Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Summer 2015

Waterloo Tower see pages 18-20

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Birchington Parish Council COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Twinned with La Chapelle d’Armentieres

Contents

Chairman’s Letter ��������������������������������� 4 Council Contacts ��������������������������������� 8

Welcome

Council Meetings ������������������������������� 11

Waterloo Tower ��������������������������� 18-20

Last month was the bi-centenary of the Battle of Waterloo where Wellington and our army beat Napoleon and his army; we thought it would be apt to include photographs and history of the Waterloo Tower in Quex Park here in Birchington in this summers edition of our magazine.

RSPCA ������������������������������������������������� 22

Many thanks to Jennie Burgess and the Birchington Heritage Trust for their help.

Worship ����������������������������������������������� 36

Councillor Bill Furness Editor

Royal British Legion ��������������������������� 25 Bowls Club ����������������������������������������� 26 Residents’ Association ����������������������� 30

What’s On ������������������������������������� 33-35 The Lighter Side ��������������������������������� 38

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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

To advertise please call Daniel on 01843 294187

Published by Community Ad Web 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 Web Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and 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

COUNCIL

Letter from the Chairman With election fever over Birchington Parish Council (BPC) can now settle down to a new modified administration, capable of coping with the new Municipal Year, First we have the pleasure of welcoming two new Cllrs namely, Vanda Alexander and Robert Wright. Their enthusiasm is encouraging and we look forward to their active help and support in the tasks ahead, A further welcome to our new Community Warden, Peter Willows and PCSO Liddie Terry that have already actively grasped the nettle and got down to regular patrolling of our village. They have been seen where no one has ever been seen before. A quick start if ever there was.

BPC has already formed its working party to try and prevent the Local Plan Problem of the proposed 1000 new houses to be built on prime green land around our Village.

What has to be achieved is a reasoned ,logical case that will convince the Government Inspector that a thousand new builds are impracticable and unsustainable.

Having participated and won in several

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Public Inquiries, I can assure those that are concerned, that this task before us is not an easy one and BPC will be calling on professional advice.

BPC has an ambitious programme of events.

The first is V-J Day when we will be lighting our super Beacon around 9.30pm on Saturday 15th August. Our BPC maintenance man Tom McManus, will be in charge of the preparation and the lighting as he was on V-E Day on Friday 8th May 2015 and that was a great sight to behold.

Second will be a grand remembrance Battle of Britain Luncheon being held at the Village Centre on Saturday 5th September 2015 from 12pm to 3pm. The working party producing this event is being sensitively chaired by Cllr John Hill.

Third is the Birchington Model Railway Exhibition sponsored by BPC and organized by a ‘Birchington Boy’, Nick Evans. It has now become established as a most popular annual event and this year it will again be held at the Village Centre on Saturday 10th October 2015 from 10am to 4pm.

Fourth, is Remembrance Sunday on the 8th November 2015 . The Parade is being organized by the Birchington Branch of the Royal British Legion and then after the Parade, Church service and March Past have finished, Birchington Parish Council will

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Fifth, there will be the super Christmas event on Saturday 29th November 2015 again run by” Pipeline” starting at 2pm and finishing in The Square as dusk arrives.

Another issue is that the BPC web site has come under some criticism and not without good cause. It does take time and skills to operate and we are lacking until now in house resources. Nevertheless, we are in the process of trying to re vamp and trust that this time we are more successful.

I do look at the Thanet District Council web on occasions and despite its team of experts it does at times present considerable problems to obtain easy access.

As for BPC, time will tell.

Recently, Birchington Neighbourhood Watch collapsed being unable to form a committee.

Considering our local NHW was the biggest in Thanet with around 100 Co-ordinators this is very sad and is a serious threat to our safety.

BPC has decided to make every effort to re-establish our NHW and if any are willing to give us just a little active support please contact 01843 570653 or 847421. While on our safety, BPC has recently installed a state of the art CCTV in Albion Road car park to which Police and TDC security have access.

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Finally, I do hope you find this, our Community Magazine helpful and enjoyable.

Please support the advertisers wherever possible.

Cllr Bill Furness, our editor , despite enduring a serious illness, has again put enormous effort into this edition. Thank you Bill, we are most grateful and wish you a rapid improvement.

Cllr Dr Jack Cohen Chairman, Birchington Parish Council.

Birchington Parish Council

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Birchington Parish Council

NEWS

New fines for littering Since 1 June, to help keep Thanet clean and beautiful, Enforcement Officers will hand out Fixed Penalty Notices of £80 for anyone littering or not cleaning up correctly after their dog.

Thanet District Council council spends £1.2 million a year cleaning the streets and it is hoped that introducing the enforcement action will encourage individuals to help make Thanet a cleaner place, both more enjoyable to live in and to visit.

