The Whitstable IMP ISSUE 4

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SEASIDESAMBA

FUZE Whitstable’s teen scene

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CASTLEUPDATE

An Independent Media Publication

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ISSUE 4 MARCH 2009

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Win dinner for 4 at The Pearson’s ArmsPLUS discount coupons for every reader

See page 41

The IMP March 09.indd 1 27/2/09 15:31:20

Gas Fires Gas Cookers Servicing


WELCOME TO THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE WHITSTABLE IMP!

Spring is definitely on the way, and you’ll find we have a bit of a spring-cleaning theme this month, whether

it be your home, mind, spirit or body... And staying with the spring-

time theme of change, renewal and renovation, Liz Crudgington brings us the latest on the Castle, and the changes afoot at the council: the loss of our Visitor Centre has been well documented, as has the sad loss of our Town Co-ordinator Linda Mason. Liz interviews Chris West to get the low-down on what he has to offer Whitstable.

This issue really does have something for everyone - as well as all the local interest articles and our regular features, you’ll see a new section, ‘Bubble bits and bobs’ for titbits of local news and gossip, and we’ve had a bumper month for new contributors - a comedy review by local actor Nick Wilton, a book review, and the latest on FUZE, the new underage music venue in Whitstable, written by the members themselves. Our What’s on? guide continues to grow this month, and you’ll find more listings than ever to help you plan your month. Next month will see the launch of our Gig Guide - with your help it will be the definitive guide to live music in the local

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is prohibited without prior written consent from the Publisher. Opinions expressed in the editorial are not necessarily those of the Editor or Publisher. IMP does not accept responsibility for the advertising contents, or endorse or recommend any of the companies

or products featured; nor shall IMP be liable for any damage caused to or losses suffered by any person who relies on the information published in this magazine. © Independent Media Publications.

area, so get your submissions in as early as possible! [email protected] or the usual address.

AND THAT’S NOT ALL! This month, win a meal for four at The Pearson’s Arms. The competition is open to any reader of The Whitstable IMP, and we’ll announce the winner in the April issue of the magazine. But their generosity doesn’t end there - for the month of March, they are offering IMP readers 10% off all food in the restaurant or bar, lunchtimes and evenings, Monday to Thursday. Details on page 41.

The winners of last month’s Activ Web competition to win a website were Alan & Margaret Edwards - congratulations! Activ Web will be in touch with you soon and we’ll follow up on your new website in a future issue.

Enjoy this month’s issue, and as usual please let us have any feedback at the usual addresses.

The IMP Team

If you are interested in advertising in The IMP please call Mel on 0800 44 88 309


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EDITOR

Christina Birkett Christina started working in Media twelve years ago, and enjoyed a happy and varied career, leaving work to look after her children about 18 months ago. With three daughters aged five and under, work needs to be flexible these days, and Christina is delighted to have found the right balance between work and family

- and to be covering a subject she loves – Whitstable! To Contact Christina about any aspect of the editorial, email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH.

CONTRIBUTORS

Liz CrudgingtonLiz has spent the last eight years writing about Whitstable for one of the town’s newspapers and is excited to be involved with The Whitstable IMP. She’ll be working on news and features, in between looking after her daughter Natasha, and is looking forward to making sure the whole town knows what’s going on. Now a freelance writer, Liz

is available for media, marketing and more - contact 07766 735 940 or [email protected]

Andy CaponAndy Capon has lived in Whitstable for several years, and is the founder member of local band The Trouser Trumpets. He has written two as yet unpublished factual books; Gone But Not Forgotten, and Does Humour Belong In Music. He is also the author of The Trouser Press, ‘A puerile and meaningless fanzine about the band’.

Currently unemployed but hoping to return to work soon, Andy is also working on a novel, How Do You Know It’s Love?. He names his interests as Music and Cinema and is an ‘armchair supporter’ of Arsenal FC.

Stephanie ShantiStephanie Shanti has been practising yoga for 12 years and teaching since 2000. She trained at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Montreal, Canada, and has taught classes to a wide variety of clients including children, families, patients in rehabilitation, the elderly, and those with special needs. She has studied many forms of

yoga, including Sivananda, Integral, Iyengar and Astanga, and is qualified in Thai Yoga and Swedish and Indian Head massage. She now lives in Italy with her partner and two sons on their yoga retreat - www.shanticentre.com.

Dominic BriceMarried with 3 boys, Dominic has lived in Whitstable most of his life. He started out working for a landscape company 17 years ago and after 5 years decided to start his own company, Tranquil Earth Natural Garden Design, which specialises in creating traditional and contemporary gardens, built with respect for the

environment and to encourage wildlife. Outside of work he is learning to sail and hopes one day to have his own sailing boat. Visit his website at www.kentgardendesigner.co.uk for garden ideas.

Malissa TaylorSouth African-born Malissa is passionate about three things; Mamahood, Music and Mother Earth. She spends most of her time consumed by these and feels that her responsibility is to ensure that each is celebrated by

everything that she does. For the sake of her children, she recently moved to Whitstable from London where she hopes to submerge herself in the community, something which she believes is essential for her wellbeing and that of her family. She lives by the African adage, ‘Ubuntu’ which, roughly translated, means ‘I am because we are, and since we are, I am!’.

SALESMel Birkett FREEPHONE 0800 44 88 309

DESIGN Adam Boreham www.reactionvm.co.uk

PRINTINGHeadley Brothers www.headley.co.uk

PUBLISHERS IMP (Independent Media Publications)PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH

THE IMP TEAM



www.hernebaymobility.co.uk


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COMMUNITY

Whitstable CastleLiz Crudgington brings us the latest on the plans Page 8

What’s to become of Whitstable? Liz Crudgington meets Chris West, our new Town Centre ManagerPage 14

Letter Boxhave your sayPage 30

Bubble bits and bobswhat’s going on? our fi nger on the pulse of Whitstable!Page 32

Whitstable Business EventLinda Mason goes out on a highPage 34

What’s on? Find out in our biggest-ever guidePage 42

LIFESTYLE

Make the most out of lifeLife Coach Emma Hicks can help...Page 25

Alternative guide to spring cleaning your life Stephanie Shanti steps up the Yoga routine!Page 26

Changing the world one gift at a time - Malissa looks at www.freecycle.comPage 28

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Gardening Tips for Marchgrow your own mini-meadow!Page 36

Horoscopeswhat could March hold for you?Page 38

Edible Easter Nestswhy not make your Easter gifts this year? - if you manage to save any!Page 40

ENTERTAINMENT

Seaside Sambaremember the uplifting beats of Samba Pelo Mar?Page 17

FUZEWhitstable’s underage Music Venue, brought to us by their very own budding reporters and photographersPage 20

Beards, Boots, Bells and Beerwho else but Whitsable’s own Dead Horse Morris sidePage 22

REVIEWS

The Green Detox Guide to spring cleaningPage 12

MonkeyshineNick Wilton reviews stand-up at the Horsebridge Page 24

Win dinner for 4 at The Pearson’s ArmsPLUS discount coupons for every reader

See page 41


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In these days of credit crunch woes, a multi-million pound project is not to be sniffed at. And when it’s Whitstable

on the receiving end of almost £3million to restore and rejuvenate one of the town’s best-loved buildings, champagne corks should be popping from Swalecliffe to Seasalter.

There was plenty of fi zz when the Lotto grant was fi rst announced, but months later the lack of apparent progress has left a sour taste in the mouth of some, who fear that the Castle may never open its doors again.

Not so, insist John Simmonds and Darren Simpson, chairman and chief executive of the Castle Trust set up to manage the facility.

“We have the same ambition as the people of Whitstable - to have a great community facility,” said John, who is county councillor for Herne Bay but lives in Downs Avenue. “All our existing users will be welcomed back with open arms and they won’t fi nd our pricing structure

much different to before. We don’t want to price loyal people out and we want to see everyone back.”

Although the building shut its doors late last year and is not due to reopen until Easter 2010, the trust is planning plenty of community and communication events to help keep people informed.

“Part of the problem is that the consultation process began such a long time ago that people have forgotten,” said Darren, a familiar face to many as a member of the Lindley Players. “We want to work very closely with residents and we simply won’t be able to run the Castle without volunteers, so people in the town are absolutely crucial to this project.”

The renovation, which includes an investment of half a million pounds from Canterbury City Council’s own coffers, will see a lift installed, providing access to all floors, as well as redecoration and rewiring.

Outside, the fl at-roofed extension will be demolished and replaced with

With boarded up windows and turmoil over trees, Whitstable Castle looks in a rather sorry state. But the people responsible for managing the town’s historic manor house insist its future as a community facility open to everyone is secure.

With boarded up windows and turmoil over trees, Whitstable Castle looks in a rather

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a Gothic-style orangery which will match the building and will be used as a tea room. An area of the roof will also be opened up to provide a viewing platform that will be open to the public.

The rose garden will be extended and key additions include an artist-designed toddlers’ play area and new public toilets. There will also be changes on Tower Hill, which will become one-way for a trial period to provide extra parking, on top of more free spaces which will be available within the Castle grounds.

But the trust has been warned that there will be no more money from the council, so they are responsible for providing their own funding. John said: “It is a condition of the lottery money that there is a balance between making

enough money to run it and providing community access.

“We will be limiting the number of weddings to make sure the building is available to the town more often, but we think there is a market for mini conferences and meetings, and we think that will make up the shortfall.”

Among the ideas already being considered for community events are a nature day, kite-making workshops, open air theatre and concerts, and a Victorian day. Each will also include opportunities to get involved with the Castle as a volunteer or part of the membership scheme.

Darren said: “We will have a friends scheme open to everyone and we value the community’s input. The trust is in place to manage the Castle for the

a Gothic-style orangery which will match the building and will be used as a tea room. An area of the roof will also be opened up to provide a viewing platform that will be open to the public.

The rose garden will be extended and key additions include an artist-designed toddlers’ play area and new public toilets. There will also be

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community and we hope people will be as excited as we are about the project. It is going to be a fantastic facility, secured for future generations.”

Darren’s post is funded by the lottery grant and there will also be an education offi cer and full-time gardener on the staff. The 10 trustees are all volunteers and, apart from the two city councillors appointed by Canterbury, were selected from the dozens who applied back in 2007.

They have already weathered their fi rst storm, a protest about the removal of 15 large trees from the site which were diseased or damaging the building. Darren said: “I can understand people’s concerns but there really was no other option and in fact we are planting 52 trees as part of the scheme. The grounds will be open all the time except

at night, when they will be locked to prevent vandalism. Once the Castle is back in use all the benches will be replaced and the plaques reinstated, but they were getting damaged too so are now being safely stored.”

In addition to the Castle and its grounds, they have also taken responsibility for the tea gardens across Tower Hill and plan to continue the open air functions held there. Darren said: “We have lots of ideas but we want to hear from people in the town as well. I have an open door policy so if the light is on and I’m here then knock and come in, or call any time.”

