Keep your family safe in East Kent

All emergency & non-urgent services information for East Kent in one place!

1. FIRE SERVICE

FREE fire safety advice and FREE smoke alarms

Kent Fire and Rescue Service offers free fire safety advice. Call the community safety team on 0800 923 7000 for more information.

http://www.kent.fire-uk.org/your_safety/fire_safety/vulnerable_people.aspx

East Kent Mum says that she contacted the local Fire Service and was amazed by the free and friendly service she received. We discussed an emergency escape route should there ever be a fire. And, as we didn’t have any smoke alarms, the fire service fitted 3 alarms for free!

2. POLICE SERVICE

Find your local neighbourhood officer

http://www.kent.police.uk/Your_Neighbourhood/search.seam

Are you or a family member suffering Domestic Abuse?

There’s lots of help and support in East Kent. Please contact someone for help.

http://www.kent.police.uk/advice/abuse_assault/domestic_abuse/who_to_call.html

3. AMBULANCE SERVICE

In an emergency phone 999 or 112.

East Kent Mum says she had to use the ambulance service when her blood pressure became high enough to be of concern by the midwife. Fantastic service and East Kent Mum was at QEQM hospital delivering baby no. 2 in no time!

Find other local services, such as NHS Direct, local minor injury units, sexual health etc

http://www.easternandcoastalkent.nhs.uk/your-health/find-services/

About NHS Eastern and Coastal services

http://www.easternandcoastalkent.nhs.uk/about-us/nhs-eastern-and-coastal-kent/

4. RNLI – LIFEBOATS & LIFEGUARDS

East Kent Mum says East Kent is full of beautiful beaches. But, the sea can be dangerous and it’s important our children are fully informed in sea and beach safety.

In an emergency, dial 999 or 112.

See the RNLI’s webpage on beach and sea safety

http://www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety

East Kent Mum says remember to apply a high factor sunscreen and wear sun hats on the beach. Cool winds in East Kent can be deceptive!

Visit SHORETHING 

A website full of safety advice and interactive games for children by the RNLI.

http://www.rnli.org.uk/nearestrnli/

Find your nearest RNLI lifeboat station

http://www.rnli.org.uk/nearestrnli/

The RNLI is an independent charity and does not receive any money from the UK government. The lifeboat crews and lifeguards are volunteers. You can donate: http://www.rnli.org.uk/how_to_support_us/donate/donate

East Kent Mum says to look out for charity events as our lifeboat stations need all the support they can get.

Whitstable Toddle Waddle for Meningitis Trust

East Kent Mums and their children walked the Whitstable Toddle Waddle in aid of Meningitis Trust.
We made the Whitstable Times and other local media. Check the story out:

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Monty-leads-playmates-wet-waddle/story-15989408-detail/story.html

What is Meningitis?
It's important for parents and carers to know the symptoms. To find out more visit The Meningitis Trust.
http://www.meningitis-trust.org/?gclid=CIr5xYr7568CFQwjfAod-nlg4A

What to do this Bank Holiday

Pick of events in East Kent for families this bank holiday. Including: Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate, Herne Bay, Faversham, Ramsgate, Dover.

MARGATE

1. Turner Exhibition, Turner Contemporary, Margate.

Cost: FREE

Date: All weekend open 10am-6pmhttp://www.turnercontemporary.org/

East Kent Mum’s seen it with her kids. Here’s a quick activity to do as you go round. Find the following in Turner’s paintings: a whale, a dolphin, a cave, a storm, a dog, a ship, a fire, some sheep, a rainbow.

2. Turner Contemporary Family Workshop, Turner Contemporary, Margate.

Cost: £2 per child (under 3s and adults FREE)

Date: Sunday 8^th May open 1pm-4pm

http://www.turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/category/families

East Kent Mum likes this regular Sunday workshop for children.

3. Easy Monday Sonic Play, Turner Contemporary, Margate. 

Cost: £2 per child (under threes and accompanying adults FREE)

Date: Monday 7^th May open 1pm-4pm

http://www.turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/00000000247/easy-monday-sonic-play

4. Welcome to the Jungle, Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House, Birchington.

Cost: Various including £20 for a family ticket.

