thanet coast summer/autumn 2006 11

Project’s log Exploration is always high on our list of things Look out… to do and you can look for those elusive ‘hidden gems’ on the shore (pages 4 and 5). If you have some spare time, you could help out on the autumn beach cleans (page 7) or join our growing training programme of coastal volunteers (page 3). This really is the time to help take care of our marine environment. Nationally, the Government’s Marine Bill consultation will be looking at all the Willie McKnight, Coastal Warden Willie McKnight, Coastal for coastal fun! oin in with our activities J around the coast this summer and autumn. Look out for ‘SeaART’ – a special comments made on collaboration with local artists how we can improve showing how the sea and coast upon marine planning have influenced them or, especially and conserving our marine wildlife. for kids, bring the family along to Locally, we will be the Art Monkey’s ‘BeachART’ helping to produce a workshops at the popular summer new ‘Marine Wildlife seashore safaris (page 2). Watching Code’ (page 6) and looking at all the This autumn will be your chance stakeholder workshop to help on one of the largest comments to see how community sand drawings around, we will be managing our when the ‘BIG DRAW’ will help North East coast over the next few years create a shoal of fish migrating (page 3). across the bay (see page 4). Tony Child

See inside for shoals of activities for summer, autumn and winter too! Paul Keene, Avico Ltd Avico Keene, Paul FALL INTO A EVENTS… 2006 WF Sat 29 July, 9.30am (2hrs) UMMER EASHORE FUN Seashore Safari COASTAL S S ! Coastal Warden Corner Free. ‘Rockpool life’ – help us discover, observe and record oin two fun-filled hours of seashore he Coastal Warden Scheme will be what lurks between the tides EVENT! and join in with the BeachART J safaris and sand art with the Thanet T celebrating another successful year with Art Monkeys. Guided Walks, Cycle Coast Project, Kent Wildlife Trust and Gallery during its 2nd anniversary event in November. Minnis Bay (Birchington). Rides, Beach Cleans and IOTA’s Art Monkeys! Over 100 wardens are regularly out and about 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) Family Events Most are not too physically The rockpooling safaris are one of the most in Thanet keeping a close eye on their adopted WF Mon 31 July, 10.30am (2hrs) demanding and would suit a popular events over the summer holidays and are bays – making our coastal volunteer scheme Seashore Safari Free (See 29 July) variety of ages – but please great fun for families with children between the one of the most popular in the country. West Bay (Westgate-on-Sea) check the details for each ages of five and thirteen. Explore the rockpools Volunteer Coastal Wardens monitor human and 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) event, as longer events require more careful and help us identify the life in each of the bays wildlife activities around the coast and provide a WF Tues 1 August, 11am (2hrs) preparation. Always wear around our coast or be creative with the range of information for the Thanet Coast Project. Seashore Safari suitable clothing and shoes. accompanying BeachART. Please all wear suitable As well as detailed reports on coastal activities, Free (See 29 July) Bring drinks and sun- Joss Bay () protective shoes for walking on the rocks, and wardens have snapped some colourful digital 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) block/hats in hot weather. suitable clothing for the weather conditions on photographs, which are useful for illustrating WF Wed 2 Aug, 11am (2hrs) C – For cycle rides, please the day. The Safaris and BeachART are only incidents and activities and how individual bays Seashore Safari ensure your bike is possible with the help of our volunteers – so are changing over time. Free (See 29 July) roadworthy or the leader may please help us thank them for their support, along Earlier this year, wardens took part