Rock the Pav 5
The Rock the Pav 5 charity free music festival hit a magic milestone at its bank holiday Monday showcase at Broadstairs Pavilion.
Generous donations from hundreds of music-lovers who flocked to support the showcase in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund mean that since its launch in 2018 the annual event has topped £10,000 for charity.
Jubilant organisers said: “This is a fantastic achievement and it is down to all those people who have come together to support the PCRF and other cancer charities at our shows.
“We have passed the £10,000 marker in style and provided a fantastic event of quality free music – it really shows what can be achieved and we are delighted in the strong community spirit around the Rock the Pav series.”
Four bands took to the stage, giving up their time for free to benefit the worthy cause – hats off to The Rhythm Shack, Starfire 98, The King Johnson Trio and The Joey Bluesbreaker Band.
They provided diverse styles from rock to blues and soul to funk and ensured that the proud tradition of high quality music is maintained at the RTP events.
A new departure this year saw a sales table of professional equipment donated by musicians that offered first class bargains. It contributed more than £300 to the overall total.
Launched in 2018, the Rock the Pav idea was to raise fund and increase awareness of pancreatic cancer – acclaimed musician Phil Hunt from Broadstairs was the co-founder of the event with drummer Andy Burring. Phil performed at the first two annual showcases before losing his courageous battle with the illness in 2019.
The organisers added: “As well as an ongoing tribute to Phil, Rock the Pav is also a testament to the many musician friends and music fans whose lives have been affected by cancer.
“Huge thanks go to all our supporters including the media who help get our message across year on year.
“A million thanks go to our organising team of Andy Burring, Pete Barnett and Bob Haynes, all the musicians, Griff Rising and the sound crew from DB Rising Audio Engineering and Acoustics, Frank Harvey our master of ceremonies, and the Pavilion venue owners Thorley Taverns and their staff.
“They are the heart and soul of the event. Their commitment and hard work made the show happen by offering their many and varied professional services for free.
“There have already been inquiries about Rock the Pav 6. All we can say at the moment is watch this space – we will keep everyone posted.”
Yasmin Bailey heads the Thanet fundraising for PCRF. She said: “The total amount received was £1141.55. It was an amazing show and people’s generosity never ceases to amaze me especially in these difficult times that we are living in.
“Thanks to all the bands who took part and to everyone on the organising team who made the whole event possible.”
Yasmin added that since 2013 her and her team have now raised £57,832. She added: “It is my sincere hope to reach £60,000 by the end of this year. I now have every confidence that this will be possible.”
*Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund: To find out more about the work and research that PCRF undertake, go online to www.pcrf.org.uk. Locally contact Yasmin Bailey at [email protected] or phone 01843 491695.
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
We were delighted to fund 11 flat medical scales at a cost of £3,165 which are now available for use throughout the whole of the Hospital’s Emergency Department area and are currently in use in the Same Day Emergency Care Unit (formerly known as Ambulatory Care) and Acute Medical Units A & B.
Shown is one of the scales with SDEC Unit Manager Sarah. Although they’re more expensive than domestic scales, they’re robust, can be used for bariatric patients and improve admission screening by enabling weighing at the front door.
Our registered charity raises funds to finance items that benefit the patients, staff & visitors at our local Hospital. Please follow us on Facebook.
Margate Civic Society – Town Pride Awards
Please note this year’s Town Pride Awards will be held on Thursday, 18 May at Holy Trinity Margate Hall, St Mary’s Avenue, Margate CT9 3TN, commencing 1930 hrs. Attendees are requested to take their seats by 1915 hrs.
Following the awards presentations, there will be Members’ Notices and Community Updates, which will be followed by a fund-raising raffle and refreshments.
