Westgate Town Council – Westgate Day
The busy week started with the projects that had been produced by local schools, care homes and youth groups being displayed on Thursday, July18 at King Ethelberts School. They were fantastic hosts. Part of the initiative was to involve learning from each other.
The Westgate-on Sea related projects led to a prize-giving at the school in the afternoon which was opened by Dr Dawn Crouch following the judging by six local residents who are involved in either the Westgate Heritage Centre, Westgate and Westbrook Residents Association and Westgate on Sea Community Centre Association. The Town Council also invited a local graphic designer who produced the poster designed for this year’s event to be one of the judges.
The projects encouraged discovery of the town’s history, culture and environment as well as intergenerational relationships where young and not-so-young can learn from each other. The prizes were awarded to individuals and groups and the Town Council would like to thank the local businesses who kindly sponsored and donated the prizes; these included Stagecoach, Kent Events, Hobbycraft, Lovelys, Pets at Home, Westgate Fish Shop, The Swan public house, West Bay café, Westgate on Sea Investment Company Ltd, Gina May Events, Ctrl Alt Esc, Westgate Heritage Centre, Wilkinsons and Mountain Warehouse.
The first ever Westgate Day celebrations took place on Sunday, July 21 on a beautiful sunny day. This was a combination of a stage with music and dance performances, a fun fair and various community stalls and activities including a Dog Display team, Astronomical Society, Yoga sessions, face painting, football skills practice and performing arts to name but a few.
We had an artisan market in Adrian Square which proved very popular, lots of locally produced craft and foods and other activities bought the square to life.
The Town Council would like to thank all the organisations that attended and supported the event; these included Shaws Leisure who provided the Fun Fair, Arc Sound Ltd who provided the stage, our talented compere Theo Loyla, Academy FM for the outside broadcast and all the stalls who attended from community organisations and local craft and food providers.
There is special thanks to the Maritime Volunteer Service who provided a cheerful team of litter pickers for the day. The performers who provided the outstanding entertainment for the day on stage were Kensei Taiko, Thanet Big Sing Community Choir, Sign 2 Sing from King Ethelberts School, Rock Choir, Wisewood Dance, Island Ukes, John Roberts, Alice and Dave and Elephant’s Eye.
We are pleased to also acknowledge the Swan public house and the two local churches who also participated by holding their own activities to mark the occasion.
The Town Council would also like to thank Premier Signs and Graphics, Kent County Council, N E Signs, Friends of Ellington Park, West Bay Café, Westgate Pavilion and Safety and Management Solutions Ltd for sponsoring the event.
Each year we will increase and build on the year before becoming bigger and better every year, so come and be part of the Westgate Day event next year!
Thanet Dementia Alliance
Thanet Dementia Alliance is putting on an event at Trinity Resource Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Margate on Wednesday, July 31 . We have market stalls for people to come along and get support and advice for their loved ones living with dementia .
We have Crossroads carers support, Alzheimer’s Society and lots more organisations attending . We have the virtual dementia tour bus for local businesses to attend by appointment and hope they will join Thanet in trying to make all businesses dementia friendly, helping those living with Dementia stay in their homes and communities longer.
The event runs from 10am to 4pm.
Brave the Shave
Westgate resident Laura Jones will Brave the Shave for Macmillan.
The mum of one runs activities at Eaton Lodge nursing home.
“I’m making it a brave the shave garden party to help raise as much as I can for such a good cause. It takes place12pm-2pm at Eaton Lodge nursing home. Shave starts at 1pm.
“I decided to do this as I have a lot of people very close to me that have or had cancer so thought why not do a good thing and raise some money for a good cause.”
Laura will also donate hair to the Little Princess Trust which provides wigs for children with cancer and other conditions that cause hair loss.
Tinnitus Support
A new group to support local people with tinnitus is being formed in Broadstairs to support people with tinnitus in Thanet. The next meeting will take place 10am – 12pm Saturday, August 10 (and on the second Saturday of each month), in the Community Room, Tesco Extra (Westwood Cross), 475 Margate Road, Broadstairs CT10 2QJ
The group is being organised by local volunteer Claire Edgeworth, who has previously run groups in Margate and Ramsgate.
Colette Bunker, BTA Volunteer and Support Group Manager said: “Being among people who have tinnitus, listening to their experiences and how they manage it, can be a tremendous help. I witness this first hand when attending group meetings. It is amazing seeing the difference it makes to people, especially those who have recently been diagnosed.”
