EXTRACTS FROM
BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
No 142 June to July 2008
THE EIGHTH HYTHE FESTIVAL WAS FROM 4
to 13 JULY .
for photos of the events.,
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| SOCIETY EVENTS and NEWS | FRIENDS OF ST. LEONARDS CHURCH | HYTHE FESTIVAL |
| TOWN AND AROUND | PLANNING MATTERS | CORRESPONDENCE |
| TRIBUTE TO RON COLLINS |
Our
Annual General Meeting, held on13th May, was attended by over sixty members who first applauded the presentation to Cllr. Chris Capon of a Hythe Civic Award commemorating his forty years of service to Hythe Borough and Town Councils, Shepway D.C. and Kent County Council. His distinguished service included being the last Mayor of Hythe as a full Borough and the first Hythe representative to be Chairman of KCC.The meeting was then addressed by Mrs Carolyn Chivers, Principal of the newly opened Hythe Bay Church of England Primary School, who explained the many services provided for both parents and children in the framework of a caring, modern educational establishment. The extent of this school’s role in local society was quite a revelation to many in the audience. Their applause clearly showed great approval of the school’s efforts to get the younger generation of Hythe off to a good start in life.
The formal part of the A.G.M. then commenced with reports from the Chairman and various Executive Committee members on the year’s work.
The Chairman began by reporting the sad death on 6th May of our past Chairman, Ron Collins. He served the Society well and was particularly involved in the Hythe Tree Planting programme. He also announced that the Autumn lunch will be at the Bowling Club on 11th October and we shall have Michael Howard as our guest speaker.
During the year HCS has, largely thanks to Ian Hill, produced a series of operating procedures and job specifications to make certain we have consistent policies and know how to comply with the numerous Health and Safety rules.
The talks, thanks to Doug Amans, Ian Hill, Alan Joyce and Anne
Woodward have been such a success that we
are rapidly growing out of the U.R.C. hall. We have found a very suitable
alternative site at the Hythe Bay School with ample parking, and all the
possible requirements of any lecturer and audience. (Later the meeting
wholeheartedly agreed to the proposed move).
The Society’s
website is now
firmly established and attracts visitors from all over the world with reports
and pictures of the Society’s events posted by Tony Hill and there is always an
up to date programme. We have set up an e-mailing list of members to use when
we need to contact members on “burning issues” more quickly than by newsletter.
He encouraged members to help by giving us their e-mail address. The website is
“hosted” voluntarily by Bob Gayler who does an excellent job.
Membership fluctuates around
the 800/850 mark depending on the time of year and has been very ably managed by
Alan Whipp
who, after 11 years as membership secretary and distribution manager, is
retiring from the Committee.
Anne Woodward
has kindly agreed to take over this onerous task.
The Chairman also appealed to
members to send in contributions to the Newsletter. (Hear,Hear!
– Ed.)
He concluded his review of
the year by saying that the Society is thriving, financially sound and that
everything is in good order.
He then introduced some of
the committee members among whom,
Ian Hill,
who deals with Eaton Lands, recorded our appreciation of the efforts of Hythe
Town Council, Mrs Judith McCormick and the staff at Oaklands for their diligent
maintenance of this modest but much prized amenity, mentioning in particular
their pursuit of a “Breathing Places”
lottery grant which would be used to enhance its accessibility.
Sally
Chesters reported that HCS
has been involved in a number of town centre projects. Funding from K.C.C.,
through Cllr. Capon’s Member Community Grant, enabled improvements to be made to
Red Lion Square. Supported by SDC the area has been tidied up, a tree removed
to allow more light into the open space, new railings have been fitted under the
tree with new under-planting, the existing seats have been refurbished and plans
are underway to repair the lights and paint the lampposts. The grant has also
allowed us to install two new hardwood planters complete with shrubs and several
new hardwood benches. An area which had looked run down and neglected, now has
a new lease of life. A grant from Cllr. Bliss will provide further
improvements.
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Doug’s Summer Outing There are still a few seats available for the visit to the gardens of The Salutation in Sandwich followed by supper at the St. Crispin Inn at Worth on Wednesday 25th June. The coach will leave Lydd at 3.45 pm and Red Lion Square at 4.15 pm. The cost is £21.00 inclusive per person and cheques payable to D.H.Amans should be sent to him at 4, The Maltings, High Street, Hythe, CT21 5AB.
