Swale Borough Council - Don't Be Idle

Head of school Simon Krafft with Ward Cllrs Richard Palmer
and Alan Horton, environmental health officer Clare Lydon,
and children from Newington CE Primary School.

Local primary school pupils can help reduce air pollution by entering a competition to design a banner to encourage people to switch off their engines outside the school gates.

The competition is being organised as part of Swale Borough Council’s Clean Air for Schools initiative. This aims to highlight the harm caused by motorists not switching off their engines when they are waiting in traffic or outside schools at drop off or pick up times.

Launching on Clean Air Day 2019 (20th June) schools are being asked to come up with a creative design to encourage people to help people think about the damage leaving engines idling.

The best design will be made into a large banner to be displayed outside their school.

Newington Primary School is the first school to sign up to Clean Air for Schools, and pupils will be having a special assembly to get them thinking of ideas for their banners.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“We want everyone to enjoy better air quality and by working with schools on this competition, we think we can encourage cleaner and greener travel.

Idling engines cause unnecessary emissions, which contribute to air pollution which can be particularly harmful to young children.

Most people probably don’t realise the harm it does, so we want banners to get people to think about how their actions are affecting others.”

Cllr Eddie Thomas, deputy cabinet member for environment, said:

“When parents and carers drive to school, it’s not just their children they’re dropping off for the day - the fumes from their cars stay too.

A lot of people don’t want to drive all the way but feel there is no other option.

“We will be working with schools to put together travel plans that make it easier for parents to get their children to school safely, without leaving polluting fumes.”

Any schools interested in taking part in the competition can register their interest at: www.swale.gov.uk/clean-air-for-schools

The Clean Air for Schools initiative has been set up as part of the council’s air quality action plan and aims to work with schools to encourage sustainable travel options and raise awareness of air pollution.

To find out more, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/Dont-be-idle

Swale Borough Council

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Overnight Road Closure - Church Lane, Newington

Overnight Road Closure - Church Lane, Newington - Tuesday 9th July 2019.

An overnight closure of part of Church Lane, Newington, near Sittingbourne, is planned for Tuesday 9th July 2019 from 10:00pm through until approximately 6:00am.

Church Lane will be closed in the general vicinity of the railway bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Local access to the remainder of Church Lane continues from either direction up to where the road is closed.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via A2 High Street, London Road, Breach Lane, Boxted Lane and School Lane.

The closure is to enable Network Rail to carry out a detailed bridge inspection.

There is a slight chance that the works may over-run for such reasons as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen engineering difficulties.

The Network Rail 24 Hour National helpline is: 03457 114141

Website: www.networkrail.co.uk 

The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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Opus 32 Performing Sounds Of The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s at St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch

Opus 32 are returning to St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch for their ever popular summer concert on Saturday the 13th of July 2019, starting at 7:30pm.

Enjoy an evening of songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. With songs including Under Pressure, Mr Blue Sky, Rainy Days and Mondays, Only You, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now and many more.

Tickets £8

To book tickets, please call Derek Boyne on: 01795 423854 or reserve your tickets by Emailing: opus32.choir@gmail.com

Opus 32

Opus 32 was formed by Derek Boyne, the current Musical Director, to give young vocalists in Swale a forum in which to continue singing once they have left full-time education. Drawing on pupils, from Secondary Schools in Sittingbourne and Swale Music Centre, the first group of singers met on November the 6th 2000, and Opus 32 was born.

Opus 32 prides itself on the number of instrumentalists within the group, making it possible to stage a small Orchestra; Jazz Band and Folk Group at any given Concert. Their repertoire is wide and varied, encompassing many musical genres and styles, Opus 32 ‘A Choir for All Occasions’.

Find out more at >> www.opus32choir.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

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Medway Armed Forces Day at Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham

Showing our support for Medway’s Armed Forces

Residents are invited to show their support for the Armed Forces community at a FREE family fun day.

Medway Council, supported by the Royal School of Military Engineering, is hosting Armed Forces Day at Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham on Saturday, 29th June, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

There will be fun for all the family including have-a-go activities, military bridge building, concerts, drive-a-digger, army obstacle course, helicopters, a military parade led by the Band of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, arena displays, a funfair and more.

The Royal School of Military Engineering will also showcase skills used by the Sappers in a dedicated Royal Engineer Trades Village such as pontoon building.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, and Armed Forces Champion, said “We are incredibly proud of Medway’s rich military history and we’re committed to continuing our support to our Armed Forces community. I would encourage residents to come down to the Great Lines, show their support and enjoy free family day out packed with fun activities for all to enjoy.”

Medway Council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant which focuses on ensuring services are provided to members of the armed forces community, from education and family well-being to advice on starting a new career.

Last year the council were honoured for our work supporting serving and ex-military personnel and were presented with the silver award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Earlier this year key members of Frontline Services staff took part in training with Forces Connect South East to ensure they understand the covenant and tailor support to armed forces personnel.

BAE Systems sponsors Medway’s Armed Forces Day.