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COUNCIL

Council Contacts BIRCHINGTON PARISH COUNCILLORS Chairman: Dr. Jack Cohen 2 Leslie Rd, Birchington, CT7 9HG Tel: 01843 847421 jackbernardcohen@gmail.com

Vice Chairman: David Darling 6A Epple Rd, Birchington CT7 9AY Tel: 01843 448984 darlingd80@yahoo.co.uk Vanda Alexander 335, Canterbury Rd, Birchington, CT7 9TY vanda.alexander1@gmail.com

Marian Evans 15 Berkeley Rd, Birchington CT7 9JR Tel: 01843 841198 Julie Francis 7 Kent Gardens, Birchington CT7 9RS (Tel: 01843 841796) Bill Furness 25 Cross Road, Birchington CT7 9HN Tel: 01843 845228 bill.furness@waitrose.com

THANET DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Suzanne Brim 4 Alma Cottages, Off Station Road, Birchington, CT7 9DG cllr-suzanne.brim@thanet.gov.uk Glenn Coleman-Cooke 23 Grenville Gardens, Birchington, CT7 9LA cllr-glenn.coleman-cooke @thanet.gov.uk Keith Coleman-Cooke 23 Grenville Gardens, Birchington, CT7 9LA Tel: 07980 599560 cllr-keith.coleman-cooke @thanet.gov.uk

Simon Day 121 Sea Road, Westgate –on- Sea, CT8 8QE Tel: 01843 831155 simonday@clara.co.uk

Alan Howes 52 King Edward Rd, Birchington, CT7 0EG cllr-alan.howes@thanet.gov.uk

8

John Hill 15 Hereward Avenue, Birchington CT7 9LY Tel:01843 845729

Robert Wright 27 Queen Bertha’s Avenue, Birchington, CT7 9BH Tel: 07971 401620 robo47@live.com Linda Wright 90 Canterbury Road, Birchington CT7 9BB Tel: 07825 338999 lindaw1310@hotmail.com

Clerk to the Parish Council: Jamie Thomson Parish Office, 2 Albion Road, Birchington, CT7 9DN Tel: 01843 841107 birchingtonparishcouncil @yahoo.co.uk

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Sir Roger Gale MP c/o The Old Forge, 215a Canterbury Road, Birchington, CT7 9AH Tel: For surgery – 01843 848588

KENT COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Roger Latchford OBE 10 Sea View Road, Birchington, CT7 9LB Tel: 01843 846458 Mob: 07796 176605 roger.latchford@btinternet.com

BIRCHINGTON PCSO Liddie Terry

NEIGHBOUR HOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATOR Tanya Clark

MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Richard Ashworth MEP 5 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3PH Tel: 01444 474858 - UK office richardjames.ashworth @europarl.europa.eu

Janice Atkinson MEP 3 Walton Terrace, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP21 7QY Tel: 00 322 284 5537 janice.atkinson @europarl.europa.eu Catherine Bearder MEP Disraeli House, 27 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU Tel: 01865 249838 – UK office catherine@bearder.eu Nirj Deva MEP 96 Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BE Tel: 01895 479463 – UK office office@nirjdeva.com Annaliese Dodds MEP 18 Nowell Road, Rose Hill, Oxford, OX4 4TA Tel: 00 322 284 5273 anneliesejdodds@gmail.com

Nigel Farage MEP The Old Grain Store, Church Lane, Lyminster, West Sussex, BN17 7QJ Tel: 01903 885573 – UK office nigel.farage@europarl.europa.eu Ray Finch M.E.P Tel: 00 322 284 5594 ray.finch@europarl.europa.eu

Daniel Hannan MEP P.O. Box 99, Hassocks, BN6 0DY Tel: 0032 2284 5137 – EU office daniel.hannan@europarl.europa.eu Diane James MEP Tel: 00 322 284 5541 diane.james@europarl.europa.eu Keith Taylor MEP Office of the Green MEPs, CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH Tel: 020 7250 8415 keithtaylor@greenmeps.org.uk

Birchington Parish Council

COUNCIL

New Councillor

Robert Wright

Robert is a retired (handson) designer and has worked for the past 33 years in the fields of shop fitting, restoration of listed buildings and extensions. This has been in London, Paris and Brussels as well as locally in Kent.

He was born just after the Second World War to a Belgian mother and an English father whose home base was Thanet as his closest sibling was his Aunt Doris who lived here and has lived here since the age of 3.

His father started working for UNESCO and the family moved to France until 1962.

The family spent part of their summer holidays in Thanet.

One year in the late ‘50/early ‘60s, on the way down to the beach for the day, he was totally shocked to see an enormous grey apparition at the side of Dreamland.

He says “I did not understand at the age of 12/13 how someone could allow a building totally out of proportion to Margate’s sea front.”

Fast-forward 55 years and he feels similar mistakes are being made now and thinks that he should at least try to help achieve some sort of balance for all in his local area.

“I have lived in Belgium, UK, France, Germany and Spain so it should come as no surprise that I feel European as well as British and I believe we should work together for the good of all and that should not deny our British identity.

One of the reasons I decided to stand for the Council was Europe, another was Manston and yet another one the proposed housing on the outskirts of the

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Village. Manston should remain an Airport.

Housing, we all need but not imposed as thousands of block house estates. What about infrastructure, facilities, schools, parks and children’s’ playgrounds, etc.

This is why I stood for election and subsequently have become a Parish Councillor. If you need my help please contact me.”

