Read more ›]]> Railway exhibit signals a bright future for Ashford museum

A whole new section of exhibits displaying Ashford’s proud railway history has been officially opened this week as part of the town’s museum.

: Museum exhibits in the entrance hall

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Bob Davidson accompanied by the Mayoress Daphne Davidson, cut the ribbon surrounded by campaigners and supporters for the new extension.

Mayor and Mayoress cut the ribbon pictured with Christine Drury (museum trustee)

It follows the decision by Ashford Borough Council to lease the former Tourist Information Centre in the churchyard to the Ashford Borough Museum Society.

Visitors to the attraction are greeted by a replica ticket and booking office incorporating a working model railway donated by Hornby, plus interactive displays about the town’s railway history and information about modern services including high speed trains and Eurostar.

A number of photos, books and blueprints of the town’s railway heritage are now on show alongside hand tools and memorabilia from the Ashford works.

Cllr Bob Davidson said: “The transformation of this building is incredible. It’s important that the public come and find out about the history of our railway town.

“I think the priority for the museum is to promote itself to our local schools. It’s vital that the children learn and understand how the railway helped to make the town what it is today.”

Also present at the opening were students from the Ashford School of Art and Design, Luke Joyce and Chris Dixon whose railway murals were commissioned by curator-elect of the new section of the borough museum, Ian Sharp.

Christine Drury, trustee for the museum said: “For so many people in Ashford whose fathers and grandfathers worked at the Ashford Railway Works this is a long awaited and magnificent display.”

Curator-elect for the museum, Ian Sharp said: “Huge thanks go to my fellow helpers who put in their spare time to make the museum what it is today.

“Without all of the unpaid volunteers the museum would not function.”

The museum offers free admission and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 2pm from April until October.

The opening on Monday March 25th was also attended by Councillor Harold Apps, Councillor Michael Claughton, Councillor Winston Michael, former Ashford Railway Works manager Gerry Ames, and members of the museum team.

Ian Sharp also showed the Mayor round the other new exhibits for 2013, including the a display of ‘Toys before Computers’ , and a display to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bombing of Ashford on March 24th 1943.

The museum can be contacted on 01233 628278

Read more ›]]> Wheels for Wisdom – cycling for charity

Calling all cyclists…The Friends are again appealing to the cycling community of Medway and Swale for their support towards Wheels for Wisdom 2013.

The cycle challenge takes place on Sunday 12th May and registration is now open via The Friends’ website: www.fowh.org.uk. You can also join The Friends cycling group on Map my Ride: www.mapmyride.com/people/groups/66313/

Emma Dengate, Fundraising Co-ordinator, said, “Wheels for Wisdom is the only cycling event that The Friends organise. Medway and Swale has a great cycling community and over 100 local cyclists got involved last year for our inaugural event and raised an amazing £10,000 for the hospice. We are hoping that the word has spread and that the cycle community will again support The Friends and turn out for Wheels for Wisdom in their 100s.”
The event takes on three wonderful routes, 15km, 45km and 70km, that encompass both Medway and Swale. The routes start and finish at The Royal Engineers Museum. As an added bonus if you are coming to the event you will also get free entry to the museum, so why bring some friends and family to cheer you on!”

Emma adds, “I would also like to thank the local companies and volunteers who are supporting us for this year’s event.”
Whatever your reason for cycling, be it for exercise, in memory of a loved one or just for fun Wheels for Wisdom, although a new event, is becoming very popular so why not sign up today.”

The Wisdom Hospice is the only adult hospice serving the residents of Medway & Swale, providing specialist palliative care to patients with life limiting conditions. The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice supports this work through an annual grant to Medway Community Healthcare. The grant for the current year is £580,000. In addition the Friends make grants to Crossroads and the Marie Curie Nursing Service to provide extra support to patients and their families in their own homes.

This is only Wheels for Wisdom’s second year but the first had a fantastic review from everyone involved that we thought we would give it another go!

Emma Dengate – Fundraising Co-ordinator
The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice, High Bank, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2NU
Tel: 01634 831163
Email: emmadengate@fowh.org.uk

Read more ›]]> Free market pitches on offer to new local businesses

Two free pitches are being added to the town centre market for budding small business owners wanting to make their mark in Ashford.

Ashford Borough Council has teamed up with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) to encourage aspiring local entrepreneurs to start up a business on the market.

