Examine individual changes

'{{infobox UK place |country = England |official_name= Whitstable |latitude= 51.3607 |longitude= 1.0257 | population = 30,195 | population_ref = ([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]]) |shire_district= [[City of Canterbury]] |shire_county = [[Kent]] |region= South East England |constituency_westminster= [[Canterbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Canterbury]] |post_town= WHITSTABLE |postcode_district = CT5 |postcode_area= CT |dial_code= 01227 |os_grid_reference= TR107667 }} '''Whitstable''' ({{pron-en|ˈwɪtstəbəl}}, locally {{IPA|[ˈwɪʔstəbl]}}<!--We transcribe /hw/ when it occurs, and advise readers at the link that it is commonly pronounced as /enwiki/w/.-->) is a seaside town in northeast [[Kent]], southeast England. It is approximately {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} north of the city of [[Canterbury]] and approximately {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} west of the seaside town of [[Herne Bay, Kent|Herne Bay]]. It is part of the [[City of Canterbury]] district and has a population of about 30,000. Known as the "Pearl of Kent", Whitstable is famous for its oysters, which have been collected in the area since at least Roman times. The town itself dates back to before the writing of the [[Domesday Book]]. Whitstable's distinctive character is popular with tourists, and its maritime heritage is celebrated with the annual [[Whitstable Oyster Festival|oyster festival]]. Freshly caught shellfish are available throughout the year at several seafood restaurants and pubs in the town. In 1830 one of the earliest passenger railway services was opened by the [[Canterbury and Whitstable Railway]] Company, and in 1832 the company opened Whitstable harbour and extended the line to enable passage to London from the port. The railway has since closed but the harbour still plays an important role in the town's economy. ==History== Archaeological finds indicate that the Whitstable area was inhabited during the [[Palaeolithic]] era, the [[Bronze Age]] and the [[Iron Age]].<ref name="Up to 1000AD">{{cite web | title = Up to 1000AD | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2425 | accessdate = 2007-05-20 }}</ref><ref name="Prehistoric">{{cite book | last= Duckworth|first=W. L. H|title = Prehistoric Man| date =| page = 83 }}</ref> Oysters were harvested in the area in [[ancient Rome|Roman]] times <ref name = "oyster"/>. The remains of a Roman building have been found in the centre of the town. Charters indicate that there were [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] settlements where salt production and coastal trade occurred.<ref name="agrarian">{{cite book | last=Hallam, et al|first=|title = The Agrarian history of England and Wales| date =1988| page = 922 }}</ref> The town was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the name Witenestaple, meaning "the meeting place of the white post", which referred to a local landmark. At that time, Witenestaple was an administrative area which stretched from the coast to the village of [[Blean]], {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} north of Canterbury. The area contained three [[Manorialism|manors]] at [[Seasalter]], Northwood and [[Swalecliffe]]. The Seasalter and Swalecliffe manors were owned by the church, and the manor at Northwood was run by noblemen on behalf of the king. Fisheries were located at the Seasalter manor, [[saltworks]] were at the Northwood manor, and pigs were farmed at the forest in Blean.<ref name = "1000 - 1500"/> By 1226, the name of the area had evolved into Whitstaple.<ref name = "place names"/> Saltworks were opened at the Seasalter manor around the turn of the 14th century, and a sea wall was built there in 1325 to prevent coastal flooding.<ref name="1000 - 1500">{{cite web | title = 1000 - 1500 | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=2426 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> [[Image:Cobbled Street in Whitstable.jpg|right|thumb|Harbour Street in Whitstable Town Centre|alt=A narrow paved road, lined with shops]] By 1413, the three manors had combined to form the Whitstaple manor, and had been sold to a religious foundation in [[Essex]].<ref name="1000 - 1500"/> The manor was seized by King [[Henry VIII]] during his suppression of the church in the 1500s, and was given back to the nobility. A Royal Patent was granted in 1574 to the manor owner for the fishing of its oyster beds,<ref name = "oyster"/> and in the same year, the lands at Tankerton were incorporated into the manor. A [[copperas]] works was established at Tankerton in 1588, which operated until about 1830.<ref name="1500 - 1700">{{cite web | title = 1500 - 1700 | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2427 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> By 1610, the name Whitstaple had become Whitstable.<ref name="place names">{{cite web | title = Kent place names | publisher = bbc.co.UK | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/places/names/names_o-z.shtml | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> Around the mid-1700s, goods and passengers began to be transported by ship between London and Whitstable, and a [[toll road]] was built to the cathedral city of Canterbury. These improvements in transport led to the town's development as a seaside resort; the first advertisements for [[bathing machine]]s at Whitstable appeared in 1768. In 1790 the manor was sold to private landowners, and three years later the rights to harvest the oyster beds were bought by the newly established Oyster Company of Free Fishers and Dredgers.