ASHFORD Issue 3 Winter 2018 YOU WIN A YEAR’S YOUR BOROUGH, YOUR MAGAZINE FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR ASHFORD PICTUREHOUSE SNOWDOGS Ashford goes Snowdogs crazy! SPECIAL FEATURE Stay well this winter FOCUS ON Golden age of cinema at Elwick Place Client - McAG Type Area - N/G Initials - GR AdvertiseOutlet - Ashford withBleed - 3mm us Scale - 100 Ad Type - Press HP Date - 25–10–2018 Effective DPI - 300 Publication - Ashford for you File Name -ASHFO0029_09_XMAS 18_Ashford_Press_Ashford For You_HP_180x132mm_AW Size - 180x132mm D ASHFOR Issue 1 Spring 2018 YOU YOUR BOROUGH, YOUR MAGAZINE WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO FLIP OUT GENTLEMEN SPOTLIGHT ON Snowdogs Discover Ashford – exciting art trail coming this autumn BIG PICTURE OF FEW An overview of the ‘Big 8’ developments changing the face of our area REMEMBERING The fallen – WW1 commemoration events + COMEDY CLUB LIV AUSTEN Advertise here and we’ll help get you noticed in around 56,000 homes in the Ashford borough! Not to mention TICs, shopping centres, SAT DEC FRI DEC restaurants, visitor attractions and many Doors: 2:45pm Doors: 2:45pm more places across the district. Show: 3:30pm 08 Show: 3:30pm 14 Find out more about the cost-effective advertising opportunities TICKETS FROM REVELATIONASHFORD.CO.UK in Ashford For You today: Advance: £10 (U16s: £8) / Door: £12 (U16s: £10) call 01233 330543 (advanced booking fees apply) or email [email protected] 18_REV_0012_Ashford YOU Magazine advert_v1.indd 1 29/10/2018 10:27 Contents News 4 & 5 Includes readers’ survey and the launch of the Your Ashford app You said, we did 6 & 7 Our biggest survey of residents Golden age of cinema 8 & 9 Welcome Our gleaming town centre cinema opens for business Thanks to everyone who responded to the summer issue, by commenting on our features, making suggestions for future content or entering our competition to win a Prosecco high tea at The Little Teapot in Park Mall – I was delighted to see more than 300 people take part! I’ve spoken to so many people recently who have been 14&15 thrilled by our Snowdogs Trail this autumn. Young and old alike have been captivated by the charm of the A profile of 10 & 11 Snowdogs and of course this fantastic cultural event is Ashford’s artist extraordinaire Alex Chinneck also raising lots of money for a worthy cause, our very own Pilgrims Hospice right here in Ashford. Snowdogs rule 12 & 13 Ashford has gone Snowdog crazy! If you enjoy a trip to the cinema then you’ll be excited to see the Ashford Picturehouse opening at Elwick Christmas & New Year 14 & 15 Place. Since work started last summer on this huge development in the heart of our town centre I have refuse collections watched the cinema, hotel and leisure complex taking All you need to know about seasonal bin services shape and now the waiting is over. And with the eye-catching gold mesh panels adorning the front of Know your boundaries 16 & 17 the building, you could say that the golden age of the Are you ready for the big shake-up in local elections? cinema has come to Ashford… Enjoy reading Ashford For You and keep sending us your views and ideas. Tracey Kerly Chief executive, Ashford Borough Council 18&19 Editorial Dean Spurrell, Jeff Sims, Samantha Stone, Winter wellbeing 18 & 19 Sarah Podger, Leanne Benn, Alice Pritchard Advice and tips to stay happy and healthy this winter Design What’s on 20 Emma Spicer, Ben Jones, Cath Babbage From Walt Disney’s Frozen to Christmas carols Printed by William Gibbons & Sons Ltd Rolvenden Rocket 21 Front cover photo courtesy of Leanne Benn Heralding a new era in community transport Advertising Sales 01233 330543 Your council 22 [email protected] Council contacts www.twitter.com/ashfordcouncil www.facebook.com/AshfordBoroughCouncil Competition 22 www.youtube.com/ashfordboroughcouncil Win a Picturehouse membership Instagram @Ashfordbc ISSUE 3 WINTER 2018 3 ASH D ASH FOR FOR Issue 2 Summer/Autumn 2018 D Issue 1 Spring 2018 YOU YOUR BOROUGH, YOUR MAGAZINE YOU YOUR BOROUGH, YOUR MAGAZINE WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO FLIP OUT WIN A PROSECCO HIGH TEA SPECIAL FEATURE SPOTLIGHT ON Battle’s Over: Ashford remembers BIG PICTURE Snowdogs Discover Ashford – exciting art trail coming this autumn An overview of the ‘Big 8’ developments changing the face of our area Countdown to theSNOWDOGS art trail launch REMEMBERING War hero honoured Readers’ Survey: The fallen – WW1 commemoration events Tenterden & DistrictFOCUS Museum ON A commemorative paving stone to honour the only Victoria Cross The council is seeking views on Ashford For You magazine, and how successful you feel it is in keeping you informed. Please recipient to be born in the borough was unveiled in Charing’s Sundial respond by placing a