Dover News - June 2009

Exciting ideas are being sought for an innovative, creative and challenging new play area for Connaught Park in Dover - and a special consultation event is being held at the play area in the park on Wednesday 10 June from 3.30pm-5pm to hear your views.

An innovative new system, which allows motorists to pay for parking with their mobile phones using their debit or credit cards, is launched in Dover District Council car parks this week. The scheme - which is the first operated by a Local Authority in Kent - goes live on Thursday (11 June).

With summer upon us, and the potential for alcohol misuse rising as temperatures soar, the Dover District Community Safety Partnership has launched an alcohol awareness campaign - and ongoing awareness to continue to make a difference is on the cards.

As part of the lead up to the first British Armed Forces Day, the Chairman of Dover District Council and the Town Mayor of Dover are inviting community representatives to a special flag raising ceremony outside Dover Town Council offices at 10.30am on Monday 22 June.

Important funding news has been announced for local community groups looking for help with projects for the future of the district - with an announcement that groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Dover District Neighbourhood Forums.

A lorry driver from Ayrshire, who tried to smuggle 12.45 kilos of heroin, with an estimated street value of £647,400, into the UK through Dover has been jailed for 11 years at Canterbury Crown Court (on Friday 19 June 2009).

A Darlington man, who tried to smuggle 17 kilos of cocaine into Dover Eastern Docks, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for nine years on Friday (26 June 2009).