QE2 Coastal Park Consultation

This is where you get to have your say about the future of our town's greatest natural asset - its coastline. Here's the link to the consultation documents:

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=6439

The important bits are the plan itself:

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Field, Herne Bay's Coastal Park Management Plan

and the various action plans:

• A welcoming place
• Healthy, safe and secure
• Landscape management
• Improving the fabric of the seafront
• Community delivery
• Accreditation

Comments on management plan, maps and action plans are welcome by 30th November 2012 please email rosemary.selling@canterbury.gov.uk

This is also your chance to say what you think should be done about the Victorian Shelter. And the rest of Herne Bay's seafront, come to that.

If you don't tell them, they'll never know.

Derelict Methodist church in Herne Bay High Street is sold

A derelict Methodist church in Herne Bay High Street has been sold to be turned into flats after languishing on the market for the past two years. The historic landmark was opened in 1885 but the Methodists moved out ten years ago and the pigeons moved in.

The building, on the corner of the High Street and Beach Street, has planning permission for 11 flats on condition that the exterior remains untouched. Peter Goodwin, manager of estate agents Wilbee and Son, said all that was left was the facade.

The organ, which was first played in the church in 1896 was dismantled, catalogued and shipped to a European buyer. The pews were also sold off. Mr Goodwin said:

"It was in total disrepair. The pigeons had taken over and were living in the building rent-free. All we sold was the shell with planning permission. We gave it a clean-up and opened the windows, and the pigeons flew away. It is one of the longest sales we have had because of the planning issues. It is a huge development project and will cost about £1million."

The church was put on the market for £425,000 in 2010, but difficulties with potential buyers securing a mortgage on the property meant it had to be a cash buy. It was eventually sold last month to a London developer for around £300,000. The deal took months to complete while the new owners made sure all the paperwork was in place.

David Birch, chairman and trustee of Herne Bay Historical Records Society, remembers having lessons in the church during the Second World War. He said:

"From the air, schools could look like military bases, so we would register at the school in the morning and then take our lessons at various churches in the area. Eventually they built an air raid shelter around the corner from the school. I spent a lot of time sitting on the biscuit tin that contained our emergency food rations. At that time churches were busy for one day a week, Sunday, morning, noon and night, but were empty during the week so they were perfect for lessons."

The church closed ten years ago because of dwindling attendance. The congregation joined with the United Church in Mortimer Street. Maintenance on the empty building was costing the Methodists thousands of pounds a year until it was sold to Whitstable developer Paul Langston. Mr Birch said:

"It closed because of sheer lack of numbers. We wondered what was going to happen for a long time. I'd still like to know what they are going to do with the 100-ft stone spire. I wouldn't like to own a flat and be responsible for the maintenance of that roof. There's also a plot of land alongside the church. It will be interesting to see what happens to that."

Mr Langston owned the building for the past four years with the intention of developing it into flats but never proceeded with the project. There have since been about four offers on the building and he sold off the fixtures and fittings before it changed hands.

Evelyn Bissett, city councillor for Herne and Broomfield, said:

"It has been a long time coming. People can do marvellous things with churches now. I think it will help the town considerably."

Herne Bay Times

Survey shows huge support for Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's plans for a £40 million out-of-town shopping complex at Herne Bay have received the thumbs up from residents.

According to figures released today (31st October) by developers, 84 per cent of locals support the scheme at the Altira Business Park. This follows a display of the plans at the Premier Inn's TableTable restaurant earlier this month which attracted nearly 600 visitors.

Nigel Wakefield, development director at developers Terrace Hill, said: "We are obviously delighted with the response. We would like to thank the people of Herne Bay for the interest they have shown in our plans.

"We are now working through the comments before submitting a planning application to the city council. We are fully committed to delivering our plans, which represent a real opportunity for increased supermarket shopping choice and local job creation.This could act as a catalyst for further investment in Altira Park and Herne Bay town centre."

The scheme at Beltinge includes business starter units and a footbridge across the Ramsgate to London railway line at Blacksole Bridge.

By Friday, October 19, 682 comment forms had been completed. 11 per cent objected to the idea. The remaining five per cent were undecided.

Herne Bay Times

Ancient Hallowe'en traditions go on

Dylan Hampshire

I loved reading the front page of the Herne Bay Times last week ("Church set to save Bay from Zombies"). It is interesting that exactly the same thing was happening 2,000 years ago.