in a ‘Biotope Louisa Bay (Broadstairs) refuse to take you! We also 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) recommend that riders wear with sponsors Pfizer and . Survey Day’ at Dumpton Gap. The day was helmets and for children this organised by the Kent Wildlife Trust to trial a new WF Thurs 3 Aug, 11am (4hrs) Beach Party is compulsory. SUMMER SEASHORE way for recording the different types of wildlife on Free. Investigate the exposed B – For the practical events, our shores. Global Positioning System equipment Biotopes survey rock pools and sandy shore. gloves and bags will be SAFARIS 2006 Reculver Country Park provided. However, it is was used to build a grid map of the wildlife in 01622 662012 (Chas advisable to wear stout Dumpton Gap. Matthews, KWT) footwear and suitable Naomi Biggs, Thanet Coast Education Officer, Thanet Coastal Warden clothing (waterproofs/ A Sat 5 – Sun 13 Aug, 10am- said: “The wardens have been testing my marine Scheme Training 5pm (Thur-Fri 10am-8pm) windproofs, depending on life identification skills. Volunteers are increasingly Core modules ‘SeaArt’ – through the the weather) and bring a eyes of artists drink/snack. visiting rockpools to carry out shorelife surveys. • Shore Life Identification (Aug) Art by a selection of artists F – Some activities are Colourful photos of weird and wonderful sea • Induction (Nov) inspired by the coast and sea. particularly suitable for creatures have been flooding in, among them Gallery IOTA, Royal Esplanade, children and families, . 01843 577672 however children must be include pictures of squid eggs, chitons and grey Optional modules (TCP/Gallery IOTA) accompanied by a parent, or sea slugs – not exactly your average sealife! But • Contraband Corner (Sept) WG Sat 5 Aug, 2pm (2hrs) responsible adult, throughout it’s great as it means Wardens are getting so used • Archaeology of the Thanet Coast (Oct) Seaweeds and their Secrets the activity. to their patch they are exploring by themselves • Shorelife Special – Walpole Pool (Oct) Free. Join expert Dr Ian Tittley (Natural History Museum) for a What else? ? A variety of and learning new species all the time.” • Annual Warden Celebration Event (Nov) stroll along the coast to find events take place around our If you fancy volunteering as a Coastal Warden, • Turnstone Watch (Feb 07) out all you ever wanted to coastline, including regular call 01843 577409. know about seaweeds! Botany events at the Sandwich Bay For times see events listings Bay – meet by the chalk stack. Bird Observatory (01304 01843 577672 (TCP) 617341). For further O 5 - 6 August ’s information call into the Mardi Gras Thanet’s Visitor Information Carnival Weekend Centres 0870 2646111. The nature of our coast: 01843 293733 KEY WF Sun 6 Aug, 3.30pm (2hrs) A Art Related Seashore Safari Free (See 29 July) B Beach Clean/Practical ‘SeaART – through where have we got to? Botany Bay (Broadstairs) task 01843 577672 W Wildlife (Seashore/birds) the eyes of artists’ (TCP/KWT/RSPB) C Cycle Ride It’s been a busy year for the Thanet Coast Project and our coastal users F Family Event Sat 5 to Sun 13 Aug, Gallery IOTA WF Mon 7 Aug, 4.30pm (2hrs) G Guided Walk 10am-5pm, Thur-Fri 10am-8pm he main coastal user groups – were independently facilitated by Dialogue Seashore Safari Free (See 29 July) M Meetings or training View this summer exhibition of work by local artists representing the activities and interests Matters. By coming to the workshops, workshop T Winterstoke, East Cliff (north inspired by the coast and sea. In addition, there are along our coast – have been working with the stakeholders have helped to influence what will of Ramsgate’s Main Sands) O Other Events 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) two late evening viewings when images of works, Coast Project to revise the North East Kent go into the next Scheme. They have looked at

