Maria Miller, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, invited me to speak to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester this week about our work in Folkestone to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014. The government rightly recognises that this anniversary is an important time for […]
It was great to see so many people attending the Folkestone Jobs fair at The Quarterhouse in Tontine Street, last week. People were queuing to enter at 10am and we had a busy stream of visitors throughout the day. We believe that over 600 jobseekers visited the fair, and the employers I spoke to during […]
The Bradstone Association, the dynamic residents group chaired by David Taylor, has been promoting a number of excellent projects to improve the appearance of their neighbourhood in central Folkestone, and to bring the community together. Last year I was honoured to be asked to open Philippa Goddard's stunning end of terrace mural in Bradstone Road. […]
On Thursday next week I will be holding a jobs fair at The Quarterhouse in Folkestone. The event is running from 10am until 3pm and is open to everyone who is looking for a work or a new opportunity. I am grateful to Shepway Council, Saga, Jackson's Fencing and Lydd Airport for their support for […]
For many families the arrival of September is a very important time of the year. Hundreds of children will be having their much anticipated first day at school. For others there will be the transition to the bigger world of secondary school with all its challenges and opportunities. I would like to wish everyone who […]
The Californian technology entrepreneur and the man who has literally written the book on how to run a successful new business in the creative and digital sector was in Folkestone last week for the launch of his School for Creative Start-ups in East Kent. Doug Richard, who has also been one of the Dragons on […]
The unemployment rate has fallen faster this year in the Folkestone and Hythe parliamentary constituency than the average for the South East of England, and the whole of the country; so in terms of job creation, we are beating some of the best.The latest figures published last week also show that in July both unemployment […]
The regeneration of Folkestone's seafront and harbour came a step closer when the masterplan created by the leading architect Sir Terry Farrell, recently received its outline planning approval from Shepway council. The delivery of this plan will transform the economy and long term prospects of the whole area and is something we should wholeheartedly welcome. […]
Admiral The Lord Boyce, The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports has commanded many mightier weapons than the spade I presented to him on Sunday, but nevertheless I was pleased to see him put it to good use. Just after 11am on 4th August, the 99th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, […]
The First World War centenary falls a year from today, on 4th August 2014, and will be a significant point of remembrance for millions of people around the world. To mark this centenary the Step Short project in Folkestone, of which I have been Chairman for the last six years, has commissioned a memorial arch […]