1. The Pfizer closure announcement
On the 1st February Pfizer announced that it would be closing its research & development centre in Sandwich with a direct loss of 2,400 jobs and another 2,400 indirectly, in contractors.
Local MPs Charlie Elphicke, Laura Sandys and Kent County Council led a task force to ease the impact of the closure. Subsequently Pfizer have announced they will retain 650 jobs, the site has been awarded enterprise zone status and rebranded Discovery Park and has been awarded a Regional Growth Fund.
2. The Open
The BBC's Dan Walker tweeted "Highlight of the day: just seen Jim Carver from The Bill in a curry house in Deal #SmallThings". For several barmy nights Deal came alive like never before, it was a great championship.
3. HM Royal Marines concert
A fly over by a Spitfire and a Hurricane, Deal opera singer Rebecca Robinson and huge crowds remembered the 11 soldiers who were killed by the IRA in the bombing of the Deal Barracks on September 22 1989.
4. Deal and Sandwich go highspeed
Two days after the launch of this service returning to Deal at 140mph via HS1 I opened the Evening Standard and was delighted to read: Here's the Deal
A momentous day but the fight for a full service goes on.
5. Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Carnival and Regatta Week
This is always a great week for the town which attracts huge numbers of visitors, but this year many agreed the fireworks from the pier were exceptional.
6. Deal Festival of Music and Arts
7. The Deal beach seal
This summer a young common seal pup was washed up on Deal beach which led a local celeb on an astonishing adventure.
8. Deal Town FC
9. Mystery man wakes on Deal beach
On August 17th a man walked into the Victoria Hospital suffering from head pains and amnesia.
10. The Big Deal
Forget the "Big Society" we have always had a strong community in Deal but this year it felt as though a renaissance locally and afar had rediscovered our truly great, historic and progressive town.
Folkestone (Growth)
Ramsgate (Regeneration)
Ramsgate (Regeneration)
Deal (Tourism)
Canterbury (Prosperity)
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