Eastry Village News
This page last updated: 01 February, 2012 11:15:42
Latest Trading Standards Alerts
TS Alert Argos Nodding Reindeer
Sports Grants in Dover District
Applications are invited from SPORTS CLUBS and / or INDIVIDUAL SPORTS PERFORMERS in the Dover District. (Click on links for application forms)
The application forms contain the necessary information about the criteria and also the application deadline dates (31st October 2011 and 28th February 2012).
Typical applications from clubs usually aim to:
- Increase the number of training opportunities for coaches, referees, committee members and club volunteers
- Deliver a project/initiative that increases participation in sport (regardless of age) with associated marketing
- Improve the Health & Safety within the club, e.g. funding for First Aid equipment, courses, etc.
Typical applications from individuals usually come from:
- An individual aspiring to represent their county/country/nation in their chosen sport.
For assistance or advice, please contact: Sarah Philpott on 01304 872446
Kent Downs Orchid Newspaper Seeks Contributions
The Kent Downs Orchid newspaper will be circulated to 35,000 people during November 2011 to March 2012. This edition will be edited by Sally Evans and the theme will be Food, Farming and the Landscape.
Wide-ranging and colourful stories by way of contribution are being sought from across the Downs. Lead stories of about 800 words, plus photographs, together with shorter pieces of up to 200 words plus photos are required.
Please contact Gill Bell, Office Manager, Kent Downs AONB on 01303 815170 or visit their website: http://www.kentdowns.org.uk
Want Better Broadband? Read on...
Kent County Council are seeking to find out what demand there is in the County for better, faster Broadband services.
Please register your view by clicking on the link below and entering the requested details:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/af3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=rubrTCEraCn
Kent Fire and Rescue Seek Volunteers...
Kent Fire and Rescue are looking for volunteers.
By working with us as a volunteer, you'll have the chance to save people from the terrible consequences of fire, flood and road accidents. You won't be a firefighter, but we'll train you to support our community in a range of activities, including...
* Community work to raise awareness of the services we offer
* Supporting fire station open days
* Raising awareness of risks in your community
* Helping firefighters on home visits where there are language /cultural barriers or extra support is needed
* Providing support to residents who have had smoke alarms fitted by third party agencies
We need all kinds of people, so if you're interested please contact us to find out more.
Call: 01622 692121 ext 6672 or Email:volunteering@kent.fire-uk.org
or visit www.kfrsvolunteers.info
Responsible Dog Ownership
Following reports of dogs biting people and attacking other dogs being walked by owners, Kent Police in Dover has released the following advice:
Key points in Responsible Dog Ownership
Train your dog in basic obedience so it is under control at all times.
Train your dog to go to the toilet at home - if your pet accidentally fouls in public make sure that you clean it up.
Always have a poop scoop or plastic bag ready when you walk your dog.
Make sure your dog is kept on a lead when in public. It is an offence for your dog to roam the streets. There are financial penalties if your dog is picked up by a dog warden and impounded.
Take your dog to the vet regularly for its vaccinations.
Ensure your dog receives a healthy well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise. A healthy pet is a happy pet and a happy pet is a loving companion.
Don't let your dog become a nuisance to your neighbours.
Make sure your dog has a collar and tag.
Worm your dog regularly and groom it frequently. Check for fleas on your dog and seek your vet's advice for treatment.
If you do not want your dog to have pups, make sure it is neutered.
If you are confronted by an angry dog, consider the following points:
-
Stop moving towards the dog -
Stay calm -
Talk to the dog calmly in a pleasant tone of voice -
Get something as solid as possible between you and the dog -
Watch the dog – but do not stare into his/her face -
You may need to move, either behind something or to get away from the dog -
Do not make sudden movements or run, just walk slowly away from the dog -
Fend the dog off rather than try to fight back -
Do not scream or yell -
Continue to walk slowly away, backwards or sideways, looking down and sideways.
If your dog is bitten, if there is concern for a dog or a noise issue, then contact your local authority. If you are bitten by a dog then please contact Kent Police on 01622 690690.
Living History Group Seeks Volunteers
212 Squadron Royal Air Force Living History Group, are a voluntary group of re-enactors who preserve the memory of those courageous men and women who fought during WW2 and in particular during the" Battle of Britain." We operate principally in in the Kent and Sussex area, and exhibit at various airfields, museums, WW2 events, i.e. Salute to the Forties at Chatham Dockyard, and schools. Members of the group have also participated in various film roles for the BBC. In addition for the last four years have been involved with the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust at Capel le Ferne, when many present serving RAF Officers come to meet us, as well as a number of famous fighter pilots, and veterans who served in the RAF.
We are looking to recruit several young ladies who would regard themselves of good appearance, between 18 - 30 yrs of age, who would be willing to join the group, re enacting the roles of women who served during WW2 in the Women's Axillary Air Force, WAAFs. These could include telephonists, plotting, typing, driving and rendering first aid to anyone who had sustained injuries during an airfield attack.