1 Book Booking is essential. including artists commissioned by the Thanet Coast European marine sites Management Scheme. what has gone well and not so well in the past six C Tues 8 Aug, 10am (1 ⁄2hrs) Project, will be screened. Curator Ruth Cutler will This document sets out the major issues years, possible solutions and a range of actions Clifftop Cycle to SeaART KWT Kent Wildlife Trust Free. A leisurely bike ride MCS Marine Conservation be running children’s workshops on 27-28 July affecting our coastline and also how different and ideas for the next six years. The next step will along the Viking Coastal trail, Society (contact Gallery IOTA on 01843 853117 to book) groups of coastal users, such as fishermen, be to launch the revised scheme in the next few and a tour of the SeaArt exhibition at Gallery IOTA. TCP Thanet Coast Project and Art Monkeys will also be running BeachART on surfers, dog walkers and youth groups will work months, once an action plan to manage the coast Palm Bay to Ramsgate TCWS Thanet Coast Warden the foreshore at the same times as the above together with the Thanet Coast Project to protect for the next six years has been developed. Westcliff. Meet: Opposite Scheme Safaris throughout August. our unique coastline. For further information, contact Ingrid Chudleigh Palm Bay Primary School VIC Visitor Information 01843 577672 (TCP/Thanet Centre Three stakeholder workshops were held and at English Nature on 01233 812525. Cycle Forum)

2 3 EVENTS… his slimy looking creature (below) can be EVENTS… F Wed 9 Aug, 10am (5hrs) T found in a range of colourful shades, M Sun 20 Aug, TCWS Marine Madness including orange, green and even purple. Although Shorelife Training Module TCP will be at the KWT HQ to Book: TCP celebrate national Marine Week. you may not think so at first sight, the Star Meet their experts, play games Ascidian or sea-squirt (Botryllus schlosseri) is M Tues 22 Aug, 6pm (1hr) and take part in seashore crafts. Charles Darwin, Downe Tyland Barn, Maidstone. 01622 actually a colony of individuals closely related to House and the Voyage of 577672 (KWT) animals with a backbone. Each segment of the the Beagle ‘star’ is a tiny animal that sits within a jelly-like Hear from Cyril Aydon all about WF Fri 11 Aug, 9am (2hrs) the impact that Darwin’s Seashore Safari matrix and filters microscopic particles of food HIDDEN theories on evolution had in Free (See 29 July) from the surrounding seawater. These filters are their day. Margate Media St Mildreds Bay (Westgate-on- Centre. Book: 01843 280261 Sea). 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) some of the finest in the animal kingdom and can (Turner Contemporary) even filter bacteria out of seawater. O 11 – 18 Aug O 23 Aug Broadstairs Folk Week Gala Day Concerts, music sessions and Broadstairs – music, workshops… and much more! his little furry animal (above) that hangs entertainment, competitions, a 01843 604080 fun fair and aerial display. www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk T upside down beneath rocks and over-hangs 1 is the Purse sponge (Scypha cilita). Sponges are GW Thurs 31 Aug, 10am (1 ⁄2 hrs) WF Sat 12 Aug, 9.30am (2hrs) Rockpool Ramble Seashore Safari some of the most primitive of all animals; some Free. Learn about different Free (See 29 July) can be put through a sieve and will gradually species of our shores, with Nayland Rock (By Margate GEMS Prof. Periwinkle as your guide. Main Sands) reform into a sponge, just on a smaller scale! Minnis Bay. Meet: Next to the 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) When you’re next exploring the lower part of Thanet’s rocky shores, Water is sucked in through tiny holes in the tidal pool. 01843 577672 (TCP) sponge’s body and squirted out of the large O 12 – 18 Aug rummaging under boulders and stones, keep a sharp look out for some of O Sun 3 September Ramsgate Week opening at the top, trapping food particles inside. Annual Model Ships Rally Royal Harbour – third largest There are many types and forms of sponges Ramsgate IRC Regatta and races. these ‘little gems’. They may be