Will the last one to leave Dartford please turn the lights off?

Dartford is the 5th district in Kent to have its KCC street lights in selected areas switched off between midnight and 5.30am. 75% of those who responded to KCC’s recent consultation on the proposed hours of switch off and the exclusion criteria, supported the proposals. This will save around £1million per year on energy bills, help protect the environment and reduce light pollution. The 12 - 5.30 turn off in Dartford will commence shortly and continues throughout the month

For more information and to find out start dates for other districts visit www.kent.gov.uk/streetlights.

Residents in Dartford can find out which street lights will be affected by entering their postcode in the online interactive map. Input a postcode into the ‘My Location’ box in the top left hand corner of the web page and the results will be shown. Click on the ‘Legend’ tab towards the top right of the screen to identify the key to the symbols displayed.

We have done a full assessment of the local area and potential impacts but are still looking for local people to use their local knowledge in their area to identify any streets where it is felt a vulnerable group or community may be adversely impacted by the changes.

Please disseminate this message to any local groups or residents that you think may be interested. I have some flyers and posters that I can send out if you would find that useful.

Former Dracula movie make-up artist Thomas Maylott from Greenhithe wants Hammer Films to return in Kent

By Alex Matthews
Mail to: almatthews@thekmgroup.co.uk 

Thomas Maylott, 66, worked for the Hammer Films company

A former movie make-up man needs those who care to scare to join his new film company in north Kent. - with stars such as Christopher Lee - for more than 20 years as a make-up artist. He is now looking to set up his own cinematic production group, the Hammer Film Preservation Society.

The group, based in Stone, Dartford, hopes to produce horror films similar to those made by the company in their early years.

Launched in 1934 by jeweller William Hinds and cinema owner Enrique Carreras, Hammer made a series of successful horror films throughout the decades with many, such as Dracula starring legendary actor Christopher Lee, later gaining cult status. Mr Maylott, of Carlton Avenue, Greenhithe, worked on films such as Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile.

Thomas Maylott, right, shakes hands with Christopher Lee in his make-up artist days

He is now hoping to showcase his skills in his latest project, Dracula Walks the Night. The make-up man plans to film around Dartford and said that former Hammer actors have shown an interest. Now he is trying to organise funding.

Mr Maylott has had a passion for cinema ever since he was a youngster, but has a particular affinity with Hammer’s horror films, something he is hoping to pass on to a new generation of movie enthusiasts.

He said: "I used to like classic westerns but I just got into Hammer. I've got lots of signed photos from different people and ex-Hammer people and I just want to get this going. "We can do talks about the history of Hammer. It's a fascinating thing because the films were made in four weeks, back-to-back."

Mr Maylott, who retired after a heart attack, wants budding actors and crew members to join.

He said: 

 "What we’re trying to do is a community thing, to help teenagers and young people have a go at filming..." - Thomas Maylott

Mr Maylott transformed many actors into monsters during his career and said that it took a skilled hand to make a man a beast.

Taken around 20 years ago, this is Thomas Maylott in Highgate Cemetery

He said: "It took about three-and-a-half hours on the Curse of Frankenstein the make-up was horrendous. "It was a sort of mortician's wax and I had to spread it. The actor couldn't eat or anything that day. That was my favourite, that was a top monster. "It takes a lot of skill and definitely a steady hand."

For information on the Hammer Film Preservation Society, email Mr Maylott at maylott@btinternet.com or phone 07412 925576.

Fine foods firm the East India Company to open in Bluewater

Fine foods firm the East India Company to open in Bluewater

by Chris Price cprice@thekmgroup.co.uk

The East India Company is set to open a store in Bluewater.

A company first established in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I is to open its first UK store outside London in the county. 

 

The East India Company is set to open a store in Bluewater.

Fine food retailer the East India Company is set to open in Bluewater on Monday, October 7.

The brand opened its first UK store in London’s Mayfair in 2010, selling products which have become quintessentially British.

The new 450 sq ft store will stock fine teas and coffees, biscuits, chocolate, nuts, jams, marmalades and mustards.

When the company was given a royal charter in 1600, merchants would sail from London and pass Bluewater’s base at Greenhithe on their way to the East, before returning with herbs and spices, teas, coffees, chocolates and fruits.

Vice president of operations Manan Bhansali said: “Bluewater is a wonderful shopping destination and we are looking forward to sharing our high quality teas, coffees and fine foods with customers.

