Peter Andre - win tickets

Transcription

ISSUE 32
February / March 2011
Circulation: 115,471
Peter Andre
- win tickets
Page 7
www.medway.gov.uk
T H E C O U N C I L M AG A Z I N E F O R E V E RYO N E I N M E D WAY
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Contacting
Medway Council
On the internet: Visit www.medway.gov.uk
By phone: Call 333333 for enquiries about waste, recycling, roads, traffic management, public transport, green
spaces and environmental health (Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm).
Phone 332222 for council tax and benefit enquiries. Phone 306000 for all other services.
Minicom: 01634 333111 or TextRelay: 18001 01634 333333
By letter: Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR
We have Contact Points providing local access to council services:
● Chatham Riverside One, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4SL
Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.15pm, Friday: 8.30am to 4.45pm
●
Gillingham Gillingham Library, High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1BG
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5pm, Tuesday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm
●
Rainham 1 - 3 Station Road, Rainham, ME8 7RS
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am to 5pm, Wednesday: 9am to 7.30pm,
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
●
Rochester Rochester Library, Eastgate, Rochester, ME1 1EW
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 1pm
●
Strood Clocktower, Civic Centre, Strood, ME2 4AU
Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.15pm, Friday: 8.30am to 4.45pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Rainham and Strood Contact Points
also include Kent Police services
ADVERTISEMENT
Call: 01634 848441 for a no obligation appointment
Offices in: Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Whitstable
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www.medway.gov.uk
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Helping during these tough times
We all know this is a difficult time and Medway, as well as the wider area of
Kent, has not been overlooked by the national recession.
Along with the austerity measures brought about through funding cuts,
these are issues that affect the whole area.
Looking through this edition of Medway Matters, you will see some of the
things that Medway Council does to try and redress the balance.
For instance, on page 8, it is good to read that the Innovation Centre
Medway (ICM) is now more than 80 per cent full.
Despite the economic downturn, firms have moved to the council-run
high-tech facility and are creating high quality jobs.
The story of businessman David Summers is a case in point. His firm had to leave the area in
the 1990s due to a lack of good quality office space. Now he has moved the headquarters of his
firm – which carries out property surveys for companies in the high-tech sector – to the ICM,
next to Rochester airport, where he is providing high-speed broadband connections, state of the
art servers and other kinds of technical support.
This is good news for Medway and, hopefully, it will inspire other entrepreneurs to follow suit.
In addition, the council provides business start-up grants and loans, which you can read about
on page 13. The grants have helped 30 businesses start trading in the last year, while the loans
have helped around 175 firms and created 900 jobs. Despite these examples, the recession will
still bring tough times. And cuts to government funding mean that there is less money for major
infrastructure projects.That is why the council believes its bid to become a city is so important. It
will provide “a golden opportunity” to market the area to investors.
Other towns that have become cities report international firms moving in and creating jobs as
well as an increase in tourism and the income it brings.
You can read more about the city bid on pages 10 and 11. Medway’s bid has to be in by the
end of May and while, of course, it is not a guaranteed winner, it has a good chance of beating
the competition and gaining the title.
As you can see, Medway may not be out of the woods as far as the
John Staples,
economy is concerned, but there are many things going on aimed at
Editor
preparing this area – and its residents – for a brighter future.
INSIDE
Funding shortfall
Government grant cut
is worse than expected
Page 6
Castle concerts
Win tickets to see
Peter Andre perform at
Rochester Castle
Page 7
Colour coding
Dividing household
waste for recycling
Page 12
Helping firms
Loans and grants
help new businesses
Page 13
Caring nature
Ending loneliness and
boredom in care homes
Page 18
What’s On
A selection of upcoming
events in Medway
Page 28
Cover picture: Peter Andre
© Can Associates Limited
Year of the Rabbit: Join in celebrations for the
Chinese New Year Page 5
Ironclad: A £15million film based on the 13th century siege of Rochester
Castle is set for cinema release nationwide Page 9
All lit up: Illuminating the Naval War Memorial and
Fort Amherst Page 14
Serving You
Up to their tricks: BMX bikers
and boarders try out new
skate park Page 19
Town and country: A five-mile
urban and rural community trail
opens Page 25
www.medway.gov.uk
3
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Councillor Phil Filmer
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder
for Front Line Services
Councillor Mike O’Brien
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for
Community Safety and Enforcement
What do you do and what are you responsible for
at the council?
What do you do and what are you responsible
for at the council?
As well as being a councillor representing the Hoo Peninsula, I am
responsible for the council’s Front Line Services. Each time you
drive in Medway, use one of our car parks or put your recycling
out for collection, you are using one of these services.
I have represented Rainham Central since 2007 and I’m the
Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety and
Enforcement, working in partnership with the police, fire
services and other agencies, to make Medway a safe place to
live and work
What does your portfolio do to improve the lives
of people in Medway?
From your weekly bin collection to resurfacing roads and
cleaning the streets, my team is here to ensure that Medway
remains a clean and safe place to live and travel.
We have a continuing programme of highway improvements
and we are not only keeping the weekly bin collection but our
recycling and composting rates have risen to around 36 per
cent of Medway’s household waste.
I consider ensuring that our children get to school safely is a
priority. We have 42 Walking Bus routes with about 765 children
taking part, and our Walk on Wednesdays initiative that attracts
5,400 young people.
We’ve expanded the yellow bus [subsidised school travel]
scheme to the Hoo Peninsula and provide a half price bus
scheme for students up to the age of 18, and the Villager, a
rural community transport scheme.
What are you most proud of during your
time as portfolio holder?
I am very proud of the
improvements we’ve
made in road safety.
In the past year
these have included
a 20mph zone, a
puffin crossing on
the A2 and safety
cameras. For the third
year in a row, the
government have put
Medway in the top 10 for
road safety. Our safety
measures and
campaigns have
contributed to reducing
the number of deaths
and serious injuries on
Medway’s roads.
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www.medway.gov.uk
What does your portfolio do to improve the lives
of people in Medway?
We have a strong record in making Medway safe, with
community officers in our 22 wards tackling issues such as antisocial behaviour, littering and stray dogs.
By supporting the SOS bus and street pastors, we are helping
to make our towns safer in the evenings so that people can
take advantage of the fantastic restaurants and nightlife.
Our excellent Trading Standards department helps to protect
consumers and businesses and checks that people are obeying
the law, while the Environmental Health team ensures that food
outlets are hygienic and safe.
Keeping the streets and green spaces clean is one of my
priorities. The rapid action graffiti team has cleaned 1,330 sites
in the past year. To help us in making Medway a better place,
I’d encourage residents to report incidents of graffiti and flytipping to Customer First on 333333.
What are you most
proud of during your
time as portfolio
holder?
I am proud of all we
are doing to make
Medway green,
clean and safe, and,
in particular, the
Schools and
Community Together
(SACT) scheme. This
forum gives
students an
opportunity to gain
an insight into the
impact of social
behaviour that
causes problems for
other people.
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit
The Chinese New Year celebrations in
Chatham will be launched in spectacular
style on Saturday, 5 February.
To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit,
entertainment will take place in Chatham High
Street from 11.30am until 2pm, with dancers in
colourful Chinese costumes, including the
Medway Lion Team, Shi Kon Martial Arts Team
and Dance Alley Dancers.
High Street stalls will be selling food,
Chinese gifts and New Year calendars.
There will also be a children’s
roundabout.
The celebrations continue
later in the month with the
Medway Chinese New Year
Parade on Sunday, 13
February. The procession
starts at noon in Military
Road and winds through
the town to the eastern
end of Chatham High
Street.
It will feature Chinese
dragons, Chinese lion and
unicorn dancers and more than 150 people
in Chinese costume. The Mayor and
Mayoress of Medway, Cllr David Brake
and Mrs Carmita Brake will lead the
parade, along with mayors from across
the south east.
To round off this year’s events, the parade
will be followed by The Wonderful China Show
at The Central Theatre, Chatham, at 2.30pm.
The show has displays of dragon dancing, lion
dancing, martial
arts, traditional
Chinese folk
dancing, the Dance
Alley Dancers in
traditional Chinese
costume, Chinese
pop music and
traditional
musicians.
Tickets cost
£7.50, concessions
£5.50 and are
available from the box office on 338338.
For more details or to book tickets online visit
www.whatsonmedway.gov.uk.
Care card makes it easier to pay for support
A card that is a secure and convenient way of receiving
social care direct payments is being launched in April.
direct payment. The card can
The Medway Card is an easier
be used over the internet, by
way for people to pay for their
phone or face-to-face.
support. It is a preloaded Visa
As it is a chip and PIN card,
card that can be used without
it offers more security than
having to open a separate
using cash or personal
bank account.
cheques. And it will provide a
Medway Council puts the
solution if the national
direct payments on to the
proposal goes ahead to
card instead of paying it into
phase out cheques by 2018.
a bank account.
The cardholder will receive a
Then the holder can use it
monthly statement and the
wherever a Visa card is
accepted and to pay care
providers or a personal
assistant.
It has been developed in a
partnership between the
council and the Royal Bank of
Scotland (RBS) and provides
the cardholder with flexibility,
choice and control of how
they use their social care
Serving You
balance can be checked by
phone, at a cash machine or
on the internet.
The Medway Card is
optional, but people who are
entitled to one should contact
their self-directed support
co-ordinator who will visit
them at home to discuss the
benefits and to offer them
help with completing the
application form.
About 600 people in
Medway who receive direct
payments from the council for
their community support
and activities
are eligible to
apply for the
card now.
Cllr Tom
Mason, the
council’s
Portfolio Holder
for Adult Services, said: “The
Medway Card is going to be
very helpful for social care
service users.
Not only does it make
payments easier, but also it
gives the holder greater
independence and control of
their finances.
“Having a card eliminates
the need for a separate bank
account, enables the holder
to keep an up to date record
of transactions and does
away with the need for them
to withdraw large amounts of
cash from the bank or to write
and post cheques.”
For further information
phone 331093, contact a
self-directed support
co-ordinator or visit
www.medway.gov.uk/
medwaycard.
www.medway.gov.uk
5
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Whitehall funding falls short
Pay freezes and job cuts as council battles to bridge £23.5m gap
Medway Council’s government grant for the next
financial year is even less than expected – despite the
council attempting to predict a worst-case scenario
over Whitehall cuts.
Ministers said the reduced
funding would be a 3.6 per
cent cut in Medway’s
spending power, but that no
council would see a drop
greater than 8.9 per cent.
However, Medway Council’s
officers have worked through
the figures provided and
discovered a larger cut of
11.9 per cent in grant funding
from the government.
This is far greater than the
average for all councils in
England of 9.9 per cent and
more than the 11.4 per cent
average for unitary councils
outside of London.
