Your Thanet, Issue 121, January 20, 2010

27.7 MB·English

by  KOS Media

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Available from Wednesday,
THE NEWSPAPER FOR MARGATE, RAMSGATE, BROADSTAIRS AND DISTRICT January 20, 2010
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CLIFF COLLAPSE FEAR
AT PLEASURAMA SITE
WHAT’S ON & WATCH (cid:2)BY TOM BETTS
yourkenttv.co.uk THE redevelopment of Ramsgate’s
Pleasurama site will not be
delayed by the collapse of part of
the cliff façade, Thanet council
has assured residents.
The long-running saga of the spot beneath
the East Cliff,which has been derelict since a
fire in 1997, seemed to be drawing to a
successful conclusion in 2003 with the
granting of planning permission for a 60-room
hotel,seven shops and one-,two-and three-
bedroom apartments.
More than six years on,however,people in
Ramsgate are still waiting for the planned
Royal Sands complex to surface from the piles
THAT’S HANDY:Check out the great new KOS
of rubble and weeds currently making the site
Media iPhone application. Search ‘iPhone’ an eyesore for residents and tourists alike.
ALSO INSIDE Façade
It had been hoped local company Cardy
COMPETITION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 17 AWARD-WINNER IN A HAZE Construction, which has won the contract
LETTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 18-19 with developer SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd,
LEISURE. . . . . . . . . . PAGES 22-27 and45-49 would begin work on the project early
this year,but now part of the concrete façade
MOTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 61-64 has collapsed, leaving a hole eight metres
SPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 70-71 Taken from a back garden overlooking Pegwell Bay, this image is the winner of the Campaign to Protect high and three metres wide.
Michael Child,a Ramsgate shop-owner and
Rural England’s Hidden Thanet competition.
keen observer of the project who has been
The contest was held to show off the beauty of Thanet’s fast-disappearing countryside. blogging about the subject for years, said:
Chris Randall, a musician and teacher from Ramsgate won the top prize of £100. “The cliff seems to be in a terrible state and
He calls the photo Heat Haze Across the Bay and said: “I’m very pleased to have won. I’m a keen parts of it have collapsed at different times
photographer and I was stunned to take the top prize.” over the years.
CPRE’s Thanet representative, Colin Bridge, said: “The idea behind the competition was to highlight “I am not convinced the project can go for-
ward when it is seemingly in such a bad way.
the fact that a lot of Thanet countryside is under threat from industrial developments and also to
“Cracks and holes have appeared and it is
encourage people to appreciate the wonderful countryside we still have here.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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WHAT’S ON & WATCH
NEWS IN BRIEF
yourkenttv.co.uk
Call for witnesses
to alleged assault
TOP TV CLIPS
THERE is a new man in charge at
Thanet College.
Graham Razey has just been
appointed as the new principal.
Mr is currently the deputy principal
COLOURFUL FAÇADE: Artwork painted on Northdown Road’s Munro Cobb furniture store at Sussex Coast College in Hastings
and will start at the isle college on
Shop artwork Sunday,April 18.
Mr Razey said:“I am delighted to be
appointed in the role and look for-
ward to leading Thanet College in its
journey to being outstanding.”
Sue Buss,who has been principal at
that covers up Thanet College for over six years,will
be retiring from the post at the end of
March 2010.
Soft walk that will
a sorry plight
gladden your art
1 A behind-the-scenes look at the county’s plans for a THE Turner Contemporary organisa-
£10 million library and archive centre. Search ‘archive’ tion is seeking participants for a
(cid:2)BY TOM BETTS Nearby the former Albion Book- group walk in Margate with
renowned artist Hamish Fulton.
shop,along with the ex-Baby Shop at
The walk with Fulton will take
the junction with Sweyn Road are
WINDOWS of vacant and also being brightened up in a similar place around the marine bathing
pool, Margate Sands between 9am
disused shops in Cliftonville manner.
and midday on Wednesday,March 3.
are being decorated with art Cllr Clark said:“Projects such as Participants will walk silently
these should help improve civic pride
in a bid to liven up the area. and we are assured they also cut around the perimeter wall of the
bathing pool seven times to discover
The idea was put into practice last crime. These have to be two key
the “meditative quality of walking”.
year in Margate to make the town objectives for Cliftonville in 2010.”
A Turner spokesman said:“This is a
centre look more attractive and has Cllr Hart said: “This is a good
chance to do something different,
been moved further east to make the start,but sadly there is much more
meet and walk with an internationally
shops in places like Northdown Road to do. There are dozens of empty
renowned artist who lives in Kent
more appealing. shops in Cliftonville and opposite
and to contemplate Margate from a
Margate was revealed to have the this site the demolition of a former
different perspective.”
highest level of high-street shop clo- hotel is also taking place following a
To register for the walk, email
sures in the entire country. large fire.
[email protected] or visit
“However, the shop-front projects
Emptiness www.turnercontemporary.org.
are a good start to 2010 and we sin-
To combat the sense of emptiness, cerely welcome these initiatives.”
artwork was placed in windows,an So far, four shop windows have Get in the groove
idea which has now spread east. been decorated and the Community
Julie Maddocks takes the Kent chef tour and visits the Labour Cliftonville West ward Safety Partnership has funding to at 70s-80s night
2 councillors Linda Aldred, Doug decorate more empty shop windows
best of the county’s local food producers. Search ‘food’ Clark and Clive Hart have welcomed in Northdown Road.
the efforts of the Thanet Community Lacy Dixon, from the Thanet A DISCO with a retro flavour is being
Safety Partnership,which came up Community Safety Partnership, held at the Westgate Pavilion this
with the scheme. said: “This project has already month.
Cllr Aldred said:“Pam Pople and proved to be a great success.It has The 70s and 80s night,on Saturday,
the Cliftonville Partnership did a been welcomed by local residents January 30,is to raise money for the
great job over Christmas with the and businesses and has helped to 1st St Peters Scout Group, which
lights outside St Paul’s Church and brighten up Cliftonville during the wants a new hut.
right along Northdown Road and midst of the recession. A spokesman said:“We have man-
these new colourful shop fronts are “Visitors from outside of the area aged to secure music legends XYZ to
an excellent way to start 2010.” have come to admire the windows play,which alone is worth the entry
The groundfloor of the large and and it’s helped to prevent both fee.Please support a good cause and
empty former Munro Cobb store is arson and criminal damage, with come and have a good night.”
being covered in bold graphic designs none of the completed windows There will also be DJs and other
with associated poetry. damaged to date.” entertainment for the £5 entry fee.
Gills boss Mark Stimson talks about the weekend games
3
ahead and catching up after the snow. Search ‘Gills’
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
TELEPHONE ADVERTISING: 01303 817110
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
Class of 1970’s call to go
HOLE:Panel was removed from cliff after fall
‘Main development
back to school for photo
will not be delayed’
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
just not good enough either to build the
development next to it or to support the
main access road to it.”
(cid:2)BY TOM BETTS close schoolmates have passed away and sever- However,a spokeswoman for Thanet
al others are now living abroad,but we are con- council,which struck the deal with SFP
fident we can get the vast majority of those in for the Royal Sands development,said:
DID you go to St John’s Secondary the original picture back together for another “There is no reason to believe it has fur-
Modern School in Margate in 1970? shot 40 years on.” ther implications for the stability of the
Other old schoolmates can still get in touch cliff façade or cliff-face as a whole.This
If so,you may be able to help five ex-pupils
through a website that has been created on blockwork panel is not a load-bearing
who are keen to re-create a photo taken
which they can also view the original picture part of the cliff façade structure.”
that year.
and register for the 2010 event. The cliff-wall part of the project has
Forty years after the image were taken,five Richard Hurst, who manages the website, already cost the council some £985,000
‘old boys’ have come together thanks to a copy said:“Since June 2009,when we launched,we – it is thought the latest problem will
of the picture that was scanned and shared via have had a great response and many people add another £15,000 to that figure.
the internet. have emailed in. Walker Construction UK Ltd carried
When the picture cropped up on the “We’ve all been getting together the names of out refurbishment work on the façade in
Facebook and FriendsReunited internet sites people in the picture and will all be staying in 2007,but the appearance of the hole has
the idea took shape. led to the whole panel being taken down
contact.People have also sent in pictures and
Now the people involved in the restaging to be rebuilt by council contractors.
drawings which will be posted on the site shortly.
attempt are trying to get the 270-plus people The spokeswoman said: “The defect
“There’s a good handful of ex-St John’s kids
who featured back together for a reshoot. THE BOYS ARE BACK: Five former St John’s pupils who from the class of 1970 now in Australia. I was not present at the time of the 2007
Memories are aiming to get as many former pupils to join them for thought transportation finished sooner than refurbishment works.It was caused by a
defect in the 1930s blockwork panel.
