the whitstable imp issue 2

FREE

Ben Mills:Whitstable’s home grown celebrity

GET YOUR GARDEN

INTOSHAPE!

ENERGISING YOGA FOR JANUARY

ENERGYSPECIAL TOP TIPS TO HELP

REDUCE YOUR CARBON

FOOTPRINT

An Independent Media Publication

whitstableimpTHE

ISSUE 2 JANUARY 2009

WINONE OF 10

PHILIPS MP3 PLAYERS!

The IMP January 09.indd 1 19/12/08 12:37:00

Gas Fires Gas Cookers Servicing


HAPPY NEW YEAR! And welcome to the January issue of The Whitstable IMP...

We have had very positive feedback from those who have seen the magazine, and we’re really enjoying

the process of putting it together for you. This issue is all about energy - saving it, in

terms of consumption and carbon footprint - and recharging it, in terms of your life! If you’re feeling a bit jaded after the seasonal festivities, or that you’ve overindulged and you need to make some changes for the New Year, why not try our Aromatherapy or Yoga tips?

I definitely overindulged - so I’ll be starting my own fitness regime this month by going back to weekly Irish Dancing lessons - I’m a beginner, but it’s just so much fun that you don’t even realise that you’re working out, and for me that is very important! If you fancy giving it a go, or want to know about anything else that’s going on in Whitstable, have a look in our ‘What’s on’ listings.

I hope you enjoy this month’s magazine. Sadly, for many of you, this may be the first copy of the IMP that you have seen. We can only apologise and explain why so many of you may not have seen the December issue at all.

Unfortunately, the distributor we employed to deliver our launch issue let us all down badly, and many homes were missed. We have tried to make up for this by hand-delivering some of the magazines ourselves, and with the help of some really kind friends; leaving magazines in local libraries, shops, cafes - even giving them to schools to send home in the children’s book bags, but even with all this, some people will still not have received a December issue.

And now for the good news! We have

THIS

ISSU

E

03

theimp

employed a new distributor for January, a reputable company with over 20 years in the business, and hopefully from 28th December for a 2-week period the January issue will have been delivered successfully into every Whitstable home. If you hear of anyone who has not received their copy, please be sure to let us know so we can make sure they get one. Our contact details are below.

And the fact that so many of you did not see the mag means that we STILL have 10 PHILIPS MP3 players to give away to the first 10 people to send us in their feedback on the magazine! Send yours to the usual address to be entered into the draw (see below).

And finally a huge vote of thanks to our wonderful contributors, for making this such a feature-packed issue. They are all working extremely hard to bring this magazine to you and to help the Whitstable community in these ‘interesting’ times.

If there is anything you think we should be covering, or anything you like or dislike, please let us know - email: [email protected] or write to: The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable CT5 9AH. We have 10 MP3 players to give away to 10 lucky readers who give us their feedback - all you need to do is write in to be entered into the draw!

Thanks for reading, and best wishes for 2009 from The IMP Team!

If you are interested in advertising in The IMP please call Mel on 0800 44 88 309

All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is prohibited without prior written consent from the Publisher. Opinions expressed in the editorial are not necessarily those of the Editor or Publisher. IMP does not accept responsibility for the advertising contents, or endorse or recommend any of the companies

or products featured; nor shall IMP be liable for any damage caused to or losses suffered by any person who relies on the information published in this magazine. (copyright ©) Independent Media Publications.

WIN ONE OF 10

PHILIPS MP3 PLAYERS!


THIS

ISSU

E

04

theimp

EDITOR

Christina Birkett Christina started working in Media twelve years ago, and enjoyed a happy and varied career, leaving work to look after her children about 18 months ago. With three daughters under the age of five, work needs to be flexible these days, and Christina is delighted to have found the right balance between work and family

- and to be covering a subject she loves – Whitstable! To Contact Christina about any aspect of the editorial, email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH.

CONTRIBUTORS

Liz CrudgingtonLiz has spent the last eight years writing about Whitstable for one of the town’s newspapers and is excited to be involved with The Whitstable IMP. She’ll be working on news and features, in between looking after her daughter Natasha, and is looking forward to making sure the whole town knows what’s going on.

Andy CaponAndy has lived in Whitstable for several years, and is drummer and founder member of popular local band The Trouser Trumpets. He has written two as yet unpublished books, Gone But Not Forgotten and Does Humour Belong In Music?, as well as writing features for Viz and Empire magazine. He is also the author of The Trouser

Press, a ‘puerile and meaningless magazine about our band.’ Currently unemployed ‘through illness rather than choice,’ he names his interests as music, writing, and Arsenal - and is obsessed with Marmalade.

Stephanie ShantiStephanie Shanti has been practising yoga for 12 years and teaching since 2000. She trained at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Montreal, Canada, and has taught classes to a wide variety of clients including children, families, patients in rehabilitation, the elderly, and those with special needs. She has studied many forms of

yoga, including Sivananda, Integral, Iyengar and Astanga, and is qualified in Thai Yoga and Swedish and Indian Head massage. She now lives in Italy with her partner and two sons on their yoga retreat - www.shanticentre.com.

Dominic BriceMarried with 3 boys, Dominic has lived in Whitstable most of his life. He started out working for a landscape company 17 years ago and after 5 years decided to start his own company, Tranquil Earth Natural Garden Design, which specialises in creating traditional and contemporary gardens, built with respect for the

environment and to encourage wildlife. Outside of work he is learning to sail and hopes one day to have his own sailing boat. Visit his website at www.tranquil-earth.co.uk for garden ideas.

Malissa TaylorSouth African-born Malissa is passionate about three things; Mamahood, Music and Mother Earth. She spends most of her time consumed by these and feels that her responsibility is to ensure that each is celebrated by

everything that she does. For the sake of her children, she recently moved to Whitstable from London where she hopes to submerge herself in the community, something which she believes is essential for her wellbeing and that of her family. She lives by the African adage, ‘Ubuntu’ which, roughly translated, means ‘I am because we are, and since we are, I am!’.

SALESMel Birkett FREEPHONE 0800 44 88 309

DESIGN Adam Boreham www.reactionvm.co.uk

PRINTINGHeadley Brothers www.headley.co.uk

PUBLISHERS IMP (Independent Media Publications)PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH

THE IMP TEAM


THIS

ISSU

E

05

theimp

LIFESTYLEEnergy is our theme for this month. Reduce your carbon footprint and the energy you consume

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ENERGISE YOURSELFBreathe some new life into your January with our Aromatherapy and Yoga Features:

ENTERTAINMENTWhitstable’s Home-Grown Talent what is Ben Mills doing now?

18

06

12

24

40

38

34

42

36

21

32

28

30

Rubbish, Rubbish, Rubbish!

Aromatherapy

X marks the spot

Open Mic Night at The Smack

Adult Learning

Find out ‘What’s on?’ Horoscopes

Letter Box

1716 26Transition TownFind out how you can help raise money for the RNLI

The latest on the Harbour with Whitstable Harbour Watch

Cook up a storm with a Healthy and Hearty Winter Veg Stir-fry

Energy-efficient lighting from Premier Electrics

Yoga Page

Buy Local & Organic

Get out into the garden!


Aromatherapy is not one of these new-fangled therapies; it has been around for centuries. In the last

20 years it has made a big comeback as we are more aware of the products and chemicals applied to our bodies, and more and more people look for natural alternatives. Essential oils come from the most natural source – plants. These oils are all made up of natural chemicals, containing different qualities which can affect separate areas of the body.

Aromatherapy can help us in many ways. Simply add one or two drops of essential oils to your shower gel in the morning to give you a much-needed boost on these dark January mornings.

Another way to get these marvellous oils into your body is in moisturising cream. You can add essential oils to vitamin E cream or Aqueous cream - it’s cheap too (always nice to hear in January when the pennies are scarce!). Simply add a few drops of your preferred oil, apply, and it will be absorbed into the bloodstream, moving around your body and stopping at the places where it’s needed.

After a long day at work, (or an even longer day with the kids!) set the mood by heating some oils in an oil-burner. Make sure you have enough water in the dish so it doesn’t burn dry or the only aroma you will get is the horrible smell of burning!

Here are a few energy-boosting oils to try for this time of year:

Rosemary is an energising oil which is good for stimulating the brain, and a tonic for the liver.

Grapefruit is an excellent detoxing oil and very uplifting; think of the fresh zingy taste of grapefruit

and imagine it soaking into your body, and the repairing it will do.

Lavender is great and will relax the kids without them even knowing... My daughter gets out of her bath saying

it’s my fault she is so sleepy. It’s always easier to feel energetic when you’ve had a relaxing evening and a decent sleep the night before!

Whether you’re feeling poisoned by the effects of overindulgence during the festive season, or just fi nding it all a bit of a struggle at the moment, aromatherapy could help to give you the energy boost you need. Debra Maybourne is an MICHT VTCT qualifi ed aromatherapist here in Whitstable, and shares a few tips to help make January a bit easier for all of us...

