Minster Bowls Club
Over the bank holiday weekend Minster Bowls Club held a Big Bowls Bash open day, inviting everyone to try bowls for free!
Part of Bowls England’s national Bowls’ Big Weekend, the annual event is designed to introduce more people to the sport of bowls. With lots of adults and children enjoying the game for the first time and plenty of tea, cake and bacon sandwiches all round the event was one not to be missed!
MP Roger Gale even dropped by and, with expert direction from one of the club members, he was soon on the green bowling like a pro. The club also raised £120 for Pilgrims Hospice through the sale of plants, books and puzzles on the day.
“We had a fantastic day, it was great to see so many new faces on the green, especially the children.” said Chairman Derek Mardel. ”Bowls is a fantastic sport for people of all ages which can be played indoors and outdoors.
“The club offers coaching for those new to the game as well as a range of social activities throughout the year and we are always happy to welcome new members.”
Minster Bowls Club will be holding another open day event on Saturday 21st June from 10am-4pm as part of the Minster Open Gardens weekend. To find out more please visit https://www.minsterbowlsclub.co.uk/ or find the club on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575549103299
RNLI volunteer crews
Volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews from Dungeness, Dover, Walmer and Ramsgate, have been recognised for their lifesaving work at the inaugural Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards.
Representatives of the four lifeboat stations in Kent collectively received the ‘Search and Rescue Mission of the Year’ award at a ceremony on 16 May in recognition of the complex and distressing rescues they undertake in the English Channel.
Established by the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue, the awards recognise the skill and dedication of lifesavers from around the world.
The RNLI won the award ahead of shortlisted nominees from the UK, Turkey, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
RNLI Area Operations Manager Jason Carroll said: “I am incredibly proud of our crews who continue to respond selflessly to their pagers, day or night, simply to help others.
“They don’t do it to win awards but equally, are honoured for this recognition of their skill and courage by the global search and rescue community, which they are proud to be a part of.
“Our crews face an extremely demanding search and rescue environment in the English Channel and are often confronted with highly challenging rescue scenarios, involving large numbers of distressed people in the water. But they continue to respond with dedication and commitment.”
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “We are extremely proud of our crews who continue to save the lives of men, women and children crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in small, overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.
“This prestigious award recognises their embodiment of the RNLI’s Values – trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable. They continue to demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the RNLI’s mission to save lives at sea, often in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.”
In 2024, the RNLI launched 114 times to Channel crossing incidents which was 1.2% of the total number of launches for the entire RNLI. During those shouts 1,371 people were rescued.
FIRE magazine editor and awards host Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch said: “I am delighted to have introduced the first Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards which proved an exciting and memorable celebration of search and rescue personnel and supporters from around the world.
“Shining a spotlight on personnel is the best way to recognise everyday unsung heroes, share best practice and promote innovation and collaboration. We are sure this will be the first of many awards ceremonies and will grow in value and influence. Congratulations to the RNLI Dover, Dungeness, Ramsgate and Walmer stations on their well-deserved accolade.”
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
The dignity and comfort of patients on St. Augustine’s Ward has been enhanced by the recent setting up of a scheme we have financed to provide them with daywear to use (if, of course, they choose) instead of hospital gowns.
Caroline Judge, Associate Director Nursing for General Medicine at the QEQM Hospital, said: “The warm, easy-wear and comfortable clothing that we have purchased for our Dignity Cupboard has helped patients who arrive without clothing.
“These patients may come from the Emergency Department or from other ward areas and many don’t have family to support them. The clothes, in variety of sizes, help larger patients maintain their dignity and keep others warm. This encourages them to sit out of bed and take part in day room activities.
“We are so grateful to the League of Friends for funding these clothes and improving the lives of patients on St. Augustine’s Ward and beyond.”
Shown with some of the clothes are Caroline, Ward Matron Katie & Ward Manager Darren and from our charity our Chairman Sylvia Pheils & one of our trustees Colin.
For more about our charity please visit www.qeqmfriends.com or our page on Facebook.
Birchington Heritage Trust
As part of Heritage Open Days in September, Birchington Heritage Trust (BHT) is planning to focus on Station Road as this year marks 130 years since it was designated as a “main road”.
Our archives contain a lot of information about the businesses in Station Road over that period, but we’d like to increase our knowledge and update our archives, so that we can share this as part of Heritage Open Days. But we need some help!
During June 2025*, Alexandra Gilbert (a Member of BHT) will be in Birchington Museum/Library between 10am and 12pm for the wider community to contribute information about the history of the properties in Station Road, Station Approach and The Square – particularly anyone who worked in and/or lived in or above the shops.
Those interested can also email information to Alexandra at [email protected] or phone her on 0795 192 8330.
*except Wednesdays, Sundays and Saturday June 14th 2025
Community Festival Success
On Saturday 24th May, Broadstairs and St. Peter’s Town Council hosted it second Community Festival in the grounds of Pierremont Hall and Park.