Darren is based at the Castle Gatehouse, and for more information you can visit http://www.whitstablecastle.co.uk or call 01227 281726.Liz Crudgington


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chips_away.pdf 23/1/09 12:30:42


It’s the time of year again for your house to

shake off its grimy winter coat, throw open

the windows and welcome back spring

with a spruce-up. But this year why not do

things differently? Instead of reaching for your

usual conventional cleaners, give your home

a green detox.

When it comes to cleaning, less is most

defi nitely more. By changing our habits of a

lifetime we can all help to reduce our carbon

footprint, landfi ll waste and – best of all – our

(and our children’s) exposure to potentially

harmful chemicals.

The long-term effects of the chemical

cocktails found in conventional cleaning

products are untested. With more than 10,000

chemicals in common use, the truth is that no

one knows for sure how safe each one is.

Switch to an eco-minimal cleaning regime

and all you need for a capsule cleaning kit is

baking soda, vinegar and some essential oils.

And in these credit-crunching, penny-pinching

times, you will also save more money. So here

are my top 10 easy eco-cleaning tips to giving

your home a green gleam for spring:

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Baking soda oven cleaner – Remove oven

shelves, wipe or brush out loose bits. Shake

the baking soda thickly over the bottom of the

oven and spritz with water. For the sides mix

a thick paste of baking soda and water and

daub on. Leave for several hours or overnight,

occasionally dampen with more water. Wipe out

the baking soda and spray with vinegar or use a

vinegar-soaked cloth to dissolve any residue.

Vinegar-spray shower descaler – Spray

white distilled vinegar from the top of the glass

(or tiles) down and leave for 15 minutes or

overnight. Rub over with a cloth, have your

shower, dry off panels.

E-cloths and other microfi bre cloths –

I’m a big fan of these! Although it is a synthetic

material, you can clean up quickly with just a

touch of water, even with grease. And the best

thing is they last for ages.

The green detox guide to spring cleaning

A modern-day Mrs Beeton for the climate-changing 21st century, Caroline Harris shares her thrifty tips for giving your home a green spring clean.

Illustrations by Alys Patterson


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Citric acid toilet reviver – Every couple

of months pop two tablespoons of citric acid

(available from pharmacies or online) in the toilet

pan. Leave overnight. Most of the limescale will

fl oat off, or you can remove with toilet brush.

Old towels - They’re invaluable for

mopping up water spills, toddler accidents and

potential stains.

Paintbrush dado rail duster – For hard-to-

reach places, a paintbrush is better and quicker

than a vacuum cleaner nozzle or even a duster.

Lavender oil instant lavatory wipe –

Lavender oil has antiseptic qualities, so use a

few drops in water to dampen a cleaning cloth

and wipe. Always dilute oil as it is potent and

can irritate skin. (See the sidebar for more

essential oils you can use around the house.)

Baking soda fridge deodoriser – Baking

soda absorbs odours, so put a small cup of it

in the fridge.

Wipe, don’t rinse! – Instead of running

lots of unnecessary water into a basin, bath or

shower to rinse off the cleaner, simply wipe with

a clean cloth dampened in fresh water. It’s less

wasteful and quicker!

Carpet sweepers – Invest in an old-

fashioned carpet sweeper. They are effective for

cleaning up crumbs, hair and grit on carpets,

wood, and lino fl oors.

Ms Harris’s Book of Green Household

Management by Caroline Harris is

published by John Murray, £17.99.

They have kindly sent us two copies

to give away to IMP readers- email

or write in to the normal address to

be entered into the draw!

Caroline is giving a talk on

green household management

at the Transition Town event at

The Whistlestop Restaurant,

Railway Arch, Belmont Road, on

Thursday, March 19 at 7.30pm.

CLEANING WITH ESSENTIAL OILSLocal Aromatherapist Debra Maybourne lists her favourites:

Lemon - A fantastic zingy oil with excellent properties for green cleaning. Add 3 drops to your washing up liquid and let the anti-bacterial properties work on your dirty dishes, while the aroma will help uplift you at the same time.

Tea tree - A fresh, anti-viral and antiseptic oil which is great for cleaning and can be mixed with lemon essential oil and used for cleaning surfaces around the home, which means dumping those damaging aerosols and replacing with some delightful uplifting clean aromas.

Bergamot – This is a lovely, uplifting oil. Add three or four drops to your hot soapy water when you wash the walls in your hallway. They’ll come up beautifully clean and will leave a fresh, welcoming aroma. Another way to keep your hallway smelling fresh is to add eight drops to water in a spray bottle. Shake well before use and spray into the air.

Please check the oils are safe for you to use. Caution is needed with some oils during pregnancy or with some medical conditions. Care is needed when using oils near delicate

fabrics or wood.

of months pop two tablespoons of citric acid

(available from pharmacies or online) in the toilet

pan. Leave overnight. Most of the limescale will

The green detox guide to spring cleaning


From April 1 Chris will be stepping into

her shoes - although a flatter-heeled

version - in a new combined role, taking

charge of both Whitstable and Herne Bay.

And although many have blasted the move

as a crisis for the coast, he refuses to be

downhearted.

“Of course I feel awful for Linda, and

although I am looking forward to the challenge

and excited about the role, there were no

celebrations when I found out, because of the

situation,” he said. “But I think this is a great

opportunity for the coastal towns.

We have 10 miles to market as an excellent

location to come and stay and visit. I know

Whitstable well and I want to continue the great

work that Linda has done to keep it a thriving

town. In the summer it is fantastic but we have

got to support that all year.”

As a former retail manager who has also

worked with radio stations and in town centre

management in Ashford and Herne Bay,

Chris understands many of the challenges

businesses face and is passionate about

helping to overcome them. Networking is a

key part of his role, and he has already met

many key players in the town to discuss ways

to work together. “One of the things I think is

vitally important is to network with people and

use the resources you have in a town,” he said.

“When I came to Herne Bay, in two weeks I

went round 60 businesses, and many of those

were independent. They weren’t keen on being

included, or on town centre management, and

it was about winning their trust and setting

achievable aims and objectives. Once people

saw what we were achieving they started to

come with us.”

He is hoping to repeat that formula in

Whitstable, although he’s keen to stress that both

towns will keep their own, separate identities.

Chris’s time will also be equally divided,

with two days dedicated to each town and

one day spent on planning and administration.

An assistant will take on most of his clerical

work as well as dealing with routine inquiries

and issues. “At the moment, 50 to 60 per

cent of my time is spent doing admin,” he

said. “The assistant will free up my time to

look at the strategic side of things and how

to boost the economy of both towns. There

are opportunities to bring new businesses

to both towns and help and support existing

businesses. We can also be more imaginative

with events, which boost footfall, and we will be

working at marketing both towns further afield

to bring more people in.”

The restructuring that cost Linda her job

will also see the council’s tourism and local

economy teams coming together, which

Chris believes will bring more resources for

Whitstable. “We will have tourism staff to

Chris West is not a man to shy away from a challenge. It’s a characteristic he could soon be very grateful for, as he tries to win over Whitstable after the loss of the Visitor Information Centre and the redundancy of Town Centre Manager Linda Mason.

WHAT’S TO BECOME OF WHITSTABLE?

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put on the streets and they will have a much

more visible presence,” he said. “We will have

people around the town at key times of the

year offering customer service to visitors. I

know Whitstable feels hard done by, and so

does Herne Bay, as everything seems to go

to Canterbury - but that is starting to change.

The local economy team see that they have

got to be out there seeing what is happening,

supporting businesses. We can work together

to achieve a vibrant town.”

Chris officially takes up his new role

on April 1 and will be based in the

council offices in Harbour Street two

days a week. To get in touch with him,

call 07786 852061.

Liz Crudgington

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Two of the town’s most influential groups have given tentative support to Chris in his new role. While both the Chamber of Commerce and Whitstable Improvement Trust remain steadfast in their support and praise for Linda Mason, and their anger at the way the situation has been handled, they are also hoping to forge good working relationships with the new team.

Dave Heenan, chamber treasurer, said visitors would still come to the town and there may be more this year, as people choose to holiday in the UK rather than abroad. “They will find their way through the town, hopefully from one end to the other, without the VIC,” he said. “But we need better signs from the station and better leaflets and maps available in places like the WIT shop and the harbour shed. We can do all that if someone can help us. The council doesn’t need to spend lots of money on marketing or consultants - leaflets and volunteers talking to people and handing out maps can be just as effective.”

He said that, despite the recession, Whitstable still had a promising future, which a change of management could help to achieve. “We are very sorry to see Linda go, and she did a really good job, but maybe someone with a new perspective will see something we are all missing and find something we haven’t done,” he said.

Kit Ryan, chairman of Whitstable Improvement Trust, said it was now crucial that the council worked more closely with groups like the Trust to ensure the best service for Whitstable. “The willingness of people like Dave Heenan and me and the Whitstable Improvement Trust to work as partners with Canterbury City Council has not been fully explored,” he said. “It needs to be brought back to their agenda of thinking at the moment. I think it will become better, but I think we are going to have to work harder to make it happen.”



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SeasideSamba

Led by percussionist and

music teacher Ann Day,

this 35 piece band has

taken the festival circuit by storm

– and Ann is still looking for new

members, as she explained

from her home in Alexandra

Road, Whitstable: “We formed

Samba Pelo Mar – which means

‘Seaside Samba’ - just over two

years ago, and have been very

pleased with how it turned out,

but we are always encouraging

new members to join. We’ve just

applied for a grant from Awards for

All and if awarded we’ll be doing

more sessions for beginners.

Some people are a little reluctant

to join as the big sound can

be intimidating, but we start newcomers off on

smaller drums and they can work their way up to

the louder ones.”

And when in full flow, Sambo Pelo Mar is

a sound to be reckoned with, on a par with

any amplified music outfit. This is not just due

to the numbers involved, as Ann told us: “Co-

founder Doug Noble raised funds to actually

import the drums straight

from Brazil, so they’re proper

Samba instruments, rather

than imitations, and that’s how

we achieve such an authentic

sound.” There is also an

unmistakable look to the band,

with bright shirts and matching

trousers, hats of all descriptions

and even face paint. A further

grant is being applied for

upgrade the look, with a local

designer hopefully supplying the

new clothing.

Ann began her career as a

percussionist by playing drums

with the likes of London-based

The Emma Peel Fan Club, which

led to another familiar local

band, The Electric Landladies. Ann also stepped

into local drummer Chris Hunter’s shoes recently

as the new drummer with Whitstable-based Ska

band, the eSKAlators. She also runs workshops

and teaches in various schools across the region,

but is keen to point out that enthusiasm, rather

than experience, is what’s needed to join Samba

Pelo Mar.

Every Autumn, the Canterbury Festival plays host to a variety of acts ranging from Jazz to slightly more high-brow Classical recitals - and even Opera. Those hoping for a peaceful night of relaxing entertainment may also find themselves tapping their feet, and possibly even dancing as an entirely different sound suddenly permeates the chilly October air – the infectious beat of Samba Pelo Mar.

Jon L

Jon L


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“There is no age limit, and all are welcome.

I trained with the London school of Samba, but

even if you’ve never played a drum before, you’re

welcome to come to a practise. The age range

is from seven to 70 and people that come along

love it enough to stay! A recent study showed that

drumming is actually good for releasing tension,

and people often come along for the exercise,

too.” And with the set normally lasting no longer

than 15 – 20 minutes and usually only eight songs

long, participants won’t find it too exhausting.

