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Westgate-on-Sea

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Westgate-on-Sea
PopulationExpression error: "6,594 (2001 Census)" must be numeric
OS grid referenceTR321701
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townRamsgate
Postcode districtCT8
Dialling code01843
PoliceKent
FireKent
AmbulanceSouth East Coast
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Kent

Westgate-on-Sea is a seaside town in north-east Kent, England, with a population of around 6,600. It is located on the coast of the Thames Estuary, bordered on the east by the larger seaside resort of Margate. It is part of the Thanet district of Kent.

The area consisted of a farm and a few cottages until the 1860s, when it was developed into a seaside resort by wealthy landowners. The two sandy bays remain popular with tourists, with many hotels and leisure attractions located nearby. During World War I the Royal Naval Air Service had a seaplane base at the town, which was the nearest RNAS base to the front line in Belgium.

Notable residents include the 19th century surgeon Sir Erasmus Wilson who spent the latter part of his life in the town until his death in 1884, and former Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple died in the town in 1944. The British composer Arnold Cooke attended Westgate-on-Sea's Streete Preparatory School in the early 1900s, and while staying at nearby Birchington in the 1930s, the poet Sir John Betjeman wrote about the town in his poem Westgate-on-Sea.

History

Before the 1860s, the area consisted only of a farm and a few cottages by St Mildred's Bay, named after Mildrith, Thanet's patron saint and a onetime Abbess of Minster. The area was known as Westgate because Westgate Manor was situated there in medieval times. In the late 1860s, two wealthy landowners developed the area into a residential and holiday resort for the middle-classes.[1] A stretch of sea wall with promenade on top was constructed round the sandy beaches at St Mildred's Bay and West Bay,[2] and the population rapidly expanded after the opening of the railway station in 1871.[3] St. James' Church was subsequently built in 1872 and St. Saviour's Church in 1885.[4] In 1884, Essex was hit by a tremor so large that it made the bells of St. James' Church ring.[5] In 1975, five historic church bells were transferred from Holy Cross Church, Canterbury to St Saviour's Church, three of which date back to the early 1600s and one was cast in 1300s.[6] In 1894, Streete Court School was opened.[7]

West Bay

The Coronation Bandstand was built in 1903 by the cliff's edge at a cost of £350 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.[8] The following year, a group of French Ursuline nuns were banned from teaching in France and fled with some of their pupils to England where they established the town's Ursuline Convent School, which in 1995 was re-established as Ursuline College.[9] In 1910, a Swiss-Gothic styled town hall was built and opened. However, in 1912, it was turned into the Town Hall Cinema, which in 1932 was renamed the Carlton Cinema.[10]

During World War I, a Royal Naval Seaplane base was situated on the coast to defend the Thames Estuary naval towns from attack. After the war, it was moved 3 miles (5 km) south to Manston, where it has now become Kent International Airport.[11] Also during the war, the Coronation Bandstand was converted to sleeping quarters for the Royal West Kent Regiment. In 1925, the Bandstand was refurnished and reopened as the Westgate Pavilion, a 600 seat theatre.[8] In 1940, Streete Court School was relocated to Somerset, due to the outbreak of World War II.[12]

The Pavilion became a bingo hall from the 1970s to the 1990s, after which it closed and became derelict. In 2001, a group of volunteers formed a charitable trust and repaired the Pavilion, which is now back open as a theatre.[8]

Geography

A view of Westgate-on-Sea from the neighbouring village of Birchington-on-Sea — 12 June 2006

Westgate-on-Sea is located at 51°22′60″N 1°20′07″E / 51.38333°N 1.33528°E / 51.38333; 1.33528 Coordinates: latitude seconds >= 60
Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (51.3832, 1.3353) in north east Kent, on the coast of the Thames Estuary. It is bordered by the town of Margate to the east and the village of Birchington-on-Sea to the west.

