TALL SHIPS BACK IN RAMSGATE TODAY

A flotilla of tall ships from Europe's biggest classic sailing ship race has arrived in Ramsgate.

The Race of the Classics, now into its 21st year, sailed into the town's Royal Harbour Marina this morning, earlier than originally expected.

The 20 tall ships are spending today (Wednesday) in the harbour, before leaving at around 6.00am tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The race started from Rotterdam, before heading for Ramsgate and Ostende in Belgium, before finishing in Amsterdam.

The race is organised by students and the ships are crewed by a mixture of international students, accompanied by professional sailors, all competing for the Challenge Cup. It is the largest event of its kind in Europe to involve non-professionals on tall ships.

Harbourmaster Captain Dominic Evans said: "It's wonderful to be welcoming the majestic tall ships back to Ramsgate. They make a beautiful sight and always draw huge crowds to the Royal Harbour Marina. It's one of the highlights of the year for us and we're delighted that they've been able to come over to visit us again."

Ed Click here for some pictures of them here the year before last.

New Kid on the blog

West Cliff GB has started a blog called Ramsgate News click here to take a look, I have put it on the recent posts on the sidebar but it doesn’t seem to be coming up yet.

LANDLORD EVENT

Thanet district Council press release

Landlords in Thanet can find out more about the council’s new landlord accreditation scheme at a meeting being held next week.

Thanet District Council is holding one of its regular landlord events on Thursday 23 April from 4.30pm until 7.30pm at the Margate Media Centre in King Street, Margate.

As well as opportunities to network with other landlords and agents, landlords will also be able to hear from the Kent Fire & Rescue service to find out about fire safety in housing and the responsibilities of landlords. There will also be the chance to speak with representatives from the council’s Housing Improvement, Housing Options and Housing Benefit teams and to visit information stands with lots of useful information and advice.

Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The landlords event is really popular and provides an excellent opportunity for local landlords to get updates on the work of our Housing Improvement team and to find out more about issues that affect them. It’s also a great chance to network with other landlords from across the District and council officers and get answers to any questions that they may have.”

There is no need to book in advance and entrance and refreshments on the night are free. For more information about the event, call the Housing Improvement team on 01843 577437 or e-mail housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk

Low level antisocial behaviour

Back at work after the Easter weekend as you can see the shop window suffered a break during the break click on the picture to enlarge.

I have just had a chance to delve the other blogs and notice Simon on Thanet life also suffering from antisocial behaviour.

I believe that the general level of behaviour in this country from people swearing loudly and obscenely in the street, littering, dog fowling, graffiti to the drunken rowdiness into the early hours of the morning that make living in the town centres so unpleasant, is getting totally out of hand.

One way or another it is a problem that has to be addressed as at the moment the baseline of what many people consider to be acceptable behaviour is falling and this filters through society making behaviour worse at every level.

Now I know that the government are always producing figures showing that crime is decreasing, but I am finding Britain becoming a progressively more unpleasant place to live.

The shop window breakage was caused by a car wheel that was rolled down the hill opposite the shop, from the impact which shook the whole building my main feelings are thank god it didn’t hit anyone as it would have either killed of badly injured them.

Minister visits Marlowe Innovation Centre

The Minister for the South East has visited the Marlowe Innovation Centre in Ramsgate. He joined local MP Stephen Ladyman and Ramsgate County Councillor Liz Green to visit the centre that opened just 6 months ago.

"The Innovation Centre is very impressive and, despite only being open for six months, is already nearly full. It goes to show that with enthusiasm, energy and a little bit of support new businesses and small businesses can thrive in East Kent." said South Thanet MP, Stephen ladyman after the visit. "Jonathan was genuinely impressed by what the Centre has achieved.

"The attached photograph shows, from left to right, Stephen Ladyman MP, Cllr Liz Green, Gabrielle Wilson, Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for the South East, Leza Riley, Ian Johnson, Principal of the Marlowe Academy and Trevor Minter.

Ramsgate Council elections

Just a reminder for those who wish to stand for election that time is getting close.

There is a briefing at the council offices on 20th April at 12.30 for anyone who is considering becoming a candidate. Application packs will be handed out at the meeting and then they have till 5th May to complete and return them.

You can also obtain the application pack from the electoral services section at Thanet Council. You have to live in the parish area or within 4.8 Kilometres 3 miles from it to qualify.

Council documents published today

§ 15/04/2009 - Meeting scheduled: Apr 15 2009 7:00PM, Planning Committee
§ 14/04/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 8 2009 10:00AM, East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee
§ 14/04/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 7 2009 6:00PM, Standards Committee
§ 14/04/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Apr 23 2009 7:00PM, Council
§ 14/04/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 7 2009 11:00AM, Licensing Sub Commitee 14/04/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 7 2009 10:00AM, Licensing Board

Nethercourt Touring Park

The Nethercourt Touring Park has applied for an extension for campers to use the park from the 7 months to 12 months. I have real concerns over this regarding the safety of my grandchildren playing in a park where there is traffic and transient persons. This park was given to the people and children of the then St Lawrence village for their use. We have already lost the amenities as the Council lease part of the park out, if my grandchild needs to go to the toilet I have to come all the way home instead of the toilets in the park. I also fear that if they can camp for 12months with the modern camping tents/vehicles this could lead to people living there.

Anyway I would just like to bring it to peoples attention as I feel that the little notice outside the park isnt sufficient. If you have concerns/objections please call 577000 and ask for the planning dept. or write to the planning dept at Thanet Council Offices.

Ed This post came by email from reader KIM, as I don’t use the park or have a clear understanding of the situation there I don’t have proper understanding of the subject.

If my memory is correct I believe that the main problem here is that road access to the part of the park used for camping is through the part of the park used to play in.