Chartwell House
Chartwell House Care Home proudly celebrated six months of fostering a vibrant community as resident and naval hero, Gerald Gold, emotionally unveiled a commemorative plaque. The heartfelt ceremony took place in front of 200 esteemed guests, honouring the remarkable journey of Chartwell House.
The commemorative event was held in true beach-themed style, transforming the care home into a lively beach paradise befitting its position in the seaside community of Thanet.
Throughout the day, 200 attendees were treated to an array of beach-inspired activities and entertainment. Laughter and joy filled the air as children and adults alike revelled in building sandcastles and bouncing on the bouncy castle. The timeless charm of the Punch & Judy Show captivated guests, while live performers kept spirits high with their energetic acts.
The highlight of the event came as Gerald Gold (pictured above) unveiled the commemorative plaque, adorned with the home’s ethos to be ‘A Warm and Loving Family Where Everyone Feels At Home.’
Gerald shared his experience of moving to Chartwell House with his wife Wilhelmina, saying: “It was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, but we needed more support. We have moved from a beloved big house, but something happened when we recently went back. My wife turned to me and said ‘Can we go home?’
“And this is our home, Chartwell House is our home.”
Diane Collins, the Home Manager of Chartwell House, expressed immense gratitude to Gerald Gold and all the guests for joining in the celebration of the care home’s six-month milestone.
Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices launch Sunflower Memories Appeal 2023, supporters are welcome to attend the remembrance events on 22 July, to celebrate the lives of loved ones and relive memories, with music and refreshments in the hospice gardens at Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet.
The leading provider of end-of-life care services in east Kent, is delighted to announce the appeal has now reached its 10th year of raising funds and awareness; it serves as a poignant tribute to cherished memories, while celebrating the spirit of compassion and care.
Each year the hospices offer individuals and communities an opportunity to visit the hospice gardens; to come together, and remember their loved ones, while making a positive difference in the lives of others.
This year’s appeal is set to be even more remarkable, as the appeal donations over the past 10 years will reach in excess of £380,000, providing exceptional end-of-life care for thousands of people in the local community. All are welcome to donate to dedicate a sunflower in memory of a cherished person. Each sunflower represents a heartfelt tribute to those who are no longer with us, but whose memories continue to shine brightly. Each participant will have a sunflower marker dedicated and personalised, symbolising their support for Pilgrims Hospices and the meaningful impact they are making.
The hospices’ Supporter Relations team will transcribe the names of those to be remembered, on to each sunflower, thereafter they will be prominently displayed in the hospice garden of choice, creating a vibrant display for people to visit on the Sunflower days. The Sunflowers will remain in the gardens through to the end of August, or can be collected on the days as a keepsake.
To take part in Sunflower Memories this year, simply call Pilgrims Supporter Relations team on 01227 782066 and let them know you would like to remember with a sunflower. By making a donation for your sunflower you will be helping others who need our care and their families.
This year these very special days will take place on Saturday 22 July from 10am – 2pm; Pilgrims staff and volunteers will welcome visitors to share memories, and celebrate in the sunshine. To help celebrate this special 10 years of Sunflower Memoires, the Wellbeing Team will be attending, displaying some of the beautiful sunflower themed artwork created by patients in the Therapy Centres.
Billy Williams, Wellbeing Lead, said: “When patients attend groups such as ‘Time to Create’, they can relax in a friendly supportive environment, talk to like-mined people openly, and discuss the concerns freely. Trying something new or rekindling some skills that have been forgotten can be excellent therapy, we know this, the chatter and laughter that can be heard at the groups is fantastic, and we encourage staff from all areas of the charity to come and get involved, chat with our patients, and enjoy doing something creative.
“Some of our ‘Time to Create’ patients have also been growing Sunflowers from seed, that will form part of the displays for everyone to enjoy on the day.”
Pilgrims rely heavily on the generosity of their supporters to continue delivering exceptional care to patients, and their families. Your donations will directly impact lives, ensuring they can provide comfort, dignity, and support when it is needed most.
To find out more or get involved, visit pilgrimshospices.org/sunflowers, e-mail: [email protected], or call our friendly Supporter Relations team on 01227 782 062
Birchington Heritage Trust
At the Trust’s recent Annual General Meeting, Neville Hudson was elected as Chair for the next year, with Luke Warburton as his Vice-Chair. Rod Giddins took over the role of Secretary and Mike Kite continues as Treasurer.