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The new figures were worked
out by Medway Council
following the government’s
announcement in December
of all council grant funding
for 2011-12.
This leaves Medway with a
£23.5million funding gap for
the 2011-12 financial year.
This is how much it will need
to save to balance its budget.
The council had predicted a
funding gap of £19.5million.
The government has stated
that any council whose
spending power drops by more
than 8.9 per cent – a new
method of measurement
www.medway.gov.uk
brought in by the government
this year – will receive a top up.
And 36 councils in England
will receive this, such as
Liverpool, which will get an
extra £15.5million, and
Manchester, which will get a
further £13.3million.
But Medway Council –
despite seeing an 11.9 per
cent drop in real funding – will
receive no additional payment
under this new formula.
The council’s budgets were
already tight, as it receives one
of the lowest government
grants of any unitary authority.
Medway Council has been
working to see where it can
make reductions while
protecting its vital front line
services such as social care,
highways, refuse collection
and other valued areas,
especially services for the
vulnerable.
And the council’s cabinet
instructed officers to consult
on team restructures, which
will lead to job cuts.
Directors and Assistant
Directors have been looking
at reducing budgets by 25 per
cent over four years and the
Better for Less initiative,
which looks at how the
council can provide better
services to meet customers
needs and where efficiencies
can be made, is continuing.
In addition, the council has
frozen pay, cut jobs last June
and is closing its regeneration
arm – Medway Renaissance –
with the loss of 18 jobs.
Government grants in areas
such as transport, skills training
and migration will cease.
The cabinet will set a budget
for the new financial year
during February and
it will go to the full council
for approval on Thursday,
24 February.
Cllr Alan Jarrett, Deputy
Leader and Portfolio Holder
for Finance, said: “Medway
has traditionally received less
funding than similar sized
authorities, but through hard
work and determination we
have consistently been
judged as providing good
value for money.
“We knew from our forecast
‘We will see cuts of
nearly 12 per cent’
that we would have to make
difficult decisions in order
to provide the vital services
our residents expect while
saving money.
“The fact that the
government is giving us even
less, and considerably below
that which many other
councils are receiving, is
going to make balancing our
budget even more difficult.
“I find the smoke and
mirrors way the government
has attempted to make it look
like Medway is only losing
around four per cent, when in
reality it will see cuts of nearly
12 per cent next year,
particularly unpalatable.”
Serving You
Show of Hands
and Carthy
for Sweeps
The award winning folk
acts, the Eliza Carthy Band
and Show of Hands will
headline this year’s
Rochester Sweeps Festival.
Carthy will perform at the
castle gardens marquee on
Saturday, 30 April at 7.30pm
along with her father, Martin.
Twice nominated for a
Mercury award, she has
received three nominations for
the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Folk
Awards being held on Monday,
7 February.
Show of Hands will appear at
the marquee on Sunday, 1
May, at 7.30pm. They have a
large Kent following and won
best duo at last year’s Folk
Awards. The couple, Phil Beer
and Steve Knightley, have
played three sell-out concerts
at the Royal Albert Hall.
Tickets for each concert
cost £18 and are available
from the usual ticket outlets
(see opposite) or online at
www.whatsonmedway.co.uk.
The Sweeps Festival, now
in its 31st year, runs from
Saturday, 30 April to Monday,
2 May, and is the largest
celebration of Morris dancing
in the country.
February/March 2011
Win tickets for Peter Andre
Peter Andre will be playing a sell-out concert at Rochester Castle this summer but
five lucky Medway Matters readers could each win a pair of tickets to be there.
Andre performs at the annual Medway Council organised series of concerts on Thursday,
14 July, hot on the heels of the release of his latest album Accelerate.
Tickets at £32.50 are available by calling in person at The Central
Theatre or The Brook Theatre box offices in Chatham, Medway
Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester, by phone on
338338 or online at www.castleconcerts.co.uk.
Andre's performance is one of four major summer concerts
that will be held over consecutive nights in the castle gardens.
The Royal Philharmonic Proms Orchestra will appear for
the Castle Proms on the final night, Saturday, 16 July,
with support from the Hertfordshire Choral
Society. Tickets, at £29.50, are the same
price as last year.
Full details of all the concerts can be
found at www.castleconcerts.co.uk.
In addition, the fourth Under Siege free
concert featuring young local talent will be
held at the castle on Sunday, 17 July.
How to enter
To be in with a chance of winning tickets
tell us the name of Andre’s latest album.
Send your answer along with your name
and contact details (phone number, email
and/or postal address) to: Peter Andre,
Medway Matters, Medway Council, Gun
Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR, or
email medway.matters@medway.gov.uk,
subject ‘Peter Andre’.
The closing date is 5pm on Friday, 25 March,
and the winners will be the first five selected
from all entries.
Photo: Can Associates Limited
Medway M ATT E R S
The Editor’s decision is final. For competition rules
visit www.medway.gov.uk/rules.
Doorstep library deliveries are vital link for housebound
A dedicated group of volunteers is improving the lives of
housebound people and carers throughout Medway by
taking library services to their homes.
The home delivery service provides large and standard print
books, talking books, jigsaws, DVDs and music CDs for
people who are unable to get to their local library.
The 27 regular volunteer drivers visit about 130 homes at
least once a month. They are an important social link for many
people who are housebound and unable to get out much. This
may be because they have caring responsibilities, a disability,
are elderly or infirm.
One woman said: “I have always been an avid reader but I’m
unable to walk to the library. Now I look forward to some good
reading and seeing a friendly face every month.”
People can apply for a home delivery by contacting any
Serving You
Medway library. A note is taken of their likes and dislikes,
favourite subjects and authors and they can request certain
books or ask for a choice tailored to their profile.
Some users who can get to a library during the summer just
ask for a home delivery during the winter months. Mac Cain,
one of the volunteer drivers, said: “I get satisfaction knowing
that I’m able to help people continue with their reading.”
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for
Community Services, said: “The people who use this service
value it enormously for the contribution it makes to their
quality of life. The social and literary enjoyment they get from it
is in part due to the helpful staff and the dedication of the
volunteer couriers who help to run the service.”
For more information phone 337340 or email
gillingham.library@medway.gov.uk.
www.medway.gov.uk
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Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
Centre for creative talent
Firms with creative and original ideas, attracted by the unique facilities offered by
the Innovation Centre Medway (ICM), are moving to the area and creating jobs.
The ICM, on Maidstone Road, Chatham,
is more than 80 per cent full and has
44 firms that employ about 120 people.
The three-storey building offers a
range of facilities for high-tech
innovative businesses, including a dual
redundant 100 megabits per second
(Mbps) internet connection, server
hosting for off-site clients, 150 parking
spaces, reception facilities and a
75-seat conference centre.
An on-site team of business advisers
offer tenants their expertise from PR
and marketing advice to guidance on
product development and legal and
accountancy issues.
The centre is attracting and retaining
companies such as marketing firms,
software companies, website
developers and financial services
businesses. Not so long ago these firms
might have opted for locations away
from Medway.
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for
Strategic Development and Economic
Growth, Cllr Jane Chitty, said: “We are
constantly looking at ways to attract
new businesses to the area and to keep
local talent here in Medway.
“The Innovation Centre is all about the
future and is fast becoming a hub where
forward thinking businesses of the 21st
century can grow.”
For more information phone the
Innovation Centre on 887282 or email
info@innovationcentremedway.co.uk.
Firm born in back bedroom returns home in style
In 1993, at the age of 20, David Summers was a fledgling
businessman running a telecommunications support
firm from a back bedroom of his semi-detached home.
He expanded quickly, opening offices in Maidstone,
Edinburgh and Belfast, and employing 53 people. Now he has
returned to his roots by relocating his headquarters to the top
floor of Medway Council’s Innovation Centre.
He says the centre provides the best high-tech facilities in
Kent, and he believes these will help him expand further and
create jobs for local people.
Mr Summers, 37, had been working for a mobile phone
company when he set up Harlequin Ltd in Coniston Close,
Gillingham. The firm carries out property surveys for
companies in the technology sector. Its clients include 02,
Orange and Vodafone and the firm recently won a contract
helping British Telecom roll out broadband across the UK.
His offices are still operating in Edinburgh and Belfast.
Mr Summers (right) moved his headquarters to Maidstone in
1995 because, at the time, he could not find suitable premises
in Medway for his growing firm.
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www.medway.gov.uk
Now the Innovation Centre Medway meets his demand for
bigger office space in a place with high-tech facilities to service
his growing client base.
“The Innovation Centre offers the best broadband facilities in
Kent. The facilities are unrivalled,” he said.
Serving You
Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
ochester Castle will star on cinema
screens across the country in
March when it takes centre stage in
the £15million action thriller Ironclad.
The film, which has already received excellent pre-release
reviews within the industry, is described as a medieval
Magnificent Seven that promises wham-bam action, epic
emotion and gore.
Released by Warner Bros UK on Friday, 4 March, Ironclad
(Cert 15) is based on the two month siege of Rochester Castle
in 1215, probably one of the most prominent dates in the
area’s history.
The film stars Paul Giamatti as the despised King John, the
American actress Kate Mara (Brokeback Mountain), Maidstone
-born Mackenzie Crook (The Office), James Purefoy, Charles
Dance, Brian Cox, James Flemyng and Sir Derek Jacobi.
A replica of the 13th century castle was built at Dragon Studios
in Rhondda Cynon Taf, south Wales, where the whole film was
shot. Produced by Mythic Entertainment’s Rick Benattar and
Andrew Curtis, and directed by Jonathan English (A Good
Woman), Ironclad is the largest independent production filmed
in Wales.
But it was hit by the global banking crisis and has had to
overcome more obstacles than most independent films. Curtis
described its finances as “more complex than a London
Underground map”.
Cinemas in Medway are proposing to screen the film soon
after its release.
© 2010 Runnymede Productions Ltd
Serving You
It is 1215 and King John is forced by rebellious barons to
put his seal on the Magna Carta, upholding the rights of
free men, but within months he reneges on his pledge.
He assembles a mercenary army intending to exert bloody
revenge on those who defied him.
The mighty Rochester Castle, held by a group of Knights
Templar, bars his way and becomes a symbol of the rebels’
struggle for justice and freedom.
King John breaches the castle by undermining the south east
tower, using the fat from 40 pigs to set fire to pit props.
n Overlooking Rochester Castle in a scene from Ironclad
www.medway.gov.uk
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Medway M att e r s
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www.medway.gov.uk
February/March 2011
Serving You
Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
City status victory will help
market Medway to investors
A successful city bid
next year would help
market Medway to
investors, both nationally
and internationally.
