This year has seen the passing of a Remembrance Sunday unlike any other since the Second World War. The COVID lockdown restrictions meant that none of the usual civic services took place but that couldn’t stop people from paying their respects to those who have sacrificed their lives in the defence of our country. The […]
Article by Sam Williams for KentOnline - published 9 October 2020 A new name - steeped in history - has been given to a former Debenhams store. A competition was launched in July to find a fitting new moniker for the now empty shop in Folkestone town centre, which has housed department stores for decades - first Bobby's and […]
Two Kent towns have been hailed as among the coolest places to live in Britain. According to new rankings published in The Times, Margate and Folkestone are both achingly cool. Margate was ranked third in the chart. The write-up said: "Dreamland — the revamped retro amusement park where Damon Albarn is curating a one-day music […]
On Friday morning last week, I visited St Eanswythe’s primary school in Folkestone, where I was given an excellent tour by the headteacher Jane Garrett, and heard about the pupils recent sporting successes. I then met with the headteacher of the Mundella primary school in Blackbull Road, Nigel Pantling, where I was shown some of […]
Shepway District Council has announced proposals to submit a bid to the government for support to create a new ‘garden town’ on the land surrounding Otterpool Park Farm, close to the south side of junction 11 of the M20. The council has my full support in its decision to launch this debate, but it is […]
We have many choices in life, but one thing we have very little say on is when we become ill or need medical assistance. That is why in our manifesto at the last general election, and in my leaflets in Folkestone and Hythe, we pledged to deliver a 7 day a week NHS, so that […]
I have commissioned a short film to showcase the recently reopened Harbour Arm in Folkestone. It is a fantastic new public space where people from the town love to come and spend time, eat amazing local food and enjoy live entertainment. It is a great symbol of Folkestone's rebirth and continued regeneration and a glimpse into the […]
I recently visited NIC Instruments Limited, in Gladstone Road, Folkestone, and met with the Managing Director, Steve Wisbey and members of his team. NIC is a family run business that has been based in the town for over forty years. The firm originally specialised in medical equipment, but is now a world leader in the […]
The announcement from the Folkestone Harbour company that it is about to commence the next stage in the redevelopment of the town’s seafront is excellent news for the whole district. Following substantial investment from Roger De Haan and over £5million in funding that we have secured from the government, work will start on some of […]
Last week was English Tourism week and on the Friday I met with Sandra Matthews-Marsh, the chief executive of Visit Kent, to discuss the importance of this vital industry to our county. Tourism is one of our largest employers, and accounts for around 12% of all jobs in Kent. Whilst visitors from the rest of […]