Paper Template issue 5_Layout 1 28/10/2010 18:59 Page 1 The Looker The Community Newspaper for the Romney Marsh Edition 5 Marsh Radio ‘In Tune’ with Locals By David Williams 87.8 Romney Marsh FM is back on the air from Monday the 8th of November. The station is running another 28 day broadcast from its headquarters in New Romney. The Radio station is run entirely by volunteers and will transmit 24 hours per day under the guidance of the Allied Broadcasting Company who have studio’s which are also based at the former Romney Marsh Potato Company, Peter Martin partner in the business said ‘it is always so Some off the presenting Team of 87.8 Romney Marsh FM encouraging to have so many One of the presenters Tony people asking when the station is Wickenden presents a specialist Over 100 people back on the air, however the show called the ‘scooterist show’ Turn out over licences that we have to pay on a thursday night which regu- make it harder and harder to raise larly has thousands of listners on debate the money’ he went on to say ‘this the web from all over the world. year we still have not sold all the Tony said ‘the trouble with inter- over housing available advertising spots but we net radio is that you are sat in the studio not knowing if anyone is have also offered sponsorship Over a 100 people turned up at listening, but it’s fantastic when deals to local businesses from as an informal meeting set up by we start getting e-mails and little as £50 for the months and STORM (Stop The Theft of phone calls asking for songs we we can except adverts as we go Romney Marsh) at the Assembily get on average about 200 e-mails along and charge pro rata’ rooms on last Monday evening per show from countrys as far The last time station went on air it Alison Jeffery who chaired the afield as Peru and Argentina. benefited from a grant from the meeting said that she woulkd like This time around the station European Social fund, which to thank all the people who turned keeps to a familiar theme with enabled the parent company up and that a lot of issues were some of it’s original presenters Allied to offer a 12 week course to discussed on the night. back on air. For full listings go to a group of unemployed people in The purpose of the meeting was page 17 and tune in to the the art of broadcasting. to discuss the proposed housing breakfast show at 7.00am on the It was very encouraging that after developements on Green 8th of November the Looker will we went of off FM that most of the Field sites group still found time to volenteer be sponsoring the show being presented by David Wimble and have their own shows on our The Looker has a full report on Internet radio. the meeting on Page 16 Paper Template issue 5_Layout 1 28/10/2010 18:59 Page 2
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until 10.00 am for the Breakfast EDITOR’S We have worked out the costs and show sponsored by …you you can guarantee that you get Guessed it “The Looker” your copy through the post. BY the WORD Every effort is made by The LOOKER Friday after of our release week! For the Eagle newspaper to ensure that the information is If you would like to take advantage eyed amongst correct. The LOOKER newspaper of this service pop into our office reserves the right not to publish unsolicited you will notice and see Mandy at 13 High street material being sent through to the that the Looker New Romney (Heath Artcrafts) publication. Personal views expressed in is now available this publication are solely those of the The other way you can see the from Thursday’s! respective contributors and do not reflect current edition is to go online to our those of the publishers or its agents. All we have done website material supplied to this publication is at this for two reasons firstly because the owner’s risk. talking to newsagents most people Reproduction in whole or in part of this www.thelooker.co.uk relate Thursday’s to the day that publication is strictly prohibited without prior the ‘Local’ paper is available, so we consent. Photographic rights remain the you can also read back issues and property of The LOOKER Newspaper. thought lets get this out a day see lots of other fantastic colour earlier. Contact The Looker pictures and competitions. Tel:01797 366450 in our letters page you will once The other reason is because we Editorial again see we have had lots of have now changed printers to a Tel: 0790 0080 656 correspondence from our forum local company. Distribution room which is great and we would Tel:07866 502 578 like to invite more of you to use this E-mail: [email protected] The first four editions we were facility. Web:www.thelooker.co.uk feeling our way a little. Although some people said that they really The Looker is available from We also launch our competition to liked the quality of each edition so Best Kebabs Lydd, Lydd Airport, Botolphs Bridge find the best pub on the Marsh. PH West Hythe, Brenzett Garage, City Of far we have had several technical As you will see elsewhere in this London PH Dymchurch, Coach House Coffee issues with the two printer we have Shop New Romney, Coastal Kebabs, Colorcraft edition we have several categories used so far (one actually having a New Romney, Dungeness Lifeboat Station, ranging from. Dymchurch Garage, Elsie’s New Romney, fire on the day we were due to go Greatstone Fish Bar, Haugelands Farm Shops, to print!) with this in mind we Heath Artcrafts New Romney, Romney Kebab ‘Best Foods Pub’, Shop Littlestone Rd New Romney, Kebab Shop needed to ensure that we had a ‘Best Kept Pub’, Station Road New Romney, Lathe Barn Bur- constant high quality, so we have ‘Best Family Pub’, marsh, Littlestone Lifeboat Station, Lydd gone to Wealdon Printers, who ‘Best Real Ale Pub Butchers, Lydd Fish Shop, Lydd Golf Club, M & M Richardson Fish Shop Dungeness, Mittells have gone out of their way to make and our overall Newsagents Lydd, Park St Stores Lydd, Prince sure that we get the editions back “Best Pub On The Marsh” Of Wales PH New Romney, Red Lion Snargate, by Wednesday morning. Rod & Line New Romney, Romney Cycles, Romney Spice, Royal British Legion Dymchurch, The other thing that you may notice we have done this so that you can Royal Oak PH Brookland, Sainsburys New when you are out and about on the have one vote on our website in Romney, Spar Greatstone,Lydd on Sea, Lydd & New Romney, Tandori Cottage Lydd, Tesco's Marsh is that once again we have each category from any one IP Dymchurch, The Britania PH Dungeness, had to up our circulation by another address. This again hopefully goes Broadacre Hotel New Romney, Captain Howey 500 copies. some way to promote the local PH New Romney, Cinque Ports PH New Romney, Dolphin PH Lydd, The Gallery businesses Across the Romney Dungeness, The George PH Lydd, The Library We really would like to thank all the Marsh. Our sports editor Craig New Romney, Neptune PH Dymchurch, New Inn people who have said so many Avery has offered to try out every PH New Romney,The Ocean PH Dymchurch, Paper Shop Littlestone, The Pilot PH nice things about the looker, we are pub on the Mash to check the Dungeness,The Plough PH New Romney, The now starting to recognised as a quality… which is very generous of Railway Appledore, Royal Oak PH Lydd, Rose & Crown PH Old Romney, Royal Mail PH Lydd, true local newspaper and it is great him! but as he pointed out it’s a The Seahorse PH Greatstone, Ship Hotel New to be stopped whenever we are out tough job ...but someone hass to Romney, The Ship PH Dymchurch, The Star PH and about with people asking’ do it. If you do not have acsess to Lydd, The Star PH St. Mary's-in-the Marsh, Varne Boat Club,Varne Littlestone, Fish Bar Lydd when is the next edition out?’ the internet you can post in your on Sea, Warren Golf Club Littlestone, West We are also proud to offer another entry’s to ... Hythe Garage, Ward & Partners New Romney, service to people who find it hard to Finally please support your local Marsh InsuranceServices, Shaw Rabson New Romney, James Hawkins & Co New get their copies of the looker. radio station 87.8 Romney Marsh Romney,The Warren PH New Romney, The FM and join me every morning Woolpack PH Brookland, The Bailiff’s Sergeant SMB, Newsagents SMB We will post it too you! Monday to Friday from 7.00 am and Foords SMB. 2 Paper Template issue 5_Layout 1 28/10/2010 18:59 Page 3
www.thelooker.co.uk Thursday 4th November 2010
Bill Brings Boat Bounty
Local racing rriver Bill Richards presented the crew of Littlestone on sea Lifeboat station a cheque for £300 WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ‘REQUISITIONED’? last week. The donation was raised by Bill and his team after an I WANT MY TEA!!! event at a ‘Mini Action Day’ at the Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire by offering members of the public 'hot lap' rides in return for a donation to our team charities. We have also raised money for The Poppy Appeal. Bill has w orkshop in Asford and spechialises in preparing race Tuned Engines for both race and Road use. Bill curently competes with three different cars at racing cuircuits all over the country and also overseas and his company is regarded as one of europes leading specialist engine bulders. Littlestone lifeboat stations operations manager Charlie Davis said’ People like Bill are so important to the RNLI, the Lifeboats are finacedintirly by charitable contributions and it is fantastic that Bill has chosen our station and also the poppy appeal to raise this money’. If you want to follow Bill and his team you can get up to the minute information from there web- site: www.billrichardsracing.com
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“The Government remains satisfied that Dungeness is Dungeness is credible for deployment by 2025 assuming that issues [regarding proximity to sitesof ecological importance] could be resolved.” Not Over Yet [par 7.896] By Damian Collins “Should evidence come forward that satisfies the Government that thereis potential for development to take place at Dungeness, the Government would consider whether Dungeness should be included in theNuclear National Policy Statement.” [par 7.917]
“A new nuclear power station at Dungeness would be likely to have long term positive impacts for employment, the economy and communities at the local level.” [par 7.939]
