Dover News - August 2008

Police are appealing for information about the theft of a painting, thought to be a 'Constable', from a house in Salisbury Road, Dover.

A 45 year old Polish national was jailed for 19 years at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday (1 August 2008) after being found guilty of smuggling 93 kilos of cocaine into the UK through the Port of Dover.

Exciting multi million pound proposals for Dover are being taken forward following major news from the Government confirming a £3.8m Sea Change grant. Plans include an appraisal for a cable car from the Western Docks to Dover Castle, and landscaping and artworks on the Esplanade in Dover.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the theft of a car trailer from Whitfield near Dover. The trailer which had gardening tools and a can of petrol in it was taken from a driveway in Bewsbury Cross Lane.

A special funding initiative has been set up to help community projects - and voluntary and community groups across Dover District are being invited to apply for grants.

A growing success for green-fingered tenants was celebrated with a special presentation to the winners of this year's best-kept tenants' gardens competition, organized by Dover District Council's Housing Services team.

Following the success of Team GB at the Beijing Olympics, why not join in the local handover celebrations when Olympic Handover Flags will be raised at Dover Seafront and Deal Pier to celebrate the handover from Beijing to London on Sunday (24 August).

Following close partnership working and feedback from Town and Parish Councils, Dover District Council has responded to a BT consultation, and objected to the removal of 18 telephone boxes across the district.

Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Bernard Butcher, with the Kent Branch of the Merchant Navy Association, is organising a special service for Merchant Navy Day and to unveil the Dover Merchant Navy War Memorial on Dover seafront at 11am on Wednesday 3 September.

Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) have seized approximately 7.1 million cigarettes, concealed under pallets of grapes that were being transported by lorry through the Port of Dover. The cigarettes were discovered on 24th August 2008 after officers stopped a lorry that had arrived on a ferry from France at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are investigating a second large seizure of cigarettes in less than a week after officers from UK Borders Agency (UKBA) seized approximately six million cigarettes. The attempted revenue evasion is approximately £900,000.

Dover will be a blaze of fire and light to celebrate the launch of the national Cultural Olympiad, the four years leading up to London 2012, promoting 'the best of British' culture to the world. On Friday September 26 the harbour will be the site of Light Up Dover, a dramatic and ground-breaking fire show remembering and celebrating the town's rich history.