Yule Horse
This is a picture of my Christmas card designed by Charles Newington the artist who created the White Horse image on the hill above the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone. Charles also designed the Shepway logo based on the White Horse and he has added another horse to his stable in this, the first Yule Horse.
The Chairman of Shepway District Council,
Councillor Susan Carey,
and her husband, John Hall,
wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
St Leonard's church, Hythe
My last event before Christmas is the Hythe Civic Carol Concert at St Leonard’s church. The weather has been atrocious and the concert I was to have attended the previous evening at Sandgate was cancelled. When I arrive the row reserved for the visiting ‘chain gang’ is empty although the mayor of Swale does arrive later. (This is a great relief to me as he rang me before setting out for advice on the roads and for directions.)
I live barely five minutes walk from St Leonard’s so there is no way I would miss tonight’s event. District Council colleagues, Cllr William Richardson and Cllr Russel Tillson have also made it from the Marsh and there are many Hythe town councillors who are also District Councillors present – Cllrs Ewart-James, Owen and Lyons.
Cllr Susan Carey, chairman of Shepway Dostrict Council, Cllr Keren Belcourt, Mayor Of Hythe and Tony Windross, Vicar of Hythe
The carol service is the traditional nine lessons and carols led by Dr Berkeley Hill with the local vicar Tony Windross overseeing everything. Afterwards there is a delicious buffet prepared by the Mayor of Hythe Kerne Belcourt and her husband Reg. Keren and Reg are well known for their good food and seemingly effortless catering for large numbers but it’s clear that a great deal of work has gone into entertaining us.
It’s a lovely way to complete my civic duties for 2009 which start again in January 2010.
Thursday 17 December is the night of the Annual Presentation of Awards and Trophies to the cadets of 99 (Folkestone) Squadron Air Training Corps.
Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council, presenting awards
I’ve seen members of the squadron’s band at many of the events I’ve attended this year including the Step Short march on 04 October (there’s a post for this event) but this is my first visit to their HQ in Ship Street, Folkestone. I am there as guest of honour to hand out all the certificates, badges and trophies that the cadets have won. And there are plenty.
The trophy for Smartest Cadet
The Best Overall Cadet award is in the shape of a propeller and is nearly as tall as the cadet who wins it but my favourite award is the one for Smartest Cadet which is the shape and weight of an iron.
The evening starts with several of the new cadets making their pledges among which is one to be a ‘good citizen’. The drill display has had to be called off because of the bitter cold and the display by the band which rounds off the evening is brought indoors. As the squadron has reached its 70th anniversary the band plays an air themed piece from every decade since the 1940s.
The band
I am really impressed by the achievements of these young people and pleased to learn that the number of cadets is growing. The cadets appear to love every moment of their activities, including 100 mile walks in the Netherlands, gliding, music and sports. Shepway District Council has awarded the squadron a grant towards the cost of instruments and I can see it will be put to good use.
The winning window
On Tuesday 15 December I’m in Dymchurch to announce the winners of the best decorated Christmas Window competition. I have already been to Dymchurch after dark to see the windows and take notes and pictures.
Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council with the winners of the Dymchurch Christmas window competition
Looking at windows for design rather than to buy is a novel experience. I find myself noticing all sorts of details and appreciating the care that goes into the creation of these displays.
The first prize goes to Hi-Lites, the hairdresser’s which has a striking display in white and glass. (I discover later that this shop also won last year’s prize with a different display.). Second prize goes to the Pilgrim’s Hospice Furniture store which has managed to theme the whole shop for Christmas (I also loved the model railway running round the base of the Christmas tree). And third prize went to Vantage Pharmacy which had hand made much of its display.
Solo's nodding reindeer
I liked many of the other displays including Solo’s nodding reindeer and the humour in the Paws Pets Supplies window.
The prizegiving was well supported by the parish council and local shopkeepers and hosted the local amusement arcade. Joyce Cockerill is the guiding light behind the contest and Terry Preston, a former chairman of Shepway District Council, made a fine speech. We all enjoy the drinks and nibbles. Well done to all involved!
Our hosts
Cllr Emily Sanger, Cllr Robert Bliss, Cllr Carole Waters, Stephen Gasche, Cllr Susan Carey, Cllr Anthony Dunning
The preview services have been running from Folkestone since September and the full service began on Sunday 13 December but today, Monday 14 December, is the official launch of the High-Speed domestic rail services in Kent.
There’s a large group of wellwishers at Folkestone Central to see us off and, I hear later, another group at Folkestone West. From Shepway District Council there’s the Leader, Robert Bliss, cabinet member for culture Carole Waters, and councillors Emily Sanger and Anthony Dunning. We are also joined by Stephen Gasche who is now at Kent County Council but was once an officer at Shepway and very involved in the Rail for Folkestone campaign.