<ref name="1700 - 1800">{{cite web | title = 1700 - 1800 | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2428 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> [[Image:Whitstable beach.jpg|right|thumb|Whitstable Beach]] On 3 May 1830, the world's first steam-hauled passenger and freight railway service was opened by the [[Canterbury and Whitstable Railway|Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company]].<ref name="lines"/><ref name="economics">{{cite book | title = Railway Economics |date= 1912}}</ref> Designed by [[William James]], the line ran six miles (10&nbsp;km) from Westgate in Canterbury to Whitstable town centre. The railway line's initials—C&WR—and Whitstable's shellfish industry eventually led to its nickname, the Crab And Winkle Railway. Trains were drven by a locomotive for part of the journey, but on inclined planes were pulled on ropes by steam-driven [[stationary engines|stationary winding engines]] located at Tyler Hill and Clowes Wood.<ref name="lines"/><ref name="economy"/><ref name="crab"/> The locomotive used was the ''Invicta'', an 0-4-0 inclined cylinder tender locomotive built by [[Robert Stephenson]], the son of engineer [[George Stephenson]].<ref name="lines">{{cite book | last= Searle |first=Muriel Vivienne|title = Lost lines| date =1982| pages = 11–13 }}</ref><ref name="locomotives">{{cite book | last=Marshall|first=Chapman Frederick Dendy |title = A history of railway locomotives down to the end of the year 1831 | year = 1831 }}</ref> Whitstable harbour was opened by the railway company in 1832, and the rail line was extended to enable goods, mainly coal, to be directly transferred from ships onto the trains.<ref name="economy">{{cite book | last= Armstrong|first=Alan|title = The economy of Kent, 1640-1914| date =| page = 195 }}</ref> In 1834, the world's first [[season ticket]]s were issued for the C&WR line.<ref name="lines"/> [[Image:Dsc01278.jpg|right|thumb|Whitstable Harbour|alt=Several boats docked at a harbour]] The ''Invicta'' locomotive was retired in 1840 and replaced by horses until a third winding engine was built at South Street.<ref name="crab">{{cite web | title =Crab and Winkle Way | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/assets/transport/crabandwinkle.pdf|format=PDF | accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> The ''Invicta'' was kept for scrap, but in 1898 work began on its restoration, which continued intermittently until its completion in 1977 by the [[National Railway Museum]] in [[York]]. On 3 May 1980 the locomotive was returned to Canterbury to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the line.<ref name="lines"/> In 1845, the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company was bought by the South Eastern Railway, who introduced steam locomotives capable of operating along the entire length of the railway.<ref name="lines"/> A direct rail route from Whitstable to London was established in 1860 when the [[London, Chatham and Dover Railway]] opened a station on what is now the [[Chatham Main Line]].<ref name="economy"/> On 16 November 1869, 71 buildings in the town were destroyed by a [[The Great Fire of Whitstable, 1869|fire]] started at a shop near the harbour.<ref name="fire">{{cite book | last=Goodsall|first=Robert|title = Whitstable, Seasalter and Swalecliffe | year = 1938 }}</ref> In about 1856 the first branch of the [[Sea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet Corps]], then known as the Naval Lads' Brigade, was established in the town by the Reverend Henry Barton.<ref name="Cadets">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Sea Cadets | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.co.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=334| accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> A plant to manufacture [[tarmacadam]] was built beside Whitstable Harbour in 1936. The harbour gradually fell into decay after the Second World War II, but in 1958 the Whitstable Urban District Council purchased and repaired the harbour with the intention of rejuvenating the town's economy.<ref name="squay">{{cite web | title = South Quay public consultation | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2323&prn=y | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> By the early 20th century, the Oyster Company of Free Fishers and Dredgers had become the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company. Oyster production drastically declined between the 1940s and 1970s due to pollution, disease, bad weather and underinvestment, although there has since been a gradual improvement.<ref name="oyster">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Oyster Company | publisher = Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company | url = http://www.oysterfishery.co.uk/history%20of%20the%20company.html | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> The Crab and Winkle Line finally closed in 1953, but about a third of the line was reopened as a footpath and cycleway in 1999 under the stewardship of a local charity, the Crab and Winkle Line Trust.<ref name="crab"/> One of the main developments to the town in recent years was the Horsebridge project. Completed in 2005, it was designed to regenerate a dilapidated area of the town with the construction of new shops and houses, a town square, and a community centre with a performance space and art gallery.<ref name="then">{{cite book | last= Glover|first=M. R. |title = Whitstable Then and Now| date =2005| page =| publisher = Nonsuch Publishing }}</ref> ==Governance== As at 2009, the Member of Parliament for the constituency of [[Canterbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Canterbury]], covering Canterbury and Whitstable, is the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Julian Brazier]], who has been the MP since 1987. At the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 general election]], in Canterbury the Conservatives won a majority of 7,471 and 44.4% of the vote. [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] won 28.7% of the vote, [[Liberal Democrats]] 21.1%, [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] 3.2%, [[United Kingdom Independence Party]] 2.0% and an independent candidate 0.7%.