The roots of Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night stem from pagan times when, all across northern Europe, the local Celts knew this time of year, Samhain, as the change between summer and winter.

It was, they believed, when the barrier between the real world and the spirit world was at its thinnest. This was the time when mortal man could cross to the spirit plane to meet ancestors and the Gods. And the dead could cross the other way to visit their descendants – for good as well as ill.

The tribal Celts would light fires and lamps to guide the good spirits to them and protect from the bad. They would use iron and masks to frighten away evil. Sometimes people would disguise themselves to mix with the spirits. There were many ceremonial folk customs to ensure good fortune.

Early Christianity spread and confronted pagan beliefs. It adopted some, like gargoyles on churches and nails in church doors to frighten spirits. Others they opposed, like consorting with spirits. Samhain was stamped with All Souls' (Saints') Day to diminish the bad influences.

Here in Herne Bay, we are seeing direct echoes of 2,000 years ago, with people in disguise mixing with the dead. There are Hallowe'en pumpkin masks to scare bad spirits and people using lights to ensure evil returns to where it came from.

We have big fires on Bonfire Night to keep us all safe for the hard winter times. I think the whole thing is brilliant – angels and zombies alike. Saturday night's event is going to be a great community custom for years to come.

I applaud it all.

Dylan Hampshire,

Cocketts Mattresses & Templar Beds

Herne Bay Times

Herne Bay triumphs in Britain in Bloom coastal town category

Gardeners were growing for gold in a national competition to find the best blooming places around the country. Herne Bay was the overall winner of the coastal town category in the Britain in Bloom awards, and also harvested a silver gilt medal in the competition.

It follows their success in the South and South East in Bloom awards, and they triumphed over a host of towns, including Bangor, Great Yarmouth and Sidmouth.

Herne Bay in Bloom chairman Margaret Burns attended a ceremony in Guernsey with secretary Colleen Ashwin-Kean and received the award from Countryfile and The One Show presenter Matt Baker.

She said:

"We are over the moon. It is a great tribute to the fantastic support that we have received from our sponsors, local businesses, voluntary and community groups and schools in Herne Bay, and also a wonderful reward for all the hard work of the Herne Bay in Bloom team.

I am extremely proud of everyone who has taken part and am sure that because of our combined efforts even more visitors and residents will come to enjoy the colourful seafront gardens, urban meadow- planted verges, parks and open spaces and everything that our lovely town has to offer."

Herne Bay Times

the BLOOMING BEST: Herne Bay in Bloom secretary Colleen Ashwin-Kean and chairman Margaret Burns receive their award from television presenter Matt Baker.

Singing the praises of our unsung heroes

Unsung heroes from the district have been presented with a Lord Mayor's Award in recognition of their efforts to help other people.

The annual Lord Mayor's Award scheme is now in its 14th year and honours people who go the extra mile to help others. They are nominated by members of the public, and the final judging is made by a cross-party panel of councillors. This year’s awards also feature a special Diamond Jubilee Award in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The winners and extracts from their citations are: 

• Peter Woolgar, of Northwood Road, Whitstable, wins the Diamond Jubilee Award. Peter is nominated for his lifetime of work in the Scout movement over more than 40 years. His nominator says: “Being a member of the Scouts under Peter’s leadership is one of my most treasured memories and I learned so much from him, lessons I took with me into adulthood. Peter has given of himself selflessly, devotedly and totally to the safe passage of children into adult life.”
• Eleanor (Elle) Caldon, of Field Avenue, Canterbury. Elle is the founder and director of the Mustard Seed Singers, which was formed in 2007 and consists of people experiencing mental illness, their carers and supporters. Her nominator says: “Elle’s strong commitment and inspiring leadership has lifted the confidence of the group and she has played a pivotal role in promoting mental wellbeing through singing.”
• Colleen Ashwin-Kean of Central Parade, Herne Bay. Colleen has been part of the Herne Bay in Bloom Committee for seven years, taking on the role of secretary since her retirement. Last year, the town won a Gold Award. Her nominator says: “Everything Colleen does is in her own time and without payment. Her reward is seeing the district she lives in being the best it can be.”
• Patricia (Pat) Cook, of Windsor Road, Canterbury. Pat is a dedicated youth worker in the Thanington area, organising community events and visiting older or sick people to help with shopping or taking them to medical appointments. She also buys prizes for activities out of her own money. Her nominator says: “Pat is the kindest person I know. She would (and does) do anything for anyone.”

