KK OO SS www.kentnews.co.uk Voted Britain’s best paper 7 times Published by KOSMEDIA LTD. Telephone:(01303) 817000 IT’S WHAT SUNDAYS ARE ALL ABOUT No. 277 January 13,2008 INSIDE RREEAADD OOUURR NNEEWW WWIINN AA TTUUMMBBLLEE THIS DDRRYYEERR WWOORRTTHH BBUUSSIINNEESSSS SSEECCTTIIOONN ££449999 WEEK’S CCOOVVEERRIINNGG KKEENNTT PAPER PPLLUUSS:: YYOOUURR BBUUSSIINNEESSSS IIDDEEAA CCOOUULLDD WWIINN KKEENNTT’’SS COURTESY OF IINNNNOOVVAATTIIOONN CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEE ££2200,,000000 CCAASSHH PPRRIIZZEE SEE INSIDE FOR MORE DETAILS GETTING P ic LATE EDITION ture: RE X F E A T U R E S TOUGH ON BENEFITS CHEATS NEARLY £14 million a year is EXCLUSIVE more difficult to find jobs. Of the 63,700 people on incapacity benefits KILLER LOOKS: Kent’s own Gemma Arterton being paid to incapacity benefit claimants in Kent who are fit to By JAMIE McGINNES ianm oKuenntt ,cBlariommelde y maenndt aBl eaxnledy ,btehhea vlaiorugerastl Gemma’s in work,according to the Tories. disorders (25,150), followed by diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective Figures released to Kent on Sunday follow- burden on the Treasury,on the public purse.” tissue (11,020).A total of 7,050 were on inca- ing a Freedom of Information request show He said that a “tougher” approach was pacity benefits for “symptoms, signs and 00-heaven there were 63,700 people on incapacity ben- needed to be taken by GPs and other public abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, efits in Kent,Bromley and Bexley in 2007. servants who rubber-stamped the benefits not elsewhere classified”. The Conservatives this week claimed that in the first place. The highest average weekly claim was as many as 200,000 of the 2.6 million people “There has been an extraordinary rise in the UK claiming the benefits could return nationally and I think they have got to be £68.92 for people on benefits for “congenital as Bond’s malformations,deformations and chromoso- to work. much tougher in gatekeeping to allow mal abnormalities”. In Kent,Bromley and Bexley that equates access to incapacity benefits.I suspect that Earlier this week, Conservative leader to nearly 5,000 people.Figures given to KoS too many people are going into the incapac- David Cameron unveiled plans for US-style by the Department for Work and Pensions ity benefit category unnecessarily.” new beauty return-to-work programmes. indicate they claimed £13.79m last year. Cllr Carter said KCC’s Supporting Under the plans all job seekers are And the total bill for paying incapacity Independence programme and 14-20 strate- screened as soon as they start claiming and benefits in Kent, Bromley and Bexley in gy to “get young people better motivated, those who refuse to join the schemes have 2007 was a colossal £179m. better trained,better skilled”were helping their out-of-work benefits stopped. Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent County to get people off benefits and into work. Shadow work and pensions secretary SEE INSIDE FOR FULL STORY Council,said:“We need to get more people off But he claimed the influx of Eastern welfare and back into work. It’s a massive Europeans into the county was making it CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO www.kentnews.co.uk for all the headlines 2 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 • Week ending January 13, 2008 Early Booking Offer 2008 Government subsidies, Dover - France car + 5 each way from £24* fare increases and still Book by 14.02.08 Book online or call no mention of profits… 08701 642 117 *Off-peak sailings. £10 supplement applies for peak sailings. £5 each way supplement applies for weekend travel (Fri-Sun). £5 admin fee applies to phone bookings. Subject to availability and valid only when used as part of a return booking with the outward journey from Dover. Bookings are non-refundale. Terms and conditions apply. K t t ay en od THE train company that oper- By PHIL REILLY 2013-14, the company is due to pay the Government £11.2m. ates commuter services in Kent [email protected] As of the start of this year,average fares in faces is facing calls for greater Kent went up by 6.8 per cent.They are due transparency over its profits. to continue to increase at a rate of inflation Thanet,said taxpayers appeared to be “pay- plus three per cent for the next three years. The demands came after Southeastern ing more for less”. Last year, Southeastern raised its fares trains introduced inflation-busting fare He said:“I believe that we,as Members of by an average 6.3 per cent. hikes that have seen the price of some Parliament and the travelling public,have 20 tickets rising by more than 10 per cent – a right to know how much Southeastern is Southeastern’s 2006-07 and 2007-08 subsi- dies represent a dramatic rise in Government higher than anywhere else in the UK. making out of those fare increases. funding than had been given to previous A Kent on Sunday investigation has “How well are they doing from taxpayers operator South Eastern Trains (SET). revealed the massive amount of taxpayers’ who are already paying for them?” SET received £50.7m in 2003-04,£68.7m 19 money being given to Southeastern. Mr Gale this week challenged the Ruth in 2004-05 and £82.5m in 2005-06. The company took over the running of Kelly,the Secretary of State for Transport, services in Kent in April 2006 and in its to take a ride with him on the coastal line Praise first year received a massive £135 million between Thanet and London so she could TODAY:Acloudydaywithonlytheoccasionalbright subsidy from the Government. experience for herself the standard of A Southeastern spokesman said fare spellappearing.Thechanceofrainmovinginafter In 2007-08 it has received £106.1m,and is service.She declined the offer. increases were governed by its franchise dark.Brisksoutherlywinds.Maxtemp7-10C(45-50F). agreement and Government policy. due to get a further £89.7m in 2008-09. He said delays and overcrowding TONIGHT:Largelycloudyandwetwithrainattimes. He added:“For many rail users this is a Southeastern generated revenue worth appeared to be getting worse on the trains. Stayingbreezywithfreshsoutherlywinds.Mintemp significant increase and it’s up to us to 5-8C(41-46F). £552.7m in its first year,but this week the He added:“Unless this outfit gets its act demonstrate that passengers are getting company refused to reveal its profits. together then it will,I think,be time for the AroundBritain Incentive chief executive and his