GIVE YOUR VIEWS IN CLIFTONVILLE CLEAN SWEEP

You can discuss your concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour, as part of the next Operation Clean Sweep in Cliftonville.

The SOS trailer will be parked outside Blockbuster at 193-197 Northdown Road on Wednesday 15 December from 9am to 4pm.

The council’s community safety team will be joined by officers from Kent Police and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who will be able to offer crime prevention and fire safety advice. You can also give ideas to the team of future locations for Clean Sweep operations and problems that need tackling there.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Operation Clean Sweep continues to bring some excellent results from every location that it visits. The officers that take part in it have a good wealth of knowledge about problem areas to tackle, but we can always learn from local knowledge. It’s also a good opportunity for people to discuss any issues they have with either crime or anti-social behaviour in their area with people who can help them.”

If you would like any further information about the SOS trailer or if you have any issues that need tackling in future Clean Sweeps, please call 01843 577737.

PLANS IN FOR NEW WESTWOOD CROSS RETAIL UNIT

A planning application has been submitted for a new two-storey retail unit at Westwood Cross.

The application is for a non-food store, totalling 6,500 square metres split over two floors, comparable in size to the existing larger stores at Westwood. It would be located next door to TK Maxx. The store is expected to bring 150 jobs to the area, according to information submitted by the applicants.

The plans would see the new store being built on the existing car park, although 137 new parking spaces would be provided, as part of the development, accessed from Antolin Way. This is similar to the number of spaces being lost from the existing car park.

The application is within the Westwood Cross town centre and the majority of the site is allocated for retail use. A small section of the site, where the new car park is being built, is on employment land, previously used by Grupo Antolin.

The applicant has included information showing how this development would fit into possible future redevelopment in the surrounding area. This information includes a relocated Sainsbury’s store on part of the former Grupo Antolin site and vacant land next to New Haine Road, additional retail and restaurants, as well as a new road linking Antolin Way and Margate Road. These do not form part of the current application being considered. However, the applicant states that these plans are to be part of a separate planning application which is to be submitted in the future.

Details of the application are available on the council's website using UK Planning under reference 10/1005. The plans can also be viewed by visiting Thanet's Gateway Plus in Cecil Street, Margate from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with extended opening until 8pm on Thursdays. Thanet's Gateway Plus is also open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. The Gateway will have different opening hours for Christmas between Thursday 24 December and Monday 3 January.

The deadline for comments to be received is Friday 7 January 2011. Comments should be sent to planning.services@thanet.gov.uk The application will be considered by the council’s Planning Committee early in 2011.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE MARGATE PHOTO

Nearly 400 photos have been entered into the This is Margate photography competition and now it’s down to the public to decide the winners.

The panel of judges, which included top international Magnum photographer Martin Parr, each chose their favourite photograph from the six competition themes and now the public can vote on the final 30 photographs.

You can only vote for one photo in each of the six categories, which are:
1. Margate’s heritage, icons and traditions e.g. buildings, personalities, food, seaside entertainment
2. A secret Margate e.g. Margate’s little known places and hidden gems
3. Active Margate e.g. watersports, cycling, walking, fishing and more
4. Natural Margate e.g. nature, coast, wildlife and ecology
5. Creative Margate e.g. what inspires arts and culture in the town
6. My Margate e.g. what’s your Margate?

You can either vote online at www.thisismargate.co.uk or in person at a display of the 30 shortlisted photos at the Tudor House, Margate on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December between 12pm and 4pm. Public voting closes at midday on Wednesday 15 December.

One of the other judges was Derek Harding, Programme Director of Margate Renewal Partnership. He was impressed with the standard of photos entered into the competition. "It’s been great to see such a huge response to this competition from the public. So many different people from so many different places made the effort to come to Margate and take some amazing shots. We've seen a real selection of different photographs that show the wonderful and diverse attributes that Margate has. Now it’s up to the public to help us decide the winners.”

The winning photographs will be announced at a VIP judging event at the Tudor House, Margate on Monday 20 December by the guest judge, international photographer Martin Parr, who will also present the prizes to the winners.

