The Upper Red Lion at Herne, Tesco, and Peter Vickery-Jones

What do the locals make of the tale of an old village pub, a greedy supermarket and a local Councillor? Disgusting, stupid, ignorant... and they're not talking about the pub or the supermarket.

Here's how the tale has been unfolding over the last couple of weeks in the HB Gazette. The pub closed in March 2011, and is up for sale at £¼m. Tesco will take it off Punch Tavern's hands if they can get planning permission, although both sides are being tight-lipped about the deal. Ignoring the concerns of local businesses, Cllr Vickery-Jones wades in, spouting daftness.

It's worth noting at this point that Tesco are perfectly happy to throw their considerable weight around to get what they want. Canterbury City Council opposed their planning applications for an Express store in Herne Bay (for a number of good reasons) but Tesco just kept bludgeoning away, running up costs, and escalating it to the Secretary of State until CCC just gave up. As a result, we now have an accident black spot on the main road into Herne Bay, as shoppers swerve in to park on the pavement outside Tesco, and then lurch backwards into the flow of traffic to go home. Thanks, guys.

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HBG Sept 22nd: Supermarket giant Tesco is believed to have expressed an interest in buying the empty Upper Red Lion pub.

It is understood the national chain wants to turn the pub into an Express store if negotiations and a planning application are successful. City council town co-ordinator Chris West was among those told about a possible deal this week. He said:

"Apparently they're looking to buy the building and turn it into a new Express store. I don't know how true it is, but the person who told me is a pretty reliable source. They deal in property and said they'd caught wind of it. Obviously if it were true there would be concerns from local businesses, but Tesco would need to get planning permission anyway. It certainly sounds like it's something within their remit."

The pub closed in March and was put up for sale by owner Punch Taverns for offers of more than £250,000. It was listed as being suitable for "alternative uses". But Punch Taverns spokesman Leila Maia wouldn't be drawn on who it was in talks with. She said:

"It is always our preference that our pubs continue to trade as pubs. However, we do review our estate regularly and may explore other options around the future of our less sustainable sites, or where they might better fulfil their potential for the local community under different ownership. We are looking at different options around the future of the Upper Red Lion, including marketing the pub for sale, and are talking to interested parties."

Tesco spokesman Carol Leslie was just as cagey, saying:

"We are always on the look out for possible new sites all over the country and are often in negotiations for suitable schemes for Express stores. However, these often never materialise. Until an agreement is reached we would not comment on individual cases."

Herne councillor Peter Vickery-Jones had also heard Tesco was interested, but says it could face parking problems. He said:

"It's an extraordinary move. I can't really believe they'd buy a plot of that nature, but who knows. Maybe they can buy the School Lane car park from the council and we can all enjoy some free parking. From the perspective of what a shop there would offer, it has to be good for the area. There isn't anywhere around there like it."

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The pages fly off the wall calendar, and all of a sudden, it's a week later. Rather than only hearing from the supermarket, the landlord and the councillor, we now get to hear from some of the people who matter - the local residents...

HBG Sept 29th Letters

I read with amazement the rumours regarding the development of the Red Lion Pub in Herne ('Checking out rumours of pub becoming store', Herne Bay Gazette, September 22). My incredulity wasn't so much with the notion that Tesco would consider developing a pub in a beautiful village and totally destroying the area, but with the complete ignorance and stupidity of Herne councillor Peter Vickery-Jones. I quote: "From the perspective of what a shop there would offer, it has to be good for the area. There isn't anywhere around there like it."

Has he ever visited Herne? Does he have eyes? Has he not seen the shop that is right next to the site and serves the community so very well? Has he ever visited Herne Bay and seen the Tesco Express there? And has he ever considered why there isn't anywhere around there like it? Maybe because it is a beautiful village with character, not another Tesco town! I think he should consider resigning from his position as I'm not sure how he can represent Heme when he has obviously demonstrated his ignorance of the village!

Steve Owen, Aspen Road, Herne Common, Herne

I am a local shop owner who is worried and disgusted by plans for another Tesco Express store. There is already a Tesco Express store less than two miles away in Herne Bay. That was opened in the middle of two shops which are now suffering as a result. I am also confused about Punch Tavern's decision to consider selling the site to a supermarket. Pubs are always complaining about supermarkets selling alcohol at a loss and this leading to pubs to close down, which is a bit ironic.