The town is built beside the two sandy bays of St Mildred's Bay and West Bay, which both have a sea wall and groynes to prevent coastal flooding. The land either side of and in between the two bays is higher and chalk cliffs are present where this land meets the coast. The whole of the north-east Kent coast has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[13]

The town is situated on the Isle of Thanet, which was a separate island from mainland Kent until around two hundred years ago when the channel in between became silted up. The geology of Thanet consists mainly of chalk, deposited when the area was below the sea before the English Channel broke through between Kent and France, causing the sea level to fall.[14]

Climate

In East Kent, the warmest time of the year is July and August, when maximum temperatures average around 21 °C (70 °F). The coolest time of the year is January and February, when minimum temperatures average around 1 °C (34 °F).[15] East Kent's average maximum and minimum temperatures are around 1/2 °C higher than the national average.[16] East Kent's average annual rainfall is about 728 millimetres (29 in), with October to January being the wettest months.[15] The national average annual rainfall is about 838 millimetres (33 in).[16]

These are average temperature and rainfall figures taken between 1971 and 2000 at the Met Office weather station in Wye, around 25 miles (40 km) south-west of Westgate-on-Sea:

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average max. temperature
°C (°F) 		7.1
(48) 		7.2
(48) 		9.9
(52) 		12.1
(56) 		15.9
(61) 		18.7
(66) 		21.3
(70) 		21.6
(70) 		18.4
(66) 		14.5
(59) 		10.3
(52) 		8
(50) 		13.8
(59)
Average min. temperature
°C (°F) 		1.5
(39) 		1.3
(39) 		2.8
(41) 		4.3
(43) 		7.3
(46) 		9.9
(52) 		12.2
(57) 		12.2
(55) 		10.1
(54) 		7.2
(48) 		3.9
(45) 		2.6
(41) 		6.3
(46)
Rainfall
mm (inches) 		72.0
(2.8) 		44.7
(1.8) 		53.5
(2.1) 		50.8
(2.0) 		45.3
(1.8) 		51.8
(2.0) 		47.1
(1.9) 		55.9
(2.2) 		65.3
(2.6) 		85.4
(3.4) 		78.7
(3.1) 		77.3
(3.0) 		727.9
(28.7)
Source: Met Office

Westgate-on-Sea railway station is on the Chatham Main Line which runs between Ramsgate in East Kent and London Victoria. Other stations on this line include Broadstairs, Margate, Herne Bay, Faversham, Gillingham, Rochester] and Bromley South.[17] It is around 1 hour and 45 minutes to London by fast-service train. A National Express coach service also runs between London Victoria and Ramsgate,[18] and a selection of trains run to London's Cannon Street station, primarily for business commuting.

There is a Stagecoach bus service running to neighbouring Birchington and Margate,[19] and a service running between Broadstairs and Canterbury via Westgate-on-Sea.[20] The A28 road runs between Hastings and Margate via Ashford, Canterbury, Birchington and Westgate-on-Sea. 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Westgate-on-Sea, the A28 crosses the A299 road which leads along North Kent towards London], becoming the M2 motorway at Faversham.[21]

Demographics

Westgate-on-Sea Compared
2001 UK Census Westgate-on-Sea Thanet District England
Total population 6,594 126,702 49,138,831
Foreign born 5.5% 5.1% 9.2%
White 97% 98% 91%
Asian 1.0% 0.6% 4.6%
Black 0.3% 0.3% 2.3%
Christian 76% 74% 72%
Muslim 0.5% 0.5% 3.1%
Hindu 0.2% 0.2% 1.1%
No religion 14% 16% 15%
Over 65 years old 27% 22% 16%
Unemployed 4.3% 4.4% 3.3%

As of the 2001 UK census, the Westgate-on-Sea electoral ward had 6,594 residents and 2,845 households. Of those households, 38.0% were married couples, 8.4% were co-habiting couples and 9.4% were lone parents. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.9% had someone living alone at pensionable age. 23.6% of households included children aged under 16 or a person aged 16 to 18 who was in full-time education. There was a high percentage of households made up of individuals compared to the figure for the whole of England. The average household size was 2.74.[22]

The ethnicity was 97.4% white, 1.0% mixed race, 0.4% Chinese, 0.6% other Asian, 0.3% black and 0.3% other.[22]

The place of birth of residents was 94.5% United Kingdom, 1.0% Republic of Ireland, 0.5% Germany, 0.6% other Western Europe countries, 0.3% Eastern Europe, 0.8% Far East, 0.6% North America, 0.5% Africa, 0.4% South Asia, 0.2% Middle East and 0.2% Oceania.[22]

Religion was recorded as 75.8% Christian, 0.5% Muslim, 0.2% Hindu, 0.1% Buddhist and 0.3% Jewish. 14.4% were recorded as having no religion, 0.3% had an alternative religion and 8.3% did not state their religion.[22]

