Public Meeting TIME TO SCRAP THE COUNCIL?

What's your view of Thanet District Council?

How well are they serving this community? How should things change?

Should the council be abolished?

Come to this public meeting, called by Thanet Watch magazine, to put your views.

The meeting will begin with the screening of a new short film about the council.

Entry is free but seating is limited so book your place now.

Email inmeds@yahoo.co.uk or tel 01843 604253 / 07989 070843 

The meeting is on Wed 26 February at 7pm at The Red Hall, 11 Grosvenor Rd, Broadstairs CT10 2BT

THANET COUNCILLORS “NOT FIT TO RUN LEGOLAND”

 A significant percentage of the members of Thanet Council are “lazy good for nothings”, “don’t have a clue about what’s being discussed” and “are not fit to run Legoland”.

Councillor Ian Driver gives his verdict on council behaviour in the new issue of Thanet Watch.

PLUS:   

●THE DIRTY FACTS about Thanet’s rubbish company, Veolia.

●MP LAURA – why is she really standing down at the next election?

●UKIP’S DEMONS … and the danger of not voting by Steven Todd.

●THE FUTURE: Will 2014 will really be a “year of wonders” for Thanet?

●THE HOLIDAYS: a unique guide to things to do in the coming weeks

All this and more in the new issue of THANET WATCH magazine out in newsagents and shops now.

For more information email inmeds@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 01843 604 253

RAMSGATE SEAFRONT CONTROVERSY: MAGAZINE PUBLISHES MORE EMAILS

Thanet Watch magazine has published more details of embarrassing emails relating to the row over Ramsgate seafront.  

The controversy began in August when the magazine received an email from the Canterbury based Cardy Construction company relating to the controversial Royal Sands seafront project.

The email suggests a director of the company took a call from “the chief exec” of Thanet District Council, asking for an “off-line chat” about the much-delayed development.

Cardy said the email: “was edited and issued by an unauthorised person within our organisation.”

Now the magazine is publishing more details of emails between the magazine and the company.

Thanet Watch editor Norman Thomas said: “There has been much speculation about the authenticity of the email. We’re publishing the full details of the correspondence to enable people to make their own minds up.

“Something very strange is going on with Ramsgate seafront and we should be told more.”

Also in the new issue of THANET WATCH magazine…

--THANET EARTH: THE THREAT TO LOCAL BEES

--THE PLAN TO FLOOD MARGATE’S OLD TOWN

--RAMSGATE’S TUNNELS: WARTIME SQUALOR REVEALED

The new October issue of Thanet Watch is on sale in newsagents across Thanet now, price 80p.Thanet Watch is a not-for-profit community magazine published by Thanet people for Thanet people.

“GOLDEN BALLS” EMAIL: DID COUNCIL ASK FOR SECRET MEETING WITH BUILDER?

Thanet Watch magazine has received an email claiming Thanet council approached a builder for secret talks about a controversial project on Ramsgate seafront.

The email purports to have come from Mike Stannard, a director of Kent-based Cardy Construction.

In the email Stannard is alleged to have taken a call from “the chief exec” of Thanet District Council, asking for an “off-line chat” about Royal Sands.

“He does not want lawyers or others involved,” says the email, “and felt that me/Cardy and him were the two people in this project that could influence success for the project . Not sure why I have been singled out, but I guess if I can finally pull this one off, I would be Billy Golden Balls.”

The email, addressed to Stannard’s colleagues in Cardy, was received by Thanet Watch in answer to a request for a comment on another matter.

Norman Thomas of TW believes it may have been a simple mistake: “It looks to me like someone hit the “reply” function when they meant to hit “forward”

Cardy claims the email was sent out by an “unauthorised” person.

“Following an investigation by our IT manager,” Mike Stannard told Thanet Watch, “I can confirm that the email was edited and issued by an unauthorised person within our organisation and subsequently we will be undertaking an internal review. This review may well result in disciplinary actions being taken.”

Thomas of Thanet Watch said: “It’s certainly a rather strange email. For example, it refers to the chief executive of the council as a man, when in fact she’s a woman. But it raises more questions about what’s going on with this long-running development which has left Ramsgate seafront severely blighted now for over 12 years.”

