Oct 13 - Jan 14

Birchington Parish Council COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

TRAINS IN FOCUS Photo competition see page 38

OCT ‘13 - JAN ‘14 QUARTERLY

GUILD OF PLAYERS see page 30

Serving the local y t communi RESCUE REMEDY see page 20

Celebrate 150 years of railways in the village with the Birchington Model Railway Exhibition see page 21

News and Events From Your Parish Council

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Birchington Parish Council community magazine

Twinned with La Chapelle De Armentieres

Welcome… We are proud to

produce this, our second edition of our “free” Parish Magazine. Thanks to the contributions from residents and local organisations, we hope that you will find the contents and articles of interest.

By keeping your copy near the phone we hope that the contacts, phone numbers and their e-mail addresses will be of benefit to you all.

Cllr Bill Furness Editor

P. SCRIBBINS Plumbing & Building Services

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Letter from the Chairman

4

Councillor Bernard La Roche

6

Council Contacts

8

Community Warden

10

Thanet Local Plan

12

Minnis Day Centre

16

Local Events, Groups & Clubs

18

Have Your Say

20

Poor Houses & Workhouse

22

Worship 24 Residents’ Association

28

Birchington Guild of Players

30

Recycling 32 TAG Pet Rescue

34

Birchington Bowls Club

36

Photo Competition

38

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Contents

Bathrooms · Kitchens Structural Alterations · Loft Conversions

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Please Support Local Businesses A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported the Birchington Parish Magazine.

Please support local businesses and mention the Birchington Parish Magazine when responding to advertisers

Tel: 01843 842727 | Web: www.snh.co.uk SNH, The Store, Albion Road, Birchington, Kent CT7 9DN Open Mon - Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm • Sat 9.00 - 12.00 noon

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Birchington Parish Council

dsm-plastering@live.co.uk

To advertise please call Maria on 01843 834160

Published by Community Ad Ltd 01843 834160 email info@communityad.co.uk web www.communityad.co.uk The views expressed in any published content are solely those of the contributors. The Publishers and Birchington Parish Council accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in the publication. The contents of this magazine including images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, downloaded or displayed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Birchington Parish Council and/or Community Ad Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary& artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works.

The Publishers reserve the right not to publish a submission or part of a submission that they consider defamatory or otherwise inappropriate for publication.

Birchington Parish Council

3

CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN

Letter from the Chairman The new year for Birchington Parish Council (BPC) started in April and has been packed with activity.

Scouts and a variety of stalls.

Our CCTV is satisfactory and the local Police and Wardens now have easy access as well as the control room at Thanet District Council (TDC). We are indeed fortunate in having excellent rapport and response with those that ensure our safety. Birchington also has an

We saw the launch of our new highly praised and appreciated Birchington Parish Council Community Magazine, largely due to the untiring efforts of Cllr. Bill Furness and the publisher Kelly Stacey.

Our association with “Pipeline” the national youth organization has blossomed, regenerating facilities and providing a presence and activities for our Birchington youth to enjoy almost every night of the working week. The “Pipeline” operators are youthful, approachable, highly trained and a credit to their organization.

Pipeline provided facilities and entertainment at our enjoyable Coronation Celebrations.

We also had a live band , help from the

4

active Neighbourhood Watch but needs more watchers. The more we have the safer we are. There are also quarterly Neighbourhood Engagement meetings (NEM) formally PACT, where the Police, Wardens and TDC Officers meet with the Public to report on activities and take questions on law and order.

The continual pressure from myself and Cllr. Bill Furness has at last prevailed with KCC agreeing to considerable road improvements relating to the Park Lane, Brunswick Road dangerous junction.

A thirty year saga should soon come to a happy and positive conclusion. The consultation notices and maps have now gone out and we have been promised that works will be completed as soon as possible this year. This was agreed before our new County Councillor Roger Latchford OBE was elected. Roger is fast

Birchington Parish Council

becoming established at County Hall and your Parish Council is working with him on County Council related matters that will benefit Birchington residents.

BPC has made continual efforts to ensure that the Village is tidy and clean.

Numerous reports have been lodged with TDC where there are shortfalls, largely due to thoughtless members of the public and the response has been good. TDC has now embarked on an ambitious recycling programme that can only be good for us all but does depend on a conscientious and enthusiastic public response. We can only wish TDC well on this venture that has been given a large subsidy from KCC. The introductory Birchington Recycling Road show is at the CO-OP Supermarket 10 am -4pm Saturday 14th September 2013.

We are grateful for the half hour free car parking in Albion Road car park allowed

by TDC. It is much appreciated by the Public and Traders who confirm that it has resulted in a considerable increase in trade. Long may it continue.

The large Co-op Supermarket now possesses a defibrillator with a trained team, whilst the Centre will have one available soon and its own trained team.

Appropriate use can save a life.

In October, 150 years ago the first train service came from Victoria London to Birchington-on-Sea and Thanet . To celebrate this monumental milestone in our development, your Parish Council has teamed up with East Kent Model Railway Society to organize a Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 12th October 2013 at the Centre 10am-4pm. A miniature railway line will be running outside of the Centre for young children to have rides on.

There is also an accompanying Photograph Competition and our thanks

Birchington Parish Council

to Cllr. Michael Jarvis for obtaining fantastic prizes from Hornby and South Eastern Rail for the winners.

For further information contact our Clerk Jamie Thomson 01843 841107 or www. birchington.org Cllr. Jack Cohen Chairman Birchington Parish Council

Philip M Fisher Toastmaster of Ceremonies Weddings Civil Ceremonies Corporate & Masonic Functions

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5

CONTACTS

Things you did not know about…

Councillor Bernard La Roche Bernard was born in Bexleyheath Kent on 15th May 1935, to French parents, and christened 2 weeks later Bernardo Anthonio La Roche, .

