Ramsgate feed - This is Kent

Attacking litterbugs by being jitterbugs

Fri, 14 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

SURPRISED shoppers were flabbergasted by fox-trotting dancers boogieing their way through Ramsgate on Saturday.

About 30 volunteers added their own twist to classic ballroom dancing as they took centre stage in the middle of Ramsgate High Street.

Bewildered residents watched Ramsgate Arts Group perform the second Take Art Take Pride event, designed to raise awareness over litter.

Organiser Sue Kennedy said: "The event went really well and it shows what you can organise if you put your mind to it."

Mrs Kennedy hopes the dance stunts in Ramsgate will deliver a strong message to the public on antisocial behaviour.

She added: "This highlights the biggest hate of all for people in Ramsgate, which is litter, and I hope this makes a difference."

Three artistically decorated wheelie bins, one with a large mouth, were positioned on street corners.

The group performed three songs before disappearing as quickly as they arrived.

If your school or group want to join in the next dance, contact Bella Goyarts at Ramsgate Arts on 07951 969979 or e-mail bellagoyarts@yahoo.co.uk

Taxi driver on rape charges

Fri, 14 May 2010 13:53:00 GMT

A TAXI driver from Broasdstairs has been charged with two counts and rape and indecent assault.

David Stirrups, 53, from Whitfield Avenue is alleged to have assaulted a woman in her 30s on her way home after a night out last weekend (Saturday May 8).

Mr Stirrups has also been charged with one count of indecent assault following an incident in Ramsgate in the early hours of Saturday 10 April 2010.

Mr Stirrups was arrested at his home on Tuesday morning (11 May 2010) as part of an investigation by Kent Police's major crime department following a call from the woman's friend on Monday afternoon.

Mr Stirrups appeared before at Margate Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday) and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday 1 June.

Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation is asked to telephone major crime detectives on 01303 289600.

Facing murder retrial

Fri, 14 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

A FORMER Margate man who was sentenced to death for murder in The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a retrial this week.

Joshua French, 27, and his Norwegian friend Tjostolv Moland, 28, were found guilty of murder and espionage and they lost an appeal at a military tribunal last December.

His family feared Joshua would be executed but now hope the case could be heard in a civil court.

Joshua's sister Hannah, 25, who lived in Cliftonville, said her brother and a friend had signed a document saying the trial would start in Kisangani yesterday.

She added: "I don't know what I feel about the new trial. Anything can happen."

In April 2009, Joshua, a former British and Norwegian soldier, and Tjostolv travelled into The Congo from Uganda on a motorbike trip. Their motorbike broke down and they hired a car and a driver to take them back to Uganda.

Two Congolese passengers travelled with them. A few hours into their journey Joshua and Tjostolv claim they were ambushed and their driver was killed.

The two fled and a few days later they were arrested.

Joshua was given four death sentences and 20 years in prison. Tjostolv received five death sentences and a 20 year stretch.

Both men and the Norwegian Government have been asked to pay $500million damages to the Congolese Government.

New ideas for library

Fri, 07 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

PLANS for a new reading garden at a Ramsgate library have been put on hold while new ideas are discussed.

Retired florist Jocelyn McCarthy's dream of creating a tranquil, relaxing spot in the gardens of Ramsgate Library may have to make way for a vegetable patch or even a children's play area.

He said: "We originally planned to take on the garden last year but now more people have got involved I'm concerned people will get an area that is too contrived."

Mr McCarthy, who is chairman of Friends of Ramsgate Library, hopes to create a reading space with borders, tables and some screening provided by shrubs.

District manager for Thanet libraries Jackie Taylor-Smith who looks after nine in total, has just completed a public consultation. She said: "We are working with Jocelyn. We asked residents if they'd like activities, a vegetable garden or an area linked to a children's book like Beatrix Potter.

"I think if we come up with a good design, we can get the best of both worlds."

Mrs Taylor-Smith is also considering a sensory garden for the visually impaired.

The library plans to publish consultation findings in the next few weeks.

Vandals target motor home of grandfather

Fri, 07 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

A GRANDFATHER of nine has had his retirement motor home vandalised.

Retired coal miner Les Lambert, 67, discovered the tyres, windscreen and bodywork of his pride and joy had been attacked with a knife while parked in Greenfield Avenue, Ramsgate.

He said: "I bought that motor home for my retirement and these thugs have come along and caused hundreds of pounds of damage. I bought it so I could enjoy my retirement with my family."

