Cheriton

Shepway Ward Profile May 2015 New Romney New Romney

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Foreword...... 5

Brief introduction to area...... 6

Map of area...... 7

Demographics...... 8

Local economy...... 12

Education and skills...... 22

Health & wellbeing...... 26

Housing...... 37

Neighbourhood/ community...... 40

Planning and development...... 44

Physical Assets...... 45

Arts and culture...... 52

Crime...... 55

Appendix 1...... 56

Endnotes/ websites...... 60

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-4- New Romney Foreword

Dear Reader

One of Shepway District Council’s priorities is to and local community facilities and amenities. This provide opportunities for elected members and local information is grouped by themes in order to make it residents to work together to influence decisions as easy as possible to find the information you want. and shape their local community. We know how important good information is in helping people The information on community assets for this profile to understand local issues, identify service need was gathered by working in collaboration with and find ways to improve local services and partners and by engaging with local community and amenities. That is why I am proud to present the voluntary groups. I would like to personally thank ward profile for the new electoral ward of New everyone who has contributed to this document. Romney, which I hope you will find an interesting The statistical information was primarily drawn from and informative read. the 2011 Census, unless otherwise stated. Other sources include: The purpose of the ward profile is to: • 2013 Midyear population estimates from • Provide a shared resource for people the Office of National Statistics1 wanting to find out about their local • Acorn Customer Insight Profiler2 community; • Kent and Medway Public Health • Support elected members with their Observatory3 community role as civic leaders and • Kent County Council Research and community champions; Intelligence Team4 • Provide elected members with useful information about their new ward; Some of the data within this profiler was specially • Assist elected members with identifying commissioned by Shepway District Council so priorities that could potentially be included it may not be publically available elsewhere in in their ward plan; the displayed format. The data will evolve and • Provide a resource that is made publically expand as government agencies recalibrate their available for wider use by the public and data publishing to the new ward boundaries voluntary / community groups (e.g. to within Shepway. support funding bids). We will develop our ward profiles over time and we Our intention is for ward profiles to be used as would really appreciate your feedback on this ward widely as possible and to be made available to profile so we can make sure it is as up-to-date and Councillors, council officers, Town and Parish relevant as possible. Please provide any feedback to Councils, voluntary and community groups, as [email protected]. well as the general public on the council website www.shepway.gov.uk

This ward profile contains a variety of information Alistair Stewart on demographics (e.g. population, deprivation); Chief Executive population outcomes; the level of service provision

-5- New Romney New Romney

New Romney is a small town on the Romney Marsh The storm that hit the southern coast of England that has been established for over 1,200 years. The in 1287 changed the coastline and the landscape ward of New Romney is made up of New Romney of Romney Marsh forever. New Romney, still an parish, which had previously been split into two important harbour at the time became surrounded wards, New Romney Town and New Romney by land and was suddenly located a mile from the Coast. Romney Marsh has had a long and complex sea10. The floods in the 12th & 13th century halted history of formation, which has given rise to variable the spread of the population, and the Black Death geological deposits across its area. During the Iron in 1349 brought demand for new land to an end. Age, Roman & Early Anglo Saxon periods (700BC Between the 14th and 17th century salt-marshes to c.600AD) a lot of Romney Marsh Proper was were reclaimed for sheep pasture, so that by 1700 underwater. Old Romney was known only as the map of Romney Marsh was similar to that of Romney and was an island off the coast. By 100AD today11. From the early 16th century the Romney long-shore drift had caused a large shingle and sand Marshes and New Romney were characterized by bank to build up and enclose a lagoon that was open a widespread pastoral economy of sheep rearing, to the sea near Hythe. During the 6th & 7th Century becoming an integral part of the English woolen sea levels were rising, rivers were depositing industry12. Today the town of New Romney is full sediment, and shingle was drifting, all of which of historic buildings, which hark back to its rich continuously changed the coastline of the marshes5. heritage. It has a parade of small shops along its High Street, a petrol station and a supermarket, New Romney is a late Anglo-Saxon (850-1066AD) as well as a primary school and a secondary settlement, which grew into a small trading town6. school. The town is surrounded by a sprawl of By the 8th century the coastline had changed mainly residential dwellings extending down to dramatically. Romney became Old Romney and the the communities of Littlestone and Greatstone on town of New Romney became a prominent port the coast, which are also part of the ward. These on the new harbour that had formed. In 1066AD dwellings are interspersed with business premises, it was sacked by a detachment of William the many of which are residential and care homes. The Conqueror’s forces for inflicting heavy losses on a place names of Greatstone and Littlestone came group of William’s soldiers who had tried to land about in the 19th century as a result of the headland at New Romney before moving onto Pevensey 7. A at that time which has since eroded. Many residents Royal Charter of 1155AD names New Romney as use Ashford as their main commercial area. one of the five original Cinque Ports (others were Dover, Sandwich, Hythe & Hastings)8. They were originally formed for military and trade purposes and were at the height of their influence from 1150 to 1350AD. New Romney and Hythe were important suppliers of salt to London9, but in the latter part of the thirteenth century a series of severe storms weakened the coastal defences of Romney Marsh.

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-7- New Romney Demographics

The 2013 midyear population estimates published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) gives the total population of the New Romney Ward as 7,120, with 3,480 males and 3,640 females. The diagrams below show that compared to the population of Kent as a whole and that of Shepway there is a much higher proportion of 50 to 85+ year olds living in this ward. The population within this ward has a significantly lower proportion of people aged from 0 to 44 yrs old.

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Marital status and living arrangements

More than half (52%) of New Romney residents aged over 16 are married, with a further 10% cohabiting. 0.5% are in a same-sex civil partnership or co-habiting relationship. 16% are single, having never married, 9.4% divorced (which is above the Kent average) and 5.7% widowed.

Married 3,004

Cohabiting 616

Same-sex civil partnership or cohabiting 26

Single (never married) 1,083

Married or in civil partnership 69

Separated (but still legally married) 97

Divorced 371

Widowed 488

New Romney has proportionally more people (than Shepway or Kent) who are are single or divorced.

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Ethnicity

New Romney has a higher percentage of people of English/Welsh/ Scottish/ Northern Irish ethnicity than Shepway or Kent as a whole. As a result, it is underrepresented in almost all other ethnic groups identified in the census data, when compared across Shepway and Kent.

New Romney Shepway Kent

English/ Welsh/ Scottish/ NI 6,687 95.6% 90.8% 89.1%

Irish 45 0.6% 0.7% 0.7%

Gypsy or Irish Traveller 9 0.1% 0.2% 0.3%

Other White 91 1.3% 3.0% 3.6%

White and Black Caribbean 19 0.3% 0.4% 0.4%

White and Black African 8 0.1% 0.1% 0.2%

White and Asian 21 0.3% 0.4% 0.5%

Other Mixed 9 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%

Indian 19 0.3% 0.4% 1.2%

Pakistani 21 0.3% 0.1% 0.2%

Bangladeshi 14 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Chinese 9 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%

Other Asian 22 0.3% 2.5% 1.2%

African 3 0.0% 0.3% 0.8%

Caribbean 12 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%

Other Black 2 0.0% 0.0% 0.1%

Arab 2 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

Any other ethnic group 3 0.0% 0.2% 0.4%

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Length of residence in the UK

New Romney has a higher percentage of those born in the UK than Shepway or Kent as a whole, and accordingly has a lower percentage of the population having moved to the UK, particularly within the past 10 years.

New Romney Shepway Kent

Born in the UK 6,670 95.3% 90.8% 90.9%

Less than 2 years 35 0.5% 1.2% 1.2%

More than 2 years and 26 0.4% 1.6% 1.5% less than 5 years More than 5 years and 31 0.4% 1.6% 1.8% less than 10 years 10 years or more 234 3.3% 4.9% 4.6%

Main Language (for residents aged 3 and over)

The main language spoken by residents of New Romney is overwhelmingly English (98%), with a higher percentage having English as their first language than in other parts of Shepway (95.1%) or Kent (95.5%). The next two most prevalent first languages in the ward are European (EU) at 0.5% of the population and East Asian Language at 0.4%. New Romney Shepway Kent

English 6,699 98.2% 95.1% 95.5%

Other UK language 8 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

French 2 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Portuguese 6 0.1% 0.2% 0.2%

Spanish 2 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

Other European Language (EU) 36 0.5% 1.4% 1.8%

Other European Language (non EU) 4 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Russian 3 0.0% 0.0% 0.1%

Turkish 4 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Arabic 1 0.0% 0.0% 0.1%

West/Central Asian Language 1 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

South Asian Language 23 0.3% 2.3% 1.2%

East Asian Language 24 0.4% 0.3% 0.4%

African Language 3 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

Other Languages 1 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Sign Language 6 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

-11- New Romney The Local Economy

The ward of New Romney contains a high street (see Section 7 Health & Wellbeing, Organisations shopping area, several smaller collections of shops delivering health services) and a post office (see and businesses dotted around the ward and an Section 10 Neighbourhood & Community, Services). industrial estate that are all part of its local economy. The wider influences of the holiday parks, the power Sainsbury’s at New Romney is the only supermarket stations and the farming history must also be taken in the Romney Marsh area that is within the district of into account. Shepway. There are three supermarkets 9 miles away in Hythe and more 14 miles away in Ashford that are New Romney town centre could be described as also used by residents of the ward. Sainsbury’s run a having a ‘Parade of Shops’. This term often refers to Local Charity of the Year scheme. Each store selects rows of shops along a main street through a town a local charity of the year to partner with. During May separate from any purpose built shopping centres. and June each year, the stores will select a shortlist However, it would be more accurate to describe of local registered charities for customers to vote New Romney’s retail area as a ‘Neighbourhood on. The charity with the most votes will be selected Parade’ as defined in The Department Communities and supported over the next 12 months through and Local Government (DCLG) Paper ‘Parades of fundraising and volunteering. Over the past six years Shops – Towards an understanding of performance this scheme has raised over £6 million nationwide14. and prospects’ published in June 2012. The Sainsbury’s New Romney has supported CARM characteristic of a Neighbourhood Parade is of being (see Section 8 Health & Well Being, Older persons a continuous row of shops that is highly visible to Provision), the RNLI and Abacus Nursery (see Section locals and which mainly has a local customer base. 7 Skills & Education). The petrol station at New It is made up of a high number of independent Romney is one of only two in the Romney Marsh area small or micro-businesses, being largely retail based that is within the district of Shepway. The other one is (convenience stores, newsagents, greengrocers, at Brenzett just over 4 miles away or there is another bakers etc) but may include some local services in Hythe 9 miles away. (hairdressers, café etc) .13 Like most towns and villages New Romney used to have New Romney High Street has a variety of retailers and more public houses but a few have closed and become food outlets. There are tea shops, cafes and a couple residential dwellings. Starting at the south-western end of Indian restaurants as well as a Mexican, an Italian of the High Street is the Cinque Port Arms. The building and a seafood restaurant. The seafood restaurant also dates from the 18th century or possibly earlier15 and has a fish & chip shop attached to it and there is a has painted brickwork, deep-pitched roof and rooms Chinese takeaway just along the road. Notably there with low beamed ceilings; it has changed little for over are some long standing traditional retailers such as a a hundred years16. Next along is the New Inn, originally butchers, a greengrocers, a bakers, an ironmongers/ built in the 14th century and re-fronted in the 18th hardware store and a bicycle shop. There are a couple century it now provides food & accommodation . The of antique shops, gift shops, several charity shops, a Ship Hotel at the north-west end of the High Street convenience store, florists, a trophy shop, hairdressers also does food & accommodation17. The main part of and beauticians. Lloyds TSB and NatWest both have the building, which has two parallel ranges, dates from branches in the High Street with cash machines; there the 18th century, but the north-east end is possibly are several estate agents, a couple of pharmacies older18. These three public houses are all Grade II Listed.