Tinnitus is defined as the experience of sounds with no external source, most commonly ringing or buzzing, but sometimes experienced as whooshing, clicking or even music. Around one in eight adults experience persistent tinnitus. Many people aren’t troubled by sounds they hear, but for around 10%, the condition has a significant impact on their quality of life, often linked to stress, anxiety or sometimes depression.
Colette added: “Tinnitus can be an isolating condition, with friends and family struggling to understand how it feels to adapt to the presence of loud or persistent noises. Some people choose to bring a partner or family member to the meetings, which can often help both parties understand more about the condition and the experiences or behaviours it can bring.”
To confirm your attendance or find out more contact Claire Edgeworth on 07707 712 443 or [email protected]
Girls swap from blue to brown to attend 24th World Scout Jamboree
Charlotte Burring and Katrina Davenport, two Margate Sea Explorer Scouts, were awarded with their Chief Scout Platinum award on Friday, July 18 by District Commissioner Cath Kirkpatrick, the day before flying out to West Virginia, USA to attend the World Scout Jamboree.
Charlotte and Katrina usually wear a blue Sea Scout uniform but they have swapped this for a brown UK uniform, to be members of the UK Kent -Ucky Fried Pigeons Unit, representing Thanet, Kent and the UK at the 24th World Scout Jamboree. They will be camping with 45,000 other young people from 147 countries working to “unlock a new world” by exploring different cultures, faiths and environmental issues alongside taking part in adventurous activities including white water rafting, rock climbing, zip lines, water sports and much more .
Charlotte and Katrina wish to thank everyone who helped them raise the money to attend this amazing event and look forward to sharing their experiences on their return.
Ramsgate Scout at the Jamboree
Nirav Patel from Ramsgate is representing the UK at the 24th World Scout Jamboree taking place in wild and wonderful West Virginia. The World Scout Jamboree is an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity for all participants. Over the course of two weeks, Nirav will be meeting people from all over the globe, taking part in an amazing skills exchange and being challenged to think about global issues in a new light. Nirav has joined the International Service Team (IST) who are the driving force behind the Jamboree.
The IST is a multinational team of adults who volunteer to spend their summer holiday in the engine room of the Jamboree. They number 6,000 in total with nearly 1,000 coming from across the UK.
Their job is to make the Jamboree happen and the IST make every day a little easier, without always getting noticed. Some of them are instructors planning and running activities for the tens of thousands of Jamboree participants. Others are doctors, caterers or I.T. consultants. Nirav is part of the Jamboree App and Social Media Team.
He said “I wanted to play a part in helping Scouts have an amazing experience whilst meeting people from all round the world. I attended the last World Scout Jamboree in Japan four years ago and enjoyed it so much I wanted to do it again. I am getting to work with people from Sweden, Malaysia, Poland and America which has its challenges but we are working well as a team and I’m sure I will end up with friends from all over the world. I am really looking forward to the opening ceremony when all 45,000 people come together to start the camp.”
The event was opened by UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls who said: “World Scout Jamborees only happen every four years and tens of thousands of Scouts attend each one. They are incredible festivals of peace, friendship and adventure. Young people will make friends for life with people from over 150 countries, experience different food, language and culture while learning new skills. It will be the journey of a lifetime.
“The 2019 Jamboree, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, is set to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet. The theme is “Unlock a new world” – focusing especially on how we can create a sustainable world together.”
St Andrew’s Church, Reading Street
Saturday, August 10
Treasure Hunt in Reading Street and local area between 11am and 4pm. Join us for a fun
day out There will be refreshments and lunches served in the Community Hall together with an arts and craft exhibition by local artists.
Tickets are £4 in advance or £5 on the day and are available from the Church Office or by phoning 01843 591605. Accompanied children free.
In aid of Church funds.
Margate Rotary
Margate Rotary Club is holding a great fundraiser. Following our successful Victorian Tea Party for the eradication of Polio, our next fundraising event is our Annual Swimathon for local charities.
This event is taking place at Ramsgate pool, on September 28, from 5pm. Come and raise some money for your chosen charities. For further details, contact Terry on 07913686669.
Millmead Children’s Centre
On Friday, August 16, the Millmead Children’s Centre are back with the Family Summer event on the large green next to the building with lots of activities and fun.
Get your free tickets from reception at the Millmead Children’s Centre
As well as a lot of crafts, activities and fun we also have:
• Kent Fire Brigade – Confirmed
• Royal Lifeboat Margate – Confirmed
• Kent Police – May send a couple of PCSO’s on the day
• Club World Margate – Confirmed
• Your Leisure – SwimSchool have confirmed
• Powell Cotton – Confirmed
• Margate Caves – Confirmed
• East Kent College – ‘Online Training for Parents’ have confirmed
• Joey Children’s Entertainer – Confirmed
• Stagecoach – Confirmed
• Ice Cream (Tania) – Confirmed
• KCC Road Safety A254 – Confirmed
• B-Active (Thanet) – Confirmed
• Bounce Beyond – Confirmed
And lots more
All attending (some services are subject to availability) and more to be confirmed.
