Sentinel
Local Matters
Sandgate
a dce2.0 company
July 2022
This magazine is compiled and edited by David Cowell who is totally responsible for content. If you do not wish to receive these magazines please email UNSUBSCRIBE to him at david@thesentinel.org.uk
Sandgate Farmers Market Saturday, 2nd July Catherine Jordan Cakes Delightful treats from a professional patisserie
Anji's Interiors Working for local, national and international clients and companies from her studio based in sunny Sandgate, on the South Kent coast, Anji creates beautiful bespoke quality curtains, blinds, soft furnishings and interior decor to suit your requirements.
Usher's fruit and veg are based locally with lots of fruit, veg and salad sourced locally. For example their potatoes are sourced from O&P Gowers In Acrise. We’ve been sourcing ingredients and accessories from expert producers and artisans in exchange for a fair price for over 30 years.
Pauline's hand made toys What better time to chat about your energy and internet supply...and a chance to win £20,000
Conventional and wrap style masks, soft toys and so many more wonderful hand made gifts Gill Thompson Jewellery
Learn all about this local initiative
* Unique gifts - Gill makes only one piece * Commissions accepted * Gill can bring broken jewellery back to life * Gill uses precious, semi precious gems,freshwater pearls, glass and crystal beads
The Sandgate Far,mers Market started in December 2009 and in the next decade it grew impressively with at times three rows of stalls in the main Hall and others on the top landing and inside and outside the front door. Those were heady days and in 2019 the Hall received the highest amounts of income into its coffers, crucial for the building's continued maintenance as a community facility. Then Covid hit. During the lockdowns we and some stallhoilders provided a home delivery service then, as soon as we were permitted, we opened again. Observing social distancing means we are still limited in the number of stalls we can accommodate but we still need you to come along and support us then, as soon as possible, we'll get back to those 2019 days. Thank you.
To advertise in all three of The Sentinels with circa 3000 targetted readers and growing please email me: david@thesentinel.org.uk
for a rate card. From the cutting-edge London design agency Here Design - writer and poet Philip Cowell, and award-winning designer Caz Hildebrand, author of The Herbarium, this playful, original, beautifully designed book brings to life the punctuation marks we use every day, including: The dashing dash So-called "quotation marks" The colon: and on and on. Kindle edition The shouty exclamation! £9.99 Hardback The three dots of... £12.50 (Not forgetting the brackets) Great gift And even more 3
4
5
Support local
6
Our thanks to the Sandgate Parish Council and the Community Gardeners for allowing us to reproduce this diary page. We hope to make this a monthly feature in the magazine but you can read all the diary entries by clicking on this box. It has been a challenge this week to keep up with the tomatoes and the growth they are putting on. Every week our list of jobs includes checking all the tomato plants for side shoots, and every week those side shoots sneak up on us and start taking over. Keeping tomato plants as a cordon or single stemmed plant is quite a skill, you really do need to know your stuff when it comes to identifying a side shoot and nipping it out before it saps too much energy from the plant and goes off at a tangent. Of course, in the wild a tomato plant would naturally be a bush, but in the short time we have in our summer to grow a decent crop of tomatoes outside, then it pays to be vigilant and train them. It has to be said that last year (and the year before) we somewhat lost the plot when keeping our eyes on the growth and they went out of control in a busy time when so much is going on anyway. However this year the determination is to plug away at it……… all we need now is some tomatoes! Any promised rain this week is up to its usual trick of appearing on the weather apps and then completely passing us by, or even being so localised that we can have a short shower at one end of Sandgate, yet not at the other. The yellow warning of thunderstorms and heavy showers faded to nothing and many a water butt at gardener’s homes remain empty. However, we get on with what needs doing, and there is always plenty. The kale seedlings all got pricked out into modules, the broccoli seeds sown, and the swedes planted, along with the second batch of lettuces. One of the red potato patches were pulled up and more onions. Sadly the mange tout is starting to dwindle but soon we hope the courgettes will start to come thick and fast. The gooseberries are The sweet peas have arrived 7
thinking about ripening but as you can see in a picture below, we had another volunteer turn up, in the shape of a squirrel, with a keen eye on what we were doing, and what he could glean. Over by the asparagus beds a mole is having a wonderful time making mole hills all over the place and we are rather hoping he will be making his way under the fence and out. With the imminent arrival of many brassica plants (swede, kales and broccolis) we will have to think about their protection from the dreaded Our red potatoes cabbage white butterfly. Sadly, we have not seen many butterflies or insects, well not as many as we should. The memories of ‘fly soup’ or being able to look across an open space and see hundreds of flying insects, is now in the distant past, along with having to clean the car windscreen due to all the casualties encountered on a journey. It seems a wonder that any of the flowers are fertilised and the fruits form at all, but fortunately they still do and long may it continue. Where last year there was just one pyramid orchid in a spot near the Enbrook garden, this year there are two, and the fact we are surrounded by a diverse range of flowers, grasses and trees will help support the much needed insect population. Just as the insects need support, so do we at times, with various projects. Saga has a fantastic scheme to encourage employees to spend a day volunteering for local charities and projects. This week a dozen came out to support Touchbase Care at Pent Farm, along with some of our gardeners, to unload several truckloads of compost, varnish the inside of the summer house, weed, water, construct compost bins from recycled pallets and with great enthusiasm, roll massive tractor tyres down the lane to make raised beds. They were a fabulous hardworking bunch, but suspect that after a day of hard physical graft in the great, hot and sunny outdoors, they were suffering for it the day after when back in the office! What’s next? • Prick out the broccoli seedlings, the smaller the better • Check on the gooseberries • The woodchip paths need another layer • Keep watering the new plantings 8
Guided Walks Around Old Hythe Every Thursday, June to September Discover the secrets of this ancient Cinque Port and soak up the atmosphere amongst its historic architecture. See the Royal Military Canal, built to keep Napoleon at bay. Visit St Leonard’s Church (free tour included) and wonder at the bones in the famous ossuary/crypt. Tours of the church (without a walk) start at midday.