miserable cohorts to va“lHueo wfoerv mer,onseiny.ce we took over the fran- °C °F °C °F run up the white flag and surrender to chise in April 2006,stations are cleaner and However, profit figures for its parent someone who can provide a service that ABbelefardseten rraaiinn 181 5462 LLoivnedrpoonol rraaiinn 1101 5520 company Govia show that shareholders are works at a price that is fair.” bthriagnh etevre,r wbeef oarree, aonpde wraet ihnagv em doerleiv esreerdv itchees Birmingham rain 10 50 Manchester rain 11 52 reaping vast rewards. Julian Brazier, a Conservative shadow best train performance for many years. B’mouth rain 10 50 Newcastle rain 11 52 The Anglo-French firm, which also runs transport minister and MP for Canterbury, “While there is still much to do before we, Bristol rain 10 50 Norwich cloudy 10 50 Southern and, since last month, London also called for transparency from or our passengers will be satisfied, com- Cardiff rain 10 50 Oxford rain 10 50 Midland trains,had a revenue of more than Southeastern, but insisted he was not plaints are down,customer praise is increas- Cork showers9 48 Southsea rain 10 50 £1 billion in 2006-07 and operating profits against companies making profits. Edinburgh rain 9 48 S’hampton rain 10 50 of more than £66m. He added: “These short-term franchises ing and the trend is in the right direction.” Glasgow rain 10 50 Southport sun – – This was an increase on the previous mean every operating company has a huge The company declined to respond to criti- IsleofMan rain 10 50 Swansea rain 11 52 year, when it generated revenue of under incentive to maximise its short to medium- cism over its lack of transparency. Leeds rain 10 50 Torquay rain 11 52 £750m and profits of £42.5m. term profits. There is no incentive for Southeastern has 344 trains and more Sun&moon Under its franchise agreement with the long-term measures.” than 3,800 employees. Government,Southeastern will operate rail In total, Southeastern is due to receive News and sport updated daily online Sunrise 7.57am Sunset 4.11pm Lightinguptimes: services in Kent until at least 2014. more than £590m in subsidies by 2013. Moonrise10.01am Moonset 10.26pm 4.11pmto7.56am Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North In the final year of its franchise agreement, www.kentnews.co.uk HighTides today tomorrow ‘The number on incapacity benefit is falling’ ht(m) ht(m) ht(m) ht(m) Dover 01.48 6.5 14.046.3 02.27 6.5 14.476.1 Margate 02.27 4.6 15.064.5 03.07 4.6 15.504.4 StMary’s 07.40 5.4 19.595.1 08.21 5.3 20.424.9 Weekahead CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE efit claimants want to get back “Evidence shows that rather £138.9m. In Bexley, there were Chris Grayling said: “We think into work,but are unable to. than benefits being too easy to 6,700 claimants and 8,480 in it’s time to take tough action But a spokeswoman for Mind, claim, it is the attitudes and Bromley. monday thursday against those who are deliberate- the mental health charity, said: practice of many employers that A spokeswoman for the DWP Showers Dull.Rain ly staying at home and claiming “David Cameron needs to bear in create barriers for people on inca- said:“The number on incapacity max9Cmin5C max9Cmin7C benefits rather than going back mind the 40 per cent of incapaci- pacity benefits returning to benefit is falling after two into work. ty benefit claimants who have work. decades of substantial growth “We want to provide real help mental health problems. “One third say that they delib- and is the lowest it has been for tuesday friday for those who want to work – and “Continuing stigma and dis- erately exclude people with a his- seven-and-a-half years. Dull.Rain Cloudy.Dry be tough on those who are trying crimination also means many tory of long-term sickness or “The new Employment and max10Cmin6C max10Cmin7C to avoid working.” employers will not hire people incapacity when recruiting staff.” Support Allowance, which will The Tories pointed out the with mental health problems.” In the county of Kent,the num- replace incapacity benefits from wednesday saturday Government has admitted that David Harker, chief executive ber of claimants last year was October 2008, will help drive Showers Cloudy.Dry up to one million incapacity ben- of Citizens Advice, said: 48,530, costing the taxpayer forward further reductions.” max8Cmin5C max12Cmin7C Hamiltons Quality... Design... Imagination... EDITOR:Bernard Ginns ADDRESS:Apple Barn,Smeeth,Kent TN25 6SR. WEBSITE:www.kentnews.co.uk Fine Kitchens MOBILEWAP SERVICE:www.kentnews.co.uk/mobile TELEPHONE 01303 817000 FAX (ADVERTISING) 01303 817001 FAX (EDITORIAL) 01303 817002 EMAIL Editorial: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] Printed by Archant Print.Early edition free,late edition 50p. Tel: 01622 844897 www.hamiltonsfinekitchens.com Finest range of contemporary and traditional designs The Tile Cellar, Warmlake Business Est, Free,no obligation home visit design and quotation ©KO S20M0e2d KiaE N(PTu bOlNis hSiUnNg)D LAiYm.iKteEdN.T ONSUNDAYis published by Full installation service,including all building works MaMidasitdosnteo nReo, aKde,n St,u MttoEn1 7V a3lLeQnce, www.kentnews.co.uk for news and sport Week ending January 13, 2008• Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 3 Grandfather reveals the family’s pride in St Trinian’s actress My salute to great captain Bond girl putting of industry HE was always the man with the ties, writes KoS business editor Tony Patey. our name in lights Financial reporters attending annual general meetings of ICI chemicals group way back 30 years ago used to see row upon row of directors facing them from the stages of the big halls where they were held. Among the anonymous suits ranged behind P the chairman, ictu EXCLUSIVE like a beacon, re: R By PHIL REILLY Battling for was – the tie.A E brash, wide one, X F and above it a E AT potato face big beaming face UR THE grandfather of rising British actress with a tash and E S Gemma Arterton has said he always long tousled hair. GONE: Harvey-Jones It belonged, of knew she would make it to the big screen. course, to John Harvey-Jones, who has GEMMA Arterton will be vying for Miss Arterton, 21, who is currently wooing audi- just died aged 83, and it was before he screen time with the film’s other Bond ences in her role as head girl Kelly in the new St became a Sir,and long before he became a girl, Olga Kurylenko. Trinian’s film,has been chosen to play a Bond girl The Ukrainian former model