East Kent Mencap’s GOLD social singing showcase
On Monday 22nd July, East Kent Mencap’s GOLD (Getting On with Learning Difficulties) project celebrated the grand finale of their Social Singing Sessions with a heart-warming showcase at Foresters Hall in Ramsgate.
The GOLD project is funded by the National Lottery and supports people with a learning difficulty in Thanet, who do not receive statutory funding, to combat social isolation and promote independence.
Over the past 12 weeks, the GOLD group collaborated with arts organisation ‘Looping The Loop’, participating in a series of engaging singing sessions, designed to boost their wellbeing, reduce stress and create a sense of belonging. Led by Philip Quigley (above) from Quigley Theatre Arts, individuals with a learning difficulty learnt songs and dance routines.
GOLD Project Manager Fiona Wonford, said: “The Social Singing sessions have been a great success. It’s been wonderful to see everyone’s confidence grow, their performing skills develop, and the joy that singing has brought to each individual. This showcase was a proud moment for everyone involved. Thank you to Looping the Loop for making this possible.”
Estelle Rosenfeld (pictured above), Producer at Looping The Loop, said: “We are truly delighted to witness the remarkable transformation in East Kent Mencap GOLD members over our 12-week journey together. Observing their growing confidence and voices rising has been a profound reminder of the positive impact of singing on well-being. We are excited to extend this joyful experience through our Social Singing Sessions at Ramsgate Library on Wednesday mornings, inviting everyone to join and discover the uplifting power of communal singing.”
The GOLD group delivered a spectacular showcase of uplifting songs to family and friends in the garden of East Kent Mencap’s Ramsgate head office, making it a wonderful conclusion to this valuable project.
If you would like to know more about East Kent Mencap’s GOLD’s services, please visit www.eastkentmencap.co.uk/gold
Broadstairs Probus Club
At our monthly lunch this July we had a speaker called Captain Bernard Allen C.A. from the Church Army. He is a puppeteer who uses puppets to show Bible stories to church congregations. He appears regularly at local churches as well as Canterbury Cathedral.
He has a vast collection of puppets of various types, including Biblical characters, various animals and even monsters. We found his talk very interesting and entertaining including his tales of his encounters with various celebrities, including Eric Morecambe amongst others. The picture show our president Paul Gluckman presenting a cheque to the monkey who handed it over to Bernard we think!
Broadstairs Probus Club meets twice a month at the Yarrow Hotel, Broadstairs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. We would welcome new members and if interested please contact Rogan Montgomery-Smith on 07760 712712 or email probus [email protected]
Horace’s fundraising honours his mum
A radio presenter helped raise £500 in memory of his mum, to benefit other cancer patients.
Horace Hotman, also known as Stephen Shrubb, held fundraising dinners at Da’s Thai Diner in Broadstairs, as well as holding raffles for passengers on his coach trips.
The first dinner took place on the day of his mum’s funeral two decades ago, and the most recent was a few days after the anniversary and helped add another £2,500 to his fundraising total. He is splitting the amount between local cancer charities, with £500 for East Kent Hospitals Charity to benefit the Viking Day Unit at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.
Horace, who presents Horace’s Palace of Fun on Academy FM on Sunday afternoons, said: “My mum had fantastic care from the team at the Viking Day Unit and my dad is a current patient there and they are looking after him really well.
“It started because I wanted to do something in memory of my mum, and back then we were supporting the appeal to build the new unit, so it is fitting that we can again give something back to support the amazing staff there.”
Horace thanked Da, who runs the restaurant, and her staff Vinnie and Sam for their support, as well as his friends Lisa Shearer and Michele Seemann for helping with the raffles and prize donations.
He said: “I’d also like to thank everyone who comes on trips and comes to my dinner evenings. Without them we couldn’t raise these amounts and help make a small difference to people locally.”
Chartwell House and Charles Dickens School
Chartwell House by Boutique Care Homes is thrilled to announce the successful launch of its new community defibrillator, a crucial addition to the safety infrastructure of Broadstairs. The unveiling event, held on Tuesday, 23rd July, brought together a vibrant community of residents, their families, and local dignitaries in a heartening demonstration of collective spirit and dedication to public health.