Mr Lambert said a neighbour had seen someone in a dressing gown scurrying away at around 4am on Sunday April 18. Three of the tyres were slashed and there were fine slashes to passenger side bodywork and two windows.

Two more vehicles in the quiet cul-de-sac in Northwood were also damaged, a lorry and a car.

Mr Lambert said: "I'm very bitter – it's not nice to think things can happen while you're in the house at night.

"They have nothing to gain from what they've done to my motor home – it's so mindless."

Police are asking anyone with information to call 01622 690690 or contact Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

Couple walk between two towers for cot death charity

Fri, 07 May 2010 07:00:00 GMT

THE parents of a cot-death baby are preparing for a sponsored walk next week.

Darren Marborough, 28, and Rebecca Barrett, 20, hope to raise £5,000 for the Foundation for Study into Infant Death charity, by walking from the clock tower in Herne Bay, to the clock tower in Margate.

Mr Marlborough, said: "This was a tragic accident and natural cot death. This is why we are doing the walk to help raise money. The FSID gives you a mat which lets off an alarm when your baby stops breathing for more than ten seconds."

Mr Marlborough said the organisation also sends parents on a course, teaching them how to give first aid. More than 100 people are expected to take part in the 15-mile walk at 10am on Saturday, May 15. There is also a sponsored head shave, body wax and raffle at 6pm on Sunday, May 23, at the Four Fathoms pub in Herne Bay. Anyone interested in attending any of the events can call Darren on 07770 522092.

Air quality order made in Ramsgate

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:36:00 GMT

AN AREA of Ramsgate is to be subject to an air quality order after unacceptable levels of a poisonous gas were found.

Last night (April 29), council cabinet members agreed to make St. Lawrence an "Air Quality Management Area" in response to high levels of the chemical nitrogen dioxide.

The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting after members were told that the air quality in and around the roundabout at St. Lawrence High Street had failed to reach government guidelines.

The Air Quality Management Area Order, exercised by the council through powers under Section 83 of the Environment Act 1995, will come into effect in May.

A further monitoring will now take place to see what improvements can be made to the air. The council has already received government funding to install an air quality monitoring station in St. Lawrence.

Specialist consultants will draw up an action plan and look at issues, such as traffic, in consultation with the public.

This action plan will also look at Thanet's other Air Quality Management Area in the Square in Birchington, where traffic is also suspected to be causing air pollution.

Senior Environmental Protection Officer, Amanda Berry, said: "Now that the Air Quality Management Area has been declared around St. Lawrence High Street, we'll be looking further into the causes of this problem. We'll be carrying out more monitoring over the next few months to look at what action we can take in the future to help improve the air quality in this area."

Up to date pollution levels and air quality reports can be viewed at www.kentair.org.uk

Join our walk to remember Lily

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

THE parents of a baby girl who died after suffocating on a toy in her cot are organising a sponsored walk to raise money for research into cot death.

Rebecca Barrett, 20, and her partner Darren Marlborough, 28, were devastated when two-and-a-half-month-old Lily was found dead in her cot by a friend.

It appeared Lily suffocated on a little blanket attached to a toy which was left in her bed.

Rebecca said: "Darren fed her at 10pm and then winded her. He put her back to bed with her toy rabbit and she never woke up.

"We let our friend in in the morning and went back to bed because we were tired. She went in to check on Lily and then we heard a scream. Darren went in and picked her up and put her down because she wasn't breathing."

Rebecca dialled 999 and tried in vain to resuscitate baby Lily following the operator's instructions.

She added: "The bunny had a small blanket which suffocated Lily.

"I don't want anyone to go through what we have. My message to everyone is to put your baby in a sleeping bag and don't put any toys in their bed. It is important to try and ensure your baby sleeps on its back too."

Rebecca and Darren are aiming to raise £5,000 for the Foundation for Study into Infant Death by walking from the clock tower in Herne Bay to the one in Margate.

Rebecca, from Ramsgate, expects a hundred people to take part in the 15-mile walk at 10am on Saturday, May 15.

There is also a sponsored head shave and body wax at 6pm on Sunday, May 23 at the Four Fathoms pub in Herne Bay.

There will be a raffle with prizes supplied by Fusions, Orange Tree, The Discount Shop, The Studio, Present Solutions, Kids Corner, Nut Cutters, Morecutts, The Crystal Shop, Polish, Earth Angles and Obsessions.

