Autumn 2004 - Canterbury City Council
Transcription
Autumn 2004 - Canterbury City Council
District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:23 Page 1 District Life The magazine from Canterbury City Council for residents of Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable and district Issue 16 | Autumn 2004 Wonders of walking – page 8 More rubbish facts – pages 12-13 Eurofair – page 31 The peasants are revolting! TV’s Tony Robinson investigates a cunning plan – see page 11 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 10:39 Page 3 District Life 16 Featured articles Heritage Open Days Page 9 Who needs Restoration? Use these special days to see some beautifully preserved examples of ancient architecture that haven’t fallen into ruin! New laws for licensing Pages 14 and 19 New licensing laws could affect everyone in the district. District Life speaks to Roger Vick, the council’s Commercial Health Manager about the changes. Primary Care Trust Pages 15 to 18 A guide to the services provided by Canterbury and Coastal Primary Care Trust, and useful information for you to pull out and keep. Regulars Win tickets to see Sleeping Beauty this Christmas at The Marlowe Theatre The lovely Toyah Willcox returns to The Marlowe Theatre stage in December to play the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. She will be joined in this year’s panto by EastEnders star Jack Ryder who will become Prince Charming. The Marlowe panto has become a regional favourite, and tickets sell fast. You could win a family ticket though by entering our competition. Just answer the following questions. The answers can all be found in this issue of District Life: 1. When does Canterbury’s exciting Eurofair take place? 2. Which poet was commissioned to write Seaside Sonnets? 3. What was soap star Daniel McPherson celebrating with council leader Alex Perkins? Send your answers by Monday 4 October 2004 to: News round up Starts on page 4 Volunteer! Page 10 Residents Card offers Pages 20 and 21 My Life Page 27 Cover story Tony Robinson and the pilgrims leave the cathedral via the Christ Church gate on their way to London for revolution! See page 11 for more on the story. Picture by Mark Roberts. Editor – Glynis Alexander Phone: 01227 862 051, fax: 01227 764 922, e-mail: [email protected] News and features – Rob Davies Phone: 01227 862 050, fax: 01227 764 922, e-mail: [email protected] Advertising and additional features – Steve James Phone: 01227 862 060, fax: 01227 764 922, e-mail: [email protected] Design, art direction and additional photography – Mark Roberts Phone: 01227 862 282, fax: 01227 764 922, e-mail: [email protected] The quarterly news magazine for residents and businesses in the Canterbury district. Published by Canterbury City Council with the support of paid advertising. Print by Polestar Colchester. District Life and Canterbury City Council accept no responsibility for loss or damage, however caused, to any material submitted for publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the publishers. Rated excellent by the Audit Commission 2004 Panto Competition District Life Canterbury City Council Military Road Canterbury CT1 1YW The panto runs from 9 December 2004 to 30 January 2005. Call The Marlowe Box Office for tickets on 01227 787 787. Last issue’s winners Pairs of National Express coach tickets were won by Ms R Collins-Lister of Herne Bay, Mr A Palmer and Mrs V Palmer of Herne Bay, and R M Hassam of Chestfield. You can also get this publication in other formats, including Braille or large print. Please phone Glynis Alexander on 01227 862 051 or e-mail [email protected] Published in September 2004. Printed on environmentally friendly paper. Please recycle once you have finished with this publication. DLF-GA-MAGA4-944/District Life 16 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:27 Page 4 News round up Older people are getting the benefit Pensioners from the Canterbury district are already benefiting financially from a campaign aimed at encouraging them to take advantage of Council Tax benefits they are entitled to. Since the Kent Benefits Partnership was launched just six months ago, there have been a number of payments to pensioners of between £1,000 and £1,600, with more applications ready to be processed. The campaign was set up by the city council in partnership with Kent County Council and the Department of Work and research revealed that between 2,500 and 3,000 pensioners were missing out on benefits Pensions. It was put together in response to research that revealed that between 2,500 and 3,000 pensioners were missing out on benefits totalling around £500,000. Leader of Canterbury City Council, Cllr Alex Perkins, said: “I am delighted local people are starting to benefit from this campaign. It was set up to help pensioners get everything they are entitled to and improve their lives, and it is good to see this is happening already. The challenge now is to keep the success story going by encouraging more residents to get in touch and claim as much of the £500,000 as possible.” To enquire about eligibility for council tax benefit, or for more information on the campaign, contact the Kent Benefits Partnership by ringing 0845 345 0310 or writing to: Kent Benefits Partnership Contact Centre Invicta House Maidstone ME14 1XX Page 4 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 Go ahead, draw! It’s time to get creative at a free ‘Big Draw’ event during the Canterbury Festival in October. Part of the National Campaign for Drawing initiative to beat the ‘I can’t do it’ barrier, these are free drop-in events for all ages. Everyone is welcome, there is no need to book, and all materials provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There are three events taking place in the district: The Beaney Big Draw! Take a closer look at Canterbury’s landmark building and join architects Ash Sakula in exploring possibilities for its development, extension and transformation. Saturday 16 October, 11am to 5pm at Canterbury Royal Museum and Art Gallery, 18 High Street. Phone 01227 452 747 or see the website at www.canterbury-museums.co.uk for more information. The Imaginary City Join artists Lisa Oulton and Nicola Mauger to create an incredible imaginary cityscape, plus a chance to see architectural wire drawings created by students from Canterbury High School. Sunday 17 October, 11am to 3pm at the Dominican Priory, Canterbury. Phone 01227 378 188 or click on www.canterbury-museums.co.uk for more information. Underwater Worlds Explore and draw underwater creatures and plants, including local specimens, in this special event linked to the museum’s exhibition of underwater photographs, A Bit of a Dive. Saturday 23 October, 11am to 4pm at Herne Bay Museum and Gallery, 12 William Street, Herne Bay. Phone 01227 367 368 or log on to www.hernebay-museum.co.uk for more information. District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 12:50 Page 5 News round up Don't lose your right to vote – register today! , Shop til you drop at Whitefriars The new Whitefriars Square looking along Whitefriars Street to the existing Fenwick store The first phase of the £140 million Whitefriars development in Canterbury is complete – a full year ahead of schedule. This summer saw the opening of a new Tesco Metro supermarket, Boots, Ann Summers, Clinton Cards, Sunglass Hut, Goldsmiths and H Samuel. They will shortly be joined by Beaverbrooks, Ottakars and Carphone Warehouse and, in February, by a spectacular Next store, the largest in Kent after Bluewater. The new multi-storey car park, which in contrast to its predecessor has been built in sympathy with the new buildings, offers space for 530 cars and incorporates a Shopmobility centre for hiring motorised wheelchairs and scooters. It also houses Marks & Spencer's Collect by Car service, with direct access to the recently extended store via a new footbridge. The completion of the first phase of the development was marked by an August bank holiday weekend of free entertainment on the four city centre squares – Whitefriars, Rose, Longmarket and Clocktower – sponsored by the Whitefriars developer Land Securities. The weekend also marked the launch of the new city centre apartments, which are an integral part of the Whitefriars scheme. The 35 luxury apartments are above the shops in the new Gravel Walk and Whitefriars Street and next to the multistorey car park in Watling Street. The final phase of the Whitefriars development is on target for completion in the summer of 2005 – nearly six years after work first began. A further 14 retail units will house the likes of Zara, H&M and River Island and negotiations are well advanced with a number of other leading fashion names, many of whom are new to Canterbury. For further information on the development, check out the Whitefriars website at www.whitefriars-shopping.co.uk The date of the next election hasn’t been confirmed yet, but you have still got time to be