Margate Coastguard Rescue Team
Eight members of the Margate Coastguard Rescue Team have been presented with the King’s Coronation Medal at an event held Friday evening at Foreness Waterski Club.
To be eligible to receive the medal you must have served for at least the last five years.
The eight officers at Margate who received the medals have served a combined 256 years between them! Their selfless devotion to saving lives around the Isle of Thanet for such a long time is a credit to the amazing people they are and their amazing families who support them no matter what.
The whole of the team miss countless birthdays, Christmas’s and family get togethers to be there in someone’s hour of need.
Not only were these medals handed out but Station Officer Mark Gambrill received recognition and an award for 40 years of saving lives with HM Coastguard. To put that into perspective in area 8, which covers the South East of England, there are currently 187 serving Coastguard Rescue Officers. Within that there are only four officers who have served 40 years plus. Margate has two of them.
This is a massive achievement and the Coastguard family are extremely proud of him. Congratulations to them and all our emergency services.
Those receiving medals were:
- Stuart Barnes 24 years’ service
- Mike Emptage 23 years’ service
- Kim Sullivan 29 years’ service
- Simon Goodwin 39 years’ service
- Mark Gambrill 40 years’ service
- Keith Silcock 48 years’ service,
- Tim Gunn 18 years’ service and
- Peter Overton 34 years’ service.
Ramsgate Town Council award Honorary Freedom of the Town to Ramsgate RNLI
Ramsgate Town Council is delighted to announce that it has voted to award the Honorary Freedom of the Town to Ramsgate RNLI in recognition of their extraordinary service to the community. The decision was made at a Special Council Meeting held on 25th September 2024.
This prestigious award is the highest honour a local authority can bestow and acknowledges the invaluable work carried out by the volunteers and staff of Ramsgate RNLI, who have dedicated themselves to saving lives at sea and ensuring public safety in and around the waters of Ramsgate.
Over the years, Ramsgate RNLI has been a cornerstone of the community, with its team responding to emergency callouts at all hours and in the harshest conditions. In addition to their life-saving efforts, the RNLI has played an essential role in promoting water safety education and fostering a sense of community responsibility, making Ramsgate a safer place for all.
Councillor Steve Albon, Chair of Ramsgate Town Council, praised the RNLI’s tireless efforts and their commitment to the town, saying: “The Ramsgate RNLI is the embodiment of courage, selflessness, and dedication. For generations, they have protected the lives of locals and visitors alike, often putting themselves in harm’s way to rescue those in need. Bestowing the Honorary Freedom of the Town is a small but significant way to thank them for their incredible work and unwavering service. Ramsgate is immensely proud of its RNLI crew, and this award reflects the town’s deep gratitude.”
The official ceremony to award the Honorary Freedom of the Town will be planned in the coming months, where the RNLI will be formally recognised for their contributions to the community.
Chair of the Ramsgate RNLI Management Committee, Eric Burton, said: “On behalf of everybody involved with the Ramsgate lifeboat, I want to express my thanks to Ramsgate Town Council for bestowing upon us the Freedom of the Town of Ramsgate. It is great honour, and we are very proud to be honoured in this way. We have a good relationship with the Town Council who have been very supportive of the RNLI over the years.”
The Coxswain of Ramsgate RNLI, Ian Cannon, added: “On behalf of the crew of the Ramsgate RNLI, I would like to say how proud we are to be honoured in this way, especially as we are celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the creation of the RNLI. The first Ramsgate lifeboat actually predates the RNLI as it was established in 1802 by the Trustees of Ramsgate Harbour.”
Written by: Laura Fidler, Town Clerk & RFO
Sunken Garden Society
Sunken Garden Society has been tending the Sunken Garden since 2018, bringing love and attention to a space that holds a fond place in many hearts.