Through a scheme called First Pitch, Ashford’s small businesses owners of the future can trade in the town centre every week for up to 12 months at discounted rent, and get personalised support from the NMTF.

Businesses are invited to apply for the scheme by 19th April via www.nmtf.co.uk. Anyone selected as a finalist will not only receive the free pitch, but will also have free membership of the NMTF, a free copy of a market trader training guide and a mentor with a wealth of business and market trading experience to help.

Lead member for Ashford’s economic development, Cllr Graham Galpin said: “We are delighted to be part of this scheme, and to offer this exciting opportunity to new local businesses. Markets are a part of Ashford’s heritage, a priority for us as a Portas Pilot town, and a great place to develop enterprise on the high street.”

Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of the NMTF, said: “Many of our well-known brands started life on the markets and we know many people want to take that leap into starting their own business – First Pitch will give you the support you need to bring a product or service to the market.”

Local Growth Minister, Mark Prisk, added: “Markets are an excellent way for new businesses to make a start and can play a vital role in revitalising the local the high street and community.

“With First Pitch, young entrepreneurs can get the experience that only face-to-face trading can provide, engaging with their customers and getting first-hand feedback on their products.

“Alongside projects like the Government-backed Love Your Local Market campaign, First Pitch is helping the high street evolve, nurturing new generation of entrepreneurs and bringing fresh ideas and new faces into local markets.”

First Pitch is open to UK residents over 16 with less than six months experience of market trading.

Read more ›]]> Advance notice of South East LEP mobile phone survey

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP) is seeking your help develop a clear picture of the scale and economic impact of poor or no mobile telephone coverage across its area.

Concerns about areas of poor or no mobile phone coverage, where businesses are unable to make or receive calls are among the issues regularly raised with SE LEP. The business-led partnership, covering East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Thurrock and Southend is now working with business groups across its area to find out the extent of the problem and the impact it is having on efforts to generate economic growth.

The findings of the survey will help identify priority areas and develop a strong evidence base for SE LEP to press the mobile phone operators to take action on. The survey will open on 2nd April 2013, when you will receive a link to the survey. It will run until 10 May 2013.

The more comprehensive information provided the stronger the case SE LEP will be able to make to the mobile phone operators, so we urge you to take this opportunity to have your say.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the SELEP secretariat on lep@essex.gov.uk. Many thanks in advance for your time in helping us with this survey

Read more ›]]> Business friendly folding bike hire to be launched at Ashford and Canterbury West Stations – Free trial offer for local businesses!

Kent County Council will next month launch The Brompton Dock automated folding bike hire system in four towns in Kent.

Brompton bikes can be quickly folded, making it easy to take on a train, bus or tube, and use in combination with public transport, which makes many business trips faster, cheaper and more convenient.

Local businesses are being offered a five day free trial of the system this April.

Brompton Dock are also developing two discounted employer packages, which aim to encourage staff to travel by Brompton Dock bikes for business travel.

The official launch is planned for this May, where the Minister of Transport has been invited to cut the ribbon.

Representatives of local employers are invited to attend the official launch.

For details on the system see: www.bromptondock.co.uk

To sign up for a free trial, or for an invitation to the launch please contact:
Rory McMullan
m. 0757 212 5588
e. roryer@gmail.com

Read more ›]]> Spitfire fans salute ‘the Few’ with cash boost for visitor centre

A world war two fighter pilot will be on hand to witness a valuable gesture of support for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s Wing Appeal next week.

Action Stations! originator Steve Burt, who flies passengers in a helicopter alongside a World War Two Spitfire and Hurricane, will be presenting a £6,000 donation towards the Trust’s planned multi-purpose visitor and education centre at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone.

Mr Burt, who has been a keen supporter of the Trust’s ambitious plans ever since he set up his business, will be handing over the cheque at the site on Tuesday, 26 March at 11am.

Hurricane pilot Neville Croucher, 89, and former RAF Group Captain Patrick Tootal, OBE, will be at the presentation, which follows Mr Burt’s decision to give £5 to the appeal on behalf of every customer who flies with the Canterbury-based company.

The Wing Appeal, which has the full support of veterans including Trust Life Vice-President Wing Commander Bob Foster, has so far raised about £1.7million towards The Wing but is still working hard to raise a further £1 million.