To take part in the sponsored walk or head shave contact Rebecca Barrett on 07770 522092.

Missing person hunt in Ramsgate

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:11:00 GMT

WELSH Police are appealing for help to trace a missing person who they believe are in Ramsgate.

Geoffrey Owens, 69, has been missing from an Haverfordwest since April . He is white, 5'9, thin, with grey hair, grey stubble and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing light blue jeans, a white and blue checked shirt, navy fleece, black coat with fur around the hood and a flat brown checked cap.

Police are asking for Mr Owens to present himself to his nearest police station so they can be assured he is safe and well.

Anyone with information can contact Haverfordwest Police Station on 01267 222020.

New regulations for Thanet strip clubs

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:27:00 GMT

THANET council has become one of the first authorities in the country to order strip clubs to apply for seperate premises licences.

The new rules mean that not only do lap dancing clubs have to apply for licences, but they could also be charged up to £30,000 to get one.

At a meeting on Thursday, councillors heard the new rules would allow pubs to be kept away from places where they might damage the character of the area.

But the manager of Purple bar in Margate says the new rules could punish pubs like his, that only hold "gentlemen only" events once a week.

Minister responds to residents' concerns

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

A HOME Office minister, campaigning for Labour in Thanet South, has called for CCTV to be installed on the Whitehall estate.

Meg Hillier, 41, who introduced the photo ID cards for migrant workers in England and Wales, spoke to a small group of mums last Thursday.

When the Hackney and Shoreditch MP heard that there was no CCTV on the estate, she said: "I come from an area with one of the highest levels of social housing, and these estates have CCTV."

One resident told Mrs Hillier that a neighbour had her back door kicked in twice and the police took two hours to respond.

She added: "These kids have got nothing to do but wander around the estate. No one seems to do anything about it."

Another frightened resident described a gang of 15 boys, some carrying knives, parading along Nixon Avenue threatening people.

Mrs Hillier said: "It sounds like Kent people could do with some advice from specialist police who tackle these problems in London."

Thanet South candidate Stephen Ladyman, 57, said: "There has been an incredible effort over the past few years by local residents, who really care about turning their neighbourhood around.

"We desperately need a community centre for the people of Whitehall, and I'm convinced the recreation ground could be a beautiful asset rather than the problem it is at the moment, given the right investment by the council."

Mrs Hillier said: "I'll be taking an action plan back to the Home Office, and I'm sure that quick solutions including better youth provision and new security cameras could make a real difference to the lives of residents."

Chief Inspector at Thanet Police Mitchell Fox said the problems on Whitehall estate are nothing like the problems in Hackney, where gun crime rose by 29 per cent compared to last year. He said "CCTV does help in city centres, but it may be less effective on the estate. Of the 6,170 people we surveyed in Northwood only 10 per cent raised concerns over antisocial behaviour."

Ramsgate's silt too much, even for world sailor

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

A FORMER Royal Temple Yacht Club commodore and round-the-world sailor has been forced to berth his new boat at Dover because of silt problems in Ramsgate harbour.

As revealed in the Isle of Thanet Gazette last week, the Race of the Classics has been asked to avoid Ramsgate this year because of dredging at the port.

Now, former RTYC commodore John Barrett has told how he has had to berth his Beneteau First 35 race yacht Stiletto in Dover ahead of the Ostend/Ramsgate/Boulogne racing in May, because Ramsgate's harbour authority could not guarantee Stiletto's keel would not get stuck in silt.

Mr Barrett said: "They are unable to accommodate Stiletto as they cannot guarantee the 2.5 metres of water that the boat safely needs.

"Dover Harbour Marina has welcomed Stiletto with open arms, as they can guarantee the depth in their marina, and will undoubtedly use this problem in Ramsgate as a marketing aid."

Former Ramsgate harbour master Captain Ken Gray, who now manages a Scottish port, believes Thanet council should give up running the port itself and set up a trust ensuring the funds are set aside for necessary dredging works.

In a letter to the Isle of Thanet Gazette, Captain Gray said: "I have spent 27 years managing ports throughout the UK and they all have to dredge, but Ramsgate more than most.

"The fact is that dredging is expensive and time-consuming, and the council has always been short of funds. I am pleased to learn that the port and harbour is benefiting from the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, and I am sure with good management this will assist in resolving the situation and other problems by making more funds available.

