Thanet's Daily News

Two new Archimedes Screws have arrived at Margate Wastewater Pumping Station as part of a £9million upgrade. These replacements lift sewage to start the treatment process. New telemetry equipment is being installed and the station at Margate is now manned 24/7, with critical spares on site to enable a quick response in the event of a mechanical failure. Earlier this month, Southern Water completed works in a £1million upgrade at Rumfields Tower in Broadstairs to “extend its life and make it more resilient.” // A further £250,000 will now be spent on boosters in areas such as control and power systems and grid connections to make sure the pumps do not ‘trip’ with works expected to take 6 months.

The Banksy art installation, “Valentine’s Day Mascara”, has now been removed from the side wall of a house in Margate’s Park Place and taken to an art conservator in Faversham before making the trip to Dreamland. It will remain at Dreamland for at least a year before being sold and the Oasis Domestic Abuse charity has been ‘promised’ a six-figure sum after its sale. The Park Place occupants are in a local Air BnB while building works continue. In a Hollywood auction earlier this week, a large Banksy painting titled ‘Brace Yourself’ was sold for over $2million, more than 3 times its estimated value. // ‘Brace Yourself’ depicts the Grim Reaper in a dodgem car. It was given to the band ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop’ in exchange for changing their name (to Brace Yourself), to avoid any copyright issues since that was the title Banksy wanted for a documentary. Some of the picture’s sales proceeds will go to a musician’s welfare charity. Earlier this month, it was on display at London’s Hard Rock café.

An ‘adventure’ sailing service on the Ramsgate-Ostend route is due to be tested at the end of April with Dutch firm Fair Ferry saying it is investigating whether the route could be resumed permanently. The ‘Morgenster’, a two-masted lugger, takes part in the Tall Ships Race and has room for 24 passengers, in two- and four-person cabins. Its engine is only used around the harbour and in emergencies, so the journey under sail varies between 10 and 30 hours. The crossing can be booked as a one-way trip or 5-day mini-cruise, with prices ranging from €380 to €1.080. // Find out more at https://www.fairferry.co.uk/ramsgateostend-booking

Thanet Rotary Club is working with Year 7 & 8 students at Royal Harbour Academy (RHA) in Ramsgate as part of a Literacy Matters initiative. The club is working with a number of schools and offering assistance with purchasing additional texts to be enjoyed by the students. The Rotary Club is also offering older students the opportunity to get involved in a creative writing competition.

Residents in Ramsgate’s Dumpton Park Drive are calling for further safety measures for pedestrians trying to cross the wide road and motorists who have limited sightlines at some of the junctions. A campaign was initially started last year following the death of a woman cyclist on the road. Kent Highways have since installed yellow lines on junction corners, but residents say the road is still not safe. At a meeting of residents this month suggestions included extending the yellow lines, installing traffic islands, introducing a 20mph zone and creating a mini-roundabout.

Ramsgate Road in Margate has been shut in both directions between Salmestone Road and St Augustine’s Avenue since Tuesday night due to gas leaks. The original work had been estimated to finish by mid-April, but now an additional three weeks' closure both ways will mean that works will continue into May.

Windmill Community Gardens Margate has been awarded Know Your Neighbourhood funding of £42,679 from the National Lottery. Although funding covers essential running costs, the garden continues to need to raise 50 per cent of its yearly costs through a weekly chemical-free vegetable bag scheme and a Thursday market stall. It also relies on ticket sales for activities and events. // More details: https://windmillcommunitygardensmargate.com

Former Chatham and Clarendon student Jamie Ford has returned to the school to discuss his remarkable journey from education to Microsoft, one of the top tech companies in the UK. Jamie discussed aspects of A-level study, how to select a university, life after school and in further education, and then how to be successful in that all important first role.

Last Saturday evening, Police were called to a disturbance at the Westgate-on-Sea Social Club in St Mildreds Road, where officers escorted several people from the premises. During the incident an officer was assaulted. He was not injured and did not require hospital treatment. Robert Hayre of Ramsgate Road, Margate, was arrested and later charged with assault of an emergency worker. He has been bailed to appear at Margate Magistrates’ Court on 22 May. A 45-year-old woman was given a conditional caution.