The age distribution was 5% aged 0–4 years, 13% aged 5–15 years, 5% aged 16–19 years, 28% aged 20–44 years, 22% aged 45–64 years and 27% aged 65 years and over. There was a high percentage of residents over 65, compared with the national average of 16%, mainly due to seaside towns being popular retirement destinations. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males.[22]

Economy

As a seaside resort, the economy is based around tourism and there are many hotels and leisure attractions. The High Street has a variety of shops and services, and there are a small number of factories which produce goods such as hand-made furniture.[23] The elderly population has also led to many health and social care jobs at local care homes. As of the 2001 UK census, 6.9% of the population resided in a medical or care establishment, compared to the national average of only 0.8%.[22]

Carlton Cinema — 29 January 2007

As of the 2001 census, the economic activity of residents in the Westgate-on-Sea electoral ward was 32.9% in full-time employment, 12.3% in part-time employment, 7.8% self-employed, 4.3% unemployed, 2.1% students with jobs, 4.3% students without jobs, 18.1% retired, 6.2% looking after home or family, 9.5% permanently sick or disabled and 2.3% economically inactive for other reasons. The percentage of retired people was significantly higher than the national figure of 14% and the percentage of unemployed people was high compared to the national rate of 3.4%. The number of permanently sick or disabled people was also much higher than the national figure of 5.3%. 12% of residents aged 16–74 had a higher education qualification or the equivalent, compared to 20% nationwide.[22] The Office for National Statistics estimated that during the period of April 2001 to March 2002 the average gross weekly income of households in the Westgate-on-Sea electoral ward was £430 (£22,421 per year).[24]

The industry of employment of residents was 16% retail, 16% health & social work, 13% manufacturing, 9% construction, 9% real estate, 9% education, 7% transport & communications, 5% public administration, 5% hotels & restaurants, 3% finance, 1% agriculture and 6% other community, social or personal services. Compared to national figures, there was a relatively high number of workers in the construction and health & social care industries and a relatively low number in finance and real estate.[22] Many residents commute to work outside the town. As of the 2001 census, 2,388 of residents were in employment, whereas there were only 1,464 jobs within the town.[22]

Politics

Since the constituency was created in 1983, the Member of Parliament for North Thanet, covering northern Thanet and Herne Bay, has been the Conservative Roger Gale. At the 2005 General Election, in North Thanet the Conservatives won a majority of 7,634 and 49.6% of the vote. Labour won 32.2% of the vote, Liberal Democrats 14.4% and United Kingdom Independence Party 3.9%. At the 2001 general election, the Conservtives had a higher share of the vote with 50.3% but a lower majority of 6,650. During Labour's landslide victory at national level at the 1997 general election, the Conservative majority in North Thanet was reduced to 2,766 with the Conservatives on 44.1% of the vote and Labour on 38.4%. The voter turnout during the past three general elections has been between 59.3% and 68.8%.[25]

The town is in the Thanet local government district and it's the electoral ward of Westgate-on-Sea has three of the fifty six seats on the Thanet District Council. At the 2007 Local Elections, two of those seats were won by the Conservative Party and one by an Independent.[26] Conservative candidates in the ward won 45.8% of the vote, independent candidates won 27.0%, Labour Party candidates 17.6% and a Grey Party candidate 4.6%. The turnout was 34.5%.[27]

Education

St Saviour's Church — 29 January 2007

The only secondary school is Ursuline College, a Specialist Sports College and Roman Catholic Aided comprehensive school with nearly 800 pupils and facilities for boarding students.[28] In 2005, 32% of its pupils gained at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C including English and maths, ranking it 71st out of Kent's 120 secondary schools.[29] Many secondary students commute to schools in other nearby towns, especially to the popular grammar schools in Ramsgate and Broadstairs. There is also the Westgate College For Deaf People for learners aged 16 plus,[30] and London House School of English which provides English language courses for foreign students.[31]

The primary state schools are St Crispin's Infant School and St Saviour's Church of England Primary School,[32] which is owned by the church but run by Kent County Council.[33] Chartfield School and St Angela's Junior School are private primary schools.[34]

Culture

Westgate has two sandy beaches, with cafés, beach huts, tennis courts, a jet-ski rental office and putting courses nearby. For children, there is also a sea paddling pool and rock pools to explore. The sea by the town has gained a European Blue Flag Award for its cleanliness and safety.[35]

Westgate-on-Sea Cricket Club — 25 April 2007

The Westgate Pavilion holds events such as The Jazz Club, yoga, tap dancing, indoor bowls, discos, dances, goth nights and plays.[8] The town centre has various Victorian canopied shops, a library and the three-screen Carlton Cinema.[36] Pubs are located throughout the town.