Energising AromatherapyLI

FEST

yLE

06

theimp

Grapefruitdetoxing oil and very uplifting; think of the fresh zingy taste of grapefruit

and imagine it soaking into your body,

Lavenderrelax the kids without them even knowing... My daughter gets out of her bath saying

it’s my fault she is so sleepy. It’s always

Rosemaryoil which is good for stimulating the brain, and a tonic for the liver.


AROMATHERAPY CAN HELP US IN MANY WAYS. SIMPLY ADD ONE OR TWO DROPS OF ESSENTIAL OILS TO YOUR SHOWER GEL IN THE MORNING TO GIVE YOU A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST ON THESE DARK JANUARY MORNINGS

Orange is fabulous as a stress-buster, and great to mix with lavender. It’s also a very good choice for the oil-burner

if there are colds in the house, as it has anti-viral properties.

If you do try some of these top tips, please check fi rst that they are suitable for you (especially if you are pregnant, have sensitive skin or any other medical condition) and remember that you only need to use 1 or 2 drops of oil as it goes a long way - less is more with essential oils. Be very careful if using oils in the bath as it can become very slippery.

For further information, email me at [email protected] or call 07872 622 023. Happy new year to you all!

Article by Debra Maybourne

LIFE

STyL

E

07

Energising Aromatherapy

theimp

Orange stress-buster, and great to mix with lavender. It’s also a very good choice for the oil-burner

if there are colds in the house, as it has


FACT Mortgages/Remortgages arestill readily available

FACT Interest rates are available frombelow 4.00%(terms and conditions apply)

FACT Up to 95% still available forFirst Time Buyers

FACT Debt Consolidation still available

FACT Self Employed schemes still available

FACT Past credit problem help still available

Struggling with Loan and Credit Card Payments!!Following enquiries from existing mortgage clients,Meridian are now offering a fantastic new service.If you are getting behind with your debts there is away out. We Could:• Deal with all of your creditors on your behalf• Reduce your monthly outgoings• Reduce or freeze interest charges• Stop demands from your creditors• Write off a proportion of your debt• Help you regain control of your finances

This is a totally confidential service to help anyonewho may be struggling, whether you own a propertyor not, please talk to us: 01227 772587

Beat the Mortgage Credit Crunch Don’t believe all you hear and read!!

MORTGAGE NEWS

Talk to Meridian for an independent, unbiased, up to date quotationTel: 01227 266644 Email [email protected] overall cost for comparison is 7.1% APR, the actual rate will depend upon your personal circumstances.Ask for a personalised illustration. APR variable and based on a usual case.The above are subject to terms and conditions and correct at time of going to print. A fee may be payable depending on your circumstances, anindication is 1% (minimum £0 max £500) Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.Your home may be repossessed if you donot keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Offices at 105 Tankerton Road Whitstable Kent CT5 2AJAuthorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority No 300486Meridian Corporate are an appointed representative of Guardian Debt Management CCL 612496 Registered Company Number 6413628.Please note that Debt Management Services are not regulated by the FSA.

The IndependentMortgage Specialists


Dedicated, visible and accessible - that’s the vision behind neighbourhood policing.

It’s a scheme designed to make sure everyone has access to a named offi cer and can report anti-social behaviour and other issues affecting their quality of life directly.

Another key aspect is that the community can be kept involved about what action is being taken to solve particular problems, and can help to direct police resources.

But do you know who is working in your neighbourhood - or what they are working on?

We’ve put together a handy guide to help you. Details of police surgeries and meetings can be found at www.kent.police.uk and the Inspector for Whitstable is Gordon Etheridge, with Sergeant Dave Brenchley. Both can be contacted on 01227 868028.

CHESTFIELDNeighbourhood offi cer: PC Steve Pope 01227 868028

PCSO: Mark Harriott 07772 226106

The priorities for the area are set by the Parish Council, with input from local residents, community groups and businesses. Offi cers are tackling anti-social behaviour, speeding along Chestfi eld Road, dog mess in the play park and irresponsible cycling.

GORRELLPCSO: Abi Symons 01227 868028

Residents in Gorrell ward in the town centre have asked their neighbourhood teams to focus on the Grimshill estate and problems of anti-social behaviour. Flytipping and litter at St Andrews Close is also one of the priorities.

HARBOURNeighbourhood offi cer: PC Andy Camp 07980 683530

PCSO: Aaron Pedwell 07772 226035

The town centre PACT panel have identifi ed anti-social behaviour on West Beach and the High

Street and Harbour Street as two of their priorities. Speeding motorists in the 20mph zone are another issue the neighbourhood team is tackling.

SEASALTER AND YORKLETTSPCSO: Aarron Newell 01227 868028

Litter and fl ytipping in Lucerne Drive tops the list of priorities for the community in Seasalter and Yorkletts. Speeding in Faversham Road and anti-social behaviour on the Beaconsfi eld Play Park have also been identifi ed as problems.

SWALECLIFFENeighbourhood offi cer: PC Steve Pope 01227 868028

PCSO: Graeme Downes 01227 868028

Families in Swalecliffe have identifi ed anti-social behaviour, damage and graffi ti to the beach huts and skate park, and parking and speeding in Swalecliffe Court Drive as their priorities.

TANKERTONNeighbourhood offi cer: PC Steve Pope 01227 868028

PCSO: Graeme Downes 01227 868028

Tankerton has a PACT panel - Partners and Communities Together - made up of residents, businesses and community representatives. Among the priorities for the area are damage and graffi ti to the beach huts, anti-social behaviour within the castle grounds and on Tankerton Slopes, speeding on Marine Parade, and dog mess on the slopes and beach.

By Liz Crudgington

COM

MUN

ITy

10

theimp

Dedicated, visible and accessible - that’s the vision behind neighbourhood policing.

It’s a scheme designed to make sure

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING


NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING

www.hernebaymobility.co.uk


ENTE

RTAI

NM

ENT

12

theimp

Panto Photos: Creative Venom


X

ENTE

RTAI

NM

ENT

13

As an X Factor fi nalist, Ben Mills has

played in some of the country’s biggest

venues. But it’s one of the smallest, right

here in Whitstable, that will always hold a special

place in his heart.

The Neptune pub is where many people still

picture him, before he came third in the television

talent show two years ago. And despite the

success he’s achieved since then, with his debut

album entering the charts at number three and

a string of sell-out gigs, it’s The Neptune where

he believes he played some of his best music,

alongside his band Benzego.

“They were great days,” he said. “I had the

best gig of my life at The Neptune and I still

haven’t managed to top it.” He came close with

a come-back concert at the Duke of Cumberland

in December which netted more than £1,000

for Demelza House, a charity

close to his heart. “It was

really good to be playing

back in Whitstable,” he said.

“Sometimes I would have three

gigs in town in one night, but

I haven’t played there properly

since X Factor. I was sitting

exactly where I used to sit,

playing the same songs we used

He’s achieved his dream of touring the country with his music, but Whitstable’s own rocker Ben Mills tells Liz Crudgington why there’s no place like home.

theimp

X marks the spot

to play, although we did some of the new stuff

from the album which went down really well. “I

would like to have held it at the Neptune but we

could only have got about 50 people in there and

we wanted to raise as much money as possible. I

did come last in a quiz there last week though!”

Ben’s support of the charity grew after a visit

to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital soon

after his fi rst album was released. He said: “It

saved me, in a way. I hadn’t wanted to release

my album at the same time as Ray Quinn (who

came second in X Factor that year) and have all

that battle. It was all about being number one

and I was upset to be number three. I was mad

about it all until I went there and saw just how

bad it can be for some people. Then I was really

cross with myself for being upset.”

He decided to support Demelza House

because it was close to home and didn’t

enjoy the same profi le as the London hospital,

and said he was always touched by people’s

support. “To get £1,000 out of the people of

Whitstable in a credit crunch was amazing,” he

said. “I’m going down next week

to give them the cheque and that

always reminds me why they need

all the support they can get - they

do a fantastic job there.”

Some aspects of his life are

more ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ than others -

he is passionate about cars and

drives a new Jaguar, and has

an army of dedicated fans who

congregate at the unoffi cial site

in December which netted more than £1,000 said. “I’m going down next week

to give them the cheque and that

always reminds me why they need

all the support they can get - they

do a fantastic job there.”

Some aspects of his life are

more ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ than others -

he is passionate about cars and

drives a new Jaguar, and has

an army of dedicated fans who

congregate at the unoffi cial site


ENTE

RTAI

NM

ENT

14

theimp

they set up, www.benmillsonline.co.uk, as well

as his offi cial MySpace site. But in other ways

he has the same worries as everyone else, and

the credit crunch is top of those. “It’s amazing to

read about everything that’s going on fi nancially

now,” he said. “And when I open a letter from

the bank which tells me the interest rate has

gone down again and so has my mortgage I give

a little cheer, like everyone else.”