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The Broadacre Hotel, previously known as The Gables, There are various types of businesses trading from is situated in North Street, parallel to the high street. Mountfield Industrial Estate on Mountfield Road in It was built in the 17th century as a farmhouse, it was New Romney, such as a joinery, ironworks, several later converted to a country club before becoming a motor repair businesses, tyre retailers, building & hotel. The main entrance and six of the nine bedrooms decorating services, building merchants, plumbing are believed to be the oldest part of the building. The suppliers and a biofuel company. Another company remaining three bedrooms, in a converted cottage date based there makes a well known brand of products from the 1860’s19. for wood care and renovation. Other businesses include a computer service & repair provider, storage Continuing in the north-easterly direction about half a & distribution facilities, book distribution service, mile out of town there is The Plough Inn on the left and a garden centre and a cake making & decorating The Warren Inn, a Victorian building, is just another business that also runs courses. The Romney Marsh hundred yards on. Both pubs serve food. Near The Business Centrei (RMBC)22 can provide free office Warren Inn is the entrance to Marlie Farm Holiday Park space for new business start-ups; it has conferencing where many people come to stay during the holidays facilities23, IT training facilities and is part of the to enjoy all of the diverse activities the Marsh has to Romney Resource Centre24 (RRC) – see Section 11 offer. The Holiday Park is situated only a short drive Skills & Education and visit the website at from the beach (see Section 11 Physical Assets) and http://www.romney-resource.co.uk . golf course (see Section 6 Health & Well being). The Park has 286 static pitches & 331 touring pitches, an Littlestone is mainly a residential area with a adventure playground, arcade & amusements, dining, convenience store, a restaurant and holiday properties, entertainment venue, an indoor swimming pool, kids including The Romney Bay House Hotel. This hotel club, a laundrette and a convenience store.20 was previously the private home of Hedda Hopper, an American actress and journalist. It was built for her in Heading east out of the town centre along Station the 1920’s and designed by the architect Sir Clough Road there is a small row of shops and food outlets Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) the creator of the Italianate just over the railway bridge, where it meets Littlestone Portmeirion in north Wales25. Greatstone is also mainly Road. A fish & chip shop, kebab shop, pizza & grill a residential area with some holiday properties. A few take away and an Indian restaurant make up the of Greatstone’s businesses and shops on The Parade variety of food outlets. There is a bric â brac shop, are situated in the Walland & Denge Marsh ward. a mobility equipment retailer, a mortgage broker, a In the New Romney ward on Dunes Road, near the separate insurance broker, a hotel, a sweet shop and intersection with Coast Drive, is a pharmacy, a fish a hairdresser’s. Located across the road is a motor & chip shop, kebab shop, a convenience store and repair garage/car dealer, which completes Ministry of a hairdresser’s. Just opposite this group of shops is Transport tests (MOT’s). The Jolly Fisherman public house. The New Romney Caravan Park is located in Greatstone; it has 154 The Captain Howey pub was named after Captain holiday pitches set in 11 acres of natural parkland, only J.E.P. Howey, an eccentric millionaire whose first 300 yards from the beach. It also has camping pitches, passion was motor racing but after his marriage he a coffee shop, a club house with a bar and a separate was persuaded by his wife to pursue the safer hobby children’s play area, free wifi, an adventure playground of railways. He built the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch and a mini football pitch. Railway (RHDR) in the 1920s. The pub was originally called The Station Hotel and served the many weekend visitors to the Marsh, as it does today, providing food and accommodation.21

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The Romney Marsh Partnership

The Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) is concerned with the socio-economics of the whole of the Romney Marsh area and the closure of Dungeness A Power Station, which although not situated in this ward it is important to refer to because many people who live in New Romney work at the Power Stations; as seen in the Employment by Industry diagram below. The RMP was established in 2012 to lead the delivery of the Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan: an economic strategy targeted at reducing the negative consequences of decommissioning at Dungeness A nuclear power station. The RMP aims to secure a stronger economic future for the Romney Marsh area. The diagram below shows Romney Marsh area covered by the RMP, which is mostly rural and administered by three local authorities: Shepway, Ashford and Rother.26

Photo: Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, pg 2, by Tess Luetchford

RMP Progress 2012 to 2014

• From 2012 to 2013 the RMP had some notable successes as a partnership. These include: • Producing the first Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan in 2011. • Recruiting more partners beyond Shepway District Council boundaries (see Walland & Denge Marsh ward profile for more details). • Creating the Marsh Million (MM). The £1 million fund provides interest free loans (initially up to £10,000 and now up to £50,000) to small businesses and start-ups with fewer than 50 employees, within the Shepway and Ashford areas of the RMP, to create and sustain local jobs. • The Marsh Million is funded by Magnox Ltd, Kent County Council, Shepway District Council and Ashford Borough Council (www.marshmillion.co.uk). The Marsh Million also includes an Economic Projects Scheme, providing grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 to initiatives with wider economic benefit, for example training and skills, tourism and business support.27

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RMP Key achievements 2014-2015

The RMP commissioned Regeneris Consulting Ltd. (www.regeneris.co.uk) to produce a revised Romney Marsh Delivery Plan, finalised in June 2014. This plan set three objectives for the RMP:28

1. Supporting Local Employment

2. Strengthening the Romney Marsh Business Base

3. Helping Romney Marsh remain a great place to live, work and visit

In order to achieve each objective there are employment & training projects, schemes, services and apprenticeships that have, or are being set up, as well as business loan schemes (Marsh Millions – see above), social enterprise schemes and pop-up shop initiatives. There is also a focus on improving public transport and housing, as well as increasing tourism.

Magnox – Power Station A29

Dungeness A occupies about a quarter of a 91 hectare site on the Kent coast in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI – see Section 12 Physical Assets). The site stopped generating at the end of 2006 and in July 2012 transitioned from the defueling to the decommissioning phase. It employs the equivalent of 269 (figures accurate on the 19.05.2015) full-time members of staff.30

Magnox has undertaken a social responsibility to the Romney Marsh community and have invested thousands of pounds over the years to help community initiatives and local businesses. During the last 12 months (May 2014 to April 2015), £248,205 has been invested in the area including six good neighbour awards totalling £3,233, one project of £4,632 to help build sustainable communities and £240,340 over four projects to help mitigate the impact of decommissioning (see Walland & Denge Marsh ward profile for more details). The Marsh Million Loan Scheme has approved 13 loans totalling £97,715 whilst safeguarding 27 full-time equivalent jobs and creating 33 full-time equivalent jobs. The loan scheme offers interest free loans to local businesses of between £2,500 and £50,000. The Marsh Million Economic Projects Scheme (EPS) has supported four successful applications totalling £203,000 and creating four jobs in the first instance. For further information please go to: www.kent.gov.uk/business/business-loans-and-funding/marsh-million- business-loan-scheme.

Photo: Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, pg 2, by Tess Luetchford

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EDF – Power Station B

Dungeness B was the first Advanced Gas-cooled long sea coast facing France there had always been reactor to begin construction in the UK. Construction a history of smuggling in Kent but the introduction began in 1965 and the generation of electricity of the Wool Acts of 1660 & 1699 led to an increase, started in 1983. The estimated decommissioning date especially on Romney Marshes and in New Romney is 2028 and employs 550 (figures accurate on the itself. Incidents of smuggling continued to escalate in 19.05.2015) full time staff directly and the number the 18th & 19th centuries until the government made of full-time staff members who work there but are a concerted effort to suppress it.35 employed by contract partners is 200. EDF currently run Engineering Maintenance, Business and Smart In l939 there were some 200,000 sheep on the Metering Apprenticeship Programmes (see Section 7 marsh, but during World War II the sheep were sent Education & Skills)31. The Visitor Centre at Dungeness away to the hill farmers in Yorkshire and the numbers B has an interactive exhibition, a classroom and of sheep on the marshes were halved, arable farming offers pre-arranged tours of the power station. The increased four-fold to 15,000 acres and this trend exhibition, with the use of interactive models, touch continues. The only areas on which sheep still graze screen computers and information panels explains in this ward is in fields behind the Romney Marsh how electricity is generated in a nuclear power Day Centre (see Section 7 Health & Wellbeing, Older station. It also covers safety on site, radiation, nuclear Persons Provision) on Rolfe Lane and in the fields on waste and other forms of electricity generation32. the other side of town along Church Lane. For more information about sheep rearing on the Marshes see According to a recent Health & Social Care Mapping Section 5 Local Economy in the Walland & Denge document published by Kent & Medway Public Marsh ward profile. Health Observatory about service provision in Shepway there were fifteen care homes within the Romney Marsh Wools is a business based at New Romney ward as of February 2014; several Aldington that was created to raise awareness of more in Hythe and Lydd. All of these care homes all the benefits of British wool, in particular Romney need staffing around the clock and this is reflected in wool. The business has a thousand Romney ewes the types of employment many of residents of New lambing in the traditional season of March and April. Romney are engaged in - see the Employment by They take their fleeces to traditional weavers who Industry diagram below. hand process, then spin and weave the yarn into wool rugs, throws and other items, which have a unique Sheep have grazed on the marshes around New quality attributable to the Romney sheep wool. The Romney for centuries, as the quality of the pastures Romney breed of sheep is a “long wool” hardy sheep is renowned33. By 14th century England’s most that is resistant to foot rot. It was recognised as a important commodity for internal trade and export breed in England by 1800, and exported to Australia was wool. This continued until in the 16th century and New Zealand36. when wool prices in England fell forcing traders to export more to the continent. But in 1660 a bill was passed preventing traders from exporting34. With a

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Household income

The graph is from the Acorn customer profiling software and it shows how far above or below the UK average the New Romney ward population is (a score of 50, means the proportion within New Romney is 50% the size of the UK average). The graph shows there is a far greater lower of households who earn over £80,000; and more household how earn between £20,000 and £40,000.

Economic activity

New Romney has proportionally fewer residents in full time work than across Shepway or Kent as a whole. The ward has proportionally more residents who are retired. The graph below shows the full range of activities as a proportion of the working age population (this is defined as the number of people aged 16-64).

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Employment by sector

The major employment sectors for New Romney are health/social work, vehicle repair, construction and electricity supply. The ward has higher proportions of people working in health/social work, construction and electricity supply than the Kent or district average.

-18- New Romney

The Department for Communities and Local Government is responsible for indices of deprivation. The Indices of Deprivation 2010 is based on the concept that deprivation consists of more than just poverty. Poverty is not having enough money to get by on where as deprivation refers to a general lack of resources and opportunities.

An area has a higher deprivation score than another one if the proportion of people living there who are classed as deprived is higher. An area itself is not deprived; it is the circumstances and lifestyles of the people living there that affect its deprivation score. It is important to remember that not everyone living in a deprived area is deprived – and that not all deprived people live in deprived areas.37

The map above shows that the New Romney ward is an area ranked between 21 to 40% of the most deprived areas in England. This area is shown in bright green and covers the entire expanse of the ward.

A Mosaic Profile of the ward completed by KCC shows that over 50% of residents living in this ward are assessed as Rural Reality – Householders living in expensive homes in village communities, see diagram below.

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A Country Living - Well off owners in rural locations enjoying the benefits of Country life B Prestige Positions - Established families in large detached homes Living upmarket lifestyles C City Prosperity - High status city dwellers living in central locations and pursuing careers with high rewards D Domestic Success - Thriving families who are busy bringing up children and following careers E Suburban Stability - Mature suburban owners living in settled lives in mid-range housing F Senior Security - Elderly people with assets who are enjoying a comfortable retirement G Rural Reality - Householders living in expensive homes in village communities H Aspiring Homemakers - Younger households settling down in housing priced within their means I Urban Cohesion - Residents of settled urban communities with a strong sense of identity J Rental Hubs - Educated young people privately renting in urban neighbourhoods K Modest Traditions - Mature homeowners of value homes enjoying stable lifestyles L Transient Renters - Single people privately renting low cost homes for the short term M Family Basics - Families with limited resources who have to budget to make ends meet N Vintage Value – Elderly people reliant on support to meet financial or practical needs O Municipal Challenge – Urban renters of social housing facing an array of challenges

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Transport

From just about anywhere in the Marshes it is a 20 The timetable for the above services can be to 30 minute drive to get a train station or the M20 found on the Stagecoach website at: Motorway at either Westenhanger or Ashford. From https://www.stagecoachbus.com Ashford International the high-speed train takes 37 minutes to get to London, St Pancras. The Volunteer Centre Shepway39 runs a Volunteer Transport Service40 throughout the entire Shepway Stagecoach UK Bus38 is part of the Stagecoach Group District, including the New Romney ward. All the and is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, drivers are volunteers who use their own vehicles, operating express and local bus services across the and are reimbursed for their mileage costs. In 2004 country. They run the following bus services to or the service was the recipient of The Queen’s Golden though the New Romney ward: Jubilee Award for Voluntary Groups. The service helps the elderly and disabled to access hospital, doctors and other clinics, as well as day centres and • The Wave Bus Route 100 goes to and other vital journeys. In the last year our 60+ drivers from: Hastings (Conquest Hospital), carried out nearly 10,000 journeys, mainly locally Winchelsea, Rye, Camber, Lydd, New but occasionally to major London hospitals and Romney, Dymchurch, Hythe, Folkestone further afield41. and Dover; stopping at lots of other places along the way. • The Wave Bus Route 101 goes to and from: Hastings (Conquest Hospital), Fairlight, Rye, Camber, Lydd, New Romney, Dymchurch, Hythe, Folkestone and Dover; stopping at lots of other places along the way. • The Wave Bus Route 102 goes to and from: Lydd, Lydd-on-Sea, New Romney, Dymchurch, Hythe, Folkestone and Dover; stopping at lots of other places along the way. • Routes 11, 11A and 11B goes to and from: New Romney, through the Marsh to/from Ashford.