As the government invites bids by
Friday, 27 May, for the competition to
award city status during the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee next year, Medway
Council has announced that it will
put forward a unique application to
transform Medway’s five towns and
rural areas into one city. The town that
wins the competition will be declared
a city by the Queen in 2012.
The Medway area forms the largest
conurbation in the south east of England
outside London with a population of
nearly 260,000.
The bid application will note that
Medway has all the key credentials of a
city. These include four universities,
a cathedral, two castles, unrivalled
heritage including a world-famous
historic dockyard and superb transport
and trade links to the capital and
continent. Next year Medway will
celebrate the 200th anniversary of
Charles Dickens’ birth, the bicentenary
of the Royal Engineers in Medway, and
the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Hopefully, the year will also see
Medway submit its dossier for the
Historic Dockyard and its Defences to
be nominated as a World Heritage Site.
This rich heritage, including the
cathedral, castles and military history,
allied to a great future as a university,
cultural, sporting and tourism
destination, gives Medway an
outstanding chance of success.
A recent survey shows that 67 per
cent of people in Medway actively
support the area’s bid, as do the KM
Group, BAE Systems, Arriva, mhs
homes, Ward Homes, Peel Ports,
Medway’s four universities, Kent County
Council and every Kent district.
While other towns will be competing
for city status in 2012, Medway’s bid is
strengthened by its combination of five
towns – Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham,
Rochester and Strood – each bringing
its own distinct identity. Each town,
of course, would retain its individual
identity within the city.
For more details about the city status
competition visit www.culture.gov.uk/
what_we_do/honours/7610.aspx.
Support
Medway’s city bid
www.cityofmedway.org
‘We have all
the key city
credentials’
“We believe that we
have the strongest
possible case,” said
Cllr Rodney Chambers,
the Leader of Medway
Council.
“Medway has all the key city
credentials. It has a population of
nearly 260,000, four universities, a
famous cathedral, a Football League
club, superb transport and trade links,
the historic dockyard, a £6billion
programme of regeneration, rural
areas and a great river setting.
“But it is not the buildings that make
Medway, it is the people.
“We are a city, in all but name.
And it is the people of Medway –
our strong, diverse and talented
community – who will champion our
city credentials.
“The people are the driving force of
Medway, and they deserve the
recognition this honour would bestow.
“If we can gain city status during the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year this
would help us to fully market what this
area has to offer.
“We fully believe that, with the
squeeze on the public sector purse
and the downturn in grants from
central government, gaining city status
would present us with a golden
opportunity to secure yet more
investment from the private sector.
“There is every reason for Medway to
go for it.”
© D Heathfield
Serving You
www.medway.gov.uk
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Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
Colourful way to recycle
An expansion of Medway’s kerbside
collection service means residents can now
recycle more household waste than ever.
Over the past few months several
changes have been introduced and more
than three quarters of residents are now
regularly recycling.
With a simple colour code, the blue
reusable bags are for paper and
cardboard while the white bags take glass
bottles, jars, cans, clean tin foil, empty
aerosols and household packaging such
as plastic bottles, yoghurt pots and
margarine tubs.
The brown wheelie bins are for food and
garden waste. Anything else can be put
in a black plastic sack.
Extra blue and white sacks are available
at contact points and libraries, or residents
can use carrier bags and boxes if their
containers are full.
Cllr Phil Filmer, the Portfolio Holder for
Frontline Services, said: “I thank Medway’s
residents for adapting to the slight changes
brought in.
“Separating the paper from other
recyclable material increases its value. This,
of course, allows us to use this money to
maintain other important council services
that we provide for residents. Recycling is
also much better for the environment.”
Why put food waste in my brown bin?
n Food from the brown bins is converted into compost
by a natural process. The majority of the produce is
then spread on local farms as a fertiliser.
n Food waste put in black bin liners is not recycled.
n The cost of composting food waste is about 30 per
cent less than if it is put in a black sack.
n Animals have difficulty getting to food in a bin, but
can rip open a black sack.
n Food can be wrapped in paper or in compostable
caddie liners to prevent any odours or spillage.
Why separate paper/card?
n Paper and card makes up about 70
per cent by weight of household
recycling.
n Separated paper is worth £500,000
a year.
n If it is mixed with other recyclables it
has to go through a costly mechanical
process to separate it.
n Paper and card that is collected
separately does not have to go
through a sorting process, has a
better value on UK markets.
Why issue reusable bags?
n There was a need for two new
containers – one for paper and card
and the other for mixed recycling.
n The paper and card has to be free
from any other material, including
plastic bags.
n Issuing reusable bags rather than
single use throw away ones will save
about £170,000 a year.
Why not a wheeled bin for
recycling?
n Wheeled bins would have been the
most expensive option, would not suit
many properties and the service
would still need two containers.
Why not weekly recycling?
n It would require a lot more lorries
and would have added £1.2million a
year to the cost of the contract.
12
www.medway.gov.uk
Serving You
Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
Grants boost for new firms and jobs
Businesses in Medway are reaping the benefits of Medway Council’s
loans and grants scheme, which gives them financial help to set up their
firms and grow despite the recession.
The Partners for Growth initiative offers interest free loans and
start-up grants to small and medium sized businesses, helping
them to develop and create jobs.
The loan scheme typically lends up to £15,000 to approved
businesses and repayments don’t start for six months.
The loans, which can be used to pay for equipment, staff
training or new technology, have helped around 175 businesses
in Medway, creating more than 900 jobs.
In just over a year, the start-up grant scheme has helped
establish more than 30 businesses, creating at least 30 local jobs.
Applicants for a loan or grant should contact the council’s
accredited business advisers, who will assess the idea and put
together a viable business plan.
The council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and
Economic Growth Cllr Jane Chitty said: “The council is
committed to helping businesses in the area pursue their goals
and create employment. These schemes underline this
commitment and we are beginning to see positive results, with
jobs secured, new roles being created and firms bucking the
economic trend.”
For more information phone the council’s Economic Development
Team on 338138, email business.support@medway.gov.uk or
visit www.medway.gov.uk/business.aspx.
Loan backs eco-friendly towels
Fabricsmart, based at the Innovation Centre Medway, received
£15,000 from the council’s Partners for Growth loan scheme to
help it expand.
The firm, run by entrepreneur Rob Cooper, specialises in
developing eco-friendly disposable products for the beauty
industry.
Its latest innovation, the Scrummi, a range of biodegradable
towels, is used in more than 300 beauty salons, spas,
hairdressers and sports centres
across the country.
“Our unique product helps
salons and spas reduce their
environmental impact while
making savings on having to wash
towels. With the interest free loan
we can market this product and
employ more staff to help develop
our products and ensure our
growth,” Mr Cooper said.
Fabricsmart: 821609, visit
www.fabricsmart.co.uk or email
info@fabricsmart.co.uk.
Jobless driver tends the gardens
Martin Rider’s business is growing since he used his £1,000
business grant to move into gardening.
He struggled to find work after being made redundant from
his delivery driver job in 2009, but applied for a grant that
helped him buy a van and tools and provided him with valuable
business advice and training. He now has 30 customers.
The father of five, from Rainham, said: “Going it alone was
daunting, I’d been unemployed for a while so money was tight
and the grant was really valuable.”
Marty Gardening: 07717 501425.
Cash puts business on the move
Prestige Mobility took to the road thanks to a £1,000 start-up
grant from the council. Jeffrey Prestige, 61, from Wilson
Avenue, Rochester, uses a specially adapted vehicle with a
chair lift to transport people who are in wheelchairs.
The former engineer set up his business after experiencing
difficulty transporting his wheelchair bound father. He said:
“The grant scheme offered training courses on the
fundamentals of managing a business and I’d recommend it.”
Prestige Mobility: 07704 404043.
Serving You
www.medway.gov.uk
13
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Memorial throws new light
on Chatham’s heritage
It’s been a beacon on the Medway skyline for 87 years
and now Chatham Naval War Memorial shines brightly
over the town every night, lit by low energy bulbs.
The illumination of Fort
Amherst and the memorial to
almost 19,000 sailors from both
World Wars who have no
known grave is part of the
continuing work to revitalise the
Great Lines Heritage Park. It is
linked to the World Heritage
Site bid for Chatham Dockyard
and its Defences.
The fort and memorial are lit
every evening. Six areas of the
Napoleonic fort are lit, including
the Barrier Ditch, the Cave
Yard, Prince William’s bastion
and the front of Belvedere.
The overground areas of the
250-year-old fort will be open
to the public free of charge
once the improvement work is
completed in a few months.
The Friends of the Great Lines
Heritage Park, a community
group that intends to raise
awareness about the park and
help to keep it clean and tidy,
has an open meeting at
Brompton Academy on
Thursday, 3 March, at 7pm.
Cllr Rodney Chambers, the
Leader of Medway Council,
said: “Fort Amherst has played
a significant part in our area’s
illustrious naval history and the
Naval War Memorial
commemorates the lives of
Royal Naval personnel who
gave their lives for this country.
“I am very proud that we now
light up the fort and the
memorial so that residents and
visitors are reminded of their
importance.”
For more details about the
Heritage Park or the Friends
visit www.glhp.co.uk, email
nicola.moy@medway.gov.uk
or phone 334319.
The Friends receives support
from the Medway Urban Parks
and Green Spaces Forum. For
more information about this
voluntary body visit
www.mupgsf.btck.co.uk or
phone 319461.
n The Government has received
Medway’s application to join the list
of UK World Heritage Sites. A strong
case has been made for Chatham
Dockyard and its Defences to be the
UK’s 2012 nomination.
Your rubbish can
be child’s play
With a little imagination and creativity, paper and
fabrics can be valuable items for children to use
in crafts and play.
And households across Medway
are being asked to donate useful
materials to the Scrap Store that
can be used by people working
with young children.
Materials such as clean
fabrics, unused card and
paper, wool, beads, old
Christmas decorations, CDs
and anything that is suitable
for children’s use are needed
for the store, the only one
in Medway.
Curtains can be cut up and
used to make dressing up
14
clothes, covers for den making
and story sacks, while paper
can be used for drawing,
painting, book making and
many other activities.
The store, in Bligh Way,
Strood, alongside Bligh Junior
School, is run by the Early
n In a scrap: Mark Holmes from the Early Years Services
Years and Childcare
Minimisation Team for its help
the store has seen donations
Professional Development
in reducing the amount of
from
residents
and
businesses
Centre and has been a great
unnecessary waste being sent
and
voluntary
organisations
success since it launched a
to landfill.
such
as
the
Women’s
Institute.
year ago. But it needs a
To make a donation or for
The
scheme
is
backed
by
constant supply of materials to
more
details phone 331488.
