You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2012.
There’s a chance to explore some of Medway’s most interesting buildings for free during Heritage Open Days, running from Thursday, 6 to Sunday 9 September.
Celebrating England’s fantastic architecture and culture, Heritage Open Days is a national scheme offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. More
The Historic Dockyard Chatham has once again teamed up with Southern Water to offer free of charge practical family learning workshops on Sunday afternoons through to Spring next year.
Mighty Missiles
Inspired by a visit to the missiles on board the Second World War destroyer HMS CAVALIER, this workshop will challenge participants to design and fire their own rocket. How can Newton’s Laws of Motion help? What impact will elevation have on the ability to hit enemy targets?
Sneaky Ships
Disguising ships to avoid the enemy has always been a challenge in wartime. Participants will design and make a ‘stealth boat’ that can’t be detected by sound, sight or heat. They will then use the underwater sonar in the dockyard’s testing tank facility and state of the art thermal imaging camera to see how successful they have been!
Handy Hydraulics
Participants can design and make their own Dockyard Crane using hydraulics and then discover how strong the crane is by finding out how heavy a load it can lift.
Water Works
Based on the fascinating work of sponsor Southern Water, this programme looks at the impact of use of water on the environment and allows participants to build a water butt and water filter.
This FREE fun, fascinating and educational 4-workshop series can be booked by calling please call 01634 823800 or emailing smajor@chdt.org.uk.
Dates of Cycles
Cycle 1 – September 2012:
2nd; 9th; 23rd; 30th
Cycle 2 – October 2012
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
Cycle 3 – November 2012
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
Cycle 4 – February/March 2013:
10th, 17th,24th, 3rd March
Cycle 5 – March 2013:
10, 17th, 24th, 31st
The Ropery indicating its length
(c) Graham Jepson
The author, who has penned more than 20 thrillers, will be in Chatham Library at Chatham Community Hub on Thursday, 13 September at 7.30pm. More
Thundering Taiko drums, colourful kimonos and majestic flying falcons are just some of the sights and sounds at this year’s Will Adams Festival, taking place on Saturday, 15 September at Gillingham Park.
Now in its 12th year, the free family event is held to celebrate the life and times of Medway’s famous seafaring son, who is said to be the first Englishman to travel to Japan.
Themed zones will focus on both the Tudor England that Adams would have grown up in, and the Japanese life he would have encountered on his arrival, when he was bestowed the honour of becoming a Samurai. More
Popular TV series Who Do You Think You Are is back on our screens, and to tie in with this Kent Family History Society will be running a series of family history training events for beginners. More
New agreement will get work started on thousands of new properties
Plans for thousands of new homes that have been stuck on the drawing board for a decade are to finally get the go-ahead thanks to an historic deal reached between ministers, councillors and developers. More
The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Vaughan Hewett is embarking on a number of health and fitness challenges in the coming weeks, including a charity abseil, a river swim and a 10km walk along the sea wall.
Taking inspiration from the London 2012 Olympics, the events have been organised to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while making the most of Medway’s many parks and open spaces. As part of the Healthy Heart campaign, the Mayor has already led an 18-mile cycle around the Heron Trail on the Hoo Peninsula (Sunday, 26 August), and on Saturday, 22 September, the challenge is to go ‘Over the Edge’ at the Mayor’s charity abseil down mhs Homes’ Melville Court in Chatham. More
A new campaign to help make us aware of our blood pressure starts in September.
Heart nurses in Medway are calling on local people to get their blood pressure tested during national Know your numbers! week, which kicks off on 10 September. The cardiology team at Medway Community Healthcare is backing the campaign, led by the Blood Pressure Association, which encourages adults to get their blood pressure tested at least once every five years. More
Once again Shorne Woods Country Park will host the “Stride” in aid of Cancer Research UK, specifically the breast cancer awareness campaign. Contact details are provided to enable you get the required information to help raise funds. More
THINGS are hotting up at the EllenorLions Hospices as our supporters step forward to do a charity Fire Walk.
Following the incredibly successful 2011 walk across the firebed, participants are lining up to have another go on the evening of Friday 12 October 2012. Walkers of all ages will be feeling the heat as they walk across burning wood to raise vital funds for EllenorLions Hospices.
And there are still 30 places available if you feel like putting your best foot forward and rising to the challenge.
Registration is £50 and we would like participants to try and raise a further £150 in sponsorship.
The fun event will help raise vital funds for children, young people and adults within the care of EllenorLions Hospices, who have a life threatening or life limiting illness and are being cared for either in their home or at our bedded hospice in Northfleet.
QUOTE Fundraiser Nicola Irvine said: “This is an amazing motivational event that might just be life changing.