-21- New Romney Education & Skills Courses/Adult Education

As previously mentioned, in Section 5 Local to the distances which need to be travelled and Economy, the Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) the cost of public transport. The programme offers was established in 2012 to lead the delivery of an 540 Guided Learning Hours of training over a 6 to economic strategy targeted at reducing the negative 12 month period, and includes qualifications such consequences of decommissioning at Dungeness as Maths and English up to GCSE (A-C) or L2 A nuclear power station42. One of the objectives of equivalent; ICT up to Level 2 (where appropriate); this socio-economic plan is to support local people Work Skills; Vocational Qualifications, and a throughout the labour market to maximize their minimum 10 day placement into work experience45. skills and potential, as well as access employment43. The focus is on ensuring that education and training With regards to adult learning, RRC provides a are available for the working age population and wide range of free, subsidised and fully paid for school students in the area and is relevant to courses. Free courses offered include; Computers the local and national job market. Additionally, it From Scratch, Basic Beginners, Digital Imaging, sets out that opportunities need to be provided Family Tree, Web Page Publishing, Desktop to allow new businesses to start-up, which will Publishing, Internet & Email, Maths & English, IT provide future employment for local communities. Level 1 – ECDL Essentials, ITQ Flexiqual (ECDL) RMP members have identified projects, which will Level 2 and Work Skills. Courses for which charges contribute to achieving this objective (Objective 1: are made (though these may also be accessed Supporting Local Employment – see Section 5 Local at subsidised rates or free of charge depending Economy, The Romney Marsh Partnership). For full on personal. circumstances) include; Health & details of these projects please see Appendix 1. Social Care Level 2 Diploma, Health & Social Care Level 3 Diploma, Business Administration Level 2 The Romney Resource Centre24 (RRC) on Certificate, Customer Service Level 2 Certificate, Mountfield Road, New Romney is a member of the Business Administration Level 3 Diploma46. RRC RMP. The Centre is a charity that was established in also supports to those facing redundancy or who 1994 and since then it has developed a collaborative are unemployed. Staff at the Centre are able assist group of partners to work with in supporting local by providing people with the following tools to community & business training activities44. It secure future employment; careers advice, job and provides training and education for people aged skills development, CV compilation, internet job 18 and over. In addition to managing the Romney searching skills, applications, interview skills and Marsh Business Centrei (RMBC- see Section 5 Local placements.47 Economy) RRC’s services cover two other main areas of work: Kent Adult Education48 (KAE) is a countywide organisation and has centres in all twelve Kent • Education for NEETs (young people Not in districts. KAE provides some courses at the New Employment, Education or Training). Romney Assembly Rooms (see Section 12 Physical • Further education for adults. Assets, Building & Heritage Assets) and details of these can be found on the KAE website https:// The service RRC provides to locally resident NEETs www.kentadulteducation.co.uk. New Romney Old is important as this group has difficulties accessing School on Chapel Lane currently provides a variety training and education away from the Marsh due classes/courses and, for details of days and times of

-22- New Romney

courses go to the New Romney Old School website Schools at http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk . See Section 10 Neighbourhood & Community for more Schools and their buildings have often been bases information about the Old School and for details for community activities over the years and seen about its museum see Section 13 Arts & Culture49. as community assets. Now more than ever it has also become part of the school curriculum to Although EDF is situated at Dungeness Power educate children about social responsibility through Station B, in the Walland & Denge ward area, its various activities such as fundraising for charities, apprenticeship scheme attracts applications from taking part in litter picking days and beach cleans, many young people all across Shepway, particularly as well as visiting vulnerable people such as the those living on the Romney Marshes and those elderly at day centres. Below are some details attending the Marsh Academy. EDF’s Engineering about how the schools within this ward interact Maintenance Apprenticeship Scheme is a four-year with the community around them. Many more programme which focuses on the skills required community involvement days and projects will to maintain our power stations. To be considered continue to take place interweaving students, local applicants need five GCSEs or equivalent at grade C people, businesses, charities, local history and the or above. As well as the technical skills apprentices landscape. will develop the attitudes and behaviours essential to the safe operation of EDF’s power stations. Upon completion they will be awarded an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Certificate in Engineering and will have attained a BTEC and an NVQ Level 3, with the option to progress onto HNC. The programme runs for four years, the first two of which are based at the Royal Naval base at HMS Sultan near Portsmouth, Hampshire. The second two years apprentices return to their base location and join the Maintenance team at the coal, gas or nuclear plant they originally applied to, such as Power Station B at Dungeness. EDF also have Business or Smart Metering Apprenticeship Programmes.

The Marsh Academy50 is entering into a partnership with Sussex Coast College and will be a sub contractor for Apprenticeships. The Academy will be employing and sourcing jobs with local employers for apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer Services, ICT, Catering & Hospitality and Teaching Assistant roles. This scheme is funded by Magnox and is part of the Romney Marsh Partnership (see Section 5 Local Economy).51

-23- New Romney

Secondary Schools

The Marsh Academy52 was formerly John Southland’s Community Comprehensive School, is the secondary school in New Romney and rated as Good by OFSTED in 201353. It is the only secondary school in the Romney Marsh area that sits within the Shepway District; providing secondary and sixth form education to the young people in New Romney and the greater Marsh Area. Over the last five years new school buildings have been constructed that are a combination of traditional classrooms and large plaza areas to provide opportunities for group learning and enhanced specialist teaching. These are modern bright spaces created to motivate young learners. Each teaching area has access to high quality IT resources. There is a purpose built Science & Technology space, sports facilities, including a sports hall, dance studio and fully equipped gym in the Marsh Leisure Centre (see Section 8 Heath & Wellbeing) and a purpose-built theatre. The new Marsh Academy Community Hub (MACH – see Section 10 Neighbourhood & Community) at the school offers a range of services and provisions, both for the students and the local community.54

Early in 2015 five students and two teachers from Marsh Academy assisted in an evening of fine dining for thirty patients and their guests at The Pilgrims Hospice. Another group of students visited the Marsh Community Garden Project being put together by Kent Wildlife Trust. Students will be involved in getting this project off the ground and working with local and older people on the Marsh to ensure some of the old traditions are kept alive. They will be looking at the Dig for Victory campaign after the Second World War and how they can use the garden to grow some traditional foods in a more natural way55

Primary Schools

St Nicholas Church of England (Controlled) Primary School56 is located in New Romney with a catchment area which covers other villages of Romney Marsh. It is the only primary school located in the New Romney ward. This school has been collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers and have recently ordered some new playtime equipment through this scheme. At the end of last year (2014) years 5 & 6 made cakes to sell to raise money for the Royal British Legion Help for Heroes. The school and students participate in other fund raising activities and also raise money for Children in Need.57

Nurseries

Abacus Nursery and Childcare58 is run as a private company under the directorship of experienced volunteers. The centre has its own sectioned off area in the grounds of St Nicholas Church of England (Controlled) Primary School, New Romney. Abacus Nursery provides education and day care for children between the ages of 2 to 4 years59. It is the only nursery in the New Romney ward area.

Sure Start is a government led initiative aimed at giving every child the best possible start in life and it offers a broad range of services focusing on family health, early years care, education and improved well being programmes to children aged four and under60. The New Romney Sure Start Children’s Centre61 on Craythorne Lane is commissioned by Kent County Council62 (KCC). This centre is also accessed by the communities from the surrounding villages. The centre runs a variety of groups such as Messy Play, Baby Play, Baby Massage Classes and Music & Movement. The centre also runs health clinics, such as the Antenatal Clinic and Health Visitor Clinic. There are educational courses and workshops with a crèche available as well (see centre reception for details of current courses).

-24- New Romney

Children and young people

There are 1,350 children and young people under 19 in New Romney. Age No. 0-4 290 5-9 300 10-14 360 15-19 400

New Romney has a lower proportion of children for all ages but is considerably below the county average forth the proportion of 0-9 year olds.

New Romney Shepway Kent

No Males Females Males Females

0-4 2.1% 2.0% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0%

5-9 2.2% 2.0% 3.1% 2.9% 2.9%

10-14 2.8% 2.2% 3.0% 2.9% 2.9%

15-19 2.8% 2.9% 3.3% 3.1% 3.1%

-25- New Romney Health & Wellbeing

New Romney has a wide programme of sport and at the Recreation Ground on Station Road, and physical activity, on sea and land. On land the main they use The Pavilion as a club house. The club is hub of activity is at the Marsh Academy Leisure affiliated with Kent Cricket Board and Kent Regional Centre63, which was built with funding from Kent Cricket League and receives sponsorship funding County Council, Lottery Funding and contributions from EDF energy, local restaurant the Romney Spice from South East England Development Agency. The and Sainsbury’s New Romney. The Romney Marsh centre runs numerous exercise classes, has a forty Bowmen club originally started in 1985 shooting in station modern air conditioned gym, a cross-training the fields of the Marsh Academy Leisure Centre. The room, a dedicated weights training room, with club’s coach and development officer has written a facilities for Olympic lifting, sports hall, relaxation book on the archery anatomy and was awarded the suite with steam room & sauna, squash courts, Emeritus Award for his contribution to archery. outside courts and pitches. Many of New Romney sports clubs have their base at the leisure centre and The Varne Boat Club66 & Social Club has been offer a range of sessions across many age groups. in existence since 1966 and offers full and social Al’s Gym, on North Street, New Romney also offers membership. The club provides a range of water a weight training facility and opportunities to be borne activities such as jet-ski, power boating, involved in kick boxing, personal training, and strong fishing, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, man events64. windsurfing, land yachting. The clubhouse has wireless internet facilities, a webcam and a state There has been a football in New Romney club of the art weather station. A unique viewing since 1890. In 1905 the New Romney Football angle of the foreshore from the first floor bar and Club65 joined the Ashford League, its first year of clubroom allows members to enjoy the panoramic competitive Football. During World War I and II views whilst watching the sporting activities along the club had to temporarily give up their grounds Romney Bay. The clubhouse also offers pool, darts, on Station Road as it was ploughed up for food and cribbage, as well as quiz nights, coach trips, production. However, it has now been the clubs barbecues, and party nights. It is available for social permanent home since 1994. The club functions, meetings and private hire. re-established itself forming three senior sides, playing football once again in both the Folkestone The Marshmellows are the only senior netball and Ashford Leagues. Some club members including team based on Romney Marsh, they practise at Grounds staff, Presidents, Committee Members the Marsh Academy Leisure centre every Thursday and Supporters have lifelong family involvement and play in the Ashford Netball League. The Social with the club dating back to its early days. On the Tennis Club started in 2005. The club runs every field the club has enjoyed past success as Premier Thursday evening, 6:00pm – 7:00pm for beginners and Floodlit Cup Winners. There are currently three and 7:00pm – 8:30pm for social players. Though the Senior Teams and four Youth teams, ranging from club is primarily of adults, they would like to offer U7s to U14s, with expansion planned. junior sessions in the future. The club does not play competitively but offers players the opportunity to The Clubhouse on the Recreation Ground on Station improve their game whilst socialising.67 Road provides facilities, not only for football and the football club but also for the New Romney & Littlestone Cricket Club, as well as for the whole community. The Cricket Club (CC) also practise

-26- New Romney

Romney Marsh Walking Society (RMWS)68 is a both Pay and Play and Membership opportunities. walking group based on the Marsh and they walk in It has eighteen holes and is a naturally rugged links areas across Kent and East Sussex. Originally called attached to the Championship Course.74 the Romney Marsh Footpath Preservation Society when the group formed in 1984, the name was Records show that the game of bowls was played changed in 2010 to make it clear what the Society in New Romney as long ago as 1587. This tradition does. The guided circular walks of about 4 to 6 miles is maintained by New Romney Bowls Club at their generally take place at weekends and often include facilities in Sussex Road. These include two greens, a a pub stop. Details about walks are listed on the clubhouse with bar, and a lounge & dining area. The Society’s website. outdoor bowling season opens in April and closes in September and there is an indoor short-mat bowls The Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society’s69 area for winter periods. The bar has spacious seating, headquarters is in Rolfe Lane and caters for all dining for refreshments/meals as required for visitors modelling interests with a special emphasis on live and club events. Snooker, darts, quizzes and bingo steam.nIt has a membership of around 230 and sessions are also available throughout the year as is affiliated to the ‘Southern Federation of Model part of the social calendar. New members are always Engineering Societies’.70 welcome and will be given the instruction and the practice necessary to play. There are several open New Romney Bridge Club71 is a small, friendly, days held throughout the year and all details can be duplicate bridge club who meet every Tuesday found on the clubs website.75 evening in the Old School House, New Romney (see Section 10 Neighbourhood & Communities). The club is always delighted to have new members and can usually accommodate single players arriving unannounced. The club has players of varying standard and welcomes new members whose skills are a bit rusty but who would like to start playing duplicate bridge again.72

Founded in 1888, the Littlestone Golf Club73 has two courses, the Championship Links and the Warren courses. Both sharing the same stretch of Romney Marsh land, they offer two unique golfing experiences. The courses are laid out on the natural undulating land between Romney Marsh and the English Channel. This coastline area has a unique microclimate that makes it one of the driest places in Britain. The Littlestone Championship Links course is recognised as being one of the top Links courses in Great Britain and Ireland. It has hosted many major championships and has a long and distinguished history. The Club was chosen as a final Qualifying course for the 2011 Open Championship. The Warren Course is a shorter but no less challenging. It offers