“We felt drawn to this location for our first store opening outside of London because of the deep connection that Kent has with our history.”

Councillor's Surgeries in Greenhithe and Knockhall

The Town Council provide the opportunity for the Borough, Kent County and Town Councillors, representing Swanscombe and Greenhithe, to hold surgeries for members of the public . This enables you to meet, ask questions, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town and will take place on the first Sunday of each month

The Borough Councillors for Greenhithe will be holding surgeries at the following dates and locations. All are welcome.

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Greenhithe Village.

Venue: Asda Cafe, Greenhithe Village.
Date: for the period of Friday 3 June 2011 to Saturday 3 May 2014

Time: 10:30am 12pm (noon)

Details:

Cllr Susan Butterfill

• Dartford Borough Councillor for Greenhithe Ward  Sue Butterfill  will be holding surgeries at the Asda Cafe in Greenhithe from 10.30am to noon on the second Sunday of every month (excluding August). 
• For more information please call Cllr Butterfill on 07757 494621 or alternatively you can contact your local Councillor by emailing questions and comments to susan.butterfill@dartford.gov.uk,  

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Knockhall.

Venue: Greenhithe Community Centre Alexander Road Knockhall.
Date: for the period of Friday 3 June 2011 to Saturday 3 May 2014

Time: 7pm to 9pm

Details:

Cllr Kieth Kelly

Cllr David Mote

• Dartford Borough Councillors for Greenhithe Ward   Keith Kelly and   David Mote, will be holding surgeries at the Greenhithe Community Centre in Alexander Road Knockhall from 7pm until 9pm on the first and third Friday of every month. 
• For more information you can call either 
• Cllr Kelly on mobile 07534 980500 or via email at kieth.kelly@dartford.gov.uk or 
• Cllr Mote on Mobile 07712 543711 email at david.mote@dartford.gov.uk 

• Alternatively you can email questions and  comments to motekellymorris@hotmail.co.uk

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Swanscombe.

Venue: Community Hall, Council Offices, The Grove, Swanscombe.

Date: Sunday 5 June, 2011 to Sunday 6 July, 2014
Time: 10:30 to 12:00

Details:

Councillor's Surgeries in Swanscombe. 

The Town Council also provides the opportunity for the Borough, Kent County and Town Councillors, representing Swanscombe to hold surgeries for members of the public .

This enables you to meet, ask questions, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town and will take place on the first Sunday of each month. 

Councillor B. E. Read

Councillor L. J. Bobby

Councillor J. A. Hayes

Have your say! 

Come and meet, talk to, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town with the people elected to represent Swanscombe (Town, Borough and County Councillor's). These surgeries will take place on the first Sunday of each month (beginning November 2009).
All are welcome.

Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council Offices, The Grove in Swanscombe

Please click on the name for more details of the Dartford Borough Councillors for Swanscombe:- Councillor L J Bobby, Councillor J A Hayes and Councilor B E Read.

Leigh Academy to showcase marine engineering skills at Bluewater Shopping Centre

Marine companies looking to recruit young people into their workforce might find a visit to the Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent to be of interest. Between the 11–15th July the students of Leigh Academy will be holding a 'Design & Technology Exhibition' showing the work they have undertaken as part of their Engineering courses.

Leigh Academy have good links with many large and SME companies involved in Advanced Engineering and the students also compete in many national and regional engineering competitions.

They have a proven track record in the 'Schools Marine Challenge' where they have been the overall and class winners on many occasions. This requires them to design and build solar, electric or methanol powered craft which are judged on aspects such as: innovation; teamwork and the need to show how the design was conceived and evolved. The 'Schools Marine Challenge' is a practical engineering project which is managed by the students and utilises modern processes including the design and manufacture with SolidWorks 3D CAD.

The school has been praised by Ofsted for the practical approach that it takes to prepare its pupils for the world of work and this is reflected in the excellent work that they produce.

This is the third year that the Bluewater Centre has hosted Leigh Academy and provides an opportunity for potential employers and the public to see the skills of the future workforce.

Further information;
Steve Leahey mailto:sla@leighacademy.org.uk or Tel: 01322 620427

Location: Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent (Lower Mall next to WH Smiths)

Times: 11 July Preview 5-8pm
12-14 July 10am – 8pm
15 July 10am-12pm

This article is courtesy of Marine South East: