In the top forty places in the world to visit in 2014, Folkestone is one of only four places in England to make the list; coming in at number 38, between Moscow and Canberra, Australia. That’s according to the travel pages of The Guardian, and it follows last year’s recommendation by The Times newspaper that the town was the fifth coolest place in the country. It’s great once again to see respected national journals not just talking about our area, but talking it up; recognising what we have to offer and the positive changes that have been made in recent years. There is no doubt that Folkestone’s cultural offering, transport links and the outstanding countryside and coastline across the Shepway area, make it a great place to live in and visit.
We also want to make sure that we are getting the greatest possible benefit from this positive press coverage, to attract business investment to the area. That is the purpose of the ‘Grow for It’ campaign for East Kent which is running a programme of investor and business support events in 2014. You can find out more about the campaign through its website www.growforiteastkent.com.
The New Year’s honours list brought a number of awards for individuals in our area who have made an outstanding contribution to the communities they serve. I was delighted that Roger De Haan has been awarded a knighthood in recognition of his support for many charitable and community organisations, large and small. Locally we have seen and benefited from his investment in the arts, sport and education, as well as in the planning for the multi-million pound regeneration of the Folkestone seafront. It is fitting that he should receive this award in 2014, as the Folkestone Academy School continues to go from strength to strength, we have seen in this academic year the opening of the Primary Academy School and the Academy Sixth Form Centre, and later in August 2014 the look forward to the third Folkestone Triennial Arts Festival.
Paul Carter, the Leader of Kent County Council was awarded a CBE in recognition of his services to local government. Paul has recently been a great help to us in championing economic development in East Kent through the ‘Grow for it’ campaign and the Marsh Million fund. Professor David Morton from Romney Marsh was also awarded a CBE for services to the UK and International Veterinary Profession especially animal welfare and ethics.
There was also an MBE for Alice Boxall from Greatstone for her voluntary and charitable services to heritage in Kent, and for Warwick Hawkins from Folkestone in recognition of his services to interfaith relations. Michele Jones from St. Mary’s Bay also received the British Empire Medal for her work as a field officer for integrated youth services in Kent.
We will all know many people whose work in the community deserves extra special recognition, and please let me know if you would like some information about how you can nominate someone to receive an award.