Your Thanet, Issue 120, January 13, 2010

16.5 MB·English

by  KOS Media

K O S
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F
w e e k
midw s p a p er
n e Issue No 120
Available from Wednesday,
THE NEWSPAPER FOR MARGATE, RAMSGATE, BROADSTAIRS AND DISTRICT January 13, 2010
HEAD’S ICY BLAST AT
SCHOOLS SHUTDOWN
WHAT’S ON & WATCH Picture DON GRAY (cid:2)BY TOM BETTS
yourkenttv.co.uk
A RAMSGATE head-teacher has
questioned why so many isle
schools closed last week during the
wintry weather.
Compared with other parts of Kent,snowfall
in Thanet was relatively light,but still dozens of
schools closed,giving pupils and staff days off.
With GCSE and A-level examinations taking
place soon,Ian Johnson,the principal at the
Marlowe Academy, says the number of isle
schools that closed gave cause for concern.
The majority of secondary schools remained
shut as snow fell,but the Marlowe Academy
stayed open for pupils who could attend.
Scores of primary schools were also shut.
Yourkenttv reports on how the county was
Mr Johnson said:“I’m a little surprised so
affected by the big freeze. Search ‘frozen’ many schools closed.We used to get lots more
snow than this back in Oxfordshire,where I
ALSO INSIDE
ARCHBISHOP DROPS BY was a head-teacher.
“The standard practice,unless all the roads
LEISURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 22-33 were closed,was to delay decisions until the
PROPERTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 35-44 smchanooyl sdtaafyf hhaadd m satanratgeedd aton dg ety oinu. ”knew how
MOTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 45-48 Mr Johnson, who is known for his strong
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, made a special appearance at the
SPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 54-55 Blessing Of The Waters in Margate on Sunday morning. vainedw si,nsturochdu acsi nstga ttihneg an liinkei-ntgo- ffoivre l eascghuoeo tla bdlaeys,
He endured the chilliest of coastal winds to join members of all faiths for the annual ceremony, held on said:“We’ve got students taking exams next
the beach near the Nayland Rock shelter. week, so it is important to maintain their
The leader of the Church of England (above, second from left) was in good spirits despite the bitter preparations.It is also important for young-
sters to understand that you don’t shut up
conditions and chatted happily with other faith leaders. Prayers and blessings were made on the beach
shop just because of a bit of snow.”
after a procession through Westbrook which involved local dignitaries and councillors.
Students had only been back at school a
After church leaders had thrown a gold cross into the sea, tradition dictates that a young boy is sent week prior to the snowfall, following the
in to retrieve it and this year was no different as a youngster braved the icy waters as hundreds of Christmas holidays.
people looked on, perhaps just a little relieved that the job wasn’t theirs… Mr Johnson said:“On Friday the roads were
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
196-198 Canterbury Road,Birchington CT7 9AQ
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Fury as bins
WHAT’S ON & WATCH
yourkenttv.co.uk
NEWS IN BRIEF
fill up after
TOP TV CLIPS Dog walkers possible
witnesses to incident
POLICE are appealing for a couple
walking a dog on the beach near
Christmas Margate Winter Gardens on Monday,
December 28,to contact them as they
may have seen a possible assault.
The incident involved a man and a
woman by the water’s edge near the
Winter Gardens between 11pm and
11.40pm.
The couple could have been in the
(cid:2)BY TOM BETTS ments were treacherous.Conditions water and may have been arguing.
didn’t dramatically improve until Witnesses can phone PC Sean
Sunday. Corrigan on 0845 1135000 or 01843
THANET council’s waste
“The council took a difficult but 231055,quoting reference 21682/09.
and recycling schedule has necessary decision and got staff out • A 25-year-old man has been arrest-
been blasted as residents again as soon as it was possible. ed in connection with an assault.
