News

Some months ago, local resident Andrew Bragg raised with Parish Chairman Tim Prater that one defibrillator in Sandgate was… Not enough.

A heart attack victim needs support as soon as possible, within a very few minutes. The longer the delay, the lower the chance of success.

The council took it on board, and talked to a number of people and found some funding sources and locations able to host. And now the new machines are starting to be fitted.

So to add to the defib on The Boat House on Granville Parade, we’ve now got a new machine Sandgate Parish Council and Library – Kent on the High Street, and new ones will be installed at the Golden Arrow in Golden Valley and another behind the counter at the The Sandgate Hotel on the Esplanade.

We’ll back these all up when all are in place with signage across the village – no use if you can’t find them. They cost a bit, but nothing to the chance that they might save a life, or reduce the damage caused. Great investment: thanks Andrew for pushing us!

With the Halloween season fast approaching, some people look forward to and welcome “Trick or Treat”, and some really do not.

For those who don’t feel comfortable with answering the door to Trick and Treaters, you can print and display the poster below.

If you are going door to door for trick or treat this Halloween and see this poster, please respect it and do not knock that door.

The local Police / PSCO team will be visiting retail premises requesting their assistance in reducing anti-social behaviour, asking that they do not sell eggs or flour to children in the run up to Halloween. They also say:

“It is also important not to engage with those causing nuisance behaviour, in their childish fashion they often find this an excuse to target anyone who challenges them to get a reaction for their amusement. If the need arises contact Kent Police.

“We will be stretched resources wise and we will be going where the calls direct us, so if you notice any large nuisance groups please do contact Kent Police via online reporting tools or 101 whichever suits you best.”

The way residents are consulted on local planning matters in the future is the subject of a new public consultation launched by Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

Comments on the updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – a document which explains how people can get involved in decisions about plan-making and planning applications in the district – are now being sought.

The previous SCI was adopted in 2015 and the latest revision will ensure community involvement is effective at all stages of the planning process.

F&HDC Leader Cllr David Monk said: “Community involvement in local planning is crucial – which is why it is important residents let us know how they want to be consulted and which way works best for them.

“The draft document lays out some proposals and we’re keen to gather feedback about what people think about them.”

You can view the documents by visiting folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/about-planning-consultations or by heading to the Civic Centre or any of the district’s libraries during normal opening hours to read paper copies.

Visit the consultation portal at consult.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk for the quickest and easiest way to comment on the draft SCI.

Alternatively, email comments to planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or write a letter to the Strategy and Policy Team, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY.

Please include your name and contact details in any correspondence. All comments need to be received by 5pm on Monday 14 November 2022.

Are you interested in taking positive action to help make Sandgate more sustainable. The Sandgate Society have been at different events over the summer collecting thoughts and ideas from members of the community which they now want to put into action. Some ideas are fairly simple and some will need more research and planning and fresh ideas are very welcome.

They are holding a meeting on Thursday October 13th at 7pm in the Reading Room at the Old Fire Station on Sandgate High Street, to discuss these ideas and explore ways forward. Coming along doesn’t commit you to anything and you absolutely don’t have to be a sustainability expert. Hopefully this will be the start of a group representing all sections of the Sandgate community, where we can learn from and inspire each other in a supportive and non-judgemental way.

Please let them know if you would like to attend or if you are interested but can’t make the time/date. Please also let them know any other ideas you may have had so they can be put up for discussion. One thing for sure is they won’t have picked a time and date that will suit everybody but we had to start somewhere!

• Email sandgatesociety@gmail.com

• Ring Gemma: 07984 694907

Just to whet your appetite these are just some of the ideas suggested so far (in no particular order):

• Thermal Surveys
• Public water fountains to refill water bottles
• Tool Library
• Energy Saving Appliances Exhibition/Demonstrations – a chance to see them in action
• Repair Café
• Pop up workshops/field trips on repair skills and sustainability
• Sustainable Fashion Show
• Discussion group on sustainability issues
• Communicating local recycling information (items that don’t get collected by the council) and other local sustainability initiatives.
• Campaigning to improve local services and facilities
• A guide to making property low carbon in a conservation area

We look forward to hearing from you.

This Saturday 24^th September between 10am – 12 noon in St Paul’s Church Sandgate Chris Phillips will present a collection of postcards on old Sandgate and Richard Baulch will entertaining us playing a selection of music on the piano.

Entrance and refreshments: Free.