The panel of judges also included Laura Ford, artist and trustee of Turner Contemporary, Lynnette Clark, Marketing Manger for Visit Kent and Cllr. Mick Tomlinson, Mayor of Margate. For more information about Martin Parr, visit www.martinparr.com

IMMIGRATION BACK UNDER CONTROL

Immigration was one of the biggest issues on the door step during the election. Weak borders, lax immigration rules, ineffective enforcement all resulting in significant increases in migration to the UK that was unsustainable.
And we were clear about our commitment to address this system that was out of control. The Coalition has introduced the first annual limit on non EU migrants that will strictly control the number of people coming here to work. A limit of 21,000 has been placed for those with skills or exceptional skills, and transfers within companies will be limited to those earning more than £40,000. This is to ensure that it is only those with exceptional talents are able to come and work in the UK.
These are really important measures to bring back some common sense to our immigration policies and ensure that we respond to the difficulties that unabated immigration has caused.
But in Thanet we do have to get the balance right. Our wonderful English Language schools were very badly hit by the disproportionate regulations that the last government imposed on them restricting numbers and hitting our local economy. Our language schools not only employ many local people but also provide extra income for the many families who welcome the students into their homes during their courses and our high streets benefit from the extra trade out of season.
Roger Gale and I have been pushing for the Home Office to recognise that our local language schools – that are some of the best in the country – do not represent the risk to illegal migration that many others do. We have lobbied to ensure that their high standards are recognised and that the students coming to support our local economy are welcomed as being an important part of our local economy.

EARLY CLOSURE FOR COUNCIL OFFICES

Severe winter weather has hit Thanet District Council’s services, with all council offices closing early for a second day running.

Thanet’s Gateway Plus in Margate, which was due to be open until 6pm this evening, will now be closing at 3pm today (Friday 3 December) instead. It will re-open for business tomorrow morning (Saturday 4 December) at 9am.

All other council offices, including the main offices in Cecil Street, Margate and the council’s telephone switchboard will also be closing early at 3pm today, as opposed to 5pm.

Chief Executive Richard Samuel said: “A lot of our staff have struggled into work over the last two days to ensure that our services keep running and I’d like to thank all our staff who have made that effort. We know that it’s been difficult for many of them to get into the various offices we have and we want to ensure that they’re able to get home safely again. A number of our staff have walked in and the pavements are still very slippery, so we want to give them a chance to get home before it gets dark. That’s why we’ve taken the decision to close early today.”

Refuse collections have already been suspended in Thanet for the second day running, due to the icy conditions.

Wherever possible, staff have been helping Kent County Council to clear roads and pavements, using sand from the area’s beaches. For full details of the gritting service being provided in Thanet, please visit Kent County Council’s website at www.kent.gov.uk or call 08458 247 247.

WASTE COLLECTIONS SUSPENDED FOR THE DAY

Waste and recycling collections in Thanet have been completely suspended for the second day running (Friday 3 December) due to exceptionally icy conditions.

Once again, as happened yesterday (Thursday 2 December), the council’s team of refuse collectors were able to get into the council’s depot, but it was impossible to get any of the fleet of trucks out. The council will instead try and use four by four wheeled vehicles to collect any black sacks that are out and in danger of splitting open.

If you are on a wheeled bin collection and were due to have your waste or recycling collected yesterday or today, please keep your bin outside. The council’s refuse crews will try to get out to people from early next week, as soon as weather allows.

There are only a few black sack and no blue recycling bag collections due today. If you were due for a collection today, please keep your black sacks inside and put it out on your normal waste collection day next week. With paper and cardboard collections, please take these inside and keep them until the next scheduled collection.

Mark Seed, Director of Environmental Services, said: “Our crews were at our depot early this morning, waiting to see if they could get out on collections today. However, the conditions are simply too dangerous to risk using any of our freighters, even the smaller ones. Sadly, despite our patience, the conditions are showing no sign of improving, so we’ve had no choice but to suspend collections for the second day running.”

Council teams spent the day yesterday trying to keep the area as safe as possible. The council’s tractor unit was out helping Kent County Council, who are responsible for gritting the roads, by clearing the entrance roads around Margate fire station and the QEQM Hospital, as well as some bus stops. This work will continue today.

