Master Baker

As an enthusiastic amateur baker, it was great to meet up with celebrity baker Paul Hollywood. As well as being the star of the Great British Bake Off, Paul runs an artisan bread making business at Aylesham. We discussed how small businesses should be given greater support from banks and how there should be a proper vocational qualification for artisan baking.

Baking qualifications are generally for the large scale manufacturing process. So they focus more on engineering and machine operation. Artisan baking is very different and much more what you and I would think of as traditional bread making. So Paul says it should have its own qualification. I agree and I will be seeing what I can do to help move things forward.

It's great to have such a leading business in our community!

0 comments

Post a comment

Sholden Talks

Today I joined residents of Sholden and Middle Deal to discuss the proposed large scale developments that affect the area. The District Council passed the planning application before Christmas. So we are asking the Secretary of State to call in the application. It is a bit of a long shot but worth doing our best.

Together with Sholden Parish Council and Deal Town Council I am writing to the Secretary of State in support of the village and of Deal.

0 comments

Post a comment

Beer Festival

Dover's beer festival was once again an incredible success. Local publican Peter Garstin (pictured) and I enjoyed sampling the ales. It was great fun and a great chance to catch up with many old friends.

0 comments

Post a comment

RNLI

Today I joined Dover County Councillor Nigel Collor to support the RNLI. We both took to the rowing machines – pictured – to see what it is like having the heave through the waves. It was great fun and a bit of light relief. The RNLI do a fantastic job and I was delighted to support them in their excellent work.

I hope I will be able to join them on patrol one day soon . . .

0 comments

Post a comment

K College

Today I visited K College in Dover. It was great to hear about the many courses offered to our younger people.

Whether it's A levels or vocational qualifications, K College seems to offer a course. They have been investing in the building lately with a £1/4 million investment in refurbishment. K College is also expanding provision for the teaching of A Levels, Marine Engineering, Creative and Production Media and an Early Years Foundation Degree alongside its long established vocational provision in Construction, Motor Vehicle/Cycle, Hair & Beauty, Heath & Social Care and Catering.

I was impressed at the close working with local secondary schools and employers. They tell me they are working to offer programmes that persuade those who can't find jobs to keep learning and preparing for work. I hope it is all a real success.

0 comments

Post a comment

MP meets with Dover Mayors.

Today I met up with the past and present Dover Mayors at the House of Commons. They discuss the future of Dover Docks and moving forward the regeneration of the town.

As a strong believer in cross party working I was delighted to meet up with the Dover Mayors. We had a really great catch up and discussion about improving the future of Dover for all.

0 comments

Post a comment

SeaFrance

The news that SeaFrance is to shed 127 jobs in Dover after it was liquidated by a French court and told to cease activity is not the best news for the New Year.

It is a real concern for the people in Dover who have worked for SeaFrance and also their families - and the heart of the whole community goes out to them. 

"Everyone is working as hard as they can to ensure that their jobs will be safeguarded and working as hard as they can to ensure that those ships will be back on route with a new buyer and a new purchaser."

0 comments

Post a comment

TenMinuteRule Bill

I have been working to presenting a Ten Minute Rule Bill seeking to bring into the spotlight  that one million of the three million children who live apart from a parent have no contact with the non-resident parent three years after separation.

Too often, people say it is about mums' rights or dads' rights, but actually it is about the rights of a child to know and have a relationship with both their parents. That is the nub of what the Bill is about. It is not right that parents should sink their children's right to know them in a sea of acrimony when they split up.

Now is the time to change the law and give our kids the best chances in life. The Government is looking at whether to give children the right to know their fathers. Child welfare is best served by a relationship with both parents.

Anti-dad sociologists and weak-kneed judges have undermined the welfare of our children for too long.

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/childrenaccesstoparents.html

0 comments

Post a comment

Sholden

Statement on the Sholden and Middle Deal planning applications

Granting permission for these developments was a catastrophic error. I have consistently opposed these developments. The ward councillors did a great job standing up for the community.

These developments are unwanted, the design is poor and the area is subject to flood risk. Part of the land is Grade 1 and it will lead to even more congestion on our local roads. Insufficient funds were gained for infrastructure. There is nothing good here for our community. The decision is appalling.

0 comments

Post a comment

Hospital for Dover

This morning I joined in with others to make a stand over just how important it is we get a good hospital for Dover. Along with Reg Hansell, the rally was a great success and even brought the town to a slight standstill!

It is vital we keep pushing for this.

0 comments

Post a comment