.
which could see up to 1,000 new Government has already rejected the But a spokeswoman said the Energy rated windows as standard
homes with shops, restaurants, site due to concerns about the area’s authority was already working on
cyclepaths and footpaths and an en- rich natural heritage. ways to reduce its spending. Look on: www.perfectwindows.co.uk
larged shingle beach,is expected to Shepway MP Damian Collins has “We made £6.5m of savings over
be submitted this spring or summer. been lobbying to have the site rein- the last four years without cutting
Elsewhere in the district,a public stated, especially since Natural frontline services,”she said. No Salesmen TopqualityPVC-U
inquiry into Shepway council’s deci- England wants to extend the sur- “These savings have been achieved Windows,Doors
Know who you
sion to approve the controversial rounding conservation area, which by,among other things,sharing serv-
expansion plans for Lydd airport will would make its views more difficult ices,implementing staff pay-freezes, are dealing with - andConservatories
ring PaulHorvath
begin in February. to overrule. investigating working with the pri-
Government conservation body The existing B reactor is a 1,200- vate sector,restricting spending gen- Tel: [phone] or
Natural England had lodged an megawatt twin-unit power station erally and introducing more efficient
01304 210387
appeal against the local authority’s that employs more than 500 full-time ways of working. We are confident BS5713 BSEN12150BS7413
4 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected] (SH)
(SH) Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email the editor, [email protected] yourshepway.co.uk 5
Assault witnesses appeal
yourshepway WITNESSES are being sought after a 60-
year-old man was assaulted in Tontine Street,
NEWS IN BRIEF Folkestone.
The victim was with a female friend when a
group of young people – five men and two
women – allegedly assaulted him outside the
Party Bar between 7pm and 7.45pm on
Don’t spread winter bugs Saturday,November 27.
Witnesses are asked to call PC Dale Skelton
on the non-emergency number 01622 690690,
PEOPLE who feel unwell due to colds,flu or
or email [email protected].
stomach bugs are being asked to think twice
Alternatively,phone the free and confiden-
before going to A&E or making a doctor’s
tial Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
appointment.
Sarah Andrews, the nursing director for
Fraudster to repay £30K
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent,said most
people who showed such symptoms would
get better on their own in a few days. A MANwho fraudulently claimed more than
LFIFE’S iA BsEACHh: A villagee greenr statums applicatioan with KnCC is n’ows the f ocuBs of the eFishermaan’s Becach camhpaign Antibiotics have no effect on these condi- £30,000 in housing benefit has been given a
tions and will not be prescribed.The advice suspended sentence.
is to stay at home, keep warm and drink Mohammed Joomun, 55, of Castle Hill
plenty of fluids.This also reduces the risk of Avenue, Folkestone, was given a one-year
spreading germs to others. suspended jail term at Canterbury Crown
People worried about their own condition Court on December 20. He will be tagged
hopes dashed by or that of a friend or relative are asked to under curfew from 7pm and 7am for five
phone their GP surgery or call NHS Direct months and must repay the money.
on 0845 4647.Out of hours and over bank At an earlier hearing,Joomun admitted 14
holidays they should phone [phone]. counts of dishonestly furnishing benefit
This includes anyone whose condition gets claims and false documents to get housing
worse after a few days,or who is not improv- benefit. Joomun had been paid a total of
Pickles decision ing after a week. £33,491.11 in benefit.
HOPES of preventing the devel- (cid:2)BY JAMES ALEXANDRE
opment of Fisherman’s Beach in
Hythe have been dashed after the flats,with flood defences,put in their place.
Government decided not to call in “The entire site was to be raised with more
than 12,000 cubic metres of infill to reduce
Shepway council’s decision.
the likelihood of flooding. Now the lifeboat
Councillors voted last month in favour of houses are to be retained, the land upon
plans to build 62 homes, a fishmongers, a which they stand cannot be raised and there
restaurant and eight huts,despite fears over will be no sea defences in front of them.”
its scale and impact on the area’s fishermen, Mrs Severs said the lifeboat-house land
landscape and heritage. would form a low channel for flood and sur-
Shortly afterwards,the authority received face waters to be carried inland,flooding the
a directive from Communities Secretary Eric area behind the site.