Meet at Hythe Town Hall, High Street CT21 5AJ at 10:30am - no need to book. Walk £2 per person (Ossuary £2 extra).
Allow 1½ hours for walk plus 45 minutes for church/ossuary
9
Tayne center
10
11
I really appreciate the locals who have agreed to be a part of this series and I thank Jan for the openess and honesty of her answers to my not, I hope, too impertinent questions
People talk
an occasional feature
1 Jan Holben and I never sat on the same point of the political spectrum but whenever I encountered her in the Council Chamber or at the many civic functions she attended she was always affable and generous of nature albeit equally committed to her views which she was not afraid to express. For a decade or more she was Chair of the Chichester Hall Trust and steered the recovery of a building that was in a dire state of disrepair and turn it into the community hall we now see adorning our High Street. I am delighted to tell you that she and her partner Richard Grundy have rejoined the Hall's Board of Trustees. §Jan, tell us a little about your childhood. With the benefit of hindsight I would say I was a bit of a loner throughout my childhood, although I never felt lonely to be honest, I just didn’t know any different. My Dad was a railway worker, worked shifts, often nights. Mum suffered with schizophrenia from when I was a toddler – so although she was physically there, just not perhaps in an emotional or motherly way. Because of my Mum's mental illness my Dad was very withdrawn when he was home. I do recall certain things – sometimes when the railway man would come in the night to call Dad in for some urgent work – I was instructed to say he was out - the railway man always knew of course. I also recall we had to feed a gas meter which was over the front door, with coins and when we had no coins we would put in plastic tokens...of course when the meter was emptied we would get the plastic ones back. We lived in railway buildings in Vauxhall, South 12
continued on next page
Lambeth, right next to the railway – no 123 Coronation Buildings. No bathroom – but a bath in the kitchen which was covered to use as a work surface, no electricity in the toilet we used a small oil lamp. We had to use a tin bath out in front of the living room fire to keep warm, me being the eldest of three girls, I was allowed in the bath water first. We often had chimney fires and little bits of burning soot would come down the chimney and burn the rug. Dad would come in from working and in the winter months he would stand in front of the open fire to warm himself up. Who or what were the main influences on your life? I used to attend St Annes Church across the road from Coronation Buildings, and Sister Moor a church army sister (who also run the local girl guides) encouraged me to teach at Sunday school. So I think the church and the girl guides influenced me a lot. Reading was perhaps my escape – and Dad would tell me to ‘value books’ – that love of books has stayed with me. How did you arrive on the south east coast? The last 20 years of my working life was brilliant, I loved every minute – but because I loved my job I really gave too much. I was hardly ever home and didn’t pay attention to my own health. I finally had to have a major operation and during recovery I got time to think about things. I decided to move – and I said to my partner I am not too fussed about where we move too but it must be pretty, rural perhaps – but definitely not a seaside place. We lined up 4 or 5 places to see – not enough cupboards, no parking etc. We couldn’t agree on anything – and then on the fourth viewing we arrived in Sandgate. I could see the sea from the windows, wow. We walked down to SAGA grounds to talk it through – and decided within minutes this was the right place for us. You became very involved in local administrations. Why? I think it was at a time when I was transitioning from a working life as a project manager so my organisational skills, PC skills and literacy were recognised and I was hauled in by Robert Bliss to be on the Conservative committee, mostly I think because I was good at notetaking. From there it was suggested I put myself forward to 13
continued on next page
stand as a councillor. I was amazed that I was selected to stand and then elected in at the elections. I told my Dad – he was not impressed. He was a railway man and from a Welsh mining family, labour through and through - and he said – ‘well done’ but I wont ever be voting for you’. You are interested in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy What appeal about these practices and how do they influence your life?
