Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters Reform UK had a very successful 2025 Local Election in Kent as they won all seven of the seats on offer in Thanet district taking wards that were previously held by both Conservative and Labour councillors which has also taken overall control of Kent County Council won two seats from the Tories in Birchington Rural and another one from the party in Broadstairs Reform also won the second Ramsgate seat from Labour and also took Margate from the same party Overall on Kent County Council Reform UK now has overall control and holds 57 out of the 81 seats the Lib Dems are the second largest party with 12 councillors The final two seats are taken by Labour councillors down from the five the party held before the election Full results for Thanet district are listed below: Birchington Rural -REFORM GAIN FROM CON X2 For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from the other 11 Kent County Council areas Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone and Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Tonbridge and Malling Tunbridge Wells Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right The much-anticipated launch of the first show home at Kingsgate Place in Broadstairs took place recently was revealed to the local community across an exclusive open weekend earlier this month providing visitors with their very first chance to get on-site at Kingsgate Place and discover the development’s collection of scenic coastal homes Conceived and built by Kent-based developer Elivia Homes Kingsgate Place offers an outstanding selection of homes in one of the most sought-after areas surrounding the historic town of Broadstairs offer spacious accommodation overlooking Broadstairs’ verdant North Forelands Golf Course Ranging from three to six bedrooms and priced from £600,000 with plenty of space for families to flourish The show home provides the first glimpse into the elevated lifestyle on offer at Kingsgate Place the captivating property immerses visitors in the development’s unique blended coastal/countryside atmosphere Managing Director at Phoenix Interior Design with views of Joss Bay & North Forelands Golf Course it was imperative for the interior to speak to its surroundings We placed an emphasis on ‘comfortable luxury’ with layers of velvet tactile textures & timeless calming tones I wanted visitors to feel at peace & recharged whilst moving from room to room allowing each curated space to have its own personality & purpose.” Kingsgate Place is perfectly positioned for access to the town’s shops The high street is just 1.2 miles from the development while the enormous Westwood Cross shopping centre is 2.9 miles away a two-mile radius around Kingsgate Place serves up a nursery a secondary and a well-respected grammar school Commuters have much to appreciate at the development Broadstairs station is an easy 1.3 mile journey from home with trains running direct to St Pancras in as little as an hour and 21 minutes Travel options are broadened by the proximity of both the Port of Ramsgate (4.2 miles away) and the M25 motorway Sales and Marketing Director at Elivia Homes Eastern has it all – superb properties in an outstanding location that blends contemporary convenience with coastal charm so that potential buyers can discover this for themselves marked an exciting milestone for this impressive development.” Prices start from £600,000 for a detached three bedroom bungalow For further information, please visit https://www.eliviahomes.co.uk/ This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Get all the Strictly glitz direct to your email Muddy Stilettos has now announced all of the winners for its yearly regional awards highlighting some of the best businesses from around Kent the publication seeks out those independents that are truly excelling within their field and deserve to have their hard work recognised Awards are given out across a wide range of categories with firms from 35 counties going head to head in a public vote to determine the crème de la crème This year, a whopping 105 Kent businesses were vying to be crowned the county’s best for their respective field and now the full list of winners has been announced Half-a-million people nationwide took part in the vote over eight weeks to pick their favourites Announcing this year’s batch of winners, Muddy Stilettos said: “Now in their 12th year we've always proudly run the Muddy Awards free for all businesses to take part and it's still as thrilling as ever to shine a light on brilliant lifestyle indies that make our lives so much more fun and vibrant A whopping great thank you to all our Muddy readers who took part or voted - the Muddy Awards are nothing without you!” All of the regional winners will automatically go through to the hotly contested National Finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards Editors will judge who is the ‘best of the best’ in each category before announcing the national winners on Wednesday Winner: The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle (Edenbridge) Winner: The Clockwork Cocktail Company (Margate) Winner: Elmley Nature Reserve (Isle of Sheppey) Cellar Door Dining at Balfour Winery (Staplehurst) Rascal's Events & Catering (Tunbridge Wells) Kent Academy of Musical Theatre (Maidstone) Kent School of Performing Arts (Whitstable) Winner: Kent & East Sussex Railway (Tenterden) Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest (Goudhurst) Winner: Gingerly Green Flower Farm (Folkestone) Winner: The PIG - at Bridge Place (Canterbury) Find out more about things to do in Kent with our free What’s On email HERE. The charming coastal town of Broadstairs has been hailed as "one of the UK's coolest places" attracting a host of celebrity chefs to its shores It has long been a popular holiday destination due to its majestic chalky cliffs and golden sandy beaches The town was a favourite of Victorian novellist Charles Dickens The town's Central Viking Bay is a family favourite with children's rides and beach huts while the rural Botany Bay offers picture-perfect chalk stacks The original Victorian streets and alleyways are dotted with independent shops READ MORE: The ‘mesmerising’ Kent castle with maze, grotto and train offering free entry for one day in March READ MORE: Exact date new McDonald’s branch will open at Kent shopping centre Broadstairs has also become a foodie haven and the iconic Morelli's ice cream parlour which has been serving up scoops for over 90 years While neighbouring Margate has seen a recent surge in trendy eateries catering to a younger crowd Broadstairs continues to draw those seeking a traditional seaside experience Masterchef finalist Tony Rodd initially planned to open a restaurant in Margate but soon realised that Broadstairs would be a better fit for his venture He chose to launch Fifteen Square Metres in Broadstairs citing the town's more relaxed dining scene as a deciding factor We decided that Broadstairs was more suited to my wife and I both in our mid-forties with a slightly slower lifestyle than 15 years ago." the culinary mind behind the small plates eatery Bar Ingo He boasts that diners can always enjoy a "cool view" at his establishment whether it's of the "beach or the curious streets" Rodd also appreciates the scenery of Broadstairs He says he can leave his restaurant at the end of a night "turn left" and he's at the sea something that makes him feel "10 times better" than in London who made waves with French restaurant Sète He now has a long-term pop-up in the Neptunes Hall pub with his southern-fried chicken venture Stock's work at Sete was praised by food critic Grace Dent she wrote: "Stock is plainly a very good cook who adds breathtaking depth to even the simplest dishes." Broadstairs isn't just a hit among foodies; it's been recognised as the 20th "coolest place to live" in a 2023 national survey by Naturecan with Polperro in Cornwall snagging the top spot followed by Wells-Next-The-Sea and Marlow in Buckinghamshire The seaside town has also garnered rave reviews on Tripadvisor with one visitor gushing: "Fantastic beaches - very clean You can walk right along the front and there is a lift at one end!" Another shared: "The warm June weather was a great opportunity for a day out in Broadstairs with our six year old Granddaughter With plenty of sand to dig and an inviting sea it was ideal Good fish and chips bought in the quaint own (little changed from the 1950's) and delicious icecream made the day." Broadstairs is known for its timeless charm & picturesque beaches by the sea Our Broadstairs Street Cricket Club has ignited a revolution in local youth sport with 33 enthusiastic cricketers turning up on opening night—setting yet another record for Street Cricket in Kent The excitement has spread beyond Broadstairs attracting participants from neighbouring towns Ramsgate & Margate and driving registrations past 50 within just weeks making up 40% of this growing membership—a testament to their passion and talent This remarkable success not only highlights the club’s impact but also sets a new standard for inclusivity and excellence in the community it’s not just the promise of cricket—it’s the freedom and fun that the kids themselves are steering they decide if it’s about perfecting skills or diving headfirst into crazy challenges The impact has blown away parents from the get-go One mum summed it up perfectly: “My child hasn’t stopped talking about Street cricket—they’re buzzing for next week!” Whilst the basis for ‘Street’ is cricket with a tape ball – Broadstairs isn’t content with sticking to the basics The likes of Gladiator Dodgeball has already become a fan-favourite but there’s plenty more we hope to bring to keep the pulses racing: 🌊 Summer Water Sports Day – Prepare to make a splash and cool off in style 🎧 Youth Engagement Bus – DJ decks and PS5’s for the ultimate summer mocktail party 🎃 Spooky Halloween Cricket  – Because who wouldn’t want to smash sixes dressed as Dracula 🚁 Drone Races – Testing skills and reactions in high-flying challenges 🕹️ Speed Gun Challenges – Seeing who’s got the fastest bowling arm in Broadstairs 💡 Glow-in-the-Dark Cricket – Lighting up the night for some futuristic cricket action This game-changing approach ensures the momentum keeps building This thriving club isn’t just an outlier—it’s a blueprint for the future of Street cricket across Kent -If a small coastal town can foster this level of engagement and enthusiasm imagine the possibilities as this concept spreads Broadstairs is proving that with the right mix of energy cricket can not only survive but thrive in any environment The next cricketing superstars might just emerge from this vibrant little town With the incredible support of our partners at Chance to Shine we are looking to expand this amazing experience across Kent and Southeast London now’s the perfect time to get involved and be part of the future of cricket Find a club near you Click Here: STREET CLUBS  or alternatively contact Pete Hendey our Community Programmes Manager All-action T20 cricket is back in Canterbury this June & July Get the best seats in the house and enjoy exclusive access and benefits with a Kent Cricket Membership for 2025 The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury Download all upcoming fixtures and add them to your calendar Download a PDF of all upcoming Men’s & Women’s fixtures Site by: TILT DON\u2019T MISS THIS YEARS ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE Get the \u2018cene CULTURE SHOT straight to your inbox on each release By using this website, you agree to our T&C\u2019s, privacy policy & use of cookies. We use analytical data to provide you with an enjoyable experience and to help our website run effectively bear witness to the origin story of UK jungle’s peerless icon Margate’s Quench Gallery presents ‘Hyper - The Stevie Hyper D Story’ as part of the current show ‘Grow Room’ by Catherine Chinatree (see the ‘cene interview with Catherine here) A massive stage presence and a musical pioneer Stevie Hyper D supercharged British rave culture into one of the most significant musical movements of the last 30 years goes on an emotional journey back to the thrilling apex of 90s jungle to discover first-hand his uncle’s enduring legacy Join them after the screening for a Q&A with director Jamie Ross-Hulme AS PART OF CATHERINE CHINATREE'S SHOW 'GROW ROOM'Thursday, February 27th 2025Palace Cinema, Broadstairs Tickets Here independent and multi-award winning magazine which focuses on sub-cultures in-and-around the county of Kent ‘cene endorses those who use their ideas and originality to revive the creative landscape of the South-East high-quality content and an approachable tone ‘cene continues it’s drive for inclusivity in the subjects and delivery of it’s free-to-take printed magazines and online platforms Get the ‘cene culture shot for updates on local offers Also don’t miss when the latest print edition is available to pick up or buy We won’t share details with third-party companies other than the Auditing Bureau of Circulation for proof of ‘cene’s annual circulation figures We may also send interesting updates about our partner’s news Please check your inbox to verify your email address We will keep you posted on all the good stuff Kent has to offer KENT PRESS & BROADCAST AWARDSMAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2023Magazine of the Year 2022Magazine of the Year 2020Magazine of the Year 2019Magazine of the Year 2018Design of the Year 2017 SALES : +447510 066 610EDITORIAL + STUDIO © 2017-2025 CENE MEDIA LTD | All rights Reserved | All content on this website is not to be copied or distributed | ‘cene® and KEEPITKENT® are Registered Trademarks of CENE MEDIA LTD A SPACED AGENCY WEBSITE Your web browser is out of date. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience You can continue to the site using your current browser Broadstairs Library has been announced as a finalist for the Library of the Year Award It is one of 36 libraries across the UK and Ireland to be shortlisted for the accolade as part of the British Book Awards 2025 The team have been recognised for their ingenuity in the face of increasing pressures from governmental cuts in the regional finalist round The library is part of the Thanet Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) project which started in April 2024 and identifies people in the district who are vulnerable to loneliness and may benefit from library services and activities The team have organised additional library events and activities and piloted innovative approaches aimed at helping with disconnection passion and enthusiasm has been fundamental in ensuring Thanet Libraries are now viewed as community hubs and safe spaces while building strong social connections within the community Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services said: “I’m really pleased the hard work and dedication of the team at Broadstairs Library has been recognised in The British Book Awards 2025 “The team have worked tirelessly to develop the KYN project by going the extra mile to make it a success whilst still delivering essential library and registration services in a busy community town centre library." “I’m really pleased the hard work and dedication of the team at Broadstairs Library has been recognised.” The British Book Awards celebrate reading initiatives in which libraries collaborate with local publishers partners and businesses to build inspiring community hubs that place reading at the heart of everything they do Broadstairs Library is part of the Know Your Neighbourhood scheme It recognises individual libraries and as well as work across library districts There are 36 libraries and library authorities listed across nine different regions and countries One winner from each region will be chosen in March with those winners contending for the overall prize announced at The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House London on Monday 12 May The British Book Awards 2025 Library of the Year Award sponsored by publisher DK and run in association with the Reading Agency celebrates libraries that serve their readers and implement initiatives which reach deep into communities improving the lives of individuals through storytelling and literature updates and information from us direct to your inbox If you’ve ever walked down Harbour Street in Broadstairs you will have seen The Palace Cinema Its historic