Cllr Susan Carey, chairman of Shepway District Council at St Pancras on 14 December 2009
We are joined by Shepway District Council officers Sarah Smith and Owain East who are setting up a stand at St Pancras station to promote Folkestone and the whole Shepway area. This supplements the publicity we already have at St Pancras in two prominent poster sites.
One of the posters at St Pancras
The journey to London is just 58 minutes and very smooth. The train is nearly full and the reporters travelling with us from the Kentish Express say that the passengers they have interviewed have been really positive about the new service.
Another of the Folkestone advertisements
St Pancras is a beautiful station with a stunning mix of old and new. The cathedral like Victorian station shed houses a gleaming white, modern station with smart shops, a champagne bar (the longest in Europe) and trains to the North, to France and Belgium and now Kent. Many of the people we talk to today are astonished to find there are direct train services to Kent from St Pancras and even more surprised at the property prices of an area that is now less than an hour away from London.
Chris Kirkham of Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh joins us on the stand with some of his staff to give out leaflets about the delights of Folkestone and to talk with the many people who stop to look at the stand. I meet a handful of people who tell me they are already househunting in Shepway as a result of the new train services and many more who say they want to visit.
Dame Kelly Holmes at the launch of High-Speed rail services
At 10 am I go across the road for the official speeches (six of them and a video address from Prime Minister, Gordon Brown). Appropriately for a fast train, train number 001 has been named after Dame Kelly Holmes who was the fastest woman athlete in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Olympic Games. Dame Kelly is from Kent and in her speech she made mention of this as well as saying how pleased she was that the new trains would serve Folkestone, Dover and Canterbury. Sadly both my photos with Dame Kelly are too blurred to use (and she wasn’t running) but it was lovely to meet her.
Model of the development area around St Pancras station
Two displays caught my eye at the launch. One was a large model railway with trains in the Southeastern colours and the other a model showing how the 67 acres around St Pancras station was being developed. Offices, shops and homes are planned and St Pancras will undoubtedly develop as a business centre for London.
Back at the stand the rest of the Shepway team were still giving out leaflets and did so until mid afternoon when supplies ran out. By this time we were all completely chilled as although the shops and restaurants are all well heated, the concourse is at least as cold as those outdoors.
The team at the end of our day at St Pancras
Southeastern’s new High-Speed Rail services had a good launch and I congratulate those involved in making it happen. Shepway has high hopes of what the trains can do for our district and we will continue to work to make these happen as well.
The view from the train en route from St Pancras to Folkestone
Glyn Hibbert, Chris Rattenbury and Cllr Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council
Sunday 13 December sees me in Folkestone’s Quarterhouse for a Powerlifting event in aid of the Help for Heroes charity. Sponsored by local gym, Fit One, the event has attracted a wide field of powerlifters including para-olympic athlete, Chris Rattenbury and several competitors from the British Army.
Powerlifting at the Quarterhouse
Powerlifting is a new name for weightlifting and it is a sport that I’ve never watched before so I am fortunate to have sit with Sandra Hibbert who gives me expert commentary. Sandra’s husband, Glyn Hibbert is one of the organisers of today’s event and is the compere.
Natalie lifts more than her own body weight
I can’t stay for the full four hours but I’m lucky enough to see a new national record set for youth and to marvel at the stregth and skill of the competitors who are lifting more than their own body weight – in some case over double their own weight! As I leave, District Councillor David Godfrey arrives to watch the rest and, I hope, report on the later record attempts.
Cllr David Godfrey with granddaughter
Dancers lead the procession
What an amazing event! I am in Peene on Saturday 12 December for the Lantern Parade. I hear it before I see it – drums beating and whistles blowing. Then the first thing I catch sight of are figures seemingly clad in lights. My pictures don’t do them justice as they in the pitch black they seem to be figures entirely of light but the camera shows how the effect is achieved.
The whole village seems to have turned out to carry lanterns or to watch the parade and Brigitte Orasinski finds ‘my’ lantern for me which I made at one of the workshops that has been part of the “Light the Lanes” project.
The lantern parade through Peene
We walk along the road from Peene to the barn which is now home to Strange Cargo and was once at Danton Pinch before it was moved brick by brick to its new home to make way for the Channel Tunnel. Peene and Newington border with the Eurotunnel terminal but still manage to retain the feeling of being true villages.
'Under One Sun' provide the drums
Strange Cargo moved to Peene last year as it is close to Folkestone but gives them plenty of room for their projects (one of their skills is making giant figures such as Hawkinge Harry which need a lot of room). Their “Light the Lanes” event is designed to train people in how to run workshops as well as teaching people lantern making. It’s also about bringing art to rural areas and that’s why Shepway District has given a grant. Other sponsors include the Arts Council for England and Learning Revolution.