"However, it is my view that Ramsgate harbour and the port should be operated independently from the council as a Trust Port, which would allow income to be invested directly into the port and harbour, and have an independently elected board, similar to my current port."

In a statement, Thanet council said: "The council is giving priority to scheduling in maintenance work at the marina and accommodating the wind farm vessels, which is important for the long-term future of the port.

"The contract for dredging is currently out to tender and that work will be carried out to ensure that we can accommodate the Dunkirk Little Ships in late May, which attract considerable press interest in Ramsgate.

"The first priority for dredging work was the port, so we could ensure that the new ferry could operate."

CCTV could crack alcohol investigation

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:55:00 GMT

THE police have released a CCTV image of two men who they would like to interview as part of an investigation into the purchase of alcohol for minors.

Six young people, with 24 cans of larger were stopped on their way to Ellington Park last Friday. Officers discovered they had purchased the alcohol from a store in Ramsgate, which may now face prosecution.

The seizure was part of a joint operation by Thanet's police neighbourhood task team and Thanet council to ensure that licensed premises were sticking to the terms of their licence.

Sgt Martin Turner, who leads the task team, said: " We take seriously what the local community tells us matters most to them and working closely with our colleagues at the council to use our combined powers as an effective way of tackling drink related anti-social behaviour."

The team also issued a warning to an off licence for selling cigarettes to a 17-year-old boy; spotted a man who had breached the terms of his release from prison and was returned and reunited a lost handbag with its owner.

Anyone who knows the names of the two men in the CCTV image is urged to contact licensing officer Nigel Cruttenden on 01843 236004.

Thanet council chief defends his parking

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

HAULING an eight-foot-long neon sign around is a tough job for any 73-year-old.

So after finding it impossible to park legally in Birchington's The Square, deputy leader of Thanet council Roger Latchford parked his car across the pavement and yellow lines while delivering the sign bearing Christmas greetings.

It was a decision that gave an opportunist the chance to snap him breaking the law.

Mr Latchford admitted he parked illegally, but said it was for the good of the community.

He confessed after the Isle of Thanet Gazette received this photo of his Mercedes parked on the curb over a double yellow line in The Square.

The long-standing Tory councillor, given an OBE for his services to business, said his car was parked illegally for just moments while he delivered a new addition to the village's Christmas lights.

The 73-year-old said: "I do not condone illegal parking. I had delivered to my home an eight-foot by four-foot neon sign saying 'Happy Christmas Birchington'.

"I got a six-foot trailer and took it to The Square.

"I couldn't get it and the trailer up there, so I left it there for a matter of minutes while I pulled the trailer around by hand.

"The person who took the photo could have helped me rather than taking this photo.

"This kind of thing makes you not want to do anything to help anyone."

Mr Latchford said the sign was appreciated by the people of the town.

He also questioned why the photo had been sent to the press four months after it was taken.

What do you think? Was the councillor right to stop for a moment, or is the law the law? E-mail newsdesk.thanet@krmedia.co.uk or write to the address on page 2.

Bomb blown up off Ramsgate

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

A ROYAL Navy bomb disposal team has blown up a German Second World War mine off the coast of Ramsgate.

The bomb was dredged up by a Belgian fishing boat the Marretje Aaltje on Thursday.

Because the bomb was close to shipping lanes HMS Mersey liaised with the Thames coastguard to identify the safest area to dispose of the mine.

At midnight the two-metre long air-dropped mine, weighing between 800kg and 1,000kg, was towed from the Thames Estuary by the fishing boat, escorted by HMS Mersey, to 25 miles north east of Ramsgate.

The fishing vessel left and HMS Mersey remained on the scene to ensure the safety of other shipping.

Today bomb disposal divers from the Royal Navy's Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit (SDU2) joined HMS Mersey and entered the water to inspect the mine 20 metres underwater. At noon the mine was safely blown up causing a 200-metre high plume of water.

SDU2 carries deal with bombs discovered between Hampshire and Lincolnshire including discarded emergency flares to military mines, grenades and bombs, often from the Second World War.

The Royal Navy divers also serve with their army bomb disposal colleagues in Afghanistan.

Sinking feeling after race is lost

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

FAILURE to dredge the port has left traders reeling at the loss of a major money-spinning event.