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FRIENDS OF ST. LEONARDS CHURCH
On
Saturday 7th June
(NOT
the 6th as incorrectly noted in NL141) at 7.30pm the Duo Isario from Bavaria
will give a concert of violin and piano music. Dorothee Jansen, soprano, and
Francis Grier, piano, make a welcome return visit on Sunday 29th June
at 3.00pm. On Tuesday 2nd
July at 7.30pm the Senior Choir and Musicians
of Ashfield School Nottinghamshire will be led in a concert of both sacred and
secular music by John Watson, a former Hythe chorister. The London Primavera
Ensemble will perform on Saturday 19th July at 7. 30pm.
During the
Hythe Festival
there will be no less than eight concerts and recitals between
5th and 13th
July. Please refer to the
Festival Programme for full details. Tickets for all events are available from
Brandon’s Music Shop, 55, High Street, Hythe.
Please note that the
Tombstone Teas,
scheduled for 13th
July will not now take place.
A new series of leaflets on various aspects of the church are now available to
interest visitors.
HYTHE FESTIVAL
Most of the “Old Favourites” are back for this, the eighth Festival together with a new Gala Concert of “100 years of Popular Songs” in the Tower Theatre at Shorncliffe (on the 4th 5th 11th and 12th July at 7.30pm). Also new is “On Parade” on The Green on Saturday 12th July from 2.30pm to 5.00pm. It includes the Flying Tigers Parachutists, Beating the Retreat with the Band of the Brigade of Gurkas, Poperinge (St Cecelia) Band, a Historical Exhibition and a “Napoleonic Re-enactment” The latter will be an integral part of this year’s theme – “Historic Hythe” – remembering the town’s front-line role in defending England against Romans, Goths, Normans, French and Nazis.
Full details are in the programmes available from most of the town’s shops but we would like to inform members particularly about the events which HCS is organising. These comprise:
An Exhibition – “Hythe a Guardian of the Kentish Coast” each weekday at the Oaklands Library - free
Guided Town Walks each weekday from 10.30am to 12.30pm starting at the Town Hall – 50p each.
“Front Line Hythe” a talk by Brian Doorne & Mike Umbers at the Town Hall on Monday 7th July at 7.30pm – admission £1.
“The Restoration of Windsor Castle and Uppark” a talk by Maureen Lovering at the Town Hall on Tuesday 8th July at 7.30pm - admission £1.
The Poetry Prom at St. Michaels Church on Friday 11th July from 3.00pm to 4.15pm – free but a £3.00 tea will be available afterwards.
We have also selected a number of items from the programme that may interest members:
A Historical Tour of Hythe Ranges including the Redoubt – Tickets £3 (in aid of Air Ambulance) in advance only from Ian Beaumont – 01303 225836.
Sound Mirrors at Hythe a (steep!) walk up the Roughs with Kirk Alexander of White Cliffs Countryside Project. Sunday 6th July from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Meet – but please do not park – at the Light Railway station – free.
Charity Garden Safari on Sunday 6th July from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Map of locations in Hythe & Saltwood is £3.00 from the Festival Shop in the Town Hall.
Wildlife Train Safari on Monday 7th July at 7.00am (prompt!) at RHDR Station for a trip guided by Danny Martin. £18.00 includes a BIG BREAKFAST at New Romney and onward travel if desired. Turn up or book at light railway stations.
Fun Painting Competition in the St.John’s Ambulance Hall, Albert Road on Weds. 9th July at 9.30am followed at 5.00 - 5.45pm by a Public Viewing - pictures may be bought from the artists.
Canal Prom Concert at the Royal Military Canal Bandstand on Wednesday 9th July from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Bring a rug and a picnic to the North Bank.
Tower Theatre Visit a free conducted tour behind the scenes on Saturday 12th July – drop in between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.
Raise the Roof on Sunday 13th July at 6.30pm – a joyful service of hymns and music by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkas.
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TOWN AND AROUND - HYTHE IN BLOOM
Age Concern is organising a Boot Fair on Sunday 6th July from 8.00am to noon.
Hythe Flower Club announce a demonstration by Robin White entitled Much Ado About Nothing on Thursday 5th June at 7.00pm for 7.30pm at Saltwood Village Hall. Tickets at £6.00 available from Lesley Brandon on 260688.
Julie Davis will give a talk on Flower Architecture at United Reformed Church on Monday 7th July. 7.00pm for 7.30pm - £3.00 payable at the door.
The usual Festival Week Flower Show will be at the Town Hall from 10th to 12th July – entry is free.