-27- New Romney

Youth Provision

There are many clubs and classes for young people them to know their own abilities and helps develop available at the Marsh Academy Leisure centre. their creative talents. Within the programme Scouts Marsh Badminton Club is a junior club76 established take part in traditional scouting skills, such as in October 2011, the club currently has over 20 camping, survival, cooking etc., and a wide range members. Various dance classes are available across of adventurous activities. Explorer Scouts have all age groups, including ballet, tap, modern and the chance get to take part in additional activities street dance and cheerleading77. Mini, junior and such as kayaking, climbing, orienteering etc. as well advanced gymnastics is taught at Marsh Leisure as work on projects helping to support the local Centre, also karate sessions are available and the community. The following groups run from the New instructor is associated with Lydd Karate Club78. The Romney Scouts Headquarters: Centre also offers a range of other activities such as Roller Disco and Catch Cricket. Canton Martial Arts79 have a dojo at the Leisure Centre and run • The 1st New Romney Beavers meet ‘Little Samaurais’ for ages 5-8, Karate from ages 8 on Thursdays (term-time) between and upwards and a Family Class is also available. 6pm & 7.30pm at New Romney Scouts See the Romney Marsh Leisure Centre website for Headquarters, Beaver Scouts is for ages 6 details www.marshacademyleisure.org.uk . to 8 yrs • The Cubs meet on Mondays between Charlton Athletic Community Trust80 (CACT) 6.30pm & 8pm at New Romney Scouts works in partnership with local communities to Headquarters, Cub Scouts is for ages 8 to empower individuals to improve their lives and their 10 yrs environment. The types of programmes delivered • The 1st New Romney Scout Group82 meet by CACT fit under five key aims; raising educational on Tuesdays between 7pm and 8.30pm at achievement, creating pathways to employment, New Romney Scouts Headquarters, Scouts building healthier lifestyles, bringing communities 10 to 14 yrs together and reducing crime. The Trust delivers • The Explorer Scouts meet on Tuesdays fun-filled football and multi sport courses as well as between 7pm & 8.30pm and is for other short courses during school holidays. Pupils 14 to 18. from the Trust’s Alternative Education Centre at New Romney recently had the chance to take part New Romney Brownies meet at the Assembly in a water sports course, thanks to funding from Rooms (see Section 12 Physical Assets, Buildings Sportivate81. Sportivate encourage young people to & Heritage Assets) on Church Approach, New take part in sports they haven’t tried before and to Romney, for times and dates please go to the Town think about their health and wellbeing. Over a six Council website at http://www.newromneytc. week period the students gained a water sports kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm . The Phase II Youth coaching certificate as well as a bronze or silver Club is based in a pre-fab building on the grounds of award in their chosen discipline. Following this the Marsh Academy and runs a variety of activities CACT held a water sports competition at Action for young people. Watersports in Lydd. New Romney Sea Cadets83 are based at The Greens, The Scouts encompass Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Littlestone, and work in partnership with the Royal Explorers. These groups take part in a balanced Navy under a Memorandum of Understanding programme of activities that helps young people (MOU). The Cadets are part of the oldest nautical to find out about the world they live in, encourages charity and the core purpose is to celebrate Britain’s

-28- New Romney maritime heritage and contribute to its future development. The first Sea Cadet unit was established in 1854 at Whitstable in Kent. Traditionally old seafarers provided training while local businesses funded the Unit Headquarters. There are 400 Sea Cadet Units today across the UK each with charitable status enabling them to raise funds to meet their running costs. All Units are members of the Sea Cadet Corps and are governed by the national charity MSSC - the Marine Society & Sea Cadets.84

The 2513 (Romney Marsh School) Squadron, Air Training Corps85 are one of 34 Squadrons based in Kent with the Wing headquarters in Maidstone. Kent Wing is split into four areas, 2513 (Romney Marsh School) Squadron is in area 4 and the Wing is a part of London and the South East Region of the Air Training Corps. The 2513 Squadron can give young people a chance to participate in activities and courses that will challenge and develop skills. There are a variety of activities available from enjoying a real flight experience, going on training and camps, sports, drills, shooting, music, abseiling and engineering projects.86

The Romney Marsh Branch87 of the Pony Club was established in 1948 and is part of Pony Club Area 11, which runs from the A21 in the west, down to Rye and out across Romney Marsh. The club aims to ensure the development of young people, through rallies, camps, fun and enjoyment. It caters for all ages up to 25 years, from lead rein to Associates, building a strong Romney Marsh team ethos, and having lots of social events. The club has members competing at very high levels in various disciplines and are immensely proud of their achievements. They give instruction in riding and horsemastership, as well as promoting the highest ideals of sportsmanship and citizenship, nurturing strength of character and self discipline.88

-29- New Romney

Older Persons Provision

The Romney Marsh Day Centre is an established local independent charity, supporting older people within the community to remain independent and living in their own homes for as long as they choose.The centre is located in New Romney on Rolfe Lane and is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday (closed on Bank Holidays). The centre offers relaxed social contact in a safe, friendly and informal environment. The centre provides the chance to have a good old natter and catch up with the latest news89. There is also a full range of recreational and leisure activities for people to get involved in if they want to, including the following exercise classes are available Seated Classes, Mellow Movers, Fabulous, Fit & Fifty Plus and Tai Chi.There are also health walks, a computer club, craft activities, table games, as well as the following groups; cooking, gardening, art, poetry, outings and talks from guest speakers and more.The centre also has a hairdresser and a foot treatment services.There is a restaurant/cafe for light meals and in 2015 the centre started a meal delivery service from Mondays to Fridays.

Caring Altogether on Romney Marsh (CARM)90 is a charity that provides support and services to older and vulnerable people on Romney Marsh. They support people who are socially isolated. Through this support they aim to improve people's well-being, to help people remain independent for longer and to enhance the quality of life of the rural communities91. The three main strands of the CARM Services are Meeting Points, Memories Matter (a reminiscence project) and Wellbeing at home.Meeting Points are social drop-ins that take place in villages and coastal communities throughout Romney Marsh. They are run by volunteers, supported by CARM staff.Meeting Points provide a local point of contact for getting together with old friends and new - everyone is welcome.

Memories Matter provides weekly reminiscence sessions for older people, in order to reduce their social isolation and improve their sense of well-being. The service currently operates seven groups in residential care homes, care settings, a day centre and at an assisted living facility, in Folkestone, Hythe, Dymchurch, New Romney and Seabrook92. The Well-Being at Home service provides a regular volunteer visitor for people unable to leave home without assistance and who are therefore socially isolated.They prioritise visiting those who live alone and who do not use day services. Visits are weekly or fortnightly, for an hour or two, and provide the person being visited with a chance to have a chat and have someone who has the time to listen.93

-30- New Romney

Organisations delivering health services

Surgery Name Address & Contact Details

41-43 High Street, New Romney, TN28 8BW Oak Hall Surgery Ph: 01797 362106 Church Lane, New Romney, TN28 8ES Church Lane Surgery Ph: 01797 330444

Pharmacy Address & Contact Details

41 Canterbury Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5NJ Lloyds Pharmacy Ph: 01303 251511 13 Dunes Road, Greatstone, New Romney, TN28 8SS The Co-Operative Pharmacy 01797 362997 49 High Street, New Romney, TN28 8AH New Romney Pharmacy Ph: 01797 458001

Dentist Address & Contact Details

George Lane, New Romney, TN28 8BS Mayden Ph: 01797 364330 17 Littlestone Road, Littlestone, New Romney, TN28 8LN Pennypot Dentist Ph: 01797 3303717

Other Health Service Address & Contact Details

69 High Street, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8AZ Robert Jardine Opticians Ph: 07973 64050 39 Littlestone Road, New Romney, TN28 8LN New Romney Podiatry Practice Ph : 01797 361111

Support for substance misuse issues can be accessed at Turning Point’s94 satellite services provided at various locations in Shepway. The New Romney Turning Point Drop-in is at the MACH at Marsh Academy (see Section 10 Neighbourhood & Community) on Mondays between 5 & 6pm; no appointment necessary. The Romney Marsh Bereavement Support Group95 meets every Monday at The Old School, New Romney.

-31- New Romney

Other Health Services

New Romney Counselling Service96 (NRCS) is a voluntary organisation founded in 2000 by two qualified and experienced psychotherapists. They recognised the need for a counselling service to cover the gap between Folkestone, Ashford and Hastings, for those that cannot afford private practice. They provide a free or donation based counselling service to anyone that can get to them or who they can get to. They will work with absolutely anyone, including children, young people, adults and couples.97

St John Ambulance Community First Response98 service has volunteers that are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance arrives. Volunteers can arrive at an emergency scene in a matter of minutes, as they are sent to calls in their local area. Volunteers are trained to respond to emergency calls in conjunction with East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. They operate as part of a rota system from their own home or place of work, and are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance via ambulance control to attend Category A 'immediately life – threatening' calls.99

There are many other health services and support groups that are accessed by the inhabitants of New Romney, which are located in the surrounding areas of Rye, Camber, Walland & Denge Marsh, Romney Marsh, Ashford and Folkestone. Please refer to the ward profiles for Walland and Denge Marsh & Romney Marsh to see details of other nearby services. There is a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group100 that meets the first & third Tuesday of every month at St Mary’s Bay Village Hall for suffers, friend’s relatives and carers.

-32- New Romney

Residents health

The graph is from the Acorn customer profiling software and it shows how far above the UK average the New Romney population is (a score of 125, means the proportion within New Romney is 25% higher than the UK average). New Romney residents are more likely (than UK average) to have high blood pressure and angina, but are less have asthma.

The 2011 Census required people to give a self assessment on how they feel about their health. 76.1% indicated they are in good, or very good, health. 7% felt in bad/very bad heath, which is above the county average.

New Romney Shepway Kent

Very good health 39.8% 42.2% 46.7%

Good health 36.3% 36.1% 34.9%

Fair health 16.8% 15.2% 13.3%

Bad health 5.2% 4.9% 4.0%

Very bad health 1.8% 1.5% 1.1%

There are a higher proportion of people providing unpaid care in New Romney, which perhaps reflects the larger proportions of older people living in the area.

No. New Romney Shepway Kent

People providing unpaid care 764 10.9% 11.4% 10.4%

People providing no care 6,232 89.1% 88.6% 89.6%

-33- New Romney

Usage of health services

The following health indicators indicate the frequency with which people from New Romney access health services for certain conditions or ailments. They have been selected because Shepway varies from the Kent average and they show that the population of New Romney has some of the best health in Shepway, for example:

• Life expectancy at birth is the lower than the district and county average • Mortality for people under 75 from respiratory conditions is among the highest in Shepway. • Emergency hospital admissions for COPD are lower than any other Shepway wards.

New Romney Shepway Kent

Breastfeeding prevalence101 35.7% 36.4% 39.3%

Emergency admissions for AMI102 105.08 142.09 128.46 (aka heart attack) Emergency admissions for COPD103 95.08 188.71 211.99

Emergency admissions for diabetes104 66.79 78.05 77.58

Emergency admissions for falls105 819.52 751.30 839.00

Emergency admissions for over 65s106 22,659.36 22,682.60 23,170.16

Under 75 cancer mortality107 122.82 140.22 131.09

Under 75 circulatory mortality108 72.03 77.42 70.31

Under 75 respiratory mortality109 43.51 35.77 16.78

Life expectancy at birth110 80.55 81.77 81.73

-34- New Romney

Life expectancy at birth

Under 75 respiratory mortality

-35- New Romney

Emergency admissions for COPD

Emergency admissions for COPD

-36- New Romney Housing

Sanctuary Housing Association has recently completed thirty-five homes in Church Lane, New Romney. Twenty-three of the homes were for affordable rent and twelve were for shared ownership. These homes were let through a local lettings plan to give priority to people living in the local community or to people with a strong local connection to the communities.

There is a number of supported housing schemes in the Walland & Denge Marsh ward that assist vulnerable people with a program of support to live as independently as possible, or to learn how to live independently so that they may be able to live on their own in the community in the future. Many are run by small specialist providers with funding from Kent County Council (KCC) Supporting People. Craegmoor111 is a leading national provider of specialist community based support and enablement services for people who have individual needs associated with a learning disability, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, or a mental health condition112. They have eleven supported housing schemes across Romney Marsh and six are situated in the New Romney ward.

The Citizens Advice (CAB) service is an independent network that provides information, advice and help to people to resolve their money, legal and other problems, including tenancy and landlord issues. It influences government and organisations to bring about change in policies and laws. Advice provided by the CAB is free, independent, confidential, and impartial113. Most CAB114 staff are trained volunteers and the Shepway CAB service operates one drop-in service on Romney Marsh at New Romney Children’s Centre on Tuesdays.

Property type

The ward of New Romney is broadly in line with national distribution for the size of properties. Over half the properties have three or four bedrooms.

Shepway Kent

Detached houses/ 27.0% 25.1% bungalows

Semi-detached houses 24.1% 30.5% Terraced houses 22.1% 24.8% Flats or maisonettes 26.3% 18.7% Caravans/ temporary 0.6% 0.9%

Detached houses or bungalows 52% Flats maisonettes or apartments 14% Terraced houses or bungalows 15% Semi-detached houses or bungalows 19%

-37- New Romney

House prices

The ward of New Romney is broadly in line with national distribution for the size of properties. Over half the properties have three or four bedrooms.

House size

New Romney ward has a significantly higher proportion of owner-occupied homes that Shepway and Kent as a whole. Correspondingly, there is a lower proportion of rented homes, whether privately rented, or rented from the Council or a Housing Association.

