As 2014 passes we can look back on a year to remember for our area. A particular high point came on 4th August with the visit of Prince Harry to Folkestone to dedicate the Step Short First World War centenary memorial arch. Folkestone’s significant and appropriate marking of this important anniversary was shown around the world […]
The sudden death of a friend is always a shock to the system, especially when they are taken in the prime of life. So it was with great sadness that I learnt on Sunday morning that Keren Belcourt had died suddenly after an accident at her home. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Reg […]
Over the last two years we've seen a strong performance from our local economy with new businesses starting, established firms expanding and big falls in unemployment. Excellent infrastructure like high-speed rail and the Channel Tunnel has undoubtedly made East Kent an attractive place for businesses to invest. We can't stand still though and further investment […]
My motivation for getting involved in politics was to use the position of being Member of Parliament to work to help everyone have the chance to achieve what they want to in life. At the last general election four years ago, the greatest threat to the opportunities people wanted to pursue was the weak state of the […]
The large number of local events and festivals over the summer months provide entertaining things to do, and are often a welcome distraction during the long school holidays. These events, like the Sandgate Sea Festival, the Hythe festival and the harbour festivals in Folkestone, and the Dymchurch Day of Syn, are also though a reminder […]
For many students and their families, as well as teachers, August can be the most nerve-racking of months as they await the news of exam results. Last week we had the results for A levels, AS’s and B-TEC’s and this week students will receive their GCSE results. I know how much hard work goes into […]
I am organising my second Folkestone Jobs Fair at The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone on Thursday 6th November to put people looking for work, in touch with the local firms who have vacancies to fill. New jobs and apprenticeships are being created, both locally and across the region every week. Shepway has many growing businesses, […]
A serious report has been published this week by the Care Quality Commission which is highly critical of the hospitals in East Kent; including the Kent and Canterbury and William Harvey Hospitals. It is essential that we have a rigorous system of hospital inspections so that problems can be identified and addressed. Patients and their families […]
Having a long term plan for our economy, does not just mean getting the decisions right today on investment and cutting taxes, but also thinking ahead about the infrastructure we will need in the future. We are seeing a real benefit today from the High Speed Rail service from Kent to London, and the Folkestone […]
GPs in Folkestone and Dover received a boost this week, with the granting of £1.89 million to improve access to their services for patients. The grant comes from Prime Minister David Cameron’s challenge fund, which has been set up to help give GPs the resources to offer a more flexible service to their communities. Folkestone […]