tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73615598703011462272012-02-16T11:16:51.259Z<b>A slice of nice, threatened by careless greed.<p> People have been walking, playing, dog-walking, kite-flying and just sitting on The Downs for over a hundred years. To safeguard it for the centuries to come, it needs to be registered as a Village Green.</p></b>Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-33435646944907648052011-06-06T12:09:00.000+01:002011-06-06T12:09:42.931+01:00

Here we go again! Despite the massive support for the Village Green application, and the clear message that Herne Bay wants the Downs unspoilt, the Council is thinking of putting up beach huts. See: http://bit.ly/koHs08

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-2115766275875737292010-04-01T22:24:00.000+01:002010-04-01T22:24:11.335+01:00

The Village Green application that will protect The Downs forever (if it succeeds) has finally made it to the front of the queue. Kent County Council have advertised the application in the Kentish Gazette, thus starting the 6 week consultation period. An impressive 1,181 people have taken the trouble to sign witness statements saying they want The Downs to be a village green. It's probably the

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-74612373751996641862010-03-16T17:29:00.000Z2010-03-16T17:29:34.474Z

The Save Our Downs blog is upping sticks and scampering off to HerneBayMatters.com, a new website of my own concoction, where it will be able to snuggle up to assorted other campaigns, hobbyhorses and bonnet-bound bees. In NewBizSpeak, the critical mass will synergistically trigger tipping points. In English, it may be a good way of getting things done. HerneBayMatters.com is about, for, and by

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-36186549205403634702010-03-13T18:33:00.000Z2010-03-13T18:33:25.944Z

Yes, folks, the pages have been flying off the calendar and it's time for another Bounds of The Downs walk. This one celebrates The Downs as winter turns to spring. The Spring (or Vernal) Equinox apparently happens at exactly 17:32 on the 20th March this year, and the Bounds of The Downs traditionally happens on the nearest Sunday, so Sunday 21st March is the day, starting from the King's Hall

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-72220620324843022832010-03-10T23:29:00.001Z2010-03-11T08:50:22.870Z

A motley crew of hardy local volunteers scoured the shoreline by The Downs, Herne Bay last Sunday in a regular beach clean and rubbish survey. It was pure happenstance that we weren't out the previous week, when we would have been drenched and frozen in a howling north-easterly. As it was, we had a lovely bright morning - "brilliant blue sunshine" as my Gran would say. Unsurprisingly, picking up

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-37282869994518396222010-03-01T23:24:00.002Z2010-03-01T23:37:38.119Z

Apologies for the mixed metaphor, but getting a straight answer out of CCC is slow and painful, and results are few and far between. Here's a case in point: the forces of Mordor (aka Canterbury City Council) have fixed their beady little eyes on a slice of The Downs, with a view to turning a fast buck. Before they can start developing it, they had to strip it of its Public Open Space status, even

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-84453322443737434012009-12-16T23:31:00.001Z2009-12-16T23:31:54.183Z

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better! This winter's Bounds of The Downs walk will feature a quizzical treasure trail, concocted by the mischievous and maverick minds at Campaign HQ. The puzzles around the treasure trail range from just counting things (hopefully the right things!) to head-scratching brain-teasers, so there's something for all ages, and all the answers will be right

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-60152220729577687442009-11-29T11:53:00.003Z2009-11-29T18:37:20.188Z

Borrowing from the tradition of beating the bounds of a parish, walking The Bounds of The Downs is an opportunity to appreciate The Downs from every angle. Walking the Bounds will happen on the Sunday nearest each solstice and equinox, so that we also get to appreciate The Downs throughout the year.The plan is to go clockwise, starting from the King's Hall. The full tour of The Bounds of The

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-19110804898944179222009-09-17T22:46:00.012+01:002009-09-22T19:12:19.536+01:00

There's much rib-tickling japery in the current HB Times on Page 1 and Page 3. I'm tempted to start up a TV show called "Councillors say the funniest things" which would feature elected representatives trying to keep a straight face while spouting nonsense, distortions, half-truths, non sequitors and unsupported assertions. Some of our guys must be up to national standard.Except for the current

