John Gilbey's blueprint for Herne Bay

The Leader of our Council has produced a blueprint for debate. As he says:

Cllr John Gilbey

As a member of the City Council for 11 years and as Portfolio Holder for Regeneration for 9 years, I have had a unique insight into many issues across the District and the County.

I don’t have all the answers to questions that are asked and would never make such a claim, but I would like to use my years of accumulated knowledge to present my ideas for the future of the Canterbury District.

This is not a plan, or a proposal, these are merely my own personal thoughts, a blueprint to encourage meaningful debate on these issues. This is a document to encourage you to write to me with your views and opinions, to stimulate positive ideas on the ways forward for all of us.

After a little chat about how in love with the Local Plan he is, and how we will all be living in "garden towns", basking in the glow of "sustainable urban design", Cllr Gilbey goes on to focus on specific areas.

Here's what he has to say about Herne Bay [with my comments] - do feel free to add your own comments below.

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Herne Bay

The council will complete the town centre upgrade [after how many years, while you were portfolio holder for regeneration?] including moving the market and preserving some of the buildings currently in a state of decay [examples?]. There is a need to re-open some disused buildings and homes [examples?], and tax second homes appropriately [why, how, and how much?].

A proposal to open up Beach Street and rejuvenate that environment will also be completed [completed? has planning been approved?] as part of the upgrading of the town and in that context the sea front itself should be the subject of renewal/upgrading with analysis and decisions to be taken in the light of local views and aspirations [NO! it should be DRIVEN by local views and aspirations] on the future purpose of such an attractive location. We should widen the appeal and facilities of Herne Bay even further to encourage both tourism and business to provide local jobs.

We will have a solid foundation for a greater marketable attraction with all these planned developments. I strongly believe we should also support the Pier head activities [I think you mean the Pier stub - your Council has long since admitted it has no intention of rebuilding to the Pier head], satisfactorily resolve the future of the Museum [after YOUR Council cut its opening hours, following YEARS of neglect] and continue protection for the Downs [your Council is the ONLY objector to the village green application - village green status is the greatest possible protection under English law]. King's Hall needs to be fully supported in its endeavours to become a self supporting venue for events while providing community facilities. The replacement of the Beach Huts at the base of the Downs should also be part of the package [NEVER!].

The Roman fort remains at Reculver need to be enhanced and protected. The general environment of the coast at Reculver needs firm and direct action to provide an environment worthy of the history, nature, culture and attraction of this unique area [yes, it could be a great place for a caravan site...]. Overall Herne Bay should strive to be a modern vibrant town that provides attractions and facilities for residents and tourists, both taking advantage of the seaside location. The Bends should always be protected as a valuable green gap and open space.

This council has, over the last 9 years made huge progress in Herne Bay and this is often forgotten about. We have renovated the clock tower (with the recent announcement there is much more renovation to come) [so how good was your first renovation?] and sea front flood defences [er, no - this was Environment Agency funded], we have enhanced the whole concept and environment of Memorial Park, designated large Queen Elizabeth II Fields which permanently protects green open spaces from development [it affords no such protection - QEII land can be developed on, if a matching area nearby is provided as a replacement - in contrast, a village green can NOT be developed, which is why the Council is objecting], upgraded the Leisure Centre facilities and cleared the pier head [knocked down a building which had become unsafe through Council neglect, and put down a poor tarmac surface]. We have built a sports centre at Herne Bay High School incorporating a roller hockey rink while also encouraging and supporting local involvement throughout. We have prepared an Area Action Plan for the Town Centre and work is now underway. With residents there is much to be done still to preserve and enhance the ambiance and economic well being of the Town but we are well on our way.

Queen Victoria fills the King's Hall

The King's Hall was packed - a fantastic sight. It gladdens my heart to see people getting involved in local issues, and the turnout this evening was clear evidence of the importance of QVMH to our town. 

Congratulations to Gillian Fowler, and the League of Friends of QVMH, and a swarm of others around town for alerting us to the proposals, spreading the message, and mobilising support so effectively.