During the war years the family along with 3 brothers and a sister lived in Bexleyheath.

During his youth every spare moment he had with regard to holidays he spent back over in France with his velo,(bicycle) subsequently joining the Velo Club Beauvois and became completely besotted with cycle racing, both here in England and France .

Bernard also played rugby for his school and had the honour of being picked to play for Kent and then offered a permanent place in the professional rugby team of Westcombe Park .

The highlight of his sporting career came in 1956 when he was asked by the French Cycling Federation to represent France in their National Amateur Team. He gave up playing rugby altogether due to an altercation in one match where half of his ear got bitten off and concentrated 100% on his cycle racing.

By this time he had left school and become an apprenticed compositor in the printing industry, hence printing and graphic design was one of his many passions along with music.

Bernard’s mother taught him to play the piano whilst she was cooking meals for the family; she was very competent, as she was a piano teacher in a Paris Conservatoire before becoming a wife and mother, he was also taught the Violoncello (‘Cello) and violin and passed all his grades well enough to be offered a place in the Dartford Symphony Orchestra and played the cello for a total of 9 years in all Unfortunately Bernard’s first marriage ended

6

in 1978 but during that time he had a job on the French newspaper France-Soir coming back home at odd weekends to continue cycle racing.

He married his second wife in 1981 when they moved to Birchington.

During that period of his life he was working on the Evening News in London . Whilst working there he won a grant to St Edmunds Hall, Oxford University to study politics, social anthropology and economics but after only one year the grant was not enough to sustain paying the mortgage and at the same time paying for school fees, therefore, reluctantly had to give it all up. Due to the demise of the Evening News he opened up his own printing establishment called Gemini Art Studio in Chatham , this entailed travelling up each day from Birchington until the lease ran out on the building that his printing company was located in.

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One day whilst doing the gardening work he cleared out a garage for an old lady and amongst the items was a cardboard box with old photos and postcards of Birchington and Margate and that’s when he decided to compile a book about Birchington. Its name is to be “Chronicles of Birchington and around the edges” “Will it ever get done?” he asks himself.

Unit 6, Rear of 42-60 Ethelbert Road, Margate CT9 1SB

Bernard was elected to the Parish Council in May 2011

Birchington Parish Council

All aspects of internal and external plaster work undertaken.

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That’s when people would see Bernard flying around the streets of Birchington in his little red van with a trailer on the back cutting lawns as a means of earning a living to support his family..

That came to a crunch in 2005 when he had a severe stroke! Even now he is still slowly compiling and searching for more material for the book.

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Birchington Parish Council

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7

CONTACTS

Council Contacts

Birchington Parish Council Council offices: Albion Rd, Birchington

The Parish office is normally open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 1pm

w 01843 841107 Your Parish Councillors Councillor Jack Cohen | Chair w 01843 847421 q jackbernard.cohen@gmail.com Cllr Bill Furness | Vice Chair w 01843 845228 q bill.furness@waitrose.com Councillor Josh Coombs w 07546 212154 q jcoombs35@gmail.com Councillor Julie Francis w 01843 841796 Councillor Michael Jarvis w 07798 681574 Councillor Bernard La Roche w 01843 844553 Councillor Marian Evans w 01843 841198 Councillor Amelia West w 01843 845244 Councillor Linda Wight w 07825 338999 q lindaw1310@hotmail.com Councillor John Worrow w 07847 303256 Parish Clerk Jamie Thomson w 01843 841107 q birchingtonparishcouncil@ yahoo.co.uk Your Birchington Kent County Councillor Roger Latchford OBE w 01843 846458 q roger.latchford@btinternet.com

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Your Thanet District Councillors Birchington South Ward Dr Alasdair Bruce, 39 Foreland Ave, Cliftonville, CT9 3NH w 01843 295852 q alasdair@rockdoc.co.uk Dr Jack Cohen, 2 Leslie Road, Birchington CT7 9HG w 01843 847421 q jackbernard.cohen@virgin.net John Worrow, 16 Ingoldsby Rd, Minnis Bay, Birchington w 07847 303256 q cllr-john.worrow@thanet.gov.uk Birchington North Ward Keith Coleman-Cooke, 23 Grenville Gardens, Birchington CT7 9LA w 07980 599560 Simon Day, 121 Berkeley Road, Birchington w 01843 845230 q simonday@clara.co.uk Birchington Community Warden Liam Doogan w 07969 583919 q liam.doogan@kent.gov.uk Your Member of Parliament Sir Roger Gale MP c/o The Old Forge, 215 Canterbury Road, Birchington w 01843 848588 Other Contacts Kent Highway Services w 08458 247800 Thanet District Council w 01843 577000 Birchington Medical Centre w 01843 848818 Victim Support Kent w 01304 2111161 Police non-emergency w 101 for all your members of the European Parliament please refer to our website

www.birchington.org

Birchington Parish Council

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9

COMMUNITY

From the Community Warden Now that the good weather is upon us and we are all feeling so much more happy and relaxed, it’s a good time to remind everyone that it only takes seconds... to protect your property. If you’re in the garden, lock the front door and windows. Store valuables away from windows and doors creeper burglaries, where a thief enters a property to steal keys (and your car) or other valuables, generally increase at this time of year. So remove the temptation by keeping valuable items including your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or car keys out of sight and away from windows and doors.

Security mark valuable items to make them less desirable to thieves. If you need help with this, contact Liam or Shaun and we will be happy to help.

