Community: Illumination prizes, Margate FC Women at Quex, RTC, bauble trail, RNLI fundraising, Infinity Tennis, Augustine Camino, Phoenix Community and Martha Trust

crew of Ramsgate RNLI — Special illumination prize for Ramsgate RNLI

Ramsgate Illuminations prizegiving

Back in 2014 Stan Jacob, a member of the Royal Temple Yacht Club, (RTYC) had a dream to light up the boats in the harbour. That first year five boats lit up, a further twenty the following year and with a grant from Ramsgate Town Council it has grown to the spectacle that it has become today, drawing locals and visitors alike to the town.

On the evening of Thursday 18 December the prize-giving presentation was held at the RTYC, with Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr. Laurie Hudson and Town Promoter Rebekah Smith presenting the prizes assisted by Ramsgate Illuminations organiser Andrew Ketteringham.

Category – ARCHES

2nd PLACE

R Cannon and Sons – Innovative design and loved the use of the lobster pots and life rings, a real mix of fishing and saving lives! And we’re sure that the lobsters and crabs in Ramsgate all voted for this one!

1ST PLACE

The GREEK ARCH, this slightly had the edge as not just beautiful outside but an absolute explosion of colour and light inside too. A lot of hard work had gone into this.

Category – HOUSE BOATS

2ND PLACE

HAVENGORE – commonly known as the Churchill Barge! This is a recent addition both to the harbour and also the Illuminations and the lights really showcased the lines of a beautiful boat.

1ST PLACE

CORRY – This is consistently of a high standard and in this case we must say that SIZE does matter! She even has a wreath in the front door, really showcasing that it is someone’s home!

Category- YACHTS

2ND PLACE

DIVA – a highly contested class with some stunning entries, and the owners of the second place are consistantly strong in their class, creating a beautiful display.

1ST PLACE

AVVENTURA – a worthy winner for pure design and creativity. The Christmas tree pattern up the mast can be seen all over the harbour and is worthy of praise for sheer skill and attention to detail. The rest of the boat is also beautifully decorated from every angle that you look at it.

Category -MOTOR BOATS

2ND PLACE

BROWN OWL – motorboats are another highly competitive class, in this case the owners of Brown Owl were competing against themselves as they had 3 boats lit up in the harbour! A beautiful display by this boat, and we loved the blowup ginger bread man!

1ST PLACE

HIGH HOPES – this boat brought out the child in all of the judges. It reminded us of Santas grotto and just explodes with Christmas joy!

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

RAMSGATE TOWN COUNCIL – the lit up arches and obelisk provide a perfect backdrop to the boats this year, not detracting from the event but adding to it. The fact that the colours reflect those used in the Ramsgate Winter Festival logo was not lost on the judges.

RAMSGATE RNLI LIFEBOAT

The focus and aim of the Illuminations has always been to raise money for Ramsgate RNLI, and we are grateful to them for bringing Santa into the harbour last week with his RNLI elves, bringing Christmas joy to the many visitors and residents.

This year we are delighted that they have been lent a relief boat to light up the crosswalk, looking out over the boats and their owners. Watching over them and protecting them as the RNLI have always done.

OVERALL WINNER

AVVENTURA owned by Mark Andrew and Jonathan Hague

With 57 boats lit up this year it was difficult to choose our winners in some categories, however an overall winner is easy as AVVENTURA is a perfect blend of skill, originality and creativity. As the judges, Rebekah Smith and Jo Hanchett walked around the harbour, people were pointing her out and talking about her more than any other boat.

A huge thank you and special mention to local Ramsgate Businesses as thanks to their generosity over £800 has been raised so far for Ramsgate RNLI. The donation was accepted by RNLI Ramsgate Community Safety Team Chair Graeme Fletcher.

Margate FC Women at Quex Adventure Farm Park

Margate FC Women’s First Team and coaching staff swapped football boots for ice skates this week, enjoying a festive team celebration on the real ice rink at Quex Adventure Farm Park.

The visit formed part of the team’s Christmas celebrations, with players and coaches taking to the ice for an evening of fun, laughter and team bonding in the lead-up to the festive break.

