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Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

8 May 2008

The Bank Holiday weekend started very appropriately when I visited Garden Lodge Hotel in Densole. Garden Lodge is owned by Sue Cooper, who tragically lost her brother in the Bali bombing, and Sue has devoted a huge amount of care, love and money to the hotel.

Last Friday it was playing host to Hotel Inspector, a TV programme that covers hotel makeovers. I was there to add my words of praise to a venture that, like many others, plays an important part in our local mix of tourist facilities. I firmly believe that tourism has great potential to boost the local economy. The revamped Garden Lodge should certainly help.

On Saturday I was at the Buzzlines Stadium in Folkestone to watch the Kent League Senior Cup Final in which Hythe Town were trying to win the trophy for the first time. Unfortunately they were unable to cap what has been a remarkable season with victory in their final game, so completing a week of football misery for me. First, Folkestone Invicta was relegated from the Premier Division of the Ryman League. Then Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea. And then, Hythe’s failure to win the cup. Ah well, there’s always next season!

The high point of the weekend was the offering of the Freedom of Sandgate to the Royal Gurkha Rifles. On a glorious day a sizeable crowd gathered at the Sandgate Esplanade in front of the memorial to Sir John Moore to watch the ceremony.

Later, at Shorncliffe Barracks, a new Standard was dedicated by The Royal British Legion.

It was a fitting way of marking the high regard in which the Gurkhas are held by our local community. As I watched the Parade, in which almost every Gurkha chest was covered with an array of medals, I reflected on the great debt of gratitude we owe to these remarkable men. They truly do us proud.