Europe's biggest classic boat race, the Race of the Classics, will not bring its 700 wealthy Dutch finance students to Ramsgate Harbour this month.

Last April the students ran up a £3,000 bar bill at The Royal Temple Yacht Club in just two hours as well as spending their time and money in surrounding bars and restaurants.

The organisers' website says: "This year because of the dredging of the port and the construction of the wind farm, unfortunately it is not possible to put on an event in Ramsgate."

Disappointed traders and residents have set up The Ramsgate Harbour Impact Group to try to force an improvement in dredging to remove silt, and to get pontoons improved without disruption.

Hotel and bar owner Frank Thorley, who owns the Oak Hotel on Ramsgate's waterfront, said: "We have a meeting with Thanet council this week where I hope we can work things out. We'd be gutted if they are not going to come."

In 2008 The Race of the Classics organisers gave Ramsgate a wide berth because of the levels of silt in the harbour. That same year a Royal Navy boat was delayed by low water and high silt levels in the harbour.

Royal Temple Yacht Club secretary and spokesman for the group Hugh Cripps said Thanet council need to dredge the harbour.

He added: "There is a dredger clearing the port but not the harbour. Ever since the harbour has been built there has always been a need to dredge it. You have to keep on top of it and it is something that needs to be done all the time. Thanet council need to dredge the harbour and regularly maintain it. We've lost thousands of pounds because of this."

Thanet council has a statement on its website that the works, including repairs to the pontoon and dredging, will not be finished until mid-May.

Head of regeneration at Thanet council Councillor Roger Latchford said: "The Tall Ships won't come this year. The Tall Ships do not know what port they will stop at in advance because they are governed by wind and tides. We told them we cannot accept them this year."

A disappointed Mr Cripps said: "I think this work to the pontoons should have been done in the winter to avoid loss of trade. The tall ships will now go to Ipswich or Lowestoft. They have been coming here for the past 20 years and now it's too late to salvage the trip to the harbour."

Former RTYC commodore Davina Green stressed the campaign is not just about the tall ships.

She said: "We've been struggling to get the harbour dredged for a long time. Yachts can't get in and out of the harbour unless it's high tide.

"We've got the regatta coming up and I think the council has to sort it out, or we may have to cancel another event."

A Thanet council spokesman said: "Since 2004, the Race of the Classics has only visited Ramsgate on three occasions. In all other years, they have been unable to visit due to adverse weather.

"The council is giving priority to scheduling in maintenance work at the marina and accommodating the wind farm vessels, which is important for the long-term future of the port.

"The first priority for dredging work was the port, so that we could ensure that the new ferry could operate."

The decision regarding the Race of the Classics was taken jointly by Robert Brown, interim assistant harbour master, and Brian White, director of economic development and regeneration.

What do you think? Has Thanet council done enough to keep the harbour in top shape? E-mail newsdesk.thanet@krnmedia.co.uk or write to the address on this page.

Changes in Thanet's electoral boundaries key to election

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:32:00 GMT

CHANGES in Thanet's electoral boundaries could hold the key to next month's General Election results.

The country will go to the polls on May 6, with four weeks of furious campaigning across Thanet's two Parliamentary seats.

Currently Labour MP Steve Ladyman holds the South Thanet seat with Conservative Roger Gale in the north.

Thanet's electoral boundaries have changed since the last election, with Minster now part of the North Thanet constituency and Cliftonville moving into South Thanet.
Sholden has moved to the Deal and Dover constituency while the village of Chillenden and some of the surrounding area has transferred to South Thanet.

Political experts are predicting the changes could favour the Tories, with Dr Ladyman admitting it could hit his already slender majority.

Dr Ladyman, who has represented South Thanet since 1997, got a mere 664 more votes than previous Tory candidate Mark MacGregor in 2005.

His slim majority makes South Thanet one of the most marginal seats in the country, meaning it could become a real battleground with high-profile Labour and Tory politicians visiting.

Dr Ladyman said: "It will be a tough fight for me to hold on in South Thanet, this is a tight marginal and the Conservatives benefit from boundary changes, but it's a fight Labour has to win if local people want to see continued investment in South Thanet."

Conservative Laura Sandys, Lib Dem Peter Bucklitch, UKIP's Trevor Shonk and independent Tim Garbutt have all announced their intention to contest the seat.

Mrs Sandys brought her campaign trailer, which was controversially parked on farmland last year, into Ramsgate town centre on Tuesday, just hours after the Prime Minister visited Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament.