-38- New Romney

East Folkestone Shepway Kent Owner occupied households 2,309 77.4% 64.8% 67.3% Owns outright 1,361 45.6% 35.3% 33.1% Owns with a mortgage or loan 948 31.8% 29.5% 34.2% Shared ownership 13 0.4% 0.5% 1.0% Rented households 617 20.7% 33.4% 30.4% Rented from a local authority 143 4.8% 6.9% 5.8% Rented from housing association 126 4.2% 4.3% 8.1% Privately rented 294 9.9% 20.2% 15.1% Other rented 54 1.8% 2.0% 1.5% Living Rent Free 45 1.5% 1.3% 1.3%

-39- New Romney Neighbourhood/Community

There is a Neighbourhood Watch Group operating on Cherry Gardens, Marlborough Close and The Fairway. However, there are currently (May 2015) no residents groups or associations active in this ward and the New Romney High Street Association, which was for local businesses, has now folded.

The Marsh Academy Community Hub (MACH) is located in the grounds of the Marsh Academy on Station Road, New Romney. The facility is a fully flexible space and can be tailored to meet different needs. The meeting rooms are suitable for one to one, group, workshop or conference arrangements. The venue is equipped to a high level with wireless connection, OPH, screen, flipcharts, projector and DVD player and on- site catering is available. There is ample free parking available at the Marsh Academy. Disabled access parking is available off of Dymchurch Road and full access throughout the building. The charges for the meeting rooms and hire costs for the venue are detailed on the website115.

The Old School116 in New Romney forms an important part of the Town’s history, culture and continued social activity. First opened in 1821, it has educated many generations of local children. After its closure in the late 1960’s the building was left empty and fell into a state of disrepair. However, in 1988 the New Romney Old School Trust was formed and through a lot of fund raising activity and a grant from the National Lottery the building was restored and re-opened in 2000. The following classes/groups take place here:

Bereavement Group De Coupage Leisure Painting History Society Quilters Club Lacemaking Dementia Café Needlecraft Club Carer Support Spanish Class Level 2 Art Appreciation Film Club Bridge Club

For days and times of courses and booking rooms for meetings, groups, classes, presentations etc go to the New Romney Old School website at http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk . There is a tabletop sale on the first Saturday of every month and the School Open Exhibition is monthly on the first & third Sunday. See Section 13 Arts & Culture for details about the Old School Museum117. The garden attached to The Old School can be accessed by the public and has a lawn area, flower beds and seating.

The Assembly Rooms (see Section 12 Physical Assets, Buildings & Heritage assets) Church Approach, New Romney, is available for hire for private parties/functions and meetings. It has a substantial main hall with access to two kitchens. The Rooms can be accessed via the main front door or the car-park to the rear of the building, where there is a ramp, although there are no disabled ramps inside the building. The Rooms are available to hire at any time, for more information and/or to book the hall contact New Romney Town Council.

-40- New Romney

Community Key Groups

There is an enormous amount of community activity The Friends of St Nicholas Church formed 10 of all kinds within this ward. All of the sport, games years ago to assist in the maintenance of the and health related activities are covered in Section 8 fabric of the parish church of St. Nicholas, New Health & Wellbeing. Romney, and to preserve and protect it as a Place of Christian Worship. The group facilitate, organise The Romney Marsh Countryside Project118 (RMCP) and participate in numerous fundraising events to (See Section 12 Physical Assets, Designated Spaces help raise money to look after the church. Over the & Walking routes) organise Beach Cleans throughout years they have been able to support the church the year at Littlestone, Greatstone, Lade Fort, by contributions for new carpet, a new kitchen, Lydd-on-Sea and Dungeness. Many committed refurbishment of the vestry and the masonry of the volunteers from the local communities turn out, West doorway, cleaning of the wooden doors and providing invaluable help to RMCP, who provide the much more. fluorescent jackets, purpose made bin bags, litter pickers and gloves. The Women’s Institute (WI)123, formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women The Looker119 is a free community newspaper group produce food during the First World War. Now set up in 2010 by a local resident as a 24-page it has evolved and broadened its aims, providing fortnightly publication. The original circulation women with educational opportunities and the was just 2000 copies distributed through 40 drop chance to build new skills, campaigning on issues off points across the Romney Marsh. By 2011 the that matter to them and their communities124. There publication had increased to 32 pages, readership three WI groups active across the Marshes, they had increased to over 20,000 and it is now available are Greatstone WI, Brenzett & District WI and from over 60 outlets across the Romney Marsh. The Middlemarsh WI. Each of these groups announces Looker contains a lot of information about all the meetings in the local newspaper, magazines and different kinds of activities that people can access parish publications with their contact details; these across Romney Marsh.120 details are also available on the WI’s website.

The RomneyMarsh.net121 is also a comprehensive Rotary is a worldwide organisation of more than source of information about the Romney Marsh 1.2 million professional people who are pledged to area. The website contains all kinds of community & serve the community locally, nationally and globally, visitor information, details about the history of the promoting the highest ethical standards and striving Marsh, its churches, buildings and monuments. It for peace and goodwill worldwide125. The Rotary also includes an overview of the Marsh villages and is Club of Romney Marsh meets weekly at the Rose & completely independent and run voluntary on a non Crown, Old Romney and supports local community commercial not-for-profit basis.122 causes and projects.

There is also a Parish Magazine published by the The Hythe and Romney Marsh Lions126 Club was Romney Benefice of Churches called Marsh Matters. formed in 1979 and is just one of 44,000 Worldwide This is a monthly publication and is full of information Lions Clubs with approximately 1.35 million members about church services, community activities/clubs in 207 countries.Members come from all walks and support groups. It covers New & Old Romney, of life and are a group of like-minded people who St Mary’s Bay & St Mary-in-the-Marsh, Dymchurch, enjoy serving the community by giving their time to Burmarsh, Newchurch and Ivychurch. fundraising, to support and to provide assistance to

-41- New Romney local, national and international causes.The Hythe Shepway District Council has a One Stop Shop on and Romney Marsh Lions Club primarily supports Church Approach, New Romney.Here people can Pilgrims Hospice. Other projects include the ‘Clean access District Council staff and information on Ship Project’ a scheme introduced into local primary Tuesdays 9am to 12.30pm and on Fridays 9am to schools whereby children are encouraged to keep 12.30pm. their school environment clean and tidy.Schools are rewarded for their efforts, depending on the New Romney Post office is located a, 9 St Lawrence cleanliness with a contribution towards equipment or Court, High Street, New Romney, TN28 8BU. It is other items. open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 8.30am to 4pm on Saturdays. Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RLNI) is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea. They provide, on In Shepway there are families struggling to put food call service, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue on the table, people on a low income, or who are service around the UK and Ireland, and a seasonal facing a sudden crisis, such as redundancy, a benefit lifeguard service. The charity facilitates lifeboats, delay or an unexpected bill. They sometimes struggle lifeguards and flood rescue, as well as providing to have enough money to buy adequate food for safety advice127. There has been a life boat stationed themselves and their family. People are forced to at Littlestone128 since 1861. The current lifeboat at choose between paying rent and eating. The Shepway Littlestone, the Atlantic 75, called Fred, is a rigid Food Bank is being facilitated by the Rainbow inflatable lifeboat, which has a manually operated Centre130 in conjunction with the Trussell Trust in self-righting mechanism should it capsize during Folkestone and a distribution centre is being set up in rough weather.Fred is capable of being beached in an New Romney so it can be accessed by those in need emergency without sustaining damage to engines or on Romney Marsh. The project involves several of steering gear.It can be operated safely in daylight in a the churches on the Marsh, the lead church for this force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6. The lifeboat was project is St Nichols in New Romney. provided by the generous donation of Mr and Mrs Roy Glossop of Worthing, in memory of Fred Clarke. New Romney Library is located in the High Street At the Littlestone Station there is a shop run by and offers the following services: Internet computers, volunteers and there are always a lot of fund raising online catalogue, children’s library, photocopier and activities going on such as the Littlestone Lifeboat fax machine. There is no wheelchair access at this 10K Promenade Dash 2015.129 library as there is a step at entrance.

Services Kent Fire and Rescue131 have a Fire Station on Church Road in New Romney.This station’s crew has several The Town Council still uses the Town Hall (see on-call firefighters who live within five minutes of the Section 12 Physical Assets, Buildings & Heritage station and some of them have other full-time jobs as assets) for meetings and ceremonies.The Town well. Council has a Code of Conduct (these are published on Shepway District Council’s website) and a New Romney Household Waste & Recycling Centre websites at www.newromneytc.co.uk .The Town is situated at the end of Mountfield Road, Mountfield Council holds a surgery on the first Friday of very Estate, New Romney. For full details of the types of month at The Assembly Rooms (see Section 12 waste that can be taken to the Centre please follow Physical Assets, Building & Heritage Assets).The the Kent County Council website link http://www. surgery is followed by an MP Surgery; it is not kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/rubbish-and- necessary to make an appointment. recycling/find-your-nearest-tip/new-romney

-42- New Romney

Kent County Council Community Wardens132 are out and about every day. They can tackle low-level crime and antisocial behaviour (such as graffiti, littering, fly tipping and vandalism), take names and addresses and control traffic.Working closely with Kent Police and other professional authorities they can be a reassuring uniformed presence but they do not make arrests. They are fully trained to the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme before starting their work. Community Wardens encourage communities to work together and make things better for everyone, they talk with local people, offering information and advice, and they can take part in local community activities.133

-43- New Romney Planning & Development

The area to the north of the town (known as Land Bounded By Cockreed Lane And Rolfe Lane (also Known As Land Opposite Dorland) was identified as a broad location in the Local Plan for up to 300 dwellings, including improved pedestrian/cycling links to the town centre and an upgrade of St Nicholas Primary School play facility.Planning Application received Feb 2015 Ref. No: Y15/0164/SH is an Outline application for development of up to 110 dwellings with supporting infrastructure.Also Y14/1411/SH on the adjoining site. Outline application for up to 117 dwellings, new proposed vehicular access arrangements, parking, flood attenuation, open space including the retention of 0.7 hectares of existing playing fields.Both applications are pending a decision

-44- New Romney Physical Assets Designated spaces (e.g conservation areas)

As the map below shows approximately a third of The centre is also a focus for other activities at the the New Romney ward is a Site of Special Scientific Romney Warren Country Park including:- Interest (SSSI).The entire expanse of the beach within the ward area is part of the SSSI and the Romney Warren Country Park - Local Nature Reserve • Habitat management of the Local Nature (LNR) covers the majority of the remaining SSSI Reserve/SSSI by volunteers area. Because the Park is sited on a former gravel • Countryside activities including children’s pit, landfill site and highways depot it has been Green Gang events and “Green Learning” supported by Defra’s (Department for Environment, days led by Kent Wildlife Trust and Food & Rural Affairs) Aggregates Levy Sustainability Romney Marsh Countryside Project Fund (ALSF) through Natural England.The ALFS • Training for disabled and unemployed aims to address the environmental and social cost people attached to South Kent College and of aggregate extraction134. The Park is designated an Kent County Council’s Environmental Task SSSI and a LNR because of its fixed dune grassland Force Tea and seasonal ponds, with a nationally important population of great crested newts, diving beetles, ­As well as being an education resource the Centre rare medicinal leeches, dragonflies and spiders.135 has a café, a gift shop selling books about the surrounding areas, cards, maps, locally sourced A boardwalk over the ponds and a way-marked trail plants, preserves and locally made craft items.139 around part of the Romney Warren Country Park and picnic areas bring visitors into contact with the site’s wildlife, there is a reconstructed Looker’s Hut (see below Building & Heritage Assets) and further improvements are planned including:

Construction of a railway halt linking the site with the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RHDR – see Section 13 Arts & Culture, Tourism) Provision of further picnic areas.136

The Romney Marsh Visitor Centre137 was opened in 2004 and is managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, on behalf of Shepway District Council, and Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (RMCP – see information below).The Centre is situated in the Romney Warren Country Park and aims to let people know about the Marsh’s special wildlife and history, serving as an educational facility while supporting tourism locally.138