Going on holidays? Again, please take care. Some small steps can stop your holiday being ruined. Use hotel safes for valuables like passports and other documentation. Leave a photocopy of your passport and driving licence with a friend at home just in case they get stolen. It’s so much easier to get replacements when you have a copy of the original. Look after your money and purse or handbag. Most foreign

10

resorts are targeted by purse thieves as they can be guaranteed to be full of relaxed people carrying more cash than they normally would. Birchington Parish Council can provide you with a purse lanyard to help protect you – call into the office or see Liam or Shaun around the village.

The summer so far has been good around the village.

There have been few reports of ASB and lots of engagements have been provided for young people, both in the village and outside. If you want to know what is happening at any time during the school holidays anywhere on the island, just contact the local library. Kent police have a specific car set aside for ASB calls, every evening and night, so if you need help, just call. Have a great summer holidays and relax!!!!

Liam Doogan Kent Community Warden 07969 583919 Shaun Riches PCSO 101 Police / Fire / Ambulance / Coastguard Emergency - 999 Police Non-Emergency / ASB car - 101

Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Children’s Centre

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Just phone us on

01843 841143 for details

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Park Lane, Birchington

Regular Events Monday Health Visitor Clinic 1pm-3.00pm Tuesday Coffee Time 1.30pm-3pm Wednesday Parent & Toddler 1.30pm-3pm Thursday Boobie Doo’s Breastfeeding Support Group 1.30pm-3pm Friday Baby Massage 10am-11.30am Baby Signing 12.45pm-1.30pm Baby Days Group 1.30pm-3pm

Blonde Design …a refreshingly desirable collection of home accessories & gifts conceived to blend with any design palette.

Please join us at our retail premises 24 Station Approach Birchington, Kent C T 7 9RD Also – with over 30 years experience as an independent Interior Designer. Jennifer will be happy to help with your design queries

01843 845751 Jennifer@designwitch.co.uk

Birchington Parish Council

11

COMMUNITY

The Thanet Local Plan All Council planning authorities have to produce a local plan. Local plans include policies and proposals that will be used to guide decisions and investment, and also in deciding whether or not planning permissions can be granted.

This is a very detailed process as we have to consider and examine a wide range of evidence. This includes issues about the economy, the need for housing and the built and natural environment to name a few. The local plan must also conform to national planning policy which is produced by the government, called the National Planning Policy Framework.

The new local plan will cover the district until 2031 and will set out: • How and where homes, jobs, community facilities, shops and infrastructure will be delivered • The types of places and environment we want to create • Land to be protected from development such as open spaces We are carrying out three public consultations in the preparation of the new local plan. The first consultation took place between 3rd June - 14th August 2013. This consultation identified issues such as overall levels of development, the location of development, housing, the

12

economy, the environment, quality of life, transport and infrastructure.

We are currently considering all of the comments we received during this consultation, and will use those comments to inform decisions as to the most appropriate strategy and decide on the best options. We will also consider which sites we need to allocate, for example, for housing, for employment.

Early next year we will consult again on a draft new local plan document,.

We will consider all of the comments we receive at that time, and make any appropriate changes to the plan.

There will be a further consultation later next year on final draft of the new local plan, before we submit it to the Secretary of State for examination. An independent planning inspector will consider whether the plan has been positively prepared and that its policies are justified, effective pass legal tests and conform with national planning policy. If our plan passes all of these tests, the Council can then adopt the new local plan.

For the latest information on the local plan process, please visit www.thanet.gov.uk/localplan

Birchington Parish Council

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FREE BOTTLE OF WINE with this voucher, per table of 4 for both Greek & English menu Offer valid Mon-Sun. Offer expires 15/12/2013

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Weddings

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Birchington Parish Council

Sunday Lunch

Kids eat FREE 1 child (aged 11 and under) eats free with every full paying adult Offer valid on Sundays 11-3pm Offer expires 15/12/2013

13

TIMETABLES

BroadstairsCarpets Flooring to suit your lifestyle…

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Delivery Services Key Cutting Glass Cutting Timber Cutting Building Supplies Gardening Electrical Decorating Dept

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Golf Club

Full membership at competitive rates Green fee visitors welcome Society packages available Golf coaching • Bar & restaurant Club house facilities available for hire

Exciting collection of rugs now in stock! “for quality and professional service, stand on our reputation”

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Westgate and Birchington is a clifftop course of 4825 yards with stunning views over the sea.

It is suitable for players of all ages.

Green fees visitors & societies are welcome at very competitive rates for golf on the Kent coast.

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Birchington Parish Council

Minnis Road Shops 13.30 - 13.55 Friday 13th September September 27th October 11th October 25th November 8th November 22nd December 6th Park Avenue 14.05 - 14.35 Friday 13th September September 27th October 11th October 25th November 8th November 22nd December 6th Powell Cotton Drive 14.40 - 15.10 Friday 13th September September 27th October 11th October 25th November 8th November 22nd December 6th

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Birchington Parish Council

All electrical work undertaken

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NEWS

House and Garden

Minnis Day Centre Updates from Meeting held 1st May 2013 Use of the building in the evenings and weekends The Minnis building is currently closed in the evenings and weekends, which is a shame, as it is a good resource for the local community.

There are a few local groups who are interested in hiring the centre and so we will meet with these groups to talk over how we can make this happen.

Property Update A group made up of Friends of Minnis, Staff and KCC have met to look at the suggested plans to make some internal changes to the building, to make it a more flexible and accessible space, update the decoration, etc. The next step is to have a feasibility done on the building to see if our ideas will work or not.

Person Centred Activity There is a proposal to fund a short term project, within the day centre, that will support staff to identify and offer additional opportunities for service users to try new activities and experiences or spend more time on those activities they enjoy. It was agreed at the meeting that this additional support would be offered to all service users, with a particular focus on those with additional support needs, such as physical disability and/or dementia.