Pickles not to grant planning permission She said:“There are boards at the bottom
while he considered whether to determine of the lifeboat-house doors to stop the sea
the application himself. coming in.The developer’s flood-risk report
But a letter sent to the council before says the highest point the sea can get to in
Christmas states:“The Secretary of State is 100 years is about 15 metres from the doors,
of the view that intervention would not be but the sea already reaches them at times.
justified as there is not sufficient conflict “I’m hoping the Environment Agency can
with national policies or any other sufficient still put some pressure on the council to
reason to warrant calling in this application address these flood issues.
for his own determination.” “Shepway will,after all,have to deal with
Helen Severs,who organised a leafleting the financial consequences of the flooding for
campaign against the original proposals,told neighbouring properties and they will not be
Yourshepway: “The lifeboat houses on the able to get as much money for the site if it in
site were listed in the autumn,well after the uninsurable.”
developer’s flood report and Environment Campaigners are still hoping a village-
Agency’s comments were produced. green application submitted to Kent County
“The Environment Agency assumed these Council will be successful.This would declare
buildings were to be demolished and new the area protected from development.
College staff praised after merger
K COLLEGE principal Bill Fearon has sonal support for students to help their
praised staff after Ofsted inspected the col- independence and readiness for work.
lege just eight months after its opening. The merged South and West Kent
The education watchdog visited in the Colleges became known as K College from
first week of December to check on progress November 2010 after a vote on the name by
since the last inspection of the former students.
South Kent College in 2009. The college is now geographically the
Mr Fearon said: “The inspectors were largest in Kent and delivers both further-
anxious to report the distance travelled by and higher-education courses for young
the college since the last time they visited people,adults and businesses across five
SKC,in November 2009. towns – Dover, Folkestone, Ashford,
“The feedback demonstrates that in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
working together to improve student suc- More than 500 courses are available.The
cess,the new college has a great opportuni- Folkestone campus in Shorncliffe Road has
ty to support the communities we serve 973 full-time further-education students,
and to become one of the best in the region. 58 higher-education students and 6,534
“After such hard work by all staff since part-time students.
the merger in April 2010,it was great to Qualifications vary from entry level to
end the year on such an optimistic note.We degree level and beyond for some profes-
look forward to further progress in 2011.” sions, in partnership with Canterbury
Inspectors looked at factors including Christ Church University,the University of
improving success rates,student progres- Greenwich and the University of Kent.
sion,the courses offered and effective per- For details of courses,call 08000 858554.
6 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected] (SH)
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L(SH) Tealephonbe editoorial: 0u1303 81r7200: Email thWe editor, dave.meairs@ko’smerdia.co.euk on our way back7
(cid:2)BY MATHEW BEECH
IN addition to Gordon Cowan’s suc- I can achieve a few things.”
cess, two new councillors were The Dover Alliance had success at
LABOUR members have predicted installed at December’s by-election. Town Council level, with Georgette Rapley
Turnout was as low as 15 per cent as being elected as the new Castle ward
a party comeback as a result of
fewer than 4,300 people in total voted in representative.
sweeping Coalition cuts after an the town, district and county elections. She received 216 votes, beating UKIP’s
election victory at County Hall. Although the Conservatives lost a County Vic Matcham (73 votes) and Labour’s Mick
Hall seat, they did beat their Labour rivals Smith (105).
Gordon Cowan beat off political rivals to
in the Lydden and Temple Ewell ward After her victory, Mrs Rapley said: “I’m
secure the Dover Town seat at Kent County
by-election. surprised I got there, really surprised.