We are thrilled that this has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and to have received a Level 5 Outstanding Award, which a small group collected on Friday 20th September at RHS Wisley Gardens
Thank you to all the people that volunteer and spend time in the garden, it wouldn’t be what it is without you.
The Sunken Garden Eco Fair is on Sunday 6 October, 12 noon to 4pm
Sunken Garden, Royal Esplanade, Westbrook,Margate CT9 5EJ
Information and booking links are available on our website www.thesunkengarden.co.uk with updates still being added, so please visit regularly.
Peter Hasted writes:
On Friday, 20th September, 2024 I had the honour of taking three Sunken Gardeners, Sue, Anna and Angie to a very special Garden, RHS Wisley for a very large serving of inspiration.
The horrendous traffic on the M25 gave us the opportunity to have a delightful countryside drive through the west Kent and Surrey lanes. As we arrived the sky darkened, so we found ourselves in the gift shop purchasing umbrellas to make the very wet walk up to the hilltop. It took us quite a while to reach the top as we stopped to marvel at the incredible horticulture practices every couple of steps, as the thunder and lightning disappeared into the distance. We made it to the café at the top of the hill just as it stopped raining, and by the time we had refreshed, the sun came out and the World Food Garden beckoned us out to admire the innovation and artistic talent of the RHS curators and gardeners at Wisley.
RHS Wisley is set in almost 100 hectares, so getting round it all in a day is very challenging. We had had a long drive and were due to go to the Award Ceremony in the afternoon, so time was very limited. We could have stayed in the World Food Garden all day, but I was keen for our gardeners to see as much of Wisley as possible, therefore I guided them down to the Bonsai Walk and Alpine Houses before a quick introduction to the extensive 110 year old Rock Garden, before heading back to the Hilltop for the formal ceremony. We caught up with friend of the Sunken Garden, BBC Garden expert and reporter Jean Griffin and we were all delighted to gain ‘Level 5 – Outstanding’, the top award for our category, It’s Your Neighbourhood, and even more so to help Broadstairs Town Team celebrate with their multiple and prestigious awards.
Once the formalities were over it was back to the gardens, taking the Sunken Gardeners to the Glasshouse. Unfortunately I had spent so much time socialising and networking at the ceremony, we missed the last entry into the Glasshouse, but it did give us the opportunity to inspect the newly laid out Oudolf Landscape, which was worth the visit on its own.
By this time it was getting late and we all wanted to make sure we got to the garden centre before it closed, so off we went through the Rose Garden, stopping off to admire the Cottage Garden and Exotic Garden before heading down the bottom to the Mixed Borders, Wisteria Walk, on to the Conifer Lawn before a wander around Jellicoe Canal.
RHS Wisley really does give you a sensory overload, it is full of so many different plants and trees that you’ll walk out of there in awe. It is a very special Garden and I was elated to be able to go with Sunken Gardeners Sue, Anna and Angie, and am looking forward to going again soon.
Broadstairs Town Team
We are enormously proud of everyone that volunteers as part of all Town Team projects and what they do for our town. This week, representatives of the Gardens Group volunteers went to Wisley for the ‘Its Your Neighbourhood’ awards again.
They were awarded ‘Outstanding’ and special Gold awards for ‘Sustainable gardening’ from the RHS – Royal Horticultural Society. Proud just does not cover it! Gratitude, admiration, thanks and respect for everyone that helps us. Congrats to our neighbours that do the same in Ramsgate too!! Say Hi and well done when you see them out and about in their Hi vis if you have a moment.
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council award
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council has received a prestigious award from the National Association of Local Councils.
The Local Council Award Scheme recognises that the Town Council achieves good practice in governance, community engagement and council improvement.
The Award Scheme report highlighted the Council’s particular areas of strength, including its excellent new website www.broadstairs.gov.uk, a clearly presented and well defined action plan and the high level of importance it attaches to the continuous professional development of its staff and councillors.
The report also acknowledges that the Town Council goes above and beyond its legal obligations, leads the community and continuously seeks opportunities to improve and develop even further.