Westgate and Birchington Golf Club has an 18-hole 4889 yard course on the cliff tops between Westgate and Birchington,[37] Westgate-on-Sea Cricket Club has a team which plays in the Mid-Kent League[38] and there is a free skatepark for both skateboarders and in line skaters.[39]

There are four local weekly newspapers providing news on the Thanet district area. Isle Of Thanet KM Extra is owned by the Kent Messenger Group,[40] Isle of Thanet Gazette, Thanet Adscene and Thanet Times are owned by Trinity Mirror.[41] Isle Of Thanet KM Extra and Thanet Adscene are free newspapers, whereas the other two are paid-for. kmfm for Thanet is a radio station is on frequency 107.2FM, owned by the Kent Messenger Group.[42]

Notable residents have included the 19th century surgeon Sir Erasmus Wilson who spent the latter part of his life in the town until his death in 1884,[43] and former Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple died in the town in 1944.[44] The British composer Arnold Cooke attended Westgate-on-Sea's Streete Preparatory School in the early 1900s.[45] and while staying at nearby Birchington in the 1930s, the poet Sir John Betjeman wrote about the town in his poem Westgate-on-Sea.

See also

References

  1. ^ Mirams, Michael (1984). Old Margate. Maresborough Books.
  2. ^ "Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Kent". English-heritage.org.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  3. ^ "LCDR Lines and Stations". Rail.felgall.com. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  4. ^ "An Abbreviated History". St. James' Church. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  5. ^ "Weather: this week in history". BBC. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  6. ^ "WESTGATE-on-Sea, St Saviour". Church Bells of Kent. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  7. ^ "Streete Court School". streetecourtschool.co.uk/. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
  8. ^ a b c d "The Westgate Pavilion". WestgatePavilion.org.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  9. ^ "History of Ursuline College Westgate". Comenius-St-Angela.org. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  10. ^ "Carlton Cinema". CinemaTreasures.org. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  11. ^ "Places To Visit". Nottingham Castle Hotel. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  12. ^ Giles, Nigel. "WW2 People's War". BBC. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  13. ^ "Geological Sites Map". Natureonthemap.org.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  14. ^ "Isle of Thanet". BBC. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  15. ^ a b "Wye 1971-2000 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  16. ^ a b "England 1971-2000 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  17. ^ "Timetable". National Rail Enquiries. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  18. ^ "Timetable". National Express. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  19. ^ "Routes 8 & 9" (PDF). Stagecoach. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  20. ^ "Route 8" (PDF). Stagecoach. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  21. ^ "Map". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Neighbourhood Statistics". Statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  23. ^ "Lexterten". Lexterten Online Furniture. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  24. ^ "Model-Based Estimates of Income for Wards". Statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  25. ^ "North Thanet". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  26. ^ "Councillors". Thanet District Council. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  27. ^ "District Council Election" (PDF). Thanet District Council. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  28. ^ "Ursuline College". Ursuline College. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  29. ^ "Schools in Kent". BBC. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  30. ^ "Statement of purpose". RSDCM.org.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  31. ^ "Directory of english language courses". Europa-pages.com. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  32. ^ "UK Schools & Colleges Database". Schoolswebdirectory.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  33. ^ "Schools and the Church of England". Church of England. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  34. ^ "Chartfield School". IndependentSchools.com. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  35. ^ "Thanet Council Profile" (PDF). Thanet District Council. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  36. ^ "St. Augustine's Park, Westgate-on-Sea". TerencePainter.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  37. ^ "Westgate and Birchington Golf Club". Totaltravel.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  38. ^ "Westgate-on-Sea Cricket Club". Westgate-on-Sea Cricket Club. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  39. ^ "Take off for Westgate Skate Park". Thanet District Council. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  40. ^ "KM Publications". Kent Online. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  41. ^ "Regionals". Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  42. ^ "kmfm". MediaUK.com. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  43. ^ "Wilson, Sir William James Erasmus". Plarr's Lives of the Fellows Online. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  44. ^ "William Temple". SchoolNet.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  45. ^ "Arnold Cooke Biography". Musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 2007-04-23.


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