Financial pressures may ease this year as he

hopes to release his long-awaited second album,

this time featuring all original tracks, including

one co-written with Take That’s Mark Owen. “It

is defi nitely in the rock genre,” he said. “I would

like to do a tour and release something. I wasn’t

so happy with the last album because there were

some songs I didn’t want on there but I had no

choice. This time I’m doing it my way and I’m

looking forward to doing what I want to do.”

Ben’s decision to do what he wants also

led him to accept the title role in Aladdin, which

didn’t prove universally popular. Some of his

die-hard fans fear the panto, which opens this

month, could destroy the credibility he has

worked so hard to build up post-X Factor. But

it’s not something that worries Ben himself. “It

is just one of those life experiences, and I get

to dress up!” he said. “I just think it’s fun, and

it’s Christmas. I’m really nervous about it, more

than I was about X Factor. I’m the one with the

least experience yet I have the biggest part and I

really don’t know what I’m doing. It is completely

new to me. But for the last two years I’ve been

touring and travelling all over the place so

knowing that in January I am going to be in one

place so close to home is very nice.”

The role has already brought him some new

experiences, like turning on Christmas lights

alongside another famous Kent face, Sir Bob

Geldof. “It was defi nitely weird doing the lights

switch on, standing on top of a bus, dressed

as Aladdin, next to someone as credible as Sir

Bob,” he said.

So if he could rub the lamp and make a wish,

what would it be? “I would like in the future to be

able to lose the X Factor stamp behind,” he said.

“The whole experience was quite hard for me

and now I would like to be known as an artist in

my own right.”

Ben is appearing as Aladdin at The Winter

Gardens in Margate from January 16 - 25. For

ticket details call the box offi ce on 01843 296111.

By Liz Crudgington

Photos: Glen Nashbenmillsonline.co.uk


Demand for lifeboat services remains

high in Kent, despite the recent poor

summer weather.

Over the first half of 2008, launches to

powered pleasure craft – jet skis, diving boats,

small open power boats and large open power

boats measuring over five metres – has seen

the biggest increase, with 55 launches in ‘08,

compared with 39 in 2007. Overall launches to

vessels with machinery failure (42 out of 165 in

‘08) continues to account for roughly one third of

the launches.

Of the eight stations in Kent, three –

Ramsgate, Sheerness and Dover – have shown

increases and continue to be the busiest

respectively across the county. Ramsgate’s

launches are up by nearly 50 per cent from 29

for the first six months in ‘07 to 43 for the same

period in ‘08, Sheerness has increased by 17 per

cent – from 35 to 41, and Dover’s are up by 15

per cent from 19 in ‘07 to 22 in ‘08.

RNLI East Divisional Inspector Andrew Ashton

says: ‘Many of the launches were to boats with

equipment failure, which demonstrates the need

for owners to perform regular maintenance. The

high level of rescues seems to show a growing

national trend where more and more people are

using the sea for leisure purposes.

‘As we are totally dependent on donations to

help us continue providing a lifesaving service to

all, we are holding a national day of fundraising

– SOS day – on Friday 30 January 2009. There

will be a series of activities to raise funds, both at

stations and in towns across the region.

‘This will support our crews who trade

comfort and sleep to go the aid of others in

distress. I am asking everyone to get involved

and help us make this our biggest day ever.

While fundraisers around the UK and Ireland

are encouraged to use the SOS acronym to

generate creative fundraising ideas, this year, our

over-arching theme is ‘Sound Or Silence’. We’re

particularly encouraging people to come up with

fun and exciting ways that they can fundraise for

the RNLI along this theme – perhaps they would

like to take part in a sponsored silence, to host

a disco for friends and family or maybe a sea-

shanty sing-a-long!’

The RNLI is an integral part of any coastal town and Whitstable is no exception -

here’s what’s been happening along our coastline...

COM

MUN

ITy

16

theimp


IT’S an international project that has attracted the attention of David Milliband and the Government. And a year ago, Whitstable became the first Transition Town in Kent.

But if the idea conjures up images of

Geography teachers in tweed suits

lecturing on climate change, think

again. Although preparing for a future with less

dependency on oil is a key part of the Transition

Town movement, at its heart is a desire to have

fun and involve people in making a real difference

in their communities.

Groups, which are spreading rapidly around

the world, concentrate on finding ways locally to

get results in reducing their carbon footprint by

setting up projects and working together with

existing groups. Locally this involves everything

from a clothes swap to a masterclass with food

forager Fergus Drennan.

TRANSITION TOWN w

Clare Jackson, from the Transition Town

Whitstable steering group, said: “The events

we have are organised with a lot of hard work

by volunteers but the end result is always great

fun. The wardrobe event was fantastic - about

20 women took clothes along and they were

put up on rails according to size. Everyone

went home with a new wardrobe and all for

free! And the master class really was food for

free, and for those concerned about reducing

their carbon footprint, locally foraged ingredients

have clocked up barely any food miles and come

without any packaging.”

TTW will celebrate its first birthday this month

and the event is providing an opportunity for

the volunteers to see just how far they have

come. “When we started in Whitstable we had

to explain to people what peak oil and climate

change was,” said Clare. “We don’t have to any

more because people are already aware of them.

This is the solution. It is about having fun without

spending lots of money.”

And the credit crunch means even more

people are keen to get involved. “I think it has

helped us to understand that we are depending

more than we think on a lot of things that are not

sustainable, like oil and consuming things,” said

Clare. “Maybe this is the time to have this eye-

opener and create a more sustainable future.”

Among their own plans for the future are an

unwanted Christmas present exchange, book

swap and exchanges of toys, music and baby

clothes as well as more seasonal masterclasses

focussing on locally-sourced food.

The steering group hopes to set up more

projects and always welcomes anyone interested

in finding out more or getting involved.

For more information visit transitiontowns.org/

whitstable/whitstable or email whit.jack@yahoo.

co.uk. There will also be information boards

on TTW at the Make Do and Mend exhibition

at Whitstable Museum, which continues until

February 21. By Liz Crudgington

COM

MUN

ITy

17

theimp


Never has it been more important to

deal with our so-called rubbish in a

responsible way. We are the custodians

of our world until we hand it over to our children

who, in turn, will take on the same momentous

task. Malissa Taylor believes that the most

obvious and achievable way of dealing with our

rubbish is in a planned, conscientious way. She

explores four principles to help us make a start

in handling our waste problem...

REDUCE On my way home from a weekly shop recently,

I was amazed to see a whole council recycling

sack fi lled with packaging material. Much of

it was completely unnecessary. The next time

you shop for vegetables or fruit at your local

food outlet, why not try buying them loose

and taking your own bags? The attractive

packaging is not essential and can just be a

way for the shops to increase the price of the

food gratuitously.

Keep the plastic bags that you get for

you shopping and use them again, thereby

reducing the need for new ones. Better still, get

non-plastic carriers that you can reuse, thus

reducing the need for plastic bags completely.

Do you have a favourite place where you enjoy

a coffee each day? Why not take your own cup?

RE-USEThere are many ways in which you can reuse

things, rather than throwing them into our

overloaded landfi lls. There is a delightful little

shop on the High Street called, ‘Herbaceous’

which sells a well-known, environmentally-

friendly range of reasonably-priced products.

“What is the catch?” you may ask. You need to

take your own container. If you don’t have one,

you could still buy the product and reuse the

container the next time.

For those of us who have been blessed by

children, one of the most controversial issues

is that of nappy disposal. Very large parts

of our landfi lls are made up of ‘disposable’

nappies. They may be easy to throw away but

they are hardly disposable, as they take ages

to biodegrade. Though it does take careful

planning, why not try using real nappies?

They are much easier on the environment,

as they are not simply shifted into landfi ll. For

those of you who may be too busy to wash

and dry dirty nappies, there are even some

companies that will collect dirty nappies weekly.

An incredible source of information is the Real

Nappy Help Line - 0845 850 0606 or visit the

Nappy Finder at www.realnappycampaign.

com/nappyfi nder

REPAIRWhen I was a girl, I remember my grandmother

darning socks and hemming trousers. As a

young, busy mother, it has never occurred to

me to sit in front of the television while I darn my

son’s school socks. For the most part, I simply

throw them away and buy another pair. Why?

COM

MUN

ITy

18

theimp

RUBBISH, RUBBISH, RUBBISH! We live in a throwaway world. We keep very little for very long. Our planet is slowly becoming over-laden with unwanted things. It has been estimated that in excess of 26 million tonnes of rubbish is disposed of every year in the United Kingdom alone.


Well, it is time-consuming, and socks are really

cheap. However, this excuse will not wash in light

of the greater picture, which is that our planet

is becoming increasingly unable to sustain our

waste. Instead of throwing away something as

soon as it gets a little hole, why not head down to

the local haberdashery and buy some patches?

