I had a raging toothache start on New Year’s eve; not the best time to find a dentist during the extended festive period. After a few days of putting up with it and probable excessive use of painkillers, I sought help though the NHS DentaLine emergency service run across Kent and accessible on 01634 890300. The service was courteous, attentive and pleasingly first-class.
The week back after the recess started off with Parliament sitting until 2.30am at its first session, which made for a somewhat bleary-eyed meeting of the Work and Pensions Select Committee early the next morning. Our latest work stream is looking at Bereavement Benefits, with evidence taken from the funeral industry on the subject of Funeral Payments to those on low income. I am taking a lead committee role on this and other aspects of Bereavement payments, so if you have experience of this, I’d be pleased to hear from you.
Last weekend saw a host of celebrations organised by our diverse communities within Thanet. Firstly, the Thanet Keralan community new year festival on Saturday. I travelled extensively in Kerala, a Southern Indian state some years ago so I had a good knowledge of the culture and geography of that part of the world, followed by the annual Blessing of the Seas ceremony in Margate on Sunday. The Feast of the Epiphany is a key event in the Greek Orthodox religious calendar that brings together the Greek and Cypriot communities across Kent to Margate, including the national head, Archbishop Gregorius, the High Commissioner of Cyprus, supported by Anglican clergy, notably the Bishop of Dover, Mayors and Councillors from across Kent. A dazzling event rich in tradition and ritual.
The issue of pub closures is high on the agenda in the villages, with a well-run campaign for currently closed historic pubs in Wingham and Ash to have a future with the community at the core of new business plans. Pubs are at the heart of British life and the loss of 29 pubs each week across the country is both worrying and depressing. As with all local businesses it is a case of use them or lose them. The business formulas of the national Pub companies have a case to answer as well.
Details are emerging of proposals for a 1000ft communications mast at Richborough to provide microwave frequency high speed data for City trading institutions. A bizarre proposal with no benefit except blight for South Thanet. The additional worry is the potential impact on a re-born Manston airport just a few miles away, which could impede visual landing circuits and interfere with landing access. I am seeking a meeting with the company to get more specific details.
As ever, business in the constituency never pauses. We have a degree of election fever as well, with a Thanet District Council by-election in Newington ward on 21st January following the resignation of the UKIP Councillor. I will avoid excessive partisanship, but hope residents will feel minded to participate and have their say.