The five ex-students, now all in their 50s, an updated version of a school photograph taken in 1970 that,but hey,it just shows what I got out of “It is a relatively minor repair.It will be
met last summer for a drink and they have history lessons.” completed within the next two weeks and
subsequently contacted many of those in the storming and beer and eventually decided we The group plans to restage the photograph in will not delay the main development work.”
original picture. would attempt to re-create the school picture its original location – the old St John’s School Cardy boss Michael Stannard told
Former school vice-captain Keith Castro said: forty years on.” playground. Yourthanet:“Clearly we want to get on
“Through Facebook, FriendsReunited and The group are hoping to reshoot the photo on • Anyone who attended the school or just knows some- with the project,but we will be seeking
emails the five of us shared the original picture Saturday,June 5. one who attended St John’s in 1970 can contact the group assurances from Thanet council that the
and many hilarious memories. Keith said:“That gives us roughly five more by emailing [email protected] or by calling public,as well as our staff,are not at any
“We followed up with an evening of brain- months to bring everyone together.Sadly,some 07771 289 710. risk now or in the future.”
Pictures and copyright ANTONIO SAEZ (www.oportodagraciosa.blogspot.com)
BAD SIGN?Euroferries logo has been reverted to the original Fred Olsen Express livery
Paint job casts fresh
INSPIRATIONAL:Campaigner Jessica Wales
Signing up to donate doubts over future
your organs the best
way to honour Jessica
of new ferry route
A YOUNG Westgate-on-Sea woman
who had just had a double lung
transplant has died.
Jessica Wales lost her fight for life
on Wednesday last week.
The 20-year-old suffered from cys- THE logo of the company due to be delayed twice last year,amid dis-
tic fibrosis and had the transplant operating a ferry service between appointment from customers who
over the Christmas period after a Ramsgate and Boulogne has had bought tickets to go to France.
suitable donor had been found. disappeared from the side of the Euroferries offered refunds or
The inspirational youngster had boat earmarked for the route. upgrades for disappointed cus-
been an active campaigner for Its removal casts further doubt tomers and said the service would
organ donation and her courage over when the service might start, start to sail in the new year.
was praised by a host of high-profile with the ship’s owner,Fred Olsen, These pictures were taken by a
people such as Sarah Brown, the saying it now had “nothing to do” Tenerife resident last week and
Prime Minister’s wife, and singer with Euroferries,the operator. posted on his website.
Natalie Imbruglia. The Euroferries logo on the side A spokeswoman for Fred Olsen,
Sarah Milne, a supporter and of the Bonanza Express has been which owns the Bonanza Express,
friend of Jessica, called the news painted over and replaced with the told Yourthanet: “I don’t think we
“very sad”and urged people to sign original Fred Olsen livery that was are having any dealings with
the NHS Organ Donor Register there before. Euroferries right now. As far as I
that Jessica had campaigned for so The company’s website still lists know, we have nothing to do with
hard over the last few years. the catamaran as the vessel that them at the moment.”
• If you want to join the NHS Organ will make the 75-minute crossings, The service has been delayed
Donor Register, or for more information, but the new paint job throws yet three times over the past year,with
phone [phone]; alternatively visit more doubt on the future of the start dates in March, August and
www.uktransplant.org.uk. route, the opening of which was November all aborted.
yourthanet.co.uk
4 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
Residents feel Bin collection will be back to
let down by MP
says candidate
normal soon, assures council
THE Liberal Democrat candidate for the
Thanet North seat in this year’s general
election has spoken of the desperate
need for political change.
Mark Barnard,
who will be battling THANET council has taken the (cid:2)BY TOM BETTS either clear plastic sacks or shopping carrier-
for the constituency unusual step of reassuring residents bags. Please do not put extra recycling into
covering Margate, either black sacks or cardboard boxes.”
Westgate,Birching- that their bins will be collected. which was a switch from the recycling collec- The spokeswoman confirmed that all materi-
ton,Herne Bay and The recent bad weather meant collections tions planned. als collected from blue lidded bins would be
outlying villages were suspended for two days,with only back-up If the original date of a household’s recycling recycled. Blue bins are for paper, card, card-
such as Herne and collections using smaller trucks taking place in collection was due to be on one of those two board,clean foil,cans and plastic bottles.
