Broadstairs life

Broadstairs life

di Barry Stickings MBE
Stagione 2
The Bell Ringers of St Peters Church
The History of the Bells of St Peter-in-Thanet Church St Peter’s church has had bells for over 600 years, but it is not known exactly when they were first installed or how many bells there were. A single bell was in the south east corner of the church and it is said that there are signs of wear caused by a bell rope on the wall of the present Lady Chapel. St Peter’s present tower was built in the 15th century at the north west corner of the church, but nothing is known about the bells until the mid-eighteenth century when the parish registers record that the bells were recast from 5 to 6 between 1754 and 1757. The Bells of St Peter’s John Mockett records in his Journal some work done on the bells both during his time as churchwarden at the end of the 18th century and when his father Elijah was churchwarden some years earlier. In 1777 the fourth bell was recast and put up when Elijah Mockett and John Stainer were Churchwardens. In 1798, John Mockett tells us “The parishioners having appointed Mr Thomas Paine and myself churchwardens for St Peters, we put up a new tenor bell, in consequence of the former having laid, for some years, useless.” The churchwardens’ accounts tell us that the bell was transported by boat to and from Mears’ Whitechapel Foundry and the bill for the recasting was £32.15s.9d. The bell ringers meet to practise at St Peter’s on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm with a special session for beginners from 6:30 to 7:00 pm. New ringers are most welcome to come along and learn how to ring. If you have ever thought you would like to learn to ring, why not come along to on a practice night to see what is involved. You can be any age from early teens onwards and it doesn’t require particular strength. For further information, please contact the Bellringing Captain using the form opposite/below. https://stpeterinthanet.org.uk/c/bell-ringers/
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Justine and Daisy mother and daughter Creatives of Broadstairs
Justine- I was born and raised in Broadstairs and have always appreciated and lived our little town by the sea. As a youngster I spent most weekends out on my dad’s fishing boat. At school my two loves were sport and art. I did a pre degree in art, lived in Australia for 18 months then came back and became a graphic designer for the creative print shop. Later I taught art and craft at the Thanet college and left to have my daughter Daisy in 2003. I started my decorating business in 2016 which I still do, but it now encompasses the mural work which the creative being inside me really enjoys. My other passion is musical theatre and I have performed in all of our local theatres for over 35 years. Daisy Foster, a singer and dancer from Broadstairs, discusses her life growing up in Thanet, her return after studying in the city and her career and aspirations for working within the performing arts industry.….
Breastfeeding Counsellor -Sarah
Sarah is a local breastfeeding counsellor who is dedicated in supporting mothers with their breastfeeding journeys. Sarah cares deeply about up to date information and informed choice- whilst cheering on the mothers (and babies) she works alongside with. Instagram: @sarahbfsupport Website: https://sarahturner1.wixsite.com/specialist-breastfee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BAbgJSUPd/
BradARA Broadstairs Activities for the Retired - Gail
​BradARA is a social club based in Broadstairs, Kent, open to local men and women who are retired or semi-retired. We provide members with opportunities to make friends and engage in activities through attending regular meetings, and joining in with outings and social and cultural events. BradARA is a satellite group from the well-established TARA (Thanet Active Retirement Association) which has been running since 1983. We are affiliated to the Kent Active Retirement Association (KentARA) which has 84 club branches throughout Kent (click on the crown at the top of this page to learn about the King's award given to KentARA).What We Do BradARA holds monthly meetings for all of its full members on the first Tuesday of the month throughout the year at 10am in the Memorial Hall, High Street, St. Peters, Broadstairs. There is a monthly guest speaker, chosen to be both interesting and entertaining for our members. There are also many social events throughout the year https://www.bradara.club
Broadstairs Sailing Club - Adrian Trice