Members of the public were able to enjoy a variety of activities from playing bowls with Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Bowls club, Morris dancing with Broadstairs Folk Week’s Wantsum Women and take home some tasty fruit and vegetables plants grown by the Broadstairs Town Team.
Visitors were also able to shop at a number of local business stalls, while listening to, or watching local talent perform on the Pierremont Hall Portico. There were even 200 free ice-creams given out to the public by Tanias ice cream van!
Vendors and entertainment included, event sponsor Harvey Waste Management, plus:
Stalls present:
Garden Delights
Soo Flo Designs
Chloe & Figs
TJB Wood Design
Soapy Herbs
Little Pickle Pottery
Organic Village Market
Chloe’s Fudgey Fancies
The Design Dealership
Seaworn Jewellery
Wax & Whimsy
Folk Week
Inspiration Creative
Arco Art
Roosty’s
Community Groups:
Ramsgate Tunnels
Thanet Riding Club
Broadstairs Town Team
Sunshine Records
Scouts
Safer Neighbourhoods
Broadstairs Bowls Club
KCC Stop Smoking
British Diver Marine Life Rescue
Neurodivergent Friends
Thanet Coast Project
RNLI
Kent County Council Libraries
Dickens Festival
Entertainment
Syroon
Mazz
Feelgood Ukulele
Inspiration Creative Dance & Sing and Sign
Little Chapel
Wantsum Women Morris Dancing
Owen the only Saxophone
Broadstairs Bouncy Castles
Emerald Facepainting
Tanias Ice Cream
First Aid – St Johns Ambulance
Stall Hire – Ray Linge
The Mayor Cllr Mike Ganer said: “We are grateful to the many community groups, organisations and businesses who were able to attend this year’s festival in Pierremont Park and pleased that so many people were able to join us to celebrate all that’s great about our wonderful town.
“A big thank you also to all council staff for their hard work in organising the event beforehand and to the councillors and staff who helped facilitate it on the day. I look forward to the next Community Festival in Spring 2026.”
Liberty College
Liberty College’s tutor Sam had his hair cut and director Jojo had his head shaved by learners and staff in aid of the Little Princess Trust
Raffle tickets were drawn giving them the opportunity to cut a section of Sam’s hair or shave a section of Jojo’s head.
They raised £400 and all proceeds have gone to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. Sam’s hair has also been sent to the charity, who will use it to make a wig for a young person.
Liberty College is a fun and vibrant place for young people aged 16-25.
They offer bespoke learning pathways in either Life Skills, Employability Skills or Vocational Skills. Each pathway uses a combination of activities, hands-on learning and unique teaching methods to prepare the learners for their transition into the working world.
The Hive
Housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes has announced The Hive Thanet as its charity of the year partner for 2025-2026. The housebuilder will be raising money for the Kent based charity through several fundraising activities across the year. The partnership aims to support individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the wider community around them.
Founded in 2024, The Hive Thanet is the UK’s first national bespoke training, recreational, social and learning centre for children, young people and adults with SEND, as well as supporting family members and carers.
The Hive Thanet will be hosting a day service called ‘The Hive Traineeship’ from September offering a wide range of bespoke activities to develop social, life and employability skills, all aimed at building independence. This day service will enable the ‘trainees’ to explore their interests and socialise with others through several activities including gardening, life and employability tasks, creative workshops, sports and cooking.
To commemorate the partnership, Barratt David Wilson Kent recently invited the charity down to its Spitfire Green development in Ramsgate to unveil the new sensory garden at its show home for potential buyers to view.
Emily Hollis MBE, Director of Operations at The Hive Thanet, said: “To be selected as Barratt David Wilson Kent’s charity of the year means a great deal to us, and we are incredibly grateful for the support we have already received. With the housebuilder’s backing this will help us provide safe, nurturing spaces for those who need them most, enabling us to reach more people, deliver essential services, and create lasting change in our community. “Everyone deserves a safe place to grow, and with this support, we are one step closer to making that a reality.”
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent, added: “At Barratt David Wilson Homes we are committed to more than just construction, we are also dedicated to helping and creating vibrant and resilient communities for people to thrive in. The Hive Thanet’s work supporting individuals and families through education, wellbeing and community initiatives really stood out to us, and their commitment to improving lives across the Kent area aligns closely with our values.
“The team is looking forward to taking part in a range of fundraising activities to help support the charity’s vital work over the coming year to hopefully make a meaningful impact.”
If you have a learning disabled family member or friend who might be interested in joining The Hive Thanet or would like to find out further information visit www.thehivethanet.com.
Martha Trust
Martha Trust’s annual event Music on the Farm 2025, a fabulous one day festival, is back in the fields of Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour in Ripple on Sunday June 29th from 12noon – 8pm.