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COUNCIL

Robinson Allfree Est. 1897

s

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New Councillor

Vanda Alexander

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

Our services are: • Wills • Trusts and Probate • Family and Relationships • Property • Business

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

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Home visits, 24 hour personal attention and pre-paid funeral plans 18 Station Road, Birchington

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Vanda has lived in Birchington with her family for 22 years. Having been born into village life, she has grown up surrounded by woodlands and farmland and cherishes this natural environment. She feels lucky to live close to coastal habitats, beautiful beaches, open farmland offering fantastic views and a variety of local shops; this is what attracted her family to Birchington.

She is a member of Kent Wildlife Trust with her son and they are local volunteers to help preserve the natural environment.

She has also set up and organised various local community groups for children and young people and their families and has raised a substantial amount of funding to support the groups succeed.

She works locally in the NHS and her key role is communication, patient engagement, listening and responding to meet the needs of patients. She feels that these essential skills will enable her to carry out her role on the Parish Council and to work collaboratively with our local Thanet District and Kent County Councillors’ to ensure Birchington is placed at the heart of policy and decision making.

She looks forward to meeting and working with local people to ensure that our beautiful village is maintained - because its a place we all call home.”

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Birchington Parish Council

COUNCIL

Birchington Parish Council Calendar of Meetings 2015/2016 2015 JUNE

Tues 16 Mon 29 JULY

Tues 14 Tues 21 Mon 27 AUGUST Tues 11

2016 Ppp/planning Full Council

JANUARY

NOVEMBER

FEBRUARY

DECEMBER

MARCH

Tues 13 Tues 20 Mon 26

Ppp/planning Finance Full Council

Tues 10 Mon 30

Ppp/planning

Tues 8 Mon 14

SEPTEMBER Tues 15 Mon 28

OCTOBER

Ppp/planning Finance Full Council Ppp/planning Full Council Ppp/planning Full Council

Tues 9 Mon 29 Tues 8 Mon 28 APRIL

Ppp/planning Full Council

Meeting Times

• Ppp meetings usually start at 1830hrs

• Please note that start times for ppp, planning and finance meetings have to occasionally be altered – details can be found on the parish council notice boards

• Planning meetings usually start at 1930hrs

• Parish assembly starts at 1900hrs

• Finance meetings usually start at 1830hrs

• Annual meeting starts at 1900hrs

• Full council meetings start at 1900hrs

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Tues 12 Tues 19 Mon 25 MAY

Mon 16 Tues 10 Mon 23

Ppp/planning Finance Full Council Ppp/planning Full Council Ppp/planning Full Council Ppp/planning Finance Full Council Parish Assembly Ppp/planning Annual Meeting

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The Rotary Club

of Westgate & Birchington We meet on Tuesday evenings, 6pm, at St Augustine’s, Westgate

Who are Rotarians and what do they do?

Men and women of all ages, sharing their time, energy and skills to help charities and good causes in the communities in which they live.

Our club enjoys excellent fellowship, participates in a wide variety of fund-raising projects, supports civic and community events, and holds many interesting and fun social activities.

For more information contact Christine Laming on 07876 592123 or take a look at our website to see what we do: www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=753

Come to BIRCHINGTON Model Railway Exhibition Saturday 10th October

at The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington CT7 9EG 10am to 4pm Presented by East Kent Model Railway Society on behalf of Birchington Parish Council. Follow EKMRS on Facebook and Twitter!

12

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

Birchington Parish Council

“Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few” Winston Churchill 1940

Battle of Britain

75th Anniversary

Birchington Parish Council invite you to a commemorative luncheon to honour The Few Birchington Village Centre, Alpha Road Saturday 5 September 2015, from 12 noon to 3pm

Wartime Menu Lord Woolton Pie

Corned Beef Hash served with cabbag.e Apple Crumble Bread Pudding served with custard Tea or coffee (camp!)

Spitfire Ale at wartime prices

@ Guest of honour Wing Commander Christopher Thorpe DFC.MBA.FCMI.RAF @ Wartime music and songs round the piano @ Memorabilia raffle in aid of The Royal British Legion @ 438 Squadron ATC Band Margate @ Art exhibition, Birchington Primary School

Tickets (limited to 120) £8 available from Blends, Priceless and The Parish Office, Albion Road,Birchington.

Closing date 19 August. No tickets available on the day. Sponsored by Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Parish Council

13

NEWS

Birchington Medical Centre

We continue to introduce changes at Birchington Medical Centre to improve the service. The first news was that we were hit by lightning last week and this caused considerable damage to computers, alarms and fax machines. Early estimate is that this may cost about £7000 to get everything back to normal. Patients may notice that the calling in boards are not working properly, nor is the check in screen, so please bear with us while we get these items replaced.

Dr Afridi retired in April, but Dr Joseph Will started full time on 1st May and Dr Tony Tasou has increased his number of clinics over the summer so we now feel we are nearing the right number of doctors for the population. We would still like another part time, preferable female doctor, but have not yet had the right person apply.

We have introduced changes to the appointment system – on every working day we have ‘sit and wait’ clinics where those patients with an acute need can book in to a time slot and sit and wait for the next appointment to become available.