Broadstairs Sailing Club provides a range of training, dinghy sailing and racing activities from its base at Broadstairs harbour on the North East Kent coast. The Club has a well appointed clubhouse with bar, kitchen, changing rooms, training room and a lounge with panoramic views overlooking Broadstairs Viking bay. Broadstairs SC is essentially a dinghy racing Club but there are opportunities for members to train and take part in rescue boat, race and Club management. The Club welcomes new memberships from experienced and non-experienced families, couples and individuals. Broadstairs Sailing Club is run entirely by the membership, with no professional staff, so there are always opportunities to get involved in sailing and non-sailing aspects of the Club and quickly feel that you belong. A varied programme of social events runs throughout the year from the formal Dinner & Dance to informal suppers, quizzes and the annual prize giving. The clubhouse is open every Thursday evening, Sunday lunchtime and Saturday afternoon during the sailing season. Members are updated of all club activities through the email issued e-letter called “The Burgee” https://www.broadstairssailingclub.com
The Joy of Children's Books Happy Reading - Nicci
“Opening my own children’s bookshop is an absolute dream come true. Together with my outreach work with schools and the local community as The Kids Books Curator, the Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop represents the culmination of my ultimate goal – establishing a physical presence on the high street. This shop is more than just a place to buy books; it's a vibrant community hub where young readers can discover the joy of reading and where we can foster a lifelong love of literature in children. Our collaboration with the café and artisanal bakery STAPLE means that visitors can also enjoy a shared love of coffee, cakes, and books in a cozy and welcoming environment.” - Nicci Rosengarten, Founder, Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop, Broadstairs, Kent. Discover a dreamy Children’s bookshop filled with books to inspire and nurture young minds (and also the slightly older)!! The Happy Reading Children's Bookshop is a collaboration with STAPLE, an artisanal baker and café that uses traditional techniques and seasonal ingredients to create delicious, handmade breads and viennoiseriee pastries. STAPLE has multiple highly popular cafés across the Isle of Thanet including Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and Westgate-on-Sea. Founded by a multi-award winning bookseller Nicci Rosengarten (a Moon Lane alumnus), this delightful Children's literary destination at Staple Broadstairs is on the quaint and picturesque, and aptly named, Reading Street, located in the historic village of St Peters, just in land from Botany Bay and Joss Bay. Our store is 20 minutes walk from Broadstairs Station and free parking is available both on, and at either end of Reading Street. https://www.happyreading.uk
Pies with a loving Caribbean Touch - Kanndiss
Today you can listen as Kanndiss talks to us about her inspired Pies with a strong Caribbean influence made here in Broadstairs and sold across Thanet. Kandiss tells us how she started in October 2025 and where her inspiration came from. Her passion just flows as she talks about her background the joy of making pies and what inspires her. She will be telling us about her Curry Goat, Mushroom & spinach, saltfish and jackfruit, leek & tempeh chicken & broccoli flavoured pies plus many other flavours that are available. There is also a hint of what is coming as a Christmas pie. Importantly are pies made by her are free from Gluten, eggs and dairy making them available for all to eat and enjoy. Kanndiss attends many events across Thanet and is also available for catering. If you would like to get in touch and find out where you can try these amazing flavoured Pies from our Broadstairs based Pie maker visit https://www.facebook.com/primeeatscompany
Lisa lets us into the world of being a Postie in Broadstairs and St Peters
Thank you to Lisa who is one of the people who we all know and see everyday about but very rarely hear about. To learn what our local Posties do and why they love the job they do listen as Lisa tells us all about her job... and it's not just wearing shorts all year!!!! If you live between the chalk cliffs of Broadstairs and the quiet, flint-walled lanes of St Peter’s, you will know the rhythm of Lisa’s stride. While the rest of the town might be hunkering down against a North Sea gale or seeking shade under a colourful umbrella at Viking Bay, Lisa and her colleagues are on the move to deliver our post and parcels. She isn't just delivering mail she’s there throughout all the Seasons Broadstairs and St Peters are towns of moods, and Lisa sees them all before most of us have finished our first coffee or sometimes had our lunch. The Winter Haul: When the "Beast from the East" rolls off the water, turning