Canterbury City Council

🚀 Want to boost your business or level up your employability? We have launched two FREE schemes designed to support businesses and help residents develop their skills: ✅ SEEDL’s live and on-demand online courses, available to Canterbury district residents and businesses until August 2025 ✅ Social Enterprise Kent's bite-sized training scheme offering online and in-person workshops, available to Canterbury district businesses until March 2025 SEEDL’s training courses cover a range of topics, including sales, communications, customer service, leadership, project management, health and safety, mental wellness, and business growth. Courses are typically between 20 minutes to an hour long and some are Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited.  On top of this, the bite-sized training workshops are designed to help businesses and not-for-profit organisations, delivered by Social Enterprise Kent as part of our Business Support programme. Their expert-led training covers key areas like finance, marketing, business strategy and development, and HR, with workshops being held online and in person at sites across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. ℹ Head to the links in the comments to sign up, unlock new skills and grow your business for free. 🤝 These initiatives are funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. #BusinessSupport #Employability #Canterbury #Whitstable #HerneBay

🌸 Council tenants rewarded for glorious gardens and beautiful baskets 🌱 Stunning displays by green-fingered council tenants were celebrated at this year’s tenants’ gardening competition last week. 🏆 After a tough judging, which saw all gardens visited and scored, the winners and highly commended were confirmed at an event at Age UK in Herne Bay. 👏 Congratulations go to: Front garden  🥇 Winner: Martin Ashdown (second picture)  🥈 Highly commended: Doreen Terrell Back garden  🥇 Winner: Dawn Brazier (third picture)  🥈 Highly commended: Perveer Kaur Containers, pots and baskets  🥇 Winner: Lydia Luckhurst (fourth picture)  🥈 Highly commended: Philip Bunce Communal gardens  🥇 Winner: Shalmsford Court (fifth picture)  🥈 Highly commended: Windsor House 🎁 Prizes included gift vouchers from sponsor organisations, plants, and some seeds, with the winners of each category also receiving a certificate. 🤝 The competition was supported through sponsorship from CARDO, Town & Country Cleaners, Canenco, Swale Heating, Badgers Hill Farm and Grovewell Garden Centre (Canterbury). 🤲 Prizes were awarded by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Jean Butcher.

⚓️ Whitstable Harbour's past and present celebrated in new artwork at South Quay Shed. 👨🎨 The wall art was created by Whitstable-based artist Phil Miller as part of a project commissioned by Canterbury City Council which called on local artists to help transform the space. 📸 Using a series of photographs mixed with graphic elements, the artwork draws inspiration from the harbour’s history while bringing together everyone that uses the South Quay Shed and the wider working harbour community. 🎣 Mr Miller was inspired by the parallels between a weekly knitting group that meets at the shed and the fishermen that work in the harbour. 💬 Cllr Chris Cornell, Chair of the Whitstable Harbour Board and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Inclusion and Coastal Towns Champion, said: “The south quay has fast become the heart of the harbour and it’s wonderful to see a new art commission help animate the space further.  💬 “Whitstable has long had a tradition of street art and this public commission is another jewel in the public art gallery which is our town.” 🎨The artist call-out attracted a wide range of applications from Kent-based artists back in May and candidates were selected by the public art panel, which was made up of: ➡️ Whitstable Harbour Board member and Gorrell ward councillor Clare Turnbull  ➡️ independent member of the harbour board Neil Webster  ➡️ Robin Louis, a young Whitstable resident  ➡️ independent member of the harbour board Sandy Lynam  ➡️ Culture Development Officer for Canterbury City Council Michelle Butler 🤝 Six artists were shortlisted and interviewed, and Mr Miller was selected for the commission. 💬 Cllr Turnbull commented: “We had a fantastic response to this project from a variety of artists.  💬 “Phil’s work is a vibrant addition to the South Quay Shed and reveals something new every time you view it.” 💬 Mr Webster said: “Phil’s submission reflected the wide variety of activity and uses of the harbour and he brings together both the heritage of the harbour and the current community who use, work in and visit it.” 💬 Robin added: “It was a tough process choosing from many talented local artists, but we felt Phil’s style would be the perfect fit for the South Quay Shed.  💬 “I was also very honoured to have my voice as a young person heard and valued by the council as part of the selection process.” 📖 Head to the link in the comments to read the full story.