I remember being so proud of the patches my

grandmother put on my very worn jeans. While

this may bring about a few pricked fi ngers, it

surely does help in reducing waste!

RECYCLE When I had my fi rst baby boy, I spent so much

money on toys that he looked at once and never

looked at again. His favourite thing now, however,

is to rummage through the recycling sack to fi nd

stuff “to build rocket ships with, Mama!” This

does drive me mad from time to time, but nothing

makes him prouder than when he produces his

wonky rocket ship which, he is convinced, will

launch tomorrow morning at half past eight. Of

course, it is terrifi c to receive colourful, exciting

new toys, but to make something himself

stimulates his imagination, is vastly cheaper and,

most importantly, is a start to saving our planet.

At the risk of harking on too much about

my past, I remember a delightful character

called Zibi the Ostrich, whose sole task it was

to educate all South African children about

rubbish and disposing of it. I so wish that

we had such a character here in the United

Kingdom who would educate our children

about these four principles that could help

keep our planet safe. We may not have Zibi

here in the United Kingdom, but perhaps we

each could take on Zibi’s role.

HERE ARE A FEW PLACES WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE: For help and advice on all aspects of

recycling at home, at school and in the

workplace, including recycling electrical items,

go to www.recycle-more.co.uk

WHITSTABLE COUNCIL SERVICESRecycling collections 0800 031 9091

Recycling information 01227 862 247

Recycling banks 0800 031 9091

Recycling sacks 0800 031 9091

Refuse collection (domestic) 0800 031 9091

REAL NAPPY HELP LINEReal Nappy Help Line - 0845 850 0606

Nappy Finder at www.realnappycampaign.

com/nappyfi nder

If you have any more recycling tips or

suggestions, please write in to The IMP and let

us know - either at [email protected]

or at PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH.

Article by Malissa TaylorCO

MM

UNIT

y

19

theimp

RUBBISH, RUBBISH, RUBBISH!


ADVE

RTO

RIAL

20

theimp

M&S Canterbury


ADVE

RTO

RIAL

21

theimp

Perhaps you already walk rather than take the car, or you’ve reduced your thermostat by I degree to save 10% on your heating - but short of installing your own solar system, what other steps can you take to save cash without causing too much pain?

Lighting typically accounts for 20% of

household electricity consumption -

Premier Electrics take us through some of

the options for making savings here...

If a saving could be made here it would make a

real difference. However, we have all experienced

the shortcomings of energy-saving bulbs – they

were the size of jam jars, took ages to ‘heat up’

and, even when they had, they flickered a dim

honey-coloured light around the room. Buzzing

How can you reduce your energy consumption?

was an optional extra! It was only the die-hards

who were willing to save the planet while going

blind in the process!

Another innovation which came in at around the

same time was the halogen down-lighter. These

typically replaced the traditional fluorescent tube

in the kitchen, bathing the entire area in crisp,

white light. It is not unusual for a kitchen to be

equipped with 18 or more. What most people

don’t realise is that these mains-powered lights

are typically 50 watts each - so you could be

looking at 900+ watts of power just to illuminate

your kitchen (which is almost the same amount

of power used by a one bar electric fire)! Is this

the best replacement for the energy-efficient, but

now unfashionable, fluorescent tube?

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY…

For the kitchen and bathroom Aurora have

brought out a low-energy fitting to replace

the power-hungry halogen bulbs found in

mains-powered down-lighters. These energy-

efficient replacements provide a similar

amount of illumination to the 50 watt option,

while only consuming 11 watts of power – a


ADVE

RTO

RIAL

22

theimp

saving of almost 80% - and they last, too.

The manufacturer claims 8,000 hours in not

unreasonable - that’s six years typical usage. The

best news is that you need not replace the lot in

one hit; simply stock up on the energy-savers,

and replace the halogens as and when they

naturally reach the end of their pitifully short lives.

FOR THE REST OF THE HOUSE

There is the Sylvania Mini Lynx Fast-Start and the

Compact. The most important features of Mini-

Lynx Fast-Start and Mini-Lynx Compact lamps are:

n 80% energy savings, compared to

standard incandescent light bulbs

n Very small dimensions; gone are the

unsightly protrusions from the shade

n Instant ‘flicker-free start’, with no

switch delay

n Available in a variety of colours -

Homelight, Coolwhite and Daylight -

and in a wide range of wattages

DON’T FORGET OUTSIDEYou can cut your costs by 80% on your coach-light

in the porch. Or if you use halogen security lights,

these too can be improved by a couple of energy-

saving options. There is the a 24 watt option,

which can easily be fitted in place of the traditional

500 watt halogen, without changing the lamp. Or, if

a new light is required, there is a ranger of options

available, including integrated sensor lights.

If reliability is a concern then you may take

comfort from the fact that many airports, such as

Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester,

use Sylvania lamps, as well as M&S in Canterbury

and Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet.

Whitstable’s own Premier Electrical Supplies has

been satisfying the needs of the community for

almost 20 years, and is offering IMP readers

exclusive discounts across the board:

n Buy any 5 from the state-of-the-art Sylvania

range and get another 5 free!

n Buy 5 of the GU10 down-lighter range and

receive an additional unit free!

n You can save money while you save money!

To see how much money you can save, log on

to www.save-the-penguin.com and click ‘Do

the test! Calculate your advantage’ and enter a

kHw/h price of 10p (0.10).

Or call one of the helpful Premier Electric Team on 01227 282 386.

McArthur Glen Designer Outlet


Having over 16 years in the electrical wholesale

business, we pride ourselves on realising

our customer needs on an individual basis

The company provide products and a level of service previously associated with a large ‘National Chain’, providing a comprehensive supply and service, but still maintaining the ‘Personal Touch’. We also offer a free design service for the following

n Commercial Lighting n Fire Alarm n CCTV n Electric Heating n Ventilation n Control Panels n Switchgear n Data Networking

T: 01227 282386 n F: 01227 282387

Premier Electrical Supplies131/132 John Wilson Business Park, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3QY


SEE PAGE 16 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION!

ENTE

RTAI

NM

ENT

24

theimp

Most weekends see many Whitstable pubs throwing open their doors to followers

of live music. On Friday through to Sunday The Old Neptune, Duke of Cumberland, The East Kent and The Coach and Horses (to name a few) will have audiences dancing to the many great bands that play there in the evenings. Many of the bands that play at these venues are home-grown talent, and venues staging live music are a vital springboard for local musicians to be heard. But one pub in Whitstable has bucked the weekend trend and now stages music on a weekday night, when many pubs are quiet due to the mid-week lull. Tucked away in Island Wall, just behind Somerfield, is The Smack, a small but appropriately intimate pub for staging Open Mic Night sessions every Wednesday. Run by Landlady Karen Turner and partner Steve Pearson, The Smack is one of Shepherd Neame’s outlets, and offers a performance opportunity to anyone who can sing, play guitar or simply wants practise their live performance to an appreciative crowd of regulars. Its 8 x 3ft stage in the corner of the back bar was also used as a platform for aspiring comedians during September’s Whitstable Winkle Comedy Festival, organised by local comic Steve Graham. The stage is barely large enough to hold three musicians and their equipment, but it doesn’t need to be any bigger than this as most participants are either solo acts or duos, and the tiny room ensures that the acts are enthusiastically received, rather than drowned out by audience noise.

you cat sit back and enjoy a pint beside the log fire as regulars such as CJ, Paul The other one, and Chad Anton take to the stage to perform their latest compositions, or simply play an old favourite to the

OPEN MIC NIGHTS AT

regulars that return every week to listen to them. The talented CJ, who also plays drums with the likes of Whitstable-based Emily and The Beast and Lee Thompson (G ‘n’ T Experiment), not only performs, but also acts as in-house sound engineer.

Singers from some of the better-known bands around Whitstable often take to the stage solo to deliver acoustic versions of well-known band songs, and are often joined by first-timers honing their performing skills. The stage wall

is plastered with tattered posters bearing testimony to the performing alumni that have played at The Smack since Open Mic Nights began over ten years ago. Patrick Redford, Nigel Hobbins and the legendary Luke Smith once entertained the regulars, and even local folk performers The Whitstable Hoodeners have entertained there! Then, as now, every performer is welcomed by an audience eager to be a part of an event that invites you to “Come along and enjoy the evening – or just chat with other musicians.” Eleven spots are available between 8.30 and 11pm for performers keen to play in this quirky pub, which seems to have successfully avoided the modernisation that has diminished the character of so many pubs around Kent. Cover versions of old songs are played alongside self-penned numbers, and it seems that the musicians taking part don’t need any additional motivation to get up on the stage. That said, a poster promises a free drink for anyone performing original material – aspiring songwriters, take note! you’re guaranteed a relaxed evening’s entertainment here, and the different styles of music ensure that the evening never becomes predictable. Radiohead, whose live sound engineer Jim Warren has musical links with Whitstable, once sang ‘Anyone can play guitar,’ and in The Smack Inn on a Wednesday night, that rule applies – anyone can get up and play. By Andy Capon


SEE PAGE 16 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION!

