Setting the record straight

For anyone and everyone who knows me, you know I'm a Councillor. A Conservative Councillor. A Tory Councillor. A Blue Councillor. I could go on with this list, but the tagline starts getting a big more derogatory towards me, which I'm used to but I don't want to encourage it.

I've had my politics and values questioned recently. Admittedly, I question them myself all the time. I sometimes wonder why I do it but then I remember the bigger picture. I enjoy what I do. I like helping people, or trying to help people. I get passionate about what goes on locally. 

What has saddened me, is that I've discovered that recently I've been branded something that I'm not. When you put yourself in the limelight, you know you're bound to get a bit of negativity, especially if it's something so divisive as politics. But as much as I sit on the Conservative bench, I have never once claimed to be a "party politics" type of Councillor. I  involved myself in Council because I wanted to help the town that I know and love. I've never had a political agenda, or an aspiration past trying to get the right things for my area, and trying to help people with problems that need solving. To be completely honest, I'm quite happy to sit here on the back bench so long as I can have my say and represent the right views for the town and district. If I have an answer, I will give it. If I don't have an answer, I will get research the right information and get one.

I live and breathe Herne Bay. I was born here, and I've always tried to put everything I can back into the town. I've been doing that for years, and even after my time as a Councillor, I still will. 

Take what you want for my title, blast me all you like. I know I'm doing the right thing. 

Bank Jollidays

Well, August bank holiday is upon us. Time for the weather to change from the glorious heat to showers and miserableness for a few days.

Let's face it, it's a Herne Bay curse. When's the last time we had an awesome August bank holiday weather wise?? Being typically British, I do not let the weather get to me and fully intend on being out all weekend no matter what!

There's a lovely classic car show in Herne Bay town centre from 10am, where, the BayPromoTeam will be with our children's characters and also a big stall to promote our Zombie Crawl on the 3rd of November this year. Come on down and get involved with the frivolities.

Tonight there's the end of the Herne Bay Festival Fireworks, well worth a gander down to the seafront to see. It's a free event and kicks off about 9pm, I've also been told there's live bands playing near the clock tower.

I won't go into detail about my night... But it involves friends, birthdays and a little bit of a crawl. NOT of the zombie kind.

Tomorrow there's the annual Herne Bay in Bloom big picnic in the park. Again BayPromoTeam will be in attendance with tons of things to make for the kiddles. It's all free and will be a great day out for all the family.

That's about it for now, I've got to dash for my shower and to go help set up. Have a lovely weekend everyone and hope to see you at some point!


NB... Just got out of bed, opened the curtains to find beautiful sunshine... WOOOHOOO! I love to be proven wrong sometimes... Bring on the day!

HERNE BAY CARNIVAL!

Yes, it's that time of year again!

Left to right: Ashden, Eloise and Keira

I've got quite literally everything crossed in hope that the weather stays nice. I refuse to look at the forecast, I'm not particularly superstitious but I've been told I'm a curse so many times now I've started to actually believe it.

Carnival has always been a big part of my life, I grew up the Broadway end of the Bay. I always remember my Dad putting me on his shoulders and walking me down to see the floats get ready. I especially loved the Queen's floats. Seeing the girls in beautiful flowing dresses and glittery tiaras. I grew up in the "Disney Generation"; to see real life princesses at a young age was the equivalent winning the lottery when you're that small and impressionable. The only thing I couldn't understand why Prince Charming and his white steed were not apart of the procession.

I got involved back in '06 when I randomly decided to enter Miss Herne Bay after having a dream (Yes.. this did actually happen) and managed to win. I had an awesome year with my Princesses, despite being hit in the head by 2p pieces and having the WORST weather in the history of Herne Bay Carnival. (Force 7 Gale... Peeing it down with rain. See, I told you I was a curse!). But overall I've had more fun in the 6 years I've been involved since that year. The work behind the scenes is incredible and I've made some of the most awesome friends possible. 

Our float, of which we are very proud of, gets a total re haul every two years, and adjustments made every year. This year's float has taken months to complete and it's all ready won two major cups at both Whitstable and Margate Carnivals this year all ready.   I will put some decent pictures of the float up soon.. this was a half hearted effort from Ramsgate.


People don't quite realise what goes on to make a carnival. It's an all year thing. The paperwork, finances and grafting doesn't happen all by itself. We're constantly our trying to raise funds for our charity without any funding. We have a small but dedicated committee of some amazing, friendly and hard working people that most of the general public don't even see! The red tape and health and safety aspect has hampered all Carnivals in the last 10 years, but if you keep the dedication going, you can achieve anything. Herne Bay Carnival Committee prove this every year!

