Thanet groups will be among hundreds that are taking part in a Vote for Nature national day of action to save green space from development this month.
Vote for Nature says the government’s housing target can be met twice over without touching any green spaces, by building on brownfield sites, renovating empty and dilapidated homes and repurposing office space no longer needed because of home working.
Groups across the country will take part in the action on April 18 with events ranging from nature walks and talks to photo campaigns and community gardening.
Action in Thanet:
Save Minster Marshes
SMM will hold an event by The Viking Ship in Cliffsend.
There will be a showing of The Planet We Call Home film every hour in the marquee, and talented young filmmaker Connor Carruthers will be there to answer questions about his film.
Thanet’s wildlife filmmaker Keith Ross will be leading guided walks around the hoverport at 11am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
There will also be children’s activities and lots of information about the Save Minster Marshes campaign.
Birchington Thanet Scarecrows
The first ever Birchington Scarecrows Spring Scarecrow Competition (Thanet Scarecrows) will be held at Dog Acre from 10:30am – 2:30pm
Make your scarecrow at home and bring it along on the day. Entries are open to everyone.
- 11am – 1pm: Register your scarecrow
- 1pm – 2pm: Judging
- 2pm: Prize giving
Guidelines:
- Minimum height: 1 metre
- No pre-made/commercial masks
- Keep it family-friendly
Westgate & Garlinge Action Group Against Housing on Farmland
Meeting point for event- The Gatehouse at Dent de Lion Court, Garlinge (CT9 5LL).
Starting at 10am with a Walk-‘n’-Talk.
The talk begins with the background history of the Gatehouse, followed by a walk along the footpath stopping beside a wooded area to hear about wildlife on our farmland. The walk continues to the concrete area and plan to deliver another talk about the archaeology that lies beneath the farmland at Westgate and Garlinge.
Finally, there will be a Thanet farmer meeting participants at the end of the footpath at Minster Road, with a tractor, for a talk about the importance of farmland for food. This Walk-‘n’-Talk activity includes a family friendly quiz, and prizes will be given to winners at approximately 12 noon at the Westgate Town Council Offices.
Between 10am-12noon an information hub will be set up at the Westgate Town Council (WTC) offices, with four nature focused groups presenting displays and information about their work linked to protecting nature and the environment – Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) & Save Minster Marshes Campaign Group, & the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Prizes will be announced and presented for winners from the Walk-‘n’-Talk quiz at the WTC offices, at approximately 12 noon. Prizes include a hamper of locally grown vegetables gifted by local Westgate Greengrocers Prentis, alongside a selection of books and other donated items from Group members.
A group spokesperson said: “Our aims for the day include creating a record of the events to share both with local media and, more importantly, our Prime Minister and his Cabinet, in the hope that another U-turn decision might be made regarding the removal of the unachievable housing targets currently forced upon our communities in Thanet.
“We hope as many people as possible will be able to come along and support our events for the Day of Action and the publicity relating to all the 150+ events occurring across the country on the same day will nudge our Government further towards taking a more serious look at ensuring food security before building on our BMV farmland.”
Garlinge Residents Association
The association will be holding a gathering for interested people on Margate promenade opposite Dreamland Cinema from noon to 2pm.
The group says Thanet has the largest portion of new housing developments in Kent. Infrastructure is crumbling, roads, water, sewerage, schools and NHS are all under stress.
Wildernesstowonderland
Meeting point for event at Margate railway station approach from 11:30am.
Meadow and summer planting workshop celebrating all the local support for W2W community gardens and a ‘we all care’ picture taken by Frank Leppard – professional photographer- to promote the campaign.
After reading the article, I feel it’s a “feel good, self congratulations” event for the participants. In the real world, it will change nothing as the companies and mainstream politicians will not be listening or are interested!