OPEN MIC NIGHTS AT


COM

MUN

ITy

26

theimp

The spectre of a supermarket on the

harbour may have faded but that doesn’t

mean the port’s future is certain. In fact,

the group set up at the height of the public

outcry into the council’s proposals for the south

quay development is still as busy as ever. Liz

Crudgington talks strategy, sponsorship and

skills with Whitstable Harbour Watch.

It’s a year since People-Power won the day

in the battle of Whitstable Harbour. And it’s been

a busy one for members of Whitstable Harbour

Watch. The group did not fade away like the ink on the 18,000 signature petition it handed to the council and, although its activities now involve more meetings than marches, there is still plenty to do.

HARBOUR NEWSBY L IZ CRUDGINGTON

Members have held several discussions

with the harbour’s management board about

options for the future, along with the Whitstable

Improvement Trust and Whitstable Society, and

held their own successful forum at Whitstable

Umbrella Centre in September. So what has

been the outcome of all these discussions?

Well, no grand decisions have been made,

but those behind the successful campaign to

scrap the supermarket scheme - along with

other options for a pub and hotel - believe that is

no bad thing. Spokesman Maureen Smith said:

“What is evident from the meetings is that there

is no clear vision in either the Harbour Board or

the Council as to how to develop the harbour for

the greatest benefit of the people of the town.


COM

MUN

ITy

27

theimp

HARBOUR NEWSBY L IZ CRUDGINGTON

Discussions at our forum quickly illustrated how

deeply the harbour engages the imagination

and concerns of people. What they articlulated

was the desire for a vision for the harbour which

would encompass its many possibilities.”

Among the 60 people at the forum were

representatives from Whitstable Improvement

Trust, Whitstable Society, Whitstable Chamber of

Commerce, harbour users and Transition Town

Whitstable, as well as pupils from Swalecliffe

Primary School. They all agreed that such a

vision should include three key elements, of

which the most important was preserving the

working aspects of the port and maybe even

expanding them with more support for the fishing

industry. The forum also felt that the harbour

should be a focus for education, developing skills

in marine, renewable and creative industries,

including formal apprenticeships. And its place

as a valuable community resource was also

highlighted, particularly by the children, along

with the regular events like Harbour Day and the

Oyster Festival held there.

Maureen said: “A wide range of possibilities

was floated during the day - recreational and

social projects, supporting the growing creative

sector in the town, developing renewable energy

projects. But it was clear to all participants that

we cannot sensibly develop a strategic vision

for the harbour without having a comprehensive

plan for Whitstable.” The group’s next step is

to present their findings to the Harbour Board

and the Council, in a bid to encourage them to

come up with such a plan, tackling everything

from transport to employment issues. “We hope

it will be accepted as a contribution to thinking

strategically about the harbour, and its central

role in the life of the town, and help kick-start the

process for developing the wider vision for the

whole of Whitstable,” said Maureen.

For more information on the group or to get

involved, visit www.handsoffourharbour.co.uk


LIFE

STyL

E

28

theimp

It’s easy to reduce energy usage every time you buy your food if you make informed choices. Ripple Farm Organics show us how...

Reduce Food MilesBuying direct from a local producer cuts out

the food miles associated with supermarket

produce. Take the example of a carrot grown

5 miles from you. If you buy your carrot direct,

at your local Farmers’ Market, for example, or

through a local box scheme, the carrot travels 1

mile from field to packing shed and 5 miles from

packing shed to you. But if you bought the same

carrot from your nearest supermarket, it may well

have travelled to a packing shed, then miles to a

distribution depot before travelling back to your

local supermarket - one well travelled carrot!

But looking at ‘food miles’ on its own is a very

simplistic way of measuring the energy used

to get your food to your table. The growing

methods and packaging are just as important...

Reduce Energy - Use the ‘Local & Organic’ Way

Organic GrowingOrganic Farming uses less energy per kilo of

food produced. Organic farmers do not use

synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, which uses huge

amounts of fossil fuels to manufacture. Instead,

organic growers use ‘green manures’ for building

fertile, nutrient-rich soils. With good organic

management of soils, CO2 is removed from the

atmosphere and accumulated by increasing

levels of organic matter in the soil, a process

known as carbon sequestration.

Seasonal, as Nature IntendedThere are other choices you can make when

buying your food to reduce energy usage, such

as avoiding excess packaging and looking for

seasonal produce. If you’re buying strawberries

for your New Year detox, remember that they

must have either been grown in the Southern

Hemisphere and therefore travelled a great

distance, or that they’ve only travelled from Spain

but they have been grown in a heated greenhouse.

Ripple Farm Organics www.ripplefarmorganics.co.uk


Canterbury Golf ClubWe have membership vacancies for5 Day Members @ £680 before MarchFirst 20 – No Joining FeeCall 01227 453532 for details Does your membership include discounted golf at Ashford, Walmer and Kingsdown, Sene Valley and new for 2009 – Tenterden? Ours does!

Limited 7 day membership vacanciesLess than 25 minutes from Whitstable town centre

Canterbury Golf ClubA Harry Colt Designed Course. Quality Since 1927


LIFE

STyL

E

30

theimp

Wondering what to do with your garden now that the days are drawing in? Garden Designer Dominic Brice shares some wintry gardening tips...

We have been rather spoilt in recent

years with mild winters - I remember

last year, some trees were still in leaf

at Christmas time. Alas, this year we are back

to a traditional English winter of rain, hard frosts

and even snow. But as always there are still

lots of jobs to be done in the garden! So don

your wellies and put on that Christmas woolly,

because work done now will pay dividends later

in the year.

Apples & pearsAt this time of year, apple and pear trees are

dormant and so it’s a good time to do a bit

of pruning and thinning out. Cut back the

new growth to one or two buds, and thin out

branches that are twisted or rubbing other

branches. Doing these jobs will increase light

and promote a good fl ow of air through the tree,

thus rewarding you with a healthier crop.

GARDENING TIPSHedge your bets January is the perfect time to plant a hedge. Bare

root or root-balled hedging is much cheaper than

pot-grown plants, so take advantage of the saving

and get bigger plants for the same price! Just

make sure that you secure the plants with stakes

while the hedge establishes itself. Most good

nurseries will be able to supply bare-root hedging

to order. Remember to keep the roots from drying

out and plant it as soon as possible into a well-

prepared trench.

What’s looking good? The Snowdrop (Galanthus Nivalis) is the

first of the flowering bulbs and brings

welcome cheer in the depths of winter; its

skinny, smooth green leaves with lanterns

of pure white always make me think of the

FOR JANUARY

Galanthus Nivalis (Snowdrop)

If you have any questions, feedback, or interesting gardening stories or tips, please share them with us – email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH


LIFE

STyL

E

31

theimp

approaching spring. Clumps of Snowdrops

should be regularly divided after flowering in

late winter, to prevent congestion.

Dogwoods are also now standing out in the

garden, with their brilliant displays of colour,

especially Cornus alba ‘sibirica’, a Dogwood

that has bright red winter shoots and red

autumn leaves. Dogwoods should always be

pruned back hard in the spring to encourage

new growth. The bright colour comes from the

new stems that grow during the summer.

My favorite Dogwood is Cornus Sanguinea

(Winter Beauty). it has a wonderful mix of

colours that remind me of of a cozy fi re. It

really stands out on frosty mornings, creating

a focal point when everything else is lost under

an icy layer.

Quick tips for January

n Don’t forget to break the ice in your pond and remove ice from birdbaths to give birds and wildlife somewhere to drink.

n Order your summer bulbs ready for spring.

n If you need landscaping work done for the summer, start planning now; landscapers are always busy in the Spring.

n Remove all debris from borders, cut back and tidy up Perennials, and dig in your home-made compost.

n Remove heavy snow from conifers and shrubs, as well as from your

greenhouse roof.

By Dominic Brice

www.tranquil-earth.co.uk

There are many Dogwoods to choose from to add colour to your garden

LIFE

STyL

E

31

theimp

If you have any questions, feedback, or interesting gardening stories or tips, please share them with us – email [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH


LIFE

STyL

E

32

theimp

January is here, and what better way to

start the year than by blowing some fresh

energy through your system. It is more

than likely that we will all have overindulged in

some way or another during the festive holidays,

whether it be drinks, rich foods (or the company

of in-laws!) and January is the time for putting it

all behind us and starting over. Renew, rejuvenate

and refresh body, mind and soul with my three

simple steps this month, and feel the energy start

to flow back into your life...

Practice Kappalabhati Breathing – ‘Bellows Breath’What better way to refresh the system than by

clearing out the old stale energy and replacing

it; boosting oxygen supplies to the brain and

detoxing the entire system.