Council,which became vacant last month fol-
Geoff Lymer was selected with 239 votes, “It means I can do something seriously
lowing the death of Tory Roger Frayne follow-
beating Peter Walker of Labour (90 votes) for Dover because I have the strength of
ing a long illness.
and UKIP’s Vic Matcham (55). the Alliance behind me to move forward
Labour group leader Leslie Christie said the
Mr Lymer said: “I’m very, very happy. and start having a voice for Dover people.
victory marked the start of the return of the
“What I’m hoping to achieve is basically “It’s a very short time because it is only
party after all but two of the 20 seats it held
to try to follow the late Roger Frayne and a few months that we have left until the
were lost in the 2009 council elections.
try to implement a lot of the things he general election, but I want to make a voice
“I welcome this victory with great pleasure,”
wanted to do for the community. That is in that short period of time, I want people
he said.“It marks the beginning of the return
basically to do with highways, looking after to know I’m straight and what I say is true.
of the Labour party to holding its traditional
environmental issues and planning. “I’d like to thank the electorate that voted
seats of power in Kent.
“I’m going to take it as it comes and me in and all the members of the Dover
“The result is a clear reaction to the slash
see what they want of me and try to Alliance for putting their faith in me –
and burn policies of the Coalition government,
build upon that and hopefully see if divided we fall, united we stand.”
and I look forward to welcoming Cllr Cowan as ELECTION VICTORY: New councillor Gordon Cowan
a member of the county Labour group.”
KCC currently has 73 Tory seats,seven Lib with drastic reductions in local authority grant cuts,but admitted it was hard with just Cllr Jones’s appointment was seen by local
Dem, one Swanscombe and Greenhithe funds and the rise in tuition fees is upsetting three Labour members on the council. party members as a message from Medway
Residents’ Association and now three Labour. people,which is seen through the voice of com- In the battle for the Dover Town seat were voters of their fears of the impact the coalition
Not a single district or borough council – munities and demonstrations.This is the start Patrick Sherratt for the Tories,who secured Government’s spending cuts would have.
including Medway’s unitary authority – in of our return.People don’t like what they see 1,348 votes,Victor Matcham for Ukip with 404 During a visit to Kent last month,Labour
Kent is Labour-run. And in May’s General happening at the moment in government. and Lib Dem John Trickey with 170. Cllr leader Ed Miliband said the party had an
Election Labour lost its seven remaining seats “It is extremely hard to have a mass of Tory Cowan won with 1,491 votes. opportunity to rebuild what was lost.
in parliament, turning the county’s political control, but what we are seeing already at In October, Labour candidate John Jones He told Archant KOS Media:“It’s about a
landscape almost completely blue. KCC is people wanting (leader) Paul Carter to stormed to victory in the River ward by-elec- long engagement with people from Kent and
But KCC’s newest member Cllr Cowan said take on the Coalition,for example with the tion for Medway Council. elsewhere about what they want from a
the party is making its comeback. issue of Building Schools for the Future – this He replaced Tory councillor David Craggs, renewed Labour Party.
“We were thumped in the last elections and was a good way forward for schools. who resigned two weeks after being elected “I want us to win as many seats in Kent as
ended up with just two seats,which was due to “We will fight tooth and nail to make sure when it was found there was a conflict of inter- possible at the next election,and I’m confident
a national issue with allowances,”he said. there is as much forward thinking as possible.” est between his positions as a special consta- we will start to regain a foothold with the local
“But the measures the Coalition is taking Cllr Cowan vowed to fight the “disastrous” ble and councillor. council elections next May.”
8 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected] (SH)
yourlocalinterview
QCan you tell us a little about yourself? QWhat is the significance of the lifeboat houses? the law on our side.
QUESTION & ANSWER
AMy parents came from Hastingleigh and AThe Grade II listing of the two lifeboat QWhat do you think of the artistic and cultural life here?
Appledore and I grew up in Brabourne.I houses has been a great boost.It means
HELEN went to Highworth Grammar in Ashford,then Shepway can’t demolish them.The buildings AHythe has always been a great subject for
studied for a BSc in estate management at epitomise the maritime history of the town artists. You get amazing sunsets. Fred
Oxford Polytechnic and obtained my Royal and the fishing families of Hythe.Why the Cuming R.A., one of our most famous local
Institution of Chartered Surveyors qualifica- council ever thought they should go beats me. artists,used the front lifeboat house as his stu-
SEVERS tion while working in London.I’m semi-retired, dio in the 1970s.Why does the council want to
but don’t want to throw my qualifications away QWhat did you think of the way the decision was made? destroy somewhere so rare and special?
by entirely withdrawing from RICS.