Broomfield, said: some areas. days,the council says it will now take it away Shirley Tomlinson,the council’s cabinet mem-
“People tell me they A backlog built up and now the authority has either tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday. ber for environmental services, said: “We’re
are so frustrated by issued a statement saying that it will all be The change should affect areas such as aware that the suspension of waste collections
the lack of repre- taken in due course, with household waste Nethercourt and Pegwell in Ramsgate,West- due to the recent adverse weather left some of
sentation at nation- taking priority. brook, Westgate, Birchington, Palm Bay, our residents waiting weeks for their recycling
al and local level, Homes due to have their wheelie-bins emp- Salmestone,Margate and Dane Valley bins to be collected.
that they feel let tied on Thursday and Friday,January 7-8,were To check on your collection,visit the council’s “In response to comments from previous
down by self- LIB DEM: Mr Barnard among those to miss out. website at www.thanet.gov.uk/databases/ years,we’ve deliberately given priority to taking
serving MPs lining Because there is a two-week gap between refuse/ or phone [phone]. the black bins and people’s non-recyclable rub-
their own pockets while the rest of us are refuse collections,many people thought their A council spokeswoman said:“On Thursday, bish, as we know that’s more important for
finding it difficult to make ends meet. typical household waste would not be collected January 28,and Friday,January 29,all recy- many residents.
“My commitment is to be accessible for a whole month,but the council says it is cling,including any that will not fit into your “However,we also know that,at Christmas,
and accountable to local people and to trying to combat the build-up. wheeled bin,will be taken by the waste and people often produce a lot more recycling.That’s
represent issues that matter to them. As a result,bin collections on Thursday and recycling team. why we’re very happy to take all additional
“Locally,the current cosy relationship Friday last week were changed, so binmen “If you do want to put extra recycling out for recycling for the properties that were affected by
between the Tory MP and his friends at were only taking non-recyclable materials, collection on those two days,please put it into our decision to suspend services.”
the county council does nothing to
address the issues of concern to local
people. ZOE ON A FITNESS
“We see little improvement in the
roads and pavements and there is a need
to attract inward investment and jobs.
“I belong to a party that believes that PUSH FOR CHARITY
quality of life matters and we still
believe that when elected we serve the
electorate.”
Mark Barnard can be contacted via
Footballers’ Wives and Strictly Come Dancing star Zoe Lucker is
email at [email protected].
calling on the people of Thanet to get fit by taking part in the
NSPCC’s biggest-ever Aerobathon – or sponsored workout.
VIEWTHIS CLIP ON More than 150 leisure centres are taking part across the UK,
including the Ramsgate Sports Centre, to support the NSPCC
Child’s Voice Appeal.
yourkenttv.co.uk
The sponsored two-hour aerobic workout will be led by qualified
instructors at exactly the same time in each location, on Monday,
LOCAL
February 8, from 6pm-8pm.
Ms Lucker said: “I urge readers to take part in the Aerobathon.
“Money raised will help the NSPCC to grow its helpline for adults
concerned about a child, and its ChildLine service. This will help
protect more children around the UK.”
Anna Keir, NSPCC local fund-raising manager, said: “This is the
first year the NSPCC has organised the Aerobathon across the UK.
“This is a great way to blitz the New Year calories we tend to
accumulate and have fun at the same time, so why not sign up with
friends, family and colleagues and encourage anyone you know to
sign up, too? We hope to see hundreds of people taking part.”
Those who want further details about the Aerobathon – which
A date with Ramsgate Olympic organisers hope will raise £425,000 across the UK – should visit
Taekwondo Club. Search ‘fighting’ www.nspcc.org.uk/aerobathon.
For all your
servicing
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Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 5
Cancer tragedy Safety drive was on Vue
YOUNG people in the county who drive too
fast or choose not to wear seat-belts are being
NEWS IN BRIEF targeted in a hard-hitting campaign.
Launched by Kent Highway Services and
the Kent and Medway Safety Camera
spurs cyclist on
Partnership,officials handed out promotion-
al items and offered advice to young
Club gives thanks for gifts motorists at the Vue cinema in Westwood
Cross,as the BELT up,SLOW down cam-
paign was taken on tour around pubs,clubs
THE Rotary Club of Ramsgate has offered
and entertainment venues.
its thanks to everyone who contributed to its
More details about the campaign are avail-
epic challenge annual Father Christmas tour. able at www.thinksmartdrivesafe.co.uk.