If you want to get involved on the day or just generally; contact us on our Facebook page or go to www.hernebaycarnival.co.uk

We also have a post carnival dance being held down at the Kings Hall. £5 a ticket, all for charity. We have the AWESOME Kellys Heros playing. I'm not just saying that.. they really are quite special.... See you down there! 

Space Cadet/ Calamity Jennie

Sooo, I've been lying (laying?) here for the past few hours trying to nod off with little success. My mind will not switch off at all, which, after the day I've had is ridiculous! Most of the day has been spent trying to keep my eyes open. My Mum will moan at me later on when she sees this as I did say I wouldn't touch my IPod or phone tonight. Sorry Mum, I got bored.. It's hot and I'm awake.


I've been in the wars, again. Full on concussion. From, wait for it.... The corner of a wooden shelf! Yup, my poor skull had a lovely little argument with it and lost. The shelf is quite happily still in place, gloating, sharp corner and all. Whereas I ended up with a headache over night and passing out the next day from dizziness. A lovely bruised lump has appeared; fortunately just behind my hairline. I look a little like a Conehead when I tie my hair back so methinks I'll be keeping it down for the foreseeable future. A trip to Margate Hospital later and I'm a space cadet... And quite happy about it! I have all ready stated to the friend who owns it that I will not be coming round again until said shelf is removed from all it's glory.. *Evil shelf. Grumble. Grumble.*


My matey Phil text me this afternoon, after I'd sent an explanatory text of just why I couldn't answer the phone due to a core splitting headache. His response? "Calamity Jennie strikes again!" Phil is spot on with this remark. I've known him 4 years, and in those years I've had: a broken collar bone, a broken toe, swine flu, torn ligaments, fat lip, another broken toe, multiple falling down scars, multiple horse riding injuries... I could go on but you get the picture. Phil's had a full report on all of these as he has this amazing innate knack of calling me just as these accidents happen.


When I first me Phil I remember sitting in the pub next to an open fire and explaining that I was slightly illness and accident prone. He worked at Pfizer and joked that I'd met the right person. I don't think he quite realized how serious I was. He soon learned when I turned up to his birthday party in a posh frock and my arm in a sling! Ten days after a broken bone I still managed to bake him a triple decker birthday cake, single handedly (boom boom!) AND drink and dance the night away.. (After reading that back to myself I can't help thinking I was either awesome that day, or incredibly stupid).


Anywho, I've completely lost the plot of my post and cannot remember the point I was going to make. But I'm awake, drugged up and in pain so I'll leave it there for now.


Night all!


Calam x

Respect where respect is due.

It's been a while, again. I haven't really had anything much to talk about if I'm honest. Work has kept me under the radar. It's all been a bit doom and gloom, and let's face it, the weather hasn't helped!


I wasn't going to blog the doom and gloom part, but I felt, out of respect I should least write a little note:


Sadly, both Canterbury and Thanet Councils have lost some dear lovely Councillors recently. The late Brian Goodwin passed away back in May (One of my favourite Councillors to have ever worked with) and left a gaping hole in TDC. A quick on-the-trot by election followed. This was a double edged sword for me, because not only was I mourning the loss of a friend and colleague ... I was dropped into the deep end, fighting a By Election. Which we lost, by the way. Not by far, and not because we didn't try. Our candidate James was awesome but it just wasn't ours to keep. C'est la Vie. We didn't win the battle but doesn't mean we won't win the war... I can almost feel Brian putting a hand on my shoulder and saying "S'alright Pet" which is a small comfort I guess.


Margaret Sheldrick, formerly a Councillor for Birchington and Chairman of TDC lost her battle with the big C a few weeks ago. She moved to Cyprus back in November and her presence has been missed ever since. She used to pop in to the office for a catch up and chat away about the most random of subjects and catch up on the political gossip. She taught me a lot on how to work with Councillors (Not saying for an instant that they can be difficult, no, never!!) For such a tiny little woman she had so much power and strength, I was told she fought the cancer to the very end. I couldn't see it any other way really.


Then of course, the sad tidings of Hazel McCabe last week. This wonderful lady was the spirit of the Council, having stood for Blean since 1973! I'd only got to known Hazel a little in the past year, but what I saw of her, I couldn't help but love. She was so passionate about what she believed in. I always respect and admire someone who fights for her ideals. It was Full Council last night, and it was lovely to see so many people come to pay their respects, no matter what their political background. So, By Election to follow in Blean shortly. On the brighter side, this is not my patch for work so I do not get dropped in the deep end. However, I'm sure I'll be helping in some way or other.


It's funny how people can mould and shape your life. Each of these lovely people were not necessarily close to me, but all had a significant impact on my life and views in the last few years. Each of them taught me different ways of looking at things, and their insight into life and living was invaluable. 