“We were not alone in this as the
struggle to cope with their vast majority of councils across Kent Courses could put you
festive rubbish. also suspended waste collections at
1 Solicitor Donna Payne is campaigning against domestic suTshpeen sbiaocnk loofg cwolalesc tcioanuss elda stb yw etheke poTinhtes udnuurisnuga ll asstte pw oefe kd.i”verting staff on a new career path
abuse in Deal. Search ‘abuse’ due to the icy weather and the break from other council services was
between Christmas and New Year. taken to assist with the work, A FREE open day highlighting cours-
Some 20,000 homes are thought to although no temporary staff were es is being held in Newington today
have been affected by the change to taken on. (Wednesday) for adults in the Newing-
collections,which have now returned The spokeswoman said the fact ton,Eastcliff and Northwood wards.
to their normal schedule. that some homes might not have had Among the courses on offer are
Council bosses say that by Friday rubbish collections in three weeks computers for absolute beginners,
things should be clear again, but was a source of regret. gardening skills,English,maths and
some residents say they have not Regrets cake-decorating.
had their rubbish taken away since You can also take a first step
before Christmas because collections She said: “This is something the towards a career in early-years child-
were cut over the festive period. council obviously regrets. However, care and education.
One enraged Minnis Bay resident there is no way that we could have Pop in to the Newington Commun-
told Yourthanet:“I’m putting out my foreseen the severe weather condi- ity Centre in Princess Margaret
bin tonight [Monday, January 11] tions that affected our collections Avenue between 11am and 2pm on
in the hope there’s a collection last week. Wednesday, January 13, for more
tomorrow.This includes my rubbish “Until the end of Wednesday, we information.
from before Christmas! were firmly on track to catch up with
“It’s typical Thanet council – they the Christmas backlog. Indeed, Go to ball if you want
only do what suits them,not what 47,000 homes are up to date with
suits the people that they’re meant their collections,out of 67,000.” to join carnival court
and paid to serve.” One binman was injured slipping
on ice and had to be taken to hospi-
Treacherous
Some beautiful snowy scenes taken across Folkestone tal, but no waste vehicles were THE date of the Miss Ramsgate selec-
2 Thanet council made the decision reported to have been involved in tion ball has been set.
and Hythe. Search ‘snow’ to cancel collections on Thursday and accidents. It will be held at Oddfellows Hall in
Friday last week when the cold Clive Hart,the Labour leader on Ramsgate on Friday,March 5,from
weather was at its worst on the isle. Thanet council,said:“I think it was a 7pm.
On Thursday morning collections mistake on the council’s part to not Entrants can be between 14 and 21
were called off after tests. collect on the Thursday between years of age,but to apply you need to
Teams of workers were out in Christmas and New Year when it email Sabra on sabrabrooker@
smaller trucks but could only do so was a normal working day. hotmail.com.
much with the resources they had at “If they had done that collection on She said:“Over the last few years
their disposal. New Year’s Eve, then we wouldn’t we have had fewer girls apply.Now
A council spokeswoman said: “It have as much to clear.” 2010 is here,the new carnival com-
was entirely the right decision. The council says that black bags mittee is ready to put on a bigger and
“Although the main roads were were cleared from about 2,000 better carnival”
passable by Friday,the majority of homes on Friday,with 70 tonnes of Phone Christopher Hobbs-East on
side roads and nearly all the pave- rubbish taken away in total. 07871642667 for more details.
More than 100 swimmers go for a Boxing Day dip in
3
Dover harbour. Search ‘Boxing’
SEE OUR SISTER PAPERS KENT ON SUNDAYAND THE SATURDAY
EDITIONFOR ALL THE WEEKEND’S COUNTY NEWS AND SPORT
EDITOR:Dave Mairs 01303 817022 For information and advice on travelling in Kent and for
GROUP EDITOR: Gary Wright 01303 817032
WEBSITE: www.yourthanet.co.uk all our traffic regulation orders, please see the Kent on
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FAX: (Advertising) 01303 817002 Saturday or the Kent on Sunday or visit our website at
EMAIL:Editorial:[email protected]. Sales:[email protected]
HEADOFFICEADDRESS: Apple Barn, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SR
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yourthanet.co.uk
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 3
Town council:
Birds seeking warmth
‘put more focus
on our tourism’
end up on a hot plate
RAMSGATE Town Council has issued
its response to the district council’s Core
Strategy document.
The draft response to the Shaping Our
Future document has been circulated to
Picture STANLEY PORTER(rspb-images.com) interested parties.
