New Museums boss excited for future

Responsibility for the district's much treasured artefacts has been handed to a newly appointed director of museums and galleries at the city council.

Jo Jones, 39, says Canterbury has an outstanding variety of historical collections, and she aims to encourage more visitors to spend more money on seeing them. Her appointment follows widespread condemnation last year of council proposals to close some museums to save money.

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Waitrose gets 20-year lease in Canterbury

HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

So-called savings will deliver more costs

As I'm sure you know by now, they are closing down the delivery offices in Whitstable and Herne Bay, and relocating them to Canterbury. This is being done in the name of savings. It will cost less to maintain a single centralised office than three local offices, we are told. But is it true? I've been working it out.

There are 50 workers each in Whitstable and Herne Bay - 100 workers altogether. It will take about 30 minutes each way to drive to and from Canterbury. So that's an hour of Royal Mail time spent getting postal workers to and from the start of their rounds. They earn £8.86 an hour, so it will cost the company £886 a day, which is £5,316 a week, or £276,432 a year.

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Already looking forward to next year's awards

HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Altira supermarket

HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Getting stuck in to give beach hut a new look

A new lease of life has been given to beach hut No.136 as part of the We All Do Things project. The hut, on West Beach, Herne Bay, is being lent to community group People United by Canterbury City Council's Foreshore Services.

No. 136 is hoped to be used as a quiet and welcoming place for people to read, think and reflect on ways to help the community. It will be made available to individuals and community and social groups as a space to develop their work in making positive changes to the town and surrounding area.

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Best of a bad bunch?

As predicted, some time ago...

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

Racist graffiti attack shocks shop owners

HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Ban on fishing in Memorial Park pond

There's no plaice for fishing in the Memorial Park pond, according to council bosses. Officials have reeled in permission for people to enjoy the popular pastime after deciding to enforce an ancient byelaw.

New signs were put up around the pond but the move has angered many, including campaigner Andy Newell. He told councillors at a meeting of Herne Bay Area Member Panel that he was dubious the byelaw was valid.

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Herne Bay to be colonised by time machines

Two Dr Who Tardises could be installed on the seafront and at the library in the hope that Dr Who fans will be drawn to the town. And enthusiasts could find they are bigger than they look, as the plan is for them to be working police boxes to allow people to contact emergency services.

Furniture maker Jason Onion revealed his sci-fi vision at a meeting of Herne Bay councillors on Tuesday and was rewarded with a round of applause. The 35-year-old moved back to Herne Bay from Cornwall and is eager to make a positive contribution for the community.

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