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-69384670130902698192009-07-23T22:01:00.018+01:002009-07-24T04:47:36.656+01:00

Wouldn't you know it? Nothing for ages, and then a flurry. Canterbury City Council have finally produced their Draft Open Spaces Strategy, and a rattling good read it is.Section 5 has some good stuff in it:Sage words. Fine words. Dear reader, imagine my consternation and disappointment when I found this, tucked away in a far distant Appendix:Despite the King's Hall slopes and The Downs being '

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-21618366990216904432009-04-21T18:19:00.019+01:002009-04-21T21:57:39.467+01:00

Dear reader, how I have missed our little tête-à-têtes. Or more strictly speaking, doigts-aux-yeux, but that sounds much less cosy. There has been a deathly quiet from the general direction of Canterbury City Council's Lethal and Demagogic Dept. But I have news! There will be nothing happening for a little bit longer. Officially.I was so twirled by the giddying pace of events I had to sit down

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-75609338834540471812009-03-31T21:53:00.001+01:002009-03-31T21:53:34.484+01:00

Eight weeks ago the Executive were alerted to their imminent criminality. I replaced my blood with espresso to ready myself for the frenetic pace of their response. They wondered. Legal pondered. Time dragged. I could have saved myself a fortune in coffee bills: I should have got some decent time-lapse photography kit. From which you will have gathered that not a lot has happened. But I am

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-88188986016662418492009-03-22T17:59:00.008Z2009-03-24T09:22:27.273Z

Well, with a bit of luck and a following wind, we may be getting hints of activity over the coming week. Just maybe. The Executive will be huddling on Thursday week (2nd April), so I should find out this week whether CCC's lean, mean legal machine has decided on the legality of the bonkers proposal.Until that glad day arrives, do skip over to have a peek at some of the other things that have been

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-81838009353183088252009-03-07T22:52:00.003Z2009-03-13T15:22:07.276Z

No, not the World Boxing Council, the Whitstable Beach Campaign. Plenty of sweat and tears, but much less blood. There's a delightfully lucid explanation of a complex situation on the front page of their site which describes the rather odd way Whitstable meets the sea. WBC have dedicated themselves to:safeguarding Whitstable's beaches for the enjoyment of the public by protection against

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-54788876630958448642009-03-06T13:27:00.003Z2009-03-06T13:29:39.333Z

...well, Graham Finch (my favourite Democracy Services Officer at CCC) told me: the Executive can't yet make a recommendation to Council about the beach huts, because they don't have a report from their legal boffins. The Executive next meet on 2nd April - with luck we may have both activity and progress by then.The law does grind exceeding slow. I hope it turns out exceeding fine. Fingers

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-31323506586623653232009-02-28T00:26:00.012Z2009-02-28T00:53:51.122Z

Here’s a very British gem: the Herne Bay Museum (link).Fearless and fervent, my woman and I swarmed into the Museum to see what we could find out about The Downs of yesteryear. The place is a treasure trove! If you haven’t been recently, pop in and saunter around. From fossil teeth to bouncing bombs, they’ve got all sorts of goodies on permanent display. There are also temporary exhibitions - all

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-63981329690010661172009-02-26T15:19:00.003Z2009-02-27T08:36:39.796Z

Disappointing. Unsurprising. Recoverable.CCC voted down the opportunity to flaunt themselves as 21st century cyber-starlets (see Radio Sausage). The world is a marginally less glitzy place as a result.More to the point, they voted down the opportunity to let their constituents see them in action. Internet access is becoming much more widespread, and is almost universal among the 'young' (anyone

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-80705044242288360142009-02-25T16:34:00.001Z2009-02-25T16:56:44.956Z

Godless spawn that I am, I failed to gorge on pancakes yesterday.To make up for it, I shall give up Easter eggs for Lent..:.

