As well as featuring local news in our paper we cover news items here as well. __________________________________________________________ The Hawkinge Community Fun Day. Saturday September 11th 2010. 1200hrs to 1800hrs. The Green, Heron Forstal Avenue, Hawkinge. Lots of interesting and fun things for all age groups. Good Food, Bar, Music and this year a fly past by the Spitfire and Hurricane as the date is very near to the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (A reminder of the part Hawkinge played in this historic Battle). ________________________________________________________ WILLS FEATURE with thanks to Mike Bell, Solicitor Where there’s a Will? Will drafting and probate have recently been brought to the forefront by the BBC and for good reason. A BBC Radio Kent broadcast on Monday morning highlighted the importance of making a Will whilst Panorama on Monday evening investigated some of the dangers of using a Will draftsman and appointing non-professional executors. How safe are DIY Wills? Will packs will deal with the basic requirements of a valid Will. This does not necessarily mean that the Will is going to achieve what you really want it to though. There is little guidance on how to leave specific items or cash sums to family members, how to reduce Inheritance Tax or how to deal with children where there has been a second marriage. There is also currently no regulation over these DIY Wills. The Legal Services Reform Commission is currently researching regulation on the Will writing market but nothing is expected soon. How safe are Will Writing Companies? These companies often advertise in local papers or in shopping centres and provide a more personal service. Employees however do not hold legal qualifications but build up their knowledge over time and experience - they are not governed by law nor are they regulated. They do not have to have an insurance policy in place before they can trade and more often than not, liquidate the company after a certain period to limit their personal liability. Will Writing Companies are also now offering assistance with probate after someone has died. Many are offering their services as “professional” executors but not making their charges clear for doing so. The Panorama programme highlighted horror stories where people had appointed members of such companies to be their executors only for the families to find their inheritances less than expected or going missing totally. What happens if something goes wrong? In the event that problems occur after your death, a solicitor may be able to rectify things but it will be costly and take time. Your beneficiaries will have to make a claim against the pack provider or Will Writing Company for a lack of adequate advice. Without any proven case law however, it is hard to predict the outcome of such claims. A list of indemnities and obligatory phrases such as “if you are concerned about Inheritance Tax issues please consult a professional adviser” dilute their responsibility and mean that the chances of success are severely limited. Why use a Solicitor? A solicitor has a clear hierarchy of regulation as well as professional training in their specialist area of practice. The solicitor must hold a valid practicing certificate each year; must partake in at least 16 hours worth of refresher courses per year; the firm in which the solicitor practices is accountable to the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority who can demand all paperwork if a complaint is made and can strike off the solicitor in question; if a claim is successful all firms have an indemnity insurance in place which will cover the claim and this will continue even if the firm mergers or ceases trading. While you might feel like you are saving a few extra pounds, you could be leaving your family with a much larger bill to sort things out. We charge £150 plus VAT for a standard Will and are happy to see you at home, work or our office to discuss what you wish to achieve and review your Inheritance Tax position – with such a small price to pay, is it really worth the risk with the most important document you will sign? Mike Bell – Head of Private Client Partner/Solicitor Direct Line: 01622 618618 _________________________________________________________________ Hythe Festival Primary School Novices Gala – Hythe Pool A packed house at the Hythe South Road Pool saw over 100+ youngsters from local primary schools take part in the bi-annual Hythe Festival Novices Gala on the hottest day of the year. The event sponsored by British Energy, Shepway District Council and Guy Holloway Architects included events for all primary age groups from Year 3& under to Year 6. Medals were presented by Hythe Aqua Club President Eddie Willis to the first three in year group and glass trophies were awarded by the sponsors to the top three schools. The participating schools included: Lyminge, Lympne, St Augustine’s, Saltwood, Hythe Bay, Bodsham, and Sandgate Primary Schools. There was a great atmosphere at the pool as the youngsters battled out the medal positions in their individual races. Hythe Aqua organised the event and provided all the technical officials. The swimming gala was followed by a swimming skills workshop and a synchronised swimming demonstration. The top schools competition was very close with St Augustines’s taking the top slot by just one point with Sandgate Primary in 2nd place and Hythe Bay in 3rd place. The individual gold medal winners were: Year 3 Brianne Begley - Sandgate Year 3 Ross Johnstone - Bodsham Year 4 Hannah McMahon - Sandgate Year 4 Hunter Evans-Reid - Sandgate Year 5 Elise Bailey – St Augustines Year 5 Adam Lowe – St Augustines Year 6 Ella Hemming – St Augustines Year 6 James Short – Hythe Bay Hythe Aqua also awarded one months free coaching to many of the medal winners. Other swimmers taking part in the event can also attend a water test at Hythe Pool at 6.00pm on Thursday evenings or check out the Hythe Aqua website www.hytheaqua.org.uk St Andrew's Guides meet weekly in Cheriton and are presently recruiting. If you are female, aged 10-13 and are interested then please contact Avril on 257894 for details. __________________________________________________ ALL SHOOK UP Spectacular joy for all lovers of 50s/60s music