📣 New jobs! We're looking for dedicated people who are passionate about delivering excellent local services to join us in a number of roles: 🟣 Locality Services Officer 🟣 Insurance Officer 🟣 Sports Delivery Officer Why work for us? ✅ Flexible working arrangements that support a good work-life balance ✅ Excellent opportunities for training and development ✅ Generous annual leave entitlement ✅ Local Government Pension Scheme ✅ Retailer and lifestyle discounts ✅ Free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride service for an easier commute Apply now at canterbury.gov.uk/jobs. #PublicSectorJobs #Canterbury

👏 Canterbury veterans commended for community support 🏆 Six former servicemen and women from Canterbury have been praised for their support of fellow veterans and the wider community at East Kent Mind’s Veterans Recognition Awards. 🫡 And four of the Canterbury award winners were recognised for the part they have played in running the Veterans Hub at Spring Lane Neighbourhood Centre, an initiative supported by the council. 🌱 Eric Hearn’s award was not only in recognition of his weeding, pruning, and planting at the Hub’s garden, but for also helping local young people plant their own fruit and vegetables for them to cook in a class held at the centre. 🤝 As one of the original volunteers who helped kick start the Veterans Hub, Jan Edis was praised for her tireless work behind the scenes to support fellow veterans and promote the Armed Forces Covenant to local businesses. 🙋♂️ John Elson was commended for constantly bringing fun and enthusiasm to the group through his quizzes and fundraising events as one of the Hub’s dedicated volunteers. 🫂Barbara Munns, the council’s Neighbourhood Centre Team Leader and Armed Forces Officer, also received an award for the support she gives to local ex-military and their families while overseeing the Veterans Hub and organising its highly popular Saturday morning meetups. 💬 Cllr Pip Hazelton, Cabinet Member for Housing and the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said “I am incredibly proud of our district’s vibrant veteran community, and I am even prouder to see those who have worked so hard to build it receive the recognition they deserve. 💬 “And as a council, we are so pleased to be able to give back to them and their families, whether it’s supporting veterans working for us through the ERS Gold Award or those living in the district through the Veterans Hub and the brilliant work Barbara does.” 📖 Head to the link in the comments to read the full story. #Canterbury #Veteran #Community

🚀 Boost your business with our new support schemes We have launched two more initiatives to support businesses in the district as part of a wider business support project that began last year. The project includes three schemes: ☑️ free bite-sized training sessions as part of the Business Support scheme (new) ☑️ Green Skills for Business Programme to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint (new) ☑️ Business Growth Programme which began in 2023 Businesses can get free expert advice on a range of topics, from marketing and finance management to business planning and leadership techniques, as part of the new Canterbury Business Support scheme. The training workshops are designed to support small and medium-sized businesses in the district and are being held online or in-person between now and March 2025. Plus, up to 40 local businesses can also take advantage of the Canterbury Green Skills for Business Programme which provides free training and workshops to help participants reduce their carbon footprint and access new green markets. And businesses enrolled on the Canterbury Business Growth Programme are already seeing positive impacts on their growth, with 38 businesses in the first cohort receiving 255 hours of expert support to help them develop and implement their own business growth strategies. This support saw 26 new full-time jobs created and 38 jobs safeguarded, as well as over £392,000 of investment being committed to by participating businesses for their growth plans. Head to the links in the comments to book a place on one of the Canterbury Business Support workshops and apply for a space on the Canterbury Green Skills for Business Programme. #BusinessSupport #Canterbury