The new September issue of Thanet Watch is on sale in newsagents across Thanet now.

THANET WATCH UNCOVERS THANET’S REVOLTING PAST

The people of the Isle of Thanet, east Kent, have been among the most rebellious in the country, according to an article in the new issue of Thanet Watch magazine.

Editor Norman Thomas said: “These days the area has a reputation for apathy, but in reality it has a long history of popular revolt and riot – more than most places.” 

The first recorded revolt on the Isle goes back as far as 1300, when tenants rebelled against their landlord, the abbot of Canterbury. Just 80 years later Thanet people were on the march again in the Peasants’ Revolt.

In 1830, Thanet farm workers were burning down buildings and destroying machinery in the Swing Riots. Thanet was home to one of the few female rioters, Elizabeth Studham, sentenced to death for setting light to the poor house in Birchington.

Later in the century popular violence centred on Ramsgate. There were two riots over the selling of fish in the port – one in 1838 and the other in 1886.

But the biggest trouble came in 1920 with the Great Coke Battle, when the people of Ramsgate fought running battles with police to try to stop the moving of locally produced coke in German ships.

“This was a huge battle,” said Norman Thomas. “There was rioting for three days and three nights. Hundreds of police from across Kent and London were called in.

“What’s interesting, of course, is why Thanet has this history of popular rebellion. I believe it’s to do with the longstanding poverty of the area and the arrogant behaviour of its local leaders.

“We have a pattern of people being exploited and pushed around, and then of discontent boiling over into direct action.”

The new September issue of Thanet Watch, price 80p, is on sale in newsagents across Thanet now. It also includes revelations about the ongoing Ramsgate seafront controversy and the threat to Thanet’s drinking water from fracking.

NEW SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THANET WATCH OUT NOW!

THANET WATCH, Thanet’s own monthly investigative publication is back, packed with controversy, revelations and fascinating facts.

In the new issue:

FRACKING DANGERS:  Does fracking pose a threat to our drinking water? What’s the position of Thanet MP Laura Sandys?

RAMSGATE SEA FRONT CONTROVERSY:  Rogue email claims council boss requested secret meeting with construction company director

TURNER’S ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS:  Thanet’s most high profile art gallery has staff on zero hour contracts – is this right?

NASTY NUNS II: One woman’s story of inhuman and shocking treatment in a childrens’ home in Broadstairs.

THANET’S HISTORY OF RIOT:  Peasant rebellions, battles in the street, anti-German riots, farm workers in revolt –  Thanet Watch uncovers an amazing record of popular unrest.

ALSO: All the events and entertainments across the Isle for the month ahead.  

If you want to know where you can your copy of Thanet Watch, ring us on 01843 604 253 or 07989 070 843.

And please let us know what you think!

Christine

THANET WATCH

13 Grosvenor Road

Broadstairs

CT10 2BT

Tel 01843 604 253

inmeds@yahoo.co.uk

www.thanetwatch.wordpress.com

NEW THANET WATCH OUT NOW! PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS

IN THE NEW THANET WATCH EVERYTHING THAT’S ON THIS SUMMER AND MORE

In the new issue of Thanet Watch magazine…

● RAMSGATE SEA FRONT: What’s going on with the company that’s supposed to build the controversial Royal Sands development?

● WAYNE HEMMINGWAY: Is he really the right man to revive Margate’s iconic Dreamland amusement park?

● COMPLAINTS over police handling of attempt by the EDL to disrupt anti-racism meeting in Broadstairs.

●DOCTOR DISTRESS: Why are so many people unhappy with their GP practices in Thanet?

WHAT’S ON THIS SUMMER: With Folk Week in Broadstairs, the Summer Squall festival in Ramsgate and Carnival Soul Weekend in Margate, this issue of Thanet Watch contains details of more events and entertainments than ever before.

The new issue of THANET WATCH is available in newsagents across Thanet now. If you have trouble getting your issue ring Thanet Watch on 01843 604 253.

MARY PORTAS - THE UNTOLD STORY

As controversy continues about the Mary Portas TV programme about Margate, the new issue of THANET WATCH magazine tells the story the viewers' didn't see.

