Article For Folkestone Herald and Kentish Express

19 May 2005

First, welcome news of a development which might ease the problems caused by Operation Stack.

As readers will know I have been trying to secure a solution to this problem for years. The best answer would be the provision of a lorry park which could be used as a holding place for vehicles when difficulties arise at the Channel Tunnel or with the ferries. But problems of finding the right site and of cost have always got in the way of this.

Now there has been a suggestion that the Kent showground at Detling might be used for this purpose. I have written to the Highways Agency, Kent County Council and Shepway District Council urging them to take this proposal forward.

I do not want to raise false hopes. There have been reports that the villagers of Detling are less than enthusiastic about the plans. And it may yet prove impossible to implement. But I shall be doing all I can to support it.

On Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of presenting the medals and trophies after the Universal Soccer Goodwill Festival at the Folkestone Sports Centre.

This was a five-a-side competition for local primary schools which aroused great enthusiasm among all who took part and the large number of spectators. Such was the commitment of the teams taking part that a dispassionate bystander could have been forgiven for believing that relegation from the Premiership – being decided at exactly the same time – was at stake!

Full marks to Lynda Sell of Universal Sports who organised the event and Martin Connolly who raised the funds that made it possible. Thanks also to the Sports Centre for making their facilities available and to all who took part. More events like this will, I am sure, have a real impact on the behaviour of the children who took part. They are greatly to be commended.