Broadstairs life

The History of the Bells of St Peter-in-Thanet Church St Peter’s church has had bells for over 600 years, but it is not known exactly when they were first installed or how many bells there were. A single bell was in the south east corner of the church and it is said that there are signs of wear caused by a bell rope on the wall of the present Lady Chapel. St Peter’s present tower was built in the...

Justine- I was born and raised in Broadstairs and have always appreciated and lived our little town by the sea. As a youngster I spent most weekends out on my dad’s fishing boat. At school my two loves were sport and art. I did a pre degree in art, lived in Australia for 18 months then came back and became a graphic designer for the creative print shop. Later I taught art and craft at the Thanet c...

Sarah is a local breastfeeding counsellor who is dedicated in supporting mothers with their breastfeeding journeys. Sarah cares deeply about up to date information and informed choice- whilst cheering on the mothers (and babies) she works alongside with. Instagram: @sarahbfsupport Website: https://sarahturner1.wixsite.com/specialist-breastfee Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BAbgJSUPd/

​BradARA is a social club based in Broadstairs, Kent, open to local men and women who are retired or semi-retired. We provide members with opportunities to make friends and engage in activities through attending regular meetings, and joining in with outings and social and cultural events. BradARA is a satellite group from the well-established TARA (Thanet Active Retirement Association) which has b...

Broadstairs Sailing Club provides a range of training, dinghy sailing and racing activities from its base at Broadstairs harbour on the North East Kent coast. The Club has a well appointed clubhouse with bar, kitchen, changing rooms, training room and a lounge with panoramic views overlooking Broadstairs Viking bay. Broadstairs SC is essentially a dinghy racing Club but there are opportunities for...

“Opening my own children’s bookshop is an absolute dream come true. Together with my outreach work with schools and the local community as The Kids Books Curator, the Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop represents the culmination of my ultimate goal – establishing a physical presence on the high street. This shop is more than just a place to buy books; it's a vibrant community hub where young reader...

Today you can listen as Kanndiss talks to us about her inspired Pies with a strong Caribbean influence made here in Broadstairs and sold across Thanet. Kandiss tells us how she started in October 2025 and where her inspiration came from. Her passion just flows as she talks about her background the joy of making pies and what inspires her. She will be telling us about her Curry Goat, Mushroom &...

Thank you to Lisa who is one of the people who we all know and see everyday about but very rarely hear about. To learn what our local Posties do and why they love the job they do listen as Lisa tells us all about her job... and it's not just wearing shorts all year!!!! If you live between the chalk cliffs of Broadstairs and the quiet, flint-walled lanes of St Peter’s , you will know the rhythm of...

Empowering Broadstairs: The Youth Action Campaign Amelie and Angel, two dedicated students from Dane Court Grammar School , have launched a vital initiative aimed at tackling youth crime within the Broadstairs community. Their campaign focuses on a proactive, educational approach to steer young people toward positive paths. Key Pillars of the Initiative Community Funding & Support: Securing lo...

We have to thank Darren Cowd TDC museums manager & Curator of Dickens House. Dickens House Museum celebrates Charles Dickens' long connection with Broadstairs (1837-1851). It is housed in the cottage that was Charles Dickens' inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. According to the reminiscences of Charles Dickens son Charley, they regularly had tea there with Miss Ma...

Festival 2026 - Friday, 12th to Sunday, 14th June 2026 will be the 89th year, and we are pleased to confirm the dates for our 3-day festival. Friday, 12th to Sunday, 14th June Charles Dickens visited Broadstairs in Kent regularly from 1837 until 1859 and immortalised the town as "Our English Watering Place". In 1937, to commemorate the centenary of the author's first visit, Gladys Waterer, the the...

This is an inspiring Podcast with two truly amazing people who talk candidly with passion and some humour thrown in about why over the years they continue to help others. Local Broadstairs residents Lorraine and Graham Burns have a passion. To raise much needed funds for Breast Cancer Now. Their lives were changed forever when Lorraine's Mum was to lost to Breast Cancer. Since that time they have...