Santa’s visits with his sleigh to local schools
saw a collection of toys and other presents Broadstairs gets the blues
brought in by pupils.They were then distrib-
uted to needy children on the isle.
Primary schools taking part were Chilton, A SECOND Blues Bash will be held in
Minster,Newington,Priory,St Joseph’s and Broadstairs next month.
St Lawrence-in-Thanet. Acts such as Broken Biscuit Blues Band,
(cid:2)BY TOM BETTS The collection was given its customary Sam Kelly’s Station House Band,
boost by toys provided by the residents of Marbletones and the Smokin’ Hogs will play
Napleton Court in Ramsgate. They gave in the town,mostly for free.
A MAN from Broadstairs is taking more than 150 toys,some of which they had A spokesman for the event said:“It’s all free
made by hand. except for the Saturday night in the
on an epic cycling challenge to raise
Paul Parpworth, president of the Rotary Broadstairs Pavilion.It starts on the evening
money for charity Leukaemia Club of Ramsgate, said:“On behalf of the of Friday,February 19 and stretches across
Research. Rotary Club of Ramsgate, I would like to six venues,finishing with the massive blues
express my heartfelt thanks to the Napleton jam on Sunday afternoon.”
Three of David Payne’s siblings have been Court residents and to all the pupils,parents More details about the event are available
affected by blood cancer,prompting his deci- and teachers of all the schools involved.” at www.broadstairsbluesbash.com.
sion to take up the challenge.
David,50,will cycle 50 miles a day from
Paris to London’s Great Ormond Street
Hospital in February to commemorate
Leukaemia Research’s 50th anniversary.
He is going to be raising funds in the fight
against leukaemia,lymphoma and myeloma.
David, who works as a gardener in
Broadstairs,tragically lost two of his siblings
to blood cancers.
Treatment
In 1966,his sister Katie was just four years RIDE ON: David lost his sister and brother to cancer
old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia.
She bravely battled against the disease for David’s solo bike ride will begin in Paris on
three years before dying on October 14,1969, Sunday,February 7.
aged seven. He is anticipating some difficult weather
His family was struck again when David’s conditions but is up for the challenge as he
brother Simon was diagnosed with another cycles between 20-50 miles most weekends.
blood cancer,non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The final leg of David’s epic journey will
Tragically,Simon lost his fight against the take in the 50-mile route from Heathfield in
disease in 1995,at the age of 35. Sussex to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
David’s younger sister Liz, also from David said: “The fact that Leukaemia
Broadstairs, was also diagnosed with non- Research is celebrating its 50th anniversary
Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1990,aged 23,but this year really makes you realise how much
thankfully,after a year of treatment and a there is still to do.We’re still trying to find
further 15 years of monitoring,she has made answers and if medical advances are to
a full recovery. continue then we need to fund the vital
David says:“I wanted to do this challenge research that the charity provides.”
so that in the future no other family has to go If you would like to support David on his
through what my family has gone through. cycling adventure and help him to raise vital
“For it to have happened once is bad funds in the fight against blood cancers,
enough,but for it to have happened three then please visit his website at www.
times is almost incomprehensible.” davidsbikeride.co.uk.
Marine experts put offshore site
up as European conservation area
A MARINE site off the isle’s coast has been submit to the European Commission in 2010.
short-listed as a potential European area of Alan Law, regional director for Natural
conservation. England,said:“The Natura 2000 network of
Margate and Long Sands,which sits north marine protected areas is a vital way of ensur-
of the isle,was pinpointed by marine experts ing our most important marine habitats and
as an area in need of protection due to its bird species are effectively protected.
sub-tidal sandbanks and biodiversity. “The consultation on the proposed new sites
It is one of 12 proposed new marine conser- will create significant opportunities to pro-
vation sites to be considered. mote understanding of our precious marine
If it becomes a Special Area of Conserv- undersea landscapes.The sites protect inter-
ation,it will form part of the Natura 2000 nationally important marine habitats and
network – the group of terrestrial and bird species in the South East,as required by
marine areas designated for preservation the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.
under European legislation “We want to help partners understand why
Undersea habitat and fish species which the sites need protecting and how this relates
are a food source for seabirds, porpoises to their own work and functions and what
and seals would be protected from fishing, they can do to help conserve the site interests.”
