News

Dear Editor,

With reference to the article “Villagers outraged as partnership vanishes” in the Folkestone Herald, I feel compelled to write and put the record straight

By Alan Haines

Hawkinge villagers, both young and old took advantage of the brand new facilities at the Hawkinge IT Café in the community centre On Thursday (19 June).

Mable Mambawe of Dragon Fly Way went along to the open day and took the opportunity to update her CV and do some job searches. Mable said, “The IT Café is lovely, it’s a great idea and very convenient�.

Others visited to trace their family tree, bid for bargains on Ebay, search for quotes for cheap car insurance, reply to emails and to check out some video clips on Youtube.

Some who were new to the world of IT took the opportunity to ask about the taster sessions and certified courses that are available

On Tuesday 24 June at 12.45 the Café will be opening its doors to the families of fifty Gurkha soldiers, based at Shorncliffe Barracks, but living in Hawkinge. The special session will be a chance for the families to see what the IT café can offer for both recreation and personal development.

It can accommodate up to 9 people at a time and has a fast Internet access where people can surf the net and log in to all the popular websites.

The facilities are free to use and are open on Tuesdays from 1.30 to 5.30 and Thursdays from 3.00 to 7.00. People of all ages are welcome to call in and make use of the computers.

On Mondays between 9.30 and 4.00 you can enrol in taster sessions and certified courses and some charges might apply.

If you want any information about the IT Café then just pop along and have an informal chat or you can call Romney Resource Centre on 01797 367455.


 

There are a few places still available on the one-day training course, taking place on Saturday 26th April, for local residents and representatives of clubs, groups and organisations who run community events and activities in Hawkinge and East Folkestone.

The course will tackle how to encourage more people to attend community, leisure and social events. Participants will gain essential skills that they can use within their own clubs and organisations so that successful events and activities for the whole community can be delivered. Delegates will also learn how to overcome barriers to participation

The course will run from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at Hawkinge Community Centre and is free for attendees. It is funded by The Hawkinge Partnership and will be delivered by the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation who specialise in providing training for community groups. All training materials and refreshments will be provided.

Barbara Bradley, The Hawkinge Neighbourhood Manager, said, “This is a great opportunity for club, group and event organisers to assess how they currently do things and take steps to inspire and motivate people to attend and continue to participate� .

If you wish to reserve your place or you require more information please contact the Hawkinge Management Team on 01303 858663

Partnership neighbourhood manager, Barbara Bradley confirmed to the Hawkinge Gazette that they are working with the Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Team.

The team manages the Guildhall North Neighbourhood Renewal Area in East Folkestone, sharing best practice ideas on customer services, community development, neighbourhood management and partnership working with both the statutory and voluntary sector.

Residents can contact the Neighbourhood Renewal Team at:

29 Grace Hill
Folkestone
Kent CT20 1HQ

Telephone: 01303 251728

Dear Editor,

Re: With all these youth workers, where are the activities?

Have you been in the Partnership Office lately? Temperature of 90f.

Nobody in their right mind is going to go outside from that luxury for the benefit of the local youth.

The activists are those who run the football and basketball hereabouts.

Things will change when Keven Avery is properly on-board is the view of the intelligentsia

The Pigeon

looks on and notices

Dear Editor,

Re: Village snippets - 20 March 2008  

The Hawkinge Partnership seems to spend the greater part of their time working on their latest propaganda leaflet.

With all these youth workers? one would expect the village to be alive with activities!

A Resident

Dear Editor,

Re: Village snippets - 20 March 2008

Eighty one out of six thousand eligible voters equates to 1.35 per cent or less.

Do you think that there is a distinct lack of interest, or could it be that there are not many people taking the "'Partnership" seriously?

Observations with regards,

Lazarus

Dear Editor,

Re: 'Battle' fun day organisers are missing the point totally

Having read all the letters and follow up comments, and the article in the Herald as well are this weeks comment I really feel that it is being taken out of all proportion.

As a resident of Hawkinge whose father fought in the Battle of Britain I have no problem whatsoever with the Hawkinge fun day.

First of all the Fun Day is not being called the Battle of Britain fun day.

The partnership wanted to use the Battle of Britain theme to honour those who fought for our country and also teach the youth of the village what went on back then. Children today have no idea.

Those who are complaining have been invited to the Partnership meeting to express their concerns but refuse to do so instead continuing to complain about it...why?

Also the Fun Day is made up of volunteers who put a lot of time and effort into the day to bring people together to help this ever growing village have some identity and community.

Instead of such destructive criticism perhaps something constructive would help.

The Partnership actually makes very little if any profit out of this event and the volunteers put a lot of time and effort in on its organisation.

To keep going on about the so called name of the fun day when it has been plainly stated that it is not called the Battle of Britain Fun Day is ridiculous.

As for the Trade Tower there have to be "celebrations " to commemorate those who lost their lives in it and there was no problems or concerns. The families of the victims were glad their loved ones were being remembered. I am one person who lost several good friends in the Trade Tower disaster.

I for one am glad that my relative will be remembered at the fun day and perhaps while it is going on it would be appropriate to have a minutes silence somewhere in the proceedings.

Jean

Dear Editor and  Dudley,

Re: Events group risk backlash over fun day 'Battle' stance

Please be assured that I, for one, am not missing the point at all.

Whilst those who sacrificed all so that we might have our freedom, those who did give all would not want that freedom squandered on linking their great names with such activities as a "fun day".

Astutely as ever,

Lazarus

Dear Editor,

Re: Events group risk backlash over fun day 'Battle' stance

Laz, I understand your point totally and can't really understand why others are failing to see the inappropriateness.

WW1, WW2, Falklands, Trade Tower, Iraq War, Battle of Britain, while there is a sense of pride for those servicemen and women who gave and are giving their lives in service of our Country, there is also sadness.

Linking something good to these things if it benefits the community is a great idea. Just some respect and appreciation that none of these events were or are 'fun' would be more appropriate.

I'm sure no-one thinks that the wording was deliberately intended to cause upset or offence - but it has, so in service to the Community why is it not possible to simply re-name the event?

Beany