Businesses litter pick
On Wednesday 23 August, Harvey Waste Management and a group of personal travel agents, along with their family members headed for Margate beach to make a difference.
With their bright high vis jackets on, and litter pickers in hand, the group picked up bags and bags of litter (nearly 80kg worth!) which had been dumped on the beach in only a few hours. Between the above groups we understand the importance of sustainability.
By helping to pick up litter, not only do we help preserve our Thanet coastline, but we also protect our marine wildlife and oceans who unfortunately pay the consequence of our actions. It’s small steps we do today, that make big changes for tomorrow.
Ramsgate RNLI Junior Fishing Competition
An overcast day greeted the excited children as registration took place for the annual RNLI Junior Fishing Competition.
In its fifth year, this is the brainchild of volunteer RNLI crew Jason Parrott and his wife Dawn. Designed to raise money for Ramsgate RNLI station, it is free to enter, the only requirement is that a child tries to raise sponsorship.
Every child receives a present as well as a tee shirt donated by a local company , making a great day out during the school holidays.
The local fishing charter boats give their time, fuel and skills free, flying an RNLI flag as they headed out along the coast in search of fish. Boats had even come from Dover and Rye to take part in the event. The wider fishing community also support the event providing rods, bait, and fishing boxes for the children as well as donating raffle prizes. And London Array, the wind farm company, had given a large donation to the event as well as providing goodies.
When the 17 fishing charter boats returned with the 80 children at two o’clock, the sun had made an appearance and a party atmosphere prevailed at the RNLI station.
Thanks to everyone who came along to help, cook barbecues, the DJ, donated raffle prizes, made and sold cakes, the RNLI Ramsgate shop and just generally helped out. It takes many hands to run an event of this size. But the largest thanks go to Jason and Dawn Parrott who have run this event for five years now.
The final amount raised was a massive £11,388. Thank you to the Mayor of Ramsgate Pat Moore who presented the prizes.
The prizes went to the following:
3rd place Boys – Aiden on Bonwey
2nd place Boys – Wade Ferrier on River Runner
1st place Boys – Yefym on Hussler
3rd place Girls – Alisha Watson on Dominator
2nd place Girls- Lilly Crawford on Taxi Boat
1st place Girls – Jessica on Taxi Boat
Top Fishing Boat went to Skipper Bob of Hussler
The John Parrott and Gary Dunk shield, named in memory of Dawn and Jason’s fathers and given to the child who stood out as the most helpful and caring was awarded to Riley Williams.
The trophy for the Biggest fish at 8lb went to Alisha Watson who wanted to give her sister credit for helping her land it.
RNLI 200 voices
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) new 200 Voices podcast in the run-up to the charity’s bicentenary on 4 March 2024, will have an episode released every day for 200 days, exploring captivating stories from the charity’s history and through to the current day.
The first Thanet-based episode is being released on September 1 and features Lifesaving in wartime with Thanet RNLI historian John Ray on the Ramsgate crew who braved bombs and bullets at Dunkirk.
Following a successful local history day at Ramsgate Tunnels earlier this year John will also be at the local history day at the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington on Saturday 30th. September. A number of representatives from a variety of local history groups will be there and he will have artefacts relating to both the Dunkirk Evacuation and earlier rescues for the public to see and discuss
Dementia friendly Folk concert
The town of Broadstairs witnessed a heartwarming event during this year’s Folk Week. The first-ever ‘Dementia Friendly Folk’ concert, a collaborative effort between Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes and Broadstairs Folk Week 2023.
The event took place on Thursday, August 17, at the Sarah Thorne Theatre on Fordoun Road. With a focus on inclusivity and the transformative power of music, the event’s success showcased the positive impact it had on those living with dementia.
Under the spotlight were the talented Krista Bubble & The Ceilidh Shapes, who took the stage with their enchanting folk melodies and lively rhythms. The event’s atmosphere was electric, resonating with attendees of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The energy was contagious, and the sense of togetherness was palpable.
Following the event, attendee Angela W took to Facebook to share her thoughts, saying, “It was a lovely afternoon, I really enjoyed being part of it and hope it will go ahead again next year.”