Drawing on inside sources and exclusive video footage filmed at the time, THANET WATCH describes how the TV programmer makers tried to control Margate Town Team AND how Mary Portas herself dramatically intervened to shape events.

But the magazine also reveals other off-camera shenanigans and sheds light on the role of Thanet Council in the process which led to the shock resignation of key players in the Town Team.

Said THANET WATCH editor Norman Thomas: "I believe the hard efforts of the volunteers who won Margate's bid to become a Portas Town were undermined by people only really interested in making a reality TV show.

"There needs to be a serious public investigation into the making of this programme," said Mr Thomas, "and it must look closely at the roles of both the government and of Thanet council."

If you want to know what really went on when Mary Portas came to Margate, get the new issue of THANET WATCH in newsagents across Thanet now, price 80p

FOR MORE INFORMATION RING THANET WATCH ON 07989070843

EXCLUSIVE: JONATHAN AITKEN ON DISGRACED EX-COUNCIL LEADER

Former Thanet MP Jonathan Aitken says Thanet will not accept disgraced ex-council leader Sandy Ezekiel back in public life.

Speaking exclusively to Thanet Watch magazine, controversial ex-government minister Aitken said: “The people of Thanet are forgiving – but not that forgiving.”

In 2004 members of Thanet’s Conservative Party proposed asking Aitken to return as their candidate for the 2005 elections, but were overruled by the then party boss, Michael Howard.

Aitken also offered his advice to Ezekiel, who earlier this year was imprisoned for 18 months for misconduct in public office. In particular he says that coming out of prison is more difficult than going into prison.

In 1999 Aitken was, like Ezekiel, sentenced to 18 months in prison. His conviction was for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Aitken and Ezekiel were sent to the same prison, Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey.

Thanet Watch is a non-for-profit monthly magazine which has been called the “Private Eye” of Thanet. It regularly carries articles about cases of corruption in the area, as well as full entertainments listings and items written by local people.  

THANET WATCH magazine is available in newsagents across Thanet. For more information ring 07989 070843

THANET COUNCIL BANS FILMING – AGAIN!

On April 23 April members of Thanet Council banned filming of their proceedings for the second time in five times.

The chair of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee had invited people to film one of its meetings.

But other members of the committee challenged his ruling and voted to stop the filming.

Chair Ian Driver said the decision went against both the council’s own rules and government guidance.

“This decision stinks and brings shame on the council,” he said.

Journalists wishing to film the meeting included Christine Tongue of Thanet Watch magazine, who was thrown out Thanet Council last week for filming an angry council meeting over Ramsgate seafront. 

“I feel the council are just making themselves look stupid and secretive,” she said. “Many members of the general public are saying, what has the council got to hide?”

Christine did film some of the committee meeting and this on the Thanet Watch website: www.thanetwatch.wordpress.com. 

 Ed. film embedded below

 

For the full story of the council’s ban of filming, “What Have The Council Got To Hide?” see the new issue of Thanet Watch available in outlets across Thanet this weekend, price 80p.

Journalist Christine Tongue has been expelled from Thanet District Council for filming during a meeting.

Uproar broke out in the council chamber and the meeting (which took place on Thursday April 18) was suspended as the Christine was escorted out of the building by security guards.

Christine, who writes for local investigative magazine Thanet Watch, said: “I am appalled that the council threw me out.

 She added: “This was a very important meeting about the future of Ramsgate seafront which is of huge concern to people in the area. It is absolutely absurd that they should try to prevent me – or anyone – else filming.”

“Central government has already told local authorities to encourage people to film and record their meetings and in other parts of the country many do.

“Why is Thanet council so determined to live in the Dark Ages? What have they got to hide?

“Don’t they want the public to know how they behave when debating issues critical to their future?”

Independent councillor Ian Driver was also thrown out of the meeting for taking pictures. He said: “I think anybody should be allowed to film or record council meetings without asking permission. Democracy means we should be accountable to the public.”

Thanet Watch editor Norman Thomas said: “The magazine is not prepared to give up on this. The people of Thanet have the right to know what their elected representatives are up to. Thanet council must change its policy on filming or it will only end up damaging its already tarnished image.”

