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Herne Bay, England, CT6
United Kingdom

Community website for all things Herne Bay (Kent, UK). Covers: The Downs, Herne Bay Museum, Herne Bay Historical Records Society, Herne Bay Pier Trust, Herne Bay in Bloom, East Cliff Neighbourhood Panel, No Night Flights, Manston Airport, Save Hillborough, Kitewood, WEA, Local Plan and much, much more...

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Filtering by Category: Herne Bay

Volunteers step in to rescue THAT Christmas tree

HBM

Volunteers have stepped in to spruce up Herne Bay’s infamous Christmas tree after it was ridiculed for being the worst in Britain. They got together to give the fir some much-needed sparkle with tinsel and decorations following outcry over its "disgusting" appearance.

People were left fuming and even booed when the original tree was unveiled last month in front of a 1,000-strong crowd. But locals were left even more furious when the council decided to replace the tree with another that "looks even worse".

Workers putting new lights on Herne Bay’s original Christmas tree (left) – before it was replaced with a tree that "looked even worse"

Workers putting new lights on Herne Bay’s original Christmas tree (left) – before it was replaced with a tree that "looked even worse"

The revamp group was led by dad and local firefighter Steve Enwright, who said the town had suffered as a result of the negative publicity. He said:

"I was a bit disappointed with the stick Herne Bay got so decided to try and do something about it."

In just five days, he managed to recruit a team of supporters and the help of local businesses and Serco staff to transform the 17ft tree. He said:

"Homebase, the Co-op and Canterbury Garden Centre all provided decorations and I have to say the two guys from Serco who arrived with all the equipment to make sure it was safe were brilliant. I've got kids and really enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit and just decided to see if it could be improved.
I got help from another local resident, Kim Walker, who did a lot of chasing around, and a couple of friends as well as the coastal towns manager Chris West who helped get Serco on board.It looks a lot better now and we even had a singer come along to help celebrate on Sunday morning.
We don’t want to be in this position next Christmas so I am organising a meeting at the angling club to try and plan ahead for next year."

kentonline 13th Dec 2012


Herne Bay Matters home page

Charging for Parking a Boat

HBM

Our beloved Council does seem hell-bent on wringing every last penny out of everything in sight. One of their current wheezes is to charge boat-owners £100 + VAT to have their boats on the beach. As far as I can tell, the Council hasn't yet explained what the boat-owners might be getting in exchange for their hard-earned cash...

A reader writes...

I note with interest that boats parked on the beach at Herne Bay have a letter attached to them, this is for consultation regarding the Council's plans to charge these boat owners £100 per year for the privilege of leaving their boats on the beach.
The consultation response from boat owners is to be returned by 21st December, many boat owners will not have been to the beach during December so will not be aware of this consultation. It is a shame that the Council never publicised this matter more fully therefore allowing a full response from the boat owners.
One would assume that the Council are doing this to generate more money, are there any other reasons? Will the owners of boats benefit any way? How will it be monitored?
I would hate to see boats removed from the beach because owners were not able to afford the yearly chargers. As far as I can see all the boats in the Hampton area are secured on the beach in a sensible manner. The hard working members of the Angling Club must be worried that members will no longer be able to afford to continue boat fishing and the club will close, which would be another local amenity lost in Herne Bay.

Herne Bay Matters home page

Christmas Fair at the Bandstand

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Beach Creative, Herne Bay In Bloom, and Herne Bay Pier Trust have all got together to bring you a fantastic Xmas fair, starting this Saturday 15th December from 11am, at Herne Bay Bandstand.

It’s a chance for the residents and visitors of Herne Bay to do something positive this Christmas and enjoy the festive atmosphere too.

Bring the kids along to see Santa in his grotto and they’ll receive a FREE gift! All that is asked is a small donation of tinned/non perishable food that can be put towards making a number of small Xmas hampers for the less fortunate in the area.

Christmas_Fair.jpg

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Herne Bay Pier Trust must prove its competence to run the pier

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Council bosses are considering closing Herne Bay pier amid fears that the Pier Trust is not fit to manage it. Members of Canterbury City Council's ruling executive committee will discuss a hard-hitting report at a meeting on Thursday.