-45- New Romney

The Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership140 Dunes develop where windblown sand becomes (RMCP) was established in 1996, to help conserve trapped by dune-building grasses such as marram and enhance the special landscape and wildlife of grass. The range of conditions related to sand dunes, Romney Marsh and Dungeness. The White Cliffs from windswept ridges to damp hollows (slacks), Countryside Partnership manages the Romney supports a surprisingly rich variety of wildlife. Sand Marsh Countryside Partnership141, with the help dunes are consequently of exceptionally high nature of funding from Shepway District Council, Natural conservation interest. The shape, size and position England, the Environment Agency, EDF and of the dunes may change depending on local wind Magnox South142. The project aims to encourage and wave conditions.Dune stability, acidity and people to enjoy and understand the Romney local hydrological conditions are all key factors in Marsh countryside through guided walks, cycle determining wildlife diversity146. The Greatstone rides, countryside events, children’s activities and Dunes are a narrow bay dune system and consist volunteering opportunities that involve looking largely of a successional sequence of dune habitats after the environment143. See the RMPC website for from foredune to mobile dune and dune scrub details of all events at http://www.rmcp.co.uk . habitats. An important feature of these dunes is the transitions they demonstrate between vegetated The Romney Marsh Living Landscape Partnership shingle beach and foredune communities147. They (RMLL) came together in 2007 to provide a are situated within the Dungeness, Romney Marsh forum for local organisations and individuals to and Rye Bay SSSI. discuss issues around biodiversity, landscape-scale conservation and sustainable land management Play areas and parks practices on Romney Marsh. As part of this work, the RMLL partners have sought funding to deliver New Romney Recreation Ground is on Station projects which will enhance the area for people and Road, New Romney opposite the Marsh Academy. wildlife.It is in this context that the Partnership, led It is used as a cricket & football ground and in the by Kent Wildlife Trust, was awarded funding by the North-West corner of the ground is a community Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Landscape Partnership hall, used as the cricket pavilion/club house.There is Scheme (LPS) for the Romney Marsh ‘Fifth a play area with equipment near to the hall.The new Continent’ LPS grant programme, to help secure the Romney Boot Fair is held at the recreation ground natural, historical and cultural heritage of Romney several times a year. Marsh144. St Martin’s Field, on the corner of Ashford Road and As mentioned above Littlestone-on-Sea and Fairfield Road is a large open grassy area that is used Greatstone beaches are part of the SSSI area within by the community, young and old for recreation.This the New Romney ward.Both are sandy, dog friendly is also where the New Romney Country Fayre is held beaches with toilets, picnic areas, slipways and a every July. pub nearby.Mulberry Harbour can be seen when the low tide reveals the sandbank just off the coast The recreation ground opposite St Martin’s Field is at Littlestone-on-Sea. A Mulberry Harbour was known locally as The Green and it also has a large a portable temporary harbour developed by the grassy area and a skate park, football & basketball British in World War II to facilitate rapid offloading areas, play equipment for toddlers to teenagers and of cargo onto the beaches during the Allied invasion swings equipped for use by people with impaired of Normandy.When a fleet of these floating concrete mobility. harbour sections were being towed across the English Channel one became embedded in the There is a small play area located between Daglish sandbank and there it remains145. Close and Carey Close, New Romney and an

-46- New Romney enclosed adventure play area on Grande Parade at improved access along the coast of East Sussex Littlestone Beach for toddlers and young children. and Kent between Camber and Folkestone.This work is ongoing and updates can be accessed at Allotments Natural England https://www.gov.uk/outdoor- access-recreation/rights-of-way-open-access or at New Romney Allotments are managed by New RomneyMarsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh. Romney Town Council148 in conjunction New net/visitors/walking.htm Romney Allotment Association149, which has been established since 2011. The Association aims to There is an enormous web of byways (open to help people enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the all traffic), restricted byways, bridleways, public allotments whilst nurturing and tending their own footpaths and cycle routes across the Marshes that fruit and vegetables. The allotment site is situated can be accessed by the public152. Details of these in Church Lane, New Romney. There is information right-of-ways can be found on all Ordinance Survey on the Town Council’s website about applying for an Maps.The RMPC (see above Section 12 Physical allotment150. Assets, Designated Spaces) have put together three packs providing details of walks and cycle rides Toilets across Romney Marsh, which mark out the circular routes in an easy to read format.They are available to Below are the locations of the public toilets in this purchase at Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway ward, all of which open no later than 8am and (RHDR) (see Section close no earlier than 7pm in the summer (April 13 Arts & Culture, to September) and no earlier than 4.00pm in the Tourist Attractions) winter (October to March): shops, Rye Heritage Quay, Dungeness RSPB Visitor Centre • Church Road, New Romney(near the and the RMCP offices church) at Age Concern, Rolfe • Next to Jolly Fisherman Car Park Lane, New Romney, • The Greens, Grand Parade Littlestone Romney Marsh, Kent TN28 8JR. They are Walking routes/ bridal paths |as follows:

Natural England has a statutory duty under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to improve • The Magic of Romney Marsh – a pack of 9 access to the English coast. The duty is in two parts: self-guided walks one relating to securing a long-distance walking • The Royal Military Canal – a pack of 10 route around the whole of the coast of England. self-guided walks The other relating to a margin of coastal land • Romney Marsh Meanders – a pack of 5 associated with the route where people will be cycle rides able to spread out and explore, rest or picnic in appropriate places151. Other walks created by the RMPC are the Greatstone Shingle Trail and the New Romney In 2014 Natural England submitted a report to Town Trail.A free leaflet about both of these short the Secretary of State regarding the proposal for walks has been produced by the RMCP, which are

-47- New Romney also signposted with way-markers along the route. Researchers think it was originally the home of the The RMCP organises regular guided walks during Master of The Hospital of St John the Baptist, a large the year, which are advertised on the website and secular establishment. The hospital was operating in the Shingle Issue (see Section 10 Neighbourhood by around 1260 and flourished until the close of the & Community).Also see information about Romney fifteenth century.158 Marsh Walking Society in Section 8 Health & Wellbeing. The Town Hall was erected in 1702 on an open arcade.It refaced in the early 1800’s and the ground The national cycle route through the New Romney floor was enclosed in 1884159. The Town Hall is still ward is part of a long distance cycle route which, used by New Romney Town Council. Town Hall when complete, will link Kent with St. Austell in House was built next to the Town Hall in 1750 and Cornwall via the South Coast of England Cycle path. was originally was the New Romney Town Gaol, or This cycle path is part of the National Route 2153 - The Small-port, as it was called.160 Garden of England Cycle Route.154 The Assembly Rooms are said to have been Buildings/ heritage assets constructed as the meeting place of the Courts of Brotherhood and Guestling, consisting of the There are over fifty Grade II Listed properties within representatives of the Cinque Ports and the Ancient the New Romney ward. Many of the public houses Towns. The building was then called the Hall of the are listed and this has been referred to in Section 5 Ports before being renamed as the Assembly Rooms Local Economy. St Nicholas Church is Grade I Listed because it was used as such.161 Assembly Rooms were and details about this can be found in the section gathering places for members of the higher social below on Places of Worship. The following narrative classes in the 18th and 19th centuries.At this time provides details about several other significant most entertaining was done at home and theatre was buildings and landmarks in this ward. almost the only other type of venue open to members of both sexes162. The Schoolroom adjoining the Behind an 18th century brick building at No.44 High building on the North West side, was erected in 1676 Street, New Romney sits the Grade II* Listed remains to, the Assembly Rooms probably soon afterwards; of the 13th century St John’s Priory155. What remains both are Grade II Listed84. The Assembly Rooms can of the priory, also known as Romney Priory, is only a be booked for events. tiny fragment of the original complex, consisting of one small building of uncertain function and a length Oak House, not to be confused with Oak Hall GP of boundary wall. Both are embellished with a variety Surgery (the surgery is not situated in a Listed of architectural ornament of various periods – pointed building), is an old timber framed building with a roof doorways, window tracery, corbel heads – but much spanning Nos 18, 20 & 22 High Street, New Romney. of this is believed to be antiquarian salvage from It is Grade II Listed and was refronted in the 18th other buildings, possibly including the nearby ruined century with red brick163. The large Victorian building church of All Saints at Hope (see Romney Marsh on Dymchurch Road opposite the Marsh Academy ward profile).156 was built in the late 1890’s to 1900’s and was originally Southlands Grammar School.The former The former almshouses (also known to locals water tower at Littlestone-on-Sea was built in 1890. as a hospital) in West Street are noted ‘Historic It is a tall square-shaped tower of 6 storeys built of Buildings of Kent’.They were founded in 1610 by John red brick with brick and stone buttresses. It has an Southland, an important local magnate, and rebuilt octagonal staircase turret from 4th storey to roof in 1734. Adjacent to these is Plantagenet House having arrow slit windows. It is Grade II Listed and and No 3 Old Stone Cottage, which originated as a now a private residence.164 single house constructed between 1300 &1350157. -48- New Romney

There were thousands of sheep on Romney Marsh during the 18th & 19th century.Many landowners did not reside in the area and employed shepherds, called ‘Lookers’ to watch & care for their flocks.The life of a Looker was a lonely one, they were forced to live away from their families, staying with the sheep. Therefore they needed shelter and this led to the construction of numerous huts across the Marshes.Whilst many of these huts have been demolished there are about 16 that have survived, although often in a state of disrepair.There is a reconstructed Looker’s Hut at the Romney Warren Country Park in New Romney.108

Car Parks

There are the following car parks in the New Romney ward:

• Church Road, New Romney • West Street, New Romney • Coast Drive, Greatstone • War Memorials

Dedication Location Material Position WWI WWII

Church Burma Star Stone & metal External x Approach

Names listed St Nicholas Metal Plaque Internal x x on plaque Church

Captain C L St Nicholas Brass Plaque Internal x Pennefather Church

Lieutenant St Nicholas Colonel F W Brass Plaque Internal x Church Stringer

Lieutenant Royal St Nicholas Brass Plaque Internal Engineers F R Church Turner

The information provided above was collated during site visits and via the War Memorials Online website www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk

-49- New Romney

Places of worship • Rainbow Toddlers group for pre-school children and their parents, held weekly on St Nicholas is the only surviving Church of the five Thursdays. (three parish churches, the Priory and the Hospital) • Friday Club169 is a youth group on Friday that existed in New Romney until the 16th Century. evenings for school children aged from Dating from 1160, the church is Grade 1 listed166. Year’s 3- 6 and operates from the Chapel Until the great storm of 1287, the Church overlooked Building. the harbour. Ships were moored nearby and the site • Pulse Youth Group170 is also held on Fridays busy with traders. The great storm caused the river evenings for teenagers from year 7 to Rother to change course and the sea retreated. The year 9. site used to be crowded with traders. Evidence of • Pulse Drop-in is also available on Tuesday the church’s former coastal position remains in the evenings for teenagers of year 10 and below ground entrance, moorings and water stained upwards. pillars. There is a New Romney History plaque just • The Sunday Club on Sunday morning is for outside church.The nave retains its original low children in years 1 to 6 and provides fun, Norman arcades. The grand 14th century east games, bible stories, music, craft and end is spacious and light with tall, slim piers of film clips. and three magnificent reticulated tracery windows. • The Alpha Course is run at the church on The carved door surround of the Norman west Wednesday evenings171. door was restored in 2013167. There are regular services held at the church and it is part of the The Methodist Church Hall New Romney is located Romney Benefice and details of all services for this on the corner of Tritton Lane and the High Street, benefice can be found at www.dymchurchchurch. New Romney, TN28 8AH.St Augustine Roman org.uk. Messy Church for children is held here; for Catholic Church is located on Queens Road in details see announcements in the local newspaper Littlestone and the church, is overseen by the parish under the Village information section and the of the Catholic Church in Hythe and there are Parish Magazine Marsh Matters (see Section 10 regular church services every Sunday morning. Neighbourhood & Community, Community). Marsh Spiritual Connections172, formerly The In 1832 a local farmer donated land on which to Romney Marsh Divine Spiritual Group was founded build the new Baptist Chapel in North Street and by in the Summer of 2013.Services are held every two 1886 the congregation had grown enough to warrant weeks in The New Romney Assembly Rooms on an extension. In 1986 the name was changed Church Approach, New Romney173. from New Romney Baptist Church to the more encompassing Romney Marsh Christian Fellowship, and now it is Romney Marsh Community Church. In January 2000 the building opposite (originally the old garage, later small industrial units) was purchased and renamed ‘The Centre’. Since then rooms have been modernised and refurbished with a new worship centre, offices and modern facilities installed168. There are regular services every Sundays and the following groups are run by Romney Marsh Community Church:

-50- New Romney

Religious beliefs

The 2011 census indicated that all major religions are practised in New Romney. The majority of people (68%) stated they were Christian and 24.6% indicated they had no religion. The ward varies from the county average for the proportion of people identifying as: Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and having no religion.