Any Other Business It was suggested that the Children’s

16

Society, who currently run the very successful Intergenerational Project in Birchington on a Saturday, could offer Taster Sessions at Minnis. This would bring together a group of young people and the service users to do a variety of activities.

Age UK-Thanet has a new Information & Advice Worker who can give advice on benefits, housing and debt.

Birchington Youth Club have some young people involved in leadership programmes over the summer and would be interested in doing some work experience at the day centre.

Get Involved!

We would like to hear what you think about the things we have discussed in the Working Group so far and what you would like us to discuss in the future. Please pass on any ideas or questions you want to raise to your Rep to bring to the meetings.

Gardening Window cleaning Hedge trimming Conservatory cleaning Landscaping Gutters cleared Patio paving House maintenenance Decking and much more FOR A FREE QUOTE PLEASE CALL

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Birchington Parish Council

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Birchington Parish Council

VISIT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALIST Osteopathy could help with the treatment of:

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17

LOCAL EVENTS

LOCAL EVENTS

Regular Meetings at The Centre, Birchington

Local Events, Groups & Clubs Events

October

September

Parish Breakfast October 5th, Quex Farm, 8-30 - 10.30 Speakers Chris & Jill Lamerton Volunteering for open Christmas at St Pauls Church Cliftonville.

Harvest Festival Day Sunday 15th September St Thomas’s Church - Minnis Bay Quex Craft Fayre Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2013 Visit the Craft Village and enjoy the huge array of unique crafts and gifts available to view and purchase from our own craft workers and visiting craft stands. BBQ food, drinks and snacks available. Raising funds for Kent Air Ambulance. Free Parking.

01843 595143 for enquiries or www.midasleisure.co.uk Summer Strolls Quex Craft Village,Tues 13th September Meet at 10am at Birchington Childrens Centre. Booking not required.

A fun walk round the Quex Craft Village. Everyone welcome, suitable for buggies. For more information, please call Michelle Mannering on 01843 841082 NEW Thanet Farmers’ Market A new monthly food market at The Marlowe Academy, Ramsgate, Sunday 15th September, 9,30-1,00; & Sunday 20th October 9.30-1.00 Tell us about your local event or club: info@communityad.co.uk 01843 834160

18

Harvest Festival Day Sunday 6th October All Saints Church - Birchington Charity Day Saturday 26th October St Nicholas Church, St Nicholas at Wade, Kent CT7 0NR 01843 841457 Open to all charities to have a stall.

Thanet Quilters Tuesday 1st October Church House, Kent Gardens, Birchington, Kent Next quarterly meeting doors open at 7pm for 7-30pm start.

Birchington Active Retirement Association (B.I.A.R.A.) Over 55s indoor sports, every Fri and Weds mornings 9.30am except the second Weds morning in the month and a month’s break in August Birchington chess club Friday evenings - 7.30pm Birchington Heritage Trust Museum Mondays, Thurs and Sats 9.30am 12.30pm. Closed bank holidays, new members always welcome

The Acorn Inn and Restaurant 6 Park Lane, Birchington on Sea 1st Sunday of each month 7.45pm £3 per person includes free half time buffet

Birchington Residents Association Coffee morning on the second Wednesday of each month at 10.30am

Birchington Twinning Association Third Tues evening each month at 7pm Birchington Village Centre Association Over 60s club for tea & bingo on Friday afternoons at 1.45pm Birchington and Thanet Guild of Winemakers Third Thursday afternoon of each month at 2.30pm

Wheel The

Micro Pub

Tuesday-Saturday 12noon-2pm & 5pm-9ish Sunday 12noon-2pm; closed Sunday eves & Mondays

07826 130927 | www.thewheelalehouse.com 60 Station Road, Birchington CT7 9RA

Birchington Parish Council

ise st reetbw Minster clu

A fantastic setting and environment where your child’s needs are met with age-appropriate activities and resources FORTHCOMING HOLIDAY CLUBS Summer holidays 8am-5pm daily £25 per day (less than £3.00 per hour) Includes all fares & day trips

Breakfast, meals, fresh fruit and salad daily at our Breakfast and After School Clubs

For further enquiries or booking forms contact Anita

07950 448595

Birchington Horticultural Society Second Wednesday evening in Oct, Nov, Dec at 7.30pm

Birchington Silver Band Concerts last Sunday afternoon of the month Sept, Oct, Nov, at 2.30pm

Quiz Nights

Alehouse

Act One Theatre Group Rehearsals Sunday 10am Tel: 07725 804391

BREAKFAST · AFTER SCHOOL · HOLIDAYS

Kent Family History Society Third Wednesday evening of each month except august at 7.30pm Spiral Turn Dance Club Latin & Ballroom tuition for children and adults for times call 07733 015616 or 01227 363084

Birchington Parish Council

Age 4-11 years

Ofsted registered

FISH AND CHIPS MINNIS BAY

award winning

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19

HAVE YOUR SAY

s of 150 year g in t a r b Cele lage in the vil railways

Come to BIRCHINGTON Model Railway Exhibition

· Felling, reduction and reshaping · Hedges pruned and trimmed · Stump grinding · Garden clearance and maintenance · All rubbish removed and much more…

Saturday 12th October

In response to last issue’s letter from Suzanne Brim…

Rescue Remedy

Birchington Medical Centre announce the appointment of a Task Force to support the surgery. Nicky and Ian Macdougald, Practice Managers of different surgeries in Thanet, have been joined by Richard Lawson, an ex Practice Manager, who will assume the role of Interim Practice Manager until a new appointment can be made.