<ref>{{cite web | title = Canterbury | publisher = Guardian.co.uk | url = http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc/constituency/0,,-788,00.html | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> Whitstable, along with Herne Bay and Canterbury, is in the [[City of Canterbury]] [[Districts of England|local government district]]. The town comprises the five electoral wards of Tankerton, Seasalter, Chestfield and Swalecliffe, Gorrell and Harbour. These wards have 12 of the 50 seats on the [[City of Canterbury|Canterbury]] City Council. Following the [[United Kingdom local elections, 2009|2009 local elections]], ten of those seats were held by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] and two by the Labour Party.<ref>{{cite web | title = Members of the Council | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www2.canterbury.gov.uk/committee/mgMemberIndex.asp?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 | accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> ==Geography== Whitstable is located at {{Coord|51|21|39|N|1|1|33|E|city}} (51.3607, 1.0257) on the northeast Kent coast. The town lies to the east of the outlet of [[The Swale]] into the Thames Estuary. The town is {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} west of the seaside town of Herne Bay, {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} northeast of the town of [[Faversham]] and {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} north of the city of Canterbury; several small villages lie in between. The suburbs/villages of [[Tankerton]], [[Swalecliffe]] and [[Chestfield]] are at the eastern end of the town, [[Seasalter]] at the west, and South Street at the south. Chestfield has its own [[Civil parish|parish]] council. An area of protected woodland and grassland called Duncan Down lies to the southeast. {{Geographic Location |title = '''Destinations from Whitstable''' |Northwest = [[Thames Estuary]] (sea) |North = [[Thames Estuary]] (sea) |Northeast = [[Thames Estuary]] (sea) |West = [[The Swale]] (sea) |Centre = Whitstable |East = [[Herne Bay, Kent|Herne Bay]] (town) |Southwest = [[Graveney]] with [[Goodnestone, Swale|Goodnestone]] (civil parish) |South = [[Blean]] (civil parish) |Southeast = [[Chestfield]] and [[Swalecliffe]] (civil parish) }} The geology of the town consists mainly of [[London Clay]] (which covers most of North Kent).<ref>{{cite book | last=Woodward|first=Horrace B|title = Stanford's Geological Atlas | year = 1904 }}</ref> The western part of the town is built on low-lying marshland resulting from The Swale outflow, and sea walls are in place to prevent coastal flooding. The land in the east is higher, with slopes down to the coast at Tankerton.<ref>{{cite web | title = Kent | publisher = Encyclopedia.jrank.org | url = http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/JUN_KHA/KENT.html | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The whole of the north east Kent coast has been designated a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Geological Sites Map | publisher = Natureonthemap.org.uk | url = http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx | accessdate = 2007-04-24 }}</ref> ===Climate=== In East Kent, the warmest time of the year is July and August, when maximum temperatures average around 21&nbsp;°C (70&nbsp;°F). The coolest time of the year is January and February, when minimum temperatures average around 1&nbsp;°C (39&nbsp;°F).<ref name="metwye">{{cite web | title = Wye 1971-2000 averages | publisher = Met Office | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/wye.html?s=043330&refer= | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> East Kent's average maximum and minimum temperatures are around 1/2&nbsp;°C higher than the national average.<ref name="metengland">{{cite web | title = England 1971-2000 averages | publisher = Met Office | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/areal/england.html | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> Whitstable is sometimes warmer than other parts of [[Kent]] due to it being backed by the [[North Downs]] to the south.<ref>{{cite web | title = Kent weather exposed | publisher = BBC Kent | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/weather/features/kent_weather2.shtml | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> East Kent's average annual rainfall is about 728&nbsp;mm (29&nbsp;in); October to January being the wettest months.<ref name="metwye"/> The national average annual rainfall is about 838&nbsp;mm (33&nbsp;in).<ref name="metengland"/> A recent drought caused Mid Kent Water to impose a [[hosepipe ban]] between August 2005<ref>{{cite web | title = Mid Kent Water Impose Further Water Restrictions | publisher = Mid Kent Water | url = http://www.midkentwater.co.uk/Press/hosepipe%20ban.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> and February 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title = Mid Kent Water Lifts Ban | publisher = HosePipeBan.org.uk | url = http://www.hosepipeban.org.uk/?p=52 |date=2007-02-27 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> The nearest Met Office average data for each month are for recording stations approximately 20 miles away to east and west and do not well represent Whitstable weather. ===Transport Links=== [[Image:North East Kent.svg|right|thumb|Northeast Kent|alt=A map of northeast Kent, with urban areas shaded in grey. Labels mark the locations of the Thames Estuary, the Isle of Sheppey, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Deal, Faversham and Canterbury.]] [[Whitstable railway station]] is on the [[Chatham Main Line]], which runs between [[Ramsgate]] in East Kent and [[London Victoria station|London Victoria]]. Other stations on this line include Broadstairs, Margate, Herne Bay, Faversham, Gillingham, Rochester and Bromley South.