🐝 Four new trial pollinator sites have been created as part of our work to boost biodiversity in the district. 🪻 We already manage approximately 40 hectares of open space as conservation/meadow grass, including land at Reculver Country Park and Wraik Hill, which means they are cut less often than amenity/leisure grass sites. 🌱 And now, small areas of open space at Thanington Recreation Ground and Beverley Meadow (pictured in this post) in Canterbury, Cherry Orchard in Herne and Westmeads Recreation Ground in Whitstable have also been moved onto a reduced mowing schedule. 🌳 Plot sizes for this trial scheme running this summer are between 0.15 acres and 0.48 acres as we look to see how the grassland species respond initially. ☘️ In not mowing these areas until autumn, we will obviously see longer grass, but also expect to start seeing some clovers and vetches coming in. 📈 We are particularly interested to see whether some of these sites throw up some surprises, but do not necessarily anticipate seeing a good mix of species straight away. This could take a few years, depending on whether the trial is continued. 🍂 As we reach early autumn, we will review how well the pollinator strips have been received by both the public and wildlife and make a decision on whether to retain them next year.

📣 We're looking for a Media and Marketing Officer to join our Communications team! 💰 £36,662 🕑 Full time, 12 month fixed term contract 📍 Canterbury area 🗓 Applications close Thursday 4 July 2024 The successful candidate will: ➡ manage a caseload of their own activities, with a focus on projects relating to waste, environment, and enforcement ➡ support the Senior Strategic Marketing Manager and wider team in delivering communications that are strategic, well planned and driven by the Corporate Plan, research and insight ➡ create and deliver marketing and behaviour change campaigns that drive real, measurable results through a robust evaluation process ➡ ensure our campaigns follow best practice throughout the private and public sector ➡ be part of a friendly and supportive team What's in it for you? ✅ Flexible working arrangements that support a good work-life balance ✅ Excellent opportunities for training and development ✅ Generous annual leave entitlement ✅ Local Government Pension Scheme ✅ Retailer and lifestyle discounts ✅ Free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride service for an easier commute Apply now at canterbury.gov.uk/jobs.  #Canterbury #PublicSectorJobs #Marketing

📖 Help shape the stories we tell in Canterbury's story gardens. 🌷 We have chosen nine locations in the city to become story gardens as part of our Levelling Up Fund work, and we want to incorporate your stories into the designs. The nine locations are: 🌳 the Castle Keep and grounds 🌳 St George's Square (clocktower) 🌳 Greyfriars Gardens 🌳 the Tower of St Mary Magdalene 🌳 Garden of St Mary de Castro 🌳 Three Cities Garden 🌳 Dane John Gardens 🌳 St Radigund's Garden 🌳 Solly's Orchard and Abbots Mill 💡We want to broaden our understanding of Canterbury's rich heritage and we need your help to make this possible. 🏛 You can drop into The Beaney until Friday 21 June to share your stories, where there will be more information and feedback cards. 💬 A public open day will also be held at The Beaney on Saturday 15 June which is designed to explore the city's hidden histories and shine a light on the lesser-known stories of Canterbury. 🗣 You'll have the chance to share your knowledge and experience with our interpretation consultants to help shape the stories represented in the gardens. 📧 If you can't make it to The Beaney, you can also send your stories in writing, in a video or as a voice note to [email protected].

🧑🎨 Calling all artists! 🖌 We are looking for an artist or artist collective to transform the wall spaces at South Quay Shed in #Whitstable Harbour. ⚓️ This public art commission offers an opportunity to create vibrant wall art that reflects the unique historical and cultural context of the site to inspire and engage visitors. 🤝 We are looking for an artist who is open to collaborating with the community that uses the space and are particularly keen to hear from artists living, working or studying locally in East Kent. 💬 Cllr Chris Cornell, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Inclusion and Coastal Towns Champion, said "Whitstable is jam-packed full of artists and this is a great opportunity for them to make their mark on the new South Quay Shed. 💬 "We look forward to finding something that can take its place in the rich gallery that is Whitstable's public art scene." 💰 The chosen artist will receive £3,000 to cover the artist’s fee, community meetings, materials, and installation. 🗓 Applications close at midnight on Monday 10 June 2024. ℹ Head to the link in the comments to find out more and apply.