Walmer Castle Beach Clean 14th October 2018

Thank you to our 60+ volunteers on today's Walmer Castle Beach Clean. 

20 bags/89kilos collected with over a 1/3 recycleables inc 38 single use plastic bottles!

Todays top finds 2xTents, 1xflipper and part of 1940 invasion defenses (now at Deal Maritime and Local History Museum)

Our next Beach Clean is on Sunday 18th November at 9.30am meeting at Sandown Castle Community Garden

Volunteers needed for Hawkshill FreeDown

Full details at http://www.walmerweb.co.uk/history/hawkshill.html

Walmer Beach Huts Campaign

*** Latest: DDC have agreed to withdraw 9 of the Huts. The lobby of Walmer Parish Council on Weds 9th July is still going ahead see EKM posting today 7thJuly

Pete St Ange at the Walmer Sea Cafe and local residents has started a petition against the number and way DDC dumped 20 huts down on Walmer's iconic beach front this week.

The twenty huts appeared in the last week and were installed by Dover District Council after DDC planning committee discussed it and delegated it to officers back in their March Planning meeting despite several members voicing concern over parking and toilet facilities.

Planning application DOV/13/01007 had been discussed and rejected by the Parish Council earlier in December 2013.

The huts are reported in the EKM as being for rent at approx. £1,200 pa.

These huts are setup in a four deep array without much space in between to see or access the sea.

This is unlike the existing ones on the beach which are only one deep with good access to the sea & arguably enhance the view.

With an estimated cost of £34k means the council is planning to make about £85k over the next 5yrs.

So they could have afforded a better outcome with a bit more thought.

Pete has an photo opportunity with local press on Monday at 4pm on Walmer seafront and asking supporters to join him.

He is taking the campaign to the next Walmer Parish Council meeting 7pm on Weds 9th July (at WPC offices on The Strand).

All those are concerned are urged to pop down sign & distribute the petition.

I like Beach Huts. But these ones demonstrate a lack of imagination and lack of respect for our 'shared space' on the sea front.

DWI at Walmer Picnic

Deal With It was out today meeting people at the Walmer Picnic on the Green.

Some good discussions with people on transition towns, fracking, community radio and getting some greenery going in Sandwich

Big thanks to Vicki, Rose, Rosemary, Charles, Jeremy and Steve for helping and to the organisers for inviting us.

Next outing for the stall will be at the Kent Miners Festival on 28th August - volunteers please contact Vicki

Get involved with Nature conservation with Hawkshill Working Party

There's a great opportunity to keep fit and protect the flora and fauna of the
chalk downland that is Hawkshill Freedown, in Walmer.

This priceless amenity is owned by the Walmer Parish Council and in times when 80% of the species rich habitat has disappeared, we have a chance to protect it. The Hawkshill Working party,
coordinated by Clive Grant and Sue and Brian Pitcher (and advised by wildlife
management consultant Martin Newcombe) welcome volunteers with open arms every
1st Sunday and 3rd Monday of the month, 10.30a.m. - 12.30.

All you need to do is turn up at the car park by the T junction of Liverpool Road and Gram'sRoad; tools and protective gloves are provided. You can drop a line to let Walmer council know you're coming if you want to or just turn up. 01304 381506 or clerk@walmercouncil.co.uk .

In July, work carried out by a varied group (aged from 17 to 70!) included trimming back the bushes and brambles that constantly threaten to over run the site, and counting this year's orchids. So, a great way to be a friend to 400 species (including - crows foot garlic, pyramidal orchid, kidney vetch, pallid cockroach, rose chafer, lesser stag beetle, bumble bees, top snail, common lizards, linnets, ergot, slow worms,
spotted flycatchers, tree sparrow, turtledove, roast beef iris and stinking iris) in the open air with stunning views; an unbeatable offer!

Eco-Christmas advice from Walmer Parish Council&DDC

Feel good this Christmas

As well as all the wonderful things about Christmas, it is also a time of excess, over-indulgence and waste. Enjoy its pleasures and feel good this year by trying some of the following:-

Buying Presents 
Remember to take your re-useable shopping bag.

Buy rechargeable batteries for toys.

Avoid shiny wrapping papers that can’t be recycled.

Instead of computer games that use energy, why not buy a board game that will bring the family together?

Present for gadget man? How about a wind up radio, or solar powered lamp?

Decorations
Why not try using what nature provides and gather pine cones, ivy and fallen branches?

If you prefer the real thing to artificial, purchase a sustainably produced, locally grown Christmas tree.

Why not make your own tree decorations - edible tree ornaments are attractive and delicious too.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without fairy lights. Switching from conventional to LED Christmas lights will reduce your energy consumption by 90%. As they don't generate as much heat, you’ll be making your tree safer.

Make your garden sparkle with waterproof solar powered lights.

Food
Plan your menus ahead, check your stock cupboard and stick to your shopping list – that way you cut down on how much food you buy and there’s less to waste.

Turn your vegetable peelings into compost to provide nutrition for your plants.

Freeze leftovers – they’ll make a quick and cheap meal.

New Year’s Resolutions
Don’t dump – recycle your Christmas tree, wrapping paper and cards.

Start the New Year by taking an invigorating walk, or cycle – leave the car behind.

Make your New Year’s resolution to live leaner and greener– you’ll benefit, you’ll being doing your bit for the environment and helping to ensure a sustainable future.