Thanet Watch is a non-for-profit monthly magazine which has been called the “Private Eye” of Thanet. It regularly carries articles about cases of corruption in the area, as well as full entertainments listings and items written by local people.  

THANET WATCH magazine is available in newsagents across Thanet. For more information ring 01843 604 253 or 07989 070843.

UKIP DEFEND ADOPTION OF EX-NAZI CANDIDATE FOR THANET

UKIP Thanet chair Trevor Shonk has defended his party’s controversial adoption of an ex-member of the far-right National Front as their candidate for Ramsgate in the Kent County Council elections in May.

The candidate, ex-NF man Martyn Heale was also previously chair of the Conservative Party in Thanet South and more recently election agent of UKIP’s national leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Shonk was filmed by Thanet Watch magazine during canvassing in Ramsgate.

The elections are on May 2.

Thanet Watch is an investigative monthly magazine which covers everything that’s happening – and shouldn’t be happening on the Isle of Thanet, East Kent.

Reports in its print publication are supplemented by films on its website.

For more information ring Norman Thomas on 01843 604 253 or 07989 070843 The film can be watched on www.thanetwatch.wordpress.com. 

COUNCILLOR ATTACKS THANET'S NEW CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP

Councillor Ian Driver, chair of Thanet council’s overview and scrutiny committee has launched a blistering attack on the GP group which now controls Thanet’s £190 million healthcare budget.

Government’s changes to the NHS mean that commissioning of health care in Thanet is governed by Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group made up of local GPs.

“There are 10 people on the board of Thanet’s CCG – and half of them have conflicts of interest,” said Driver, speaking on a film report on the website of Thanet Watch magazine.

He’s calling for the immediate removal of one of the members of the group, a lay member who is actually the sales director of a multinational company who sells computer software to doctors.

“In my book,” said Driver, “that’s a massive conflict of interest.”

Driver also pointed out that four of the doctors on the CCG including CCG chair Tony Martin all have an interest in a company called Thanet Health CIC Ltd, specifically set up to provide services to GP commissioners.

“It stinks,” said Driver, “There’s no other way of describing it.”

Thanet Watch is an investigative monthly magazine which covers everything that’s happening – and shouldn’t be happening on the Isle of Thanet, East Kent.

Reports in its print publication are supplemented by films on its website.

For more information ring Norman Thomas on 01843 604 253 or 07989 070843. The film can be watched on www.thanetwatch.wordpress.com. 

"A CULTURE OF CORRUPTION" IN THANET, SAYS LOCAL WRITER

The imprisonment of the ex-leader of Thanet District Council’s is evidence of a “culture of corruption” in Thanet, according to a local historian and journalist.

Norman Thomas, editor of Thanet Watch magazine, says that Sandy Ezekiel, sentenced for 18 months on four charges of misconduct in public office, is not “one rotten apple in the barrel” but the latest example of what’s been going on in the area since the 1970s.

“In the 1982 a leading councillor was jailed for forging money,” says Mr Thomas.  “Since then Kent police have spent years and years of man-hours investigating fraud and criminality in public life in Thanet.

“Their efforts have shown little result – but this isn’t because the criminality isn’t there, it’s because of another kind of culture in the area – a culture of secrecy. 

“The council is a huge employer in the area. They give grants to groups; they help groups to get grants. Nearly everyone or their brother or friend is directly or indirectly beholden to them.

“People are simply too afraid to speak out. “

Beginning this week, Mr Thomas’s magazine Thanet Watch will be publishing a series of articles exploring what he calls the “curse of corruption” in Thanet.

“People like Ezekiel have had an all-pervading, destructive impact on the life of our community. The time has come to expose this and set things right,” he said.

The new issue of Thanet Watch is due out on Thursday 28 March.  

ASTROLOGER SEES DISASTROUS FUTURE FOR THANET IN 2013

There will catastrophic flooding in Thanet in 2013, according to a forecast for the year published by a local astrologer.

The floods will be caused by a combination of rising sea levels and an increase in development on the Isle.

But the astrologer reckons this is only one of a series of disasters Thanet will face in the new year.

