Post Box
Dear Editor
Light at the end of the tunnel!
Since March of this year (that I am aware of) the Cheriton and Morehall areas of
Folkestone have been suffering from an unacceptable amount of antisocial
behaviour. This started off as small nuisances, noise, drinking, littering and
trespassing occurring mostly at weekends, this was bad enough but as the months
progressed the behaviours worsened with vandalism, physical attack and reprisal
attacks. These incidents have not just remained at weekends but have progressed
to an almost daily occurrence that happen both day and night - often into the
early hours. Residents of the area grew exceedingly concerned and distressed not
feeling that there was a way out of this ever-increasing menace.
Some examples are:
▪ Physical assault (residents attacked)
▪ Intimidation (Threatening reprisals when tackled)
▪ Property Damage (bricks through windows, fences kicked down, cars vandalised)
▪ Trespassing (climbing in peoples’ gardens, sitting on their garden walls)
▪ Drinking (noise, swearing and littering that goes along with this)
▪ Drugs (open dealing and use in the streets)
▪ Traffic Nuisance (loud music from cars, driving around streets and up alley
ways at dangerous speeds)
I know that this is not specific to Cheriton and Morehall but that other areas
of Folkestone are suffering too. I wanted, therefore, to share what has just
happened in our area.
On the 25th July 2007 a multi-disciplinary meeting was held with local
councillors, police, the residents association members and non-members. Views
were aired and the community has successfully come together to try to bring
these behaviours to a close. Thank you to those people who came along to the
meeting, at least one hundred people with grievances and reports of incidents,
it is not always easy to stick your head above that parapet.
Residents now feel that they are being listened to, that we have support and
that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Rome wasn’t built in a day and
it will take time but by working together we will make this a safe area again.
Not only to make life better for the residents, but, hopefully by engaging the
children and providing them with activities that will take them off the streets.
This obviously means the local councils, both Town and Shepway, have work to do.
The police are most definitely committed to this purpose and I would like to
thank them for their help and support.
To this end, please do not despair, if you are having problems contact the local
police station, speak to local councillors and write to your MP. Get things
moving like we have.
Name and address supplied
Letter to the Editor
The cancellation by Shepway District Council of the Go Folkestone Soundwaves
event is deplorable.
It would appear that the event is a victim of its own success as SDC wished to
limit the attendance to 500 spectators. Something the organisers could not
guarantee.
If this town really does want to take up the mantle of regeneration and to
encourage the younger members (or like me the younger minded) of the town to
have an active role in this community, then SDC and the other town authorities
must take a “can do” rather than “no can do” approach to encouraging such
events.
Folkestone is endeavouring to portray itself as a centre for Art and Culture.
Music must form part of this and where better to hold such an event but on the
beach away from residential areas and where everyone can have a great time?
I fear that if the council bureaucrats act as inhibitors to the promotion of
well organised events like Soundwaves or by threatening a halt any future re-run
of this years family focused Mid Summer Madness event at the amphitheatre, then
we are ostracizing a large part of the community and failing to embrace the
forward looking vision of this town’s regeneration which is as much about people
as it is buildings.
Name and address supplied
Letter to the Editor
Dear Sirs
I would likes to congratulate all those people who organised the “Midsummer
Madness” down at the Amphitheatre. It was excellent—most entertaining—and it was
lovely to see people enjoying themselves so much, without any hassle.
The fireworks were wonderful—quite the most impressive I have seen in a long
time.
Again—congratulations, and thank you.
Yours faithfully
Name and address supplied
Letter to the Editor
On Friday 31st August Go Folkestone held a Quiz Night to raise funds for their
causes and I was thoroughly disappointed that only 7 members turned up to
support it, there were only 4 teams, I just feel that this is a terribly poor
show for something we all “supposedly” believe in! Thanks to Ann and Lynne for
working their socks off for little reward, for a small audience we did have a
fun evening.
Mrs Patricia West
Letters from Go Folkestone Newsletter September 2007
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