Broadstairs life - its people, its places and its charm

Today was a joy to speak with Sofia Haq who created her first book – Jungle Trouble: Rory’s Rescue Plan- when she was just six. It was published just before her eighth birthday. It was inspired from a visit to Wingham where she saw an exhibition about poaching. She decided that children needed to know about this.Driven by her love for swimming, fishing, crabbing, and exploring coastal caves, Sofia drew direct inspiration from her seaside adventures for her latest book. So she took her dad to a cave....."One cave in particular has always stayed with me—it has a strange, narrow opening that makes me wonder what it was used for in the past," Sofia shared. "Was it a secret hideout? Or something even more mysterious? These real-life experiences and questions inspired my second book, A Dragon Adventure: The Treasure of Serpent’s Bay."The young author, who is an active member of both The Pop-Up Bookshop (run by Chris Horn) and the Instagram community Discover Kids Books, plans to keep writing and publishing novels in the future. Her parents are so proud of what she has achieved so far.Now 11yrs of age Sofia has big plans and is now working towards putting together her first Novel.... but its a BIG secret.....!Sofia will be at Broadstairs Library on Saturday 17th October, where she will be reading her books at 11.45am The event runs from 10:30am–12:30pm for a morning full of stories, creativity, discovery and family fun!You can follow Sofia on Amazon http://www.youtube.com/@sofiasspace6480Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sofia_bibi_haq_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&srtk=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Her books are on sale Amazon,The Great British Bookshop (online) and Waterstones (just the 1st book online only),Westgate Galleria& Best of times bookshop Broadstairs.

I speak with Harvey a lifeguard who works for this amazing service to us, the public. This season he has been based at Viking Bay here in Broadstairs. Listen as he tells us why he joined at 16 to become a lifeguard and what it means to him. Plus an insight into the sessional work they all do to help us on the beach and in the sea.Ready to change lives working as an RNLI lifeguard? Listen as these guys have and are there to protect us on our beachesListen as hHarvey tells us about the training and the skills needed and what they get from this job.As an RNLI lifeguard you’ll build your work – and life – experience, get good rates of pay and learn lifesaving skills that stay with you wherever your career heads next. It could be you... If you're looking to keep you and your family safe at the seaside this summer, then you should choose a lifeguarded beachThe RNLI beach lifeguard service has been keeping people safer since 2001. Highly trained and equipped with the best lifesaving gear, RNLI beach lifeguards are ready to help you in an emergency. But it's not just during the summer. All-year round, the RNLI lifeguard team are working to make visiting the beach safer for everyone.https://rnli.org/what-we-do/rnli-beach-lifeguards

‘Inspiration Creative’ is Thanet’s inclusive creative arts company. Zoe and Peter are amazing people have a passion for the Arts and a passion to bring people together. Listen to what I feel is an amazing inspirational couple who just give so much to others.Our original group ‘Inspiration Inclusive Youth Theatre’ was founded in 2007. It then grew and developed into the full-time company that it is today (and is still developing…)In 2016 Inspiration Creative C.I.C. was registered so we are now able to offer 7 workshops each week (including Drama, Dance, Art and Choir: sing and sign), along with visiting local schools and residential settings for one-to-one sessions and group workshops.We are always interested in collaborating with local or national community groups / events and are always keen to chat about new ideas so please do get in touch.https://inspirationcreative.co.uk/about-us/

Katherine Wyatt the new Director of the Broadstairs food festival gives us an insights to her new role plus what's happening at this years event and the planning involved for 2027.Broadstairs Food Festival is a vibrant celebration of brilliant food, drink and the passionate people behind it. Discover independent producers from Kent, the wider region and beyond, alongside an incredible choice of freshly prepared hot food, artisan produce and specialist drinks.Set beside the sea in beautiful Broadstairs, the free, family-friendly festival also features live music at the Bandstand and a packed Kitchen Theatre programme of cooking demonstrations, author conversations and talks from food and nutrition specialists.Come hungry, try something new and enjoy a relaxed celebration of food and drink on the Kent coast.https://broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk

Listen as Margaret and Adrian talk about this amazing group supporting people in Broadstairs and beyond. Thanet u3a is part of a nation-wide organisation for people who are no longer in full-time employment. It is a charity, self-governing and run voluntarily by members for members. The charity number for Thanet u3a is 1095292. Our purpose is to enable people to share a wide variety of interests and pastimes in small groups with other like-minded people. Our members run over 50 different interest groups and short courses covering a wide range of topics including drawing and painting, quizzes, cinema critique, gardening, photography, walking, local and natural history and many more. In addition, we hold monthly coffee mornings and meetings with speakers covering a wide range of topics.To learn more or join visit the website https://thanet.u3asite.uk

Hi, my name is Toby; and I was born with a condition known as bilateral anophthalmia; which means that I was born without eyes. A game that has always been influential to me is final fantasy x, which I first played with my Cousin, but I eventually learned to play it independently. It is because of this game, that I was featured in a documentary in the year 2017; called gaming through new eyes, which was created by Youtuber Dansg08. Upon completion, the documentary then went on to win a number of awards at film festivals, including best film; and I also got an inspiration award.I love gaming music as I create music and play the piano myself. I love all things technology, to the extent that my Partner often refers to me as a machine! As such, I have bata tested several accessible games and products for the visually impaired. These include Delight games, interactive fiction games, the Braille note touch plus; and most notably, the Braille note evolve. Follow me of gaming updates on my Youtube channel as a blind gamer; and generally all things tech.You can follow Toby on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-ott-68a476405/You can watch Toby's Documentary via this link https://youtu.be/MfG_4K2Tb5Q?si=unNW0pse4EiU1atePlus his own Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@gamingthroughnewworlds