PC James Absolon has been a Police Officer in Kent for 8 Years and has served in Margate and is now The Broadstairs Community Beat officer. Here you will listen to james as he tells us about his important role in our community. He has a real passion for being part of the local community explaining the type of Police work his role covers. It's a fascinating chance to listen to a Police Officer who...

Self taught and now a teacher and instructor Michelle Wharton introduces needle felting as a versatile dry felting method. By using specialised barbed needles to mesh wool fibre's together, she helps through her workshops crafters produce everything from intricate 3D sculptures to detailed 2D art. This accessible hobby requires minimal equipment—primarily wool, a foam mat, and needles—making begin...

From the Largest Theatre Group in the World to The Oldest Stage in England and the Future of the Theatre Michael Wheatley-Ward has had invaluable experience of the theatre management business. Here is a colourful entertainment all of its own of the risks involved in production management from the wings as well as front of house. A wealth of knowledge which has been gained through knowing and worki...

This is a special edition after the events that took place over the Bank Holiday Weekend FYI some of the comments were converted but not changed from the original submitted text into the spoken word. This is confirmed during the Podcast at which point this takes place. Thank you Let's remember Broadstairs is a quintessential, charming coastal town located on the Isle of Thanet in East Kent, Englan...

OUR HISTORY Aspley House Bowls Club was set up by Dr Brightman (Broadstairs Council chairman) during WW1. In 1917 the rinks were laid out in his back garden, facing what is now Lawn Road. They were mainly used by returning servicemen at the end of the war. When Dan Mason gifted the Recreation Ground to the town in 1921 by way of his personal thanks to the troops, he set up a bowling green in the g...

Vicky who has been at the centre for 25 years tells us about the amazing work this centre does to give anybody with a disability to ride and interact with their horses. Thanet Disabled Riding Centre is an independent, nonprofit organisation located in Broadstairs. With the fantastic support from our team of volunteers, we can cater to 40 riders a week. The Centre has now been running for 47 years...

In this episode Jim talks about the history of the Ukulele and how he loves teaching others . I'm Jim Moran and I've been teaching ukulele to beginners and intermediate students for quite a few years. I'm a qualified teacher in schools and colleges and my experience includes starting a successful ukulele club in a special school that I worked in. Courses have been run for clients including Ageless...

Peter Shaw gives us an insight into the history of the Crampton Tower Museum. A fascinating small museum is partly housed in a flint tower adjacent to the Broadstairs Railway Station. The tower formed part of the first Broadstairs public water supply and was put in repair by Thanet District Council. Thomas Russell Crampton is perhaps chiefly remembered as a designer of locomotives and of railways,...

Mitchell brings us a fascinating insight into the world of a dog behaviourist & trainer. I've spent the last 26 years volunteering at 3 animal santuaries doing 4500 hours and rehomed and rehabilitated over 1100 dogs...and studied widely on what helps Dogs feel calm and balanced I now work self employed as a dog behaviourist. I work one to one and come to you. I work through my vet and personal...

For the past 220 years or so the church has worshipped on its current site. Older people in the community will remember it being called Salem but for the past 20 years it has been known simply as The Baptist Church, St Peters. There have been many ups and downs. At one time the church had to move off-site following a break-in and a fire. Our neighbours in the St Peter’s Parish church next door kin...

Many of us see the Community Payback team working here in Broadstairs. On this podcast you will listen Danny speak about his passion for this service and what makes it work and how it helps those involved. Supervised by veteran Danny Ward, the Community Payback Team has spent the years revitalising Broadstairs. This partnership between the Town Council and the Tourism & Leisure Association all...

This alehouse features Kentish ales, ciders and others from further afield, including craft keg beers. The beer and cider loving owners are also passionate about live music and hold monthly jam sessions as well as organising the Broadstairs Jazz Festival. A central beer bottle chandelier and large picture windows flood light across comfortable spaces for friends, family and couples, dog friendly t...

It's time to meet our host Dean who along with Elizebeth were busy handing out flyers for the market today 12th April. Here at Bleak House we meet many of those who set up their stalls on what was a very windy day. They are there to sell and promote local food and products at the historic Bleak House in its beautiful garden overlooking VikingBay. Today we chat with many of these here at Bleak Hous...