In it, the council's head of culture Dawn Hudd warns the council could close the pier and that it will only be handed to the pier trust if they can prove they have enough cash, competence and experience to run it.

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Herne Bay Pier bosses are positive about future

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Pier Trust bosses denied 2012 had been a "troubled" year and insisted next year was going to be fantastic. New chairman Doreen Stone told members at the annual meeting that trustees were feeling very positive about the future.

She said trustees were united in the view that the pier platform should be developed as a short-term project and that long-term the pier should be rebuilt.

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Planning Applications: 7th Dec 2012

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1 in Herne Bay:

CA//12/02097/FUL: Altira Business Park, Margate Road, Herne Bay, CT6 6LA. Erection of a foodstore (Use Class A1) including a cafe, industrial/commercial units (Use Class B1, B2 and/or B8), petrol filling station, surface level car parking, new access and highway works, landscaping, servicing and associated works.  Applicant: Terrace Hill (Herne Bay) Limited. Reason: Major development.

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New Groynes at Herne Bay

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Here's the blurb from the Marine Management Organisation:

Title of Project: Herne Bay Sea Defence Improvements

Background to Project (aims and objectives): Herne Bay is located on the North Kent coast. Extensive sea defence works were carried out in this area in the early 1990s but a short length that was not subject to any improvements requires reconstruction. This area could potentially allow floodwater to escape into the town unless it is defended.

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Herne Bay's new Christmas tree dubbed 'worst in the world'

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Herne Bay's new Christmas tree - replacing one dubbed the worst in the country - has been slammed as the worst in the world by campaigners.

Council bosses bowed to public pressure after a week of criticism about the tree in Mortimer Street and the town's lights display, and the original sorry specimen was uprooted and replaced yesterday.

But the new tree - due to be decorated with lights and decorations made by town schoolchildren later today - has not won many admirers.

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Serco retains £40m contract to empty bins in Canterbury

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SERCO has retained the £40 million contract to empty the bins of Whitstable, Herne Bay and Canterbury. The city council announced the decision on Tuesday.

It followed a controversial three-way pitch where councillors were forbidden to know which firm was bidding. Among them was Veolia which attracted many protests because of its connections with Israel. The new contract starts on April 1.

Councillors made the decision based on price and quality but could not release details until a ten-day "standstill" period to allow failed bidders the chance to appeal.

The new contract will include fortnightly doorstep collections of glass for the first time and a return to weekly collections of food waste.

Serco was Bidder 2 and came in with the lowest price of £39,289,911. The most expensive was almost £45.5 million. Decisions on the type and size of wheelie bins or boxes will now take place.

Head of Neighbourhood Services Larissa Laing said:

"All three companies put in very competent bids. We would like to thank the two unsuccessful companies for their interest. This is one of our most high profile contracts providing essential services to residents. The tender process has allowed us to create a high quality service while achieving excellent value for money for taxpayers. We now have a lot of work to do on getting the new waste collection system ready."

Council spokesman Rob Davies said:

"The tender was based on a price to quality ratio of 60 per cent/40 per cent. While we understand the concerns that were raised, we have been clear throughout this process that allegations about Veolia's activities in Palestine could not be a factor in determining who won the contract."

Other contracts still to be awarded include grounds maintenance, public toilets, building maintenance and office cleaning. Serco continues to hold the contract for these until the end of March. But councillors have taken the decision to split them into four smaller contracts from April 1.

Canterbury Times


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Herne Bay Pier Trust reveal plans for country's first pier marina

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2012-11-29-224650.png

This is how Herne Bay's Victorian pier could look if a £70 million plan to build a marina around the derelict old pier head goes ahead. The ambitious scheme was unveiled last night by the Herne Bay Pier Trust and would be the first of its kind in the country.

Members also announced a raft of short-term plans, which include creating a beach hut village and restaurant on the existing platform and to allow weddings on the pier.

Trust member Jason Hollingsworth, part of the group tasked with finding ways to rebuild the pier, said the key was to make it financially viable. He said:

"A heritage pier based on the past would be a lovely idea but when you look at the economics, it is not going to happen."

But he said the team had been speaking about the marina concept - known as Kent Pier Marina - to trust fund managers who wanted long-term investments for pension funds.