Unfortuntly we had just gone to press when our “Responses to the consultation have illustrated the MP Damian Collins sent through a press statement strength of feeling regarding the importance of regarding the proposal to get Dungeness ‘back on’ Dungeness to local people and the local economy in the agenda for new build power stations. The fol- particular”. lowing Speaking in response to this statement from the e-mail is what the press statement said... Government, Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe said: “The fight for a new power station at Dungeness goes on, I believe that a new power station is right for our community and the energy interests of the country. It is disappointing that Dungeness has not been included on this revised list for nuclear sites, but the Government has clearly not closed the door on Dungeness, and in its report gives clear guidance on the issues where it is looking for reassurance. I hope we can use the final stage of the consultation over the next three months to do just that” He went on... “The benefits to the local economy and the important new jobs that would be created by Dungeness C are accepted by the Government. I believe these interests are greater than the objections that have been raised by Natural England who want to protect the vegetated shingle around the power station. Today the Government has published an update on “However, the land disturbed when Dungeness B was the National Policy Statement for Energy, including the built has shown that this vegetation can grow back assessment of nuclear sites. within a relatively short period of time Dungeness has not been listed as one of the 8 sites – so perhaps this habitat is more robust that Natural where new nuclearpower stations can be built by 2025 England would have us believe. I know that the local However, there remains a new 3 month consultation in people are. which we can make our case, and then there will be “I would also like people to sign the ‘Say Yes to debate of the final recommendations in parliament. Dungeness’ petition that I will present to the Prime Minister before the consultation closes, to show the In the site report for Dungeness published today as strength of local opinion in supporting a new power part of the report on the consultation, the Department station” for Energy makes some important points that show that the door is not closed on a new power station at You can find the petition online here - Dungeness. In particular: www.gopetition.com/petition/39781.htl
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asking that all internet users log online and vote for this service faster broadband we currently circulate nearly 7000 issues of this paper and on the Marsh we estimate that three people on average read a copy so lets all take a few moments to vote Peter Faulkner editor of the either go to the Greatstone.net Greatstone.net website informed website or just log on to us recently of a campaign to in- http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/ crease broadband connection speed across the country. Obvi- ously the larger towns and cities are getting preferential treat- ment, but as BT rolls this ‘Ex- change Upgrade’ across the UK they are prioritising towns who can dictate a real need. The new internet scheme is called Infinity Internet and utilises the latest Fibre Optic Technology with connection speeds of up to 40 Mb. Most people on the marsh are lucky if they currently have a 5Mb speed With this in mind the Looker is
THE ROMNEY MARSH DAY CENTRE
There’s more going on than you think !
We now offer a wide range of activities including;
ORGANISED BIKE RIDES, PILATES, TAI CHI, OVER 50’S KEEP FIT, SEATED EXERCISES, COOKING, GARDENING AND ART GROUPS.
There is also tea and coffee and freshly prepared meals everyday, lots of friendly company and regular entertainment to enjoy. We offer full day care facilities and we also have a Rehabilitation Unit, a monthly Stroke Contact group and our own Independent In- formation and Advice Outreach Support Service. There is also a limited transport service to and from the Centre. To find out more just pop in or contact us here at the Day Centre, Rolfe Lane, New Romney, TN28 8JR. 01797-363888 or visit www.rmdc.co.uk
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Dungeness C exchange for the space to build a C Your Having seen the link seen the link plant? Not only would it get a on your forum room and also read power station it would also mean the correspondence in other local that their would be even MORE Letters publications. It seems that there is JOBS in the area. And lets face it two opinions on Dungeness C the the risk is so minimal and technol- people who glasses are always half ogy has improved so much it could In responce to the article from empty seem to think that it is a be a real win win situation. And Mandy Heath in the last issue “closed Case” however reading our just to really set the cat among the Ferrets on the Marsh Mps online article it is clear that the pigeons…. This is playing nicely Every year I get a very small only thing that seems to go against into the hands of the Airport who number of ferret sightings the building of a C Station is the would also have even greater reported to me, particularly at ecological reports from natural grounds for their expansion plans Dungeness/Lydd and England! Surely Natural England. sighting Jobs as their main plus occasionally across the wider The site that the station is pro- point Marsh. White/albino ferrets and the posed to be built on was formally Anon From Forum polecat ferrets (brown with a white part of the site used in the con- face and a bandit mask) are used struction of B station. I think that Before i start..excellent newspa- for rabbitting and they do disappear Time has shown that the Marsh is per..you had an article in your now and again. The art of ferreting incredibly good natural re genera- paper about the fire brigade and is slowly being lost across the tion and the fact that the Dunge- what would happen if they where countryside and is not as well used ness peninsular is growing at a busy...well..on the day of the range as decades gone by (mainly due to steady rate, surely this small part of 'damping down' there was a seri- getting landowner permissions and land is not much to ask for the ous incident.. a bungalow 2 bunga- the lack of interest in eating rabbit economy of not just the Romney lows up from me had a boat in the by the public). Marsh but the whole of the South front garden, as you know the East in General. weather was very hot and some- A similar species which can be I was bemused to see that Natural thing set the boat alight, we saw tame and is found across the England again want to extend the the flames from our front window Marsh is the American Mink which SSSIi area to encompass about a called 999 then went out to try to has no white face and more quarter of the Marsh. By doing this control the traffic.. the road is coast importantly can swim and hunt in they are just making it harder for drive and was quite busy, we ran to waterways, unlike the land based business to grow on the Marsh. At the surrounding neighbors telling ferrets. Mink can vary in colour what point does the Marsh become them to get out of their properties from black, through chocolate a desolate area no one wants to in- as it was windy and the flames brown to grey, depending on the fur vest in Lynne Beaumont “Tourism where quite severe ..the owners of strains and origins of the fur farms. Dream” so lets get behind the the bungalow and boat where out Mink will eat duck, moorhen, fish, station. I ask everyone to sign the so i phoned their mobile and they frogs and water voles and are seen online petition told me their son was asleep in the as a problem to our native water- http://www.gopetition.com/ back bedroom, by this time the ways, canals and rivers. petition/39781.html front of the property was also alight, a neighbor climbed the fence The proper way to hold a ferret to Marsh Man From Forum banging the windows to wake up avoid being bitten is by the scruff of the son, he got out OK, 20 Min's the shoulders or under the arm pits, In response to Marsh Man. Per- had passed STILL NO FIRE EN- away from the reach of those very haps I have the answer…at the ex- GINE.. passersby stopped and sharp teeth. pense of upsetting some of the used garden hoses to try and people of the Marsh. dampen the fire, other people had However, I was just impressed you The Nuclear authorities have spent phoned the fire service and i tried to pick it up to start with. a lot of money on Dungeness A to phoned them again only to be told make the building Secure, It is well there was a fire on the range and Owen Leyshon. all available fire engines where Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership known that the country is short of space when it comes to storing there, the frightening thing was that Short Term (50 – 100 years) low when the owner arrived he told us level nuclear waste could we not let that there was petrol cans on the the site become available for this in boat and petrol in the tank,
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the sky was black with smoke the There are not many answers forth- wards and will develop a bad repu- boat burnt to a shell, the bungalow coming. tation, which in turn will stop people front was in a badly burnt There is talk of a vigilante group, a visiting and will affect the economy state..then 45 MIN'S LATER the fire very dodgy idea, football training, of the village brigade from ASH FORD turned up, only a small part of the solution, a Andrew J and took over, the very brave peo- youth club, but where and who Forum post ple who helped, put their life's at would run it? The current thinking is risk to save the property, and it was that the youths, who number up to so lucky the wind did not turn as around 50 at times are coming from the bungalows next doors might other places where there are dis- have caught alight as well.. when placement orders, Lydd for exam- the fire brigade took the petrol cans ple. The Parish Council are out they had just began to melt considering an order for Dym- through.. so please tell me what church, this would move them on was more important a house fire but the problem would resurface in that could have spread or range another area. bush fires In my opinion the residents, our Tina council representatives, people Forum Post who work with young people and It's a time of change for Dym- any other people with an interest, church. On one hand we have a need to get together and try to for- fantastic new seawall development mulate a new. plan for the village, which is to be finished early and including schemes for young peo- will make a real difference to the ple. quality of village. On the other we I think that Dymchurch is slowly have a quite serious outbreak of starting to move forward in many yob behaviour. ways, but the problem of useful ac- I've spoken to a number of people tivity for young people will not go in the last few days from all differ- away and must be tackled soon or ent walks of life in the village. Dymchurch will start to go back-
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Other dignitaries present were the Deputy Lord Please Don’t Lieutenant of Kent Mr. Robert Alston CMG, QSO, DL, Shepway Council Vice Chairman Cllr. Hollinsbee, the Rain On My Parade Mayor & Mayoress of New Romney Cllr. and Mrs. Alan Snoad and Commander A. Hogben R.N. This was a major event for New Romney Sea Cadets Asks Lord Wardon to host in this 150th year of the Cadet movement and T.S. Veterans Officer in charge CPO Alan Bell over 300 hundred Sea and army and air cadetsCadets commented “Events like this provide a wonderful braved the torential rain Last sunday to mark the opportunity to attract more young people to become 150th aniversary of the cadet movement in a Cadets and to welcome more volunteers to assist with Trafalgar Service and Parade in New Romney. the running of the unit”.