small and hard to spot, but beautiful 01843 591766 around Thanet, from small erect forms like Scypha O Sun 3 Sept when you look as closely as Ian Humpheryes does here! to large encrusting sheets that can cover the Kent Coastal Marathon WF Sun 13 Aug, 10am (2hrs) underside of an entire boulder. Thanet Roadrunners Seashore Safari Free (See 29 July) ou don’t find many blind animals, but the G Sun 10 Sept, 11am (6hrs) Dumpton Gap (Broadstairs) Chitons (right) fall into this category. You can his beautiful little sea anemone (right) is Reculver Heritage Towers 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) Y Open Day usually find them stuck to flints and they peacefully T called Sagartia troglodytes. Unfortunately Rare chance to climb the W Sun 13 Aug, 9am (2-3hrs) graze algae off the surface of stones. Like limpets, we rarely see it open like this unless we are lucky medieval towers plus guided Shoresearch Survey walk around the site at 2pm. A survey of the shingle spit on they have a single large foot, which sticks firmly to to spot them in shallow rock pools. When you turn Reculver Country Park a hard clay, also of interest for rocks. As the animal glides over an irregular over a stone, they are often attached underneath 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) its fossils. Long Rock surface, the Chiton’s eight jointed armour plates looking like a pale yellow blob on a stalk with all (Swalecliff, near Whitstable) B Sun 10 Sept, 10am (2hrs) 01622 662012 (Bryony allow it to bend so that no soft parts are ever their tentacles retracted inside. At high tide, they Tidal Tidy Up Chapman, KWT) exposed. There are several species to be found on patiently wait for little shrimps and water fleas to Free. Help clear the beach of rubbish. Reculver Country Park WF Mon 14 Aug, 10am (2hrs) the Thanet shore, although the one pictured is the stray into their arms. Immediately upon contact, 01622 662012 (KWT)

Seashore Safari most common – Lepidochitona cinereus. Warden Willie McKnight, Coastal paralysing threads are shot into their prey and the Free (See 29 July) animal is drawn into the central mouth to be O Sun 10 Sept Stone Bay (Broadstairs) Miles & Barr Charity 5K 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) Even though these little gems are small, they are just as important devoured. All sea anemones are immortal so look Fun Run after them, they might have been around for a Thanet Roadrunners WF Tues 15 Aug, 11am (2hrs) as the shore crabs and shannies and need to be looked after in the Seashore Safari very long time! G Sat 16 Sept, 11am (2hrs) Free (See 29 July) Rock Doc Walk And find out about KWT’s same way. So always remember to carefully replace stones the same Free (See 19 Aug) Shoresearch and Seasearch. Join Ian on the ‘Rocky Shore Discovery Tour’ at Walpole Bay on Minnis Bay. Meet: Tidal pool Walpole Bay (Cliftonville) way up as you found them and follow the Thanet Coast Seashore Book: Ramsgate VIC 0870 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) Friday 27 October at 9am during half-term 2646111 (TCP) Code when you are in the rockpools. WF Wed 16 Aug, 12pm (2hrs) B Sat 16 Sept, 2pm (3hrs) Seashore Safari Beachwatch Free (See 29 July) Help keep the beaches safe for Western Undercliff (Ramsgate) wildlife by volunteering at a 01843 577672 (TCP/KWT) Fishonline beach survey and clean. Fishy features… www.fishonline.org is the MCA’s useful online Plumpudding. Meet: Outside WF Thurs 17 Aug, 11am (4hrs) Thanet Coast’s The Minnis Restaurant Reculver Beach Party Fishy on a dishy! guide to choosing environmentally sustainable 01843 577672 (TCP) Free. Variety of activities One way for you to be environmentally friendly seafood. If you are in doubt about the origin of including rockpooling, beach B Sat 16 Sept 2pm (2hrs) art and fossil hunts. Reculver is to make sure that you choose the right fish – your fish ask at your shop! Beachwatch Country Park. 01622 662012 BIG DRAW when the boat comes in! Margate Main Sands (Chas Matthews, KWT) Meet: next to the cafe on the Draw your own sand fish to be part of the shoal Shoppers are being sold endangered and Modern Sea Fisheries beach. 