More information about the Task Force and the progress to a better quality of service and compassionate patient care for the community of Birchington will be available on the Birchington Medical Centre website, www.birchingtondocs.co.uk and regular newsletters.

Richard Lawson Interim Practice Manager To have your say on local issues

Please write to the Editor at The Parish Offices, 2 Albion Road Birchington-on-Sea Kent CT7 9DN

20

PLEASE CALL ON SITE

01843 845040 07717 583757

City and Guilds NPTC Qualified Tree Surgeon

Free estimates · Fully insured · Family run business

www.woodpeckertreesurgery.co.uk

BUTCHER • FISHMONGER • DELI FRUIT & VEG • RESTAURANT

Kent’s best farm shop

at The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington CT7 9EG 10am to 4pm

QUEX BARN

Admission Adults £2; Children £1 Families £5 (2+3 u-16)

Presented by East Kent Model Railway Society on behalf of Birchington Parish Council. Follow EKMRS on Facebook and Twitter!

Rept-A-Grow

HFDConstruction specialists in

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Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms Plus all general building services

Specialist nutrients for over 40 different house and garden plants, including orchids, pelargonium and many more

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At Quex Barn our mission is to bring fresh local produce to local people and welcome visitors. The Restaurant in the Barn serves delicious dishes made from superior ingredients, as the chefs have the pick of the finest meat, fish, fruit and vegetables from the barn.

• PORK FROM OUR OWN PIGS • SANDWICH BAY LAMB • BEEF FROM THE QUEX HERD • BREAD, PIE AND SAUSAGE ROLLS MADE FRESH IN THE BARN • KENTISH FRUIT AND VEG • WELL STOCKED DELI WITH MANY ENGLISH CHEESES • LOCALLY CAUGHT FISH • BEAUTIFUL PARTY OR CONFERENCE VENUE Quex Park Estate Birchington CT7 0BB

Shop Open Daily 9am-5pm Mon- Sat 9am-4pm Sun • Breakfast served from 9am daily • Lunch served 12pm-3pm daily

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Birchington Parish Council

Just Cookers

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The Cooker repair experTs!

Repairs to all makes of electric cookers 12 months warranty on ALL repairs · No call out charge

Removals • House Clearance Furniture & White Goods Bought & Sold

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07534 094723

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Tandoori Restaurant

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Birchington Parish Council

21

HISTORY

Birchington’s Poor Houses & Workhouse Birchington had tried to care for its poor since Henry VIII closed the monasteries, in whose hands this task had first come to rest. Poor houses are mentioned in the Churchwardens’ account books from the 17th century.

The earliest houses stood beside the churchyard wall, but in 1805 a set of four were built in Gas Alley, which lay opposite the Church. Built of flint by John Friend and John Wilkinson, who were Overseers of the Poor in that year, they were owned by the Church.

Each unit was a single room with a window and a door onto a communal garden. The floors were of packed earth, so were very damp. An earth closet stood at each end of the row.

The houses were condemned in 1925, but the last lady did not leave until 1934, after which, they were demolish and the site sold to Mr Pantony.

Birchington had its own Workhouse, built on half an acre of land bought from Squire Powell of Quex Park in 1794, which stood in Park Lane (now No: 88). Here the poor, the widows and orphans of the village were cared

24hr call out

Mirandas’

LEO

Mobile Beauty Therapy

PROPERTY

Beauty treatments in your own home

MAINTENANCE A complete internal and external maintenance and renovation service

for. It cost £18 to erect and was maintained by the Parish through a rating system devised under ‘Gilbert’s’ Act of 1781. The list of the ratepayers with the amounts they contributed is shown in our Poor Books. The flint barn on the left of the house was used to store the surplus goods like coal and flour, until they were needed.

The buildings were also used by the poor of the villages of Monkton, Sarre and Woodchurch/Acol, with each village contributing to its own costs.

The Workhouse closed when Minster Union Workhouse was built in 1835 and Squire Powell bought back the site for £225. It has been let ever since and is now being redeveloped for housing units.

Jennie Burgess Archivist (July 2013)

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22

Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council

Driveways in brick, slab or concrete

plus Drains

Painting & decorating All alterations

23

CHURCH

COMMUNITY

Worship

Brides

Birchington

All Saints, Birchington

St Mildred, Acol

Sundays Parish Holy Communion 8:00am Sung Eucharist 10:00am Family Service first Sunday of the month 10:00am Junior Church in Church House 10:00am Evensong first Sunday of the month 18:00pm

Sunday Sung Eucharist first Sunday of the month 09:30am Morning Worship third Sunday 09:30am

Weekdays Holy Communion Wednesday 10:00am

78 St Mildred’s Road, Westgate | 01843 833458 Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses & Suit Hire Your complete wedding wardrobe under one roof

St Thomas, Minnis Bay Sundays Sung Eucharist 11:00am Morning Prayer second Sunday 11:00am Weekdays Holy Communion Thursday 10:00am

The Parish Office 01843 84077 Church House, Kent Gardens, Birchington CT7 9RS Open Monday-Friday 9:30 to 12:30 Parish Administrator: Sue Murphy Vicar Rev. Don Witts 01843 841117 | 07749 201947 The Vicarage, 15 Minnis Road, Birchington CT7 9SE

JAS Physiotherapy Jennifer Avery-Stevens

Pain Relief · Management of sports injuries Regaining range of motion · Soft tissue work Neuro rehabilitation · Electrotherapy · Manipulation

The Parish of the Holy Family Thanet has two Churches, Situated in Thanet, Kent, a few miles from each other.

