Dymchurch Parish News

16/09/2026

Recently, Parish Councillor Dougie Young and Folkestone and Hythe District Councillor Tony Cooper attended a Westminster Hall debate on Public Ownership of the Water Sector. They were representing Dymchurch and the wider Romney Marsh community. Tony Vaughan MP raised a query about the regulation of water companies and how we ensure we get independent audits and the monitoring of their data. During the debate, the current levels of sewage pollution in rivers and seas were highlighted, failures in monitoring were noted, and the public health consequences and business impact of poor bathing water quality were raised.
The sharp-eyed of you may recognise the third man in the picture as Fergal Sharkey- for those of a certain age, you will remember him as the lead singer in The Undertones from the late 70s and early 80s. He is now a leading campaigner fighting to improve river and bathing water quality.

16/09/2026

09/09/2026

Emergency Road Closure - St Marys Road, Dymchurch - 8th September 2026 (Folkestone & Hythe)



It has been necessary to close St Marys Road, Dymchurch from 8th September 2026 for up to 7 days.



The road is closed between the mini railway crossing and Dunkirk Close.



The alternative route is via St Marys Road, A259 Dymchurch Road, Mill Road and St Marys Road.

This is to enable cabling works to be carried out by UK Power Networks.

Enclosed is a copy of the Traffic Notice in confirmation of this.

This bulletin contains public information and can be freely forwarded to any other road users who may be affected. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no liability can be accepted for any changes or errors.

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network


KCC Highways & Transportation: keeping you up to date with what’s happening on our roads - for more information visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/KentHighways

Official Twitter feed for KCC Highways. Local travel information. Please report Highway faults via our website: https://t.co/eKoV1x8Sbi or call 03000 418181

01/09/2026

UK Power Networks - Temporary Road Closure - Stone Street, Lympne - 26th October 2026 (Folkestone and Hythe District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by UK Power Networks, it will be necessary to close part of Stone Street, Lympne, from 26th October 2026 with estimated completion by 27th October 2026.


Stone Street, Lympne, will be closed between the junctions of Harman Avenue and Berwick Lane, between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 only, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Stone Street, A20 Ashford Road, B2067 Otterpool Lane, Aldington Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.


The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while allowing utility works to be carried out, works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB151538566


For information regarding this closure please contact UK Power Networks 08000 294 285, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

24/08/2026

STRONG START FOR CHANGING TIDES COASTAL CENTRE

There has been a real energy around the Changing Tides Coastal Centre in Greatstone since its opening earlier this year.

Residents have been settling into their beach huts and sampling delicious Reynolds Ice Cream at the new attraction on Coast Drive, which also has public toilets and a remodelled car park.

A seasonal watersports centre with access to showers, changing facilities and an education/training room is also planned.

Jane Baxter, from Hythe, is just one of the beach hut tenants to be making themselves at home. She said: “The recent improvements to the area have made a noticeable difference. It really is a fantastic place to spend time with friends and family – the grandchildren absolutely love playing down here.”

Another, Steve Murton, added: “We are really pleased with our beach hut and have already made a few friends. The facilities are very clean and accessible. The setting is peaceful and a perfect area for walking Jasper, our golden retriever.”

Solar panels, a green roof system and suitable planting all form part of the development, while information boards highlighting the importance of the area as a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest will also be installed.

Details on how to rent the last remaining beach huts can be found on the council’s website.
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/homepage/132/coast-drive-beach-huts

Eugenie Reynolds from Reynolds Ice Cream welcomes the strong start to Changing Tides Coastal Centre having opened their concession in June. He said: “We’re delighted to have opened at Changing Tides and are really excited about its future.

“Having lived in New Romney for the past 33 years, we feel very much part of this wonderful community. The support of local people has helped make us who we are today, and New Romney will always be very close to our hearts.

“We’re looking forward to creating a welcoming place with lots of social events and activities that bring the whole community together.”

The scheme was funded by Folkestone & Hythe District Council with the support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority through Nuclear Restoration Services.

Cllr Connor McConville, Cabinet Member for Assets and Local Government Reorganisation, said: “This project provides a major boost to the local economy and will help actively support and promote the Romney Marsh for years to come.”

Nuclear Restoration Services, which oversees the decommissioning of the former Dungeness nuclear power station, is part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group. The NDA group invests around £15million each year in projects that enable permanent and sustainable change in its site communities.

Jamie Reed, Director of Socio-Economics at the NDA, added: “The Changing Tides Coastal Centre is a fantastic addition to Greatstone, bringing new energy to the seafront while supporting local businesses, residents and visitors.

“It is great to see the facilities already being enjoyed, and we are proud to have supported a project that will benefit the community and the wider Romney Marsh for years to come.”

Beach huts

12/08/2026

The Environment Agency has published a precautionary 'advice against bathing' notice for Dymchurch due to possible pollution from sewage.

This is separate from the existing warning in place due to long-standing issues with water quality.

The latest information can be found here ➡️ https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?site=ukj4208-13600

10/08/2026

As you may have seen there have been lots of Jellyfish on the beach in the last couple of weeks, they can be a fairly common sight throughout the summer months. Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting whereas others, such as the large reddish Lion’s Mane jellyfish or Compass jellyfish, can cause painful stings. General advice is to not handle any Jellyfish washed up on the beach.

Stings can be painful and may cause redness, swelling or a stinging sensation. The RNLI advise avoiding rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, use a card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea to rinse off. The cold salt water will help to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom.

If you start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, seek medical assistance as it may be signs of an allergic reaction.

03/08/2026

AMBER TRANSFORMING LIVES
Amber at a glance
Amber provides supported accommodation and a mandatory employability and wellbeing programme for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are unemployed. This guide is for young people considering Amber and the professionals or other people supporting them. Our centres are abstinence-based, shared living environments. Amber is not a drug or alcohol rehabilitation service.

Find out more or make a referral: www.amberweb.org

for full details follow this link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C_ciilF37bKj3_pXRxhRbWjJD0PHYJRo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109791947550224355060&rtpof=true&sd=true

Referral guidance A simple guide for professionals and young people. Amber at a glance Amber provides supported accommodation and a mandatory employability and wellbeing programme for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are unemployed. This guide is for young people...

03/08/2026

TOP RATING FOR COUNCIL’S HOUSING STANDARDS

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been recognised as one of the country’s best performing council housing landlords after being awarded the highest possible consumer standards judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

The council has been awarded the Regulator of Social Housing's highest consumer standards rating, C1, becoming the first council in Kent to achieve the distinction and one of just 13% of councils nationwide to hold the top grade.

The judgement follows a detailed four-month long inspection by the RSH who found that the council met all four consumer standards.

The inspection highlighted a number of strengths across the councils housing service including a clear commitment to involving tenants in decision making, a strong, current understanding of its housing stock and high levels of compliance with health and safety requirements.

Cllr Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “Becoming the first local authority in Kent to achieve the top rating from the Regulator of Social Housing is not only a significant achievement, but also a testament to the dedication of staff, tenants and partners.

“While we are proud of this recognition, we remain committed to keeping tenants at the heart of what we do and improving the services we provide.”

Elaine Bostock, Chair of the Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel (STAP), added: “Since we created STAP in 2021, I have been very privileged to be chair to a group of wonderful, like-minded tenants, who have been instrumental in helping to shape the service and improve conditions for all tenants. We feel heard and respected, and we know the work we do and the effort we put in, really counts.

“I am delighted that the RSH team recognised this in their inspections with STAP and the Scrutiny Panel observations and interviews. We are overjoyed for the Housing Team, they have done such great work and it has been wonderful to have been able to be part of such a well-deserved outcome.”