Trip to Chessington
Eighteen months of fundraising and organisation by community hero Charlie Euden has resulted in a fantastic day to Chessington for 85 parents and children.
Mum-of-two Charlie has helped thousands of isle families over the years with everything from advice to sorting out food hampers, clothing and furniture for people in need.
She was prompted to organise the trip after a call from a mum who was distressed following a conversation with her son Charlie.
Charlie (Euden) said: “His mum rung me after the holidays crying. She works full-time but all her money goes on bills, food, clothing and putting a small amount away for his birthdays and Christmas. There is never any money left.”
Charlie had asked if he had ‘been naughty’ because lots of his friends had spent the holidays abroad or at attractions like Chessington and Lego Land while he had not.
Charlie (Euden) said: “I said I’ll get him to Chessington. It was Charlie’s dream and along with Charlie we took 84 other people with us so it was pretty amazing.”
Funds were raised to pay around £2k for the coach, £3k for entrance to Chessington and a host of other little extras such as a packed lunch for everyone, sweet bags and cones, ice cream money -although unfortunately Chessington doesn’t take cash- and toys for all on the way home.
A huge part of getting the youngsters to Chessington was played by people on Facebook, particularly New Thanet Chat, who responded to Charlie’s plea to sponsor a child.
Among them was Keena Entwistle who lost her teenage son Ethan in a car crash in 2023. She had fundraising money left over and used it to sponsor one of the youngsters on the trip.
Charlie said: “I can’t tell you how amazing it all was.”
Isle of Thanet Photographic Society
After a brilliant summer of club outings we welcomed Nik Mitchell as our first guest speaker of the new season. Nik is well known for his environmental campaigning and explained how his interest in the great outdoors began. Some fantastic images to inspire everyone to get outdoors with their cameras.
Our second guest was Anthony Penrose, son of the legendary photographer Lee Miller whose exhibition had just opened at Tate Britain (until 15 February 2026). The capacity audience were kept enthralled as Anthony provided a fascinating insight into the craft of photography and a “back stage” glimpse of the treasured archives of Lee Miller.
Club competitions have so far attracted record numbers of entries, with high standards from the Advanced and Intermediate Groups.
Our excellent new website showcases the latest images, competition results and much more, as well as details of how to join. Visit: www.isleofthanetphotographicsociety.com
The club is a community of photography enthusiasts dedicated to promoting the art and science of photography. Through a variety of events, workshops, and competitions, the club provides a platform for members to enhance their skills, share their work, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Annual subscription is only £35 per person for the season, plus a weekly attendance fee of £4 per person.
Meetings are held at 7.30 pm on Thursdays at the Portland Centre, Hopeville Avenue, St Peters, Broadstairs CT10 2TR.
Make A Wish Foundation
Music for Wishes charity day will be held at The Hussar pub in Garlinge on November 15th from 1pm-11pm
Live singers will be donating their time to sing back to back all day with local DJ Jammi to finish the evening with a party
Margate firefighters will be in attendance from 2pm-5pm ( subject to emergencies) and will bring their engine for the children. Magician Robert Smith is also donating his time with some magic for everyone.
Food and drink will be available
There will also be an enormous raffle, but any donations would be gratefully received. Contact organiser Emma Sorrell directly on 07488295923 or [email protected]
Other fun will include
Face painting
Hair braiding
Hook the duck
Shoot the duck
Tombola
Any support from families, businesses, any recipients of the Make-a-Wish foundation are encouraged to come along and share your stories – this day is about raising as much money as possible for critically and terminally ill children.
Westgate United Services Club
An online auction to raise funds for the chairman’s charity includes a champagne afternoon tea for two at Taddys Barn in the company of star Brenda Blethyn.
Bid online before midnight on October 27th at https://www.facebook.com/servicesmanclub
Pilgrims Hospice Thanet
Following a recent talk about hedgehogs from Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer Kerry Sabin-Dawson, the Pilgrims Hospice Thanet was absolutely delighted to receive a fabulous Hedgehog Hotel courtesy of Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council.
The hedgehog home was beautifully made by Broadstairs Town Shed and is part of a wider community project by Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council to increase the habitat for our endangered wildlife.
Although voted as the nation’s favourite wild animal, our prickly friends are in serious decline. With loss of habitat and an increase in traffic, the threats they face have increased dramatically. It is hoped that it will give a lucky hedgehog a safe space to hibernate this winter.
The Pilgrims Hospice has a wonderful garden for wildlife, which all patients and visitors enjoy too.
Jane, Wellbeing Practitioner at Pilgrims Hospice Margate, said: “It really is exciting and such a kind gesture of Broadstairs & St. Peter’s Town Council to donate a hedgehog home to Pilgrims, our group members will love following the journey, which we hope begins soon, of hedgehogs choosing the beautiful garden we have as their place for hibernation.
