Contact The Mayor of Ashford’s visit to Green Farm
The Mayor of Ashford’s visit to Green Farm
The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr John Link continues his successful visits to support tourism businesses across the borough with a visit to Green Farm, Kent.
Green Farm is nestled in the heart of the countryside in the village of Shadoxhurst and is home to owners, Maryann and Martin Richmond-Coggan. The farm offers visitors a tranquil stay in a superb luxury barn conversion, which has been lovingly restored. The barn is perfect for larger groups of family and friends (COVID-19 allowing) and there is also a 15th century farmhouse with individually designed bedrooms.
An exclusive boutique spa and tempting wellbeing retreats also add to the charm and appeal of a short break or longer stay on this working farm, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of ancient woodland.
On the 9th October the Mayor was given a tour of the Green Farm’s facilities followed by a visit to ‘Fairyland’ where their associated charity invite families from the inner city of London to experience the wonders of nature.
Cllr Link commented, “I am most impressed by Green Farm’s beautiful facilities for their clients but also the incredible work they do with local schools in the Ashford borough, their outreach work into our communities and also the charity part of their business in giving back to the young families in London – it is a credit to Maryann and Martin.”
Maryann explained how the commercial side of the business, which helps to support tourism in the borough, is strongly linked to the provision of their charitable and community work, and spoke about their charity, the Pearce Coggan Foundation.
“The Pearce Coggan Foundation (registered charity number: 1189417) helps people to connect with nature who might otherwise find it difficult to do so. It runs the Community Wildlife Garden at Green Farm. There are two young people on work experience and come two and a half days a week; one is being hired this month onto a full-time horticulture apprenticeship. In addition, local pupils take part in the Foundation’s wellbeing programme. The garden offers volunteering opportunities for people, who are seeking to manage mental health issues, reduce stress or spend more time outdoors.”
“The Foundation’s Outdoor Family Camping programme, run in conjunction with a London-based charity, sees families from inner-city areas enjoy short breaks at Green Farm.”
Green Farm supports the Foundation by leasing the land for the community garden on a peppercorn rent, providing pro bono staff support, training, and donations of food and equipment. Full information is available at www.pearcecoggan.org
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Margate FC are delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder, Dominic Vose.
Vose brings plenty of pedigree to Hartsdown Park having begun his professional career with Fulham and then West Ham. Vose has previously played in the Football League for Barnet, Colchester United, Scunthorpe and Grimsby Town.
The 26-year-old enjoyed spells within the National League at Whitehawk and moved more locally to Bromley who secured his services after a trial spell. Vose then spent some time at Chester before two years at Dulwich Hamlet.
Having signed for League rivals Kingstonian in the summer, Manager Jay Saunders was pleased to be able to tempt Vose down to Margate.
“I’m delighted to be able to get Dominic on board before our Tuesday night game. Dominic is another player I rate very highly and he will bring further quality into our squad.”
“I’ve said previously with our recruitment, we want to bring players who enhance and add to what we have got. We witnessed the impact Norman had on his debut on Sunday and I’m looking forward to seeing what Dominic can bring on Tuesday evening.”
“He is another great signing for us and one for supporters to look forward to seeing in action.”
A multi-million-pound bid by We Are Colchester to fund several projects around the town has been submitted to the government.
Over 1000 individuals, groups and businesses submitted their views on how Colchester can be improved following a successful bid. These ideas were developed into several projects under the broad themes of how we live, grow, and connect. The bid to fund these projects has now been submitted by the We Are Colchester board.
We Are Colchester is a dynamic partnership involving public, private and voluntary organisations that was formed in January 2020.
Board chair and local businessman, Simon Blaxill, said: “I believe that we have submitted a very strong bid for this money. The list of projects chosen will make a long lasting, positive difference to our town.
“They will promote skills development, create jobs for local people, make our communities more attractive and with better facilities. The Town Deal provides Colchester with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make our town an even better place to live, work and visit.”
The list of projects includes:
the creation of digital work hubs
transforming facilities for young people
a digital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre (Magdalene Street)
public realm improvements in the town centre
restoration of 1,000-year-old Holy Trinity Church and the first phase in restoring our iconic Victorian water tower ‘Jumbo’
transformation of community facilities in Greenstead
the accelerated introduction of 5G
improved walking and cycling links across the town.