She said: "I am thrilled that the campaign has at last started. It will be a vigorous campaign meeting a lot of people and asking them to share their concerns and aspirations."

In the north of the isle, three candidates have put themselves forward to dislodge Mr Gale, who has held the seat since 1983, and in the last election had a majority of 7,634 votes.

Herne Bay parish councillor Michael Britton, Lib Dem Laura Murphy and UKIP's Rosamund Parker will stand against the long-standing MP.

The votes from both constituencies will be counted at Margate's Winter Gardens on the evening of May 6.

Hague visits Ramsgate

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:36:00 GMT

FORMER Conservative leader William Hague visited Ramsgate High Street on Wednesday showing his support for the party's South Thanet candidate.
Mr Hague, who walked through the town centre meeting and greeting residents, blamed high unemployment and deprivation in Thanet on the government.
He said: "Getting business going again is an absolute priority for Thanet after 13 years of Labour government. It is important that in any deprived area we improve education and training and create 10,000 more university places."
Mr Hague refused to accept that Laura Sandys was simply a parachute candidate.
Mr Hague dismissed Labour's claim that the Tories would "destroy" Sure Start describing it as "absolute nonsense".
He said: "All we want is to get more health visitors. We think these outreach workers are important getting to mothers with younger children and we think we are right about this."
Mr Hague popped into Eddie Gilberts fish shop, he said: "I've heard wonderful things about Eddie Gilberts and standing here does make me hungry." On leaving Mr Hague chuckled "All you need is a Conservative government to keep taxes down as your next main ingredient."

Fishing trip's historic catch

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

TWO schoolboys have discovered a three-foot elephant tusk while fishing on a Broadstairs beach.

Billy Bradshaw, 17, and David McCormack, 17, both pupils at Chatham House Grammar School, were astounded when they unearthed the chunk of bone at Louisa Bay.

Billy, from Margate, who plans to study sports science at university, spotted the historic find when he saw about three inches of tooth sticking out of some rocks.

He said: "I kept pulling at it until we got it out of the ground."

Laden with fishing gear, the two boys left the tusk overnight on the beach and came back to collect it the next day.

Billy said: "At first we thought it was a chunk of wood but then David's dad, John, suggested it might be an elephant or mammoth tusk from a shipwreck."

Thanet paleontologist Alasdair Bruce dismissed the mammoth theory, estimating that the bone had been in the water for between two and three hundred years.

Dr Bruce said it was likely the find had been trapped in chalk trenches, which are formed off the Thanet coast.

He said: "These chalk gulleys reveal all sorts of treasures and you never know what you'll find on the beach.

"If it was cargo from the hull of a sunken ship there could be more of them down there."

David, from Ramsgate, who celebrated his birthday the day after their discovery, said: "I'm hoping it may be worth something but I know it may be illegal to sell it.

"If you find ivory from before the 1989 Act then I believe it may be legal to sell it."

Ladies to bowl into men's club

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:00:00 GMT

A BASTION of men-only bowling may have to open its doors to women after membership numbers fell to a meagre 45.

St Lawrence Bowls Club said life without women had its disadvantages and it was now considering allowing the fairer sex into the club.

Member Peter Graham, 46, from Ramsgate, said: "This club was set up in 1947 and has always been a men-only club but if we are to have a future, we need to look at taking on ladies."

In its heyday, the club had 150 members and a healthy waiting list.

Since the 1970s, numbers have dwindled to an all-time low, threatening the future of the club.

Mr Graham said: "We have to do something so we are holding an open day to recruit new members.

"We don't have facilities for women, like changing rooms and we are not encouraging lady members at this stage.

"There are one or two members against lady bowlers but the majority are for them.

"We want more members and are thinking that we need to open to lady members."

Vice-club captain, Len Anning, 75, said railway men used to make up a large chunk of the membership.

He said: "In the 1960s and 1970s, the club was predominantly rail workers from Ramsgate. Many of them are either dead or playing golf."

Despite its predicament, the club has held the trophy for best bowls club in Thanet for the past 14 years.

Member Bob Shilling, 76, explained that the club had to turn away husband and wife players because of the rules.

The club is open from Monday, April 26, to the end of September and membership costs £80 per year, which includes the use of facilities including bar and lounge.

The club's open day is from 10am on Monday, May 3, and potential members are invited to turn up on the day.