included on the new electoral register to vote. We are now preparing a new Register of Electors which will be used for the Kent County Council elections in May 2005 and possibly the next general election. Please make sure that you or someone in your household completes and returns the annual registration form that is being delivered to all households this month. If you also receive a reminder next month then please make sure that you return that as unfortunately some forms do go astray in the post. The revised register will be published on 1 December 2004 and you are advised to check that your name is on it by asking at the council offices in Military Road, Canterbury or by calling 01227 862 007 or by e-mail to electoral.services@ canterbury.gov.uk Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 5 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:28 Page 6 News round up One vision A questionnaire was recently sent out to a sample of residents in the Heron (Herne Bay), Harbour (Whitstable) and Northgate (Canterbury) wards of the district. Nearly 600 residents completed and returned the questionnaire, which asked local people what they liked about the area they live in and what their concerns were. Some of the issues identified by the communities were: traffic; lack of parking; litter and dog mess; and lack of youth activities. This was part of the Community Visioning process being carried out by the Herne Bay and Whitstable Coastal Regeneration Partnership and the Northgate Community Regeneration Partnership. The main issues highlighted from the results will now be fed into an action plan for each area. Martin Goard and Sari Sirkia Weaver, who chair the partnerships, said: "We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete and return the questionnaire or who took part in a focus group – the response was fantastic". If you would like any more information on the Community Visioning process, please call Marie Royle on 01227 862 517 or Amy Zawislak on 01227 862 515. Reculver by night Reculver Towers, one of the district's most famous landmarks, is now bathed in light during the evenings. Canterbury City Council has spent £17,000 on the permanent lighting, which aims to attract more visitors to the area. Sensors trigger the lights at dusk and a timer turns them off automatically at midnight. The switch-on is the culmination of a two-year project. Special permissions were required from English Heritage and the Environment Agency given the environmental sensitivity of the area and the Roman, Saxon and Medieval remains meant scheduled monument consent was needed from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The scheme has been designed by Brendan Pollard Associates, a specialist lighting company based in London. A Herne Bay businessman, Peter Robson, has built the special enclosure to house the lights. It’s our duty to regulate that beauty The city council is to enforce new powers requiring anybody who carries out any form of cosmetic piercing, semi-permanent tattooing or semi-permanent skin colouring to register with the council before practising. In the past few years, the range of beauty treatments has grown and the risk has increased, so new laws aimed at protecting Page 6 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 the health of people using such cosmetic treatments have been brought in. Any individual or business practising these treatments, and who is not already fully registered, should contact Dick Langridge in the city council's Commercial Health department on 01227 862 215 or e-mail [email protected] District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:29 Page 7 News round up Holding out Rock me, Amadeus for a hero Canterbury is to take part in a year-long, Europe-wide celebration of the life and works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 2006, the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Nominations are invited for the 2004 Kent Volunteer Awards which recognises the contribution made by so many individuals throughout the county. The awards, run by Kent County Council, are now in their fifth successful year. There are a number of different categories: The Marlowe Theatre Awards for the arts; The Environment Agency Award for protection and enjoyment of the wild; Barclays Award for carers, welfare and disability; Pfizer Awards for community support and development; KCC Awards for voluntary work in schools and education; Saga Awards for voluntary committee support and for counselling and advice; Kent Sports Development Awards for sport and the support of sport; and The Children’s Mutual Awards for mentoring. From stewards and envelope stuffers, patrons and governors, committee members and club helpers – anyone who provides a valuable service for free is a volunteer. Individuals or groups can be nominated for giving time, commitment and enthusiasm. The closing date for entries is 24 September. For a nomination form or further details contact Nicki Setterfield on 01227 472 500 or email [email protected] The city council was invited to take part in the ‘European Mozart Ways’ initiative because of the time Mozart spent in Canterbury in 1765, aged nine. He and his family were guests of Sir Horace Mann at Bourne Park in Bishopsbourne, visiting the city and going to horseracing events nearby on their way to London. Canterbury has now become one of the key players in the partnership, which will create a European network based on some of the historic travel routes Mozart took. Work is already underway on Canterbury’s contribution to the year. It will give people of all ages and abilities the chance to create and perform work written or inspired by the genius of Mozart. Music will be at the heart of the programme but it will also include drama, poetry, visual arts and much more. Pomp and circumstance as plaque is put back A full rededication ceremony accompanied the replacing of the war memorial plaque at the Cherry Orchard playing field pavilion in Herne recently. Canterbury City Council arranged for the new plaque after the original one was vandalised earlier this year. It officially recognised that exservicemen of the Second World War had donated the pavilion at the playing fields to the people of Herne. The ceremony started with a march by the Royal British Legion and tributes from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Martin Vye, and the Royal British Legion. The Lord Mayor then unveiled the new plaque. The event ended with the singing of the hymn Lead Kindly Light, The Last Post, a one-minute silence, a bugle tribute and the laying of a wreath by the Royal British Legion. Safe food means better business Food businesses in the Canterbury district are already used to spotting and controlling potential food hazards in their day-to-day work. Most are also familiar with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) message linked to this, which highlights the ‘four Cs’– cooking, chilling, cleaning and cross-contamination. From January 2006 caterers and food businesses will all have to write down what they do to ensure that they serve safe food. Canterbury’s commercial health team is keen to give local businesses a chance to get involved in finding a way to meet this future legal requirement. Officers are working with a small number of local businesses to trial a new pack produced by the FSA with caterers in mind, called Safe Food, Better Business. This is being looked at as a model for caterers to meet the future legal requirement and findings will be reported back to the government in the autumn. If you are interested in receiving more information about the trial please contact Sarah Maloney or Sandra Jones 01227 862 216 and 862 218. Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 7 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:29 Page 8 Walking for health With so much in the news today about obesity in the population, many are looking for a way to get a bit of exercise without paying a gym subscription or upsetting their daily schedule. The Walking for Health project may hold the answer for some with lunchtime ‘led walks’. Steve James steps out for District Life... Ruth Brown, the Walking for Health project Co-ordinator for East Kent is trying to change the way we think about using our legs. The Walking for Health initiative aims to encourage people to walk in their own neighbourhoods with minimum fuss, and Ruth has been instrumental in establishing 'led walks'. Locally, the project is sponsored by the East Kent Health Promotion Service (Ruth’s employers), with local partners including Canterbury City Council funding project costs within each of their areas. Several successful walks have already been established in east Kent, and Ruth is now trying to take the philosophy into the workplace. The city council is keen to promote the health and wellbeing of its staff. Following a successful event last year when staff learned about the health benefits of small increases in walking, Ruth recently returned to the council offices to undertake volunteer walk leader training to encourage staff to walk more during their lunch breaks. It wasn't long before Ruth began to impart her knowledge, and we soon found ourselves on a voyage of walking discovery. I was amazed to hear that despite the popular image of too many hamburgers, obesity has increased in the UK over the 50 years primarily because of reduced physical exercise. It soon became apparent that walking is one of the most underestimated forms of physical activity. As Ruth pointed out, walking regularly not only tackles weight, it can also halve the risk of heart disease and reduce the chances of developing diabetes. The emotional benefits of walking are also enormous – such activity is a great weapon against stress and even mild depression. Ruth cited the example of a working mum who parked her car at the furthest point from the entrance to her local supermarket. This simple change led to the woman walking an extra 85 kilometres a year. After the workshop was over, my city council colleagues and I were imbued with enthusiasm about becoming walk leaders for our colleagues. Walk leaders require a basic adherence to health and safety and a good knowledge of the immediate area – in my case, central Canterbury. Do you want to become a walk leader? Call the East Kent Health Promotion Service on 01304 828 731 or 828 721. The council’s new walk leaders, pictured with Ruth Brown (centre), hope to get their colleagues out into the fresh air Page 8 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 10:25 Page 9 Heritage Open Days Join the time travellers... Heritage Open Days from 10 to 13 September will give everyone the opportunity to step into the past and discover historic buildings, many of which are rarely open to the public. There will be free entry to all, and those that do open regularly will waive their normal admission charges during the four-day event. The Civic Trust's nationwide initiative features 19 special 'happenings' in the Canterbury district including talks, guided walks and a Norman living history display in the grounds of Canterbury Castle. Our past and future heritage are brought together at the new Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre in Whitstable, where local historian Robin Masters will give a talk on the history of smuggling in the area. Noted architect Anthony Swaine will focus on the post war reconstruction of Canterbury. His first hand account brings to life this unsettled time that changed the face of the city. Littlebourne Barn Canterbury Guild of Guides is giving a special tour of the city walls and the city council's countryside officer, Brian Watmough, will lead the more intrepid across grazing marshes at Seasalter to reveal one of six medieval salterns. Also on Sunday, afternoon Herne Mill chance to see the Mayor's teas will be on sale at Tower House, Canterbury, in aid of the Lady Mayoress' Charities. This is a rare civic regalia including the St Martin’s Priory Burghmote Horn that dates back to 1155. Other properties promoted by the city council this year include: Herne Windmill; The Littlebourne Barn with A 'behind the scenes' tour of the Whitstable Playhouse will be staged on Saturday and a talk on the Crab and Winkle Line railway steams ahead at the Goods Shed Farmers Market in Canterbury on Sunday – an organic experience! its annual Open Art Exhibition; All Saints Church, Canterbury Youth Hostel Petham; Eastbridge Hospital, Canterbury; Reculver Towers (where you can climb the towers); The Westgate Towers and Guildhall; The Belvedere Chapel, Hales Place, Canterbury (the smallest chapel in the world Fordwich Town Hall according to the Guinness Book of Records) and Fordwich Town Hall (the oldest town hall in Britain). Two other properties, Canterbury's Youth Hostel and St Martin's Priory are Canterbury Castle Full details of all events can be found on the city council's website at www.canterbury.gov.uk or to obtain a leaflet call 01227 862 186 or 01227 378 100. also taking part this year. Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 9 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:29 Page 10 Volunteer! Students’ good work from college to community Students from the University of Kent have raised more than £25,000 for charities and good causes Hundreds of University of Kent students from all over the world have given their time to volunteering over the past 10 years. They have been supporting local voluntary organisation in projects as diverse as the homeless shelter and Pilgrims Hospice. Most students sign up for volunteering at the beginning of their academic life, often as a way of making friends or get to know the city a little better. For some it’s a chance to give back to the community that they have joined, for others it’s an opportunity to gain vital life/work skills and for a few it’s the chance to find a career. Whatever their reasons are, both the placements and the student gain from the experience. The placement gets an enthusiastic pair of hands with a willingness to learn and for the student it can be summed up by the following quote from one volunteer: “I gained life experience of being exposed to an aspect of life and society which is it’s an opportunity to gain vital life/work skills – some students even find a career usually kept from the public. I have met many friendly people and have learned a lot from the patients and staff that I have spent time with. I hope to make a career in the field of mental health.” Each placement will set a minimum period of time the volunteers can work and some students will only volunteer for a term some for a year. But for a Page 10 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 select few it sets them on a path that they will follow throughout their working lives. In addition to the practical work they undertake in the community, students also raise money for charity. Students from the university alone raised more than £25,000 in the last academic year for local and national charities and good causes. Other local colleges also work hard to raise cash in this way. District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:30 Page 11 News round up Sea defences at Tankerton set a ‘bench’ mark for coastal protection The results of a £6.4 million coastal protection project for Tankerton were unveiled recently. A new shingle beach and new timber groynes will protect 1.4 miles of coastline between Whitstable and Swalecliffe from the sea for approximately the next 50 years. The project was one of the largest engineering schemes the city council has carried out in-house. It was mainly funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and was completed early and under budget. Subject to approval from DEFRA, the council hopes to start improvements at Whitstable and Seasalter in the next year or so. The council's Executive member for highways and engineering, Cllr Nick Eden- Cllr Nick Eden-Green officially unveils the new bench, with the sea defences team looking on Green, unveiled the project when he cut a ribbon on a seafront bench made out of the old groynes. He said: "Many of us can remember the devastating floods of 1953 and the sight of homes being lost through coastal landslides. The sea is an ever-present threat to those people living close to it. This project was designed to ensure the continued safety of the people of Tankerton and its successful completion means they can sleep safely in their beds at night.” Lights, cameras, and plenty of action! Television production companies have been queuing up to film in the district recently – resulting in plenty of free publicity for the area. The Discovery Channel show, Mummy Autopsy, filmed a mystery burial at the Museum of Canterbury. International forensic scientists examined the bodies of two adults, two children and a dog, together with personal possessions including beads, bracelets, keys and knives, that were discovered near Stour Street in Canterbury in 1980. This was followed by the popular Channel 4 programme, Location, Location, Location, which was filmed in the city centre, Westgate Gardens, Dane John Gardens and the nearby village of Bridge. A documentary about the Peasants’ Revolt, presented by Tony Robinson for Channel 4, saw horses and riders making their way through the city centre. He was in Canterbury to trace the events of 1381 in which local peasants descended on London to protest against the poll tax. Other programmes filmed recently include A Place by the Sea in Herne Bay and Whitstable, a sketch show with Tim Healy and documentary series, Horizon. Pothole problems cracked Canterbury Highway Unit has recently completed a £420,000 programme of resurfacing of roads in the district. Some had potholes and cracks, while a number had become too slippery. Roads which have been resurfaced are Shalloak Road, Broad Oak; A290 Whitstable Road, Canterbury; St Alphege Lane and King Street, Canterbury; Upper Chantry Lane, Canterbury; Reculver Road, Herne Bay; Grange Road, Herne Bay; B2068 Stone Street, Petham; Hackington Road, Clowes Wood; Downs Road and Tenterden Drive, Canterbury. Canterbury Highway Unit is part of the Kent Highways Partnership with Kent County Council, Ringway Highway Services and Babtie. Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 11 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:31 Page 12 New waste collection arrangements In the last edition of District Life, we explained the changes the city council will be making to the way it collects residents’ waste next year. Real solution to nappy problems From February to December 2005, the council will be introducing a system known as alternate weekly collections, where recyclable waste in clear sacks and garden waste in green-lidded wheelie bins or reusable sacks will be collected one week, followed by landfill waste in grey-lidded wheelie bins the next week. The new arrangements also include supplying residents with more clear recycling sacks and reducing the time between collections at Christmas. As part of the article in the last edition, we asked you to send in your questions and concerns. Around 20 readers did so, with most asking questions about the scheme and only a few expressing dissatisfaction with the changes. In this edition, we answer some more most frequently asked questions, profile the recycling centre at Hersden where everyone’s clear sacks are taken, and feature a mother who champions the use of real nappies. As District Life went to press, distribution of an information leaflet explaining the new system was underway. Every household in the district will get a copy of it – if you haven't got yours yet, it should arrive in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for it coming through your door. Gayle Chattenton, pictured here with six-month-old daughter, Sky, says real nappies are best For Dave and Gayle Chattenton, who live in Canterbury, using real nappies on their six-month old daughter, Sky, instead of disposables was an easy choice. Gayle says: “In the longer term, real nappies are cheaper. To buy our whole set cost £200, whereas Import ant info rmatio n – plea se read ! Canterb disposables can cost up to £10 a u Council ry City is chan week. They are just as easy to use the wa ging y your ho it collects usehold and you don’t have the problem waste of disposing of them when used. Page 12 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 “Cleaning real nappies is easy. We soak them first and then just wash them in the machine. They also take up less space than disposables and can be left on a baby for up to 12 hours. Disposables are likely to leak within that time.” Kent County Council launched its real nappy scheme in 2001 to encourage more families to use them. The city council supports the scheme and works with the county council to promote it at events and on information leaflets. It is estimated one baby’s disposable nappy waste in one year will fill 40 black plastic sacks, or just over 12 wheelie bins. Approximately eight million disposables are used in Britain every day, of which around 7.5 million end up in landfill sites. Kent County Council is currently offering financial rewards for families who use real nappies. For more information, ring the war on waste hotline on 0845 345 0210 or visit the website at www.kent.gov.uk/sp /waronwaste District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:31 Page 13 New waste collection arrangements What a load of rubbish! Questionsandanswers The recycling centre at Hersden is a busy place. Every clear sack full of recyclable material ends up here, to be sorted, packaged up and then sent to various places in Britain for recycling. Q. Will households with small bins be given larger ones to hold the increased amount of waste generated in two weeks? The centre, known as a Materials Recycling Facility, or MRF, is run by a private company called Brett Waste Management. In 2003/4, a total of 9,233 tonnes of recyclable waste was taken to the centre in residents’ clear sacks – the equivalent of roughly 920 dustcarts a year. A. Yes. All those households with a small 140-litre bin, who wish to have a larger bin, will be given a 240-litre bin free of charge. So, where does everything go, and what happens to it? Paper and magazines – Aylesford Newsprint in Maidstone, for newsprint paper Card and cardboard packaging – St Regis Mill in Sittingbourne, for cardboard Plastic bottles – Delleve Plastics in Stratford Upon Avon, to become water pipes Plastics such as yoghurt pots/margarine tubs – Fibrefuel in Slough, mixed with paper to make fuel pellets for power stations Steel cans – Wales steel mills, to be turned into steel ingots Aluminium – Merseyside, for aluminium ingots The clear sacks are taken directly from the streets to the MRF. Each dustcart is weighed on arrival so that records on how much waste is being recycled can be kept. The sacks are then placed on a conveyer belt and staff at the centre begin sorting them by hand. An overhead magnet takes out the steel cans; everything else is separated out into individual piles, crushed and put into bales to await collection. Q. How will the council be encouraging students to recycle? A. We are well aware of the challenge facing us in persuading students to do their bit. The council is already working closely with the universities and plans high profile attendance at events such as freshers’ week and in student publications. In addition we will be making it clear to landlords that they must take more responsibility for the waste produced by their tenants, and will make visits to student homes to explain the scheme face-to-face. Q. Will you reduce Council Tax to reflect this change in service? A. This is unlikely. The introduction of the clear sack and garden waste collection schemes was already a major increase in services. Any future savings from the new scheme will be used to offset those costs and on other council services. Q. Can people drop off clear sacks at the household recycling centre sites? A. We aim to have a system in place to allow this to happen by the time the scheme starts in February 2005. Q. Can I have a home visit from a recycling officer to give me advice on the new scheme? A. Yes. All households will be written to and offered a home visit before the scheme starts in their area. They can also be arranged by calling the council’s recycling team on 01227 862 247 or e-mailing [email protected] Cyril Harris and Paul Williams on the sorting belt at Hersden Materials Recycling Facility Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 13 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:32 Page 14 Licensing Getting in on the Act In February 2005, a new Licensing Act bringing in major reforms to the laws on liquor licensing, entertainment licensing and control of late night refreshment will come into force. The biggest change in the system sees local authorities taking responsibility for issuing licences to pubs, clubs and restaurants. This was previously carried out by magistrates courts. There are a number of other important changes: Removal of fixed opening hours, which have long been blamed for the disturbance on our streets at night. Instead, premises are being given flexibility on their operating hours, subject to agreement by the council. Children aged under 16 are allowed on liquor-licensed premises provided an adult accompanies them. Young people (aged 16-18) are allowed to enter licensed premises unaccompanied. All vendors of alcohol, hot food takeaways, and those involved in providing regulated entertainment (music, dance, cinema, theatre) will need a licence. Clubs, church halls and other premises rented out for private events on a regular basis will need a licence. Two types of licence will be available: Personal: this covers permission to sell alcohol. Holders of a personal licence will be allowed to move more freely between premises where a premises licence is in force. Premises: this allows premises to be used to supply alcohol, provide regulated premises and provide refreshment late at night. This will bring together the six existing licensing regimes (alcohol, public entertainment, cinemas, theatres, late night refreshment houses and night cafés). Four key objectives The government's objectives in introducing the act are to: 1. Reduce crime and disorder 2. Protect public safety providing a major boost to the local economy. However, the council's draft policy equally recognises the right residents have to peace and quiet and a night's sleep free from disturbance. Finding the right balance between the needs of the economy and local people is one of the council's biggest challenges to ensuring the Act is successfully introduced in the Canterbury district. In summary, the council's draft licensing policy aims to: 3. Prevent public nuisance 4. Protect children from harm As part of the implementation of the Act, the