AThe planning decision was made by the QWhat do you think the future holds for the town?
QHow did you get involved in Fisherman’s Beach? development control committee, but a
number of usual members were replaced for AHythe is teetering between becoming a
AI got involved when I discovered the plan- the vote that evening by cabinet members. suburb of Folkestone or retaining its indi-
ning application had gone in and no one Cabinet members have a financial interest in viduality.On one hand,the lifeboat houses and
seemed to know about it.I was also frustrated the development going through.So there is an the tin tabernacle being listed makes us happy
that public consultations had been held with issue about how independent the process was.
that quaintness remains. On the other, the
very few people being aware of them.I decided
Sainsbury’s and Imperial developments,along
to print and hand-deliver 600 leaflets to QWhat is it you hope to achieve for Fisherman’s Beach? with proposals for housing on West Parade,
homes.Since then,a group of us has gradual-
mean we will be engulfed by urban sprawl.
ly built a huge amount of support. AThe council has given itself permission to
QWhat makes the beach so special? Ther eladnevde wloaps t horei gbienaaclhly w piuthrc ah ahsoeuds ifnorg leesitsautree. QWhat do you like to do in your spare time?
and amenity and that’s what we’d like to see.
AIt was only when I started living in Hythe The site has great potential for tourism and AI garden,make pottery on a wheel and feed
my husband – he takes part in running
six years ago that I discovered it.I’d been seaside activities,it seems a shame to concrete
events to burn off the calories.
coming to Hythe from the age of nine for the most of it over and have it effectively priva-
swimming club,shopping and the beach fur- tised.We have a village green application with
ther down,but I’d never seen the fishing boats. Kent County Council.As residents have been QTell us something people don’t know about you.
The beach is an amazing place with tradition- using this as a right of way for more than 21
al fishing and characteristic huts alongside years,a developer will not be able to build on AI was a Territorial Army officer and used to
the wilderness of the old gasworks site. it.Shepway will try to refute this,but we have direct heavy artillery at weekends.
&
The chartered surveyor from Hythe talks to James Alexandre about the campaign to save Fisherman’s
Beach, what the future holds for the town and directing heavy artillery for the TA at weekends
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(DO) Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email the editor, [email protected] 9
yourletters
LETTERS: Please send your letters to: The editor, Apple Barn, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SS
EMAIL: Email your letters to the editor, Dave Mairs: [email protected]
YOUR LETTERS to loud music.The long-term
yourblogger
hearing health of the nation is
at stake and I am making it my
We need more brave priority to do all I can to support
the BTA in its aim to raise better
tinnitus awareness.
people to help us Wearing hearing protection
As parents spend a fortune on presents, Gary Wright asks if we’re being unfair to children needn’t kill the music.Good
We should all applaud the bravery earplugs simply decrease the music
of PC Ian Clark in his recent volume without affecting
actions in Dungeness (lead article IT’S NOT often I’m impressed by a TV ed number of Christmases with their children,they fidelity and in turn prevent hearing
December 8) in walking over a chef, but Jamie Oliver finally won me see no harm in going that extra mile to ensure their damage.I continue to fuel my pas-
steep ice-covered hill through son or daughter gets everything they want. sion for music but now do so with-
deep snowdrifts . over last week. But what do they want? What do they need? And out risking further damage.I carry
In years gone by the Romney I confess to a bit of a soft spot for Mr Oliver ever more importantly,are we simply reinforcing the belief my hearing protection everywhere
Marsh Mountain Rescue Team since I wrote a damning article about his father’s that money comes easily which means a big fall to and,as a result,feel healthier and
would have been called out but alleged behaviour toward a woman guest at his hotel. earth as the teenager turns into an adult? happier,and find my sleep is no
I believe they were disbanded It was some 10 years ago and as I recall his proud So Jamie Oliver should be praised for his attempt to longer disrupted by my tinnitus.