When I joined BT initially in Accounts, and then being promoted into Sales – the whole company was going through project Sovereign. Everyone from Director to clerical assistants were included in this company wide training programme. This was my first taste of NLP and how it was used in training. Shortly after I was promoted again to Communications Manager for the whole sales channel (around 1000 sales agents, 100 sales managers, 16 call centres from Glasgow to Plymouth). As part of my Communications Manager role I would organise various training modules for sales agents – especially when they were taking on learning about the new technologies and products. I used training companies who included NLP training techniques to deliver the various training modules. So I was very exposed to NLP training myself and when I left BT I sought private training for both Hypnosis and NLP – both work wonderfully well together. I achieved diploma, practitioner and finally mastery in both skills. I met many very interesting people whilst undergoing these training sessions, over a period of 2 or 3 years. And although there were senior NHS people, Headmasters and many other professional people going through the training we quickly realised we were often dealing with our own issues. I did practice for a while, and I do enjoy helping people with various issues from nail biting to more serious problems. The Covid years stopped me actively seeking clients and I haven’t really got back into the swing of things, with new interests always calling to me. What do you consider to be your main achievements? Raising two lovely children – Mat and Jen, and maintaining a healthy and friendly relationship with my ex-husband. The family events I used to organised over the Rec – my goodness they were hard work, but it was so rewarding seeing all the families having a great time without the need to spend lots of money. Walking over the Rec – and 14
continued on next page
looking around at the multiple use games area (tennis court, volleyball court, football, the boules terrain, the picnic tables and benches – these mostly come about because of a failed Interreg funding application which I had created (we were part of a multi country application – our part was applauded but it just didn’t come together well with the partners) – but I was able to use the funding bid as a base, fleshed out with data from the village design statement – to create a successful funding application from theRoger de Haan Charitable Trust which provided match funding with the parish council to provide most of the amenities there. You now live in Sandgate. When did you first move here, and what do you like most or least about the village? I think we arrived here around 20 years ago. I think I most like that it is just outside Folkestone – so fairly genteel, and I have a great view of the sea from my very steeply terraced garden. The thing I dislike most is how polarised people can become – around potential development, politics, or just about any subject you care to mention. We don’t seem to listen anymore – but that is not a Sandgate thing, it is everywhere. Cemeteries? What’s the appeal? Like most people I would occasionally walk through a cemetery noting the names and dates – but after attending a Remembrance service in the old Folkestone cemetery I looked around and was appalled at how overgrown it had become. After talking to Giles Barnard (he is involved in all the local litter pics and many other outdoors community projects) he suggested that around the country ‘friends’ groups were setting themselves up to look after these Victorian cemeteries – and so that is what I did. Our ‘friends’ group includes those who want to quietly clear weeds, those who want to help families find their relatives and those who are ace family history researchers. We meet on Saturday mornings and we have regulars who just come along to chat to us – so its a lovely little group. 15
continued on next page
What are you reading at the moment and what music inspires you? I have always read lots – one of my favourite Saturday jobs was in the Tate Library, Stockwell – I loved to stamp the books. And my favourites in those days were the Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School books and the Jennings and Darbishire books. I rarely read fiction nowadays – and I am surrounded by books about Folkestone history, NLP, Silversmithing and books about Gardening/Herbs. The ones at the top of my book piles are: Silvershmithing by Robert Goodden & Philip Popham (1971), Kent Shipwrecks by Alan Bignell (1991), Shipwrecks of Kent by Anthony Lane, all second hand books bought for a couple of quid each, just love second hand books. I also have a couple of books on hand about past life regression techniques used in healing. I book recently purchased as new (yes I buy new too) is Secrets from a Herbalist’s Garden by Jo Dunbar. I believe Jo is part of the Incredible Edibles Group which plants herbs and other plants around Sandgate and Cheriton. Jo’s book also tells me that the troublesome marestail or horsetail can be used to make your hair and nails stronger. Who knew? As for music – as a youngster I would listen to Rachmaninoff (piano concerto no.2, op 18) in my bedroom alone, with hindsight I think perhaps a weird choice for a child – but still it was the first record I bought as soon as I earned money. Nowadays – I enjoy all music (with the exception of modern jazz, rapping and pop) – I grew up in the era of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Moody Blues, Wishbone Ash and then in later years David Bowie, Queen, Roberta Flack – too many to mention. Music has always featured quite heavily in my life...when Mum was hard to reach, listening to tormenting voices in her head, music could always reach her and give her some respite. Are there other things you want to achieve? That is an interesting question – and one which I never know how to answer. I love travelling alone – I did go on a two week holiday alone once, you learn an awful lot about yourself when travelling alone – an invaluable experience (first thing I learned was not to take so much heavy luggage). I would like to do that again, but not sure my 16
continued on next page
partner is that keen. I want to improve my silversmithing skills – still at the baby-smithing level – but practice makes perfect. Mostly I want to enjoy life – I love nature, trees – I want to walk through pine forests – so many mushrooms and fungi to find and hopefully later this year I will be walking through pine forests on the Belgian/ Luxembourg border. And finally – I want to write another 1 or 2 books about Folkestone and surrounding area and the people that have lived here.