(cid:2)BY TOM BETTS Although the body says it supports
much of the strategy,councillors say they
doubt that Kent International Airport,
GAMEBIRDS fleeing bitter weath- the port and the wind farm will provide as
much economic opportunity as predicted.
er in continental Europe have been
The town council sees more possibility
reaching east Kent only to be shot for economic stimulus in tourism.
and served up at an Indian restau- The document says:“Contributions to
economic growth are more likely to be
rant in Margate.
achieved through an increase in the
Although Thanet has been experiencing its number of visitors and new,economical-
harshest winter for years, conditions on the ly active, residents – including com-
Continent have been every bit as harsh,spark- muters attracted by high-speed trains.”
ing unusually large numbers of woodcock to Pollution
move west to the UK.
Dev Biswal, executive chef at The Indian The airport comes in for strong words.
Princess,is taking advantage of the arrival and A statement about pollution and noise
has been preparing the distinctive bird in his says:“The council is concerned that,if
special style. not properly controlled, pollution and
Last year,Mr Biswal served up a menu of disturbance from the expansion of Kent
exotic meats,including snake,zebra and even International Airport could prejudice the
crocodile for his customers,but it is the rich DELICACY: A nesting woodcock camouflaged against development of Ramsgate as a residen-
flavour of the woodcock that is tantalising the leaves, while (right) the marinated meat is served up tial and visitor location.”
taste buds this time round. Councillors say a paragraph calling for
He said:“The woodcock is prized in Europe, with woodcock pate at The Indian Princess, Margate an independent monitoring programme
Asia and North America for its delectable flesh. should be added.
“The European woodcock ranges from north- “I had never cooked woodcock before.My ini- parsley pate and a creamy raita of shallots and A consultation on the document is still
ern Spain and Britain to Siberia and Japan, tial reluctance turned to curiosity and I ended coriander. ongoing,but other areas criticised by the
and it is considered the king of gamebirds. up buying 30 birds. Sika deer,a highly-prized meat dubbed the town council include conservation.
“Though scarce, woodcock is a gourmet’s “It turned out to be pure magic.The bird has ‘Champagne of venison’,is also proving a hit. It says:“It does not significantly deal
delight because of its rich,tangy flavour,gained a unique rich taste and a ‘melt in the mouth’ “While the flavour of the meat is related to with conservation issues and proposes
through a diet that includes aromatic herbs texture.” the animal’s diet,it is described as having a no specific policies for them.Ramsgate
and berries. They have intensely flavoured, Mr Biswal says the flavour of the birds has an full, deep taste akin to a deeply woody yet Town Council suggests that this needs to
lean,dark meat. affinity with allspice,capers,cayenne,lemons, berry-like red wine.It features a texture that is be addressed in the next draft.”
“There has been a surge in numbers of nutmeg,port,truffles and white wine. supple and tender,”said Mr Biswal. Sections to get RTC backing include the
woodcock in the Deal area and a local game He marinates them in allspice, peppers, The Indian Princess restaurant serves gour- proposed redevelopment of Jackey Bakers
dealer had a record catch – in fact he got 75 ginger and nutmeg before slow-grilling them – met Indian cuisine and is rated the number one sports ground and the plan to improve
birds in just a few hours. they then hit the plate with a woodcock and restaurant in Kent on www.tripadvisor.com. community facilities at Newington.
‘Bit of snow
Youth unemployment
no reason to
on isle is ‘among the
shut schools’
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE highest in country’
pretty clear,but still a lot of schools
were closed.You must expect your
staff to make a reasonable effort to
get in.
“We’ve just had
a two-week holi- ONE in three young people are out tary Theresa May said:“Britain can-
day and I’d be of work on the isle,according to new not go on like this.It seems the true
tearing my hair statistics. scale of the youth unemployment
out if I were a Some 23 per cent of people aged crisis is only starting to emerge.
parent and the between 18 and 24 are out of work, “It is startling that in some pockets
buses were run- which means the area has one of of the country the number of young
ning and the the highest rates of youth unemploy- people on benefits has doubled.
roads were clear ment in the country. Labour need to stop sleepwalking
and my young- The information comes from the through this unemployment crisis or
sters could go in Conservative Party,via the Office of we risk losing a generation of young
but the school was closed.” National Statistics. people.”
Classes at the Marlowe Academy The isle is in the top 20 spots for Thanet South Labour MP Dr
went ahead until early afternoon, England and Wales, with 1,315 Steve Ladyman said: “Tackling
although the numbers of students people from that age group claiming youth unemployment during the
attending was reduced by more Jobseekers’ Allowance. recession has been among the
than half. About 500 are claiming Incapacity Government’s highest priorities.