The fabulous dancers clad in lights have been rehearsing for over a month. ‘Under One Sun’ provides the drum beats but its seeing the villagers with their lanterns that makes the event so special for me.
Mark Deller conducts the Ashford Choral Society
Once at the barn there’s more dancing and then mulled wine and mince pies before the Ashford Choral Society gives the village a tuneful carol concert with plently of audience participation. Among the Ashford singers I spot Jane Reynolds who is a parish councillor at nearby Postling. In the parade I also see Newington parish councillors Norman Hall and Larry Page.
As I thank everyone for tonight’s event I remind them that I am present not just as chairman of Shepway District Council but also as the district councillor for this village. It’s been a very special event for me and one I am sure will be remembered a long time in Peene.
Brigitte Orasinski of Strange Cargo, Cllr Susan Carey, chairman of Shepway District Council and Mark Deller of Ashford Choral Society
Vocal Ensemble at the Christmas Concert
“Celebrate the magic of Christmas with great music, beautifully played” says the programme for tonight’s Christmas Concert at Folkestone School for Girls on 10 December and it lives up to its promise. The event is immacutely presented with even a couple of small hitches smoothly glossed over by the girls.
One of the FSG bands
The range of music is impressive from classical to pop and includes piece, “Golden Wedding Anniversary” composed by Emma Hyde, one of FSG’s pupils. There’s a large and appreciative audience who take part in the closing song (Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’) with great gusto.
The girls sing and play with great professionalism and, what’s more, appear to be enjoying themselves. This is particularly so in a rendering of the unseasonal ‘Summer Nights’ which is accompanied by some enthusiastic legwork.
Tracey Luke, prinicpal of FSG and the Marsh Academy thanks everyone for the concert
Tracey Luke, principal of FSG and the Marsh Academy thanks the girls and their teachers for the splendid concert. The event certainly reflects great credit on the school, its pupils and staff. District Councillor George Bunting is also very proud as he is a long time governor of FSG and comes to every Christmas concert.
The girls urge us to vote for their choir in the kmfm Festive Factor contest. I learn subsequently that, in a close race, they came second and will be played on air on Christmas Eve on kmfm 96.4 – 106.8
Some of the 'chain gang' at the Lydd Party
Wednesday 09 December is the Mayor of Lydd, David Kersey’s Christmas Party which I am attending with my friend Sue Dixon. Sue came with me to Lydd day in the summer so recognises many of the people present at the party.
As well as local people, there are mayors from other cinque ports and the chairman of Kent County Council, John Davies. And District Councillor William Richardson is also here.
John Davies, chairman of Kent County Council, Susan Carey, the worshipful mayor of Lydd, David Kersey
The Marsh has been much in the news lately with Lydd Airport’s plans due to come before Shepway District Council onWednesday 03 March and the fate of Marcus the lamb at Lydd Primary school making the national media. The Government’s decision not to shortlist Dungeness for a new nuclear power station also affects Lydd and is one of the issues that people here are talking about. The deputy mayor asks us all to think of those who can’t be home for Christmas thinking of our troops in Afghanistan.
A former mayor of Lydd
Lydd has some very fine portraits of past mayors and it’s good to see the town’s history honoured.
It’s a most enjoyable evening and on the way back we stop off at Dymchurch to look at the shop windows. Why? See the post for 15 December.
It’s Tuesday 08 December, and I’ve been invited to join Sandgate Parish Council for Christmas drinks. But first there’s the normal parish council meeting which tonight starts with a presentation by Sandgate’s Police Community Support Officer and then the usual slot for questions from the members of the public.
Business includes the replacement of the Sandgate Village sign originally erected by the Sandgate Society. The sign has collapsed and is beyond repair but the parish council agree to take on responsibility for replacing it, so this familiar and colourful landmark will return.
Other matters discussed include car parking problems and speeding traffic – issues which appear to affect every community in our district. On the positive side there’s a report on the switching on of the Christmas lights which went well despite the atrocious weather. And the first Sandgate Farmers’ Market was also reported as successfully launching on 05 December in the Chichester Memorial Hall. The aim of the market is to increase trade for local shops and to raise funds for the restoration and upkeep of the Chichester Memorial Hall and it will be held between 10 00 and 12 00 on the first and third Saturdays of the month in 2010. (To have a stall or for more information contact mirandabest@talktalk.net)
Parish Council chairman Geoffrey Boot chairs the meeting with good humour and efficiency so we do not have long before we join the parish council for Christmas drinks and I am able to chat with the Sandgate councillors and villagers. One of the enjoyable things about being chairman is visiting all parts of the district. I’ve been through Sandgate countless times on my way to Folkestone but now as chairman I feel I’m getting to know it.