Community defibrillators play a crucial role in saving lives by providing immediate access to life- saving equipment in the event of a cardiac emergency. They enhance emergency response capabilities and contribute to a safer environment for everyone. Thanks to the generous £700 donation from Charles Dickens School and the £1100 raised by Chartwell House through various initiatives, this defibrillator has been made possible.
Special guests included Cllr Mike Garner, Mayor of Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council who officially launched the community defibrillator, and Cllr Joanne Bright.
Councillor Bright, ahead of the event highlighted it’s significance, saying: “What a brilliant example of community collaboration between old and young. I am very impressed with the enthusiasm for community engagement that the school leaders and pupils of Charles Dickens School have shown and I am also really heartened by the opportunities for community outreach being provided at Chartwell House. The happiest towns are where communities work together on shared endeavours!”
The event featured a comprehensive demonstration on the use of the defibrillator by St. John Ambulance, led by Area Manager Raymond Todd and his colleague Emily. Their expert guidance provided attendees with invaluable knowledge on how to operate the life-saving device in emergencies.
Diane Collins, Home Manager of Chartwell House, said: “We are incredibly proud to finally unveil our community defibrillator. This achievement has been months in the making, thanks to the relentless fundraising efforts of our residents, their families, and our dedicated team. A special thanks to Vicky Gore, who has been instrumental in making this a reality. With the generous £700 donation from Charles Dickens School and the £1100 raised by Chartwell House through various initiatives, we are confident this defibrillator will be a vital asset to our community. The device is now registered, and in the event of an emergency, the ambulance service will provide the location and PIN number needed to access it. We hope it serves our community well.”
The unveiling ceremony at Chartwell House was not only a celebration of this important addition but also a testament to the power of community collaboration. The event highlighted how the new defibrillator will serve not only Chartwell House but also their neighbours living around the home, extending vital support to the entire community. The launch also offered a chance for attendees to learn, connect, and strengthen their ties with one another, reinforcing the commitment to enhancing safety and fostering a unified community spirit.
Chartwell House extends its heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this initiative. The success of this project is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
For more information about Chartwell House and Boutique Care Homes, please visit www.boutiquecarehomes.co.uk
Windmill Community Gardens Margate
We are delighted to share our new offer at the Windmill Community Gardens Margate, the Community Roots Learning Programme.
Behind the scenes we have been working to speak to the community: including local organisations, individuals and families, to learn what it is that people want to learn and experience at the garden. Having taken time to digest and reflect on the responses we gathered, we are programming and collaborating ready to launch in July with our first workshops!
The Community Roots Learning Programme will be a pilot, which has been developed in response to our community consultations and local knowledge. Our aim is to offer a diverse, engaging and inspiring place of learning and wellbeing, guided by the local community.
By developing this programme, there will be a place in Dane Valley that local people can build a connection with, knowing there will always be something to join in with, be that gardening, permaculture, craft or many more exciting options to come. We will be striving for an offer. that is accessible, consistent in the support and atmosphere, and fun!
We will be offering support to those who express an interest in collaborating or developing their own workshop throughout the project, as well as 1:1 support available for learners who need it via recruiting volunteer learning buddies. (See our callout if you would like to help.)
This project has been funded by Thanet District Council as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and we are extremely grateful to have this opportunity to collaborate with local facilitators and volunteers, to become a Community Hub for learning and wellbeing.
Please check for forthcoming updates on our website and social media or register to receive our newsletter and updates direct to your inbox: https://windmillcommunitygardensmargate.com/register/
Sunken Garden Society
With our established remit of being a Pollinator Garden, The Sunken Garden Society has a dedicated policy to plant for pollinators which is specifically designed to attract bees, butterflies, moths, lacewing, hoverflies and other winged invertebrates and has a variety of flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen.
This has been recognised in the Wilder Kent Award that was presented on Saturday 20 July by Kent Wildlife Trust to Peter Hasted and Andrew Miller, as representatives of the Sunken Garden Society.
Peter Hasted said: “Gaining the Wilder Kent Award from the Kent Wildlife Trust is significant to the Sunken Garden Society for several key reasons:
“Firstly, it recognizes the commitment to enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices within the Sunken Garden and the wider community, giving recognition to volunteers and members, which will lead to further collaboration with like-minded community groups and aid the Society in securing funding and support for important community work.
