News

By Neil Arnold



Have you seen a large, exotic cat prowling Hawkinge at night ? Or an unusually big feline lazing in fields during daylight ? If so, you are not alone. Reports of mystery felines in the area, and all over Kent are nothing unusual and for more than ten years KENT BIG CAT RESEARCH has investigated eye-witness sightings and evidence.

Very recent sightings in and around the Hawkinge area suggest that offspring of felines spotted in the 1960s, and ‘70s are living healthily and in abundance, yet are extremely wild as opposed to possible hand reared cats that were let go after the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act was introduced, which meant that those who owned exotic pets had to pay huge license fees or give up their animals, but many people let them go.

KENT BIG CAT RESEARCH wants to hear from anyone who has seen evidence of these elusive animals, cats which are feeding off rabbits, rodents, small cats, dogs and livestock. These animals are not a threat to humans but like any wild animal they are unpredictable and should not be provoked, cornered or injured.

The Black Leopard and Puma are responsible for a number of reports around Hawkinge, both cats are of a similar size, have long tails and can grow to around four-feet in length. The Black Leopard is an official ‘big cat’ in that it can roar, it is a melanistic version of the spotted Leopard in that its coat is very dark. The Puma is beige to fawn in colour, and is the largest Lesser Cat. An abundance of other cats exist in Kent as well, and KENT BIG CAT RESEARCH believes they require protection, and monitors the population, diet and territory.

If you see a big cat, contact Neil Arnold at neilthemod@blueyonder.co.uk

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On Wednesday 25th September 2002, a 21-year-old woman was walking with her sister not far from the aerodrome in Hawkinge.

It was around tea-time when they observed a big, black Labrador sized cat with a very long tail, it was about two-hundred yards away but clearly was not a dog or domestic cat.

It was pouncing in the field, and the women went no further. They went home and told their mother who was not surprised, she had seen one, possibly the same individual, seven years previous near the same area.

These cats have existed in Britain for over a century and more so since the '60s and '70s when people kept them as exotic pets but let them go when the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act was introduced which meant that anyone who kept a Leopard or other large cat had to pay huge license fees or give their cats up.

A number of people let them go into the countryside instead.

These cats live for around fifteen years in the wild, they are breeding and feeding off rabbits, chickens, pigeons, small cats and dogs, ducks, rodents etc, etc, and are only dangerous if cornered, injured or provoked. They must be protected.

My research can be found at folklore site www.roadghosts.com and if anyone would like to get in touch then email me at: neilthemod@blueyonder.co.uk


Neil Arnold

Dear Ed.,

Somewhat alarmed & confused to read, in your august organ, that by “threatening to throw a rule book� at someone has been construed to constitute an offence of “threatening behaviour�

Surely this is phrase is a metaphor in every day & accepted parlance for asking someone to abide by the rules or else to have said rules enforced on them that ain’t abiding by said rules.

The offence of Threatening Behaviour, in law ( the criminal law at that) requires the “victim� or “victims� be placed in certain fear & no doubt a little bit of dread, that the threat be actually carried out by the perpetrator of the threat & that the supposed perpetrator be in a fit & able enough condition to so place them in said state of fear.

How big is this rule book ? I think we should be told. Is it the size of a, shall we say, standard issue Church Bible, you know the sort, that graces every pulpit in the land ?

Some may say that that is God’s Rule Book. If this is the case, well, it would certainly strike fear & dread into me!

Somehow, I don’t think the dreaded Rule Book that John Heasman, may have his hands on is that big, or is it? How far back from his victims is he going to stand, whilst he takes aim? Will he use just the one Rule Book, or will he have another copy ready to hand? Will Messer’s Smith & Trice be standing still or running about? Will it be open to the public? Will they be putting stocks up in the Village Hall Car Park will villagers have to hold on to Smith & Trice whilst Heasman takes aim? Which hat will Smith be wearing ? Parish or Town hat…has Trice got a hat ? Should he have one? I think we should be told!

Now if someone threatened, let’s say, to punch, kick, bite, stab, shoot or do any physical harm, or indeed do anything that these days would cause mental stress , to someone. Then we would have a classic case of threatening behaviour & lets have him up before the Beak, as quick as a flash & bang him up for a suitable period of time.

But can we really believe that to threaten someone with a rule book now constitutes threatening behaviour!!!!!!??????

It surely is most laughable & lamentable to say the very least!

I finkle go & stock up on rule books now, you never know when you will need one, will you.

Yours in amazement

Finkle

Congratulations on an excellent and informative site.

Kind Regards

Pete

Peter Skingle
Barham and Kingston

Until recently I was quite happy that Mr Smith would represent the views of the local populace, after all, isn't that why he was voted in as a local councilor in the first place ?

This latest debacle surely weakens his position and I would love to know how he justifies his stance on the bypass/crossing issue - half a road is a poor substitute for a "bypass"and this road is going to become even more vital in the future.

Mr Smith makes a strong case for losing his own position on the Parish Council/District Council if he cannot be honest and let us know where he really stands.

Could this be just another example of politics and political ambition getting in the way of our local needs - Mr Smith, I challenge you to explain your position !

Nigel Best

Dear Editor

Am I missing something here?


I thought the inquiry into the so called by pass was over and we are just waiting for the adjudication by the Government Inspector
Why then are Peter Smith and the Lib Dems to ballot the villagers?
A bit late I'd say.
I am not the only one to wonder what is on Cllr Smith's agenda.
Come on Peter tell us what you're up to
James M

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Well, Cllr.Smith objects to me giving him publicity for his stance at Shepway on the Development Control Committee.

That's got to be a first for someone who has done nothing but court publicity since he was elected 18 months ago.

Perhaps the difference here is that he did not want the people to know he had rejected a great opportunity for increased road safety for the people of Hawkinge on what will become an increasingly busy road.

He maintains that he had to reject my motion for a bridge or tunnel to form part of a Section 106 agreement because it was contrary to umpteen Shepwayand County Structure Plans.

This is rubbish, and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the planning process. Section 106 agreements are "add ons" to the granting of any planning permission.

Below is an extract from the planning papers sent to ALL members of the Development Control Committee that night.

"With regard to highway implications, K.C.C. Highways are satisfied with the proposal, subject to the provision of a pedestrian crossing on Spitfire Way.

If planning permission is granted, it is considered that it should also be subject to a SECTION 106 PLANNING AGREEMENT requiring the developer to provide such a crossing.

The developer has indicated he is WILLING to do this".

The Development Control Committee is a public meeting and nothing that was reported was inappropriate.

Indeed for part of the meeting two members of Hawkinge Parish Council were present.

At last week's Parish Council meeting, Cllrs. Robinson and Johns questioned Cllr. Smith closely on his failure to support my motion.

At first he would not answer their questions, when he did he said, "That the District Councillor was not here tonight, only the Parish Councillor".

Five minutes earlier he had been giving the District Councillor`s report.

Personally I believe the electorate have a right to know about all the actions or inactions of their elected.

We must all be accountable.

I leave you readers to draw your own conclusions as to why Cllr.Smith was not amused I reported that debate.

Colin Tearle

220902

Great to see, after many many months of waiting, the White Horse, or at least it's temporay version, gracing the escarpment above the Channel Tunnel Terminal.

Well done to all involved.

Finkle

Just a brief word of congratulations on the "new" Gazette.

The quality & content have shot up since you started this new format. Very well done it is greatly appreciated, by me at least!

Lou Bolechala

PS slightly surprised not to see a mention about the local MP's wife, BUT understand perhaps why, as there is much more really local news.

Congratulations & many thanks