Archive for July, 2009

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Kent County Council reception

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Peter Sellars, Cllr Nina Bliss, District Councillors Susan Carey and Robert Bliss

Peter Sellars, Cllr Nina Bliss, District Councillors Susan Carey and Robert Bliss

Tuesday 7th July and I am at County Hall in Maidstone for the Chairman of Kent County Council’s Civic Recepion.  With me are my friend, Peter Sellars from Hawkinge, District Council Leader, Robert Bliss and his wife, Sandgate Parish Councillor, Nina Bliss.

The chairman of KCC is John Davies and he has taken the theme of supporting Kent’s businesses for his year of office.  He entertains everyone with an extract from a report dating from 1917 and lamenting the state of the County’s roads subjected to the fast new motor vehicles. 

There’s a good turnout from the district council chairmen and leaders, the town mayors, KCC’s cabinet and directors.  I ask the Mayor of Gravesham how many events she has now done (she was wll ahead of me when we last met).  About 60 she thinks but this is well trumped by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury who reckons he has passed the 100 mark.

I am a ‘twin hatter’ serving on both Shepway District Council and Kent County Council and it feels strange to be at County Hall wearing my Shepway hat or rather my Shepway chain.  I am not alone in this as at least three other County Councillors are at the reception in their district or town council roles.  As a twin hatter I also appreciate just how different the roles are of District and County. and how important it is that we work together so that the public get seamless public services.  And we need to do the same with the Health service, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Service.  More about this at tomorrow’s event.

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Street Athletics

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Councillors David Godfrey, Susan Carey and Carole Waters at Street Atletics in Hawkinge

Councillors David Godfrey, Susan Carey and Carole Waters at Street Atletics in Hawkinge

Sunday 5th July and I’m in Hawkinge again.  Today it’s for Street Athletics an event that’s now been held annually since 2006 in Hawkinge.

Street Athletics is the brainchild of two of Britains’ top Olympians, Linford Christie and Darren Campbell.  Darren has injured himself playing football but Linford Christie is here, as he has been every year this event as been held, actively organising the races and encouraging the runners.  What I particularly like about Linford Christie is the way he’s involved from start to finish and his attention is all on the children and young people taking part.

The idea is that you run.  It’s as simple as that.  No need for a stadium or specialist equipment.  At Hawkinge we are using the Lidl car park.  There are races for Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17s and Under 20s (male and female in each age group).  Everyone gets a Nike T-Shirt (and Linford was happy to sign these for the participants) and the two fastest from each age group go forward to the National Final in Manchester on 26th September.

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Linford Christie keeping order at Street Athletics

Wilbert Greaves, Shepway’s Sports Development Officer, has organised the Hawkinge event and as well as the running there’s fencing, juggling, mime, African drums and dance displays.  Wilbert describes himself as a swan - seemingly gliding along whilst frantically paddling to stay afloat.

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Andrea from Shepway with her son

There are an amazing 186 entrants, some of whom are so small that their T-shirts look more like a dress.   A large crowd turns out to cheer them on including District Councillors David Godfrey, Carole Waters and Hugh Barker.  Several members of Shepway staff are also there and one has a son in the running.  Someone suggests we have a councillor versus staff race but fortunately no one presses the idea.

Only when the last race has been run and the last dance display is over does Linford Christie head for the beach at Folkestone with his children.

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Churchill School

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Peter Sellars and Susan Carey and, in the background, children from the Churchill School performing a maypole dance.

Peter Sellars and Susan Carey and, in the background, children from the Churchill School performing a maypole dance.

Today, Staurday 4th July, I’m in Hawkinge for the Churchill School’s Summer Fair with Peter Sellars, a friend who lives in the village.

There’s plenty going on with a maypole demonstration, dancing, bouncy castles and lots of games and competitions. 

I’m a governor at the Churchill School so it feels rather strange to be turning up wearing a chain but it’s certainly popular with the children who want to knowif it’s real gold.  It is.  I suppose it’s simply a rather grand name badge which says that I’m Chairman of Shepway District Council.