It would mean wearing a period uniform, and equipping yourself with the usual accessories, i.e. shoulder bag, gas mask and tin helmet. We would provide assistance as to where these could be obtained.
You can also contact us on 07840388581, or visit our web site. www.212Squadron.org
Kent Minerals and Waste Consultations: Community Notice
Following recent stakeholder events it was requested that there was further promotion of the chance for local communities to have their say on the current Minerals and Waste consultations. Notice of the consultations can be found here.
You can find a list of Minerals/Waste site submissions on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework websites for Minerals and Waste.
Please note the consultation includes all site proposals received from minerals and waste operators; we know not all of them will be suitable. We are seeking initial views and opinions on the sites to help us decide which sites should go into the final document and which should not.
You can view or comment on consultation documents online at: http://consult.kent.gov.uk/
More information on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework is available at: http://www.kent.gov.uk/mwdf.
Please contact the MWDF team (mwdf@kent.gov.uk) if you have any further queries.
Police Praise NHW Coordinator
Police in Dover are praising the actions of a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator who lives on the outskirts of Deal. His prompt action lead the the arrest of 4 males:
Alastair Ferguson,18 years from London Road, Deal
Harry Palmer, 18 years from Dover Road, Deal
Toby Shorter, 19 years from Matthews Close, Deal have all been charged with burglary and theft from motor vehicles.
One other male who cannot be named was also arrested. Several items of property, believed to be stolen, were recovered.
DC Williams, officer dealing, states, 'Due to the actions of a vigilant Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator 4 offenders have been arrested and 3 have been charged. This will put a stop to a recent spate of crime in the area. One phone call is all it took.'
This arrest follows a call made by the NHW coordinator to report a suspicious vehicle, the occupants of which were knocking on doors in the Deal area.
Please contact the NHW office on 01233 896126 if you have or you would like any further information.
You Could Help Save a Life
The most vulnerable members of our community are most at risk of being injured, or even dying, in a house fire - and, worst of all, it's nearly always preventable.
That is why Kent Fire & Rescue are asking Neighbourhood Watch members who have vulnerable friends, neighbours or relatives to pass on our "Freephone" number 0800 923 7000 and encourage them to contact us to book a FREE home safety visit. By helping us to reach out to people in your community you will be playing an important part in helping someone you know stay safe and independent in their own home.
A combination of factors can put someone at higher risk, so please look out for anyone you know who would tick more than one of these boxes:
- Elderly or in poor health
- Has mobility problems
- Lives alone
- Uses an old or unstable heater
- Is a smoker or like a drink
- Is on medication that makes them sleepy
Once the person rings us, friendly staff from the Kent Fire & Rescue Service will take down some information and if needed arrange a time to visit them in their home to offer safety advice and fit a smoke alarm. We even have a range of fire safety devices for visually and hearing impaired people, as well as other special gadgets; e.g. if someone is getting forgetful about turning off the cooker. It all takes about 30 minutes and the visit and any equipment we fit is all FREE.
Thank you.
What Happens to the Contents of Your Black Box?
After collection it is taken to Richborough. When the containers are full they are transported to a sorting facility where it is tipped onto a conveyor to a large, meshed, rotating drum. The glass crumb falls through and is collected. A magnet lifts off tins, followed by an eddy current to remove the aluminium.
This leaves plastic bottles and any contaminants. A team of people remove unwanted plastic bags and other plastics whilst glass too large for the mesh is picked off and recycled. Plastic bottles are moved to a nearby facility where a trammel spins them and shakes off the dirt. A beam of light is shone through the bottles to determine whether they are HDPE or PET. The bottles are then ground into flakes and washed, then various flake sorters remove coloured flakes and remaining contaminants. The PET is further treated to remove the top layer of the bottle and the HDPE is melted, sieved and turned into plastic pellets.
Volunteering Opportunity in Libraries
Time2Give is Kent Libraries and Archives volunteering programme, offering opportunities at over 100 libraries across Kent. We welcome people of all ages from the Kent community and pay agreed out of pocket expenses, such as travel to the library.
The range of activities we offer is much wider than most people expect, from Computer Buddies to help customers with IT, to library gardeners to create attractive reading gardens. Or from Knit and Natter volunteers to encourage and retain traditional crafts, to Home Library Service couriers delivering books to those who are housebound, and to their carers. A full list of activities is attached, together with an information leaflet about Time2Give. The leaflet is readily available at all Kent libraries and archives.
Further information, including our volunteer newsletter and volunteers own accounts of their Time2Give experience, can be found in the Libraries/Services For All section of the KCC website at www.kent.gov.uk
Nicola Browne, Project Director, CSV Consulting
Developing and managing Time2Give for Kent Libraries and Archives
Telephone: 01622 696468 7000 6468
Time2Give, Kent Libraries and Archives HQ, Royal Engineers' Road, Maidstone ME14 2LH
Artist Seeks Rae Family Links...