<ref>{{cite web | title = Timetable | publisher = National Rail Enquiries | url = http://ojp2.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/tt | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> Whitstable is around 1&nbsp;hour and 20&nbsp;minutes from London by fast-service train. A [[National Express]] coach service runs between London Victoria and Ramsgate.<ref>{{cite web | title = Timetable | publisher = National Express | url = http://www.nationalexpress.com/bp/b2.cfm?id=84618113 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> On weekdays, during the morning and evening peaks, there is a direct service to London's [[Cannon Street station]], provided primarily for business commuting. These trains run to Cannon Street in the morning and from Cannon Street in the evening. There is a [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]] [[List of bus routes in Kent|bus service]] running every twenty minutes to neighbouring Herne Bay and Canterbury, where many Whitstable residents go to work and shop.<ref>{{cite web | title =East Kent - Timetables | publisher = Stagecoach | url = http://www.stagecoachbus.com/eastkent/timetables.php?depart=&arrive=&service=1885 | accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> The [[A299 road]], known as the Thanet Way, runs between Ramsgate and [[Faversham]] via Herne Bay and Whitstable, and merges with the [[M2 motorway (Great Britain)|M2 motorway]] at Faversham. ==Demography== {| class="wikitable" id="toc" style="float: right; margin-left: 2em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="3" !colspan="4"|'''Whitstable Compared''' |- |'''2001 UK Census'''||'''Whitstable'''||'''Canterbury District'''||'''England''' |- |Total population||30,195||135,278||49,138,831 |- |Foreign born||4.5%||5.1%||9.2% |- |White||98%||97%||91% |- |Asian||0.6%||1.6%||4.6% |- |Black||0.2%||0.5%||2.3% |- |Christian||74%||73%||72% |- |Muslim||0.3%||0.6%||3.1% |- |Hindu||0.1%||0.4%||1.1% |- |No religion||16%||17%||15% |- |Over 65&nbsp;years old||23%||19%||16% |- |Unemployed||2.5%||2.7%||3.3% |} As of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK census]], Whitstable area [[Wards of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]]s had a population of 30,195 and a population density of 10.3 persons per [[hectare]].<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jsessionid=ac1f930bce6a711447e60ba4446bb56c21648d42c51.e38PbNqOa3qRe38OaNeKahqMai1ynknvrkLOlQzNp65In0?bhcp=1 | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> The ethnicity of the town was 98.2% white, 0.8% mixed race, 0.2% Chinese, 0.4% other Asian, 0.2% black and 0.2% other. The place of birth of residents was 95.5% United Kingdom, 0.6% Republic of Ireland, 1.2% other Western European countries, and 2.7% elsewhere. Religion was recorded as 74.8% Christian, 0.3% Muslim, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.2% Jewish, 0.1% Hindu and 0.1% Sikh. 15.8% were recorded as having no religion, 0.4% had an alternative religion and 8.1% did not state their religion.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> The age distribution was 5% aged 0–4&nbsp;years, 14% aged 5–15&nbsp;years, 4% aged 16–19&nbsp;years, 28% aged 20–44&nbsp;years, 26% aged 45–64&nbsp;years and 23% aged 65&nbsp;years and over. The town has a high percentage of residents over 65, compared with the national average of 16%.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> As a seaside town, Whitstable is a popular retirement destination. Of the town's 13,155 households, 49.0% were married couples, 7.8% were [[Cohabitation|cohabiting]] couples and 8.0% were lone parents. 30.7% of households were individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone at pensionable age. 26.4% of households included children aged under 16, or a person aged 16 to 18 who was in full-time education.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> ==Economy== According to the 2001 UK census, the economic activity of residents in the town aged 16–74 was 35.6% in full-time employment, 13.4% in part-time employment, 10.4% self-employed, 2.5% unemployed, 2.4% students with jobs, 3.4% students without jobs, 18.8% retired, 6.7% looking after home or family, 4.5% 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 13.5%. The unemployment rate of 2.5% was lower than the national rate of 3.3%. 12% of the town's residents aged 16–74 had a [[higher education]] qualification or the equivalent, compared to 20% nationwide.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Beach huts at Whitstable.jpg|right|thumb|Beach huts at Whitstable]] --> The main activities at the harbour are fishing, fish processing, cargo handling and boat storage.<ref>{{cite web | title =Whitstable Harbour Annual Report 2006-07 | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url =http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/assets/harbour/harbourannualreport2006.pdf|format=PDF | accessdate = 2007-04-23 }}</ref> The harbour area is the site for other industries such as tarmac manufacturing and a maintenance port for an offshore [[windfarm]].<ref name="Whitstable Harbour">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Harbour | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1419 | accessdate = 2007-04-23 }}</ref> Business parks located on the outskirts of the town provide premises for large retailers, offices and light industries.<ref name="Whitstable Enterprise Centre">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Enterprise Centre | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.business.