Discovery Planet, which runs STEM workshops for children, officially received their King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony at the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate last Saturday. The equivalent of an MBE for volunteer organisations, it was presented to co-founder Nikki Hildesley by Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain. In a speech, Lady Colgrain said that there was a great deal of competition for the award, but Discovery Planet had received it because the work they do “is not replicated anywhere else in the country.”
Zita Whalley
Margate’s Turner Contemporary is set to receive £865,000 from the government’s new Arts Anywhere Fund, which was announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy this week. The money will be used for essential maintenance and other improvements to the building, including the installation of solar panels on its roof. “This investment is a testament to the government’s commitment to the arts and to coastal communities like ours, supporting both the fabric of the building and the transition to clean, renewable energy and lower bills,” says East Thanet MP Polly Billington. “This vital grant will help safeguard the gallery’s future.”
Heritage Lab Ramsgate has secured a £250,000 grant from Historic England to bring more of Ramsgate’s historic buildings back into active, sustainable use over three years. One of 19 organisations to receive grants, it will be handed £107,114 in the first year. “Heritage Lab Ramsgate has demonstrated a strong track record of delivering innovative, community-focused heritage regeneration,” says Tom Foxall, Regional Director at Historic England. “We are pleased to support this next phase of their work, which will help unlock the potential of Ramsgate’s historic buildings and bring lasting benefits to the town.” Read more.
Andy Malt
Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location is coming back to Kent. The longrunning property show is seeking individuals, families and couples from the county who need Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer’s help finding their next home. You’ll need to be chain free or SSTC and ready to buy this spring/summer. Apply to take part.
Ramsgate’s Pride in Place programme will hold its official launch this Sunday, celebrating the £20 million of funding the town is set to receive over a ten year period. Taking place at St George’s Church, the event will showcase the results of the ‘Bring It to Life’ creative grants, displaying new visions for the town by Ramsgate people and organisations. There will also be community art, audio displays, film, music and performances. It begins at 1.45pm, following the Ramsgate Parade at 12.30pm.
Margate’s Chump’s Comedy is set to programme the End of the Road Festival’s comedy stage for the second year. Among the performers they’ve lined up are Stewart Lee, Fern Brady, Desiree Burch, Paul Foot and more. The festival takes place at Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury from September 3-6. Tickets available now.
Andy Malt
Margate restaurant Angela’s has announced that it is abandoning plans to move into the former Cafe G. “Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control, we cannot move the restaurant into No 1 High Street as planned,” says a statement. “Angela’s restaurant, being the perfectly formed little gem that it already is, will stay put for the foreseeable future.” Instead, they plan to reopen the building as a cafe, bar and ice cream shop with outdoor seating on the piazza.
Broadstairs Folk Week has announced local artist Clare Youngs as the winner of its design competition this year. Her winning artwork will be featured on the cover of this year’s souvenir brochure. “I always love Folk Week and this year will be extra special,” says Clare.
Do you have a cat worthy of the big screen? Finally their time has come! Before its screening of CatVideoFest on Sunday, May 3, Broadstairs’ Palace Cinema will be creating a showreel of local cats. Email a hi res photo of your moggy along with their name to info@thepalacecinema.co.uk by Friday, May 1 to be included. And don’t forget to book tickets for the screening.
Andy Malt
The Canterbury Children's Literature Festival is again holding a story competition. Children aged 5-16 are invited to submit a story, comic or poem on the theme ‘Go Wild’. There are prizes to be won and the winning entries will be displayed on a trail around one of the festival’s venues. Full details. The festival is set to take place on July 10-12 with the full programme set to be announced on Monday.
Thanet District Council and Margate Skateboard Club are holding a public drop-in event to find out more about Cliftonville’s new £1.3m skatepark this Thursday. Taking place at the Family Hub on Zion Place from 3-7pm, locals will be able to meet the design team and give feedback on the plans. Scorcha Skate School will also be running free skateboarding sessions during the event.
Margate Film Festival has put a call out for ideas for events to form part of this year’s programme in November. “We’re expanding beyond the screen for our seventh edition this November,” say organisers. “Think projection mapping, live scores, interactive installations, immersive experiences, and events that take cinema out into the streets and unusual spaces around town.” The deadline is Saturday, July 1. More details.
Andy Malt
Chapel House Estate in Ramsgate has gained B Corp certification, recognising its commitment to social and environmental practices. Businesses must reach a B Impact Score of 80 to gain the certification - Chapel House’s came in at 99. “It means we’ve met high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability,” says the venue. “In simple terms, it reflects how we’ve always believed business should be done: with care for people, community, and the planet.”
Applications are open for the Zoological Society of London’s Transforming the Thames artist residency. The wider project is a 100-year vision to repair, restore and reconnect the habitats of the Thames Estuary so that both wildlife and communities can flourish. The ten month artist residency should inspire and engage coastal communities along the Greater Thames Estuary, celebrating its wildlife, habitats and the plans for ecological recovery. The deadline is April 30. Find out more and apply.
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