flint facade is unmistakable and not dissimilar to that of a small church or public building But the congregation who flock to the Grade II-listed building daily are in search of enlightenment by the medium of film The Palace was acquired by Corinna Downing and Simon Ward a couple who had devoted their careers to independent cinema a film distributor for the Institute of Contemporary Arts had been programming independent cinemas and festivals as well as being involved in the London Film Festival while Corinna had worked in education working to bring the likes of BAFTA and the British Film Institute into schools and universities Having moved out of London a decade ago and settling into a new life in Broadstairs the pair discovered that The Palace was up for sale Taking on a small business in the modern day is not for the faint-hearted while taking on a cinema in the age of streaming platforms and out-of-town multiplexes is brave… very brave the new owners didn’t necessarily know how to run one “The cinema had a very loyal audience before we started,” says Corinna “So they were very patient with us as we kind of got our heads around it at the start we thought there was no point showing all the same films as everyone else.  including the 10-screen Vue cinema at Westwood Cross The only reason for us to take on the cinema was to offer something different.” A balance was sought between retaining viewers who loved the big commercial films while also using their knowledge of independent film “We didn’t want to lose the audience that had been going for years but were definitely skewing towards independent and classic films that you won’t see anywhere else near us,” says Corinna But with a capacity of a little over 100 and just one screen The Palace has its work cut out in fitting a varied array of films in its schedule you’re not programming for yourself and the skill of it is knowing that about your many different audiences,” says Simon “Often we will see films quite some time before they come out and then we’ve got to guess what the press reaction will be and who is releasing the film so what impact will that have on the visibility and the marketing of the film “Is it a cult film appealing to young people in some way that’s brand-new sculpt a programme that appeals to all these different audiences and doesn’t alienate anyone.” Entering through the doorway of The Palace does feel like a step into not necessarily a different era but certainly a place where the experiential traditions of the cinema visit are treasured as much as the films themselves you’ll feel welcomed right away,” says Corinna All our staff have been with us for a long time even if they weren’t already when they arrived there’s someone there who will be up for that – it’s a real film space “You step through that into the cinema space A balcony area is one of the favourite spots for regulars a number of whom book ‘their’ seat for the entire monthly programme Indeed the community are a big part of The Palace with Corinna and Simon doing a lot of work with nearby schools as well as diving into the history of cinema locally “We also did a big project last year that involved volunteers and all of them expressed an interest in still being part of the cinema after that project had ended,” says Corinna “So we started this thing with volunteer ushers aged between 18 and 80 who sign up to be with us for about six months They’re down there with a torch helping people to their seats.  “We don’t really need someone because it’s so small just that sense that someone’s there looking after you and can help with whatever you need Ushers are something that disappeared in most cinemas decades ago but bringing them back has really lifted things in a way we didn’t really realise it was going to.” The Palace was listed in the top 50 of Time Out magazine’s best cinemas in the UK for a second time and finishing higher than more than 1,000 others “One of the nice things about being listed in Time Out was they said it was kind of like stepping into a little cinema in Paris or something which is normally not all we’re aiming for there’s that feeling where you’re stepping into something that’s a bit magical,” says Corinna It was also nominated in the biannual Screen International awards competing with the likes of BFI Southbank in London If the challenges of the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis hadn’t already stuck the boot in the actors’ and writers’ strikes in Hollywood last year added a totally new dimension to the issues faced by cinemas Even some of the huge multiplexes mothballed a lot of their screens to downsize and adjust to the lack of films coming through the pipeline.  “There have been a lot fewer films available to show normally every summer there are six big Hollywood kids’ films – you know there are always too many films looking for a cinema release and They would go straight to a streamer or something But we didn’t want to show films that we thought people would come along to and then be disappointed by because they weren’t quite good enough along with a raft of other cinemas in the UK The Palace trimmed down its viewings from August through to Christmas 2024 but still managed to keep hold of all its staff things are starting to get back to normal and while Corinna and Simon do have the knowledge and contacts to be able to source more rare and indie films from across the globe more commercial releases will always have an audience… as long as they make it to the cinema first and aren’t shopped straight to stream “It depends on the film and depends on the streaming platform,” says Simon People won’t come out to the cinema if it’s on Netflix in two weeks’ time So things like Apple and Amazon are pretty good so they’ll say it’s ‘only in cinemas for the first three months’ or whatever.  “In the more kind of world cinema, which we do, a lot of people are loyal to a cinema experience and really want to see it, so we don’t find it impacts on that.”INFO: thepalacecinema.co.uk  INSTA: thepalacecinema Broadstairs Folk Week has announced a new, year-round concert series, ‘Folk Week Presents’, at the Horsebridge Arts Centre monthly shows will feature Folk Week’s favourite artists in a concert setting with an intimate With the aim of broadening the festival’s horizons into other areas of Kent ,whilst raising funds for the 60th Anniversary this August the team have begun a series of shows in Whitstable to invite audiences to enjoy some of that Folk Week feel more regularly Tickets are available directly via https://thehorsebridge.org.uk/folk On 13th April there is the brilliant ‘raw folk from the Medway Delta’ of The Singing Loins with support from Herne Bay’s own shanty singers The Figureheads and MC Morag of Rosslyn Court On 11th May is festival patron and virtuoso instrumentalist Tim Edey – a master of many instruments Tim is a force of a nature not to be missed.   Folk Week Presents shows will be raising funds for the 2025 Broadstairs Folk Week festival where they will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary from 7th to 15th August 2025 in more than 20 venues across the stunning seaside town.  The 2025 lineup includes some of the biggest names on the scene from English folk rock legends Lindisfarne to influential traditional singer Martin Carthy with daughter Eliza Carthy leading Scottish singer/songwriter Eddi Reader and revered Anglo-Irish quartet Flook Sounds from around the world include Bangladeshi folk fusion from Khiyo Zimbabwean buskers Gonora Sounds and Guinean percussionist Falle Nioke the sublime Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman and favourite ceilidh bands Whapweasel Banter and Brown Boots Boogie Band - as well as a special Q&A with iconic Peggy Seeger online -  BFW 2025 has a huge range of brilliant entertainment so you can choose your own festival and join in as much as you like.   Proud to be one of the oldest Folk Festivals in the UK Folk Week includes more than 400 events over eight festival days annually With everything from exclusive concerts to our Saturday parade with over 25 Morris sides dance displays featuring our traditional Kentish ‘hooden horses’ on the seafront and plenty of free shows for all ages and abilities town-wide festival at over twenty locations with something for everyone.   Voters across Thanet district will head to the polls on Thursday (May 1) to elect seven councillors to represent them on Kent County Council Residents in Thanet district including in the towns of Broadstairs have the chance to use their vote to influence policies on issues such as roads Thanet district has 36 candidates standing across five wards with each ward electing one or two councillors to county hall the seven Thanet seats are held by four Conservatives and two independent councillors and one for Reform Cllr Trevor Shonk of the Ramsgate ward was elected as a Conservative and served as some time for an independent before joining Reform 425 candidates are standing for your votes in 72 wards across the 12 boroughs and districts that make up the Kent County Council region Medway Council does not have elections scheduled in 2025 Kent County Council currently has a Conservative majority with the Lib Dems as the next largest party on six Labour and the Green Party hold five seats each three members for Reform and one each for the Heritage Party and the Swale Independents Elections in Kent are going ahead this year despite the ongoing devolution process that is set to see the county’s current councils abolished to be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities A full list of candidates for all of the Thanet district seats in the 2025 Kent County Council elections are listed below: For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Folkestone and Hythe candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here Swedish-born chef Tomas Eriksson is a familiar face on Thanet’s vibrant restaurant scene having left the kitchens of Soho House in London to head up New Street Bistro and Waverley House in Margate - as well as a number of successful pop-ups across recent years His new venture Bar Ingo on York Street in Broadstairs sees Tomas and his son Rio serve up refined small plates with a nod to the menus of San Sebastián from an open kitchen we took on a few classics as well as a few fantastic and inventive adaptations Fantastic crispy patatas bravas (£7) were topped with a spicy red sauce and a generous helping of garlicky aioli The juicy piquet peppers stuffed with braised beef brisket (£12) and burrata with black Iberico tomatoes and salsa verde (£12) were also amazing butter beans and truffle (£12) was a beautifully tasty original and the scaled down chicken Schnitzel with curry mayo and pickles (£12) was another brilliant version of the north European classic dish But arguably the dish of the day was the scallops (£15) in a black pudding base and topped with spicy chimichurri It was a brilliantly inventive and tastily executed array of dishes