The Local Council Award Scheme is a peer assessed programme that has been designed to promote and recognise councils that are at the cutting edge of the sector. Only eleven of the 321 town and parish councils in Kent currently hold the accreditation.
Chairman of the Council, Cllr Mike Garner, said, “The Town Council is delighted to receive this award, and thanks must go to the staff and councillors who work so hard on behalf of our towns. Currently the council provides a range of services from the improvement of the town’s assets and open spaces to community events and environmental initiatives.
“The Council is reviewing ways in which it can keep on improving its offer to the local community and welcomes input from local people, community groups and other partners to help with this.”
Town Mayor of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Civic Service
On Sunday 22nd September Mayor and Mayoress of Broadstairs and St. Peter’s hosted a Civic Service in collaboration with St. Peter’s in Thanet church who kindly incorporated the Service into their usual Sunday service.
The Congregation was very accommodating to the local dignitaries, organisations and charities who also attended. The service was led by Reverend Matt Hodder and Reverend Alice Bates, with readings from the Mayor Cllr Mike Garner and his father, Peter Garner.
The aim of the Civic Service is to acknowledge and thank those who work within our community in paid and unpaid roles or who give their time for the benefit of others. Cllr Garner’s speech reflected this message: “Carole and I are very happy to be able to hold our town civic service here at St Peter’s Church as part of your Sunday morning worship and we thank you all for welcoming us.
“We’re happy that the Chair of Thanet District Council, Cllr Debra Owen-Hughes, and her husband Derek have been able to join us today, especially as they got married last Friday. We also welcome our County Councillor Ros Binks, Cllr Jack Packman and Karen, the Mayor and Mayoress of Margate along with Cllr Pat Moore, the Mayor of Ramsgate.
“We’re also pleased to be joined by representatives of a some of the community groups and societies who do such great work around our town as well as Julie from this year’s Mayor’s charity, 21 Together, a charity with families at the heart of everything they do, supporting children and young people with Down’s syndrome, their families and those that work with them. The collection today will go towards this fantastic charity.
“Among my friends and family here this morning, I’m especially pleased that my parents have been able to join us and that my dad is going to be doing a reading later in the service.
“I was raised by them in a Christian household and learnt that, among other things, at the heart of the Christian message is compassion and love. While I might not be a regular church goer, I’ve always tried to live my life making decisions with that ethos of compassion and love in my mind.
“One of the ways I do that I learnt from my mum. She’s always told me that when she has a difficult decision to make, she asks herself “what would Jesus do?”
“As a Town Council, we don’t have decisions to make on a scale similar to MPs or Governments, but we do make decisions that have an important impact on the people we serve. If I had one request that could be heard at all levels of authority it would be that more decisions were made with compassion at the heart any considerations, or to take a leaf out of my mum’s book, the question asked was “what would Jesus do?”
A retiring collection was held in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity, 21 Together, which provides support for children and young people with Down’s syndrome as well as the family members, carers, friends, and professionals supporting them.
We thank those of you that attended and donated to this wonderful cause.
Margate Civic Society
Please note our next Lecture Evening will now be held on Thursday, 3 October, commencing 1930 hrs at the Holy Trinity Margate Hall, St Mary’s Avenue, Margate CT9 3TN.
This will be an evening of two halves, combining our Annual General Meeting and a talk by Gordon Clarkson (Theatrical Producer, Entertainer, Writer, and Public Speaker) entitled “My Life in the Theatre and the World of Entertainment”.
As always, refreshments will be on sale at the start of the evening and during a short interval, including delicious homemade cakes, which are becoming exceedingly popular. Merchandise and raffle tickets will also be on sale throughout the evening.
Guests and lapsed Members are most welcome: £3.50 nominal fee.