After assembling at the Marsh Academy and being Ten things you might not know about The Sea Cadets inspected by The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 1 Delivers key youth policy i.e. diversion from crime, community Admiral the Lord Boyce the Guard and Cadets development, social inclusion and Agenda 21. marched to St. Nicholas Church in the Town. 2 Provides additional learning opportunities and qualifications for Leading the parade was the District and New Romney 10 – 18 year old girls and boys. Sea Cadet Band. with many family and friends braving 3 Sponsored by the Royal Navy, but not pre-service or recruiting focussed, our Aim is to foster good citizenship by preparing young the sudden downpour just after the inspection. people to play an active role in their own community. Local police moved the road closure of the avenue 4 Our parent charity The Marine Society & Sea Cadets is the and High street forward by 20 minutes to help the largest, oldest maritime charity in the world, and each of the 400 cadets getting to cold and wet. Sea Cadet Units which make up the Sea Cadet Corps is an inde- pendent charity in its own right. 5 Junior image of the Senior Service, the Sea Cadet Corps flies the flag for the Royal Navy (and Merchant Marine) where it matters most, in the youthful heart of the community. 6 Preserving nautical traditions, hornpipe and cutlass drills, knots and splices, seamanship under sail aboard our square rigged flag- ship, semaphore and the flags of Nelson’s Navy, adventure and excitement – the perfect antidote to computer game syndrome! 7 Sea Cadet Units serve their local community from which volun- teer staff and Cadets are drawn. 8 All our instructors are qualified, CRB cleared and approved to work with young people. All our staff are required to conform to a written, formal Code of Conduct. 9 Uniform and equipment is provided free of charge and weekly activities cost Cadets less than the price of a packet of chewing gum. 10 Many Units have Marine Cadet Detachments, open to boys and girls over age thirteen, based on the traditions of the Royal Marines. Forty percent of Sea Cadets are girls. Following a 30 minute service conducted by Revd. Jim Field the parade marched along Church Road and up If you are interested in joining any of the cadet cores the High Street where the salute was taken outside then why not call in and find out a little bit more about the Town Hall. these three superb organisations.
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The following evening the lifeboat and in certain cases inexperienced Masrsh Lifeboats returned to the RNLI Headquarters staff have had to ‘act up’ in roles in Poole Dorset for its five yearly not expected of them in the past. overhaul. A 2009 report from the National Have A Busy The boat was only of service for 45 Audit Office, a public spending minutes as a releif boat boat ‘The watchdog, pointed out that the Month Pride of Penarth’ was delivered to MCA was even at that point the station. suffering from a shortage of spe- Dungeness Lifeboat Rescues cialists with key skills, forcing it to Local Fishing Boat outsource work to classification Is Coastgaurd societies. One coastguard worker, who asked Under Threat? not to be named, commented: “If you were to parachute into any coastguard station up and down BRITAIN’S Maritime and Coast- the country and speak to any guard Agency is braced for coastguard, you will be told that substantial reduction in its budget yes, almost certainly there will be as chancellor George Osborne un- station closures.” veils plans to reduce public “The beancounters will be asking At 13.55 hours on Monday 18 spending by £83bn over the next how much money they cost and October, 2010 a local six metre four years. how many lives they save. It fishing boat with two persons on The Department for Transport, of wouldn’t surprise me if they are board from Dungeness requested which the MCA forms part, is likely reduced,” the help of the Dungeness RNLI to be hit particularly hard, with the The government has already lifeboat as their engine had failed. expectation that its annual budget cancelled plans for the part Duty Coxswain Stuart Adams, said of £15.9bn will be slashed by privatisation of Search and rescue ‘We are always available, and were anywhere between 25% and 40%. helicopter work, which was due to able to assist quickly. We took the MCA chief executive Sir Alan be handed over to a private sector casualty under tow and return her Massey is understood to be consortium in 2012. The MCA safely to the berth on Dungeness working on the assumption that he currently co-ordinates this field, Beach’ will need to trim costs by a quarter, employing both its own helicopters according to sources aware of MCA and those of the Royal Navy and Litlestone Night Time Launch internal affairs. However, he has the Royal Air Force. privately given assurances that Just as crew were settling into a outlays for safety critical work such nice night infront of the telivision as surveys will be ring fenced. Dover Coastgaurd paged the Crew Employees of the agency believe of Littlestone Lifeboat to launch to a that some of the current 19 17 foot long fishing boat called coastguard stations around the ‘Blue Lagoon’ which had broken coast will inevitably be shut down down nearly a mile of off the to save money. Metrapole Hotel in Folkestone. There is speculation that coverage The Lifeboat towed the boat the provided by four emergency towing three crew onboard to Folkstone vessels will be reduced, although Harbour before returning back to there is some confidence that search and rescue helicopter operations will emerge relatively unscathed. But insiders insist that there is little fat to cut, with spending already tightly controlled and wages for some coastguard grades little higher than the legal minimum wage. A recruitment freeze have the Littlestone Boat house at 11.30 left some stations understaffed,
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them to make more roots and to send up extra shoots, thus increasing the final yield. The sheep, at the same Marsh time, were manuring the land. The other major enemy could be the weather. Little Memories could be done when weeks of drying March winds turned soil to dust and when a continuously wet and Compiled By John Wimble cold season made mud of the fields and prevented any work being done. A sudden thunderstorm during Extract from “Farming in the 1920s and 1930s” a day's corn carrying could drench the middle of a The farming year began in the late summer or autumn stack before tarpaulins could be brought to cover it. when the land was ploughed, mostly by horse drawn No wonder farmers developed a 'weather eye' and plough. This was one of the occasions when outside made good forecasters. My father once said that he help was employed. Mr. George Bourne from Lydd would much rather the season be too hot and dry than came with his team of two horses and I remember too cold and wet, as plants seemed to be able to com- being surprised that he and his team 'knocked off' at 3 bat the former drought condition rather than the latter p.m. But he still had to walk home, stable, feed, soggy ones. groom and bed his horses, by which time it would be Times were very hard in the late 1920s and early well after 5 o’clock. Sometimes the horses would be 1930s, and the only way to survive was to capture the left overnight. If it were summertime they could be best part of the market. Being dependent on outside turned out in a neighbour's field, but in winter they labour for ploughing etc. was disadvantageous as hav- were housed in our stable where, by the light of a ing to take one's place in the queue meant that sowing lantern, I would watch my father replenish their food, and cultivating was not always done at the ideal mo- water and bedding and settle them for the night. ment. One year my father had managed to have his Every few years the large field, about quarter of a mile early potatoes well advanced and a fine healthy crop long, would be ploughed deeper by steam plough. gave promise of catching the early market and the The big steam engines stood one at either end while, best prices. Alas, a late frost one June morning cut off by means of a cable fed onto revolving drums on each the whole crop. We woke to find a blackened field - engine, the multi-furrowed plough was pulled to and the haulm completely cut off - resulting in a reduced fro. The plough had two sets of shares. While one cut yield and a much later crop. As 'relaxation' from a the furrows the other was carried high. At the end of day's farming, my father's evenings were spent in the each journey, the plough was up-ended so the second garden where he grew market garden produce, includ- set of shares came into use for the return journey. One ing soft fruit, cauliflowers, cabbage, ridge cucumbers disadvantage of steam ploughing was the wide head- and lettuce, which he sold to local shops or sent to land it left which either had to be ploughed by horse or Ashford market. One year, getting up at dawn, nine dug by hand. dozen lettuce were cut and packed ready for the car- Not all fields were ploughed, a cultivator sometimes rier to take to Ashford. Imagine the disappointment in being used instead. With this the surface was broken the evening when we learned that the nine dozen had up by a series of prongs or tines which curved fetched 9d with market dues of 3d and carriage of 3d - obliquely forwards, disturbing the weeds and produc- total left for us was 3d (just over 1p). ing a good tilth. The tines varied in length and weight Turk's of Lydd drove across the Marsh calling at nu- according to the job and the type of land, and could be merous villages on the way to Ashford every Tuesday raised and lowered by the operator to release accu- and Friday. Amongst many ways in which Mr. and mulated weeds. After ploughing, a seed bed was pre- Mrs. Turk, and later their daughter, served the commu- pared by harrowing. The harrows were made of nity was this of taking produce to market, delivering it crossed parallel timbers with tines at their intersec- to the appropriate stall, paying market dues, collecting tions. The tines of these and all other cultivating ma- the proceeds and then returning it and the empties to chinery were periodically taken to the local blacksmith the owners. Many a time as a child I was grateful to (Hartops of New Romney) for sharpening. them for a lift as I walked the two lonely, dreary miles Much of the year between seed time and harvest was home from school. spent combating weeds, this being before the general Threshing took place in autumn or winter when the use of weed killers. In spring the wheat field was har- threshing machine was hired for one or two days. It rowed to break up the pan caused by winter rains, and was drawn and powered by a steam engine, and the then rolled to firm the plants in again. Often a flock of driver, for many years was old Mr. Christmas who sheep was brought in at this stage to eat off the grow- would come about 5 a.m. to light his fires to get steam ing corn, which seemed at first sight an odd thing to up. All day long the engine would be supplied with do. But this not only firmed the plants, but encouraged buckets of water from the pump.