Students who did make it in were Benefit,with a total of 2,375 people “That is why we have guaranteed
rewarded with free lunch. claiming out-of-work benefits. a job or training place to every young
Mr Johnson (above) said: “Our Before the recession that number person out of work for more than six
numbers were down, there is no was about 1,590,meaning there has months and pumped money into
question about that,but we had a been a 49 per cent rise. JobCentrePlus and into the econo-
great atmosphere and the kids The isle has about 10,200 people in my.
seemed to enjoy being here. the 18-24 age group. “For the Tories to criticise us on
“They could go out during break The area with the highest youth this is simply preposterous – they
time and throw snowballs if they unemployment rate is Blaenau opposed the investments we have
wanted and as we closed early they Gwent in Wales,with 29 per cent of made and if we had followed their
could still get out and play in it its young people out of work. advice youth unemployment would
after school.” Shadow Work and Pensions Secre- be double what it is today.”
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Good sports who MPs in spat over ‘nonsense’
are right on track
TEN young people from Thanet are on
course to pass Sport 4 NRG’s first
Community Sports Leadership Award. claims about air-sea rescue
After completing 40 hours of practical
learning provided by the council’s Sport
Matters team,the group then went on to
pass their emergency first-aid training.
They now need to complete 10 hours of
volunteering in the community to
receive their final qualification, which THE isle’s two MPs are at logger- (cid:2)BY TOM BETTS an aircraft from Belgium rather than one from
could help them get back on track for heads over the relocation of Britain.I still fear that a day may come when
further education or employment. ‘just in time’ proves to be ‘just too late’.
James Gregory from the Sport 4 NRG Maritime and Coastguard Agency remained at KIA and would soon be replaced “The Straits of Dover are the busiest sea
project said:“To see these lads grow in services from Manston’s Kent with a faster model. lane in the world. Air cover needs to be
confidence over the course of this qualifi- International Airport. He said claims the fixed-wing service had a enhanced,not diminished,and I share the view
cation has been great.” role in air-sea rescue were wrong and that it to the effect that the removal of the fixed-wing
If you can offer these motivated indi- The service moved from KIA to Coventry at only helped out in very special circumstances. aircraft represents a potential diminution of
viduals either further training or the end of last year. That has riled Roger Gale, MP for Thanet the facility.”
employment, please call 01843 577728 The row kicked off when Laura Sandys,the North and a political ally of Ms Sandys. Dr Ladyman quickly struck back with a
or email [email protected]. Conservative candidate who will challenge Dr Mr Gale said:“[He] must have thrown in the response to Mr Gale’s comments.
Steve Ladyman for his seat at the next election, towel.Only an MP resigned to departure would He said: “Mr Gale is wrong on so many
Work on positives said she feared lives were at risk if the air-sea fail to seek to defend Thanet’s maritime safety. counts,the key one being the suggestion that
rescue service was moved.She was joined in “My colleagues are right to raise the issue of moving the base of the fixed-wing service from
the argument by Julian Brazier,the Tory MP the location of the fixed-wing reconnaisance Manston to the Midlands has safety implica-
to change your life for Canterbury and Whitstable. aircraft – just as Jonathan Aitken and I tions.It has none whatsoever.
However, the air-sea rescue service was in sought to resist the transfer of the search- “The second error is his failure to recognise
fact moved to RAF Wattisham in Suffolk years and-rescue helicopters from Manston to that Laura Sandys and Julian Brazier clearly
THE Marlowe Innovation Centre in ago,which Dr Ladyman was quick to point out RAF Wattisham. did not understand the nature of the service
Ramsgate is now hosting Achieve Your in a letter to Yourthanet. “To date,no lives have been lost as a result of this plane provided and obviously did not dis-
Goals workshops He said the Tory’s claims were “complete non- the transfer of the Sea King helicopter,but over cuss it with the Maritime and Coastguard
The sessions are run by Clive Graham, sense”and that the helicopters had long since the Christmas period a yacht in trouble was Agency or they would not have made the claims
a psychologist focusing on developing
left Manston, while a fixed-wing aircraft serviced,in addition to the Margate lifeboat,by that they did.”
positive change.
