the website of South Ashford Community Forum
Use by datesThese refer to food safety
Don’t eat food after this date, even if it looks and smells OK
These refer to food quality
Food is still safe to eat after this date, but may not be at its best
You can ignore ‘display until’ and ‘sell before’ dates. These are for shop staff, not shoppers.
Ashford Library is supporting Safer Internet Day 2016 by holding a free taster session on using the internet safely. Delivered by Adult Education, the session will cover various aspects of using the internet safely, such as online shopping and banking, and how to recognise spam emails.
The course will take place at Ashford Gateway Plus on Tuesday 9 February from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Places are free but limited so please book in advance by contacting Ashford Library on 03000 41 31 31, email ashfordlibrary@kent.gov.uk or call in and speak with a member of staff.
We have added this event to our calendar
Why register?
With cold and wintry weather predicted over the next few days, families across Kent are being urged to follow a few simple measures to keep their loved ones safe and healthy.
Prolonged cold weather can be a risk for anyone although vulnerable people, including the elderly and children under five, are particularly at risk and common sense advice can help in severe weather, both at home or out and about. (more…)
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes says that she has to put 37 more firearms officers on the books here in Kent so has launched a consultation about raising an average family’s policing precept by £5 for the year to help pay for them.
She says that her current plan takes into account a 2% increase in the council tax precept but the Government has made it clear that it is assuming Police and Crime Commissioners will increase their precepts as far as they are allowed. In the case of Kent that is by £5 per year (3.4%) because Kent has one of the lowest policing precepts in the country. She would like the people of Kent to make their views known by taking part in an online poll.
She says that Kent is the border to Europe and she has a duty to make sure that the Chief Constable has the resources he needs to keep us as safe as possible in these difficult times.
The consultation closes on Friday 15 January 2016
Although the serious flooding seen in the North of England and Scotland hasn’t affected Ashford, you should ensure that you are prepared for flooding. We have updated the links on our Flood risk page and now have live gauges on our River levels page.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service has warned the public to take extra care when using candles over the Christmas holidays following a fire in Herne Bay.
Crews were called to a fire in a flat at Chislet Court, Herne Bay. They were confronted with a severely smoke logged property and had to use breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke.
It appears the fire was caused when a candle was accidentally knocked over. (more…)
We took part in Citizens Advice 16 Days of Action to stop violence against women & girls. We can all #talkaboutabuse
Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, has today blogged about the end of the 16 Days of Action that has formed part of their Talk about abuse campaign.
She writes that the campaign has been “a really important opportunity to encourage people to Talk about abuse” and says “the most important part of this past fortnight or so has been the powerful, brave and moving stories told by victims themselves,”
“We know that specialist domestic abuse charities play a crucial role supporting victims of abuse, but we know also that most people going through abuse will not turn first to specialists, the police or other agencies, but to their friends and families. Helping these ‘bystanders’ to support victims is a crucial element in tackling domestic abuse.” (more…)