A large group of drivers, street sweepers and refuse loaders cleared the road into, and the public areas around the Crematorium, so that funerals could continue. The grounds maintenance team spread a total of around 10 tons of a salt and sand mixture in town centres, while town centre street cleaners concentrated on ensuring litter bins were emptied.

Latest updates on disruption to collections are available on the council’s website at www.thanet.gov.uk and by calling 01843 577115. For full details of the gritting service being provided in Thanet, please visit Kent County Council’s website at www.kent.gov.uk or call 08458 247 247.

WEATHER DISRUPTS COUNCIL SERVICES

Severe winter weather has hit a number of Thanet District Council’s services, with Thanet’s Gateway Plus and the council offices closing by mid afternoon.

Waste and recycling collections have already been suspended today (Thursday 2 December). Thanet’s Gateway Plus, which was due to be open until 8pm tonight, as it is every Thursday night, will now be closing at 2pm instead. It is planned that it will re-open at 9am tomorrow morning (Friday 3 December) as usual.

The council offices in Margate and the telephone switchboard will also close early at 3pm, as opposed to 5.30pm and will re-open at 8.45am tomorrow morning.

Tonight’s planned Cabinet meeting, due to take place at 7pm, has been cancelled. It will now be re-arranged for next week (week commencing Monday 6 December), although no date has yet been set.

The area’s car parks remain open and council staff are attempting to visit as many as they can to grit the car parks. The council’s tractor unit has been out today, helping Kent County Council by clearing snow away from the Crematorium, the road by Margate fire station and the entrance roads around the QEQM Hospital.

Council teams using salt supplies from Kent County Council are out trying to keep pavements clear around doctors’ surgeries and chemists and in the main high streets in Birchington, Minnis Bay, Westgate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Northdown Road, Margate and Minster. They have also been working at Margate Cemetery and Crematorium.

Road gritting is the responsibility of Kent County Council. For full details of the gritting service being provided in Thanet, please visit Kent County Council’s website at www.kent.gov.uk or call 08458 247 247.

Although some of the area’s main public toilets have been open today, they are being closed early today from 2pm onwards.

WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS SUSPENDED

Waste and recycling collections in Thanet have been suspended today (Thursday 2 December) following overnight snow.

Although crews were able to make it into the council’s depot, it was too dangerous to get the refuse freighters out, following heavy snow in the early hours of the morning. The freezing temperatures have turned the layers beneath the snow into ice, causing vehicles to skid dangerously, while the footpaths are exceptionally treacherous.

The council’s tractor has been out and cleared the access to the crematorium and its car park and will be now be trying to help Kent County Council by clearing areas, such as town centres.

Mark Seed, Director of Environmental Services, said: “Although our staff have been able to get into work, the problem is getting our trucks out on the road to do the collections. We have 26 ton vehicles and once those start to skid on an icy road, it’s almost impossible to stop them. The last thing the council wants is an accident and, in this weather, we simply can’t take that risk. Our freighters also have to collect from side roads, which are often not cleared of snow and can be exceptionally dangerous. We will do everything we can to get the collections back on track as quickly as possible when the weather improves, and the fact that our crews working as usual during the Christmas week this year, including Bank Holidays, should help.”

If you are on a wheeled bin collection and were due to have your waste or recycling collected today, please keep your bin outside. The council’s refuse crews will try to get out to people, as soon as weather allows.

For those on black sack or blue recycling bag collections, please take them in to stop animals or seagulls attacking them. Please do not leave them outside overnight. Please put your bags back out for collection from 6am each day. Priority will be given to collecting black sacks, as soon as services resume.

With paper and cardboard collections, please take these inside and keep them until the next scheduled collection.

Latest updates on disruption to collections are available on the council’s website at www.thanet.gov.uk and by calling 01843 577115.

GET BACK ON THE NIGHT BUS THIS CHRISTMAS

The night bus is returning to Thanet this Christmas to help ensure those enjoying the festivities get home safely after a night out.

The bus will be back on the road on Friday 10 December, Friday 17 December, Friday 24 December (Christmas Eve) and Friday 31 December (New Year’s Eve).