View fullsize

The King's Hall - full to capacity with people wanting to save Outpatient Services at QVMH.

Some of those who couldn't squeeze in

About 15 minutes before the meeting was due to start, the Hall was at capacity. There were some helpful women (from the Trust, I think) acting as bouncerettes, and patiently explaining that for Health & Safety reasons the later arrivals would have to stand in the lobby and listen as best we could to the presentations.

Apparently they were expecting "about a hundred people to turn up", but they got about 500. Not their first miscalculation, I fear.

There were several councillors milling about, both in and outside the Hall. I'm sure they all registered the strength of popular opinion (i.e. number of voters) and will make a principled stand to support our hospital, or at least jump on the bandwaggon.

The good news is that the Trust have sensibly decided to hold another meeting to cater for those who couldn't get in today, or couldn't face the rubbish weather. No date has been set yet - I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

Celebrating the King's Hall's 100th birthday

At 6pm on 10th July, the Centenary Exhibition in the King’s Hall foyer will open, and it will run until 22nd July. It will feature an illustrated history of the King’s Hall and a special section devoted to residents’ memories of the Hall through the years.

To coincide with the exhibition, there will also be two book launches.

Mike Bundock of the Historical Records Society will launch his latest book - "The Kings Hall Herne Bay - Celebrating 100 years". Drawing on Mike's extensive rearch and detailed knowledge, and using pictures from the HBHRS archive and Mike's own collection, this is a fascinating illustrated history of the King's Hall from construction to the present day.

Sylvia McKean of the Herne & Broomfield Local History Group will be launching "Coronations and Coronets” which relates how Herne villagers and schoolchildren celebrated Coronations, Jubilees, Royal visits, from Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee in 1887 to Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The Brand New Heavies head for Herne Bay

The next big name confirmed to play the King’s Hall in Herne Bay is chart-topping acid jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies.

The band come to Herne Bay on Friday 5 July as part of their tour to promote their first new studio album in seven years, ‘Forward’, featuring original vocal collaborator N’Dea Davenport and new vocalist Dawn Joseph.

Over the years, The Brand New Heavies have been responsible for some of the UK’s biggest soul and R&B tracks among their 16 top 40 singles, including ‘Dream on Dreamer’, ‘Midnight at the Oasis’ and ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, and have sold more than two million albums.

Support comes from Bassment Project, a collective of some of the UK’s hottest musicians who have toured and recorded with artists such as Wretch 32, Jessie J, Rizzle Kicks, Dionne Bromfield and Incognito, to name a few.

Early booking is recommended as tickets are expected to sell fast. For more details or to book, go to the Canterbury Ticket Shop website or call 01227 787787.

CCC 17th May 2013

Town Centre Manager's report: 21st May 2013

1. Introduction

This report is for information.

2. Trading in Herne Bay

The first four months of the year have been difficult for traders, mainly due to the inclement weather and a national dip in retail sales. The May bank holiday weekend was the start of the tourist season, with lots of visitors to the town and seafront. The retail offer in the town is changing and we have seen two large retail units become vacant, Stead & Simpson’s in Mortimer Street and Odyssey in William Street. There has been a lot of interest in the units, but it appears that high rents are putting off interested parties.

Two new micro pubs have recently opened The Firkin Frog in Station Road and the Bouncing Barrel in Bank Street.

Beano’s in Mortimer Street has acquired Fusions Hair, the next door premises and will be extending the café.

Pizza Direct in Central Parade, have acquired Shore Play next door and will be opening a pizza restaurant.

Mushy Peas Fish & Chip Shop and Restaurant opened in Central Parade; Dolcies have re-located to new premises in William Street and the former Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant is under new management.

3. Independent Business

Nigel Handcock from Grass Media has formed the Herne Bay Independent Retailers Group to actively promote independent businesses in the town. The TCM is working with the group to offer support and to advise and assist in creating events for the National Independent Traders week in July.

4. Free Car Parking Trial

Throughout April the city council trialled free parking in the Kings Road Car Park for cars parked up to 11am, Monday to Friday. This offer attracted more people to the car park, with a 66% increase in cars parked at these times in April compared to March. (1048 cars parked in the car park until 11am for the month of April, averaging 35 cars per day).