They will include, he claims, three councillors being arrested on corruption charges and an aeroplane from Manston airport to Amsterdam hitting a newly built block of flats on Ramsgate sea front.

The astrologer, who is known only by the name Old Mole, says that he was horrified to see what the stars hold for Thanet.

“I love the area very much,” he said, “but 2013 just does look like it will be a very unlucky year for us.”

Old Mole also sees significant developments for the proposed new community centre in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park and an amazing new plan to revive Margate’s economy.

Councillor Chris Wells, he says, will be very much in the news. “I really think next year is really going to be Councillor Wells’ year – but not necessarily in a good way!”

Old Mole’s predictions are published in full in the new issue of Thanet Watch, on sale in newsagents across Thanet this week.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PICS RING THANET WATCH ON 01843 604 253

WRITER EXPOSES FRAUD OF FAMOUS KENT BAY

The name of Broadstairs’ famous Viking Bay is an historic fraud, according to a local author.

Writing in the new issue of THANET WATCH magazine, author Norman Thomas argues that one of Kent’s most picturesque beaches was named Viking Bay as part of a Cold War “stunt”.

The beach was first named Viking Bay in 1949 after a Danish team sailed a replica Viking ship from Denmark to Broadstairs, to celebrate the coming to Kent of two legendary Dark Ages warriors, called Hengist and Horsa.

But these warriors, points out Mr Thomas, were not Vikings.

He said: “Whole generations of tourists have come to Broadstairs thinking that Viking Bay is near where the Vikings first came to Britain and that’s why it’s called Viking Bay.

“This is nonsense. The people who were supposed to have come this coast in 449 AD were Jutes. It would be 400 years later before Vikings came to this area.”

“The Jutes were a Germanic tribe – but of course in 1949 it wouldn’t have been acceptable to celebrate a German invasion of Britain,” said Mr Thomas.

According to Mr Thomas, the story is even more tangled than this – and at its heart, he says, is the cold war alliance between Denmark and Britain,

“My research suggests that the voyage of 1949 was really a gesture against the Soviet Union – a cold war stunt.”

Mr Thomas attacks the history of Broadstairs as told to the tourists.

“The real history of this bay is far more interesting than the totally bogus one that the tourists are told,” he said.

The full story of the Great Viking Bay Hoax is told in this month’s edition of Thanet Watch, available in local newsagents across Thanet. For more information ring Norman Thomas on 01843 604253.

WHAT WERE THREE NAZIS DOING IN BROADSTAIRS

A Nazi spy operates from a bungalow. A man who became the infamous Lord Haw-Haw teaches at a local school.  A monocled conman sells fascist literature in the high street.

Amazingly, three extraordinary Nazi figures were at work in the sleepy resort of Broadstairs, East Kent in the 1930s – and now a new article published this week, argues that their activities were NOT a coincidence.

The article’s author Norman Thomas said: “I think it has to be more than a coincidence that these exceptional pro-Nazi characters were all active in Broadstairs in the years before the war.”

Mr Thomas’s article tells the strange story of the three Nazis and how they came to be in Broadstairs in the 1930s.

The Nazis were William “Lord Haw Haw” Joyce who broadcasting pro-Nazi propaganda from Berlin during the war, Arthur Tester who lived in a mansion on the North Foreland estate above Broadstairs and Hermann Goertz, a German spy who lived in a bungalow in Broadstairs while he collected information about Britain’s air defences.

Mr Thomas believes the three Broadstairs Nazis were working together – and possibly working on a plot to undermine Britain’s defences.

“These men were all maverick operators,” Mr Thomas said. “They were all strong believers in the victory of Nazi Germany over Europe, and they all came to Broadstairs in the years immediately before the outbreak of war.

“I believe they had a common aim – and that was to help Hitler achieve his ultimate victory.”

The article is the first in a series about the history of fascism in Thanet, East Kent, which will be published in the September issue of the monthly Thanet Watch magazine.

THANET FACES SEWAGE CATASTROPHE

The seaside resorts of Thanet in Kent risk “sewage catastrophe” unless radical action is taken against water company Southern Water, a local journalist has claimed.

