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prayer first

This morning I went to prayer group where we also discuss a number of matters both local and global. Today we discussed the issue of recycling furniture particularly bedding from commercial establishments and how rules exist to stop such a practice even the bedding in question was still in excellent condition.

we also discussed freecycle

Current mood: Sceptical


United Benefice Service

Today is the fifth sunday of the month so that means in our benefice that all the four churches come together to worship in one of the four churches. Today it was the turn of St Martins in Great Mongeham so we had a full church. It is great to be able to worship together in this fashion.

It was also the firts chance for many of us to hear our new incumbent (Rev David Flewker) preach. I dont think any were disappointed by his message.

Current mood: Happy


Preston Steam Rally

This morning i went to the Preston Steam Fair. I met some residents from Eastry who were again exhibiting their working model steam tractor. It is an impressive piece of model engineering  and must take much labour as well as finance to maintain this exhibit.

I also met some residents from Great Mongeham who had some working stationery engines.

Again the effort going into restoring and maintaining the engines is a testimony to their devotion.

Current mood: Happy


Great Mongeham Drop In

This morning I went to the drop in. While I was there enjoying a cup of coffee and a chat I talked to residents about a number of issues including  rodent infestations, bus travel using concessionary bus passes, energy shortages and the effect on inflation.  The situation in Zimbabwe was also very much on peoples' minds.

Current mood: Cool


Something Old Something new

in a case of recycling the new gates at my local church, which was aided by a grant from the Neighbourhood Forum , the "please close the gate"sign has been rescued from the old set of gates as it still had some use left in it.

It does not count towards the district's overall recycling figures.

Current mood: Cool


Deal Pier Update

This is the latest news i have of this project
Work is progressing well with the frames of the new cafe bar in place and work progressing to form wall and roof panels, mechanical and electrical service works are being undertaken and work to the landside buildings is nearing completion.

The wind and rain of recent weeks is not helping. There is a progress meeting next week which will show that overall there is a two week slippage to the original programme, this will make a completion date of the second week of September 2008. The lower deck will be opened up at the same time.

Current mood: Cool


Elvington Health Consultation

This evening i went to a consultation event at the Elvington community centre which was about the health needs of the local community. The village was the home for many of the miners who worked in the Tilmanstone colliery so I am keen to work with the community to get a better health provision. The issue of health care in the village was also raised last year at the Dover North Neighbourhood Forum meeting on Health.

A number of local residents also attended and outlined their concerns over health care provision in the local community.

The PCT representative there made a commitment to feedback and implement improvments from autumn this year.

Current mood: Sceptical

Dover North Neighbourhood Forum - an update

Following up with the Dover North Neighbourhood Forum, the venue is to be the Burgoyne Heights community centre at Guston with the topic to be Youth Issues.

I hope residents from the 12 parishes are able to attend along with people involved in Youth services as well as the youth themselves

Current mood: Cool


Neighbourhood Forums

The Neighbourhood forums which are a partnership between Kent County Council, Dover district council and the parish councils are again looking for community organisations which need funding to help their work. The Funding criteria is availabe on the district council website.

The next meeting of the Dover North forum is coming up on the 16th July with the topic and location yet to be announced.

Current mood: Cool


Sutton fete

This afternoon I went to the Sutton Fete. I enjoyed meeting many residents there. I was also asked about broadband access as this is an ongoing problem in this part of the district so I was able to outline the efforts I am devoting to this issue.

Current mood: Happy


Community Diary web page

 

There was a meeting on recently to discuss the possibility of setting up a online events diary to cover events in the Deal and Walmer areas.   This diary would be available to all local groups or event organisers and would have two functions.  

1. To allow event planners to pick a date that does not clash with another event,

2. To help advertise events in the local area for tourist and local people.   This would include large events such as the regatta and smaller events like the Flowers Show and Funday and also weekly classes that local people may be interested in attending.  

Before any work is undertaken to write/find the software for such a site, views are being sort on what sort of information should be included and what search criteria would be useful.

please forward any views to the Clerk

Great Mongeham parish council

Current mood: Cool

Eastry Coffee Break

This morning i went with  the female members of my family to the Eastry Coffe Break. While there i talked with residents about a number of issues including parking problems in the village. This matter will be rasied at the next parish council meeting. I also chatted with our local PCSO about a number of issues including dog fouling. This is an ongoing problem i hope that some direct action can be taken on those who cause this problem.

Current mood: Cool


Great Mongeham Drop in

This morning I went with my wife to the drop in.

I was asked about a number of issues including rodent problems and footpaths.

i will offer what support i can in dealing with thses issues, although support may not be the best option in dealing with rodents.

Current mood: Happy


A new service on crime reporting - for some

An enquiry out today which was reported on the  BBC website makes the comment "The report suggested that the government consider developing 'a more dynamic and interactive website' mapping local crime information - which would let people compare crime rates and police performance in their area with others." So it would seem that such a system would reuire users to have access to a high speed internet connection which is still lacking in some parts of The Eastry ward. How can the report neglect such residents so again there is a need to ensure that all communities have access to a high speed internet connection and that central government must play its part in bringing this about.

Current mood: Sceptical


A view from Deal Pier

This morning I went to Deal to do a number of bits and pieces. While there i took a stroll along the pier to look at the progress in the construction of the new cafe at the end of the Pier.

while out there I also took a couple of photographs so you can see the wonderful view back to the town from the pier.

  

I hope you enjoy the view as much as I do.

Current mood: Happy


A busy evening

This evening i went to the Parochial church council meeting at St Martins where the PCC was able to meet the new incumbent Rev David Flewker.

The PCC also discussed a number of other isseus such as church Finances and the re ordering of the church.