and Elvis Presley as local drama companies, Lights Up Production and FHODS announce that they are linking to bring All Shook Up to the Tower Theatre. This is the first time this musical has been presented in the region. All Shook Up is a comedy musical based on the music of Elvis Presley will be presented at the Tower Theatre this summer. This will be the third musical presented by Lights Up Production at the Tower Theatre. Many will remember last year’s production of Footloose. Show director Max Reynolds says, “I loved last year’s show but this is going to be bigger and better. I have a superb cast of young vibrant players and a crack technical team. This may very well be the South East’s best show this year.Working with the FHODS team at the Tower Theatre is a dream”. There will be a total of 10 musicians so that full justice to the Elvis Presley sound so loved by all can be achieved. Although All Shook Up features the music of Elvis it is not the Elvis Presley story. All Shook Up will run from 11th -14th August 2010. Tickets £12.00/£10.00 concessions are on sale now for party bookings as well as individual ticket sales. There is a special price for the opening night’s performance of £8.00. Contact the Box Office on 01303 223925 or book on-line at www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk _____________________________________________ FLYBE OPENS UP GARDEN OF ENGLAND Flybe, has today announced another brand new route namely a daily Edinburgh to Manston service that, apart from opening up the Garden of England to the Scottish market also offers regional travellers the only scheduled flight to be currently operated out of Kent International Airport. Tickets are on sale now at www.flybe.com from £24.99 one way including taxes and charges for travel effective May 27th through to 30th October. The new route, with a flight time of just 80 minutes, will be operated by Flybe’s fuel efficient 78- seat Bombardier Q-400 turboprop aircraft. The announcement further reinforces Flybe’s commitment to offering an extensive choice of convenient, affordable regional travel. ________________________________________________________________ **************************************************************** Be a star! – Walk in the Moonlight for Pilgrims Pilgrims Hospices has launched one of the charity’s most popular annual events; the Moonlight Walk – a night to remember. One walk left, an entirely new route between Herne Bay and Whitstable (18 September). Exclusively for ladies, each Moonlight Walk is a chance to have fun, support a worthy cause, and perhaps remember a loved one. With earlier start times and a wealth of enthusiasm, the Moonlight Walks this year promise to be the best so far. Young girls from the age of 12 can also now get involved, so get your family together, brandish your glow sticks and all things that sparkle, and have a night to remember in support of Pilgrims Hospices. Deborah Kellond, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manager, said; “This event has been a huge hit with ladies in previous years. Last year 1,500 walkers raised £170,000 for Pilgrims Hospices, and we were amazed at the turn out for both events and the generosity of our supporters. This year we are aiming high and hoping to reach our target of 3,500 walkers raising £350,000. Pilgrims Hospices needs to raise over £8 million every year, and the Moonlight Walk is one of our key fundraising events.” Nigel Donkin, Fundraising Manager gave thanks to the many local companies that are sponsoring the event, saying; “The response we have had from local businesses has been wonderful. They are giving us support in such a variety of ways, from help with promotion to hosting and entertainment on the night. We are all very excited about the Moonlight Walks this year as the event promises to be one of the highlights of our events calendar. We urge you ladies to team together, sign up, and make it the most successful yet!” For full details and to register online visit www.pilgrimsmoonlightwalk.org or phone 01227 782062. ________________________________________________________ FOOTBALL EVERY SUNDAY 11.45 - 1pm Ages 10 – 16 years. Pure football in a Christian environment. Meet at The Salvation Army Hall, Portland Road, Hythe CT21 6EG _________________________________________________________________ GRENADIER GUARDS ASSOCIATION The East Kent Branch of the Grenadier Guards Association extend a warm welcome to all past and present members of the Grenadier Guards and to past and present members of other Household Division Regiments living in the area. Meetings generally held at Hythe Conservative Club commencing at 11am each 3rd Sunday of the month. Numerous trips and events organised for members enjoyment. Please make contact with the Hon. Secretary (Bob Goodson) by email at secretary@ekb.org.uk or call him on 01303 263958. Visit our website at www.ekb.org.uk _________________________________________________________________ SHEPWAY GOSPEL CHOIR - Do you want some fun singing great music? Well come and join the Shepway Gospel Choir! We meet on the 4th Sunday of every month 6-8pm at The Salvation Army hall, Portland Road, Hythe CT21 6EG. For more info email Wesley on: shepwaygospelchoir@yahoo.co.uk or call/text Wendy on 07859 387 492. Free membership and No auditions! ******************************************************************* ELHAM FARMERS' MARKET Second and fourth Sunday of the month, 11.00 to 13.00, on the Triangle opposite Elham School. Fresh seasonal food from local producers: meat, game, fish, fruit and vegetables, bread, pies, cakes, chutneys, cheeses, plants, eggs, and more. Find out more on www.elhamfarmersmarket.co.uk ***************************************************************** Folkestone Decorative & Fine Arts Society (FDFAS) meet at The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone CT20 3HL. Visitors are welcome (but limited to 2 meetings/year): £5 for non-members, refundable if join. Info: e mail: Folkestone@nadfaskentarea.org.uk , telephone 01303 239530 or visit the Folkestone section of the website: http://www.nadfaskentarea.org.uk/. ***************************************************************** Email your Local News items to: theadvertiser@aol.com The Shepway Advertiser - Shepway's Local !