I am also disgusted that a local Councillor is in favour of a Tesco Express, does he not realise what effect it would have on the area and local business, especially the shop next door and the pub opposite? He may be a councillor but he's out of touch with his local community. If the shop and post office next door is forced to close down, this would have a big impact on the elderly people who use them locally. It is not what the local businesses who have been serviced the local community there for many years deserve.

I think before Tesco is granted permission to open up another store, however, there should be a proper investigation on how it will affect the area. I think it has more disadvantages than advantages. They should also look at other similar projects and see what effects it had on those areas. I have tried to put my anger and worries into these few words but can't express my feelings enough.

Sedat Duymus, Hawe Farm Way, Broomfield, Herne Bay

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Mr Kumanan, the local newsagent, clearly has a much better grasp of the implications of Tesco's plans than his local councillor does. Maybe they should swap jobs.

HBG Sept 29th: A village newsagent says his 80-year-old shop will be forced to close if Tesco moves in next door.

Thiruvalluvar Kumanan was speaking after the Gazette revealed last week that the supermarket giant is in talks to take over the empty Red Lion Pub in Herne. The dad-of-two has run Herne Village Stores next door for the last four years, but the shop has been there for at least 80. He said:

"We won't stand a chance, but what can we do? We can't compete with someone as big as Tesco. They just do whatever they want, whenever they want and wherever they want. It's just not fair."

Mr Kumanan's wife Priya called Punch Taverns, owners of the Upper Red Lion, two weeks ago and says she was told they were negotiating with Tesco. The pub has been empty since March and has been up for sale for offers of more than £250,000. Mr Kumanan said:

"If it happens it will be the end of us. You've only got to look at what effect they've had on smaller businesses elsewhere. They just muscle in and take all the trade. It makes me so angry.

I've got two children and a family to support and this will really affect our livelihood. It will even affect people in the area because they will have massive delivery lorries coming everyday and will be open until 10pm or 11pm every night. We close at 7.30pm. It wouldn't surprise me if they actually changed the road layout for Tesco as well - they seem to do everything else. I'd love to fight it, but I know whatever we say or do won't count."

Tesco has so far refused to confirm if it is interested in the site, with spokesman Carol Leslie saying last week:

"We are always on the lookout for possible new sites all over the country and are often in negotiations for suitable schemes for Express stores. However, these often never materialise. Until an agreement is reached we would not comment on individual cases."

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The Tescopoly Alliance was launched in June 2005 to highlight and challenge the negative impacts of Tesco's behaviour along its supply chains both in the UK and internationally, on small businesses, on communities and the environment. The campaign also advocates national and international legislation needed to curb the market power of all the major British supermarkets.

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Reforms to the Planning System

Our beloved Government is thinking of changing the Planning System. By and large property developers love the proposals, and groups like the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust are against them. That tells me a lot.

The National Trust have an online petition and plenty of background information, posters etc. so pop over and have a look.

For decades England's planning system has protected much loved places from harmful development – and steered development to the places where it's needed. If you care about preserving the places important to you, make your voice heard before October 12th.

Click here to find out more.

Trust proposes economic vision for future of Herne Bay pier

It was the end of the pier show this week as wreckers finally moved in to start demolishing Herne Bay's Pier Pavilion. But the big question now is: what will replace it?

Members of the town's Pier Trust were given a glimpse into the future at its second annual meeting at Herne Bay Junior School. One of the few suggestions was a marina. Trust treasurer Jason Hollingsworth told the gathering of more than 100 members:

"The original pier, almost a mile long, was built to accommodate steamships. Any replacement must have an economic purpose and be able to provide a long-term revenue stream for the future. A deep water marina is one possibility, but everything is being considered and nothing has been ruled out."

But the marina idea held little water for businesswoman Carol Chance. The health and safety consultant admitted:

"I am a little disappointed, frankly. What's the vision? I'm astounded that there are still only 400 members of the Trust."

She rejected the idea of a marina saying the town could not accommodate larger yachts. Even city council leader John Gilbey admitted:

"Marinas are not famous for making money. And you only have to stand on the end of the current pier to see how shallow the water is. The pier trust is taking exactly the right, methodical approach for the future. We'll see what happens."

The meeting started with a slick video explaining the importance of the pier to the town. Regeneration of the pier is expected to come in two stages. The first will be finding things for the "pier stub" which will be left after the pavilion is knocked down. Heron Conservative councillor Joe Howes said:

"We could have dancing. The town is full of dance schools. We could also pitch a Big Top circus tent there with a Ferris wheel, helter-skelter and stage 'birdman' competitions. This could be a vintage, retro pier with a farmers' market."