the Promenade into an ice rink, Lisa is there. With a woollen hat pulled low and high-vis glowing against the salt-grey sky, she navigates the steep climb of Harbour Street. The wind might whip the letters in her hand, but it never stops her. The Summer Swell: Come July, the town transforms. Lisa walks on while the sun beats down on the baked brickwork of St Peter’s village, she keeps a steady pace, finding the short-cuts through the "culs-de-sac" that only a local truly knows. The Autumn Mist: There’s a specific kind of fog that swallows our town. In that damp, quiet chill, the only sound is the rhythmic clack-clack of letterboxes snapping shut—a signal that Lisa has passed through. More Than Just Envelopes In a world that’s increasingly digital, Lisa represents the tangible. To the residents of the Victorian terraces and the hidden bungalows, she is a constant. "It’s never just a bill or a postcard," says one resident In St Peters "It’s the nod, the 'Morning!', and the fact that she knows exactly which gate has the sticky latch." Regardless of whether the sky is a brilliant "Broadstairs Blue" or a bruised, stormy purple, Lisa remains the reliable thread connecting the town. She is the keeper of secrets in envelopes and the silent witness to the changing seasons of the Kentish coast. So, next time you hear that familiar shuffle on the doorstep while the rain lashes against the glass, know that it's just Lisa—undeterred, upbeat, and onto the next house.
Youth Crime Community Project & Political Literacy in Broadstairs - Amelie & Angel
Empowering Broadstairs: The Youth Action Campaign Amelie and Angel, two dedicated students from Dane Court Grammar School, have launched a vital initiative aimed at tackling youth crime within the Broadstairs community. Their campaign focuses on a proactive, educational approach to steer young people toward positive paths. Key Pillars of the Initiative Community Funding & Support: Securing local investment to provide better resources and safer spaces for young people. Curriculum Integration: Introducing specialized educational sessions within schools to address the realities of modern crime. Expert Guest Speakers: Hosting impactful talks on the severe consequences of drug abuse and the dangers of "county lines" exploitation. Prevention through Awareness: Shifting the focus from punishment to prevention by empowering students with knowledge. Campaign Vision By bridging the gap between local authorities, schools, and the youth, Amelie and Angel hope to foster a safer, more informed environment for their peers. The goal is to replace the cycle of crime with a culture of opportunity and community responsibility. Visual Identity To represent this movement, a logo has been developed that combines the iconic Broadstairs clock tower with images of unity and growth. The design features: A Protective Shield: Representing the safety provided by community funding. Youth Leadership: Depicting young people looking forward to a brighter future. Local Pride: Integrating local landmarks to emphasise that this is a grassroots, Broadstairs-focused effort.
Dickens House Broadstairs with Darren Cowd
We have to thank Darren Cowd TDC museums manager & Curator of Dickens House. Dickens House Museum celebrates Charles Dickens' long connection with Broadstairs (1837-1851). It is housed in the cottage that was Charles Dickens' inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. According to the reminiscences of Charles Dickens son Charley, they regularly had tea there with Miss Mary Pearson Strong, and her belief of her right to stop the passage of donkeys in front of her cottage became the donkey incident for the character of Betsey Trotwood. The parlour, described by Dickens and illustrated by Phiz, will be known to readers of David Copperfield. The cupboard in the corner may be recognised as the "press" from which Miss Betsey produced the concoctions she gave poured down the throat of young David Copperfield. Visitors to Dickens House Museum will see items that once belonged to Charles Dickens including letters written about Broadstairs, his writing box and mahogany sideboard, along with a fine collection of prints by H K Browne (Phiz), one of Dickens' principal illustrators. There are also displays of Dickensian memorabilia, Victorian costumes and Victoriana, as well as a feature on "Our English Watering Place". It was in 1851 that Charles Dickens wrote this affectionate record of the town and its inhabitants. ​2026 Season: Wednesday 1st April - Sunday 1st November: Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm) For more information and to book Email: museums@thanet.gov.uk Phone: 01843 577646 Website: Visit Thanet Museums
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