Those that do stay with Ann will have a variety

of festival performances to look forward to this

year, including return performances at The Oyster

Festival, Lounge on the Farm and the Fireworks

Regatta in May which will replace the traditional

May-Day celebrations at Whitstable Castle grounds.

“Newcomers needn’t be nervous about

performances, and a tip I often give is that if you

forget your part – mime! It’s better to appear to be

joining in than playing the wrong part, and the noise

generally drowns out any mistakes. It’s fantastic

music, with a mixture of Samba, Reggae and Afro-

Cuban beats to march too. Both band members

and audience members find it very uplifting.”

As a Samba performer with 25 years

experience, there is nobody better qualified

locally to teach you the infectious beats of

Samba Pelo Mar. A new group for age range 7

to 9 is hoping to encourage more youngsters

to join, and anyone wishing to go along to the

Tuesday rehearsals at Whitstable Junior School

can call Ann on 01227 281838,

or go to www.sambapelomar.com.

Andy Capon

Jon L

Jon L

Christina Burrows


Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes & more...Home-baking for children or adults:

• Parties• Special occasions• Cafes and restaurants• Gluten -free a speciality• All baked to order• Fast turn-around, personal service.

Home made with the highest quality ingredients - free range, organic or faitrade where possible. Why not sample Chrissie’s delicious home-made creations at either Elliot’s or Samphire? Chrissie’s Kitchen07511 009 [email protected]

Celebrating 21 years in business


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Whitstable has not previously been renowned

for its underage music scene, but now the tide

seems to be turning, and Fuze - a Youth Music

Project run by teenagers, for teenagers - is gathering

momentum. Charlotte Keeys and Hannah Parker report

on the last 2 gigs and the phenomenon that is Fuze...

As the bands sound-checked in the main room on

December 23, the audience gathered in the reception

of Whitstable’s Youth and Community Centre - and the

excitement grew...

The fi rst band on was ‘Covered in Ketchup’ who

provided a great start to the evening. As the only girls on

the bill they held their own, with strong vocals and great

tunes. ‘Watch This Space’ have been playing together the

longest - and it showed. Opening with an instrumental

track was brave, but they pulled it off. Their last song – a

virtually fl awless cover of the notoriously diffi cult ‘Just’ by

Radiohead - was a perfect end to the set.

Resplendent in neon face paint, ‘Deff Adda’ then took

to the stage. Scouts from Fuze saw them perform and

offered them a gig. The boys played a mix of rock and

new rave and, with a powerful stage presence, they were

engaging to watch.

‘Jack ‘n’ That’ fi nished off the evening with a set of

alternative rock covers and originals. They formed in July

2008 for the fi rst Fuze audition and were also one of the

4 bands from that fi rst audition to be chosen to play at

Lounge on the Farm. As they started their set with ‘4 Kicks’

by Kings of Leon, the audience reacted really well. Anna

Lovelock, 17, the Fuze band booker said: “There are lots

of talented young musicians out there all eager to get live

music experience.” Fuze is not only trying to build a live

music community for the under 18s, but also helps to build

the confi dence of the young bands that play at their gigs.

Any band who is lined up for a gig is offered a two-hour

workshop with Blast Creative Music, in which they can

work on their songs and their performance skills. Stephen

Clee from Blast commented: “This is a brilliant opportunity

for young artists to develop skills and perform to an

enthusiastic audience in an exciting venue. The standard of

performance has already been very high and we are looking

forward to working with more young bands from the area.”

Fuze can also contribute to demo costs and rehearsal space

costs. Established in May 2008, Fuze received funding

from the Kent Youth Opportunities Fund and this helped to

kick-start the project and buy equipment which Fuze music

technician Brandon Day, 14, helps to maintain. Fuze aims to

give young people the chance to take part in every aspect of

the music business, from performing to promoting.

Sharon Smith, one of the adult volunteers, explained:

“Fuze’s ultimate goal is to put on monthly gigs - but

it is not just about gigs, it is about the whole process

involved in performing live. The Whitstable Youth Centre

staff have been extremely helpful and the centre is a

great venue for our gigs.” Through the power of the

internet and word of mouth, Fuze is getting an average

of 60 teenagers at their gigs. If you want to contact Fuze

about the next gig, performing, or helping out in any way,

email [email protected] or go to

www.myspace.com/fuzewhitstable.

Fuze’s next gig is on Friday March 27th at Whitstable

Youth & Community Centre. Doors open 7pm,, bands

7.30-10pm. Age 13+. Tickets £3.50, available from

Tea and Times or on the door.

Charlotte Keeys, age 17

Infuzed with MusicPhoto taken by Eleanor Freeman age 16


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Luke had just performed the opening slot at a Fuze

gig in January 2009 when I interviewed him for

The Whitstable IMP. I was still mesmerised by his

performance and his obvious passion and enthusiasm

for music. I warmed to the 14-year-old from Chaucer

Technology School, and asked him how he had managed

to become such a music maestro at such a young age.

Luke explained: “My dad taught me to play guitar and I

pursued it with his encouragement and support.”

It was not just Luke’s ability to play the guitar that

gave me goose bumps - his voice did too. Full of soul

and melancholy, Luke found his voice early: “at a year 6

assembly, and so I started writing my own lyrics. I then

began performing at open mic nights locally.” Not only

can Luke play acoustic guitar, he can also play bass and

drums but prefers the guitar, which suits his genre of

music and ambition to be an acoustic singer/songwriter.

Although Luke’s dad has been a major inspiration,

musicians such as Frank Turner

and Richard Thompson are also key

infl uences. Luke played a few covers;

one by KT Tunstell, and did a great

interpretation of ‘Beat It’ by Michael

Jackson, which the Fuze crowd loved,

but his own material such as ‘Too Young

to Tour’, also raised the roof with his

peers in the Fuze audience.

As well as playing gigs outside

the South East, Luke has performed

at Kent’s own Lounge on the Farm

Luke Jackson - Too Young to Tour? not once, but twice! His best gig was to support an

American band in Maidstone and his eyes beamed

as he told me how honoured he was to play with

them. Some gigs aren’t so enjoyable; he played at

one in Chatham where “it was a cold horrible day and

everyone there just wanted to be out of the weather,

they weren’t interested in music.” But Luke is so

dedicated to performing he thinks that “every gig is

worth going to. I defi nitely want to make a career out of

music. Anything to do with music.” A songwriter called

Paul Thomas was so impressed with Luke that he now

sends him lyrics to accompany Luke’s music. He has

also been scouted by an ex-manager of a boy band

who wants to work with him (sorry Whitstable IMP

readers, no exclusive yet but we’ll keep you updated -

you heard Luke’s name here fi rst!).

As my interview with Luke draws to an end, I

am still in awe of this guy’s talent. I can’t help but

feel astounded by Luke’s musical

achievements so far. Luke deserves

every success and I thanked him

on behalf of Fuze for giving such a

professional opening performance. We

haven’t seen the last of Luke Jackson

– watch this space!

Luke’s music is available to enjoy

and download from myspace: http://

www.myspace.com/lukepauljackson

Hannah Parker, age 16

Photo taken by Emily Martin age 16

Photo taken by Eleanor Freeman age 16

Photo taken by Eleanor Freeman

Photo taken by Nick Tyler, age 17


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The recent death of Dead Horse Morris dancer

Andy Henderson was sad for many reasons,

and is particularly poignant because he was

one of the side’s founder members. Alongside Chris

Baker, Alice Nunn and Mark Lawson, Andy formed

the group in the Autumn of 1986, and the Morris men

have gone from strength to strength since. Mark is

now the only founder member residing in Whitstable,

but promises that Andy’s passing and the apparent

lack of new recruits to the pastime will not diminish

enthusiasm within the ranks. The show must go on,

and the Dead Horse Morris are looking forward to

another busy year.

“We could do with a few more members in the

women’s side, though,” Mark admits. But he is

dismissive of a recent report claiming that Morris

Dancing will die out due to lack of young members

taking up the tradition: “Our side has an age range of

six to 70, and anyone can come along to the practices

which take place at the Methodist Hall in Argyll road

every Monday night.” Mark is also hoping that interest

in Morris dancing will be revived by the release of

what is thought to be the first feature film about Morris

dancing, ‘Morris – a life with bells on’.

The Dead Horse Morris side can regularly been

seen dancing around Whitstable and all over Kent.

Onlookers are often bewildered by their attire and

blacked-up faces, and Mark explains: “The dancers

‘blacked up’ originally as a form of disguise since

dancing was outlawed by church and state, and this

is possibly where the term ‘Morris’ came from, as the

blackened faces resembled the black faces of the

Moors, then called Moorish.” Their clothing, which

consists of waistcoats, corduroy trousers and hobnail

boots, is a centuries-old tradition and Mark explains

why Andy would dress as a ‘Molly’: “The original fire

festivals saw the men burning the bones of a sacrifice

(normally a horse) and would dance around the bone-

fire (bonfire). This ritual was for men only, but one man

would attend dressed as a woman – the Molly.”

As well as the traditional dancing, Morris sides are

also renowned for playing traditional music, singing

traditional songs – and drinking impossible amounts of

real ale! However, Mark was quick to point out that taking

up the art of Morris dancing doesn’t give one a licence

to misbehave under the influence. “We do drink a hell of

a lot, but the dancing soon burns off the alcohol intake.

Those who abuse alcohol are shown the door for a simple

reason – we like to be booked year after year by the

same venues, so a sober performance is essential. Morris

dancing is very much a family-orientated pursuit, and we

like to maintain that atmosphere.”

Andy Henderson’s passing was marked with a

traditional Morris funeral at St Alphege Church in

Whitstable, but was far from a sad event, with Mark

describing a Morris funeral as the ‘Closest Equivalent

to a New Orleans Jazz funeral’. It was a colourfully

fitting send off for an eccentric performer who brought

joy and entertainment to so many.

Morris dancing season starts on St George’s

Day, April 23, with a performance at The Plough Inn,

Swalecliffe, and

continues at

various venues

until September,

although they do

perform on Boxing

day with the

‘Mince Pie Tour’.

Anyone wishing to

join can contact

Mark Lawson on

01227 263107.

Andy Capon

BEARDS, BOOTS BELLS AND BEER


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There wasn’t a Stand-up Comedy option on the Drama course at Kent when I graduated thirty years ago. This was back in the days before

Comedy became the new Rock ‘n’ Roll - when stand-up was dominated by men in suits, frilly shirts and bow-ties; Bernard Manning and Frank Carson were starring in ‘The Comedians’ on ITV; and The Comedy Store was still a year away from opening in London.

On two Friday nights in February, 10 UKC Drama students showed off their stand-up skills in a twenty-minute set at The Horsebridge, and having missed out on last year’s performances I was determined to catch at least one of the shows. In fact I enjoyed the first one so much I ended up seeing both. Well, apart from anything else, I love a bargain, and two hours of comedy for £4 is hard to beat.

