The Deal Society executive committee has now adopted a new policy on Planning issues from 2009 onwards. The policy was adopted in the light of changes made by Dover District Council through the Local Development Framework. The Society's policy had not been fully updated since 1998 although there had been amendments made.

The abbreviations in the document are as follows:

DDC: Dover District Council
DTC: Deal Town Council  
WPC: Walmer Parish Council.

This policy document will now form the framework for the Society's planning work.  

Robin Green Chairman

CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
Robin writes:

One of the many delights of the Spring Drinks Party was meeting one of our new members. She is the granddaughter of Charles Vyse, one of the people who sent the letter to The Times in 1947 about the threats to the architecture of Deal. It reminded me how important the three words.”Past, Present, and Future” are in the title of our Society. By understanding the history of our community, we develop that strong sense of belonging to, and responsibility for, our neighbourhood in the present. That in turn has far reaching effects on a whole range of priorities in the future. By understanding our past, we change our future.

At the Society's AGM on Tuesday April 7 2009 Robin Green was elected as the new Chairman of the Deal Society. When Robin lived in London he fought a 4 year battle against the destruction of a historic part of south west London by property developers. He is passionate about the protection of our historic and natural environment and for the last year has been the Chair of the Society's Planning,Conservation and Development Committee. In that year he has helped to formulate the Society's response to the Local Development Framework, the future of the Astor Theatre and the blight that would be caused by the Minters Yard development. He has also served as a coopted member of the Deal Town Council Planning Committee.

At the same meeting Carol Burns was elected as the Secretary and David Bridgen as the Treasurer. Until her recent retirement Carol was the secretary to a special needs school in south east London for 25 years. She has now moved permanently to Deal where she and her husband had a holiday home for 10 years. David is an East Kent business man and has organised the Society's lecture programme for the last year,a task which he has agreed to continue as well as looking after the Society's finances.

At the AGM Robin Green paid tribute to the retiring Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer speaking about their exceptional gifts that they had put to the service of the Society.

The Society's sub committee has been active throughout 2008 taking up issues of concern to members and people in Deal. Throughout the summer we focussed on the future of the Astor Theatre insisting that it had to be professionally run and that the building was conserved for the future. We were delighted in the early autumn when Deal Town Council agreed to hand the management responsibility to the Deal Arts Management Group. We look forward to the reopening of the theatre in 2009.

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Wednesday 23 July 2008

The Deal Society was indeed fortunate to have a beautiful warm evening for its Summer Supper on Wednesday 26th of July. Once again the venue was the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and 64 members of the Society went home after a very successful evening with excellent food, good wines and enjoyable company. Our thanks go to the Captain and all those who contributed to this popular event.

11th May 2008

PRESS RELEASE

The Deal Society has added its voice to the objections to the Minters Yard development.

The Deal Society held its first Youth Forum at the Landmark Centre on Monday, 25 February, the focus the needs of youth in our area.  The Forum was led by Bill Butler, Area Youth Officer for Dover and Thanet, who brought along an impressive display and materials on opportunities for young people in the area.

He introduced two students, Jim Heath and Oliver Tester from Castle Community College, who gave their impressions and comments on issues that they felt were of concern to them and other young people in the area, eg while there are many activities for young people, it was difficult to find out what was happening, when and where.