a while ago,as were their dad – whose hotel in Essex was decorated with books ensure his children learn the value of money. Tinnitus is not just a clubbers’
counterparts in the Goodwin Sands by and pictures of his lisping,over-enthusiastic off- Children should work.They need to know that a affliction.People with a passion for
Potholing Club.Perhaps now is the spring – had treated a woman guest to a performance £40 computer game will take the average parent five classical music or opera who attend
time for these organisations,who worthy of Basil Fawlty. or six hours of work to pay for. live concerts or who listen to loud
contributed much to local safety,to I’m pleased that the former hyper-active irritant I was listening to someone the other day explaining music at home are just as likely to
be re-established? has managed to conquer the States and earn millions, – or rather making excuses for – their teenage daugh- experience tinnitus as those who
Paul Seward but what earned my respect was his pledge to make ter’s lack of a job,claiming it was too dangerous or it favour nightclubs.Tinnitus does not
Folkestone his own children work from the age of 10 for a few would interfere with the child’s free time. discriminate and it could potential-
hours each weekend to learn the value of money. By making sure their child had everything without ly affect you or someone you know.
Councillor was a The man has a point.Most children really do have needing to work the woman believed she was being a Please support the BTA’s Tinnitus
it too easy and there is little support from parents to good parent. Unfortunately, it achieves quite the Awareness campaign.The BTA
make them earn their own cash. opposite.And worse than that somewhere along the operates a free helpline (0800 018
dedicated servant
For example,as our economy continues to languish line children lose respect and appreciation for what is 0527) used by thousands each year,
and parents struggle to pay the bills,I saw no evi- done for them and many become, what we would but as the charity receives no
Owing to electoral law it would dence of youngsters going without this Christmas. have called when I was a lad,‘spoiled’. Government funding,this,and its
have been inappropriate for the Shop bosses and internet websites are reporting The days of easy credit have disappeared for par- other support services,are only
Town Council to have written to another boom Christmas and,it seems to me,Santa ents and it’s time ridiculous overspending on young- available thanks to donations and
you on the subject of the late Cllr made sure every child had the bicycle,games console sters disappeared too. legacies.Help to spread the word
Roger Frayne,prior to the recent or computer they required even though mum and dad If you really want to prepare your child for life as an about tinnitus and the BTA and,if
by-election. might be struggling to pay the mortgage. adult, the sooner they start learning the value of you can,donate to help fund the
Now the election is over,the Town I understand why as parents seek to put right the money and what graft really means,the better. provision of tinnitus information
Council have requested that I write wrongs of their own childhood.As they have a limit- Well done Jamie Oliver. and advice,and to help fund clinical
to you,on this subject,which I am research into a cure.Without the
pleased to do. If there is a story in your area you think we should be covering contact the editor, Dave Mairs, on 01303 817022or email him on the details support services provided by the
In the past,I have frequently above. If you wantto be the next blogger then all you have to do is submit an article to us (of around 550 words) and email it to the editor. BTA,thousands of people would be
cvoomlumnteenetresd, tphoossiet iwvehlyo caabroeu,tt hthoese And don’t forget, for all the latest news and video from your town log-on to www.kentnews.co.uk. wlyi tahdovuicte t hthea itn ifso romftaetni oan l iafneldin feri eanndd-
who help and those who get a source of great comfort.
involved in the progress of Dover. Eddy Temple-Morris,
from importing coal,oil and gas in with the aim of wiping out meningi- music.Blasting my eardrums with
Cllr Frayne comes high up on that XFM London producer and presenter
the future. tis through developing vaccines. loud music was what I lived for for
list,having been involved with the
Kent Green Party urges the Despite great advances in the last many years,and the ringing in my
community and with local politics, Demolish outrageous
public to write to their MPs about 20 years with vaccines for meningi- ears I experienced afterwards –
all his adult life.
