Dymchurch Parish News

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

UK Power Networks - Temporary Road Closure - Stone Street, Lympne - 26th October 2026 (Folkestone and Hythe District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by UK Power Networks, it will be necessary to close part of Stone Street, Lympne, from 26th October 2026 with estimated completion by 27th October 2026.


Stone Street, Lympne, will be closed between the junctions of Harman Avenue and Berwick Lane, between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 only, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Stone Street, A20 Ashford Road, B2067 Otterpool Lane, Aldington Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.


The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while allowing utility works to be carried out, works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB151538566


For information regarding this closure please contact UK Power Networks 08000 294 285, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

24/08/2026

STRONG START FOR CHANGING TIDES COASTAL CENTRE

There has been a real energy around the Changing Tides Coastal Centre in Greatstone since its opening earlier this year.

Residents have been settling into their beach huts and sampling delicious Reynolds Ice Cream at the new attraction on Coast Drive, which also has public toilets and a remodelled car park.

A seasonal watersports centre with access to showers, changing facilities and an education/training room is also planned.

Jane Baxter, from Hythe, is just one of the beach hut tenants to be making themselves at home. She said: “The recent improvements to the area have made a noticeable difference. It really is a fantastic place to spend time with friends and family – the grandchildren absolutely love playing down here.”

Another, Steve Murton, added: “We are really pleased with our beach hut and have already made a few friends. The facilities are very clean and accessible. The setting is peaceful and a perfect area for walking Jasper, our golden retriever.”

Solar panels, a green roof system and suitable planting all form part of the development, while information boards highlighting the importance of the area as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest will also be installed.

Details on how to rent the last remaining beach huts can be found on the council’s website.
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/homepage/132/coast-drive-beach-huts

Eugenie Reynolds from Reynolds Ice Cream welcomes the strong start to Changing Tides Coastal Centre having opened their concession in June. He said: “We’re delighted to have opened at Changing Tides and are really excited about its future.

“Having lived in New Romney for the past 33 years, we feel very much part of this wonderful community. The support of local people has helped make us who we are today, and New Romney will always be very close to our hearts.

“We’re looking forward to creating a welcoming place with lots of social events and activities that bring the whole community together.”

The scheme was funded by Folkestone & Hythe District Council with the support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority through Nuclear Restoration Services.

Cllr Connor McConville, Cabinet Member for Assets and Local Government Reorganisation, said: “This project provides a major boost to the local economy and will help actively support and promote the Romney Marsh for years to come.”

Nuclear Restoration Services, which oversees the decommissioning of the former Dungeness nuclear power station, is part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group. The NDA group invests around £15million each year in projects that enable permanent and sustainable change in its site communities.

Jamie Reed, Director of Socio-Economics at the NDA, added: “The Changing Tides Coastal Centre is a fantastic addition to Greatstone, bringing new energy to the seafront while supporting local businesses, residents and visitors.

“It is great to see the facilities already being enjoyed, and we are proud to have supported a project that will benefit the community and the wider Romney Marsh for years to come.”

Beach huts

12/08/2026

The Environment Agency has published a precautionary 'advice against bathing' notice for Dymchurch due to possible pollution from sewage.

This is separate from the existing warning in place due to long-standing issues with water quality.

The latest information can be found here ➡️ https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?site=ukj4208-13600

10/08/2026

As you may have seen there have been lots of Jellyfish on the beach in the last couple of weeks, they can be a fairly common sight throughout the summer months. Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting whereas others, such as the large reddish Lion’s Mane jellyfish or Compass jellyfish, can cause painful stings. General advice is to not handle any Jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Stings can be painful and may cause redness, swelling or a stinging sensation. The RNLI advise avoiding rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, use a card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea to rinse off. The cold salt water will help to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom.

If you start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, seek medical assistance as it may be signs of an allergic reaction.

03/08/2026

AMBER TRANSFORMING LIVES
Amber at a glance
Amber provides supported accommodation and a mandatory employability and wellbeing programme for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are unemployed. This guide is for young people considering Amber and the professionals or other people supporting them. Our centres are abstinence-based, shared living environments. Amber is not a drug or alcohol rehabilitation service.