I had to leave the meeting early to make my way over to the Tilmanstone Parish council meeting where i arrived just in time to update the meeting about the latest at the District Council. I also briefed the meeting about the upcoming Health consultation at Elvington.

Current mood: Cool


Fathers Day

A day to remember and pay tribute to our male parents today. In our church, members of the congregation were given the oportunity to light candles and pray for their fathers.

As a dad myself I feel the gesture is worthwhile and feel its not just a day for the more active members of our retail industry.

Current mood: Happy


Dover North Neighbourhood Forum

This year i am the Dover District Council representative to the Dover North Neighbourhoo Forum and I am particularly keen for the community to become involved in the work of the Forum.

the meeting Dates for this year are

• 16th July 08
• 7th October 08
• 21st January 09

and usually take place in the evening

as more information comes to hand i will publicise them .

Current mood: Cool


Health Care in Elvington

Following the Dover North Neighbourhood Forum in July Last year, today I received notification that the PCT has organised the following Meeting.

" Health services in

Elvington

Want to know more?

 

Why not drop in and share

your views

On: Monday 23rd June

Three sessions at: 10.30, 2.30 or 6.30 pm

Venue: Community Centre

St Johns Road,

Elvington

You are welcome to come along to any of the sessions

For any enquiries about the above meeting please call 01304 216858

Health services in

Elvington

Want to know more?

June 08"

Current mood: Sceptical


The Alliance Midlands and South

This morning I was in Corby to atend a meeting of the Midlands and south Region of The Alliance.

We discussed a number of issues relevant to the Former Industrial areas such as Post Office closures and the campiagn now to remove telephone kiosks, The Coalfield Regeneration Trust, The Brownfield initiative and the Sub National Review.

I also briefed the meeting on the work of the alliance in Kent.

There are a number of lobbying efforts devoted to these issues as we strive to help Britain's traditional industrial areas including towns blighted by the removal of these industries.

incapacity benefit

This morning I am at a conference in Knowsley on incapacity benefit. this seems to be concentrated in britains former industrial areas.

Current mood: Sad


networking

This eveining i am in Knowsley. Ther eis a conference on worklessness tomorrow. This evening i took the opportunity to meet with colleagues to discuss a range of regeneration issues. In these informal times it is useful to discuss thses issues on a non party political basis as we generally have similar aims. There is mutual respect and we can share our practices.

Current mood: Happy


Telephone Kiosks from community to ?

Today i was contacted by residents about the proposed closure of a telephone kiosk in one of the adjacent villages..

There is continued concern about the erosion of public services from our rural communities. I referred this to my colleague to see what action can be taken as the kiosk in question has an effcet on a conservation area.

Current mood: Sceptical


The Difference between Thames gateway and East Kent

Recently in the national media there was a story about new broadband services for the housing development in the Thames gateway yet down here in the east of the county we still have communities unable to accesss this viatl service. I continue to press for an improvement in this regrettable situation so that residents including Businesses and students can take advantage of the opportunities offerd by this technology.

 

Current mood: Sad


Passport to Sport

This morning i went to the passport to sport down at Victoria park in Deal. This event is organized by the council in partnership with other stakeholders such as Kent County Council and Rotary as well as a number of sporting clubs that are active in the community. While there i participated in a photo shoot with a number of my colleagues.

Current mood: Cool


Day 2 of the test

The cricket may be on over the road but I am in county Hall in Nottingham at the AGM of the alliance. we are considering a number of issues that affect people in Britains tradtional industrial areas.

Current mood: Cool


Its Not Cricket

This evening I am in Nottingham. I went to a reception at Nottingham County Council given to welcome Alliance Members to the City. The County Council Offices are across the road from the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground so we passed many happy English supporters on our way to the reception.

We Wish the English team all the best in their current match against the Kiwis.

In the morning we have the Alliance's AGM at The Council offices so will be concentrating on matters other than cricket.

Current mood: Happy


Power mad

a recent story on an antipodean news website highlights the growing problem of increasing energy consumption.

many of use the newer technologies yet expect the enegry consumption to get more efficient too. I guess we are going to rember to use the off button as well.

Current mood: Sad


Sutton Parish Council

This evening I attended Sutton parish council for their monthly meeting. Planning issues were much discussed with the wind farm project a key issue. a number of applications in the parish were also discussed.

I was able to brief the council on a number of topics including broadband access and the recent Dover North Neighbourhood forum and highways issues.

Current mood: Happy

Broadband Survey

The BBC is encouraging users of its website to take part in an online survey about broadband speeds. when I took the survey. I took the survey and the test returned a result of only 0.4 Mbs.

I would like to encourage to residents to take part in this survey to show the state of broadband access in East Kent.

Current mood: Sad


Eastry Parish Council

This evening I went to the June Meeting of Eastry Parish Council. There was discussion on a number of issues such as the local regeneration project in the Parade.

My colleague Nick Kenton and I Briefed the council on the work of the district council.

Current mood: Happy

The Alliance Kent sub region

this afternoon i chaired a meeting of the Kent sub region of the Alliance. There was discussion of items on the national agenda as well as items of local interest such as Snowdown Colliery, The Betteshanger Colliery site and a project looking at building trades education.

The meeting is an opportunity for local members to listen to the work of the Alliance and have their say on these issues.

Current mood: Cool


A New Beginning

This evening saw the start of a new area for the benefice of upper Deal with the licensing of Rev David Flewker.

There were representaives from both the local christian community as well as civic leaders such as the Chairman of the District Council and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Deal as well as Cllr Leyland Ridings from Kent County Council.

I was there in my role as an ALM (authorised lay minister).

The Bishop Of Maidstoe carried out the service with the Archdeacon also in attendance.

Current mood: Happy