We’ll have a barbeque and lots to see and do to keep your families and friends entertained whilst you prepare for your walk.”
The event is being hosted in partnership with Medway Safety Ltd and friends and family are all welcome to come along and watch brave participants face this incredible challenge.
For more information or to register contact Nicola Irvine on 01322 221 315 or email nicola.irvine@ellenorlions.org
As thousands of people headed out walking this bank holiday weekend, some of England’s greatest national walking treasures are at risk – warns Ramblers as they launch their appeal for National Trails.
From the peace and quiet of the Wolds Way to the buzzing city life of the Thames Path, from the rugged hills of the Pennine Way to the spectacular coastal views of the South West Coast Path – National Trails offer some of the best places to walk in the country. However, under new government proposals these treasured pieces of England’s natural heritage are to be handed over to hard-pressed local authorities and voluntary groups. If these proposals go ahead, it will leave the Trails without an organisation to champion them nationally, posing an enormous risk to their quality. More
Cliffe Woods Primary are running a back to school Disco on Sept 22nd, have some fun and relive the 80’s and 90’s, you will also be helping a local school improve the facilities for its pupils.
Cliffe Woods Primary School PTA – “Back To School Disco”
Saturday 22nd September, 7.30pm-11.30pm at Cliffe Woods Community Centre
Our new Adults Only Event with classic 80s and 90s songs from the disco; retro sweets and snacks on tables; and optional fancy dress! Re-live your youth in style!
Tickets only £7.50 per person until 12th September – Tickets MUST be bought in advance*
Tickets available from Kimberley Evans 01634 222510/07957 326239
or email evanskimberley@hotmail.com
*Tickets £10pp after 12/09/12.
There will be a limited amount of snacks on tables so please eat dinner before you come!
A few roadworks that may require signalling or diversions, if you can use an alternative route, that would ease the situation in these roads.
Ash Tree Lane, Chatham – Junction with Capstone Road.
Carriageway works will require two-way signals at off peak hours.
Works to begin Wednesday, 29 August for one day.
London Road, Rainham – From Caldew Avenue to Bowater’s Roundabout.
Road resurfacing. Will result in road closure with signed diversions.
Works begin Friday, 7 September through to Wednesday, 12 September.
City Way, Rochester – Old Pattens Lane to Howard Avenue junction.
Utility works for water main replacements.
Two-Way signals Manually operated at peak times.
Works to commence Monday, 3 September through to Friday, 7 December.
Pilgrims Road, Upper Halling – Rochester Road junction to outside 63. Utility works, will require road closure with signed diversion.
Works to be carried out Monday, 3 September through to Friday, 30 November
……by a ship of the Royal Navy since 1984 – a real Salute to the ‘40s!
HMS CAVALIER, The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s very own Second World War destroyer, will mark her own “Salute to the ‘40s” by firing a ‘broadside’ using all three of her 4.5” guns at 12.00 noon on Saturday 15th September, the first day of the Salute to the ‘40s event.
The last broadsides fired from operational Royal Navy ships were by HMS LONDON as she returned to the UK before paying off in February 1982 and HMS ZULU on paying off in 1984. Three rounds will be fired from A, B and Y guns on board HMS CAVALIER by the Historic Naval Gun Crew, a group of re-enactor volunteers who have assisted in restoring the ship’s guns and who will also re-create Captain’s Defaulters and bring the ship to life over the weekend of the Salute to the ‘40s event.
HMS CAVALIER was one of ninety-six war emergency destroyers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Awarded the Battle Honour ‘Arctic 1945’ for operations off northern Norway and in support of the homeward-bound Russian convoy RA64, CAVALIER later operated in the Western Approaches, undertaking duties which included the high-speed escort of the liners-turned-troopships RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.
HMS CAVALIER, together with an adjacent bronze monument is now the National Destroyer Memorial 1939-1945 marking the very special contribution made by these ships and the men who served in them.
More
Image by kind permission of Simon Kelsey
The gardens will be transformed into a medieval encampment with a whole array of themed activities, including re-enactments, cooking demonstrations, have-a-go archery, stalls, traders and living history displays.
New features for this year’s event include a medieval fashion show depicting changes in dress through the years, and there’s even the chance to have a personal meeting with the King himself between 12noon and 3pm each day in the castle keep. More
1 September – 4 November
Chilly mornings, golden colour, soft sunshine – autumn is the perfect time to rediscover everything that is wonderful about the British countryside, but sometimes we need a little inspiration and help to get us started! More
Monday 27 August is the last bank holiday of this summer and NHS Kent and Medway is advising people on how to get healthcare if they need it.
No one wants to spend their precious free time waiting in Accident and Emergency – yet bank holidays every year see a surge of people attending A&E departments with minor illnesses and injuries. More
Medway Council needs to update its records about private water supplies within its boundary.
