No matter how long you live in this amazing town, there are always new places to discover. Tucked behind the Martello Tower on the East Cliff is the Coastwatch station. I battled the rain and strong wind to reach the top of the hill only bent the umbrella just a little. It did mean arriving at the door soaking wet, but the warm welcome by the station staff took my mind off such things.
Big title: big day. St Mary's Sandwich was the venue set aside for the Cinque Port Mayors, Town Clerks and Town Sargeants to put on their robes for this dramatic spectacle. The noise level in the room gradually increased as more and more dignitaries arrived, including Bishop Trevor and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
As expected, BBC Songs of Praise is nothing like you expect it to be when you see it on TV. The conductor, the producer, the floor manager and the director got us to sing with a smile and encouraged us to be animated as we sang. Cameras weaved in and out and took on a personality of their own. 'Jimmy' was the long armed camera, whose very mobile lens reminded me of a 'triffid', picked out likely candidates for a close up shot.
The regular Sandgate Farmers Market is again open for business this Saturday 2nd October at The Chichester Memorial Hall, Sandgate from 10.00am until 12.00 noon. with free entry, and refreshments available, all local residents are welcome!
The MOD has announced their consultation period on its plans for Shorncliffe Barracks "Rationalisation" has been extended to Monday 4th October.
I was unable to attend the Coffee Morning at The Community Network in Cheriton but my wife, the Mayoress, was able to do so on my behalf. Kate says:
Councillor Dhan Gurung has been working with an ex-teacher on this interesting visit by children and staff from a school in Nepal. The headteacher introduced her pupils and her supporting staff when they arrived at the Folkestone Town Council Offices.
The Shepway Community Chest helps local groups to run projects with lasting benefits. It is open to not-for-profit groups including registered charities, community sports clubs and other similarly constituted groups based in and working for Shepway residents.
There are a range of potential funding options for local organisations and groups seeking grants and support for their work in Shepway and beyond. Shepway District Council have put together a list of some of those funding sources, in addition to its own Shepway Community chest scheme, grants from Kent County Councillors and grants from some Town and Parish Councils such as Folkestone Town Council and Sandgate Parish Council.
Plans for a new Local Sustainable Transport Fund have been announced by Lib Dem Local Transport minister Norman Baker. It will challenge local transport authorities outside London to develop packages of measures that support economic growth and reduce carbon in their communities as well as delivering cleaner environments, improved safety and increased levels of physical activity.
I was greeted with excellent hospitality by Neil and Kate at the Homeground Café in the Old High Street. As we sat and chatted with the managers of the café we began to grasp a better understanding of the changing sense of belonging that the artists, apartment tenants and business owners are beginning to develop.
we were greeted at the Tower Theatre on North Road with a welcome drink which gave the opportunity to meet the other people attending this event. As always, the Nepalese women were dressed in the most beautiful saris. Welcome speeches were made, including one from me, and the background to the plan for a Gurkha Memorial on the Leas was described.
