Showing posts with label Canterbury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canterbury. Show all posts
Leslie van Ruyskensvelde
MILLIONS of people across the UK marked two powerful anniversaries of national remembrance by observing two-minute silence at 11h on Thursday.Crowds gathered around the nation, some to grieve, some to prey, others to remember those who died in wars and conflicts since World War I.
In Canterbury, a short service was held in Christ Church University’s chapel in an attempt to bring together the young and older generation to remember the lost heroes.
Reverand David Stroud said: “It shows that we aren’t forgetting that we are remembering and that even though we continue to make mistakes.”
“We remember not just the First and Second World Wars but all the consequent battles and fights that are going on even up to the present day.”
World War I, one of the bloodiest war in modern history also known as ‘The Great War’, ended 92 years ago with the signature of the armistice.
With the poppy as their symbol, generations of war veterans and volunteers have been since then spreading the same message, never forget.
ONE of Britain's oldest bears turns 90 years old this week.
Over 400 fans flocked to the Rupert Bear Museum in Canterbury last weekend to mark the occasion.
Visitors were welcomed to a Rupert Bear tea party where children could create their own cakes to go on display in the museum.
Older fans are fighting for a rare Rupert bear plush toy, currently auctioning on eBay.
Rupert first started as a small comic strip in the Daily Express newspaper in 1920 by Canterbury-born artist Mary Tortel. It was created to rival the popular comic strips in the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail.
Since then, the fond favourite has had his own animated cartoon in the 80s and 90s, a series of annuals, a film and a new CGI version of the show is currently shown on Channel 5.
Caroline Elvin
MANY elderly people could face problems in the next year as the social services threaten to cut care funding.
A £3bn funding cut could affect people with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Canterbury’s Age Concern could be affected by the cuts. Judith Griffiths, director of Age Concern, Canterbury, explains what the cuts will mean for them, “We may have to change a few things, and mainly we will not be able to provide home care for those who cannot afford full-time care. This is something that we are quite certain we will not be able to provide. This is such a shame.”
Kent has the highest migration rate of over 65’s in the country, meaning that it will affect the county more than others.
Talks among Canterbury City Council and charities in Kent will start this month, and decisions will be made by March about the future of the elderly generation of Kent.
AROUND 150 students and staff from Canterbury Christ Church University took part in the protest against proposals to raise tuition fees to £9000 and cuts to colleges such as EMA.
Steve Godwin, National Union of Students president at Canterbury Christ Church University, described the rise in tuition fees as an “interesting proposal”.
He added: “it’s interesting because it’s ridiculous.”
At least 50,000 students and lecturers took part in the demonstration in London, which was aimed at challenging the big changes to funding proposed for higher education by the government.
The protest was organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and the University and College Union, which represents lecturers, researchers and academics.
For more on the protest watch the video:
For more on the protest watch the video:
Laura Russell
PUB popularity is falling due to increasingly poor service, according to reports by the BBC.
In fact, bad service is causing more than 39 pubs a week to close in the tough economic climate due to lack of customer loyalty.
The Good Pub Guide 2011 published an article exploring the main reasons for people refusing to revisit pubs, and highlighted their findings with a 'blacklist' of drinking establishments that had not received praise from punters.
Among the reasons was poor attitude from bar staff, such as unwelcoming landlords and a lack of interest in customers. Other complaints included lack of choice concerning food and drink, slow service, grubby surroundings and dogs roaming free in gastro-pubs.
Although the recession has not helped the situation, it is not entirely to blame.
"Pubs need to diversify to satisfy customers," said pub landlord Mark Burford. "The larger pub chains do not focus on customer service, and they lose repeat business by that. In the tough economic climate, it's important to hold onto your regulars."
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| The Limewire website is closed with just a legal notice |
POPULAR file sharing website Limewire has been shut down after a four year legal battle with the US music industry.
The news that the courts have closed the book on easy access Limewire, may not come as such bad news to its users. The rise of YouTube converter to download music has appealed to many.
“YouTube converter is the way forward and I never really liked using Limewire, it gave me viruses” said Rebecca Hunt, 20, Studying Primary Education at Canterbury Christ Church.
