by Special Correspondent Dick Brayne

The first major part of the Down the Lane restructuring and redevelopment programme was officially opened yesterday. Rumoured to have a final cost of just over 3 figures, the new Office rises from the ground in splendid glory to just over six feet and on a clear day can be seen from next door but one.

Twice the size of the old premises (to be used as new Chicken Shed under Phase 2), it is indeed an important landmark on the Kentish skyline and confirms that Companies of this stature are not suffering in the current Credit Crunch, but forging ahead with confidence of a positive future investing in high quality Infrastructure.

Before the official opening at 3,30pm (GMT), the Chickens were busy making last minute preparations digging up the insects around the Rosemary bush which had been pruned earlier in the day. Big Ron manned the Phone Switchboard but fell asleep, Ginger thought the guests may prefer Mouse to the wonderful array of Cheese on Toast and Mimi almost managed to find her way to the garden for the first time since 21st. September last year, I think it was last year anyway.

The Dragons Den Entrepreneur Peter Jones, who had put 78p of his own personal fortune into the Scheme, said he was very pleased with his investment and especially liked how the Helicopter Landing Pad had been marked out on the Greenhouse roof.

In his opening speech, Chief Executive Richard Cannon said that this is just the beginning and beyond Phase 2 he was already looking at the possibilities of installing an Electric Kettle and even a 6 gang extension lead rather then the existing 4 gang. He ended by thanking the following Suppliers….

Mum – Old Kitchen Wall Unit (now base cupboard) and Door Mat.
Leo – Old PC Desk (now work top for above and two shelving Units)
Brother Mark – Cotton Traders T-Shirts (now cleaning equipment)
Brother Nigel – 3 pictures
Skip in Old Vicarage Road – Work Top and bits of wood (now Desk)
Carpet World – for letting me haggle the already 50% off Vinyl Remnant from £19 to £8.
Skip in Hunter Road – CD Stand, Ceramic Tile (Cup Coaster) and 2″ x 2″ Timber (to be used in Phase 2)

I can only describe this day as a special one. It was a day of breaking down barriers of indecisiveness, a day where determination won the Gold Medal and a day when all people can say “There is hope”.

(Dick Brayne can be seen daily going about his Community Service duties around Ashford but stresses that when he told the Manager of Burger King he takes 185 Sugar Bags in his Coffee and 97 Tomato Ketchup cartons on his Whopper, he was telling the truth)

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