Late on Sunday afternoon, Ramsgate RNLI was called to a 32-foot yacht with engine failure. The yacht, travelling from Burnham on Crouch in Essex to their summer berth in Ramsgate, was close to the shifting Margate Sands and in a busy shipping route leading up to the Medway and the Thames. High winds and rough seas meant a tow towards Sheppey. They were met half-way by the Sheerness lifeboat, allowing the Ramsgate crew to make their bumpy ride home. // The RNLI is entirely funded by public donations without which it would not be able to continue saving lives at sea.

Just after 7 pm on Monday, Kent Police and SECAmb attended an incident in Margate High Street, following reports of a disturbance involving two men. One person reported being assaulted and was treated for cuts and bruises. A 22-year-old man from Ramsgate was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and taken into custody.

Children demonstrated their love and enthusiasm for the spoken word at the Viking Academy Trust’s challenging annual public speaking competition, hosted by the Royal Harbour Academy. Pupils from each of the Trust’s schools were selected following heats to choose their own three finalists. Their two-minute presentations had to begin with ‘You wouldn’t believe it but….’ Judges assessed the tone, clarity and confidence of speech; how they hooked the audience; and the content of their presentation. The top three were Rose from Upton Junior in first place who was awarded the Speakers Shield, followed by Holly from Chilton Primary and Betsy from Ramsgate Arts Primary.

A man who was charged over a violent brawl in Ramsgate at the weekend has now also been charged with stabbing and robbing a taxi driver. Jack Bamford, of no fixed address was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, grievous bodily harm and affray plus a number of other unrelated offences following his arrest in connection with a fight which broke out at the M&M kebab shop in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A man who attacked a shopper and stole his groceries in a supermarket car park has been sent to prison. Paul Jackson set upon Warren Blewitt, as he left the Aldi store in Ramsgate on February 16th. Mr Blewitt was attacked from behind while he was speaking with a woman in the car park. The incident was captured on CCTV. Jackson was sentenced to nine months custody at Canterbury Crown Court after admitting theft and causing actual bodily harm.

An Independent Review of the Ramsgate Port berth replacement project has found that the funds were insufficient, the timeline unrealistic and that there was a lack of communication. The report, produced by the East Kent Audit Partnership, has made nine recommendations for future project management at Thanet council after a detailed examination of the eight-year saga to replace the berth which is used by Brett Aggregates.

A new TV series which was filmed and set in Margate will be broadcast on Sky next week. The series starring Lily Allen is described as a big-hearted drama about secrets, lies, loves and aspirations within a family of four sisters. The series is expected to feature on NOW TV as well as Sky Comedy from April 6th.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a violent disturbance in Ramsgate which resulted in four men being arrested. The suspects were detained following a fight at M&M’s kebab shop in King Street, which happened shortly after 2am on Saturday morning. Police and ambulance crews attended, and two of the men were arrested at the scene and taken to hospital, with one having injuries believed to have been caused by a knife. Two other suspects were detained shortly after. // If you have information call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting ref. 46/54058/23.

An estimated 200 cannabis plants have been seized from a property in Broadstairs. Kent Police received a report of suspected drug-related activity on Wednesday 22 March which, following further enquiries, led officers to a property in the High Street. A cultivation was uncovered and officers cleared the property of the plants and dismantled the growing equipment. No arrests have been made and an investigation into the circumstances of the cultivation is ongoing.

Artist Tracey Emin has cut the ribbon for the official opening of the TKE Studios and artist residency project in Margate. Hundreds of people gathered in Victoria Road to watch the opening ceremony on Saturday morning which featured a parade by the 1st Margate Boys and Girls Brigade, the town’s Social Singing Choir, and the ribbon being cut with a giant pair of scissors. Also present were Margate Mayor and Deputy Mayor Heather Keen and Rob Yates, Thanet District Council Leader Ash Ashbee, and celebrities Bob Geldof and Jools Holland.