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Balcomb's field, a neighbouring pasture. Thistles were Many of the men travelled with the thresher, the rest not, as now, left to grow tall and then mown or at- of the team being borrowed from neighbouring farms. tacked by herbicides, but were chopped off individually Two men worked on the stack, pitching sheaves to the when young at ground level, using a thistle spud, a two on the thresher, one of whose jobs it was to feed small blade about two inches wide on a long handle. the machine, cutting the binder twine as he did so. My father also sometimes did some 'lookering’ (the The grain, beaten out of the ear and passing over a Romney Marsh term for shepherding) for Mr. Balcomb, number of sieves to clean it, poured into waiting sacks in return for our horse being allowed to graze in the which when filled and weighing two and a quarter cwt, field. This mainly consisted of making sure the sheep, were each carried to the barn. The straw which especially when the wool was heavy, did not slip into emerged from the other end of the thresher was col- the steep sided ditch, and become bogged down, and lected into sheaves and tied with straw or hay bonds. of watching for foot rot and for 'fly'. The latter were the The potato harvest was in two parts, earlies and main maggots of the green bottle fly which would burrow crop, the former being lifted as required by the market. into the flesh of the sheep, spoil the fleece and cause lack of condition and appetite. The wool had to be clipped away, the maggots brushed off and the skin well rubbed with disinfectant. Winners of Looker Photo Comprtition
The winners of our recent first round of our Marsh Photography compitition were the two pictures below
Many of ours went to the potato merchant, F. Strick- land, of Hastings. They were sorted and sized as they were picked up using two trugs. Having filled the trug, The Picture of the it was emptied into bushel baskets and thence into Sheap was by sacks, 2 bushels weighing 1 cwt, this being checked Lorraine Easton with platform scales and two half-cwt weights. Later in From Greatstone the season the main crop potatoes were picked up re- gardless of size and tipped directly into sacks as weight did not matter and transported to the clamp for storage. To protect the potatoes from rain and frost, the clamp was covered with reeds or straw and soil. The Second photo of Once the corn had been carried from the field, the St.Mary’s in the hens, henhouse and all, were transported to it from Marsh church was by the yard, and for the next few weeks they could roam Nigel P Crick at will, finding their own food. Water had to be taken to From Littlestone. them every day, and the eggs collected. Selling eggs was one of the sidelines of the farm and even this could not be relied upon to be profitable. Selling to the local grocers resulted in only a penny three farthings a Both winners recieve a voucher from the Village hotel dozen (a tenth of the normal price) on one occasion. in Maidstone for a sunday Lunch for two people (7 When in the yard, the hens were fed mash twice a courses!!!) at their award winning Restauraunt at the day. This was a mixture of bran in hot water, often en- Village Hotel Maidstone. hanced by small potatoes which had been boiled in an old copper in the yard in the morning, and wheat, oats If you would like to see the photos in Full colour then or maize in the evenings. Ducks too were kept for a why not log onto our website while, but they tended to swim round the Marsh www.thelooker,co.uk ditches and lay their eggs away from home. When all it is not too late to enter your photo into the next round but one of a new brood of ducklings was killed one just e-mail your pictures to night by a stoat, duck rearing was abandoned. [email protected] A little extra money was earned by spudding thistles in Both Pictures will feature in our calender available in December
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victimhood, is there a hidden crafted acoustic version, the guitar meaning behind the title to fellow work for the introduction is some- Sound Bytes band mates about bygone times in thing in itself to behold – in fact if By this Henley collaboration? you didn’t have a track listing, you Lee Hillier probably couldn’t predict this was 2)Love Will Keep us Alive Hotel California. Nice work gentle- A typical Eagles ballad, this has all man! The Eagles – the hallmarks you’d expect from them - the wonderful harmonies, 7)Wasted Time Hell Freezes Over the tight musicianship, plus a For those people of an emotional tempo softer than an English rose. nature, it may be time to keep the tissue box handy as the first of the 3)The Girl from Yesterday live ballads kicks in. Vocally excel- lent, the band couldn’t be tighter on A straightforward country love song this one as they effortlessly ease embellished with a string bed from their way through it. middle to end. I can’t help but have that “Alice” song enter my head when I hear this one though (don’t 8)Pretty Maids All in pretend you don’t know it!). a Row Another one from the Hotel Califor- 4)Learn to be Still nia album, this Joe Walsh effort fol- Ok, so if you haven’t been relaxed lows on nicely from Wasted Time by the last 2 songs, this one cer- and is very much in the same vane. tainly will. Sit back and enjoy this Beginning with a nice piano intro, Just to prove that we take on board one as it gently drifts on through – the song gently meanders along, requests from our readers and the based mainly through 2 chords, just passing all the Eagle traits on the forum, this week’s review, as as your eyes start to close, the way through – the harmonies, the requested, is of one of the most track ends and you are awoke by lyrics, the guitar work. I have to say eagerly anticipated albums of it’s the sound of cheering. We leave the recording quality of this whole time. The album was released in the new stuff behind and find our- album is excellent and every note 1994 a mere 16 years ago (!) well, selves in more familiar territory with played can be heard perfectly. take 2 years from that – and that’s the older ma- how long you had to wait for any al- terial. bums to be released by the Eagles . since they “split” in 1980. Indeed the album title relates to a quote 5)Tequila from Don Henley made in that very Sunrise year when he stated, “Hell would have to freeze over before The Perhaps the Eagles would play together again.” most I don’t recall such a cataclysmic poignant part event happening, however Messrs of this track is Frey, Henley, Walsh, Schmit, and the introduc- Felder did re-group to perform 4 tion, not to new studio tracks plus 11 live the song it- tracks from a special performance self, the set intro is greeted with for MTV. cheers at the quote, "For the 9)I Can’t Tell You Why record, we never broke up, we just Yet again, a flawless rendition of a took a 14 year vacation". Sunrise it classic. You could be forgiven if you 1)Get Over It is then, as the start of a new dawn thought these tracks weren’t being A good rockin’ way to the start the begins album off – the fastest of the 4 performed live such is the quality of the delivery. Prepare to be sedated new tracks, this is heads down, no 6)Hotel California nonsense, rock ‘n’ roll! If your foot by this song, although not into too doesn’t tap along to this, you have So, what can you do to a song al- much of a slumber as you’ll miss no soul! Taking an aim at ready established in the public con- the rest of the album! science? Well, on this superbly 12 Paper Template issue 5_Layout 1 28/10/2010 18:59 Page 13
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completes a very professional 10)New York Minute Dungeness RNLI So the tempo remains slow. I love performance. the intro to this, it’s got an air of a lifeboat station is hosting a James Bond theme about it! The Overall then, for such an eagerly Christmas Craft Fair at the bass work seems to shine through awaited album, it may have been boathouse on more on this before the disappointing to some that there Sunday 28 November 2010 wasn’t more new material percussion comes in and guides from 10 am until 4 pm. you through to the end. Just to add recorded, but on the other hand to the James Bond based upon the strength of the new comparison, there’s even some material offered, some people may muted trumpet in there which itself have preferred it that their icons is normally associated with chose to belt out their back cata- suspense! logue with such aplomb. Naturally the performance was assured as you would expect, but I 11)Take it Easy have to congratulate the production work on the album to Woah there boys! The tempo have recorded the sound in such suddenly comes up a notch and if high quality – particularly on the you’re like me, so will the volume! live material. Every note played can Back to their roots, this was The be heard in crystal clear quality, it’s Eagles first single and played live, no wonder electrical stores have it sounds just a fresh as the first used this so demonstrate time it was heard. A good ol’ hi-fi equipment. So, if you wanted fashion country song – yeeeeehhh- to test out your own sound haaaaa!! system, I would recommend that you purchase a copy of the album, 12)In The City as you also get a high quality This track was never released as a performance of some great songs single, despite this it’s included in thrown in for good measure! the set. The verses are predominantly based on a few power chords with then evolves into a typically harmonised Eagles chorus – watch out for the Daytripper lick!