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=11 | accessdate = 2007-04-23 }}</ref> The town's distinctive character and ambience has led to a strong tourist industry, which is promoted each year by the Oyster Festival. As of early 2007, Canterbury City Council were planning to boost tourism by building retail developments in addition to the existing shopping centre.<ref name="Whitstable planning strategy">{{cite web | title = Whitstable planning strategy | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=534 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The 2001 UK census reported the industry of employment of residents of Whitstable as 18% retail, 13% health and social work, 12% manufacturing, 11% education, 10% real estate, 9% construction, 7% transport and communications, 5% public administration, 5% hotels and restaurants, 4% finance, 1% agriculture and 5% other community, social or personal services. Compared to national figures, the town had a relatively high number of workers in the construction, education, and health/social care industries and a relatively low number in manufacturing, finance, and real estate.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> Many residents commute to work outside the town; as of the 2001 census, there were 13,260 employed residents, but only 9,725 jobs within the town.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> The high level of employees in teaching is possibly due to the town's proximity to Canterbury, which has three higher education establishments.<ref name="Boosting our local economy">{{cite web | title = Boosting our local economy | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=2519 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The elderly population of the town has led to many health and social care jobs at local care homes and at the Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital.<ref name="Hospital">{{cite web | title = Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital | publisher = NHS | url = http://www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/local_nhs_services/hospitals/whitstable_and_tankerton.asp | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> As of the 2001 census, 1.3% of the town's population resided in a medical or care establishment, compared to the national average of only 0.8%.<ref name="Statistics.gov.uk"/> ==Education== Whitstable's secondary school is The Community College Whitstable. It is a [[secondary modern school]] which changed its named from ''Sir William Nottidge School'' in 1998. In 2005, 10% of its pupils gained at least five [[GCSE]]s at grades A*–C, ranking it 115th out of Kent's 120 secondary schools.<ref>{{cite web | title = Schools in Kent | publisher = BBC | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/04/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/886_gcse_lea.stm|date=2005-10-19 | accessdate = 2007-04-24 }}</ref> Many students living in Whitstable commute to schools in other nearby towns, especially to the [[Grammar schools in the United Kingdom|grammar schools]] in [[Faversham]] and [[Canterbury]]. The town's public primary schools are Whitstable Junior School, Whitstable and Seasalter Church Of England Junior School, Westmeads Infant School, Swalecliffe Community Primary School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, St Alphege CofE Primary School, Joy Lane Primary School.<ref>{{cite web | title = UK Schools and Colleges Database | publisher = Schoolswebdirectory.co.uk | url = http://www.schoolswebdirectory.co.uk/postcode.php?searchword=ct5&action=Search | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> The [[voluntary controlled school|voluntary controlled]] church schools are owned by the church, but like the other schools, are administered by [[Kent County Council]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Schools and the Church of England | publisher = Church of England | url = http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/education/schools/ | accessdate = 2007-03-29 }}</ref> Canterbury College @ Whitstable is a branch of [[Canterbury College, Kent|Canterbury College]] in Whitstable town centre that provides a range of short [[information technology]] courses for adults.<ref>{{cite web | title = Course Guide| publisher = Canterbury College | url = http://www.cant-col.ac.uk/studying-with-us/Complete_Course_Guide_0708_FINAL.pdf |format=PDF | accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> Whitstable Adult Education Centre runs adult learning courses.<ref>{{cite web | title = Adult and community education | publisher = Kent County Council | url = http://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/pages/common/KentAdultEducation.aspx?pg=2150 | accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> ==Culture== === Events and venues === The longest established event is the Regatta dating from a sailing contest between 26 boats from Whitstable and Faversham split into 3 classes (divisions) in 1792. A reporter at the scene wrote:- “Much nautical skill was displayed in the maneuvering of the various squadrons. Every hoy, smack, wherry etc. in the vicinity of Whitstable was crowded with company and formed quite a fair upon the ocean”. In addition, at least two of the spectating boats had bands aboard and tents were erected along the shore which was lined with spectators.