Two students from Foreland Fields School in Broadstairs have completed the Radio Presenters Training Course here at Academy FM. Students Darren and Ethan, who are both autistic, learnt all aspects of radio broadcasting, from how a radio station works to presenting a radio programme. For the final 30 minutes of their training, they broadcast live on air.

A fresh bid for a Judicial Review challenging the government’s decision to give the go-ahead to RiverOak Strategic Partners for the development of Manston airport was granted by the High Court yesterday. The application, submitted by Ramsgate resident Jenny Dawes, raises the issues of climate change impacts and whether sufficient need for the freight hub has been proven. However, a spokesperson for RiverOak has called the legal bid a delaying tactic, and claims that there is no basis for the claims made by Ms Dawes.

Parents, councillors and supporters have rallied against Kent County Council plans to close Priory Children’s Centre on Cannon Road – and with it, the Explorers Nursery and Callis Grange Nursery in Broadstairs. The nursery is under threat due to Kent County Council plans to shut the site as part of a community services public consultation, set to end this Sunday. With only a few days left before the consultation closes, it is the last chance for families across Kent to directly voice their opposition to the cuts. // Consultation: https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/community-services-consultation

An affordable housing scheme in Ramsgate, designed and built by contractor WW Martin in partnership with Orbit Homes, has been recognised in a new national environmental accreditation award. The Green Plaque award sets out to identify and highlight what developers are doing to reduce their projects’ environmental impact.

Warm and Well Packs have been distributed to hundreds of Thanet households in privately rented accommodation who were identified as being in fuel poverty. The packs were distributed by Thanet District Council and Social Enterprise Kent thanks to grant funding of £30,000 from UK Power Networks. Residents received materials to help them cook cheaply and to help them stay warm in their homes.

Plans have been submitted to create homes in Birchington by Thanet landowner St John’s College Cambridge. The plans through conversion, new build and demolition have been lodged with Thanet council. The land was formerly a livery yard, but at present is an unoccupied farm site and is adjacent to the Grade I Listed Church of St Nicholas. The application includes proposals to demolish the modern buildings and two later extensions to the semi-detached cottage to create nine homes in total. // Details of this application can be found on the Planning section of the Thanet council website; references F/TH/23/0236 and L/TH/23/0237.

Thanet District Council has been awarded £4.3million following a successful bid for Social Housing. The funding will allow works to be undertaken to improve the energy efficiency of five of the district’s tower blocks. The works will include installing replacement windows and more efficient heating systems including Kennedy House and Trove Court. Work is expected to start in January 2024 and be completed by September 2025.The upgrades will help to cut fuel bills for social housing tenants as well as delivering warm homes and reducing carbon emissions.

A cask ale festival will be held at Easter to celebrate 21 years of The Ramsgate Brewery. In 2002 the first casks of Kentish Ale brewed by local brewery Gadds were drunk in Ramsgate’s Belgian Bar – now called the Ramsgate Promenade Market. In 2006 Gadds moved premises to Pysons Road Industrial Estate. The following years saw the real ale movement increase. Today, The Ramsgate Brewery has a team of 10 people and brews over one million pints per year. 21 years of the local brewery will be celebrated at the site on April 7th and 8th.

Academy fm joins the many Thanet organisations and people in mourning the sad loss of Frank Thorley, who passed away peacefully last night, aged 87. Frank loved Thanet and Thanet loved Frank. He bought his first London pub in 1971 and his first in Thanet – the Charles Dickens – in 1975, then soon after moving his family to the area. He always made time to serve the community while building his empire of 18 well-known pubs and venues in the area, under the Thorley Taverns brand. An active Rotary member, he was personally tireless in his support for charities in need and those less fortunate. Many charities benefitted from his support, including Oasis, Ramsgate Boxing Club, Pilgrims Hospices, Yoakley Homes and Shelter Box. A full life, well-lived, for which many are thankful.

Two men have now been charged after a man was stabbed in the arm in Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, at 4.20 am last Saturday. Sam Hayden of Hengist Road, Birchington, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife and possession of an offensive weapon. Kieron Bole of Argyle Avenue, Margate, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm. Both were in court on Monday and were remanded in custody to appear before Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 17 April. Kent Police would like to hear from any witnesses. // Officers are continuing to appeal to anyone with information which may assist the investigation to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/49620/23. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form on their website.

