News

HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

15 June 2006<IMG height=195 hspace=10 src="images/michaelhoward3.jpg" width=130 align=right vspace=10 border=0>

First stop last Friday was the official re-opening of Folkestone’s Skate Park. I had been present at the official opening, had witnessed the tremendous pleasure it gave to so many youngsters and was saddened when it was closed because of complaints from some neighbours about the noise.

Much time has passed and a great deal of work had to be done before the park could be re-opened. And, as ever, the work cost a lot of money.

The remarkable thing about this story is the extent of self help involved. Harvey Grammar School pupil Mohammed Al Jourani set about raising the money with some of his friends.

They collected £500 from local residents, invested the money in a gig at the Lanterns and ended up with around £1200. What an example to the rest of the community!

Mohammed and his friends were at the re-opening last Friday and I was delighted to have the opportunity of congratulating them personally on this achievement.

From the skate park I went to a meeting of well over 100 concerned parents at Harcourt Primary School.

There is deep anger in the community which Harcourt serves, and of which it is such a vital part at the County Council’s proposal to close the school. This is emphatically described as a “merger� with Morehall but in fact Harcourt would close if the proposals are implemented.

I am determined to do all I can to prevent this happening as I am determined to save Selsted School, too.

The proposals are out to consultation. I urge everyone to write in to David Adams, Area Education Officer (Ashford and Shepway), Mid Kent Office, Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, Kent TN24 8XU - to point out how ill-conceived and mistaken these proposals are.