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 […]
Organised sport and religion are the two ways that communities most frequently come together; and particularly so during the Christmas season. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, families and friends gather at their local church for the Nativity and the service at the crib. On Boxing Day, people flock to sporting events such as the […]
Christmas is a time of music, from the classic carols to popular festive tunes. One local charity has decided to seize the initiative and launch a Christmas track to raise money to support their work. The Shorncliffe Trust has teamed up with the Peace Collective and the British Red Cross to launch ‘All Together Now’. […]
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 […]
This week the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, announced a further major investment from the government in flood defences for Romney Marsh. £10million has been set aside by the government to fund the Broomhill Sands Coastal Defence Scheme from Camber to Jury’s Gap, along with schemes for the Romney Sands Coastal Defences, Denge Beach Management, […]
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 […]
Since the beginning of October residents in Folkestone have been able to access new out of hours NHS services through the Royal Victoria Hospital. These new services include a minor injuries unit, focusing on treatments for suspected fractures of arms or lower legs, cuts, minor burns, and bites and stings, for everyone aged 12 months […]
Remembrance Sunday is always a moving occasion but has been even more so this year as we commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and also mark the end of the involvement of British forces in combat operations in Afghanistan. This year I joined the Mayor of Folkestone, Cllr Alan North, […]
On Friday last week in the House of Commons, I asked the Minister of State for the Arts, Ed Vaizey MP, if he supported our campaign to save the Banksy artwork, that was recently removed from Payers Park, for the people of Folkestone. Below you can read the account taken from the official parliamentary record […]
The local economy is much stronger now than four years ago, and unemployment is 40 per cent below the rate in 2010. I want to see this progress continue by making sure that we are doing all we can to support the growth of local businesses, and by helping people who are looking for work […]