Thanet Male Voice Choir
After a couple of difficult years, Thanet Male Voice Choir is, in January, launching a recruitment drive with the heading “Sing Your Heart Out”
As has widely been reported, singing is a great way of keeping your heart and mind in tip top condition. Being a social activity, becoming part of a choir is also a great way of connecting with new people and building a circle of friendships, therefore being excellent for mental wellbeing as well as your physical health
Many retired sportsmen miss the camaraderie of being part of a team, being part of a choir ticks that box too, as a choir is itself a team, rehearsing weekly to produce a great performance from a group of individuals working together towards a common goal
Thanet Male Voice Choir recognise that singing may not have been on the radar of a lot of guys, who might be thinking “I couldn’t ever do that, I can’t sing”, or “I haven’t got the confidence to sing in public”
So now here’s the opportunity to give it a go. Thanet Male Voice Choir will be holding an open evening on Tuesday 10th January, starting at 7.30pm at our rehearsal venue, St Andrew’s Church Reading St, Broadstairs. We’re planning to follow that up with Saturday afternoon workshops in the Church Hall, starting on 14th January. The aim is to get guys ready, using simple two part arrangements, to perform at a concert in April to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation
No solo singing will be required, and new singers will be fully supported by existing choir members.
If anyone is interested, just pop in on 10th January, where you’ll be assured of a warm welcome, or contact me, Andy Wallis by email at [email protected] for more information
Come on guys… You can do this! Sing Your Heart Out and Let your voice be heard
We’re also interested to hear from anyone that can help support this initiative by displaying a poster.
Thanet Male Voice Choir is a registered charity.
Prostate Cancer UK
Ramsgate teenager Chaz Butters, who is 16 tomorrow (January 2), will run 26.2 miles four times throughout January to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. This will match the distance he ran last year.
The Ursuline College student and Hornets Boxing Club member was inspired to help the cause after a family friend and his boxing coach Chris Daley was diagnosed with the condition and has this year had the cancer removed.
Chaz said: “Chris has been an amazing role model and coach of my character in boxing and my life.”
Mum Maxine added: “A personal friend and inspiration of Chaz has helped him, now Chaz wants to help in any way he can.”
Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, killing one man every 45 minutes.
Chaz said: “That’s one dad, partner, brother, son, grandad, uncle or mate. I’m raising money to help fund lifesaving research and support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer.”
If you see him running, beep or say hello.
Find Chaz’s Run The Month fundraising page here
6th Ramsgate Royal Harbour Sea Scouts
6th Ramsgate Royal Harbour Sea Scouts would like to thank Au Roofing, who worked in all weathers to fit the new roof at the Ice House and donated the new fascia boards. This was the first significant step in our renovations and gave us a water-tight building.
We would also like to thank S and A Steel, who have installed our new fire escape and bridge, which gives us safe access to the upper floor, making it possible for us to start work on the inside.
These works mark a fantastic end to 2022 and pave the way for exciting developments in 2023.
We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding with the Tudor Trust, which will see the top floor of the Ice House renovated in spring. Kent Community Foundation Trust has offered a grant to fit out the kitchen, and Ramsgate Town Council is helping towards the new alarm and CCTV system.
Once the upper floor is complete, we will plan a community activity programme. If anyone is interested in getting involved with the community events, please contact Shirley Appleby [email protected]
The Sea Scouts continue to fundraise towards the renovations, and donations can be made via the PayPal button on their website 6thramsgateseascouts.org.uk or directly to the group.
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
On Christmas Eve we once again (as we’ve done for many years) had the privilege of giving out presents to those patients unfortunate enough to be in the hospital over the festive period.
Pictured just as they were finishing up are our Chairman Sylvia Pheils, a few of our committee members and some friends who helped us.
Grateful thanks to the lovely nursing staff who distributed the presents on our behalf in areas known to have patients with Covid or flu, those who’ve donated or fundraised to enable us to fund the presents and Sarah at Boots Westwood Cross for facilitating purchasing them in bulk.
We very much hope they gave a little festive cheer.
Also, grateful thanks to everyone who bought a ticket for our annual Christmas draw, which raised a wonderful £946. The draw took place just before Christmas in our tea bar/shop in the hospital, the lucky prize winners have been notified and the prizes (the hampers & other items shown, all of which were donated) have been distributed. The money raised will help us continue to make a difference to our hospital.
More information about our charity can be found at www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/lof-qeqm
Margate Rotary Club
Margate Rotary Club would like to thank the Pavillion Broadstairs for their hard work supplying Christmas dinners for the vulnerable and lonely members of our community.
This would not have been possible without the generosity of the general public and the hard work of the Rotary club members who delivered the meals on Christmas morning.
For almost one hundred individuals, Christmas was just that little bit special this year.