Jude Coveney, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House and said: “The magic of ‘Dementia Friendly Folk’ lies in its ability to create a shared experience. Music has a way of reaching deep within us, sparking memories and forging connections. This event was a testament to the fact that, through the universal language of music, we can bridge gaps and create beautiful moments.”
The event drew a crowd of 30 attendees. Gerald Gold, a resident of Chartwell House Care Home in Broadstairs, shared his thoughts, saying, “It is the sort of event that makes life worth living, it was a lot of fun.”
The success of ‘Dementia Friendly Folk’ highlighted the significance of providing tailored and inclusive experiences for individuals living with dementia. The event’s atmosphere was carefully crafted to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable environment for all attendees, fostering a sense of community and understanding. Dominic, a relative of Chartwell House Resident, Teresa, echoed the sentiments of many, sharing, “It was excellent fun for all of us, Teresa loved it.”
As the first event of its kind at Folk Week, ‘Dementia Friendly Folk’ has left a lasting impression. The positive feedback from attendees and the enthusiasm it generated among those involved underscore its potential to become a cherished tradition.
Margate Sea Cadets
Margate sea cadets will hold an end of summer fair on September 2 from 10am-2pm.
There will be stalls, food, drink, entertainment, a photo booth, raffle and a visit by Birchington author Faye Beerling for a book signing.
Entry £1, under 10s admitted free.
Sea Cadets Margate Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road.
Birchington Man Shed
Birchington Man Shed is holding a quiz night on September 23, 7pm, at Church House, Kent Gardens, Birchington.
Tickets are £5 per person, bring your own refreshments. Tables of 8. Reserve your ticket by calling Mike on 07578987651.
Pilgrims Hospices
Kent-based residential developer Pentland Homes has further extended its ongoing support of Pilgrims Hospices, east Kent’s largest hospice charity, with a donation of show home furniture as well as a cash donation following extensive fundraising by its team.
The developer has donated multiple lorry loads of show home furniture to the hospice, with most items sold to generate financial support that will fund volunteer support, investment in medical and IT equipment and cover day to day costs to support patients and families; some furniture was kept for the use of the residents at the hospice’s three premises. This gesture was also accompanied with a generous cash donation of £4,050.
Paul Rosbrook, Finance Director at Pentland Homes said: “As a local developer we understand the importance of giving back to the communities in which we operate and we’re always looking for initiatives to help support charitable interests in a way that provides long term meaningful benefits. We’re incredibly proud to continue our support of Pilgrim’s. There truly couldn’t be a more deserving destination for our show home furniture, and it’s been a real pleasure to see the Pentland team raising financial donations for such a worthy cause.”
Pilgrim’s Hospice was founded in 1982 and offers care and support for people with incurable illness. Its mission is to make a positive difference to individuals who are facing the last year of life, through open, compassionate care and expertise for patients and their families.
With a workforce of more than 200 clinical and non-clinical staff, and the invaluable contributions made by over 1,400 volunteers, Pilgrims’ three hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, including their therapy centres and work in the community, continues to grow to support even more patients, who need their special care. Today, Pilgrims Hospices supports thousands of patients and their families.
Tim Stewart, Retail Manager for Pilgrims Hospices stated “We were delighted to have been approached by Pentland Homes who were clearing out their warehouse stocks that had been previously used in their show homes. The quality and variety of the goods on offer was amazing, and ranged from furniture to small ornaments all of which we were delighted to accept. Each year Pilgrims Hospices need to raise over £15m so that we can continue to provide our services to our patients and their families which is why the support from local businesses such as Pentland Homes is vital.”
Walking for the World
I am incredibly honoured to be accepted to create the Walk for the World meditation by Dr. Joe Dispenza, in Margate. This powerful meditation will guide us in harnessing the collective energy to heal our planet and create a brighter future. Join me on this transformative journey as we walk together towards a sustainable and harmonious world.
Dr. Joe Dispenza is a well-known speaker, author, and researcher in the field of neuroscience and human potential. He is known for his teachings on meditation, mindfulness, and the power of the mind to create positive change in our lives.
One of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s programs is called “Walking for the World,” which is an initiative aimed at promoting health, well-being, and unity among people. The concept behind “Walking for the World” is to encourage individuals to take part in physical activities, particularly walking, to improve their physical and mental health while also fostering a sense of connection with others.