With work due to start shortly, it is hoped that The Wing will be finished in the autumn of 2014 and officially opened in 2015 during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Mr Burt commented: “The Wing Appeal is a great project and we are delighted to support it.

“Action Stations! is dedicated to preserving the memory of ‘the Few’ and our customers play a key role in helping us to keep iconic Spitfires and Hurricanes flying today. Our presentation to the Wing Appeal is a way of thanking all of our friends for their support.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Viscount De L’Isle, praised the work of Mr Burt and the Action Stations! crew and pointed out the company had done sterling work on behalf of the Wing Appeal.

A Spitfire over the Kent countryside during an Action Stations! flying day in 2012

Reporters and photographers are warmly invited to attend the event at Capel-le-Ferne on 26 March at 11am.

Media contact for further information/photograph requests: Malcolm Triggs (contact details below) or Melody Foreman, 07876 018243

Malcolm Triggs
Go4 Marketing and Public Relations Ltd.
Tel. 01233 636878
Mob. 07970 968314
E malcolm@go4marketing.net

Please visit www.go4marketing.net to see what else I can do for you.

Read more ›]]> Reminder to businesses – KFRS policy changes just three weeks away

John Robertson, Area Manager Technical Fire Safety, Kent Fire and Rescue Service

There is only three weeks to go until Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) completes the full implementation of changes to its policy for attending calls automatic fire alarms (AFAs) sounding.

From 2 April 2013, premises in Kent or Medway reporting an AFA sounding will be required to confirm to 999 staff that there is a fire, or signs of fire, before any fire fighting response is sent.

This policy will apply during the day and at night, and whether a call is received directly from the affected building, through a call handling organisation or some other method. This is an extension of the policy KFRS introduced in April 2012, which affected daytime calls.

All premises with AFA systems will need to ensure their fire risk assessment reflects the change to the policy, that procedures are in place to confirm a fire and that all staff and occupants affected by the changes are aware of what to do when the alarm sounds.

Premises need to consider the following:
• Make sure you have arrangements in place so that if your alarm does go off everyone in the building knows what to do. This includes how you will check to see if there is a fire or signs of fire and who will call the fire service. These arrangements must work 24 hours a day.
• Have you amended your fire risk assessment to take account of the changes?
• Is your alarm system properly designed, installed, maintained and tested?
• Do you investigate the cause of false alarms and take action to make sure they are not repeated?

For callers from sheltered accommodation KFRS will be asking for confirmation if the call is a known false alarm, if they are unable to do this then we will send an emergency response.

For further information and to find your local fire safety office visit www.kfrsbusiness.info or telephone 01622 692121.

Read more ›]]> Legal Aid changes – how will these affect your family?
By Emma Harraden, Hatten Wyatt

You will probably be aware that from the 1st April 2013 significant changes came into force, which affect the availability of legal aid for family law advice.

Prior to this date if you were financially eligible, the Legal Services Commission provided legal aid assistance to cover all aspects of family law, including divorce, children, financial matters, care proceedings and disputes between unmarried couples.

What family law services will be available with legal aid funding?
However from the April the 1st the scope of services covered by legal aid was reduced significantly and legal aid funding has been withdrawn for the most frequent family disputes. Unless there is an element of domestic violence, for which evidence must be provided, then you are no longer entitled to legal aid to assist you in divorce and financial matters, as well as private children act proceedings. There is still legal aid for care proceedings and to obtain injunctions.

Therefore those who are eligible for public funded legal services can now only receive legal aid for the following:
• Public family law regarding protection of children (care proceedings)
• Private family law with evidence of child abuse
• Child abduction
• Representation of children in private family cases (however not for parents or other family members)
• Legal advice in support of mediation
• Domestic violence injunction cases
• Forced marriage protection orders

Are you entitled to legal aid?
Avril Croud, Partner at Hatten Wyatt comments “It is essential that if you need the Court to resolve financial or children issues an application for public funding was made before the 31st March 2013. If an application for funding was not made by this date, you will no longer be eligible to apply for public funding and you will need to represent yourself during the Court proceedings, or pay privately for legal representation.”

If you had public funding secured before April 1st 2013, you will be entitled to continue with your matter using legal aid.

To qualify for legal aid, you’ll need to pass a means test. This considers your income and expenditure and establishes whether you are financially eligible for legal aid-funded services.