Graham Stroud, Owner of Quex Adventure Farm Park, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Margate FC to Quex. As a local attraction, we love to support Thanet’s sports teams and clubs, and some fun on the ice rink is a great team-building activity. It was wonderful to see the players and coaches having such a great time.”

George Adams from Margate FC added: “Thank you to Quex Adventure Farm Park for inviting us down to their ice rink for a really enjoyable evening. Our Women’s First Team players and coaches all had a great time, and we’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.”

Quex Adventure Farm Park would like to wish Margate FC, their players, staff and supporters a very Merry Christmas, and wish the team every success in the SECWFL Premier Division for the remainder of the season.

The real ice rink at Quex Adventure Farm Park is open throughout December, offering festive skating for families, friends and groups. The celebrations conclude with a K-Pop New Year Skate on 31 December, running from 12 noon to 6pm.

Tickets are available at: theelfexpress.com

Ramsgate Town Council

Ramsgate Town Council recognises that while there are limited opportunities for the Council to be directly involved in ensuring access to good healthcare, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that can positively impact the wellbeing of our community.

Madam Mayor, Councillor Laurie Hudson, and Ramsgate Town Council are pleased to support a new engagement project led by the East Kent Health & Care Partnership and the Thanet Health Alliance. This project will focus on gathering valuable feedback from Northwood residents aged 20 – 49 about mental health service gaps, opportunities, and ideas for improving wellbeing in the area.

The insights and experiences shared by local residents will play an important role in shaping a future mental health and wellbeing initiative designed specifically for the Northwood community.

As soon as East Kent Health & Care Partnership share the details, this will be promoted to residents.

Margate Christmas Bauble Trail

The trail runs until 24th December.

Children can pick up their free trail sheet from any of the participating shops:

King’s Emporium
Silly Margate
Little Fish Café
Mr B’s Sweets & Gifts, Margate Old Town
Charlie’s Café
Margo
Nature’s Nook
McDonald’s
Pilgrims Charity Shop
Mill Place Margate
Curve

Then simply look for the beautifully illustrated baubles by @kaliwilsonillustration displayed in their shop windows and complete your trail sheet!

Once you’ve finished, return your completed sheet to King’s Emporium in the Old Town to collect a festive treat!

RNLI Thanet Fundraising Group

The RNLI Thanet Fundraising Group carried out a charity collection on Friday 12th December in the Ramsgate Harbour area under permit LN/202500800 issued by Thanet District Council to Steve Burton. A total of £461.14 was collected.

We are very grateful to the people of Thanet for their generosity in supporting the RNLI to Save Lives at Sea, and we hope everyone enjoyed seeing Santa tour the Inner Harbour on the lifeboat.”

Infinity Tennis

Infinity Tennis and Net Gain Communities CIC were delighted to welcome Sandi Proctor, President of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), alongside Board Members from Kent Tennis, to Spencer Square Tennis Courts for a visit that marked both reflection and celebration.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase how Infinity Tennis, working in close partnership with Net Gain Communities CIC, has successfully developed and sustained thriving, inclusive park tennis programmes at Spencer Square Tennis Courts in Ramsgate and West Beach Tennis Courts in Whitstable. The focus of the visit was to understand how these venues have become models of best practice, demonstrating how tennis can act as a genuine force for good within local communities.

During the visit, Infinity Tennis and Net Gain Communities CIC outlined the principles that underpin their work. These include strong community-led thinking, long-term sustainability, and inclusion that is embedded into programmes from the outset.

Guests were introduced to a number of interconnected initiatives, funded by Net Gain Communities CIC and delivered in partnership with Infinity Tennis, including:

Rally for Change – removing financial barriers by funding extended tennis opportunities, equipment and memberships for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

East Kent Community Programme (EKCP) Schools Initiative – delivering free in-school coaching, providing equipment, and creating clear pathways into community tennis venues operated by Infinity Tennis for children who may never otherwise access the sport.

Break Point: Coaching Without Barriers – supporting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to gain coaching qualifications and build meaningful careers in tennis.

The Infinity Tennis Apprenticeship Programme – growing the local tennis workforce by developing young coaches embedded into parks, schools and clubs from day one, including at Spencer Square and West Beach.