The trust is still raising money to carry out another feasibility study and has £15,000 in the bank. Accountant Mr Hollingsworth stressed:

"We don't want to present a half-baked cake and then have it collapse!"

Trustee and original founder Andy Newell said:

"There are a range of funds available. We are hoping to get rent from the windfarm from the Crown Estates. There are EU regeneration funds available. But first we need a very clear business plan and that's what we're working on."

thisiskent 19th Sep 2011

Village Green: how you can help

Two years ago, I applied to Kent County Council to register the Downs as a Village Green. In November this year, Kent County Council will be holding a public inquiry to decide whether to register the Downs as a Village Green.

If we’re successful, Canterbury City Council will have to continue maintain the Downs, but they won’t be able to sell the land, build on it, or use some of it for car parking as was suggested for the King’s Hall end.

Village Green status will protect the Downs as an open space for Herne Bay people to use for freely and free of charge forever… just as we use it today.

To succeed in persuading Kent Council to register the Downs as a Village Green, we need people like you to come along to the public inquiry to tell the independent inspector about the use you make of the Downs.

Can you help us?

The Public Inquiry will run from Monday 28^th November until Friday 2^nd December, and will start with hearing evidence from people, like you, who have used the Downs. The 28^th and 29^th of November have been set aside for hearing evidence, although we may need longer if lots of people want to have their say. We would like to hear about:

• how long you have been using the Downs;
• what use you may have made of it in the past, particularly if your use of the Downs has changed over the years;
• how frequently you use, or have used, the Downs.

The idea is that the inquiry will be pretty informal. You can bring along with you anyone you like. Indeed, if you know anyone else who would like to talk at the inquiry about how they use the Downs, do let us know!

Your “slot” should last a maximum of 30 minutes. We would need you to be there a bit before you’re due to speak, simply because some people may take less time to have their say than we had imagined and so we might need you to do your bit before the time we originally had booked you for.

We particularly need to hear from people who use the eastern half (i.e. the half nearest Reculver) as Canterbury Council is claiming that people don’t use this end of the Downs.

If you can help us, we can help you to write a short statement that you can read out at the hearing in November. We need to get the statements completed by late October.

Please help us if you possibly can. Despite the fact that we produced 1,181 questionnaires proving that local people have used the Downs for over twenty years, Canterbury is challenging this and is insisting that we produce people at the inquiry to testify that they actually use the Downs.

Without a convincing number of local people willing to come along and do that, we won’t be able to register the Downs as a Village Green, and Canterbury will be free to do whatever it likes with our land.

If you can help, do let me know by:

• emailing me on SaveOurDowns@gmail.com
• or phoning me on 07970 405678 or 01227 365942
• or writing to me at Phil Rose, 56 Beacon Hill, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6JN.

Thank you in advance. We’re now in the home straight of a process that we started over two years ago. Please help us with this last bit if you can!

Spam Scams

Like most people, I get a steady stream of spam emails promising me unexpected wealth from unlikely sources. Most of these are so absurd (and so poorly written) that I'm astonished anyone is ever taken in by them, but they do have some entertainment value in their own right...

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Dear Friend,

I am Dr. John C.C Chan a Korean Republc, happily married with children, and i am a Director of Hang Seng Bank Ltd, in charge of the International Remittance department. I have a confidential business you of 25.5 million dollars for you.

Please endeavour to reply me if interested johnccchan9@aol.com

Thanks,

Best Regard,

Dr. John C.C Chan.

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Complement of the day

I am Mr Song Lile. I have a business proposal worth $19.5m where am needing your assistance. For more details, email me at  (song.li28@yahoo.com.hk) or you can also reach me on my mobile +85295348675

Kind Regards,

Mr. Song Lile.

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I am Mr. Ming Yang,I have an obscured business suggestion for you.Your services will be paid for.Contact ming_yang33@live.com

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Email Winning Result 2011****.

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Dear Mr/Mrs,

Thank you for opening my email now. Do not click on reply button, just send your email to me on: barr.peters_smith2@yahoo.com

In short, I am Barr. Peters Smith(a layer by profession and Chattered accountant), working for the Ziraat Bankasi Bank of Turkey as the present External Auditor. And so just last week, I discovered a very large sum of money belonging to a late customer of the bank.