<ref>{{cite book | title = History of Whitstable, Seasalter & Swalecliffe authors=Robert Goodsall, quoting Kentish Gazette of 1792 | date =1938 }}</ref> The Regatta continued to become the biggest event on the North Kent Coast in the 19th century. It has moved from the original Whitstable to Tankerton for more land based events with fairground and fireworks on the elevated Slopes. For many years run by the Council , the Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions Club have taken it on in the last 31 years. Future events will be more sea borne with yachting and rowing, and plans for swimming and even the traditional greasy pole. The 2010 Regatta will be on Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August. [[May Day]] is celebrated with the annual [[Jack-in-the-Green]] parade, with traditional English dancing throughout the town, a fair at Whitstable Castle and a [[maypole]] dance by local schoolchildren overlooking the sea. It has been run by Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions Club for 34 years. The importance of oysters to the tradition of Whitstable is celebrated with the Oyster Festival in July each year. The nine-day festival starts with an opening parade on the nearest Saturday to [[James, son of Zebedee|St James' Day]]. The parade starts with the official "Landing of the Catch", followed by the procession of the oysters in a horse-drawn dray through the town, stopping to deliver the catch to local restaurants, cafes and public houses. The rest of the festival consists of entertainment for both adults and children, with local art on display around the town, and many establishments offering local fish dishes.<ref name="festival">{{cite web | title = Whitstable and the Oyster Festival history | publisher = Whitstable and the Oyster Festival | url = http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=11 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The Whitstable Museum and Gallery displays artifacts and portraits relating to the town's seafaring traditions, with special features on oysters, diving and shipping. In 2001, the Museum was awarded the international Nautiek Award for services to diving history.<ref name="museum">{{cite web | title = Whitstable museum and art gallery | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2394 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The town's main theatre is the Playhouse which is owned by theatrical group, the Lindley Players. The theatre is hired out to other groups such as the amateur Phoenix Theatre Group and the professional Playtime Theatre Company.<ref name="playhouse">{{cite web | title =The Playhouse Theatre| publisher =theplayhousewhitstable.co.uk| url = http://www.theplayhousewhitstable.co.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre opened in March 2004 as part of the Horsebridge redevelopment. Built with an "upturned boat" design, and three floors totalling {{convert|900|m²|sqft}}, the centre contains an art gallery, a performance space, art workshops, a learning area, and conference rooms.<ref name="centre">{{cite web | title = Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre | publisher = Horsebridge-centre.org.uk| url = http://www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk/?q=node/5 | accessdate = 2009-08-01 }}</ref><ref name="tourism">{{cite book | title = Cultural tourism in a changing world| authors= Smith, Melanie K.; Robinson, Mike| publisher = Channel View Publications|page=301 | date =2006 }}</ref> ===Attractions and landmarks=== [[Image:A view of Tankerton taken from The Street.jpg|right|thumb|A view of Tankerton taken from The Street|alt=Tankerton coast from a distance of roughly 100 metres. The shingle/sandy beach is interspersed with groynes and lined with up to three rows of variously coloured beach huts. Houses overlook the beach from the higher ground behind.]] The town has [[Shingle beach|shingle]]/sandy beaches flanking the harbour, where sunbathing, swimming and water sports are popular. A notable feature of Whitstable is The Street, a natural strip of shingle on clay bank which runs out to sea at right angles to the coast, for a distance of about half a mile. It is the last remnant of the land to the north of the town lost to sea erosion over millennia. Located to the east of the harbour, The Street is revealed only at low tide, when it is possible to walk out along it as well as swim either side in safe, sandy bottomed shallows.<ref name="street">{{cite web | title = Top 10 beaches in the UK | publisher = SHE magazine | url = http://www.allaboutyou.com/escape/daysout/topbeaches/?MemID=6 | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> A view of The Street can be seen on the hilltop lawns of Tankerton Slopes.<ref name="Tankerton Slopes">{{cite web | title = Tankerton Slopes | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=13&p1=c&feature=1&venue=3030643&easi=true | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> The Slopes are home to the largest population in England of the rare Hog’s [[Fennel]].<ref name="maritime">{{cite web | title = Whitstable | publisher = MaritimeHeritageTrail.co.uk | url = http://www.maritimeheritagetrail.co.uk/EN/loc_history.php?id=14 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> Whitstable Castle is situated on the border of Whitstable and the suburb of [[Tankerton]]. It was originally built as an octagonal tower in 1789 by Charles Pearson, the owner of a copperas company in the town and a future investor in the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway. However, Pearson later added to the building, developing it into a manor house. In 1836 the house, then known as Tankerton Tower, was bought by London businessman [[Wynn Ellis]], who by 1842 had added a west wing, a bell tower and a lodge. The building had become known as Tankerton Castle by 1897, although it is now commonly referred to as Whistable Castle.<ref name="castle">{{cite web | title =The Story of Whitstable Castle | publisher = Whitstablecastle.co.uk | url = http://www.whitstablecastle.co.uk/downloads/history.pdf|format=PDF| accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> Now managed by the Whitstable Castle Trust, the castle grounds is the only public park in the town and is a centre for community activity.