The bus will circle Thanet five times during the evening, with the first bus departing at 11pm from Ramsgate Harbour. The bus will then leave the harbour again at midnight, 1am and 2am, with the final departure at 3am. It will follow a route taking people along Boundary Road through to Queens Road in Broadstairs, Northdown Road in Cliftonville and Cecil Square in Margate. The bus then travels on an extended route to Westgate, stopping at the Hussar Hotel in Garlinge, and Birchington Square, before heading past Manston and then back to Ramsgate Harbour along the London Road. The bus will only stop if people are waiting at the stops or if someone rings the bell to request the stop.

Depending how busy the bus is, it may run slightly late, but will never leave a stop before the designated times, which are:

Ramsgate
On the hour

Broadstairs
Quarter past the hour

Northdown Road, Cliftonville
Twenty past the hour

Margate
Twenty five past the hour

Westgate
Half past the hour

Birchington
Twenty five to the hour

Prices are fixed at £2.00 per person, wherever you go for one journey. The bus is a hail and ride service, which means that you can flag the bus down anywhere along the route and it will stop, so long as it is safe to do so.

The money to put on the service, which was first successfully trialled in the summer of 2009, has come from Kent Police and the service is being operated by Eastonways. There will be a police presence on the bus, if anyone has any concerns around their night out.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “It’s great to see the night bus returning to Thanet, thanks to funding from the police. The area has a thriving nightlife and we want to provide a cheap and easy way of getting home, so that people won’t be tempted to walk home. When it last ran in summer 2009, the night bus proved to be a great success, helping to reduce violence and criminal damage. In total, there were 126 less violent incidents in Thanet, which is an excellent result.”

For more information, look out for the posters at bus stops and wallet sized cards in local pubs, visit http://www.thanetcommunitysafety.org.uk/ or search ‘Thanet Community Safety Partnership’ on Facebook.

GARAGE CHECKS HIGHLIGHT ISSUES

Checks of vehicle repair companies in Thanet have revealed a variety of issues, with a total of 10 notices served.

The inspections were carried out as part of a Kent wide health and safety crackdown, looking at businesses that repair vehicles, fit tyres and exhausts, MOT stations and spray shops.

To date, 20 premises have been visited in Thanet and, during those visits, a total of nine notices and one prohibition notice have been served. The prohibition notice was served for unguarded work equipment.

Problems found include:
Businesses not having an asbestos survey or system for managing asbestos.
Poorly constructed or maintained electrical systems or unsafe wiring.
No extraction system for carbon dioxide emissions.
Unguarded or unsafe machinery.
No evidence of maintenance of vehicle hoists
General untidiness, which has included issues such as failing to keep floors clear from obstructions or spillages.

Throughout Kent, a total of 172 visits were carried out by officers from local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive. A total of 85 notices were served.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “These inspections have highlighted a range of issues at some of the premises we visited and shows that we have targeted the right industry. While there have undoubtedly been some examples of good practice, sadly that’s not been the case everywhere, with a number of places operating well below the required standard. Where there are problems, our officers will be returning to ensure that standards have improved. This is something the council takes seriously, particularly when you consider that, in the last five years, there have been 24 deaths and over 8,000 injuries in the vehicle repair industry in this country. Anything we can do to stop that figure increasing in Thanet has to be a good thing.”

collections update - need help getting message out to residents

HELP US TO HELP YOU WITH WASTE COLLECTIONS

Please put your wheeled bins and black sacks out as usual today (Wednesday 1 December) – that’s the message from Thanet District Council.

Waste and recycling collections are continuing across the district today, despite the icy conditions, with crews working to provide a normal service. Residents are being warned that collections may take longer than usual, as crews deal with slippery roads in some parts of Thanet.

However, the biggest problem the teams are finding is that some people are not putting their wheeled bins or black sacks out for collection. Crews are reporting that, on a number of roads that are due to have collections today, nothing has been put out.

To check if your waste and recycling is due for collection today, visit http://www.thanet.gov.uk/databases/refuse/

Other parts of the council are pitching in to help keep the area moving, with the grounds maintenance team clearing snow and slush away from pavements yesterday (Tuesday 30 November). They will be out again today (Wednesday 1 December), focusing on the busiest areas in Thanet, such as town centres and outside doctors’ surgeries.

WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS CONTINUING

Waste and recycling collections in Thanet are continuing today (Wednesday 1 December), despite the icy conditions.

The situation remains the same as yesterday (Tuesday 30 November), with residents being asked to put their wheeled bins or black bags out for collection as usual today. However, although the council’s refuse crews are already out on their usual rounds, collections today may take longer than usual.

For full details of your collection dates for waste and recycling, visit http://www.thanet.gov.uk/databases/refuse/

Other parts of the council pitched in yesterday to help keep the area moving, with the grounds maintenance team spending the day removing snow and slush away from pavements. They were focusing on the busiest areas, such as town centres.

SOS TRAILER RETURNS IN RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS

Thanet’s SOS trailer will be returning to town centres in the run-up to Christmas to help people feel safer on their night out.

The Safety on our Streets trailer was first deployed during the summer months on five occasions, when it was used by around 100 people.

The trailer has a counselling room, where a sexual outreach worker is available to help people, a treatment room where St. John’s Ambulance are ready to assist, and an interview room for people to speak to police about issues that may have concerned them during their night out. All staff on the SOS trailer, which includes representatives from Kent Police, Thanet District Council, St. John’s Ambulance, Sexual Outreach Nurses, KCA (Kent Council on Addiction) drug outreach workers and the Community Pastors, are available to speak to people and offer advice.

In December, the trailer will be parked outside Pierremont Park by the memorial in Broadstairs on Friday 10 and Friday 24 December. On Friday 17 December, the trailer will be in the middle of Ramsgate town centre, outside Boots. On each night, the trailer will be out from 7pm until 1am.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The SOS trailer has already been very well received over the last few months and it’s been able to help a lot of people on its previous nights out. The aim is get services out to people when they need them on their night out and it’s been successful in achieving that so far and I’m sure it will be again in the run-up to Christmas.”

Bright Lights exhibition sponsored by Hamlyn Holmans

Just a quick reminder that the opening of Dark Nights, Bright Lights is almost here

WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS CONTINUING

Waste and recycling collections in Thanet are continuing in Thanet today (Tuesday 30 November), despite overnight snow.

Residents should put their wheeled bins or black bags out for collection as usual, although they are being warned that they may be collected slightly later than normal, due to the weather.

For full details of your collection dates for waste and recycling, visit http://www.thanet.gov.uk/databases/refuse/

New documents published by Thanet District Council

30/11/2010 - Meeting scheduled: Nov 30 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board

29/11/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Nov 17 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee

26/11/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Supplementary Cabinet Agenda : Supplementary Cabinet Agenda: Meeting of Dec 2 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet

25/11/2010 - Meeting held: Nov 25 2010 6:00PM, Joint Transportation Board

22/11/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Dec 2 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet

22/11/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Nov 30 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board

TORY TDC LEADER'S PUBLIC COMMENTS SAY IT ALL!

At the Thanet Joint Transportation Board meeting last Thursday (25th November), the committee where TDC liaise with KCC on Highways issues across the island, Cllr Bob Bayford Conservative leader of TDC, in response to a presentation by a KCC officer and their report on Margate Seafront said,

“Please don’t keep referring to congestion in your reports as residents in Thanet do not know the meaning of congestion, they do not know they are born”.

Cllr Bayford then went on to say,

“This new government has promised to cut down on public consultation, decisions should be left to elected members because that is what we have been elected for, there is far too much of this consultation going on”.

Cllr Peter Campbell, a JTB member said,

"I was simply astounded by Cllr Bayfords comments and the attitude towards the people of Thanet that they reveal".

Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said,

"These comments by Cllr Bayford, reported to me, say much about the attitude of the Conservative administration at TDC. Apparently they think Thanet residents just don't understand matters and that they shouldn't be consulted so much? I have to say the comments appear somewhat patronising and to an extent, even arrogant.

I'd say Cllr Bayford has got things completely wrong. Thanet residents most certainly do need consulting on issues affecting their lives. However, they deserve GENUINE consultation and not just the 'lip service' all too often paid to them by this Conservative administration".