is a face well-known to millions as a television opposite Daniel Craig in the next installment in the relative unknown, but she has hit the management guru. long-running franchise. big screen before. He had been at a prep school in Deal She was born and raised in Gravesend and went to Ms Kurylenko appeared nude for a before going to Dartmouth Naval College. Gravesend Grammar School for Girls before heading bondage scene in the 2006 film Le As a reporter from the Daily Mirror I to top stage school Rada. Serpent, in which she played a model naturally always looked for the ‘human’ The daughter of a welder and cleaner only graduated who gets caught up in a blackmail plot. angle – and John,for me,was the angle a year ago and has become hot property after a stint as Speaking to FHM magazine ahead of at these sometimes boring meetings. Rosaline in Love’s Labours Lost at the Globe Theatre. Le Serpent’s release, she said: “Taking I was the first to put those ties into print Her grandfather, Arthur Arterton, who lives in my bra off in a movie has never been a – I seem to remember John gave me quite Gravesend,said nobody in the family has been sur- problem for me, as long as a lot of copy on them – in the Mirror’s City prised by her meteoric rise. it makes the film more column and Hackney-born John became The 93-year-old widower said:“Far from it.We’ve enjoyable to watch.” one of my favourite contacts. watched her from when she was in plays at school. Tabloid reports say When he was appointed chairman of It’s remarkable really, I’m very proud. She had her character, Camille, ICI in 1982 he hit the headlines,mainly always been looking forward to the day when she will provide the love because of his naval background, but I interest in the film, would make it and I was always confident she would. managed to get an ‘exclusive’ quote for prompting one colum- All the family,we knew she was going to make it.” the Mirror. nist to observe: Sex symbol “Potato-faced To me he was the essence of good Daniel Craig is one management – and he put motivation Filming started on the spy blockbuster at Pinewood lucky, lucky man.” top of his list of management goals. Studios on Monday,with shoots set up at Panama, As a motivator he was outstanding. Austria and Italy. He stood in the pantheon of great man- It has the working title Bond 22,but little has been UKRAINE: agers of that time,such as Lee Iacocca,the confirmed about Miss Arterton’s role other than her Model Olga legendary Ford boss who turned round character will be called Agent Fields. Kurylenko Chrysler in the 1980s,who is also 83. Being a Bond girl has provided many young Let’s salute a great captain of industry. actresses with a launchpad to lucrative Hollywood careers, including Ursula Andress and Halle Berry. Mr Arterton,who said he was not a fan of James Bond films, said he was sure his granddaughter would be able to keep her SALE feet on the ground. SALE But he said he was concerned about her becoming a sex symbol. “We do rather worry about that,”he con- tinued.“I’ve been wondering what it’s going to be like.It is going to be a whole new life for her.” He said he was particularly proud that SHOOTING she chose to use her family name rather STAR: than a stage name,adding:“It will be nice Gemma to see the name in lights.” NOW ON Arterton has Bond 22 is due in cinemas in November. started work on Bond 22 News and sport updated daily online www.kentnews.co.uk Tory chief’s blog will keep You’re now voters in the online know ‘thinking Lincoln’ THE leader of Kent County Council is the Kent County Conservatives blogsite. venturing into cyberspace with the launch of “That is not to say it won’t be political,of his online blog. course it will.For example,I will be writing Paul Carter will be using his new medium about things like when I go to Westminster to keep people up to date with what is going to talk to shadow ministers about the inno- on behind the scenes at the council, talk vations in Kent that will hopefully have an about his meetings with the political hoi pol- input into national policy.” loi in Westminster and beyond,and to voice He said he was encouraged to write the his opinions on local and national issues. blog by council staff who were keen to find BIGGER CHOICE • LOWER PRICES Mr Carter told Kent on Sunday he will out what he does on a day-to-day basis. be careful to avoid using the blog as a The blog is due to go live on Monday morn- The Big Yellow Building, St Peters Street, Maidstone propaganda tool. ing and is likely to be updated around twice He said: “What I will probably be doing a week. 01622 691 291 www.lincolnfurniture.co.uk where there are things that are too political It can be viewed via a link on the council’s for the KCC website is start another blog on homepage at www.kent.gov.uk. www.kentnews.co.uk for all the headlines 4 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 • Week ending January 13, 2008 F L E A FREE FREE C H I R P CCMMLLAEAETATATTRRRRAAEENNSSCSCSEE DELIVERY DISPOSAL “Silent Sleep” 4ft 6in Double Mattress OF YOUR OLD BED SALE PRICE £99 Was £199 F F F Real L L L E E E A A Leather A C C C H I H I H I R R R P P P Solid Oak “Melford” Posturemyerpaedic “County“ Bedstead 4ft 6in bedstead, beech sprung slatted base. 4ft 6in Double Divan set with 2 drawers. 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High Street www.kentnews.co.uk for news and sport Week ending January 13, 2008 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 5 Police watchdog is Revealed: the richest people in the county ‘value for money’ INSURANCE mogul Peter Cullum has been named as Kent’s richest man,with a fortune of £1.7 billion. Mr Cullum,who has worked for and run a number of insurance and finance firms, beat former Saga owners Roger and Peter De Haan, whose combined wealth is esti- By JAMIE McGINNES much aware we have more work to do next mated at £850m. year to remain at the forefront.” The list was compiled by Philip Beresford [email protected] Another £61,000 of the money spent by KPA for Kent Life magazine and contains the last year went to the Association of Chief names and estimated wealth of the county’s Police Officers and the Association of Police THE body that oversees the work top 50 earners. Authorities for ‘subscription’ costs. In third place was Frank Brake and fam- of Kent Police spends £415,000 a A KPA spokeswoman said:“The cost is made ily, who owned food company Brake Bros year on salaries,£187,000 on mem- up of secondment