Re-Cycle donation
Micheal Morgan, owner of Harbour Bikes Ramsgate and Pie Factory’s Luis Dawber have clubbed together for a joint Collection donated to ‘Re-Cycle bikes to Africa’.
The charity collects quality but unused/unwanted bicycles through valued partners and drop-off points across the UK.
Each bike is inspected, prepared and carefully packed at the warehouse before being shipped to Africa where partner organisations distribute them.
A bicycle can reduce a four-hour daily walk to school, work, healthcare, or the market to less than an hour—saving valuable time, creating opportunities, and supporting communities for years to come.
Michael said: “After Luis’s recommendation and reading about ‘Re-Cycle bikes to Africa’ we wanted to make a donation of bikes and parts that had been salvaged and repaired over the years to the charity.
“(We did this) knowing that they would be providing life changing essential transport to people in communities who are less fortunate than we are, giving them easier access to resources such as food, water, education and health services.”
Since 1997, Re-Cycle has delivered more than 160,000 bicycles to communities across 10 African countries, creating opportunities that reach far beyond the ride.
Coastal Community Learning
A project offering affordable part-time creative, fitness and wellbeing courses for adults in Thanet is celebrating its 1st anniversary will a free activities open day.
Coastal Community Learning (CCL), is a not-for-profit project which aims to fill the gap created by successive rounds of cuts in local government funding for Adult Education, causing arts and craft courses to be slashed.
It’s the vision of Tanya Curran, an arts enthusiast with 19 years of experience in the Adult Education sector.
Tanya, who has teamed up with Hilderstone College and the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs, is offering activities ranging from fitness to lino printing, drawing, languages and creative writing to mark the special date.
The open day is on Saturday, September 5th, 10am to 2pm at the Sarah Thorne building in Broadstairs.
Find out more at www.coastalcommunitylearning.com
League of Friends QEQM Hospital
The latest example of an item we have funded that is less expensive but still makes a positive difference is this medical weighing scale, which cost £208, shown with Pre-Surgical Preparation Sister Rowena, Charge Nurse Stefan and our Chairman Sue.
It’s approved for use in a healthcare setting and designed for high accuracy and patient safety.
Having a very accurate measure of a patient’s weight is an integral part of the surgical pre-assessment process so the anaesthetist can calculate exact drug doses, determine the correct equipment settings and assess general fitness for anaesthesia and surgery.
Each of the Hospital’s surgical pre-assessment clinic rooms now has a set of these, improving patient waiting time.
Please visit us at www.qeqmfriends.com or our Facebook page.
Margate Parkrun
Lulu Caps , Steve Caps and Sharon Coughlan had a lot to celebrate after each of them completed their 500th park run at Margate on Saturday 29th August. In addition all three were at the very first Margate parkrun in April 2013.
They were joined by family and friends to mark the occasion.
Parkrun is a free 5km worldwide event where participants can walk or run and is organised entirely by volunteers.
National Merchant Navy Day
The Merchant Navy Day service and wreath-laying in Dover is now the nearest one to Thanet following the folding of isle-based M.N. Training Ship Vindicatrix Association in 2024 due to a reduction of members through ill-health, mobility and passing away.
The service and Wreath-Laying Ceremony will take place on Thursday 3 September, 11am, at the Dover Merchant Navy War Memorial, Marine Parade, Dover Seafront.
As this is an outdoor event, please wear suitable clothing in case of inclement weather and please be aware that those attending will be standing on grass and more suitable footwear may be advisable.
Following the service there will be light refreshments available at the Dover Marina Hotel, Dover Waterfront.
Margate FC Community Trust
Thursday Social Club Garden Open Day on September 3 from 10am to noon at Margate FC.
Over 55s social – tea, cake and chat. Also remembering Merchant Navy Day.
Discover the progress on the new garden, help the Trust plan for winter, All welcome.
New book
Thanet author and music historian Peter Checksfield has released his latest book on band MUD, which formed in 1966.
MUD had 15 hits in four years, including three chart-toppers, a record of theirs became one of the all-time most-played Christmas songs, and another record even spawned its own dance.
Yet, there has never been a book written about them – until now! From their pre-fame Pop and Bubblegum singles, via their ’70s hits, misses, albums and solo spin-offs, to Les Gray’s final recordings a few years before his death, music historian and author Peter Checksfield looks at every record they ever made.
Available from Amazon, in Hardcover, Paperback and E-Book! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HG84VYFP
The book is part of Peter’s ‘Every Song from Every Session’ series. Other artists in the series include Showaddywaddy, Cilla Black, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, Chas & Dave, The Searchers, The Tremeloes, Cliff Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Coasters and The Swinging Blue Jeans.