New Romney Shepway Kent No. %

Christian 4,621 66.1% 62.3% 62.5%

Buddhist 12 0.2% 0.9% 0.5%

Hindu 16 0.2% 1.4% 0.7%

Jewish 2 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

Muslim 47 0.7% 0.7% 1.0%

Sikh 1 -174 - 0.7%

Other religion 25 0.4% 0.5% 0.4%

No religion 1,723 24.6% 26.5% 26.8%

Not stated 885 7.5% 7.6% 7.3%

-51- New Romney Arts and culture

New Romney Old School (see Section 10 annual arts trip to a destination decided at the AGM. Neighbourhood & Communities) houses a Museum Over the summer the Society organises a two week which displays a variety of historic items from exhibition whereby all Members and Non-members New Romney and the Romney Marsh.Each year are invited to display their work for the public a different topic is chosen to be the subject of an to purchase.179 Exhibition. Previous exhibitions topics were ‘The Olympics’, ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee’ and Formed in 2014, hART180 is collective of professional ‘Retail Romney’, which researched the fascinating artists living and working in Hythe and the Romney history of New Romney High Street and its shops175. Marsh.The beauty of the area, its changing seasons, light and moods, has been the inspiration for many Groups eminent artists over the years and is also what inspires hART. The aim of the collective is to be The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust was a focus for artistic talent.As well as exhibiting inaugurated on 15 May 1982 as a response to exciting new works in a variety of venues, hART has the problem of maintaining the unique group of entered into the life of the community by offering medieval churches on Romney Marsh. The purpose talks and workshops led by experts in their field. of the Trust is the preservation and maintenance All hARTists produce distinctive work in a variety of of the fabric and grounds of fourteen medieval mediums; from paintings, ceramics and sculpture, to churches and the remains of four ruined churches. mixed media, print, photography and film.Members The Trust supports the Parochial Church Councils have exhibited high quality, continually evolving with funds for such necessary items as roofs, work for years in solo and group shows, both in the gutters, drains etc.Since its foundation and up to the UK and abroad.181 end of 2013, the Trust has awarded grants totalling over £900,000 and has net assets of £750,000176. Marsh Ink Writers Group Meetings alternate between speakers, usually established authors, The Romney Marsh Research Trust was wound some of whom give workshops and self-lead down in 2012, however, it had a wealth of historic, exercises to improve writing skills. They also have archaeological and geomorphologic (landscape evenings when work is read out for criticism. The history) information about Romney Marsh because members have a wide range of interests including of the dedicated work of its members since being fiction, non-fiction, poetry and journalism and some formed in 1987.The Trust decided to make as much have already been published. of the research as possible available to the public via the group’s website, which has been adapted for this The New Romney History Society is a group of local purpose and can be accessed at http://rmrt.org.uk177. people who are interested and enthusiastic about the history of New Romney and its local area. They Romney Marsh Arts Society178 was founded in 1958 meet monthly for lively discussions and are often to promote and encourage an interest in art on the joined by visiting speakers. During some meetings Romney Marsh.Throughout the year the Society they examine local historical records and documents hosts talks and demonstrations in a variety of e.g. church registers of marriages, baptisms etc, different media by invited guest art demonstrators old school documents.The Society meets on the and professional artists, these meetings are open 4th Monday of each month the Old School, New to Members and Non-members.There are also Romney. New members are welcome and non- organised workshops, painting afternoons and an members can attend meetings for a small charge.

-52- New Romney

The IMOS foundation is a registered charity and JAM is a creative organisation, formed in 2000, to was set up by local artist, Bryony Kapoor, in memory nurture, commission, perform and promote music of her husband Satish Chander Kapoor who was a in the UK. It is funded by the Lottery, the Arts professor at Cambridge.The foundation supports New Council England, RVW Trust, The Leche Trust, Kent Romney’s local artists through setting up creative Community Foundation, Sound Hub, Britten-Pears projects. Two recent projects are the murals and Foundation and The Roger De Haan Charitable sculpture park.The foundation commissioned large, Trust186. The organisation puts together JAM on colourful murals, made up of 90 paintings in 15 the Marsh, which is a multi-art festival built around groups, on walls around the town.One of the larger Kent’s Romney Marsh and its medieval churches. The sites is the portraits on the wall of the Sainsbury’s festival crosses the Romney Marsh from Dungeness building.The latest project is to turn the Romney to Hythe and Lympne to New Romney.In 2014 the Marsh into the UK’s biggest sculpture park and to festival brought a series of concerts, events and this end, the foundation is acquiring sculptures to be workshops for everyone, including children, to the placed in suitable locations across the area.The first area, featuring world-class music, art, photography, of these are in place in the garden of Sainsbury’s.182 theatre & poetry. The 2015 & 16 JAM on the Marsh will be curated by composer, Paul Mealor. There are The New Romney & District Flower Club183 is a small 19 events programmed over 10 days in July each year, club and meetings are held in the St Mary’s Bay details can be found at www.jamconcert.org.187 Village Hall at Jefferstone Lane in St Mary’s Bay, on the evening of the second Monday of each month. The New Romney Speaker’s Day Parade in 2014 Over the past two years the club has managed to celebrated the historic office of Speaker of the Cinque increase its membership and meaning they can Ports.The procession went from the Marsh Academy have more demonstrations. Instead of being a and made its way to St Nicholas Church for a service predominately a hand’s on club, there are also up and concert.The office of Speaker goes back to the to six demonstrations, four workshops, one visit to 12th century and it is rotated between the five head Hythe for a open demonstration and a garden visit ports of New Romney, Hythe, Hastings, Dover and each year.The New Romney & District Flower Club is Sandwich and the two Ancient Towns of Rye and a member of the Kent Area of NAFAS.184 Winchelsea.The new Speaker takes over every May. In 2013 it was the Mayor of Rye and in 2015 it will be Events and venues the Mayor of Hythe.188

The New Romney Country Fayre is an annual event held in July on St Martin’s Field and the Fairfield Road Recreation Ground in New Romney. It is a true community event attracting over 7,000 visitors from all over the South East of England. The original Committee was formed in 1994 with the first Fayre taking place the following year. Since then it has grown into a massive event and has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local organisations and charities who take part.There are 2 arenas offering a full day of entertainment, surrounded by stalls selling produce of all kinds, crafts, a tombola and games. The day kicks off with a noisy and colourful Parade through the Town leaving from the Marsh Academy in the morning185.

-53- New Romney

Tourist attraction

Opened in 1927 the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RHDR) has been an integral part of the landscape of the Romney Marsh for nearly a century. The trains are third-scale steam and diesel locomotives and the track runs for 13 miles from Hythe to Dungeness National Nature Reserve (see Section 12 Physical Assets, Designated Spaces) through Dymchurch and New Romney.The RHDR employs approx 40 full time staff and an additional 20 during the peak season (across its operations).There is a very active volunteer team of about 60 volunteers.189

The RHDR Association is a registered charity and has approx 2,500 members.They are entitled to generous discounts on ticket.Members attend community events to give presentations on the history and operations of the railway.The RHDR also holds regular events every year including a Steam and Diesel Gala, Santa Express, Hythe Festival Safari Train and a Children’s Charity Day. They have been awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence (2014) and Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction.190

-54- New Romney Crime

There is no police station in New Romney.The only Police Station in the area is at 109-113 Station Road, Lydd, Romney Marsh, TN29 9LL.It is not a fully functioning police station and is mainly used as an office for the Police Community Safety Officers (PCSO) that work across the Marsh and the Kent County Council (KCC) Community Warden191 is also based here.

Details of all Police Contact Points across Shepway can be found on the following web page http://www.kent. police.uk/contact_us/pages/Shepway_meetings.html.The table below shows details of the regular Contact Point Meeting in the Ne Romney ward.

Type of Meetings Date Time Location

Fortnightly Sainsbury’s car park, Dymchurch Police Surgery 3pm to 3.45pm Tuesdays Road, New Romney, TN28 8GU

Detailed crimes statistics for each local area are available from:www.police.uk. Shepway District Council officers and councillors can access mapped crime data from the Atlas GIS under the ‘Statistical Information’ layer. More detailed statistics on crime rates in the wards will emerge as the reporting systems and data capture processes are updated by the relevant authorities to reflect the new ward boundaries.

-55- New Romney Appendix 1 Romney Marsh Partnership

The table below and the information detailed here is taken from the Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, the Romney Marsh Partnership Co-ordinator.The table provides details of the projects identified by the Romney Marsh Delivery Plan to achieve Objective 1 (Access to Employment) supporting local people throughout the labour market to maximize their skills potential and access employment.

Objective 1: Supporting Local Employment

Project Project Description & Progress Lead Cost

As part of its decommissioning activities, Magnox Ltd. is delivering internal training programmes to up-skill and re-skill employees. RMP should work with Magnox Ltd. to e.g. Skills for signpost to training or link into employability or Magnox Ltd TBC Decommissioning jobs brokerage schemes.

Progress: ongoing via Magnox and Cavendish Fluor. More detail needed.

An intergenerational project with Marsh Academy and Romney Marsh Day Centre, working with older people (aged 55-70) and young people (aged 15-18) to allow people from differing social and economic backgrounds to interact and develop a marketable project model (e.g. refurbishing furniture in a Shabby Chic style). The project aims to engage Romney Intergenerational vulnerable young people with people of an Marsh Day £118,000 Project age who have transferable skills and want to Centre share them.

Progress: project developed to include Romney Marsh Counseling Centre, who will provide the shop in New Romney. The project received funding of £79,000 from the Marsh Million EPS in Feb 2015.

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A 5 year extension of the current NEET Programmed being delivered by RRC, providing young people aged 16 - 25, who face challenging circumstances and lacking opportunities, with a one-stop facility for Romney Investing in Young education, advice, support, mentoring, safety Resource £345,000 People and sanctuary. Centre

Progress: ongoing progress at RRC and discussions re. funding of this project and also FE provision on the Marsh more generally after removal of learndirect funding.

Providing employability support to unemployed adults and support to businesses to assist them in finding staff and apprentices.

Rural Employability Rye £200,000 Project Progress: project ongoing via RRC and Rye Partnership Partnership. Rye Partnership undergoing review of activities as contracts with DWP and Sussex Coast College cease in 2015

An apprenticeship scheme for young people on the Romney Marsh, ensuring that the courses are relevant to the needs of the area. The Marsh Academy is a provider of apprenticeships with a local onsite learning facility at the Marsh Academy Community Hub (MACH).

Progress: Magnox Ltd. funded Marsh Academy apprentices program. Heritage Lottery Fund Marsh Fifth Continent landscapes grant includes Apprenticeships on Academy stream for traineeships and apprenticeships e.g. £43,000 Romney Marsh for agricultural engineering, land management, hospitality, that will maintain demand. EDF Energy

EDF Energy recruited 50 apprentices to its 8 stations in 2014 – 2015. The prestigious apprenticeship scheme offers engineering qualifications in its 4 year programme with an average wage of £23,000 in year 4. The scheme is open to young people in the RMP area with 5 grade C or above GCSEs.

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Funding incentives to be devised to encourage SME’s to take up the offer of the apprenticeship Scheme.Currently SDC offer £1,500 as a contribution to the salary of an apprentice, which actually costs anything from 16 - 18 Shepway Apprenticeship £5,226pa to £7,254 18 - 20 and £12,305 for District £50,000 Incentives for SME's those aged 21+. Council

Progress: ongoing e.g. SDC ‘Investing in Apprenticeships’ offer £1500 business contribution; KCC ‘Assisted Apprenticeships’ pay first year salary for vulnerable learners.

A newly formed Romney Marsh Careers and Skills Service will provide a face-to-face information intervention for youngsters aged Romney Marsh 12+ rather than providing advice via a phone Romney Careers and Skills line or website. Resource £250,000 Service Centre Progress: ongoing but limited to date.

Improving links between employers and education by supporting and encouraging work experience, apprenticeships, work readiness training, etc. - expanding on the ‘Own Grown’ Skills development approach through locally managed initiatives. Marsh TBC and career pathways Academy Progress: ongoing. Collaborations include Fifth Continent HLF grant trainee and apprentice stream, Inter-generational Project and Marsh Academy Skillsforce project.

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To consolidate RRC’s existing educational, training and employment support service in one central location, to provide a Community Education Hub in Mountfield Road, New Romney to raise the aspirations and Romney Marsh achievements of residents and businesses Romney Community across the RMP area through learning and Resource £1m Education Hub training. Centre

Progress: ongoing. Discussions re. FE provision on Marsh with SDC, East Kent College, Hadlow College

Project to prepare ‘job-ready’ people with appropriate skills and CVs for developers in infrastructure projects across Romney Marsh and the wider sub-region e.g. Lydd Airport expansion, ongoing works at Dungeness Infrastructure B, Mountfield Rd New Romney; Shorncliffe Rother Development & Jobs redevelopment in Folkestone; Ashford Retail District TBC Brokerage Outlet Centre expansion. Council

Progress: fragmented activity could benefit from cross border strategy e.g. explore potential from Social Value Act. EPS applications received relevant to theme. Development of the local skills base in the cultural/creative sectors to encourage entrepreneurship and develop the sector as an economic driver. Rother Cultural sector District TBC development Progress: update required from RDC. Several Council new initiatives independent from RDC exploring heritage skills sector/centre for Romney Marsh with partners including Growth Rings, IMOS Foundation, Romney Tweed, Orgarswick Forge