Early Day Motion 557.This House tis C,Hib and pneumococcal menin- which I often thought of as a sign of
Following his private funeral,I of Commons motion,already signed gitis,there is still no vaccine for a brilliant night – was always tax on rural business
was pleased that the Town Council by Green Party Leader Caroline meningitis B – the most common something that went away after a
was asked to host an event for his Lucas MP,is calling upon the form of the disease in the UK.Six day or so.But it was about ten The Government’s decision not to
admirers,friends and colleagues,to Government to re-consider its families lose a loved one to the years ago that the high-pitched extend business rates relief on
celebrate his life. support for nuclear power. brain bug each week.Our Search 4 tone in my ears failed to go away.It empty business properties will hit
The event was packed with those We reject the idea of using higher a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise became a permanent noise and one the rural economy hard and could
who had benefited from his support energy prices to subsidise new £7 million to fund lifesaving which I later learnt was tinnitus. encourage demolition rather than
and wise counsel.It was gratifying nuclear power station building. research into eradicating all forms As well as knowing first-hand investment.
to note that colleagues attended The Nuclear Decommissioning of meningitis.The ‘4’ signifies the how hard it can be to cope with the Small to medium-sized business-
from all political parties,and Authority is already getting £1.6 devastating fact that meningitis constant high-pitched noise,I also es in the rural sector make a cru-
that at times like this political billion a year from the Government; can kill in under four hours. know countless DJs,musicians and cial contribution to the economy
differences are forgotten. the liabilities of the nuclear We also distribute a range of music lovers who are affected by and the Government is unjustified
At December’s full Town Council industry had already reached an material to raise awareness of the tinnitus as a result of exposure to in making landlords pay tax on all
meeting,we held a minute’s silence estimated £160bn by 2006. common symptoms and the need to loud music.While we are all now empty properties with a rateable
in his memory and in gratitude for Kent Green Party believe that a act quickly,which can mean the dif- aware of the dangers and take value of more than £2,600.
the sterling service he has offered substantial number of useful jobs ference between life and death. precautions,such as using Currently,rates are only payable
to our town. can be created to improve our To support Search 4 a Vaccine, specialist earplugs to reduce the where the rateable value exceeds
He will be sadly missed. energy use in Kent. call Meningitis UK (0117 373 7373) impact of loud music and prevent £18,000 on any empty property.
Cllr Susan Jones Investing in yesterday’s polluting or visit www.meningitisUK.org. further hearing damage,ultimately This is an outrageous tax.
Mayor of Dover solutions to today’s problems will Steve Dayman, chief executive, we are resigned to a life with Applying non-domestic rates to
not help. Meningitis UK tinnitus.So are many thousands of empty property is a disincentive to
Nuclear power is not Kent Green Party others who make up the ten per investment for providing and
Warning sign of the cent of the UK’s population who improving rural business premises
the way forward Your crucial support experience tinnitus.It is a travesty to let.It is more likely to encourage
ringing in your ears to think that so many of these cases demolition and other actions to
could have been prevented through make buildings unusable to avoid
Kent Green Party rejects the idea in meningitis battle It is my pleasure to again support better awareness. the tax.The supply of rural busi-
that new nuclear power stations the British Tinnitus Association’s It is crucial that music lovers ness space is essential for a busi-
are needed to supply the energy Meningitis UK would like to thank Tinnitus Awareness Week should be encouraged to ness-led economic recovery.
needs of Kent and Medway. everyone who supported us campaign,from February 4-11. continue enjoying music,but that Penalising landlords in this way is
Reducing energy use by throughout 2010 – a year which As someone who’s experienced they should also be better informed counter-productive.
improving energy efficiency and saw exciting advances in the fight tinnitus for a decade now,I am about how to protect their hearing. The Country Land and Business
insulation is both cost-effective against meningitis.We have been passionate about the need to Working with the BTA,and with Association (CLA) would like to see
and can create jobs everywhere amazed by people’s generosity and increase awareness of this the support of many of those empty property relief from rates
in Kent. dedication despite the stresses and debilitating condition and strongly friends and colleagues with extended indefinitely to all business
Increasing the use of safe, strains of the credit crunch.Money support the charity’s efforts. tinnitus,I want to spread the premises where broadband is not
renewable technologies including raised has supported research proj- As a professional musician,DJ, message about the importance available – rural premises without
wind,solar,heat pumps and ects being carried out at universi- producer and radio presenter it of protecting your ears when broadband do not attract tenants.
biomass can help to prevent us ties throughout the country,all goes without saying that I love attending gigs and when listening Rupert Ashby, CLA regional director
10 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected] (SH)
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