You will be missed.

The great thing about hitting a low...

.. is that there's always going to be a high afterwards. Well, I can hope can't I? Having one of "those" days this week. I'm not the negative type but I'm known for having "those" days every so often. I'm not actually on about PMT or women's problems when I refer to this all. So before you get freaked out, icky and leave my blog I'll explain; tis more of a bit of whinge on my blog but hey.. It's always good to talk!

This morning, I got to bed quite a bit past 2am after a busy night (No alcohol involved might I add) . Set my alarm late so that I could get that extra 20 minutes snooze time. I struggle to get out of bed most mornings. I'm quite vocal on the fact I LOVE my bed...but no oh no. ..7am.. Ker-ching! I'm awake, very crabby and knowing that I could get another hour's sleep is not helping the mood. From this moment on I just know life's going to side against me for the rest of the day. I might as well go to work a few minutes earlier, just because I can, then its over and done with. So up I get...  Dress for work. The normal routine.. A tired and grumpy Jen office bound. It's like a scene from Dawn of the Dead....uuuuurrgh.


I'd forgotten a few boxes of worky stuff in my other car so thought it would be clever to take the the DS for a run to offload it. What I'd forgotten was that my office keys are on Eric (The Proton's) set, so I soon to get to work burdened down with boxes to discover that my colleague is off for the day and I have no way of getting into the office. Yippee!


Well, now logic dictates that getting to and from Herne Bay to pick up my other keys would take about half an hour. My other colleagues were due about the same time so I made the executive decision to sit on the little wall beside the office and wait. In the meantime I discover that my phone is dead. I was going to charge it when I got into the office, but of course, that didn't work out... HUFF.. I can't even text! So now I'm locked out my office and unable to call the bossman to let him know where I am and why I'm not answering the damn office phone which I can hear ringing over and over on the other side of the wall. 


By now I'm about to commit homicide unless I get my caffeine fix. Parking had been difficult; I had to walk quite a way to the office. Couldn't be bothered to trudge the boxes back to the car so I head off down into the town in search of my drug of choice, laiden with said boxes. Only discover I left my debit card at home and the only change I have on me is a EURO!! ONE BLOODY EURO!! I grumpily trudge back up to my wall now in a stinking huff. Not knowing the time and half wanting to cry. (I know, I'm a drama queen).
I remember that I have my Ipod in my bag (Yippee!)  and discover that, once again, the battery has nearly failed (Blast!) . I write a sarcastic facebook status (as one does) and then that decides to give up on me too.


Sitting on the wall I contemplated life, space and the possibility of evil blue chickens. Then what feels like a day later, one of my colleagues turns up. I realise when I get into the office that she's actually running mega late so I wasn't going crazy.  So near enough an hour later I'm finally at my desk, cuddling my coffee mug and doing a fine Gollum impression "My Preeeeeeeecious". A few sips of caffiene heaven later I discover my internet is dead to the world. Fortunately it only lasts 20 minutes. I troubleshoot and work my IT magic only for my work email to go up the swanney.  Wonderful. Simply Wonderful.


The last of my woes on this fine Thursday morning.. I get up to make another drink to see weird whitish marks on my chair. I take a closer look to realise it had transferred from my skirt which now has a lovely pebble dash effect. Turns out that sitting on that wall, contemplating life wasn't so clever when it was covered in Seagull crap!


Happy Thursday everyone. This is my saga so far... I've officially given up on today. My bed is calling me. However, just remember what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger and hopefully my day will pick up! ;-) 

BayPromoTeam.. Doing what we do best.

We've been hard at work in and around the Bay with an aim to promote the town to it's full potential. We're a collective team of like minded individuals (NO POLITICS, ahem. ) who all are aiming for the same thing.. the progress and promotion of Herne Bay.

For starters, Project Palm Tree has really taken off, we've had numerous press releases and are making great steps with the Council. Hopefully by 2013 we'll be able to have the Herne Bay Riviera in place. The guys have been squirreling away, behind the scenes trying to get permissions for this to work. Cannot wait to see the results!

In other news, we've started up an awards scheme for the town. The first "Flagship Business Award" going to Abi Calder of the Activity Box (Mortimer Street). We'll be doing a presentation with a trophy this afternoon.

You can find more about the wonderful little shop by going here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Activity-Box/131056393633133 I highly recommend it. Wonderful fun for all the family.

See.. Just shows you what a little positive attitude can accomplish. Looking forward to the Herne Bay Festivities once the Summer (weather) commences! Not to mention I best start sorting out my Carnival Costume for this year... Just wait till you see what we have lined up!!

If you haven't all ready done so. Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/baypromoteam and add add add! We have all the latest news and happenings and not to mention we now even have a mobile app!