-59- New Romney Endnotes/websites

1. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pop-estimate/population-estimates-for-uk--england-and-wales--scotland-and-northern-ireland/2013/stb---mid- 2013-uk-population-estimates.html 2. http://acorn.caci.co.uk/ 3. http://www.kmpho.nhs.uk/ 4. http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/information-and-data/Facts-and-figures-about-Kent/area-profiles 5. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 3&4. 6. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 52. 7. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 34. 8. VillageNet.co.uk, Cinque Ports http://www.villagenet.co.uk/history/1155-cinqueports.php 9. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 52. 10. The Romney Marsh.net website http://www.theromneymarsh.net/history/index.htm 11. Rye Museum website http://www.ryemuseum.co.uk/the-story-of-romney-marsh 12. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 56. 13. DCLG Paper ‘Parades of Shops – Towards an understanding of performance & prospects’ published in June 2012, pg 2 14. Sainsbury’s website https://www.sainsburyslocalcharity.co.uk/ 15. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1031841 16. The Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/visitors/inns.htm#Cinque 17. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1068990 18. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1068992 19. The Broadacre website http://www.broadacrehotel.co.uk/index.php 20. Park Holidays website http://www.parkholidays.com/kent-caravan-holiday-parks/marlie-new-romney 21. The Captain Howey website http://www.thecaptainhowey.com 22. Romney Marsh Business Centre http://www.romney-resource.co.uk/page8.html 23. Romney Marsh Business Centre http://www.romney-resource.co.uk/conferences.html 24. Romney Resource Centre http://www.romney-resource.co.uk/index.html 25. Romney Bay House Hotel http://www.romneybayhousehotel.co.uk/index.html 26. Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, pg 2. 27. Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, pg 3. 28. Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, pg 3. 29. Magnox Dungeness A http://www.magnoxsites.co.uk/site/dungeness-a/ 30. Magnox Dungeness A http://www.magnoxsites.co.uk/site/dungeness-a/ 31. EDF Energy http://www.edfenergy.com/energy/power-stations/dungeness-b 32. EDF Energy http://www.edfenergy.com/energy/education/visitor-centres 33. Rye Museum website http://www.ryemuseum.co.uk/the-fifth-continent 34. House of Commons Journal 8: 7 November 1660 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol8/pp177-178 35. An Historical Atlas of Kent, edited by Terence Lawson & David Killingray, published 2004, pg 130. 36. The People’s Potatoes, published 2011, by Alan Wilson. 37. English Indices of Deprivation 2010, Guidance document published by the DCLG 2011 38. Stagecoach UK Bus https://www.stagecoachbus.com 39. Volunteer Centre Shepway http://www.volunteershepway.co.uk 40. Volunteer Transport Service http://www.volunteershepway.co.uk/Transport 41. Volunteer Centre Shepway http://www.volunteershepway.co.uk 42. Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, pg 2. 43. Romney Marsh Partnership Annual Review 2014-2015, by Tess Luetchford, pg 3. 44. Romney Resource Centre http://www.romney-resource.co.uk/about.html 45. SDC Cabinet Report No C/14/104 dated 27.02.2015 46. SDC Cabinet Report No C/14/104 dated 27.02.2015 47. Romney Resource Centre http://www.romney-resource.co.uk 48. Kent Adult Education https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk 49. New Romney Old School website http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk/ 50. Marsh Academy http://www.marshacademy.org.uk/index.php 51. Marsh Academy Apprentieships http://www.marshmach.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=137 52. Marsh Academy http://www.marshacademy.org.uk/index.php 53. Marsh Academy, Ofsted http://www.marshacademy.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81&Itemid=218 54. Marsh Academy, Facilities http://www.marshacademy.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=242 55. Aspire, The Marsh Academy Newsletter, Term 3, February 2015 http://www.marshacademy.org.uk/images/Newsletters/Aspire%20Term%203%20 2015.pdf 56. St Nicholas COE Primary School http://www.st-nicholas-newromney.kent.sch.uk/index.php 57. St Nicholas COE Primary School http://www.st-nicholas-newromney.kent.sch.uk/index.php 58. Abacus Nursery and Childcare Ltd http://www.abacusnursery.org 59. Abacus Nursery and Childcare Ltd http://www.abacusnursery.org 60. Sure Start http://www.early-years.org/surestart 61. New Romney Sure Start Children’s Centre http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/childrens-centres/shepway- childrens-centre/new-romney-childrens-centre 62. Kent County Council www.kent.gov.uk 63. Marsh Academy leisure Centre website http://www.marshacademyleisure.org.uk/

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64. Al’s Gym website http://www.als-gym.co.uk/ 65. New Romney Football Club http://www.newromneyfc.moonfruit.com/#/home/4536979469 66. The Varne Boat & Social Club http://www.varneboatclub.co.uk 67. Tennis Club contact Nick Russell email [email protected] 68. Romney Marsh Walking Society http://www.romneymarshwalkingsociety.org.uk 69. Romney Marsh Marsh Model Engineering Society: http://www.rmmes.co.uk/ 70. The Romney Marsh.net http://romney.rdittest.co.uk/clubsnewromney#model 71. New Romney Bridge Club http://www.bridgewebs.com/newromney/ 72. The Romney Marsh.net http://romney.rdittest.co.uk/clubsnewromney#bridge 73. Littlestone Golf Club http://www.littlestonegolfclub.org.uk 74. Littlestone Golf Club website http://www.littlestonegolfclub.org.uk 75. New Romney Bowls Club http://www.newromneybowlsclub.co.uk/ 76. Marsh Badminton Club website http://www.marshbadmintonclub.co.uk/home/ 77. Activities page Marsh Academy Leisure Centre website http://www.marshacademyleisure.org.uk/index.php?option=com_ content&view=article&id=158&Itemid=362 78. Lydd Karate http://www.lyddkarateclub.co.uk/#/ 79. Canton Martial Arts: http://www.cantonmartialarts.org.uk/locations-times/new-romney/ 80. Charlton Athletic Community Trust http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/community_trust/ 81. Sportative: https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/children-and-young-people/sportivate/ 82. 1st New Romney Scout Group website http://1stnewromneyscoutgroup.org.uk 83. New Romney Sea Cadets http://www.sea-cadets.org/newromney/home.aspx 84. Sea Cadets New Romney http://www.sea-cadets.org/newromney/who-we-are.aspx 85. 2513 (Romney Marsh School) Squadron, Air Training Corps http://www.air-cadets-squadron-finder.org/air-cadets-squadron-details.php?sqn=2513-- new-romney-air-training-corps-atc 86. 99 - Folkestone Squadron (RAF) Air Training Corps http://www.99folkestonesquadronrafairtrai.epageuk.com 87. Romney Marsh Pont Club http://branches.pcuk.org/romneymarsh 88. Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/community/clubs&societies.htm#Ace 89. The Romney Marsh.net http://romney.rdittest.co.uk/daycentre 90. CARM http://www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk/index.html 91. CARM website http://www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk/index.html 92. CARM website, Memories Matter http://www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk/id5.html 93. CARM website, Well Being at Home http://www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk/id1.html 94. Turning Point, Shepway www.turning-point.co.uk/out-there-everywhere-east-kent-folkestone.aspx 95. Romney Marsh Bereavement Support Group call 01797 363007 or 01797 364375 96. New Romney Counselling Service http://newromneycounselling.co.uk 97. New Romney Counselling Service http://newromneycounselling.co.uk/about-us 98. St John Ambulance Community First Responders http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/what-we-do/community-first-responders.aspx 99. Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/community/first_responders.htm 100. Multiple Sclerosis Society Support Group call 07767 326138 or email [email protected] 101. Percentage of mothers either exclusively breastfeeding or partially breastfeeding at 6 to 8 weeks, 2012/13 102. Emergency admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction, age standardised rate per 100,000 population, FCE=1, 2011/12 to 2013/14 103. Emergency admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, age standardised rate per 100,000 population, FCE=1, 2011/12 to 2013/14 104. Emergency admissions for diabetes, age standardised rate per 100,000 population, FCE=1, 2011/12 to 2013/14 105. Emergency admissions for falls, age standardised rate per 100,000 population, FCE=1, 2011/12 to 2013/14 106. Emergency admissions for people aged 65+, age standardised rate per 100,000 population, FCE=1, 2011/12 to 2013/14 107. Mortality from cancer, persons aged under 75, 2010 to 2014, age standardised rate per 100,000 population 108. Mortality from circulatory disease, persons aged under 75, 2010 to 2014, age standardised rate per 100,000 population 109. Mortality from respiratory disease, persons aged under 75, 2010 to 2014, age standardised rate per 100,000 population 110. Based on 2010-2014 deaths, population (2010 to 2013, 2013 used twice as an estimate for 2014) 111. Craegmoor http://www.craegmoor.co.uk 112. Craegmoor http://www.craegmoor.co.uk 113. Citizens Advice Bureau http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk 114. Shepway Citizens Advice Bureau http://www.shepwaycab.co.uk/index.htm 115. New Romney Bowls Club http://www.newromneybowlsclub.co.uk/ 116. New Romney Old School website http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk/ 117. New Romney Old School website http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk/ 118. Romney Marsh Countryside Project http://www.rmcp.co.uk/ 119. The Looker http://www.thelooker.co.uk 120. The Looker http://www.thelooker.co.uk/about 121. The Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/index.htm 122. The Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/about_us.htm#acknowledgements 123. Women’s Institute http://www.thewi.org.uk 124. Women’s Institute http://www.thewi.org.uk/about-the-wi 125. Rotary Club of Romney Marsh http://www.rotary1120.org/romney_marsh/home 126. Hythe and Romney Marsh Lion: http://www.hythe-romneymarshlionsclub.org.uk/ 127. RNLI http://rnli.org/aboutus/Pages/About-us-new.aspx 128. RLNI Littlestone http://littlestonelifeboat.co.uk/home/?ref=home 129. RNLI Littlestone http://littlestonelifeboat.co.uk/home/?ref=home 130. The Rainbow Centre http://www.folkestonerainbowcentre.org.uk 131. Kent Fire and Rescue http://www.kent.fire-uk.org

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132. Kent County Council Community Wardens http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-safety/community-wardens 133. Romney Marsh Visitor Centre http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/romney-marsh-visitor-centre 134. Discover Romney Warren Country Park Leaflet designed by ARC Creative Design Limited 135. Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership website http://www.rmcp.co.uk/greentourism.html 136. Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership website http://www.rmcp.co.uk/greentourism.html 137. Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership website http://www.rmcp.co.uk/greentourism.html 138. Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership website http://www.rmcp.co.uk/greentourism.html 139. 140. The Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership http://www.rmcp.co.uk 141. The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership http://www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk 142. The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership http://www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk/index.php?id_sec=11&id_sub=11 143. Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership http://www.rmcp.co.uk 144. Kent Wildlife Trust http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/fifth_continent_lp_programme_summary.pdf 145. Wikipedia, New Romney http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Romney 146. Kent Wildlife Trust http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/habitats/coastal-sand-dunes 147. Natural England http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/2000533.pdf 148. New Romney Town Council http://www.newromneytc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm 149. New Romney Allotment Association http://www.newromneyallotments.org.uk/ 150. Allotments http://www.newromneytc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=3212&act=disp 151. Coastal Access in East Sussex and Kent, Camber to Folkestone, published 2014, pg 5, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/352602/camber-folkestone-overview.PDF 152. Coastal Access in East Sussex and Kent, Camber to Folkestone, published 2014, pg 23, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/352602/camber-folkestone-overview.PDF 153. Sustranswww.sustrans.org.uk 154. Sustrans website www.sustrans.org.uk 155. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1025316 156. The Romney Marsh.net http://www.theromneymarsh.net/history/historic_buildings.htm#Priory 157. Archaeology South East, UCL, report by David Martin, 2004 158. Victoria County History, an encyclopaedic history of each of the historic counties of England & a report by Dr Gillian Draper, a historian who specialises in Kentish history 159. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1068989 160. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1344081 161. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1374518 162. Wikipedia, Assembly Rooms http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_rooms 163. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1068994 164. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1069002 165. Lookers Hut Leaflet produced by the Lookers Heritage Project (the project is believed to have now ended) 166. Historic England http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1344057 167. Romney Marsh Historical Churches Trust http://rmhct.org.uk/our-churches/st-nicholas-new-romney 168. Romney Marsh Community Church http://www.rmcc.org.uk/ourhistory.htm 169. Romney Marsh Community Church children: http://www.rmcc.org.uk/children.htm 170. Romney Marsh Community Church teens: http://www.rmcc.org.uk/youth.htm 171. Romney Marsh Community Church http://www.rmcc.org.uk/frontpage.htm 172. Marsh Spiritual Connections http://marshspiritualconnections.weebly.com 173. Marsh Spiritual Connections http://marshspiritualconnections.weebly.com/about-us.html 174. Number too small to be displayed as a percentage 175. New Romney Old School http://www.newromneyoldschool.co.uk/?page_id=111 176. The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust http://rmhct.org.uk 177. The Romney Marsh Research Trust http://rmrt.org.uk 178. Romney Marsh Arts Societyhttp://www.romney-marsh-art-society.btck.co.uk 179. Romney Marsh Arts Societyhttp://www.romney-marsh-art-society.btck.co.uk 180. hART http://www.hartists.co.uk 181. hART http://www.hartists.co.uk 182. The IMOS Foundation http://www.imosfoundation.org/organisation.html 183. The New Romney & District Flower Club http://romney.rdittest.co.uk/clubsstmarysbay#flower 184. The Romney Marsh.net http://romney.rdittest.co.uk/clubsstmarysbay#flower 185. New Romney Country Fayre http://www.newromneycountryfayre.co.uk/index.html 186. JAM www.jamconcert.org 187. JAM www.jamconcert.org 188. Kent Online http://www.kentonline.co.uk/romney-marsh/news/ancient-cinque-ports-parade-on-24634/ 189. RHDR http://www.rhdr.org.uk/index.html 190. RHDR http://www.rhdr.org.uk/index.html 191. Kent County Council Community Wardens http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-safety/community-wardens

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