Lincolnshire
artist, Richard Bish, is seeking links in Eastry of the Rae
family, one time residents of Walton House from around 1830.
Two years ago Richard purchased three out of four Rae family portraits which were up for auction in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
The paintings were painted by Thomas Roods RA; a noted Irish artist and were of James Rae and Elizabeth Sophia Rae with daughter Rosa Margaret. The third picture was of Mary Gordon.
Regrettably the fourth picture of Miss Bennett was snapped up by a Dutch dealer and has subsequently disappeared. All the paintings were mentioned in the Will of Mary Gordon who died in 1854 and whose body lies in the Rae family vault in St Mary's.
From
carrying out some research Richard has found that James Rae and
his family, of Walton House, were of some significant means and
possibly a doctor, as was his half-brother Dr Adam Black. James
was born in 1794 in Douglas, Ayrshire.
The family wealth appears to have come from
his wife and her mother, Mary Gordon, is one of the portraits in
Richards possession. Her maiden name was Jemmitt; and the family
were importers of sugar since 1729. They also owned a plantation
on the island of Dominica, still called Jemmitt's to this day.
Elizabeth Sophia Rae (nee Jemmitt) was born on the island in
1795 and married James in 1827.
If you have any information on the Rae family and feel you can help Richard further in his quest, please contact him at richardbish273@btinternet.com .
If you are a member of the Rae family, we'd love to know more about the family's fortunes and what happened to this 19th century resident of Eastry. Maybe you can send us a photo with your story so that we can see if there's a family likeness!
Residents of Eastry "Beat the Bounds"!
Residents from Eastry gathered at the Five Bells Public House in the centre of the village on Sunday the 10th October for the tradition of Beating the Bounds. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day and 64 people set off at 10 a.m. to cover the approximately 14 miles of the boundary of Eastry. The walkers were fortified by refreshments kindly provided by the “Bell”.
The walk was led by Nick Kenton, Chairman of the Parish Council stopping at a spot once marked by an ancient yew tree to sing the Old Hundredth Psalm “All people that on earth do dwell”. Sadly the yew no longer exists but has been replaced by a beech tree and so tradition has been maintained.
Beating the Bounds started in ancient times and involved taking young children around the boundary of the village and effecting a memorable experience at each marker so that the child would remember the route in the future. Traditionally children were “bumped” on the stone or perhaps they had their finger pulled.
Historically, understanding the position of the boundary was of vital importance to the community, the parish church and local government. It had economic significance in defining common rights (to land, or firewood collection, for instance) and the ‘tithe’: a tenth of all crops and produce that went to the parson as a tribute to the church.
Disputes about boundaries were common, and often heated, but fortunately the “Beating” this year mostly passed without serious incident.
To own your own copy of Eastry's "Beating the Bounds" booklet, download your own copy here...
Hospital Park and Ride has Arrived from New Dover Road
The new exclusive hospital Park and Ride service from New Dover Road, Canterbury, has arrived!
You can benefit from all day parking and unlimited journeys from only £2.50 (or less with the Park and Ride payment card, buses every 20 minutes from 8:00am - 6:00pm. It operates from Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) and it stops outside the Outpatients Unit and Emergency Centre.
Download the leaflet here...
KCC's Countryside Access Service Annual Report
This year's Annual Report from the Countryside Access Service is available here:
http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/countryside_access/annual_report.aspx
Many of you will have made contributions towards the research phase of the Countryside Access Improvement Plan so it is hoped that you will take this opportunity to have a read through and check the progress to date. The CAS is dedicated to customer led frontline service delivery and it is hoped you will agree real progress is being made to improve accessibility and connectivity of you local Rights Of Way Network.
Some of the sizable projects delivered this year are:
Further details of projects being worked on can be found here.
Two current projects to draw your attention to are:
and
Public Rights of Way (PROW)
What Are Public Rights of Way? Public rights of way are
mainly paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. They allow
people to explore and enjoy the countryside at a leisurely pace
- or they can be used for short journeys such as to school, to
church, to work or even to the pub!
Kent has over 4,200 miles (6,700km) of public footpaths, bridleways and byways providing free access to the county's much loved countryside and coast. These are all managed by KCC Countryside Access Service. This includes signing and cutting of vegetation to keep the paths clear.
Like a public road, a public right of way is a highway which anybody may use at any time. Public Rights of Way are recorded on a legal record of Public Rights of Way. Each path is classified according to who is allowed to use it and the public's rights along it. If you would like to identify a path near you, KCC have an interactive map service on their website:
http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/countryside_access.aspx
Dover District Neighbourhood Forums
The
Dover District Neighbourhood Forums are a joint initiative,
enabling a new form of consultation and feedback from local
communities. The aim is to give local people a chance to voice
their opinions and concerns and to be able to influence
decisions and to challenge the delivery of services.