posts,conferences,etc,and until it was floated on the stock market in the fee to be part of both organisations.” ber allowances and £96,000 on 1986.They are worth around £280m. Audit fees cost KPA £150,000 and another Guy Hands,owner of public equity group printing and stationery, Kent on £18,000 was spent on “donations,furniture,com- Terra Firma,and his wife Julia are named Sunday can reveal. puters and other communication,postage,etc”. in fourth place with £250m.Last year,Terra Kent Police Authority (KPA),which has 17 Mark Wallace, campaign director of the Firma bought music group EMI, home to councillor,magistrate and independent mem- Taxpayers’ Alliance,said:“There are certainly artists including Paul McCartney, Kylie bers,has an annual budget of £1.056 million. worse police authorities, but Kent would do Minogue and Coldplay. well not to get too smug about this report. Also on EMI’s books is David Bowie,who It spends £39,000 on transport,£31,000 on “There is still massive room for improve- is at number 12 in the list with an estimat- conference expenses and £59,000 on premises, ment. A £39,000 bill for transport alone is ed £120m. His colleague in the world of figures given to KoS for 2007-08 show. something which ought to be of serious con- music,Sir Bob Geldof,is at number 32. Robust cern,for example. The anti-poverty campaigner and Live It comes as a report said KPA – which has “Public sector bodies should always strive to Aid and Live 8 concert organiser has a per- eight-and-a-half salaried employees – offered CHAIRMAN: Ann Barnes welcomed the report get taxpayers a better deal, and should be sonal wealth of around £35m.Sir Bob also the public good value. the performance of Kent Police against the wary of resting on modest laurels.” runs production company Ten Alps,which Public spending watchdog, the Audit budget set,and how well buildings and vehi- Asked by KoS to justify KPA’s spending,Mrs runs Kent County Council’s online TV Commission,said it was impressed by the way cles were utilised. Barnes said:“I’m pleased to say that our annual channel Kent TV. the authority performed at above-standard Ann Barnes,chairman of KPA,said:“I’m real- running costs really are very low in comparison The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan levels and spent public money. ly pleased this report has highlighted that the to other police authorities around the country. Willett,also makes an appearance at num- It examined police authorities across the authority is continuing to fight for the taxpayer. “We also function with a very small number ber 35. country and their financial effectiveness in “We set the police budget and it’s so important of staff and resources.In fact,the running cost He sold his packaging machinery firm, areas such as value for money, internal con- that when people pay their police council tax of the authority only accounts for 0.44 per cent Willett International,for £50m in 2003 and trol,financial standing,financial management they feel they are handing it over to an author- of the police budget – that’s half the national now has an estimated fortune of £30m. and financial reporting. ity that will use it in the best possible way.” average of what other police authorities cost.” Also on the list are Jonathan Neame and Kent received the highest possible score for She added:“Policing funds are tight so how family, owners of the Shepherd Neame Find more news and sport updated daily online financial management, which included the we work needs to be completely robust.We are brewery,and Beverley Charman,who won ability to plan for the medium term,managing happy with the report’s findings but very www.kentnews.co.uk her £48m fortune in a divorce settlement. KoS unveils its Row over how new business absent chief section today should be paid KOS Media has appointed a business editor MONEY raised from council tax must not Food Safety and Quality Management with a Fleet Street background to edit Kent be used to pay the salary of a council chief on Sunday’s new business section. executive who has been on “gardening Tony Patey will take charge of business leave”for more than a year. MSc/MSc by Research/PGDip coverage in the award-winning Sunday That is the view of Labour councillors on title,the Saturday edition,and the compa- Tory-controlled Swale Borough Council, Food Safety and Quality Management ny’s new midweek papers, broadband TV who are putting forward a motion on channel and websites. Wednesday to recoup the money from the (Postharvest Technology) MSc/PGDip Patey was City reporter for the Daily authority’s reserves instead. Mirror from 1973 to 1987. He was later Mark Bilsborough,47,who is on around business and economics correspondent for £100,000 a year, has been on fully paid Ensuring food is safe to eat is a global issue of concern for governments, food The European from 1993 to 1997. leave from Swale Borough Council since producers, food processors and handlers, as well as consumers. Effective quality The move follows the appointment of December 2006. management requires a thorough understanding of all activities performed along the Richard Parsons as KOS Media’s business The council has never made public the publisher. He has taken charge of the reason behind its decision to place him on supply chain. commercial side of the section. gardening leave. Parsons is the former publisher of the A disciplinary hearing began in London These programmes enable food industry professionals and students to develop an Kent Messenger Group’s business supple- on Thursday,presided over by a QC,and is awareness of the many issues associated with ensuring a safe and wholesome food ment.Prior to this,he was responsible for expected to finish on January 24. various international markets divisions for A report recommending what action supply. Students also gain an understanding of the design implementation of ANZ Investment Bank. should be taken will then go to the council. systems for managing food safety that are based upon the Hazard Analysis and Patey said: “Joining an award-winning Discussion Critical Control Point concept. They can also study for Royal Institute of Public Health newspaper with high ambitions is a great challenge – and I’m looking forward to The Labour group on Swale said the full qualifications. making what I hope will be a positive cost of employing Mr Bilsborough – about contribution. I aim to use all the benefits £150,000 – should be taken out of the The