HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE A258

Local organisers for the A258 Deal-Dover Road Safety Campaign have arranged a meeting at the Deal Welfare Club, Cowdray Square, Deal on Friday, 25 April at 7.30pm. Concerned at the number of accidents and fatalities on this road over the years, they say the meeting will provide a fresh opportunity for the public to hear latest developments and express their opinions. Representatives from the Highways Agency, local councils, Kent County Council and Kent Transportation Board and also Dover and Deal's MP Gwyn Prosser have been invited to attend.    (April 16, 2008)

APRIL SHOWERS - OF SNOW!

An unseasonal cold snap brought a light snowfall to Walmer - as well as much of the rest of the UK - on Sunday, 6 April. For some residents it was an opportunity to dust off tobogans and find the nearest slopes. Others braved the elements for a bracing walk or cycle ride along the seafront. And our regular contributing photographer Rob Riddle found plenty to keep his camera busy. His record of the local wintery scene is featured here.    (April 7, 2008)

GRANT AID TO BOOST PROJECTS

FREE VALUATIONS FOR THOSE FAMILY TREASURES

An opportunity for local residents to get a free expert valuation of their "treasures" is set to be a highlight at Walmer's first Brocante antiques and collectables fair on Sunday, 20 April. Presenter Tom Keane and several experts from the popular television series "Cash In The Attic" will be at this major local event organised by Walmer Parish Council.

This month, Walmer Science College (the former Walmer Secondary School) celebrates its 50th anniversary. As part of a series of events to mark its half century, the school is holding an open afternoon on Monday 21 April between 1.30pm and 5pm. The school is looking forward to welcoming all members of the local community including ex-students, teachers and parents. Visitors will be able to view a large display of photographs, school magazines, programmes and other items from the day the school opened in April 1958 right up until recent times. There will also be guided tours of the school and light refreshments.

Walmer Secondary School opened its doors to the first 308 pupils (152 girls and 156 boys) at 9am on 24 April 1958, immediately after the Easter break. Ultimately the school was to house 600 pupils. The original decision to build a new school on Salisbury Road arose from the post war "baby boom". The existing schools – Deal Secondary School for Boys and Elizabeth Carter School for Girls - were at capacity and overcrowded. The chosen site was on open fields at the top of Salisbury Road - criss-crossed with paths to Walmer Station and to Dover Road and some old AA batteries from the Second World War still in evidence. The school was popular even before it opened. In March 1958 the East Kent Mercury reported 100 children had been refused places at the new school due to oversubscription.

When the school opened for pupils they entered a building that was modern, bright and with excellent facilities. New building techniques with no internal and very little external brickwork had been employed to create bright and airy spaces and specialist rooms for domestic science, science, woodwork, metalwork plus a library. For those who had come from the darker and older primary schools and other secondary schools it was a revelation and a wonderful place to begin a secondary education.

The first headmaster was Mr C.S. Smith MA BSc formerly on the staff at Pitmaston Secondary School for Boys, Birmingham who retired after 21 years as headmaster in 1979. Mr Smith had an initial staff in April 1958 of 12 full-time teachers and one part-time member of staff. The school was divided into four "houses" named Churchill, Pitt, Salisbury and Wellington after holders of the position of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. (A fifth house - Granville was added in the early 1990’s.) The first head girl was Angela Creasey and the first head boy was Ian MacKay.

SEAFRONT WALK FOR HOSPICE

PLANNING THE FUTURE

Dover District Council has unveiled its ideas for shaping the future of the district and the public is being invited to have its say. It is, in effect, the first major stage in a process of creating a Local Development Framework (LDF), a strategic plan for local employment, housing and leisure facilities over the next 20 years.

The Council's suggestions for what might be included in a final LDF have been published in a series of documents - available on-line and at public exhibitions. They cover overall aims of creating the LDF and identify specific sites for future development for new homes, employment, community facilities and open spaces as well as "areas of change". There are also proposals for making sure that development is supported by the right infrastructure and consideration of the impact of proposed development upon wildlife habitats.

The formal public consultation period starts today (Thursday, 27 March) and will run for six weeks ending at midnight on Wednesday, 7 May. To see the on-line versions of all the documents and also submit comments, go to www.dover.gov.uk/localplanreview/corestrategy.asp.

RUBBISH AND GREEN WASTE COLLECTIONS TO REMAIN FREE

CATS SEEKING GOOD HOMES

NEW OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CLUB

CALL FOR CAMPERVAN BAN

Residents along Walmer's seafront road The Beach are demanding action to prohibit campervans. They say that there has been a big increase in recent years with vans parked for several days at a time, blocking residents' sea views, running noisy engines, filling litter bins with garbage and with no proper facilities to dispose of waste water and sewage. Some fear that the situation is getting out of control.