This account has been dormant for a very long time since 1999 (12years now). The Investigation and personally research I have conducted shows that he died along his entire family in a fatal plane crash 12years ago and has left nobody to benefit the funds totaling 11.3 Million GBP.

So I am contacting you having found your email address and am proposing if you will be interested to stand in as the next-of-kin. I have all the legal documents to put you forward as the sole beneficiary of the funds, being a barrister at law.As well all files purporting to the funds in the bank are in my possession so you do not have even one little  cause to worry about.

All you have to compensate me with will come as your personal will. I am not going to task you. If I can not see any one to stand in, then my bank will send the money to the bank treasury as unclaimed funds.

Looking to receive from you with these details to proceed.

Full Name.....................

Sex...........................

Age.......................

Occupation....................

Mobile No.....................

Email Address.......

Residential Contact...........

Marital Status................

Region...............

State and Nationality.........

With kind regards, Call me on:+44-70-4573-9682. Email me on:

barr.peters_smith2@yahoo.com

Barr. Peters Smith

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Good morning,

I am Barrister Mrs. Jen See, an attorney at law.

I hope that you will not expose or betray this trust.

I need your urgent assistance in transferring a huge sum of money immediately to your  account. (amount undisclosed for security reason).

I will send you full details on how the Project will be executed; I want you to furnish me with this detail’s:

(1)NAME..............

(2)AGE:................

(3)SEX:....................

(4)PHONE NUMBER:.................

(5)OCCUPATION :....................

(6)YOUR COUNTRY:....................

Please note that this is legitimate,if you get any similiar mail from someone please do not reply.

After transaction you and i will Share the money between ourselves,the percentage will be discuss later.

Best regards,

BARRISTER MRS.JEN SEE.

(Attorney at Law)

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OFFICAIL LETTER..

William Wilcox cleomir@inpa.gov.br

God Day,

My names are Mr William Wilcox, I work in the Euro Lottery. I am soliciting your assistance for a swift transfer of £4,528,000GBP, should you be willing to assist me in this project, you will be giving me just 30% of your winnings. contact my below private e-mail: williamwilcox123@live.co.uk

Regards,

William Wilcox

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Mr Muhammad Fariq

Mr. Muhammad Fariq mrmuhammadfariq01@gmail.com via yahoo.com

Dear Friend,

I am Mr Muhammad Fariq the head of file department of Bank of Africa (B.O.A) here in Burkina Faso / Ouagadougou. In my department we discover an abandoned sum of (US$18mllion US Dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer who died along with his family in plane crash.

It is therefore upon this discovery that I now decided to make this business proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for the safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it. I agree that 40% of this money will be for you, while 60% would be for me. Then after the money is been transferred into your account, I will visit your country for an investment under your kind control.

You have to contact my Bank directly as the real next of kin of this deceased account with next of kin application form. You have to send me those your information below to enable me use it and get you next of kin application form from bank, so that you will contact Bank for the transfer of this money into your account.

Your Full Name....................

Your Home Address.................

Your Age..........................

Your Handset Number...............

Your Occupation...................

I am waiting for your urgent respond to enable us proceed further

for the transfer.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Muhammad Fariq

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My Dear,

My name is Larissa Ijere Paul, 21years old originated from Guinea Bissau. I decide to contact you after my prayers, I really want to have a good relationship with you. My father Dr.Ijere Paul was the former Minister for SPLA Affairs and Special Adviser to President Salva Kiir of South Guinea for Decentralization. My father Dr.Ijere Paul and my mother including other top Military officers and top government officials had been on board when the plane crashed on Friday May 02, 2008.

After the burial of my father, my uncle conspired and sold my father's properties to a Chinease Expatriate and live nothing for me. On a faithful morning, I opened my father's briefcase and found out the documents which he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank in Burkina Faso with my name as the next of kin. I travelled to Burkina Faso to withdraw the money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself. On my arrival, the Branch manager of the Bank whom I met in person told me that my father's instruction to the bank was the money be release to me only when I am married or present a foreigner trustee who will help me and invest the money in overseas.