13)Life in the Fast Lane In the fast lane indeed, this one is all about the guitars with both Joe Walsh & Don Felder creating that unique Eagles sound between them and that fantastic riff prominent throughout the track.
14)Desperado Ok, tissue box time again. If you know the words, it’s definitely one you want to sing along to (albeit out of tune!!). The last song of the set and the album, it’s one of those songs that leaves you wanting more (as all good performers should!). Again, it’s steeped in Eagleisms (making up my own words again!) and
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48 marriages in Britain’s three people don’t realise how low the Divorced from reality favourite soaps: Coronation Street, UK divorce rate actually is. They By David Wimble Eastenders and Emmerdale. believe the soaps are more repre- But its just as well real life has little sentative than they really are,” says bearing on the relationships por- Pitt. If soaps were a true depiction of trayed in soaps, as 23 per cent of However, the soaps aren’t always real life, the world would not only all marriages over the past five wildly off the mark and occasionally be a very scary place but chances years were called off before they reflect a truer picture of real life are few of us would remain suc- even got to the church. A further weddings. “We were also struck by cessfully married for longer than a five per cent were annulled and an- the findings that some aspects of few months. Not only that, but one other five per cent were later found marriage in the soaps are quite ac- in five of us would be jilted at the to be invalid. A total of 36 of these curate,” says Pitt. “For example, altar or have our spouse die during weddings were completed success- the percentage of weddings in the nuptials, while one in eight of fully, but only 11 of these couples Coronation Street which are civil us would tie the knot during the ceremonies is virtually the same as Christmas holidays. the national figure.” Even more worrying is that if you Given some of the soap weddings did manage to make it through the from recent history, it’s probably wedding day, which would be an just as well that art doesn’t always achievement in itself, with divorce imitate life rates of four times the national av- erage, chances are you wouldn’t Lydd man in make your first wedding anniver- sary. The statistics are real but the wed- apparent suicide dings, thankfully, are not, because Story From the RM Times this is the picture of modern mar- www.romneymarshtimes.com riage presented by the nation’s leading soap operas. The report into the state of matrimony as por- are still together today. A man from Lydd, Romney Marsh, trayed by the nation’s favourite Chris Pitt of Ecclesiastical Insur- has died, apparently taking his own soaps was commissioned by insur- ance says: “A wedding is one of the life. Stephen Knight's body was ance provider Ecclesiastical. most stressful times in any couple’s found in his car in Boat Lane, Ecclesiastical mounted its study of life together and many things can Aldington on 6th October 2010. soap weddings to understand how and do go wrong – even in the real the depiction of marriage in televi- world. All it takes is a couple of Mr Knight previously worked at the sion dramas differs from the experi- mishaps and it’s not long before a nearby Silver Springs drinks and ence in real life. The details of real wedding starts to feel like a bottling plant. A spokesperson for every marriage ceremony between soap opera.” the company said, "We are deeply 2003 and the present in each of Thankfully the drama that can sorry to hear of the loss of Steve Britain’s three most-watched soap sometimes occur around real life Knight and our sincere condo- operas were recorded and weddings is on a much smaller lences are offered to his family and analysed. scale than in the soaps. According friends. We were unaware of his Ecclesiastical, about one in 10 mar- personal issues, had we been riage ceremonies is cancelled in aware, we would of course have advance, although not at the altar, offered him support." as portrayed in soaps. However you can breathe a sigh of relief be- Kent Police say they are not cause, unlike Corrie or Eastenders treating his death as suspicious. weddings, once cancelled, many real life weddings will go ahead at a later date. It seems the inhabitants of some of “While many viewers innately know the nation’s most well-known that the rate at which marriages fail streets have been quite busy over in soaps is going to be high, what the past few years as there were we’ve found anecdotally is that
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Romney residents could actually residents at the meeting, the be built anywhere within majority opposed to any S.T.O.R.M Shepway. development, some saying Amanda Jones elaborated on Ali- allowing this would be just the start. Public son concerns and Barry Gilbert This was the starting point for spoke on the members of the audience to have Meeting environmental impact in detail , their say. Some expressed fears concentrating on the dangers of over stretching local schools, doc- flooding and urging residents to tors and police force , however an- By Craig Avery write to Alistair Stewart , Chief Ex- other resident said the school could A new group of New Romney resi- ecutive of Shepway District Council cope. dents concerned about the building and Councillors Carole Walters and The fact the Herring Hang Field of 300 houses in the Cockreed and David Stephenson to gain guaran- which lies between Spitalfield Lane Rolfe Lane area , Held its first pub- tees that this and Sussex Road was lic meeting at the Assembly Rooms development would have not denied planning permission due to in the Town on October 25th.The increase the chance of flooding in flood risk was raised, as this is a organisers had hoped for an the Town. He also questioned the very short distance from the pro- posed development. Councillor Gould stated the Varne pumping station was struggling to cope with the existing work load. Flooding risk and the access to the site via the small lanes around it were the main concerns of the body of people as- sembled. At close of the meeting Councillor Butcher suggested that the group arrange another meeting with the planners, district councillors and local press.