Batchelors Patisserie

Est 1968

Our Lady and St Benedict Birchington Big enough to cope, small enough to care

St Peter’s Westgate-on-Sea, Kent Our Parish Priest Fr Paul Connelly 01843 841549 Masses are held on a regular weekly schedule between the Churches in Birchington and Westgate.

Established in 1998 to provide long distance private hire transfers to airports, cruise terminals, Eurostar and other destinations LUXURY VOLVO V70 ESTATE CAR WITH LEATHER INTERIOR INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS BOTTLED WATER LICENSED PRIVATE HIRE MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Diners Club, cash and cheques accepted

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24

Pet and domiciliary Service

Going away? At work all day? Going into hospital?

PADS offers a trustworthy and secure service for the care of your home and pets when you are absent Fully insured | References on request 01843 850165

Parish Catholic Churches

Contacts Home Visiting If you know anyone who would like a visit from one of the clergy or one of our pastoral team, please call either Margaret on 840878, or Sue on 840777.

TDC runs an excellent out of hours emergency service that is handled by a professional call centre in Canterbury.

To notify a problem ‘phone the TDC council offices on 01843 57700 from which your call will be relayed. You will be given a menu of numbers to press.

This will direct you to the appropriate operator who will report your problem to the TDC duty officer for action.

d v a is il it y s

Contacts

OUT OF HOURS SERVICE

Birchington Parish Council

For comfortable, reliable travel at affordable prices please contact

Fred Smith 07971 189659

v

Celebration Cakes made to order

v

Wedding Cakes and Croquembouche

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Our Speciality Petit Fours

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All goods hand made on the premises

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Gluten-free catered for too

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Come see our retro tea room also

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& MB For a free estimate call Grant on

airport-direct@btconnect.com

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www.airportdirectkent.co.uk

07790 025119

Birchington Parish Council

or

PAINTERS & DECORATORS

www.mbpainters.co.uk •Friendly and professional service •Interior / exterior •Domestic / commercial •Fully insured •Insurance work undertaken •CIS registered

25

BROADSTAIRS

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Fried Chicken Burgers Pizzas Free Ribs Eat in or take away

delivery

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01843 01843 841648 841648

enquiries@broadstairsscaffolding.com

www.broadstairsscaffolding.com

ThanetStone

Your local monumental masons

Craftsmen in new memorials Additional inscriptions, cleaning & restorations Home visits available · Also open Saturday mornings

01843 822840

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Free delivery within 5 miles | Minimum spend £10 | Over 5 miles - £1 charge Free delivery when you spend £20

Summer Houses Gazebos Decking

thanet.stone@hotmail.co.uk 116 Monkton Street, Monkton, Nr Ramsgate

Person-Centred Care

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Our services are: • Wills, Trusts and Probate • Family and Relationships • Personal Injury • Disputes • Property • Employment • Business

11am-3pm

01843 593339 07983 648668

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Robinson Allfree Solicitors offer legal services to individuals and businesses – employment, personal injury, disputes, divorce, family and children law, conveyancing, wills & probate and business matters.

Lunchtime special 2 PieCeS ChiCken, ChiPS & dRink FilleT oR ZingeR BuRgeR ChiPS & dRink

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www.robinson-allfree.co.uk Expert Legal HELP on your doorstep Ramsgate Office 17 - 25 Cavendish Street Ramsgate, Kent CT11 9AL Tel: (01843) 592361 Email: ramsgate@robinson-allfree.co.uk

Broadstairs Office 142 High Street Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JD Tel: (01843) 865261 Email: broadstairs@robinson-allfree.co.uk

Breakfast Lunch Dinner E AT I N O R TA K E AWAY Breakfast all day - coffee, tea & toast WE ARE OPEN ALL BANK HOLIDAYS

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Ferrero Rocher | Smarties Oreos | Twix | Strawberry Chocolate | Vanilla

Roast Dinners Beef, Lamb, Pork

Hot Chocolate £1.99

Care & Domestic Services

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Snowcap

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07760 462732 26

Marshmellow

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Open 7 days a week: Mon-Sat 7.30am-5.30pm; Sun 8am-4.30pm

Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council

27

NEWS

Birchington Residents’ Association Birchington Residents’ Association has had a very successful few months. Our new computerised membership registration is working well and we have had quite a few new members this year, some as a result of this magazine.

We began the year with a mystery trip to Teapot Island in April. As with all our trips so far, we had lovely weather and members enjoyed viewing the Teapot Museum, which had grown impressively since our last visit.

There was a substantial cream tea and then the opportunity to walk along the river and feed the swans. In May, we took a trip to Walmer Castle where the gardens were coming into their best and we had plenty of time to walk round or visit the house before tea. June saw us at Dungeness for a fish and chip lunch at The Pilot. Having enjoyed our meal, the coach took us round to the lighthouse where we spent a little time before driving back along the shingle to see Derek Jarman’s cottage. We then took the coast road before stopping for tea in Hythe.

In July, on a beautiful hot day, we visited Bewl Water for a buffet tea and a refreshing cruise on the lake. Our remaining trips are, a visit to the Music Hall at the Walpole Bay Hotel in August and tea at mount Ephraim in September. Numbers going on the trips have been rather down this year and we really hope more members will support them next year so that we can continue

28

running them. Suggestions for places to visit come from the members and we really welcome ideas.

We continue with our Coffee mornings at 10.30 on the second Wednesday of the month AT The Centre and in June we celebrated with a Coronation Coffee morning with sandwiches and cakes as well as sherry for the toast to the Queen. We usuallyhave a speaker or competition as well as the coffee and biscuits and it is a very friendly occasion. Our Christmas Lunch at St Augustine’s is on December 4th and it is worth joining just for the subsidised meal and transport.