Medway
Council’s
Waste
continue. Over the past year,
www.medway.gov.uk
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Dated schools get
£15m makeover
Seven primary schools in Medway are to be rebuilt or modernised
during the next year at a cost of nearly £15million with most of the
work expected to start this summer.
The school buildings at All Faiths', Strood;
Napier, Gillingham; Oaklands, Chatham;
Thames View, Gillingham; Lordswood,
Chatham; Twydall and Walderslade will all
be improved.
Construction of the new Walderslade
primary school began in the autumn and
the building is due to open in September.
The new and modernised schools will
help towards raising standards and
results for children and young people in
Medway.
The schools were given £14.9million
from Medway Council’s 2010-11 Primary
Capital Programme budget after being
earmarked as the buildings most in need
of improvement.
The council’s Portfolio Holder for
Children’s Services Cllr Les Wicks said:
“Some of these buildings are unsuitable,
outdated and cramped. By prioritising the
schemes we can create the best learning
environments, while making the best use
of the funding available to us.”
Annie Campbell, the headteacher of
Lordswood School, said: “Our buildings
are 45 years old and as learning becomes
more interactive and flexible, the
classrooms are sometimes cramped and
difficult to work in.”
The infant and junior schools
amalgamated in September and the
builders, who are ready to move on to the
site, should have the work finished by
November.
“The new buildings will not only mean
that we are located within one building,
but pupils will be able to enjoy learning in
n Looking at plans for Lordswood School
an open plan space more akin to the style
of secondary schools. That will allow
them to get used to independent
learning,” Mrs Campbell added.
“This is an exciting time for everyone
at the school. It gives us the
opportunity to provide our pupils with a
new and exciting environment that
children will be able to enjoy for many
years to come.”
Children of different age groups will be
able to learn together in large, open plan
classrooms.
The rooms will be divided into zones
giving children the opportunity to be more
independent and interactive as they learn.
The areas will include a computer zone
with laptops, and a library zone.
n Construction lesson: Annie Campbell
with pupils at Lordswood School
Serving You
www.medway.gov.uk
15
Medway M att e r s
Bad parkers
caught out
M
ore pictures have been released showing
drivers who have illegally parked without
thinking whether doing so is dangerous or
inconsiderate to others.
A small minority of drivers in Medway are putting other
road users and pedestrians in danger and are causing road
hold-ups. And Medway Council, which has launched a
campaign for sensible parking, says that anyone who
parks illegally runs the risk of receiving a fine.
These images, taken by one of the council’s CCTV cars,
show the kind of parking that enforcement officers
regularly encounter.
The top picture shows a number of cars caught in traffic
because of cars illegally double parked on a busy street,
while the other shows a Mini-Cooper parked across double
yellow lines and a pavement, which has forced a pedestrian
to walk in the road.
Cllr Phil Filmer, the Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services,
said: “A few selfish, thoughtless people can make it
dangerous and difficult for others. Anyone who parks
illegally in Medway, no matter who they are, runs the risk
of getting fined.
“Hundreds of people a year ask us to put yellow lines in
their streets to stop inconsiderate and illegal parking and
we get dozens of calls a month from residents asking us
to send the CCTV car to their street because of problems.”
Medway CCTV car operators work under strict guidelines
and do not have any targets or receive extra payment for
booking motorists. Any complaints should be made to
the council’s parking services on 333333. All complaints
are looked into.
16
www.medway.gov.uk
February/March 2011
Legal cases
Man forged wife’s signature
to apply for £12,000 loans
A fraudster passed off his new partner as his estranged
wife in an attempt to claim £12,000 from Medway
Council for home improvements.
David Green, 58, persuaded his partner to go with him to the
council offices posing as his wife, Josephine Green. He also
forged his wife’s signature on application forms for a heating
grant and a loan for other work at their former marital home in
Jasper Avenue, Rochester, Medway Magistrates heard.
But housing staff became suspicious and investigated the
claim. They also found that Green had been falsely claiming
council tax benefit and a single person discount after failing
to notify them that his new partner had been living with him
for three years. It meant that Green benefited by £1,632,
which he has had to pay back.
His attempted loan and grant fraud would have cost the
council’s taxpayers £11,812.
Green, of Danson Drive, Hoo Marina Park, admitted
forgery and tax offences at Medway Magistrates’ Court.
He was sentenced to a Community Order for 12 months
and must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also
ordered to pay council costs of £200.
Cllr Alan Jarrett, the council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance,
said: “We are determined to stop people defrauding the
taxpayers of Medway. I applaud the council’s benefits
investigation team for helping to bring Green to justice.”
Builder admits fly-tipping
A builder who failed to make the proper checks when
disposing of waste now has a criminal record after
materials dumped in Rainham were traced back to him.
Medway Council’s environmental enforcement team linked
rubbish dumped in a field off Meresborough Road,
Rainham, with Michael King. King, 46, said he paid an
unknown man £120 to take it away but had failed to check
the man’s waste carrier’s licence or to insist on a transfer
note, Medway magistrates heard.
King, of Prescott Avenue, Petts Wood, Orpington, pleaded
guilty to illegally disposing of controlled waste and was
fined £500. He was ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15
victim surcharge.
Cigarette costs man £340
A man has been ordered by a court to pay £340 for
dropping a cigarette butt in Chatham town centre.
Andrew Baker, 31, of Luton Road, Chatham, failed to
pay the £80 fixed penalty notice for littering and was
found guilty in his absence at Medway Magistrates’
Court where he was fined £175 and ordered to pay £150
in costs as a well as a £15 victims surcharge.
Clearing 2,200 tonnes of litter, including cigarette butts
and food wrappers, from pavements and parks costs
Medway taxpayers £2.8million a year.
Serving You
Medway M att e r s
February/March 2011
Complete the Countdown Challenge for charity
Learning, exercising and helping a
good cause are all combined in the
Olympic Countdown Challenge being
held to raise money for the British
Heart Foundation.
The fundraising day will give people the
opportunity to learn and take part in at
least six different forms of exercise under
the supervision of an experienced and
professional specialist.
The activities include yoga, circuit
training and different forms of dance.
The event on Saturday, 5 March, is being
held at the Adult Learning Centre in
Green Street, Gillingham ME7 5TJ, from
10am until 2pm.
An enrolment fee of £5 is the donation
to charity but participants are being
encouraged to obtain sponsorship to
improve the success of the exercise
charity event.
The one-day session is a combination
Impartial advice offers to take
stress out of money problems
In the current economic climate it is easy to get into
difficulties and become worried about home finances. Citizens
Advice Bureau offers free and impartial advice to people
who need help with debt or other money problems. Its
advice on relieving the stress over financial matters includes:
●
Listing all debts to ensure priority debts are identified.
●
Making sure important bills are paid first – such as
rent/mortgage, gas/electric, council tax, court fines
and TV licence.
●
Making a weekly or monthly budget and sticking to it – this
should include things such as food, petrol, travel expenses.
Then working out how much debt can be paid off.
●
Start a savings account for Christmas – it may seem
a long way off but it will be useful in December.
●
Open all letters received and act immediately if repaying
money owed is a problem.
●
Talking to any individuals who are owed money and making
them a repayment offer. If they won’t accept the offer, don’t
give up. Do not feel pressured into making larger, unaffordable
payments because this will create more problems.
Anyone who needs help with debt problems can contact
Citizens Advice Bureau by phoning 888182 between 9.30am
and 4.30pm Monday to Friday; write to 5a New Road Avenue,
Chatham ME4 6BB; email advicemedwaycab@hotmail.co.uk
or visit CAB at the above address from 9am Monday to Friday.
Help is also available on the website www.adviceguide.org.uk.
Serving You
of lots of exercises, but it is up to the
individual how many exercises they take.
However, their workout could last for
three hours.
Places for the Olympic Countdown
Challenge must be booked in advance by
phoning 338400.
Medway Adult and Community Learning
Service holds a wide range of exercise
classes. For a directory of classes visit
www.medway.gov.uk/adultlearning.
Fighting computer data fraud
Computer data checks that allow potentially fraudulent
claims and payments to be spotted and investigated are
being conducted on Medway Council records.
These could relate to housing benefits, parking permits,
insurance claimants, taxi and alcohol licences, supported
care home residents, council tax and other matters.
The data is shared by organisations to help prevent and detect
fraud that could cost council taxpayers’ money.
It is part of the Audit Commission’s 2010-11 National Fraud
Initiative, which involves sharing information with other publicfunded organisations in order to weed out fraudsters.
The Audit Commission is responsible for carrying out data
matching exercises by checking the computer records held
by one body – such as the council – against those of the
same or other organisation to confirm that the information
is consistent.
The data and code of practice can be found at
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi.
Starting family history research
People starting research into their family tree can get free
help from members of Kent Family History Society at
sessions on Wednesday, 9 and Wednesday, 16 February,
from 2.30pm until 4pm.
Places must be booked for the events
at Medway Archive and Local Studies
Centre, Clocktower building, Strood.
Phone 332714 or visit
www.facebook.com/
medwayarchives for details.
www.medway.gov.uk
17
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
£8m care home opens with
an alternate philosophy
The first residents have moved into an
£8million residential home caring for
people with dementia.
Amherst Court, Chatham, is a purpose
built development designed and equipped
to provide a safe, stimulating environment
for 112 people with dementia.
Set in its own grounds and run by
Avante Care and Support, it was
designed with the “Eden Alternative”
in mind. The Eden Alternative is a new
philosophy that aims to tackle loneliness,
helplessness and boredom in older
people by putting the emphasis on
spontaneity, companionship and variety.
Medway Council owns the site in
Palmerston Road, previously occupied by
the Churchlands Residential Care Home,
and has granted a long lease to Avante
Partnership, one of the largest social care
providers in the region.
Built in just 18 months by Denne
Construction, the home’s 112 en-suite
bedrooms are divided into six suites,
each containing a lounge area and dining
room, which gives a more intimate and
18
www.medway.gov.uk
homely feel. Additional communal areas
such as a café, hair salon, music and
games room provide opportunities for
people to take part in stimulating and
interesting activities.
‘It has a great
family feeling’
The daughter of a resident
Cllr Tom Mason, the council’s Portfolio
Holder for Adult Services, said: “The
redevelopment of this home is wonderful.
The council identified the need for extra
dementia care in the area and through
our partnership with Avante Care and
Support we have been able to provide
this in a modern setting.”
For more information phone 01795
597431, email enquiries@avante
caresupport.org.uk or visit
www.avantepartnership.org.uk.
Café is the hub
The hub of Amherst Court is the
Calypso café, which is in the main
reception area and is always busy.
It is open to non-residents and
families, who say it is an ideal area
for meeting their relative.
