Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/ The Hawkinge Gazette is a PostNuke powered site en-gb http://localrags.co.uk/images/logo.gif http://localrags.co.uk/ admin@localrags.co.uk http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5254 A Greek driver entering Dover was caught smuggling 7.1 million cigarettes, worth more than £1m, in a lorry-load of grapes. The illegal import was seized on 24 August when UK Border Agency officers stopped the truck as it entered the Eastern Docks after travelling on a ferry from France. The driver was charged with duty evasion after appearing in court on 26 August, and has been remanded in custody to reappear on 1 September. A spokeswoman for HM Revenue and Customs at Dover said: "We will not hesitate to take action against those involved in cigarette smuggling." Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5253 A disabled pensioner is fuming after customs officers at the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais confiscated his motability car after a mini-break to France. Malcolm Corner, 65, has branded his treatment "abysmal" by UK excise officials in Calais who have left him house-bound after seizing his brand new specially-adapted Vauxhall Astra. Mr Corner, a retired chef who suffers with respiratory disease and severe arthritis in his knees, said he and his wife were interrogated by customs officials for over three hours after attempting to bring home a large quantity of tobacco through the Eurotunnel on Wednesday (August 20). Despite the couple making sure they were within the permitted limits for imports for two people, officials did not believe the pair's assertion the goods - 3,400 cigarettes, six kilos of tobacco and 800 cigarillos and a quantity of spirits - were planned as birthday and Christmas gifts for family and friends and for their own personal use. The couple were ordered into a truck, without any of their goods or their car, and taken to Folkestone Station to make the long trip back to their home in Kirk Sandall, Doncaster. A spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs said any alcohol or tobacco brought in must be for personal use and travellers will be questioned if they brought in more than 3,200 cigarettes, or 200 cigars or three kilos of tobacco. Mr Corner has now lodged a formal complaint against HM Revenue and Customs about his treatment and has raised the matter with his MP Ed Miliband. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5252 The Prosser Perspective.... a weekly column from Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser 28 August 2008 After a blisteringly successful Olympic Games for Team UK I suppose something had to go wrong on the last day and it did. Not in Beijing but in Dover . Our flag raising ceremony on the seafront to mark Britain becoming the host nation for the next Olympic Games was accompanied by rain showers and high winds but that didn’t stop a good turn-out and it didn’t stop us receiving the special flag and raising to the top of the flagpole. The Deal flag, accompanied by Dover’s 1948 Olympic torch was then carried to Deal Pier along the coastal path by the Dover Road Runners – I took the easier option and travelled by car and by the time the runners arrived the sun was shining. I don’t mind admitting that I’m not up to running such a long distance but I still enjoy a bit of hill walking when I can find time and then of course there are all those charity walks. For the last 10 years I have taken part in the British Heart Foundation’s fund raising walk from Sandown Castle to Kingsdown and back again. Similar events take part all over the county and the money is much needed because BHF spend a staggering £95 a minute every day of every year – more than any other UK health charity. Government spending on cardiac research and treatment has never been greater but the additional contribution made by the British Heart Foundation really makes a difference in fighting heart disease. It’s frightening thought that every two minutes someone, somewhere in the UK suffers a heart attack and only half the victims survive. In fact you are more likely to die from a heart or circulatory disease than from any other serious illness – including cancer. People tend to associate heart disease and coronary defects with over weight middle age and elderly smokers and although this is a category especially prone to heart attacks the circle of victims is much wider. I’ve just heard about a friend of mine in the trades union movement who is a fit-looking, slimmish, non smoker who has suffered a serious heart attack and how often do we hear about new born babies needing surgery to correct hole in the heart defects. BHF is the nations heart charity, it’s dedicated to saving lives and every day their pioneering research, their care for patients and families and their campaigning makes a real difference to outcomes. They have been responsible for innovative research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease and a whole lot more. They fund special BHH nurses and provide additional equipment such as defibrillators, ECG machines and portable ECG machines. And last but not least, they run important education programs about healthier eating, giving up smoking and sensible exercise – which brings me back to my very sensible decision to drive from Dover to Deal and take my exercise by walking from Sandown to Kingsdown. (This years BHF walk starts at 11am on 7th September – details from Gwyn’s Office 01304 2144840)   Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:15:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5251 Read Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins in the Hawkinge Gazette while Michael Howard is on holiday.   