recreation and the oil and gas industries. Experts will be working closely with the
Consultations between Natural England, fishing industry to look at ways to combine
the Joint Nature Conservation Committee conservation and fisheries.
and other interested parties are under UK fisheries minister Huw Irranca-Davies
way and,following these,proposals will be said the sites had been identified to protect
submitted to the Government. habitats and species of national and
Ministers will then decide on which areas to European importance.
yourthanet.co.uk
6 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
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Free Information Evening
Thursday 4 February 7pm
Mr Sanjoy Basu, Consultant General Surgeon
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yTelephoone edituorial: 01r303 8w17200 Emeail [email protected] er yourthanet.co.uk 7
Air pollution on high street
SPONSOREDBY causes council to take action
[email protected] RESIDENTS in St Lawrence high street,
Ramsgate,are being asked for their views on
plans to declare an Air Quality Management
TODAY’S FORECAST WEEKEND Area in a bid to tackle air pollution.
Traffic levels in the high street are to blame
for high nitrogen dioxide levels likely to exceed
HIGH TIDES
national guidelines.
It could lead to increased health problems
for people with asthma and lung problems,
Chatham Saturday 5:38pm 5.1m although it is thought this only applies to
Sunday 6:35pm 4.9m those living and working in the affected area,
not anyone travelling through.The problem
Dover Saturday 3:42pm 5.6m was discovered during routine checks by
111000 Sunday 4:45pm 5.4m Thanet council’s environmental health team.
Dungeness Saturday 3:53pm 6.5m Technical
Sunday 4:58pm 6.2m Thanet council has had to declare an Air
Quality Management Area to combat the
888 Ramsgate Saturday 4:12pm 4.3m problem and will work with Kent Highways
Sunday 5:15pm 4.1m and partners to draw up an action plan.
The area’s residents can also help to decide
Sheerness Saturday 5:27pm 5.0m on the exact coverage of the Air Quality
S7.5U0NaRmISE 4S.U2N3pSmET Sunday 6:23pm 4.8m MTahnea gaecmtieonnt Aplraena,.which will be a detailed,
MOONRISE MOONSET Whitstable Saturday 5:15pm 4.7m technical document,is likely to take about 18
9.19am 10.20pm Sunday 6:12pm 4.5m months to draw up and will help to inform
planning policy in the future.
FIVE-DAY KENT FORECAST
Letters have been sent to some 50 proper-
AROUNDTHE
ties,explaining what is going to happen and
Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon WORLDYESTERDAY asking for residents’ feedback.
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Canterbury 7°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Maidstone 7°C 5°C 6°C 10°C 7°C Amsterdam 3°C Madrid 12°C “Having identified this as a potential issue,the
Chatham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Ramsgate 7°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C ABathrceenlsona 1111°°CC PNaerwisYork 43°°CC cthoue naciirl qnueaedlisty t oi nta Skte L aacwtiorenn tcoe t hryig ahn sdt rimeeptr.”ove
Dartford 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Rochester 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Beijing -1°C Rome 9°C thOe niscseu teh we iclol ubne cciol nhsaids erreecde ibvye dit ps ecoapblien’se tv eieawrlsy,
Dover 6°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Sevenoaks 6°C 3°C 4°C 8°C 5°C Bombay 30°C Sydney 24°C this year.
CapeTown 24°C Tenerife 28°C One Air Quality Management Area already
Faversham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Sittingbourne 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Cardiff 9°C Tokyo 7°C exists in Thanet, around The Square in
Folkestone 6°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Tonbridge 7°C 3°C 6°C 9°C 6°C Gibraltar 16°C Vancouver 10°C Birchington.
HongKong 20°C Warsaw -2°C For up-to-date information on the isle’s air
Gillingham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C TunWells 7°C 3°C 6°C 9°C 6°C LasPalmas 23°C Wellington 16°C quality,visit www.kentair.org.uk.
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yourlocalinterview
QHow did it feel when you had found out you had won the Church with its community-focused resource some extent a counsellor,often helping staff
QUESTION & ANSWER by-election before Christmas? centre,Surestart Millmead;lovely schools;a and clients over life’s little problems.I love it.
AWonderful. I was delighted that people historic windmill;allotments and one of the
actually came out to vote on what was an district’s largest parks. These assets should QWhat do you like about running your own business?