“When we come to see mum we all
enjoy going to the café and having a
panini. Mum likes to see us somewhere
other than in her room all the time,” said
one relative. “It is really nice because
mum feels that she has had an outing.
“The home has a great family feeling.
The transition for our mum was seamless
and she loves her room.”
Another woman using the café said:
“I like the fact that the home is secure.
We enjoy using this area because it’s like
going to a hotel café. Dad likes it.”
The son of a prospective resident said:
“On walking around, the day centre is a
great idea and the people using it can
use the hairdresser and the café area.
It’s well thought out and inviting.”
Serving You
Skate and wh
eel
park gets
off the grou
nd
Young BMX
bikers, in-lin
e skaters an
are masterin
d skateboard
g their tricks
ers
a
t
Co
ze
nton Skate P
where they
ark,
have been m
aking full use
specialist are
of the
a since it op
ened.
The facility,
beh ind Spla
shes Leisure
in Cozenton
Centre,
Park, Rainh
am, has been
following co
cr
eated
nsultations
with residen
ts
and young
people who
gave their v
ie
w
s
and ideas
for its desig
n.
The park’s
unique desig
n uses concr
poured dire
ete
ctly on site
(r
a
th
er than
pre-fabricate
d units) allo
wing for mo
scope and in
re
novation.
There is als
o a seating
and hangou
The skate p
t area.
ark was built
a
ft
e
r Medway C
was awarded
ouncil
£178,000 to
provide play
Medway th
fa
ci
lities in
rough the B
ig Lottery Fu
nd.
‘It’s cosmic.
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Jude Frankum, 14
Photographs: praxisdesign.co.uk
C a p s t o n e e x t e n d s it s t r
a il s
New sports and activity trails
are attracting more walkers,
joggers, cyclists and horse ride
rs to Capstone Country Park
following a £135,000 transfo
rmation of the 280-acre site
.
Medway’s largest green spa
ce, in Capstone Road,
Gillingham, is used by 300,00
0 visitors a year. It now has
a
new mountain bike track, cro
ss-country horse jumps and
walking, jogging and cycling
trails.
An extra mile of horse tracks
with eight cross-country
jumps have been installed, exp
anding the park’s existing
bridal ways to 3.5 miles.
The grass cycling trails include
1.5km, 2.5km and 5km
marked grass routes plus a tou
gher 3.5km mountain bike
track with free ride platforms.
And there are four walking and
Serving You
running routes, covering 1.5k
m, 3km,
5km and 10km, plus an eightpiece outdoor fitness trim trai
l.
The Deputy Leader of
Medway Council,
Cllr Alan Jarrett, said:
“Th is investment opens up
this park to new visitors, as
well as encouraging people
of all
ages to get fit and active by
exploring
our natural landscape.”
For more information phone
338191 between
10am and 4.30pm or visit ww
w.medw ay.gov.uk.
www.medway.gov.uk
19
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
d
n
e
t
x
e
n
a
c
p
e
t
s
ll
a
m
s
e
n
O
s
e
id
r
t
s
y
h
lt
a
e
h
e
g
r
la
to
Increasing numbers of people in Medway are taking
small but significant steps towards a healthier lifestyle
encouraged by the A Better Medway campaign.
More than 1,000 people who live or work in the area
have made a pledge to improve their lives since the
campaign was launched a year ago.
The changes they are making can be as simple as
ensuring they find the time to unwind from the pressures
of daily life or joining a walking group.
The campaign encourages people to make positive
lifestyle changes by letting them know what advice and
local support services are available. It covers eating
healthily, getting active, stopping smoking, drinking
sensibly and managing stress. For more information visit
www.abettermedway.co.uk.
An online version of Medway Cooks! Recipe Collection is
available to anyone who wants to cook healthier meals at
home or who would like inspiration for recipe ideas.
The collection contains 30 simple recipes, including a
selection of entries from Medway residents, and it shows
that healthy eating can be simple, tasty and doesn’t have
to cost a fortune.
The five ways to well-being have been identified by
national research as things people can do to help
themselves feel better and protect them against anxiety
and depression. They are:
1 - connecting with other people
2 - being active – taking part in an activity that is
enjoyable and at a suitable level of fitness
3 - taking notice of the world and one’s feelings
4 - keep learning – it can build confidence as well as
being fun
5 - giving – doing something nice for someone,
volunteering or joining a community group
For people who enjoy walking but don’t like going
by themselves or prefer the company of others,
they can get information about Medway Health
walks by phoning 331371 or sending an email to
walking@medway.gov.uk.
Anyone who has an original recipe that
they’d like to share with others should
email it to change4life@medway.gov.uk
to be considered.
Also online is information about five
ways to well-being, which, if built into
daily life, can help people get through
difficult times, and get more out of
life when things are going well.
Achieving goals
Voluntary and community groups across Medway have been
applying for grants ranging from £500 to £5,000 in their
work towards encouraging healthier communities.
This includes advising people on eating healthily, getting
active, drinking sensibly or managing stress.
Although the deadline for applications has expired, more
20
www.medway.gov.uk
than 30 grants have been awarded during the past year to
help a diverse range of projects, from the creation of a
community produce garden to yoga sessions for isolated
elderly people.
Living a healthy, balanced life is a goal most people aspire
to. Finding a way that works best,
by taking small, manageable steps
can make a big difference to a
person’s health and happiness.
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Chris Collins, the BBC’s gardening expert, writes a regular column for Medway Matters
Winter fails to freeze out
preparations for spring
It’s that time of year when only the hardiest of gardeners
are likely to be working outdoors but there are plenty of
things people can be getting on with.
Now is the time to chit early potatoes. Chit? It just means
encouraging seed potatoes to sprout before planting them
about six weeks later.
Put them “blunt” end up in trays or egg boxes in a place
where they will catch some light. They will be ready to plant
when the shoots are between 1.5cm and 2.5cm (0.5in-1in) long.
It is also time to sow brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
cabbage and cauliflower) in greenhouses or cold frames,
although carrots can be sown into open ground.
Mulching beds and borders, and the top of containers, will
help protect plants from frost, while birds will appreciate people
putting out food and water. Break ice on small ponds and try to
avoid stepping onto a frozen lawn; feet will crush the grass.
Spiking, or aerating, a lawn will help water to drain.
Finally, if it is too cold to get outdoors, you could clean and oil
garden machinery and tools in the garage or shed.
Sponsored by
Southern Water
Seasonal sense
• Clear any remaining dead leaves from the garden,
particularly those caught in the crown of plants
• Cover rhubarb plants to force growth, and plant
soft fruit such as blackberry and gooseberry
• Sow sweet peas under glass or in a propagator
• Order summer flowering bulbs
• Apply organic fertilisers such as bone meal or fish
blood bone to the soil and around trees and shrubs
ADVERTISEMENT
Making the punishment fit the crime
Medway residents will have more of a say in deciding
what kind of community work offenders will carry out as
part of their punishment.
As part of a community sentence, offenders can be ordered
to carry out up to 300 hours of unpaid work - known as
Community Payback. They have to work on local projects and
neighbourhood improvements.
An agreement between Kent Probation and the Medway
Community Safety Partnership will help provide a scheme
that gives residents more say in setting project priorities.
Individuals and forums such as Neighbourhood Panel
meetings, environmental audits and police surgeries will help
decide the jobs they would like offenders to tackle.
Community Payback makes an offender give back
something to the community for their crime. Projects can
include removing graffiti, picking up litter, repairing and
decorating community centres, clearing undergrowth from
paths and other public areas and working on environmental
projects. Offenders have to wear bright orange high-visibility
jackets marked
“Community Payback”.
Stuart Cullen, Kent
Probation's Community Payback Manager, said it was a tough
and visible punishment of offenders that responded to the
priorities of the community.
Cllr Mike O’Brien, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for
Community Safety and Enforcement and vice-chair of
Medway CSP, said: “Community Payback pays a vital role not
only in seeing justice done but also as a way of benefiting the
community. This will not replace the council’s work in keeping
streets and parks clear of
litter but it will be a
welcome addition.”
In Medway, 2,700
offenders carried out nearly
24,500 hours of work
between April and
September last year.
To nominate a Community
Payback project email
csu@medway.gov.uk
or visit the Kent
Payback time
Probation website at
in the snow
www.kentprobation.org.
www.medwaycsp.co.uk
Serving You
www.medway.gov.uk
21
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
ADVERTISEMENT
NHS Medway plans and pays for NHS
healthcare for everyone who lives in
Medway. We aim to ensure the right
services are there when you need them.
Help your health service care
Helen Buckingham, the Acting Chief Executive of NHS Medway, takes a look at the service
and suggests how, with everyone’s help, it can improve care without raising costs
Boys and girls born in
Medway this year can look
forward to a longer lifespan
than any previous generation.
Life-changing operations that used to
require people to stay in hospital for
several days – such as cataracts and
gallbladder removal – are now routinely
available as day surgery.
Every year new drugs become available
to improve survival rates and the quality
of life for seriously ill patients.
These are successes that touch the lives
of us all. But they come with a price tag.
The NHS budget has been protected
from the cuts in public spending by the
Government, but there is little extra
money to meet the increased demands
that arise as people, thankfully, live longer
with the help of advances in medicine.
This means that those of us who
manage health services are looking at
how we can do things better, smarter and
differently to meet those needs while
freeing up money to meet the increasing
demand.
Often, care that is better for patients is
actually cheaper.
For example, in the past few months,
NHS Medway has introduced a new
service for sudden eye problems. Seven
high street opticians in Medway are now
accredited to deal with problems such as
pain, blurred vision or dry eyes, so people
can be treated locally instead of having to
go to Maidstone Hospital. More than 85
per cent of people get their problem
sorted with one local appointment, saving
the NHS an estimated £275,000 a year.
We understand that health problems can
be frightening and that, at some point,
patients or their family may want to phone
999 for an ambulance. However, often it’s
22
www.medway.gov.uk
n Helen Buckingham
best to treat patients in their home for
illnesses that are not life threatening.
Paramedic practitioners working for
South East Coast Ambulance Service
NHS Trust (SECAmb) can assess and
treat at home many patients with less
serious conditions or refer patients to
other healthcare professionals, such as
MedOCC, Medway’s on call GP and
nurse service.
A visit or phone call from a MedOCC
doctor, an appointment at one of
MedOCC’s clinics, or referral to a
Medway Community Healthcare service
can resolve the majority of problems in a
way that is more convenient for patients,
who are often elderly, and their carers,
than being rushed to the emergency
department.
We expect these two initiatives to save
more than £150,000 a year initially, which
will increase over time.
But it is not all up to the NHS. Everyone
has a responsibility to use NHS services
wisely so that care is there when patients
need it.
n The poster campaign encouraging people
to use NHS services responsibly
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Got a query or need information about a Medway health service?