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-53415805029262194742009-02-23T11:47:00.001Z2009-02-23T11:50:16.008Z

Dear Reader, give yourself a treat and check out this map. It is jam-packed with facts and fun.Just the other day, I quizzed CCC about the Herne Bay Conservation Area. I had heard people (well, estate agents) talking about it, but had no clear idea of where exactly it was. Quick as a flash One-Of-Those-Planning-People came back with a couple of great links. One of them links to this excellent map

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-82305737837905865282009-02-21T09:15:00.003Z2009-02-21T12:09:42.692Z

A few ounces of reconstituted tree, shaped into a local freesheet, thump to the floor. The crisp metal edge of the letterbox snaps back into place, briefly trapping a small fleshy obstruction. The pain-numbed child continues its paper round.This is what passes for effective communication in 21st century Kent.But things are looking up: I read in that very freesheet that one of our elected

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-90200557988779839452009-02-20T22:21:00.008Z2009-02-20T23:08:13.831Z

Dear reader, if you have ever thought yourself at all 'odd' for reading this stuff, rest assured: you are now much less odd. Thanks to a kindly word in Mr Nottingham's blog, you are now part of something even bigger than before...Margate. Alaska. Norfolk. Kalamazoo. Sweden. Manitoba. Exeter. Brazil.A growing constellation.A crowd in the Cloud.Marvellous.Thrive..:.

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-15002662454999783052009-02-18T13:34:00.003Z2009-02-20T23:06:18.559Z

I'm looking for more information about the range of species, the natural richness, the biodiversity of The Downs. Buttercups, butterflies, bugs, bunnies, birds, bats, whatever - it all counts. Tell me what you have seen with your own eyes.I've seen kestrel, stonechat, curlew, avocet, turnstone, redshank, slow worm, rabbit, some mousey/voley/shrewy type things - bit hard to tell... (More species

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-65656905197310502652009-02-14T22:34:00.020Z2009-02-18T22:53:52.803Z

Saturday: a beautiful frosty, sunny winter's morning in Herne Bay, and time to meet our MP. My fine & beloved woman and I strode up to the dodgy automatic doors of the Herne Bay Council offices and pried our way in. There we found Roger Gale, and Cllr Ann Taylor (HoS) who had kindly made time to see us.Given that the Evil Land Grab is entirely a Council-level rather than MP-type issue, we asked

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-73643078408649220542009-02-12T22:39:00.012Z2009-02-13T23:35:59.366Z

More press coverage, this time in the Herne Bay Times courtesy of their award-winning news-ferret. As media interest picks up, I'm planning ahead as far as negotiating the film rights. This is the time for all involved to start getting your bids in for you want to be played by. I would settle for Daniel Craig if he wasn't so sissy.(I appear to have a touching faith in the police, according to the

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-81259300247895484392009-02-07T17:57:00.038Z2009-02-13T11:01:47.551Z

By popular demand, here's the potted life history of CCC's Unlawful Shameful Proposal. (See "Timeline" for full dates and details.)The USP appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, last autumn.The Herne Bay Councillors supported it, and told the Executive.The Executive liked it, published their public notice as "consultation", and waited to see if there were any objections.The objections were

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-10908394816452238912009-02-06T11:53:00.033Z2009-02-12T23:25:23.199Z

My fine and beloved woman addressed the Executive Committee meeting yesterday, and left them looking restless and nervous, ready to bolt. This is what she said:We have taken advice from a partner in a London law firm who specialises exclusively in planning law. We gave him the Land Registry entry and a link to Google maps so he could see the land. We told him: “The Council plans to lease part of

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-67451902103754206122009-02-05T10:51:00.028Z2009-02-26T21:16:38.058Z

In case you missed it (as most people did), here is what seems to be the full extent of CCC's public consultation. This was in the Public Notices section of the Herne Bay Gazette. In real life it measures 10cm x 12cm."... a small number of new beach huts ... " turns out to be 40. I had never thought of forty as a small number before.  (Site Map)Open question to CCCWhy use the back pages in a

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-67889191693915871532009-02-04T23:30:00.019Z2009-02-12T23:27:05.037Z

(Email sent 27th Jan 2009 to Herne Bay Gazette, for publication. As of 12th Feb, still unpublished. I am desolated.)East Cliff beach Huts: illegal, immoral, unnecessary, unwanted and unwise.Illegal?A legal covenant on this land means that, by law, the Council must “keep the land as an open space and pleasure ground for the recreation and use and enjoyment of the public forever”. Privately owned

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-76817313661340890302009-02-02T22:55:00.009Z2009-02-11T22:55:06.044Z

Councillors:You wanted the job.You were chosen for the job.Now just do the job, properly..:.

