• Future events 
• Local issues 
• Contributions from our Members
• Recent events

Bear in mind Kent’s wildlife when you vote for your local Member of Parliament on July 4th
 

With the clock ticking for nature, climate and future generations, this election year is crucial and your vote has never mattered more,  So, Kent Wildlife Trust is asking you to #VoteWILD and help bring the Garden of England back to (WILD)life.  Download your free general election toolkit to learn more about nature near you and find out how you can encourage your local candidates to ensure that

 

• Wildlife recovery is prioritised
• Incentives for nature-friendly farming
• Land, rivers and sea are pollution free
• Developments defend not destroy 

Will you speak up for Nature?

https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/election-hub
 

Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) contract renewal
 

Canterbury BID has unveiled its blueprint as it seeks a new five-year mandate, championing the city and supporting businesses. The vision is for Canterbury to realise its full potential as an award-winning, vibrant and desirable destination, setting an example for other cities to follow.

A ballot is under way (closing date 11 July) to determine whether investment will continue in activities such as Christmas lights, floral displays, Visit Canterbury, Medieval Pageant and more.

“The BID is made up of a group of Canterbury advocates, people who live, work and invest in the city with a vested interest and passion in seeing it succeed”  says Lisa Carlson, CEO BID
Please encourage city centre businesses to vote.
Find out more: canterburybid.co.uk/renewal-ballot-2024
Rachel Pilard

Canterbury City Council – Consultations 

Here is the link to follow to add your opinion/comments: https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/latest-consultations/

A Green Longport car park?
 

I noticed when reading the last Newsletter that the Canterbury Society questions the disparate future heights of a line of saplings planted on the new grass strip outside St Augustine’s Abbey. 

Of more concern to me is the failure of the city and county councils to introduce any trees or shrubs at all within and around the Longport car park opposite. 

The photograph below reveals just how barren a prospect greets visitors to Canterbury when they emerge from the Abbey grounds.

The complete absence of vegetation was supposed to be rectified in parallel with the story gardens initiative, funded by levelling up moneys awarded to the city. 

It has become clear that there will be no story garden in the vicinity of the Abbey, however. I hope members of the Canterbury Society will reinforce residents’ associations’ call for planting to go ahead, nonetheless. 
Peter Styles
 

Canterbury Society guided tour – St Augustine’s Abbey on 15th June
 

Reverend Brian McHenry kindly provided a bespoke guided tour but the weather was amazingly cold for mid-June and certainly not the day for picnics.
 
Brian used the information boards very well to describe the history of the abbey.  When we were outside in the cold and damp Brian explained the topography and history of the development of the Saxon and then Norman churches very well, and the subsequent conversion of parts of the monastery into a royal palace, private residences and then a missionary college.

 

Everyone who attended found it informative and enjoyable. 

Canterbury’s Hustings for the General Election on 19^th June

From left to right – Chair and candidates for Social Democratic, Conservative, Green, Reform UK and Liberal Democrat parties
 

The evening was chaired by Professor David Bates who gave all candidates equal time to make their presentations and answer questions from the public – posed in advance, from the floor and online.  Themes included:

• Support for immigrant people and refugees
• Housing numbers in the draft local plan
• Pollution
• Investment in ‘green’ issues
• Poverty
• “What is a woman”?
• Tax 
• NHS
• Support for young people with the cost of living 
• Funding for Universities
• Prevention of state abuse of the individual
• Support for an embargo on supply of arms to Israel
• “Brexit is not working” – what next?

Watch the live stream here.

 

Meet like-minded people and get involved in a project or campaign that matters to you.  We manage green spaces, comment on planning applications and streetscapes, consider Heritage protection and represent your views to Canterbury City Council.  
 

Visit our website and click on ‘Join’ on the banner bar https://www.canterburysociety.org.uk/product/canterbury-society-membership/