All four winners received their awards from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Robert Waters, at a meeting of the full council at the Guildhall in Canterbury last night (Thursday 27 September).

CCC website

Portrait Bench at Reculver

In spring 2013, a Portrait Bench will be installed along the clifftop between Reculver and Bishopstone - and Canterbury City Council need your help to decide who it will feature!

A Portrait Bench is a collection of three distinctive, lifesize local figures cut from sheet steel and installed alongside a simple bench, inviting people to join the group and become part of the 'portrait'. Here's an example of one from elsewhere in the country:

The figures are inspired and chosen for their individual contribution to the life of the community and reflect the local heritage, culture and aspirations of the area. Their features are simplified but retain their essential characteristics.

Funding for the Portrait Bench is coming from the national sustainable charity Sustrans. The city council is organising the project locally and paying for it to be installed.

The Reculver Portrait Bench

The bench at Reculver is being provided as part of the Oyster Bay Trail cycle route. The section of the route between Reculver and Swalecliffe opened last year and the council is in the process of finalising plans to extend it between Swalecliffe and Whitstable.

So, which characters do you think best reflect the local area? A pilot perhaps? An oyster fisherman? Maybe a hockey player?

The city council has come up with a shortlist of seven figures who could take pride of place on the clifftop bench. Now it's down to local people to decide on their top three, and those with the most votes will be created.

The seven characters are:

• A Dambuster pilot. The bouncing bomb was tested at Reculver and local pilot Bill Ottley flew one of the Lancaster Bombers and died on the Dambusters Raid.  
• A fossil collector. Many important specimens have been collected from Bishopstone Glen.  
• A Roman. A fort and settlement was built at Reculver around 43BC, probably to defend the Roman fleet anchored in the channel. It was rebuilt in the third century to protect the coast from Saxon longship raids.
• A Saxon. In the fourth century, long after the fort was abandoned, King Egbert granted land to the priest Bassa to build Reculver church. Many Anglo-Saxon items have been found near the site.
• A roller hockey player, representing the long tradition of roller hockey in Herne Bay. It began in 1901 and still has strong links in the town with the Bay Sports Arena being the proud home of roller hockey. 
• An oyster fisherman. Oysters have been found in Whitstable for centuries, where fishermen would dredge the seabed to harvest the town’s famous, native oysters.
• A diver. The Deane brothers of Whitstable invented and trialled the first underwater breathing apparatus (air-pumped diving helmet) in the town. Divers from the town salvaged sunken ships around the world, including Henry VIII's flagship, The Mary Rose.

Vote now!

Voting on which characters you would like to see make up Reculver's Portrait Bench is now open and runs until Wednesday 31 October.

Cast your vote now!

CCC website

Andy Lawrence stops the traffic in Mortimer Street

Local hero Andy Lawrence has been putting himself at risk, trying to keep Mortimer Street safe from idiot motorists. Drivers who are too stupid to read the traffic signs, or too selfish to take any notice, are driving along the street when it should be treated as a pedestrianised zone.

There's a simple and cheap solution (a lockable barrier across the road) but our Council has been dragging its heels, so Andy has taken to enforcing the traffic regulations himself. One local councillor who accepts there's a problem - Cllr Andrew Cook - wants to make sure the majority of traders want the barrier.

Cllr Cook sits on the Council's ruling Executive and holds the portfolio for Community Safety, and for Health, amongst others. Community Safety, and Health, is being endangered because the traffic regulations are not being enforced. (Where are the police and the newly empowered traffic wardens when you need them?)

The law isn't being enforced - presumably the powers that be would plead budget cuts. I had thought the Conservatives were the "Law and Order" party. There's no need to carry out a survey to find out whether the law should be enforced - just make it impossible to break that particular law. Install the barrier. Now.

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Pedestrians are being put at risk by drivers ignoring traffic restrictions in the town centre, traders claim. And they have accused council bosses of stalling over a cheap solution that would make the town centre safer.