“They will have friendly neighbours as a bug hotel has previously been donated to us. Both will be points of interest and distraction for those using our hospice services.”
Pilgrims Hospice fundraiser
Faith in Sound will feature acts 2 Bad Mice, Dom Johnson, Doris, Evil Plans and Joe Corbani plus Rich Rhythms and Tasty Sax.
The event, at Faith in Strangers, Cliftonville, on November 21 from 9pm will be preceded by an art auction raising funds for Pilgrims Hospice. This runs from 6pm to 8.30pm. Entry is free.
QEQM Hospital League of Friends
Frail vulnerable patients being cared for as part of the Same Day Emergency Care service now have the use of two specialist recliner chairs funded by our charity at a cost of £5k.
One of the chairs is shown with Dr. Ismot and members of the Frailty Team Abby, Amanda & Lynsey.
The chairs, which are fully adjustable and have a recline & tilt mechanism, are designed to maximise comfort whilst providing postural support and pressure redistribution. This reduces the risk of deconditioning, falls and pressure area sores.
They are currently on St. Augustine’s Ward following the Frailty Team temporary moving there while the building works underway to improve the Same Day Emergency Care service continue.
Please visit our website www.qeqmfriends.com or Facebook page for more information on how we support the QEQM Hospital, as we have done since 1947.
Ramsgate RNLI
On Saturday 18th October over 40 people enjoyed the annual Ramsgate RNLI Fish and Chip Supper.
Held in Ramsgate Lifeboat boathouse , fish and chips was delivered by the fabulous Newington Fish Bar and entertainment was provided by the brilliant Greyhound Buskers who also made a £100 donation to help the RNLI continue to Save Lives at Sea .
Over £500 in total was raised on the night and there was also the opportunity to recognise Michael Bon who has been an RNLI Volunteer for 30 years – congratulations and thank you to Michael and all our wonderful volunteers
Michael on the left being presented his award by RNLI Thanet Community Fundraising Chair Graeme Fletcher
WildernesstoWonderland
Moving forward from our fabulous bulb planting event last Friday; Margate can look forward to a fabulous show of bulbs next spring and every spring for years to come. Thanks to wildernesstowonderland volunteers and reliable support of Humphreys Garden, SEK and KCF
We have come so far together.
I am excited to share that since last Friday we have been joined by two new volunteers and received a fabulous contribution from Margate Town Team.
It is my pleasure to work with the cosmos to create and maintain wonderful community gardens- but with my feet on the ground we need support from local businesses to pay for our work.
Always welcome new supporters as volunteers or sponsors.
Sunken Garden Eco Fair
A big thank you to everyone that came to the Sunken Garden Eco Fair and contributed to the day – visitors, volunteers, speakers, national and local organisations, eco vendors, caterers, waste disposal and of course the press who helped us promote and share the event, it wouldn’t have been the day it was without you all.
After a careful weather watch, we found that we had, again, chosen a day without rain. It began cool and breezy, which is not unexpected for the cliff-top location and was very apt with Steve Edney of The No Name Nursery discussing drought tolerant and coastal planting. Tony Kirkham MBE VMH brought tales of adventures with trees encountered around the world during his 43 years at Kew Gardens, Arit Anderson from BBC Gardeners’ World shared insights on sustainable and peat free gardening and Charlie Harpur, Heed Gardener at Knepp Estate, shared the journey of rewilding the Walled Garden at Knepp Estate.
The talks were fully booked, with more visitors listening in at the rear of the marquee, plus the extended visitors (around 2,500) found much to discuss, buy and take part in with the seventeen workshops and activities around the Garden.
From discussing invasive species with Forest Research and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) to seeing some of these in real life with Thanet Coast Project; chatting about birds and migration, steps to aid over-wintering, migrating and ground nesting birds with Bird Wise East Kent and RSPB, feeding the birds with delightful ceramic feeders by Little Egret Pottery; getting assistance with fixing bikes from the Bike Shed Mechanics, brought to Eco Fair by Thanet District Council with funding from Cycling UK; discovering how spaces are loved and maintained in our local area with Windmill Community Garden, Broadstairs Town Team and St Peter in Thanet Eco Church; designing a Victorian Garden With Kent Gardens Trusts, hand printing a bee design onto their own T-shirt with Molly Pickle, handling animals with Creepy Claws and the ever popular beautiful face-painting by Agnes of Canterbury Face Painter.
It was a day for all ages – foraging walks with Doctor Forager brought new knowledge and Ramsgate Nordic Walking led a group around the area.
