Sadly, the weather is forecast to be pretty horrible for today with rain and possible thunder. We have therefore taken the decision to reschedule the National Play Day event to take place next Wednesday 11th August between 11am-3pm at Radnor Park.

Activities at National Play Day 2010 will include:

Sky High Leisure – Bungee Trampoline System

Joshing Around - Children’s Entertainer

Messy Play with Folkestone Early Years

Punch and Judy Show & Puppet making workshop with Puppet Planet

Shepway Play MAP Team

Funtastic Faces – Face painting

Early Years Music

Mobile DJ Unit – Pie Factory Music

African Drumming

Creative Foundation: Craft workshop

Junk Modelling with Ruth Parkinson

Extended Schools: Badge Making & Speed stacking

Neos Wall Electronic Outdoor Activity Game – Playworld Systems

There will not be any food or drink on sale at the event – so please bring a picnic.

Mrs Tamasin Jarrett

Youth & Play Development Officer

Direct Dial: 01303 853277

Mobile: 07990 543397

The Business Barometer is a monthly snapshot of tourism business performance in Kent.  Over 50 attractions,  200 accommodation providers, 20 conference venues, 5 cross channel carriers and 16 Tourist Information Centres submit their figures to Visit Kent on a confidential basis.  This confidentiality enables businesses to report on the issues affecting their results allowing them to benchmark and react quickly to market conditions.

To see results for 2010 click HERE

Some highlights include:

♦ Visits to the Visit Kent consumer website rose by 26%, the thirteenth month in a row.
♦ Kent attractions performed 3% better overall than the South Eastern average in the first quarter of 2010.
♦ Port of Dover handled 15% more passengers in April than a year earlier, with figures boosted in part by the closure of UK airspace for six days. The ash cloud resulted in a 20% boost to cross channel passenger numbers overall, a 20% boost in car crossings and a 27% boost in coach traffic as stranded
holiday makers made their way home from destinations such as Spain by coach.
♦ The Ash Cloud had an impact on three visitor information centres, and in particular Dover where many visitors contacted the VIC for help with up to date information and travel
♦ The High Speed Rail link has some Visitor Information Centres reporting an increase in visitors, with more people using the train, and enquiries from those selling homes in London to move to the coast.

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On Saturday I had popped into the Sandgate Arts and Crafts Fair which is held monthly in The Chichester Hall, Sandgate. It is a new market so I wanted to have a little nose around to see what was there and I was very pleasantly surprised.

There were many lovely items on display: beautiful handmade earings, bracelets and other jewelry, paintings by local people, patchwork goodies and many other exicting things. I wanted to buy most of the items on display but finally settled on a beautiful patchwork table runner - and I have plans to use it as a wall hanging because it was such lovely cheerful colours. I will certainly have to go back next time to buy something else and my guess is that this event will now be a regular part of my Saturday morning from here on. For more information or to book a space to sell your work on one or more of the above dates please contact mirandabest@talktalk.net

When I came out of the Arts & Craft Fair I wondered across the road to see what all the fuss was about - I could see lots of people going into the new bicycle shop The Hub.

I had popped into The Hub a week or so ago - the shop is full of stunning bicycles and I couldn’t resist a look. This business is owned and run by Sara and Simon Barnes The Hub, a triple fronted shop, has a huge range of cycles and specialises in makes such as: Marin, Electra, MirraCo, Sunday - and also has a range of Cycling clothing and helmets too. The white bike in the window is very beautiful and reminds me of days long gone - it is based on an original design but made with new materials and given a contemporary treatment - just beautiful! If you already have a bike - The Hub can also offer a full service and repairs when needed. Oh…I forgot to mention…the reason I popped over on Saturday was because lots of people were going into The Hub…so I wondered over and popped my head in and found a lovely contemporary coffee shop where we bought two coffees and home made cake. What a delight that place is!! - a lovely big space, furnished in contemporary style - just the right place to sit down to read the papers (which are also on hand) whilst considering which bike you would like to buy. A brilliant idea and a welcome addition to Sandgates High Street.

If you want to find out more contact The Hub by email at: thehubcycleshop@hotmail.co.uk or tel: 01303 210311. A new website will be up and running soon at: www.thehubcycleshop.com The Hub can be found at: 61-63 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3AH

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Most businesses are feeling the pinch just now - so it is always encouraging when one spots a new business being set up in the High Street and a very welcome addition to Sandgates High Street is The Hub - Cycle Shop.

Owned and run by Sara and Simon Barnes The Hub, a double fronted shop, has a huge range of cycles and specialises in makes such as: Marin, Electra, MirraCo, Sunday - and also has a range of Cycling clothing and helmets too. And if you already have a bike - The Hub can offer a full service and repairs when needed.

“And - just in case you would like to join us - every Friday we head off for a relaxed ride, nothing too difficult, just a relaxing social ride. All are welcome and the more the merrier. We all finish at the Ship pub next door as well.”

If you want to find out more contact The Hub by emailat: thehubcycleshop@hotmail.co.uk or tel: 01303 210311. A new website will be up and running soon at: www.thehubcycleshop.com

61-63 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3AH

The Hub is also on facebook - just do a search for The Hub

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Folkestone is to be the venue of the 2010 International Windsurfing Regatta, May 29-31. More than 100 competitors will take part.

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is to open a play park for children at New Romney station on Saturday, March 20. RHDR has announced a special attractions programme which includes a wedding fair, gardening, springwatch and 1940s weekends and events in connection with British Tourism Week, the Hythe Festival and the Day of Syn. Details: 01797 362353; www.rhdr.org.uk

Folkestone Sports Centre is to open a ‘Folkestone in 9 holes’ crazy golf course in spring. Like all sports and leisure amenities at the Radnor Park Avenue venue, it will be available to visitors as well as residents. Sponsorship opportunities include on-site promotion for local businesses. For information call 01303 850222.

Shepway attractions, hotels and other businesses taking part in the Kent’s Big Day Out promotion on Saturday, March 27, are listed on www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk Organised by Visit Kent, the event aims to make Kent residents more aware of the county’s attractions and places of interest.