01843 295481 (Local G Sat 19 Aug, 11am (2hrs) as they swim across the bay. Starting at 10.30am on threatened varieties of fish by nearly all The government is committed to establishing MCS Volunteers) Rock Doc Walk Saturday 14 October at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, supermarkets, according to a Greenpeace new legislative changes to ensure that the Sea Free. Discover the wonders of B Sun 17 Sept, 2pm (3hrs) the rocks, chalk cliffs, flints everyone is invited to join. The work is co-ordinated by report ‘the Recipe for Disaster’ which scores Fisheries Committees have new powers within Beachwatch and fossils. Pegwell Bay artist Paul Goodrick and volunteer artists in his team. M&S, Waitrose and Sainsburys at the top and the proposed Marine Bill to improve the way the Pegwell Bay Meet: Hugin Viking Ship Meet: Beach below the former Book: Ramsgate VIC 0870 All you need to do is sign in on the day, pick up your Iceland, Safeway and Asda right at the wrong country's fisheries and marine environment are Hoverport access road 01843 577672 (TCP) 2646111 (TCP) instructions – but remember to bring your own spade! Goodrick 2006, Big Draw Paul Line of Fish for end! www.greenpeace.org.uk/ managed. www.defra.gov.uk

4 5 EVENTS… EVENTS… B Sun 17 Sept 2pm (2hrs) Catching up… B Sun 8 Oct, 2pm (3hrs) Beachwatch Autumn tidal tidy ups Beach Clean Walpole Bay, Cliftonville Free. Help to keep the beach 1 Meet: next to the tidal pool Sun 10 Sept, 10am (2 ⁄2hrs) Reculver Country Park (KWT) scene clean! Cold Harbour 01843 295481 (Local MCS North East Kent Marine Meet: Outside The Minnis Volunteers) Turnstone Watch Sat 16 Sept, 2pm (3hrs) Plumpudding, Minnis Bay (TCP) Restaurant. 01843 577672 Sat 16 Sept, 2pm (2hrs) Margate Main Sands (MCS) (TCP) M Tues 19 Sept, 6pm (1hr) The Turnstone is found in internationally Wildlife Watching Code Fossils Through Time important numbers around the North East The Thanet coast is home to one of the south- Sun 17 Sept, 2pm (3hrs) Pegwell Bay (TCP) W Tues 10 Oct, TCWS Dr Alasdair Bruce will discuss Shorelife Special how fossils are a record of Kent coast. east’s biggest populations of seals and Sun 17 Sept, 2pm (2hrs) Walpole Bay (MCS) Book: (TCP) the past 600 million years. Find out about our coastal waders and their naturally they attract a great deal of interest Sun 1 Oct, 10am (3hrs) Plumpudding, Minnis Bay (TCP) Margate Media Centre AF Sat 14 October, 10.30 friends on this winter bird watch, with help from from people. Sadly, 2006 has seen a dramatic 1 Book: 01843 280261 (Turner Sat 7 Oct, 2pm (3hrs) Pegwell Bay (TCP) (2 ⁄2hrs) Contemporary) the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust. increase in the number of watercraft reported Thanet Coast’s Big Draw Sun 8 Oct, 2pm (3hrs) Coldharbour, Minnis Bay (TCP) Turnstones nest and breed in the Arctic tundra to be causing a disturbance to the seals on the Free. Join this community M Tues 19 Sept, 7pm (1hr) Thurs 26 Oct, 9.30am (2hrs/Half Term) Pegwell Bay (TCP) sand art event to help create Contraband Corner over the summer as far away as Canada, but sand banks off the coast from Birchington and a line of fish swimming £2.00 donation/TCWS free return faithfully to the same stretch of coastline to Margate. This can be particularly worrying across the bay. Bring a spade! Hear all about the history of Viking Bay, Broadstairs Thanet’s sea caves and feed alongside us on the Thanet Coast over the during sensitive times when seal pups are 01843 577672 (TCP, with artist tunnels, with this fascinating winter months. Join this short talk and watch on being born – in the summer for common seals, Whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks and fish are all Paul Goodrick) talk from John Graham on the Sunday 4 Feb 2007 by booking on 01843 577672. and the autumn for grey