Academy FM were on hand to interview and record the day and Ben Finch captured some fantastic photos and drone footage to look back on and enjoy.#
1st Westgate on Sea Scout group and their leaders did sterling work, lending a hand to stall holders getting in and out of the Garden, as well as spending the day sharing soft archery and soft axe throwing activities, alongside Margate Rotary who helped put up the marquees and gazebos on loan for the day from Yoakley Care and Thanet Urban Forest. Decoration by Tina McHugh and Shirley beautifully emphasis the eco theme. A special thanks too, to Broadstairs & St Peters Town Council for the kind loan of their folding chairs and Christ Church for tables and being on standby for wet weather – thankfully not needed! We were sustained throughout the day by Crumb & Deli of Westgate-on-Sea and Real Deal Roasters.
We were honoured to once again to have the event opened by Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Mrs Marian Boswall DL, a talented landscape architect with a deep interest in sustainability, who attended on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, His Majesty the King’s official representative in the County. She was joined during the day by other dignitaries, including Cllr Katie Pope, Mayor of Margate and Cllr Mike Gardner, Green Party representative and Mayor of Broadstairs, as well as Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council. And Cllr Rob Yates, who worked tirelessly helping out throughout the day.
The committee, Peter Hasted, Bev Aitken, Sue Finch and Andrew Miller spent many hours, along with event producer Jenny Duff, fund raising, organising and worrying about the weather! Thank you to all the funders – private donors who gave through Kent Community Foundation, plus Southern Water whose FOG & Unflushables team also spent the day sharing information and goodie bags.
We haven’t mentioned everyone by name this year, because the event has grown, but without everyone there, our friends from community groups across the Isle, it would not have been the fabulous day it was without all of you. Thank you.
You can find the full list of speakers and exhibitors on thesunkengarden.co.uk
Mayor of Margate
If you haven’t already booked, there are still a few places left for the Mayor’s Greek Meze Lunch at the renowned Walmer Castle Greek Taverna.
Booking closes 2pm, Wednesday 29 October – don’t miss out!
Book online (small booking fee applies): https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/margate-charter-trustees/t-aaqdogo
or through the Mayor’s Office: [email protected]
Please make payment via BACS or cheque to:
Margate Charter Trustees
Sort Code: 40-32-02
Account: 71192787
Enjoy great food, good company, and help raise funds for the Mayor’s Fund, supporting local charities and organisations in Margate.
For more details, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Birchington Health & Wellbeing Group
The Birchington Health & Wellbeing Group has been gaining real momentum in recent months, uniting passionate local residents around a shared goal: to make Birchington a healthier, happier, and more connected place to live.
With regular meetings now well established, exciting developments are already taking shape. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of Aaron Short and John Langley from The Veterans Association, the group now has its own website—www.birchingtonhealthandwellbeing.org—and a freephone 0800 3 101033 number for anyone in the parish who’d like to learn more or get involved.
A brand-new leaflet is also in the works to help spread the word and ensure everyone knows what’s happening locally. Special thanks to Gary Widdows for keeping our Facebook page active and up to date: Birchington Health & Wellbeing Group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/633103746199835
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
People in Kent and Medway are invited to give their views on how much they would be willing to pay for their fire and rescue services in 2026/27.
Council Tax is a significant source of funding for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), and it currently funds around 66p in every £1 of the service’s day-to-day spending budget.
Based on the existing average, a Band D property in the county pays approximately £1.82 weekly for KFRS – around the same price for a box of eggs or a loaf of bread – which is about 4% of the overall Council Tax bill.
The rest is allocated to your parish council, district or borough council, Kent County Council and Kent Police, to provide their necessary services.
People have until 12 January 2026 to complete the five-minute survey, which will give them three options:
Option 1 – Freeze Council Tax for one year.
Option 2 – Increase Council Tax by an amount just under the referendum limit. For the Kent and Medway Fire Authority, this limit is expected to be £5 for a Band D household. A £5 increase for a Band D household equates to an increase of just over 9p per week. This option would reduce the level of cuts that would be required to balance the budget.
Option 3 – As an alternative option, after considering the significant challenges we expect to face over the medium-term, what Council Tax increase would you be prepared to pay in 2026/27?
Each option has different implications. A freeze or lower increase would mean a larger budget gap, requiring more savings or reductions in services. A higher increase would raise more funding, therefore, reducing the amount of cost savings or reductions in services that would be required to balance the budget.
Thanet Green Party
Thanet Green Party numbers have risen to over 500 this month, reflecting the national growth of the party which has exploded in the weeks since Zack Polanksi was elected leader.
At the KCC elections in May, the Green Party clearly emerged as the main opposition to Reform in East Thanet, with Becky Wing and Thea Barrett coming third and fourth (behind the two Reform Councillors elected) in Ramsgate and Mike Garner second in Broadstairs.
