As the new president of the Hythe Rotary Club, I have the privilege and the responsibility of taking this club forward and at the same time making sure that it fulfills its goal set by Rotary International but continues to thrive and prosper so as to remain at the heart of our community.

Our RI president this year has as his theme “Reach within to embrace Society” I find this very fitting as this club has always relied on the mental strength, dedication and reliability of its members to help others less fortunate who are in need of help and encouragement.

To this end, apart from fundraising by other committees within the Club for various good causes, I have chosen as the President’s Charity to support “Young Carers”. These are children and Young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse. They often take on practical or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

My aim is to enable some of those young carers who are desperate for time out from their everyday duties and constraints to sail on the famous Thames Sailing Barge The “Cambria” which has been restored in Faversham at a cost of over £1.4 million and which will be used for recreational and educational purposes for young children.

The “Cambria” is a wooden Thames Sailing Barge, built at Greenhithe in 1906. She is famed as the last British registered vessel to carry a commercial cargo under sail alone (until 1970) and as such forms a unique part of our industrial and maritime heritage.

As a retired Master Mariner, and Foster Carer , I feel that it is only fitting to unite my two passions to help those children who are so deserving.

During this Rotary year, we will be supporting other good causes like the Shelter Box appeal, Mary’s Meal, feeding and clothing under privileged children in the Mossel Bay area in South-Africa, The local Scouts Group, The Red Cross,  Age UK , The youth of Hythe, and many more organisations who require help and support. These will be achieved through fundraising events like “Round the Houses Race” and the Christmas High Street Collection to name but a few.

Any one wishing to contribute to the Young Carers should contact our treasurer through our Web-site www.hythe-rotary.com

Reg Belcourt
President
Hythe Rotary Club

A unique website championing Kent-based online shopping sites has just added a 100^th shop to its directory.

www.iShopKent.co.uk is an online shopping mall of Kent-based websites offering everything from architect’s services to garden plants, beauticians to plumbers, bookshops to gift shops, CDs and electrical supplies.

The concept is simple but it works extremely well, marrying the way we would like to shop – supporting the local economy, keeping local people in work, reducing delivery miles – with the way more and more of us actually prefer to shop: online.

The website follows a model which has proved successful for retailers in the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Mann, and it is already doing well for businesses based in Kent.

Any ‘shop’ with a website can join, regardless of size, as long as it’s based in the county. Standard entries are free, although shops can increase their profile by advertising ‘Featured products’ at just £1 per product per month (perfect for special offers) or appearing as a ‘Featured listing’ on the Home Page for £20 a month.

www.iShopKent.co.uk is designed and managed by Kent’s leading online shopping site designers Icelab, who also host the annual iShopKent conference (www.ishopkent.co.uk/2011) and Ecommerce in Kent awards, now in its fourth year. (www.theicelab.co.uk/award)

Icelab director Alan Noake is delighted with the success of the website, and believes it to be the way forward if we are to keep people shopping locally.

“Internet shopping is huge” he said, “But there is also a real desire to support the local economy. iShopKent makes it possible to do both, offering the convenience of the internet with the knowledge you are spending money – and saving jobs – in Kent.”

For more information about the iShopKent website or conference please contact Alan Noake on 01304 813625 or email alan@theicelab.co.uk

A weekend of aviation memories was celebrated in Lympne on 2nd & 3rd of July as the Lympne Aero Classic recalled the seventy year history of flying at Lympne Airfield, from 1916 to the 1980’s. The show was opened by local resident Lord Howard of Lympne with his good lady wife, better known as Michael and Sandra Howard.

Currently under threat from a developer, the former green field site is sacred ground to aviation historians. Now, thanks to a very informative show of all eras in both military and civil flying, more local residents know much more about our unrivalled history and heritage on our doorstep. Similar development of other airfields in Kent, like Hawkinge and West Malling, is being questioned in Lympne’s case by the organisers of the Lympne Aero Classic, whilst raising money for Lympne Village Hall in an atmosphere of nostalgia and celebration. Whilst the threat has receded slightly in recent weeks, another attempt will sure come.

Full scale replica aircraft from both world wars shared the limelight with classic vehicles and WW2 re-enactors at the village hall playing fields. Photographic displays highlighted the days of prewar and post war air racing, Amy Johnson, Jean Batten and many other record breaking flyers, both world wars, aerial photography and parachuting. Former airline staff from Silver City and Skyways surprised many visitors by demonstrating that they had operated there up until 1954 and 1974 respectively, in the days when it was a civil airport. South East based aviation authors Bob Ogley, Anthony John Moor and Keith Dagwell were also on hand to help the cause.