The official Olympic handover flag now flies at the Civic Centre in Folkestone, following the end of the games in Beijing and the start of London ’s status as host city for 2012.    Damian onboard a steam locomotive 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.    Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5250 Have you ever noticed a headline which has made you chuckle?   Email us your favourites - Here are a few we have spotted - more next week.                               Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:31:44 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5249 Following the success of Team GB at the Beijing Olympics, around 150 people joined in the local handover celebrations when Olympic Flags were raised at Dover Seafront and Deal Pier to celebrate the handover from Beijing to London on Sunday (24 August).   Pictures by Karol Steele, Dover 2012 Olympic hopeful, rower Hannah Moon from Deal   Dover's dignitaries at the ceremony - MP Gwyn Prosser, Mayor Diane Smallwood and DDC Chairman Bernard Butcher   The Deal Athletics club getting ready to run the torch and Olympic flag to Deal   Hannah Moon bringing the Olympic flag ashore   The 1948 Olympic torch being readied for the run to Deal     Rain may have meant fewer people than expected turned up for the street party and many may have missed the giant fireworks display on the Prince of Wales Pier after the time had to be brought forward from at 9pm to 8.12pm (20.12hrs) due to shipping movements at the port, but it failed to dampen the spirits of the 150 or so who did attend. The Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Bernard Butcher, the Town Mayor of Dover, Cllr Mrs Diane Smallwood, and Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser raised the Olympics 2012 flag on the seafront to show local support for the Games. And local sports star and potential future Olympian Hannah Moon was also there to bring the Olympic Handover Flag ashore.       Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5248 Dover Coastguard helped to rescue a sick skipper of a yacht with engine failure on Saturday (23 August). They received a mayday broadcast at 4.51pm from the yacht which was eight miles south-south-east of Beachy Head. The vessel had suffered engine failure, and was under sail, and the 60 year old skipper had been taken seriously ill. Dover Coastguard called Eastbourne RNLI lifeboat to launch and Solent Coastguard requested the Newhaven lifeboat to launch. The Coastguard Helicopter from Lee on Solent was scrambled and the skipper was airlifted off the vessel. His wife remained on board. The crew of the Eastbourne lifeboat brought the yacht back into Eastbourne marina. Peter Legg, Dover Coastguard Senior Watch Manager said: "The wife of the skipper should be praised for keeping cool during this crisis and for her excellent handling of radio communications whilst waiting for the lifeboat to arrive. Although the weather was sunny, there were south westerly force 5-6 winds on scene making for choppy conditions." Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5247 Eurotunnel has come up with an idea to let the London Olympics go one better than Beijing. It has offered the organisers use of the tunnel should they want to bring the Olympic flame to Britain across the Channel by foot rather than by ferry or plane. “This would be the greenest possible way to bring the flame to the UK, and as far as we know the torch has never gone underground before,” said a spokesman. They wouldn’t even have to stop the trains – the runners in 2012 could use the service tunnel, which lies between the two main bores. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5246 A Swiss daredevil says he is closer to becoming the first jet-powered "bird man" to cross the English Channel. Yves Rossy, 48, also known as Rocket Man, recently completed a 10-minute test flight of more than 22 miles with a jet-powered wing strapped to his back, The Sunday Times reported. He reportedly jumped out of a small plane over Bex, Switzerland and reached 180 mph in his flight, wearing a heat resistant suit and using parachutes to safely land. "Everything went well, it was awesome, it's my longest flight with this wing. If there are no technical problems it's okay for the English Channel," Rossey said. "I did the distance, everything is going swimmingly." His flight is scheduled for September 24, weather permitting. The event will broadcast live in 165 countries by the National Geographic Channel. "My flight will be a tribute to all those who came before me, many of whom were killed," Rossey said. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:10:11 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5245 Swingfield Twinning AssociationBy Leo Lyons Swingfield Twinning Association held a successful Afternoon Tea Party on Sunday 17th August at Field Cottage in Swingfield Street village. Swingfield Twinning Association members Sally White, Marianne Ancel and Jill Fennell (L to R) with a tempting spread of home made cakes The rain held off and guests enjoyed sandwiches, tea and home made cakes. A round of golf on the nine hole putting course created by Graham White especially for the occasion helped visitors counteract the extra calories provided by the cakes. Swingfield is twinned with Aviron in Normandy and the Association organises regular exchange visits. Selsted School pupils also take part in exchange visits every year.  Later this month the Swingfield members will visit their friends in Normandy and in November a party of French will visit to attend Remembrance Sunday services at local churches. Anyone interested in joining the Association should ring secretary Leo Lyons on 01303 844672.   Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:23:59 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5244 A free photographic exhibition showing 366 photographs of the north Kent market town of Faversham which builds a photographic record of the town's everyday life day by day from 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2008 is being staged in the town's Drill Hall. Organiser, Nathalie Banaigs, a French-born resident of Faversham and amateur photographer started working on the project in the summer of 2007 by taking one picture each day, and gradually encouraging more fellow photographers to join in. This innovative exhibition, of both artistic and historical value, will show the Faversham of today portrayed by 52 photographers. The 366 photographs each highlight a specific moment in time. Profits from the sales of a catalogue published as a souvenir of the exhibition will be donated to two local charities: the Faversham Society (http://www.faversham.org/society) whose concerns are the welfare of the town and its surroundings and to the Kent Wildlife Trust (www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk), conservation organisation aiming to protect wildlife across Kent. A Year in the Life of Faversham will open to the public from 30th August to 7th September between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at the Drill Hall, Preston Street, Faversham, ME13 8PG. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5243 If you think your dog is the fastest sausage eater or dog most like its owner, why not go walkies to the Hawkinge Fun Dog Show in September and show off your prize pooch. Owners of dogs which do not measure up to Crufts rigorous standards can enter their canine companion into one of the following 14 classes. • Dog with the waggiest tail • Best 6 legs • Dog in Best Condition • Most Handsome Dog • Best Matching Brace • Best Odd Brace • Fastest Sausage Eater • Best Local Dog (Open to CT18 post codes only) • Dog Most like Its Owner • Best Veteran (7 years and over) • Dog The Judge Would Most like to Take Home • Best Child (12 Years and Under ) and Dog • Best Child (13 Years and Over) and Dog • Prettiest Bitch All entries are £1 per class and registration starts on the day at 11.00 am. The first class will be judged at noon. Organisations are invited to sponsor a class for £20 and will receive, acknowledgement in the programme and at the event itself. Sponsors will also be able to attend on the day to set up a stand to sell their products or to promote their services. As well as the Fun Dog Show there will be demonstrations and displays. There will be helpful advice on responsible dog ownership, poop scooping, neutering, what to do if a dog is lost or found, micro chipping, your dog’s health and the control of dogs. The event takes place on Saturday 27th September from 11.00am to 4.00pm at Hawkinge Community Centre, Heron Forstal Avenue, Hawkinge. If you are able to provide a display or demonstration, would like to donate a raffle prize or need further information regarding sponsorship or entry please contact Tanya Clark, the KCC Hawkinge Community Warden, on 07811 271303 The event is supported by, The Hawkinge Partnership, Shepway District Council and Kent County Council.   Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5242 In remembrance of the Merchant Navy Seamen who lost their lives in World War II, a special memorial on Dover seafront is to be unveiled in next month. There is to be a special service for Merchant Navy Day and unveiling of the Dover Merchant Navy War Memorial at 11.00am on Wednesday (3 September). The service will also include a parade of standard bearers and a wreath-laying ceremony. The Merchant Navy War Memorial was funded by donations to the Dover and District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund in remembrance of the Merchant Navy Seamen who lost their lives in World War II. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:10:20 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5241 Shepway singer/songwriter Nick Harrison is about to give the laid back beach life of Folkestone a beat to be proud of. His sunshine-flecked, ska-splattered sing-a-long 'Oi Rude Boy' is released as a limited edition 7" and download single only on August 25th 2008 with the album 'One Drop' to follow in early 2009. Nick, a 23-year-old from Folkestone who has just signed to A&M amid much expectation that he's going to repeat the success of the same label's Duffy, is reviving the ska revival, only with a contemporary twist and observations about "skinny victims of the model world." There is something distinctly Sting-like about his clean, clear singing style while his songs are remarkably Police-ish. Here is the song and video for you to make up your mind.   Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5240 Dover District Council has responded to a BT consultation over the removal of public phone boxes and objected to the removal of 18 telephone boxes across the district. This includes the removal of nine red phone boxes on grounds including heritage and service to the community. BT is proposing to remove a total of 21 phone boxes in the district. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5239 Shrewd football followers who like to add spice to their season by having the odd punt may want to look closely at last season's Ryman One League champions Dover Athletic. The bookies have made the Whites 6-1 joint favourites with Surrey side, Sutton United. Andy Hessenthaler who led Dover to the Ryman Division One title in his first season at the helm, is expected to enhance his managerial reputation this season. The team which twice experienced the agony of defeat in the Division One play-offs over the previous two seasons, finished a massive 12 points ahead of Tooting and Mitcham. Hessenthaler has the backing of an ambitious board and has been able to add considerable quality to the Dover ranks. Ex Crystal Palace winger Jerahl Hughes, former Reading striker Nathan Bailey and Sammy Moore, who was on loan at Brentford last season, are among their talented newcomers, with chairman Jim Parmenter promising there is more money in the pot if needs be. So whether you like a flutter or not, it promises to be an interesting season for newly promoted Dover Athletic. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5238 A community band in the former Kent coalfield area is to benefit from a grant of £10,000. The cash, which will buy instruments for the Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band, is from Bridging The Gap, a Coalfield Regeneration Trust funding initiative administered in partnership with Dover District Council. The group offers funding between £500 and £10,000 to groups hoping to expand, improve or offer new services to people living in the former coalfield areas. Further funding is available for voluntary and community organisations in the coalfield areas, and local groups are invited to apply. For more information about Bridging the Gap funding, please contact Una Mills, DDC Regeneration Officer – Small Projects, on 01304 872066.   Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5237 Two children were taken to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties after a chemical leak at a Shepway swimming pool yesterday (20 August). The boys, both aged 10, received treatment after a spillage of chlorine and hydrochloric acid in a maintenance plant room at Folkestone Sports Centre in the town. The sports centre was evacuated while firefighters wearing specialist gas tight suits isolated the leak. A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it sent three crews to the incident and was working in liaison with the Environment Agency, Kent Police and the sports centre's management to safely dispose of the spilt chemicals. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:50:16 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5236 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - LATEST NEWS Who's watching your house this summer? Make sure it's Neighbourhood Watch, not a thief There's nothing more tempting than to leave your windows and doors wide open when the weather is good, to air the house and take advantage of summer finally having arrived. The problem is, there's nothing more tempting to burglars either. Research has shown that at this time of year, there are more burglaries in Kent where thieves have taken advantage of insecurities to get inside people's homes. Safer Summer, Kent Police's seasonal campaign, aims to reduce the number of house burglaries in a number of ways, including through raising awareness and issuing crime prevention advice. The advice is: . Keep doors and windows shut if you are not in the room; . Think about which windows you leave open in hot weather; . Consider outside lighting - it helps keeps thieves at bay; . Remember, some burglars could get through small spaces such as a cat or dog flap so, if in doubt, shut and lock it; . Keep valuable garden equipment locked away - use a strong padlock; . Make sure garden sheds are secured properly; . Lock ladders away; . Don't leave keys in obvious hiding places or near doors and windows; . Mark your property - this helps deter burglars; . Avoid leaving boxes and other packaging outside your home, as this could advertise what is inside your home to burglars; . If you are offered second hand goods, think twice as they could be stolen - if you are suspicious, report it. Although over the last decade burglaries in our county have halved, research has shown that in terms of the burglaries that are happening, one in four occur because a thief has managed to get into a property through an open window or door. Keep them closed if you're not in the same room - it's often the simplest solutions which have the most effect. Superintendent Neil Jerome from Kent Police said: 'We want people to make life hard for thieves by taking away opportunities for them to steal things. There are lots of simple crime prevention precautions that can be taken which could be the enormous difference between you becoming or not becoming a victim of crime. 