Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel
Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel members were treated to ’An Afternoon at the Theatre’ on 7th March, when we gathered at Treasurer Kath’s home for a showing of ’23 Walks’ starring Alison Steadman and Dave Johns as Fern and Dave, who meet walking their dogs and fall in love.
We enjoyed a glass of wine on arrival, sweets to eat during the show and ice creams during the interval. A raffle was held, and donations were made for local charities. We usually meet up in a members’ home for a CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) about once a month, when we make a contribution towards our international charity.
Members enjoyed a relaxed social evening at their March meeting. After a delicious meal, at St Augustine’s in Westgate, we were delighted to welcome another new member, Debbie Windridge, who was inducted at the meeting. She is shown with Joint President Margaret welcoming her.
As it was coming close to Easter, we decided to have a fun ‘Easter Bonnet’ competition. So there wasn’t any favouritism, all the hats were laid out on a table to be judged and only then were the winners encouraged to parade. The winner was Penny, whose hat reflected Inner Wheel. ‘I’m an Inner Wheel dinosaur, but I’d rather be an Inner Wheel chick!’ We don’t think she is a dinosaur at all! See picture of her hat and her wearing it. Second prize went to Liz with her ‘garden of flowers’, third prize went to Sue also with a ‘garden of flowers’, and the 4th prize went to Elaine who used an unusual trilby hat to great effect!
Arrangements were confirmed regarding the next fundraising event, our ‘70’s evening with DNA Band’ on Friday 19th April at the Birchington United Services Club. We have sold well over half of the 80 tickets allowed, so members were urged to make sure that they had booked their tickets and invited friends. A grand raffle will also be held on the night. This is our major fund-raiser of the year, so it is important that we make a handsome profit. We are supporting local charities this year. Anyone wishing to buy tickets for the 70’s night please contact Hazel.
In April, some members will be travelling to London to celebrate the Centenary of the first Inner Wheel club in Manchester on 10th January 1924, at a lunch in Leonardo Royal Hotel by Tower Bridge. In commemoration of the era, we shall dress in ‘20’s style’.
The Triennial International Convention of Inner Wheel will be held in Manchester in early May. It seems fitting that the International Convention should be held there in its centennial year. Our Secretary Hazel will be representing Kent at the business meetings at the convention, and she is very much looking forward to it.
To find out more about us, please contact Hazel on 01843 833 565 or 07889 655 497.
1st Birchington Air Scout Group
The 1st Birchington Air Scout Group has been awarded a grant of up to £84,600 to replace the roof, boiler, cavity wall insulation and a few other improvements at their base.
The group is one of 140 youth projects in England to benefit from a Youth Investment Fund grant, announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the charity Social Investment Business, which is delivering the grant programme in partnership with Key Fund, National Youth Agency and Resonance.
The Youth Investment Fund, of over £300 million, aims to build, renovate, or extend youth services in the parts of the country where new spaces and opportunities are most needed.
Deputy Group Scout Leader Richard Phillpott said: “This will enable us to continue offering scouting to the young people of Birchington and make sure the Scout hut is up to standard to ensure Scouting can continue for many years to come.
“We were coming under increasing financial pressure with heating costs for running the hall so this grant will make sure we are future proof.
“The 1st Birchington Air Scout Group has been around since 1910 and the hut has been in its current location in Prospect Road since 1934.
“The group is run by an amazing set of leaders and volunteers who are dedicated to offering Scouting and adventure to the young people of Birchington, we are always on the look out for more help so people can contact us if they would be interested.”
The 1st Birchington Air ScoutGroup caters for youngsters aged 6 to 18, helping them learn new skills, try new experiences and enjoy time outdoors with their friends.
There is a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Air Scout Troop, and the group is partnered with an Explorer Unit.
Find out more at: https://www.1stbirchington.org.uk/index.html
Thanet Festival Choir
Open rehearsals on April 10th and 17th at 7.45pm,
Taster session at St Peter’s Church Hall, Hopeville Avenue, St Peter’s
This term’s music is Songs of Stage and Screen.
