BRINGING THE COMMUNITY IN MARGATE TOGETHER

Residents in Margate can access a range of services and activities at one of their local community centers.

St. John's Community Centre in Victoria Road, Margate received a major grant from the Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) in 2007/08, which paid for a new heating system and refurbishment of the toilets. The rear of the centre was also paved and cleared of rubbish and debris, with CCTV installed in the churchyard to provide added security.

Groups who use the centre include the Street Dance Group, which has been running for the past two years. They hold weekly classes at the centre on Monday evenings from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. The group is supported by the St. John's Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) and by Beth Denning from KRMSG (Kent Refugee Minority Support Group) who is funded by the SSCF.

Emer Seamark from St. John's NAG said: "Since the group started two years ago we have seen it grow, with more and more young people taking part. Some dancers have taken a leading role by becoming dance coaches and St. John's NAG has supported them and has been able to finance the group through a Grassroots Grant. Money is always difficult to generate, but as a group, we are committed to supporting this thriving group of young people."

The Street Dance Group has proved to be so popular that coaches Georgia and Parise also run another street dance group at the Quarterdeck on Thursdays from 7pm until 9pm. The group is currently working on their next public performance at QuexPo on Saturday 11 July at Quex Park.

The centre is also home to a weekly lunch club on Wednesdays at 12.30pm, where you can enjoy a two course home cooked lunch for £3 for adults or £1.50 for children. To book a lunch, call the Centre. A group that helps chronic pain sufferers, Friends in Pain, also meets there on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 1pm and there is a regular charity shop on the third Saturday of each month between 10am and midday, selling clothes, bric a brac, books and DVDs.

As well as regular activities, the neighbouring St. John's Church also hosts events, with the Railway Swing Band in concert on Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm who play a range of music from the big band era to more modern pieces. Tickets are £6 or £5 for friends of St. John's. It will be the band's last appearance in Thanet until the autumn.

To find out more about the activities on offer, call St. John's Community Centre on 01843 224957.

The Safer Stronger Communities Fund aims to transform the Margate Central and Cliftonville West wards and the green space of Dane Park, by improving the quality of life for those who live and work in these areas.