News Blast: Ramsgate's Look Mum No Computer chosen at UK Eurovision entrant

Ramsgate musician to represent the UK at Eurovision, Margate chef competes on Masterchef: The Professional, Batsford Books launches Makers House. This and more creative and cultural news from across Thanet.

Thanet’s own Look Mum No Computer has been chosen to represent the UK at Eurovision this year. The man behind the project is Sam Battle, YouTube creator and founder of Ramsgate music and sound technology attraction This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete. “I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey,” he says. “I have always been a massive Eurovision fan, and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously.” The Eurovision grand final takes place on Saturday, May 16.

Interview: UK Eurovision star Look Mum No Computer’s music and sound tech museum

Ever had the urge to push a mystery button? Strange Tourist visits This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete, where visitors are invited to do just that. Visitors are encouraged to make music and sound with old tech (whether it was designed to or not) and in the process learn about how it works

Strange TouristAndy Malt

Head chef at Margate restaurant Willy’s, Mark O’Brien appears on the new series of Masterchef: The Professionals. O’Brien, who previously cheffed at provenance-led outfits like Whitstable bistro Samphire and Robin Gill’s The Dairy and Zebra Riding Club at Birch, is also known around these parts for his Snake Oil BBQ residency at the now closed Daisy’s. His first appearance on the show aired on Wednesday and saw him go through to the next stage. Watch the episode.

Willy’s restaurant at Margate House Hotel review

Willy’s plates up classic British dishes that are familiar and filling, yet sophisticated

Strange TouristZita Whalley

Thanet District Council has put £120,000 into its draft budget for the restoration of the Grade II listed East Cliff lift in Ramsgate. The Edwardian lift requires significant work in order to resume transporting people from the upper promenade to the beach below and has been out of service for several years. It had been added to TDC’s asset disposal list. Heritage Lab recently nominated it to be listed as an Asset of Community Value in order to protect its use for the local community.

Publisher Batsford Books has announced the launch of Makers House in Ramsgate. The townhouse retreat will run weekend residential workshops for up to ten people, led by Batsford writers. The first workshops will take place in April, with Jessie Cutts guiding participants through patchwork and quiltmaking. Further textile workshops are set to take place throughout the year. More info.

The Ramsgate Town Shed officially opened in its new permanent home on Church Road this week. Initially set to open on Mondays from 10am to 1pm, it offers workshop space for woodwork - whether you’re experienced or just interested in developing skills in this area. The team behind it hopes to offer other activities, based on suggestions from those who use it. Email ramtownshed@gmail.com for more info.

The new Margate Electronics record label has put out its first release, 4.0 by Missing Music. Available on cassette and download, music on the album was created using rare, obsolete software applications and plugins running on vintage Macintosh computers. Buy it on Bandcamp.

Head chef at Margate’s Buoy & Oyster Craig Edgell has announced that he is stepping down after eight years at the restaurant. “All good things must come to an end and I want to leave knowing this was some of the best time of my life,” he says. As for his next step, he says, "Honestly, I have no clue.” Last year, Craig made it through the final of the National Chef of the Year competition. His final service at B&O will be on Sunday, March 29. 

As the reopening of Ramsgate’s Clock House draws closer, Thanet District Council is giving the public the chance to have a say on what should be inside the new museum it will house. The town’s maritime history? Local movers and shakers? Ramsgate’s best cats? Nothing is off the table. The next drop-in session to put forward your ideas will be at Ramsgate Market on Friday, 9am to 1pm.

Lost Boys themed diner Santa Carla has opened in The Centre in Margate. Head over for burgers and cocktails. Non-vampires welcome. 

Spoken word organisation Apples and Snakes is on the look out for ten emerging performance poets to take part in a series of workshops in March and April. Led by Kareem Parkins-Brown, the programme will focus on building confidence and developing a sustainable career as a poet. Apply now.