Dover News - January 2014

The volunteer crew of Dover's RNLI lifeboat were kept busy over the festive period with two service calls in contrasting conditions.

Do you want to make a change to your life for 2014 - if the answer is yes then Dover Gateway and NHS Health Trainers are there to help you with a 'You Need Your Health' event at Dover Discovery Centre from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 14 January.

Dover District Council's Cabinet has agreed a recommendation to freeze parking charges across the district for the next financial year.

Irresponsible dog owners and people who deliberately drop litter are being warned to keep our district clean or face a fine - with Dover District Council's Environmental Enforcement Officers issuing 70 Fixed Penalty Notices from September to December 2013.

The Port of Dover has posted its best year-end traffic figures for freight vehicles since 2009, recording an rise of 13% in 2013.

The policing division that covers the East of the county has a new commander in charge. Chief Superintendent Jon Sutton has taken over from Alan Horton who has been promoted to Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, following the retirement of Ian Learmonth as Chief Constable.

Dover's RNLI lifeboat was launched on service for the first time this year on Saturday morning after a Liberian-registered cargo ship, heading towards Genoa in Italy, passed between a tug and a smaller vessel it was towing, causing serious damage.

Border Force officers at Dover have seized approximately 63 kilos of cocaine. The drugs, once cut and sold on the streets, have a potential value running into millions of pounds.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Smith has called for an end to the squabbling over The Port of Dover's future, saying "It's time to put the interests of Dover and its people first".

If you're looking for something fun for the whole family on Saturday 25 January, Dover Museum is holding a Clay Beads Family Day from 10am.

Key renovation works have been completed to the Victorian Shelter at Connaught Park in Dover - with a range of repairs to the roof and timber posts, and work to repaint this distinctive historic feature.

An independent inspection of a major plan setting out new sites earmarked by Dover District Council for development across the district up to 2026 begins next week.

The newly formed Port Users Group (PUG) has elected its first Independent Chairman and Vice-Chairman as the Port's determination to transform the way in which it listens and consults with its key customers and Port users takes a further step.

The Port and Community Forum (PCF), the group that is seeking renewed, positive and vibrant community engagement with the Port, has elected Derek Leach as its first ever independent Chairman following an anonymous ballot.

A Romanian lorry driver has been jailed for seven years after attempting to smuggle 10 kilos of cocaine into the UK through Dover's Eastern Docks.

Dover based Viking Recruitment Ltd has started construction of a state-of-the-art maritime training and conference facility at its head office on the Beechwood Business Park in Dover.