Depending on the day, we have two or more clinicians calling in patients from the clinic and as this is a new system for us we are keeping tabs on the waiting times to make sure it is not inconvenient for the patients. This is proving very popular and we have had full clinics almost every day. It is still early days, but it seems that patients are coming with more than one issue to discuss, and this is not really the right environment for that type of consultation - it really is for those patients with an issue that needs dealing with on the day. We are working hard to increase the number of routine appointments, where the patient and doctor have more time to discuss ongoing issues, so that the choice will always be a definite appointment on the day if it is an acute need, or a routine appointment with your doctor within a couple of weeks.

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Birchington Parish Council

ELECTRICIAN Many patients have taken advantage of the online booking system, which means they can book the appointment at their convenience with whom they want to see. This allows telephone answering times to improve and negates queues at the reception desk. We recognise that the telephone system is still a problem and we are looking to see if we can get out of the current contract without exorbitant fees. In the meantime, please let us know if you wish to take advantage of online booking.

Finally, we are lucky enough to have parking right next to the surgery, but especially with these new clinics, sometimes there are no more spaces left. Please do not block the entrance – this is for ambulances and must be kept clear, and also please park responsibly – last week one patient parked on the bend near to the gate and this caused havoc with people trying to come in or get out!

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The Minnis

As you may or may not know, I have been at The Minnis for nearly 13 years and it has been a great time, with plenty of ups and downs and will always hold happy memories for me but as all good things come to an end and I have decided that it’s time for me to undertake new projects and go and learn some new things.

As of the 29th June, Shepherd Neame Brewery will be taking over the great challenge of The Minnis and they will do an amazing job with the place.

Jason

Birchington Parish Council

15

Geoff Stokes Plumbing General plumbing Complete bathroom fitting Kitchen installations Unblocking Tiling and re-tiling Taps and leaks Cylinders and tanks Bursts and repairs 01843 Water softeners No call-out charge 07740

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ANTHONY GRAY CLOCKS Since 1975, our team of skilled craftsmen has been restoring and conserving fine 17th, 18th and 19th century clocks and barometers for discerning collectors and members of the trade in several countries.

We are a small, family-run business, first established in 1936 and located opposite Minster Abbey. Our aim is to maintain traditional values whilst keeping up-to-date with the latest vehicle service and repair requirements, including diagnostic equipment that covers 95% of all vehicles including light commercials.

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Restoration Services High Quality Watch Restoration Wheel and Pinion Cutting Dial Restoration Clock Hand Making Gilding · Engraving Case Restoration Valuations

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www.anthonygrayclocks.com Birchington Parish Council

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Birchington Parish Council

17

Waterloo Tower Quex Park, Birchington

The red brick, four-storey tower was built in 1818 and was intended to serve as both a mausoleum and a bell-tower for a peal of 12 bells. John Powell Powell offered to increase the eight bells in the Parish Church peal to twelve, but the vestry members declined the offer, when they realised the huge expense they would incur in getting their church tower strengthened, and also in providing for the new housing that the extra four bells would require.

These expenses were not to be covered in the Squire’s ‘generous’ offer. The Squire was immensely keen on bell-ringing and the refusal of his offer was the trigger that saw the Waterloo Tower being built.

The structure sits in the middle of a small circular copse to the SE of the main house. The tower is surmounted by an extremely elegant cast-iron spire, which is painted white and forms a dramatic feature on the skyline for miles around the Island.

Edited by Jennie Burgess

Waterloo Tower inscription

To the kindly gods, and to my friends, J. P. Powell placed a watch tower which you are gazing up at (may it serve to help the navy!)

A.D. 1814

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Birchington Parish Council

Each year people travel to Birchington to visit the famous Powell-Cotton Museum, or to study the late Major Powell-Cotton’s exotic zoological and ethnological specimens. How many of them venture out of the Museum into the Park and find the Gothic splendour of the Waterloo Tower?

The tower was completed in 1818 by the owner of Quex Park, John Powell Powell. He was a man of considerable wealth; his annual income at the time of building the tower was approximately £20,000.

John P. Powell became interested in ringing and learnt to handle a bell. At the church of All Saints in Birchington there was a ring of

six bells at the time. Powell must have decided that six bells was not interesting or challenging enough, for he offered to pay to have the church bells augmented to twelve bells.

The tale in the village goes that the vestry accepted his offer at first, but then realised the enormous expense they would incur in having the bell frames altered to accommodate the six extra bells - if indeed there would even be room in the tower for them. The version of the story from the Quex Tower leaflet is that church tower was too small to accommodate such a peal and the people of Birchington declined his offer.

Not put off by this setback, Powell then built his own tower and in it hung a ring of twelve bells, entirely for his own pleasure. The bells were hung and cast by Thomas Mears of Whitechapel, in a massive two-tier oak frame, during March and April 1819.

The cast iron spire, which can be seen for many miles, was added in 1821.