This year there were 7 diverse nominations as follows:
- 85 Dane Road, Margate (new development)
- 50 Hawley Square, Margate(renovation)
- 28 Ethelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, Margate (new development)
- Fort Road Hotel, 18 Fort Road, Margate (full restoration)
- Olimpic Bakery, 67 High Street, Margate(renovation)
- Former Thanet Press, Union Crescent, Margate(restoration)
- 1 Union Crescent, 1 and 2 Cecil Street, Margate (restorations)
The results of the Town Pride Awards will be announced and presented by Pamela Pople, Chair, Margate Civic Society.
Non-members most welcome – £4.50 admission. For further information see: www.margatecivicsociety.org.uk
Birchington Man Shed
The idea of a Man Shed first arose in Australia. When rural workers came to the end of their working life, they retired and lost the feeling of belonging.
There was no more camaraderie, no reason to get out of bed for many. This led to a feeling of worthlessness and many found solace in drink others put an end to their own life. These statistics soon showed retired men needed something to do to regain their self worth. They needed a place where like-minded men could go and be in the company of other men, enjoy the banter and in some cases pass on the skills learnt over many decades of work. This place was the Man Shed and it worked.
Suicides in over 55s dropped, less men drank and more men found that even though it did not replace their careers they had, it was not a bad substitute. The Australian idea soon caught on, people saw the benefits of such an organisation and Man Shed spread across the globe.
In the case of the United Kingdom we have over 550 Man Sheds all belonging to the UK Man Shed Association which Birchington Man Shed has joined and we actively follow their guidance. Traditionally man sheds focus on woodworking as the main attraction but there are Sheds around that meet in cafes or meet for walks in fact any where men can meet and enjoy each others company.
Women chat about things much easier than men and there are a lot of interesting groups that women join in Birchington but still many women have asked if they can join the Birchington Man Shed. We now feel we are in a position to offer a ‘Ladies Day’ for women to come along and see if they like it.
The idea here is that men and women have their own day but be treated exactly the same. Joining the membership, paying the same subs and following the same rules. The only problem we are having is finding someone to be responsible and able to teach woodwork for ’Ladies Day’.
Our existing male members are all pensioners who have no interest in working full-time anymore and are only fitting the time they spend at the man shed around their life style.
Whether they only choose to spend an hour a day or 3 days a week it is up to them. We have been asking on Facebook if there are men or women around who are able to join the man shed and become a tutor for the Ladies Day. Either a male or female volunteer available for a three hour morning session or three hour afternoon session to no more that eight women. We have to put a maximum number of members attending each session because of the size of the man shed.
Mahjong
Similar to the Western card game of rummy, mahjong is a game of skill and strategy. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols.
My name is Julia and I am looking to set up a Mahjong club where players of all standards including beginners would be welcome. Currently we are lucky enough to have the use of the Bay United Reform Church (Birchington) https://thebayurc.org.uk/ hall on Monday mornings from 10am to noon and if there is enough interest we may have to move the meetings to possibly Monday afternoon 2pm-4pm.
If your interested please email me at [email protected]
Thanet Dementia Alliance
Thanet’s Dementia Action Alliance is running a Dementia Awareness Day on Saturday 20th May from 09.00 to 17.00 at Holy Trinity Church in Margate. The event is in support of Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Dementia Action Week’.
The day provides an opportunity to learn more about dementia and gain insight into what it can be like to live with dementia.
To register interest in the virtual dementia tour please email: [email protected].
Social Enterprise Kent
Social Enterprise Kent is excited to announce the launch of Thanet Social Enterprise Boost, a new initiative designed to promote and support the growth of social enterprises and social entrepreneurs in Thanet.
To launch the programme, we are holding an event on the 17th of May from 09:30 – 11:30 in the Function Room, Quex Park, Park Lane Birchington-on-Sea, CT7 0BH.
We will be joined by Peter Holbrook CBE, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK as our guest speaker. Peter will be sharing his insights on the power of social entrepreneurship and how it can drive positive change in our communities.
