News

Kent Speedwatch is a volunteer scheme to monitor and display the speed of passing traffic on selected roads.

A group of 3 people use a roadside speed indicator device or handheld speed camera to monitor and display the speed of approaching traffic. They note the details of those significantly in excess of the speed limit and pass those to the Police.

It acts as a good reminder to motorists to keep to the limit, and forms a base of data that Kent Police can see to understand if there is a lot of speeding in a certain road, and to target their resources at monitoring them. The Police cannot issue penalties on the basis of Speedwatch data alone, but can issue warnings.

Sandgate Parish Council has a part share in a Speed Indication Device, and our own handheld speed camera. We have been running Speedwatch sessions across Sandgate since early 2024, but to keep doing so we need new volunteers willing to join the team.

Training takes a couple of hours, and we’re running 2 or 3 Speedwatch sessions a week currently: if we had 20 volunteers, that’s under a session a month. A Sandgate Speedwatch session is generally between 30-60 minutes.

Sessions only happen during daylight hours, in Police approved locations, with trained volunteers. You’ll never be working alone.

Would you register to get involved in helping our area cut traffic speeds with Speedwatch?

If you are willing to become a Sandgate Speedwatch volunteer you can register online. Please go to:

https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/

..and select “register” on the top menu. On the next page, select “Join and Existing Group” on the left.

• On the next page, select “Kent” from the “Force” list, then “Continue”.

• Select “ZE Folkestone and Hythe” from the Police Area list, then “Continue”.

• Pick “Sandgate – Sandgate Speedwatch Group” from the Group list, then “Continue”.

• Finally, complete the form, make sure you tick the “term and conditions” box, then select “Register Me”.

You should get an email notification of some type, but then that’s done. When we have enough (5 or so) volunteers registered we’ll be in touch – we will get a Sandgate Kent Speedwatch training session organised and all volunteers invited.

Please – get involved: register today!

It’ll soon be looking a bit like Christmas…

On the afternoon and evening of Friday 1st December, please join us in Sandgate Valley and Village. Enjoy the Christmas lights, meet a special visitor, visit the craft market and hear a carol or two, and support local businesses many of who will be open until 7.30pm at least on Friday (and clearly our pubs, bars and restaurants rather later). We’re hoping for the right weather, but will go ahead regardless: wrap up!

Santa’s Grotto at the Golden Arrow – Enbrook Valley *

• Open 4.00pm- 4.45pm

Santa’s Grotto at Sandgate Library *

• Open 5.00pm – 6.00pm

* There will be a small gift for all children 0 – 9 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Christmas Craft Market at the Chichester Hall on Sandgate High Street

• Open 5.30pm – 7.30pm
• FSG A cappella Choir singing in the hall from 6.15pm – 6.30pm

Many businesses through Sandgate will be offering late night shopping that evening and would love to see you.

Late Night Opening:

The Dog House will be open from 5pm until mid-evening on the 1st for coffee, teas, bacon and sausage sandwiches (that’s “Kent’s BEST Bacon sandwiches“) and maybe a chilli!

The Sandgate Pop-Up Shop at 53 Sandgate High Street will be open until 7.30pm with a huge range of locally sourced Christmas gifts and treats.

Workshop 29 at 99 Sandgate High Street will be open into the evening. They will have a workshop table in the shop and are welcoming families to come and pot up a Christmas Bulb free of charge.

Orchard Lane Coffee House (80 Sandgate High Street) will be staying open late with great coffee and festive specials.

Rachel and Elle will be opening their brand new (opening day is Thursday 30th!) Sandgate Deli at 88a Sandgate High Street into the evening – please do pop in and say hello and welcome!

Mr Whippet’s Cafe is open late. Offering: sourdough toasties, artisan handmade sausage rolls. Free cake tasters with our delicious coffee and all other hot drinks.

The Wallpaper Emporium (117E Sandgate High Street), a new showroom for Lammas Master Decorators, will be holding their grand opening on Friday 1st December. They will be open through the evening offering mince pies, festive treats and some beautiful wallpaper! All welcome!

The Royal Norfolk / Gees Bar, The Providence, the newly refurbished and reopened The Ship Inn, Docker Bar, John Dory, Sandgate Members Club (members only), Folkestone Rowing Club (members only), The Fat Raj and Green Spice will also all be open naturally!

If you are a local business and can be open too / offer a special / entertainment / extended opening / anything else that night, please tell us know by email to tim@prater.uk and we’ll add your details here.

Need help with your digital skills?

Need help with the cost of living?

Need advice on water social tariffs?

Come and have a chat about how Porchlight can support you.

• Date: Thursday 21st December 2023

• Time: 1230pm – 230pm

• Location: Porchlight – St John’s Church, St John’s Road, Folkestone, CT19 5BQ

Porchlight-Folkestone-21st-DEC

Beach management work that helps protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses along the coast from flooding is to start next week.

The latest round of biannual recycling and regrading of shingle between Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe through Sandgate to Folkestone Harbour begins on Monday (30 October) and will take up to eight weeks to complete.

Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Bio Diversity – said:

“This work helps shield the sea wall, further reducing the possibility of flooding and coastal erosion over the five-mile stretch.

“Approximately 120,000 tonnes of shingle will be moved from east to west over the next two months. The longshore drift will then naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping and flooding during storm events.”

“Effects of the changing climate are bringing more severe and unpredictable storms to our area, so it is important we are as prepared as possible.”

Efforts will be made to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Section 14(1), As Amended By The Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991

Kent County Council intends to make an Order the effect of which is to temporarily close Public Footpath HF8 for its entire length between Public Footpath HF59 & Public Footpath HF56 from the 01 October 2023.

The path will be closed for a maximum of six months.

Public Footpath HF8 is to be closed because development works are planned on or near them.

An alternative route is available from Public Footpath HF59 to Public Footpath HF56 and will be signed for the duration of the closure.

For detailed enquiries please contact Edward Denne in Kent County Council Public Rights of Way, Contact Centre no. 03000 41 71 71.

HF8-TRO-Intends-Notice

Closure-map