SANDRA awful day weather-wise. It really confirmed form the basis for a strong community and I
my faith in local people.I was also pleased for hope to do whatever I can to help achieve that. AFor decades I was an employee,so I know
all my Labour colleagues who worked very the job from both sides.I hope that makes
hard during the campaign. QDo you feel you have found your feet as a councillor? me a good employer who understands the
HART needs of both staff and clients.
QWhat are your reflections on the Stephen Broadhurst AThere were a couple of intimidating inci- It certainly gives me a broad perspective
affair (the former Conservative councillor for Dane dents during my first weeks as a councillor, when dealing with problems.My ethos is that
Valley who spent much of his time in Panama) but I soon put those behind me. I don’t expect any of my staff to do anything
AI still find it shocking.How can someone Fortunately, the Labour group at Thanet I wouldn’t do myself and we work very much
believe they can represent local people council is very supportive and the council offi- as a team helping each other.
from the other side of the world? This situation cers and staff have been very helpful.The fes-
should never have been allowed to develop tive break has given me a chance to adjust and QWhat do you like to do in your spare time ?
and should have been dealt with much sooner. I look forward to a very active 2010.
His attitude was compounded by others who ASpare time – what’s that? Seriously,when
buried their heads in the sand and neglected QHow long have you been interested in local politics? I’m not working,attending to paperwork
the views of the residents of Dane Valley ward. or at meetings,my personal life is also filled
ALike most people, I have developed my with a super extended family,and on days off
QWhat would you like to achieve in Dane Valley? awareness of politics during a very busy looking after delightful young grandchildren.
life,but I am only political with a very small p. I also like reading, walking, swimming and
AI would like to do for Dane Valley what the I’m more interested in people and wherever I this year I intend to get back into yoga.
councillors for neighbouring Margate can I like to help them with their problems.
Central and Cliftonville West are doing for I’ve been doing that,just like most folk,all my QWho is your inspiration in life?
their wards. life.My only real political beliefs are in equal-
These areas were traditionally the last on ity and fairness,and these guide my thinking. AFor me,inspiration comes from experience
anyone’s list when it came to allocating and I have been fortunate to learn from
resources – now they’re clear priorities.Dane QWhat is your day job? the many people I have come into contact with
Valley is a diverse ward with a real mixture of during my life. However, if I had to name
private and rented accommodation. AI’m proprietor of a hair salon.That makes someone in particular, it would have to be
We also have the beautiful Holy Trinity me an employer,a working stylist and to my mum.
&
The district council member for Dane Valley, businesswoman and wife of the Labour leader in Thanet
spoke to Tom Bettsabout being a counsellor as well a councillor – and of being inspired by her mother
yourthanet.co.uk
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 9
A hole load of expensive trouble for KCC after heavy snow
COUNTY Hall is bracing itself another hazard for road-users and Walker, said: “This case The severity of the pothole
for a torrent of compensation already long fed up with the illustrates the difficulties in problem became clear on
claims linked to the hundreds of earlier snow and ice. obtaining compensation from Tuesday when at least eight
potholes forming on Kent’s roads. Last week KCC was forced to highway authorities. drivers had to pull over on the
Motorists forced to pay out for pay out £6,250 to Welling resi- “They rarely admit liability M20 after suffering punctures
puncture and suspension dam- dent Kenneth Atkinson, who for accidents involving road to their tyres as a result of a
age repairs are expected to flood suffered a badly-dislocated defects and it is usually neces- particularly deep one.
the council’s mailbags with shoulder after falling from his sary to issue court proceedings. To make a claim, visit the
demands that the authority bicycle in May 2007. “The claim was delayed due to roads and transport section of
should foot the bill,at a poten- The 76-year-old has since arguments between KCC and its www.kent.gov.uk and click on
tial cost to the taxpayer of tens been forced to give up his hobby third-party contractors [Scotia ‘fault reporting’ followed by
of thousands of pounds. following the pothole encounter, Gas Networks].“The pothole in ‘claims for damage’. JOBINTERVIEW:Mike Fuller was questioned by MPs
The lengthy cold snap has left for which the council initially question had been repaired pre- • Would we all be better off
many of the county’s major denied liability. viously,but at the time of Mr driving 4x4s in the county? Fuller puts himself
routes in a state of disrepair, Mr Atkinson’s lawyer Paul Atkinson’s accident it was five See this week’s Yourblogger
with the potholes creating yet Kitson,partner at Russell Jones feet long and four inches deep.” on page 14.
forward as head of
Police admit illegal
Prosecution Service
KENT’S Chief Constable Michael Fuller has
told MPs why he believes he should be
appointed the next head of the Crown
stop and searching Prosecution Service.