attendance of 30 people, but this historic validity of Shepway District was more than doubled and it was Council. A point we will cover in a standing room only on the night. later edition of this paper. The group are using the acronym A letter was than read out from STORM, Stop theft of Romney David Wimble, who was unable to Marsh. Alison Jeffery opened the attend due to work meeting with an overview of the commitments in London, David felt project including the alarming that development of the brown field statement that the planners admit site of Romney Marsh Business that the plans that they have been Park, an area known to locals as displaying may well have no re- the Potato company site was pref- semblance at all to what is actually erential to a derelict industrial site. built. Both in design and density However he opposed the and the social benefits outlined by development of the green field the planners were just a wish list sites. and that the affordable This reflected a minority view of housing intended for New 16 Paper Template issue 5_Layout 1 28/10/2010 18:59 Page 17
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without the boredom of a work-out to get away from them for a while Down the and you can spend as long as you and be on your own! You need like at any one session and can never feel isolated on an allotment Allotment stop when you have had enough. because there will always be You don’t have to run the Marathon people passing and ready to By Ian Dimmock or even go jogging round the exchange ideas and offer advice. houses after a session on the You need never be afraid to ask Having an allotment means you allotment you will feel you have what crops to grow or how to set can grow your own fresh fruit and done your daily exercise routine, about it. You can be assured that vegetables, enjoy the fresh air and knowing that your efforts will be there will an abundance of knowl- keep yourself healthy with a little worthwhile, since you will be edge and experience which you exercise. working to till the ground and can tap into and before long you It's also a great way to meet friends improve your crops. will be sharing your experiences and relax. For the good of the family and expertise with new tenants You can choose what you grow on How many children are unwilling to The educational aspect and wildlife your allotment and (with planning eat greens and other vegetables? If There is much to learn about the permission) you can put up a they have grown or helped grow environment and nature. You can greenhouse or garden shed. Each them they are sure to want to try learn how to make compost and year there is a competition for Best them! You know that by giving the recycle your kitchen waste to Site and Best Individual Plot family home grown produce you improve the fertility of your soil and selected by variety and layout of are giving them the best. grow bigger and better crops. You the site, cultivation, weed control Relaxation and leisure will learn to recognise the song of and overall cleanliness. the robin or the call of the green You need have no worries as to the woodpecker. You will come across quality of your crops as they will ladybirds, lizards and slow worms. mature and ripen naturally and you Your children will learn to care for can have the satisfaction of the environment and be harvesting your own produce. It is encouraged to discover how plants always exciting to dig up your first grow and develop. If they have a potatoes or to watch the runner part of the plot that is their own beans that you sowed as hard, dry responsibility they can have the seeds in spring grow around their satisfaction of growing and eating poles, attracting bees and forming their own radishes or onions, for long, luscious pods in summer. You example as a change from will get a real sense of Working an allotment is watching TV or playing computer achievement as you watch your therapeutic, a change from the games. plants grow and mature and are workplace or the home. You can When is a good time to take able to take home bags of your work off your frustrations and anger on an allotment? own crops, knowing that you by digging or pulling out the weeds. You can start at any time, although haven’t had to queue at the It will give you an added interest the best time is the autumn when checkout and pay top price for that requires both mental and phys- weeds and grass are beginning to them. ical die down. There is no rush to plant If you have ever tasted home exertion – in planning what crops to or sow new crops until the spring grown vegetables you will grow and when to sow or plant and and the ground is usually just right remember the very special flavour in the day to day maintenance of for digging to prepare and feed the quite unlike that of anything bought your plot. It will take your mind off soil for the spring. from the supermarket. your problems and give you a quiet If you are interested in renting a Why pay extortionate prices for and peaceful environment to work plot talk to your Council to ask flowers when you could pick your out possible solutions. about becoming a plot holder. If own from your own plot? Or you The social aspect you are not sure about any of this could just leave them to cheer the Allotments are friendly places and would like to talk to a plot other plot holders as they pass and where you meet all sorts of differ- holder by visiting any site they will admire your plot. ent people, with different interests. only be willing to talk. Health advantages The whole family can get involved Lydd Council and New Romney Having an allotment means that and can work together with a com- Council have allotment site: you have to get out into the open mon purpose or you may just want air. It is a means of taking exercise
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able to protect its support for nuclear decommission- Our Man In ing; following the Government’s spending review. Westminster Later that day I was joined by the Headteachers of Brockhill Park and the Highview/Foxwood schools, Damian Collins MP Sonette Schwartz and Neil Birch, along with Yvonne Parry the Chairman of Governors at Highview/ Dreams can come true and they certainly did on Foxwood and Fiona Chapman the Deputy Saturday at Reachfields, where Hythe Town made it Headteacher of the Folkestone School for Girls, for a through to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the meeting with the Education Minister Jonathan Hill. We first time. This is an incredible achievement and I was were there at the Department for Education to press thrilled to be at the ground to watch the game and the case for investment in new buildings for these share in this special moment for the club. The last time schools, and also Pent Valley and the Harvey a side from the Kent League made it through to the Grammar School. The schools have been affected by first round of the Cup it was the 1957/58 season. Their the review of the Building Schools for the Future reward is a trip to football league side Hereford United, programme, which the Government is conducting to a club with their own track record of giant killings make sure that as much of the fundingavailable goes when in the 1970’s, whilst still in the old Southern to the schools that really need the investment, andthat League, they as little as possible is wasted on consultants and knocked Newcastle unnecessary regulations; problems that schools had United out of the complained about under the old system. However, we Cup. Let’s hope were reassured that the review will be concluded that this time the by the end of the year, and that funding will be roles are reversed prioritised for those schools in the greatest need for and that Hythe can new buildings. add another higher league scalp to their impressive run in the Cup. I would like to add my specialcongratulations to the club Chairman Paul Markland and the teammanager Scott Porter. Last Friday I visited Greatstone Primary school to meet Headteacher Nicola Wood, and the staff and pupils. I was also interviewed by the School Council ! "#$"$ %&''"" and as always received some searching questions. In '( particular I was interested to discuss the future needs ))** )) + of communities on Romney Marsh and along the coast with regards to the kinds of jobs that might be avail- able when these pupils leave school. Following that I joined Pete Talbot, the Headteacher of Castle Hill Primary School in Folkestone to see their work and also join some of the pupils for lunch in the school hall.
On Monday morning I was invited to see the nuclear decommissioning work at Dungeness A power station. Hundreds of people are employed there which shows how the active live of a nuclear power station continues long after it ceases to produce electricity. Some of their work is also at the cutting edge of technology in this industry. I was pleased to note as well that the Department for Energy has been
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87.8 ROMNEY MARSH FM Shows
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 7.00 - 10.00 am 7.00 - 10.00 am 7.00 - 10.00am 7.00 - 10.00am 7.00 - 10.00am 7.00 - 10.00am 7.00 - 10.00am The Breakfast Yhe Breakfast The Breakfast The Breakfast The Breakfast The Breakfast The Breakfast Show Show Show Show Show Show Show With With With With With With With Richard Hubard Richard Hubard David Wimble David Wimble David Wimble David Wimble David Wimble 10.00 - 12.00 10.00 - 12.00 10.00 - 12.00 am 10.00 - 12.00 am 10.00 - 12.00 am 10.00 - 12.00 am 10.00 - 12.00 am Saturday Madness Sunday Morning Phil Hoyles Phil Hoyles Phil Hoyles Phil Hoyles Phil Hoyles With Mikee T with Mid Morning Show Mid Morning Show Mid Morning Show Mid Morning Show Mid Morning Show 12.00 - 3.00pm 12.00 - 3.00 pm 12.00 - 2.00 pm 12.00 - 2.00 pm 12.00 - 2.00 pm 12.00 - 2.00 pm 12.00 - 2.00 pm Lunchtime With Martin Pauly’s Marky Mark Marky Mark Marky Mark Marky Mark Marky Mark Sunday Lunch Lunchtime Show Lunchtime Show Lunchtime Show Lunchtime Show Lunchtime Show 3.00 - 5.30 pm 3.00 - 5.00 pm 2.00 - 5.00 pm 2.00 - 5.00 pm 2.00 - 5.00 pm 2.00 - 5.00 pm 2.00 - 5.00 pm Saturday Sports With Sam Worrel Simon Collins Simon Collins Simon Collins Simon Collins Simon Collins With Steve Ross In the Afternoon In the Afternoon In the Afternoon In the Afternoon In the Afternoon 5.30 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm 5.00 - 7.00 pm Sarah Baker ‘Romney Marsh ‘Romney Marsh ‘Romney Marsh ‘Romney Marsh ‘Romney Marsh and Friends Today’ with Today’ with Today’ with Today’ with Today’ with Craig Avery Craig Avery Craig Avery Craig Avery Craig Avery 7.00 - 9.00 pm 7.00 - 9.00 pm John Wimble’s 7.00 - 9.00 pm 7.00 - 9.00pm 7.00 - 9.00 7.00 - 10.00 7.00 - 9.00 pm Ready for the Golden Oldies The Sunday Clive Ashford The Big Question Youth Of Today wkkend with Request Show Soul Show With Sarah Baker David Mills 9.00 - 11.00 pm with Clive Goddard & Denis Connoly The Blues Bunker Lee Hillier 9.00 - 11pm And David Wimble 9.00 - 11.00 pm With Kev Beal The Local Band 9.00 - 12.00 pm 9.00 - 11.00 pm show Scooterist Show The ‘Off Shore with Chris Ashman With Toe Knee Radio Show’ And Guests With Captain Bob
SATURDAY SUNDAY
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problem is that the wait is likely income Time For Some to be much longer than they 4. Buy your dream house at think and in reality their best a bargain price Lateral Thinking course will be to reduce their 5. Sell your original house price to sell now and lock in the when the sales market eventu- gains that they have made over ally heads back up again For those trying to sell their previous years or alternatively to homes at the moment, this can ‘think outside the box’. Lenders are looking at various be a really frustrating time. The products with this very scenario current worries about the gen- The current ‘buyers market’ in mind. So, what next? Well, if eral economy have unnerved does, however, produce a great you think that this might be many potential buyers and the opportunity for those who are worth at least looking into then brakes have been applied once able and willing to buy without give me a bell! Lettings is a again to the house sales market selling. The property market is a complicated business which is a just when it looked like things see-saw in many ways, in that potential minefield for the inex- were taking off. Currently we are when the sales side is down perienced. As the only agent in seeing a sort of ‘stand-off’ be- then the other side (lettings) is this area recognised by the pro- tween many buyers and sellers. riding high. Nevermore so than fessional lettings association On one side of the ‘OK Corrall’ at this moment, with everyone ARLA, let me give you a free no we have the sellers, many of from those elusive ‘would-be obligation valuation and answer whom feel that their properties first time buyers’ to retirees look- any queries or worries that you are worth the price that they are ing to rent. So here’s a might have. You’ve got nothing marketing them at. On the other thought…. to lose but it could just be one of side are the buyers, who feel the best moves you ever that many properties are over- 1. Raise capital against your made….. priced bearing in mind the current property downward pressures of the 2. Let out your current prop- James Hawkins MNAEA MARLA economy and lack of mortgage erty to cover the mortgage pay- is the director of Your Move New lending. Often, we here the ments Romney. Call 01797 363900 or phrase ‘I’m not in any rush – I 3. Take out rent indemnity e-mail newromney@your- can wait’ from our sellers. The insurance to guarantee the rent move.co.uk
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More Murial art has sprung up What A Load Photographer around New Romney.this time three fantastic bright boards at- of the tached to Colour Craft in New Of Old Romney High Street. Year The public displays are the brain Bull child of local artiste Briony Lombay Mandy Heath Kapoor who aims to show off tal- ented artistes across the marsh. The first picture was painted onto the side of the office of the Romney The Kent fire brigade are used Hythe and Dymchurch Railways to odd callouts but this one was office. strange, Bruno the one tonne bull had got himself stuck in a with other works on show in the en- muddy ditch up to his shoulders trance to Saindsburys deplicting in mud. loocal shop fronts.