<ref name="castleCCC">{{cite web | title =Whitstable Castle Lottery bid | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=3319| accessdate = 2009-07-29 }}</ref> [[Image:Whitstable mill.jpg|thumb|Black Mill|alt=A view down a short cul-de-sac lined with houses, with a black windmill at the far end, facing to the left of the picture]] Off the coast of Whitstable is a windfarm, consisting of 30 [[wind turbine]]s, each {{convert|140|m|ft|0}} high, providing enough electricity to power 70,000 households.<ref name="windfarm">{{cite web | title = Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm | publisher = Vattenfall | url = http://www.vattenfall.com/www/vf_com/vf_com/365787ourxc/366203opera/555848newpo/557004biofu/1466604ourxw/599930kenti/index.jsp| accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> A now-redundant offshore [[World War II]] [[Maunsell Forts|sea fort]] is visible from the town's coast.<ref name="Maunsell">{{cite web | title = The Maunsell Sea Forts | publisher = Whitstablescene.co.uk | url = http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/forts.htm | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> Sailing trips are available from the harbour to the windfarm, the sea fort and a seal watching spot in the Thames Estuary.<ref name="trips">{{cite web | title = Bayblast Marine | publisher = VisitCanterbury.co.uk | url = http://www.visitcanterbury.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=13&areaid=148&venue=3030676 | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> Island Wall, the closest street to the seafront, has numerous buildings dating from the mid-19th century including the Neptune and Wall Tavern pubs, and the Dollar Row cottages, which were built from the proceeds of a salvage operation on a ship carrying silver dollars.<ref name="dollar">{{cite web | title = Diver's trail | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=2420 | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> The street is home to the ''Favourite'', one of the few remaining Whitstable oyster [[yawl]]s.<ref name="favourite">{{cite web | title = Favourite Oyster Yawl | publisher = National Historic Ships | url = http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=1824| accessdate = 2007-04-24 }}</ref> Built in 1890, it is now managed by the Favourite Trust, a charitable trust who undertake fund raising to maintain the historical vessel.<ref name="Favourite Trust">{{cite web | title = Favourite Trust | publisher = Favourite Trust | url = http://www.favourite.org.uk | accessdate = 2007-04-24 }}</ref> A traditional [[Black Mill, Whitstable|windmill]] on Borstal Hill, built in 1815, is used as a motel. The town is criss-crossed by numerous small alleys, once used by fishermen to reach the beach. Many of these are now registered as public rights of way and are still in frequent use. Squeeze Gut Alley, through which most people have to walk sideways due to its narrowness, is one of the more notable.<ref name="Whitstable Alleyways">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Alleyways | publisher = SeeWhitstable.com | url = http://www.seewhitstable.com/Whitstable_alleys.html|year=2006 | accessdate = 2007-04-24 }}</ref> The town claims the largest village green in England at Duncan Down (47 acres)<ref>{{cite web | title = Duncan Down village green | publisher = Independent Media Publications | url = /http://issuu.com/whitstableimp/docs/imp_oct | accessdate = 2009-09-30 }}</ref> . ===Sports=== [[Image:Maunsell Army Fort.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Maunsell Forts|Maunsell sea-fort]], {{convert|9|mi|km}} off the coast of Whitstable|alt=The view from a boat of a site containing six sea forts. The forts have an octagonal shape, with rusty metal walls and two rows of windows. Each fort is supported by four legs jutting from the sea at an angle.]] The town is a popular destination for watersport enthusiasts. Established in 1904, the Whitstable Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in England and takes part in local and national competitions throughout the year.<ref name="Whitstable Yacht Club">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Yacht Club | publisher = Whitstable Yacht Club | url = http://www.wyc.org.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> Each year, the town hosts the International Waterski Championships.<ref name="guide">{{cite web | title = Canterbury Guide to Places to Stay | publisher = Resort-guide.co.uk | url = http://www.resort-guide.co.uk/pagedest.php3?destcode=42 |year=2005 | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> In May 2007, [[Whitstable Town F.C.|Whitstable Town Football Club]], based at the Belmont ground, won promotion from the [[Kent League]] to the [[Isthmian League Division One South]].<ref name="wfc">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Town FC | publisher = Whitstable Town FC | url = http://www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> Whitstable Rugby Football Club 1st XV also won promotion in 2007, to the London League. The club has a 2nd XV team which play in the East Kent League 2.<ref name="rugby">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Rugby Football Club | publisher = Whitstable Rugby Football Club | url = http://www.whitstablerugbyclub.co.uk/ | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> Whitstable has a council-owned swimming pool and sports centre with facilities for [[badminton]], [[short tennis]], [[5-a-side|5-a-side football]], [[volleyball]], [[cricket]] and [[tennis]].