NHS Medway Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Phone NHS Direct at any time if you are ill or injured and unsure what to do next,
or to find a local service and its opening hours – such as a pharmacy, GP surgery
or clinic. NHS Direct can answer questions and give advice.
Phone 0845 4647 or visit www.nhs.uk.
PALS is a friendly and professional NHS service offering
support, advice and guidance about medical and health
related issues for Medway residents.
Phone 0800 014 1641 or email pals@medwaypct.nhs.uk.
for you
‘Everyone has a
part to play’
Choosing the healthy
options raises standards
1 Look after your personal health
Being active, maintaining a healthy weight, and
not smoking will help you stay well by reducing
your risk of serious illnesses such as heart
disease, cancer, dementia and diabetes. Details
of services in Medway to help people quit
smoking, eat healthily, get active, drink sensibly
and manage stress are at
www.abettermedway.co.uk.
2 Use the services to keep
yourself well
Take up offers of screening, immunisation or an
NHS Health Check. The NHS provides them to
help reduce the risk of serious illness or to
detect it at an early stage when people can
receive the most effective treatment and with
greatest success.
3 Keep your personal details up
to date
It is vital to be registered with a GP (family
doctor) to receive the full range of healthcare
services. Visit www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/
yourhealth for how to register. Tell your GP
and any clinics you attend if you move home.
Clinics also need to know if you change your
GP practice.
4 Don’t waste a space
Always turn up for a NHS appointment or phone
to cancel one in plenty of time if you can’t make
it. Missed appointments cost the NHS in
Medway more than £1million a year and waste
slots that other people need.
5 Take care with medication
If anyone is taking two or more types of tablets
and you’re not sure why, you should talk to your
pharmacist. There might be a different way to
take the tablets or they might no longer be
needed. Repeat prescriptions should be ordered
in plenty of time, particularly when you’re going
on holiday and before bank holidays. Old or
unused tablets should be taken to the pharmacy
rather than thrown into a bin.
6 Treating minor illnesses
Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu and
tummy bugs, are best treated at home. They
cannot be cured by antibiotics. Buy over the
counter medication – a pharmacist will give
Serving You
advice if you’re not sure – and stay at home.
Drink plenty of water in small sips. If you are
worse after a few days or are not improving,
contact your GP.
7 Stop illnesses spreading
Hands should be washed often and well. You
should be rigorous about hygiene, and sneeze
or cough into a tissue, throw it away and wash
hands. It is not a good idea to visit hospital or
care homes if you feel unwell – a mild infection
might be dangerous to vulnerable patients.
8 Ask for advice
The website www.nhs.uk and NHS Direct on
0845 46 47 can help with health worries and
concerns. If you are not sure whether you need
to see a doctor, you can talk through the
problem with NHS Direct.
9 Seek help when it’s needed
When you need to see a doctor, make an
appointment with your GP practice. If it is
urgent, explain why and the practice will try to
fit you in. If they can’t, you can be referred to
Medway On Call Care (MedOCC) or you can go
to the walk-in centre at 547-553 Canterbury
Street, Gillingham. Urgent medical help out of
hours, in the evenings and at weekends or bank
holidays is available by phoning MedOCC direct
on 891855.
10 Keep emergency services free
for those who really need them
The emergency department at Medway Maritime
Hospital, and the ambulance service, are there
to treat serious and life-threatening illness and
injury – for example, heavy blood loss, loss of
consciousness, difficulty breathing or poisoning.
People are seen at the emergency department in
strict order of need. Those who have minor
problems will have to wait until more serious
cases are dealt with. These services should not
be used unless it is really necessary.
For more information visit
www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/choosewell.
NHS Medway would like to know your ideas
about how the local service can improve
care and save money. Email
itsyournhsmedway@nhs.net or phone 335173.
www.medway.gov.uk
23
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
New developer for Riverside homes
Hyde Housing, one of the largest housing associations
in the south east, is working with Medway Council to
develop the first phase of the Rochester Riverside
regeneration site.
The housing group will build the first three residential blocks at
the southern (Chatham) end of the site. Most of the new homes
will be for shared ownership and rent.
Hyde approached the council after the deadline for Crest
Nicholson to build homes on Rochester Riverside expired.
The Leader of Medway Council Cllr Rodney Chambers said:
“The proposal that we’re developing with Hyde means
construction could start in September. I’m delighted that we’ve
attracted the interest of such an impressive developer.”
The scheme is backed by a £4.6million grant for affordable
housing from the Homes and Communities Agency.
Mike Finch, Principal Development Manager at Hyde, said:
“We are committed to providing local people with high quality,
affordable houses in communities they are proud to call home.
“We are looking forward to working closely with the council to
provide the homes that Medway residents need.”
The 75-acre Rochester Riverside site, owned by the council and
the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), has
outline planning permission for 2,000 homes, hotels, shops, offices,
bars and restaurants, two public parks and a primary school.
Meanwhile, construction of the £5million Waterfront bus station
on Globe Lane, Chatham, is progressing well and will be fully
operational in the summer. For the latest information on the
project visit www.medway.gov.uk/chathamfuture.
And the £2.5million improvements to Corporation Street,
Rochester, are due to finish in March.
Information at the
heart of communities
Volunteers who can
inspire young people
More community information centres are opening in
Medway following the success of a pilot scheme in
Twydall, Gillingham.
The move is in response to residents saying that they wanted
somewhere local to get information about public services
provided by Medway Council and its partners.
People visiting the centres can find out about housing,
employment and training, health, community safety, benefits,
education, transport, leisure events and youth services.
The Twydall information centre opened at Twydall Library last
September, and two other centres opened in January at
Woodside Community Centre, Strood, and White Road
Community Centre, Chatham.
Two more will follow in the All Saints and Brook-Lines
neighbourhoods in Chatham before the end of March.
The centres provide information leaflets and brochures, wall
displays and a direct phone line to the council’s Customer First.
There is a room where people can meet an advisor for a private
appointment about services such as housing and health.
Cllr Jane Chitty, the council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic
Development and Economic Growth, said: “This important
initiative has been generated and supported by residents who
have taken part in bringing services closer to the community.
It benefits people who otherwise might feel isolated.”
Most people get satisfaction from being able to pass on
a skill, especially to someone younger.
And more than 100 adults in Medway regularly help with
sports coaching, creative arts, vehicle maintenance, camp
crafts, DIY skills, cooking and many other activities run by
Medway Youth Service.
These volunteers are active in youth centres, outdoor
education, holiday provision and street-based work. They
help on short-term projects or attend youth centres and
projects on a regular basis.
24
www.medway.gov.uk
‘It’s not about doing a good deed - I enjoy it’
Anyone who feels that they might be able to inspire a
young person or can teach them something is welcome to
offer their services.
One volunteer said: “It’s fun. Young people have an
amazing sense of humour and when they are passionate
about something they really do give it their all.
“The feeling I get from doing voluntary work is not a sense
of having done a good deed, but simply that I have enjoyed
it. It’s almost as though the young people are doing me a
voluntary service.” To find out more about offering help email
youth.enquiries@medway.gov.uk or phone 332286.
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Trail provides link for community pride
A five-mile urban and rural trail has opened taking walkers
through Strood and Frindsbury to link up with countryside
paths in the Medway Gap between the M2 and M20.
The route of the Strood Community Trail, which starts near
Knights Place recreation ground, is marked by signs bearing
the cross of the Knights Templar and passes the historic
Temple Manor.
The idea was launched last February as a volunteer
community project by local groups keen that people should
be able to walk and explore the area and see how varied it is.
“We wanted to let people see that there is a better side to
Strood and to take a pride in their community,” said Rita Hunt,
the chairman of the community trail committee.
The trail is financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, provided
through the Valley of Visions project, and follows pavements,
Shops card has its rewards
Shoppers in Medway are benefiting from the special
offers and discounts being giving to holders of a free
Medway City Card.
The card, which is accepted in shops and restaurants
across Medway, rewards people for shopping locally and
helps make their money go further. It also helps to support
local businesses.
The deals include discounts of up to 20 per cent, buy one
get one free promotions and exclusive special offers. Some
offers may be for a limited time.
Among the businesses currently offering discounts are:
BSM, Confucius Chinese Restaurant, the Crown in Rochester,
Echoes Gyms, Just Cuts Butchers, Medway Diamond House,
Orchard Windows (Kent), PDQ Secretarial Services, Radiance
Hair and Beauty, Rochester Castle and Varley
Electrical. More are listed on the website.
People can apply for a card online at
www.medwaycitycard.co.uk or by
completing an application form
available at libraries, leisure
centres and contact points.
Serving You
open spaces and footpaths through
Strood, Frindsbury, Broomhill and
Rede Common.
Unemployed people helped with
clearance work as part of a governmentfunded scheme and children have designed mosaics for the
paths, based on the local wildlife, landscape and heritage.
The Strood trail links with paths in Cuxton, Halling,
Snodland, Aylesford, Wouldham and Burham, enabling people
to explore the entire length of the Medway Valley.
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for
Community Services, said: “This is a real community project. It
shows what can be done when people have a shared ambition.”
A leaflet giving details of the route is available from libraries
and contact points.
Help shape tomorrow
through the census
All households in Medway, and nationally, will need to
complete a census questionnaire on Sunday, 27 March.
The population census is carried out every 10 years across
England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics
(ONS). The results help the government and local authorities
to plan the services and resources people need, such as
transport, housing, healthcare and education.
The amount of money Medway Council will receive for these
services over the next 10 years will be directly influenced by
statistics from the census.
The questionnaires will arrive by post and this census will
be the first to offer households the choice of completing the
form online or returning it by post.
Answers will be in confidence and will only be used to
produce statistics. ONS will not share the information with
other government departments or organisations.
For more information visit www.census.gov.uk.
www.medway.gov.uk
25
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
ADVERTISEMENT
NHS Foundation Trust
News from your local hospital
How everyone can avoid
spreading winter virus
Commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, Norovirus is a highly
infectious virus which causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Most people
catch it during the winter months, but it can occur at any time of year
and it is estimated that between 600,000 and one million people in the
UK are infected by it every year.
The symptoms of Norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some
cases fever, headache, stomach cramps and aching limbs. Symptoms can
last for 12 to 60 hours, but most people recover within two days.
Linda Dempster, Head of Infection Control, said: “Norovirus is incredibly
contagious and poses a great threat to the health of people who are
already very ill.
“In the majority of cases, no specific treatment is required, apart
from letting the virus and its symptoms take its course. People
should ensure they maintain their fluid intake – this is particularly
important with the very young or the elderly. If the symptoms
persist, the patient becomes dehydrated or has an underlying
medical condition and should contact their GP or call NHS Direct
on 0845 4647 for advice.”
What is Norovirus?
l
Norovirus is one of a group of viruses that are the most
common cause of stomach bugs in England and Wales. It is
common between November and April and is also called the
winter vomiting virus.
l Symptoms usually begin around 12 to 48 hours after the
person becomes infected and it can last for 12 to 60 hours. It
starts with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile
vomiting and/or watery diarrhoea.
l There is no specific treatment for Norovirus apart from
letting the virus and its symptoms take their course.
Everyone can help restrict the spread of Norovirus by
washing their hands before preparing food or eating food;
after handling raw meat; using the toilet; changing a nappy;
touching rubbish bins; using cleaning cloths; playing with
pets; emptying litter trays; working in the garden; cleaning
up blood or vomit.
26
www.medway.gov.uk
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
News from your local hospital
Mealtime volunteers Quieter
saw puts
children
at ease
It is believed that four in 10 people over the
age of 65 are malnourished when they are
admitted to hospital.
In response, Medway NHS Foundation Trust
has recruited volunteers to assist elderly
patients at meal times.
Glyn Scott, Nutrition Nurse Specialist at the
trust, said: “In order to get better and strong, it’s
important that patients eat well and eat things
they like. This is why we’ve recruited a team of
volunteers to make sure that patients get the
help they sometimes need.
“All our volunteers have been fully trained in
how to feed patients, the mechanics of
swallowing and how to spot malnourishment.
They help with the tea rounds, find out what
kinds of food the patients like, help them fill in
their menu card and assist them at meal times.
“The response from patients and their families
has been really positive. We’re hoping to
introduce it on more wards in the near future.”
NHS Foundation Trust
Medway NHS Foundation Trust has
become the first trust in the south east to
use a specialised cast saw for children who
need to have a plaster cast removed from a
broken limb.
The saw is quieter and smaller than a traditional
cast saw which can make patients nervous and
scared of their treatment when there is no need
to be. The saw is also ideal for removing casts
from patients with learning disabilities.
Traditional cast saws can be quite large and
noisy when cutting through the layers, making the
removal of a cast not always a happy experience
for children.
John McLaughlin, Orthotics Clinical Lead,
said: “We do find that lots of children are
scared of the big cast saws and the
noise makes them very nervous.
“These saws are also very
cumbersome because they are
attached to a unit the size of a
Henry vaccum cleaner. But the
new paediatric cast saw is
hand held and battery operated
and is easier to manoeuvre
around the limb. It is much
better for our patients.”
n Michael Carlton, the
paediatric plaster theatre
lead, removes a cast.
Working together for a better future
Medway is a foundation trust, which means that, unlike
other NHS trusts which are only accountable to
government, it is also accountable to its members – the
public and its staff.
This means that the people using the hospital, not just those
working in it, have a greater say in its running and the type
of services it offers.
Trust governor Pam Gibbon, said: “As a member you can
influence the development of the trust through the Council of
Governors. The governors are your link with the trust.
Tell us about the good things you experience and the things
you’d like to change and we'll pass on your message. This
way, the trust can develop in line with your expectations
and needs.”
The trust hosts regular members’ meetings where concerns
Serving You
can be aired, opinions shared and ideas put forward. As a
result of these meetings the trust began a series of
successful events last year called Medicine for Members.
Talks were given by consultants on specific medical
conditions, offering advice and information and an update on
improvements in treatment. The trust will be running another
series of events this year – the dates will be available on
www.medway.nhs.uk.
People don’t have to be members to attend, but it’s easier
to have their say and to find out about future events if they
are. Being a member is free and they can have as much or
as little involvement as they like.
Some 10,000 people in Medway have signed up. Contact
the membership office on 825292 to register over the phone,
or sign up online at www.medway.nhs.uk.
www.medway.gov.uk
27
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
W H AT ’ S O N ? W H AT ’ S O N ? W H AT ’ S O N ? W H AT ’ S O N ? W H AT ’ S O N ?
Exhibition
Thursday, 24 February until Tuesday, 12 April
Wingets at work and play
Medway Archive and Local
Studies Centre,
Clocktower building,
Strood
Free
Brimstone and
Treacle
Medway Little Theatre,
256 High Street, Rochester
ME1 1HY
Tickets £7 (£6 members);
£4.50 (Monday)
Box office: 400322 or visit
www.mlt.org.uk.
Art
Monday, 14 February until
Thursday, 31 March
Art in the Dockyard
Exhibition by local amateur
and professional artists
No1 Smithery Gallery,
The Historic Dockyard
Chatham ME4 4TZ
www.thedockyard.co.uk.
Talk
Wednesday, 16 February
8pm
Exploring
Battlefields in Kent
Wigmore Library, 208
Fairview Avenue, Gillingham
ME8 0PX
Tickets: £3.50 (booking
advised)
Rainham
Radio Rally
Music
Saturday, 5 March 7.30pm
Charity Ball
Saturday, 19 March
6.30pm-1am
The City of Rochester
Symphony Orchestra
Una Noche de
Flamenco
The Central Theatre,
Chatham ME4 4AS
Tickets: £9-£14
Box office: 338338 or visit
www.crso.org.uk.
The Mayor of Medway’s
Charity Ball
Corn Exchange, Rochester
ME1 1LX
Three-course dinner with a
Spanish flavour
Tickets: £35
Phone 332404 or email
mayor@medway.gov.uk.
Dance
Thursday, 17 March 8pm
St Patrick’s Night
Party
ADVERTISEMENT
Shopping
Sunday, 20 February and
Sunday, 20 March
9am-1pm
Sun, 20 Feb 7.30pm
Steve Harley
Farmers’ Market
Corporation Street car park,
Rochester ME1 1NN
www.rochesterfarmers
market.co.uk.
Sunday, 27 March
British Summer Time begins.
Clocks go forward one hour.
Contacting Medway Matters
Medway Matters,
Communications and Marketing,
Medway Council, Gun Wharf,
Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR
Email medway.matters
@medway.gov.uk
Written and designed by
Medway Council's
Communications and
Marketing Team.
Distributed by Royal Mail
door-to-door service.
The McManigan Academy
of Irish Dancers
The Brook Theatre, Old Town
Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE
Tickets: £8 (£7 mailing list
members)
Rainham School for Girls,
Derwent Way ME8 0BX
Phone 07717 678795 or
email trev@wig1.co.uk.
Phone 332714 or visit www.facebook.com/ medwayarchives.
Drama
Thursday, 10 until
Saturday, 19 February
(excluding Sunday) 7.30pm
Radio
Saturday, 27 February
10am
W H AT ’ S O N ?
All phone numbers should be
prefixed with 01634 unless stated.
MAKE
IT
The Cockney Rebel legend
performs an acoustic set,
featuring hits including Mr
Soft, Judy Teen and Make Me
Smile (Come Up and See Me).
Andy and Mike’s
Big Box of Bananas
CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his
partner-in-crime present a chaotic,
hilarious stage show for children.
YOURS
Available in other
formats and
languages.
Phone 333333
THIS
SPRING
The next edition of
Medway Matters will be
published in April.
For tickets, more information
and this season’s full line-up
There is a range of advertising opportunities in Medway Matters.
For more information, including rates and copy deadlines,
visit www.medway.gov.uk/medwaymatters or email
medway.matters@medway.gov.uk.
Sat, 26 Feb 2.30pm
Fri, 4 Mar 7.30pm
An Evening with
Rick Wakeman
Join Rick and his piano for a one-off
night of music and tales, from a
career spanning over four decades.
Fri, 11 Mar 7.30pm
Colin Fry
The People’s Medium
01634 338338
Witness the new show
from one of Britain’s
most popular
mediums.
www.thecentraltheatre.co.uk
For a full list of the latest events and entertainments in Medway, visit
www.whatsonmedway.co.uk
28
www.medway.gov.uk
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
Day marks century of
women’s achievements
International Wo
men’s Day 2011
The centenary of International Women's Day will
be marked in Medway on Saturday, 5 March. It is
a day of celebration for the achievements of
women past, present and future.
Women of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles in Medway are
invited to join in the event, which has been celebrated locally
since 2007. But it is not an exclusively women’s event – men
and children are welcome to attend.
This year will focus on the changes in local women's lives
over the past 100 years. In a special social history event in the
Pembroke Building at the University of Greenwich, Chatham
Maritime, women from different generations and walks of life
will talk about their interesting and humorous experiences.
There will be workshops, natural therapies, stalls and
entertainment. The event starts at 11am and entry is free,
although there is a small charge for some activities.
Tribute to the
Unknown Warrior
Do something
funny for money
You could be ’aving a laff on
Red Nose Day when people
across Medway will be
organising silly events and
rattling buckets to raise
money for people in Africa
and the UK, who face injustice
or live in abject poverty.
The nationwide fundraising
event on Friday, 18 March,
organised by Comic Relief,
is where everyone is
encouraged to cast aside
their inhibitions, put on a red
nose and do something silly
to raise money.
The event will culminate in
a night of comedy and
moving documentary films
on BBC One.
For more details and
fundraising ideas visit
www.rednoseday.com.
Serving You
An exhibition about the
Unknown Warrior is at the Royal
Engineers Museum, Gillingham,
until the end of February.
The exhibition tells the story
of the honoured soldier and
other soldiers killed during the
First World War, including two
from Chatham. It features a
shipwright from Chatham
Dockyard, a private of the Royal
Marine Light Infantry, Chatham
Brigade, and a six-foot high
stained glass window, showing
the return to England of the
unknown soldier in 1920. Pupils
from All Saints Primary School,
Chatham, helped with the
On Tuesday, 8 March, hundreds of IWD events will be held
around the world, ranging from informal gatherings to largescale organised events. They will celebrate the contribution that
every woman and girl makes and recognise the struggles that
many still face.
For more information visit www.medwayiwd.co.uk or email
medwayiwd@googlemail.com.
project. The exhibition is
included in the museum’s
regular admission price. For
more details phone 822839,
visit www.remuseum.org.uk or
email mail@re-museum.co.uk.
Descendent helps
chalet appeal
Gerald Dickens, the great, great
grandson of Charles Dickens, is
helping the £100,000 appeal to
restore the Dickens Swiss
chalet at Eastgate House,
Rochester.
He will be taking a lighthearted look at the writer and
presenting a one-man version of
Nicholas Nickleby at 7.30pm on
Friday, 11 February, at the
Britannia Theatre, Dickens
World, Chatham ME5 4LL.
Tickets are £10. Phone 890421
for more details.
To donate, cheques payable to
The Rochester and Chatham
Dickens Fellowship (Chalet
Appeal) should be sent to 27
Amethyst Avenue, Chatham
ME5 9TX.
School’s campaign comes into bloom
Pupils from Fort Pitt Grammar School, Chatham, are watching out for the
flowering soon of 1,000 purple crocuses in the school grounds.
They planted the bulbs in November after teaming up with
Chatham Rotary Club as part of the Rotary’s national
campaign to eradicate polio.
The colour denotes the purple dye used to mark a
child’s finger when they have been immunised against
the disease.
Nationally more than five million purple crocus bulbs
were planted at the end of last year.
www.medway.gov.uk
29
Medway M ATT E R S
February/March 2011
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Medway needs foster carers
Medway Council is looking for people
who can give time, energy and
commitment to adopting a child.
Pass it on
We need families for all ages of children but
especially for older children and those from
black and ethnic minorities.
Please call 01634 335676 to discuss our
next open evening or visit
www.medway.gov.uk/adoption
We need local people to look after local children in many
situations; a caring home can make all the difference.
If you are looking to develop a career in childcare and think you
can make a difference to a child’s life, please get in touch.
Phone: 01634 335713
Email: stephanie.norman@medway.gov.uk
Visit: www.medway.gov.uk/fostering
ADVERTISEMENT
Meetings calendar
ntain
Helping to mai home!
independence at
What we do...We sell, hire, repair, install, insure, part exchange,
service, train, deliver and offer a home improvements service.
RISE AND
RECLINE
CHAIRS
STAIRLIFTS
N ew Sh op
N ow Open
R oche st er
& Ch at ha m
ING
FREE PARK
HOME
MOBILITY
SCOOTERS
NTS
IMPROVEME
346 High Street I Rochester I ME1 1BT
Just up the road from Cycle King opposite The North Foreland Pub
Telephone 01634 566284
7 London Road I Rainham I Kent I ME8 7RG
T 01634 375537
Call us today for your Free Survey, Free Quotation,
Free Home Demonstration – No Obligation.
www.abilityoutlet.co.uk I Freephone 0800 0461647
30
www.medway.gov.uk
FEBRUARY
1 7pm
Employment Matters Committee
MR2
2 7pm
Standards Committee
MR2
4 9.30am Licensing Hearing Panel – Sub-Committee of LSC
MR2
8 6pm
International Relations Committee
MR2
9 8.45am School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee
MR 9
10 6.30pm Regeneration, Community and Culture OSC
MR 2
11 2pm
Licensing Sub-Committee of LSC
MR13
MR2
3pm
Cabinet
MR2
16 7pm
Planning Committee
MR2
24 7pm
Council
SGC
MARCH
1 6.30pm Children and Young People OSC
MR2
3 7pm
Council
SGC
MR9
8 3pm
Cabinet
MR2
9 7pm
Planning Committee
MR2
MR13
5pm
Health and Adult Social Care OSC
MR2
16 8.45am School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee
MR 8
7pm
Employment Matters Committee
MR2
22 6.30pm Business Support OSC
MR2
23 7pm
Standards Committee
MR2
24 7pm
Council
SGC
29 3pm
Cabinet;
7pm Audit Committee
MR2
30 7pm
Planning
MR2
31 6.30pm Regeneration, Community and Culture OSC
MR 2
You are advised to check the details by phoning 306000, emailing
democratic.services@medway.gov.uk or visiting www.medway.gov.uk.
Serving You
Medway M ATT E R S
Conservative
Labour
Liberal Democrat
Independent Group
Other independent
Contact your
councillor
LUTON AND WAYFIELD
CHATHAM CENTRAL
PAUL GODWIN Lab
c/o PA to the Labour Group Leader,
Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham,
ME4 4TR Phone: 865944
TASHI TAMANG BHUTIA Con
34 Maidstone Road, Chatham,
ME4 6DG
Phone: 07882 368919
VINCE MAPLE Lab
13a Waghorn Street, Chatham,
ME4 5LT
Phone: 07981 661451
TONY GOULDEN Ind Group
37 Raleigh Close, Chatham, ME5 7SB
Phone: 302538
JULIE SHAW Lab
79 Downsview, Chatham, ME5 0AL
Phone: 813647
VAL GOULDEN Ind Group
37 Raleigh Close, Chatham, ME5 7SB
Phone: 302538
CUXTON AND HALLING
RAYMOND MAISEY Con
106 Charles Drive, Cuxton, ME2 1DU
Phone: 727126
GILLINGHAM NORTH
MAUREEN RUPAREL Lib Dem
4 Westerham Close, Gillingham,
ME8 6LP
Phone: 303498
ANDY STAMP Ind Group
50 Grange Road, Gillingham,
ME7 2PU
Phone: 07736 327002
CATHY SUTTON Lib Dem
c/o Medway Council, Gun Wharf,
Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR
Phone: 07964 406541
GILLINGHAM SOUTH
GEOFF JUBY Lib Dem
16 Franklin Road, Gillingham,
ME7 4DF
Phone: 576675
SHEILA KEARNEY Lib Dem
112 Nelson Road, Gillingham,
ME7 4LL
Phone: 576838
STEPHEN KEARNEY Lib Dem
112 Nelson Road, Gillingham,
ME7 4LL Phone: 576838
HEMPSTEAD AND WIGMORE
DIANE CHAMBERS Con
6 Mansion Row, Brompton,
Gillingham, ME7 5SE
Phone: 842913
RODNEY CHAMBERS Con
6 Mansion Row, Brompton,
Gillingham, ME7 5SE
Phone: 842913
LORDSWOOD AND CAPSTONE
ALAN JARRETT Con
43 Ballens Road, Lordswood,
Chatham, ME5 8NT
Phone: 684640
DAVID WILDEY Con
627 Lordswood Lane, Lordswood,
Chatham, ME5 8QY
Phone: 863416
February/March 2011
PENINSULA
JANICE BAMBER Con
5 Aveling Close, Hoo, Rochester,
ME3 9BZ
Phone: 252394
KEN BAMBER Con
5 Aveling Close, Hoo, Rochester,
ME3 9BZ
Phone: 252394
PHIL FILMER Con
Bridgewater House, Parbrook
Road, High Halstow, Rochester,
ME3 8QG Phone: 254196
PRINCES PARK
MATT BRIGHT Con
85 Highgrove Road, Walderslade,
Chatham, ME5 7SF
Phone: 321265
PAT GULVIN (MRS) Con
30 Glamis Close, Chatham,
ME5 7QQ
Phone: 670853
RAINHAM CENTRAL
REHMAN CHISHTI Con
30 Shakespeare Road, Gillingham,
ME7 5QN
Phone: 324849
BARRY KEMP Con
18 Herbert Road, Rainham,
ME8 9BZ
Phone: 365231
MIKE O’BRIEN Con
Redlands, 70 Herbert Road,
Rainham, ME8 9DA
Phone: 377950
RAINHAM NORTH
DAVID CARR Con
68 Kingsway, Gillingham, ME7 3AU
Phone: 853366
VAUGHAN HEWETT Con
47 Marshall Road, Rainham,
ME8 0AP
Phone: 07932 195683
RAINHAM SOUTH
HOWARD DOE Con
The Warren, 21 Style Close,
Rainham, ME8 9LS
Phone: 366419
Serving You
33
10
7
4
1
lf you want more information phone
member services on 332732 or email
members@medway.gov.uk
ROY HUNTER Con
358 Hempstead Road, Hempstead,
Gillingham, ME7 3QJ
Phone: 364767
DAVID ROYLE Con
7 Watermeadow Close,
Hempstead, Gillingham, ME7 3QF
Phone: 377254
RIVER
JOHN JONES Lab
16 Prospect Row, Brompton,
Gillingham, ME7 5AL
Phone: 07886 601 725
STROOD RURAL
PETER HICKS Con
14 High Street, Upper Upnor,
Rochester, ME2 4XG
Phone: 715097
TOM MASON Con
1 Leeds House, Cypress Court,
Frindsbury Extra, Rochester,
ME2 4PU Phone: 727301
LES WICKS Con
Westcourt Farm, Salt Lane, Cliffe,
Rochester, ME3 7ST
Phone: 220347
CRAIG MACKINLAY Con
8 Manor Road, Chatham, ME4 6AG
Phone: 841108
ROCHESTER EAST
NICK BOWLER Lab
93 Haig Avenue, Rochester,
ME1 2RY
Phone: 07793 806011
STROOD SOUTH
RICHARD ANDREWS Con
27 Hoo Common, Chattenden,
Rochester, ME3 8LT
Phone: 252892
JOHN AVEY Con
13 Elaine Court, Elaine Avenue,
Strood, Rochester, ME2 2YR
Phone: 711268
TERESA MURRAY Lab
318 City Way, Rochester,
ME1 2BL
Phone: 409486
SUSAN HAYDOCK Con
46 Trevale Road, Rochester,
ME1 3PA Phone: 811172
ROCHESTER SOUTH AND
HORSTED
TWYDALL
NICHOLAS BRICE Ind
Phone: c/o 332245
DORTE GILRY Lab
26 Twydall Lane, Gillingham,
ME8 6HX
Phone: 386662
TREVOR CLARKE Con
19 Wemmick Close, Cloisterham
Park, Rochester, ME1 2DL
Phone: 409932
GLYN GRIFFITHS Lab
105 First Avenue, Gillingham,
ME7 2LF Phone: 352734
SYLVIA GRIFFIN Con
12 Beaulieu Rise, Rochester,
ME1 2PQ
Phone: 404139
ROCHESTER WEST
WALDERSLADE
TED BAKER Con
11 Watts Avenue, Rochester,
ME1 1RX Phone: 847415
MARK RECKLESS Con
Senlac House, Gundulph Square,
Rochester, ME1 1QD
Phone: 406536
STROOD NORTH
JANE CHITTY Con
Phone: 07930 236228
JANE ETHERIDGE Con
48 Watling Street, Strood, ME2 3NY
Phone: 711003
STEPHEN HUBBARD Lab
94 Jersey Road, Strood,
Rochester, ME2 3PD
Phone: 712129
PAUL HARRIOTT Lab
26 Twydall Lane, Gillingham,
ME8 6HX
Phone: 233833
DAVID BRAKE Con
Sherwood House, 29 Robin Hood
Lane, Walderslade, Chatham,
ME5 9NS
Phone: 668649
IAN BURT Ind Group
13 Oakhurst Close, Walderslade,
Chatham, ME5 9AN
Phone: 863760
WATLING
HERBERT CRACK Lib Dem
25 Arthur Road, Rainham,
ME8 9BT
Phone: 231229
DIANA SMITH Lib Dem
269 Napier Road, Gillingham,
ME7 4LY
Phone: 575192
www.medway.gov.uk
31
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