One thing that struck me straight away was the male to female ratio of the acts - three boys, seven girls. Sorry to keep harking back to my youth, but before Victoria Wood and French & Saunders came on the scene in the early 80s, the only woman stand-up I can think of is Joyce Grenfell doing her monologues. Strangely, even though there was a fair amount of 18-rated material (nothing wrong with that) in the girls’ acts at The Horsebridge, there were moments when I was reminded of Ms Grenfell (and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that either).

Oliver Double (the course lecturer) compèred both nights and did a great job of keeping the audience whipped up, and leaping round the stage (mind you, he had help from his 12 and 9 year-old-sons - Tom’s jokes and Josh’s cartoons got a lot of laughs). And there was some pretty nifty mandolin playing in his Johnny Rotten dairy-inspired medley and Alan Titchmarsh’s original version of Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ (geddit?).

But what about his students? Well they certainly had confidence and, apparently, no fear of failure - so even when their material didn’t quite work, their enthusiasm won you over. The Horsebridge probably isn’t as comic-friendly a venue as the college bars and pubs they’d played before, and there were a couple times when they asked whether our lack of reaction was because they’d gone too far - but actually it was because, inevitably, some of their material just wasn’t as funny as the rest (and yes, maybe some of the swearing was just a little gratuitous).

So what were my favourite bits? Well, here goes (in order of appearance) - Stephanie Walls’ excellent set, from her opening swipes at the price of fish and chips in Whitstable and uninspiring Careers Advisors, through to her final 65-point homage to the actor, Tim Curry; Lucy Kelly sharing her teenage diaries with us, which she enjoyed and cringed at as much as we did; Anna Griffiths in her party dress, clutching a bottle of Rose, playing the drinking game “Have you ever...?”, with her confessions getting more and more extreme (incidentally, if somewhat bizarrely, this was one of the times I was reminded of Joyce Grenfell); the range of Matt Trearty’s comedy from politics to penguin gags and his wonderful energy on stage (though he needs to be careful not to lose focus by moving all the time); and lastly, but as far from leastly as you could possibly get, the wonderful Nicola Bolsover. I loved every minute of her act, particularly her “Cake buying at a National Trust property” routine (hint of Grenfell again, with a touch of Victoria Wood) and her hilarious tribute to Sean Bean with drum accompaniment.

So, there you are - a few names to watch out for in the future. Hopefully some of them will be lured back for the Whitstable Winkle Comedy Festival in September and you’ll get the chance to see for yourself just how good they are. And of course there’s always next February and ten more aspiring comics to look forward to...

Nick Wilton was brought up in Thanet, went to school in Sandwich, read Drama and English at UKC, and moved back to Whitstable two years ago. He is a jobbing actor, sometime writer, one-time Stand-up, long-forgotten Perrier award winner (with Writers inc. in 1982), and for the past nine years, Pantomime Dame.

MonkeyshineFunny Business at The Horsebridge 6 &13 February 2009

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Whitstable life coach Emma Hicks is running a programme aimed at making 2009 a year of success for

everyone, and with exclusive discounts for IMP readers there’s no excuse not to get involved.

Emma offers one to one and group coaching to help everyone live life to the full and achieve real happiness.

Her sessions cover everything from motivational techniques to confidence building and clients are given the skills to self-coach for life.

“I have a great belief in everyone living a life that excites and fulfils them,” she said.

“If you want to change something, you can.” Change can be a scary prospect but

Emma’s Year of Success programme begins with just one small step.

As well as her training and professional qualifications, Emma coaches from experience, after leaving a successful career in pharmacy to become a life coach.

She has had a lot of success in helping other people retrain or set up in business and is using that background to write a dedicated programme to help mums back into work.

Emma works entirely around her clients, with appointments available in the daytimes, evenings or at weekends.

Her website includes free coaching resources and articles, and visitors can sign up

to receive a free monthly newsletter containing special offers and discounts. She is also starting a series of workshops allowing people to experience life coaching in a group setting.

“These are uncertain times and there is a lot of bad news,” said Emma. “But you can make a success of yourself, you can make a difference and you can change your life.”

To find out more, visit http:// www.emmahickslifecoach.co.uk or call 01227 264509. IMP readers who book a course of six coaching sessions before the end of April will receive 20 per cent off.

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions each January, but how many have fizzled into nothing by now? If your goals still seem a long way off, there’s no need to wait another nine months before trying again to achieve them.

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out of life!Make the most

Emma Hicks


Whitstable life coach Emma Hicks is running a programme aimed at making 2009 a year of success for

everyone, and with exclusive discounts for IMP readers there’s no excuse not to get involved.

Emma offers one to one and group coaching to help everyone live life to the full and achieve real happiness.

Her sessions cover everything from motivational techniques to confidence building and clients are given the skills to self-coach for life.

“I have a great belief in everyone living a life that excites and fulfils them,” she said.

“If you want to change something, you can.” Change can be a scary prospect but

Emma’s Year of Success programme begins with just one small step.

As well as her training and professional qualifications, Emma coaches from experience, after leaving a successful career in pharmacy to become a life coach.

She has had a lot of success in helping other people retrain or set up in business and is using that background to write a dedicated programme to help mums back into work.

Emma works entirely around her clients, with appointments available in the daytimes, evenings or at weekends.

Her website includes free coaching resources and articles, and visitors can sign up

to receive a free monthly newsletter containing special offers and discounts. She is also starting a series of workshops allowing people to experience life coaching in a group setting.

“These are uncertain times and there is a lot of bad news,” said Emma. “But you can make a success of yourself, you can make a difference and you can change your life.”

To find out more, visit http:// www.emmahickslifecoach.co.uk or call 01227 264509. IMP readers who book a course of six coaching sessions before the end of April will receive 20 per cent off.

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions each January, but how many have fizzled into nothing by now? If your goals still seem a long way off, there’s no need to wait another nine months before trying again to achieve them.

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out of life!Make the most

Emma Hicks


With winter ending and spring upon

us, how can we get the spring back

into our step? Stephanie Shanti

gives us her tips for spring cleaning your life...

Breathe in some pure airGet out and about whenever you can. Even

if winter hasn’t quite finished, try to take

every opportunity to be outside. Put your

hats, coats, gloves and scarves on and get

out there, and take in nature and good old

fashioned fresh air. The beach is the obvious

choice, but parks with green trees and even

‘just’ your back garden will do the trick.

Try to make the effort to be outside for at

least half and hour every day and see the

difference it makes.

Drink waterThe fastest and easiest way to give your body a

boost is by increasing your water intake. Yes, the

advice that everyone gives - but it really works.

By drinking a litre and a half of water every day,

you will really feel a spring in your step.

Drinking water helps flush out the toxins

from your internal organs that keep you feeling

heavy and lethargic and increases your oxygen

levels (water is of course H2Oxygen!) thus

giving your entire system an energy boost.

The magic of it is that the more water you

drink, the more water you want, so it gives

your body a valuable kick start to health and

happiness. Start by getting yourself a litre

bottle, filling it with filtered water and sipping it

throughout the day, gradually increasing as you

find your water routine.

Salute the sunYoga sun salutations really energise your body

and mind, making you more awake, able to

concentrate, and ready to face the world every

new day. The sun salutation is a series of 12

postures which flow with the breath, working

every part of the body, helping you to become

supple and strong. Try to do at least 3 every

day, preferably before eating.

Here is a gentle version to get you going:

1 Start by standing up straight with your feet

together and back straight, arms by your

sides, shoulders

down and back,

neck long, and top

of the head pointing

towards the ceiling.

This is position

one: ‘Tadasana’.

Inhale deeply.

2 Exhaling, bring

your hands

together in front

of your chest in

‘Namaste’ position.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO... Spring clean your body

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3Inhaling, lock

your thumbs and

take your arms up

alongside your ears,

look up and stretch

back, pushing

your hips forward.

(Your arms are still

alongside you ears,

don’t let the head

fall back.)

4Exhaling, stretch your arms and body

forward as far as you can, then bend

forward and place your hands on the floor if

you can, or on your legs if not.

5Inhaling, bend your knees, place your

hands on the floor either side of your feet

and take your left leg back behind you, put

the knee to the floor and stretch the head and

upper body up, arching the spine.

6Exhaling, take your right leg back to meet

the left and lift your bottom and hips high

in the air in ‘downward dog’ pose, pressing

the heels towards the floor and the upper body

towards the thighs. (Try to make a triangle

shape with your body.)

7Inhaling, bring your weight forward slightly

and drop the knees to the floor. Lower

your shoulders towards your hands, then slide

the body forward on the floor, dropping the

pelvis. Finally raise your head, neck and chest

in ‘cobra’ pose.

8Exhaling, push your body back up in the

air to ‘downward dog’ pose.

9Inhaling, bring the

left leg towards

the hands, then drop

the right knee to the

floor (and shunt the

left foot in between

the hands if it didn’t

make it.) Look up,

arching the back.

10Exhaling,

bring the

right foot forward

to meet the left and

straighten out the

legs and try to bring

the upper body

towards the thighs.

11Inhaling, lock

the thumbs, and bring the arms alongside

the ears and lift the upper body up, look up and

then stretch back, pushing the hips forward.

Stephanie Shanti

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Please check that the positions Stephanie describes are suitable for you before you begin. Check with your Health Professional if you are unsure.


I often have things that I no longer need or want, yet

I cannot bear to throw them away. I’d give them

away but very often my friends and family have

their own versions of whatever it is that I no longer

want. So the things just accumulate. Until now...

Last month a reader wrote into the IMP Letter Box

and explained that there is an amazing institution

called the Freecycle Network, which aims to reconcile

people who no longer need things with people who are

looking for just those things. It sounds too good to be

true, but that’s exactly what this website does. The old

adage ‘one person’s junk is another’s treasure’ comes

to mind, and I guess that this is the very essence of the

Freecycle Network ethos.

Originating in the United States, the Freecycle

Network aims to reduce consumerism and to ensure

that rubbish is reduced, leading ultimately to less

impact on our already overladen planet. We all

know that our landfills are becoming increasingly

full and the time is coming when we will have

nowhere left to dispose of our junk. All the more

ridiculous, then, to be throwing away perfectly good

things which someone else may actually need...

But how does it work?

Essentially, you join your local Freecycle network/

community online. It may a good idea to set up a

completely new email account as it is possible that you

could be bombarded with emails from kindly generous

people who are trying to give away their unwanted

items rather than toss them onto our fragile planet,

although that’s not what happened to members of

the IMP Team when they joined. We signed up for the

Canterbury Freecycle Digest and get up to three emails

each day which detail the things which are available or

which people are looking for. We’ve seen beds, sofas,

TVs and DVD players, even builder’s sand, available -

as well as smaller everyday items such as children’s

clothes, kitchen equipment, video cassettes and such.

And you don’t necessarily need to give something away

in order to take something from the site - it’s not about

tit for tat, it’s about supply and demand.

There is a certain etiquette which you need to adhere to,

though, which is described on the Freecycle website,

www.freecycle.org as follows:

• Whatever you post must be appropriate for all

ages, free and legal

• You are not supposed to ask for really expensive

things like DVD players, cars, etc - however

tempted you might be!

