When Emma Barton (Snow White at the Marlowe panto but best known as Honey in Eastenders) switched on the Christmas lights in Deal at 7.20pm Deal became the first town where all the main displays were lit by full size LED bulbs. Over 700 coloured bulbs were strung across the main shopping streets of the town by volunteers from Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade, but each section now uses less electricity than an old 40w bulb. The decision to switch to LED was made to pre-empt the government’s phased withdrawal of incandescent bulbs and take advantage of the benefits of advancing technology as soon as commercially available.Because LEDs produce less heat, bulbs don’t need to be made of glass and the new bulbs are also more reliable as well as robust so they can be stored ready to go straight up next year. Although the switch has involved a significant investment the Chamber expects to recoup the expense in lower electricity bills and replacement costs. 60 Christmas trees have also been put up, lit with miniature LEDs which have been used since last year.

The large crowd who turned up also enjoyed music from Black Catt and the appearence of Father Christmas with the Carnival Court.  Many tucked into to the Hog Roast – what a fantastic start for the Christmas Season and a bit of joy in the economic gloom. Our thanks goes out to all the volunteers who faced the winter weather to make sure everything was in place for the switching on ceremony.

At the November Council meeting concerns about and plans for the Saturday market were discussed. Reports were received on progress of the waste cooking oil recycling scheme, school golf, seasonal ice rink for Walmer Green, two forthcoming retail closures and two restaurant openings and that morning's meeting with DDC leader & senior officers with news of £100,000 allocated by KCC to study access & flood defence issues arising from the LDF, parking charges to be frozen for two years, waste collection, Streetscene and plans for the Quarterdeck, Astor Theatre & Betteshanger Industrial Estate. Concerns were noted over parking congestion outside the new pharmacy and surgery in Canada Road and raised over the town council plans for a Celebration of the Sea festival, the sea front Christmas tree and expenditure on an events calender. New members Reeds Florist and The Original Factory shop were approved and Vicky Hooper of Hoopers Interiors co-opted onto the Council. It was decided to take up the free offer from Relax to help with the website and the page access report noted. Arrangements for the Christmas lights switch on were finalised.

At the September Council meeting reports were received on the developer contributions consultation, that the Lottery bid had been submited, that SITA had agreed to deliver green sacks for cash on delivery and a members internet forum had been set up. It was agreed that a firmer line be taken over unpaid subscriptions, that Bank House's phone be given out as the Chamber's contact when required and to contact Original Factory Shop about Christmas lights continuity and Philip Green of Arcadia to help him relocate Dorothy Perkins within Deal. Complaints were noted about vandalism and beach hut encroachment by Walmer Green and arrangements for manning the Chamber's stand at the Braderie were finalised. At the conclusion of the meeting Ian Draper stood down as Administrator to be replaced by Sue Bennett.