'We are always happy to offer advice and would encourage people to approach neighbourhood officers to get the most up to date information to help keep homes and property safe.' There are also schemes operating which help those who have experienced burglary, and those who may need specific advice due to their circumstances. · HomeSafe is for eligible people who have experienced burglary for the first time and provides crime prevention advice. The service can provide installation of security kits, as well as smoke detectors, and minor adaptations. · HandyVan, run in partnership with the county council and Help the Aged, provides safety and security advice and products for the elderly in residential homes. Senior Link is a 24-hour phone number that gives help in an emergency and advice to those answering a door to strangers, providing eligibility. HomeSafe and HandyVan have vehicles and fitters who travel to homes to review safety and security needs and carry out any necessary work. Both initiatives operate across Kent and for more information, please call the county council on 08458 247 247.   LOCAL CONTACTS... Sally Coleman, Parish & NHW Liaison Officer 07870 999892  PCSO Sarah Wallace  07772 226229 Village Warden Tanya Clark 07811 271303 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5234 The relaunch of Eurostar's direct Ashford - Brussels train service in December has been welcomed by rail campaign group Railfuture. The national independent voluntary body for rail users has been pushing for reinstatement of the service ever since it was drastically cut in November last year. Railfuture board member Trevor Garrod said: "The new service will be especially useful for business travellers, and it's a small but significant step in the right direction. We hope that it will be sufficiently successful to be followed by one or two further stops in Ashford during 2009." The new service gives opportunities to people in East Kent and East Sussex to visit Belgium and Germany, but consists of only one direct train per day in each direction. "While this is great for British business travellers to the continent, it's not much good in the other direction. This is one of the reasons why we're still campaigning to improve services at Ashford" he added. "Passengers can travel onward from Brussels to other European destinations, which makes it so useful, but many of the Ashford services have been transferred to Ebbsfleet, which doesn't have the rail connections that Ashford has."   Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5235 Read Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins in the Hawkinge Gazette while Michael Howard is on holiday. This year, like many families, we’ve enjoyed spending part of our summer holiday at home in Kent. Despite the variable weather there is huge amount to see and enjoy in our beautiful landscape, and this coming bank holiday weekend offers a large number of attractions and events across Shepway.   On Monday I met with Bob Gomes, the Site Manager for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at Dungeness, along with Samantha Dawes and Paul Outhwaite from the RSPB’s South East England office, and Shepway District Councillor, Michael Lyons. The RSPB site is part of the Dungeness National Nature Reserve, one of the most important of its kind in the country, and given its geographical position it is a natural haven for many migrating birds. Bob Gomes led us on a tour of the hides and walks and we were very fortunate to see the Marsh Harriers that have been protected at the reserve, and are amongst only 360 breeding pairs of the birds in the whole country. The reserve welcomes over 30,000 visitors a year, and as well as attracting birdwatchers of all levels of knowledge, the RSPB also provides walks and activities for families and educational visits for schools. You can find out more about these and the reserve by visiting their website www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness. The reserve, situated as it is next to the power station, the communities of Lydd, Greatstone and Dungeness, and of course being near to Lydd Airport, is a great example of how thanks to the skills and dedication of the staff and volunteers, nature can continue flourish in the right environment. It is also a reminder of the importance of getting the balance right between the need to provide jobs and opportunities for the local communities to flourish, and protecting what is best about our countryside for future generations to enjoy. Particularly in a unique landscape like Dungeness. In the next few years, the decisions over the future of Lydd Airport and nuclear power at Dungeness will be important for the resources and infrastructure of the whole area. We should not turn our back to the opportunities they could bring, but at the same time, we must ensure there is careful scrutiny of the potential impact to the local environment. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5233 A six-year-old girl from Folkestone who was mauled by a family pet dog has left hospital and returned home two months after the attack. Chloe Ashman, who lives with her mother, Stacey in the town suffered permanent damage to her voice box but has regained the use of her voice. She was playing in her garden in June when a family pet Staffordshire bull terrier, attacked. The family had feared Chloe might not speak again because of the injuries the dog inflicted on her throat. Her mother fought off the dog with an iron and was also injured. Chloe had two operations, but still has one arm in a sling because of nerve damage. Her father Lee Ashman has called for tighter controls on the breed. The dog was later destroyed, although Kent Police said no offence was committed under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:33:40 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5232 Following the success of Team GB at the Beijing Olympics, you can join in the local handover celebrations when Olympic Handover Flags will be raised at Dover Seafront and Deal Pier to celebrate the handover from Beijing to London on Sunday (24 August). A massive street party for the whole family is being held on Dover Seafront from 12 noon on Sunday, leading up to a giant fireworks display from the Prince of Wales Pier at 9pm. The event will feature a range of free activities and entertainment, including live music, street entertainers, stalls and attractions. There will be a special ‘street athletics’ event from 1pm and a Battle of the Bands competition from 6pm. There will also be special free swimming all day at Dover Leisure Centre and Tides in Deal, provided by Vista Leisure. At 3.30pm, the Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Bernard Butcher, the Town Mayor of Dover, Cllr Mrs Diane Smallwood, and Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser will raise the Olympics 2012 flag on the seafront to show local support for the Games. Local sports star and potential future Olympian Hannah Moon will also be on hand to help raise the Olympic Handover Flag for Dover. A second flag will then be run to Deal. At around 4.30pm, the Olympics Handover Flag will be raised on Deal Pier. The Olympic Handover Flags in Dover and Deal will be among 500 flags delivered to locations across the globe, and the flags will be raised with regions around the UK. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:46:17 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5231 The Channel coast air and as Peter says, "the fine people of Shepway", have apparently paid off for the 14 times successful channel swimmer, who is relaxing in Folkestone and already planning his 2009 channel swim. Peter Jurzynski,  has managed to resume swimming this year at the Folkestone Sports Centre after undergoing heart by-pass surgery just 12 weeks ago. In preparation for next year, a confident Peter has arranged with Mike Oram his pilot from the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation for the times of the neap tides on 13 to 20 July 2009 in readiness for his next Channel swim. Peter said: "It started in 1985 visiting the late Ray and Audrey Scott who lived at Sunny Bank, Alkham Valley Road in Hawkinge. They were the heads of the swimming group and all swimmers visited them prior to a swim. I fell in love with Folkestone then and to this day I find it to be a refreshing and unique place." Peter said that when he arrived in Folkestone on July 31 he did a lot of walking and explained: "Last week I began very light swimming at the Folkestone Sports Centre. I am limiting my swimming to very light swims of short duration. My doctors say that I can swim in 2009. "I will undergo numerous tests and I am certain that they will continue to be fine." Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:43:41 +0100 http://localrags.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5229 Villagers are counting down the days to probably the biggest community event in the Hawkinge calendar. The Hawkinge Community Fun Day 2008 takes place on the green outside the Community Centre next month, with all the usual fun of the fair. This year is the 40th anniversary of the making of the Battle of Britain film, much of which was filmed in and around the village and the Day will commemorate this, together with the significant role RAF Hawkinge played in the pivotal battle in the skies above South East England. Many representatives of this era are expected to attend and as a special tribute there will be an official opening by the Royal British Legion, assisted by RAF cadets. The Fun Day has been an annual event since 2004 and last year over 2,000 people enjoyed the attractions which included bouncy castles, a bungee run, human football, kangaroo boxing and an assault course. Sarah Holness, one of the organisers said, "The volunteer organisers are key to the events success and it's essential to tap into the wealth of enthusiasm and skills of the people that live in Hawkinge. Anyone that wants to be involved with this exciting community project can contact me on 01303 858663". The event takes place on Saturday 13th September between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0100