MSc Food Safety and Quality Management (Postharvest Technology) programme and potential of multi-media to make our council’s reserves and used to help keep allows specialisation in the technology of handling plant products and is available for coverage of business and personal finance next year’s council tax down – or to prevent students with the appropriate background. in Kent the best there is.” cuts to services. Parsons said:“The group has made a sig- But Cllr Mike Cosgrove, Swale council’s All validated courses are also available as short courses for food industry nificant commitment to business within the executive portfolio holder for performance county.Tony joining the team is good news and finance, said: “Both the council’s professionals on the Medway Campus. and we look forward to delivering hard-hit- reserves and our current expenditure come ting business news and comment every from the same sources:central Government To find out more contact us today. week within a unique,but comprehensive grant,council fees and charges and locally and rich business portfolio.” raised council tax. The new section is inside today’s paper “I welcome a full discussion of the issue For more information: and will grow later in the year. which will provide an opportunity to Freephone: 0800 005 006 The company will soon launch a new explain why,until we know the outcome of E-mail: [email protected] website, called businessforkent.co.uk, a disciplinary investigation,we are contrac- which will feature constantly updated tually obliged to pay a council employee’s Web: www.greenwich.ac.uk business news and TV features. salary.” • See our new business section on pages Swale has warned that council tax is set Minimum fees Maximum prospects 70-77. to rise even more in the next few years. www.kentnews.co.uk for all the headlines 6 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 Week ending January 13, 2008 Discovering the Garden of England’s hidden treasure… KKeenntt DDoowwnnss OUR beautiful county of Kent has By DAN TUSON long been appreciated for its diversi- ty of landscapes. inspiring exploration of this endearing land- From the windswept open grazing marshes of scape,unravelling the history of the area’s set- the north Kent coast to the shrouded woodlands tlement and colonisation,the inspiration it has of the Weald,“Kent”,in the words of author HE given to poets,artists and authors,and the lega- Bates,“has a little of everything”. cy of its rich and varied natural treasures;the Over the centuries these various regions of the rare and the commonplace;the peculiar and the county have at one time or another played their unique;the mysterious and the haunting. part in bringing the county economic prosperity In nearly 200 pages every conceivable aspect of and prestige. this wonderfully unspoilt countryside is explored, Its densely wooded Weald revelled in the lime- from dew ponds to nailbournes, from orchids to light in the 16th and 17th centuries as the cen- Neolithic settlers and chalk pits to folklore. tre of a bustling iron industry. Having lived and worked in the Downs for The fertile grasslands of the Romney Marsh many years,much of my inspiration for writing provided the foundation for the English woollen the book came from my awareness of the unsung industry in medieval times, while the orchards beauty of the area. and hop gardens of the North Kent Plain have The Kent Downs have largely remained long been associated with the county’s fame as the untouched by our more widely celebrated artists, Garden of England. poets and authors and it is for this reason that Yet nestled within the heart of our county lies they are still relatively little known.It’s this hid- a range of hills that have largely remained den charm which makes the area so unique and untouched and remote from the changing for- is very much the theme of my book. tunes of farming,forestry and industry. I hope it will go some way towards encourag- THIS GREEN For many this tract of country, popularly ing people to cherish and safeguard the Downs AND PLEASANT known as the North,or Kent,Downs,has instead for ours and future generations. LAND: Dan’s come to be cherished as home to some of the most • Dan grew up in Lydden,near Dover,and now book is about enchanting countryside in southern England. lives in Wye.He has been a farm conservation the Kent Stretching from the White Cliffs of Dover to the adviser in the county,now working with Natural county border with Surrey and affectionately por- England,for seven years.He is a regular contrib- Downs, home trayed in my recently published book,The Kent utor of articles and photographs to The Orchid to some of the Downs,this unique part of Kent is in many ways magazine which is published by KOS Media. most beautiful one of its most precious undiscovered treasures. His book is published by Tempus and is avail- countryside in In the book I sought to offer an intimate and able at all good bookshops. all of England H ARNESS THE POWER OF Bathroom Studio D Solar Open N Mon-Fri CO Solutions LIG 9am - 5pm E H Sat 10am - 2pm S For T , R Fully Fitted Homes & D E Showroom P E Business L Ample Parking S IV E E Quality Items L R Supplied Only MI E or 0 Save Money, Energy D Designed and 0 And Help Save The FR Installed by our 0 E Professional Team 6, Environment ,E 8 1 NICHOLLS LTD (Est.1961) t: 01227 26 26 99 m:07853 504972 e:[email protected] Periwinkle Court,Church Street,Milton Regis w:eternalenergysystems.co.uk Sittingbourne,Kent ME10 2JZ 01795 472819 www.nichollsltd.co.uk Tel: TA ROOD RUOY OT TCERID www.kentnews.co.uk for news and sport Week ending January 13, 2008• Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 7 Bishop: UK society is divided by faith and needs remedy THE Bishop of Rochester By PHILREILLY CONTROVERSIAL: has refused to back down Dr Michael Nazir- [email protected] Ali has upset after his controversial Muslims with his claims that some commu- India all this week,said he “deeply comments about nities have become no-go regrets”any hurt or offence caused separate commu- areas for non-Muslims. by the article,but stopped short of nities Dr Michael Nazir-Ali said last apologising. To advertise in this section weekend that multiculturalism He said:“Unless we diagnose the 01303 817000 and the rise of the ideology of malaise from which we all suffer Islamic extremism had led to these we shall not be able to discover the separate communities. remedy.” He said: “Those of a different Intent Tiles