The Forums join the three tiers of local government, with equal
representation from DDC members, KCC members and Town and Parish
Councillors.
There are five forums in place across the district:
Deal and Walmer - covering: North Deal, Middle Deal, Mill Hill and Walmer.
Dover North - covering: Aylesham, Nonington, Eythorne, Tilmanstone, Northbourne, Great Mongeham, Sutton, Ripple, Langdon, Guston, St.Margaret's at Cliffe and Ringwould with Kingsdown.
Dover Town - covering: Buckland, St.Radigunds, Maxton Elms Vale and Priory, Town and Pier, Tower Hamlets and Castle.
Dover West - covering: Denton with Wootton, Shepherdswell with Coldred, Lydden, Temple Ewell, Alkham, River, Capel-Le-Ferne, Hougham Without and Whitfield.
Sandwich Area - covering: Stourmouth, Preston, Wingham, Ash, Goodnestone, Staple, Woodnesborough, Sandwich, Worth, Sholden and Eastry.
For more information about the Dover District Neighbourhood Forums please see: www.dover.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums or contact Anne Charman, KCC Community Engagement Manager on 01622 696389
Who We Are: - Despite the smallness of our country, its high population density and widespread, intense pressure for development, we still have, in England, large areas of incomparably beautiful countryside. CPRE exists to protect our natural landscapes from destruction and degradation.
Established in 1926, CPRE is a registered charity with about 60,000 members and supporters. The charity operates as a network with over 200 district groups, a branch in every county, a group in every region and a national office. Over 2,000 parish councils and 800 amenity societies belong to CPRE. This makes CPRE a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning
What We Do:- We campaign for the countryside to be protected and enhanced for the benefit of everyone. We work mainly at a local level, striving to influence opinion formers throughout the county and the South East region. We also work with CPRE nationally to influence national planning policy.
Our work focuses on
· land use planning
· transport
· natural resources
· the quality, character and diversity of the countryside
· rural economies, services and quality of life
Trading Standards Information
Kent
Trading Standards wish to remind people that we always need to
receive information about poor trading practices. This
information is vital as it enables us to effectively target our
campaign work. If you wish to make a report to us, please
call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. They will take the
details and forward the information to us. Examples of matters
that you may wish to report are:
Sales
of Cigarettes or Alcohol to under 18's
Sales of Fireworks to under 18's or outside the permitted dates
Doorstep sellers, e.g. fish sellers, carpet / rug sellers
Cold Callers who offer to do work on your property e.g.
driveways, guttering, garden clearance, tree surgery
Sales of Counterfeit goods, dangerous goods and wrongly
described goods
Roadside car dealers
Out of date food sales
Traders who purport to be private sellers
Any other trading practice that causes concern
Any business seeking advice about Trading Standards legislation are welcome to call 01732 525291 if they are based in West Kent or 01233 898825 if they are based in East Kent.
If you wish to find out more about your rights as a consumer please call 08454 04 05 06.
Creating Areas For Nature
Why
not try creating a pond or tree planting, composting, building raised beds,
making boggy areas or building bird or bat boxes?
Any piece of ground can be transformed into a haven for wildlife, whether it is at school, in a community space, in your back garden or even on a rooftop. No matter how much space you have available, you will find ideas here that can be adapted to suit your needs.
Across the county, Kent ’s Countryside Management Partnerships, supported by Kent County Council, the Kent Eco-Schools Project and the London Borough of Bexley, have collaborated to produce this pack on behalf of the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan.
The guide is the first of its kind in Kent and takes the form of an online series of PDF information sheets that provide a step-by-step guide to creating wildlife habitats in your garden or grounds. As well as a helping with the practical side of creating nature areas, it also includes information on the kinds of wildlife you can expect to attract, planning tips and lots of useful links for further reading and information. Health and safety information is also included.
The pack is available now at www.kentbap.org.uk/creatingareasfornature
Email cmp@kent.gov.uk with your ideas on how you could improve your garden or grounds for wildlife and you will receive a packet of free poppy seeds!
For further details, please email cmp@kent.gov.uk or contact Isabel Sturdy at the North West Kent Countryside Partnership, 01322 294727.
INVOKE - Help Guides for Those Over 50...
The INVOKE website, www.kent.gov.uk/invoke, gives details of the project funded by the Department of Health and managed through Kent County Council and is aimed at those aged 50+ to promote healthy, active ageing, independence, a sense of wellbeing and the ability to participate fully in the community.
The Dover Directory, first published in 2008, is now a widely used resource for local individuals and practitioners and is available for download here...
Each of the directories is a valuable source of information.
Pre-Planning Application Advice Charges
Dover
District Council have introduced new charges in respect of
Pre-Planning Application advice with effect from 29th July.
To clarify the new charges, and what can be provided, Dover District Council have prepared a document for information. A copy of the document is available here...
All About Kent trading Standards...