The Churchill School is into gardening in a big way with several raised beds and a large polytunnel.  Recently the school has acquired a hen coop to house birds rescued from battery farming.  There are no vegetables or eggs on sale today but there’s plenty of other goodies on offer and Peter and I leave with our arms full and our wallets lighter.

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Veterans’ Day

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Deputy Mayor, Rodica Wheeler, Mayor, Janet Andrews and Distirct Councillor Sue Wallace

Deputy Mayor, Rodica Wheeler, Mayor, Janet Andrews and Distirct Councillor Sue Wallace

Why did Folkestone hold its contribution to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 04 July a week after the event?  So that everyone who went to the national event in Chatham could be in Folkestone as well of couse.  It certainly meant that the new Forces’ Sweetheart, Kas, could be there to sing to us as she had at Chatham and the sea cadets were back from entertaining the Second Sea Lord in Portsmouth

The area around the bandstand on the Leas was full of people soaking up the sun and enjoying the bands (sea cadets, air cadets, Salvation Army and pipe band) and the singers.  Alice Brown who is still at Folkestone School for Girls sang her way beautifully through classical arias and other songs. whilst Kas concentrated on World War II favourites.  There was also a display of vehicles and army equipment from World War II which brought back memories for my guest Peter Sellars of Hawkinge, who is a veteran of Dunkirk.

District Councillor Sue Wallace was there to support the event and Town Mayor, Janet Andrews, had her Mayoress, Lucy Andrews and her deputy Mayor Rodica Wheeler in attendance. 

Lucy Andrews, Mayoress of Folkestone

Lucy Andrews, Mayoress of Folkestone

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Hot Chocolate

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Beavers at New Romney

Beavers at New Romney

Who could resist an invitation to a Chocolate Feast?  Not me.  So Thursday 02 July sees me joining the 1st New Romney Beavers for their annual Chocolate Feast.  The weather is very sultry and I hope the chocolate is not going to melt.

The event is very well attended with plenty of Beavers and many more supporters filling the modern and spacious scout hut. 

I see District Councillors Carole Waters and Clive Goddard as well as representatives from Lydd town council.  We all enjoy the Beavers’ singing and comedy sketches and the presentations of chocolate to several of the helpers.  Before we know it the AGM is over (they called it a chocolate feast to trick us into coming!) and everyone is allowed to visit the stalls with their games and competitions and yes, there is plenty of chocolate about so it wasn’t all a trick

I win some chocolate dog biscuits at the tombola so it was definitely worth coming.  And of course it was worth being with the New Romney Beavers to see the children having such a great time and the community there to support them. 

Chocolate tribute to Rick Wood Brignall

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Blessing of the Fisheries

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Sunday 28 June in Folkestone continues with another fine old tradition, the Blessing of the Fisheries.  Starting at St Peter’s parish church, a procession of clergy, the town mayor, councillors, visiting mayors, members of the congregation (some dressed as fishwives or fishermen) makes its way down the hill to the Stade in Folkestone Harbour.  There we sing hymns, listen to the Scottish Pipe Band and listen to a sermon from the Bishop of Pontefract who then censes the fishing boats and splashes us all with holy water. 

Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council trying not to wilt in the heat

Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council trying not to wilt in the heat

It is boiling hot and the mayor of Folkestone is under heavy robes and a hat.  Fortunately someone brings her a chair. We all swelter through the service held in the open air in front of the fishing boats and, still singing, we process back up the steep hill to finish the service in St Peter’s.  For those with stamina there is a reception afterwards but I admit defeat and make my farewells.

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Town Sunday

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Town Sunday in Folkestone has a long history. “From 1313 the inhabitants of Folkestone, summoned by the blowing of a horn, assembled annually at the Churchyard Cross on 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, to elect their Mayor.”  The service sheet then adds, “Should they decline the majority wish, the people had the power to pull down their principal dwelling.”