Tiles Tiles faith or race may find it difficult to live or work there because of hostil- He claimed that the intention of ity to them.” the article was to show that succes- Tiles The remarks prompted angry sive governments had “failed to fos- reactions from Muslim groups, ter an integrating vision for Tiles Tiles with some calling for him to resign. Britain based on its Christian Tiles foundation”. Tiles Criticism He added:“Such separation will Tiles Tiles He also faced criticism from end only when the hosts can offer Tiles politicians, including William proper hospitality, not mere toler- Hague and Lib Dem leader Nick ance, and other communities can Clegg. respond with openness and respect the youngest Anglican bishop in TilesTilesTilesTiles Inayat Bunglawala, assistant for the well-springs of British val- general secretary of the Muslim ues. the world when he became Bishop Tiles Council of Britain, said the com- “I hope that what little I have of Raiwind at the age of just 35. Tiles He studied Islamic history at ments were “more like the kind of said will lead to a proper diagnosis Tiles Karachi University.His father was commentary we would have and, therefore, to an appropriate expected from the far-right BNP, remedy for separation in due also a Muslim who converted to not a responsible figure in the course.” Catholicism, which Dr Nazir-Ali Church of England”. Mr Hague, the Conservative practiced until he converted to the Anwar Khan, from the shadow foreign secretary, said he Church of England aged 20. ROVIC TILES LTD Gillingham-based Kent Muslim did not think Dr Nazir-Ali’s com- Speaking to Kent on Sunday last Welfare Association, said he was ments had been “factually correct”, August, Kent Police Chief ...because every one is different “baffled”by the bishop’s comments whereas Mr Clegg called them “a Constable Mike Fuller urged the and challenged him to name the gross caricature of reality”. Government to put more effort into OPEN 7 DAYS areas. Dr Nazir-Ali was born and raised tackling radicalisation of young Dr Nazir-Ali, who has been in in Pakistan, where he was made Muslims. 51 367 E6 Chaucer 10 High St Blanford Rd Business Park Cuxton Road West Malling Beckenham Kemsing Strood 01732 848250 020 8658 7272 01732 765308 01634 727577 www.kentnews.co.uk for all the headlines 8 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 Week ending January 13, 2008 ‘Farming By PHIL REILLY [email protected] MORE ethnic minorities should find their way into the predominantly white needs a and middle class world of farming, according to the country’s best known black farmer. Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, who runs the Black Farmer brand, said touch of Kent’s agricultural industry would benefit greatly if more people from ethnic minorities and urban areas started farms. The Conservative parliamentary candidate for Chippenham in Wiltshire argued the farming indus- diversity’ try needed “new ideas”. He said:“The big thing the farming community needs is fresh blood. “The relationship with the con- sumer has been lost because of the rise of supermarkets over the last 20 years.People from ethnic communi- ties and urban environments know what food people as a community want and they could produce it. Change “Change is essential to bring more interesting ideas into farming.” Mr Emmanuelle-Jones moved to the UK from Jamaica in 1961 when he was just four years old. He was inspired to become a farmer by watching his father tend to his allot- ment in Birmingham as a child. He said many ethnic foods are imported to the UK and argued that if farmers were producing it locally they could discover a cash cow. He added: “People from ethnic minorities should group together and buy their own land.” Stephen Paine, from the Kent NEWIDEAS: Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, who runs the Black Farmer brand Young Farmers Club,is carrying out a research project to try to find ways benefits all sorts of organisations and 2,000 young farmers across the to attract more young people from businesses, but not really agricul- South East. ethnic minorities and urban areas to ture. There are around 2,200 full-time the industry. “If you can bring social or ethnic farmers in Kent and another 18,000 The 21-year-old, from Maidstone, minorities into farming it will help it workers.There are more than 1,100 argued that the local agriculture to cope with all kinds of challenges in farms with cattle or sheep,67 dairy industry would benefit from diversi- the future.” farms and just over 800 growing fruit ty. Mr Paine has been given a £1,000 and vegetables. He said:“The industry is still dom- grant from the South East England News and sport updated daily online inated by a certain clique of white, Development Agency to carry out his middle class people.Diversity really project and will shortly be surveying www.kentnews.co.uk Celebrate the spirit of the countryside THE Kent Game Fair returns to the firing at an air pistol range. falconry demonstrations, ferret rac- county showground this March. There will also be a gundog parade ing,game cookery sessions and plen- The event, which is in its fourth featuring a host of breeds including ty of stalls to buy gifts, food and year,is billed as a celebration of the Pointers, Weimeraners, Springer equipment. spirit of the countryside. Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, and It takes place at the Kent County Visitors will get the chance to try large and small Munsterlanders. Showground in Detling on the week- their hand at clay pigeon shooting or There will be fishing,archery and end of March 29-30. New Year, New Campus, New Courses at Canterbury College all start this month so call the course contact or Student Information on 01227 811 188 Canterbury College’s new courses and book your place now. Alternatively visit our website www.cant-col.ac.uk Canterbury College has developed a wide range of new courses all starting this January.The courses range from Plumbing to Childcare and Sport to CANTERBURY/SHEPPEY COLLEGE Animal Care and from introductory level upwards. So no matter what you’re doing now, whether you missed the course you wanted in September, are Access to Health & Society Diploma unhappy with your current course or just fancy a change contact Canterbury College and you can join the course you want now. Contact: Brian Jones 01227 811287 CANTERBURY Geraldine Bassett 01795 581581 (Sheppey) Certificate in Performing Engineering Operations