17
All now available in paperback and on Kindle Set in Folkestone in the heady days of the late 60s. They say if you can remember it, you weren't there!
Two plays. One an imaginary meeting between Dylan Thomas and Brendan Behan in a Fitzrovia pub. The other is Caitlin Thomas reminiscing after the untimely death of her husband.
This is the tale of Hana, a young girl who moves from where she was born in London, to the Kent coast. They discover a wonderful area called Prince's Parade which is full of amazing animals, has a beautiful canal and is right next to the sea too! By buying this book you will be helping to protect it. All profits from it will be donated to the Save Prince's Parade campaign which aims to halt plans to develop the area into a housing estate. Very funny, and surreal story about a man and a woman on their first date: Bolton Brady and Veda, set in London, November 2001. Bolton is forty, not into assets, has never lived with a woman and looked into the future and seen loneliness. So he decides to do something about it. He advertises in a lonely-hearts column, and receives six replies, but after experiencing one disaster after another only Veda remains between him and his sanity. As the day unfolds the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred, building to a surreal, yet poignant, conclusion. 18
This walk through the history of Sandgate to the present day was first performed at the Chichester Hall a decade ago on Wednesday, 9th June. It is now available on Kindle or in paperback.
Now available on Amazon. Great evocative yarns of worldly travels.
A Loose Cannon tales of a lapsed activist
Ted Parker
The title of the book hints at how, as a ‘loose cannon’, Folkestone born Ted’s risk-taking got him into trouble on a number of occasions whilst being a considerable advantage in his working life.
As a young journalist, Reg Turnill met most of the prewar political personalities and later became the BBC's space correspondent being the only one in the press room when the historic Houston we have a problem message came from Apollo 11. 19
All now available in paperback and on Kindle Janet Holben. Paperback. Folkestone Cemetery has around 15,000 graves (27,000 people) there are stories of skulduggery and innocence, murder and bravery, grandeur and squalor – but mostly there are stories of everyday people living their lives. This account brings some of those stories back to life and will perhaps bring an understanding of how Folkestone was shaped by terrible wars, widespread disease, the unforgiving sea, the new railway and fashionable society – but mostly, by the people who lived, loved, made their livelihood and finally died here.
Westbrook House School Folkestone was a fee-paying preparatory school for boys aged 6 to 13 years. It was situated in three existing adjacent former late Victorian private houses in Shorncliffe Road with a 3-acre playing field to the rear which backed onto the main railway line. It was the life-time ambition of Kenneth N G Foster (1903-1984) (photo c.1958) who initially bought up the first house in 1946. Under his Headmastership the school started taking both day and boarding pupils in 1947. By the 1950’s the school was thriving requiring a sizable number of characterful teaching and domestic staff.
20
21
22
Us he rs no fru w it a on nd -l i n v e eg
You can now order on-line at: https://www.usherswholesale.com/box
or by telephone on: 07515 529425
DE D
We deliver to Folkestone, Cheriton, Hawkinge, Capel, Alkham Valley, Saltwood, Sandgate, Seabrook, Hythe
SU SP EN
To advertise in three The Sentinels with circa 2300 targetted readers and growing please email me at:
The editor of The Sentinel is also responsible for sending Hythe, Newington and Sandgate related event information to the Folkestone Herald. If you have an event you wish to publicise it is needed by Tuesday at 17:00. The information should appear in the edition two weeks later although it is not gauranteed.
david@thesentinel.org.uk
for a rate card. Thank you. 23
24
25
26
Please support your local Farmers' Markets in 2022
e Th
M
e inu t on . c e ll wi tsid t ke o u ar
ru
i ng n n
27
If you would like to submit an article or letter please email it to me. I will print almost anything as long as it’s not libellous, racist or unkind. Name must be supplied but can be withheld if requested. Please put your articles etc in plain text or Word and images should be in .jpg, .tiff or .png. My contact details are: Address: Clyme House, Hillside Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 5DJ Mobile: 07771 796 446; email: david@thesentinel.org.uk