Thanet community news: New Birchington vicar, Montefiore talk, music, village tour, writers and more

St Peter's Village Tour

St Peter’s Village Tour

If you are looking for a social outing for friends and family, why not enjoy this delightful tour of St Peter’s historic past.

A remarkable tour of St Peter’s village bringing the past back to life. An excellent team of enthusiastic volunteers play characters from times gone by.

The St Peter’s Village Tour offers four free award-winning guided walks around the historic village and churchyard of St Peters, Broadstairs in Kent. The tours are arranged by a team of over 100 volunteers. During the walking tour with your guide, you will meet many costumed characters from past centuries. You will see the flint-built church and find out a little more about its long history. You will hear of conditions in the workhouse, the Newbolt’s breakfast concerts for hundreds of fashionable people, the tower used in the Napoleonic wars, famous (and infamous) local residents and our ancient seat of local government for the area.

The tour is conducted in groups of around ten and covers less than a mile of flat walking but does involve standing for a number of five minute presentations. It includes a break for tea or coffee (although no break on evening tours, or wet weather tours). You are advised to allow two and a half hours for your tour.

In very wet weather we provide an Inclement Weather Routine. Access for visitors with disabilities. Children are very welcome on our tour. We would however, suggest a minimum age of 10 years to fully appreciate the experience. At the end of the tour you are invited to contribute towards our costs which average £4 per adult.

On Thursday, April 9, inside the beautiful Church of St Peters at 2pm, there is a theatrical performance of the village tour. For further Village Tour dates and availability book online at www.villagetour.org.uk or Tel 07546 514948

Probus Club of Ramsgate & District

Our A.G.M. was held recently when Clive Jackson formally handed the mantle of Ramsgate Probus president to John Connelly for the coming year.  Clive wished John well in the job, and listed the various events he had presided over during his year in office.

In thanking the club for honouring him with the presidency, John looked forward to carrying the flag in his new position.  The composition of the new committee was confirmed, with Bill Henley becoming the new Vice President.  Terry Ledley, our treasurer, gave a detailed report on the club’s heathy finances, and was commended for his fine work on the accounts.

A lunch was held a few days later for the new committee and their partners at The Racing Greyhound, in anticipation of working together during the year.
At our February meeting we welcomed Barry Branchett, who was presented with his badge and club tie as a new member of Probus. The speaker on this occasion was Tony Harris who gave a talk entitled somewhat tongue in cheek, My Life As a Film Star!  He had been asked to appear as the vicar in the backdrop to a scene being filmed outside the Baptist Church in Whitstable.  Tony proceeded to present his entertaining talk with the aid of his own film techniques making the most of his moment in the spotlight.
For further information about Probus contact our secretary Brent Rimmington on 01843 589192 or email [email protected]

Ramsgate Montefiore Heritage

Nowadays, we think nothing of taking a flight to the distant corners of the world. But, think back nearly 200 hundred years and travelling was far more dangerous and took longer.

Ramsgate benefactor, Sir Moses and his wife, Judith, Lady Montefiore’s first journey to the Holy Land was in 1827. They departed in May and travelled overland to Italy, and thence by sea to Malta, Cairo, and Jaffa, arriving in October. Their final destination was Jerusalem.

In 1990 Rabbi Dr. Andrew Goldstein and his wife, Sharon, left the UK, following the exact same route. Andrew and Sharon will be in Ramsgate on Wednesday, February 19 to give the first Ramsgate Montefiore Heritage talk of 2020, sharing with us their experiences.

The venue for the talk is the Comfort Inn, Victoria Parade, Ramsgate CT11 8DT. Doors open at 6.30pm and the talk starts at 7pm. Tickets at the door – £5 (RMH Members free).

Thanet Male Voice Choir

Calling all Welsh ex-pats and locals. On the evening of Sunday March 8, Thanet Male Voice Choir will proudly host a joint concert with Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir starting at 7:30pm in St Andrew’s Church, Reading Street, Broadstairs, CT10 3AZ.

The Welsh choir is from Ebbw Fach Valley in Monmouthshire. Abertillery is near Pontypool and about 18 miles from Newport, a town in which TMVC sang some years ago. Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 on the door and can be purchased in advance from Andy Brown (TMVC Sec.) tel 01843 844625 and from St Andrew’s Church Office: 01843 609513.

New vicar for Birchington

A packed All Saints Church witnessed the Licensing and Installation of The Rev Mark Ham as Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of All Saints, Birchington with St Mildred, Acol and St Thomas, Minnis Bay. The service was conducted by the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop in Canterbury and Bishop of Dover and the Venerable Jo Kelly-Moore, Archdeacon of Canterbury.

The choir of Birchington C of E Primary School opened the service with performances of “This is our School” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine!” and, once he had been formally installed by the Archdeacon, Mark was welcomed by representatives of the clergy, the Headteacher of the Primary School, the Chairman of the Parish Council and representatives from the parishioners and “Churches Together”. Bishop Rose gave an inspiring and entertaining talk and concluded the service by giving the Blessing. Each member of the congregation then had an opportunity to meet Bishop Rose and Rev Mark as they moved to Church House to enjoy celebratory refreshments.

For a full report please visit our website www.allsaintsbirchington.com where you can also find details of our church services and our spiritual and pastoral activities. You may be assured of a warm welcome at All Saints, St Mildred, Acol and St Thomas, Minnis Bay – do come and meet us!

Our church halls – Church House, next door to All Saints Church, and Kearns Hall, next door to St Thomas Church, are available for parties and regular bookings. For details please visit our website or telephone Sue in the Church Office on 01843 840777

Inspiration Writers Group

Inspiration Writers Group is ecstatic to announce the launch of their fourth anthology, GREEN.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase our previous three anthologies and browse the market too.

Inspiration Writers group is a community group offers support, information & advice to writers at all stages in their literary career. From individual elements of the writing process, to advanced skills and details on publishing.

Paid-up members are able to submit work, in any genre, to future anthologies. Our next will be BLUE.

We accept all ages, from all locations and meet the 4th Saturday of Every month (except December) at Westgate library 10am to 12.30pm.