Kappalabhati should be practised on an

empty stomach, sitting upright, either on a chair,

sitting on the heels, or crossed-legged.

Relax the shoulders, relax the legs and keep

the back nice and straight. Breathe in deeply,

pushing the stomach out as far as you can like a

balloon, then snap the belly in suddenly, pulling in

the tummy in one quick, sharp movement. Then

breathe in again, pushing the belly out fully, then

again snap the belly in, breathing out sharply as if

someone has just punched you in the stomach.

Repeat this exercise, and when you feel

comfortable with the pattern you can speed up

a little and, eventually, you may get the the stage

where you don’t need to inhale after snapping in

the belly, by just relaxing the abdominal muscles,

air will be drawn naturally like the bellows allowing

you to exhale again and snap in the tummy.

Each day, try to do 3 rounds of about 30, and

then sit calmly and notice how you feel. It really

does give you a lift!

Do not practise during pregnancy or if you

have high blood pressure. If you feel dizzy at any

time return the breath to normal and sit calmly

until the dizziness passes.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO... Energise your New Year

Bellows breath


LIFE

STyL

E

33

theimp

Practice the sphinxThe sphinx yoga pose increases energy, boosts

the immune system, improves circulation,

improves posture and cleans out the stale air in

the lungs. Try to do this pose each day to get the

most benefit.

Lie on your tummy with tops of the feet flat to

the floor and legs together. Lift your upper body

and place your elbows under your shoulders, upper

arms vertical, with the arms in to the body. Don’t

sink into the shoulders, rather push into the floor

with the elbows so the shoulders are away from the

ears. Look straight ahead with the neck nice and

long and breathe deeply here 10 to 20 times, with

your awareness on the centre of your chest. Rest in

the child pose afterwards, bottom on the heels and

forehead to the floor, relaxing the spine.

Plan a relaxing breakOf course Whitstable folk are never far from

the sea, and the lovely fresh seaside air can be

very energising. Sometimes though, a change

of scene can be very refreshing and uplifting -

planning a relaxing getaway will give January

a great boost of energy, as you will feel you

have something very special to look forward to

to keep your energy flowing through the winter

months. The market these days is saturated with

spa breaks, walking holidays, art holidays and

of course yoga holidays - it depends on your

budget and where you want to be, but here are a

few websites to start you off:

www.freespirituk.com

www.yogaholidays.net

www.davidnappfineart.com

www.houses-in-italy.co.uk

And finally at www.shanticentre.com we are

offering half-price Yoga Holidays for May and

September! Maybe see you there!

Article by Stephanie Shanti

Sphinx pose

Child pose


EDUC

ATIO

N

34

theimp

ADULT LEARNING

If the credit crunch is squeezing your industry, learning new skills can be a great way to protect your job or equip you for a new career. The Learndirect centre at the Community College, Whitstable, is perfectly placed to provide a range of courses for adult learners, who have been flocking there as the effects of the recession deepen. Liz Crudgington found out more...

Apensioner learning how to email

his grandchildren, a mother brushing up

on her skills before returning to work or

an employee earning more qualifications - these

are just some of the people you might bump into

during a visit to Whitstable’s Learndirect centre.

It offers more than 500 courses in

everything, from Maths and English to business

skills, including giving presentations or

communicating more effectively.

And as the credit crunch continues to bite,

staff at the centre say they are seeing more and

more people who want to give themselves the

edge in a competitive jobs market. Centre co-

ordinator Pauline Smith said: “We have been

working with the local jobcentres for some time

to help offer skills to jobseekers. However, not

only have we seen an increase in the number of

jobseekers accessing courses, but we have also

seen a large increase in local employees looking

to improve their skills and protect their careers, or

create new opportunities.”

All courses are delivered online, meaning they

can be accessed in the centre, or from home or

work. Learners visiting for the first time receive a

free information, advice and guidance session to

help determine what courses will meet their needs,

and they then develop an Individual Learning

Plan, which Pauline believes is a crucial step in

matching people to the right courses at the right

level. “We’re very proud of the effectiveness of this

service and were pleased to be awarded the Matrix

standard earlier in the year, which is a quality mark

recognising the high standard of information, advice

and guidance at the centre,” she said.

Among the most popular courses are Maths

and English, which lead to Nationally-recognised

awards in Adult Literacy and Numeracy. These

are equivalent to GCSE-standard, which is now

a requirement for many jobs, or to access Higher

and Further Education courses.

Computer courses are also very popular and

there is one for everyone, from beginners to

seasoned surfers and the Learndirect centre is

fully-accredited by the British Computer Society

to deliver the European Computer Driving

Licence, which is an Internationally-recognised

qualification covering all the major Microsoft

Office software.

To find out more about the courses on offer

or how the centre can help with business or

personal training needs, call 01227 278310,

email [email protected] or visit

www.learndirect.co.uk

By Liz Crudgington


ADULT LEARNING Ripple Farm OrganicsLOCAL & ORGANIC

Organic Vegetable Box Scheme

Weekly delivery to 4 collection points in Whitstable

(& Other Deliveries within East Kent)

95% home-grown (approx.) Boxes cost £7, £9 & £12

01227 730898 (answer-phone) www.ripplefarmorganics.co.uk

Also at Whitstable Farmers Market, 2nd and 4th Sat. of each month

ORGANIC • SEASONALFRESH • LOCAL

Ripple Farm Organics Crundale, Canterbury CT4 7EB

Specialist home pattern service for all carpets, vinyls, laminates, woods and rugsFree underlay, grippers, door bars and fitting ON ALL CARPETS

Call us for a free estimate on: 01227 265544 or 07860 358552Family-run business Est.1971


FOO

D &

DRI

NK

36

theimp

INGREDIENTS• Onions and/or Leeks -

chopped

• Carrots, Swede, Celeriac - thinly sliced

• Parsnip, Squash - thinly sliced

• Winter Greens - shredded or grated

• Garlic/Herbs & Spices

• Oil for frying

If you have any favourite recipes you’d like to share, please send them in, with any relevant, good-quality photos, to: [email protected] or PO Box 290 Whitstable CT5 9AH

1Start by frying the onions and/or leeks,

and add some thin slices or sticks of carrot, swede, and celeriac.

2 When they’ve started to soften add parsnip

and squash (these take less time to cook than the carrots etc and both add sweetness to your dish). Slice them thinly or shave off slices with a peeler.

3 Then, when you’re nearly there (some

people like their veg crunchier than others!) add your shredded or grated greens, which could be any

of the following: cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, winter salad greens, such as pak-choi or mustard greens, or even slice up a few sprouts finely; and throw in.

4 Stir in some crushed garlic at the end and

any extra herbs or spices you fancy, and you’re done!

Delicious and nutritious on its own, or as a quick and easy-to-prepare vegetable side to your main meal.

January’s recipe was supplied by Ripple Farm Organics

Stir-Fried Winter Veg...It’s amazing what you can put in a stir-fry when you use your imagination...

recipe recipe recipe RECIPE recipe recipe recipe RECIPE


FOO

D &

DRI

NK

36

theimp

INGREDIENTS• Onions and/or Leeks -

chopped

• Carrots, Swede, Celeriac - thinly sliced

• Parsnip, Squash - thinly sliced

• Winter Greens - shredded or grated

• Garlic/Herbs & Spices

• Oil for frying

If you have any favourite recipes you’d like to share, please send them in, with any relevant, good-quality photos, to: [email protected] or PO Box 290 Whitstable CT5 9AH

1Start by frying the onions and/or leeks,

and add some thin slices or sticks of carrot, swede, and celeriac.

2 When they’ve started to soften add parsnip

and squash (these take less time to cook than the carrots etc and both add sweetness to your dish). Slice them thinly or shave off slices with a peeler.

3 Then, when you’re nearly there (some

people like their veg crunchier than others!) add your shredded or grated greens, which could be any

of the following: cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, winter salad greens, such as pak-choi or mustard greens, or even slice up a few sprouts fi nely; and throw in.

4 Stir in some crushed garlic at the end and

any extra herbs or spices you fancy, and you’re done!

Delicious and nutritious on its own, or as a quick and easy-to-prepare vegetable side to your main meal.

January’s recipe was supplied by Ripple Farm Organics

Stir-FriedWinter Veg...It’s amazing what you can put in a stir-fry when you use your imagination...

recipe recipe recipe RECIPE recipe recipe recipe RECIPE

Save energy, save money, save the penguin.

Instant light Premium small size Up to 80% energy saving Average lifetime 6000 hours Extended range of color and wattage

Fast-StartFast-Start

www.save-the-penguin.com

Mini-Lynx Compact

NEW!A complete range of small energy saving lamps...including the smallest fast-start in the market


THE LETTER BOXH

AVE

yOUR

SAy

38

theimp

Dear IMP,

Has anyone working for the council ever tried to cycle

with children along any of the roads? They keep saying

there is no money, but it is just getting spent on what

they think is important. Surely with carbon footprint

such an issue they should make the roads smoother

for our bike riders? It is very uncomfortable and quite

dangerous, especially for our children!