I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well, I will say that my mind convinced me that you are the true person to help me. More so, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my uncles have threatened to assassinate me. The amount is $5.7 Million and I have confirmed from the bank in Burkina Faso. You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country. So my dear I decided to run to one Christian camp in Burkina Faso where I am presently seeking hiding now since I will go back to my country Guinea Bissau because my uncle will killed me if. I wish to contact you personally for a long term relationship and investment assistance in your Country. My father of blessed memory deposited the sum of US$5. 700, 000.00 in a Bank with my name as the next of kin as told you. That is why she planned to take way my life to enable him claim the money in the bank.

However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it till I come over because I am afraid of my wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me. I will send you my picture in my next email and tell you more about me. Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Miss Larissa Ijere Paul

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ATTN;

Complement of this season. I am Mr. Zuofu from Hong Kong, i have a client that made a fixed deposit of $ 55M USD in my bank branch and he died with his entire family leaving no next of kin, am ready to share 50/50 with you if you decide to stand as my late client next of kin, then kindly furnish me immediately with the following information for further details.

1, Full name / Age

2, Address

3, Mobile. number

4, Fax number

Please be informed that this transaction will be legally put in place  to guaranteed you 100% safe and risk free, be rest assured

Waiting for your kind reply.

Sincerely,

C.zuofu

Hong Kong

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Attention Customer,

There is an issue involving $900,000 USD which was called to Our Bank(Eco Bank) from THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE concerning your compensation of  $900,000.00 USD has been forwarded to Western Union Money Transfer and An instruction has come directly from Mr.Jona Akim of Ministry Of Finance.

He asked us to start sending your fund installmentally $5000 per a day through western union money transfer.This type of transfer means you will be recieving  $5000 every day through western union until the total of $900,000 USD is completely transfered to you.

Today,our bank has effected your first payment of $5000 through western union. Now you have to Contact Rev Paul O.Sawadogo on his contact below as he is the person incharge of your payment.

The Western union Agent is:

Name: Rev Paul O.Sawadogo

Email:unite@fastservice.com

Tel 00226 70 52 23 72,

Money sent Through Cornelis Zwaagstra, amount sent $5,000.00 to you today. So contact Rev Paul O.Sawadogo on above email address and tell him to give you  needed information and also for him to help you pick the $5,000.00.

Recomfirm your address

(1)Your Full name: ................

(2)Your Phone number: ...................

(3)Your Contact address: ..................

(4)Your Country :.......................

contact Rev Paul O.Sawadogo ASAP on how to get the payment information,

Yours in Service.

Ouagadougou Burkina Faso

Mrs Faith Traore,

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An arab (IRAQ)made a fixed deposit of $24,500.000.00 in my bank branch  where am a director and he died with his entire family in the war leaving behind no next of kin,if you  choose to stand as my deceased client's next of kin. if interested mail me at the address below:

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My associate has helped me to send your first payment of $7,500 USD to you as instructed by Mr.David Cameroon the United Kingdom prime minister after the last G20 meeting that was held in United Kingdom, making you one of the beneficiaries. Here is the information below.

MTCN Numbers: 6096147516

Sender First Name Johannes

Second Name Davis

I told him to keep sending you $7,500 USD twice a week until the FULL payment of (£820000.00 Dollars) is completed.

A certificate will be made to change the Receiver Name as stated by the British prime minister, send your Full Names and phone number via Email to: Mr Garry Moore Email:wuclaims_01@yahoo.co.jp

You cannot pickup the money until the certificate is issued to you.

Regards

Mr. Garry Moore.

Tel: +(44) 703 596 3900.

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Dear Friend,

For your kind attention. I will be very glad if you do assist me to relocate this sum of (US$10.5M) to your account for the benefit of our both families.

This is a genuine business,only i cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner who will stand as a beneficiary to the money, that is why i decided to contact you in a good manner to assist me and also to share the benefit together with me.

By indicating your interest I will send you the full details on how the business will be executed.

Please keep this proposal as a top secret and delete if you are not interested.

Regards,

Mr.Jonathan Dambo

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Kindest Attention,

I am Mrs Grace Smith, A Portugal national,i have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live. I am very rich, but was never generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations, they refused and kept the money.

I have a huge cash deposit of Twenty Million dollars with a finance House abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations. You will take out 30% of these funds for your assistance and Effort.

Please send me the following details:

[1] Full Names:

[2] Contact address:

[3] Direct Telephone

[4] Date of birth:

[5] Occupation:

{6} Self Identification.

Regards,

Mrs Grace Smith.