Date: Monday 7^th May from 2pm-3.30pm

http://www.quexmuseum.org

5. Walk along Margate Harbour Arm, Margate beach and the Old Town

A stone’s throw from the Turner Contemporary, it’s great fun to wander along the Harbour Arm to admire the sea views, watch artists at work and grab a drink in BeBeached Café. Children will enjoy the freedom of playing on the beach before looking at some of the lovely independent and vintage shops over the road.

WHITSTABLE

1. May Day Celebrations, Whitstable Castle.

Cost: Donation only.

Date: Monday 7^th May from 11am - 4.30pm

East Kent Mum went for the first time last year and had a fun time! Don’t forget to let the kids have fun in the Castle playground – a free activity all year round.

 2. Watch Morris Dancing, Dead Horse, In and around Whitstable
Date: Monday 7^th May from 10am

http://deadhorse.org.uk/upcoming/2012/mayday12.php

3. Whitstable Artists Exhibition, Horsebridge Centre.

Date: All Weekend from 10am-6pm

http://www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk/?q=node/5723

East Kent Mum is a Friend of the Horsebridge.

      4. Whitstable Museum and Gallery
Date: All weekend from 10am-4pm (Phone to check opening times.)
Cost: £3 per adult, Up to two children free and £1 thereafter.
http://www.canterbury.co.uk/Canterbury-Museums

       East Kent Mum loves Whitstable Museum, especially on a rainy day. She uses her  Resident’s Card to get in for free. See if you’re eligible and apply for your card: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=448

5. Have fun on Whitstable Beach
Walk, play, paddle, picnic, see the beach huts, admire the views and watch the sunsets, get a drink in The Neptune Pub or a coffee in The Windy Corner.

Date: All weekend and costs nothing (unless you buy a pint!)http://www.seewhitstable.com

East Kent Mum informs you that she has already swum in the sea this spring so no excuses for not paddling!

     6. Whitstable Harbour

https://www.whitstableharbour.org
Watch the boats, see the fish market, enjoy the atmosphere and eat Whelks, Cockles & Oysters.

  7. Walk along the highstreet, famous for its independent shops.

Get sunhats and sun suits for the kids from children’s boutique Peekaboo.
Get gorgeous toys from Arsenic & Lace.
Get pretty much anything you could possibly want from Georges.
Grab an ice-cream from Sundae-Sundae or a cupcake from What’s Up Cupcake?
 Grab a coffee in the family friendly café Elliots.

CANTERBURY

11. Canterbury Heritage Museum
Dates: All weekend from 10am-5pm.
Cost: Various including Adults £8, Children £1.50

East Kent Mum went last weekend. Interactive, interesting and fun! She met Bagpuss too. She used her Resident’s Card so got in for free. See if you’re eligible and apply for your card: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=448

12.  Howlett’s Wild Animal Park, Bekesborne, Canterbury.
All Weekend from 9:30am-6pm (last admission 4:30pm)
Cost: Adult £23:95, Child: £18:95. Under threes FREE.
25% off when you buy online.\

\      

        East Kent Mum and family have a passport (pay once and go free the rest of the year). The focus is on conservation and education.

13.   Cycle The Crab and Winkle Way, Canterbury to Whitstable.
http://www.crabandwinkle.org

To hire bikes visit: www.canterburycyclehire.com.

14.   Canterbury Cathedral – An example of stunning medieval architecture.
Date: All weekend but contact them in advance for service times etc.
http://canterbury-cathedral.org/visit.html

5.  Waterstone’s Bookshop

East Kent Mum finds this a handy place to calm children down. Relaxed atmosphere and staff happy for you to play in the children’s area and explore the different kids’ books.


6.  Explore the beautiful woods around Canterbury.
Blean Woods
Date: All weekend. Cost: FREE (Part of the Woodland Trust)

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=4442&site=Blean-Wood#.T6RF-7Nv-PM

Druidstone ParkDate: All weekend. Cost: Adults £4.50, Children £5 (under 3’s free)

http://www.druidstone.net/gallery.html

East Kent Mum says thanks to @genderneutraltoys for the tweet to me @eastkentmum. I hope you still get to see the blue bells!

