Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Are you planning a special event around the launch of Turner Contemporary? Are you planning a special event around the launch of Turner Contemporary?
Just in from Margate Renewal Partnership's: This is Margate / Creative Margate /
"Dear All,
Are you planning a special event around the launch of Turner Contemporary?
If so, we at Creative Margate would like to hear about it so we can help spread the word. Our aim is to bring together in one place as many of the great things that are going on in Margate as we can. We will put the information into a document that can be posted on websites as well as handed out in paper form - to be shared with you and with our visitors.
If you would like us to promote your venue or event, please send us an email, by return, with details of any special plans or opening arrangements your might have for the period Saturday 16 - Monday 25 April.
We need to know:
What's happening (title and description in no more than 25 words)
When (dates and times)
Where it's happening (full address inc postcode)
If there's a cost (and how much)
Where to go for further info (phone number and web address)
We will also forward your event details to the Tourism Department at TDC for promotion on the Visit Thanet website.
Many thanks,
Sophie (on behalf of Creative Margate)"
Sophie.Jeffrey@thanet.gov.uk
www.thisismargate.com
Come to the opening of Discover Thanet's Pop Up Shop Friday 15th April 6pm
To coincide with the launch of Discover Thanet, an independently published guide to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, are opening a pop-up shop at The Pie Factory in Broad Street, Margate. It all happens on Friday 15th April at 6pm.
We're looking forward to this as it looks like the one publication that will appeal to tourists and that's what it is supposed to do!
Monday, 28 March 2011
Model and Monument, an exhibition of work by Stephen Blowers opens at Crate Project Space
Model and Monument, an exhibition of work by Stephen Blowers opens at Crate Project Space in Margate on Friday April 1st from 6 - 9pm and is then open Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April 11am - 5pm.
Perceptions of Margate are being reshaped by redevelopment work in the town. New energies and aspirations are unfolding out of existing narratives of the town as a seaside resort. The exhibition contrasts the development in Margate of the new Turner Contemporary with a building traditionally associated with Margate, Dreamland.
For further information contact: stephenblowers@hotmail.com
Perceptions of Margate are being reshaped by redevelopment work in the town. New energies and aspirations are unfolding out of existing narratives of the town as a seaside resort. The exhibition contrasts the development in Margate of the new Turner Contemporary with a building traditionally associated with Margate, Dreamland.
For further information contact: stephenblowers@hotmail.com
2 DAYS LAUGHTER 2011 APRIL FOOLS’ SCREENING & AWARDS NIGHT
Saturday 2ndth April @ The Theatre Royal Margate
Beeping Bush Productions is bringing the sound of laughter back to the British seaside with the return of its quirky collection of hilarious comedy shorts.
Now in its fourth year, the incredibly successful and utterly unique 2 Days Laughter Short Film Competition gives audiences the chance to scream with laughter! Aimed at talented filmmakers, comedians and writers, the production challenge is to produce a comedy short in a total of only 48 hours.
The films will be screened in the sumptuous surroundings of the Georgian Theatre Royal Margate. These will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from film and media & entertainment that includes actress, Brenda Blethyn, Time Out comedy editor Ben Williams, Film 4 Development Editor Lila Rawlings, and comedian teams from Pappy’s and online shorts sensation, Popcorn Comedy.
This year’s competition has attracted enquires from all over the world: Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Sweden, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Canada, USA, Brazil, Zimbabwe, India, Hong Kong, and Australia! With over 400 downloads for the film brief, the competition received a total of 46 film entries involving over 300 filmmakers, from as far as Devon and Wales, to Sheffield and Switzerland! 21 comic gems are from Kent–based filmmakers, and eight have made it to the Judges’ Competition Screening.
“We have had the best response ever this year! It’s a fantastic opportunity for comedians, filmmakers and the public to all come together and actually see how an audience will react to their own creativity, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There are some real corkers in there, so it’s going to be great free night out at the theatre.”
MICK ETHERTON, BEEPING BUSH PRODUCTIONS
21 films from Kent!
Nine films were produced in Thanet and two have made it to the final Judges’ Competition Screening.
There are two films from Broadstairs: Ian Reader’s spellbound Munassa, a cautionary tale about a man who desperately needs not to get in touch with his feminine side, with surprising results. The other film entry comes from students Mark Castro and Max Philo, whose contemporary farce, Facebook Man, provides a fresh and witty account of teenage social networking addiction!
Canterbury based filmmakers Katharina Mietz, Dalina Rusanova and Augustas Marozas produced Me & my Dead Husband – a cautionary story about how not to walk out on your loved one!
Canterbury based Martin Banov’s student film, Brainstorming is a tale of a trio of wannabe filmmakers with a fast approaching deadline and ‘inappropriate’ ideas!
Street Party by Whitstable based filmmaker Nick Pearson, was produced entirely on his iPhone, a slapstick escapade about a pizza delivery order gone manically wrong!
Chatham based comic dynamic duo, William Thomas & Ben Worsfield have once again come up with a comic gem KENT! A Brief History is a wonderful satire of local history television programmes. That’s also true of Wild Watch, a film co-produced by ex-University of Kent student, Dan Thompson, that even out-Goodies Bill Oddie and Kate Humble!
Congratulations to Rochester based filmmaker Ed Hall, who directed two of the films in the Judges’ Final this year: How to Throw a Soiree! An alarming development starting with a girls night in; and The Lovers’ Tiff, a homage to Mr and Mrs Smith, with Hollywood-style special effects!
