Thanet Star - actively improving Thanet one idea at a time

More fires

Written by Matt B · first published 26/02/2010

Does anyone else think that Thanet could do with a dedicated Arson Task Force just to investigate all these fires?

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Brit saved?

Written by Matt B · first published 25/02/2010

According to a message from the facebook group "Save the Britannia Margate" the Brit will be reopening shortly. I don't know much more than that at present but hopefully more news will be forthcoming. Still it seems like good news.

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Not dead just resting

Written by Matt B · first published 24/02/2010

I am not dead.

I am however having not a nice time with some deeply unpleasant things to deal with. I will return shortly.

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Seed swap fund raiser

Written by Matt B · first published 19/02/2010

Calling All Green fingered Thanet peeps...

Quartet in the Community are holding a seed swap this Saturday (20th) at the Quartet Allotment Project which is to be found just off Brooke Avenue in Garlinge.

This is a fund raiser which will run from 10am until 3pm and local gardeners and alotment holders are invited to come an trade seeds.

Seed swaps are a great way for those who save seeds from year to year to share good yields and to increase the variety within their garden, alotment, window box etc.

However it is not just for those of us with seeds but also for those of us who would like to obtain some seeds to grow. A small donation is equally welcome.

Read more on the Margate West forums.

Thanet SEO, SEM and Snake Oil

Written by Matt B · first published 18/02/2010

Ranking well in the competitive Thanet search listings is not easy. One minuet Google seems to love you and the next...

The subtle art of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and it's more level headed brother Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are a topics that seem to bring all the cranks to the field. For every one or two SEO experts in Thanet you will find as many as thirty snake oil salesmen. Sadly this is about average.

So how can you be sure to find a good SEO in Thanet and how can you be sure that the money you pay will be money well spent?

Keep reading for the secrets of SEO in Thanet.

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» Continue Reading: Thanet SEO, SEM and Snake Oil

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Guest blogger for hire

Written by Matt B · first published 17/02/2010

I have now taken up a new role as in-house guest blogger at a new site.

This blog is run largely for an American audience (particularly the real estate sector) and talks about the things you can do to promote yourself, your blog and your business on line. For those of you who are interested in reading about promotion techniques in a lot more depth than I have been able to cover here you may wish to pop over to go-beyond-mls.com and specifically you might want to comment on my introductory post (or not, suit yourself).

I do not imagine that my status as regular guest blogger elsewhere will impact particularly on my blogging here except that I might or might not talk a bit less about blogging itself. If anyone else would like to have posts written for them on their blog then please let me know and we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.

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World Premier of Furious Love at Westgate Pavilion

Written by Matt B · first published 16/02/2010

You can't watch this one at the Vue (yet)

For one night only at the Westgate Pavilion there will be an exclusive showing of "Furiouse Love". The World Premier will be coming to Thanet on Friday 5th March 2010 at 7:30pm.

Furious Love, the Sequal to Finger of God, is a documentry of one man's quest to test the love of his God in some of the least likely places on earth.

Furious Love, sequel to Finger of God, is the story of one man�s journey into some of the darkest spiritual climates on earth to test the limits of God�s love. Watch his discovery and witness God�s response to the demon possessed in Africa, the heroine addicts of Madrid, and witches in Salem, Massachusetts. See this love in relentless pursuit of the persecuted church in India and the oppressed victims of sex trafficking in Thailand. This journey of LOVE will leave you undone and must be experienced to be believed.

Picked up via Facebook

Cat's in the cradle.

Written by Matt B · first published 12/02/2010

With the news that Ted Watt-Ruffell has resigned lacking only a formal confirmation from TDC will Dane valley be seeing a second embarrassing by-election for the conservatives?

While, thanks to the fairly normal (read totally unacceptable) process of information release at present, it is unclear as to from what Cllr. Watt-Ruffell has resigned exactly and if he will be departing the local council it does look likely that he will soon be leaving a space vacant for both Mayor of Margate and Ward Councillor for Dane Valley.

In case you have been living under a rock of late Mr Watt-Ruffell was recently told off (formally, in the courts) for not looking after his kitten properly. While having a crap pet owner on staff is probably a straw too many for the besieged Conservative group one has to ask what reflection, if any, it has on the man's ability to do his job? On this subject I had the mic over to you.

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Snow highlights confusion, heightens anger

Written by Matt B · first published 11/02/2010

There is wide spread anger in Thanet today as local authorities deny a snow problem despite Kent Police begging them to take action.

This story starts several days ago when forecasters began to predict snow for parts of Britain. With the early fall of snow on Wednesday morning confirming these predictions road gritters in Thanet were nowhere to be seen.

By lunchtime Thursday it is becoming apparent that the roads of Thanet are not in a fit state to be used.

Kent police have strongly asked KCC to take action but according to officials action has already been taken. It is safe to assume that the deaths and stalled public transport are a figment of our collective imagination.

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» Continue Reading: Snow highlights confusion, heightens anger

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Predictable snow post

Written by Matt B · first published 11/02/2010

Yes ladies and germs it has snowed and outside there is plenty of the white stuff on the ground (and snow).

Early reports are that the people who grit the roads were, once more, caught off guard by the very seasonal appearance of snow. Which leaves me wondering if the sun rising in the morning is likewise a bit of a surprise.

I can just picture them waking up and shouting Oh my gosh! Another day. I guess I had better get up then. Now, do I have any clothes? Nope going to have to go buy some. Golly this has caught me right by surprise and no mistake...

Post your icy comments and snowy observations in the comments.

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Kent TV to end next month

Written by Matt B · first published 10/02/2010

Kent TV is to end next month according to my sources

There was I getting dressed this morning half listening to KM FM as I did so. When on came the news with a report about Kent TV.

I was getting ready to laugh at the usual self justificationary hype that I have come to expect from those trying to run projects that are over priced and under valued. What was actually reported was an attempt to save face announcement that the service was closing down.

Apparently it is "not a priority" and given the current economic conditions not something that KCC are willing to pay good money for. In other words it is too expensive.

We could have told them that when it started. In fact many of us (Tony) did.

Local business International reach

Written by Matt B · first published 08/02/2010

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to a local business. This is not a business with a shop or even a local building this is a local Internet business called BootFair.net.

It is the brain child of two Thanet guys who I happen to know read this blog.

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» Continue Reading: Local business International reach