Westgate & Birchington Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel is the largest women’s voluntary service organisation in the world, with clubs in over 104 countries and more than 108,000 members, worldwide, our objects are friendship, personal service and international understanding. In short, ‘Fun, Friendship and Fund-raising’.
Most clubs choose two charities to support each year, one usually local or national, and one for overseas. We also support a District and National Charity, which are chosen by the District Chairman and the National President.
Westgate & Birchington’s charity this year is ‘Daniel Baird Foundation’ Bleed Control Kits.
A little bit about the charity. ‘The Daniel Baird Foundation’ Charity was set up by Lynne Baird after her son, Daniel Baird just 26 years of age, was fatally stabbed in July 2017, following a night out with friends. He was a totally innocent member of the public just walking home. There was no first aid or bleeding control kit available.
Dan died shortly after arriving at hospital due to catastrophic bleeding. His life should not have ended in this tragic way. Had there been a publicly accessible bleeding control pack available Dan may have still been with us today.
However, there are many other ways for a catastrophic bleed to occur, such as from a car accident or a work-related injury. We believe that having publicly accessible bleeding control packs in all major shopping centres, pubs/clubs, public transport stations, often in defib boxes, is vital to provide the necessary first aid to reduce blood loss until professional medical help arrives.
For the cost of a kit, a life could be saved and their family spared lifelong grief knowing that they could perhaps have survived.
We aim to put publicly available Bleed Control Kits in the shopping streets of Birchington and Westgate and also at the beaches. Please help us to raise the money by supporting our fund- raising efforts this year.
Our first fundraiser is a ‘Heroines and Villains’ Quiz on November 1st at Church House, Birchington. See flier and book a table to avoid disappointment!
Next year we shall hold a ‘Valentine’s Dance’ with ‘DNA Band’ at the United Services Club in Birchington on Friday 14th February. Look out for the posters, tickets will be available in the New Year!
On June 21st we shall hold a ‘Joint Fundraising Ascot Race Night’ with Westgate & Birchington Rotary at Westgate Community Hall. Tickets will be available after our Valentine’s Dance!
We welcome your support for this year’s community project. It could save your life!
We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at St Augustine’s, Westgate, for a 2 course meal. If you are interested to know more about our club, contact Membership Officer, Margaret on 01843 840878 or if she is away, President Hazel on 01843 833565 or 07889 655497
Thanet Big Sing Community Choir
It has been a great summer for Thanet Big Sing Community Choir! Our sell-out concert on June 29th saw the premier performance of ‘Being Human’, a piece commissioned by the choir and written by our musical director Tony Castro.
Alongside this beautiful piece we performed numbers from our wider popular repertoire and were delighted with the audience feedback. The new composition particularly touched people, with comments such as ‘deep and thought-provoking’, ‘imaginatively brilliant’, ‘it painted beautiful pictures with music’, ‘it had me in tears’.
Then in July we were delighted to be singing at Margate Station in the main ticket hall as part of their Margate Summer Celebration. This is part of a happy collaboration we have Southeastern Railways, Thanet District Council and the Turner Contemporary as The Creative Isle Partnership.
We are now looking forward to our autumn and winter gigs. Saturday October 19th sees us performing at the Canterbury Festival as part of the ‘Beautiful Noise’ event, a community music celebration. We will be at the Westgate Hall from 12noon- 12.50pm singing ‘Being Human’ amongst other songs. Come along and hear us !
And if you miss us or want to hear us again, why not come and hear us fill Margate Station with seasonal tunes and cheer on the 17th December.
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service
The Oasis Golf Day at North Foreland Golf Club has raised £16,788 for the award-winning domestic abuse charity.
The event, held on Friday 27th September, a wet and windy day, saw 22 teams of 4 taking to the fairways for a 1pm shotgun start. Teams were made up of North Foreland Golf Club (NFGC) members and Kent-wide businesses, many returning to show their ongoing support for the important work of Oasis and with the event now being a staple in the local golfing calendar.