Cllr David King, Colchester Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, who also chairs the We Are Colchester Advisory Group, added: “We have already secured £1m. If successful, this further £25 million bid will enable big improvements to be made across the whole town. Our public consultations showed that people want Colchester to be ‘greener’, to provide greater opportunities for young people and to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.
“Local people want the town to be made more attractive and for improvements to be made to infrastructure. The projects that We Are Colchester have submitted to the government address all these issues.
“With the help of other investors, we can make a huge difference to residents and help businesses and those they employ at this difficult time to have confidence in Colchester’s future, as a great place to live, work and visit’.
Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and We Are Colchester board member, said, “The investment proposed as part of Town Deal submission to government provides a great opportunity for sustainable economic growth in Colchester and its surrounding area.
“We have established a bold vision that will help the town to embrace the future, with a strong package of investment programmes and projects around active travel, employment and skills, regeneration, young people, heritage and culture.
“We look forward to continuing the work with the community, local stakeholders, Colchester Borough Council and central government to take forward the Town Deal bid and the many opportunities it offers.”
We Are Colchester expects to hear before February 2021 whether it has been successful in getting all or part of the money.
Find more information about the Towns Fund on GOV.UK.
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County memorabilia joins young American’s collection
THE East Sussex flag is flying on the other side of the Atlantic after the county council stepped in to help a young collector and his collection.
Jesse Mishell, aged 14, from Colorado contacted East Sussex County Council with an appeal for county memorabilia to add to his collection of state and country flags, pin badges, and maps.
The council was keen to help Jesse with his request and sent him a table top East Sussex flag and a gift set containing a key ring, pin badge and wallet all branded with the East Sussex coat of arms.
Jesse’s collection contains flags from countries, states and provinces all over the world including Australia, Switzerland, Bavaria, Flanders, Hokkaido and Tasmania as well as the United Nations and European Union.
Jesse said: “In addition to the flags I have collected, I have received maps, pins and novelty items from different places. I have received books from Canada and the Cook Islands, a shirt from Australia and hats from the Netherlands and Ireland. My personal favourite novelty item is a stamp collection from Estonia.”
Cllr David Elkin, Chairman of East Sussex County Council, said: “We were delighted to be able to help Jesse add East Sussex to his amazing collection and hope one day he will be able to come and visit our county in person.”
Jesse added: “The best part about this is you never know that you are going to get, but the items I have received have shown me how much people care and how generous people are, even if you live on opposite sides of the world. Thank you!”
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‘Exceptional commitment’ within waste service team
‘Unsung heroes’ from Lewes District Council’s waste services team were singled out for praise by senior councillors who visited the Newhaven depot in Robinson Road.
During the visit last Thursday (Oct 22), Councillor Adrian Ross, Council Chair, and Councillor Julie Carr, Cabinet member for Recycling, Waste and Open Spaces, thanked all Environment First staff for their hard work in keeping the district clean and bins emptied, especially during the pandemic.
They also commended five staff who were nominated by team leaders for their dedication. They were:
Dwayne Mitchell, from the refuse team, who was recognised for personally handling any issues that arise and giving first-class customer service to residents.
Simon Goodchild, from the recycling team, who adapted brilliantly after moving from a rural round, which he had worked on for 10 years, to cover Lewes and has ‘excelled’.
Dan Harman, from the streets team, who is described as ‘a great worker’ and ‘very conscientious’ about keeping streets clean despite obstacles in his way.
Amy Ranson, from the office, who has worked very well using the office computer system supporting our transition to a new “One Stop Shop” digital solution
Kevin Bourne, from fleet workshops, does an outstanding job in leading the day-to-day servicing and repairs of our vehicles, with safety and presentation always paramount.
Councillor Ross said: “It was great to meet the Environment First team that serves our district so well in carrying out the important work of collecting our bins and keeping our environment clean so people can continue to enjoy the outdoors.“Particular thanks go to the five unsung heroes for showing exceptional commitment to their jobs in these challenging times, who are representative of a high calibre team of frontline staff.
“Many neighbours and residents noticed that when almost everything else stopped in lockdown, our bins and recycling collections continued almost unchanged. Great work and many thanks to the whole team!”
Councillor Carr added: “We are very proud of our waste services team for the excellent service they give, and it is no surprise that many residents have expressed their thanks directly to them.