RAMSGATE

11.   Seal and Wildlife Trips, Sea Searcher Boat Trips, Ramsgate Royal Harbour
Dates: Saturday 5^th May (9am-10:30am) and Sunday 6^th May (9:30am-11:00am)
Cost: £20 per person
http://www.seasearcher.co.uk/

East Kent Mum has never done this but would love to!

FAVERSHAM

1. Pat-a-lamb day, Mount Ephraim Gardens, HernhillDates: 11:00am-5:00pm

http://www.mountephraimgardens.co.uk/

HERNE BAY

1. Herne Bay Museum, William Street.

http://www.canterbury-museums.co.uk

East Kent Mum says to use your Resident’s Card so got in for free. See if your eligible and apply for your card: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=448

2. Reculver Towers, Reculver Country Park.Cost: FREEBeautiful coastal views, walks and countryside to explore. The bonus is a chance to see the twin 12^th century towers of the ruined church.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/reculver-towers-and-roman-fort/

East Kent Mum loves walking in Reculver Country Park with her family. The pub there serves reasonable food and the staff are helpful and friendly.

3.   Herne MillDates: Sunday 6^th May and Monday 7^th May 2pm-5pm (last admission 4:30pm)Membership costs: Adults £2.50 per year and Children £1 for the year.

http://herne-mill.btck.co.uk/TheFriendsofHerneMill

DOVER

1. Heritage train journeys, East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell. 

Dates: Sunday 6^th May leaves at 11:30am,12:45pm, 2:15pm and 3:30pm

Cost: Various. Family ticket available for £19.www.eastkentrailway.co.uk/

East Kent Mum hasn’t done this yet but knows families who have. Mums have commented on: the visitor centre, the little café, the gentle woodland walks and the excitement children get riding on the trains.

2. Dover Castle, Castle Hill.

Dates: All Weekend 10:00am-6:00pm

Cost: Various. Family ticket available for £42.90.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dover-castle/prices-and-opening-times


3. Dover Museum
Dates: All weekend.Cost: Adult £3.50, Child: £2.25; Family ticket £10.

http://www.doverdc.co.uk/museum.aspx

4. Enjoy Cream Teas, Shelley’s Tea Rooms, St. Margaret’s Bay.Dates: All Weekend (Unsure of opening times.)

Cost: Reasonably priced.

http://www.shellystearooms.com/cream_teas.html

East Kent Mum hasn’t had a Cream Tea here for a long while but recently enjoyed a Cream Tea in  sister-café, Shelley’s Tea Room in Chilham.

CHATHAM

1. The Historic Dockyard, Chatham.80 acres of historic buildings, museum, gallery and historic warships.Dates: All weekend from 10am-6pm,

http://www.thedockyard.co.uk/Plan_Your_Day

Children's Centres in East Kent

Children's Centre's in East Kent are invaluable! There's so much for parents, carers and children's to do and it's FREE!

From baby and toddler groups to money advice for every family there's something for every parent or carer.

Joy Lane Children's Centre in Whitstable is having its Ofsted this week so good luck to them. It's a great place. Maybe see you there?

To find your nearest centre go to:
http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/chc/chc_home.cfm

East Kent Mumtrepreneurs

Not sure I like the term Mumtrepreneur but you know what I mean ...

Just found out:

Canterbury City Council is offering free office space for budding entrepreneurs. Check out page 59 of Canterbury Index or contact Paul Spree paul.spree@canterbury.gov.uk.

Also find out about how to get funding (in the form of an interest free loan) for your start up or small business as part of Expansion East Kent. There's a pot of £35m. Check out http://www.kent.gov.uk/business/business_support_centre/help_and_advice_for_businesses/local_and_national_support/expansion_east_kent.aspx


See you at the Windy Corner Stores in Whitstable then off to Argyle Road playgroup for fun with the kids.

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