The Thanet Star

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David Green has been gone a year

Written by Matt B · first published 04/09/2010

It has been over a year since Councillor David Green published an update to his Eastcliff Matters blog giving rise to the idea that "they" have finally shut him down.

You may recall that Cllr Green suddenly shut down his blog under pressure and this gave rise to Thanet's most unanimous outcry. Then, a little later his blog again went silent and this time Cllr Green would not give a reason. Now with this "code" for blogging as a councillor in place it seems that the Conservative dominated council has indeed sealed this source of news.

Interestingly the one I suspect as the prime target has not stopped writing.

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...and the winner is Tony Flaig

Written by Matt B · first published 25/06/2009

This long over due Rising Star of Thanet Award goes to...

(Drum Roll Please)

Tony Flaig of Big News Margate.

Tony is one of Thanet's premier rising stars and has been featured in more BBC documentaries than any of the rest of us. I've been meaning to write this post for ages and feel bad that it has taken me so long to celebrate one of our best talents.

Tony has given coverage to the topic of Kent TV despite the risk it has exposed him too. Thankfully for us Kent TV don't scare our Tony. However our Tony scares their overpriced buttocks clean across the room.

Tony joins a select few Thanet rising stars who have so far been recognised with this award. It's well deserved too. Tony has had more than his fair share of strife from ne'er-do-wells that have an agenda to hide.

Let's raise a glass to "our Tony" and to many more years of great blogging!

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Rising Stars of Thanet: Our Rick

Written by Matt B · first published 25/10/2008

I want to talk today of Thanet blogger Rick. As a blogger he has obtained infamy of sorts for having a lot to say and preloading context in his comments (in other words he takes his time getting to the point). In today's world of brevity and sound bites Rick must surely seem like something of a proverbial sore thumb. Yet we have all been forced to reassess our opinions after Rick turned up several boxes of information on a subject most of Thanet knew nothing about.

Rick and I disagree on some issues (for example issues of poverty on which we both feel very strongly) nevertheless what seemed to be the obsession of a retired conspiracy theorist has become the source of much gasping as it was revealed that over a long period of time dangerous chemical (Cyclohexanone) was leaked into Thanet's water system.

Rick may be different in style and he may waffle a little but for service to the investigative side of investigative reporting this Rising Star of Thanet Award is most definitely deserved.

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The Star is Such a Cheeky Chappy

Written by Matt B · first published 15/05/2008

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

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Rising Stars of Thanet: Michael Child

Written by Matt B · first published 27/12/2007

No, not the vicar of Witham Baptist Church in Essex but the owner of that famouse book shop in Ramsgate (72 King Street, Ramsgate) and local and enthusiastic blogger.

When not keeping the Thanet Masses supplied with interesting reading material (on his blog) Michael likes to harass Thanet Council members that have patently been asking for it. That or he just likes to get straight answers. Given the historic scarcity of said straight answers from our local political types this second option seems unlikely.

In his spare time Michael runs a bookshop.

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» Continue Reading: Rising Stars of Thanet: Michael Child

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