“Covid-19 has posed a variety of difficulties for them, all of which have been overcome, much to their credit.”
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A late night mission to rescue a trapped dog from a rabbit warren ended up in a double rescue for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s Technical Rescue Unit (TRU) last night.
The crew were mobilised to a field near Lavant shortly after 10.30pm on Wednesday evening (28 October) after the owner had spent several hours at the site trying to coax Jack Russell Max out with no success since about 1pm that afternoon.
After liaising with the RSPCA, who confirmed the hole the dog was stuck down was not a badger sett – which are protected by law, the crew were given the green light to excavate around the hole to try and find Max.
TRU Crew Commander, Charlie Eastwell, said: “As part of our equipment we have a number of cameras and listening devices, which we would normally use to locate people trapped under rubble when a structure collapses. We were able to put these down the hole, which looked like an abandoned rabbit warren, to try and pinpoint where Max was.
“But once we got the camera down there, the first thing we saw wasn’t Max, but a fox that was also stuck down there with him, and was between Max and the exit tunnel preventing him from getting out.
“Very carefully we began to dig around the network of tunnels towards where we had seen Max and the fox.
“Just as we broke through into the tunnel, Max poked his head out through, and with some encouragement from his owner, out he came. Thankfully there was no lasting damage, he was just a bit thirsty having been stuck down there for more than 12 hours.
“After reuniting Max with his owner, we turned off all the lights and stood back and out came the fox who disappeared into the night.
“It was almost three in the morning by the time we had packed up and left the scene, but we would much rather that people called us for help if their pets end up trapped in a situation like this. Not only do we not want people to put themselves at risk trying to rescue their pets, but we have equipment – like the listening devices and cameras – that allow us to locate the animal with minimal disruption and destruction to the network of tunnels.
“We were all delighted to see Max reunited with his owner, but we think that both he and the fox have learned their lesson and won’t be exploring any rabbit warrens together in future!”
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‘River Ouse is not a dumping ground’ people are told
Flytipperswho throw old bicycles, shopping trollies or other items into the RiverOuseare beingwarned they are causing pollution and potential flooding.
Lewes District Council and the Environment Agencyare appealingto people to stop dumping objects in the river following a clear up by specialist contractors between Cliff Bridge and Willey’s Bridge earlier this month.
Theirhaul includedshopping trolleys, fencing, concrete blocks and metal poles.
CouncillorMatthew Bird, Cabinet member for Sustainability, said:“I’m sorry to say there has been a persistent problem over the years of some people discarding unwanted items into the River Ouse, particularly around the Willey’s Bridge area. This is hugely irresponsible and detrimental to the environment.
“A build-up of rubbish can obstruct the naturalflow andposesa real risk of flooding when water is travelling fast.”
CouncillorJulieCarr, Cabinet member for Recycling, Waste and Open Spaces,said:“Flytipping into the river causes an unsightly blot on our beautiful surroundings and is harmful to the wildlife in and around it.
“Some local species are among those on the danger list of becoming extinct, so we really need to look after them.
“To the minority of people who are doing this – stop!The River Ouse is not a dumping ground.”
Anyone caught illegally dumping rubbish either on land or water could face a fine up to £50,000 and a prison sentence of 12 months for a summary conviction.
Environment Agency Flood Team Leader, Paul Levitt, said: “Fly tipping in and around watercourses is illegal. It ruins the environment for people and the pollution can harm plants and animals. It can also increase flood risk, especially when it blocks our structures making maintenance work more difficult or even dangerous.”
Environmental problems can be reported quickly using the ReportItsmartphone app:
e-Scooter trial for Canterbury – consultation launched
A year-long trial of electric scooters in Canterbury is now being consulted on by Kent County Council.
The scheme aims to bring affordable, environmentally friendly electric scooters to the city as part of a Department for Transport national trial.
There will be four phases, with the first starting in November with e-scooter operator Bird providing a maximum of 100 e-scooters on and around the campuses of The University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.
During this phase, the service will be restricted to staff and students at both universities and to travelling within the University of Kent’s campus and along a predetermined route connecting both campuses only.
The route follows the cycle network beginning at the University of Kent, along the Eliot footpath and the connecting to the St Stephens area, through Beverly Meadow and over The Causeway towards Northgate. It then connects to Canterbury Christ Church University on North Holmes Road via Victoria Row and Artillery Street.