Ian Brimelow, Site Executive for BAE Systems in Rochester, said: “It’s always an honour to be a part of the Medway Armed Forces Day event. As an organisation with a rich heritage in defence, we’re incredibly proud to support the Armed Forces community of past and present, as well as their families. At BAE Systems we’re committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. Events like these provide the perfect platform for locals to celebrate, and thank, the service men and women of our country.”

For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/armedforcesday

Medway Council

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Swale Borough Council - Cabinet Plans for New Priorities

The first cabinet meeting since the local elections heard about the new coalition administrations ambitious plans for the next four years.

Plans are being drawn up to create a special projects fund of £1 million a year for the next four years which will allow greater investment in projects that make a difference to the borough.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“We are sitting on huge levels of reserves that are more than double what we realistically need to have set aside.

“This is local people’s money, so it’s only right we use it to improve services around the borough.

“Of course, this has to be done responsibly as the funds are not unlimited, so we are working on setting up a special projects fund of £1 million per year.

“Any projects that are funded will need to demonstrate its value and be in addition to what our services are already providing.

“This will give us the chance to fund specific initiatives that can make a real difference to people’s lives, which would previously have been seen as too costly, even if they would save money in the longer term.”

The meeting also heard updates on progress the administration is making towards its priorities, including:

• A new housing strategy is being put together that will see an increased focus on affordable housing.

• Additional investment is planned to help prevent homelessness and stop the use of bed and breakfast for temporary accommodation by the end of the year.

• Looking at making sure the staff it and its contractors employ are paid the real living wage.

• Declaring a climate emergency to commit the council to coming up with plans to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

• Review the approach to the next local plan to ensure developments are suitable and come with the necessary infrastructure.

• Review the constitution to give residents more opportunities to participate in decision-making.

• Recruiting a health and wellbeing officer to coordinate council services work in areas affecting health.

The agenda for the cabinet meeting where these were discussed can be found here: http://bit.ly/2XiiOjP

Swale Borough Council

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Medway Council - Let’s Tackle Loneliness Together

Let’s tackle loneliness together

Medway Council is launching a campaign to combat loneliness and social isolation in Medway.

Loneliness can affect anyone of any age and there are many reasons why people could feel lonely including moving to a new area, family or friends not living close by or life changes such as retiring or having a baby.

Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health and it’s estimated that around 12,000 people in Medway feel lonely. To combat this Medway Council is launching the A Better Medway - Together campaign this Loneliness Awareness Week.

The campaign aims to reduce loneliness by supporting people to make more connections in their local community. This will include raising awareness of activities, services and events in Medway that support people to make connections with each other.

From Monday, 17th June, you can make the Medway Together pledge to connect with your community and help tackle loneliness in Medway. Pledges can be big or small and made by individuals, groups or businesses. You could pledge to say hello to your neighbour, host a coffee morning, or volunteer at a community event.

Medway Council arranges activities throughout the year to give residents opportunities to meet new people.

Medway Sport also offers a range of senior sport sessions which have been tailored to help older residents keep fit and socialise, including badminton, walking football, short mat bowls, chairfit and boccia. Medway Council also offers free swimming for residents aged 60 and above. For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/seniorsport. There are also number of different clubs in Medway for all ages, interests and disabilities visit: www.medway.gov.uk/sport. To find out more about free health walks and cycling groups across Medway visit: www.medway.gov.uk/abettermedway.

Medway Adult Education runs a community engagement programme called Create Medway which aims to encourage family learning and provide opportunities for social interaction. Classes include family wellbeing and yoga and weekly painting sessions at the Sunlight Centre in Gillingham. For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/mae.

Men in Sheds is just one of the many projects available in Medway where people can make new connections. Men in Sheds supports local men stay well by getting together to share their interests and skills, including sessions such as woodcraft, music sessions and art. Men in Sheds focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on men over 25 who are not in work and retirees. For more information call: 01634 338600.

Medway Men in Sheds organises four sessions each week which focus on different interests and skills.

Gardening has many benefits, which Steve Claringbold Chief Executive of the Sunlight Centre is proud of. He said: “I’ve seen new friendships made by people who wouldn’t have met and our members also meet outside the group too. They find gardening really rewarding and it gives them responsibility in a really relaxing environment.”

Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adults’ Services, said: “Loneliness and social isolation are not just issues which affect older residents. Anyone, of any age, can become lonely. There are lots of opportunities to connect with others in Medway and we are working with partners to help our residents make more connections in their local area. Together we will tackle loneliness and make A Better Medway.”

A simple hello can help combat loneliness

Tackling loneliness doesn’t have to mean making a big gesture. Sometimes a simple hello can make a big difference. We know it can be hard to start a conversation with someone new, so here are our top tips:

• Ask someone’s opinion, for example, ask what they think of the weather.

• In a queue? Say hello to someone.

• Ask open questions and avoid questions that only have a yes or no answers, for example ask what someone’s plans are for the weekend.

For more information on our Together in Medway activities, and to get involved by making a pledge, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/community.

Follow #MedwayTogether on social media to find out more about ways to connect with your community.

Medway Council

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