Bobby Harvey, 27, studying Music technology at Thames valley University said: "Limewire was never a good thing. The music industry didn’t realize the effect the Internet would have, but downloading music illegally didn’t give justice to record labels and artists.
Country singer, Taylor Swift new album “I hate cheaters” has rocketed since the ultimate end of Limewire. Her album, released last month has sold nearly, 1,047,000 copies in America.
FOUR people have been released on bail after an alleged attack at the Chill nightclub in the early hours of Friday 28.
Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood was hosting a gig at the popular club, when a fight broke out. The incident has sparked concern over R'n'B nights which security firms say are a common venue for violence.
"Some venue operators have chosen not to continue with the R'n'B nights because of the extreme violence that overspills into the streets," Tony Smith, Right Guard Security told us. "Of course then the general public are affected by the actions that have occurred as a result of what happens on the premises."
The club bouncer was admitted to the QEQM hospital in Margate after being struck over the head with a champagne bottle.
An 18 year old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH, a 19 year old woman on suspicion of possessing a knife, a 22 year old man for alleged obstruction, and a 23 year old man suspected of being drunk and disorderly. All were released on bail until December 2.
Kent Police are appealing for anyone with information.
Leslie van Ruyskensvelde
Winter is on its way back, along with the disadvantages of colder weather and Canterbury is not spared.
Seasonal flu is the most common winter illness and it affects thousands of people every year, but many people are not aware of the major health complications it could lead to, especially if you are 65 or over.
Flu is the common name for Influenza, a virus that infects the respiratory system. Unlike with other viruses, the body cant build up a defense system against it as the flu viruses keeps on changing each year. The virus spreads through the air when a person who has it sneezes, coughs, speaks.
The most common symptoms are headaches, sore throat, fever, chills, muscle aches and dry cough. In the most serious case, it can cause pneumonia and can result to death.
The best way to prevent catching flu is by getting a vaccine from your GP, especially in the autumn months of each year.
BUTCHERS already face hard competition from supermarkets, but a new threat is hitting stores across the county.
At a time when jobs are scarce, owners are claiming that not enough young people are interested in pursuing a career in butchery, making it difficult for stores to continue. The vast majority of butchers are family owned businesses, but less sons and daughters are interested in carrying on the business when their parents retire.
Ed Beddington, editor of online meat trade journal meatinfo.co.uk told us: "There's lack of succession, there's lack of young people coming into the industry to take on the reign, so when shops close these days, 9 times out of 10, its closing because the butcher is retiring and no one is carrying it on."
Experts predict that the number of butchers in the UK have fallen by around 70% in the last 20 years. In the 1990s there was around 20,000 butchers - today that number stands at just 6,000.
Mr Williams of Wincheap Butchers employs four butchers but knows that it can be difficult to find new talent. "Most youngsters want to go into computers" he told us.
Toll charges are to be increased to up to £2.50 for the Dartford Crossing over the Thames between Kent and Essex. Current charges stand at £1.50 per car and will increase to £2 in 2011, to £2.50 in 2011.
As well as Kent commuters raising amid concerns, The AA too have spoken out on the spending cuts. "The higher the toll, the more likely congestion is likely to happen. The increase will just ramp up the possibility of more problems not only during the charge times but at the start and end time".The Dartford crossing is already controversial as the charges were only meant to be once the structure had been paid for. That was covered in 2003. Seven years later fees are still in place.
A further concern for Kent commuters is the railway service. Despite Chancellor George Osbourne “waiting” till 2012 to increase railway prices, figures will see many season tickets rocketing over £1,000 more expensive by 2015.
From 2012 the cap will be RPI plus three per cent that if introduced next year, would have seen fares rise to almost eight per cent. The rise in price in railway services could see passengers turn to roads, which then could lead to more carbon emissions.
Debbie Rudd, 46, lives in Kent and travels to Essex for work. "The traveling prices has left commuters no where to go. The new rail fares will drive people onto the roads but then new charges to roads will see people not want to use those routes. Then there is congestion to think about. I shouldn't need to leave my house at five to avoid charges and congestion."
Osbourne says that the rise is needed to pay for new trains and improve passenger condition. Carl Bailey, 56, who lives in Canterbury had to say, "Does this mean I'll able to sit for the full amount of my journey? And not just the last quarter. If they are going to increase the fares, I would like a seat on the train to moan about the increases."