Nationally the Green Party now has over 125,000 members, beating both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, and showing no sign of slowing down. Following Zack Polanski’s appearance on Sunday with Laura Keunssberg, 3,000 new members signed up in one day.
Mike Garner, Chair of Thanet Green Party, commented: “These are exciting times for the Green Party both nationally and locally. Six years ago, when I was first elected, there were just over 40 of us in Thanet. Now we’re 500+ and going from strength to strength. It was great to come together like this to meet so many of our new members. There’s a genuine enthusiasm for real change and we’re going to make sure Thanet Green Party is at the heart of it. Why not join us?”
At a welcome event on Wednesday 22 September, Thanet Green Party packed out the Queens Head in Ramsgate, and ate them out of curry. New members were invited to offer their opinions on the direction of the party and the local issues that dominate their lives.
New Green member Zara commented ‘“I joined Thanet Green Party because I wanted to be part of the change, not just wish for it. I wanted to be an active voice in my community, and join a movement built on hope, fairness, and action.
For a long time, I hadn’t seen those values truly represented in politics, but the Greens have inspired me to believe that a better, more equal future isn’t just possible, it’s within reach if we work together.”
Stagecoach South East
Stagecoach South East has announced that free travel will be available on all its bus services across the UK for serving military, cadets, and veterans on Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (on Tuesday 11 November).
The offer applies to any serving military or cadet in uniform, those with a military ID card, and veterans wearing medals or badges attending remembrance services.
Additionally, some Stagecoach South East fleets will be proudly decorated with poppy graphics as a symbol of remembrance and respect, and destination screens on buses will display messages of support in tribute to the Armed Forces.
Stagecoach’s dedication to offering free travel for the Armed Forces is supported by its employee-led Veterans Network. This network was established to unite Stagecoach employees, giving them a platform to drive positive change, raise awareness, shape business decisions, and implement new initiatives that enhance the company.
Stagecoach has been a member of the Armed Forces Covenant since March 2015. The Covenant recognises the value of serving military, regular and reservists, veterans and military families across the country. The Company is also a Gold employee award holder, as part of The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, for its commitment to the armed forces community.
Your Party
Former asylum-seeker Aram Rawf will speak at a public meeting on the future of Thanet and East Kent in Broadstairs on Monday 27 October.
Aram, who has previously been a Thanet District Coucillor and Broadstairs Town Councillor, will be speaking about the controversial topic of immigration into the area
Mr Rawf said: “Every political party must stand firm with a clear and honest immigration policy. Feeding off the fear, division, and hate stirred by others may win short term applause but it betrays trust, confuses voters, and will come back to haunt them.”
Mr Rawf came to Britain from Iraq in 1999, aged 17, after being tortured by extremists who tried to recruit him as a suidide bomber and is now a British citizen living in Broadstairs, Kent.
He warns against politicians who use topics like immigration simply to win votes.
He said: “People deserve leadership rooted in integrity, not manipulation.”
The meeting has been called by the newly formed Thanet Assembly to discuss pressing problems facing the area and what can be done to solve them.
A major focus of the meeting with be the new group, Your Party, which is being launched at a conference in November by MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana,
“Your Party,” one of the organisers, Norman Thomas, said, “is promising to take an innovative “bottom-up” grassroots approach to politics and I believe this will have a special appeal to many in the area who are fed up with the Westminster-dominated parties.”
Mr Thomas, a film-maker who lives in Broadstairs, said: “With the cost of living crisis, concerns over racism, homelessness, the NHS, the environment, wars and fears of war, I think it’s more urgent than ever for us to get together to discuss what we can do about them.”
Apart from Mr Rawf other speakers at the meeting will include veteran filmmaker Ken Loach, anti-racism activist, Jackie Walker, Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi of the Jewish Voice for Liberation group and Thanet4Palestine campaigner Daisy Keens.
The meeting is at 6.30pm on Monday 27 October at the Queens Road Baptist Church, Broadstairs CT10 1NU. Email norm6344@gmail,com to say you are coming or wish to link up remotely.
Martha Trust
The Martha Trust Golf Day, held at Princes Golf Club, Sandwich Bay, proved a fantastic success — raising just over £12,000 to support the charity’s vital work.
Hosted by former West Indies and Kent cricketer John Shepherd and Arsenal Talent ID Coordinator Steve Brown, the day brought together golfers from Holland, London, Southampton, Northampton, Essex, Surrey, and the local area for a day of friendly competition, fun and fundraising.
The charity auction, conducted by Fundraising & Events Manager Kerry Banks BEM, raised an impressive £3,900 alone, featuring prizes such as a four-ball at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, additional four-balls at other clubs, and prizes from Ping Europe.
Despite a mixed forecast, the weather held out, adding to the vibrant atmosphere on the course.