The opening of the bells in August 1819 must have been a very grand occasion, as this extract from the ‘Kentish Gazette’ shows: u

Birchington Parish Council

19

Waterloo Tower, continued… u “RINGING - The new peal of 12 bells in the Waterloo Tower, Quex Park was opened on the 4th instant by the Societies of Cumberland and College Youths. The Park gates were previously thrown open for free admission of all that should be disposed to hear the performance of the celebrated ringers from London. The ringing in the morning was commenced by the Cumberlands striking off grandsire Cinques to try the bells, and was followed by the College Youths. About 2pm the Cumberlands commenced the first long peal on those twelve bells in the musical method known as Grandsire Cinques and which was heightened by being struck off in the Tittum position. The peal consisted of 5213 changes and was completed in three hours and 39 minutes, in the usual style of London performances, to the admiration of the numerous persons present.

“Each band was handsomely entertained in the Park on the following day, a temporary building being erected for that purpose and again they were entertained in the evening at the New Inn* and the Acorn, in the village of Birchington.

“The bands rang alternately in the Tower and on hand bells with various peals. The whole concluded with a neat touch of treble bob royal by the Cumberlands.”

The four smallest bells of the ring were recast in 1951 and all twelve hung on new ball bearings, by Mears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry (the firm that had originally cast the bells).

The bells are still used regularly, a Saturday practice being held about twice a month. The tower is also popular with visitors, because it is one of only two rings of twelve in the county.

Author unknown Edited by Jennie Burgess 2014, with thanks to Birchington Heritage Trust for supplying the material *The New Inn was renamed The Powell Arms in 1824

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Prescription Collection

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Birchington Parish Council

  

  

RSPCA Isle of Thanet Branch A brighter future for animals The work of the RSPCA needs little introduction. It was founded in 1824 by people who knew they were creating the world’s first animal welfare charity. But they couldn’t possibly have imagined the size and shape that the charity would become.

The RSPCA were the first to introduce a law to protect animals and we continue to work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering.

As the charity grew so did its need to cover all regions of England and Wales, such was the enormity of the work ahead, and so branches were formed. There are now approximately 160 branches in England and Wales. Each one is a separately registered charity, working with and supporting the goals and objectives of the national charity.

The Isle of Thanet branch formed and registered as a charity in September 1962.

Our primary purpose,. in addition to supporting the national RSPCA has always been to provide a high level of care to stray and unwanted animals and to find them new homes wherever possible. The branch is also proactive in ensuring that the number of unwanted animals is kept to a minimum by offering several subsidised pet neutering schemes in the Thanet area.

Help us today so we can continue to be here for animals tomorrow Ploughman’s Choice

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22

Drummond Hayes ProPerty Care Painting & Decorating

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Birchington Parish Council

The Animal Centre at Woodchurch On September 26th 2007, after many years of hard work and fundraising and supported by some significant legacies, the Isle of Thanet branch entered a brand new era by opening the first phase of its purpose-built Animal Centre.

Until the creation of the Animal Centre the branch had relied on the services of vets and private boarding to house the animals in their care. Building an animal centre would dramatically reduce costs, greatly increase the number of animals in the district the branch could help and provide an excellent base of operations for any other branch activity.

Because the Isle of Thanet branch is responsible for finding its own finances, each phase of the Animal Centre needs to be planned and carried out within available budgets. Today, the animal, centre has a small but modern cattery, complemented by an isolation ward built for sick and recovering cats, though normally used as a maternity unit for the regular influx of unwanted litters of kittens that the branch cares for throughout

The animal centre currently houses cats and dogs, with further developments planned each year. The Animal Centre also includes a very small block of kennels and exercise pens for the dogs in its care.

The planned further phases of the Animal Centre will include a large kennel block, a small animal block for rabbits and guinea pigs, a wildlife rehabilitation unit and an extension to the existing cattery. There will also be an education room to offer local children and adults the opportunity to learn about better ways to care for their animals.

All future developments for the Animal Centre will rely solely on the on-going fundraising efforts by branch volunteers.

We are an animal welfare charity and rely entirely on the support of animals lovers like you to survive.

Remember.if you have an animal emergency contact either your nearest vet or the the RSPCA National Helpline on 0300 1234 999 Isle of Thanet Branch 01843 826180 Registered charity number: 209365

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Birchington Parish Council

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23

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Interior & exterior decorating Plastering, plumbing & tiling Over 25 years’ experience | Fully insured References available on request pjsolley@hotmail.com

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Birchington Parish Council

Royal British Legion Another very active year for the Birchington Branch, following many years of dedicated and loyal service to the Royal British Legion, a decision was made by the Branch that Brian White be elected as the Branch President, our congratulations go to him.

We have had a good year of fundraising, our Boot Fayres are very popular and we thank all those who in clearing their houses have contributed with “stock” for us to sell, a big thanks also go to all who help and importantly all those who come to our Fayres. The next Fayre is in Church House 20 June from 9am to 12 noon. Please come and support us.

Other events planned is the Veterans Week Flag raising in the Square June 22nd at 10.00am, please come along and support us , the Parish Council have kindly agreed that Refreshments will be provided in the Parish Council Office afterwards.

The Branch is organising the Raffle at the Village Battle of Britain Parish Council Event

I must mention the Poppy Appeal at the moment the amount raised for this year is just over £11,000.00 and we still have until September to add to this, once again a big thank you to everyone who helps.