He said it would be an "attraction of national significance" and could include hotels, an aquarium, conference facilities and boat trips. Mr Hollingsworth said:

"I am convinced the project can be delivered and bring extensive benefits to Herne Bay and the wider area. There are investment opportunities for a private sector developer but the scheme will also need public sector funding."

The marina would have 275 berths and, because it would be so far out to sea, offer 24-hour berthing for sailors because it would not be affected by tides. A road would run along the pier with parking for 150 cars at the end.

The marina was given the official stamp of approval in a consultant's report which concluded it was the best option for the long-term future of the pier. The trust plans to publish the report and more details of the scheme on a website to be launched next month and will then begin formal public consultation.

More trustees are needed, particularly those with expertise in law and fundraising. Those interested should send details to the Pier Trust gallery in Central Parade, Herne Bay.

thisiskent LCrudgington

Future Pier design?

Future Pier design?


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Planning Applications: 23rd Nov 2012

HBM

2 in Herne Bay:

CA//12/01965/FUL: Ground Floor Flat, 12 Douglas Road, Herne Bay, CT6 6AE. Addition of fencing and bin store area to front of site. Applicant: Mrs Crouch. Reason: Conservation area.

CA//12/02014/TAM: Land to front of 92 and 96 Canterbury Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5SA. Installation of telecommunications equipment cabinet. Applicant: Openreach. Reason: Conservation area.

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Plans for Herne Bay hovercraft rides are rejected by council

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Plans to introduce hovercraft rides from Herne Bay's seafront have been sunk by council officials. Officers decided the adrenalin-pumping experience would not fit in and dismissed the proposals as "inappropriate".

But bosses have agreed for kayaks to be rented from the beach near Lane End and are in talks with a potential operator. Canterbury City Council's outdoor leisure manager Richard Griffiths said:

"We were approached with an idea for a hovercraft concession but we said no because it was felt it was not appropriate for the town. But the kayak concession could start from April 2013."

The scheme is part of a host of new attractions planned for the seafront, including refreshments at the Hampton play area, deckchairs and toddler swings at Central Parade near the children's amusements and more telescopes along the seafront to allow people to see passing ships and other activity off the coast.

But plans for military-style fitness sessions at the Downs led to battle lines being drawn up between campaigner Phil Rose, of the Friends of the Downs, and council bosses.

At a meeting of Herne Bay Area Members Panel on Tuesday, he raised concerns that agreement had already been given for the circuits, to be run by British Military Fitness from January, with no consultation. Mr Rose, of Beacon Hill, said:

"I am involved with the Friends of the Downs and I am not aware of this. There has been no contact at all. It says something about the nature of the relationship between the council and community groups – we should have been involved."

Mr Griffiths told councillors the scheme had his full support. He said:

"The Downs is a well-used area and I don't see any problems with this."

He said existing concessions, such as the ice cream cart at Spa Esplanade and marketing booth for Bay Blast boat trips, would continue along with the refreshments in the park.

Tory member Peter Lee, of the council's ruling executive committee and the Herne Bay regeneration group which also discussed the plans, said it was a win-win situation for the town.

Herne Bay Times


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Planning Applications: 9th Nov 2012

HBM

9 in Herne Bay:

  • CA//12/01877/FUL: 220 Canterbury Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5UB. First-floor extension to front and rear of dwelling. Applicant: Mr Ladner Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01896/TAM: Land at Sea Street, Herne Bay. Installation of telecommunications equipment cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01923/TAM: Land north of Brian Roberts House, Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5PW. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason:
    Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01924/TAM: Land opposite 50 Mickleburgh Hill, Herne Bay, CT6 6DU. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01925/TAM: Land to front of Margaret Court, Kings Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5BX. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01926/TAM: Land to front of 138-140 Pier Avenue, Herne Bay, CT6 5BX. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01927/TAM: Land to front of 7 Cavendish Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5BH. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01950/TAM: Land outside 18 Canterbury Road, Herne Bay. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
  • CA//12/01951/TAM: Land junction High Street/New Street, Herne Bay. Installation of telecommunications cabinet. Applicant: Openreach Reason: Conservation area.
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