Alan Carr in Broadstairs, Harry Hill in Margate, food, art and film. This week's creative and cultural news from across Thanet.
Comedian Alan Carr was spotted filming in Broadstairs this week. It’s not known exactly what he was in the town for, but he is currently filming for a new Amazon Prime Video series called The F*ck It List. It’s not Carr’s first trip to Thanet. He hosted a Margate-based episode of Interior Design Masters in 2022 and filmed a section of his Chatty Man show on Broadstairs Beach in 2019. Carr also recently announced stand up tour dates, which will bring him to Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre on June 12 & 13.
Harry Hill was in Margate over the Easter weekend. Among other things, he checked out the Bridget Riley exhibition at Turner Contemporary, which he called “mind bendingly good”.
Green candidate Rob Yates has won a place on the Reform Kent County Council, after winning the by-election for the Cliftonville seat. The by-election was called after Reform's Daniel Taylor was given as 12-month sentence for behaving in a coercive way to his wife. The election came down to Greens and Reform, with Rob beating Reform candidate Marc Rattigan, 39% to 33%. Greens leader Zach Polanski made an appearance in the lead up to the election, with a rally on the Main Sands steps and popped into Where Else.
Margate Film Festival will be back again this November. If you’ve got a film burning a hole in your pocket that you think could work in the programme, submissions are now open. The team are looking for shorts, features and artists’ moving image that celebrate diversity, change, rebellion, feminism and bold, unique personal and cultural identities. Submit your film.
Margate has a new art gallery, Mooch. Situated inside Dreamland, the gallery is showing a collection of contemporary art and prints. It’s open daily from 12–5pm.
JAKL - aka local musician Hughie Gavin - has released a new EP called A Glimmer. Recorded live at Big Jelly Studios in Ramsgate, the set features a mix of original songs and piano improvisations. “I wanted to make something that felt real, human and that hopefully had the energy and spontaneity of a live performance,” says Hughie. Listen now.
Andy Malt
Has Bombo Doughnuts been missing from your life like… a hole in a doughnut? Well, after a spell away, the sweet treat makers will be back in town on Saturday, May 2. Exactly where is something they’re keeping a secret for now, although a social media post suggests Dreamland.
After various pop-ups, Sarns now has a permanent home at 102 Northdown Road in Cliftonville. They’ll be serving up weighty sandwiches Thursday to Sunday, as well as pastries, filter coffee and soft drinks.
The Potting Shop in Cliftonville has announced that it will close at the end of this month. “Unfortunately 2025 was incredibly tough financially, and we have been losing money every week we have been open,” says owner Katie Heward. “To add a baby in the mix has been a lot, so we are closing as our lease is up around this time too.” Repotting and holiday plant care services will continue, but the shop’s final day of trading will be Sunday, April 26.
Want more? Subscribe to our newsletter for a hit of arts, culture and fun things to do around Thanet and beyond in your inbox every Saturday morning.
