The early closure of a hospital stroke unit in Kent has sent alarm signals to residents in Thanet. Stroke patients in Tunbridge Wells will be treated over half an hour away in Maidstone from September. The announcement comes as NHS managers struggle with staff retention and recruitment. Continued provision of stroke unit services in some […]
Category: News
Everyday sexism stings!
The world is rife with issues that need tackling as a matter of urgency, but underlying wrongs such as everyday sexism cannot be pushed to the sidelines. On Thursday at Kent County Council (KCC) full council, whilst applauding a report on supporting pollinating insects, Kent plan Bee, I ‘called out’ a fellow councillor for an […]
Manston, What’s next?
We learned today that RiverOak Strategic Partnership (RSP) has purchased the Manston Airport site. Well, Stone Hill Park (SHP) seem to have been beaten down by a lack of vision, forward thinking and intransigence at Thanet District Council. Despite a robust plan for mixed use development on the Manston site and clearly demonstrating their business […]
Southeastern rail franchise – another Grayling failing?
Chris Grayling doesn’t exactly have a great record when I comes to striking deals with transport operators. Now his Department for Transport appears derailed whilst handling the bids for the Southeastern franchise to run our local train service. Southeastern, which is run by Govia, holds the Integrated Kent franchise. However, the franchise was due to […]
Greek Solidarity Campaign – support from Thanet
I travelled to Athens recently as part of the U.K. delegation to the Greek Solidarity Campaign. We met with many people, from Government ministers to trade union officials and refugee groups to forge solidarity and links, to exchange information, to assess what is happening on the ground, and to better understand the risks emerging from the […]
Fighting for Ramsgate Town Centre
A number of productive meetings have now taken place between myself, Ramsgate businesses and Kent Police with regards the state of Ramsgate Town Centre. Continued concerns about disruption and damage caused by the area’s late night drinking culture have led to calls for a better Police presence and more responsibility to be taken by the […]
Mental health services shortfall costing lives?
Today, 13th June, Kathy Bailes in The Isle Of Thanet News covered the tragic story of Ben Stone and his brother, Lee Thrumble. Both local men were victims of suicide, the rates for which are higher for men in Kent than elsewhere in the country. The story highlights the problems of accessing mental health services […]
Stroke unit: judicial review progress
After amazing support from Thanet residents who wish to keep a stroke unit locally, we raised £5k in days, we were able to begin a formal Judicial Review. This is now at the High Court and we are waiting to hear when it will be heard. We are hopeful that it will be called in […]
Think local, not Brexit on May 2
Have politics around Brexit affected how we might vote on May 2nd? BBC South East News Political Editor, Helen Catt invited myself and district council candidates to a round table discussion. Gathered on the terrace of Ramsgate’s Wetherspoon’s pub, the group, representing the mainstream parties were open about the challenges in the forthcoming local elections. […]
Documenting Thanet gentrification
Sean Gallen is studying to be a journalist. The university student is about to complete his degree and recently submitted a film about Thanet as part of his course. Having received a request from Sean for an interview and local insight, he and I spent a few hours criss-crossing the Isle as he researched his […]