The
role of Trading Standards is to provide advice and guidance to
consumers and businesses. Amongst other tasks we try to disrupt
the activities of doorstep criminals. If necessary we can
prosecute the worst offences provided we have sufficient
evidence. Please take the time to report doorstep criminals to
us via Consumer Direct on 0845 404 05 06. The information we
receive is valued. Consumer Direct can also give you information
on your rights as a consumer. Visit our website at
www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent to find out more about what
we do.
We have recently published a booklet "The Smart Guide
to Scams - How to deal with doorstep criminals, scam mail and
unwanted phone calls" to get a copy email
tsadvice@kent.gov.uk
or view it on line at
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/documents/AE%20factsheets/The%20smart%20guide%20to%20scams.pdf
Doorstep Callers
Doorstep Callers offering most goods
or services valued at over £35.00 should provide you with a 7
day cancellation period in writing. A recent change to the law
means that you will be able to cancel any contract made while in
your home; this applies to both cold callers and businesses you
invite to call.
Always carefully consider any offer that is
made to you at your door. If you are told work needs to be done
on your property take extra care. There are very few jobs around
the house that need to be done immediately. Do not be
pressurised into making an instant decision.
Call Consumer
Direct on 08454 040506 or visit
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk for further advice or
to report any details that have been taken e.g. descriptions of
the caller(s) vehicle details/registrations, phone numbers.
Check out the Buy with Confidence Scheme for details of approved
traders you can trust at
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or by ringing Trading Standards
on 01233 652385
Scam Mail
Scam mail could be mail order catalogues,
letters asking for your assistance in transferring money,
letters telling you that you have won a prize in a draw or
offering to tell you your future. Never respond as it could
increase the amount of scam mail that you will get. Dispose of
it in your recycling bag remembering to remove any personal
information.
Unwanted Mail
By registering with the Mail Preference
Service it is possible to reduce the amount that is received. It
is a free service. It is unlikely that this will stop any
mailings from abroad.
Mailing Preference Service
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel 0845 703 4599
www.mpsonline.org.uk
Unwanted Telephone Calls
Register with the Telephone
Preference Service to reduce the number of unwanted calls. It is
unlikely to stop calls coming from outside the UK.
Telephone
Preference Service
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel 0845 070 0707
www.tpsonline.org.uk
Roadworks Information on "the Web"
For many months now, this website has been advocating you use the "Electronic Local Government Information Network", or eLGIN.
The eLGIN website provides an up-to-date interactive map of both current and planned works on the road for a large area of the UK.
You can read more about the service by reading the poster here, or by viewing their website at: http://kent.elgin.gov.uk or www.elgin.gov.uk .
Kent Police Youth Panel
The Kent Police Youth Panel is made up of young people, aged 11 and over, who live in Kent, who tell Kent Police what they think about a number of crime and policing issues. The panel helps Kent Police understand the views and needs of young people across Kent and the information helps shape the service provided by Kent Police.
How
it works: During a year panel members will be invited to take
part in up to four surveys or discussion groups. Opinions are
sought by email, telephone or pot or at informal discussion
group meetings.
Get involved! If you are aged 11 years and older, or know a person who is, live in Kent and would like more information about becoming a Youth Panel member please email the Youth Panel or call 01622 652667.
You can also visit their website at www.kent.police.uk/youthpanel .
Kent Highways Survey of Speed and Traffic in Lower Street
During January and February this year Kent Highways conducted a traffic volume and speed survey in Lower Street, Eastry.
As requested at the Annual Parish Meeting a copy of the report has now been made available for download here.
Please be aware that the document is very large and will take some time to download.
Are You Licensed to Drive?
Many people are unaware that a photocard driving licence is only valid for 10 years; after that it needs to be renewed with a new photo. Renewing it costs £17.50 currently.
Some of the oldest photocards are now 10 years old. Is yours about to expire?
The front of the licence carries two dates:
4a - the date the photo is valid from, and
4b - the date by which the licence needs to be updated. This is generally 10 years after the licence was initially issued but for drivers nearing or over the age of 70, is the date at which the entitlement to drive ends.
If you change address or name then you must tell the DVLA so that the driving licence details can be updated. In this case the licence is free as long as the '4b' date has not been passed. Having a licence which has not been updated will pose problems, particularly if you want to hire a car or if you have to prove your entitlement to drive to your employer. It could also lead to a fine of up to £1000.
More information is available from the AA here...
Repossession Advice Pack
A repossession advice pack, with practical advice for homeowners worried about meeting their mortgage repayments, has been created.
The pack gives step-by-step advice to households and advises on how they can avoid making their situation worse.
You can download and print your own copy by clicking here.
Support Our Small Shops
Small shops are at the heart of our small towns and villages. They offer diversity and choice and provide a personal service to the community. Yet in many small communities these independent retailers are under threat, facing a rising burden of regulation and tax, a daily battle against crime and violence as well as competition from the growth of large shopping centres. It is estimated that 2000 shops close every year.