Several residents believe that the problems in their road stem from restrictions introduced along Marine Parade in Deal. They say that campervans had been a problem there and limiting parking to cars and motorcycles had simply caused van users to relocate. They consider that the off-street parking areas further along the seafront are much better suited to daytime visits whilst overnight and longer stays should be at properly serviced campsites.

"DODGY TRADERS" ALERT

NEW ASSISTANT CLERK

Walmer Parish Council has a new assistant clerk. She is Amanda Brooks who took up her post on Tuesday, 4 March. Amanda will be working at the parish council office in Victoria Road with Parish Clerk Jackie Warrington and her main responsibilities will be for administering the Planning, Walmer in Bloom and Amenity and Environment Committees.    (March 8, 2008)

BADGERS CAUSING HEADACHE FOR ALLOTMENT HOLDERS

Badgers have been causing problems for Campbell Road allotment holders. Walmer Parish Council, which is responsible for operation of the site, has responded to concerns about the damage being caused by the animals and has contacted government agency Natural England to get its advice on what action can be taken.    (March 8, 2008)

PLASTICS BAGS TOO?

Walmer Parish Council has written to Dover District Council to suggest that its collectors should gather up the plastics bags used by many householders to separate cans, glass and newspapers in the "black box" recycling scheme. Where emptied bags are left behind they often end up as wind-blown litter.    (March 8, 2008)

WEDDING DAY PREVIEW AT WALMER AND DEAL CASTLES

For couples seeking a stunning location for their wedding day, Walmer and Deal Castles could have just the answer. The two English Heritage venues are holding free wedding planning events on Saturday, 15 March - from 10am until 1pm at Walmer Castle and from 1.30pm until 4.30pm at Deal Castle.

Couples are being invited to look around the two seaside castles to gain inspiration for their wedding day. And at Deal Castle they can meet photographers, toastmasters, caterers and other suppliers to discuss creative ideas, sample canapés and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly. An expert from the English Heritage Hospitality team will be on hand to talk through the possibilities for ceremonies and receptions at either venue or both. There's a ‘Two Castles Package’ at special rates for a ceremony at Walmer Castle, followed by a reception at Deal Castle.

Walmer Castle will also be hosting Bridal Open Days on every first Saturday of the month, throughout the year. For more information, call ( 01304 209870 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality.   (February 29, 2008)

DEAL TOWN CENTRE ROADWORKS

Kent Highways road works in the Park Street area of Deal will mean a number of diversions for motorists over the next 12 weeks. For details, see www.elgin.gov.uk or call Kent Highways on ( 0845 824 7800.   (February 29, 2008)

CARNIVAL QUEEN CHOSEN

Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown's new carnival queen is Suzy Chapman (15) from Kennedy Drive, Walmer. She will be accompanied on her carnival and other engagements over the coming year by senior court princesses Alice Scott (14) and Jade Barrett (15).   (February 29, 2008)

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS FOR BUDDING AUTHORS

Deal is the venue for a series of weekend workshops with experienced professionals aimed at people keen to improve their creative writing skills. The first is on February 23/24 when Noël Greig and Philip Osment will lead sessions on "Plays for Young People". Workshop organiser Liz Turner says she has three places still available for this.

Further weekends are: March 29/30 - Philip Osment and Lin Coghlan on "Television and Adaptation", April 26/27 - Chrissie Gittins and Moniza Alvi on "Poetry Matters", May 24/25 - Noël Greig and Rosy Fordham on "Plays for Today" and June 28/29 - Noël Greig and Philip Osment on "Human Behaviour in Action".

The courses are in the Royal Hotel on Deal seafront and run Saturday 10.30am–6.30pm and Sunday 10am–6pm. Cost of each course is £200 (which does not include accommodation). For more details or to book contact: Liz Turner on ( 01304 367625 or . You can also see more on the courses plus tutor biographies at: www.dealingwithwriting.com.   (February 15, 2008)

SHOWCASE FOR LOCAL SERVICES

There's an opportunity for small local businesses to present their services to the public at a special event at the Landmark Centre in Deal High Street on Friday, 4 April. Organised by the Best of Deal and Sandwich group with the cooperation of Deal and Walmer Chamber of Commerce, the mini-exhibition will be open from 9am to 4pm. The organisers say their first Local Business Showcase will be especially helpful to companies that do not have a high street presence and also open up the prospect of making valuable new business contacts. For details, contact Jane or Stephanie on ( 01304 362563 or ( 07800 813706.  (February 10, 2008)