seals. known to have died after swallowing bits of smugglers’ tales. WF Sat 14 & Sun15 Oct, Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville The Thanet Coast Project and North East balloons, which are often found on beaches and 12.30pm (2hrs) Book: 01843 577672 (TCP) Sea Defensive Kent Scientific Coastal Advisory Group have bays in the district. Many animals mistake Autumn Beach Fun Free. Explore the beach for its A Sat 30 Sept Shoreline Management Plans – the coastal drafted a new Marine Wildlife Watching Code floating debris, such as balloons, as food. The riches and make a sand art Exodus – Towards a defence strategy – for our area, were first in conjunction with local ecotourism ventures Marine Conservation Society is working to make masterpiece with Chas promised Land produced 10 years ago, and are being reviewed and interest groups. These draft voluntary beaches safer for wildlife by campaigning to stop Matthews, KWT A contemporary retelling of Reculver Country Park Moses and the book of throughout 2006. For further information, see codes are available for comment in 2006, and balloon releases. 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) Exodus. www.se-coastalgroup.org.uk/ will be produced as a leaflet for all watercraft If you know of a planned balloon release you www.themargateexodus.org.uk G Sun 15 October, 11am (Artangel/Creative Partnerships) users in North East Kent in 2007. Comments should alert the Thanet Coast Project. Visit the Rock Doc Walk on the draft code can be sent to the Thanet Marine Conservation Society website to get Free (See 19 Aug) WF Sat 30 Sept & Sun 1 Oct, Coastal Research Conference Dumpton Gap. Meet: Bottom 11am (2hrs) A conference on current marine and coastal Coast Project or emailed to your hands on a ‘Don’t Let Go!’ information of the slope at Dumpton Gap Autumn Beach Fun issues and concerns around the North East Kent [email protected]. pack, which contains details of alternative fun Free. Explore the beach for its Book: Ramsgate VIC 0870 riches and make a sand art. coast is taking place at the Winter Gardens, Beach litter activities to hold at events such as balloon 2646111 (TCP) KWT. Reculver Country Park Margate on Thursday 9 November 2006. This is DISTANCE – another fine mess you got me into! surfing or balloon popping competitions. 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) B Thurs 26 Oct, 9.30am (2 hrs) the third conference organised by the North East Keep your distance. Never go closer than 100 Thanet is beautiful – let’s keep it that way. That’s www.mcsuk.org Beach Clean B Sun 1 Oct, 10am (3hrs) Kent Scientific Coastal Advisory Group. Previous metres (200m if two craft are present) to the name of Thanet Council’s new anti-litter Free. Pegwell Bay Meet: Beach below former Beach Clean conferences in 2002 and 2004 can be viewed at seals or cetaceans, as they are easily scared. campaign, which aims to show how much there is Free. Help volunteer to keep Turner sea change hoverport access road the beach scene clean! www.thanetcoast.org.uk Spaces are limited - so to be proud of in Thanet. It also warns people Art has come ashore with the news that the 01843 577672 (TCP) Plumpudding. Meet: Outside book early by contacting Geoff Meaden on SCATTERING about the penalties they could face if they’re Turner Contemporary art gallery will be built on The Minnis Restaurant GW Fri 27 Oct, 9.00am 1 01843 577672 (TCP) 01227 767700 Ext. 2327, or Avoid heading into wildlife – as this will found dropping litter. the Rendezvous site. Kent County Council has (1 ⁄2 hrs) g.j.meaden@.ac.uk scatter, scare and separate the group The campaign features beautiful images of been working closely with Thanet District Rocky Shore Discovery Tour Free. A wildlife meander O Sun 1 Oct Thanet, including shots of Kingsgate Bay and Council on six exciting new design proposals, Quicksand15 across the rocks and pools Thanet Roadrunners STEADY Margate Main Sands. A3 posters and postcards of which will provide