Two weeks of positive posts - day one

I mentioned recently (Thanet has arrived online) that I wanted to try and find something positive to say about Thanet on 14 different topics over 14 days. As Peter Checksfield was the first to reply to that post (in stereo) I think I will start with him today.

Peter Checksfield is Thanet's leading cheeky chappy, outspoken nudist and the local naked photographer (read that one how you will) famous for his (NSFW) Naked in Thanet website (among other things). There is even a fan "led" Peter Checksfield Appreciation Society which has among it's (rather scant) number our local reporter Thom Morris.

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» Continue Reading: The Star is Such a Cheeky Chappy

Thanet has arrived according to technorati at any rate. It seems that sometime around the October to November 2007 the word "Thanet" started to register on the global radar. This is great news for all Thanet bloggers and web surfers because it means that the island is finally forging an online identity.

We have a long way to go before Thanet is, in any way, an interesting enough topic to attract financial impact outside of a few isolated blogs but we are starting to get noticed. However, compare that with Kent as a whole (which also started to register around the same time and we only have 1% of the impact that Kent manages.

Keep reading for a live chart of the uses and mentions of Thanet within the last year (and a static capture of that chart).

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» Continue Reading: Thanet has arrived online

Today we are talking about Real Estate in Thanet. Specifically Real Estate Websites serving us in Thanet. Are they any good in your opinion and what could they be doing better?

For an example I did a search in Thanet Finder (our local search engine) for the phrase "homes for sale in Margate" which I figure might be something that anyone might type into a search engine when looking to buy a home in the area.

I was a bit surprised by the result!

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» Continue Reading: Buy a Home in Thanet?

Margate has experienced massive disruption to the normal flow of traffic today following a fire and an unrelated traffic accident on the main route trough Margate to Ramsgate.

The fire at Hawley Square has, according to kentnews.co.uk, had 70 firefighters and 12 engines fighting the blaze which has left at least 8 people homeless and the main road closed.

This has caused traffic (including buses) to divert via the clock-tower leading to an increase of traffic through that area making it unseasonably busy there.

As if this was not bad enough a car crash near the Star Pub on the Margate road has closed a section of the Ramsgate Road. This has forced traffic to redirect through Victoria Road traffic junction and around behind the hospital. The traffic lights there being mainly temporary lights.

At lunch time today the traffic was backed up from the lights to the roundabout. Buses are having to pass through the lights twice in each direction in order to service the QEQM hospital. The result has been that bus services having been messed up to the point that any given bus is running at least an hour late so that buses "arrive when they get there".

If you are using public transport today be sure to leave extra time for your journey. From Westwood cross to the Weatshief is taking about an hour at present (guess what journey I had to make today).

Our district endured yet another pointless roasting this week. This time from The Independent's writer Will Self who opens: "The Isle of Thanet has always been a little problematic for me".

Of Broadstairs he writes "seldom has anywhere more gentrified become more chavvy" - a comment which has some grounding in fact, sadly. Broadstairs does have a "youth drinking problem" (not to mention an adults drinking problem at some pubs if all reports are to believed). Will ends by saying:

"Waiting for the train back to London, I overheard two Thanet warriors discoursing on the platform: "'E's a cunt inne?" said one, "always bum-licking, but if you turns yer back on 'im 'e'll give you a smack in the mouf." They were drinking Stella Artois; if only it were reassuringly expensive."

Will might be pleased to understand, then, that our local coppers have been doing their job (who muttered "for a change" own up?). Police have been seizing alcohol from young drinkers caught "boozing in the park" (says Kent online).

It seems the the local "Ol' Bill" have been quite efficient just lately - read on.

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» Continue Reading: Self Loathing in Broadstairs

If you are interested in Alternative Rock (and it's relatives) then a visit to Thanet might be something that would interest you. One of the things that the area has going for it is a massive culture of arts and music.

This guide is intended to be an introduction to the not-so-mainstream that still hangs on in Thanet. It is my hope in writing this guide that I can spread the word about what's left of the area. It's not all bad here you know!

For example the price of drinks is very low with one venue often charging just £1 for some lagers and shots. Compare this to London prices of £3.50 or more for a drink and you can see how the night life hangs on here. Two-for-one offers are also common meaning that a wild night out can cost just £75 including somewhere to stay, your drinks and after booze take-a-way.

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» Continue Reading: An Alternative's Guide To Thanet

I've talked before about how great stumble upon is as a service but here is a chance to use it to improve the world a little bit. Click here to plant a tree.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) recently spent £14,000 of tax payers money on a new logo. Which as you can see looks "very nice" (even if you would not catch me playing with the idea of paying so much money for it).



The problem is that the Governemnt department "needs to get a grip on itself" for if you turn it sideays it looks like this.



You can also read the story here

Mark McGowan is to be buried alive in the sand on Margate beach in a "art performance" to try and save the traditional Margate holiday. This unusual art performance is to start Saturday 3rd May at midday and will not end untill 48 hours later on the Bank Holiday of Monday 5th May. The performance is an attempt to save the Great British Seaside Holiday and the environment at the same time.

Mark McGowan says: "The traditional British seaside holiday is in decline and everyone is flying abroad. This year, 30 million people will go on holidays abroad. This is due to cheap flights, sunnier climes and bargain bucket destinations."

Mark will be barried in up to his neck with a traditional hankerchief tied to his head. He will be surrounded by traditional holiday mementos and will live on fish and chips that will be fed to him by an assistent. Mark explains: "This is to encourage people, so that when the time comes, to think about their holiday and don’t just book a holiday abroad, come to Margate."

A big hint for my fellow bloggers - Mark will be on Margate beach this Saturday (26th April) around midday, "practicising" for the art performance.

Saint George - a man that might not have existed but the patron of Aragon, Canada, Catalonia, China, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Amersfoort, Beirut, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Moscow and a goodly number of institutions. Today is "his day"...

Now from a British point of view today is a British day. So what is your take on the British National Lack of Holiday (BNLoH) and the general celibration of "saints"?

Let's talk.