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My Dearest,

Good day to you, I have decided to contact you after much thought considering the fact that we have not meet before, but because of the circumstance oblige me, I decided to contact you due to the urgency of my present situation here in the refugee camp, I am Miss Jenny Kipkalya Kones, 25yrs old female and I from Kenya here in Africa; my father was the former Kenyan road Minister. He and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya. The plane crashed on Tuesday 10th, June, 2008. After the death of my beloved father my wicked step mother along with my uncles team together and sold everything that my late father had and share the money within themselves. Unfortunately to me I fined my father's briefcase and when I opened it I found a document, which my late father use to deposit the sum of Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($8.500.000.00) in International Micro De Finance Bank, here in Burkina Faso West Africa with my name as next of skin, right now I am in Ouagadougou Capital of Burkina Faso to withdraw the money so that i can start a better life and also further my education.

But on my arrival to the Bank, the Bank foreign Operation Department Director whom I meet in person told me that my father instruction to their bank is that the fund would only be release to me when I am married or present a trustee/partner who will help me and invest the fund overseas after the transfer, and the bank ask me to go and look for a foreign partner, that was why  I decided to contact you, which I believe that you are going to be honest and reliable person that will help me and stand as my trustee/partner, so that I can present you to the Bank for the release and transfer of the inheritance fund into your bank account in your country, and It is my intention to compensate you with 40% of the total fund for your services and help and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest i will put things into action, in the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction, awaiting your urgent and positive response, Please do keep this only to your self, i beg you not to disclose it to any body till i come over because am afraid of my wicked stepmother, i will send you my picture in my next email, with due respect, i am pleading that you help me, i am giving all this detailed information with every transparency believing that you will have a clear picture of the base of help i need from you.

I hope to hear from you soon, May truth and love be the guiding word in my refuge,

Best regard,

Yours Sincerely

Jenny Kipkalya Kones.

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FROM THE DESK OF MR ALHAJI JABURU,

DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF AUDITING

AND ACCOUNTING SECTION

BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)

OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO,

WEST AFRICA,

Dear Friend,

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise as we never met before. I am the Director in charge of Auditing section of Bank of African (B.O.A), I Hoped that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that I am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of our both families. I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of Ten million united state dollars ($10.000.000m USD) immediately to your account.

The fund has been dormant (in-active) for 5 years in our Bank here without any body coming for it. I want to apply for release of the fund to you as the nearest person to our deceased customer Mr. George Brumley Jr from Atlanta America (the owner of the account) who died a long with his supposed next of kin in air crash since on July 21 2003. I don't want the fund to go into our Bank treasury as an abandoned fund, so this is the reason why I contacted you, so that my Bank will release the fund to you as the nearest person to the deceased customer. view the website for more information about the deceased. (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/21/Worldandnation/12_Americans_die_in_K.shtml)

Please I would like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete it if you are not interested. Upon receipt of your reply, I will send you the application form you will fill and send to the bank for transfer of the fund into your bank account and also note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned amount if you agree to help me execute this business. And also 10% had been mapped out for you for the expense you will make in this transaction and 50% is for me. I need you information so that I will send you the application form.

YOUR FULL INFORMATIONS

Your Name.

Your Home Addresses.

City.

Country.

Home Telephone.

Private Telephone.

Fax No.

Marital Status.

Age.

Occupation.

Religion.

Your picture.

Waiting for your urgent reply so that we will starts immediately,

Best Regards,

MR ALHAJI JABURU,

(B.O.A) BANK OF AFRICA

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FROM MR.JAMES KUMALO

AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT

FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT

CAPITEC BANK SOUTH AFRICA

(CAPITEC)ANNEX JOHANNESBURG

Private Email: jkumalo77@blumail.org

Dear Friend.

This Message Might Meet You In Utmost Surprise,However, It's Just My Urgent Need For Foreign Partner That Made Me to Contact You For This Transaction .I am a Banker By Profession With (CAPITEC BANK)South Africa And Currently Holding a Post As The Director Of Auditing And Accounting Unit Of The Bank.I Have The Opportunity Of Transferring The LeftOver Funds($18.5Million)Originally Owned By One Of My Bank Clients MR.KURT KAHLE Who Died Along With His Entire Family On 31 July 2000 In a Plane Crash. You Can Confirm Genuinely The Deceased's Death By Clicking On This Web Site http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Meanwhile The Whole Arrangement And Directives Needed to Put Claim Over This Funds As TheBona-fide Next of Kin to The Deceased Will Be Forwarded to You Upon Your Acceptance.Information Will Be Relayed to You as Soon as You Indicate Your Interest andWillingness to Assist Us And also Benefit Your Self to This Great Business Opportunity.