Last weeks planning applications

The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet


24 Nov 2010
A/TH/10/0982
25-26 OZENGELL PLACE, EUROKENT BUSINESS PARK, RAMSGATE, CT12 6PB
current
24 Nov 2010
C/TH/10/0975
ABBEY LODGE, PRIORY ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 9PG
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0799
9 MANSTON COURT ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT12 5AX
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0911
HIllSIDE, WOODCHURCH ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 0HL
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0945
16 THE VALE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1 RB
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0952
2 EASTERN ESPLANADE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1DP
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0966
ABBEY LODGE, PRIORY ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 9PG
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0967
129 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2QY
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0972
32 CUTHBERT ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8NR
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0977
13 PARK PLACE, MARGATE, CT9 1LE
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0979
COMPLETE CAR SALES, WILLSONS ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 9LZ
current
24 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0996
9 MILL COTTAGES, RAMSGATE, CT11 9NE
current
24 Nov 2010
OL/TH/10/0989
3 AND 7 SURREY GARDENS, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9SA
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0931
47 LANTHORNE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3NA
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0946
ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 7AF
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0948
19-27 HIGH STREET, ST LAWRENCE, RAMSGATE, CT11 0QW
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0959
KIDEASE NURSERY, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER OSPITAL, COLLEGE ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 4AN
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0960
7 NURSERY GARDENS, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3EW
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0965
36 GREENFIELD ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT12 6TX
current
17 Nov 2010
F/TH/10/0968
1 TOTHILL STREET, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4AG
current
17 Nov 2010
L/TH/10/0932
CHALK GARDEN, THE LENGTH, ST NICHOLAS AT WADE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 0PJ
current
17 Nov 2010
L/TH/10/0947
ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 7AF
current

FILM MAKERS DISCOVER UNSEEN FOOTAGE OF THANET

Film makers have discovered previously unscreened historic footage of Thanet which will be shown in Broadstairs for the first time on Sunday November 28th.

The footage, which includes film of Margate Pier in the early 1970s, is a real find, according to the film’s producer Christine Tongue.

“A long-time Thanet resident heard I was looking for film on Thanet in the past and came forward with this footage, shot 40 years ago,” said Christine.

“There are some wonderful shots of Margate Pier and the old life boat station.”

Margate Pier also known as Margate Jetty was built in 1856 and wrecked by a storm in 1978, and is officially classified as one of Britain’s lost piers.

But it’s not only the pier -- the film also gives a view of Thanet when it was still a flourishing seaside resort, according to Christine. She said: “It really does give a wonderful flavour of life here just before the tourist trade dropped off.”

The footage will be included in the film “Thanet on Film II – Past, Present and Future” which will be shown at the Broadstairs Palace Cinema on Sunday at 5pm.

The discovery of the footage has sparked hopes of more to come. Christine said: “I’m sure people have lots of other fascinating film of the Thanet in their attics or cupboards somewhere. It would be great to get a chance to screen this material for everyone to enjoy.

She added: “I promise to cut out any personal or embarrassing bits! But this is real visual history and it should be available to all.”

“Thanet On Film II” not only includes historic footage of the isle, but also items of more recent interest, including the fight to save Broadstair’s high street, the controversy over Manston Airport and the regeneration of Margate.

The film will receive its first screening at the Palace Cinema in Broadstairs at 5pm on Sunday November 28th. Booking is advisable – telephone 01843 865726

EDITORS: For more details and pictures telephone Christine Tongue on 01843 604253 or email inmeds@yahoo.co.uk. Picture attached.

Thanet Wind Farm offers commission to local artists

Vattenfall, operators of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, off the Thanet coast, have
partnered with arts organisation Ramsgate Arts to offer a commission to local artists.

The company wants to bring art to their new flagship base in Ramsgate’s Royal harbour.

A newly-installed glass lift shaft is to be decorated, providing a beautiful addition to the
building, which will be visited by people from across the world.

Ramsgate Arts will curate the project and are inviting expressions of interest from artists
who work or live in Thanet. The area to fill is a total of 140cm x 200cm and the art can be in
any format that is sympathetic to and will work within the space and on glass. Work needs to
be completed by February 2011.

For further details, please email info@ramsgatearts.org or call Suzy Humphries on 07939
542990 for an informal chat.