We welcome John Dimmock as our Treasurer and thank him for volunteering, as we say in the Military “one volunteer is worth ten pressed men” thank you John and welcome.

Lastly I would like to thank our Standard Bearer Capt (Retd)John Lewis who energetically takes our Standard to all Events representing our Branch and Village, and of course we were proud that our Standard was on parade in the Albert Hall for the Remembrance Service. John Many thanks.

If you are Ex-Service and would like to be a member of the branch please come along to our meetings held in the Seaview the fourth Thursday of every month at 7.30pm.

Lt Col (Ret’d) Roger Latchford OBE Chairman

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Birchington Parish Council

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26

The day started early with the catering team serving bacon rolls, tea and coffee for the first arrivals. To ensure they were fit for the challenge of the first round at 10.00.

With teams such as The Bandits, Terminators, Minster Cats, Winch’s Warriors and Super Foxes to name but a few, the atmosphere was charged for the off. Each round was timed to 60 minutes before a 10 minute break then into the next 60 minutes. Lunch at 12.20 saw the competitors tuck into a feast supplied by the galley girls who excelled themselves yet again.

The ladies from The Co-op Funeral Service (our sponsors) joined us at midday and after lunch were persuaded to don bowls shoes and have a trial at bowling, well they were very good and both Nuala and Jodie ( photo 305) hit the jack and carried it with the wood. So it won’t be long before we recruit them.

Do you need a Helping Hand?

Then at 13.15 the afternoon rounds commenced by which time the points were being eagerly scrutinised and places were beginning to show progress. Our Umpire was well employed and did a grand job making sure all queries were fairly resolved.

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To find out how we can help, call: 0808 180 1016 or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk

The Co-op Cup Invitation Day on Saturday 13th June 2015 was attended by 10 teams playing for a top prize of £180 – The day dawned warm and cloudy which was just right for the players as they had to play through four rounds and as if by magic the sun came out in time for the presentation of the prizes by Councillor John Hill.

The galley girls were still on duty serving homemade cakes and scones with very welcome tea and coffee throughout the afternoon. They deserve medals for their service for the whole day and as an observer I heard much praise from all the teams for the catering.

Birchington Parish Council

~on~Sea Bowls Club The final round finished at 15.30 when it became apparent who would be fighting for 3rd and 4th place and who would fight it out for 1st and 2nd place.

At 15.45 teams Winch’s Warriors fought Terminators for 3rd and 4th place this was a close game and a draw at 60 minutes so another end had to be played – Winch’s Warriors won by 1 shot.

At 16.00 teams Minster Cats fought Super Foxes for 1st and 2nd place another really good match with excellent bowling from both teams – in the end Super Foxes won the 1st place We had many loyal spectators supporting the teams and a great day was had by all. As usual we raised more funds for our charity “The Pilgrims Hospice”.

Terminators

Terminators and Winches Warriors Winches Warriors

Super Foxes - overall winners

Birchington Parish Council

Minster Cats

27

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FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES TO SING! TUESDAY AFTERNOONS Adults 1.30pm-2.30pm THURSDAY EVENINGS Why not join one of our 6.30pm-7pm Junior Blend 5+ Birchington based singing groups?

7pm-8pm Teen Blend 11+ Please contact us for venue details 8pm-9pm Blend 18+ and further information or to discuss a performance booking. 9pm-9.30pm Blended For You Katharine 07714 529968 email blendsinging@gmail.com www.blendsingingthanet.co.uk www.facebook.com/Blendsingingthanet @Blendkpjj

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We can help to design, plan and quote for any job, domestic or commercial.

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Birchington Parish Council

Total Supplies Ltd. The Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies Centre

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Compostable bin liners for new grey caddy bins roll of 50 only £5.95 Heavy duty black sacks case of 200 only £15

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Birchington Parish Council

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Birchington

Residents’ Association Following our successful meeting about the Thanet District Plan in February, we attracted quite a few new members and now have approximately 500.

Around fifty members enjoyed a very pleasant evening at our V.E. Day Celebrations on Wednesday 6th May at The Centre Birchington. The hall was decked in bunting with the tables arranged in a giant v-shape the length of the hall. There were wartime songs and a continuous silent Powerpoint presentation with images of

30

V.E. Day, including children’s parties in Birchington, which brought back many memories for some of our members. There was an exhibition of wartime photographs on the walls along with various artefacts on tables at the front. The food was based on wartime fare, but more luxurious than it would have been in those days of rationing. However, we did have two plates of sandwiches, with crusts intact, using recipes Marguerite Patten created in her wartime cookbook. The Marmite and cress

Birchington Parish Council

BRILLS DIY & HOME IMPROVEMENT

16-18 The Square, Birchington, Kent CT7 9AB

ones along with the chopped Spam and chutney were, according to those who tried them, most appetising! After the refreshments, Chairman, Neville Hudson, asked members for their recollections of the day and several had fascinating stories to tell.

