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Like everyone, I hope that these games are a great success, and act as a source of inspiration for all young people to follow their dreams and develop their talent and potential to the full.  

We are all rightly proud of the success of the British team in Beijing, and in particular the competitors from Kent, including Jamie Staff who grew up in Brabourne Lees, where his family still live, and was one of our cycling gold medallists.  

This success has been due to a combination of natural talent, hard work and investment in superior coaching and training over a number of years. This investment means that we are now more effective at maximising the potential of our sports people.  

If we want this trend to continue, we need to ensure that all young people’s talents are being identified, encouraged and developed. And the same approach should apply right across the system of education and training, and not just for the budding Olympians. Unfortunately research shows that in general students, and particularly those from poorer backgrounds, often fail to succeed not because of lack of ability, but because the system failed to help them develop their talents to the full. 

On Saturday I had the pleasure of riding alongside the engine driver on one of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway’s steam locomotives. 

My ride followed a highly informative meeting and tour of the railway with Danny Martin, the General Manager, which I had enjoyed along with my wife Sarah, and our daughter Claudia. 

The railway has been part of the local landscape for over 80 years and part Danny’s life for over thirty, since he first got involved as a volunteer.

Alongside the full time staff, there are many local volunteers who play an important role in keeping the railway on track, and helped it win one of this year’s top business awards from the Channel Chamber of Commerce.

With more people holidaying in England this year, it looks like it should be another good summer for the railway. If are interested in getting involved you can contact them through their website www.rhdr.org.uk or at the visitors centres at Hythe and New Romney stations.