The day began with coffee and bacon rolls in the Lighthouse Brasserie, sponsored by Wahl (UK) Limited, followed by 18 holes on North Foreland’s beautiful main course with views out to sea. In the evening, guests were treated to a two-course meal followed by a high-spirited charity auction artfully run by Former Club Chairmans Keith Rumblo and Mike Bastow.
Taking first place in the charity tournament was Megger Ltd, with Guildcrest Estates’ all-female team coming close behind in 2nd place. Lynne Ashbee from Guildcrest Estates hit Nearest the Pin and Terry Westby, who attends every year, won Nearest the Line. All winners received golfing prizes sponsored by Lanes Printers of Broadstairs and handed out by Club President, Bob Lovett.
Oasis’ Head of Income and Engagement, Jo Dawes, said: “A heartfelt thank you to Megger Ltd for sponsoring, and to all the local businesses, committee members, and golfers who gathered at North Foreland Golf Course, raising over £16,000 in support of our cause. It was wonderful to connect with so many long-time supporters and golf day participants. The enthusiasm for our mission was truly heartwarming, and we can’t wait to see everyone again next year—mark your calendars for 19th September 2025.
“Our annual golf day has become a vital fundraiser, and this year is particularly special as we celebrate 30 years since a small group came together in 1994 to transform a Margate hotel into a sanctuary for domestic abuse survivors. We are deeply grateful for the continued support we receive from our community year after year, so we can help more adults and children build safe, positive futures free from harm.”
One participant said: “We had so much fun playing out at North Foreland. We ignored the rain and got a bit blown around but had such a great day supporting such a good cause.”
Pilgrims Hospices
As the festive season draws near, Pilgrims Hospices warmly invites you to take part in our Care This Christmas Superdraw 2024—an exciting opportunity to support compassionate end-of-life care in our community, while standing a chance to win incredible prizes.
By purchasing a ticket, you’re not only helping provide vital care to those facing terminal illness, but you’ll also be entering a draw that could make this holiday season unforgettable for you and your loved ones. With 24 prizes to be won, including £2,000, £750, £500, £250, and 20 x £25 gift vouchers, this could be your chance to treat yourself to that dream holiday or something special for the family.
Shiralee Riddell, Pilgrims Lottery Manager, says: “Thank you to everyone who has supported our Christmas Superdraw over the years. It’s become a cherished part of Pilgrims fundraising activities, raising more than £700,000 in the last decade alone. What an incredible achievement—thank you!”
Tickets cost just £1 each. By purchasing a book of 12 tickets for £12, you could provide a delicious Christmas meal for someone in our care. And with two books for £24, you’ll help fund an hour of nursing care. Every ticket purchased truly makes a difference, ensuring we’re here for the next family in need.
Superdraw packs will be sent to Pilgrims supporters from Monday 16th September 2024.
Tickets will also be available online on this day—visit www.raffleplayer.com/pilgrims to purchase.
The closing date for entries is Thursday, 5th December 2024.
The Superdraw will take place on Thursday, 12th December 2024.
In addition to cash prizes, we’re offering fast entry prizes for those who act quickly plus more chances to win with our super seller prizes! Simply return your ticket stubs and payment in the envelope provided to secure your chance to win. Need extra tickets? Our ticket hotline is ready to help at 01628 511 701.
Each £1 ticket sold helps Pilgrims Hospices continue providing compassionate care to local people living with terminal illness—offering comfort, dignity, and support when it’s needed most. Your generosity enables us to support over 2,500 patients and their loved ones each year. Please help us make this year’s Superdraw the biggest yet!
Why not join our weekly lottery for just £1 per entry? You could be one of 5,500 lucky winners who receive a cheque from Pilgrims Lottery each year! Please contact our Lottery Team at 01227 379741 or email [email protected]
Chartwell House
A dedicated team from Chartwell House Care Home recently took part in the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk, covering an 8 mile round trip from Ramsgate Boating Pool to Broadstairs along the picturesque Kent coastline.