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-18542485808185821762009-02-02T22:53:00.021Z2009-02-11T22:51:52.573Z

Here's another kick in the teeth for local democracy: local Councillors who can't be bothered to reply to an email from one of their constituents about a constituency matter.My fine and beloved woman emailed the Councillors for Reculver Ward.One out of the three replied.Congratulations Gillian Reuby.Shame on you Ann Taylor and Gabrielle Davis.She also emailed the Herne Bay Area Members

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-50292089431124540992009-02-02T22:52:00.016Z2009-02-12T23:24:27.590Z

When I went to the Council meeting on 22nd Jan, gracing the middle of the chamber were 50-ish Councillors, the Lord Mayor, and some Council officers and assorted hangers-on.There was one guy sitting at the other end of my bench who left after hearing about the Council unearthing Roman remains in the basement of the Beaney - I assume he was an archeology fiend of some sort. There were two guys (

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-44737992415651170612009-01-29T23:44:00.017Z2009-02-26T00:33:19.296Z

Front page coverage, and well-deserved! What made this possible, and what lent clout to the speech to Council, was the 135 signatories to the petition - my thanks to each of you. Extra special thanks and a standing ovation for Tricia - superstar petitioner.Article.:.

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-87576279301782362012009-01-29T08:13:00.013Z2009-02-12T23:21:53.669Z

My first public act of flagrant democratic intercourse, beyond voting, that is: a speech to CCC, 15th Jan 2009.This proposal is unwanted, unneeded and ill-conceived. You are proposing to act without the permission, and against the wishes, of those you serve.The Downs is a Public Open Space, entrusted by the people of Herne Bay to the Council to be enjoyed by all, in perpetuity.One legal covenant

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-52180742289938734112009-01-27T21:59:00.014Z2009-02-11T22:54:08.638Z

By the time I got to find out about this (mid-December 2008) the Council seemed to be regarding it as pretty much a done deal. It had been "resolved" by the Executive, and the wheels had been put in motion. The site was being marketed; closing date for bids was late January; contract to be awarded soon after, with a view to having the huts ready for the 2009 summer season.It was about this time

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-36159609562224057042009-01-25T23:50:00.011Z2009-02-11T22:50:23.439Z

thisiskent.co.uk Friday, October 17, 2008, 12:37 (see Links box to the side).More beach huts for Herne BayA CONCERNED councillor fears vandals could "cause havoc" if 40 new beach huts are built on the Herne Bay coast. Cllr Gillian Reuby of King Edward Avenue voiced her fears after the ball was set rolling on plans to build the "Tankerton-style" huts at East Cliff.

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-29958290632651113482009-01-25T22:00:00.004Z2009-02-12T22:23:07.899Z

2008-Sep-23 Herne Bay Area Members Panel, Agenda Item 38.The Unlawful Shameful Proposal (USP) sees the light of day for the first time. The Panel thought:in principle the project was a good idea;the normal consultation procedures should be used;this was a good location for beach huts;it was hoped that any beach huts in this location could be painted and named;would the procurement rules delay the

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-2284731781152879242009-01-25T21:00:00.006Z2009-02-16T22:56:45.014Z

To set the scene: People have been walking, running, playing, dog-walking, kite-flying and just sitting on The Downs for hundreds of years. It's a nicely unkempt, tapering strip of land that runs east from Herne Bay to Reculver Country Park, sloping down from the sunlit uplands to the exceptionally shiny shingle of the north Kent coast.Long, long ago, most of what is now The Downs was part of the

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361559870301146227.post-1217203056370190462009-01-24T23:11:00.013Z2009-02-11T22:50:58.858Z

All this started when my neighbour pointed out a snippet on the Canterbury City Council website. They had decided to "dispose of" a slice of The Downs. Came as news to me. Bad news. Bad enough to get me off my backside.Later on, I'll rant about the various forms of wrongness that the proposal suffers from, but the one that hit me first and hardest (and still does) is that this is public land - in

Coastedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01692383063223831921noreply@blogger.com0