Laura Russell
A group of 12 Capuchin monkeys at Howlett's zoo, Canterbury, have been included in Halloween celebrations.
The family of primates were given large buckets of water in which apples, pumpkins and other fruits were floated - an animal-friendly version of the traditional Halloween 'apple bobbing' game.Capuchin monkeys are reknowned for their intelligence and thus need a great deal of mental stimulation, so the keepers added the buckets to their enclosure to keep them occupied in October.
"The monkeys are extremely clever, but need a lot of entertaining," said Charlotte Jones of the Aspinall Foundation. "The keepers like to keep their minds occupied, so they decided to include them in the park's festivities for Halloween."
Capuchin monkeys were the first species kept by the Aspinall Foundation, so they are highly valued at the animal park.
"They were the ones who started the foundation and subsequent animal parks," said Charlotte. "We like to make sure they are well cared for."Laura Russell
A YOUNG man from Canterbury was found driving with faulty tyres.
Nathan Dyer, 20, of Reed Avenue, pleaded not guilty to Canterbury magistrates to driving a car with insufficient tread in its tyres on May 24 this year.
Dyer had the car checked out at a garage prior to his arrest, where he had been told the tyres were above the 1.6mm legal minimum.
Sam Francis
MORE than 80 per cent of child safety seats are fitted incorrectly according to recent research that was carried out by Road Safety GB.
A countywide campaign is being launched to make sure parents are aware of the importance of fitting young children in to their car seats.
The ‘Good Egg’ campaign is being run by Kent County Council and a number of Medway Council road safety teams as part of a national campaign to make parents aware of in-car safety.
Clinics will be held across Kent and will provide opportunities for anyone travelling with a child in their vehicle to speak to experts and to get advice and how to fit child car seats.
Steve Horton, Kent County Council highway safety press officer, is working with the campaign and is hopeful that parents will take notice of the ‘Good Egg’ project “It’s a topic that is close to all of our hearts and working closely with RSGB, we are getting the word out about the importance of child safety seats. We have sent out a number of press releases and used the media as much as possible; the parents need to come along.”
The responsibility for ensuring an appropriate restraint is being used is with the driver if the passenger is under 14 and the fine for not using the appropriate measures is £60.
Kent County Council cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, Nick Chard, said: “It is important that all parents recognise the benefit of using suitable seat restraints. In a crash, even at low speeds, a restraint can mean the difference between life and death”.
A recent study showed that a child is 90 per cent less likely to be killed or injured in a collision if restrained correctly, however, an unrestrained child can be killed or seriously injured or killed in an impact at speeds as low as five mph.
A 90-YEAR-OLD woman described as “unstable” walked out of her Sturry home last month leaving it unlocked and sparking concern among neighbours.
Wilhelmina Weston has still not been seen since mid-September. Concerns were raised for the safety of the pensioner three weeks ago, but frantic attempts to locate her revealed only that her home was unsecured and that all her possessions had been left behind.
In response to enquiries by this newspaper, police have moved to allay fears that the vulnerable pensioner is still missing.
“We are aware of this woman’s circumstances,” said spokesman Sally Smith.
But neighbours are not happy that their enquiries to the authorities were met with little more than a phone call.
Lily Austin, 20, lives next door to the elderly lady called the local police after noticing that the house was rotting inside “When we first called the police I felt relieved because they seemed genuinely concerned and someone was sent out pretty quickly. But, when the PCSO arrived she wasn’t very helpful and the back up call was awful, telling us they couldn’t do anything and it was our job to call the council.”
Miss Austin then said that the PCSO assured them that the property was locked up. Later that week they found the door wide open again, she continues “When I went downstairs I couldn’t believe that it was open again, especially after a police officer told us it was locked.”
Other residents of Sturry Road said they grew concerned for their elderly neighbour a few weeks prior to her disappearance after seeing her looking frail walking around in her front garden. One of the residents Scott Malls, 45, said he grew worried for her but did not know who to tell “It is worrying when you see someone of that age living alone, it is clear to everyone around her that she needed some kind of help. When I have been in her house before, it was dirty. It was so damp that my shoes were soaked in water when I left the house, and there were so many flies in the kitchen.’’