They take place on January 19 and 29,
February 3 and 17 and March 3 and 17. Picture THANET COAST PROJECT
Leza Riley,the centre’s facilities man- GRIM WAVE
ager,said: “The worksops are aimed at
giving people the tools to enable the pos-
itive change in your personal life, to
implement change in your business.” OF DEATH
If you would like to book a place,which
costs £20 each, including lunch, phone
Clive or Leza on 01843 598624,or email
[email protected]. It was not just humans who found the extreme
weather debilitating last week.
The isle’s wildlife also had to take the brunt of
VIEWTHIS CLIP ON the cold, while the local crab population was hit
by the icy conditions.
Hundreds of the crustaceans were washed up
yourkenttv.co.uk
on beaches around Westbrook and Westgate.
The dead bodies formed an eerie carpet of
LOCAL
spiky limbs and craggy shells as the shoreline
resembled something from a horror movie.
The velvet swimming crabs, also known as
devil crabs, were hit last year in a similar fashion
when cold weather took its toll.
Most crab bodies washed up in Westbrook
Bay, but some were found further along in
St Mildred’s Bay and also as far along as Walpole
Bay, Cliftonville, with gulls quickly moving in for
a feeding bonanza.
Tony Sykes, a volunteer coastal warden in the
area, said: “They were no doubt suffering with
Margaret Hodge is all for change crabby hypothermia – there were literally
at Dreamland. Search ‘Hodge’ thousands in large heaps on the beach.”

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yTelephoone edituorial: 01r303 8w17200 Emeail [email protected] er yourthanet.co.uk 7
Hospital feels force
SPONSOREDBY
of weather injuries
[email protected]
HEALTH chiefs say the snowy weather has led
to emergency care reaching breaking point at
TODAY’S FORECAST WEEKEND the QEQM Hospital in Margate.
In the first five days of the year the accident
HIGH TIDES and emergency department at the hospital saw
940 cases,a rise of more than 40 per cent.
The plunging temperatures and icy roads
and footpaths have put increased demand on
Chatham Saturday 1:36pm 5.7m both the region’s main and community hospi-
Sunday 2:08pm 5.8m tals.The ambulance service also declared the
situation a major incident and is prioritising
Dover Saturday 11:46am 6.3m life-threatening calls.
Sunday 12:19pm 6.3m Andrew Scott-Clark from NHS Eastern and
111111 Coastal Kent Trust said people should make
111333 Dungeness Saturday 11:41am 7.1m responsible choices before going to an emer-
Sunday 12:15pm 7.2m gency department.
Ramsgate Saturday 12:16pm 4.8m Emergency
Sunday 12:49pm 4.8m He said:“I would encourage people to consid-
er accessing other health services such as their
Sheerness Saturday 1:26pm 5.5m GP,local walk-in centre or NHS Direct rather
S7.5U7NaRmISE S4.U12NpSmET Sunday 1:58pm 5.5m than calling 999 or going to accident and emer-
MOONRISE MOONSET Whitstable Saturday 1:27pm 5.0m gfoern ccryi.tAiccacli doern ltif ae-ntdh reemateerngienngc ys isthuoautilodn bse. saved
6.57am 2.20pm Sunday 1:58pm 5.1m “People who inappropriately use the ambu-
FIVE-DAY KENT FORECAST lance services and accident and emergency
AROUNDTHE departments for non-emergencies are diverting
resources away from those who may be in des-
Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon WORLDYESTERDAY perate need of care and urgent attention.”
Ashford 1°C 2°C 3°C 5°C 5°C Gravesend 2°C 2°C 3°C 5°C 6°C The trust has suggested which services peo-
ple should attend for different conditions:
Canterbury 1°C 2°C 4°C 5°C 5°C Maidstone 2°C 2°C 3°C 5°C 5°C Amsterdam 0°C Madrid -1°C • Accident and emergency or 999 for critical or
Chatham 3°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 5°C Ramsgate 1°C 2°C 4°C 5°C 5°C Athens 15°C NewYork -4°C life-threatening situations.
Barcelona 7°C Paris 1°C • NHS walk-in centre or Minor Injury Unit for
Dartford 2°C 2°C 3°C 5°C 6°C Rochester 3°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 5°C Beijing -6°C Rome 8°C minor illnesses or injuries,without an appoint-
Dover 1°C 1°C 3°C 4°C 4°C Sevenoaks 0°C 1°C 2°C 3°C 4°C BCaopmebTaoywn 2341°°CC STeyndenreiyfe 2261°°CC m• GenPt .for medical advice,examinations and pre-
Faversham 3°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 5°C Sittingbourne 3°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 5°C Cardiff 1°C Tokyo 5°C scriptions for illnesses you can’t shake off.