Nowadays the Town Mayor is elected in May and Town Sunday is a service held in June in the parish church of Saint Mary and Saint Eanswythe.   Prayers are  said for the mayor, the councillors and the town of Folkestone.  The first reading is by the Town Mayor, Janet Andrews and the second by the Head Boy and Head Girl of the Folkestone Academy, there is a sermon from the mayor’s chaplain, Stephen Bould and some hearty singing from the congregation.  The procession to and from the church is from the nearby primary school and there’s also a small ceremony at the churchyard cross.

Many of the town councillors are present and I also spot District Councillor, Anthony Dunning in the pews.  I am very pleased to see how well the District Councillors support the many events across our district and it’s rare I go to an event without seeing some of them.

Several mayors are in attendance from other districts and after the service and reception we go to the Pavilion for lunch.  Folkestone is stretched out before us in the sun with people enjoying the beach and the sea and I am delighted that these visitors from other parts of Kent will have such a positive picture to take away with them of the town.

 

 Folkestone

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Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

My fourth event on Saturday 27 June is the Presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the Folkestone Academy.  25 Bronze , 10 Silver and 3 Gold Awards are presented and Sophie Blunt and Dominic Howes who have both earned Gold Awards speak about what the awards meant to them.  Dominic credited the Duke of Edinburgh Award with giving him the confidence and experience to win a prestigous apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. 

The Duke of Edinburgh awards involve mastering a skill, performing a service and partaking in a physical recreation.  This is not a one-off effort but a sustained and regular one and it was good to see how many young people had taken part and so obviously enjoyed themselves. 

Janet Andrews, the mayor of Folkestone, was also present with her daughter Lucy who is Mayoress and herself doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.  Janet and all the parents present were clearly as proud as punch about their children’s achievements and we as a community can be proud as well.

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Open Gardens

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

My third event on Saturday 27 June is a visit to Lyminge for their Open Gardens Safari.  This takes place every two years and alternates with Postling’s annual open gardens event (a date for your 2010 diaries).  The Lyminge safari is held over two days and a passport for £3 entitles entry into 15 gardens in Lyminge and Etchinghill. 

Unusual plant pots outside the Methodist church

Unusual plant pots outside the Methodist church

I start at the Methodist church where passports are on sale and there’s an impressive display of quilts and tapestries.  One very striking exhibit is a large hanging in four sections based on a picture of the local countryside.  Each section was worked on by separate groups without consultation so each is different in approach but each complments the other sections.  It is destined for a prominent position in the Methodist church. 

At the nearby Anglican church of St Mary & St Ethelburga, there is a Flower Festival themed on the seasons of the year and of the church.  The flowers make this beautiful old church even lovelier. 

Meeting Gordon Brown (the Etchinghill one not the Downing Street one)

Etchinghill's Gordon Brown

Etchinghill's Gordon Brown

I have time for just a few visits to gardens one of which belongs to Mr & Mrs Gordon Brown in Etchinghill.  Mrs Brown tells me that it causes quite a stir when they go places where his name is called like the local hospital. 

There’s much to admire and inspire and the money raised will help the Lyminge Association in improving village life.

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Golden Boots

Monday, July 6th, 2009

My next visit on 27 June is to Hawkinge for the annual presentation of trophies (each in the shape of a golden boot) to the very popular and ever expanding Hawkinge Football Club.

Spot the ball - Cllr Susan Carey with Hawkinge Football Club

Spot the ball - Cllr Susan Carey with Hawkinge Football Club

The event is hosted by the Churchill School and as well as the presentations there are stalls, competitions (including a magnificent cake decorated with chocolate football boots to win) and games to play. 

 

 

I spot local District Councillor, Roger Hill who is a big supporter of the club and whose grandson is a member. 

Susan Carey with District Councillor Roger Hill, his grandson and the golden boots

Susan Carey with District Councillor Roger Hill, his grandson and the golden boots

Whenever I am with Hawkinge Football Club I am impressed by the enthusiasm and ‘bounce’ of everyone involved from the adult helpers to the girls and boys in the teams.  The Club is working hard to raise money for new facilities and certainly deserves support.

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