government requires all local authorities to produce, consult on and publish a licensing policy showing how they will carry out their duties. This involves extensive consultation with local residents, the police and fire brigade, businesses and the licensed trade. Canterbury City Council has now drafted its policy based around the government's four objectives and a 12week period of formal consultation is underway. Everybody with an interest in licensing is being urged to send in their views so they can be taken into account before the final policy is agreed. With the introduction of the Act, the council hopes Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable will become vibrant centres for leisure and culture, Page 14 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 Help build and maintain a fair and prosperous society that properly balances the rights of individuals and their communities. Encourage young people and culture. Reduce crime and disorder. Encourage tourism. Encourage an early evening and night time economy which is viable and sustainable. Reduce alcohol misuse. Encourage employment. Encourage the self sufficiency of local communities. Reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation on business. Continued on page 19... District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:39 Page 19 Licensing Culture in the news Continued from page 14... Some of the issues the council is particularly keen to hear views on are: Opening hours of licensed premises (for sale of alcohol or otherwise). Location of new licensed premises, especially those open late night/early morning. Provision of public transport late night/early morning (and who should pay). Provision of additional public toilets associated with licensed premises. Provision of events on public land. Closing times of late night takeaways. Location of late night mobile food units such as We’re in the money! burger and kebab vans. Problems relating to noise, litter and anti-social behaviour. Canterbury City Council's Commerical Health Manager, Roger Vick, has been closely involved in putting the new legislation together. He was chosen for his expertise and experience to join the national group that considered the implications of the new legislation. Roger said: "This is one of the issues where it really is essential we hear the views of local people. So much of the legislation affects our day-to-day lives. The more comments we receive, the better, because we will end up with a policy that reflects the district's needs." The deadline for comments is Friday 5 November 2004. They should be sent to: Roger Vick Commercial Health Manager Canterbury City Council Military Road Canterbury CT1 1YW Or by e-mail to [email protected] A special website allowing people to give their views has been set up at www.canterbury.gov.uk/licensing. A full copy of the council's draft licensing policy is available to view at that address in PDF format. The council is also reminding licensed premises and event organisers that a new licensing regime for door supervisors will be operating alongside the new legislation. For more information, contact the Securities Industries Authority at www.the-sia.org.uk or by ringing 08702 430 100. Cllr Alex Perkins, pictured here with Daniel McPherson, Aussie star of The Marlowe’s Mystery Plays, and Janice McGuiness, the council’s Head of Culture and Communications celebrate the cultural windfall The city council has been awarded £750,000 for an exciting and ambitious programme of cultural activities over the next 18 months. The grant is from the Urban Cultural Programme, a one-off lottery initiative combining money from the Millennium Commission and Arts Council England. It followed a bid by the council earlier this year, which outlined the projects that could be staged. The line-up of events features a culturally diverse music programme, a story telling project to address issues surrounding asylum, a literature and dance event to raise awareness of Black History Month and a community opera telling the story of the Kent Coalfields. Canterbury’s £750,000 has been topped up by pledges of £50,000 from Arts Council England South East and £25,000 from the South East England Development Agency, making a grand total of £825,000. Council leader Cllr Alex Perkins said: “This is excellent news and we’re looking forward to developing and celebrating these events in the coming months. I believe our success in being awarded this money is directly linked to our bid to be Capital of Culture in 2008. We may not have won, but it changed everything for us – it raised our profile, our aspirations and how other people view Canterbury. “The benefits of our bid are now being seen. We’ve set out to regenerate the area through culture and it is very pleasing that organisations such as the Arts Council and Millennium Commission can see what we are trying to do and are supporting us with funding.” Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 19 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:39 Page 20 Residents Card offers – September to December 2004 Residents Card offers To make sure more people get access to the Residents Card scheme, the quarterly list of offers will now be published in District Life rather than mailed on to each cardholder. Offers are subject to availability, some have date constraints and will not be offered for the entire period. Please check offers with attractions before travelling. Canterbury Information Centre, The Buttermarket, Canterbury Downland Cycles, London Bound Platform, Canterbury West Railway Station Free Canterbury visitor guide (normally sold for Offer 1: 10% discount on repairs, servicing and accessories on joining Spokes at Downland Cycles. Offer 2: Free Spokes High Viz waistcoat with every bicycle including Brompton bicycle (while stocks last). Phone: 01227 479 643 email: [email protected] 50p). Phone: 01227 378 100. Canterbury Roman Museum, Butchery Lane, Canterbury Free admission for cardholders and their children. Phone: 01227 785 575. Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction, St Margaret’s Street, Canterbury 20% discount on admission prices. Phone: 01227 479 227. Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction Gift Shop, St Margaret’s Street, Canterbury 10% discount off all items purchased in the gift shop. Phone: 01227 454 888. Canterbury West Gate Towers Museum Allied Carpets, Cow Lane, Wincheap Industrial Estate, Canterbury Free admission for cardholders and their children. Phone: 01227 789 576. 10% discount on purchases of carpets, vinyls, woods, laminates and rugs at the Canterbury store only. Excludes fitting, underlay and ancillaries, and is not valid with any other concession. Phone: 01227 761 071. Castle Arts, 76 Castle Street Canterbury Brewery Tours at Shepherd Neame, Court Street, Faversham 10% off tour tickets. Advanced booking is essential, phone: 01795 542 016 or book online at: www.shepherd-neame.co.uk Canterbury Christ Church University College, Canterbury 30% discount on family and friends accommodation until 14 September 2004. Phone: 01227 782 225 Canterbury Guild of Guides Offer 1: Buy one adult guided tour ticket and get one free. Sold at the Information Centre where tours leave at 2pm Monday to Saturday until 23 October. Offer 2: 25% discount on guided walks for groups of up to 12 residents. A 90 minute guided walk through the city centre (including the Cathedral precincts) for £30 per group of 12 (normally £40). Phone: 01227 459 779 or e-mail: [email protected] 10% discount on all art sales when paying by cash/cheque/debit card. Phone: 01227 766 616. E-mail: [email protected] Chives Café at The Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre, Whitstable 10% off the bill. Phone: 01227 281 255. Conference Iffin, Iffin Lane, Canterbury One free delegate place when booking an initial meeting. Phone: 08703 210 565 or e-mail: [email protected] Conquest House Antiques, Palace Street, Canterbury Druidstone Wildlife Park, Honey Hill, Blean between Canterbury and Whitstable on A290 £1 off of the cardholders admission fee, or one child free with each adult paying full admission fee. Offer valid until 30 November 2004. Phone 01227 765 168. English Heritage Two for one on admission. Offers are not valid on special days or evening events. Collect a voucher from Whitstable, Herne Bay or Canterbury Information Centres. Offer 1: 1 -30 September 2004 only: Deal Castle, Walmer Castle and Richborough Roman Fort Offer 2: 1 September to 31 December 2004: St Augustine’s Abbey, Dover Castle and Lullingstone Roman Villa. To check winter opening times, phone: 0870 333 1181 or visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk The Evenhill, High Street, Littlebourne 20% discount on an overnight stay. Phone: 01227 721 084 or email: [email protected] Ferns Canterbury Café, above Canterbury Information Centre, in The Buttermarket, Canterbury 5% discount off your bill. Phone 01227 781 885. 