An image of the Romney Marsh The Looker caught up with Briony by photographer Marshall Pin- at a all 3 media networking night in sent was voted runner up in the Central London a few months ago prestigious Landscape Photog- and she explained that she plans to rapher of the year award. The put many more works of art across image that won the £10,000 first the marsh. prize was of Corfe Castle in The editor has asked Mandy Heath Dorset taken by Antony to interview her and we hope to The nine yr old Charolais Bull Spencer. The images will go on have the full story in a future edi- was discovered after his owner exhibition at the National The- tion. went to check on him and found atre, South Bank, London from him stuck in the mud. The Bull 22nd November until 16th Janu- If you can think of an area that was on a farm in Marsh rd ary. They are also included the could do with brightening up why not contact the looker with your Ruckinge after assessing the book, "Landscape Photographer of Year, Collection 4”. suggestions and we will pass them bull was not just stuck, but also on. to tired to move, the fire brigade were called for with special lift- We could not help noticing one of ing gear to hoist the one tonne What are Ewe the sheep in the colourcraft murial bull free. To do this they had to painted by James Marsh has ‘devil put special harnesses around Looking At horns and a pointed tail’ ??? the bull and then lift him out of see if you can see it next time you the muddy ditch in order to free are in the high street Bruno. The bull suffered no ill effects For more information about this project go to the website... from being stuck in the mud; http://www.imosfoundation.org/ once he was free he was only too happy to rejoin his herd.
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sions on issues that affect the local for the whole of the previous 12 Have You Ever community. Probably the most com- months have occupied (as owner or mon topics that parish councils get in- tenant) land or other premises in the volved with are planning matters (they parish, or;during the previous 12 Thought About are statutory consultees), crime pre- months have worked in the parish (as vention, managing open spaces and your principal or only place of work), Becoming A campaigning for and delivering better or;for the whole of the previous 12 services and facilities. It’s true to say months lived in the parish or within that on their own, town councils have three miles of the parish boundary. Councillor? limited powers to make decisions. But You don’t have to be connected to a they do have the ability to negotiate political party. In response to Tery Edwards report on Lydd with, and the power to influence, those If you do become a town councillor you Town Council we thought we would inform other organisations that do make the will have to sign up to the Code of you a little on how to become a town or final decisions (such as the borough Conduct. parish councilor. What is involved and how to go about it. council, health authorities, police etc). Our first advice is to pop along to your town In this respect town councils are ex- What powers do town hall and find out from the clerk when the next tremely powerful. The organisations councils have? full council meeting is and go along sit and that make the final decisions know that They have a wide range of powers listen, Here is a brief description of the roles played by Councillors here on the Marsh. a town council gives the best reflection which essentially related to local mat- of how a community feels about some- ters, such as looking after community What is a Town Council? thing, and its views will be taken seri- buildings, open space, allotments, play A town council is a local authority that ously. areas, street lighting, bus shelters, car makes decisions on behalf of the parks and much more. The council people in the parish. It can be also How much time does it take up? also has the power to raise money called a parish council but is know as a Councils usually meet once a month through taxation, the precept. The pre- town council as a result of a decision for the council meeting, to which cept is the town council’s share of the to elect a Mayor. It is the level members of the public are also invited. council tax. government closest to the community, Meetings may last two or three hours, The precept demand goes to the billing with the district authority (Shepway) depending on the agenda set for the authority, the district council, which col- above it in the hierarchy. meeting to discuss. Some councils lects the tax for the parish council. As it is the authority closest to the have committees to deal with specific people, parish councils are invariably subjects, such as environmental Town Council Duties the first place people will go with issues. In addition to the regular The duties and functions of a town concerns or ideas. For this reason they meetings, council are many and varied. are a vital part of any community. councillors are required to attend other The Council meets monthly and con- meeting representing the council. for siders planning applications and any Why become a Town Councillor? example acting as a representative on other matters referred to it by local res- If you’ve never been to a town council an outside body, community activities idents and by central government. All meeting before, you may be forgiven or helping develop a new project for meetings are open to the public and for thinking that town councillors are a the community. Such meetings won’t there is a forum before the start of the group of (probably older) people who happen every day, so it’s not going to meeting at which members of the pub- meet now and then in a draughty take over your life. lic can raise concerns and ask ques- village hall. If, however, you live in a tions. There is also an annual meeting community where something ‘big’ has How long does a town councillor which all parishioners are invited to at- happened, you’ll know that when serve for? tend. All meetings are advertised on people in the community need support Once elected, town councillors sit on the council notice boards. Residents and guidance, it is sometimes the town the council for a maximum of four can bring to the attention of the town council that is turned to. years. If they then want to stay in the council By becoming a town councillor you post they can stand for re-election. anything that concerns them, either di- become someone your community will rectly or though the clerk. If matters look to for help, guidance and support Am I eligible to be a Town raised are not the responsibility of the a community leader with the power to Councillor? council, the clerk can bring them to the influence decisions for the benefit of To stand for election on a parish attention of the proper authority. the people you serve. Seeing your council, you must:be a UK or community change for the better, as a commonwealth citizen, or;be a citizen Don’t take The Lookers word for it! result of decisions you have helped of the Republic of Ireland, or; be a The best way to find out what it’s like to make, is something that can give you a citizen of another Member state of the be a town councillor is to talk to some- sense of achievement and pride. European Union;be a least 18 years one who’s doing it now. Come along to old. a town council meeting, or speak to What decisions do Town To be eligible to stand for an election one of the Councils make? for a particular parish, you must: councillors and find out what they think Town councils make all kinds of deci- be an elector of the parish, or; of the job.
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Fund raising Just For Fun efforts from local pensioners
Tenants at Prescott House, Rolfe Lane, New Romney hold monthly 'in house' coffee mornings in aid of various Charities selected by the tenants at the beginning of the year. In September they held their first 'open' coffee morning where they sold cakes and held a raffle in aid of the McMillan Nurses and Any one who knows our editor will raised £272.90p know he has something of a I went into a shop and I said, "Can strange sence of humour some of someone sell me a kettle." The This month they have raised the following ‘Jokes’ have all bloke said "Kenwood" I said, £154.61p for Breast Cancer Aware- featured in his stand up comedy "Where is he?" ness. All routine. the tenants wore something pink, We think that our readers can do So I went in to a pet shop. I said, including Cleo the dog and the raf- better. If you have a “Printable” "Can I buy a goldfish?" The guy fle Joke send it to us at the looker and said, "Do you want an aquarium?" I prizes all had a pink theme. we will give a prize to the best. said, "I don't care what Please e-mail to star sign it is." On the 8th December they are [email protected] holding another 'open' coffee and Here are some of davids to set the So I met this bloke with a cakes bar! didgeridoo and he was playing morning to support the "Help 4 He- Craig avery Asstant Editor Dancing Queen on it.I thought... roes" charity, from 10.30am. This that's Abboriginal. will include a raffle with many So I went to buy a watch, and prizes and the opportunity to have Two cannibals are eating a slow a mini hand massage and nail the man in the shop said roasted comedian and one says to "Analogue." I said "No, just a painting. Last year they raised the other, £800 for this wonderful cause and watch.! "Does this taste funny to you? are hoping to collect a £1000 this year.
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Sudoku Place a number from 1 to 9 in each empty cell so that each 3x3 block, column, and full row includes each of the numbers from 1 to 9 only once.