5. Christmas Lights 2013

Herne Bay Community Group Projects Ltd are taking over management of the existing Christmas Lights. They are currently fund raising and hope to create an outstanding display in Herne Bay next Christmas. Depending on the success of their funding drive they hope to increase the displays in the town to include Mortimer Street, William Street and High Street. Other community groups including: Herne Bay Town Partners, Herne Bay in Bloom, Bay Promo Team and Beach Creative are supporting this work.

6. Events

• Sci-Fi by the Sea: 16 June 2013 organised by the Bay Promo Team.
• Kings Hall Centenary Celebrations: throughout July 2013
• Herne Bay Carnival 10th August 2013
• Herne Bay Festival: 17th – 25 August 2013, organised by Same Sky. Forty people attended the recent meeting called by Same Sky, the organisers of this year’s Herne Bay Festival. The majority of the attendees were from local community groups.
• Herne Bay Motor Show Sunday 18 August 2013, organised by Herne Bay Town Partners.

Contact Officer: Chris West Telephone: 01227 868515

Our first Beer Festival

Drinkers can raise their very own Herne Bay glass at the town's first beer festival.

The event will take place at the Kings Hall next month, with 20 real ales and five ciders available to try.

There will also be ten live bands playing, from the books of Herne Bay Music, and the venue's bar will be open and serving a special Kings Hall cocktail as well as more traditional options.

Organiser Rose O'Brien said:

"We are trying to broaden the events on offer at the Kings Hall, and as we haven't had a beer festival so far we thought we should try one. If it is successful we are going to do it twice a year, and although we are starting small we will build it each time. It should be a really fun day, and we are hoping for good weather so people can spill out onto the seafront."

Kings Hall glasses will be on sale for £2 at the door, and can be kept as a souvenir or returned for a refund, and all beer and cider costs £3.50 a pint. Rose added:

"We want to build our network of local breweries, so if anyone wants to get in touch for next time that would be great. We're really excited about it and I hope the town will give it their support."

Suppliers already confirmed include Goody Ales from Herne, Nelsons in Chatham, Biddenden cider, Whitstable Brewery and Broomfield Orchard cider, and all the ale and cider will be from independent Kent breweries.

Local bands will also be playing, including Spex, The Merchants, Wireless, Sawsound and The Doctorates.

• Saturday, June 22 will cost £4.50, open from noon to 11pm.
• Sunday, June 23 will cost £3.50, open from noon to 9pm.
• Tickets can be bought in advance or on the door.

thisiskent 13th May 2013

Inspirational Herne Bay

Marcel Duchamp having a bit of a think

How Herne Bay reinvigorated a famous French artist

When influential French artist Marcel Duchamp arrived in Herne Bay, he was considering giving up art, but after four weeks in the town he returned to Europe full of new ideas.

His time in Herne Bay will be celebrated with a three-week festival starting at the end of July, featuring exhibitions, talks, and a schools programme in which Bay youngsters produce their own works of art to display. Organiser Sue Austen said:

"Marcel Duchamp has been voted the most influential artist of the 21st century but when he arrived in Herne Bay at the beginning of August 1913 he was just 26 and deeply depressed by the reception his last major painting, Nude Descending a Staircase, had received at the Armory Show in New York.

He was here to chaperone his sister Yvonne who was studying English at Lynton College. He contemplated giving up art forever, but after four short weeks Duchamp returned to Europe, refreshed and intellectually invigorated. Later that year he produced the first kinetic sculpture, Bicycle Wheel, published his ideas on objets trouvés and created the totally unique Three Standard Stoppages.

The art world reeled from his new ideas – our town often has this effect on people."

Sue, who together with Jason Hollingsworth make up the BayGuide team behind the festival, said the aim was to show that Herne Bay was still a special place.

An exhibition of work by invited local artists will be curated by David Cross and staged at Beach House, the Bay Art Gallery and the King's Hall, along with outdoor exhibitions and pop-up galleries.

