Happy New Year!

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hope you enjoy visiting are blog....

Post Christmas High Street Blues....

Stroll along the Promenade

Herne Bay is blessed with many walks, this one along the promenade will take you to Reculver, you can see the Towers in the distance.

Empty Shops... Whatever Is Occuring...

It would appear that where ever you look in Herne Bay another shop has closed its doors... It is very sad to see the town disappearing before our eyes and watching the buildings deteriorate!

The Old Brown Teapot Cafe

The Old Brown Teapot Cafe is in Beltinge, a nice place to stop and have coffee with a piece of homemade cake, or even a hot dinner if you don't feel like cooking....

Deserted Streets.....

With Christmas over it's curious to note that already some shops are open for business, however by the looks of these empty chairs no one has any room left to taste the culinary delights of the local cafe!

Merry Christmas!

Love them or hate them people like to decorate their homes at christmas, here are two that are lit up near where I live, Merry Christmas!

View from the Pier

As it was such a lovely day on Sunday, I decided it was time to take a few photos, this is a view looking from the pier out towards Whitstable

Its a SNOW person

This little fellow was spotted sitting in the window of the hairdressers in Herne Bay!

The Beacon Church

This is the Beacon Church, you can find it in Sea Street. I missed the Christmas Carol Service as it was yesterday!

Fair Trade

For more than 15 years the co-op have been at the forefront of Responsible Retailing Issues.
In 2008 the co-op conducted the world’s largest consumer poll on Food Ethics. 100,000 of it's members gave them their backing and they launched their Food Ethical Policy.

Yay for the Co-op and it's commitment to fair trade. And you can visit this particular store in Herne Bay at the top of the town =0)

Neptunes Arm

This is a close up photo of the end of Neptunes Arm......

Art Gallery and Museum

If you take yourself along to William Street you will find Herne Bay's very own Art Gallery Museum!

This bright and modern museum highlights the history of the Victorian seaside resort of Herne Bay and its surrounding area. Themes include seaside holidays and attractions, the town's piers and the development of the resort. Find out about the town's famous clock tower (once the tallest in the country) and have your photo taken through a traditional seaside Aunt Sally!

Take a walk...

If you take a walk down this road, you will end up on the sea front, its ok walking down but its quite steep walking back.

KARAOKE... Oh Yes....

If you're in need of some entertainment mid week, then get yourself down to the Bun Penny for a dose of Karoke.... Its sure to put a smile on your face =0)

Closed for winter....

In these winter days, the Herne Bay amusements hardly ever open for business seeing as the seafront is more often than not deserted.

Antiques....

I think its fair to ponder that society today lives in a world of disposable items.... We buy cheap and discard quickly! It is therefore interesting to see a shop selling 'antiques'.... or maybe this is a modern day sign for the 'old peoples residential home'!! I wonder!

L'ESCARGOT

A corner of France can be deliciously explored in Herne Bay High Street. Culinary excellence is the hallmark of the French and Alain & Joyce Bessemoulin have earned a reputation over the last 23 years at their restaurant for high quality traditional French dishes, with an added touch of individuality from chef Alain.

They pride themselves on providing fresh local produce whenever possible and on friendly, efficient service in a cosy atmosphere.

The restaurant has attracted recognition from many food guides and over the years has seen valued loyal customers, who visited with their parents, now bring their own children to sample the French cuisine.

Alain Bessemoulin said: “We pride ourselves on cooking simple French Cooking. Traditional dishes are given an added touch with my delightful sauces!”

Street Signs...

I have to confess there isn't very much to say about this street sign.... It's pretty much the same as any other you may find around Herne Bay...

However, put simply... I just love this photograph.... I hope you do to!

Hot Dog...

I Couldnt resist taking a picture of this giant Hot Dog, it was outside a cafe on the sea front.

Totally Leaf-Less....

As winter takes hold, its time to enjoy the beauty of the Naked Tree....

Footbridge

As I have previously posted a photo of this bridge from the top, I thought I would show you what the bridge looks like from underneath.

Modern Sculpture...

You will find this piece of art located in Mortimer Street in Herne Bay.... Standing comfortably outside New Look.
I love this statue, however must express my disappointment that it appears to have been somewhat neglected =0(

Victorian Houses

If you like architecture then take a walk along Central Parade, you will find this row of Victorian houses...

Keep Giving To Charity....

It has to be said, Herne Bay has more than its fair share of Charity shops.... This is the NCH shop on Mortimer Street.... next door to Woolworth's....

You will see someone has left a bag of unwanted items outside.... As there is no door way these gifts sit on the street... Do you think anyone ever steals the bags of donations?

Little Theatre

This charming little 72 seat theatre, is owned by an award winning drama society. They are members of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, and affiliated with the Kent Drama Association and Canterbury Arts Council. Every year, they aim to produce six full length productions (including a Pantomime, of course), and there thriving youth theatre performs an additional two full length productions each year. They also host a calender of social events for there members, and are pleased to welcome touring theatre companies to there stage from time to time.
The society was first formed back in 1947, performing in various venues, until there 40th year when they opened there new theatre in Bullers Avenue. Having recently celebrated there 60th anniversary, they are also celebrating the near completion of there Stage II project to extend, update and renovate there lovely little theatre and after two years of fundraising and hard work, and a final push when they received a generous grant of £76,651 from the Big Lottery Fund, the project has finally come to fruition in the form of new wheelchair access to the audiotorium, a new toilet block, bar area and kitchen.
The changes will provide much more comfort, especially for the elderly, the visually and hearing impaired and will benefit an estimated 3,000 people.

Would You Notice.....

this sign post?

And if you did.... would you actually pay any attention to it??? This colourful notice can be found on Bank Street.

Barnes Wallis

A new statue of aeronautical engineer Sir Barnes Wallis was unveiled on Saturday 15 November 2008. The statue is sited on the Downs Beacon Hill, close to the Kings Hall, and looks out towards Reculver where tests of the "bouncing bombs" took place.
The statue was funded with £78,000 of lottery money, and sculpted ... in America! It now forms part of the Herne Bay Cultural Trail.Barnes Neville Wallis was born the son of a doctor on 26 September 1887 in Ripley, Derbyshire. Wallis worked first at a marine engineering firm and in 1913 he moved to Vickers, where he designed airships, including the R100. In 1930 Wallis transferred to working on aircraft. His achievements included the first use of geodesic design in engineering, which was used in his development of the Wellesley and Wellington bombers. When World War Two began in 1939, Wallis was Assistant Chief Designer at Vickers Aviation section. Barnes Wallis went onto design the bouncing bomb, where he held the trials off of the shores of Herne Bay.

Tea shops

If you're shopping in Herne Bay and feel a little thirsty, you won't struggle to find somewhere to rest your weary feet and enjoy a cup of your favorite afternoon delight.

Here at Wades they serve HUGE slices of home made cake which I have to confess are lush! From the outside this coffee shop looks huge, but inside its surprising small!

Mural......

This Mural is located on the wall next to the council office in William street, near the Heron swimming pool, if you would like to take a peek.......

Little Britain.... and the Bun Penny

OK, now you may be wondering why I've posted a photograph of a public house.... It may appear this has little to do with Little Britain... (assuming you're thinking David Walliams and Matt Lucas!)...

Well for those of you who don't know, during season 1 of 'Little Britain', some of the sketches were actually filmed in Herne Bay.... and the outside of this pub was part of an 'Emily Howard' sketch... That aside, I think this building is actually aesthetically pleasing =0)