In a slightly shorter late Autumn issue, our main subject concerns the referendum for the Faversham Neighbourhood Plan. The binary nature of a referendum means you vote to accept the proposals of the plan as presented or you don’t. The problem with rejection is you have little or no control over ensuing developments. We argue that, in our opinion, the Plan responds positively to the needs of Faversham and sets out policies to protect and enhance what makes the place so special. By voting not to accept, you are not voting for any defined alternative. It seems a potentially dangerous way to make important long-term decisions.
Invisible to most of the population, the Faversham Food Bank successfully works to provide at least some vital assistance to those most in need. We offer a window onto its operation and how people can offer support.
Elsewhere in the paper we report on the appalling E. coli bacteria pollution in our waterway, highlighting again the utter failure of our privatised water industry.
Also, an article by a local casualty of the consequences of having two different profit-maximising companies operating to provide our drinking water and deal with our wastewater.
A Swale Councillor who has worked hard to mitigate the disastrous introduction of Suez as our waste collector, recounts the sorry story.
The sad death of Griselda Mussett marks the loss of one of Faversham’s tireless campaigners.
Also, the passing of Professor Chris Wright who did much to help establish the Creek Trust.
Finally reports on the recent Faversham Fringe, the Summer Swale traditional sailing match and a critical revisit to the town pubs to test if the quality of our local beer has changed much over the past five years.
In the scary new world of Donald Trump the second, we can only pray that the next four years pass without too many disasters and we look forward to some bright things in 2025.
We hope you enjoy the paper and vote positively in the referendum on 21st November.
A great picture by Seamus Masters of some of the colony of seals that inhabit the Horse Sands that lie in the River Swale at the mouth of Faversham Creek. A good reason to take a local trip on a boat
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