From February the trial will expand to include Canterbury West train station with the potential to add more e-scooters near to the station itself.
If successful, in May, the third phase will begin expanding the scheme to cover the city centre including Canterbury East train station and Canterbury bus station.
From August the final phase could be rolled out, offering e-scooters to all residents and visitors right across Canterbury, alongside ‘Park and Scoot’ at the city’s three Park and Ride sites.
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “Whilst it is established how these vehicles are used and how they interact with other highway users, the scooters will be limited to a set route between the two campuses to provide connections to shared services.
“It is our hope that in due course everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of this sustainable travel as part of their commute, offering an alternative to car travel, with an ambition to help reduce congestion and improve air quality in Canterbury.”
The scheme will help inform government as to whether this form of ‘micromobility’ should be allowed on the highway network and, if so, in what way.
During the trial, the e-scooters will use the same road space as bicycles. They will not be permitted to travel on the pavement, or outside of the trial area.
Riders must be over 18 and will be required to hold a full or provisional driving licence.
Helmet use will be strongly promoted, with free helmets made available and training will be required to ensure appropriate etiquette is adopted.
The project is the result of an ongoing working partnership between the Department for Transport, Kent County Council, Canterbury City Council, Kent Police, The University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and our chosen operator, Bird Rides UK.
KCC wants to hear residents’ views throughout the trial and these can be made at www.kent.gov.uk/escootertrial until Monday, May 3.
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Sweeps of Chillenden windmill turn for first time since 1949
The sweeps of Chillenden windmill are once again turning thanks to restoration work from Kent County Council.
Chillenden Windmill, owned by KCC since 1958, is one of only four post mills to survive in Kent, and the last one with an open trestle.
It was built in 1868 to replace an earlier post mill, and extensively rebuilt following storm damage in November 2003.
The Grade II* listed windmill is painted white and had two pairs of millstones and a flour dresser and is managed by the Friends of Chillenden Windmill, a local group of volunteers who are part of the Kent Mills Group and ordinarily open it at weekends and show visitors around.
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “It was wonderful to see the four sweeps lifted back into place by the specialist millwrights from Suffolk who have also repaired the unique spring shutter mechanism on each sweep and repainted the weatherboarding to the main structure.
“For the first time since 1949 the sweeps turned under wind power and we intend to have them turning again on open days next year.
“Our huge thanks go to everyone who has worked hard on this project and to our wonderful volunteers who will make this a wonderful visitor attraction next year.”
Chillenden residents, including county councillor for the area Sue Chandler, were excited to see their historic landmark restored and the windmill turning once again.
Chillenden’s oldest resident Margaret Holyer, 91, said: “I am just so amazed to see the sweeps back on the Mill. I’ve never actually seen them go round.”
Her late husband, Ron, will have done so as he was one of the last people to work at the Mill. As a youngster in the 1940’s he used to assist the last miller, Norman Laker.
Fellow villager Kate Gibson, who has lived in the village for over 50 years, said: “The windmill has always been part of the Chillenden landscape, but I had never expected I would witness the sweeps turning.”
Kent County Council is responsible for eight windmills in the county. These include six smock mills and two post mills and all eight are listed buildings.
They are:
Chillenden Mill, Goodnestone, Dover
Davison’s Mill, Stelling Minnis
Drapers Mill, Margate
Herne Mill, Herne Bay
Meopham Mill, Meopham
Stocks Mill, Wittersham, Ashford
Union Mill, Cranbrook
West Kingsdown Mill, Sevenoaks
The mills at Herne and Meopham are in urgent need of additional funds to bring them back into an active state.
KCC aims to get them both milling flour again by wind power and will be launching a further fundraising campaign in the near future.
For more information about windmill opening times and how to volunteer visit www.kent.gov.uk/windmills
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Jesse said: “In addition to the flags I have collected, I have received maps, pins and novelty items from different places. I have received books from Canada and the Cook Islands, a shirt from Australia and hats from the Netherlands and Ireland. My personal favourite novelty item is a stamp collection from Estonia.”
Chillenden residents, including county councillor for the area Sue Chandler, were excited to see their historic landmark restored and the windmill turning once again.