Folkestone 1°C 1°C 3°C 4°C 4°C Tonbridge 1°C 1°C 3°C 5°C 5°C Gibraltar 16°C Vancouver 10°C •n ePshseasr manadc itshtse fboer satd mviecde iocnin ceosm tom tornea wt itnhteemr i.ll-
Gillingham 3°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 5°C TunWells 1°C 1°C 3°C 5°C 5°C HLaosnPgaKlmonags 1241°°CC WWaelrlsinagwton 1-53°°CC NHIf Sy oDui rhecatv oen i m08m45ed 4i6a t4e7 h oera vlitshi tc wonwcwer.nnhs,s.cuakll.
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yourlocalinterview
QWhy did you want to get involved with The Caldecott affairs in a professional and businesslike way. es to meet the needs of children and young
QUESTION & ANSWER Foundation? We don’t receive Government funding or people and to strive continuously to improve
AMy involvement began five years ago after grants,so we need to work hard to provide the outcomes for those in our care.
a casual conversation with a friend who best care, therapy, education and fostering
ANGUS has been a long-serving Caldecott trustee. service we can within the resources available. QWhy do you think it has managed to maintain this
Caldecott had just built a new school on their We have to be competitive to earn the opportu- success over all those years?
Smeeth site and were looking for school gover- nity to do that. What’s more,we need to set ABecause we care,and because we’re always
nors. I have always been interested in edu- money aside to invest in facilities for the thinking about how we can best help the
FRASER cation,both personally and professionally – I future,so we look after our money very care- children who are placed with us.Our services
was chairman for almost seven years of the fully and are very appreciative of the dona- are constantly evolving and we now provide a
Alpha Plus education group in London – so I tions and legacies we receive from our sup- complete package, from initial assessment
was delighted to help. porters. These help pay for life-enriching through to residential care in one of our seven
extras for the children,such as holidays,out- houses,therapy,schooling,fostering and,final-
QHow has it changed in recent years? ings and sports equipment. ly,supporting them into the outside world.
AA great deal.In the mid-90s,an appeal was QAre the services the foundation offers under more QHow can people get involved to help the foundation?
launched for major projects, including pressure at the moment? What are the main problems?
building a new school and improving the hous- AWith public finances under scrutiny,it is an AThere are lots of ways to help the Caldecott
es. This raised £8 million. The Duke of economically difficult time for our local Foundation by giving a little time or
Edinburgh visited us three years ago to mark authority clients and we will need more than money.There are volunteering opportunities
its successful conclusion.But it’s not just about ever to demonstrate high quality and value for and a regular programme of events.We enjoy
capital investment.We have also made great money. Running a care organisation like working with companies,and there are plenty
strides in developing our range of services and Caldecott is inevitably costly,not least because of ways to make donations.Visit our website at
in enhancing the quality of integrated care we of our relatively high staff-to-child ratio. www.thecaldecottfoundation.co.uk and click
provide for some of Britain’s most neglected on ‘How You Can Help’.
and vulnerable children,so as to help them QThe foundation is almost 100 years old – how do you see
rebuild their lives. its future? QWho inspired you when you were younger? How did
AWe’re looking forward to our centenary in they affect your life?
QYou have extensive experience in business. How does 2011,but it is a sobering thought that child AI was fortunate to work early on in differ-
this help in your work with the Caldecott Foundation? cruelty and neglect cases such as Baby P show ent enterprises for a succession of bosses
AMost of our income is from local authority there is as great a need as ever for the sort of whom I liked and admired and from whom I
social services departments,who place chil- care and protection we provide.Our role is to learned a great deal.The one common feature
dren in our care.They expect us to manage our ensure that we continue to develop our servic- was that they were all extremely demanding!
&
The new chair of trustees at The Caldecott Foundation, which cares for up to 50 children who have
suffered cruelty and neglect, talks to Ed Hillabout the future of the foundation and its achievements so far
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Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 9
(cid:2)BY MARIJKE COX Devastated dad’s TV plea
A GRIEVING father whose son
was killed by a speeding driver has
spoken of his heartache for a hard-
hitting TV advert. to stop speeding drivers
Michael Bollom, from Bearstednear
Maidstone,hopes the candid account of his
son James’ death will bring home to viewers
the harsh reality that speeding can kill.
