Save Margate Caves / Photo call Monday 31st Jan 13.30

Next photo call with the Thanet Gazette at the Caves site on Monday 31st Jan (that's tomorrow, folks!) 13.30. Please come if you can. Will take a few minutes and you can go on your way. The more people turn up and show their support will really help. Please stop by and support the cause to safeguard the future of Margate Caves.

Margate Caves meeting tomorrow 27th Jan at The Shell Grotto

It was really disappointing to hear about the clearance of the cafe and shop at The Caves site this week. And to have also received a letter from TDC's Doug Brown outlining that the authority would be sealing the entrance and that they were seen as a liability. Many residents had attended the meeting back in September at The Shell Grotto which ended on a hopeful note that some way forward could be found. So if you would like to see Margate Caves saved and reopened, please see if you can attend the meeting tomorrow at 5.30 at The Shell Grotto. It's not over till it's finally over. Not everything that's marvellous in Margate is on the seafront. Especially apt that the meeting will be at The Shell Grotto.

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Dark-days-caves-diggers-roll-action/article-3136375-detail/article.html

Talking of moving to Margate - Kallis Restaurant for sale

I admit to having a little chuckle at this estate agent description of Margate for selling the Kallis greasy spoon cafe just up from the clock tower. A snip at £450k!

"Kalli's Restaurant is ideally located in the coastal resort of Margate in Kent. The business is situated on Marine Gardens, close to the promenade and is surrounded by complementary shops and businesses. Margate is an affluent coastal town with wide sandy beaches and a strong tourist industry. The town boasts easy access by rail and road with the A28 to Canterbury, which lies approximately 17 miles away."

Is there such a thing as mis-selling?

Let's Move to Margate - Really!

After reading miserable Tom Dyckhoff's miserable article on a miserable Margate, I thought I'd have think about moving here from somewhere else. Tom's article had me rolling my eyes at the banality and narrowmindedness. Clear that he came here grudgingly anyway. Unlucky for Margate that he reviewed the town on a Sunday afternoon in early Jan. Everyone knows that loads of seaside town businesses close briefly to take a break in Jan and get on with some admin in preparation for the upcoming spring. Sounds like he didn't really get further than a walk down the seafront, right into the Old Town to a cafe and then some research on property prices on Right Move on the laptop.

But in any case, there are lots of reasons why even in a bitter cold January, Margate still has some pleasant surprises up its sleeve. And besides, is he supposed to be writing as a tourist or as a resident?

As a tourist, there are windswept clean sandy beaches all to yourself. Lovely places to eat. Antique shops to wander around.

As a resident, well, this is where I can share my experience. I have a lovely network of friends, stress free compared to London life, dinners out, vintage shops to rummage through, amazing countryside to walk the dog in, fresh air to breathe, amazing Georgian architecture to enjoy, time to think. So, fuck you, Mr Dyckhoff. Not that I want to be the usual local who moans about a review of the town they live in. But really, was that the best you can do?

As for your tip on property prices. I don't know many houses with a paddock on Margate. Perhaps it wasn't in Margate at all. And those prices seem way out of line. Everyone knows that in Margate a five storey Georgian town house can go for as little as £100k! I don't know where these 6-8 bedroom places are for £800k! Buildings in Margate Old Town sold recently for £50k and £80k. A flat on Hawley Square sold in the summer for £26K!!!

Link to the miserable article:

Botany Bay and Kingsgate looking stunning on film with John Hurt

Settled down to watch John Hurt in the BBC adaptation of M R James’ Edwardian ghost story shot in Kingsgate and Botany Bay. We who live here know how stunning this stretch of coastline is, and it seems still to be one of our best kept secrets. Clean swept wild beaches of golden sand, dunes, rockpools and chalk cliffs with the remains of smugglers tunnels. It looks fantastic on film. Great photography and it brings home why I love living here.

Preview of the programme here:

Programme page here

One of the nicest things to do in our area is to walk from Margate to Broadstairs along the beach, taking in the series of Bays. Just check the tide is out and and it is possible to make it round without having to come back up to the cliff top. Tide table here.

Finalists for "This is Margate" Photography competition

So, what do you think?

The finalists for the Margate photograph competition have been released on the This Is Margate website. The idea is that you choose your favourite for ach section. I'm not sure I like being forced to choose a picture from each section before moving on to the next. I would have preferred to have been able to see each group selection before having to make a choice for the next one.

But I'm sure there is a reason for this?

Here's the official blurb and instructions:

"Please vote for your favourite Margate photograph shortlisted in the This is Margate photography competition by visiting http://www.thisismargate.co.uk/Competition/Default.aspx The voting closes on wed 15 December at Midday.

We had nearly 400 competition entries from people of all ages (youngest was 7!) and the shortlist of 30 photos will also be displayed in the Tudor house, Margate this weekend (11 & 12 Dec) as part of their Christmas event.

We are also delighted to welcome Martin Parr to Margate on Monday 20 December to decide the overall winner and present the prizes.

All the votes will be counted and revealed at a special VIP judging event on Monday 20 December. We are delighted to be welcoming, international photographer Martin Parr, as our guest judge to announce the final winners and the overall winner of the competition as well as present them with their prizes, at this event.

If you would like to attend the judging event, please contact Lucy on 01843 577168 as a guest list is being run for the event."

Turner Contemporary is beautiful

The handover for the Turner Contemporary took place yesterday. What an amazing addition to the town this gallery will be. The views are stunning, the light, the finish. I'd like to wish a hearty congratulations to everyone who has made this building happen. Applause very well deserved. Can't wait for the opening. April 16th 2011! Sorry not to write more tonight. Am very tired!