There will also be a talk by Mike Bundock of Herne Bay Historical Records Society on what the town was like at the time, a sculpture trail curated by Karen Simpson and a symposium at the King's Hall curated by Duchamp expert Francis M Naumann.

For more information visit iamnotdead.co.uk or their Facebook site. The team will also tweet from @Duchamp_HB

Herne Bay Projects and Business Showcase

Yes, folks, it's party time again. This annual beano at the King's Hall is to all intents and purposes the Herne Bay town show. If you haven't been before, do give it a try - 6th March 2pm-7pm.

Local businesses tout their wares and some even give away little freebies. Local community groups strut their stuff and woo new members. Hundreds of people turn up to have a nose around, and wave at their friends and enemies. It's a hoot.

Stands available at Bay business exhibition

Businesses can raise their profile and reach new customers by taking out a stand at this year’s Herne Bay Business and Projects Showcase. The event, organised by the city council, takes place at the King’s Hall on Wednesday 6 March from 2pm to 7pm. It’s the sixth exhibition of its kind and has attracted more than 500 people in previous years.

Stands are just £50 per business, with discounts available for community and voluntary groups. The event will be an excellent way of making new contacts, networking with other businesses and finding out about current and future council and community projects in the town.

In addition this year there is a focus on employment, with partners such as Kent County Council, Job Centre Plus and the National Apprenticeship Service on hand to give advice and guidance on helping people into work.

Organisations already confirmed as attending are HSBC, Quinn Estates, Herne Bay Town Partners and the council’s Local Economy Team. This year’s event is being sponsored by East Kent College and Vattenfall.

The council’s Executive member for Herne Bay regeneration, Cllr Peter Lee, said:

"The business exhibition has now developed into one of the town’s most important events of the year. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate all that’s going on in Herne Bay, learn about future plans and form those business links that can make all the difference in the years ahead."

To enquire about stand availability at the exhibition, call Paul Spree on 01227 862532 or email paul.spree@canterbury.gov.uk

CCC 25 January 2013

Christmas message from the Pier Trust

Good News for the future of the Pier

Three trustees of the HB Pier Trust attended the executive meeting of Canterbury City Council last Thursday and although they arrived smarting from the negative vibes in the press about an ultimatum to "shape up or ship out", they were pleasantly surprised by the positive attitude of the councillors at the meeting. Anyone wanting to hear what actually happened and what was said can listen to the recording of the executive meeting on the CCC website.

Repairs to the Existing Pier

The first item on the agenda relating to the pier was what actions should be taken about the poor condition of the wood in the substructure - not the planks you see when you walk on the pier but the wooden joists underneath them. The Pier Trust and CCC had already discussed this problem and it was mutually agreed that the Trust is not in a position financially to tackle repairs on this scale. This was a major reason for the Pier Trust preferring the management of the pier to remain at present with the council. Until it has established the hut village as a regular source of income, it knows it is not ready to take on management of the pier.

The 4 options to fund the urgently needed repairs ranged from a 2 year patch-up to a major overhaul and the good news for Herne Bay and the Pier Trust is that the executive unanimously voted for the best option which will cost in the region of £200,000. It will be carried out in stages with minimal disruption to the short term plans to progress activities on the pier.

That Report!

Dawn Hudd, the Culture Officer’s report was the next item about the future of the pier and it also contained 4 options: close the pier, hand over management to the Pier Trust, CCC to retain management, or a combination of the latter two options. Both the CCC and Pier Trust favoured this recommended option 4 – that the CCC retain control including maintenance costs until the Pier Trust is in a sufficiently strong financial position to take over management. This, especially in the light of this year’s huge maintenance bill, is seen as the only realistic option for us this year.

The executive councillors expressed very supportive comments about the current Pier Trust. They wished us well with the plans we are submitting for a beach hut village up the leg of the pier. The executive viewed the pier as an integral part of the regeneration plans for Herne Bay. Mr John Gilbey, Leader of CCC, said he had attended our AGM and assured us that CCC did not want to stand in the way of any sustainable ideas and only wanted what was right for Herne Bay and the Pier. We three trustees thought the comments at the meeting fair and positive.