• There are four types of transaction on the site;

‘OFFER’, ‘WANTED’, ‘RECEIVED’ and ‘TAKEN’.

• Depending on what you want from the site, you

add one of these into the subject line and once

you have achieved your goal, either by giving

away or receiving something, you post the relative

message to the group. For example, if you need

to give away a piano, type ‘OFFER’ followed by

‘piano’ and your location in the subject line of

the email to your local group. You may get many

responses, in which case you post the messages,

‘RECEIVED’ followed by ‘piano’ and your location.

Once you have chosen someone who can take

it from you, you then need to post a message to

your group with the word, ‘TAKEN’ followed by

‘piano’ and your location in the subject line after

the collection time has been set up.

• Once you have decided to take something from

someone, you need to pick it up promptly.

As yet there is no group dedicated purely to Whitstable

- Martin James will be our local representative and

assures us that it will be up and running soon - but in

the meantime, the Faversham or Canterbury groups

can still provide either an outlet for your unwanted

items, or the things that you need - all still relatively

locally so you don’t need to travel far. Why not see

what treasure you can find - or pass on to someone

who needs it? The Freecycle Network is a glowing

light in a world which can seem to be extinguishing

itself with unnecessary rubbish.

Malissa Taylor

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A manda, who has an acupuncture degree and spent two years training as a herbalist, treats a whole range of

conditions from pain relief to skin problems. Her specialist area is working with gynaecological complaints, especially fertility and IVF support.

She is proud to know many babies around Whitstable who were conceived after treatment and often meets up with them at toddler groups she attends with her own daughter.

“It is wonderful to be able to share in that joy,” she said. “Many people come to us as a last resort, and studies show that acupuncture does improve the chances of successful IVF treatment, but I would also recommend sessions in preparation for conceiving.”

Annette, a homeopath and craniosacral therapist, also treats pregnant women and offers her gentle technique to babies and children.

She recommends craniosacral therapy as a wonderful way of de-stressing and restoring health and relaxation.

Annette has also had a lot of success in treating adults and children using a specialist machine that measures electrical responses to pinpoint sensitivities and toxins in the body.

The QX machine can also identify food intolerances, allergies and measure hydration levels and toxicities, giving a more complete picture of a person’s health.

Annette said: “It is a very useful tool if people feel generally under the weather or sluggish and are not sure why. Maybe after a long cold winter you feel like your body needs a spring clean. The QX machine can identify any areas that aren’t performing as well as they should and I can then recommend treatments to improve that.”

The pair are planning to set up a special children’s clinic to offer advice and treatment on a range of childhood complaints and hope it could become a lifeline for worried mums.

“Many parents are concerned about minor ailments like colic, teething and constipation for their babies and children and sometimes just want some advice on natural ways to treat them,” said Amanda.

The Holistic Health Place is offering 20% off a first session for IMP readers who mention the magazine when they book. For details, call 01227 265082 or click on http://www.theholistichealthplace.com or www.acupunctureplace.co.uk

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and alternative therapists Amanda Thomas and Annette Stein are hoping it will be a particularly busy time of year. But the treatments they offer at The Holistic Health Place in Whitstable are not just aimed at mothers - they are also particularly effective for women trying to conceive and for men and children too.

Holistic Health


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Dear IMP,

I, Felix, have made a Green BANNER! The banner says ‘No CO2!!’. I’m going to put it outside my house and after half term ask if I can put it outside my school - WESTMEADS. I made the banner because I want to stop CO2 because it is bad for animals and humans. Too much CO2 makes snow melt in the arctic and then in Whitstable, Kent, we have lots of rain. The polar bears have to swim because all the snow in the arctic is melting and they cannot fi nd any food. That makes me sad.NO CO2!!!! PLEASE!

Love Felix, age 6

Dear IMP,

Congratulations on launching a much-needed local magazine for Whitstable. I think the IMP provides a great forum for locals to contribute comments, ideas and feedback on their town. I’d like to see a little more about what’s going on in the town in terms of entertainment and shopping. Perhaps more information about the harbour market, progress reports on the spate of empty shops at the moment and perhaps some bar and restaurant reviews?

Camilla John, by email

Dear IMP,Whitstable harbour continues to endorse its huge potential as a source of tourism and too a place where the community can steal a few moments to relax and enjoy the ambience… not to mention an opportunity to imbibe copious amounts of fresh air.

It’s diffi cult to understand therefore why Canterbury City Council is determined to see this massive natural resource swamped by supermarkets, millionaire’s fl ats and yet another pub.

Having beaten off the fi rst jaw-dropping plans by collecting over 18,000 signatures opposing their development, we have seen hoardings erected by C.C.C. inviting fresh venture capitalists to apply for plots within the harbour.

One private initiative within the harbour has proved extremely popular, with the appearance of some small traders in quirky beach huts, complimented by the Harbour Garden Café who have for two years invested in some gentle live music concerts. These have, when it eventually stopped raining, proved to be a huge attraction and it is therefore confusing that C.C.C. have not adopted this area as Whitstable’s nominated ‘performance area’... In fact, we haven’t got one.

The harbour, having demonstrated its recreational potential, should be set aside for community-driven developments. This would effectively support the existing commercial infrastructure of the town and, at the same time, provide valuable turnover in tourism and local recreation. We mustn’t give up now... it’s our town and we should visit www.handsoffourharbour.co.uk and fi nd out how we can unite to fend off this ridiculous notion that Whitstable’s historic harbour should be nothing more than a modern industrial estate.

Mike Peters (Muzikman), Whitstable

Dear IMP,


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Dear IMP,

I’m withholding my name for fear that it is me and not the rest of Whitstable that has gone mad...

In a week where we see the economy in its worst state in fi fty-odd years, house prices at a 20-year low and even the mighty Anthony Worrall-Thompson forced to close four of his restaurants, what is the front page news in both of our local papers? The lunchtime trade at the Sportsman is down - not because of the Credit Crunch that has seen off thousands of other businesses and forced countless others into cutting their prices, no - according to both our local papers - temporary traffi c lights are the culprit!

Could this be the biggest story in Whitstable this week? Why front page news in both papers? Why not beat the traffi c and trot down to one of the eateries in the high street offering world class cuisine like Wheelers or Samphire - or if the Sportsman is suffering so much, why don’t they match the bargain basement offer in Prezzo and cut 50% off all food, now that would be front page news!

Great magazine, by the way...Yours fearfully,

A. Local

I have to say I love the IMP, good to know what’s going on!

I was very excited to read the section in your most recent issue about the local jazz - it’s surprising how big the jazz following is in Whitstable - but I was also disappointed that ‘The Duke of Cumberland’ was named as the main focus for jazz in Whitstable.

What about Deco5?! Jazz 3 times a week! It’s an art deco style JAZZ bar!!

I just thought I’d mention it! Other than that, all good stuff, keep up the good work! Toni Fuller, by email

POETS’ CORNERA verse for the town’s chamber of commerceWith another nail in the town’s coffi n for retail

The demise of our Woolworth store - but prevail

Cometh the frozen food giant, let’s hail

And greet Iceland on a large scale.

The future of our shopping centre looks less pale

Crossed fi ngers our little crab and winkle town won’t derail

So kindly put Whitstable’s shopping credit ratings back on track without fail.

Looking forward to issue No. four and thanks for the MP3 player (one of the lucky ten winners, issue three!).Robert Bergin, Whitstable

Write in with your points of view, questions or feedback, email [email protected] or write to: The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable CT5 9AH

We print as many of your letters as we can each month, but cannot guarantee to include all letters we receive, and may not be able to print letters in their entirety. The views expressed in the Letter Box are the readers’ own and not necessarily those of the Editor or Publisher.

Thank you for your letters, we’ve printed as many as we could. Any letters sent in to the IMP may be included in The Letter Box - if you would not like your letter published, please state this clearly.


Strange goings on in pantoland Casual visitors

to St Mary’s Hall, Whitstable, on Tuesday evenings and

Thursday afternoons could be forgiven for rubbing their

eyes and wondering what on earth is going on... There

for all to see are ‘Snowy White’ and his seven princesses,

Sleeping Beauty, a dashing Prince Charming with a

terrible cough, Cinderella as you’ve never seen her

before (a reformed cannibalistic witch hankering after her

glory days), Hansel and Gretel, assorted fairies, a Fairy

Godmother/Narrator and the highly unusual coupling of

Robin Hood and Aladdin as the dynamic duo.

With an unusual and highly original show in

the making there can be no doubt that the Durham

House Drama Group are being put through their

paces rehearsing their spoof pantomime ‘Acting Up in

Pantoland’ which will be performed at Faversham’s Arden

Theatre on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April.

The Drama Group is made up of service users at

Durham House, a mental health centre in Canterbury

Road, Herne Bay. All members of the cast, who come

from the Whitstable, Herne Bay and the Canterbury area,

have enduring mental health problems and are working

together to develop their sense of well-being, teamwork

and creativity. The whole concept of the show, including

the writing of four highly original scripts, was entirely the

work of group members, headed by Senior Occupational

Therapist, Sarah Rodger-Smith, and ably assisted by an

excellent team of Durham House staff and volunteers.

Tickets will be available shortly and enquiries should be

directed to Sarah at Durham House on 01227 594888, Shaw

Trust (01227 361788), Whitstable Umbrella Centre (01227

274880), or and Wynn’s Florist, Preston Street, Faversham.

Just passing though... He may have looked like

any dog walker enjoying the beaches of Whitstable,

but Ges Laker was a man on a mission when he visited

the town. He is traversing the 7,000 miles of Britain’s

coastline to raise money for St Dunstan’s, a charity

supporting blind ex-servicemen and women and will not

return to his Hampshire home for a year.

Ges, who is walking with his two companions Phoebe

and Sumo, was born in Ashford and told the IMP he

enjoyed being back in Kent: “As a boy of Kent I often

holidayed in your area and was very upset to see how

rundown Margate was,” he said. “But my heart was

buoyed on arriving in Whitstable. It had the vibrancy I

remembered but still the traditional feel. I had fish and

chips and lingered on the beach and it was altogether

a wonderful visit.” Ges, who spent 20 years in the

Royal Navy, has raised almost £6,000 so far and you

can follow his progress or sponsor him at http://www.

lakerscoastline.org

The Easter bunny has hidden some items in shops

around Whitstable and he needs help from children in the

town to find them! All primary-school aged youngsters

are invited to take part in the special Easter treasure hunt,

spotting unusual items in shop windows. Everyone who

enters will receive a small gift and there will be prizes for

winners drawn from all the correct entries. Forms and

more information are available from The Sugar Boy in

Harbour Street, which is also sponsoring the competition.

Whitstable shops provide the best customer

service in the district, and that’s official! A team from

mystery shopping company Shoppers Anonymous visited

traders across the district and marked them on a range

of aspects, from availability of products to friendliness

of staff, and rated shops in Whitstable better than those

in Herne Bay or Canterbury. Top scorer was Tankerton

Pharmacy, who received a special certificate to mark

their achievement. The exercise was sponsored by the

Chamber of Commerce.