Sally Smith finishes by reassuring the residents “We did secure the property the best that we could. I suggest that if the residents and still unhappy that they should contact the police again. They will come back and make sure that the property is secured.’’
Laura Russell
A CONCRETE mixer employee has been fined £300 by Canterbury magistrates for driving a motor vehicle without correct insurance.
James Thomas, 20, of Gainsborough Drive, Herne Bay, was found to be driving his employer’s white Peugeot van without business insurance on June 6.“I didn’t know I couldn’t drive the van outside of work,’ Thomas told magistrates.
“I was under the impression I was still insured to borrow the van outside of my working hours. I was using it to help me move house.”
“I was under the impression I was still insured to borrow the van outside of my working hours. I was using it to help me move house.”
Alongside the fine, he was issued with six penalty points on his license.
“You should have checked first,” said a magistrate.
Amie Parker Williams
Donna Barracks, 46, from Dorset Road in Canterbury said: “I have four children, 22, 17, 11 and five. The eldest is in her third year of university and as a single parent it has been a financial strain for me. So if my youngest decides to go too, it is going to be a financial burden for me to say the least. When he graduates he will never be able to buy his own home or live independent, which means he will be living at home for a lot longer.
"There’s the possibility he will be put off and I’m sure other parents will be too. But then I guess that’s what the government want. Education to be for the rich."
Parents have raised concerns after the University and College Union (UCU) said Lord Browne's review could result in the average family facing a cost between £76,000 and £136,000 to put two students through university.
President of Canterbury Christ Church University's union said: "The march on 10th of November in London isn’t just a protest about the students of the now. It’s about future students and their families. And the future starts with those who can’t voice concern.
I urge parents with children to get involved and behind the campaign to stop cuts and increases in tuition fees.It’s a worrying time for students starting university in 2012 but an even more bleaker time for the time after."
President of University of Kent union added: "It will force the next generations to pick up the tab for devastating cuts."
Primary school teachers are also ready to stand tall against the government too. Miss Devine, 45, school teacher at Diocesan and Payne Smith Church of England Primary School in Canterbury said: "We are very much a school about broadening horizons and giving our children aspirations for the future. Our children already struggle in life and they don't have the opportunity to go to the beach and other experiences like other children do. If the barrier raises so much on finance, you will cut off those aspirations for children.
"It's a great shame to put a financing one on imagination".
CANTERBURY Festival is back this Saturday, lasting for a fortnight. The celebration features an exhibition of art forms, from theatre to classical music, to comedy to dance.
The grand opening will be filled with hundreds of children and community groups parading the city centre streets in ‘carnivalesque' masks and decorative costumes.
Charlotte Campbell, 41, from Whistable said: "Last year’s festival was filled with fun events for my two little boys. They loved it. And for me, I just loved the dancing in the street.
"Everyone would stop and stare, forget about the retail shopping they were doing, put their bags on the floor and sing along and dance to the music, it’s an amazing thing to be part."
With last year the festivals 25th anniversary, Director Rosie Turner comments on how this year will be different: "This year locally based artists will be the front line. the talented oboist Ian Crowther will be bring his chamber orchestra to the festival and then we have the talented novelist Nina Bell questioning who are the literary heroes of today. It's all about highlighting individuality this year and sampling inspirational artists work. "
With last year the festivals 25th anniversary, Director Rosie Turner comments on how this year will be different: "This year locally based artists will be the front line. the talented oboist Ian Crowther will be bring his chamber orchestra to the festival and then we have the talented novelist Nina Bell questioning who are the literary heroes of today. It's all about highlighting individuality this year and sampling inspirational artists work. "
Canterbury Cathedral will be at the heart of the festival where many of the concerts will be played.
Jamie Harris
A GROUP of students have raised thousands of pounds for underprivileged children in Ghana.
The 18 people who took part in the 3 Peaks Challenge climbed some of the UK’s highest mountains, raising more than £2,000. They started the charity hike on Scotland at around 7am, October 9. They later went onto Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Wale’s Snowdon, finishing late on October 10 with a celebratory drink.