Mr Fuller – who is Britain’s first black police
chief – has been selected by Attorney General
Baroness Scotland as the preferred candidate
to replace current Chief Inspector Stephen
Wooler,whose contract at the CPS expires at
the end of March.
An announcement regarding Mr Fuller’s
Picture: KNP future is due to be made tomorrow (Thursday).
(cid:2)BY STEVE KNIGHT appeal against it. Last week he told members of the House of
The environmental rally at Kingsnorth in Commons justice committee why he thought
summer 2008 was over E.ON’s plans to build he was a more suitable choice for the role than
KENT Police have admitted using a new coal-fired power station, which the a former judge or lawyer.
stop-and-search powers illegally company put on hold for up to three years Experience
last October.
in what could prove a landmark Politicians, protestors and academics He said:“While I don’t have knowledge of the
case for Kingsnorth Climate involved in the demonstration have always day-to-day work of a crown prosecutor,I still
claimed the police response was dispropor- bring a lot of knowledge of the system and
Camp protestors. tionate to the threat posed by the activists. experience of being a stockholder of the CPS.
Lawyers representing Chief Constable Officers were also accused of being heavy- “I have experience of running organisations
Mike Fuller told the High Court the force handed with the campaigners,seizing hun- and police departments successfully.”
accepted that its officers wrongfully searched dreds of personal items including soap and Mr Fuller told the committee that adjusting
at least three demonstrators – including board games. to policy changes and providing value for
11-year-old twins – who attended the sum- POLICE UNDERFIRE: Demonstrators at Kingsnorth They also took a clown’s wig,crayons and money represented two of the biggest chal-
mer 2008 rally. highlighter pens belonging to the twin lenges for the Chief Inspector of the CPS but
have always claimed the police response to the protest
They also admitted that an unspecified children involved in last week’s High Court that he was fully prepared to cope with both.
number of other protestors could have been was disproportionate to the threat posed by activists hearing. He also refuted a suggestion by Sleaford and
unlawfully stopped,potentially opening the The judges heard how one of the youngsters North Hykeham MP Douglas Hogg that the
door for further legal action to be brought Section 1 of the Police and Criminal – who cannot be named for legal reasons – police and CPS had an “incestuous”relation-
against the police. Evidence Act 1984 states that officers must was left “crying and shaking”after a female ship and were too closely linked for one to be
Hundreds of similar cases are already going have “reasonable suspicion”that an individ- officer said he had to be searched. scrutinised by the other.
through the system,with one lawyer describ- ual is carrying prohibited weapons or articles He feared he would “go to prison”because Mr Fuller said:“Decision-making has always
ing the cost to the taxpayer as potentially that could be used for criminal damage before he had stickers in his bag which other people been independent and I think the public would
“staggering”. they are stopped and searched. had had confiscated. see me as someone who would bring objectivi-
However, Mr Fuller’s representative Mr Perks added that while guidance given Long-standing environmental campaigner ty and scrutiny where it’s needed.
Richard Perks told the two High Court judges to individual officers was correct and accurate, David Morris,from north London,was also at “You need a certain degree of knowledge of
it was not accepted that the police had secret- “on occasions it was misapplied in practice”. the court and said he was forcibly searched the CPS and how it works,and more impor-
ly applied a blanket unlawful stop-and- The announcement came just hours after against his will. tantly of the rubbing points.I’ve seen them
search policy at the camp. the European Court of Human Rights ruled All three are seeking judicial review into first-hand and can therefore make recommen-
He said there had been a “clear and lawful” it illegal for police to use terror laws to stop police powers and potential damages. dations that are credible.”
policy and that the huge majority of those and search people without grounds for suspi- The case has been adjourned while further Mr Fuller joined Kent Police as Chief
stopped had not been done so illegally but cion. evidence is considered before a settlement is Constable in January 2004,having previously
accepted there had been “a misapplication of Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was reached or a full court hearing called for. been with the Met since starting as a cadet in
a clear policy by officers on the ground”. disappointed with the decision and would Kent Police declined to comment. 1975.
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