10% off purchases. Phone 01227 464 587. Fresh Aspects, Canterbury Council Pay and Display car parks Offer 1: Free business potential meeting (normally £275). Offer 2: Two free Business Builder Breakfast Forums. Please book early, phone: 01227 762 694. 10% off parking when purchased via the smart card system (Offer not exclusive to Residents Card). Phone: 01227 862 429. E-mail: [email protected] County Hotel, Canterbury £50 per person per night’s B&B for friends and relatives (subject to a minimum two night stay at weekends and based on double occupancy). Phone: 01227 766 266. Page 20 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 Global Travel at Pilgrim’s Coffee Shop, St Peter’s Street, Canterbury Offer 1: 5% discount on all holidays. Offer 2: 1/2 price insurance with every holiday booked. Offer 3: 10% off the bill in the coffee shop. Phone: 01227 464 531. District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:39 Page 21 Residents Card offers – September to December 2004 Iffin Farmhouse, Iffin Lane, Canterbury National Legal Services United Print Group, Canterbury £10 discount when booking for two nights or more. Phone: 08703 210 565 or e-mail: [email protected] 10% off all services, including wills, inheritance tax saving wills, protective property trusts and enduring powers of attorney. Phone: 0800 328 2364 quoting Ref. 8587. 10% discount for recycled inkjet and toner cartridges on orders over £25, plus free collection of all empties. Payment: by cash or cheque with orders. Orders will be delivered in 72 hours. Phone: 01227 719 032 or email: [email protected] Jacob’s Bar and Brasserie at the County Hotel, Canterbury 10% discount off food. Phone: 01227 766 266. Kent Ballooning 10% off balloon flights. Freefone: 0800 032 50 60. E-mail: [email protected] Neville Pundole, The Gallery, The Friars, Canterbury Wildwood, Herne Common, between Herne Bay and Canterbury on A291 10% discount on contemporary pottery and glass. Phone 01227 453 471, e-mail: [email protected] Odeon Cinema, St George’s Place Canterbury Kim Wood Jewellers, 68 King’s Street, Sandwich 25% discount off Tuesday standard ticket price (£4.50 normally £6). Phone: 08712 244 007. 10% off purchases, restoration, and repair services. Phone: 01304 617 700 or e-mail: [email protected] 23 Queens Street, Deal King’s Hall Tea Rooms, Herne Bay 2 for 1 on teas and coffees, during October. Phone 01227 373 322. Lyre Studio (Arts & Gifts), 7a High Street, Whitstable 10% off rocks, fossils and minerals on cash or debit card purchases. Phone: 01227 280 998. Marlowe Theatre, The Friars, Canterbury 2 September, Dream Street - All tickets £5 8 September, Beyond Broadway - £2 off 14 September, Flamenco Express - All tickets £5 21 to 25 September, Dial M for Murder - 20% off 5 to 8 October, Lord of the Flies – 20% off 27 and 29 October, ETO, The Cunning Little Vixen – 20% off 22 to 27 November, The Shell Seekers – 20% off 1 December, The Commitments - £2 off top price Phone: 01227 787 787, or visit the Box Office at the Marlowe or information centres. 10% discount on orders from our showroom: Fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and showers, UPVC windows, doors and conservatories. Not valid with other promotions. Phone: 01304 381 014. Park and Ride 30% off parking when purchased via the smart card system (Offer not exclusive to Residents Card). Phone: 01227 862 429. E-mail: [email protected] Pilgrims Hotel, 18 The Friars, Canterbury Offer 1: 15% off accommodation. Offer 2: 10% off the bill in the coffee shop. Phone: 01227 464 531. Rail Canterbury, Palace Street, Canterbury 5% booking fee (normally 10%) when purchasing, rail, sea and Eurostar tickets, hotels and car hire. Phone: 01227 450 088 or email: [email protected] Have you got yours yet? If you are over 18 years of age and you are also a local resident you are eligible to apply for a Residents Card. Apply for your card today. It costs you nothing but can give you many savings on local attractions, products and services. Application forms from libraries and information centres, or by phone: 01227 862 062 and also online at www.canterbury.gov.uk/residentscard Businesses and attractions If you would like to know more about making an offer (which can be tailored to suit your business needs) please visit the website www.canterbury.gov.uk/residentscard or call the Tourism Unit on 01227 862 064 e-mail: amanda.monkpeak@ canterbury.gov.uk RCL Supplies, Canterbury Offer 1: 20% off ink print cartridges, laser toners, fax film rolls. Plus free delivery on orders over £30 (ex vat). Free admission for cardholder and their children. Phone: 01227 475 202. Offer 2: Epson C20/C40UX/C40SX/C20SX black at £3.99 + VAT, Canon S200/S300/S330/i320 black, £2.99 +VAT and discounts on other printers. Phone 01227 768 812 or email: [email protected] Mount Ephraim Gardens, Herne Hill, Faversham Sully’s Restaurant at the County Hotel, High Street, Canterbury Offer valid until 30 September. £1 off admission on up to 2 admissions per card. Phone: 01227 751 496. 10% discount off the seasonal a la carte menu. Phone: 01227 766 266. Museum of Canterbury with Rupert Bear Museum, Stour Street, Canterbury Kids go free with every full paying adult, until end of September 2004. Phone 01227 712 111. The information published is given in good faith on the basis of information submitted to Canterbury City Council. Canterbury City Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained in this publication, or in the event of the bankruptcy or liquidation of any company, individual or firm mentioned, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded. Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 21 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:40 Page 22 Whitstable Town Centre Management update Tripping the It's official – shopping is light fantastic so safe in Whitstable! Christmas is set to come early to Whitstable this year on 29 November! The town will experience a day of festivities followed by a visit from the KMfm roadshow, an appearance from Father Christmas to switch on the Christmas lights, and a fantastic fireworks display to finish the evening in style. For details on all of Whitstable's events, please call the Information Centre on 01227 275 482. Whitstable has been recognised for its work to ensure the safety and security of residents, business and visitors. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Martin Vye, accepted the Safer Shopping Award certificate on behalf of the town, presented by Michael Schuck from the British Retail Consortium on 29 July 2004. The town received this prestigious award through the hard work and dedication shown by its police, businesses and other association bodies. To recognise their efforts, Superintendent Joanna Young presented some of the businesses involved with individual framed copies of the certificate. This award-winning scheme combines a shop watch, pub watch scheme, and 24-hour CCTV surveillance system, guided by an active steering committee and dedicated project coordinator. To commemorate this award, a brass plaque has been attached to the Information Centre's wall in Oxford Street. For more information, please call Linda Mason on 01227 274 512. HADLOW COLLEGE IS BACK AT CANTERBURY! Hadlow College will be returning to its Canterbury site at Spring Lane in September 2004. The College will be offering a wide range of part time courses including RHS and City & Guilds. With bespoke glasshouse facilities, indoor and outdoor work areas and modern, well-equipped classrooms, Hadlow College Canterbury really is the place to study! BUY 1 get 1 FREE on selected courses Course Information Days 2nd & 15th September 3pm - 7pm Part Time Courses In: Floristry Horticulture Garden Design Gardening For further information Freephone 0500 551434 www.hadlow.ac.uk email [email protected] Please quote AD0095 Spring Lane, Canterbury, Kent. CT1 1TB Only 10 mins walk from Canterbury East Train Station! Hadlow College...it's different...it's better ! Page 22 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:41 Page 23 News round up Sonnets in the sun Herne Bay offered its sun, sea and sundaes to a professional poet this summer as part of a city council initiative to inspire literary creations in the district. Poet Ros Barber Let junkmail build its castles in the hush of other people’s halls. — excerpt from How to Leave the World that Worships should The city council commissioned Ros Barber to write eight new poems – entitled Seaside Sonnets – about life and the characters along Herne Bay seafront. All the poems will be published on a series of seaside postcards and will be on sale later in the year. Seaside Sonnets was set up to launch the city council’s three-year ‘A Way With Words’ literature strategy. The initiative aims to support and inspire literary residencies and events across the district. From nought to ninety-two, Spring Lane is the place to be Spring Lane Neighbourhood Centre in Canterbury is proud of its claim that it