Wearing the official Mayor chains in such hot weather is not an easy task, mainly because there is no opportunity to take my jacket off! The company, however was worth every minute and I realise I am making many new friends across the area.
Not even the changeable weather, with its showers and drizzle, could dampen the excitement of the hundreds of Brownies and Guides who went to the Folkestone Racecourse at Westenhanger for a Fun Weekend.
![Golfer Tiger Woods [U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho.]](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/2/csm_golfer-tiger-woods-u-s-navy-photo-by-photographer-s-mate-1st-class-brien-aho_84512446b3.png)
A new website has been launched listing the Kent hotels, guest houses and local residents willing to take in bed and breakfast guests or even let out their house to golf enthusiasts during next year's British Open at the Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich.
The thing about being Mayor for the first time is that each event is a completely new experience. I was amazed when entering St Eanswythe's Church, Folkestone, to find that the Mayor has his own special seat with a lectern with hooks below for the Mace. Convenient!
The Caterpillars Children's Centre in Cheriton will be officially opened next week, and the Mayor of Folkestone, Tom McNeice, will join families for the celebration. The centre, on Chart Road, specialises in support services for children aged up to five years old and their families, including parent and baby/toddler groups, baby massage sessions, antenatal support and child health clinics.
Members and supporters of Shepway Lib Dems are welcome to join us at a Folkestone Cream Tea from 3pm - 6pm at 19 Beachborough Road, Folkestone CT19 4AA on Saturday 19th June - and hopefully enjoy the sunshine!
Was up early to catch a coach to Etaples with the Mayoress first thing - an early start isn't (quite!) so bad when the sun is already shining at 6.15am. A quick and easy journey through the Channel Tunnel, with good company, set the scene for the day. Those on the coach were members of The British Legion, Youth Uniformed Organisations and various people involved with the twinning planning and organisation. We had time for a coffee in a café before beginning the ceremonies of the morning - ordering decaf coffee with schoolboy French took a little time!
When we stepped up onto the stage in the precinct to open the Multi-Cultural Festival, I wondered if we had got the time wrong! There were only a people were there to hear the opening speech and to be informed about what was to come during the 4 days of the Folkestone Multi-Cultural Festival. Happily, the town centre soon filled up and the excellent brochure gave all the information that was necessary - and people very much enjoyed the main events!
Shepway District Council (OK - not all of them: a couple of Officers and a Cabinet member) have asked me for feedback on things to improve on the Shepway Council website at www.shepway.gov.uk as they are about to do some enhancement of the site. If you've got views on the site and things that need fixing / improving (or you think are great!) then please let me have your feedback at tim@prater.org.uk and I'll add them to my report to Shepway.
Shepway Councillor Tim Prater has written to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Eric Pickles, asking him to require a Public Enquiry to determine the planning applications for the expansion of Lydd / London Ashford Airport.
Lib Dem members are welcomed to join Special Guest speaker, Sarah Teather MP for Brent Central and Minister of State for the Department of Education, at this year's Canterbury and Whitstable Annual Dinner which will, after the efforts of the general election, be an informal summer party.
Two men were recently cold calling in New Romney during the early evening. They falsely advised residents that they had spoken to the Housing Officer of a sheltered housing property and were permitted to visit.