Small Business Rate Relief
Rising business rates are hurting small shops - and yet many shops don't claim the rate relief they are entitled to because they either don't know about it or because it's too complicated. Rate relief could save some small businesses up to £1,100 a year, so it's vital we help owners claim the full amount they're owed.
With the help of Leaseholders United we have provided an online tool via the link below to find out what relief - if any - you're entitled to. If you run a small business and want to see if you're entitled to rate relief simply click here.
Get "ICED"!
We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory. If we were involved in an accident, or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call! yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored; but which one is the contact person in case of emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population all you need do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients; but they didn't know which number to call.
He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognised name for this purpose. In an emergency situation Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored in 'ICE'. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.
PLEASE LET ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES KNOW - IT MAY SAVE A LIFE!
New Neighbourhood Watch Website
The website that supports the new organisation; Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (England and Wales) - (NHWN) - and represents Neighbourhood Watch nationally is:
Please try logging on to the new site and explore what is going on around the country with NHW. You'll find it very interesting!
Policing in Eastry
PCSO Annmarie Benson and our Community Warden continue their duties in Eastry.
Annmarie can be contacted on 07772 226155, or 01304 218000. If you need to report a crime please call 01304 240055, and in case of an emergency 999.
Buttsole Pond Restoration Plan
"Work has begun on the implementation of a management plan for Buttsole pond, located alongside Lower Street. The plan had been drawn up by the White Cliffs Countryside Project and approved by the Parish Council and will greatly improve the diversity of wildlife and general amenity value.
The area of surface water has reduced considerably in recent years due to the encroachment of plants like reed mace and suckering from the roadside willows. The first phase is to reduce the area of these plants in about half of the pond. Conscious of the impact of habitat changes to existing wildlife the remedial work is best done at this time of year and much of the pond has been left untouched to act as a refuge for the animal population. Although the change in appearance is dramatic there will be re-growth in spring from remaining roots and we will encourage a more diverse range of native plants.
Since the pond is not stream fed a major problem for the pond has been the lowering of the water table probably due to greater extraction. The gulleys from the road have been cleared to capture more rain run-off and so partly compensate.
Another issue with the pond is that a couple of non-native pond weeds have been accidentally introduced (Parrot’s feather and Australian swamp stonecrop) and have to be removed they will upset the ecosystem. People should refrain from bringing any pond life from their own ponds.
We can all watch with interest as the pond recovers from this temporary shock and a richer fauna and flora are allowed to develop."
Simon Dundas - Eastry Pond Warden
Shore Watch
If you see any seals, dolphins or whales washed up onto our local beaches please call British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on 01825 765546.
Hopefully this will not be a frequent occurrence, but some of you may remember the huge whale that was washed up in Pegwell Bay several years ago and which, sadly, could not be saved.
New Refuse Rounds
"Please
find
here a list of all new collection days for refuse, recycling
and green waste - refuse remains weekly, black box fortnightly
and green waste fortnightly (where applicable).
The new scheme and collection dates will start from Monday 3rd
November 2008.
Leaflets, bags and calendars for all collections have started to be delivered in Deal, will move up to the top of the district - Ash, Preston, Sandwich next, then onto the middle Nonington, Tilmanstone, etc., and then finally down to Dover, Capel, Whitfield. It is estimated that deliveries will take around two weeks to complete therefore they will be in certain areas for more than one day.
Paper and cardboard would be collected in the blue bag - once collected it will be stored and then it will go to Aylesford Newsprint where the paper is recycled on site back into paper and the cardboard will go to Smurfit Kappa in Kent.
www.aylesford-newsprint.co.uk/
The mix of plastic bottles, cans and glass will be collected from the black box, it will be stored and then transported to Veolia Materials Recovery Facility in Rainham, Essex. www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk/pages/int_materialsrecovery.asp
The materials will be sorted and the glass will be recycled by local contractors for road aggregate, the plastic bottles will be recycled by closed loop, Dagenham www.closedlooprecycling.co.uk/ and will be recycled back into plastic packaging and the metal and aluminium will be recycled by several outlets of Veolia, where the market demands are."
Mandy Pile - DDC Waste Services Officer
Parade Opening Ceremony
Eastry Parish Council are pleased to announce that the project to revitalise the are in front of the Parade of shops in The High Street, Eastry, has now been completed. The project was launched in the late 1990s and was originally to be the Parish Council's "Millennium Project". There were, however, many delays during each stage of the project.
Early in 2007 Cllr David Carr, then Chairman of the Parish Council, established the Council's Working Party which finally, by March 1st 2008 were in a position to start work to create this amenity area for the local community.
The Parish Council are very grateful for the financial aid of Sandwich Neighbourhood Forum, Dover District Council Community Safety Partnership and a Member Community Grant from Kent County Council.
The Parish Council would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Theodore (Teddy) Birnberg, a previous Parish Councillor who generously left the Parish Council a Legacy that has been used to part-fund the project.