“Thanet’s economy is critically dependent on its beaches. Our environment, our health is at risk,” Norman Thomas said. “We cannot afford to allow a company like Southern Water to hold our future in its pollution stained hands.”

Mr Thomas’s statement follows research he’s done into incidents involving the water company going back to 2008. He says he has discovered a “horrifying pattern of neglect” by the company.

According to Mr Thomas his research shows that Southern Water is  “a company out of control”  and that there is every chance their negligence will “disastrously damage” Thanet’s tourist economy.

Earlier this year Thanet’s beaches were closed after the failure of Southern Water’s Foreness Point pumping station.  Heavy storms, the company said, had caused exceptional levels of debris such as tampons and nappies to block the pumps. Southern Water apologised for the spill and said it was “working hard to avoid such problems in the future”.

But Mr Thomas argues that the company’s record shows there is no reason at all to believe their apology.

“Southern Water show a horrifying pattern of neglect in their operations across south east England,” Mr Thomas said.  “Since 2010, they have been responsible for sewage disasters in Herne Bay, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Sussex, and Biddenden. In each case they’ve apologised and been fined anything from £7,000 to £50,000.

“But the point is, it makes no difference. They keep doing it, time after time. The fines and any compensation they pay are trivial compared to the profits they make. They are a company out of control.

“And it’s not just the disasters themselves. The company has shown itself ready to cover up its negligence and mislead the public. In other words, most worryingly, we don’t know the extent of the problems we’re facing.”

Mr Thomas’s full report is published in the July-August issue of Thanet Watch, price 60p, in newsagents across Thanet.

HATE CRIME VICTIM COUNCILLOR MAKES VIDEO APPEAL TO DAVID CAMERON

Thanet councillor John Worrow has made an impassioned plea to Prime Minister David Cameron to take action against attitudes among Thanet’s Tories which, he claims, have led to a “hate crime” against him.

Councillor Worrow was told by police last night (May 30) that they had traced a malicious phone left on his voicemail to Conservative councillor Ken Gregory.

Councillor Gregory left a message saying “With a bit of luck you’ll get aids.”

The police told Mr Worrow that they had decided to let Councillor Gregory off with a caution, as this was his first offence of this kind.

Mr Worrow said Ken Gregory “cannot possibly remain a member of the Conservative Party or a member of Thanet District Council” and said that he expected a full apology at the next council meeting.

 Interviewed exclusively by Thanet Watch TV, Mr Worrow addressed David Cameron personally.  He asked the Prime Minister to give an assurance that bisexual, gay and other minorities could join the Tory party without experiencing this kind of abuse.

He said he felt he and his colleagues felt there could be a “hate campaign” against them and asked Cameron to contact local Conservatives and tell them to “lay off.”

To see the full interview visit www.thanetwatch.wordpress.com

For the full story of John Worrow’s experiences with North Thanet Conservative Association see this month’s edition of Thanet Watch magazine.

THANET WATCH is on sale in newsagents across Thanet, price 60p.

 EDITORS: If you want to follow up on any of the above stories, contact Norman Thomas on 01843 604253 or email him at inmeds@yahoo.co.uk

HOW PUNK CAME TO THANET

In the 1970s a musical and cultural phenomenon first hit Thanet – it was called punk.

In the June issue of Thanet Watch magazine Steven Todd gives a personal account of how punk came to the Isle and how it changed his life.

He recalls some of the early pioneers of the music and revisits the Queens Hotel, Cliftonville, the first major venue for punk in Thanet

“The gigs were a revelation,” he says. “The old audience/band divide vanished. You didn’t watch, you partook.”

He adds: “A new feeling was abroad. The mainstream was redundant, an alternative was needed… this would be punk.”

ALSO IN JUNE THANET WATCH

The June issue of Thanet Watch also tells the astonishingly corrupt story of one of Thanet’s ex-council leaders, how the Isle got its film society and the strange story of the Irish China Gateway

Also: John Worrow exposes the unacceptable face of local Tories.

Plus: a full guide to entertainments and the arts in Thanet this month

Thanet Watch, price 60p, is in newsagents across Thanet now.

For more information ring Norman Thomas on 01843 604 253