BUBBLE BITS AND BOBSCO

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CLUB CLASS CARRIAGES

Tel: 0800 6118 528 • Phone/fax 01227 281 541 www.clubclasscarriages.co.uk

We specialize in Bentley and Jaguar cars but can provide, upon request, anything from a pedal cycle to a forty-nine seat motor coach.

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Call us for a free estimate on: 01227 265544 or 07860 358552Family-run business Est.1971


The Smart Retail business event on Monday,

March 23 has been organised by outgoing town

centre manager Linda Mason, in partnership with

Learndirect, Whitstable Chamber of Commerce and

Whitstable Business Club. Experts will be on hand

to show traders how to increase their market share

using specific marketing techniques and products,

and how to make the best use of the internet.

Linda said: “Online sales are still growing. Even

in this recession with businesses posting losses,

many businesses are still experiencing increases

in their online sales. To make sure you maximise

the potential for your business, whatever the

sector, you need an online presence. Talk with

Learndirect and other specialist businesses

about the best way of exploiting this opportunity.”

The event is being held at the Learndirect

centre at the Community College, Whitstable,

which offers more than 500 courses to support

businesses and employees. Among the

speakers on the day will be Kevin Willis, who

runs Kevin Willis newsagents in Swalecliffe.

He will reveal how he uses Paypal to help his

customers shop online.

Linda, who is being made redundant from her

post at the end of March, said: “I see this event

as going out with a bang. I want it to be very

successful and I think between the Chamber of

Commerce, the Business Club, and Learndirect,

we have a really good event.”

Free stands are available for marketing,

communications or IT based companies in the

CT5 area and entry is free for everyone. The

event will take place on March 23 from 4.30pm

until 7.30pm and booking forms are available

online at http://www.business.canterbury.gov.uk

For more information call 01227 274512 or

email [email protected]

Whitstable businesses will be sharing the secrets of their success at a free event later this month

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Spring offi cially starts in March! According to the astronomical defi nition, spring begins on the Vernal Equinox, usually March 20, and lasts until the Summer Solstice. Whether this means that the weather is going to get better and we are all going to be able to enjoy some quality outdoor time remains to be seen. I do remain optimistic though, and have included in this month’s IMP a fun, easy-to-do project for your garden that can now be started.

Cornfi eld Meadow March is the ideal time to sow your very own

cornfi eld annual fl ower meadow. This is a low-

maintenance version of a wild fl ower meadow and

can be grown in pots & tubs or to fi ll up areas in

your borders. A cornfi eld annuals mix comprises

the following species: corn camomile, cornfl ower,

corn cockle, corn marigold and of course the

common poppy - together creating a bright and

cheerful mixture of colours.

Ground preparation Cornfi eld annual meadows require a fertile, well-

prepared and weed-free soil. If the area is freshly

dug over then it is advisable to allow the ground

to rest for a few weeks to allow any perennial

weeds to become evident. You can then apply a

GARDENING TIPSglyphosphate-based weed-killer to the young weed

seedlings. It is important to sow in a weed-free

bed, as cornfi eld annuals will not establish very well

amongst grass or other vegetation.

SeedingMix the seed with a fi ne sand to enable easier

handling. Sow approximately 5g per square

metre. Do not rake over after seeding. It is far

better to either roll the seed in or gently tread the

area to consolidate the ground.

Cornfi eld care

Spring sown fl owers usually appear in about 12

weeks. You will be able to harvest the seed when

ripe and sow another patch of cornfi eld wild

fl owers next year. Alternatively, dig over the plot in

autumn allowing the seeds to fall to the ground.

You may need to add extra seed in the following

spring if you use this method.

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If you have any questions, feedback, or interesting gardening stories or tips, please share them with us – email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH


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Lawn careIf we are blessed with some good weather this

month, your lawn will probably need to be cut. It is

important to set your mower a little higher for the fi rst

cut of the year. Wait for a dry day and simply ‘top’

the grass with the mower. With subsequent mowing

you can then gradually reduce the cutting level until

you reach your regular mowing height. March is

also an ideal time to reshape your lawn edges so

that they can be trimmed easily. The best tool for this

job is a half moon edging tool. If you want straight

edges then cut along the edge of a scaffold plank or,

if curves are more your style, then use a hose-pipe

to create the shape and push canes into the ground

behind the hose so that it stays in place. Don’t be

tempted to do it freehand! Your lawn will just end up

much smaller than originally planned!

What’s Looking Good?

Crocuses are simply beautiful at this time of year.

Their clumps of goblet-shaped fl owers come in

an amazing array of colours. The leaf foliage is

usually lance-shaped and can be variegated in

colour. I prefer the golden crocuses as they are

really bright and sparkle in the early spring border.

Plant crocus bulbs 8-10cm deep in clusters.

Spring fl owering crocuses are planted in autumn.

Daffodils trumpet the arrival of spring with

their abundant displays of gold during March.

They always bring a smile to my face and are a

reassuring sign that the wet winter is fi rmly behind

us. As daffodils are easy to grow and are virtually

maintenance-free, everyone can grow them in their

garden. To plant the bulbs you need to dig a hole

three times as deep as the bulb is wide and pop

them inside. Plant the daffodils in full sun in large

groups for best results, in about mid-October.

Quick Tips for March

n Rake lawns with a spring tine rake to remove thatch

n Cut lawn edges, fertilise and over-seed areas where grass is patchy

n Fork or rake through vegetable beds that were dug over last autumn, remove any weeds and dig in some organic matter if required. Remember to wait until the ground has dried out a bit so that you do not compact the ground.

n Remove all dead wood from your roses and cut out all weak growth. Remove any stems that cross through the bush or rub. This will create some space for the fi nal pruning. Pruning methods for roses vary depending on the variety. Make sure you consult a good book if you are in any doubt.

n Pressure wash your patio or decking to remove any algae that may be present after the long wet winter.

This can be a slippery hazard, especially on decking.

Dominic Brice

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If you have any questions, feedback, or interesting gardening stories or tips, please share them with us – email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH

Daffodils

Crocuses


AQUARIUSJanuary 21 to February 19

March brings a sense of peace and

tranquility and a smoother road ahead. You are

like a bud waiting to fl ower this spring, and there is

an opportunity to see the world through they eyes

of innocence. Take advantage of opportunities to

travel, study, improve your physical strength and

open to more spiritual experiences as they present

themselves, and try not to be reckless in your

springtime adventures.

PISCESFebruary 19 to March 21

If you stay serene and bask in the

silence this month, then the money you need will

come to you. You will receive exactly what you

need, when you need it - if you play your cards

right. You will have the chance to be a good

counsellor to others and to become more worldly,

authoritative and successful - but take care to hold

your tongue from time to time.

ARIESMarch 21 to April 20

March brings you closer to the

answers to your questions; be sure to listen

and notice the signs that pop up around you

every day. Follow your dreams, as literally as

you can now, as you might fi nd your answers

there too. Playfulness is the key to the harder

issues, just relax and enjoy. Try to direct your

thoughts toward more understanding and stay

grounded as much as you can.

TAURUSApril 20 to May 21

You are heading for a breakthrough

this month but caution is warranted. Look deeper

into situations that present themselves before

proceeding further. You are facing a heroic labour

but you need to be in touch with your feminine side

in order to gain enough strength.

GEMINIMay 21 to June 22

March calls you to gain some control

of your life; but to give some up too. Stop trying

to hold on to things - by letting go a bit you will

be able to see the strength and control you really

have. In more intimate areas of your life you need

to exercise caution; look deep into situations of

the heart before jumping in too deep. Spring will

lead to you a more harmonious journey across

troubled waters.

CANCERJune 22 to July 23

The more you try to hold onto things

the more you will lose them. Resist these miserly

urges you feel welling up from deep down, and

try to be open to new psychic and spiritual

experiences. Let these experiences change

the way you see the world and spend time this

month studying and meditating on the deeper

questions in your life. March represents a time

when it is important to you to be bonded but

not bound, and to cut through the emotional ties

which are chaotic and entangled.

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MARCH 2009 HOROSCOPES


LEOJuly 23 to August 22

March is your time of ripeness - you

are ready to go. Take action, you are in touch

with your truth and you need only trust in your

gut and assert yourself to get things moving

now. You need to practise detachment and

discrimination though; don’t leap without looking,

and read the situations clearly as they are

brought to your attention.

VIRGOAugust 22 to September 22

You are experienced and

experiencing during March - that is to say,

you are open to learning all that you need to

know to help you through the next part of your

journey through life. At the same time, you are

becoming a teacher, with the ability to counsel

others and help them awaken this ability in

themselves. You have a long, hard struggle

ahead - but you have the necessary strength to

achieve what you need, as long as you stay in

touch with your deeper feelings.

LIBRASeptember 22 to October 23

Patience is needed in March, as

things are getting themselves in place for

the summer. Stay put and just enjoy life day-

to-day. Know that your projects are taking

care of themselves and that all is moving on

as it should. Try to be receptive to affairs of

the heart, and nurture what is being created

through a new relationship, a new life stage, or

even a new idea.

SCORPIOOctober 23 to November 22

Although you are fl ying high right

now, March may bring a feeling of aloneness,

and you may want to come down. But try to stay

high as very soon others will be inspired by your

example and want to join you up there. Spring

brings you a period of new ideas embodying

inspiration, and focussing ideas towards a

successful outcome in all that you have been

working so hard to achieve.

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 to December 22

You need to look for ordinariness

this month and delight in the little things. In

situations of the home and family, though, you

can trust your gut, and lovingly assert yourself,

knowing that you are in touch with your truth.

You are beginning to accept feelings that are

necessary for a successful relationship - whether

it be for love or business. March alerts you to the

complexity of feelings which love ignites.

CAPRICORNDecember 22 to January 21

You are getting ready to shine in

spring, and you will feel increasingly like you are a

part of the whole world and that it is guiding you

through the changes you need to make in your

life - starting now and culminating in the high

summer. Be receptive to the waters of the heart,

alert to nurture what is being created through a

new relationship, a new life stage or a new idea.

Stephanie Shanti

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MARCH 2009 HOROSCOPES


INGREDIENTSCakesn 6oz / 200g self-raising flourn 2oz / 50g cocoan 8oz / 250g butter or margarine at room

temperaturen 8oz / 250g caster sugarn 4 eggs, beaten

Icing & Decorationn 6oz / 200g icing sugarn 2oz / 50g cocoan 4oz / 125g soft butter or margarinen A little milkn Cadbury mini-eggs to decorate

recipe recipe recipe RECIPE recipe recipe recipe RECIPELI

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EASTER NESTS

METHODn Preheat the oven to 180

(160 for fan ovens)n Cream together butter and sugar,

add eggs and then stir in sieved flour and cocoa to make the batter.

n Divide between about 18 cake cases on cake trays

n Cook for 10-12 minutes, until springyn Remove from oven and allow to cooln Meanwhile mix soft butter and sieved

icing sugar and cocoa to make the butter icing, adding a little milk to soften if needed

n When cakes are cool, spread icing generously on to the tops, trying to leave a well in the middle and extra icing around the edges

n Use a fork to mark the icing around the edge of the cakes so it looks a bit nest-like!

n Add about 3 mini-eggs to the well inside the ‘nest’

n See if you can save some to give away as Easter presents!