In addition the local community has helped raise over £1600 with a "Buy-a-Brick" campaign, raffles and even a sponsored sing by the parent and toddler group!
The opening ceremony was held on Friday 26th September 2008 at 10:00am; the ribbon was cut by Mr Donald Eldridge; retired Parish Councillor and one of the instigators of the project. Pupils from Eastry Primary School also were in attendance to bury a time capsule.
Official Press Release here...
The Clean Kent Campaign
The Clean Kent Campaign recognises that Kent is a clean and beautiful County in which to live, work and enjoy. One of the ways in which the campaign aims to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the county is by reducing instances of fly-tipping and littering, thereby improving the overall quality of the Kent environment.
"Litter, rubbish, fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles are seen as key manifestations of anti-social behaviour and potentially in turn, crime and fear of crime. The Clean Kent Campaign recognises all of these issues and the adverse effects they may have on the quality of life, tourism and economic development. Where anti-social behaviour is present, crime may follow. Clean Kent aims to eradicate fly-tipping offences and ensure high quality environments and support safe communities." - PC Mick Wright, County Watch Liaison Officer.
To find out more about Clean Kent log onto www.cleankent.com or call 08453 450210
National CCTV Database
The Association of Chief Police Officers working group on CCTV and video is exploring the feasibility of storing CCTV images of crime and matching them against databases of offenders, similar to the store and search systems currently in use with DNA and fingerprints collected at crime scenes.
It is proposed that the new initiative is to be titled the Facial Images National Database (FIND).
The working group recognise that it is vital that CCTV standards are improved. The Metropolitan Police Service recently reported that their success rate in using CCTV for criminal prosecution is as low as 3%
The British Standards Institute, the Department of Justice and the Information Commissioner's Office are working together to develop standards for anyone who wants to produce CCTV images that the police could use in prosecutions.
The majority of the estimated 4.2 million CCTV systems installed in the UK are owned by local authorities and the private sector. Currently few systems produce images that would be usable by police to secure convictions without corroborating evidence.
Hospital travel information
Kent County Council have issued leaflets on travel to local hospitals and are available as a download by clicking on the appropriate link below:
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Margate
Kent and Canterbury, Canterbury
Buttsole Pond Management Plan
A Management Plan for Buttsole Pond has been prepared by the White Cliffs Countryside Project on behalf of the Parish Council.
The paper will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting and you are invited to read a copy, together with the Appendix:
Kent County Council - "Buy With Confidence"
Kent County Council's Trading Standards Service have launched a "Buy With Confidence" good trader scheme. A copy of the notice is available here.
The scheme provides customers with a list of reliable local businesses that have proved their commitment to trading fairly.
These businesses will have had to undergo and audit by Trading Standards Officers and passed a series of detailed checks before being approved under the scheme.
Full details are available from the website at www.buywithconfidence.info .
Eastry Parish Council Adopt New Code of Conduct
At
the Parish Council meeting of 2nd July 2007 it was unanimously
agreed to adopt the new Code of Conduct for Town and Parish
Councils in the Dover District.
The new Code of Conduct contains the Ten General Principles for Public Life, as laid out in the Relevant Authorities (General Principles) Order 2001.
A copy is available for you to read: please click here. Remember: this document is large and may take some time to download.
What is a Parish Council?
There are over 8,700 parish and town councils representing around 16 million people across England. They form the most local level of government and cover many rural areas.
What services do they provide?
Eastry Parish Council provides the following services:
| Allotments | Dog waste bins | “poop scoopers” | Public lavatory |
| Street cleaning | Burial ground | Open spaces | Bus shelters |
| Play Equipment | Litter bins | Picnic site | Buttsole pond |
| Coffee Break |
They also work with Dover District Council, and Kent County Council to get other services for the parish. Eastry Parish Council meets 11 times a year on the first Monday of the month (except January and May, when it’s the 2nd Monday).
The booklets “All About Parish and Town Councils” and “The Good Councillors Guide” can be found on the parish council web-site http://www.eastrypc.co.uk.
DESIGNATED PUBLIC PLACES ORDER
A
Designated Public Places Order, which will control the
consumption of alcohol in public places in specified areas, will
be introduced by Dover District Council with effect from 1st
February 2007. The order is commonly, but incorrectly, referred
to as an alcohol exclusion zone.The effect of the order is that a Police Constable may require a person to stop drinking alcohol in a public place within the designated area. Any person so required, but who refuses to stop, commits an offence which could result in them being arrested. Drinking alcohol in a designated area is not in itself an offence. The offence is created if any person refuses to stop drinking once required to do so by a Police Constable. Any enforcement of this law is carried out entirely at the discretion of the police.
This order has been made following analysis of relevant crimes and extensive consultation with the public. The relevant work was undertaken by Dover District Council's Community Safety Unit.