RJH brickwork

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Visit Quex Heritage, family fun, gardens, crafts, fine food We publish three magazines a year and our next magazine is due out in December. They are usually a mixture of informative articles, memories of Birchington and current issues as well as reports on the Parish Council, Neighbourhood Engagement and Neighbourhood Watch meetings. We are also happy to take up any issues you may have in Birchington such as pavements, potholes and road closures and pass these on to the relevant authorities.

Why not join us? Membership is still only £1.50 single membership and £2 for a household.

www.quexpark.co.uk

01843 841 119

For further information contact our Chairman

Quex Park, Park Lane, Birchington CT7 0BH

Pat Orpwood on 01843 847843

Birchington Parish Council

Natural history museum Beautiful gardens Summer maize maze Craft village Garden centre Boutique Café Farm shop Local produce restaurant Cream teas Family entertainment centre Play barn Zip wire Climbing wall Paint ball Seasonal Events

Birchington Parish Council

29

ARTS

Birchington Guild of Players The Birchington Guild of Players was founded in 1936 when the Vicar of Birchington, the Rev. Granville Sharp, together with his Churchwardens, formed the All Saints Guild of Players with the intention of performing religious plays. Qualification for membership in 1936 was that one should be a regular communicant in the Parish Church.

The first of the many hundreds of productions to be performed by the Guild was “The Garden” which, when presented, had a total box office of just £16. 13s. 5d!

Plays were presented at regular intervals during the 1930s. In the early 1940s the Guild started what has now become an annual event with the first production of a pantomime. A pantomime has been produced every year since, even during the war years.

Members of the Guild also formed a concert party called “The Mystericals” who entertained members of the armed forces billeted locally.

By 1949 the Guild had expanded its activities and was welcoming members other than parishioners. In 1964 “All Saints” was dropped from

30 30

the Guild’s title and was replaced by “Birchington”.

Also in 1949 the Guild presented their first entry in the County Drama Festivals and has since taken part in both the Full Length and One Act Drama Festivals. They are the only society in Kent to hold the unequalled accolade of winning both Festivals in one year. They have also won other awards in the Festivals including Best Actress, Best Stage Presentation, Best Actress in a Cameo Role, to name but a few.

Some members have been associated with the Guild for many years and their children and grandchildren have now grown up with the Guild and have appeared in productions such as pantomime and open air productions.

There is also a social side to the Birchington Guild of Players where members and friends have the chance to relax away from rehearsals and productions and these include fund raising events such as Quiz Nights, Race Nights etc.

In recent years “Dine and Drama” has become a welcome theme to the Guild’s activities when patrons are served with a light supper during the interval of productions. This has proved extremely popular and has increased audience numbers.

Last year the Guild was one of the first amateur societies in this area to present “Calendar Girls” which had

Birchington Parish Council

been released for amateurs to perform for only one year. This was a huge success and played to packed houses at every performance. A Charity Evening in aid of Cancer Care was held on the Friday night and at the end of the evening the Guild handed over a cheque to Cancer Care for £2,800.

“Surprise Package” is the play that is in rehearsal at the present time and is a farcical comedy which tells of the Tinsley family who book a package holiday to the Pension Maria in Formentera, Spain. They find their holiday abroad is very different from their usual choice of Blackpool and they all become involved in general misunderstandings. This will be presented at The Centre on 17th, 18th and 19th October at 7.30 pm.

“Christmas Evening” this year will be on Friday 13th December and will include singing, dancing, sketches, all served up with festive food.

For the annual pantomime in February 2014 the Guild has chosen “Snow White” which has been written by two of their members. This will be presented at The Centre on 7th, 8th and 9th February.

Tickets for any of the above can be obtained by telephoning the box office on 01843 841522 or by emailing boxoffice@birchingtonguild.co.uk.

New members are always welcome, whether it is to act or to help backstage, and further details can be obtained by calling Wendy McCabe on 01843 843687 or email secretary@birchingtonguild.co.uk.

Birchington Parish Council

Classified Ads PJ Smith Hedge & Lawn Service Hedges trimmed, lawns mowed, small trees lopped & felled 01843 585823 | 07791 253343

T J Harrison Painter & Decorator Interior & exterior work General decorating Competitive prices & insured 01843 852738 | 07523 710777 Scamp & Sons All aspects of carpentry & building work 01843 606403 | 07817 511483 DeepKleen Services Mobile cleaning services 07780 434744 10% off if you quote ref: BP2 SJF Services Specialists in all domestic plumbing & heating work 07860 470881 74 Park Lane, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0AS sjf-services@hotmail.co.uk All About Music

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31

COMMUNITY weddings, special occasions and funerals

01843 590111

www.equusstorage.co.uk SELF STORAGE from mini UNITS

£8

per week Quex Carriages also offer leisure rides around Thanet, including a picnic or a pub lunch, for up to six people per ride.

Gift vouchers may be purchased.

Prices from £95 Sarah 07816 784487 or Dawn 07966 490199 Quex Park Estate Birchington, Kent CT7 0BB email: quexcarriages@hotmail.co.uk

www.quexcarriages.com

Green lidded wheelie bin

£40

midi

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from

maxi

£25

per week

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MALOY’S

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Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council

REF TMS1

33

NEWS

P. MOYNA

TAG Pet Rescue Many Birchington residents will know the TAG (Thanet Animal Group) Pet Rescue shop in Station Road. This has recently been refurbished and the new layout has made movement far easier whilst the décor and carpeting has made it much brighter. The former book section is now devoted to children’s clothes and toys and there is a lovely new bookroon under the care of Mike O’Hara. Behind the scenes the store room has been completely re-planned and it is now much easier to find items not on display. The new Manager, Denise, pictured with June, has had a variety of experience and is very enthusiastic about developing the shop. There is still a need for more volunteers for one of the four hour sessions so, if you could spare this time, you would be most welcome.