Our trips so far have been popular and very enjoyable. In April we had our usual mystery trip ending up eventually in Faversham by way of Wingham, Littlebourne, Patrixbourne and Chartham, entering Faversham past the gunpowder mills and Faversham Creek. In May we had another mystery trip, though not intentionally. We had intended taking in ten Kentish villages in the area of the old coal mining works, but instead of the 32 seater organised, we were sent a large 55 seater and so had to change the itinerary as we went. The driver worked miracles to get us to the garden centre where we had a demonstration on creating hanging baskets We stopped to look at the trains which run on the East Kent Railway at Shepherdswell and then took a short rail trip to our superb tea in a railway carriage at Eythorne Station. The June trip is to Chiddingstone Castle to see the gardens and with a tour of the castle itself.

Then on 15th July, we are visiting the Hawkinge Battle of Britain Museum with included tea.

For further information, please contact Pat Orpwood on 01843 847843

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

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Westgate & Birchington Golf Club

Founded 1893

176 Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent CT8 8LT

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

31

NP Plastering &

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Come and see our wide range of blinds, curtains and nets – all made to measure · Vertical · Venetian · Rollers · Wood · Velux · Roman · Perfect Fit · Pleated · Vision rollers · Roof Blinds We have a large selection of curtain designs which can be made to measure in Pencil Pleat, Pinch Pleat, Ring Top and Tab Top All professionally made and fitted to a high standard.

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32

Birchington Parish Council

WHAT’S ON

Regular meetings at The Centre Birchington Active Retirement Association (B.I.A.R.A) Over 55s indoor sports etc every Friday and Wednesday morning at 9.30am (except the second Weds in the month and a month’s break in august) Birchington Heritage Trust Museum Opening times: Mondays, Thursday and Saturdays – 9.30 to 12.30pm Closed bank holidays, entrance free but donations gratefully accepted Run entirely by volunteers, new members always welcome Birchington Horticultural Society Second Wednesday afternoon in January and Feburary – 2.30pm Second Wednesday evening in March, June, July, Oct, Nov, Dec – 7.30pm Birchington Residents’ Association Coffee morning on the second Wednesday each month – 10.30am

Birchington Silver Band Concerts at 2.30pm on the first Sunday afternoon each month except June, July and August Birchington Twinning Association Third Tues evening each month at 7pm Birchington Village Centre Association Over 60’s club for tea and bingo on Friday afternoons – 1.45pm Birchington and Thanet Guild of Winemakers Third Thursday afternoon, Feb, April, June, August, Oct, Dec – 2.30pm Kent family history society Third Wednesday evening each month except august – 7.30pm Spiral Turn Dance Club Latin, ballroom tuition for children and adults – for times call 07733 015616 or 01227 363084

Check dates and times with the organisations concerned as programme plans may be changed. The main hall, the bar lounge and smaller upstairs rooms may be hired for private functions. Contact Leon Cox on 01843 841787 9am to 2pm weekdays only

To advertise please call Daniel on 01843 294187

TWIGGY’S TREE SURGERY

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Birchington Parish Council

33

WHAT’S ON

Local Events, Groups & Clubs BIARA

Probus Club

BIARA is a club for people who are 50 years old and active in mind and body. The club holds Sport Mornings on Wednesday & Friday from 9.30-12pm, price £2, at the Centre in Birchington for Table Tennis, Short Mat Bowls, Snooker & Pool Tables, Board Games and Darts only on Friday morning. There are Keep Fit classes held on Monday & Tuesday afternoons at the Scouts Hall for 1 hour each starts at 2.15 pm price £2.50 and there is a Craft class at the Centre on Monday afternoon at 2pm price £2.50 at which you do your own thing. On every second Tuesday afternoon in the month the Club holds a Table Tennis afternoon at 2pm price £2.50.

During the year we have lunches, holidays and anything else we can think of. At the moment Membership Subscriptions are £7 per year.

There is also a social programme involving partners. If you are interested in joining our club, please call 845783 or email dave. alker@btinternet.com. www.garlandja.wix. com/birchington-probus

Birchington Active Retirement Association

Activities in Acol

Zumba Fitness Class Every Mon and Fri evening, 7-8.30pm Ballroom Dance Fitness Every Tuesday from 6–7pm (except 1st in the month)

Bowls

Birchington Bowls Club, Beach Avenue.

For further information contact the general secretary, Carol Fisher, on 01843 842507 34

The purpose of the Club is to provide a regular meeting point for retired professional and business men who, in their retirement or semi-retirement, would value the opportunity of social contact with others in similar circumstances. We meet monthly for lunch in The Smugglers Restaurant in the village. Speakers are arranged three or four times per year and on 27th November the guest speaker was a European diplomat with All change at the EU: New leadership new challenges.

Birchington Silver Band

We are a well established and Friendly brass band with a membership of more than 20 plus. The band gives regular concerts at the Birchington Village Centre on the last Sunday of the month, except June, July and August. All concerts start at 2.30pm with free admission. In the summer months we also play at various Bandstands such as Broadstairs, Folkestone, Hythe as well as requests for quite a few local venues. We also have quite a few social activities during the year which are open for any of the community to join in. If you play or have played a brass instrument, or want to learn, you will be most welcome to join us on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at King Ethelbert School Birchington.

