Herne Bay Farmers' Market

Now this is a fantastic idea, and I wish Vanessa every success. This would be a great opportunity for local producers to sell locally, and as Vanessa points out, an opportunity to get a foot on the retail ladder without the costs of opening a shop.

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A cook who believes the Bay is ripe for a farmers' market is hoping to harvest enough stalls to start her own venture.

Vanessa Hill has secured a venue and a date for the first market – Saturday, March 3, at Herne Bay United Church Hall in the High Street – and now needs sellers to sign up.

The mum-of-two, who works as a chef in a care home, said:

"I had the idea just before Christmas. I'd been to Whitstable farmers' market and found it really crammed. I'd like to go back to the basics, with local produce from small suppliers, from vegetables to breads, or cider and home-made jams.

I'd also like to get youngsters involved. There are so many talented young people out there with great ideas. But they wouldn't have a hope in hell of being able to open a shop, with all the expenses involved."

Are you interested in having a stall? Call Vanessa on 07740 586010.

FO Tesco

Tesco is a retail leech, draining the commercial lifeblood from the small local independent operators, a parasite on the UK's high streets, taking more than it gives. Their motive is profit (at any cost), their methods are ruthless, their ambition is monopolistic domination.

The bean-counters at Tesco have spotted that Herne Bay only has 1 Tesco, but 40,000 people. Panic! Everyone in Britain MUST have a Tesco on their doorstep! Everyone MUST do all their daily shopping at Tesco! The bean-counters frantically tap away at their spreadsheets. A sigh of relief whistles through their dungeon as they find a solution - open more Tesco stores.

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Tesco target Herne Bay

Herne Bay may become infested with Britain's greediest retail parasite.

Tesco has shocked Bay traders by announcing plans for a third store in the town. The supermarket giant wants to open a Tesco Express in Sea Street, despite still facing furious opposition over its plans to convert a pub in Herne.

It already runs a store in Canterbury Road and there is a large Tesco Extra a few miles away, near Whitstable. The new shop would be located opposite the Ford showroom, and local independent traders are unhappy at the prospect.

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Tesco ignore Herne residents

Fierce public opposition to Tesco's plans for a store in Herne can be ignored, according to supermarket giant spokeswoman Carol Leslie, but villagers may get some compensation in the form of a community centre above the shop.

Mrs Leslie was speaking after what she described as a "very productive" meeting with ward, county and parish councillors about the planned Tesco Express in the empty Upper Red Lion pub.

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Crass criticism from stunning councillor

Yes, dear reader, I was there and this actually happened - Cllr Vickery-Jones scored a few notable firsts. He is the only person to have called the village green application "crass", and he is the only person to have called me "pious".

He also suggested that as a "newcomer" I didn't have the right to clutter things up with my pesky village green application. He seemed to have forgotten that the application is supported by 1,180 other people, some of whom were using the Downs on a regular basis long before he ever saw the light of day in his native Derbyshire.

He also demonstrated an astonishing lack of understanding in his belief that a village green could in any way only ever benefit a single person.

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Find a planet, be a star

Now here's an opportunity that won't come your way every day. The astro-boffins have collected a cyber-mountain of data from their telescopes and need to analyse it to spot where the planets are. Because you are a human being - and therefore much better suited to this task than a computer - you could be the one to spot a planet. And you get to take the credit!

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Volunteers wanted for planet hunt

Members of the public are being asked to join the hunt for nearby planets that could support life. Volunteers can go to the Planethunters website to see time-lapsed images of 150,000 stars, taken by the Kepler space telescope. They will be advised on the signs that indicate the presence of a planet and how to alert experts if they spot them.

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Mattress king who's battling for local traders

He is a businessman who spends his spare time on the battlefield and is a keen crusader for the traditional High Street in a world gone mad for out-of-town shopping centres. Dylan Hampshire, 41, of Cockett's Beds, took over the family store in Herne Bay's High Street in 1999 from his uncle and grandfather before him. He continues to make bespoke mattresses for clients as far afield as Hong Kong.

He tells Ed Targett how he'd invite King Harold round for dinner, his fears for the future of the Herne Bay central regeneration and why he'd like to see philosopher and economist Adam Smith make a cup of tea with his bread and butter...

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Red Lion villagers declare war on Tesco

Campaigners have fired the opening shots in their fight to keep Tesco from taking over a former village pub. Protestors have set up Facebook pages and a website, nototesco.org, after almost 1,000 people packed a public meeting to discuss the controversial plans for the empty Upper Red Lion pub in Herne.

Villagers braved rain and freezing winds and kept coming even after the community centre filled, forcing the meeting to move to St Martin's church. The panel of parish, city and county councillors found themselves facing a row of packed pews.

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Massive anti-Tesco protest rally at Herne

Villagers turn out in force to fight Tesco

Tesco was set to hold talks with councillors today (12th Jan) after 500 people piled into a village church to oppose a new store in Herne. There were incredible scenes as hundreds turned out to vent their anger at the supermarket giant’s plans to move into the Upper Red Lion pub. The public meeting attracted so many people it had to be moved at the last minute from the village hall to St Martin’s Church. Defiant parish council chairman Tony Day, who will meet with Tesco today, said:

“There will be no negotiation. It will be Tesco out of Herne and nothing but.”

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If you would like to join the campaign send your contact details to

tonyday@nototesco.org

Visit the campaign website:

www.nototesco.org

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Sir Roger Gale

Many years ago, I knew a Conservative MP who was knighted one New Year. He was rather glum about it, believing (correctly, as it turned out) that this was his Party's way of saying Thank you... and goodbye. It was not a signal that his effort had been recognised and rewarded, and that greater efforts were hoped for. No, it was the golden watch.

The article below (which reads rather like an obituary) notes that the then Mr Gale was disappointed not to have been elected as deputy speaker. From what I hear, "disappointment" is an understatement.

As well as having his eye on the woolsack, the then Mr Gale was also quietly hopeful of a seat in the Lords. Alas, it was not to be. Nonetheless his wife is now Lady Suzy, which will thrill her.

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