Just phone Denise on 07824 376 300.

All the money raised in our Birchington and other shops is spent on the animals TAG cares for and on maintaining their beautiful sanctuary out at Lydden, near Westwood Cross.

At any one time they will have up to fifty cats, twenty to thirty rabbits and guinea pigs, nearly 200 birds and a variety of small animals, depending

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on what they are asked to take in.

Animals come for a variety of reasons such as needing to move into a flat, animals left behind when someone moves, the elderly going into care homes, a new baby or pet allergies.

TAG rehomes between 150 and 200 cats each year, although this year it has been very difficult and there are many more needing new homes. TAG does not keep dogs at the Sanctuary; they are either boarded in kennels or fostered until new homes are found for them. Last year nearly fifty dogs were rehomed by TAG. Almost all the staff at the sanctuary are also volunteers and TAG is always looking for more help. If you think you might be able to take an animal or want to volunteer, just ring TAG on 01843 822931.

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Birchington Parish Council

station Road,westgate

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Caring, helpful funeral directors since 1831

Or have a look on our website www.tagpetrescue.org.uk

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01843 842872 07908 326214

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Kent Clearance Company Ltd

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01843 843112 07729 766315

Established 2005 Local business in Birchington Gatwick from £72 Heathrow from £90 Stansted from £95 All ship ports covered Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations Pickup available 24hrs Hospital Group Bookings

Birchington Parish Council

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LEISURE

Birchington~on~Sea Bowls Club

Electrician Specialists in ALL Electrical Services

Birchington Parish Council has over the years established a close liaison with the Birchingtonon-Sea Bowls Club. The Parish Council has recognized the great asset value of the Club to the Village, not only providing excellent bowling facilities but also tennis courts and a location where locals can simply drop in and sit in a welcoming ambient atmosphere and enjoy watching those playing in their immaculate turnout.

Recently the Bowling Club has seen an upsurge of new members and now for the first time has won the Isle of Thanet Combination League Title and the Premier team came 2nd in their division, Birchington Bowls Club are also did very well in the East Kent Triples League and the Catherine Wheeler League, A great success story, which we in Birchington must applaud.

Unit 17 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 6PB Tel : 01843 851790 Web: www.blueskysolar.co.uk

KMPS COMPLETE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Plastering | Brickwork | Patios | Carpentry Wall & Floor Tiling | Painting & Decorating etc 07801 965512 | 01843 579284

St Mildreds Walk, 27a Ethelbert Square Westgate-On-Sea CT8 8SR

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chauffeur driven cars, minibuses & coaches

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our mission is to get you and your luggage from a to b safely and comfortably

days out | Weekend trips airports | ports | stations international | continental

01843 807847

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www.urbanwire.co.uk

CARPENTER’S WORKSHOP · Made to measure joinery · All types of timber repairs · Gates · Internal and external doors · Sliding sash windows · Porches & conservatories

01834 834718

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01843 820250 Ramsgate

Tothill Street Minster Ramsgate Kent CT12 4AU

Sund

ay 2 to 2 Sund a Dece y 29 roo mber

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Our special Christmas promotion is exclusively for the residents of Monkton, Minster, Birchington & Manston and their families

FREE ESTIMATES ESTABLISHED 25 YEARS Workshop

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Birchington Parish Council

Offer valid only on production of this advertisement

Birchington Parish Council

37

COMPETITION

Trains in Focus Photo Competition Capturing exciting photos of trains or railway scenes during the next few weeks could put budding photographers on track for some top prizes.

Birchington Parish Council is holding its Trains In Focus competition as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the railway arriving in the village in October 1863.

Held in conjunction with East Kent Model Railway Society, prizes include model train sets given by Hornby and family rail tickets given by South East Trains.

There are three categories in the competition – primary age children, secondary school students and adults.

All that keen photographers have to do is email up to three specially taken railway themed photos to birchingtonphotos@gmail.com with their age and full contact details.

Electronic images can be taken on digital cameras or smartphones.

Alternatively, hard copies can be delivered by hand to the parish council offices in Albion Road, during normal office hours.

Pictures can be of any train related subject, at home or abroad, of full sized or model railways.

Closing date is Monday 30 September.

Entries will be judged and on display in

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time for winners to receive their prizes at Birchington Model Railway Exhibition at The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington, on Saturday 12 October.

Parish Council Chairman Cllr Jack Cohen commented: “The exhibition promises to be a big event for the village. We’re very much looking forward to it and it will be a fitting celebration of the railway’s historic arrival, an event that put Birchington on the map for visitors from London for the first time.”

Plans are coming along well says East Kent Model Railway Society Chairman Nick Evans. “We anticipate having about a dozen layouts and several trade stands indoors while outside there will be rides for the children on a miniature live steam track which will be between the Centre and the Library” he said.

For your safety Please remember railways and their surroundings can be very dangerous places. Under NO circumstances should you trespass on ANY railway line!

Caremark Thanet Care and support in your own home ■ Help with getting up and going to bed

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■ Support with daily routines: personal hygiene, light housework, ironing, dog walking

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■ Respite services

■ Prompting or assistance with medication

■ Socialising and leisure activities

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We accept the Kent Card

Tel: 01843 235 910 Unit 5A Continental Approach Margate CT9 4JG

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Full details, terms and conditions www.birchington.org

Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council

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Published by Community Ad Ltd 01843 834160 email info@communityad.co.uk web www.communityad.co.uk