He said: “This isn’t just coming from an
actor on TV – this is coming from a parent
who lost his child.” message through that speed kills,”he said.
In the advert,which will be shown on ITV Director of Southside Television, Martin
Meridian, the 50-year-old recalls James’s Smith,also praised him.
death in December,2005. He said:“He was brave to do something
The 16-year-old was killed a month short of like this as it obviously brought memories
his 17th birthday when the car he was flooding back, but he is determined James
travelling in lost control in the village of should not have died in vain.”
Wateringbury. As part of his own personal plight, Mr
He died instantly after taking the full force Bollom has also written a book entitled
of the crash. Losing James:A Father Cries Too.
The driver was prosecuted and jailed for It gives a poignant account of his grief and
dangerous driving. how he dealt with the tragedy that tore his
The life-changing consequences of the world apart.He hopes it will help other fam-
crash took a further tragic twist when ilies cope with bereavement.
James’s grief-stricken mother, Samantha, He said:“It’s going very well – Waterstone’s
took her own life three months later. has taken it on in two of their branches in
Mr Bollom believes by opening up Maidstone.I’ve had emails from people say-
about the tragedy on television,people will ing it has helped them with their own grief.”
take notice and think twice about their speed Money from sales is donated to Holding On,
while on the road. Letting Go,which is part of Demelza House,
“I want to get the message across to some of MESSAGE: Michael Bollom hopes that his moving account of his son’s death will make drivers think and (right) with a children’s hospice based near
these young drivers that speeding can have James at a wedding before the tragedy which claimed his life. He has also had a book about his experiences published. Sittingbourne.
tragic consequences,”he said. The charity aims to help families cope with
“If I can prevent just one death,prevent one approached by Kent Police to talk about his brought up a lot of sad memories,”said Mr bereavement.
family from going through the pain we suf- grief as part of a campaign to clamp down Bollom.But if helps prevent people speeding Mr Bollom said:“We have already raised
fered,then it will be worthwhile. on speeding. then it’s been worth it.” £2,000.Some of the people who have read my
“By me doing it rather than an actor it The 30-second advert was filmed at Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge book have also given extra donations to the
makes it all the more real for people and Maidstone Studios by Southside Television paid tribute to Mr Bollom for taking part in charity.”
therefore will have more of an impact.” and will be shown on ITV from this Friday to the campaign. • To buy Losing James:A Father Cries Too,
Mr Bollom,who is director of a manufac- mid-February. “We are grateful to Michael for having the email [email protected] or go to
turing company in Sittingbourne, was “It was daunting doing the advert and courage to do this and to help us get the Waterstone’s in Maidstone.
‘Designer dogs’ dumped by cash-strapped owners
A RISE in demand for so-called and are quite expensive, which
‘designer breeds’ has sparked may be why they are becoming
fears even more dogs will be increasingly popular as fashion
dumped in the coming weeks and accessories.
months. “But still people do not seem able
The Dogs Trust says cross-breeds to cope with them or keep them
like the labradoodle face an long-term. Many don’t seem to
increased risk of being abandoned understand the dogs they buy will
due to their newfound popularity need to be looked after for the next
as short-term fashion accessories ten years.
rather than lifetime companions. “We took in quite a few labradoo-
Staff at the charity’s rehoming dles last year but the problem has
centre in Canterbury are currently become more apparent now we
caring for three such animals and have three cross-breeds at once.
are concerned they may receive Fortunately because they are so GIVE A DOG A HOME:(from left) Puggle Ruby, boxador Benson and sprollie Charlie are all being cared for by the Dogs Trust Canterbury
more in the weeks and months to popular they tend to be rehomed sprollie (springer spaniel-collie). However, Ms Reffell said there with them but as time goes on we
come. fairly quickly.” Last year the BBC sparked a con- was no evidence to suggest cross- will find out more and more about
Manager Lizzie Reffell said: Three dogs that are currently troversy when it dropped the annu- breeding caused any of the genetic the effects of cross-breeding.”
“We’re seeing more designer breeds being cared for by Dogs Trust al Crufts dog show from its televi- defects uncovered by the broad- • Anyone who is interested in
coming through the kennel system Canterbury are Ruby the puggle sion schedule, citing concerns caster. providing a home for one of
and it’s quite unusual. (pug-beagle), Benson the boxador about the welfare of some of the She added:“The dogs we’ve come the Dogs Trust’s animals can
“These dogs are new on the scene (boxer-labrador) and Charlie the pedigree canines on show. across haven’t had anything wrong phone [phone].