The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 have been amended and local authorities are now required to monitor and enforce the safety of private water supplies.
The new regulations are to ensure that water from a private water supply is wholesome, and people who drink from a private water supply are not risking their health.
Private water may come from a variety of sources including wells, springs, boreholes and streams.
If you have a private water supply contact the Trading Standards enforcement team on 01634 331684.
More details can be found at www.privatewatersupplies.gov.uk
There are many reasons why people take adult education courses with Medway Community Learning.
From helping to achieve that promotion at work, just for fun and to make new friends, or even starting up in business – an adult education course can change lives.
And this academic year more classes are being offered at Chatham Grammar School for Boys, Maidstone Road, Chatham.
The school will play host to a variety of exciting subjects from sugarcraft to sign along, jewellery to journalism and plenty of popular cookery courses including Asian, Turkish, and Christmas cooking, baking and family feasts. The exciting curriculum hopes to inspire a new generation of adult learners.
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “Learning a new skill can be very rewarding. It can open up the door to a new career, promotion or business, or it could be just for pleasure, to try something new, and make friends along the way.
“Medway Community Learning has a great variety of subjects on offer at locations throughout Medway. Lots of our courses are part-time so busy residents can fit them in around other commitments. If you’ve never tried adult education before, now’s your chance.”
The new course directory is available on the council’s website:
www.medway.gov.uk/adult-courses
Alternatively phone 01634 338400 for more details.
A total of 3,136 children across Medway have signed up for this year’s summer reading challenge at their local library.
That’s 380 more children signed up compared with last year’s summer read.
And with four weeks left to complete the challenge, librarians across Medway’s 16 libraries are encouraging participants to keep reading to achieve that final medal and certificate. More
Kingsnorth Power Station
Generation will cease at the Kent power station in March 2013
In March 2012 E.ON announced that power generation at its Kingsnorth power station will cease in March 2013. Like many other power stations around the country, Kingsnorth’s closure is a result of the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive legislation which requires it to close after generating for 20,000 hours from 1 January 2008 or at the end of 2015, whichever comes first. More
Businesses are being urged to dispose of waste properly after a court ordered a beautician to pay more than £1,600 for taking rubbish home and putting it in her household bin. More
A fingerprint expert will share his knowledge of crime scene examinations when he gives a talk at Rochester Community Hub later next month (September).
The free event is now booking – phone Rochester Community Hub on 01634 337411 to secure your place. More
More than one million people in Kent and Medway now have their own secure electronic health record to help them get faster, safer, better care out of hours or in an emergency. More
16 September 2012 9:00 a.m. Bewl Water Outdoor Centre Bewl Water Outdoor Centre Bewl Water Lamberhurst Kent TN3 8JH
Make a splash for Action for Children on Sunday 16th September 2012!
We are looking for people to take part in this fantastic team-building Dragon Boat Race at Bewl Water Reservoir in Kent. The race is Chinese-style Dragon Boats ove a 250 metre course. Crews do not need to be super fit or skilled to be successful – all that’s required is teamwork, good sense of fun and some friendly competition! It’s a fun filled day out and great day out for corporate businesses.
Teams will take part in 3 races over the course of the day and a 4th if you reach the final. The course is 250 metres, you can have as many as you like in the team, all raising sponsorship, and rotate them between the 3 races. Alternatively, you can paddle with only 14 crew members should you be down on numbers.
Alongside the racing is a full funfest of activities. All this makes it the perfect day out for the whole family!!
In the past, this festival has attracted up to 8,000 people each year and has been covered by Meridian Television, BBC Television, SKY TV, Radio Kent and Independent Radio as well as attracting extensive local media exposure, before and after the event. Also great for networking with other corporate companies. Action for children has guarenteed places in this Kent event.
As a thank you for fundraising for Action for Children, we will give you:
Training tips and fundraising advice from the experts
A meeting point for the Action for Children team on the day
A fantastic fundraising pack, full of creative ideas
Advice and support from a dedicated local fundraiser
For more information:If you would like more information, please contact Selena on 01622 230764 or send an email/ a>
• 17% of people say they expect ‘inheritance’ to help fund their retirement
• Over one in ten (11%) state that property will account for all of their retirement
New research from Baring Asset Management (Barings), the international investment management firm, reveals that nearly half (44%) of people do not currently expect to use a pension to fund their retirement. This is equivalent to 15.7 million people aged over 18 who are not yet retired. When asked to select which assets or investments they view as funding their retirement, a ‘pension’ was chosen by just 56% of people, highlighting a lack of effective pension planning by a significant number of UK adults. More
Peninsula Times 