offers something for all ages. The centre’s youngest addition, little Thomas Thornton, (pictured) at just nine weeks old, regularly attends the Jelly Tots parent and toddler group held every Wednesday morning. The oldest visitor to the centre is Mrs Dorothy Galvin, aged 92, (pictured) who drops in every Wednesday afternoon for the Good Companions Club. Quite an age range! There are many other activities held at Spring Lane, from coffee mornings to youth groups, and much more. For more information about groups and activities please call Canterbury City Council’s Neighbourhood Centres Team on 01227 477 960. Tackling problems before they start Children’s services have an exciting new focus in the Canterbury district, with the launch of a new ‘preventative strategy’ for children and young people to prevent problems before they develop. The work aims to improve the opportunities for children and young people to live safe, happy, successful lives. It will tackle lots of different issues including drug and alcohol abuse, the number of children admitted to hospital, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, leisure activities, crime, homelessness, school achievement, and family support. Canterbury City Council, education, Social Services, health, Kent County Council Youth and Community and not-for-profit organisations are working together on the ‘District Children and Young Person’s Planning Group’. The aim is to develop services designed to stop these issues becoming a problem for local children. One example is reducing the number of young people who are involved in anti-social behaviour, by increasing the number attending organised leisure activities. budget, and leaving little to spend on This common sense approach can be a real challenge though: working with children and young people when problems have already arisen tends to be expensive – often using up the [email protected] services to prevent problems happening in the first place. More than 100 professionals who attended the launch in May were asked for their ideas on what could be done. The Planning Group now wants to involve local children, young people and parents in developing services. Anyone interested should contact Sue Mullin on 01227 862 517 or e-mail Copies of the strategy are available from Sandra Stuart on 01227 825 350 or e-mail [email protected] Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 23 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:41 Page 24 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:42 Page 25 News round up Peter Cushing: the man behind the screen Photo by Anita Clarke Whitstable’s most famous resident is being celebrated 10 years after his death in a new exhibition at the town’s museum, organised by the city council’s Museums and Galleries Service. Herne Bay pictured in the First World War Remembering a town at war The displays give a taste of the many films and plays in which Peter Cushing Peter Cushing at a Pirie & Cavender book signing took part. They gentleman. A number of his include letters from stars of stunning watercolours and stage and screen who hand-painted scarves are on numbered Cushing among display. their friends. But above all, the show focuses on the To coincide with the man behind the screen: exhibition, the Friends of artist, cartoonist, designer, Whitstable Museum have model-maker and courteous published a special new Photo by Colin Bourner town trail that visits Peter Cushing’s favourite walks, shops and cafes. This is on sale at the museum and bookshops. Peter Cushing with bike and Helen’s rose The exhibition continues until 6 November. Whitstable Museum and Gallery is in Oxford Street, next to the Visitor Information Centre, and is open Mondays to Saturdays 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. Ninety years after Herne Bay men joined the military callup in 1914, and in remembrance of the many who died during the First World War, a special exhibition will explore the impact that the Great War had on the lives of Herne Bay people. Through documents, photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia, the displays will reflect the initial optimism and bravado, the increasing casualties on the Front, and the conditions at home with rationing and air raids. Exhibits on show will include photographs of Belgian soldiers nursed by women of the Voluntary Aid Detachment in Herne Bay (from an album recently donated to the museum), and ration cards, air-raid notices and other documents loaned by the Herne Bay Historical Records Society. Especially moving are the extracts from school yearbooks and newspapers, with names of Herne Bay soldiers and their fates as the war progressed. It also comes as a shock to see barbed wire along the coast by Herne Bay’s Clocktower, in case of invasion. The exhibition takes place at Herne Bay Museum and Gallery and from 6 November 2004 to 22 January 2005. If you have family stories, letters or photographs to contribute, please contact the city council’s Museums and Galleries Service by leaving your details with Herne Bay Museum and Gallery on 01227 367 368 (or e-mail [email protected]). Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 25 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:42 Page 26 News round up Getting to the root of family trees Visitors to Herne Bay Museum and Gallery enjoyed a day of delving into the past. Experts and enthusiasts gathered to share information about researching family and house history – a fast-growing interest in Britain. Visitors were offered the chance to learn about family trees, research techniques and the internet, and were able to look at old photos and maps of the town. All children attending that day were given a free family history quiz sheet. Herne Bay Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. Museum staff (Martin Crowther and Manda Gifford) with visitors and exhibitors from the Kent Family History Society (Derek Drury) and the Cathedral and City Archivist (Cressida Annesley). The young visitors enjoyed the free quiz sheets! Tom and Andrew are hitting the right note Two people with local links have been selected to as Fellows of the prestigious Clore Leadership – an exciting new initiative from the Clore Duffield Foundation, established to strengthen leadership across the UK’s cultural sector. the leadership skills and experience of each individual. Andrew said: "To be awarded a Clore Fellowship is a real honour. I'm looking forward to using the new skills acquired on its programme when working in the Canterbury area in the future." Tom Andrews and Andrew Missingham are two people of an elite 27 who have been chosen. Fellows have the option of remaining with their present employers, or receiving a full-time scholarship with financial support. Tom Andrews was awarded one of three places for the youth music programme, resulting from his outstanding work with music educators from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia, providing interactive workshops and performances, community projects and information. Tom (34) lives in Canterbury, and was formerly the Chief Executive and founder of Music for Change, a Kent-based community music project that raises awareness and understanding of other cultures through music. Andrew (37) is the city council’s cultural industries consultant from The Hub. The Hub offers creative production and fundraising, mainly in music and contemporary dance. Along with the other Clore Leadership Fellows, Tom and Andrew were chosen for their in-depth experience and expertise in their particular areas. Fellows are selected annually, from the cultural sector or beyond, to undertake a year-long programme of work, research, training and secondment, designed to develop Page 26 District Life 16 Autumn 2004 District Life offers competitive advertising rates for companies providing services that serve the community. To advertise in District Life, contact Steve James on 01227 862 060 or e-mail [email protected] Rate cards and further information can be found online at www.districtlife.co.uk District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:43 Page 27 My life A passion for the history of our city After more than 45 years of guiding, lecturing and teaching in and around Canterbury, Marjorie Lyle has unquestionably made a mighty contribution to local history and archaeology. Matt Hoople finds out more... From crystal balls in Saxon graves to lectures on the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Marjorie Lyle's expertise has brought history to life for thousands in the classroom, in print, and on television and radio. At 78, her enthusiasm for telling the stories of the past remains infectious. Eye problems brought early retirement from her post as Head of Humanities at Geoffrey Chaucer School in 1979. Marjorie had previously taught history at Barton Court School and Dover Girls Grammar schools and lectured at the University of Kent's School of Continuing Education. "After many