Hornby opens archive to visitors in Margate

Written by Matt B · first published 30/06/2010

BBC News - Hornby opens archive to visitors in Margate

Model-maker Hornby is opening its doors to the public with a visitor centre that will contain nearly a century of toys and models.

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Simon Moores gets to grips with rubbish

Written by Matt B · first published 29/06/2010

In a new shock move Thanet District Council and Dr Simon Moores have teamed up to get to grips with rubbish and to make people take pride in their bins.

A spokes person denied any suggestion of shameless self promotion.

New Branded Bins

What can you do with this? Another Thanet Star caption competition.

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Talk to the star

Written by Matt B · first published 27/06/2010

Talk to the Thanet Star and you could get quoted or something... hmm... that ended not-so-well

I'd like to talk to some estate agents on or off the record about the nature of your business in Thanet. I'd also like to talk with people in the business sector especially SME owners. Also love to talk to arts people...

* For those that did not know a SME is a Small or Medium sized Enterprise. Bet you are glad you tuned in for this one!

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Sandy goes ape?

Written by Matt B · first published 24/06/2010

It's another caption contest for you.

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High-speed rail link up for sale

Written by Matt B · first published 22/06/2010

BBC News - High-speed London to Folkestone rail link up for sale

The 68-mile London to Folkestone high speed rail link is being put up for sale by the government.

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KCC fail to give any real answers

Written by Matt B · first published 20/06/2010

Thanet Bloggers are demanding actual answers as KCC attempt to blame the law as to the nature of around £600,000 in bonus for people who quit.

BIGNEWS MARGATE: Kent explains big bonus bit are things any clearer?

Having read the article I find myself with no clearer idea of why KCC handed over so much money.

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Quite what aspect of the law it was that managed to trip up KCC is unclear as they are basically refusing to say. Local opinion appears to be that HR cocked up and that perhaps an investigation needs to be carried out.

In short people are calling for blood with a local desire to see head roll - that is a bunch P45s handed to the top bods who let this happen.

KCC defends £365K payoff

Kent County Council has blamed "onerous" employment laws for a decision to pay a former director £365,000 after he quit the job he had after barely a year in the post. Adam Wilkinson, now chief executive of Derby City Council, was KCCs former director of regeneration and transport but quit after just a year in the post.

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Sandy Ezekiel in Nude Run Shocker

Written by Matt B · first published 20/06/2010

It's another caption contest - so see what you can do with it.

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Rain, crashes and the big event

Written by Matt B · first published 19/06/2010

Buses are enjoying some minor disruption due to a crash near the double roundabouts near the pub that used to be called the wheatshief. I understand that no one was hurt but people trying to get somewhere dry might have have wondered where the bus was.

But despite crashes and rain the red arrows still showed up to the big event. As did the usual collection of loop-the-loop aerobatics.

Revelers where showing up as early as 8am to the shelterless cliff tops. There to be rained upon and face cold winds.

Not exactly my idea of fun.

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The Big Event 2010

Written by Matt B · first published 19/06/2010

Well it is here again - Margate's "Big Event" which, after last years overpriced disappointment, I am in two minds about attending. Sure the air-show element is great and my children love it but other than that I really don't fancy queueing for the rip off food prices, cheap yet costly beer or other "amenities".

I have to say that I did not actually enjoy the event last year although for reasons I am not going to go into I am unlikely to ever forget it.

In terms of value for money I seem to recall that the Big Event 2009 cost over £100k to put on. I also reported that the Lark in the Park vs The Big Event showed up just how expensive the big event was and is.

I remain to be convinced.

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Sandy is wanted after all!

Written by Matt B · first published 19/06/2010

What do you know someone wants Sandy Ezekiel after all. Wonders will never end!

Not so much a caption contest (although it is) as a chance to take a last few parting shots at a political figure who has "slap me" written on his soul.

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Designer hired for Thanet-sponsored theme park

Written by Matt B · first published 18/06/2010

Designer hired for Thanet-sponsored theme park | Public Property UK

Thanet District Council and Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company (MTCRC) have appointed Whitelaw Turkington as architects to design the world's first

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Clive Hart talks frankly about sex

Written by Matt B · first published 16/06/2010

Well you do better then.

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Councillor Iris Johnston to start in Harry Potter Spoof

Written by Matt B · first published 15/06/2010

In case you missed the plot - there is none. Let's see what you can do with this in another Thanet Star caption contest.

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Thanet schools angry over 'dumped' foster children

Written by Matt B · first published 14/06/2010

BBC News - Thanet schools angry over 'dumped' foster children

Head teachers in Thanet call for urgent action to stop large numbers of fostered children from outside Kent being

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Another Caption Contest

Written by Matt B · first published 12/06/2010

Yes it does seem that we have hit a bit of a news silly season so it is time for me to default back tot he tried and tested photoshoppery that is the caption contest.

What's going on here then?

Cat watt ruffle?

For the politically slow this is Councillor Ted Watt-Ruffell, Dane Valley Ward, Independent (formerly a Tory)

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Titillating Poster Conflict

Written by Matt B · first published 09/06/2010

A hairdresser from Ramsgate has been ordered by Thanet District Council to take down a billboard poster of his wife because it shows "so much cleavage".

Mr Marino said: "It's my wife, she's beautiful, and why not?"

He added: "With the recession, everybody's struggling and it's just nice having something more lively and modern."

But apparently the Ramsgate Society think differently. As Mr Marino did not get planning permission for the poster Thanet District Council have (of course) up held the complaint.

Jocelyn McCarthy, of the Ramsgate Society, said it was distasteful to show "so much cleavage on a public building".

Maybe Peter Checksfield should do a photo shoot there!

Read more from the BBC: Hairdresser told to remove wife's poster in Ramsgate

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Beaten by the Welsh!

Written by Matt B · first published 08/06/2010

Margate were beaten by Gower (south Wales) in the Best Beach Vote Off in the Cadbury Flake 99 Great British Beach Awards.

Rhossili Bay in Gower is a surfer favorite and has visible ship wrecks at low tide. Better luck next time?

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Guest writers wanted

Written by Matt B · first published 07/06/2010

I am looking for people with something to say. Perhaps you don't have the time or inclination to maintain a full blog but would like to be published.

Now is your opportunity to get you say published on Thanet Star - just drop me a line with your proposed article and let the magic do it's work.

This offer is open to established bloggers to - even those whose opinion differs from my own.

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Port Ramsgate Web Cam

Written by Matt B · first published 05/06/2010

This was the view yesterday from the Port Ramsgate Web Cam. Which is my way of introducing those that didn't know about it to our local web cam.

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Singapore calling

Written by Matt B · first published 04/06/2010

The chances of just one person from Singapore wanting to read and comment on a blog about Thanet seems fairly remote. The odds, then, of five or six people from the same ISP in Singapore wanting to read the blog and posting comments while paying no attention to things like this sites preference for names (or second choice names and brand even if those names are "handles" - that is: not your "real life" name) seem even more remote.

So the chances are that when I ban the entire address block from commenting I am not going to block any real readers from posting their thoughts on Thanet topics. If I have blocked you and you want to be unblocked just drop me a line via twitter @ThanetStar or via the

This is the IP block owner in case they want to apologise for their users:

person:       SingNet Hostmaster

address:      SingNet Engineering & Operations

address:      2 Stirling Road

address:      #03-00 Queenstown Exchange

address:      Singapore 148943

phone:        +65 7845922

fax-no:       +65 4753273

e-mail:       hostmaster@singnet.com.sg

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