SGN has now announced that gas mains replacement works on Ramsgate Road will take even longer than announced yesterday. The gas firm now says that further work replacing old metal with plastic pipes will mean a three-week closure both ways on Ramsgate Road, between Salmestone Road and St Augustine’s Avenue, from April 15, meaning works will go on into May. Signed diversions will be in place.

Saga’s large administration centre in Folkestone closed last Friday, since many of its staff are now working from home. Going forward, in addition to its presence in central London, the over-50’s travel and insurance company will split its administration between Discovery Park in Sandwich and at an Ashford business park. Options for the Folkestone building, built to house 1,000 staff, will include possible conversion to around 60 flats.

Children experiencing a mental health crisis can find some comfort thanks to a special box created by teams at the QEQM Hospital in Margate. The health play specialists in the paediatric emergency department have created a ‘hope box’, with items capturing all five senses, inspired by suicide prevention charity Papyrus. Items in the box were funded by East Kent Hospitals Charity and it is designed to help children and young people who are upset, anxious or experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Elderly and disabled residents of Arlington House in Margate are currently trapped in their homes as both of the lifts in the 18-floor building are out of action. The building’s management company has been forced to bring in contractors to provide a ‘concierge service’ for trapped residents. It is understood that lift repairs are underway although they are not expected to be completed until April 5th.

The police and ambulance staff attended a crash in Broadstairs on Friday afternoon when a car flipped onto its roof. Emergency services were called to a single vehicle collision in Granville Road at 2.55pm. Two people sustained injuries.

Plans for a new industrial estate in Margate have been refused because of concerns that its design was an accident waiting to happen. The proposal was to provide 58 light industrial units on the disused railway yard in All Saints Avenue. The decision means that revised plans will need to be resubmitted to the planning committee.

A shed was destroyed by fire at a home in Ramsgate on Sunday after it’s believed a garden bonfire accidentally spread and caused the outbuilding to catch alight. Two fire engines were sent to the address in Newington Road at 5.30pm. A wooden gazebo was also damaged. No injuries were reported and fire crews finished at the scene after 20 minutes.

Gas main replacement works on Ramsgate Road in Margate have been extended until at least April 16. Work began on January 16 and was scheduled to be completed by March 10 but further works are now taking place. The network is being upgraded as part of a 30-year programme to replace old metal pipes with new plastic ones.

Two men have been arrested following a reported stabbing in Ramsgate. Kent Police were called to Harbour Parade at 4.20am on Saturday morning, where a man was found with a stab wound to his arm. The victim was taken to hospital. Two men were arrested and remain in custody. // Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/49620/23.

Thanet council is facing a large repair bill due to damage from fire and vandalism at the Grade II listed Nayland shelter in Margate. The shelter is being used by around four people understood to be sleeping rough, and has suffered damage from bonfires, seating set alight and ripped out arm rests. The council’s homelessness team is working with an individual who has been staying in the shelter to find them suitable accommodation, and the repair works will start after this has taken place.

The Granville Theatre in Ramsgate will have a grand opening gala on May 13, followed by a packed programme of shows intended to put Thanet back on the entertainment map. Westwood One Ltd, who bought the site last October, have been working on renovations to bring the space back into use as a theatre and cinema, with a sea view, cocktail bars, restaurant and community arts space. Following the Gala Evening their opening production will be ‘The Addams Family - The Musical’, performed by the Margate Operatic Society.

A Royal Artillery veteran who is on a mission to walk the entire UK coastline to raise funds for Armed Forces charity SSAFA has been making his way through Thanet this week. Daniel McNeill is undertaking the 16,000-mile journey in a bid to give something back to the charity that helped him after being diagnosed with auto-immune disease. He says that he has been absolutely blown away by the beautiful Thanet coastline. // If you’d like to donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danwalksuk To buy Daniel a coffee/meal visit: https://www.paypal.me/TheDumfriesTipper