Targeted at the local residents of Lympne, West Hythe and Court at Street, the Lympne Aero Classic saw several hundred visit the Village Hall and nearby County Members pub over the two days. Live 1940’s music was enjoyed by many on Friday and Saturday night at both sites. It is now hoped that the Lympne Aero Classic will become an annual event. Compliments and good wishes from visitors and participants were united in support of this. We now need to work out all our finances, so we can present a sizeable cheque to the Village Hall. Thanks to our sponsors, without whom there would not have been a show, this will be achieved. The Lympne Aero Classic was sponsored by; The Airport Café, The Barn Stoves & Fireplaces, The County Members, Holiday Extras, H P H Champneys & Sons, John Williams & Co., Keith Cornell Waste Paper, Laser Transport, Lympne Castle, M C. Group, Nusteel Structures, Old School Joinery, Sico Europe and Wood Finishes Direct. One sponsor, Holiday Extras, specifically added a further £700 to the account for us to pass on to the Village Hall when our cheque presentation is to be made.

Lympne Airfield is a UK aviation jewel – Do we really want to bury all this heritage under 400 houses?

By John Simpson
Chairman, Lympne Aero Classic

Celebrating the life of Lympne Airfield from 1916 to the 1980’s

A new show for Lympne will take place on July 2nd / 3rd at the Village Hall, playing fields and County Members public house. For the first time since aviation ceased in Lympne around 30 years ago, aeroplanes will be seen in Lympne, albeit full scale replicas of a Spitfire, Hurricane, Nieuport 17 WW1 biplane and a V1 Doodlebug. Supporting these will be RAF re-enactors, Military Vehicles, Classic Cars, Commercials, and other associated displays. The Village Hall will house photographic displays of every era of flying at Lympne since 1916. Such famous names as Amy Johnson, Jim Mollison and Jean Batten often launched their international record breaking flights from here in the 1930’s. Lympne was very active in WW2 including fighting the V1 menace, before returning to civil operation after the war. Former Lympne based airlines Silver City and Skyways will be represented by their Associations of former staff, with displays of their own. We will also be supported by Kent based military & aviation authors Bob Ogley, Anthony John Moor and Keith Dagwell. Other eras including air racing and the two world wars will be well covered.
The show will be officially opened by former Tory leader and Lympne resident Michael Howard/Lord Howard of Lympne at 12.30pm.
Aimed principally at the village of Lympne and nearby West Hythe and Court at Street, the show will raise awareness of the threat of possible development of the old airfield site, whilst also raising money for the Village Hall. Lympne Airfield has a history without equal in the aviation world. Indeed to the enthusiast, strolling on the old airfield is like walking into a cathedral, in historic aeronautical terms.
Live entertainment will include Ian Shawcross at the County Members on Friday night and the Clover Sisters at the Village Hall on Saturday night, both with a 1940’s set. A real ale bar and hot & cold food will be available all weekend on the main site.
The Lympne Aero Classic has been made possible by the kind sponsorship of fifteen local businesses: The Airport Café, The Barn, The County Members, Holiday Extras, HPH Champneys & Sons, John Williams & Co., Keith Cornell Waste Paper, Laser Transport, Lydd Aero Club, Lympne Castle, M C Truck & Bus, Nusteel Structures, Old School Joinery, Sico Europe and Wood Finishes Direct.
Prepared by John Simpson,
Chairman
Lympne Aero Classic

This is Scallywag who as you can see from the picture has already got himself into trouble in his short life. As a result of a broken leg he came into care at just four weeks old. Happily his leg is now on the mend but it is thought that he might always have a slight kink in it even when it is totally healed.

Folkestone & Hythe Cats Protection are seeking a very special home for this little boy who is full of character and mischief and simply longs to run around the house and climb the furniture and curtains just like any other kitten of his age.

Scallywag will not be homed until he is nine weeks old, his leg is out of plaster and has been given the all clear by the vet.  However, if you are interested in homing him then please get in touch and to discuss his needs and care. When homed he will be vaccinated for flu/enteritis /leukaemia, flea and worm treated and microchipped. If you think you have what it takes to give Scallywag the home he deserves, please contact…

Lynne on 01303 247540 or Lin on 01303 237744

As part of the Folkestone’s Multi-Cultural Festival (9th – 12th June 2011), a VERY special last minute addition…subject to local weather conditions) the RED ARROWS will be making a fly-past of Folkestone travelling from East to West at 18:30 (6.30pm) on Saturday 11th June 2011.

Hopefully they’ll also be visible if you are in Hythe or on the Marsh.

This will certainly make a spectacularlar addition to an already packed Festival programme: http://www.folkestonefestival.org/