We are working with partners to prepare an open welcome for The 149th Open, coming to Sandwich from 12-19 July.

It was announced in February that Sandwich is set to benefit from a £100,000 windfall from The Open Legacy Fund.

Community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations in Sandwich can also apply for grants of up to £15,000 from a new Green Initiatives Grant Programme, which is launched today, (Monday, 2 March). 

A range of build works for the tournament is set to start in April and there will be traffic restrictions on local roads. For the latest information, please sign up for updates through Keep Me Posted.

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With the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May, communities are invited to get involved over the Bank Holiday weekend.

DDC is reminding people we need to receive applications for street parties requiring road closures by 6 March.

A whole range of commemorative events for this historic anniversary is being coordinated nationally and internationally by Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster, VE Day 75. This includes the 'Nation's Toast to the Heroes of WWII', in which Dover will be playing a major part.

• More on VE Day 75

Grants are available under DDC's Town Centre Business Grants Scheme to help support local businesses.

A new business on Deal High Street (pictured) has been given a welcome retail boost, with news that a previously empty shop has reopened in the town following support from DDC's Town Centre Business Grants and KCC's No Use Empty schemes.

Two businesses on Castle Street in Dover have also been given a boost through the DDC grant scheme.

• Town Centre Business Grants

The Dover District Leisure Centre is celebrating its first anniversary at the top of its game. 

Over half a million visits have been made to the £26m leisure centre, which opened on 25 February 2019, and includes Kent's only county-standard competition swimming pool.

This news comes as demolition work on the old Dover Leisure Centre starts today, (Monday, 2 March).

It's also been announced that Dover District Leisure Centre is offering a month’s free travel on local bus services with Stagecoach in 2020 (see terms and conditions). 

• Dover District Leisure Centre

DDC has extended its successful Town Centre Business Grants Scheme with the launch of our Green Energy Grants - to help small businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprint, become more energy efficient, and cut their costs.

This follows news that DDC has agreed to declare a Climate Change Emergency and continues to take action on climate change. 

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DDC celebrated National Apprenticeship Week in February - with DDC Apprentice Harley Dunning (pictured) being named Creative and Digital Apprentice of the Year at the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards. 

DDC continues to support apprenticeships and currently employs 18 apprentices across a wide range of Council services. 

For latest information on apprenticeship opportunities at DDC, please see our job vacancies page.

• Apprentices Celebrate Success

As White Cliffs Country looks forward to an exciting year ahead, including The 149th Open coming to Royal St George's, DDC has published an exciting new Visitor Guide packed with information for all the family.

The 53-page guide is designed and produced in-house by DDC and showcases the unique tourism offer in the district, highlighting a range of diverse visitor attractions, events and leisure activities.

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