Augustine Camino
The charity, Mary’s Meals, which feeds 3 million children per school day in some of the world’s poorest countries, has just completed an inaugural charity pilgrimage on Thanet’s own pilgrimage route – the Augustine Camino.
Eight pilgrims walked the whole route from Rochester to the Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate via Aylesford Priory, Faversham and Canterbury Cathedral. Many others joined them for a day to raise money to help feed hungry children.
Roy Peachey, Supporter Engagement for Mary’s Meals in the South East, said: ‘Walking the Augustine Camino for Mary’s Meals was a very special experience. In a small way, we were able to reach out to the children we serve meals to, many of whom walk long distances to school each day in very challenging circumstances.”
Andrew Kelly, founder of the Augustine Camino, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Mary’s Meals for this inaugural sponsored pilgrimage. Getting to know the pilgrims and learning about Mary’s Meals has been a wonderful experience. The welcome from churches and local business along the route has been particularly encouraging.”
You can learn more about Mary’s Meals here Homepage | Mary’s Meals and about the Augustine Camino here Augustine Camino – Find routes, maps, descriptions and services for your walk
The next week-long guided pilgrimage along the Augustine Camino starts on 29th September.
St John’s Margate and All Saints’ Westbrook
Margate welcomed The Reverend Leigh Daynes in a licensing and installation service on Tuesday the 16th of September with The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, and The Venerable Dr William Adam, Archdeacon of Canterbury.
Father Leigh has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of St John’s, Margate, and All Saints’, Westbrook.
He joins us from his role as Assistant Curate at the Abbey Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Barking, in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Father Leigh grew up near Faversham, where his family still live.
His professional work has mainly been in the international humanitarian sector, including with the Red Cross and the United Nations, specialising in advocacy, communications and public policy.
Before training for ordained ministry in the Church of England Leigh was Executive Director of Doctors of the World UK and CEO of the YMCA’s international development charity, which focussed on enabling disadvantaged young people to start their own small businesses. He has a strong interest in social justice and human rights.
Father Leigh tells us he is thrilled and excited to be in the Diocese where he was born and raised. He came to faith as a young teenager through his school. He has moved to Margate with his rescue greyhound Tommy and together they can’t wait to stretch their legs on the beach.
He said: “I am looking forward to getting to know you, listening to you and learning from you. I believe in the transformative power of art and sharing meals together to effect change. I am really looking forward to breaking bread with you.”
In the licensing, Father Leigh used some words from a prayer of Sir Francis Drake as he looked forward to his new shared adventure with the people of Margate:.
‘Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.’
Birchington Heritage Trust
Birchington Heritage Trust invites everyone to join us for a talk by local historian Alexandra Gilbert as she takes us on a journey into the past, re-visiting Birchington’s Victorian History.
The talk is on 25th September at The Centre, Alpha Road, CT7 9EG. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. All are welcome: it’s free to Trust Members and we invite donations from guests. The bar will be open.
Meanwhile, our Heritage Open Days exhibition about Station Road, Birchington will continue on show at the Museum until the end of September. Additional, recent research about the properties in Station Road and a new self-guided trail booklet are also available from the Museum.
For more information visit our website: www.birchingtonheritage.org.uk
Or find us on Facebook.
The Museum is in Birchington Library. We’re open Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
Ukrainian Community in Kent – Thanet
The Ukrainian community in Thanet will be joining a Chain of Thanks litter pick next weekend.
Meeting point: near Ramsgate Marina, Saturday, 27 September, 9:00am
Later the same day, from 10am to 1pm, the community will also be holding a Charity Bake Sale at the Salvation Army in Ramsgate.
A member said: “We thought it was a great idea and a meaningful way to show our gratitude.”
Angels 4 Dogs Rescue
Our beautiful Mastiff cross Kirby has spent the last year and a half in kennels waiting for his chance at love. He has been so patient, gentle and kind despite never having the comfort of a real home in all this time.
This year life dealt him another cruel blow – he was diagnosed with a non-infectious nasal fungal disease. He has already endured unsuccessful flushes with our vets and yesterday started specialist treatment at Southfields Vets. Through it all, he has been nothing but sweet and trusting, never once complaining
Kirby cannot go back to kennels while undergoing this treatment. Right now, he has a temporary place for just a few days, but after that he has nowhere to go. The thought of him returning to a kennel, frightened and unwell, after everything he’s been through is utterly heartbreaking.
All Kirby wants is a warm bed, gentle hands, and someone to show him he matters. He truly is the softest, most loving boy.
We are desperately seeking a foster home in Kent for Kirby where he can rest, heal, and continue his treatment. Ideally as the only pet and no children. You will need a secure private garden.
If you have space in your home and heart to help this wonderful boy, please get in touch right away. He has been so good throughout everything and truly deserves comfort, kindness, and love while he recovers.
We cover all food and vet bills and can supply bedding etc for foster homes.
Please fill out a form here if you can foster: https://www.angels4dogs.org.uk/fostering
Margate Rotary/Oasis
Margate Rotarian Derrick Downs was celebrated at the Kent Charity Awards 2025 after being named as a finalist for volunteer of the year.
To celebrate his 90th birthday, he walked an epic 90 miles to raise money for Oasis Domestic Abuse Charity.
Derrick began his journey on 22nd January at Western Heights in Dover and walked an average of 5 hours a day for nine days.
The RAF veteran and Margate Rotary member’s initial target was £9000 but he actually raised a staggering £33,000.
The money was to help Oasis provide essential services to domestic abuse survivors, including safe accommodation, outreach programmes, and education, helping adults and children rebuild their lives across East Kent, North Kent, and Medway.
Bootcamp for smokers and vapers
Thanet District Council is working in partnership with Active Kent and Medway and NHS ONE YOU to run free 6 week courses for people currently smoking and vaping to teach them new ways to reduce stress.
Fitness trainer Dean Perry, of O.C. Dean’s Fitness in Margate, is teaching one of the classes every Friday 5pm at Dane Park.
It’s open to all ages and aimed at anyone who smokes or vapes and wants to stop.
As well as this bootcamp, there are other free classes with different coaches running throughout the week(s) including
Breathwork
Swimming
Boxing
Clubbercise
And more!
Monday 5pm Boxing CG Fitness Ramsgate https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1600595055899…
Tuesday 10.30 am Breathwork, Yoga and Sound Bath at Orbit Housing Victoria Villa – Westbrook https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1605294291439…
Tuesday 1.30 am Breathwork, Yoga and Sound Bath at Orbit Housing – Newington Library as a Thanet Health Alliance partnership project with you guys! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1605241323009…
Wednesday 5.30 pm Clubbercise Northdown Family Hub Cliftonville https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1602102805619…
Friday 10.30 am Yoga and Mindfulness at Westgate Library https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1600581264649…
Friday 1pm Disability Swim at Bluewave https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1600587242529…
Friday 5pm Bootcamp Dane Park Margate https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1602080659379…
Sunday 10 am Walking Silent Disco Dane Park Margate https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1602030278689…