THIS MONTH’S RECIPE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:Chrissie’s KitchenCakes, cookies, cupcakes and more...www.chrissies-kitchen.co.uk

If you would like to sponsor our Recipe page, please call Mel on 0800 44 88 309.

It’s not too early to start making these little beauties - practice makes perfect, and you’ll probably want to sample the first few batches yourself before you start giving them away...


recipe recipe recipe RECIPE recipe recipe recipe RECIPE EXCLUSIVE WHITSTABLE IMP OFFER!

The Pearson’s Arms has teamed up with The IMP to bring you a fabulous 10% discount off food

during the month of March* as well as the chance to win dinner for four.

Recommended by the Guardian and The New York Times, among others, The Pearson’s Arms has gone through a transformation in the recent past and now offers a bright, airy, family-friendly bar with great food, simple stylish decor and relaxed dining in the restaurant, and provides the perfect setting for either a group of friends having a get-together or a romantic meal in the evening.

Downstairs offers a selection of light meals, as well as the best-stocked bars in Whitstable - the perfect location for a pre or post-dinner drink.

Fine dining is the reserve of the upstairs restaurant, where the diner is spoiled with some of the best views in Whitstable. The menu is fresh and seasonal, offering a constantly-evolving combination of seafood and other locally-sourced produce, cleverly put together to offer the diner a combination of hearty traditionals as well as great modern British food.

For your 10% discount, simply fill in your details on the coupon below and present it to your server when you place your order (Monday to Thursday, March 2009) and 10% will be deducted from your food bill*. Your coupon will also automatically enter you into the draw for dinner for four.

Alternatively, to enter the draw to win dinner for four, simply send the coupon to The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH, or email your details to: [email protected].

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

*The offer is valid in either the bar or restaurant for lunch or evening service, is limited to March 2009, Monday to Thursday, and is valid for food only. There is no cash alternative. Closing date for entries is March 25 and the winner will be announced in the April issue of the IMP. The prize is a three-course meal for 4 in The Pearson’s Arms, and does not include beverages.

airy, family-friendly bar with great food, simple

Fine dining is the reserve of the upstairs restaurant, where the diner is spoiled with some of the best views in Whitstable. The menu is fresh and seasonal, offering a constantly-evolving combination of seafood and other locally-sourced produce, cleverly put together to offer the diner a combination of hearty traditionals as well as great modern British food.

For your 10% discount, simply fill in your details on

WINDINNER

FORFOUR!


what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON? what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON?

THE MONTH AHEAD

Saturday, March 14, 9am-noon, St Alphege Church, High Street, Coffee morning in aid of church. 01227 272786

Saturday, March 14, 9.30am-noon, Church House, Cromwell Road, Mini Market. 01227 272308

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March, 11am to 5pm - Whitstable artist Sarah Stokes, whose lively and colourful paintings have recently been featured in Country Life magazine, will be opening her beachside studio at 26 Island Wall, Whitstable, to the public from. Entrance is free and all are welcome!

Thursday, March 19, 7.30pm, Transition Town - Green spring-cleaning theme - Whistlestop Restaurant, Railway Arch, Belmont Road

Saturday, March 21, 9am - noon, St Alphege Church, High Street, coffee morning by Tankerton Dance Academy

Saturday 21 March and 18 April, 10.30am-4.30pm - St Mary’s Hall, Oxford Street, Whitstable. Seaside Brocante - Antique, Vintage: homeware, jewellery and Vintage/Designer clothes. Enquiries: Cindy Mainwaring: 01227 773037, 07778 318319

Saturday 21st March, 8-10pm - Irish Ceili to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. All Saints Church Hall, Church Street. Come along for a knees-up or a sing-along - bring your own musical instruments! No tickets on the door, please call Janice to reserve your tickets in advance, on 07895 457020

Sunday, March 22, 6.30pm, Seasalter Christian Centre, Faversham Road, Redemption Song. A moving combination of powerful theatre, meditation, prayer and corporate worship. Tickets £5 adults, £3 concessions. Call 01227 276923 or visit the administrator at Seasalter Christian Centre

Friday, March 27, 7.30pm - FUZE underage music venue @ Whitstable Youth & Community Centre. Doors open 7.15pm £3.50. (age 13yrs+). Contact [email protected] or go to www.myspace.com/fuzewhitstable

Saturday, March 28, 9am - noon, St Alphege Church, High Street, Cats’ Protection coffee morning

Saturday, March 28, 2pm, All Saints Church Hall, Church Street, 3rd Whitstable Scouts Jumble Sale

Tuesday March 31, 7.30pm, Marine Hotel, Tankerton - Diabetes UK Canterbury & Coastal Districts Voluntary Group launch by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury. The President of Diabetes UK will be speaking. A NEW support group for local people with diabetes. Admission free, for further details telephone 01227 273546

Sunday, April 5, 2pm, Gorrell Tank car park, Whitstable Toy Run Association’s Egg Run. Bikers will assemble from 1pm and set off at 2pm to distribute eggs to underprivileged children. Donations of eggs are welcome and there will be a snack bar and refreshments available

Second and fourth Saturdays of each month - Whitstable Farmers’ Market - St Mary’s Hall, Oxford Street, 9.30am- 2pm, selling meat, fruit, vegetables, drink, cakes, crafts and with a Fair Trade cafe on site. Becky Richards 01227 770836

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Samba Pelo Mar Whitstable’s own community samba band rehearses Tuesdays 7-9pm at Whitstable Junior School. Call 01227 281838. www.sambapelomar.com

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Many of these activities may be term-time only, and some have waiting lists or need to be booked. Contact details are included for each listing, so please check before you arrive!

BabiesEnjoy Your Baby – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Tuesdays – New mums should receive an invite through their Health Visitor. Call Carol Fellowes on 01227 594417 for more info

Baby bounce and rhyme – Whitstable Library, Oxford Street, first Tuesday of each month, 11-11.20am. Call 01227 273309

Breastfeeding Clinic – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Tuesdays, monthly, by appointment only, through midwife Ursula. Call 01227 263998

Drop-in baby clinic – Joy Lane Children’s Centre - Thursday mornings, 9.30-11, no appointment necessary, just call in to see the health visitor for a chat and have your child weighed. Call 01227 263998

Baby Massage – Whitstable Health Centre – 5-week courses, Friday mornings. 50p per session, massage oil provided. Call Carol Fellowes on 01227 594417 for more info

Baby Massage – Joy Lane Children’s Centre. Friday mornings, drop-in from 10-11.30. Call Jo on 01227 594419

Parent and ToddlerBaby Ballet - Fridays 9-9.30am at Tankerton Dance Academy. Activities, dance, and nursery rhymes. Contact Helena Griffiths for more details or to book your place, on 01227 275375

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Twinkle Twinkle music group, fun action songs and instruments for children up to 3 years. Fridays 9.30 and 10.30am, the parish social centre, 15A Castle Road, Whitstable. Call Ava for more info on 01227 772893

Button Tots – Lucerne Neighbourhood Centre, Faversham Road, Seasalter. Monday mornings 10-12, call Jane 01227 282732

3 Years Plus Family Group – Westmeads Infant School, Cromwell Road, Monday afternoons 1.45-2.45. Children can play while parents chat and the sessions provide a gentle link to school. Call 01227 272995

Little Alfies – Seasalter Christian Centre, Faversham Road, fortnightly on Monday afternoons at 1.45, call 01227 276795

Story Time – Swalecliffe Library, Herne Bay Road, Swalecliffe, Monday afternoon 2-2.30, just come along or call 01227 792645

Messy Play Sessions – Monday afternoon 12.45- 2.45. Old clothes a requirement! Term time only. Free of charge. Joy Lane Children’s Centre – 01227 263998

Playmates – Christian Fellowship Hall, Harbour St – Tuesday mornings 9.15-10.30 or 10.30-11.45. 50p per family. Currently full but spaces expected in New Year – call Diane Wilkin 01227 263393

Tots @ TEC – Tankerton Evangelical Church Hall, Northwood Road, Tankerton, Tuesday mornings 10-11.30, £1 per family, open to children from 0-5, call 01227 794328

Seasalter Christian Centre parent and toddler group – Faversham Road, Seasalter, Tuesday afternoons, 1.30-3, £1 per family, call Jane Myhill 01227 770257

Little Lights – St Alphege Church, High Street, every Tuesday afternoon 2-2.30pm, call 01227 770221

All Saints Parent and Toddler Group – Shirley Hall, Church Street – Wednesday afternoons, 1.15-2.45. 50p per family. Term-time only – Call Sue Smith 01227 471325

Little Oysters story time – Whitstable Museum and Gallery, last Wednesday of each month, 1.30-2.30pm, £2 per child, adults free, stories and crafts for under fives, materials and refreshments provided. Call 01227 276998

Parent and Toddler Group – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Thursday mornings, 9-11.30 in the large crèche room. All welcome. Free of charge – 01227 263998

Chatterbox Baby and Toddler Group – St John’s Church Centre, St John’s Road, Swalecliffe. Friday mornings, 9.30-11.30, 50p per person including drink and biscuits, open to all with babies or pre-schoolers, call 01227 792835

Story time – Whitstable Library, Oxford Street. Friday afternoon, 2-2.30, call 01227 273309

Friday Fun Group – Middle Wall United Reformed Church – 9.30-11.30am. £1 per family. Waiting list, spaces from Spring/Summer ’09 – Contact Pat 01227 771766 or Rita 01227 263959

After-School ClubsWhitstable Majorettes and Pom Teams - 5 years and above at St Peters Church Hall, Cromwell Street, Whitstable, Monday 4-6pm, £2 per session

FITNESSBadminton courts at the Community College, Whitstable, are now available to hire at weekends. The courts are open to the public between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 1pm on Sundays. For more information or to book call Kelly Litchfield on 07880 902367

Yoga/Pilates Fitness - Mornings: Monday 10.30am, Wednesday 9.15am; Evenings: Wednesday 8pm, Thursday 8.15pm. Contact Helena Griffiths at Tankerton Dancing Academy for more details or to book your place, on 01227 275375

Salsa-Fit - Fridays 10.30am and 8pm. Contact Helena Griffiths at Tankerton Dancing Academy for more details or to book your place, on 01227 275375

Adult Ballet - Tuesdays 8pm. Contact Helena Griffiths at Tankerton Dancing Academy for more details for more details or to book your place, on 01227 275375

Low impact keep fit - Mondays 12.15-1.15pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact Suzi 07702 386176

Yoga - Mondays 1.20-2.20pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact Suzi 07702 386176

Walk and talk - Wednesdays 10.30am from Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre – enjoy a walk, some fresh air and lively conversation! Contact centre 01227 274880

Keep Fit for over 50s and less active - Wednesdays 12.30–1.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact centre 01227 274880

COMMUNITY GUIDE

Clubs/SocietiesArts and crafts for adults - Thursdays 10am-12, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact centre 01227 274880

Book club - First Thursday of each month 6.30-9pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact centre 01227 274880


