The Rugby World Cup has captured the imagination of sports fans across the country. More people than ever before have bought tickets to watch the matches, and the games themselves have received the largest television audience in World Cup history. Whilst it is great for rugby fans that England is hosting the tournament the real benefit comes from the increased interest in the sport from people of all ages. Last Sunday I was at Folkestone rugby club with my son Hugo. There every weekend hundreds of young players from the under seven age group, up to the under 17s are playing and training. It was excellent last week to see a number of new faces attending for the first time, perhaps inspired by watching the World Cup. If you are interested in joining in, you can find out more about Folkestone rugby club at their website www.folkestonerugbyclub.co.uk.
Sports participation in Shepway has received in real boost over the last few years. This is thanks in part to the investment in new facilities, like the Three Hills Sports centre in Folkestone, but has also been greatly helped by the work of the Shepway Sports Trust. I recently met with Laurence Hickmott, the project director to find out more about their work. The Sports Trust invests in community facilities, training coaches and co-ordinating links between schools and sports clubs across the district. This pioneering approach is helping more people get involved in a wide range of sports. If you are interested, either in getting involved, in playing or in coaching, you can find out more about the Shepway Sports Trust at www.shepwaysportstrust.org
Gillingham football club is also starting its second season working with young people in Shepway. In partnership with the district council they have been using sport to reengage young people with education and healthier lifestyles, and with excellent results. The club is also running at school for players between the ages of 5 and 14 at the Three Hills Sports centre on 26th and 27th October. More details can be found at the club's website www.gillinghamfootballclub.com
There was more good news for Folkestone this week with the announcement of a grant of nearly £2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the creation of a new museum and exhibition space at the Town Hall. This will allow more exhibitions, like the recent display produced in partnership with the National Army Museum to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Folkestone Town Hall will also be able to regularly display items from its historic collection of art and artefacts, enabling more people, both residents and visitors alike, to learn more about past life in our area.
Last Friday evening I visited the sleep out at St Mary's primary school organised by the Rainbow Centre, to raise funds for the Folkestone churches winter shelter. Over sixty people, including the Mayors of Folkestone and Hawkinge, raised money for this important project, and my congratulations go to them and everyone who took part in, and organised the event.