years in teaching I needed a new cause," she said. That new cause came in the form of fund-raising for the re-established Canterbury Archaeological Trust, an interest close to her heart. Along with her husband, Lawrence, Marjorie was instrumental in setting up a shop selling used clothing to fund the activities of the trust. The Archaeological Areas Act of 1979 had highlighted the urgent need for a professional conservation body at a time of expansion and change in the city centre. Marjorie said: "I had to borrow a large amount from the bank and the city council to buy the shop as a fundraising outlet for the trust. Rents were very high and I was fortunate to be able to buy the property outright." When the shop finished trading in 1992, Marjorie had more than paid off the loans with a combination of rent from student flats on the first floor and impressive clothing sales. A letter of thanks she received on the eventual sale of the property estimated that the shop had contributed more than a quarter of a million pounds to the trust's purse. Marjorie's family history is as colourful as the front cover of one of the children's novels she has written. She has variously uncovered evidence of slave-trading and anti-slavery campaigning in her family in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Majorie and Lawrence’s professional partnership has weaved entrepreneurial spirit, fervent historical interest and editorial exchanges. Their publishing partnership, under the Chough Press label, has enjoyed success with healthy sales of Marjorie's four books. Woolworth's and announced to one of the assistants that she was standing on the site of an illegal Mint. She told him that mints were in the next aisle!" According to Marjorie, the motivation for her own broad and inspirational career is simple. "I believe that people should be in tune with where they have come from, and this is the key to knowing yourself. Whether it be selling politics to sleeping voters or education to reluctant children, the key is communication." Her 12 grandchildren would agree that she has communicated better than most. The thousands who have at some stage heard Marjorie in a classroom, lecture hall or in one of Canterbury's streets, would certainly fall into line behind them. A celebrated archaeological history of Canterbury for English Heritage was the first major project published in 1992. Latest on the shelves is a reworking of the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170, as seen through the eyes of a servant boy. Majorie said: "After the English Heritage book my husband suggested that I turn to spinning history into stories for children. Originally the stories were only intended for my grandchildren. The book is my heart child." "A real inspiration to me was the one-time Canterbury archivist, William Urry. I first met him in the high street carrying a sign salvaged from the Fleur de Lis inn. He told me he once went into Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 27 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 10:49 Page 29 News round up Richard marks 20 years of song Dr Richard Cooke When Dr Richard Cooke was interviewed for the post of Conductor of Canterbury Choral Society 20 years ago he said he wanted the job so he could "conduct the great choral works in that magnificent building". The building was Canterbury Cathedral, and Richard has been conducting there ever since. At the age of eight he became a chorister of St Paul's Cathedral and was later a choral scholar at Cambridge University where he was invited at the age of 20 to become the assistant conductor of the University Orchestra under the direction of David Willcocks. His conducting skills were further recognised when at an early stage he conducted the prestigious University Chamber Orchestra. As well as his role with Canterbury Choral Society he is Music Director of the Royal Choral Society and has held similar posts with the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Choir. Richard's work in Canterbury has given him much pleasure, with the 200-strong choir responding well to his leadership and going from strength to strength. The Choral Society has strong links with The Canterbury Festival and one of the highlights of this year's festival will be Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Bartok's Cantata Profana. The society's next concert season will include a performance of Elgar's The Apostles which will be recorded in the cathedral on 22 January 2005. When asked to name the highlights of his 20 years he quotes Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Bach B minor Mass, Mahler 8, Britten's War Requiem, Brahms and Verdi but says each new work to be performed by this wonderful choir is a challenge he relishes. Get on your bike and beat the jam Four guided cycle rides are being organised around Canterbury this month designed with novice cyclists in mind, and aimed at highlighting how to get around the city quickly and safely while avoiding motor traffic. The rides are circular, starting and finishing at the city council offices in Military Road. The rides take place at 10am and 1pm on Saturday 18 September and Sunday 19 September. For more information contact Andy McNally on 01227 713 285 or Beatrice Shire on 01227 766 782, of Spokes, the East Kent Cycle Campaign. Holding back the floods Canterbury City Council's Sea Defences Team will be holding a public exhibition at Whitstable's Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre from 30 September to 5 October. Displays will show flood prevention measures which have been implemented between Whitstable Harbour and Faversham Creek over the past few years, and reveal future plans. Engineers will be on hand to answer any questions. Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 29 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:45 Page 30 Getting older doesn’t mean he’ll definitely need more help, but with Lifeline, Edward knows it’s there if he needs it. For more information, call 01227 862 540, log on to our website at www.canterbury.gov.uk/lifeline, or e-mail [email protected] District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:46 Page 31 A Feast of Festivals Something for everyone! Canterbury is to play host to a ‘Feast of Festivals’ this autumn, with three major events offering everything from food and drink to arts, crafts and culture. a mix of jazz, folk, blues and world music. The festival ends with a spectacular lantern procession that winds its way through the city centre streets. Rounding off the ‘Feast of Festivals’ is the Eurofair, from 26 The season started with to 28 November. Stallholders the British Food from across Europe will Festival, which took bring speciality food and place in the Dane John drink and arts and crafts Garden at the beginning to Canterbury, providing of September. the ideal opportunity Hot on the heels of to buy some the best in food Christmas presents and drink comes the Rebecca Carrington who is with a difference. Canterbury Festival, appearing in the festival club Laden tables and packed providing arts and stalls offer the chance to sample a culture at locations across the district. With more than 200 events between 9 huge variety of meats, wines, cheeses, bread and patisserie and 24 October, the whole family will spead out in the Dane John Garden, find something that appeals. echoing the role played when hosting The programme includes dance, fairs during the reign of Charles II. theatre, opera, comedy, exhibitions, The ‘Feast of Festivals’ package has been walks, talks and children’s events at put together by Canterbury City Council, locations around the city, classical Canterbury City Management Limited concerts at Canterbury Cathedral and the ever-popular festival club featuring and the Canterbury Festival team. Enjoy great British and European produce at Canterbury’s Eurofair For more information, ring the Canterbury Information Centre on 01227 378 100, or visit www.canterburyfestival.co.uk (Canterbury Festival) or www.canterbury.co.uk/ccm (British Food Festival and Eurofair). Bufaplanetes (Pep Bou) will be a highlight of the Canterbury Festival Autumn 2004 District Life 16 Page 31 District Life 16.qxd 17/08/2004 09:46 Page 32 We’ve got it all! C A S U A L D A N C E S W I M M I N G S T U D I O S F I T N E S S S T U D I O S S P O R T S H A L L Pilates, Body Jam, Body Combat, Body Pump, Deep Aqua, Chi Ball, BLT, Group Cycle, Aquatone, Yoga, Fab Abs, Gym Teens, Circuit Training, Monster Workout, Step, Reflexions Gymnasium and Sports Hall Putting life in people’s days and days on people’s lives! ! K O O L £10 Registered Charity No 1095215 for two weeks’ membership! A 5 Star membership includes free use of the swim, gym and fitness facilities at all five of our centres. To obtain your two weeks at this special price, simply cut out this voucher and call one of the centres to organise your FREE SHOW ROUND. Strictly one voucher per person DL/Autumn