The Spencer Gore Grave Restoration Project – led by Net Gain Communities CIC with support from Infinity Tennis, reconnecting tennis with its heritage by restoring the grave of the first Men’s Wimbledon Champion in Ramsgate and using history to build community pride and engagement.

The visit brought together a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including Richard Garrett from the TASSO Foundation and RMG Associates, Cllr Becky Wing, Dominic Murphy from the Friends of Spencer Square resident group, Pier Del Renzio from Del Renzio Architects, and members of the local community.

Attendees gathered for coffee, canapés and cake in the renovated Vincent’s Café, a space that has itself become a symbol of community-focused regeneration. Once a neglected facility, the café now reflects what can be achieved through partnership working, local investment and long-term vision.

The visit marked a fitting conclusion to an outstanding year for Infinity Tennis and Net Gain Communities CIC. Recent recognition includes multiple nominations at the Kent Tennis Awards and invitations from the LTA to present at regional Park Tennis Forums, sharing best practice around apprenticeships, workforce development and sustainable park tennis delivery.

To see this work recognised at both local and national level, while remaining firmly rooted in community impact, represents a significant milestone for all involved.

Infinity Tennis and Net Gain Communities CIC would like to thank Sandi Proctor, the LTA, Kent Tennis, all project partners, and the local residents who continue to support and shape the programme. Spencer Square, West Beach and the wider network of community and club venues demonstrate what is possible when strong delivery on the ground is combined with a clear social impact focus, creating lasting change both on and off the court.

Day pilgrimage along the Augustine Camino

Andrew Kelly will be leading the walk from the Cathedral Gate in Canterbury. On the way we will see the relic of St Thomas Becket, pass the statues of Ethelbert and Bertha and the Oldest English Monastery (St Augustine’s). Next comes St Martin’s – sometimes referred to as the Mother Church of the Cathedral.

Passing through the woods we make our way to Fordwich and St Mary’s church, followed by more woodland on the way to lunch at the Ivy Barn Cafe in Littlebourne. In the afternoon we visit St Vincent’s with its beautiful Nathaniel Westlake stained glass and then St Andrew’s Wickhambreaux with the unmissable Art Deco Annunciation window. The day ends with a stroll to Stodmarsh and then across the nature reserve to Grove Ferry. Return is by taxi or bus (not included).

The walk takes place on Saturday 17 January 2026, 9am – 4:30pm.

For tickets click here https://buytickets.at/augustinecamino/1993037

Phoenix Community

The aim

To identify situations, places and events in Thanet where it can supply support.

This includes hands-on volunteer roles to improve and enhance elements of

Thanet. Either by volunteering directly, or by fund raising for one-off specific items.

First project

Removal of litter and debris along the side streets of Ramsgate.

With one session under their belts the volunteers already have their second session booked for next week. This project will continue in the new year with more streets seeing their activities.

Watch out for them and feel free to say to our determined volunteers.

Martha Trust

Martha Trust supports very special young people and adults with the most profound disabilities, offering lifetime care and much-needed support for their families and carers.

They have two homes on Deal–Sandwich Road in Kent and one in Hastings, East Sussex.

Adults with profound disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society and deserve to be nurtured in a safe, loving environment — something Martha Trust provides every single day.

Although local authorities fund the basic nursing care through their duty of care, Martha Trust must raise over £255,000 each year to provide essential extras such as education, specialist equipment, sensory technologies, and maintenance of their homes. These funds make the difference between simply “minding” someone and offering truly holistic, life-enhancing care.

Christmas is always a joyous time at Martha and this year has been no exception. From their Christmas Faye and their collaboration with Sandwich Community Lights to deliver Music4Martha Christmas Lights Switch on last month, to their Christmas raffle, Carol Service at St Georges this month plus activities and nativity in the Martha homes, it has been a busy time for them.

They also welcomed Queen Elsa aka Daisy Hewett to their homes who came to visit the residents.

Kerry Banks BEM, Fundraising & Events Manager, said: “We simply could not exist and offer the services we do for our amazing residents without the support of our incredible communities.

“From hosting events, attending our fundraisers, sponsoring, volunteering, or donating goods and services — together, we make a real difference in our residents’ lives and enable us to provide the high quality of care we’re so proud of at Martha.

“A huge thank you to everyone that has supported us over the year, and especially this Christmas!”