Signed in St. Mary's in the Marsh
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ISSUE 132 Thursday 29th October Distraught Daniel excluded from church trip An outraged father has attacked Historic ‘Twinning Agreement’ teachers at New Romney’s St. Nicholas Church of England School signed in St. Mary’s in the Marsh for excluding his six year old son from attending a Harvest Festival A joint congregation celebrated a Twinning Ward, the Chairman of the Twinning service rehearsal at church. Agreement between the parish of St. Mary in Association. Daniel was told by teachers that he the Marsh with the French town of Saint- After the formalities had taken place, the was not able to join his classmates Andre. The agreement has taken two years celebrations began with everyone enjoying on the trip to church and was to put in place with hard work from both sparkling wine and canapes.On leaving the instead left at the school under sides of the Channel to ensure some ‘En - church, the entire assembly de camped to superstition and told to stay at tente Cordiale’ between both districts. the Star in the Marsh pub for a splendid home the next day for the actual The occasion started off with the formal buffet and some renowned Marsh hospitality. service. signing of the agreement between With local Town Councillor, Russell Tillson, Louise Peers, Daniel’s mother said; members of the Marsh rural district and it’s leading the singing with renditions of British “When Daniel came home, he was new French counterpart. and French traditional songs.. very upset and could not work out After the signing, Graham Allison, Chairman The afternoon finished with the dedication of why he had been left at the school, of the Parish Council, welcomed the French a tree to be planted within the district to he was visibly very distraught” contingency, followed by a speech by Nigel commemorate the occasion. Ian Dimmock Daniels father, Continued page 3... explained that the school knew of Locals woke to find a digger Daniel’s special needs as a student Anger at breaking up ground close to who has been diagnosed with the beachfront at St. Mary’s autism, and explained to us; “A St. Mary's Bay on the morning of 15th major part of any autistic child’s life October. Things became is the need for familiarity, by Bay historic heated between contractors excluding Daniel from the trip, and public when bemused confused him and made him very site residents asked who had upset. We would have been more given permission for the work than happy to have attended the to be done and the returned and continued service with him, but the school did damage contractors were reticent to flattening the area and not inform us. I’m disgusted at the By Barry Gilbert provide a name. The next ripping up privatley owned way they treated him!” Mr Dimmock wrote to the newly & David Wimble morning, despite the bushes that lead to the site. situation, contractors appointed Headteacher of the Continued Page 6... school, Christopher Dale and Continued Page 2... Thursday 29th October Because Local News Matters asked: ‘Can you please justify why my representatives from Foxwood School, child wasn't allowed to attend church who have specialist teaching for this morning with his class. children with special needs. I would also like to know who made this But the school have stated that they decision and why, without asking us as would look into the way that Daniel is parents if we would like to walk along treated in future and considering with him.’ sending his teacher on a course to deal The reply from the school dated Friday with children diagnosed with Autism. 10th October (the day of the Church Mr Dimmock told The Looker; “I have Service) said: ‘As you are aware, been in conversation with Foxwood and Disgusted Ian and Louise, yesterday the children attended church Daniels parents they have told me they are very pleased to run through the Harvest Service. We to hear that the school are looking at decision was made not to force the were prepared to take Daniel and in sending a staff member on the course.” issue. This was made in consideration accordance to meet his needs had Jo Blamires, from the Kent Autistic Trust to the health and safety of the situation informed him that this would take place. said: ‘If a child cannot take part in an as well as being mindful of Daniels own Daniel like the other children was ready activity such as this (one would hope wellbeing, which I hope under the to go but at the final moment upon everything would be done in advance to circumstances you will understand.’ leaving dropped to the floor and refused prepare him so that he could) and if the However Mr Dimmock has stated that to go. He was encouraged to take part school thinks that this may be the case the school had been made very aware and come along but he flatly refused. they should really provide an alternative of his sons condition and could have As a result, and not wanting to increase option at school rather than ask you to handled the situation better, Daniel is Daniels anxiety even further the keep him at home.’ now being taught by teaching Page 2 WWW.THELOOKER.CO.UK Thursday 29th October Twinning has been part of St. Marys Europe’s life since the early 1950’s, bringing people together across frontiers. Twinning It continues to grow and evolve. Seen as a way of Continued from front page healing the wounds left after the Second World War. However,in more modern times it is seen as a universal way of having a specific relationship with some of our European countries. ‘A twinning is the coming together of two communities seeking, in this way, to take action with a European perspective and with the aim of facing their problems and developing between themselves closer and closer ties of friendship”. of European co-operation, with thousands of towns and villages proudly declaring as you enter their territory which partner communities they are twinned with. The tree being a symbol of a growing friendship who’s roots will grow stronger as the years go by, which is surely the aim of this new international partnership. After the gathering on Saturday 17th October and subsequent celebrations The Looker believes The The official signing of the ‘Twinning Accord’ St.Mary in the This was the definition of twinning given many years ago by Marsh district is Jean Bareth, one of the founders of the Council of already off to a Nigel Ward and Russell Tillson lead the European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) after the war. good start. communal sing-song In this way, he identified the primary values which twinning On November 21st a quiz night will be held at the Levin represents: friendship, co-operation and mutual awareness Club. Teams of up to six people are invited to attend, the between the peoples of Europe. cost is £3.00 per person and includes a ploughman’s Twinning is the expression of a European unity and identity supper. For more information contact Nigel Ward on... built from the grass roots. It is perhaps the most visible form 01303 873766 Van Fire in Brookland Kent Fire and Rescue Service used breathing apparatus, foam and fog spike to tackle a fire involving a transit van in King Street, Brookland, Romney Marsh on Saturday 17th October. A ‘fog spike’ is used to punch holes into a structure and deliver water into the inside of compartments, creating a super-fine misting effect that can dramatically reduce the temperature and spread of a fire. Kent Police were also in attendance. Page 3 Thursday 29th October Because Local News Matters Patients in best option to ensure Dymchurch are that Dymchurch retains Dymchurch saddened to have a full GP service within the confirmation they the village. feared, that the local I understand that Surgery doctors surgery is patients registered at closing its doors for the Orgarswick Avenue the last time on Surgery will have the to Close Friday (30th Oct) option of moving to the In a statement Church Lane site and issued by Doctor Robert Cullen in early August he said; travelling to New “It is now 3 months until I retire and I thought I should write Romney, or registering to let you know what is happening, especially as there are with the Martello so many rumours going around.After I retire Dr Quastel Practice in Dychurch.” becomes Senior Partner and will be running the Practice. This was followed up by He has been looking at the options for the future of the a statement that said Dr Cullen retiring after 30 years Church Lane and Orgarswick Avenue Surgeries. that the surgery will of practice on the Marsh There is a shortage of General Practitioners in the UK and close for the last time on Friday 30th. he does not think he will be able to recruit a new Partner. Although the doctor has assured all his patients that they He has concluded that the best way for him and the will automatically be transferred to the Church Lane remaining Practitioners at the Practice is to work just from Surgery in New Romney, this has again sparked concerns about possible waiting times for appointments. The other option is for patients to register at the Martello Medical Practice in Dymchurch who’s own website states that: ‘The Practice is currently supported by a ‘small team’ of regular locum doctors.’ Which has raised concerns that again the service required by local patients will be effected.