SDRA Newsletter Autumn 2011

Welcome to the Autumn 2011 edition of the SDRA newsletter.

First up is a date for your diaries. We cordially invite you to our autumn social evening on Monday November 21st at 7:30pm at St. Dunstan’s church hall. As with previous years the evening will deliver some interesting talks. This year our guests will be:

• Canterbury Archaeological Trust: A talk from Adrian Gollop about the recent digs at the two sites on St. Dunstan’s Street
• Architect Tim Ellis: A local architect who will talk about his recent work at the Westgate Towers and at other sites in and around Canterbury. Tim made the headlines a few years ago when he purchased the cottage used in the film Withnail and I
• Westgate Councillors Ida Linfield, James Flanagan and Graham Wood: How to engage with the planning/licensing process plus a chance to put your point of view across

Sainsbury’s in St. Dunstan’s: Sainsbury’s has submitted a licensing application for their new store which will occupy the ground floor of the new building under construction on the old Halletts Garage site. The application includes alcohol off-sales and late night refreshment from 6am to 12 midnight. If you have any views on the Sainsbury’s application, either for or against, you need to write to or email the Council by November 10th. For your comments to be valid they must relate to the four Licensing Objectives under the Licensing Act 2003. They are: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; the prevention of children from harm. This application follows the recent extension of the Londis licence, also on St. Dunstan’s Street, from 8:30 am to 11pm.

Want to get involved? We are always keen to hear from people who want to get involved in helping to run the Association. It is up to you how much time you contribute and there are no formal demands on you (although attendance at a Committee meeting once every six weeks would be appreciated)! You can make the role what you want and we are always open to new ideas and initiatives. Speak to us at the social evening for more details or add a note to the membership form and we will be in touch.

The Blog is yours! To date we have posted almost 100 articles on a wide range of subjects which we hope have been of interest. We would welcome any contributions to the blog, even if you just want to comment on an article. Any budding writers are encouraged to submit articles to matmomorris@hotmail.com.

CHRISTMAS PARTY - HOLD THE DATE: The Association Christmas party will be held on the afternoon of December 11th and will again be hosted by The Hagans (Queens Avenue). All members are welcome. RSVP details will be sent in November.

About the Association: St. Dunstan’s Residents' Association is a campaigning and social organisation serving part of St. Dunstan’s with the intention of creating and maintaining strong neighbourhood bonds and of preserving this attractive area. Benefits of membership include:

• The opportunity to have your say on issues that matter to you
• A dedicated Committee that meets regularly and monitors a range of issues
• Representation of a distinct area with a single voice
• A dedicated blog and newsletter
• Invitations to social events and opportunities to get involved

Membership numbers currently stands at 94 households, an increase on last year and approximately 1/4 of the households in the Association area. All households are warmly welcomed and we hope that even more residents will join in 2012. Subscription rates remain the same at just £5 per household. To join, or renew, look out for he subscription forms that have been delivered to each household in the SDRA area. If you haven't received a form email matmomorris@hotmail.com with your name and address and we will arrange for a form to be delivered.