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| "It was extremely tiring", participant Jenny Fox tells us. |
“It took a lot of team spirit and it was extremely tiring. We all had aching legs afterwards,” Jenny Fox, a student from Christ Church told us.
“Eight of us went to Ghana together this summer, and we stayed at an underprivileged children’s centre. This will help them so much. They will be able to build some new buildings and pay for some general food and clothing.”
A Facebook group was also set up to promote the challenge and to raise as much money as possible.
Of every 1,000 babies born in Ghana, 80 die before the age of five. Only six in every 1,000 babies born in the UK die before the age of five. Plus only 89% of Ghanaian children receive primary school education.
You can still donate via the UCC website, http://www.ucc-development.co.uk/3peaks.htm
Laura Russell
A CHARITY stunt to raise money for Porchlight has fallen through.
The Mongol Rally, a race from Mongolia back to the UK in a small car, did not raise cash for the charity due to animosity between team members.
Max Fitzgerald, 21, from Canterbury took part in the race but, along with his two team mates, did not manage to complete the trip successfully.
"I ended up owing my friend money and didn't actually raise any," he said. "One of the team members was a close mate of mine, and the other was a stranger who had agreed to come with us. The third guy decided to abandon us at the last minute after a huge argument, so we were without a technician and had to pay to get home by other means!"
The third team mate, who cannot be named, attempted to take control of the entire trip and caused poor relations between the other two boys.
"We didn't click from the start, and it made things very difficult," said Max. "He provoked a lot of people in other countries that he shouldn't have provoked. One night he even got drunk and threatened my life, so I knew at that point it had to end."
After the rogue team mate abandoned Max and his friend, the pair had to fork out for alternative means of getting home. As a result, both were left out of pocket and funds were lost rather than raised for charity.
"I'd do it again though," said Max. "It would be great to do the stunt for a non profit organisation next time, as the Mongol Rally itself takes a cut for its organisers of any money raised."
UPDATE - 14.06pm
HOMELESS charity Porchlight have commented on Max and his team's fundraising efforts.
Press Officer Mark Parry praised the lad's charity attempt, even though no cash was raised. However, he also expressed concern at extravagant fundraising stunts and made it clear that Porchlight would not support any dangerous events.
"We would not advise anyone to take on a challenge or fundraiser that would pose any significant risk to
themselves or others; events organised by Porchlight would be fully risk-assessed," he explained. "We would not be able to officially support any fundraising event undertaken by an individual that we felt would be
dangerous or where the appropriate precautions hadn't been taken."
Mark also advised that potential fundraisers use the Virgin Money Giving website from now on, which will ensure that sponsorship is paid for and secured up front.
" Solely relying on pledges from individuals does pose the risk of non-payment and loss of funds," he said.
Leslie van Ruyskensvelde
According to a recent study, Canterbury is the top digital city in the UK having the highest rate of users in the country.
The study, carried out by Experian Hitwise, an online competitive intelligence service looked at 1.4 million websites visited by people and ranked the percentage of visits to websites per head of population in a given area.
James Murray, Marketing and Research Analyst for Experian Hitwise, explains: “We can isolate where in the UK those visitors are coming from and see exactly what types of websites people are looking at.”
The research, carried out between July 2010 and 18 September 2010, revealed that 1.44% of all UK visits came from Canterbury, despite the fact that the town contains only 0.75% of the UK’s population.
More surprising, Canterbury is first before major cities such as London and Aberdeen. “We don’t always know the reason why one place has a higher representation than another,” said Mr. Murray.
Further figures in the study show that students and young single people consist of 60% of the daily use. The most popular websites visited are social networks, search, shopping and entertainment with online video and gaming sites scoring the highest number of consumers. The top websites include Google, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr. Murray added: “The release shows that, of the websites which are most represented for people from Canterbury, quite a high proportion are from gaming sites. Things like MMO Champion, Xbox360Achievments, Gamestation and World of Warcrafts Wiki.
“Gaming is certainly something that you would tend to associate with a slightly younger demographic and also with students.”
If students are one of the main factor for these statistics, Experian Hitwise’s analyses shows that one in five residents belong to an older group. These tends to have strong roots in their community and are mainly in their 60s with grandchildren. Bingo, yachting, boating, fishing and golf are successful choices of websites in that group.
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