"BAN THE BAG" CAMPAIGN

A local environmental group is campaigning to make Deal the first town in Kent to abandon the use of plastics shopping bags by local retailers. Members of the Deal With It group plan to meet Deal traders at the end of this month. They hope to persuade them that, apart from a huge waste of resources in manufacturing the bags, they pose a massive problem in their disposal, often end up as litter and are a danger to wildlife. The group believes that better environmentally friendly alternatives are possible.   (February 10, 2008)

SEAFRONT BAND CONCERTS FOR 2008

A free leaflet giving details of the coming season of free band concerts at the Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green is now available. You can get a copy from Stephen Misson at Cinque Port Music* or from local Tourist Information Centres. Copies will also be available very shortly at the East Kent Mercury office, Ropers, the Library, NatWest bank and Lyndas in Deal, as well shops and the RMA Club on The Strand in Walmer. The leaflet can also be downloaded at: www.cinqueportmusic.com/. The concert dates and times will also appear in the WalmerWeb coming events listings.

* You can contact Stephen at 1 The Maltings, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7AR (( and fax: 01304 362181; or ). If requesting a copy of the new leaflet by post, a stamped addressed return envelope would be appreciated.   (February 4, 2008)

BLOOD SERVICE NEEDS MORE DONORS

Existing and potential donors are being urged to support the next NHS Blood Donor session at Trinity Church, Union Road, Deal on Monday, 11 February. The organisers say that current blood stocks are lower than they'd like and it's vital they are replenished so hospital patients can receive life-saving transfusions when necessary. For more details or to book a donor appointment call ( 0845 7711 711. There is also information on the www.blood.co.uk website.  (January 24, 2008)

SEARCH FOR THIS YEAR'S CARNIVAL QUEENS

Lasses who are tempted by the idea of being part of the Deal carnival court need to enter their names for the selection event on Saturday, 23 February. There are three categories: Rosebud Queen for five- to eight-year-olds; Junior Court for nine- to 13-year-olds; and Senior Court for 14- to 24-year-olds. All entrants have to live in the CT14 postal area.

The 23 February selection meetings are at the Landmark Centre, Deal High Street with the Rosebud and Junior contests in the afternoon and the Senior selection in the evening. Entry forms and details are available from the Tourist Information Centre in the Landmark Centre, the East Kent Mercury office at 13 Queen Street, Mark One Music and Trish's Haberdashery.  (January 24, 2008)

ROAD PETITION TAKEN TO DOWNING STREET

Local road campaigners have delivered an 11,000 signature petition to 10 Downing Street. Their trip to London on Thursday, 17 January was organised by Dover MP Gwyn Prosser. The petition calls for safety improvements on the A258 Deal to Dover road following a series of accidents and fatalities in the past couple of years.  (January 24, 2008)

"GREEN LIGHT" FOR NEW £1.4MILLION PIER CAFE

Increased costs to replace the cafe at the head of Deal Pier have not deterred Dover Council from deciding to go ahead with the project. The original estimate in Spring 2007 has now risen by £590,000, so the likely cost of the new glass-walled cafe bar is £1,400,000. The contract for the new building has been awarded to Barwick Construction Services. Work is expected to start before mid-March.  (January 5, 2008)

"GO AHEAD" FOR NEW ALLOTMENTS

Walmer parish councillors have agreed that they'd like to go ahead with development of land at Churchill Avenue as allotments if the money needed for the project can be found. When allotments become available, the Council will offer them first to people on the current waiting list.  (January 5, 2008)

NEW SPORTS HALL

Walmer parish councillors have reminded Dover Council that Walmer Science College's new sports hall needs to be included in its Sports and Recreation Strategy document. They are also contacting the school to ask about possible use of the new indoor sports facility by the public.  (January 5, 2008)

CALL TO "THINK AGAIN" AT CAR PARKING INCREASES

Deal and Walmer Chamber of Commerce are making a last minute bid to get Dover Council to reconsider its proposed hike in car parking charges. If plans to increase parking fees at the end of January are implemented, it could mean a £1.60 fee for two hours stay in many of the Council-operated car parks instead of the current £1. Traders say that shoppers will be put off visiting the town and the viability of some shops threatened.  (January 3, 2008)

FESTIVE LIGHTS AWARDS

Winners of Walmer Parish Council's Christmas lights competion were:

• The Watkins family, St Clare Road (winners);
• Carl Felvus, Thistledown (runner up #1);
• Blake Close (runner up #2);
• The Fuller family, Newlands (judges' special mention);
• The Bourner family, Station Road (children's choice award); and
• Kennedy Drive (community effort).  (January 3, 2008)