By participating in “Walking for the World,” individuals can not only enhance their own well-being but also contribute to a global movement focused on creating positive change. Walking is a simple yet effective way to improve cardiovascular health, boost mood, reduce stress, and engage with nature, all of which are essential components of a healthy and fulfilling life.
Join me at Lido on September 23rd, at 10am for a transformative walk meditation led by the renowned Dr. Joe Dispenza. Let’s come together to reconnect with ourselves, nature, and the present moment. It’s a wonderful opportunity to cultivate inner peace and expand our consciousness.
The walking meditation is free of charge and it will be available on Dr. Joe Dispenza website. Just search for the location Margate and the application showing WhatsApp group “Healing Haven”.
Any questions please feel free to email: [email protected], alternatively you can check all information on Instagram:
@sanctuary_for_the_senses
@shop_at_sanctuarys
Bugs Matter
Insects face mass extinction. They are a critical component of ecosystems and animal life is at risk. However, there is a need for more data to fully understand what is happening.
Bugs Matter is a national citizen science survey, created by the charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, which asks everyone to count the number of insect splats on their vehicle number plates after carrying out essential journeys to monitor insect abundance. By repeating the survey every year, scientists can build a better picture of how our insect populations are faring to inform better conservation policy and practice.
Sometimes, the answers to these mysteries can be found in the most unexpected places. Recently, a novel collaboration began between Kent Wildlife Trust and Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club, bringing together two seemingly unrelated fields – wildlife conservation and aviation. The goal? To develop a unique Bugs Matter methodology for recording the number of bug splats on glider wings, offering valuable insights into insect populations soaring high above the ground.
This partnership not only sheds additional light on insect abundance but also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in understanding our environment, a key component underpinning Goal 2 of the Wilder Kent 2030 Strategy: Inspire and Collaborate.
Recently the Bugs Matter team visited the Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club to meet with pilot Adrian Tills who is both a pilot and dedicated citizen scientist, he had invited the charities to the airfield after querying if the Bugs Matter project could be expanded to include gliders.
Gliders can soar silently through the atmosphere, providing a birds-eye view of the world below and during the summer, members of the gliding club regularly make cross-country flights, mostly between 2,000 and 5,000 feet altitude and typically between 100 to 300km in distance.
Adrian said that pilots had noticed that, during the course of a flight, bug splats would accumulate on the leading edge of the glider wings. Glider pilots are very conscious of this as it reduces the performance of the glider by disrupting the airflow over the wing. To mitigate this, pilots make a habit of cleaning the wings before every cross-country flight.
Adrian went on to say that he and his fellow pilots had observed a huge loss in the numbers of swallows and swifts in the last 15 years, and wanted to see whether the reduction in insect numbers (their prey) may be a contributing factor.
After a discussion with Dr Lawrence Ball, a Kent Wildlife Trust expert in Data Collection the Bugs Matter team took to the skies. Each flight is recorded using a GPS signal which gives position and altitude information for the entire flight and with the accompanying bug splat data this could help the team gain insights into insect abundance at altitudes far above ground level – a region largely unexplored when it comes to insect studies.
Dr Lawrence Ball said: “The Bugs Matter methodology, practiced by thousands of citizen scientists in their cars on the ground, is taking off in more ways than one. The data collected by Essex and Suffolk Gliding Club gives us a unique opportunity to understand how insect numbers are changing at altitude, and when coupled with the data from vehicles, strengthens our dataset.
“Insects play a crucial role in our ecosystems – pollinating plants, decomposing organic matter, forming the basis of many food chains – without them, life on Earth would collapse. The data from Bugs Matter and collaborations like these, could have far-reaching implications for effective insect conservation policy and practice.”
If any other gliding clubs wish to get involved in the 2024 survey, please get in touch. There is also still time to help this year’s survey which is running until 31 August, so there is still time for all citizen scientists across the country to contribute crucial scientific data using their cars.
Simply download the free Bugs Matter app to log the number of bugs splatted on your vehicle number plate after carrying out essential journeys.
In August, we are encouraging everyone to take part in the Great British Bug Off – a special effort to remember to record all your essential journeys before the Bugs Mater survey season ends! We have even created some free printable resources to remind you to take part.
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/our-projects/bugs-matter