Dover News - April 2008

Plans for the next 20 years for Dover District will be the subject of two special meetings as part of the series of Neighbourhood Forums, run by Kent County Council, Dover District Council and the Town and Parish Councils.

A key funding initiative has allocated £300,000 to assist community groups in the former coalfield areas of Kent over the next three years. Local voluntary and community organisations are being invited to apply for grants.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham today named Dover as one of the first three seaside towns to benefit from Sea Change, a new funding programme which aims to kick start wider economic regeneration in coastal resorts through good design and investment in culture and heritage.

World-famous actress Sophia Loren is in Dover this weekend to Christen a new cruise liner. MSC Poesia arrived at the port today (Friday) ready for the spectacular event on Saturday evening which is being given the Royal seal of approval with the presence of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Police are trying to trace a woman who came to the rescue of a 16-year-old girl who was being assaulted in London Road, Dover on Monday 7 April. Between 3.30 pm and 4.00 pm the girl was walking along London Road towards Cherry Tree Avenue when she was approached by a man who was abusive and threatened her.

An innovative new play area is on the way for Pencester Gardens in Dover, with work on exciting facilities set to begin today (Monday, 21 April). The new facilities follow a successful £257,702 bid to the Big Lottery Fund's Children's Play Programme.

As part of their ongoing commitment to ensure a high quality public realm, Dover District Council is looking at how partners in the community continue to work to keep our streets and public open spaces clean, well maintained and safe - and your views are sought.

Far reaching work to look at opportunities for young people in the district has led to the production of an important new draft Youth Strategy - and Dover District Council are seeking your views. This major strategy for the next five years focuses on the areas young people have highlighted as the important issues affecting their lives.

The 90th anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid has been marked by a series of ceremonies. Dover Mayor Cllr Bob Markham attended a commemoration in Zeebrugge, before dignitaries came to Dover today for a service at St James' Cemetery, and the ringing of the Zeebrugge Bell at Dover Town Hall.

A major on-line accolade is being celebrated by Dover District Council as its website is named as a top ten success for best practice and given special status for its 'compelling user experience' in a report that sets the gold standard for IT in Local Government.

A 61 year-old British man, David Allen Bancroft, of 8 Nesbit Close, Wickford in Essex , has been charged with drug smuggling, following the discovery of 15kgs of cocaine in a vehicle at Dover during the weekend.