tick inside the box you feel best reflects your views and you could win a £50 Love2Shop voucher. garden. It marks the 100th anniversary of Corporal Frederick George Q1: To what extent do you agree Ashford For You keeps you up to date with what the council is doing? Coppins’ Victoria Cross award. Stones are only laid in the area where each VC recipient was born and while Corporal Coppins lived in Strongly agree Disagree to some extent California he was Charing born and bred, leaving the village when he joined the army aged 18 in 1907. After joining the Royal West Kent Agree to some extent Strongly disagree Regiment with the British Army, Frederick emigrated to Canada Neither Don’t know where he was enlisted with the Canadian Army at the outbreak of WW1. He was serving with the 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles) Q2: To what extent do you think Ashford For You keeps you informed with what’s going on in the borough? when he was awarded his VC, given for his actions in Amiens, when Very well informed Not well informed he single-handedly took out a machine gun nest that was annihilating his platoon, saving the lives of many men. Quite well informed Not informed at all Neither Don’t know TIC Singleton success Q3: Do you feel better informed since the introduction of the Ashford For You magazine? on the move Yes Don’t know The Visitor Information Centre in Ashford has Singleton Environment Centre is going from strength moved…but not far. It has moved from the second to strength since Great Chart with Singleton Parish No floor of Ashford Gateway Plus in Church Road to a larger space on the ground floor. Council took over management earlier this year. Q4: What articles would you like to see in future editions? Under the skilled stewardship of a dedicated group Opening: Mon-Sat 10.15am-3.30pm of volunteers, use of the centre is growing, new staff (closed 1-1.30pm). Call 01233 330316, have been appointed, the café is busier than ever and email [email protected] or visit www.visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk. exciting ideas are planned to make the centre even more popular with users. Q5: Do you have any other comments to make about Ashford For You? Have your say on www.singletonenvironmentcentre.org.uk Lower Thames Crossing Introducing the new A major new road linking Kent, Thurrock and Essex would app… The closing date for reponses is Friday 21 December 2018. Only one response allowed per person and people must be over 16. The nearly double road capacity across the Thames and almost Your Ashford draw for the £50 voucher will take place on Monday 14 January 2019 and the winner will be notified soon after. The editor’s decision www.ashford.gov.uk/ashford-for-you. A convenient way for residents to report their concerns is final and no correspondence will be entered into. For full terms and conditions please visit halve northbound journey times at the Dartford Crossing, This survey is also available to complete at this web page. under plans by Highways England. The multi-billion pound directly to the council, especially if they’re out and project will connect communities, boost the economy and about and spot something. The app can be used in a add vital extra resilience to the road network while reducing number of ways and helps the council to deal To enter either: Email the editorial team at [email protected] please put Survey in the subject line and include your full name, postal address or pressure on the Dartford Crossing. It is the most ambitious with any concerns more rapidly. Use it to: road project since the M25 opened 30 years ago and will email and contact phone number. include the UK’s longest road tunnel. A consultation runs • Check recycling and refuse services Or send this page to Ashford For You magazine, Communications, Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, TN23 1PL including your: Full name, postal address including post code, email address. Please include a contact telephone number. until 20 December. • Report environmental issues To view the details and to comment on the plans visit www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/haveyoursay • Make payments online (e.g. Council Tax) Join our Mailing List • Find your local councillor Why not join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with news and events and receive an electronic copy of our magazine? Just email [email protected] with the message: Please add me to your mailing list to receive an electronic copy of Ashford For You magazine and • Contact the council (there is the option to create an associated articles. Or if sending this page tick the box below: Council Christmas account, so all reports will be in one place and both hours Yes I’d like to join your mailing list.