Ramsgate Music Hall and St George’s Church
Ramsgate Music Hall is organising two very special acoustic shows at St George’s Church in Ramsgate this October.
The team has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to create something really special in this beautiful space – combining live music with atmospheric lighting and projection visuals to create an experience that feels completely different from a traditional show.
On 8th October, the team welcomes Nerina Pallot, fresh from her headline performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Then, on 31st October, Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses will play at the church as part of her UK tour.
A Ramsgate Music Hall spokesperson said: “These are going to be our biggest and most ambitious church shows yet, and we’d absolutely love for the wider Thanet/Kent community to come and experience them with us.
“Tickets are already selling quickly, so we’d encourage anyone interested to grab theirs soon before they’re gone!”
Tickets to both events can be found at www.ramsgatemusichall.com
Benefit gig
Following a sold out show at Broadstairs Folk Week, The Men They Couldn’t Hang make a prompt return to Thanet with gig at Olby’s in Margate on 26th September.
Founded in 1984, evolved from the Shepherd’s Bush squatting and busking scene to make their debut with Poguemahone at the Electric Ballroom in Camden.
Swiftly their uproarious and engaging style, coupled gained a passionate national following, leading to a 40+ year career filled with much loved music, a dedicated fan community and high octane performances.
Touring continually throughout their career, TMTCH have crossed the globe by way of Europe, Canada, USA, Nordics, Australia, Japan, Egypt and Estonia. They have appeared at festivals such as Glastonbury, Roskilde, Reading, Pink Pop, Wickham and Cambridge Folk and have appeared with a roll call of International artists such as David Bowie, Van Morrison, Bo Diddley, The Smiths, Elvis Costello and the Oyster Band to name a few.
Their recordings have been acclaimed in print, on radio and online; from their definitive version of the anti war classic Green Fields of France to the anti fascist anthem Ghosts of Cable Street and the epic historical ballads, Ironmasters and The Colours. Recent albums The Defiant (2014) and Cock-A-Hoop (2018) have seen TMTCH rise again into prominence; their vitality undimmed.
2026 – Devastated by the passing of friend and co-founder Cush during the Covid lockdown, TMTCH are responding in the only way they know how; writing, recording and playing live to their ever loyal and growing community of fans. The band found a new lease of life during their very successful anniversary tour in 2024, celebrating their 40 years of raising hell which included special events and a ‘Best of’ release. In 2026 they continue touring and working on brand new album …The Wave
Gerry Colvin (of Terry and Gerry fame) and Luca Gene will be the support.
Doors open at 7pm.
For tickets and details go to https://wegottickets.com/event/691857 or https://www.seetickets.com/event/the-men-they-couldn-t-hang-/olby-s-soul-cafe/3652576
Rosslyn Court
Something Sleeps play at Rosslyn Court in Cliftonville on September 3, doors open from 7pm.
London based dream-folk band “Something Sleeps” features songwriters Fiona Fey and Rey Yusuf, known for their vocal harmonies and emotionally provocative lyrics. Intricately flowing songs in vocal harmony wind their way through soulful Cello melodies by Josh Considine. With a warm and playful sense of humour they entertain with their on stage antics.
The ensemble add their distinctive voices to modern day folk song, penning socially conscious original material. Something Sleeps continues the tradition of using folk song to protest and question the status quo.
Tickets at: https://wegottickets.com/event/683374/
Seaside CEO
The September session of small business event series, Seaside CEO, will be focused on how to raise and manage money. An expert panel will cover topics from how to find angel investors through to applying for the new South East Investment Fund that is making £millions available for local SMEs, with capital from the British Business Bank.
Attend the event to hear from the CEO of UK Business Angels Association, Jenny Tooth OBE, from Lisa Young of Let’s Do Business who is Kent’s delivery partner for StartUp and Growth Guarantee Loans, as well as the two funders managing the South East Investment Fund, Alex Lindsay of Maven Capital Partners and Cheryl Weeks of FSE Group. Also attending the event will be local accountants who can help build cashflow forecasts and business plans to apply for the forms of funding covered.
Event organiser Emma Jones said: “Not every business needs to raise money to start and grow but an injection of capital can take your business to the next level and bring much needed financial expertise on board. There are a number of funding options available and they will be covered at this event as well as offering local businesses the opportunity to hear about the new South East Investment Fund that is committing over £200 million to businesses in the region.”
The event is being hosted on Thursday 24th September, 5 to 7pm, at Royal Temple Yacht Club. Tickets are £5 per person including drinks and networking.
Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-raise-manage-money-tickets-1989859725003