Officials are considering a plan to install a lockable barrier at the bottom of Mortimer Street, costing £1,500. It was suggested at the start of the summer, but no progress has been made. Meanwhile, a shopkeeper who was manning temporary signs reminding people of the closures says he is not prepared to continue because of the abuse from motorists. Andrew Lawrence, 43. who runs the Speciality Food Store in Mortimer Street, said:

"I did it for four weeks. but no longer for my own sanity. I’m not insured and I don't work for the council. So if there was an accident or I dropped the sign on someone, who would be responsible? People get very emotional when told they can't do something, and I've been told they are coming through whether I like it or not, because they have always parked there or driven up the road."

The dad-of-five, who has run the shop for four years, met councillors and other traders to discuss the problem and councillor Peter Lee came up with a design for a lockable barrier that could be lifted and lowered. He said:

"Four shops would hold the key it would be locked upright at certain times and lowered to provide a physical barrier. Deliveries could still get through, and it could easily be opened in an emergency. The best bit is that it would only cost £1,500 - a tiny amount for a council that has £1 million of taxpayers' money sitting in the bank. But it seems they don't care about the people who are in danger from the cars whizzing up here at speed - only about keeping their cash."

Town centre manager Chris West was due to present a report on the issue to Herne Bay councillors at a meeting on Tuesday night, and said he planned to consult businesses before proposing a more permanent solution. Councillor Andrew Cook said it was important to get all traders’ views before proceeding. He said:

"I don't think there's a single councillor who would be against this, but we need to make sure it is what the majority of businesses want. I stood out there with Andrew for ten minutes and saw six cars go up there, and none had a legal reason to do so. But everything has to go through the correct procedures and the bureaucracy that goes with that."

Cllr Cook suggested an interim solution may be possible if someone else could be found to take over responsibility for the sign.

HB Times 13th Sep 2012

The city council has lost the plot

I have been following the debate, kicked off by Dylan Hampshire of Cockett’s Mattresses, about the need for a town council for Herne Bay ("Call for town council to end 'democratic deficit'", Times, June 21). I certainly believe Canterbury City Council has lost the plot and we should return to more local control of our affairs.

Canterbury is just not doing the job and causing a lot of problems.

My wife and I settled in Studd Hill in August 1986. One of the benefits was being able to stroll to the seafront for a swim using the ramp opposite Standard Avenue. Ten years ago Canterbury City Council allowed jet skis to use the front without any reference to residents. While we would not deny the few jet—skiers the use of the seafront, a new ramp was provided for them at great expense next to the boat house. The jet-skiers then started using the area reserved for swimmers but our city councillor was unable to help.

Now our roads in Studd Hill are being badly damaged by lorries well over the 13-ton weight limit. In Wolseley Avenue the bungalows are very attractive but city planners have allowed a two- storey semi-detached house to be built on a single plot. This type of building will turn the area into a slum, doubling the number of cars and people. Would members of the committee who approved this application like to live in the same conditions? I invite them to come and see the damage they are responsible for.

All building work should be stopped until repairs have been carried out to the roads. Part of the cost should be met by the council because of its planning decision. Builders should not be allowed to double up on single plots. A bond equal to ten per cent of the value of any new building should be paid before any work is started. This will ensure roads are correctly restored.

Under the new boundary suggestions, neighbouring areas will be included in Herne Bay which will boost its population to 78,000. This is why we need to consider restoring our own Town Hall. One idea would be the burned out ruins of the former Bun Penny pub, which is due for restoration. Rooms could be rented out to pay for the running costs.

It would appear the city council is also using parking fines in Herne Bay as a cash box to the detriment of shops and traders. A traffic warden has been handing out fines to cars parked at the bottom of William Street between Mortimer Street and the Bun Penny. I am meeting the person in charge shortly and will point out that the town is also plagued by an abundance of parking meters.

To save money on council tax I also suggest reducing the number of city councillors to one per ward.

Harold Lloyd, Wolseley Avenue, Studd Hill

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Bay councillor Peter Lee said:

Mortimer Street between Greensteads and Iceland is closed to all traffic on Saturdays between 10.30am and 4.30pm except commercial vehicles loading and unloading between the same times on Monday to Friday. Any car in this area, moving or parked between these times, is subject to a penalty. A blue disabled badge does not exempt the vehicle. 

