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Civic Voice President to visit Canterbury, Ramsgate, Faversham and Rochester during three day tour

Campaigner and President of Civic Voice, Griff Rhys Jones, kicks off a four day civic tour of Kent region on the 15th of May. This tour coincides with Civic Voice publishing results of a survey that says 63% of individuals say that while they care about where they live, they have no influence when it comes to responding to the major changes that impact on their area.

Griff will be calling on individuals to join local community groups and will be touring:

• Canterbury to give a keynote speech at the official launch of a new publication A Residents Vision for Canterbury which is putting forward an alternative vision for the future of Canterbury (Wed. 15th May)
• Ramsgate to visit to Project Motorhouse to support the campaign to save a local historic building and bring it back into community use (Thursday 16th May)
• Faversham to visit the Faversham Society Fleur de Lys Heritage Centre (Friday 17th May)
• Rochester – to give the keynote address at the annual Woolford conference organised by the Kent Federation of Amenity Civic Societies on “civic buildings” (Sat. 18th May)

Griff will say “Change is in the air, as local communities take more control over their own future. The civic movement is at the heart of this with hundreds of local civic societies speaking up for their area. We want to play a revitalised role in promoting civic pride and making the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive.”

He will add “If the Government is serious about Localism, they have to listen to the concerns coming forward from civic groups, resident associations and local councils. We agree with the Government that getting the economy moving is essential, but the myriad of proposals coming forward are clearly not the answer. They are creating uncertainty, not confidence”.

Laura Sandys MP, President of the KFAS said “We are delighted that Griff Rhys Jones in his role as President of Civic Voice is visiting Kent. Griff is known as a passionate campaigner and has inspired many across the country to get involved in their local area. We hope his visit to Kent helps shine a light on the fantastic work of civic groups across the region”.

Civic Voice works to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. We speak up for civic societies and local communities across England. We promote civic pride. We are the national charity for the civic movement and have a strong local presence. We believe everyone has the right to live somewhere they can be proud of. We know how people feel about places because we feel the same way. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010 Civic Voice has been joined by 290 civic societies with more than 75,000 members. Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk including how to join Civic Voice (£10 individuals) and contact details for local civic societies. More information on Civic Voice’s Planning for People campaign is available on our website herehttp://www.civicvoice.org.uk/campaigns/planning-for-people

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ian Harvey, 07877096968 or ian.harvey@civicvoice.org.uk

We are really pleased and relieved and grateful that Swale Planning Committee councillors listened and turned down the proposal for a restaurant in the black shed at Standard Quay.  It may be that they thought the idea of a restaurant with only one window was not really viable; it may be that they recognised it as the thin end of the wedge; but whatever the case, we can be sure the developer will come back with drawings showing lots more windows.  He is certainly going to appeal.  So the fight goes on, but we hope that Swale really is stiffening its resolve to keep that funny little Quay with its old black sheds as a maritime facility, as it has been for centuries.

We could ask them again to consider a compulsory purchase of the site, as long as we can come up with a viable and deliverable plan for an active business there. It’s an option which must be looked at.

However, we can pursue them more strongly in asking why they have not ensured proper protection of the building and its curtilage – getting the owner to replace the secure mooring rings, and asking why he made big changes inside this Listed Grade II building without consent?

These details matter.  This is how so much of Faversham has been conserved. Hundreds of local residents living in Listed Buildings have to obey the law and get permission even to put a small shed in their gardens where no-one can see it – but here is a big important building in a very visible location where the owner has made significant changes without the local authority apparently taking any notice.  That is not good enough.

Turning to more positive thoughts, all the residents of Faversham are invited to take part in a consultation on the emerging Neighbourhood Plan on 8th June. This will be in the form of an exhibition in the Alexander Centre. It is vital that we all go and say what we think. Drag everyone you know along. We cannot complain about not being consulted or not knowing what is going on if we do not take these few opportunities as they arise.

One new and exciting opportunity has emerged from the recent scramble to preserve what we want kept. Faversham Creek, with its boatyards, slipways, buildings and skilled workforce is beginning to be recognised as very important indeed for the Thames as a whole. Along with other valiant surviving sites, we are being seen as diamonds in the necklace… small ports along the south bank of the great river, with historic and significant contributions to make to the national culture.  For instance, Northfleet Harbour Restoration in Gravesend is facing very similar physical problems with dredging and use of quayside land. Convoys Wharf in Deptford – where Henry VIII had his naval shipyard and where the Royal Society was actually founded – is challenged by big property development.  By linking up with these other projects, we can all be seen and recognised more clearly.

Standard Quay’s black building could be dismissed as a tiny insignificant little shed in the middle of nowhere. We know it’s more important than that, but now it’s up to us to tell the rest of the world about it.  The gunpowder made near the town centre and shipped out down our creek was used to fight the Spanish Armada, and in the great national battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo. Ordnance Wharf is not so-called by accident – it was the gunpowder wharf. It was the Ordnance which paid for the installation of the bridge, and the gates with their sluices. Our little town with its tidal creek and its ancient quays played a huge part in the national history. Standard Quay was home to the economical red-sailed barges which plied the coastal waters of the east coast and the Thames. They came here for repair and maintenance.  They should still come here.  It’s up to us to stay steady on our course, and make sure that Swale Council does the same.

Griselda Mussett

On Saturday morning, 20th April, a small group of Creek Trust members were out in the sunshine with litter pickers gathering up the rubbish around the edge of the Creek Basin and along Front Brents.

A total of 20 bags were filled with assorted bottles, drink cans and other rubbish. Other items recovered included half a settee, one wellington boot, the front part of a bike, a motorcycle tyre, a 10 foot long clothes line pole and a large piece of corrugated iron roofing. The most exciting find in the mud was the illustrated map of Crab Island, which has been missing, from its stand by the footpath for some time. Members of the Creek Trust will clean the sign and then reinstate it for the benefit of all users of the Saxon Shore Way.

We regret to announce that our plans for a fund-raising production of Henry V have had to be postponed for the time being.
We were not able to secure funding at this stage to cover costs of hall hire, so it would not have been a viable project.
Anyone interested please contact the Director, Caroline Lamoon, on clamoon@hotmail.co.uk and we will be in touch with you when we have firm dates.

The following list of events will be updated regularly in the new Page.

Come and see how you can help to make it happen

 at a Volunteer Recruitment Evening on

Monday January 28^th at 7pm  the Railway Hotel – opposite the Railway Station!!

Volunteers have played a huge part in making things happen in the Trust – especially working on the Purifier building which is our flagship project. If you have any DIY or building skills, and would like help in the Purifier Building, please contact Six Boorman on 01795 530121.

But the renovation of the building is just one part of what the Trust is about. The Trust’s Phoenix Project will go on to develop shipwright’s skills training and a range of maritime heritage community projects and events. So there is lots to be done and lots of other volunteering roles  – and we really need more help!!

What could you do?

Everyone has something they can offer – FCT is a new Charity and has a need for a whole range of skills. Administrative – organisational- secretarial – events management – IT – communications to name a few – as well as head cook and bottle washer and dogsbody! So yes there is something for everyone.

 How much time will it take?

No need to worry about over committing yourself – all our volunteers work in different ways and give different amounts of time. So if you can only give a few hours once in a while that’s fine.

 How will it work?

We are setting up a new Volunteering Scheme – with designated roles and a register of helpers.

We also have specific vacancies in a couple of current volunteer roles – so please do spread the word and come along by yourself or with any friends/recruits you can muster.

For more information about the evening or about volunteering, contact me,         Val Honyben valhonyben@fcreektrust.co.uk Mobile 07973 199151.                                   Or just come along!!