Article For Folkestone Herald and Kentish Express

16 December 2004

Last Friday was a busy constituency day. It began at 08.15am with a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Folkestone Youth Project which I Chair.

We have made great progress and, now, thanks to the generosity of Roger de Haan, have a site which will house the centre that young people have said they want. Work will now proceed to put in place with the centre the kind of facility that will fit in with the priorities of Folkestone’s young people. I am very excited about its future.

Next stop was the Shaw Trust in the High Street. The Trust do a great job in helping people who are disabled, back to work. I have long been an admirer of their achievements.

Then it was the Channel Chamber Christmas Lunch. This is always a happy occasion. I have been the President of the Chamber for many years and keep in close touch with its activities. It is playing an increasingly influential role into the economic development of the area.

After lunch, I presented a mini bus to Foxwood School. Most of the cost of the bus had been raised by the Ladies Taverners and in particular, 
Heather Alwen who ran the London Marathon in aid of this cause. I know the bus will make a big difference to the pupils and teachers of Foxwood School and will be very extensively used and enjoyed.

Next stop was a meeting with Shepway’s new Chief Executive, Alastair Stewart. We discussed the council’s reorganisation plans which, over a period of time, will save a substantial amount of money. We also discussed the role which the Shepway Business Forum, which I also Chair, can play in the economic development of the area. Then it was on to Shepway Primary Care Trust where we discussed the proposed closure of the rehabilitation wards at the Royal Victoria Hospital. I repeated the questions which I wrote about here last week and was assured that answers would be forthcoming.

In the evening I attended the Chairman of Shepway District Council’s Christmas Reception and the Mencap Christmas Party.

On Sunday morning I opened the Chamber of Commerce’s Fun Day which was held in conjunction with Churches Together. The programme kicked off with a service at Hythe Town Hall with the Salvation Army and followed by a walk along the High Street to see the many stalls. In the evening I returned to the Salvation Army in Hythe for their Annual Carol Service.

Another busy but hugely enjoyable constituency weekend!