Debra Maybourne, Whitstable

Dear IMP,

We just wanted to say WOW! And thanks for giving us a mag dedicated to Whitstable. I really enjoyed reading it and so did my children. The size, layout and glossy feel make it different to anything else out there - can’t wait for the next issue!

Lucy, Micah and Saphia, Whitstable

Debra Maybourne, Whitstable

Dear IMP,

First of all congratulations on the launch of The IMP,

how lovely that we have a magazine that is solely for

and about our lovely town.

Given the news of the last fortnight that we may

be faced with losing our Woolworths, I have been

wondering how the town will cope without this handy

store and if we could start a little campaign to have a

Marks and Spencer in town. I know that on the whole

we don’t like chain stores in Whitstable and I do love all

of our arts & crafts and gift boutiques, which help keep

the Olde Worlde character of Whitstable, and which are

one of the reasons so many people move here and love

the town so much. However, I think that we will miss

Woolworths and do need the odd chain store in town,

and feel that Marks and Spencer will fi ll the gap nicely,

rather than an Iceland, who are proposing to buy out

some of the stores.

Do any other readers have

an opinion on this?

Heather Conroy, Whitstable

Dear IMP,

When I moved to Britain ten years ago I promised myself three things; never to complain about the weather (I love rain!), never to complain about public transport (there is not such a thing in South Africa) and never to complain about the NHS (again, such a system does not exist in South Africa). Having made these resolutions, I thought that I had absolutely nothing to complain about and that I indeed lived in a great country... Then, about three months ago, I moved to this magical town and, while I was perfectly happy in London, I realised that life could get even better. Whitstable is truly the loveliest place I have ever lived in. The people are kind and friendly. The school I send my son to is lovely and being so close to the ocean has renewed my zest for life. Now more than ever I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about.

Malissa Taylor, Whitstable


THE LETTER BOX

HAV

E yO

UR S

Ay

39

theimp

Dear IMP,

We just wanted to say WOW! And thanks for giving us a mag dedicated to Whitstable. I really enjoyed reading it and so did my children. The size, layout and glossy feel make it different to anything else out there - can’t wait for the next issue!

Lucy, Micah and Saphia, Whitstable

Dear IMP,

I love living in Whitstable, but the one thing that ruins it is dog poo! Why can’t the guilty dog owners be more responsible and carry a ‘poop-scoop’ or a plastic bag whenever they walk their dogs? It gets everywhere - on the wheels of prams and the kids’ shoes (and is then no doubt traipsed around the schools). So come on, please have a thought for the poor children and their poor parents left with the unenviable task of scraping off this smelly, unhygienic, needless fi lth!

Kristin, Whitstable Kristin, Whitstable

Dear IMP,

When I moved to Britain ten years ago I promised myself three things; never to complain about the weather (I love rain!), never to complain about public transport (there is not such a thing in South Africa) and never to complain about the NHS (again, such a system does not exist in South Africa). Having made these resolutions, I thought that I had absolutely nothing to complain about and that I indeed lived in a great country... Then, about three months ago, I moved to this magical town and, while I was perfectly happy in London, I realised that life could get even better. Whitstable is truly the loveliest place I have ever lived in. The people are kind and friendly. The school I send my son to is lovely and being so close to the ocean has renewed my zest for life. Now more than ever I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about.

Malissa Taylor, Whitstable

dogs? It gets everywhere - on the wheels of prams and

Write in with your points of view, questions or feedback, email [email protected] or write to: The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable CT5 9AH


LIFE

STyL

E

40

theimp

JANUARy HOROSCOPESCAPRICORNDecember 22 to January 21

January is a time for healing yourself

and rifts that may have come between you

and people around you. To help heal these

situations try to see the other people’s points of

view with compassion. Try to renew your spirit,

as you are being called to confront heroic tasks.

Old patterns can be burnt away this month,

leaving new horizons visible, but you must

be able to bear the heat. It is a good time to

visualise clearly what you want from the year. 10

is your special number this month.

AQUARIUSJanuary 21 to February 19

You are the creator this month,

you can make whatever you want to happen,

happen. However, don’t jump in too quickly;

in some situations caution is warranted. Look

deeper before proceeding. You can appear to

be the hanged man, the notions of sacrifi ce

and suspension may seem to be holding you

down, but you will slowly see that when you

turn your attention to your inner unconscious

patterns you can be released from these and

become the creator of your own destiny. The

number 12 is signifi cant this month.

PISCESFebruary 19 to March 21

You need to tune into a bit of silence.

Your life has been loud and hectic. Find the

silence within and you will again be able to

charge ahead, not taking no for an answer.

Expect miraculous solutions to appear this

month. You may be about to leave familial ground

and encounter life outside your safety zone, in

which you may unwittingly replay familial patterns.

Take care to practise acceptance to the feelings

that love may ignite. Your special number is 3.

ARIESMarch 21 to April 20

Now is the time to learn, study and

gather information. Be patient and enjoy being

a student because in the future you will be

called to turn your knowledge into action. So sit

tight this month and meditate on the concept

that you are the world and it is you. Clarity and

discrimination are needed and new strategies

will slowly emerge to birth a progressive way of

understanding the current situation. 1 is your

number of the month.

TAURUSApril 20 to May 21

You have been locked into your mind

of late and it is time now to break free and become

a lighter being, shining your rays onto the earth

and its inhabitants. You are being called to imagine

new ways of being. Uncertainty, confusion and

ambiguity may be present, as you are swimming

in unknown waters. But guidance will come from a

lighter mindset. You should feel lighter by the 18th.

GEMINIMay 21 to June 22

The festive season has brought you

to a place of exhaustion. This in turn has led you

to question many things. But this month you

should feel that all is well once again, you will

once again start to feel that loved ones you have

lost are at peace and you can begin to let go of

your worry. The wheel of fortune is turning in your

life now, and the fates are choosing new fortunes

for you, so release your worries and enjoy the

ride. Your number of the month is 10.


LIFE

STyL

E

41

theimp

CANCERJune 22 to July 23

This month, you are called to let go

of all that you are suppressing. Take some time

out to pamper yourself. When you look after

yourself, everybody benefi ts. This month you

will benefi t greatly from indulging yourself in

massage, or other treatments, they will help you

to release what you are suppressing. This month

augurs recognition and rewards for a job well

done. Through concentration, hard work and

focus you will manifest something of great value

and worth. Your number this month is 3.

LEOJuly 23 to August 22

January calls you to seek

compromise in every part of your life. When this

has been achieved, abundance will reign. You

will receive the money that you need, have faith.

You will benefi t from becoming more worldly and

accomplished in your chosen fi eld of endeavour,

and you can become responsible and successful

this month. Your lucky number is 12.

VIRGOAugust 22 to September 22

Have faith and hope because there

is something positive on the horizon that you

cannot see yet, but should be with you by the

fourth week of January. The key is to fi nd your

receptivity, to be open to new and exciting

opportunities as they present themselves to

you. This month you are given the permission

to have dominion over current situations and

the empowerment to be in control, but you may

need to be more assertive to truly feel alive this

month. Your number of the month is 4.

LIBRASeptember 22 to October 23

This month you need to let go of

miserly feelings and associates. Feel free and

rich with whatever you have and January will run

smoothly for you. A happy change or addition

is coming to your family. You must exorcize

the past and accept responsibility for what has

happened so that you can truly move on. This

will unleash a wealth of self-empowerment,

leaving you free and lifted to enjoy the rest of

the year. Confront your demons head-on and

richness will come to you. The numbers 4 and

20 are signifi cant.

SCORPIOOctober 23 to November 22

This year gives you the opportunity to

be the master of your own destiny. Starting mid-

January you will feel the power of mind enabling

you to create your dreams and make them reality.

You have a gift this month for working with young

people. Through nurturing and focussing talents,

you can gain security and stability. Reliability and

precision are called for though, so don’t skimp on

detail. Your number of the month is 12.

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 to December 22

This month you have a unique

opportunity to become the master of your

own destiny. A happy move to a new place of

employment or home is on the cards, which

will usher in positive new energy. You will feel

optimism and courage this month, helping you

move forward, taking a new course of action

and instigating new plans in the world of travel,

career, creativity or study. 3 is your special

number this month.

Article by Stephanie Shanti


COM

MUN

ITy

42

theimp

what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON? what’s on? what’s on? what’s on? WHAT’S ON?

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT

Lindley Players Pantomime, Dick Wittington Performances are from Tuesday, January 20. Call 01227 272042. CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Many of these activities may be term-time only, and some have waiting lists or need to be booked. Contact details are included for each listing, so please check before you arrive!

Babies

Enjoy Your Baby – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Tuesdays – New mums should receive an invite through their Health Visitor. Call Carol Fellowes on 01227 594417 for more info.