Full details and guidance on the proposed changes can be found at www.gov.uk/community-legal-advice or www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid or visit www.hatten-wyatt.com

Read more ›]]> Top Tax Tips from Taurus Financial Planning -Personal financial planning for all taxpayers-

The end of the tax year is looming but there’s still time to make sure you have used all your appropriate tax allowances, says Chartered Financial Planner Ruth Dolan.

Ruth Dolan

“Whether you are a non taxpayer, basic rate taxpayer or higher rate taxpayer, there could be ways to improve your income by ensuring you are making use of all the available allowances and investments to your advantage,” adds Ruth, of Kent-based financial planning experts Taurus Financial Solutions. Ruth’s top tax tips include:

Income tax savings
Transfer savings into a tax free ISA to reduce income and capital gains tax. “You can invest up to £5,640 into cash ISAs. You can invest up to £11,280 into a stocks and shares ISA, restricted to £5,640 if you have used your cash ISA allowance too,” says Ruth.

Spouse to spouse
“Remember where one spouse is a non taxpayer, it can be advantageous to transfer savings or investments to them in order to make use of their personal allowances. Individuals under age 65 can earn income of £8,105 before tax is payable. For over 65s, this increases to £10,500 and for over 75s, £10,660. There is no capital gains tax when transferring investments between spouses,” she advises.

Child benefit
For those earning over £50,000 a year with children under age 16, you will lose part of your child benefit. Over £60,000 you will lose the entire child benefit allowance. “One way to avoid this is to make a pension contribution. You can contribute or a relative looking to make gifts, could contribute to your pension for you. The effect is to reduce your taxable income, preserving your entitlement to child benefit.”

Capital Gains Tax
Ruth says that if you have investments showing capital gains, it is prudent to manage these by making use of your annual capital gains tax allowance. Each person is able to make gains of £10,600 before tax is paid. “If you do not use the allowance, it is lost,” warns Ruth. “Where you have long term investments, it is worth making sure that your investments are reviewed to manage future tax liabilities.”

Inheritance tax
The threshold for inheritance tax will be frozen at £325,000 until at least 2019 so for those with potentially taxable estates, consider making use of the various exemptions available. Individuals can gift £3,000 per year or any number of small gifts up to £250 per person. “Those with high levels of surplus income against expenditure could arrange to make gifts out of income providing it is on a regular basis. There are also exemptions for making gifts on marriage for parents and grandparents and other relatives,” adds Ruth.

For more help with your personal financial planning, call Ruth Dolan on 01227 761177, email rd@taurusfinancialsolutions.co.uk, or visit www.taurusfinancialsolutions.co.uk

Taurus Financial Solutions

Taurus Financial Solutions is a team of independent Chartered Financial Planners based in Canterbury. It offers financial planning services to both individuals and businesses in the Kent area. It includes two qualified advisers and a support team of three. Taurus Financial Solutions is listed in the Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice (SIFA) Directory of Professional Independent Financial Advisers endorsed by the Law Society. Taurus Financial Solutions is a trading name of Furley Page. Furley Page is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Ruth Dolan has been providing independent financial advice since 2004 on a range of areas, including taxation and investment planning, retirement planning, and protection planning. She is also an accredited Later Life Adviser and member of the Society of Later Life Advisers.

www.furleypage.co.uk

Read more ›]]> Cllr Peter Wood

Cllr Peter Wood, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, has died after a short illness. He passed away on Friday night (1st March).

Cllr Wood had recently stepped down temporarily from his position as Leader of the council after undergoing a serious operation.

Cllr Wood, who lived in Aldington, was ward member for Saxon Shore and had been leader of the conservative run council since November 2010.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson is Acting Leader and council decisions will continue to be taken by the Cabinet under his leadership.

Cllr Peter Wood was born on 28th February 1950.

Cllr Peter Wood

Cllr Peter Wood

He became a member of the then Executive (now Cabinet) in May 2007, where he was portfolio holder for Housing and Communications. As housing portfolio holder he was heavily involved in the Stanhope PFI and the council’s delivery of the affordable homes programme. He remained a keen advocate of affordable rural housing and the remodelling of sheltered housing.

In May 2010 he became Deputy Leader and in November 2010 he became Leader.

The Ashford Borough Council flag will fly at half-mast until the funeral (no date has been set as yet).

www.ashford.gov.uk