For details email [email protected] or call 01843 602332
Rotary Club of Margate
Rotary Club of Margate presents an exciting evening of Opera in Minster on 27th April.
‘Coming Home’ features Baritone Alaric Green, Mezzo Soprano Shana Moron-Caravet, pianist Emelia Noack-Wilkinson and Tenor Emry Lloyd Jones plus Thanet Male Voice Choir.
It will be held on April 27, 6.45pm-9.45pm, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Minster.
Proceeds will be donated to Oasis Charity and the QEQM League of Friends.
Tickets cost £32, including a glass of fizz, and are limited so book early to avoid disappointment by emailing [email protected]
Margate Civic Society
Date: Thursday, 4 April
Time: 1930 hrs (attendees are requested to be seated by 1920 hrs)
Venue: Holy Trinity Margate Hall, St Mary’s Avenue, Margate CT9 3TN
Topic: “Boys and Girls Come Out to Play” – Dolls, teddies, yo-yo’s, train sets. What toys did you play with as a child?
Speaker: Felicity Stafford (Vice-President, MCS & Margate Museum Trustee)
Entrance Fee: Lapsed Members and Guests: £3.50 nominal fee.
Have you kept any toys from your childhood – why not bring something along?
Following the talk, there with an opportunity for any questions,
As always, refreshments, merchandise and raffle tickets will be on sale.
Windmill Community Gardens Margate Compost Fest
Friday 5th April, 12 – 3pm
Join us as we round up our Community Compost Scheme Launch with an informative open day
We will be joined by the lovely team behind Heart and Soil who will be running interactive compost workshops, have you struggled to get your home compost started? Then we will guide you through all the techniques, tips and tricks.
We will have craft activities for the for the whole family to enjoy
A hands on cooking demonstration by our very own Adriana, join us as we harvest seasonal produce and enjoy the fruits of all of our hard work.
Market Stall
Ridan Composter Demonstrations
Spring Foraging walks with the incredibly knowledgeable Helen.
Plus much more…
Tickets are £5 per adult and Children go free!
Book your place via www.ticketsource.co.uk/windmill-community-gardens-margate
Broadstairs Town Shed Spring fundraiser
April 2, noon until 2pm, at the Shed, 3 Oakwood Industrial Estate, Dane Valley Road, Broadstairs
Lots of Shed made items for sale, kids; corner and raffle.
Martha Trust
A well-known annual event for Martha Trust took place at St Marys Arts Centre in Sandwich . The venue was transformed into a traditional Bavarian Night out to raise funds for the residents at Martha Trust with profound disabilities
The Kent based Bavarian style band -Bettesteiner Footstompers, as seen on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, are popular all over the South East and in London, had the crowd singing and dancing and volunteers dressed in costume went round the tables serving beer and wine.
Big Willy, Otto Gell, Gretel, Stefan Schnetker and Wandering Hans played a selection of foot stomping, thigh slapping German tunes that gave this live music event the authentic festive feel.
As well as great entertainment, food and drink , there was a game of heads n tails where one guest won £50, a raffle and an auction with the whole evening raising a record breaking £11,000!
Fundraising & Events Officer Kerry Banks BEM said: “It was a truly fantastic event that has been enjoyed by so many over the years. We are incredibly grateful to St Mary’s Arts Centre and to Siobhan Matthews– the building is spectacular and perfect for this event!
“We are so lucky to have the ongoing support of The Bettesteiner Footstompers who we absolutely love!.
“Thank you also to our amazing Volunteers whom we could , to the wonderful girls from Barclays for all their support with the event, our Sponsors Superior Healthcare Group, Agents Giving, KCB Property Rentals, Sandwich Coop, Guards4Hire Ltd, The Kings Head Deal,The Blakemore Foundation,Korkers Sausages, Sandwich Community Events, St Peters Church and Bakkavor /Tilmanstone Salads and to our raffle and auction prize givers who all help to make the event a success.”
Next year’s event will be on Saturday 22nd March 2025 and the charity are taking reservations for tickets now.
If you would like to Sponsor the event, please email [email protected] or call 01304 610448 to hear what opportunities there are and learn more about how your support will make a difference.