News

The Hawkinge and District Gardeners Society will be holding its AGM on Wednesday (3rd February)

If you are interested in the village, then don't miss the annual Parish Meeting.

A series of public meetings is to be held in January to discuss the possibility of building a new nuclear power station at Dungeness.

British Energy and environmental consultants Royal Haskoning will be on hand to answer questions from people living on Romney Marsh.

The public meetings will be held from 13 January to 29 January in New Romney, Rye, Dungeness RSPB visitor centre, Dymchurch, Hythe and Lydd.

Dungeness is being considered for a new reactor together with Sizewell, Suffolk, Bradwell, Essex and Hinkley Point, Somerset.

"Dungeness is potentially a key site for new nuclear build in the UK and the benefits to Romney Marsh in terms of jobs and the economy are vast," said Alan Oulton, station director of Dungeness B.

"But an important part of the site assessment process is our dialogue with the community."

The meetings will update residents on the possibility of at least one new reactor of up to 1,600MW being built at Dungeness.

It would power about 2.5 million homes and employ up to 2,000 people during construction and between 300 and 400 during its 60-year life.

The Dungeness A site ceased generating power in 2006, while the nearby Dungeness B site will stay open until 2010. 


 

It was a relief to wake up on the morning of our December meeting to see the sun shining at last.

I had begun to think that the rain would never stop but there was to be no battling through gusty rain for the ladies; it was a pleasure to walk to the hall.

Lots of activity greeted us at the door though as two Parish Councillors were busy erecting the village Christmas tree – a real start to the festive season.

Only one birthday in December but sadly Ruth Prior was not present to have us sing to her and so as there is no birthday celebration table in January Carole invited those birthday ladies to enjoy the tea with her. Of course I shall be mentioning them in the New Year and don’t want to spoil your enjoyment of reading about them then!

One item of note in the business section was that Christine Hamilton will be the speaker at the Federation Council Meeting in March. Can’t wait, I’m sure she will be very entertaining.

Soon it was time for our first entertainment of the afternoon; Dennis Lee spoke very movingly of the life of George Formby and also played and sang his songs. We were encouraged to sing along and everyone joined in – some didn’t even have to refer to the song sheets!

Then after a very welcoming cup of tea and seasonal mince pie the second entertainment began. Aladdin in ten minutes!! This certainly got the ladies laughing and guessing who was playing which part!

Did I really look like a bloke in drag?

All the players were excellent, even though some of the lines got a bit muddled which really just added to the fun. Well done Drama Group! I think that a very pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by all. Only one week now to our Christmas Lunch when some fifty ladies are going to Folkestone Bowls Club – yummy, yummy!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 6th January 2009, when we have a Beetle Drive and “yes” you lucky people another play will be performed by the Drama Group – oh yes it will.

The meeting starts at 2pm in Hawkinge Village Hall. Why not start off the New Year with a new venture and come along and find out about our WI. We are a friendly lot, and during the month there is also a craft club and walking group to join. Our main outing next year will be a visit to Hampton Court Palace (planned for Tuesday 23rd June) – you could go on that as well.

Should you want any more information or just a chat please don’t hesitate to contact either Carole Seabrook (president) on 01303 891420 or Margaret Charlton (secretary) on 01303 892721.


Linda Barnes
Committee Member
HAWKINGE, ACRISE & PADDLESWORTH WI

People in Lydd are being invited to discuss their concerns about everything from anti-social behaviour to street cleaning at a meeting on Saturday (27 September).

The meeting, which has been organised by town and district councillors and the local Neighbourhood Watch group, will be chaired by Michael Howard, MP for Folkestone and Hythe.

One of the organisers, Cllr Carole Waters, said she hoped people would use the opportunity to tell the meeting about local issues.

“We would like everyone, whatever their age, to come along and let us know what concerns them. It might be lack of activities, public transport, anti-social behaviour or litter. It is really down to the people of Lydd to tell us. Town and district councillors, Shepway Council officers, play workers, community wardens, and representatives from The Marsh Academy and Kent Police will be at the meeting to explain the services they provide and to answer questions.

The meeting will round off with an open forum – giving people a chance to write about their concerns on flipcharts around the hall.

“With the range of organisations we have attending the meeting we will be able to come up with a coordinated action plan to address those issues people have told us about.” said Cllr Waters.

The meeting at The Guildhall starts at 2.30pm