News

The funeral of Robert Bliss will take place on Tuesday 1st September.

Sadly, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, the ceremony is limited to 30 invited guests only.

However, Robert’s cortege will be pass along Sandgate High Street and Esplanade from Folkestone towards Hythe just after 11.15am on Tuesday 1st September for those that would like to pay their respects. We know that many people have said they would like to do so, and would be pleased to be joined by friends and neighbours lining the route.

Nina Bliss, and Robert’s family, have been very touched by the support shown by so many friends from across Sandgate and beyond.

It is with huge sadness that Sandgate Parish Council learned of the sudden death of our friend and Vice-Chairman Robert Bliss on Monday.

Robert was Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council from 2011 until May this year, serving longer than all other Chairmen of the Parish combined.

Robert also served as District Councillor for Sandgate from 1995 to 2015, and County Councillor for Folkestone West from 2005 to 2009. He was made an Alderman of Shepway District in 2015 on his retirement as a District Councillor in recognition of his service.

Tim Prater, Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council, said:

“We heard of Robert’s death on Monday morning with great shock and sadness. Robert was deeply committed to Sandgate, a long standing and valued member of the Parish Council, and a great support.

“Most of all we’re thinking of Nina and Robert’s family as they come to terms with their loss: Robert and Nina have been inseparable for years.

“I know how rightly proud he was of his many years as Councillor, Parish Chairman, and indeed the almost 10 years he led the then Shepway District Council.

“We shared a passion for Sandgate taking control of our services and local facilities. Robert fought to see Sandgate Library reopened after a period of closure over a decade ago. He also helped make happen the unique agreement that sees Sandgate Parish Council managing our own Library, and was delighted by all it has since achieved.

“Throughout, he showed complete commitment to this village, the district as a whole and to his beloved Nina. He was an honest and honourable man.

“Sandgate will be be poorer without Robert, and we will miss him.”​

Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark statement on recent Covid case numbers in Ashford and Folkestone:

As part of our outbreak plans, we work closely with Public Health England to monitor the figures across Kent – the seven day rolling average for Ashford and Folkestone continues to decline from the peak seen in April/May, so this PHE report does not mean there is a current need for any local lockdowns.

While the figure for cumulative confirmed cases will always appear high for these areas, there is no comparison to be made between the rates of new cases currently occurring in Ashford and Folkestone, and areas such as Leicester.

We have seen a number of infections in care settings and these are being effectively managed but we have not seen any evidence of any widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and there are currently no plans to introduce any lockdowns specifically these areas. Should, however, the need arise, we will not hesitate to take further steps should it be necessary. 

Ashford and Folkestone have seen higher rates than other areas and is a combination of higher testing rates earlier in the pandemic, a large NHS Trust and many care homes in the area plus the London commuter effect.

We have known Ashford has experienced high numbers for a while and as a result we have deployed mobile testing sites to this area to increase the amount of people who are tested to allow us to better understand how and why this is happening.

As a result we are finding more positive results because we know that some people can be infected with Covid-19, but not exhibit symptoms (asymptomatic cases).

The public should be reassured that the levels of testing across the whole of Kent have also been ramped up and we would expect to see a rise in the number of cumulative confirmed cases.

We have increased our testing capacity so that we are able to identify and confirm cases in our community and support the NHS Test and Trace programme. We appeal to residents to follow the guidance should they be contacted by NHS test and trace. This will all help us control the spread of the virus.

The NHS in the region have also been working hard making sure that there is sufficient testing resources for their patients and staff to get the testing that they need to support their safety and treatment.

The Government has also set up a home-testing service where kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house.

The message to residents remains clear – to follow national guidance on social distancing, use thorough and regular handwashing, and follow advice if contacted by the NHS Test and Trace system. For more information, go to www.kent.gov.uk/kentprotect

Sandgate Parish Council Chairman Tim Prater & Parish Clerk Gaye Thomas were delighted with the reception from businesses up and down Sandgate High Street on Friday 10th July. The message time and again was clear: Sandgate is Open for Business!

From hairdressers and barbers through cafes, antique, clothing dnd home decor shops, cafes and pubs, all are back up and trading, with all making adjustments to keep customers and staff safe and disatanced.

Sandgate Chairman Tim Prater commented:

“It’s great to see so many businesses with their doors now back open and trading, even where they’ve had to make real adjustments to do so at this time.

“A number of businesses have been trading throughout since March, others have reopened since. So many local people have relied on the service provided by businesses like The Village Store and The Dog House through the Covid closure period, and it has been hugely appreciated.

“Some businesses like Roka and Loaf are currently entirely take-away, and others, like our pubs The Providence and The Ship Inn, and restaurants like Ti Lucks, are offering eat and drink in, but with reduced hours, spacing and additional in premises precautions to keep all safe. What is clear is that everyone is doing their best to work within the new guidelines.

“It has only been a week since some businesses have been allowed to reopen at all, but they were all delighted to be back, and there is a real buzz in the High Street again, with almost all doors now open: great to see. “

Photography: Joe Hudson.

The Folkestone Haven offers safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for people who are struggling to cope with their mental health during the evening, weekends and bank holidays when other services may be closed.

The Folkestone Haven is for adult residents (18+) of the Folkestone and Hythe District who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and feel unable to cope. This includes people who may be anxious or worried about anything affecting their mental health but don’t have support networks available to them. It is for people who use or have used mental health services and those who have never used them before.

It is open access and no appointment is necessary, and the service is completely free.

The Folkestone Haven is based at the Rainbow Centre, 69 Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2AF (Folkestone.Haven@hestia.org 07827 533871). They are open Monday-Friday from 18:00 to 23:00 and Weekends & Bank Holidays from 12:00 to 23:00.

The Folkestone Haven’s aim is to support people using the service to reduce their crisis and anxiety, and to safety plan, drawing on strengths, resilience and coping mechanisms to reduce the need to use crisis services in the future. We will also refer and signpost to other support services.

You can learn more at https://www.hestia.org/folkestone-and-hythe-district