Hythe in Bloom Sally Chesters writes: as you read this, the hanging baskets and planters in the High Street should be freshly planted, ready to give us another summer of colour. Despite our optimism that the application to B & Q for funding would be successful - as mentioned in NL141 - Reg Belcourt and I were disappointed to hear that Hythe was not selected for a grant. Fortunately, the generosity of sponsors meets the costs for this year.
On the positive side, the HIB partnership is delighted to welcome a new member to the team – John Langman, proprietor of Palmstead Nurseries, Wye. John has very kindly agreed to join Diana Arnold in the task of planting up the troughs in the High Street and, although it is not part of HIB’s remit, he has generously replaced one of the shrubs in the Town Square which was failing.
We now look forward to some summer sunshine to bring the plants on and to allow us to enjoy our beautiful town.
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SDC has refused permission for the development of apartments at 102, North Road but, disappointingly, the major development on the corner of Blackhouse Hill and Station Road will now go ahead as a result of an appeal to the Inspector. He chose to overrule the wishes of HTC, SDC and many neighbouring families. All the more reason for as many people as possible to object to proposals that form undesirable turning points in the otherwise almost inevitable increase in the density of urban areas.
There are still a lot of significant developments in the planning pipeline – the Gambling Den, Lydd Airport and 1000 houses at Martello Lakes. If they all go ahead the old slogan You’ll Like Hythe! will have a hollow ring!
If you would like to add your voice to the complaints that HCS has lodged (which can be viewed on our website) please write individual letters of objection to: Shepway District Council, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY quoting the relevant Application Number.
Alan Joyce has confirmed with the Shepway Arboricultural Officer (SAO) that the trees located on the Imperial Hotel land East of Twiss Road are now subject to Tree Preservation Orders. This follows concerns expressed by HCS members during the vegetation clearance and felling of two trees by the hotel gardeners.
Alan has also been advised by the SAO that some of the large poplars in 'The Triangle' (The area between the Canal and Dymchurch Road) are going to be removed as part of a thinning out process. In addition some of the old cherry trees along Military Road are going to be removed as they are heavily diseased or dead. The larger cherry trees which are damaging the footpath, with one exception, will not be removed but will have their roots pruned. All the trees removed will be replaced later in the year.
Mr. Neil Tanner writes to ask if any of our readers can help him to find out more about the origins and history of some ruins at the top of the East end of The Roughs. They take the form of two brick-lined arches cut into the cliffs and the “unfrogged” design of the bricks indicates an early, perhaps Napoleonic era, date. An old print shows that a large cannon may have occupied the site but no other records have been found locally. If you can help him at all please call 01303-261480 or e-mail franandneil@btinternet.com
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LIVES WELL LIVED
Ronald Collins, our Chairman from 1974 to 1981, died on 6th May at the age of 91.
Ron’s many achievements in the photographic and printing industries will be amply recorded elsewhere. Here in Hythe he took the helm at HCS in 1974 and immediately sought to broaden our civic involvement; formed a separate local history group and started the guided town walks but his most enduring contribution was the Hythe Tree Restoration Campaign. Following the catastrophic loss of scores of mature Huntingdon Elm trees from the canal bank and Ladies Walk, Ron led HCS’s initiative to form the Campaign in 1980 in partnership with HTC and SDC, Rotary and others. By the end of 1995 over 2000 trees had been planted with further informal planting continuing for the next few years by Shepway District Council with Ron maintaining his involvement. A further feature of his commitment and drive was the meticulous recording of each planting, plotted on large scale Ordnance Survey maps, together with the details of the trees and the donors.
In recognition of his
outstanding service to the community Ron was presented with a Hythe Civic Award
in 2000.
In 2003, Ron, then in his
late 80's decided that perhaps it was time to step back and by some clever
manipulation persuaded Alan Joyce to become a volunteer warden, gradually, and
surreptitiously handing over the reins. Alan says that he does still not know
how Ron managed to do it, and that he will be very hard act to follow!
Ron’s profound understanding of the importance of our arboreal heritage was an inspiration to all who worked with him and we will all benefit from his foresight and energy for many years to come.
We extend our sincere sympathy to his family.
Annual subscription for HCS membership is £8 per household .
We are on the Web : www.hythe-tourism.com/civic
You can also reach us at: www.hythe-kent.com/societies1
You can e-mail us at: hythecivicsoc@tiscali.co.uk
Secretary |
Treasurer |
Editor |
Membership & NL |
Mrs. Mary Hunter |
Alan Joyce, |
Christopher Melchers |
Mrs. Anne Woodward |
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