the potential for major new with marine ecologist Ian Humpheryes. Walpole Bay 1 Maintain a steady and slow direction – with the images used in the campaign can be cultural, business and leisure facilities for East M Wed 4 Oct, 7.30pm (1 ⁄2hrs) Meet: next to tidal pool Archaeology of the no wake – and avoid chasing or harassing purchased at the area’s Visitor Information Kent. www.turnercontemporary.org 01843 577672 (TCP) Thanet Coast wildlife. Centres. £2.00 donation/TCWS free W Sat 28 Oct, TBC Hear all about the archaeology On the spot fines for dropping litter, which are Marine Bill & ICZM Shoresearch Survey of the Thanet Coast from TIME issued by the Council’s Environmental Health The government finished its consultation on the Free. Investigation into the life Emma Boast of the Trust for Spend only a short time near the animals – Enforcement Officers and Community Safety proposed marine bill for the improved protection on Kent’s harbour structures Thanet Archaeology. and floating pontoons. Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville no longer than 15 minutes. Wardens, will rise to £80 in September. of our marine environment in June 2006 – so Ramsgate Harbour. Book: 01843 577672 (TCP) As well as not dropping litter, you can play your we will have to wait to see what comments will 01622 662012 (KWT) O Thurs 5 Oct, 9.45 departure YOUNG part to help by taking part in one of a number of be taken on board! However, there is further M Thurs 9 Nov, 9.30am 1 – please check as this may Sticky situation! Avoid getting close to groups with mothers beach cleans this autumn – focused around litter consultation until 8 September on the way (6 ⁄2hrs)

change game Parachute North East Kent Coastal The Waverley and young – notably seal pups around in recording and collection for the annual Marine forward for improving our Integrated Coastal Research Conference From Margate. Steamer Take part in our exciting activities this summer June/July & Oct/Nov. Conservation Society’s ‘Beach Watch’ weekend on Zone Management (ICZM). ICZM aims to This bi-annual conference will excursion up the Thames to and receive a Thanet Coast Project ”Seashore 16-17 September. establish sustainable levels of economic and present a technical insight London’s Tower Bridge via into local coastal issues. Whitstable and Southend; Star” sticker! The stickers were donated by RUBBISH social activity in our coastal areas while Winter Gardens, Margate. return by coach (7.15pm) Quartet in the Community – a Kent Community Take rubbish home with you and never Balloons – Don't Let Go! protecting the coastal environment, and brings Book: See article on page 6. Book: 0845 1304647 (Child £18.98/Adult £37.95) Schools pilot project set up to trial new ideas dispose of litter or any other contaminants Sending colourful balloons into the skies may add together all those involved in the development, WF Sat 11 Nov, 10.30am about the role of schools in the community. We at sea. a bang to a bash – but have you ever spared a management and use of the coast. (2hrs) B Sat 7 Oct, 2pm (3hrs) have been working closely with Quartet, which thought for the damage they do to local wildlife. www.defra.gov.uk/ Autumn Seashore Beach Clean Ramble Free. Help to keep the beach consists of five Margate schools, to provide These marine guidelines complement the Free. Explore the Country scene clean! Pegwell Bay. popular marine events for the friends and families Thanet Coastal Codes – see Park and beach with Chas Meet: Beach below the Matthews, KWT former hoverport access road. of this partnership. www.thanetcoast.org.uk Reculver Country Park 01843 577672 (TCP) www.hartsdown.co.uk/community/ …with coastal drift 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) 6 7 EVENTS… thanet coast WF Sun 12 Nov, 1pm (2hrs) Sea Wall Walk shore lines Free. Walk to the East of the LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE THANET COAST The Thanet coast, together with Towers to learn about the Pegwell Bay, is an internationally birds, groynes and sea important asset for wintering birds, defences. the marine life associated with chalk Reculver Country Park 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) caves, reefs and sandy bays. The area is a designated European Marine Site. G Sun 12 Nov, 11am (2hrs) Rock Doc Walk Free (See 19 Aug) Kingsgate. Meet: Outside Fayreness Hotel Book: Ramsgate VIC 0870 2646111 (TCP)