Answers to Issue 4 Sudoko and Phobia Crossword
1T H A N A 2T O P H O B I A 3C R 4A R 5A C H I B U T Y R O P H O B I A 6P R I N S Y A L O K R 7B C U 8N P 9A A 10P O I H R O H L I H P B N O S O G 11H Y D R O P H O B I A O P E B O E B O L P H M I P K O B I H O A A H A P I O O B P O P H A P B I 12H E M O P H O B I A H O H I A O I O B O A B A B I B I I A I 13C L A U S T R O P H O B I A A
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If you would like to put a Birthdays Birthday or anouncement iinto the Looker please contact our Anniversarys office: 13 High Street And New Romney Kent Announcements TN28 8BN Tel: 01797 366450 prices start from... £5.00 for small text box £8.00Medium Photo box £10.00 Large Photo box Race Night for Grasshoppers football club JOHN WIMBLE Happy 73rd Birthday Love David, Vicki, Holly, Katie and A race night to raise money for The Andrew Grasshoppers Juniour Football club will take place on the 20 November betweem 7.30 pm and 10 pm at the Institute club, Lydd. Tickets £5 inc buffett. To book ring or text me on 07833491726. Please note tickets will NOT be available on the night.
Lucy Hardingham 20 years old love from all the family
Happy Birthday Mark Elliot You Are The Real Stig! Love Mum & Dad and sparkle the Rabbit (told you we would embarras you!)
Nanny Bing (Anne Bingley) Happy 80th From Libby & Tom
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What will we be driving next year??? 2010 Paris Motorshow
The Paris Motor show has long been the launch pad for the euro- pean car market. This year was no different with over 70 manafac- turers showing off both to the Press and the general public there latest offereings. You could by everything froma £4000 budget car from India right the way through to the new Bugatti Veyron Super Sport a mear snip at only $2.3 million dollars! however the majority of the attention was at the ‘middle mar- ket’ with company’s like Ford showing of there newly styled Mondeo which has been the backbone of the rep- ping industry for over 10 years!
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A lot of people were keen to see what new ‘Eco’ Cars would be on display A brand new concept car designed by Citroen and Lacoste is understandably made its debut on French soil. The vehicle is a super-mini SUV deemed to be “very economical” with a 1.2litre petrol engine that emits less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2). As with a lot of car shows it was an oppertunity for designers to be let loose and come up with some very futuristic designs, reality dictates that 10% Discount with this advert although some of the cars will never be seen on the actual roads a lot of the special features will make their way into road going vehicled over the next three years.. You do not need to be a ‘Petrol Head’ to enjoy the a motor show, it is a great day out. but if you are looking to buy a new car in the next 12 months it is a great oppertunity to look at all the cars that may ‘tickle your fancy’ without feeling the pressure of a salesman breathing down your kneck. If like a lot of people there is of course the option to buy secound hand and the time has never been better to pick up a bargain, with many dealers taking advantage of companies down sizing and buying ex company cars...something that a lot of people never think of buying, but if you think about it, a chance to buy a car at a good price..OK it may have higher mileage than another car of the same age, but company cars are serviced on a regular basis on a need it or not basis ans can offer superb value for money. other options include going to an auction, the only trouble with auctions is that you get very little time to look at the car and you do not get the oppertunity to have a test drive! you really are buying a car as seen! you have some comeback when buying at auction but you normally only have 24 hours from purchase to return the vehicle and the owness is oon you as to why it does not fit the description as advertised. Also a lot of cars are entered into auctions as motor traders can not sell them on there forecourts! so be ware all is not allways what it seems when buying a new car... happy motoring David Wimble
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Gurdka, Lee Smith and Dan Anderson who all scored CRICKET REVIEW over 300 runs. Dan Anderson making his first century (103) at Elham Valley and Rob Liddell (98) just miss- ing out at Shepherdswell. The main wicket-takers for Romney were Lee Smith, Everton White, Steve BROOKLAND Fletcher and Amar Gurdka. Praise should also go to Brookland are the first of our two nearly stories as they Jerry Brown who returned to the side this season and just missed out on promotion to the top flight. They whose past efforts with youth development are now finished a very creditable third in Division Two of the bearing fruit in their first team. The club continues to Kent Village League, a competition of seven divisions, bring on young talent. The pick of them in the 2010 each containing 12 teams with two being promoted season has been Casey Williams. from each division. Brookland won eight and lost two of their 11 league games. Runs came along at a rate LYDD of knots for the Marsh side with Stuart Paine averag- Lydd played 17 matches,winning five and losing the ing 53 a game, Antony Stanley 46 and Scott Balcomb other 12. They also had four games cancelled. Steve 42. This was complimented by the mid season return Fletcher was named their player of the season at the of the prodigal son, Olly Furnival, who boosted their club’s annual presentation recently, and rightly so as strength even further. The bowling was in the very ca- he scored 515 runs, averaging 39 and he took 16 pable hands of Jack Meadows and stalwarts Andrew wickets, averaging 16. Other notable run-scorers for Abrey and Doctor Robert Cullen. Brookland's the season were Steve Smith (388) Colin Mathews achievements are even more remarkable when you (221) and Adam Lindsay (167). Bowling averages take into consideration that they played several games were topped by Martin Ham, followed by Suru Patel short handed, winning one league game with only and Colin Mathews. Edward Goddard was the unani- eight players. mous and popular choice of young player of year. He may one day keep his father off the front page of the DYMCHURCH Herald! Dymchurch were the second of our bridesmaids, though the thought of Peter Cox in a dress gives me BRENZETT nightmares! They play one Division below Brookland The death of popular wicketkeeper/batsman John in the third tier of the Village League and they won six Thomson, while playing for Brenzett at Rolvenden and lost two of their 11 league games. Runs as al- sadly overshadowed what was a renaissance season ways came from the Fords, Matt and Andy and for the club. Bradley Harper also made a large contribution. Spin The team were the only Marsh side not to lose a fix- twins Gary Cox and Dion Sessford were the top wicket ture to the weather and they won five and drew four takers, closely followed by veterans Graham Newing and lost 15 times. However this does not tell the full and Chris Savage. Then followed a vast array of story. Youth certainly came to the fore, with six regular younger seam bowlers including Sam Lancaster and starters being aged 15 or under. Ashley and Rhys Dan Newing. Lets hope 2011 sees the return of Peter Haywood, Joe and Elliott Symonds, Ed Goddard and Cox to the team. Parry Torres all improved dramatically as the season progressed. No surprise that all the victories came at NEW ROMNEY AND LITTLESTONE the back end of the season. New Romney play their league cricket on Saturdays in The clubs three seamers, Will Ainsley, Brian Knight the Kent Regional League Division 1B East. They and Joe Sissons all performed well, although getting were promoted last season and this year finished sev- runs on the board proved harder with only Joe Sis- enth out of ten, winning five of their 18 league games. sons, Nick Frampton, Elliot Symonds and Craig Avery Batting success was in the hands of Rob Liddell, Amar passing the 200 run mark for the season. However,
and our folke evening every second Tuesday in the month, open mike, all new musicians welcome. and our Jazz afternoon every second Sunday in the month from 3-6p.m.
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GOLF Pauline Woodley was the winner of the October Ladies medal at Littlestone, Rosemary Smallman took second place andthird was Liz Jones.
FOOTBALL Kent County League Div. 1 East New Romney 0 Milton and Fulston 0 A Romney side missing suspened Wayne Rogers and Adam Purse held on for a draw at home against Milton and Fulston. This was their second clean sheet of the season.
Kent County League Div. 2 East Lydd Town 2 St Nicholas at Wade 0 Lydd Town have boosted their ranks with the signing of three players with a wealth of Kent League experi- ence, Roy Godden, Billy Sommerville and Rhys Tay- lor-Ryall. They comfortable overcome the league’s bottom side, Thanet based St Nicholas by two 2-0. Joe Nielson scored Lydd's first after 25 minutes and Mike Sheridan added a second in the 55th minute. The win takes the Lydders to fifth place in the table.
Kent County Reserve Div. East Canterbury City Res 2 New Romney Res 3 An excellent first league win of the season away at Canterbury pulled New Romney away from the bottom of the table, and could be the turning point for the much improved side.
Ashford & District League Div. One. Riverside Res 2 Lydd Town Res 5 Lydd Reserves moved three points clear at the top of the table with goals coming from Frankie Steer 2, Mark Ashdown 2, and Mark Wellstead.
Ruckinge 1 Lydd United 1 Chairman Clive Goddard was disappointed with his side's draw at Ruckinge. The home team took a first half lead through Neil Jarvis but substitute Dan Frost equalised for United with ten minutes left on the clock.
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Thursday 4th November 2010 www.thelooker.co.uk LOOKER SPORT Sponsored by JEFF MABEY LTD Turf Accountant
by Craig Avery
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