Leading the charge were Home Manager, Diane Collins and Admissions Manager, Jude Coveney, who alongside team and their families, completed the impressive 8-mile journey in under 3 hours. Joining the team was 6-year-old Hugo, who completed both legs of the walk, with a well-deserved piggyback from his mum Kelly on the return.
Reflecting on the day, Diane Collins said, “Walking in support of our residents living with dementia was an emotional and fulfilling experience. We decided to complete this challenge as a symbol of how far we’re willing to go to raise awareness of dementia. Every step felt meaningful and worthwhile.”
The Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk is a key initiative that raises awareness and funding for dementia research and care, uniting communities in support of those affected by the condition. The efforts of the Chartwell House team were praised by the Alzheimer’s Society.
Jude Coveney highlighted the importance of such events: “Dementia touches so many lives, and raising awareness is vital. Through this walk, we help fund essential research and support services while educating others about the realities of living with dementia.”
The walk demonstrated the strength and dedication of the Chartwell House team, who, alongside little Hugo, showed their ongoing commitment to supporting dementia awareness and care in their community.
Friends of St Nicholas at Wade Church
The Friends of St Nicholas at Wade Church will hold a Christmas craft fair on November 9 from 10am to 2pm.
There will be art and craft and charity stalls and refreshments.
The event will be held at the church and entry is free.
Sumatra jungle challenge for charity
On the 6th September, friends Kerry Banks BEM and Katie Morrison embarked on an incredible journey and undertook a gruelling trek through the jungles of Sumatra to raise funds for their chosen charities.
They faced a big challenge before they started as their plane was delayed by 36 hours which meant they lost their acclimatisation time and had to go straight into the challenge once arriving in Bukit Lawang in Indonesia.
The trek took them through the jungles between rivers, up ascents of over 600 metres to climb followed by the 600 metre descent. The girls were carrying their rucksacks filled with their beds, sleeping bags, clothes and water for the day which made it so much harder.
They had to battle against tropical rainstorms whilst on slippery almost vertical descents with only ropes and a jungle guide’s hand to hold onto plus the heat and some days , over 96% humidity.
The girls were sleeping rough by riverbeds each night which brought its only challenges- with a jungle rat dropping on Katie’s head one night and Kerry contracting a nasty bug which still has yet to clear.
The sights, sounds and smells both day and night were magical. From the Thomas leaf monkeys calling to each other in the trees with their cheeky banter to the cicadas rhythmic high pitch whine, the sound of the river flowing after the torrential rains of the afternoon. It’s true that the jungle never sleeps.
Kerry, who was raising money for Breast Cancer Now – a charity very close to her heart that she has supported for over 18 years after her friend Julie Mortimer was diagnosed for the second time in 2006 and sadly passed away in 2010 aged just 41 years old, said: “ This was by far the hardest challenge I have ever undertaken for the charity! The ascents were so steep and first thing in the morning were a real struggle. I cried a lot however I laughed a lot too! Our little team of 7 including our amazing trek guide Steph and Dr Sam were incredible and we all spurred each other on and supported each other. I am so proud to say I have raised £10,000 for the charity.”
Katie, who was raising money for Porchlight, said: “It was the most amazing adventure of my life! Not only had I never travelled this far in the world before, my previous trekking experience amounted to walking the dog across our local fields and would take no longer than an hour and a half!
“The experience exceeded my expectations right from the start and challenged me both mentally and physically. I was grateful for the Sumatran guides, ropes and trees to hold on to. The heat and humidity were immense – I never knew a woman could sweat so much! I had to dig deep each day and find some inner strength I didn’t know I had however I am proud to say I raised over £6300 for Porchlight.”
To sponsor Kerry, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kerrybankssumatrajungletrek2024
To sponsor Katie, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/katie-morrison-1694694450089
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