The Adventure Golf on the Platform

Last week, we met with Mr Cain to discuss his plans for a crowd-pulling tourist attraction on the tarmac of the platform. The Trust is happy to work together with Mr Cain and the beach hut village and the Smugglers’ Adventure Golf will be mutually beneficial this year both bringing in tourists and locals. There will still be full access for walkers to enjoy the walks on the pier. Mr Cain will be investing a large amount in the pier and hopes to attract over 5000 visitors to the pier in August. Maybe next winter we shall see the pier lit up with lights and a Christmas Market complete with Santa on the pier.

Looking forward to 2013

Thank you for all your support this year. Don’t believe all you read in the press – we have come to realise that a good story built on a few disconnected comments is often a priority for journalists – we are learning, with difficulty, to take it as modern media speak.

A special thank you goes to our volunteers who have been standing in the cold this month outside supermarkets meeting members, collecting subs, manning the office and the Santa’s grotto in the bandstand and doing so much to keep us going. Their help is much appreciated by us. Thank you.

The Office in the Pier Gallery on Central Parade is now up and running and we are in the process of sorting out the administrative problems that we have suffered in the last year. Hopefully 2013 will be a good year all round for the Trust.

We are moving the Wine and Wisdom date from the 4th of January to a later date as general opinion indicates that was too near Christmas. We shall email you the new date as soon as possible. The bands event specifically aimed at the younger audience will take place at the King’s Hall on Feb 9th and tickets will be available at £5 each in the New Year – we shall email you with details then.

If any Member wishes to stand themselves or wishes to nominate another Member to stand for the role of trustee next year we are looking specifically for members with expertise in the following areas : legal experience, promotional expertise, financial and fund-raising (big fund-raising!) expertise.

Lastly but by no means least come down to the Bandstand at the weekend and find out more about the 2013 on the Pier. We together with other community organisations will be there between 11:00am and 4:00pm. Santa will also be there so bring the kids or grandkids and they will receive a free gift. All we ask is that you bring a few tins of food as a donation to the parcels that will be given to the less fortunate at Christmas.

Happy Christmas

Doreen Stone & Joe Howes - Joint Chairmen

King's Hall features new live music

Herne Bay’s iconic King’s Hall will be featuring three well-known bands this summer.

Following the foyer refurbishment, The King’s Hall, paired with Herne Bay entertainment promoters Viva La Sociale, have booked quite the line up for this summer’s festivities. Featuring bands from across the nation, Herne Bay residents and visitors will be able to see some of their favourite musicians play live in their community.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary together, Irish rock group Ash have lost none of the energy that saw them debut on Top Of The Pops whilst awaiting their ‘A’ level results. On Thursday 31 May, Ash will take to the stage at The King’s Hall. This will be a performance to remember as on the following night they are supporting Coldplay at The Emirates Stadium in London.

Friday 29 June, Turin Brakes will be making their way to the stage, following the release of the album “Outbursts” and last autumn’s sell out “Optimist” LP anniversary tour. This gig promises to be full of their classics, dating back to 2001, and new releases. ” will be held prior to the band’s tour in South America.

Friday 24 August, Delays will be showcasing a back catalogue of songs, as well as new material, ensuring they’ll be bringing their signature playful energy to the stage. Taking place during the Herne Bay festival, this exclusive Friday night show, "Have Yourselves A Delays Road Trip Night".

Tickets and more information about these events are available from www.vivalasociale.co.uk

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=7589

HB Exhibition at King's Hall

There was commerce, campaigners, councillors and charities crammed into Herne Bay's Kings Hall for the town's annual business expo exhibition. It was opened by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury Ian Thomas on Wednesday. The city council's senior projects manager, Patrick Rynne, who helped to arrange the event, said:

"There were 46 businesses and 22 projects represented in the hall, with more than 500 visitors at the exhibition. Herne Bay should feel justifiably proud of the interest the town is attracting. This really highlighted the success stories we are seeing."

