Who will save the pierhead?

The Council won't and the Pier Trust can't

Today's HB Times HB Gazette (oops!) highlights the worsening state of the pierhead. Apparently it's outside the Pier Trust's remit, and the Council just watches from the shore to see if the lightbulbs need changing - their bare legal obligation. If we do nothing, time and tide will take their toll, and we will have nothing but rust and memories.

Write to your Councillors and your MP - click this link: WriteToThem.

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Isolated at sea, exposed to the elements and crumbling, the old pier rotunda looks unlikely to survive the winter intact. This week outrage grew at the lack of protection given to the iconic building as recent storm damage to the battered structure became visible from the shore.

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Supermarkets everywhere

You know how it is - there you are waiting for a supermarket, and then a whole load of them come along at once... Developer Terrace Hill want to slap a large Sainsbury's on the Altira Tumbleweed Park at the edge of town. They're also proposing a load of business space, which is a bit surprising given that Altira is dedicated to providing business space, but that's their call.

This proposal has already caused a spat and some name-calling amongst the HB Town Partners - there are concerns over the implications for the Central Area Development (a.k.a. William Street Car Park Clone Town). And more recently, another development proposal has popped up - redeveloping the HB Golf Club course - which also features a supermarket.

Is there a collective noun for supermarkets? Whatever it is, we might end up with one.

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Brilliant idea for a website...

Never let it be said that our councillors aren't brimful of good ideas. Here's a snippet from the recent HBAMP - the meeting of Herne Bay's councillors:

Councillor Baker, the Portfolio holder for Communications, gave a brief update regarding the creation of a community website for Herne Bay. He advised that there were several things happening in and around Herne Bay, and it would be useful to have a central point for this information.

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Portrait Bench at Reculver

In spring 2013, a Portrait Bench will be installed along the clifftop between Reculver and Bishopstone - and Canterbury City Council need your help to decide who it will feature!

A Portrait Bench is a collection of three distinctive, lifesize local figures cut from sheet steel and installed alongside a simple bench, inviting people to join the group and become part of the 'portrait'. Here's an example of one from elsewhere in the country:

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Singing the praises of our unsung heroes

Unsung heroes from the district have been presented with a Lord Mayor's Award in recognition of their efforts to help other people.

The annual Lord Mayor's Award scheme is now in its 14th year and honours people who go the extra mile to help others. They are nominated by members of the public, and the final judging is made by a cross-party panel of councillors. This year’s awards also feature a special Diamond Jubilee Award in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The winners and extracts from their citations are: 

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