People often say parking charges should be abolished or reduced but never come up with any suggestions how the council can replace the lost revenue, or which services should be cut to reflect the lower income. If you have any suggestions, please let me know and I will feed them into the budget discussions I will be having with officers this month.

HB Times 13th Sep 2012

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Incidentally, this is the same Peter Lee who told us in August that the Council had saved £465,000 thus boosting its cash reserves to £3.8 million, meaning "we will be able to do what we want in the next few years".

Dangerous junction

We have a major problem with a local road junction that will soon result in a road traffic accident, and injury or even death.

There is a pedestrian refuge in Canterbury Road, near the junction with Charles Street. The position of the refuge seems to make it difficult for some longer vehicles to turn left from Canterbury Road into Charles Street.

Over the last few weeks, we have recorded several videos of vehicles (all of them PCL lorries) driving dangerously and illegally at this junction. What you can see is the lorry driving down the wrong side of the road into the oncoming traffic, or looping all the way round the junction, simply to be able to make the turn:

http://www.youtube.com/user/EastCliffPanel

The major culprit at the moment is PCL - these are the delivery lorries for the Herne Bay branch of Iceland. (Iceland do not have a direct email address, so I have contacted them through their website.) It is worth noting that dustcarts also have problems at this junction, as do the heavy plant vehicles associated with local building work.

As you will see on the YouTube videos that we have recorded, the PCL lorries repeatedly carry out dangerous manoeuvres. This recently almost resulted in a head-on collision, which you can see in the most recent video:

Kent Highways have told me that this junction isn't a high enough priority, as it doesn't have a crash history. It is blindingly obvious that continued inaction will all but guarantee that it will have a "crash history". I've sent them a link to the videos. I've also sent a link to PCL, the Police, and our county councillors.

Let's hope they sort something out before someone gets hurt.

2013 Calendar

Just in the nick of time - next year's calendar is now available!

The nice people at the Historical Records Society have plundered their extensive picture library to produce a smashing calendar for 2013.

The pictures from January to December show the Herne Bay coastline from Hampton to Reculver, from the beginning of the last century up to the 1960s.

These evocative images and the fascinating historical snippets that accompany them make this calendar a delightful (and very postable) gift for your nearest and dearest. That's another few Christmas presents sorted out...

The A4 wall-hanging calendar retails at £7.50 - a bargain! You can pick up a copy from:

• Evening Tide B&B, 97 Central Parade
• Phil Rose, 56 Beacon Hill
• Herne Bay Museum

You can see the rest of the year's images on the HBHRS website by clicking here.

Music on the Bandstand

Here's a date for your diaries...

Sunday 30th September, 11am-7pm at the Central Bandstand, Herne Bay.

Local musicians: Spex, Spyplane, David Shepherd, The Wrinklies, Disruptive Business, Mostly Brian and more...

Heaps of fun, and all for an excellent cause - fundraising in collaboration with Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions to raise funds for Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance.

Walk Back in Time in Herne Bay

As part of the Heritage Open Days weekend in Herne Bay, the Historical Records Society will be conducting one of their excellent and ever-popular Walks Back in Time.

This is a leisurely stroll around Herne Bay with the expert historical guides - these walks are always fascinating, and really open your eyes to the wealth of history that's right under your nose all the time.

Best of all, it's free! So just tip up, join in the walk and enjoy yourself. Meet up outside the Museum in William Street at 2.30pm on Sunday 9th September.

Life Classes at Beach Creative

click to visit

This is the first of weekly life drawing sessions at Beach Creative. At the first session on Thursday 6th September we will discuss how much instruction, if any, will be provided. It will be up to those who come. A life model will be there every week.

The times are 7pm - 9pm every Thursday and the cost is £5 per session. Numbers are limited to 20, easels will be provided. Please email to book your place.

Beach Creative Community Interest Company is based at Beach House, Beach Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5PT - the corner of Beach Street and King's Road, near the market place.

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Beach House provides a creative hub that includes studio space, exhibition space, meeting rooms, workshops and office space. We house multiple creative, commercial, community and educational activities for Herne Bay and the local area. It is a convenient and convivial place for professionals, local groups, enterprising initiatives, students and social entrepreneurs to work, meet, sit, study, educate, share and network.

See their website: www.beachcreativecic.co.uk