Scarecrows, community gardening, walks, talks and a fabulous film on nature by a young documentary makers were just some of the activities that took place in Thanet yesterday (April 18) as part of a nature Day of Action.
Thanet groups were among hundreds taking part in the Vote for Nature national day of action to save green space from development.
Vote for Nature says the government’s housing target can be met twice over without touching any green spaces, by building on brownfield sites, renovating empty and dilapidated homes and repurposing office space no longer needed because of home working.
Thanet groups that supported the day included Save Minster Marshes, Westgate, Garlinge and Birchington activists against housing on farmland, Birchington Parish Council, Garlinge Residents Association and Wildernesstowonderland.
At the Cliffsend Viking Ship green Save Minster Marshes had multiple events from information marquees with details about the fight against National Grid’s Sea Link convertor station plan for the marshes to screenings of The Planet We Call Home by talented young filmmaker Connor Carruthers.
Isle nature expert Keith Ross led guided walks around the hoverport and Vanessa Culliford held forest bathing sessions and Green councillor Becky Winger organised, and put up, the marquees.
In Westgate there were walks, talks, a quiz and an information hub at the Westgate Town Council (WTC) offices, with four nature focused groups– Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) & Save Minster Marshes Campaign Group, & the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The walk was attended by MP Sir Roger Gale whose constituency includes ‘west Thanet.’
The Westgate & Garlinge Action Group Against Housing Development on Farmland holds monthly public meetings at The Bakehouse (located in the side road between the betting shop and the Carlton cinema and is situated behind the Bake & Alehouse micropub). The meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, starting at 7 pm.
People across Thanet & Kent are welcome to attend. These meetings are an opportunity for information sharing, providing up to date news regarding the group’s activities and aims each month. It is an opportunity to identify ways in which to get more people involved with the campaign to save Thanet’s farmland from development.
The next three public meetings are on Wednesday 29th April, Wednesday 27th May, & Wednesday 24th June.
Birchington held its first Birchington Scarecrows Spring Scarecrow Competition and the event was also attended by Sir Roger as well as local parish and district councillors including George Kup.
Garlinge Residents Association organised a gathering on Margate promenade and the WildernesstoWonderland crew held a community gardening session at Margate’s station approach.
Among the wilderness gardeners were Margate mayor Katie Pope and district and county councillor Rob Yates.
Wildernesstowonderland welcomes new sponsors and extra volunteers. Contact [email protected] to explore supporting community gardening in Margate
I entered the Birchington Scarecrow Competition – but someone saw me move, and I was disqualified!
Good job they didn’t smell you. You would have won.