A host of local acts will be performing a variety of musical styles from folk rock to bluesy beats, dance classics and cheesy tunes.
Your performers for the day are: The Martellos, Muzz & Joe Duo , Endless Knot, Lofty Harris, The Moles and Shiva.
There will be dance displays by Dean Academy of Performing Arts.
Deal Radio’s Mr C Marc Carey will once again take to the stage to be your compere for the day, with Chris Mansfield and Sharon Powell the official photographers.
There will be plenty to keep the kids busy too with six hours of children’s entertainment organised by Creative Arts Workshop Leader and Event Planner Lizzie Willis- and her dedicated team of workshop leaders. All the children’s activities in this area are included in the ticket price.
There will also be Face Painting and hair glitter by Anna’s Face Candy, hand neck and shoulder seated massages with Mother Earth Therapies, a visit from the Fire Brigade plus more!
The Martha Tent will be present, Hook a Duck, Coconut Shy and other traditional games for a small cost so there really is something for all the family to enjoy.
Revolootion will also be onsite, making the event fully accessible for all. They are a mobile accessible toilet with adult-sized changing bench, hoist and a friendly attendant in a van.
There will be a selection of local to Kent Food & Beverage vendors that include a woodfired BBQ by Wild Tayberry, The Larder serving delicious treats including Vegan and Vege food, Soul Chef Kitchen serving authentic Jamaican food, Woodfired Pizzas by BJ’s Pizza, The Mac Shack with Mac n Cheese plus toppings, Lillyroos full bar and Gin Bar, Ruby Rose & Pearl horsebox bar, teas & coffees, The Cheeky Tipple Cocktails and Prosecco Bar, plus Tash’s Cakery with delicious cakes and of course Solley’s Ice Cream.
All of our partner vendors will be donating 20% of their sales back to Martha. There will be a big auction plus a raffle and barrow of booze to win on the day. The Main Event Sponsorship has been provided by 2025 event Sponsors Superior Healthcare Group, Solley’s Farm Ice cream, Cook Fabrications Ltd and onboard for the first time this year as a Main Sponsor, we are delighted to welcome Birchington based vehicle recycling business Reclamet.
If your business would like to learn more about sponsoring this event or can supply a raffle or auction prize, please contact Fundraising on 01304 610448 or email [email protected]
Deal Radio will be broadcasting live throughout the day from the event if you cannot attend.
Doors open at 12 noon and tickets, in advance, cost £40 for a family (2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years of age), single tickets cost £16 per adult and £7 per child.
The last remaining tickets can be purchased online at www.marthatrust.org.uk/musiconthefarm
East Kent Spurs Supporters Club
Football fans in East Kent have something special to look forward to this summer, as the East Kent Spurs Supporters Club has announced a star-studded charity match bringing together Tottenham Hotspur legends and veterans of Herne Bay Youth.
The match will take place on Saturday, 20th July at Whitstable Town FC and is being held in aid of “Legend on the Bench” – a charity formed by Micky Hazard and his sister Michelle following the death of her son Jay. The charity supports people suffering with mental health issues and aims to reduce the number of lives lost each year due to suicide.
The event will see a team of former Spurs greats take on a veteran squad drawn from Herne Bay Youth, promising an entertaining and nostalgic afternoon of football for a worthy cause.
The first wave of confirmed Tottenham players includes:
- Micky Hazard – The man behind the charity and a midfield maestro who played a key role in Spurs’ 1984 UEFA Cup triumph.
- Mark Falco – The powerful striker who netted over 80 goals for Tottenham in the 1980s.
- Tony Galvin – Known for his blistering pace and wing play during Spurs’ successful early ’80s campaigns.
- Gary Mabbutt – Legendary Spurs captain and one of the most respected defenders in English football.
- Pascal Chimbonda – The dynamic full-back and member of the 2008 League Cup-winning side.
- Kevin Watson – A product of Spurs’ youth system who went on to have a strong career across the Football League.
More names are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with the organisers hinting at some major additions to the legends’ line-up. There will also be an opportunity for one lucky person aged 21 yrs+ to become part of the Legends Team on the day. Further details on how to place a bid via the online auction will be announced shortly via the East Kent Spurs Supporters Club website.
Maria Howdon, Secretary of the East Kent Spurs Supporters Club, spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming fixture: “This is more than just a football match – it’s a celebration of Spurs history, community spirit, and the power of the game to make a difference. We’re honoured to support Micky Hazard’s incredible charity, and we know fans will be thrilled to see some familiar faces back on the pitch especially following the Europa Cup Win in Bilbao.”
The day promises to be packed with activities, including live music, food stalls, a raffle and much more.
Tickets can only be purchased online by visiting the Upcoming Events page on www.eastkentspurs.co.uk, with family-friendly pricing to ensure the event is accessible to all. Proceeds from the day will directly benefit “Legend on the Bench” and its ongoing work to support those suffering with mental health issues.