Thank you to all involved.
Isle of Thanet Photographic Society
The club’s programme continues to develop and we are delighted to confirm that Philip Hinton, Chairman of Ashford Camera Club will be giving a talk on 12 January. This will be followed on 19 January with a talk by renowned landscape photographer David Jenner* whose theme will be “Landscapes – making the effort”.
From preparation to production, David will share his knowledge and experience of how he plans his landscape photo shoots. On 26 January, club secretary Rod Giddins will be giving a presentation on “South Atlantic Islands”.
We are looking for inspirational guest speakers and competition judges for our 2023/24 programme. Anyone who would like to come and support the club in this way would be most welcome to get in touch via our website or email: [email protected]
Meetings are on Thursdays at 7.30pm at the Portland Centre, St. Peter’s, Broadstairs. Annual adult membership costs just £35 (£17.50 after 31 January) and the weekly fee is £4 (£5 for non-members).
For further information about the club, including membership and the programme, please visit our website: www.isleofthanetphotographicsociety.com or find us on Facebook.
Ramsgate Stargazers
We should be in for lots of astronomical treats this year. If we can get to see them through all the clouds and rain! We do have a window of opportunity tomorrow Monday, January 2nd. I (John) will be at Ramsgate Boating Pool from 5.30pm to 6.30pm to catch Saturn before it sets. Mars and Jupiter will also be visible, as will the Moon. Unfortunately the bar will be closed!
West Bay Café over 50’s Club
As the warm glow of fairy lights starts to dim and we see brown spindly Christmas trees cast out of houses having served their festive purpose, many people are being faced with the stark reality of a long, cold, dreary few months ahead, as the cost of living crisis creeps though our front doors and down our chimney pots.
Many local councils have put together ‘warm bank’ lists for their local boroughs, listing locations and venues where people can go to keep warm and have access to basic but necessary services, for little or low cost.
West Bay Cafe in Westgate-on-Sea is one such venue, keen to take part and do their bit to try and help those of you who may be struggling this winter.
They don’t believe people should have to choose between food and warmth and so have introduced a new scheme for the over 50’s , who are an age group particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with the cold weather.
Join the over 50’s club! Completely free to join! Every Thursday throughout January and February, members can enjoy a delicious hot meal, a dessert and a hot drink for only £6.95 from noon onwards.
A great location and venue! Come on down, meet locals in your area, eat, drink, socialise, keep warm, and make use of our free facilities and free WiFi every single Thursday in Jan and Feb.
Booking in advance is advisable to guarantee seating as space is fairly limited.
Dogs are also more than welcome – they need to keep warm too!
Diagrama Fostering
With a country wide shortage of foster carers, is now the time to make a New Year’s Resolution for 2023 that won’t only change your life, but will change the life of a child too?
With over 70,000 children in care in England, Diagrama, a not-for- profit fostering agency is asking people to consider making an exceptionally thoughtful New Year’s resolution to pledge to take the first steps towards a rewarding career in foster care.
Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama, said: “Fostering is an opportunity to change a life. If you do it, you offer safety and security to a young person who perhaps has never known those things. But it’s not just that – foster carers also bring fun and guidance into the lives of the children in their care. It’s tremendous task to take on. I’ve met so many people from a host of different backgrounds who make it look easy. It’s an amazing gift to be able to give.”
Diagrama, which places children with foster carers in South London, Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, recently asked some of its foster carers what they most valued about fostering with Diagrama.
Beth Earnshaw, who is single, works full time and lives with her parents said, “Diagrama was willing to accept me as a potential foster carer even though my situation was unusual and they give me all the support I need to make it work. Fostering is both challenging and rewarding but the boy currently in my care, makes it so enjoyable as he is so funny. I love being around children, not only at work as a teaching assistant, but at home too and seeing him feeling safe and secure is the most wonderful gift any foster carer could ask for.”
Diagrama is small enough to offer a personalised fostering experience while benefitting from the expertise and security that comes with being part of the larger Diagrama charitable foundation
Kate Patel, Head of Fostering and Adoption at Diagrama, said: “It’s more challenging than it has ever been to find foster carers, especially now with the cost-of-living crisis making it very tough for everyone. Fostering isn’t going to make carers millions of pounds but foster carers primary motivator isn’t the money. It’s a 365 day a year job and there isn’t a limitless supply of people who can do it well. The best foster carers are absolutely incredible people. The role goes above and beyond normal parenting and we want to work with extra special people and it important to remember that you don’t have to be a parent to be a foster parent and you can be single or married, of any faith or ethnicity or age.”
If you decide your New Year’s Resolution will be to become a foster carer please take the first step by talking to the Diagrama team on 0800 802 1910, contacting them be emailing [email protected] or visiting www.diagramafostering.org.uk