It was a great pleasure to join with hundreds of other people at The Grand to hear the first four Triennial artists named. There was an air of excitement and anticipation in waiting to hear some of the plans, especially being able to remember the last Triennial and having enjoyed the exhibitions.
I have come to account to you, Conference, for the work I have been carrying out in the Coalition Government. I have managed to infuriate the bank bosses; acquire a fatwa from the revolutionary guards of the trades union movement; frighten the Daily Telegraph with a progressive graduate payment; and upset very rich people who are trying to dodge British taxes. I must be doing something right.
Two and a half years ago, I stood in this very hall to make my first speech as Leader of our party. I said that the chance for change was within our reach, and we had to seize it. That chance came. Perhaps not quite in the way many of us could have expected.
Kent Highways has had to close Gough Road, Sandgate temporarily at the junction with Sandgate High Street. The road remains open for access from Military Road. The closure is because of emergency works to repair an electrical fault.
HMS Kent was docked in Dover Western Docks and I was one of a few to be invited to lunch aboard the ship with the Commodore.
Meeting at the Grand Hotel is always a treat and this was no exception. I was introduced to Reg Turnhill, retired BBC Science correspondent, whose idea it was to hold this incredible festival.
Shepway District Council workers have to do some pretty disgusting things, not least of them clearing up a pubic recreation area of the dog mess left by selfish dog owners.
A short service of remembrance around the memorial in Capel-le-Ferne gave everyone an opportunity to recall lost friends and to thank the pilots of 70 years ago for their courage and sacrifice. Hundreds of names are written on the wall there to remind us all, of the task undertaken by these brave men.
As the small group gathered and rightly proud men displayed their medals, the mood softened and our united thoughts centred on the task in hand. Flag bearers, worship leaders, ex-servicemen and women and supporters heard the Rev. Mark Hayton gather our thoughts in prayer and we turned our minds to the importance of the occasion.
The hunt is on for volunteers for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics for people to become an official 'Gamesmaker'.
It is good to see our young people showing a commitment to remembering those in uniform who risked their lives to create a better world for us all. The 20 young people from the Air Training Core processed with pride and carried the flags, leading in the men and women in uniform who were at Holy Trinity as part of the remembrance service marking 70 years since the skies over Kent were full of the aeroplanes fighting in the Battle of Britain.
I can still feel a twinge or two as I write this, having hit 50 balls on the driving range in what appeared at the time, an easy style. My muscles the following day did not agree!
