What is Whitstable Views?

Whitstable Gazette columnist CJ Stone has a new on-line column, called “Whitstable Views”.

CJ hopes to make it a focus for opinion in the town.

“I’d like to see people leaving comments so I can gauge what they are thinking,” he says.

“There are many issues of concern to people in the town, like the proposed supermarket on Gladstone Road, or the recent destruction of mature trees in the Castle Grounds, and a number of local groups campaigning about a variety of issues, but very few places for debate. The advantage of a website is that people can leave comments and, perhaps, start debating amongst themselves. It’s not only my own views I’m interested in, but the views of the whole town, hence the title.”

The website will act as a balance to his current Whitstable Gazette column and will appear weekly.

“My Gazette column comes out once a fortnight,” he says, “but often I find myself thinking of things to write about in the alternative weeks too. This will give me the opportunity to fill that gap, while, at the same time, showcasing the Gazette columns and some of my other writing.”

Whitstable Gazette columns will appear on the site in the week following their appearance in the newspaper.

The website will feature writings from a number of other sources too, including some of his old Whitstable Times columns.

“Where older stories still seem appropriate then I will use them, of course,” says CJ, “but the emphasis will be on new stories. I’m hoping that people will contact me and give me leads. I’m open to writing about anything that matters to the people of Whitstable, and to reflect their concerns, whatever they might be.”

CJ hopes not only to reflect people’s views in Whitstable, but to connect with people around the globe.

“It’s views OF Whitstable as well as views FROM Whitstable,” says CJ.

“I have a number of friends from various countries who already follow my writing," he says. "Whitstable is famous. People from around the world are interested in our little town. Let’s give them the opportunity of hearing what we have to say, and perhaps, of engaging in conversation with us. That’s the advantage of the internet: it connects people from around the world.”

The site was number 3 on a search for "Whitstable" on Google for a while, although it has slipped down the ratings again more recently.

“I won’t be happy till it is at number 1,” says CJ.

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