Entry Level Certificate in Preparation for First Certificate in Animal Care Fresh Start/Level Up Contact: Michael Gaughran 01227 811107 Childcare Contact: Jeremy Curtis 01227 811242 Contact: Lorraine Crossland 01227 811290 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology Contact: Sandra Langley 01228 811313 Certificate in Interactive Media Geraldine Bassett 01795 581581 (Sheppey) Contact: Steve Bunting 01227 811165 First Certificate in Front Line Services Contact: Zoran Tesic 01227 81134 SHEPPEY COLLEGE Contact: Caroline Webb 01227 811264 National Certificate in Leisure & Tourism First Certificate in Environmental Pre-access to Art and Design Contact: Geraldine Bassett 01795 581581 Building Services Diploma in Travel Operations Contact: Mark Howland 01227 811286 Contact: Steve Bunting 01227 811165 Contact: Julia Webster 01227 811126 Salon Services First Certificate in Sport Contact: Geraldine Bassett 01795 581581 Foundation Course Wood & Trowel First Certificate Countryside & Environment Contact: Jemma Cullen 01227 811155 Contact: Jon Banks 01227 811120 Contact: Jeremy Curtis 01227 811242 Plumbing Level 1 Introductory Certificate Land & Environment Canterbury College New Dover Road, Contact: Steve Bunting 01227 811165 Contact: Jeremy Curtis 01227 811242 Canterbury CT1 3AJ Telephone: 01227 811 188 Introductory Certificate in Health & Social Care First Certificate in Horse Care Canterbury College Student Contact: Gillie Ireland 01227 811372 Contact: Jeremy Curtis 01227 811242 Information: on 01227 811188 www.kentnews.co.uk for news and sport Week ending January 13, 2008 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 9 Detectives’ experience of Pitcairn during child abuse investigation D o v e r The fear of isolation DAY TRIP C a l a i s By JAMIE MCGINNES 29 [email protected] THE detectives who investigated * widespread child sex abuse on Pitcairn Island have spoken of the fears they experienced on from their first visits to the isolated £ British territory. In their first ever in-depth interview, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Vinson, 40, and former Kent Police detective Peter George,59,talked of the psychological pres- 3 Bottles sures of living among islanders, many of plus them armed,during their investigation. FREE Wine Operation Unique was triggered after alle- of gations were made to Kent police constable Gail Cox while she was stationed on the South Pacific island in 1999. Offer ends 27 Feb 08 DCI Vinson and Mr George,who is now a civilian police worker,unearthed evidence of extensive sex abuse dating back to the 1960s. Remote FOREIGNASSIGNMENT: (left to right) PC Karen Vaughan of New Zealand Police with They interviewed victims around the Peter George and Rob Vinson of Kent Police, next to the Public Hall during the laying of world in countries including New Zealand charges in March 2003. In the background is Christian’s cave, reputedly where Christian and Australia and trials in 2004 saw nine men convicted,six of whom were jailed. Fletcher used to climb to look out for any sign of approaching ships on the horizon Pitcairn Island is one of the most remote places on the globe.It is in the middle of the nasty stuff and anyone could have come “We uncovered some horrendous rapes of Pacific, more than 3,000 miles away from straight up to the window and you wouldn’t children as young as eight or nine by men in SeaFrance and Wine & Beer World have New Zealand and South America, and can know anything about it.There were times their late 20s and 30s,”said DCI Vinson,a only be reached by an eight-day journey by when you thought, ‘we are pretty isolated father-of-three. teamed up to give you a fantastic offer. container ship. here’. “This was something clearly we couldn’t Around 50 people live on Pitcairn,most of He added: “And they’re all armed. They ignore and we had to investigate.” With every day trip booking,SeaFrance whom are famously descended from have guns,knives – they walk around rou- The most severe sentence handed out, Fletcher Christian and the mutineers on the tinely shooting breadfruit out of the trees however,was six-and-a-half years. will give you a FREE bottle of Hill Bounty,who arrived in 1790. with rifles. Mr George said:“It was never about the Its isolation proved unnerving for Mr “We were aware that there was a pump- punishment.It was about the victims being Prestige Wine,along with a voucher for George, a former detective inspector now action shotgun on the island as well and believed and the men being convicted of working in Tonbridge, when he first handguns. these crimes.” 2 FREE bottles of Cuvée de Richard visited. “We were talking to people who all had And the officers rejected criticism from “When I was sitting on that cargo ship routine access to firearms and it’s pitch some Pitcairners that the trials have result- wine from Wine & Beer World (Majestic about a mile off Pitcairn – it was misty,early black and if anything did happen to us no- ed in a divided community. morning – and saw this longboat coming up one was going to discover who did it.” DCI Vinson said:“This picture of Pitcairn Wine in France). with really scary-looking people on board I But Mr George said despite their initial being an idyll before the investigation is just thought,‘what are we going to here?’”he told fears, the officers never felt physically complete nonsense. Kent on Sunday. threatened by islanders. The worst treat- “This was a community where children “No British policeman had ever set foot on ment they had was being ignored. couldn’t grow up safely.” Treat yourself to a day out in France Pitcairn and I was concerned,I must say. “Those who weren’t actually involved in the He added:“There’s been some pain clear- “If we wanted any help we’d have to wait investigation were absolutely fine,”he said. ly for the islanders.It was never going to be and enjoy tax free shopping on board. two weeks for it at least.” “It was only the offenders and their imme- a popular thing,but I think this will be the DCI Vinson, who is based at Margate diate families that had any hostility towards making of Pitcairn.” Police Station,first visited Pitcairn in 2000. us.” DCI Vinson and Mr George received He recalled staying in old prefab accommo- In all, DCI Vinson visited Pitcairn four MBEs in the 2008 New Year Honours List To find out how to claim your free wine dation, which had mesh-covered holes for times and Mr George went on six occasions. for their work on Pitcairn. windows. The