Please contact Mrs Pat Miles (Band Secretary) on 01843 848660

Birchington Parish Council

WHAT’S ON

Local Events, Groups & Clubs Rhythm Express School of Dance Classes at the The Centre, Alpha Rd Tuesdays Musical Express – The Musical Theatre Department of Rhythm Express The Drivers – 5-5.30pm age 3-6 £3 The Guards 5-6.15pm age 7-11 £5 The Controllers 5.45-7pm age 11+ £5 The Inspectors 7.30-8.30pm age 18+ £4 Wednesdays Millennium troupe - open age group by audition only - 3.45-4.30pm £4.75 Class Skillicious (commercial street/ freestyle, show and exam class) 4.30-5.30pm age 11+ £4 Divine troupe - open age group by audition only - 5.30-6.30pm £5.50 Adult tap class – age 16 years and over 6.30-7.15pm £3.50 Saturdays Pre-Primary Ballet 9-9.30am age 3-5 approx, £3 Primary Ballet 9.30-10am age 5-7 approx, £3 Primary Tap 10-10.30am 5-7 approx, £3

H D

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Grade One Ballet 10.30-11am age 7-9 approx, £3 Grade One Tap 11-11.30am age 7-9 approx, £3 Rhythmex Crew open age group audition only 11.30am-12.30pm £5.50 Jazz Class 12.30-1.30pm age 7 and over £4 Contemporary Class 1.30-2.30pm age 7 and over £4 Urban Class 2.30-3.30pm age 7 and over £4 Classes held at Birchington Primary after school (commercial street/freestyle, show and exam classes) KS1 - Tuesdays 3.30-4.40pm £4 KS2 year 3&4 Thursdays 3.30-4.30pm £4 Class Vibe Thurs 4.30-5.30pm age 11 and over £4 KS2 year 5&6 Fridays 3.30-4.30pm £4 Rhythm Machine troupe Open age group by audition only 4.30-5.30pm £5.50 www.coney-pest-control.co.uk

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Birchington Parish Council

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35

COMMUNITY

All Saints, Birchington

Sundays Parish Holy Communion 8am Sung Eucharist 10am Family Service first Sunday of the month 10am Junior Church in Church House 10am Evensong first Sunday of the month 6pm Weekdays Holy Communion Wednesday 10am

St Mildred, Acol

Sunday Sung Eucharist first Sunday of the month 9.30am Morning Worship third Sunday 9.30am

St Thomas, Minnis Bay

Sundays Sung Eucharist 11am Morning Prayer second Sunday 11am

Worship Baptist Church (Two church buildings) Sundays 10.30am at Station Road 6.30 pm at Crescent Road Bob Goode 01843 845400 Methodist Church Canterbury Road, opposite The Smugglers Restaurant Sundays 11am Songs of Praise 6.30pm on 19th April; 17th May and 21st June Sue Dalgliesh 01843 847312

Our Lady & St Benedict RC Church Sat 6pm Vigil Mass (for Sunday) Sunday 9.15am Mass & Children’s Liturgy Weekday Mass (not Thursdays) 9.15am Canon David Caine 01843 841549

The Bay URC Sundays 10.30am 1st Sunday in the month Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Service Revd George Kalu 01843 613819 Contacts

Weekdays Holy Communion Thursday 10am

The Parish Office 01843 84077 Church House, Kent Gardens, Birchington CT7 9RS Open Monday-Friday 9.30 to 12.30 Parish Administrator: Sue Murphy

To arrange a home visit from one of the clergy or pastoral team, call Margaret 840878 or Sue 840777

Vicar: Rev. Don Witts 01843 841117 | 07749 201947 The Vicarage, 15 Minnis Road, Birchington CT7 9SE

36

Birchington Parish Council

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Home delivery availabe

Highfield Residential Home

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37

On the lighter side…

In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a healthy young wife by the name of Dorothy.

pictures - Hebrew To The People (HTTP).

Dot Com was a comely woman, large of breast, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called Amazon Dot Com.

They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican Sybarites, or NERDS.

And she said unto Abraham, her husband, “Why dost thou travel so far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy tent?”

Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, “How, dear?”

Dot replied, “I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling you who hath the best price. The sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah’s Pony Stable (UPS).”

Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums.

The drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to move from his tent.

To prevent neighbouring countries from overhearing what the drums were saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew. It was known as Must Send Drum Over Sound (MSDOS), and she also developed a language to transmit ideas and

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And the young men did take to Dot Com’s trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung.

And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to that enterprising drum dealer, Brother William of Gates, who bought off every drum maker in the land. Indeed he did insist on drums to be made that would work only with Brother Gates’ drumheads and drumsticks.

And Dot did say, “Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others.”

And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel, or eBay as it came to be known.

He said, “We need a name that reflects what we are”.

And Dot replied, “Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators”. “YAHOO,” said Abraham.

And because it was Dot’s idea, they named it YAHOO Dot Com. Abraham’s cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid (GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot’s drums to locate things around the countryside.

It soon became known as God’s Own Official Guide to Locating Everything (GOOGLE).

That is how it all began. And that’s the truth!

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Birchington Parish Council

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