The Thanet Star

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Things to do in Thanet this bank Holiday?

Written by Matt B · first published 06/05/2013

I am looking for things to do today but I have come up short can you help me?

Aside from the basics - beach, park and pub (all classics in their own right, I have no doubt) the list of things that one can do on a bank holiday seems a touch short.

11am - Half Hour Tour of the Touner contemprary. Price: Free. A Turner Contemporary Navigator leads a free 30 minute guided tour of the exhibition. Other activities include the family friendly Feel, explore, play and build with different materials.

Ramsgate May Fair, last day today. Although after the free entry you really want to have some money to spend.

If you can get out to it there is the Monkton Nature Reserve set in 16 acres of abandoned chalk quarry, that has been dramatically reclaimed by nature. It features many important habitats, fascinating geology and rare orchids. The reserve also houses the Thanet Observatory and the first artificial bat cave built in the UK. Opens 10am - 4pm. Members get in free (I think) but as the price of membership or the price otherwise the site is not exactly clear.

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Time to go out and vote!

Written by Matt B · first published 02/05/2013

It's voting time and in more ways than one.

As Thanet and Kent head to the polls to pick new councillors that, we hope, might actually show up for meetings this year there is a second secret vote afoot. Signed up members of Thanet Star (you secret few that found the link) are now voting on comments and rating them on helpfulness, insightfulness and homour. Great comments will be highlighted while poor ones will be hidden (but unhideable if you want to read them).

That means long rambly off topic rants get tucked neatly out of the way and good comments are awarded with some recognition. There are bound to be a few teething troubles but lets see how it works out.

In other news it's time to sack the politicians just in it for money and elect people who want to do a good job.

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Transeuropa Ferries bankrupt say Shipping TV

Written by Matt B · first published 26/04/2013

Ramsgate-Ostend ferry route appears to have closed according to shippingtv.co.uk.

After weeks of confusion and service suspensions, Ramsgate-Ostend ferry operator Transeuropa Ferries has reportedly filed for bankruptcy in Belgium ending services out of Ramsgate according to one source. Here's the video report in question.

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What to do with Thanet's "warfare mindset"?

Written by Matt B · first published 23/04/2013

I remain deeply distressed by the news of last thursday's council meeting.

Last Thursday Thanet District Council's meeting descended into farce and argument after a huge (by Thanet Standards) petition triggered what should have been a fairly workmanlike debate.

Instead point scoring petty arguments and a close to physical fight were witnessed before press and councillors alike who tried to document this were ejected (some might add illegally) from the council.

I have, from that time until now, written and rewritten this post. I have reached the point were I have no choice but to admit that I am speechless.

How could we, the people of Thanet have let it come to this?

More importantly, how can we correct things. How can we make sure that our councils starts to become functional? Do we need to bring in mediators and diplomats to try and broker a ceasefire? What, in all honesty, shall we do?

Photo based on image taken by Ian Driver who was thrown out of the meeting for having the guts to take that image.

Win a pair of tickets for flights from Manston

Written by Matt B · first published 23/04/2013

Win free flights and accommodation for two.

That's the deal from Kent Online The competition is free to enter but you must live in the BR, CT, DA, ME, or TN postcode areas to be eligible

Winners will fly from Manston Airport, via Amsterdam, to wherever they choose � be it New York, Dubai or Hong Kong. Twice daily flights are now taking off from Manston, based in East Kent, and landing at the award-winning hub airport Schiphol just 50 minutes later.

Amber Weather Alert

Written by Matt B · first published 12/03/2013

The Met Office have issued an Amber Weather Alert for London and the South East.

We can expect cold and 10cm to 20cm of snow with high winds. Temperatures will be about a degree above freezing for most of tomorrow. Wrap up warm and drive safely.

Did Sir Gale willingly testify to Sandy's good nature?

Written by Matt B · first published 06/03/2013

With so many powerful men giving testimony to their estimations of the character of ex-council leader Sandy Ezekiel during his trial one has to ask what it says about these men?

Thanet North MP Sir Roger Gale led the tributes with businessmen Frank Thorley of Thorley Taverns and Ken Wills of China Gateway International giving glowing references to the court. Wrote This Is Kent

Is this more of a case of the conservative group trying to save one of their own than of powerful men willingly singing the praises of another? Could it be more a case of trying to keep China Gateway a safe conservative project after Sandy and others were strongly implicated in misconduct in that affair too?

Blockbuster to become a Morrisons?

Written by Matt B · first published 05/03/2013

Is the Ramsgate Blockbuster to become a Morrisons?

Blockbusters, the DVD rental chain, went into administration earlier this year. One question we have been asking is what would happen to the soon to be empty store. Rumours have come to my attention that plans have already been made.

Andrew on Facebook wrote Found out today from a staff member in Blockbusters in Ramsgate that it's going to turned into a Morrisons.

Does this seem credible? Do you have more information? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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GEEK 2013 Preview Day

Written by Matt B · first published 22/02/2013

GEEK (Game Expo East Kent) opens tomorrow. I was invited along for a preview today. All I can say today is you should go along.

41 Unemployed to Every Job in Thanet

Written by Matt B · first published 21/02/2013

Thanet Officially has a Job Shortage

Official figures show that there are 134,200 people living in Thanet. They also show that from December to Janurary the number of available jobs fell from 400 to 300. Yet unemployment has hit 12.2% up from the 5.3% of 2007.

If in 2010 the BBC was saying that Thanet was the worse placed to cope with recession what now? Well in 2013 we are still the worst district for unemployment and we have the lowest rate of primary industry in Kent.

Let's put those numbers together. Let us assume that there are really 400 jobs going. 12.2% unemployment gives us roughly 16,372 unemployed people which leaves fractionally over 41 Job Seekers to every job in Thanet.

The old cry of "get a job" can now be met with an authoritative "from where - your backside?"

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