“The award shows public acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of all the wonderful volunteers and members and in raising the garden’s public awareness, we will attract new members passionate about conservation and the environment. This accreditation heightens the importance of urban green spaces and wildlife conservation, whilst we continue inspire and encourage the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The Sunken Garden Society, a voluntary community group, was established to reinvigorate a hidden gem at the heart of Thanet, bringing back to its former glory for the local communities to use and enjoy. We are an RHS Affiliated Society, supported by Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Co-op, Kent Community Foundation, Rotary and Thanet District Council.
We run regular monthly gardening days on the last Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep in touch @sunkengardensociety
Find out more about the Sunken Garden, the history and plants, at www.thesunkengarden.co.uk
Save the date – The Sunken Garden Eco Fair will take place on Sunday 6 October – more information to follow soon
The Sunken Garden is on Royal Esplanade, Westbrook, Margate CT9 5EJ
For more details about our gardening group, future initiatives and how to become a Sunken Gardens Supporter, please contact Jenny Duff at [email protected]
Kent Fire & Rescue Service Retirement Association
Did you serve at Ramsgate. Margate. Thanet Herne Bay Whitstable or Canterbury and retained stations in the “D” division from the 60s onwards?
There are not many of us left from the early days so I would like to invite you to a firemen’s reunion / get together to be held at Lesters restaurant 162 Ramsgate Road Margate. ct9 4ez on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 from 1830hrs to closing time
Ticket Price £3.00 (to cover any expenses) payable on the night at the door
Please let us know if you wish to attend so we have an idea of expected numbers
Wives and partners welcome
Contacts:
Dave Carey tel 01303980812 or Email [email protected]
Bill Newham 01304 271870 or Email [email protected]
Thank you we look forward to seeing old friends
Ramsgate RNLI
Thursday 25 July marked World Drowning Prevention Day and the RNLI has been reminding everyone in the Thanet area heading to the coast to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
The charity is sharing its lifesaving safety advice as school children across the country enjoy the start of the summer holidays, with the coast predicted to be incredibly busy.
Figures released by the RNLI show that 83% of the UK adult population (aged 16-64) expect to visit the coast this summer, and 40% expect to go three times or more.
Figures from the RNLI reveal that lifeguards in the Ramsgate area attended 447 incidents and saved 5 lives across last year.
RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.
236 people accidentally died in water related fatalities in 2023, ten more than in 2022 but in line with the five-year average. Of the 236 accidental fatalities in the UK in 2023; 20 occurred in July and 21 in August, reinforcing how important it is to stay safe at the coast over the summer.
Ramsgate RNLI Watersafety Team said: “We want to remind everyone that visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags can make a lifesaving difference. We know the coast is going to be incredibly busy over the summer holidays and we want everyone to enjoy their time but to also remember our vital safety advice.
“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Pugin Week
Join us to celebrate the life and works of Augustus Welby Pugin.
All events are FREE, donations appreciated
Mini Pilgrimage: Heritage Open Days, Routes – Networks – Connections
7th September, 1pm -4pm, Minster Abbey, CT12 4HF An easy 5 mile walk from Minster Abbey to the Shrine of St Augustine. Learn about saints, scholars, Vikings and powerful princesses, ending with a tour of Pugin’s beautiful grade 1 listed gothic church
Pugin: A Gothic Passion
11th September, 5pm, St Augustines Church, Ramsgate 30 yrs on from the Pugin V&A exhibition, Antiques Roadshow’s Paul Atterbury discusses the exhibition and how we see Pugin now with Rosemary Hill, author of the definitive Pugin biography ‘God’s Architect’
St Augustine’s open
10am – 4pm, Friday 13th – Monday 16th September to coincide with The Grange open days next door (see Landmark Trust Events for details)
Contrasts: An exploration of Gothic vs Georgian architecture
13th September, 11am, Spencer Square (by Van Gogh’s bust), Ramsgate A 2 hour walking tour of Ramsgate’s architectural gems, led by Pugin enthusiast Jayne Evelyn, inspired by Pugin’s book ‘Contrasts’