See our facebook page event https://www.facebook.com/events/488172391713721/
for more information
Price: FREE – Tickets available at Reception
Wyevale Ramsgate
Wyevale worker Shane Warner was contacted by Shelley Davies, assistant home manager at Kent house care home which is owned by UV Care.
She informed him that the Dawson Family, who have their dad within the home, had raised a certain amount of money to be used for the upkeep and remodel of their garden which is used by the family and the other residents.
After seeing the garden, which was a patio with 2 sets of furniture, Shane and colleagues came up with a plan to add raised beds, water features, flower pots, hanging baskets and bird feeders.
Shane gathered supplies from Wyevale to transform the site into a garden where the residents can sit and relax in comfort and have the views of fresh herbs, canna lillies, sunflowers, begonias and several more plants to enjoy, along with a new fairy water fountain.
As an added surprise for the residential care home Shane contacted Maidenhead Aquatics Store and spoke to the polite staff and they kindly donated a Blagden infinity pond and goldfish,which the residents love. This has now come the key part of the garden for them.
The home and staff cannot thank Shane and Wyevale enough for their support and their kind donation. All this was transported by Instavan to make sure that the equipment got there in one piece.
Pilgrims Hospices
98 – 102 High Street Margate is set to become the latest addition to Pilgrims Hospices portfolio of shops. Opening soon, the shop is currently undergoing refurbishment before it takes on a new, modern fashionable look. The store, which anticipates opening later in July will be brimming with furniture, bric a brac and clothing.
Amongst the many reasons for supporting your local high street; doing a little retail therapy in your local hospice charity shop will be helping people who need important care in the local are.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager said: “The new store will offer a wide variety of pre-loved goods right in the very heart of the High Street, in Margate. The clothing price points will be £5 or less, therefore there are plenty of good reasons to pop along and snap up a trendy bargain.”
Charlee Piper, Pilgrims Shop Manager said: “The Margate High Street and surrounding area is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, with many of the empty shops being used as art spaces or for new local businesses. We’re excited to be part of that revitalisation.
“In recent years there has been an influx of young people in their 20’s and 30’s from as far as London. People are keen to up-cycle goods and have such creative ideas to breathe new life in to pre-loved goods while maintaining a low carbon foot-print and supporting all things local.
“My team are looking forward to a grand opening. We will also be recruiting additional volunteers for the new venture, so keep an eye on the shop window and the www.pilgrimshospices.org if you would like to become part of our team.”
Opening hours will be 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday.
Find a full list of Pilgrims shops in your area www.pilgrimshospices.org/get-involved/shop-with-us/ or take a peak on www.instagram.com/pilgrimshospicesretail.margate
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
Swim Safe
Cllr George Kup and Sir Roger Gale have taken part in the Swim Safe programme on Margate Beach.
Swim Safe is a joint programme between Swim England and the RNLI which offers 30,000 children across the country the opportunity to enjoy a fun, structured swimming session at a choice of open water locations – and learn all about how to stay safe in the water and what to do if something goes wrong.
Public sessions began in Margate on Monday, July 22 and run every Monday and Friday until Friday, August 30 (excluding bank holiday Monday). Sessions run at 9.30am, 10.45am, 12 pm, 1.30pm and 2.45pm on each of these days.
Sessions are completely free and include:
-Open water safety advice provided on land.
-Up to 30 minutes in-water tuition with qualified instructors.
-All the right kit for swimming outdoors (including swimming hats, wetsuits, and flotation equipment).
To book your session go to- swimsafe.org.uk/book-your-session
Cllr George Kup said: “Living by the beach we are fortunate enough to be able to use the sea. Growing up I have always been the first to get into the sea on a hot day, even cold days! For children, the sea is an extra space for them to go and play and enjoy whilst on a day out down at our beaches in Thanet. That is why Swim Safe is so important. Taking part in the programme today, taught me a lot of things that I thought I already knew, but didn’t. I think when you let your children go swimming in the sea you are always concerned about how safe they are.
“If you bring your children that are aged between 7-14 to one of these Swim Safe session, you can be sure that your child will then have the knowledge of what to do if they get into trouble whilst swimming in the sea. Having these gorgeous beaches so close to where we all live in Thanet, we must encourage our children to feel confident when swimming in the sea, and the Swim Safe session is a fantastic way to introduce them to it. Finally, a very big thank you to the instructors for allowing myself and Roger to take part, you were all brilliant!”
