As we prepare to welcome The 149th Open this summer, residents and businesses are being kept up to date with the latest community information.

A community exhibition has been published to keep the community informed of latest plans for The Open, which returns to Sandwich from 11-18 July.

This follows news that Nigel Huddleston MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism, visited White Cliffs Country to mark English Tourism Week and as the district gears up for a bumper summer. The Minister visited Royal St George’s Golf Club to meet with The R&A and see the preparations for The 149th Open. He also visited The Bell Hotel in Sandwich as part of the launch of the district's new tourism strategy.

• More on The 149th Open

DDC has broken ground on three development sites that will together provide 50 new affordable homes. All of the homes will be available for rent by local people on the Council’s waiting list.

The developments at Napchester Road in Whitfield (26 homes); Kimberley Close in Dover (16 homes); and, Stockdale Gardens in Deal (8 homes) are the latest phase in the biggest programme of new council housing built in the district in a generation. DDC plans to build up to 500 new affordable homes across the district.

DDC's Cabinet has also agreed a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, with a renewed focus on prevention as part of a five-point action plan.

• More on housing

Major projects are coming together to provide an exciting multi million pound boost to Dover Town Centre.

Enhancing Dover’s cultural and creative offer and better connecting the high street and waterfront lie at the heart of a successful £3.2m bid by DDC to the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. Together with a £1.7m commitment from DDC’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund, the £4.9m plans will deliver two key projects designed to increase footfall and local spending on the high street.

This complements existing projects to rejuvenate Dover town centre, including the £9.1m Lottery funded restoration of the Grade I Listed Maison Dieu and a £2.95m Coastal Community Fund project to reinvent the Market Square.

• More on Future High Streets

Dover District Council has thanked residents for following the rules on Covid-19 and is urging them to stay vigilant with a street signage campaign designed to keep everyone safe as town centres re-open.

Colourful street signs have been unveiled in Dover, and town centre re-opening campaigns are running in Deal and Sandwich as part of the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.

We continue to remind everyone to follow the latest Government guidance. The latest step in easing of restrictions went ahead on 17 May, when indoor hospitality re-opened, along with venues such as cinemas and hotels. Remember - hands, face, space, fresh air.

• See latest Government guidance

As visitors are welcomed to White Cliffs Country this summer, we've also welcomed news that exciting new visitor experiences are being offered as part of an initiative across the district.

Following the latest easing in restrictions, Dover Museum is open for visitors again. A 400-year old portrait of Queen Elizabeth I resplendent in parliament robes took centre stage at the Museum re-opening on 17 May. The painting, ‘Elizabeth with the Cardinal and Theological Virtues’ was purchased by the Corporation of Dover in 1598. Entry to Dover Museum is free. Visits can be booked online so that visitor numbers can be managed to maintain social distancing.

• More on Dover Museum

Five finely decorated textile panels inspired by two of Dover’s best-loved parks have taken pride of place in the Kearsney Abbey café, which is due to open this summer.

The panels adorn the oak-panelled interior of the Grade II Listed former billiards room, which has been restored as part of the £3.1m Lottery funded Kearsney Parks project.

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of Russell Gardens. Thanks to Lottery players we’ve been busy restoring the historic landscape, and improving facilities and access for all. Recent improvements include the opening of a natural play area sympathetic to the historic landscape of Russell Gardens.

• More on Kearsney Parks

A new mast is being built for the Deal Timeball Tower and the Timeball mechanism is being refurbished - following news that the tower is being given a bicentennial boost.

Dover District Council's Cabinet has agreed to carry out a key £80,000 renovation of the popular local attraction.

The building is owned by DDC and is run as a successful and award-winning museum and visitor attraction by the Deal Museum Trust and its amazing local volunteers, although it remains closed at this time. The Trust has also been fundraising to help with the renovation costs.

• More on Deal Timeball Tower

The Great British Spring Clean is underway and you are invited to join in and support the initiative across the Dover district.

Hosted by Keep Britain Tidy, the national campaign, which runs from 28 May to 13 June, is on a #MillionMileMission to clear litter from the country’s streets, parks, beaches and countryside.

As part of this year’s campaign, DDC is running a photo competition for under 18s, (see website for details, terms and conditions). We've also launched two new cigarette butt ballot bins for the duration of the campaign to encourage people to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.

For more details on how you can get involved as a volunteer litter picker, or for more information on the campaign, please see our GBSC pages.

• More on Great British Spring Clean

DDC has launched its Community Grants Scheme for 2021. Building on the success of previous years, DDC has increased the Annual Community Grants Fund to £130,000 this year to help local community groups deliver projects in a Covid-safe way.

The grant has been split into two rounds, and includes £7.5k from the Dover District Lotto (for every pound spent on the Lotto, 60p goes back into the local community).

Community groups who benefit the local area can bid for grants from £100-£2,000. The first round deadline has just passed (31 May). The second round will launch on 26 July and close on 6 September.

• Community Grants Scheme

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