Members thanked Trustees and volunteers for all their work managing the Trust, organising events and opening the museum. After the meeting Colin Bridge and Rod Giddins gave short presentations about local heritage assets and why they matter to the community.
For our next event on 27 July, the Trust is looking forward to welcoming Tim Attride who will be giving a talk about Bells and Bellringing, including information about the bells of All Saints Church, Birchington.
The event is at The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30 pm. Free to members; guests are invited to make a donation. All proceeds support the museum which is manned by volunteers on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 0930 and 1230 hours.
We are planning a special event for Heritage Open Week in September. Further information will be published next month.
More information about our Trust, our collection and publications is on the website: www.birchingtonheritage.org.uk and on Facebook: @birchingtonheritage
Neptunes Choir
Neptunes Choir – which meets every Wednesday in Broadstairs- is performing on 13th July at Holy Trinity in Broadstairs from 7pm to support Carers’ Support East Kent.
There are guest appearances from singer-songwriters Tommy Ashby and Lydia Clowes
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neptunes-choir-summer-concert-tickets-637182288377
Northdown Primary community day
Northdown Primary School, Margate, is holding its first ever Community Day on Saturday 23rd September from 10am to 2pm. The school will be opening up its grounds for the local community to showcase their talents and promote their goods and services alongside the usual fun of a school fair laid on by the pupils and staff at Northdown school.
The school is calling on all local businesses, community groups and charities to take part. Would you like a free pitch to sell your cakes? Somewhere to advertise your dance school? Or a chance to drum up some business for your shop or restaurant? Do you run a food and drinks van? Then head down to Northdown where you can set up for free on one of our playgrounds or our field.
Headteacher Matthew Harris said: “Northdown isn’t just a school – it’s a family and part of a wider community. We want the two to join together to celebrate not only what the school has to offer but also the best of what our local community stands for. The Community Day promises to be a fantastic event for all ages, bringing together charities, local businesses and talented individuals.”
If you are interested in having a free stand or display at the Community Day Fair, please contact the school office on [email protected] for further details.
More information on Northdown Primary School can be found at https://www.northdown- tkat.org/
Tea with Tegan
Sixty Doctor Who fans descended on the Walpole Bay Hotel in Margate for Tea with Tegan last Saturday. Tegan aka Janet Fielding was a companion to Tom Baker, Peter Davison and had a guest role in Jodie Whittaker’s final story last October.
The fans tucked into Walpole Bay Hotel’s famous cream teas, participated in a Q&A session with Janet, bought raffle tickets and competed in a quiz to win prizes. They then lined up for autographs and selfies with Janet who was dressed in the costume from her episode with Jodie Whittaker.
There was a range of Doctor Who collectibles for sale and a replica of the costume Janet wore when she first entered the Tardis back in 1981 was on display.
“Everyone seemed to have a fun afternoon which was really nice to see,” said Janet. “And all told, the event raised £2,500 towards Jenny Dawes’ legal costs for the second Judicial Review into the reopening of Manston Airport. I love the Doctor Who family. They are truly amazing, so kind and supportive.”
Margate FC Summer Reading Challenge
Saturday 15th July will see players from Margate Men’s Senior and Women’s Senior sides take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at Broadstairs Library.
Children aged 4-11 will be able to visit Kent Libraries to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in “Ready, Set, Read!”, which is themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity.
Through taking part in the challenge, with free materials from all Kent libraries and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers.
Through activity challenge cards from the Youth Sport Trust and a themed book collection, the Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep imaginations moving over the school holiday.
The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school. With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children.
Last year, well over 16,000 Kent youngsters took part in the Challenge by visiting a library in person, and a further 1,900 children took part online.
Margate Director Ryan Day is delighted that the club are taking part in this year’s event: “As a Club we have a duty to support our local community. The reading challenge is a great way to get children into reading books which has so many benefits to their academic learning.”
“Our players from both the Men and Women’s team are really looking forward to reading some books to the children of Thanet and meeting lots of future fans.”
This particular event will take place at Broadstairs Library on Saturday 15th July 2023 between 11am-Noon.