Sir Roger Gale said: “I had a great fun today. The children were all so enthusiastic about getting in the water and learning about how to be safe when out at sea. We are very lucky that RNLI and Swim England, have come together to get this programme delivered to the children of Thanet. You get taught about the steps to take if you fall in the sea or have got to a very deep part, and also you get taught about how to cope with the currents, and how to spot them. It is fun and informative, and if you can, get your children signed up to take part.”
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society is calling on family, friends and colleagues to unite against dementia this autumn by joining a Memory Walk.
Dementia devastates lives, but every pound raised through Memory Walk will help Alzheimer’s Society provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.
This year, Memory Walk will bring together over 120,000 walkers, with the hope of raising over £9 million.
There are 43 walks taking place in September and October across England, Wales and Northern Ireland – including five longer marathon style walks. Memory Walks are happening in Kent on 01/09/2019 – Maidstone Memory Walk – Mote Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7ST and on 13/10/2019 – Margate Memory Walk – Queen’s Promenade, Margate.
Someone develops dementia every three minutes. Locally, dementia affects around 23,900 people in Kent.
Unite against dementia and register now at www.memorywalk.org.uk.
Thanet Wanderers Schools and Community Programme
After a really successful first year for the Thanet Wanderers Schools and Community Programme it seemed fitting that the final award of the year went to a pupil, rather than a volunteer or organiser.
The Schools and Community Programme has been recognised both locally and nationally winning the Kent County Rugby Spirit of Rugby Award part of the RFU Spirit of Rugby Award. This award is specific to the educational sector and is relevant to the whole institution. It gives playing opportunities to all of the students and offers development pathways for students in all forms of rugby. The programme also won the England Rugby RFU Volunteer Recognition Programme for the South East sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been shortlisted and could be recognised as one of the three national winners in a Gala Event to be held at Twickenham in September.
This year Thanet Wanderer’s Programme has provided curriculum coaching at most local senior schools and has run regular after school clubs. Local schools have been assisted to play inter-school fixtures and help given with the arrangements for Year 7, 8 and 9 festivals at the end of Term 4. In all over 1,000 children have been coached in the inaugural year of the programme.
Coaches have had the wonderful opportunity of watching these pupils learn our sport and demonstrate our required core values and have seen many develop personally. One notable Pupil, who has really bettered himself this year, is Dylan Hennessey.
Recently in the presence of Dylan’s Head Teacher and PE Teacher, Cary Wright Programme Director from Thanet Wanderers, named Dylan as the Programme’s Student of the Year. He presented Dylan with an Official England Training Top and Membership and some Kit for Thanet Wanderers, as Dylan has yet to experience Club Rugby. Dylan will also be asked to become a Rugby Ambassador, on behalf of the Programme, where we will invest in providing Dylan, and other year 11 and 12 pupils from local schools, with RFU coaching and special training for a Rugby version of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
The backing for this community programme has been outstanding. The support of London Array and Miles and Barr have been key to the success of this project and the fundraising efforts of the Paul Keohane Sports Fund has been equally impressive.
Thank you to all the participating local schools whose faith in the project has allowed Cary Wright for Thanet Wanderers to implement the programme
Ambitious plans are already in place to make next year a bigger and better one for the programme.
Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle
We have just concluded our Seaside Shuffle of 2019. We enjoyed three bands on Saturday 13th July, and two on Sunday 14th July.
Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims set off with what was to be an enjoyable weekend of original, traditional jazz. He was followed by the Napier Jazz Band [they had serious traffic problems getting to Ramsgate from London]. They were followed by the truly authentic – they refuse to play anything other than the original compositions – Frog Island Jazz Band.
Sunday the 14th was ‘Full House’ for the Doolally Tap jazz band, and ended with the usual ‘Brollie Parade’ where we all produced our decorated brollies and followed the band round the venue to the tune of ‘Let’s fly down or drive town to New Orleans’. The band was booked there and then for our ‘Christmas Special’ on Saturday 21st December.
The weekend Shuffle was concluded by a newer line-up of the Steamboat Jazz Band during which Betty Renz sang ‘a guest vocal’ of her favourite song ‘Cakewalking babies from home’ [ which can be found on <youtube betty renz>]
There will be no monthly Seaside Shuffle Jazz Club in August. The next monthly Shuffle Jazz Club will be on 21st September, 12 noon – 2.30pm – Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims. It is at the usual venue : Ramsgate Small Boat Owners Club, Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate, CT11 9AY
Entrance: £10 members, £15 guests including buffet lunch.