News

22
Nov
2023
Christmas Event In Sandgate – 1st December 2023

Christmas Event In Sandgate – 1st December 2023

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.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
10
Nov
2023

Sandgate Library Games Morning: Tuesdays starting 21st November

Sandgate Library is introducing a games morning every Tuesday morning 10 – 12 starting 21st November.

Come into our ‘Warm Space’ and enjoy playing a variety of games with friends old and new. 

We have a selection of games available in the Library including Cards, Pictionary, Chess etc but you are also welcome to bring along any of your favourite games from home.

Please note no gambling is allowed in the Library,

Sandgate Library, James Morris Court, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3RR.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
27
Oct
2023
Work Begins to Protect Against Risks of Flooding

Work Begins to Protect Against Risks of Flooding

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.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
19
Oct
2023

Deputy Parish Clerk / RFO VACANCY

Job Vacancy for Deputy Parish Clerk

A vacancy has arisen for the post of Deputy Parish Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) at Sandgate Parish Council.

The Deputy Clerk will be providing support to the Parish Clerk and Librarian and is one of the main points of contact for Sandgate residents.

The position is for 10 hours per week, to include Wednesday 9.30am-1.00pm – plus evening meetings. The salary is £13.40 per hour with a voluntary pension scheme.

The successful candidate will be entitled to 21 days holiday plus bank holidays.

Duties include:

  • Attending Parish Council meetings
  • Preparation of Agendas and Minutes
  • All Financial matters including preparation of financial statements for the Annual Audit
  • Maintaining the Parish Council website
  • Managing and interrogating the Parish CCTV
  • Assisting the Parish Clerk/Librarian in running the parish library

The ideal candidate will be a good communicator, with the ability to work on their own initiative or as part of the team.

The Deputy Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and will be responsible for all financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances.

CVs to be sent to clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk (or via post to the Parish Council Office and Library) to arrive not later than 12.00 noon 17rd November 2023.

References and Enhanced DBS will be required prior to job offer.

RFO-Deputy-Clerk-Job-Description-October-2023

Posted by Tim Prater in News
17
Oct
2023

Sound Quality for SPC Meeting Broadcasts

Sandgate Parish Council broadcast all our full Council and Committee meetings online live (and able to watch back for some months following the meeting) at https://www.facebook.com/sandgatepc

We have had some feedback on, and have been monitoring, the sound quality of our televised meetings and concluded that it needed improvement.

We purchased some improved sound technology and used it last night for the first time. We hope that you will agree it’s a massive improvement: last nights meeting is at https://fb.watch/nKAcL-debK/ (and could compare it with a previous meeting such as at https://fb.watch/nKAD9ycX61/).

For reference, we replaced our previous “budget” desk microphone system with a pair of Anker Power Conf S500 Speakerphones https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08W24YDSC

What is even more impressive is that we only used one of those for the meeting last night: the second didn’t make it out of the box, but the sound quality is already so much better. We still have somewhere to go to improve further, but massive step forward.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
28
Sep
2023

Report of the External Auditor 2023

Conclusion-of-AGAR-to-upload-1

“On the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), in our opinion the information in sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirement.”

The 2023 report of the external auditor is as shown above, and is also available to inspect from the Sandgate Parish Council office during opening hours.

Posted by Tim Prater in Annual Returns and AGAR, Council, Finance, News, Resources
08
Sep
2023
Six Month Closure of Public Footpath HF8, Sandgate

Six Month Closure of Public Footpath HF8, Sandgate

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

Posted by Tim Prater in News
15
Aug
2023
The Sandgate Sea and Food Festival 2023

The Sandgate Sea and Food Festival 2023

On the evening of Saturday 26th August 2023, we’ll be welcoming back the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival FREE fireworks display, sponsored by the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, from Granville Parade.

On Sunday 27th August there will be the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival, featuring live music, entertainment, stalls and great food on Sandgate’s Granville Parade, Castle Road Car Park and at businesses along Sandgate High Street.

Sandgate-Seafest-Flyer-2023-web-1

Programme

SATURDAY EVENING (26 August, 7-10pm)

Live music & stalls and our annual free firework display.

Live Music

GRANVILLE PARADE BEACH STAGE

  • The Liberators (8-10pm)

CASTLE ROAD CAR PARK

  • Terry Daniels (8-10pm)

SUNDAY (27 August, 10-5pm)

A fun day for all the family with live music, stalls and entertainment along Granville Parade & throughout Sandgate. Arts and Crafts Fair in the Chichester Hall, 70 Sandgate High Street.

Live Music

GRANVILLE PARADE BEACH STAGE

  • Gumboots Reggae 10am-12noon)
  • Rattlaz (12.30-2.30pm)
  • Steve Boltz (3-5pm)

CASTLE ROAD CAR PARK

  • A Jazz stage led by Roan Kearsey-Lawson and other musicians performing from noon.

THE SHIP INN

  • Steel And Strings Steel Band right on the seafront next to the restaurant (3pm onwards).

SANDGATE MEMBERS CLUB

  • Bill Palmer Disco & Karoake. Non-members welcome. (from 6pm)

The organisers would like to say a huge thank you to the generous sponsors of this event. Without their support it would not be possible to hold the festival: The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Sandgate Parish Council, Saga, Prater Raines, Joy-Bettany, Livingstone Homes & Smith Woolley Perry.

Can You Help Fill Our Barrow of Booze?

A key part of the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival each year is the draw to win a “barrow of booze”. That’s an eclectic collection of bottles, cans and more donated from across the village and conveniently served in a wheelbarrow to one lucky ticket buyer! All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the RNLI.

If you have a bottle or two you could donate to fill our barrow this year (unopened bottles only please!) then please drop them to Sandgate Library during opening hours or contact clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk to arrange delivery. Thank you! 

Parking Suspension Advance Notice

Parking on Granville Parade, Granville Road East & West and The Parade will be suspended from Noon on Saturday 26th until 7pm on Sunday 27th to allow for the Sea Festival and stalls including drop off, set up and break down.

There is also a parking suspension in Castle Road Car Park from noon on Saturday 26th and all day until 7pm on Sunday 27th August, to allow for deliveries and set-up on the Saturday and the market and break-down on the Sunday.

Please do NOT park in those areas during suspended hours. There are a lot of deliveries, stalls setting up and people visiting: leaving your car there while that is going on makes it much harder to do (and you may get a ticket!).

Posted by Tim Prater in News