Baby bounce and rhyme – Whitstable Library, Oxford Street, first Tuesday of each month, 11-11.20am. Call 01227 273309.

Breastfeeding Clinic – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Tuesdays, monthly, by appointment only, through midwife Ursula. Call 01227 263998.

Drop-in baby clinic – Joy Lane Children’s Centre - Thursday mornings, 9.30-11, no appointment necessary, just call in to see the health visitor for a chat and have your child weighed. Call 01227 263998.

Baby Massage – Whitstable Health Centre – 5-week courses, Friday mornings. 50p per session, massage oil provided. Call Carol Fellowes on 01227 594417 for more info.

Baby Massage – Joy Lane Children’s Centre. Friday mornings, drop-in from 10-11.30. Call Jo on 01227 594419.

Parent and Toddler

Button Tots – Lucerne Neighbourhood Centre, Faversham Road, Seasalter. Monday mornings 10-12, call Jane 01227 282732. 3 Years Plus Family Group – Westmeads Infant School, Cromwell Road, Monday afternoons 1.45-2.45. Children can play while parents chat and the sessions provide a gentle link to school. Call 01227 272995.

Little Alfies – Seasalter Christian Centre, Faversham Road, fortnightly on Monday afternoons at 1.45, call 01227 276795.

Story time – Swalecliffe Library, Herne Bay Road, Swalecliffe, Monday afternoon 2-2.30, call 01227 792645.

Messy Play Sessions – Monday afternoon 12.45- 2.45. Old clothes a requirement! Term time only. Free of charge. Joy Lane Children’s Centre – 01227 263998.


COM

MUN

ITy

43

theimp


Playmates – Christian Fellowship Hall, Harbour St – Tuesday mornings 9.15-10.30 or 10.30-11.45. 50p per family. Currently full but spaces expected in New Year – call Diane Wilkin 01227 263393.

Tots @ TEC – Tankerton Evangelical Church Hall, Northwood Road, Tankerton, Tuesday mornings 10-11.30, £1 per family, open to children from 0-5, call 01227 794328. Seasalter Christian Centre parent and toddler group – Faversham Road, Seasalter, Tuesday afternoons, 1.30-3, £1 per family, call Jane Myhill 01227 770257

All Saints Parent and Toddler Group – Shirley Hall, Church Street – Wednesday afternoons, 1.15-2.45. 50p per family. Term-time only – Call Sue Smith 01227 471325.

Little Lights – St Alphege Church, High Street, second Wednesday of each month, 1.45pm, call 01227 272798. Little Oysters story time – Whitstable Museum and Gallery, last Wednesday of each month, 1.30-2.30pm, £2 per child, adults free, stories and crafts for under fives, materials and refreshments provided. Call 01227 276998.

Parent and Toddler Group – Joy Lane Children’s Centre – Thursday mornings, 9-11.30 in the large crèche room. All welcome. Free of charge – 01227 263998.

Chatterbox Baby and Toddler Group – St John’s Church Centre, St John’s Road, Swalecliffe. Friday mornings, 10-12, 50p per person including drink and biscuits, open to all with babies or pre-schoolers, call Sharon Braddy 01227 792835.

Story time – Whitstable Library, Oxford Street. Friday afternoon, 2-2.30, call 01227 273309.

Friday Fun Group – Middle Wall United Reformed Church – 9.30-11.30am. £1 per family. Waiting list, spaces from Spring/Summer ’09 – Contact Pat 01227 771766 or Rita 01227 263959.

FITNESS

Irish Dancing for Adults – Women’s Institute Hall, Joy Lane. Come along, get fitter and help shed those Christmas pounds! Mainly adults, Mondays 8-9pm. Call Janice on 07895 457020.

MARKETS/MEETINGS

Whitstable Farmers’ Market , Second and fourth Saturdays of each month. St Mary’s Hall, Oxford Street, 9.30 - 2, selling meat, fruit, vegetables, drink, cakes, crafts and with a Fair Trade cafe on site. Becky Richards 01227 770836.


COM

MUN

ITy

44

theimp


COMMUNITY GUIDE

Health

Blood Donation – 08457 711 711

Out of Hours Dispensing Pharmacies 0845 46 47

Drs’ Surgeries

Whitstable Health Centre – 0844 477 2566

Chestfield Medical Centre – 0844 477 3037

Out of Hours service – 0844 800 1234

Local Policing

Details of police surgeries and meetings: www.kent.police.uk Inspector for Whitstable is Gordon Etheridge, with Sergeant Dave Brenchley on 01227 868028.

ChestfieldPC: Steve Pope 01227 868028; PCSO: Mark Harriott 07772 226106

GorrellPCSO: Abi Symons 01227 868028

HarbourPC: Andy Camp 07980 683530; PCSO: Aaron Pedwell 07772 226035

Seasalter and YorklettsPCSO: Aarron Newell 01227 868028

SwalecliffePC: Steve Pope 01227 868028; PCSO: Graeme Downes 01227 868028

TankertonPC: Steve Pope 01227 868028; PCSO: Graeme Downes 01227 868028

LOCAL SERVICES

Alternative Therapies

Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Swedish Massage, Ear Candles, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage. In the comfort of your own home or in Debra’s therapy room. Call Debra Maybourne, Holistic Therapist, 01227 276 881 or 07872 622 023.

Hypnotherapy at Q Hypnotherapy, based in Whitstable. Details at www.Qhypnotherapy.co.uk. Call Lisa Barnett on 0800 612 8153.

Financial

Meridian Consutants, Independent Mortgage Specialists - Beat the Mortgage Credit Crunch. Don’t believe all you hear and read. Mortgages/Remortgages readily available. Call for an independent, unbiased, up-to-date quotation on 01227 266644.

Landscaping

Tranquil Earth Natural Garden Design Specializing in creating traditional and contemporary gardens, built with respect for the environment and to encourage wildlife. Visit www.tranquil-earth.co.uk for garden ideas.

Retailers

Allbits Plubing Supplies Ltd - visit our showroom or call now for great bathroom offers: 01227 281 648.


COM

MUN

ITy

45

theimp


Crackin’ Glass - FREE ESTIMATES on replacement single pane glass of all types. To book a free quotation, call 01227 711151.

Herne Bay Mobility - Fantastic January Offers. Visit the showroom or call for a free catalogue or to arrange a free demonstration on 01227 710055.

Home Choice Carpets - Specialist home pattern service for all carpets, vinyls, laminates, woods and rugs. Free underlay, grippers, door bars and fitting on ALL CARPETS. Call for a free estimate on 01227 265544 or 07860 358552.

Invicta Gas Ltd - Save up to 40% on your gas bill with a new boiler. Call today for a FREE home quotation: 01227 770 510.

The Kitchen Door Company - Why buy a new kitchen when you can change your doors? Over 30 designs in 45 different colours. Doors made to measure. Call 01227 791 850 or 07872 610 326.

Premier Electrical Supplies - Comprehensive supply and service with a personal touch. Call 01227 282 386.

Ripple Farm Organics - Local and organic vegetable box scheme - weekly delivery to 4 collection points in Whitstable (& other deliveries in East Kent). Visit www.ripplefarmorganics.co.uk or call 01227 730 898 and leave a message.

FURTHER AFIELD

Relaxing breaks

Yoga Holidays at shanticentre.com - half-price holidays available in the beautiful Italian mountains for May and September 2009. Go to www.shanticentre.com for further information or to book your place.

www.freespirituk.com

www.yogaholidays.net

www.davidnappfineart.com

www.houses-in-italy.co.uk

Non-profit listings are free of charge. Business listings work out at £5 per month or less. If you were not included this month, please mail us your listings – [email protected]

For display advertising please contact [email protected] or call freephone 0800 44 88 309. In all cases, if you would rather write, our address is: The Whitstable IMP, PO Box 290, Whitstable, CT5 9AH.

ALL LISTINGS AND ADVERTISERS in the magazine will also appear on our website directory at: www.the-imp.co.uk free of charge.


QUICK COMPETITION

QUESTION: WHAT WAS... THE CHEESE BOX?The Cheese Box in Whitstable is a relatively new phenomenon - but what used to be there? If you think you know, write in with your answers to be included in our prize draw. The fi rst person with the correct answer to be

pulled from the draw will receive a Philips MP3 Player!

WIN A PHILIPS MP3 PLAYER

COM

PETI

TIO

N

46

theimp

To enter, email: [email protected] or write to PO Box 290, Whitstable CT5 9AH with your answer. The lucky winner will be announced in the February issue. Good luck!

QUESTION: WHAT WAS... THE CHEESE BOX?QUESTION: WHAT WAS... THE CHEESE BOX?


the whitstable imp issue 2

Documents

whitstable imp

whitstable home

launch issue

whitstable ct5

whitstable community

featurepacked issue

philips mp3 players

new distributor