Find out more or make a referral: www.amberweb.org

for full details follow this link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C_ciilF37bKj3_pXRxhRbWjJD0PHYJRo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109791947550224355060&rtpof=true&sd=true

Referral guidance A simple guide for professionals and young people. Amber at a glance Amber provides supported accommodation and a mandatory employability and wellbeing programme for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are unemployed. This guide is for young people...

03/08/2026

TOP RATING FOR COUNCIL’S HOUSING STANDARDS

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been recognised as one of the country’s best performing council housing landlords after being awarded the highest possible consumer standards judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

The council has been awarded the Regulator of Social Housing's highest consumer standards rating, C1, becoming the first council in Kent to achieve the distinction and one of just 13% of councils nationwide to hold the top grade.

The judgement follows a detailed four-month long inspection by the RSH who found that the council met all four consumer standards.

The inspection highlighted a number of strengths across the councils housing service including a clear commitment to involving tenants in decision making, a strong, current understanding of its housing stock and high levels of compliance with health and safety requirements.

Cllr Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “Becoming the first local authority in Kent to achieve the top rating from the Regulator of Social Housing is not only a significant achievement, but also a testament to the dedication of staff, tenants and partners.

“While we are proud of this recognition, we remain committed to keeping tenants at the heart of what we do and improving the services we provide.”

Elaine Bostock, Chair of the Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel (STAP), added: “Since we created STAP in 2021, I have been very privileged to be chair to a group of wonderful, like-minded tenants, who have been instrumental in helping to shape the service and improve conditions for all tenants. We feel heard and respected, and we know the work we do and the effort we put in, really counts.

“I am delighted that the RSH team recognised this in their inspections with STAP and the Scrutiny Panel observations and interviews. We are overjoyed for the Housing Team, they have done such great work and it has been wonderful to have been able to be part of such a well-deserved outcome.”

03/08/2026

Missing Zip Wire Seat- Recreation Ground

Thank you to everyone who has let us know about the missing zip wire seat. If any one has any information about how this has been taken or when it happened please let the Parish Clerk know at

[email protected]

In the meantime, we will try to get the seat replaced as soon as we can.

Thank you.

Parish Clerk

27/07/2026

MINISTERS DECIDE FUTURE SHAPE OF KENT AND MEDWAY’S COUNCILS


Government ministers have decided Kent and Medway will be served by four completely new councils from April 2028.


In the biggest shake up of local authority arrangements in 50 years, the government is replacing Kent County Council, Medway Council and the 12 district, borough and city councils that currently deliver services in the county with four new unitary councils.


Those councils will deliver all of the services in their area, much like Medway Council does today, including education, social services, highways, libraries, emptying your bins, leisure centres and housing services.


Following a government consultation which attracted around 3,000 responses, the Secretary of State has opted for:


a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Swale, Ashford and Folkestone and Hythe in the middle of Kent
a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Dartford, Gravesham and Medway in the north
a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells in the west
a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Canterbury, Thanet and Dover in the east


Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Cllr Jim Martin said: ““Although this was not the option for local government in Kent that I and fellow councillors supported, we shall be endeavouring to ensure that the reorganisation is carried out so that we continue to deliver the very best services for residents and businesses in the Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh district.


“There is, without doubt, a lot to get through before April 2028 and we shall be working together and keeping residents informed of the progress. I shall also be supporting the Folkestone & Hythe staff as they carry out the huge amount of work necessary for the reorganisation and the change it may be bringing for them personally.”


In a statement, Kent and Medway’s council leaders said: “We want to reassure our residents that not one of our services will change overnight – you will still be dealing with the same council staff tomorrow and the day after that.

“The new councils will not come into being until 1 April 2028.

“All of the councils in Kent and Medway have a long history of working closely together to do the very best for the people we serve and that will not change one bit.


“This is the start of the process of bringing our different teams together with the aim of designing then delivering the best possible services for the people we serve.


“Of course, this change affects the thousands of council staff across the county who work incredibly hard day in and day out.


“Our focus will be supporting them through this change while helping them to carry on delivering our business-as-usual services seamlessly.

“There is a lot of work to do but we will make sure we take every opportunity to make our services the very best they can be.”


You can read the background to local government reorganisation here.
https://kentcouncilleaders.org.uk/