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East Kent Model Railway Society - Wednesdays 7.30pm, at Club house in the Old Dairy (by Castle Stores), Castle Road, Whitstable. Large OO scale layout for members’ use. New members welcome, children (from 11+) should be accompanied by responsible adult. Open Day Saturday 18 April. Info: 01227 275157, [email protected]

Flowers and Crafts Club - Tuesdays 7-9.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact 01227 281138

Needles and natter - Thursdays 2.30-4.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact centre on 01227 274880

Oyster Lacemakers - Mondays, 4–7pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact Kay 01227 276921

Reading Group - at Swalecliffe Library - are you interested in joining? We need a minimum of 6 people. If you’d like to take part please call the library on 01227 792645

Samba Pelo Mar Whitstable’s own community samba band rehearses Tuesdays 7-9pm at Whitstable Junior School. Call 01227 281838. www.sambapelomar.com

Scrabble Club - Mondays 10.30-12.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact centre 01227 274880

Short Mat Bowls - Friday and Sunday evenings, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact Eddie 01227 794600

‘Stitch and Bitch’ Knit Club - Wednesdays 6.30-8.30pm at The Film Cafe, 39 Oxford Street, bubble. Call Sue Allen on 07592 020120

Walk and Talk - Wednesdays 10.30am from Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre – enjoy a walk, some fresh air and lively conversation! Contact centre 01227 274880

Whitstable Stroke Club - Fridays 3.30-5.30pm, Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Contact Avril 01227 266827

HealthWhitstable Health Centre – 0844 477 2566

Chestfield Medical Centre – 0844 477 3037

Out of Hours service – 0844 800 1234

NHS Direct - including Out of Hours Dispensing Pharmacies - 0845 46 47

Blood Donation – 08457 711 711

Stop Smoking Service - NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent - 0800 849 4444

NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service - do you have a health-related problem and don’t know where to turn? For help finding your way through the local NHS - 0800 085 6606

Information and AdviceDial Kent - information and advice for the disabled people of Kent - Disability Information and Advice Line - Tel: 01227 771155, Minicom: 01227 771645, Fax: 01227 772631, email: [email protected], website: www.dialkent.co.uk

NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service - do you have a health-related problem and don’t know where to turn? For help finding your way through the local NHS - 0800 085 6606

Local PolicingPolice surgeries and meetings: www.kent.police.uk

Inspector for Whitstable: Gordon Etheridge, with Sergeant Dave Brenchley on 01227 868028

Chestfield - PC: Steve Pope 01227 868028; PCSO: Mark Harriott 07772 226106

Gorrell - PCSO: Abi Symons 01227 868028

Harbour - PC: Andy Camp 07980 683530; PCSO: Aaron Pedwell 07772 226035

Seasalter & Yorkletts - CSO: Aarron Newell 01227 868028

Swalecliffe & Tankerton - PC: Steve Pope 01227 868028; PCSO: Graeme Downes 01227 868028

Volunteer ServicesAre you elderly or disabled and can’t access public transport? Call the Whitstable Volunteer Car Scheme on 01227 264743

Volunteers Needed Whitstable Volunteer Car Scheme - Volunteer drivers needed to take elderly or disabled to appointments they can’t miss. If you have time to volunteer please call 01227 264743

Whitstable Volunteer Centre - Volunteers recruited to work in many different charities. Contact [email protected] or call 01227 772248


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LOCAL SERVICES

Alternative TherapiesAcupuncture - Nathalie Bachet - Member of the British Acupuncture Council - Gift vouchers available for acupuncture and facial revitalisation acupuncture. Please call Nathalie on 01227 265 708

Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Swedish Massage, Ear Candles, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage. In the comfort of your own home or in Debra’s therapy room. Call Debra Maybourne, Holistic Therapist, 01227 276 881 or 07872 622 023

Hypnotherapy at Q Hypnotherapy, based in Whitstable. Details at www.Qhypnotherapy.co.uk. Call Lisa Barnett on 0800 612 8153

Hypnotherapy for Smoking is the least expensive within a 20 mile radius. Based in Chestfield. Call Peter Corrigan on 01227 792359 or email: [email protected]

Reflexology at Body Mind and SOLE - Denise Fasulo, MAR (Member of the Association of Reflexologists). Professional treatment in pleasant surroundings. Call Whitstable 01227 275855

THE ACUPUNCTURE PLACE, WHITSTABLE - Acupuncture for pain relief, migraines, sciatica, back pain. Specialising in gynaecogical, fertility and IVF support. Member of BAcC. Contact: Amanda Thomas Tel:01227 265082 Mob:07763 566710 www.acupunctureplace.co.uk

THE HOLISTIC HEALTH PLACE, WHITSTABLE - Treatments available for adults & children. Homeopathy, Craniosacral Therapy, QX Allergy & Health Testing. Contact: Annette Stein - Tel:01227 265082 Mob:07813778027

CateringChrissie’s Kitchen - cakes, cookies, cupcakes and more. Specialising in gluten-free, supplying local cafes and restaurants, also available to cater for birthdays, christenings and any special occasion. Call Chrissie on 07511 009 757

Computer Repair Whitstable Computer Repair - All types of help with your PC, no call-out fee within 10 mile radius of Whitstable. Very competitive rates. www.WhitstableComputerRepair.co.uk or call 0800 224 8824

Curtain MakingAffordable bespoke curtain and blind making service. Free estimates and measuring service. Co-ordinated soft furnishings, kitchenware and fabric gifts. Fabric also available to buy. Call Karen Mansfield Originals 01795 535348 or 07903 193390

CounsellingWhitstable Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre. Feeling unable to cope and need somebody to talk to and think things through? Contact Deborah Gibbons on 01227 261159. Reduced rates for unemployed or those on low incomes

FinancialBeat the Mortgage Credit Crunch. Don’t believe all you hear and read. Mortgages/Remortgages readily available. Call for an independent, unbiased, up-to-date quotation - Meridian Consutants, Independent Mortgage Specialists on 01227 266644

Garden DesignTranquil Earth Natural Garden Design Specializing in creating traditional and contemporary gardens, built with respect for the environment and to encourage wildlife. Visit www.tranquil-earth.co.uk for garden ideas

Local LettingsHillcross Holiday Homes - holiday properties for rent. Deborah Mylcrist 01227 277883, 272261; 07841 021207

‘Stowaways’ Holiday Cottage. Newly renovated, comfortable 2 bedroom accommodation available for short breaks or weekly lets. Central, 2 mins from town centre, beach & harbour. For photos, search well-known internet site for ‘Whitstable Holiday Cottage’ or call 01227 264719

Recycling/Waste ReductionHelp with all aspects of recycling at home, school and in the workplace, including electrical items, go to www.recycle-more.co.uk

The Freecycle Network - an entirely non-profit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about re-use and keeping good stuff out of landfills. See more details at www.freecycle.org

Real Nappy Helpline 0845 850 0606; Nappy Finder: www.realnappycampaign.com/nappyfinder

Council Services - Recycling Information: 01227 862 247; Recycling Collections, Banks, Sacks; Domestic Refuse Collection; Dog Fouling: 0800 031 9091; or email [email protected]


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what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON?

March is the last issue where you will benefit from our introductory rate of £5 per month for listings - from April prices will revert to £10 per month (discounts for series bookings) – so get your ads across now!

For display advertising please contact [email protected] or call freephone 0800 44 88 309. In all cases, if you would rather write, our address is: The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH.

RetailersAllbits Plumbing Supplies Ltd - visit our showroom or call now for great bathroom offers: 01227 281 648

Crackin’ Glass - FREE ESTIMATES on replacement single pane glass of all types. To book a free quotation, call 01227 711151

Herne Bay Mobility - Fantastic January Offers. Visit the showroom or call for a free catalogue or to arrange a free demonstration on 01227 710055

Home Choice Carpets - Specialist home pattern service for all carpets, vinyls, laminates, woods and rugs. Free underlay, grippers, door bars and fitting on ALL CARPETS. Call for a free estimate on 01227 265544 or 07860 358552

Invicta Gas Ltd - Save up to 40% on your gas bill with a new boiler. Call today for a FREE home quotation: 01227 770 510

The Kitchen Door Company - Why buy a new kitchen when you can change your doors? Over 30 designs in 45 different colours. Doors made to measure. Call 01227 791 850 or 07872 610 326

Premier Electrical Supplies - Comprehensive supply and service with a personal touch. Call 01227 282 386

Ripple Farm Organics - Local and organic vegetable box scheme - weekly delivery to 4 collection points in Whitstable (& other deliveries in East Kent). Visit www.ripplefarmorganics.co.uk or call 01227 730 898 and leave a message

Sunlock Blinds - Blinds for home conservatory or office. Made to measure, vertical, venetians, wooden, rollers, fly-screens, outside canopies. Home visits arranged, free no obligation quotes. Free fitting service. Family-run business 32 years, 01227 281191; 07828 564082

WeddingsClassical Wedding Singer - Make your day really special with beautiful classical music - available for weddings, christenings and any special occasion. Call Christina on 07511 009 757 or listen at www.myspace.com/christinabosanko

Club Class Carriages - Bentleys and Jaguars or the vehicle of your choice, for weddings and special occasions, with a Prestige service all year round. Call 0800 6118 528 or go to www.clubclasscarriages.co.uk for more details

StuArt Photography - Available for weddings & special occasions; studio bookings or in the comfort of your own home. Call for pricing or booking on 07922 535 438

FURTHER AFIELD

GolfCanterbury Golf Club - less than 25 minutes from Whitstable Town Centre. A Harry Colt Designed Course. 01227 453532

Holiday LetsSpain - spacious holiday bungalow to rent in Torrevieja Costa Blanca. Sleeps 6 (3 bedrooms). Fully-equipped, close to town and beaches, 50 yds from communal swimming pools and bar serving hot food till 2am. For more details ring Carol, 01227 770581

Italy - B&B and Self Catering accommodation, near to the beaches, mountains and hilltop towns of Abruzzo. Go to www.shanticentre.com or call 003 908 587 08 273 for further information

Relaxing breaksYoga Holidays at shanticentre.com - half-price yoga holidays available for September 2009. Go to www.shanticentre.com or call 003 908 587 08 273 for further information or to book your place


what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON?

If you or your staff receive payment for goods or services offered – YOU ARE IN SALES

Here are some FACTS:

• Sales is a skill

• With the correct training you can increase your turnover without increasing your overheads – that’s pure profit

• Effective selling can be taught - either to you or your team

• If done correctly, customers LIKE being sold to

‘I’m well established, my customers come to me, I don’t need sales training…’ So were Peter Newman, Beau Rivage, El Loco, Woolworths… need I go on?

‘I don’t like pushy sales people…’ No-one does - good sales people are popular with their customers – that is a fact. People who sell with confidence make customers confident in their buying – they buy more, and they buy more regularly

You don’t need to be a pushy sales person – you can learn proven, established sales techniques to maximise your customers’ spend - whatever sector you are in

To find out how you and your business can benefit form sales training call Mel on 0800-44-88-309 call now, it’s free!

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Documents

The Whitstable IMP ISSUE 4