Hence,I am Inviting You For a Business Deal Where This Money Can Be Shared Between Us In The Ratio Of 60% For Me and 30% For You,While 10% Is Mapped Out For Expenses If you agree to my Proposal.Please,This has To Be Private and Confidential as I am Still In Service and Intend to Retire From Service after I Conclude This Deal With You.I Will be Monitoring The Whole Situation here In The Bank Until You Confirm The Money Is In Your Account and ask me to come over to Your Country For Subsequent  Sharing of the Funds According to Percentage Previously Indicated and Further Investment,Either In Your Country Or Any Other Country You May advice me to invest in. All other necessary Information Will be Sent to You When I Hear From You.I Suggest You get back to me as soon as possible stating Your Willingness In This Deal.

Furthermore Please Contact me Through My Private Email Address above For More Info:

Regards

Mr.James Kumalo

Email: jkumalo77@blumail.org

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Herne Bay's political future

The boundaries of the electoral wards are being redrawn, in the hope of making the constituencies more uniform in size. As a by-product of the exercise, we'll end up with slightly fewer MPs. Our beloved Roger Gale will find that his consituency has been cut in two: here's what they have in mind for Herne Bay end:

 and here's what will happen at the Margate end:

Curiously, Canterbury will include Faversham:

Here's what the Boundary Commission for England have to say for themselves:

The 2013 Review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries will introduce substantial changes. It will reduce the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 502 and make sure that each constituency has a similar number of registered electors.

Why do we want your views?

The final shape of the new constituency boundaries will be informed by consultation. We encourage you to comment, whether in support of or objection to our initial proposals – we will consider all representations fairly and may revise the constituency boundaries as a result.

How can I get involved?

You can have your say in one of two ways: in writing (either by using the online form, by emailing us at reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to the Boundary Commission for England); or by attending a public hearing in your region.

All representations will be published on this website in spring 2012 for further comment. Any revisions will be published in autumn 2012 and may be subject to a further consultation before we make our final recommendations by 1 October 2013. You can find more details about the conduct of the 2013 Review by reading A guide to the 2013 Review.

Friendly fire?

Across Herne Bay there are arched eyebrows, knowing looks, thoughtful "hmmm's" and I-told-you-so's.

The very thorough fire that gutted the Bun Penny in the small hours of 1st September was no accident.

The Kent Fire experts have decided that "an accelerant" was involved, so Kent Police are treating it as arson, and are asking for witnesses... see below for details.

What next for The Burnt Penny? Clearly it's a shell, but it's unclear whether the shell is solid or unsafe. Is it worth keeping or restoring? It's a prime location, but hadn't (apparently) been very successful as a pub for a while. Any and all suggestions welcome.

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Kent Police has confirmed that it is treating a blaze which severely damaged the Bun Penny pub in Central Parade, Herne Bay, as arson. The building was empty at the time and no-one was injured in the blaze. The fire was discovered at about 1am on Thursday 1 September. Detective Inspector Nick Greenan said:

'Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s fire investigation team have now completed their report and we are satisfied the fire was started deliberately using an accelerant.'

Were you in the area on Wednesday night?

'We are appealing for anyone who was in the area on Wednesday night and saw someone going to or leaving the building to contact us immediately. Because an accelerant was used to start the fire it is likely it took hold fairly quickly so the crucial times are between about midnight and 1am.'

Can you help?

If you have information phone Kent Police on 01622 690690 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number EY/14335/11.

Bun Penny PH, Herne Bay

As it was

Toasted Bun

Apparently the Bun Penny burned last night.

The emergency services were still there at 6am. Hopefully nobody hurt - I think the upstairs was residential.

I'm told the place is now a windowless, roofless shell. And this is after spending months and £,000's refurbishing. Hope the insurance was up to date.

More anon.

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As it is

Struck by lightning or struck by matches?

Nobody was hurt.

Currently being treated as suspicious...

Apparently the building is "locally listed", presumably because of its age, history, and being in the conservation area. Local listing doesn't, however, offer the same level of protection as being a Listed Building.

As others have noted, there's a real risk that this could be a boarded up blot on the townscape for some time (years?) before anyone gets round to doing anything about it... Car park? Flats?