Thanet Social Enterprise Boost is a FREE* support programme to help scale up existing enterprises or kickstart social entrepreneur ideas (*eligibility criteria applies) and offers a range of benefits including:
One-to-one mentoring and business support
Networking opportunities
Access to grants
Workshops
Advice sessions
Events
Support will be available to social entrepreneurs, social enterprises and organisations with a social purpose delivering activities or services that provide social or environmental benefit within Thanet.
To find out more about the programme and its eligibility criteria, please visit https://sekgroup.org.uk/business-support/social-enterprise-boost-programme/.
Booking for the launch is essential and spaces are limited. Book your place now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thanet-social-enterprise-boost-launch-event-tickets-621802446857. Please do not hesitate to email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Kent Coast Volunteering
We are looking for volunteer drivers in Thanet. Drive as much or as little as you want. You will be helping people get to their medical appointments and will receive full training and support.
Call 01304 380513 or email [email protected]
Coronation
Upton Juniors
Children at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs have a lasting memento of the coronation of King Charles III.
Each pupil has been presented with a commemorative medal to mark the historic occasion.
Head of School Darci Arthur said: “There was so much interest and enthusiasm around our school community about the coronation.
“Clearly the event made a big impression because it is still a hot topic of conversation as our pupils have been discussing what they saw, how the felt and what they thought since returning to school after the bank holiday.
“They discuss various aspects of the monarchy during the usual course of their learning – but having such a high profile event with mass media coverage for weeks beforehand and all across the weekend really exposed the mechanism of how royalty works and they saw it all in microscopic detail.
“It is something they will never forget and it will be one of the major state occasions of their lifetimes. We presented them with the special medals which we know they treasure as a souvenir of the official crowning of King Charles III.”
As part of a number of activities, Deputy Head of School Dave Walker led an assembly about the big day on the Friday before the coronation weekend.
In lessons the children also delved deeper into the role of the monarchy, about what would happen in the coronation itself, and about the history behind the event.
In English and Art pupils created a range of thought-provoking, colourful and interesting works themed around the royal centrepiece.
In the afternoon, not even a traditional British seasonal downpour could dampen the spirited street party, which simply moved indoors to carry on the red, white and blue celebrations in style.
1st Westgate and 1st Garlinge Scouts
More than 60 young people from Westgate and Garlinge took part in a day filled with fun and adventurous activities at Marshside Campsite, enjoying a picnic as their way to celebrate the coronation.
As part of the day, children enjoyed crafts, archery, air rifle shooting – plus the obligatory marshmallow toasting on the roaring fire that any scout event must have. As well as all the fun – Marshside was decorated fully with flags and bunting, creating a street party environment on the campsite.
Rhys Hughes, Hawkeye at 1st Westgate, said: “We wanted to find a way to celebrate the Coronation in a fun filled and creative way – giving our young people a moment to remember with the chance to thrive and have new adventures in the process.
“The children aged between 5 and 12 all had an amazing time, as did the adults on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny Sunday.”
A big well done to all the volunteers who made this event possible – if you would like to join and support a local scout group email [email protected]
Ramsgate Garden Centre
To celebrate the King’s Coronation this month, Ramsgate Garden Centre has donated an oak tree to the Bromstone Community Primary School as part of its CelebraTree community campaign.
The campaign which was run by family-run British Garden Centres saw residents from the local area asked to nominate a worthy group, garden, charity or hospice that has gone above and beyond to receive the tree in honour of the King’s Coronation.
The school received the royal oak tree from Ramsgate Garden Centre which is to be planted and celebrated by the community as they watch the Coronation CelebraTree grow year after year.
Resident Soyeda Brooker nominated the school for the competition saying: “My nomination is Bromstone Community Primary School. My children go here, and I work here and think this would be a wonderful addition to their outside space and forest school area.”
Kerrie Walker, Manager of Ramsgate Garden Centre said, “To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, we wanted to bring the community together through nature. The CelebraTree campaign recognises the hardworking groups and individuals that make our community what it is.
“It symbolises the new monarch’s love of plants and the environment and we hope the community enjoy watching the tree grow for many years to come.”