Have you ever wondered what its like to use a beach hut... well now you can find out from this who do.Our wonderful beach huts in Broadstairs. Where I talk to their owners and renters about why they are so popular here. Plus what to expect when you have one. You will be surprised and enlightened.... plus we hear from one of the beach Huts itself as it reveals what it's like to be one....enjoyThank you to everybody who has taken part ......sorry quality for sound in parts ...... I would like to thank Yuna Rose a local story teller for the lovely poem where our Beach Hut tells us what's it like to be a Beach Hut on Stone Bay You can visit her stories and poems via this link http://www.youtube.com/@StoryRhymeTimewithYunaRose

Listen as Petra and Steve tell us about the background of this amazing organisation and why it is so important.Community Lifesavers CIC is a Kent-based social action not-for-profit project run by trained volunteers.We deliver free training in CPR and using defibrillators to Year 7 students in schools, the community, clubs, and businesses. Proudly turning bystanders into lifesavers. Locating and supplying more Defibrillators across the bays of Broadstairs80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. With immediate action bystanders can triple the chances of saving a life.Only 1 in 10 out of hospital cardiac arrests survive in the UK; in Norway 4 in 10 survive. A factor for this is young people learning these lifesaving skills at school.We’re based in East Kent and have focused on, successfully delivering our unique, free, one-hour awareness sessions to over 3000 Year 7 secondary school students since 2023. We also help the community with community groups like scouts and squash clubs; anyone can become a lifesaver.Our Aims:Train the public turning bystanders into lifesavers.Train Year 7 students in quality CPR and defibrillator use.Aid the facilitation of defibrillators in the community and provide support concerning installation, training, and maintenance of defibrillators.Identify areas where a defibrillator needs to be in the community.If you would like to volunteer or would like a free lesson via this link to make contact https://www.communitylifesavers.org.ukIf you would like to run the London Marathon 2027 for Community Life Savers and have a place but charity or CIC to raise funds for please contact [email protected]

Broadstairs based Nan Eshelby..... I am devoting my time to helping nature around us. I have written and illustrated children’s books to Spark a ❤️ of nature. Reviewed by leading experts such as Prof Goulson, Prof Beebee, Alison Benjamin, Kate Bradbury, Brigit Strawbridge. Enjoy reading with a child while learning easy ways to help bees, frogs and wildlife. ‘Bombus and the Beeline’ and ‘Puddock’s Pond’ and ‘Moira and the Magnificent Bee Beds’ (dyslexic friendly) are for age 4+ and have an appendix with fun facts. Brilliant Bombus Bumblebee is for age 2+.Hello Nature LoversI am a passionate nature enthusiast dedicated to making the world a greener, more nature friendly place. Through my work in the garden and with my children’s books, I strive to inspire others to connect with nature in meaningful ways. My garden, a wildflower meadow full of bee-friendly shrubs and flowers, reflects my deep commitment to preserving and enhancing local ecosystems.As a writer and illustrator, I craft stories that spark a love of nature in young hearts, encouraging the next generation to appreciate and protect the natural world. I give presentations to adult groups sharing my personal journey in gardening and the creation of my books, aiming to shift perspectives on the beauty and importance of nature in our lives.Beyond my garden, I am an active advocate for environmental change, working with councils and governments to reduce pesticide use and promote healthier, more sustainable approaches to land management, particularly in the care of verges and public spaces. My belief is that small actions can make a big difference in the preservation of the planet for future generations.I also give presentations to adult groups on easy things we can all do to help and changing our view of beauty to natures view. If you are interested in a presentation or a children’s reading and activity even then do reach out at [email protected] or visit my web site www.bombusthebee.com

Meet GeorgeA normal kid chasing an extraordinary dream.... which will become a reality.George Jackson is a 14-year-old from Kent, documenting his journey from simulator racing to competitive motorsport through SIM TO GRID.Ever since watching the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, George has dreamed of becoming a professional racing driver. That passion led him to sim racing, where countless hours of practice helped him develop his racecraft before being invited to join SIM Motorsport Race School.Today, George is working with experienced coaches, training both on and off the simulator and preparing for the next stage of his journey into British Rallycross. His long-term ambition is to earn the opportunity to race professionally in championships such as BTCC or the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).George believes success isn't given, it's earned through hard work, determination and a willingness to keep learning. Through SIM TO GRID, he's inviting people to follow the journey as it unfolds, sharing the highs, the challenges and everything it takes to chase a dream. If you are a local company and would like George to achieve his goal he has these packages to help sponsor him. All the information you need is via this page https://www.gjacksonracing.co.uk/partnersYou can follow George via the following linkshttps://www.instagram.com/georgejacksonracing/https://www.gjacksonracing.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592034593837https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeJacksonRacinghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/george-jackson-racing/posts/?viewAsMember=true