Herne Bay Pier Trust unveiled a multicoloured model of an extended pier. The trust's deputy chairman, Andrea Leach, who works tirelessly to raise funds for the charity, said:

"We are very excited about the summer on the pier platform and have some good events lined up. It was great to see the public's enthusiasm."

Herne Bay Coastwatch members, who scour the seas from the Old Bathing Station at weekends, were among those scouting for volunteers. They need spare hands to man the station on Fridays as they prepare for the summer season.

But there were also awkward moments. Coplan Estates, which is managing the stalled Herne Bay Central Development regeneration plan, was placed opposite new group Beach Creative. Beach Creative is dedicated to turning Beach House into a thriving artists' colony after the building – earmarked for demolition under the Coplan scheme – was given a reprieve.

The developer's Colin McQueston admitted:

"Three months ago things looked like they were stuck but we are tweaking the proposal and are at last beginning to have some renewed interest."

The artists looked on politely, wondering whether their new home will survive the summer.

thisiskent 30th Mar 2012

Council fights bid to turn Downs into Village Green

Canterbury council bosses were this week racking up a huge legal bill battling to keep control of picturesque land in Herne Bay. A five-day public inquiry to stop the Downs being granted Village Green status opened on Monday 28th November, with top London barrister Richard Ground fighting the city council’s corner against local campaigner Phil Rose.

Mr Rose wants the mile-long stretch between the Kings Hall and Bishopstone Glen to be made a Village Green – taking its control out of council hands and protecting it from development. He made the application in September 2009 after plans surfaced to build beach huts on the eastern side of the site.

The council refused to support the bid, but independent inspector Lana Wood will rule on the case after the inquiry ends on Friday. It is expected complicated legal issues about what the land is actually owned for will play a huge part in her decision.

Mr Rose has collected more than 1,000 questionnaires from people backing his fight, making it the most strongly-supported application for a Village Green ever made in England and Wales. To qualify for the status, land must have been used by locals for “lawful sports and pastimes” for at least 20 years.

Mr Rose told the inquiry those who answered questionnaires had used the land for as long as 86 years. He also listed more than 70 sports and pastimes the land is used for, including dog walking, football, sledding, sunbathing and bagpipe playing. He said:

“We have met every single one of the tests required to register the application land as a Village Green.”

Barrister Mr Ground said most of the Downs has been owned by the city council or previous public authorities since the Second World War – large parts for longer. He added the council had no intention of developing the land or stopping anyone from using it for recreational purposes.

HB Gazette 1st Dec 2011 joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

King's Hall wins the People's Millions

RESULT! The King's Hall is in line for £49,970 worth of rejuvenation, courtesy of the People's Millions.

The project will see students and staff of Canterbury College work with Herne Bay Conservation Trust to rejuvenate an Edwardian historic building, the King's Hall, overlooking the sea on the Downs at Herne Bay.

Students still seeking employment will gain two additional qualifications working on the project in scaffolding and Health and Safety. When completed, the old theatre foyer will provide an exhibition space and a cultural centre which the entrant states the town badly needs.

It will be used by students and local groups to showcase work in sculpture, art, photography and the College’s music students offer weekend performances.

Posted by mctrout on 23 Nov 2010
This would be a wonderful opportunity to make greater use of this splendid Edwardian building and rejuvenate the foyer area to create a more attractive community space.

Posted by The_Pitts on 23 Nov 2010
Herne Bay is in dire need of good community spaces. This project will provide an excellent venue for local organisations and the community as a whole.

The railings on the roof

"We had a problem with women jumping off the roof" - a phrase I never thought I would read.

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Emergency railings have been erected to stop people jumping off the roof of the Kings Hall. The city council has cordoned off part of the roof nearest the beach with a six-feet high cast-iron fence after a spate of death-defying incidents. At least two women have plunged off roof. One was found unconscious on the concrete below outside the theatre's entrance during a tea dance and had to be air-lifted to hospital. There have also been incidents of vandals throwing stones from the roof - which was once used as a band stand. One youth lost control of his skate-board which smashed into the rear window of a Ford Ka owned by one of the hall's staff. Tony Farrow, who runs Kings Caterers and books bands into the hall, said:

"The council has done a first class job. We had a problem with women jumping off the roof and vandalism. The vandalism has stopped since this fence went up. It is better for us and better for customers. It is a good thing."