AM Tue 21 Nov 6pm (1hr) Seaweeds and their secrets Illustrated talk by Seaweed expert Dr Ian Tittley from the Natural History Museum. Margate Media Centre Book: 01843 280261 (Turner Contemporary) Thanet Coast is produced by the Windrider into action! Thanet Coast Project. Editors: Tony W Sat 2 Dec, 1.30pm (2-3hrs) New exciting excursions are now taking place from Child, Naomi Biggs, Richard Martin Shoresearch Survey Free. Survey to the east of Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour. Windrider is a 10 metre Rigid and Cheryl Pendry, with thanks to Ian Reculver where the Wantsum Hulled Inflatable Boat (RIB) powered by twin 250hp V6 Humpheryes for his gem of an article. flows out to sea. Reculver to outboard engines, and ably manned by fully Royal Yachting Coldharbour. Meet: Car park Thanet Coast Project below Reculver Towers Association qualified instructors and Maritime and c/o TDC, PO Box 9 01622 662012 (KWT) Coastguard Agency approved staff. Launched this summer, Cecil Street, Margate CT9 1XZ G Sun 10 Dec, 11am (2hrs) these exhilarating trips are taking people on trips to the 01843 577672 Rock Doc Walk Goodwin Sands to help collate information on the large [email protected] Free (See 19 Aug) number of seals to be found here, and along the Thanet Pegwell Bay. Meet: At the www.thanetcoast.org.uk Viking ship ‘Hugin’ Coast. For further information, call Windrider on Book: Ramsgate VIC 0870 07931 744788 or visit www.windrider-rib.com Please note: To the best of our 2646111 (TCP) knowledge, the information in these articles is correct, but errors may WF Sun 17 Dec, 11am (2hrs) On Your Bike! unfortunately occur from time to time. Christmas Wander The Viking Coastal Trail Bike Hire is a new venture at Minnis Free. A seasonal ramble Thanet Coast Project cannot be held through the country park, Bay that offers the chance to enjoy a leisurely bike ride along responsible for any changes to events returning to the centre for a the proms and cliff tops of our coast, without all the hassle and information listed in the Christmas fair with Chas Matthews, KWT. of getting your bike there in the first place! As well as top newsletter. Please telephone the Reculver Country Park quality bikes, there is a range of specialist bikes for hire to numbers listed to confirm information. 01227 740676 (Visitor Centre) accommodate the needs of families and disabilities. This newsletter can be made available in other formats, including Braille, large 2007 EVENTS www.vikingcoastaltrailbikehire.co.uk print, audiotape or other languages on

1 Join Thanet Coast Project’s Clifftop Cycle to SeaART on 8 August. W Sun 4 Feb, 12pm (1 ⁄2hrs) request. Turnstone Watch £2.00 donation/TCWS Free. See p6. Meet: Next to Droit House 01843 577672 (TCP/SBBOT)

G Mon 12 Feb 12.30pm (2hrs) Winter Warmer Walk Free. Ramsgate Harbour to Viking Bay (and back). Meet: The Needle at Ramsgate Marina. 01843 577672 (TCP)

B Sat 31 March, 2pm (3hrs) Pegwell Bay Beach Clean Free. Volunteer and help tidy up along the shoreline (gloves and bags provided). Meet: Beach below the former hoverport access road. 01843 577672 (TCP) Bonanza Bathing Awards! B Sun 1 April, 2pm (3hrs) Thanet is officially superb on the bathing front! Thanet Plumpudding Beach Clean Free. (see 31 March). has the fantastic accolade of being awarded more Blue Meet: Outside The Minnis Flags and Seaside Awards than any other local authority Restaurant, Minnis Bay, Birchington. in the country! www.thanet.gov.uk www.encams.org/ 01843 577672 (TCP)

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