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Volunteers leading the way
BREAK TIME
PIONEERING work with volun- (cid:2)BY TOM BETTS standards. They are also an active part of
teers has won St Peter’s junior delivering our ever-expanding community
activities and links,which are other essential
school a top national award. education.Our volunteers give us an essential areas that are developing at St Peter’s.”
It is the first primary school in the country to edge in the quality of education we offer. Long-serving volunteer 80-year-old June
be awarded the Investing In Volunteers “And while volunteers benefit our pupils Langley, from Broadstairs, had her work in
Quality Standard after a rigorous assessment from the broad base of their various skills, education celebrated with a trophy in the Kent
of best-practice standards. they also develop their own range of skills.” Awards For Volunteering Excellence.
Head-teacher Sharon Irvine said she “could The Investing In Volunteers report said that For more than seven years,the former BT
not praise the input of the small army of vol- St Peter’s had “an innovative and creative worker has been a volunteer reader at St
unteers highly enough.” approach”. Peter’s,working with children,hearing them
She said:“They bring an added dimension to A volunteer told the IIV team:“The volun- read and talking to them about their interests.
the learning experience we offer our pupils. teers can see the difference they make,”while She also helped launch the St Peter’s
Their range of skills,knowledge and commit- another felt “it is a community school… with healthy-schools initiative and every day goes
BACK TO EARTH:Level 3 student Amy
ment is extraordinary.” an ethos of clubs and events that would not be shopping for the best-value fruit which she
Belsey nears the end of her first abseil The volunteers include scientists,musicians, possible without volunteers”. prepares and displays for the fruit break shop.
artists,gardeners,motivational speakers plus Mrs Irvine agreed.She said:“Our school is The children assist June,which helps with
Students go over helpers with reading,writing and maths. constantly raising its standards – for example, their numeracy and communication skills.
“For many decades,schools have enlisted the latest figures show we are in the top 28 per Mrs Irvine, who nominated her for the
help of enthusiastic mums who would lend a cent of all UK schools for the amount of award,said:“What began as a little job has
edge for charity hand where needed,”said Mrs Irvine. progress our pupils make between year three now grown into a 15-hour weekly commitment
“But this tradition has evolved to a much and year six in English and maths. from June, for which as a school we are
higher and more sophisticated level that plays “Our volunteers play an important role in extremely grateful as we would not have the
a wider and increasingly important role in supporting our drive to raise aspirations and funding to provide this service otherwise.”
PUBLIC-service students from Thanet
College scaled new heights at a spon-
sored charity abseil at Revolution Golf lessons on the timetable
Climbing Centre.
There were a few nerves before going
up and a few while coming down,but all
of the 23 participants completed the
GOLF is becoming an increasing- “Golf is a good form of exercise
challenge.
ly popular school sport. and introduces light-hearted,dis-
It was all in aid of the students’ two
At the Ellington and Hereson ciplined social integration.”
chosen charities for 2009-10,the NSPCC
School in Ramsgate, students Phil Pittock, extended schools
and Thanet First Responders.
are improving their skills with development manager at Kent
The students are still collecting spon-
lunchtime and after-school ses- County Council, said: “I am
sor money,but the current total is more
sions from the Playwell Golf pleased to support this project.It
than £200.This should double once all
Academy. gives young people an opportuni-
the money has been collected.
The students are shown all ty to discover a new interest.”
A college spokesman said:“Well done
aspects of the sport by teaching Playwell Academy is working
to all who took part,and thanks to every-
professional Terry Russell. with a number of schools around
one who sponsored them,and also a big
He said:“I have been teaching Thanet and east Kent and Mr
thanks to Sam Johnson and his team at
beginners to the low-handicap Pittock added:“This means that
Revolution who gave up their time and
players for four years.I get a great lessons learned from the project
facilities for the event.”
deal of satisfaction from watching are shared among students from
pupils progress. all schools.” FORE! Pupils perfect their swing at Ellington and Hereson School in Ramsgate
SEND your schools news and pictures to [email protected]. You can also upload your video clips of schools events on to www.yourkenttv.co.uk