investigation and resulting trials and to book,visit seafrance.com/kos News and sport updated daily online “It was pitch black and you thought you attracted criticism for their cost,but the offi- www.kentnews.co.uk were actually dealing with people for quite cers insist they were worth it. SeaFrance don’t just cross the Channel, we offer so much more in between. seafrance.com/kos 0 8 7 1 6 6 3 2 5 4 1 Enter or quote:KOSWINE At Barretts Jaguar we aim to offer you great service. *Day trip fare valid for a car & up to 5 people.Telephone supplement applies.Travel by 28 February 2008,book and pay by 27 February 2008. SALES, SERVICING and PARTS Subject to promotional space,restricted sailing times & availability.Fare is non-refundable.Amendment fees will apply.Includes all possible taxes/surcharges.Fare may be withdrawn without prior notice.Full terms & BARRETTS conditions are available on request.To claim your free bottle of Hill Prestige simply enter the onboard shop and present your wine voucher to the till The Parade, Orbital Park, Ashford point.SeaFrance FREE bottle of wine can only be reedemed on the inbound journey (Calais to Dover).Wine & Beer World free wine is only available Tel 01233 506070 with any purchase.Your free wine voucher for both SeaFrance and Wine & BARRETTS Beer World will be handed out at check in along with your boarding pass. To claim your free Wine & Beer World wine,present your voucher (before you have paid for your purchases) at the till point of any Wine & Beer World The Westgate, Canterbury store.Subject to availability.2 bottles is the maximum discount per car,per day from Wine and Beer World.Not valid in conjunction with any other Tel 01227 864400 offer.This offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice.Only one redemption per person,per car,per transaction,per day.Offer not available www.carsforkent.co.uk/barretts from Majestic Stores in the UK.Wine & Beer World offer code 77274. www.kentnews.co.uk for all the headlines 10 Advertising/editorial 01303 817000 • Week ending January 13, 2008 MPs to lose salary vote Former minister gets MPs will vote on whether to give House of Commons, has now themselves a controversial pay ordered a review of the process. rise shortly,but it may be the last John Austin, Labour MP for time they can do so. Erith and Thamesmead, wel- a new job as advisor The independent Senior Salaries comed the review and argued that Pay Board is expected to publish a it was “wholly wrong”for MPs to report on Wednesday recommening vote on their own salaries. a 2.8 per cent pay rise for MPs. He said:“When I was elected in However, this is above the 1.9 1992 I voted to take this matter out per cent other public sector work- of the hands of MPs and put in the ers have been given. hands of an independent body.” By JAMIE McGINNES Dr Ladyman said:“They sell infor- mation and updates to local radio sta- MPs will then debate and vote on However,Mr Austin did say he [email protected] tions,which use it for traffic reports. the pay rise the following week,with would vote in favour of the recom- The updates may sound like they are Prime Minister Gordon Brown urg- mended pay rise. from someone sitting in the studio, ing them to take just 1.9 per cent. MPs currently earn £60,675 per LABOUR MP Stephen but very often it comes from ITIS.” Harriet Harman, leader of the year. Ladyman has revealed He added:“They have asked me to that several private firms provide them with some advice on how they can sell their services to have offered him lucrative motorists and how they can sell their jobs since he lost his minis- systems in Europe and around the terial role. world.” Another former Transport Minister, Dr Ladyman began work on Steven Norris,62,is the firm’s non- January 1 as an advisor to a firm executive director and senior inde- selling traffic information for satel- pendent director. lite navigation devices. ‘ROUTINE’: Stephen Ladyman MP Dr Ladyman said the appointment RELY ON PC PARAMEDICS He will be paid between £10,000 would not take up much of his time and £15,000 a year for the role with ters do something like this and and pointed out that he was happy to FOR ALL YOUR COMPUTER ITIS Holdings PLC. quite a lot of backbench MPs do.” give advice for free to some companies. The MP,who is a vice-chairman of He said the company approached “On the other hand,this is a profit- the Labour Party,said that “quite a him about three months ago.Under making company which has come to NEEDS! OUR COMPUTER lot” of firms had approached him Parliamentary rules he was me because it thinks I have good con- with job offers since he was sacked required to refer the job offer to the tacts they can make use of,”he said. PARAMEDICS COME TO YOU as Transport Minister in June. Advisory Committee on Business “What I’ll be doing is just provid- But he added:“Some of them I’m Appointments. ing them with some advice;being at We offer fast computer repair and all IT services. not interested in and some I don’t The committee, chaired by the end of a telephone when they (cid:127) Repairs to Laptops & Notebooks feel comfortable doing because my Conservative peer Lord Mayhew, need to seek my advice and also (cid:127) New PCs Built to Order job is being MP for South Thanet approved the appointment on the helping them make contact with and that takes up a great deal of my condition that Dr Ladyman did not people in other countries so they can (cid:127) Recovery of Lost Data time. lobby the UK government on the sell their services abroad.” ALL WORK GUARANTEED “I couldn’t agree to do something company’s behalf for 12 months. Last week, KoS reported how Dr Call us now on: 0845 129 8676 that would interfere with my job as ITIS Holdings,which has recently Ladyman has been supporting a MP for Thanet South.” acquired Trafficlink, a travel infor- scheme put forward by a property Dr Ladyman said there was noth- mation supplier for the BBC, pro- developer who donated £25,000 to ONE OF OUR PARAMEDICS IS STANDING BY TO HELP YOU IN ing out of the ordinary about his vides real-time information for the South Thanet Labour Party.The (cid:127) Dartford (cid:127) Gravesend (cid:127) Strood (cid:127) Rochester (cid:127) Chatham ITIS job. satellite navigation systems to help MP said there was no conflict of (cid:127) Gillingham (cid:127) Rainham (cid:127) Sittingbourne and surrounding areas. “It’s pretty routine.Most ex-minis- drivers avoid jams. interest. 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