<ref name="Whitstable Sports Centre">{{cite web | title = Whitstable Sports Centre | publisher = Active Life Ltd | url = http://www.activelifeltd.co.uk/charges.php | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> A 10-pin bowling centre is located next door to the swimming pool. There is also an outdoor basketball court at the Rec near the swimming pool. ===Local Media=== The four local newspapers are the Kent Messenger Group owned ''Whitstable Gazette'' and ''KM Extra'', and the [[Northcliffe Media]]-owned ''Whitstable Times'' and ''Canterbury Adscene''. The ''Whitstable Gazette'' and ''Whitstable Times'' provide news related only to the town, and ''KM Extra'' and ''Canterbury Adscene'' provide news on the wider Canterbury district.<ref>{{cite web | title = KM Publications | publisher = Kent Online | url = http://www.kentonline.co.uk/km/publications/ | accessdate = 2007-04-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Regionals | publisher = Trinity Mirror | url = http://www.trinitymirror.com/brands/regionals/southern/tms/ | accessdate = 2007-04-14 }}</ref> Whitstable has a local radio station in [[KMFM Canterbury]] which also serves Canterbury and Herne Bay. It was previously known as ''CTFM'', until it was taken over by the [[KM Group]] in September 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title = kmfm | publisher = MediaUK.com | url = http://www.mediauk.com/radio/29 | accessdate = 2007-04-14 }}</ref> County-wide station [[Heart Kent]] (formerly Invicta FM) is based on the John Wilson business park in the town. ===Popular culture=== Whitstable is one of the settings for [[Sarah Waters]]' 1998 novel ''[[Tipping the Velvet]]'' and its 2002 BBC drama adaptation.<ref name="velvet">{{cite web | title =Tipping the Velvet | publisher = Powell's Books | url = http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=TRADE%20PAPER:USED:9781573227889:10.50&page=excerpt | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> The Old Neptune Pub in the town was used as a filming location for the 2006 movie ''Venus'', for which the actor [[Peter O'Toole]] earned an [[Academy Award]] nomination.<!-- blank page <ref name="venus">{{cite web | title = Venus and Whitstable | publisher = Kent Film Office | url = http://www.kent.gov.uk/enwiki/static/film-office/news/venus.html | accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref>--><ref>{{cite web | title = Peter O'Toole, A winner in waiting | publisher = TheIrishWorld.com| url = http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=10&Article_Id=1911 | accessdate = 2007-06-05 }}</ref> At age 10, after the death of his parents, the playwright and novelist [[W. Somerset Maugham]] was sent to live with his uncle in Whitstable.<ref name="maugham uncle">{{cite web | title = Somerset Maugham | publisher = Spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk | url = http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jmaugham.htm | accessdate = 2007-04-21 }}</ref> His novel ''[[Cakes and Ale]]'' (1930) is set in the fictional town of Blackstable. It is likely that he based this town on Whitstable, as the names and description of places around Blackstable, including The Duke of Cumberland Inn and Joy Lane, are identical to places around Whitstable.<ref name="maugham">{{cite web | title = Sea for sadness and solitude | publisher = The Telegraph | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2002/04/24/pwhitst.xml |date=2002-04-24 |accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref> [[Peter Cushing]], best known for his roles in horror movies made by [[Hammer Films]], bought a house in the town in 1959. He initially used it as a weekend home, but lived there permanently after his retirement.<ref>{{cite web | title = Peter Cushing | publisher = Canterbury City Council | url = http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2411 |accessdate = 2007-05-29 }}</ref> ==Twin towns== Whitstable is [[twinned]] with the following towns:<ref name="towns:">{{cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=2264#f16|publisher=Canterbury City Council|title=Whitstable|accessdate=2006-05-11}}</ref> * {{flagicon|France}} [[Dainville|Dainville, France]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Borken, North Rhine-Westphalia|Borken, Germany]] * {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Říčany|Říčany, Czech Republic]] * {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Albertslund|Albertslund, Denmark]] * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Mölndal|Mölndal, Sweden]] Whitstable has friendship links with:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=1133|publisher=Canterbury City Council|title=Twinning contacts|accessdate=2009-10-02}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Grabow|Grabow, Germany]] * {{flagicon|Greenland}} [[Sisimiut|Sisimiut, Greenland ]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Bolków|Bolków, Poland]] * {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Lviv|Lviv, Ukraine]] * {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[East Renfrewshire|East Renfrewshire, Scotland]] ==References== {{Portal|Kent}} {{reflist|3}} ==External links== * [http://www.seewhitstable.com/ See Whitstable] * [http://www.simplywhitstable.com Simply Whitstable] - discussion, photos and history * [http://www.oystertown.net/famhindx.html OysterTown] - includes town history and genealogy info * [http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk Whitstable Oyster Festival] * [http://crabandwinkle.org The Crab and Winkle Line Trust] * [http://www.ccw.kent.sch.uk The Community College Whitstable] * [http://www.the-imp.co.uk The Whitstable IMP]- Free local monthly magazine * {{Wikisource1911Enc Citation}} {{Canterbury}} {{Kent}} [[Category:Seaside resorts in England]] [[Category:Towns in Kent]] [[Category:Coastal settlements in Kent]] [[de:Whitstable]] [[fr:Whitstable]] [[it:Whitstable]] [[nl:Whitstable]] [[pl:Whitstable]] [[ro:Whitstable]] [[ru:Витстабл]] [[simple:Whitstable]]'