The order will apply to all public places lying within the boundaries of Dover, encompassing Castle, Town and Pier, Maxton, Elms Vale and Priory, Tower Hamlets, St. Radigunds, Buckland and Whitfield wards; Deal, encompassing Walmer, Mill Hill, Middle Deal and Sholden and North Deal wards, Sandwich and the following parishes: Ash, Aylesham, Eastry, Eythorne, Guston, Ringwould / Kingsdown, River, St. Margaret's, Shepherdswell, Temple Ewell, Wingham. Signs are being placed across the district to indicate designated areas.
For more information, please log onto the Dover District Council website at www.dover.gov.uk/asb
Coffee Break
Just a reminder that Jigsaw puzzles are available to borrow on 2nd Friday of the month at Coffee Break. Also on the 2nd Friday Hi-Kent hearing-aid re-tubing clinic is available to assist you with your hearing-aid needs. Hearing Aids should be re-tubed every 3 months!
Play and Recreation Facilities
The Parish Council own and maintain a number of play areas and play equipment in the Parish. Play equipment is situated in Gun Park (off Wilmott Place) and at the Allotment play area behind Centenary Gardens and Mill Green. Three goal posts are in place at the bottom (Wilmott Place) end of Gun Park and two small goals are situated in the Allotments play area for general use. Also in Gun Park are a skate ramp and basket-ball hoop.
The Parish Council also maintain a Recreation Ground in Church Street opposite the Church. This area is well used by smaller children and their parents.
Minimum Wage Information
National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage applies to nearly all workers and sets hourly rates below which pay must not be allowed to fall.
It is an important cornerstone of Government strategy aimed at providing employees with decent minimum standards and fairness in the workplace. It helps business by ensuring companies will be able to compete on the basis of quality of the goods and services they provide and not on low prices based predominantly on low rates of pay.
The rates set are based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission. The rates change on 1st October each year.
To find out more:
-
see the guide to the National Minimum Wage for workers or for employers or
-
check www.direct.gov.uk/nmw or www.businesslink.gov.uk/employingpeople.
Casual staff, agency staff and short-term contract staff are all eligible for the NMW. More information is available on the Government's website here.
Useful Contact Numbers
The Parish Council are receiving more and more phone calls reporting things that they do not have a direct responsibility for. In these instances the Clerk can only pass on the report to the correct department and does not always have enough information to do this efficiently and errors could be made. Parishioners are asked to contact the responsible authority directly, as below:
Dover District Council
White Cliffs
Business Park
Dover
Kent
CT16 3PJ
Telephone: 01304
821199
E-mail:
customerservices@dover.gov.uk
Minicom: 01304
820115
All problems relating to refuse or recycle collections. Rubbish and Dog waste bin emptying Street cleaning, Street nameplates, and Council housing problems should be directed to DDC. A full list of services and direct dial numbers can be found in the phone book
Kent Highways Services –
Kent Highway
Services
Kent County Council
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX
08458 247 800
kent.highwayservices@kent.gov.uk
All problems relating to street lights, roads or footways, road signs, pot holes, road works, overgrowth hedges, drains and ditches on the highway, vehicle crossings, dropped curbs or empty salt bin should be directed to Kent Highways services.
Public Rights of Way Office – 01304 216307
Problems with footpaths (Not tarmac) including Horses using public footpaths.Memorial Inspection
Following a recent inspection of all memorials in the Cemetery the Parish Council is trying to trace the owners of some of the memorial stones. If a member of your family is buried in Eastry Cemetery can you please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council on 01304 614320. For your information the Cemetery is the very bottom section of the Church Yard between the Beech hedge and the Holly hedge where the kissing gate is located.
Householders' Responsibility For Waste
Following the introduction of new Government waste regulations, Dover District Council is reminding residents that householders now have a responsibility to check who is taking their rubbish away, or risk a fine of up to £5,000. Householders now have a 'Duty of Care' to ensure that their rubbish is only collected by a registered waste carrier.
Dover
District Council is already working hard to reduce the problem
of fly tipping. The regulations have been introduced to help
Authorities tackle this serious issue. Last year Dover District
Council dealt with 487 incidents of fly tipping, at a cost of
around £50,000.
The new regulations mean that people who
need to have household, garden or construction waste removed
from their home must check the waste carrier registration of
anyone they employ, or who offers to remove the waste for them.
All builders and allied trades, landscape gardeners, tree
fellers, house clearers, retailers who remove domestic goods
such as fridges and sofas when delivering new ones, and scrap
metal dealers should be registered waste carriers. The carriers
will issue householders with a 'waste transfer note', which
should be kept by the householder as proof that they passed
their waste on to an authorised carrier. This legislation does
not affect any waste collection service provided by the Council,
including your normal weekly household waste collection.
Registered waste carriers can be checked by contacting the Environment Agency on (08708) 506506, or online at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister. Householders can also contact Dover District Council on (01304) 872410 and for a small fee bulky items can be collected and disposed of in an authorised manner.