Housewife Jill Smith, 46, who lives opposite the railings in Beacon Hill said:

"I've seen groups of five or six kids playing up there and doing tricks on their skateboards. It was worth putting the fencing up to protect them from hurting themselves. It doesn't look as nice as it did but at least the railings are the same old Victorian style like the rest of the area. I think the council has done the best they could to stop the problem."

But not everyone agreed. Another neighbour who did not want to be named said:

"I think it looks horrible. It looked so nice when there was a bandstand there in the old days. But now it looks like a prison. It doesn't do much good for Herne Bay's image having more fences and restrictions. It's not going to sort out the root of the problem. If kids want to get over that fence, they will just climb over it with their skateboards. In my opinion the main problem is kids drinking. They congregate all the way along here at all hours of the day and night. Why don't the authorities do something about them?"

Peter Vickery-Jones, the city council's executive member for property services, said:

"There is a high health and safety risk with the front section of roof on the Kings Hall. The existing railings were in a delicate condition and quite low. Young people have been jumping onto the kitchen roof below, things fall from the roof onto the promenade and the area suffers from extensive general vandalism. Skateboarders have to be responsible for their own actions but in this case we had to do something to make sure they are safe. We don't want to restrict everywhere kids go but they were damaging the roof and could have hurt themselves. Unfortunately, the dangers meant we could not leave it that way any longer. The vast majority of the roof area remains open and available for people to use."

He said ward councillors had been warned about the plans in the summer and there had been no objections. He added:

"We have a duty to protect people wherever possible and feel these measures are required for this reason."

HB Times 2009-10-20

Sell Museum to pay for Pier?

The report from Humberts Leisure angers the Museum campaigners, and doesn't please the Pier campaigners.

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Debate welcome on Pier future

Herne Bay’s Museum and Kings Hall should be sold off to pay for the redevelopment of town’s pier, a new report has suggested. The document, which was written for the city council by consultants Humberts Leisure at a cost of £10,000 reveals few developers are interested in working on the pier and suggests local firms may be the only hope.

The consultants recommend demolishing the pavilion building and using the empty pier structure as a performance or events space. A cafe, shops and entertainment venue could replace the hall, and collections in the museum could be relocated to the new pier.

The report said the museum building may be worth as much as £200,000. Council spokesman Rob Davies stressed no decision has been taken as yet to accept the report’s recommendations - which are likely to outrage campaigners still reeling from their failed fight to stop funding cutbacks to the museum. Campaigner Linda O’Carroll said:

“This suggests the council had no intention of saving Herne Bay museum and their review of its future counts for nothing. But we will continue to fight and at the moment we are investigating a lottery grant to help secure its future.”

The consultants admit redeveloping the pier will be expensive, and the council may need to find new ways of raising cash to fund the project - such as providing more beach huts along the seafront. Other suggestions include running an indoor children’s play centre and a Victorian-themed children’s ride, offering studios to artists and creating a water sports base. Proposals for a cinema, bowling alley and housing were ruled out. The consultants did not rule out connecting the two ends of the pier with an aerial ride of cable car-like pods.

The report concludes council should explore a long-term vision for the pier, “with a view to the reconstruction or restoration of the pier to its original length, or in a new form, in the longer term”. Councillors have agreed to move the sports facilities to Herne Bay High School and the Herons Leisure Centre site. Cllr Peter Lee, who chairs the town's regeneration panel, said:

“I welcome the publication of this report as the next step towards the regeneration of the pier. Subject to the relocation of the sports facilities, the report demonstrates that the pier has a significant future as an important visitor attraction at the heart of the town’s seafront. The report sets out positive and realistic options for consideration and I look forward to the debate in the town before the council takes any decisions.”

HB Times 2010-02-25