Cancer awareness day
Saturday 22nd July, 10am – 3pm
Holy Trinity Church, Margate, Ct9 3tn
Come and join us for talks, basic health checks, lumps and bumps advice Hosted by the GP practices of Margate and Mocketts Wood primary care network
This event is for anyone who is a patient of Northdown, Bethesda, The Limes or Mocketts Wood surgeries.
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust
Our Warden, Steffan Walton sums up the last couple of months at Sandwich Bay:
Summer seems to be finally here and the switch to southerly winds brought much higher temperatures. As hoped, this brought a big change in fortunes for invertebrates with healthy emergences of Butterflies and Moths, and Dragonflies and Damselflies, across the area. Odonatan highlights included three Lesser Emperors on Restharrow Scrape, the continued expansion of Norfolk Hawkers and Southern Emerald Damselflies, and healthy numbers of Dainty Damselflies, the UK’s rarest damselfly.
The increased temperature has brought its own troubles though as the lack of rain has meant low water levels across the area and the grasslands are now looking parched.
Bird-wise, there were a few scarcities during the month. These included a Ring-necked Duck, a White-winged Black Tern, a Marsh Warbler, and a Red-footed Falcon. As well as these late spring sightings we are already seeing the return of birds to the area, such as Wigeon and Teal, and juvenile Grey Herons, so I’m afraid to say autumn is already upon us! Look out for passage waders over the next month including Common Sandpiper which can usually be found in large numbers along the river Stour from Sandwich Quay to Pegwell Bay.
We are currently raising funds to purchase and develop a couple of fields we already lease to add to our nature reserves. The pond in one of these fields holds approximately 90% of the UK population of the Dainty Damselfly so it is imperative we work to provide extra habitat for this beautiful species. See the information here: https://sbbot.org.uk/funding-the-fields-appeal/
Thursday 7th September – A Musical Evening with Derek Gifford A fundraising event. Derek Gifford is an experienced and widely travelled birder. He is also a fine singer who is well known in folk music circles and has performed many times at Broadstairs Folk Week. He has collected and performed lots of songs about birds and the natural environment. He has kindly waived his fee in support of our Funding the Fields appeal.
Come and join us to share some of the wildlife at Sandwich Bay:
Wednesday 19th July – Oare Marshes Meeting at Oare Marshes Nature Reserve Car Park at 9.30 am this walk will be led by Phil Poole. Good numbers of a wide variety of migrating and resident bird species can be expected.
Saturday 22nd July – Moth Evening With Ian Hunter at 6.00 pm at the Observatory. Free for all to come and see what may have been caught in the moth traps recently.
Saturday 22nd July – Bat Walk With Pam Worrall at 8.00 pm. A stroll around the estate to see and hear what bats we have in the area.
Tuesday 8th August – Pegwell Bay High Tide This walk will be led by Steffan Walton and Phil Poole. Arrive at the Country Park at 5.30pm prior to high tide to watch as the birds move with the tides. Waders and wildfowl numbers should be building up as they migrate from the high Arctic to their wintering grounds in the UK, southern Europe and Africa. Parking in the Country Park costs £2 and the exit gates will close at dusk (c9pm).
Wednesday 16th August – Lydden Down Butterflies Meet at 9.30 am at Lydden Down KWT Reserve just outside the village of Temple Ewell. This walk will be led by Greg Lee. Driving and parking directions will be sent to attendees prior to the event. Please note the Reserve is steep grassland in places.
Saturday 19th August – Moth Evening With Ian Hunter at 6.00 pm at the Observatory. Free for all to come and see what may have been caught in the moth traps recently.
Friday 25th and Saturday 26th August – Bat Walks With Pam Worrall at 7.30 pm. A stroll around the estate to see and hear what bats we have in the area.
Saturday 16th September – Moth Evening With Ian Hunter at 4.00 pm at the Observatory. Free for all to come and see what may have been caught in the moth traps recently.
Saturday 16th September – Bat Walk With Pam Worrall at 7.00 pm. A stroll around the estate to see and hear what bats we have in the area.
Sunday 17th September – Small Mammal Walk With Pam Worrall at 10.00 am. A stroll around our reserves to see what signs of small mammals can be found.
Sunday 22nd October – Harvest Mouse NestFest With Pam Worrall at 10.00 am. A stroll around our reserves to look for Harvest Mouse nests.
Find SBOT on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sandwichbirdobs
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