The evening’s gala screening will conclude with Work! Love! Dance! Die! A comic musical film extravaganza from Switzerland!
ALL 43 accepted film submissions will be shown at the April Fools’ Screening on Saturday 2nd April 2011 at the Theatre Royal Margate, and hosted by University of Kent Student Stand-up Comedians Kenny Budd and Ryan Parsons.
To get a flavour of the competition why not check out last year’s entries and short documentary of a Screening night.
2 Days Laughter 2011 Screening & Awards Ceremony
14.30pm Doors Open
15.00pm Just for Laughs - Film Screening
19.00pm Judges’ Competition - Film Screening
21.45pm Awards Ceremony
22.00pm - Late Afterparty @ The Westcoast Bar, Margate Harbour
Further details will be posted on the www.2dayslaughter.co.uk website.
To book your free tickets please fill in online request at www.2dayslaughter.co.uk/screen/screen.html
NEW KENT FILMMAKERS’ EVENTS CALENDAR
Discover this year’s great film events in Kent! As part of our Screen South Community Network Film role we are delighted to announce that our new Kent Filmmakers’ Events Calendar section is now online.
Check out our free What’s On resource in the Kent area to find out what’s happening in your area - film screenings, workshops, events, festival dates and deadlines and lots of other film and digital media related information.
Need distribution ideas? You can also easily upload your own event to share your activities. This free What’s On resource is a comprehensive distribution resource with lots of useful features, including social networking, diary links, etc.
Visit beepingbush.co.uk/calendar to check out film related events going on in Kent & Medway, or to submit and upload your own event - even if it’s outside the county.
Be the first to know about these filmmaking events! As newsletters are only sent to registered users, please make sure that you sign up your details here to make sure that you don’t miss out on what’s happening in Kent and the South-East.
Please contact Mick or Chris at Beeping Bush if you have any questions or difficulties.
We are here to help - your film is our film!
THREE MONKEYS FILM FESTIVAL IN FOLKESTONE 4th March-2nd April
Whithorse Film club presents
See No Evil Hear No Evil Speak No Evil
Three Monkeys destroys the boundaries between film, music, art and spoken word.
Screening three feature films each day plus short films made by filmmakers based in Kent, Three Monkeys embraces the links between the arts, and all in the comfy surroundings of Bar Below, West Terrace Folkestone.
See No Evil Free Exhibition until 31st March. 2.00-5.00pm or by appointment.
An exhibition of art inspired by film, literature and music, kindly curated by Chimera Gallery. The Members Area, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue Folkestone.
27th March
2.00pm Battle of Algiers (15) Award-winning, enthralling entertainment, this tells the story of the FLN’s guerrilla war against the French, with added relevance in today's global political climate in North Africa and the Middle East.
4.30pm Peeping Tom (18) Kent born Michael Powell’s career defining psychological drama from the 1960s lays bare the cinema's dark voyeuristic underside.
7.00pm Last House on the Left (18) A movie whose reputation precedes it, made in 1972, but not permitted uncut in the UK until 2008. Hailed by critics as one of the greatest horrors ever.
2nd April
Poetry night at Home Ground The Old High Street, Folkestone.
8.30pm Free Admission
The regular rant poets will be letting rip on the subject of censorship.
Special guest poets from Margate and London and an open mic slot for aspiring poets!
See individual posters for more details, find us on Facebook, or email whitehorseevents@hotmail.com or call 07957 440528
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Event - Circuit Drive Thru Cinema at Dreamland - Saturday 26th 4pm-9pm
I nearly missed this! I must be off the radar for some news snippets. Circuit Drive Thru Cinema arrives at Dreamland this Saturday 26th March from 4pm to 9pm. Artists are invited to participate by exhibiting in their cars. More info at Marine Studios
Monday, 21 March 2011
Dear TDC,
Don't you think it would be a good idea, if not also the legal requirement, to apply and approve for a replacement for a building in the Conservation Area before you apply to knock it down?
Yours,
MA
"PLANS AGREED TO TACKLE MARGATE EYESORE
Plans to tackle a prominent eyesore along Margate seafront have been agreed.
Thanet District Council’s Cabinet last night (Thursday 17 March) agreed a strategy to tackle the appearance of the Fort Road Hotel, which overlooks Turner Contemporary.
The building has lain derelict for the last 20 years and was acquired by the council through compulsory purchase in December 2010. Since purchasing it, the council has carried out urgent work to the front wall of the building, which was in danger of collapse. Major repair work needs to be carried out to the property and a structural survey, carried out on behalf of the council, has suggested that, because there is so much to do, demolition is one option.
Over the next six months, the council will actively market the property to see if it can be redeveloped as a small hotel and a restaurant. Cabinet Members were told that there had already been interest from people, who are interested in acquiring the property, one of which is the owner of a five star boutique hotel elsewhere in Kent. The aim will be to complete work on the site by September 2012.
If there is no interest in the Fort Road Hotel within the next six months, then an application for consent to demolish the building will be made to the Secretary of State.
Director of Community Services, Madeline Homer, said: “Despite its appearance today and its condition over recent years, the Fort Road Hotel is a property full of history. It’s one of the few buildings surrounding the gallery that Turner would recognise from his era. For that reason, it’s vital that the council does what it can to find a new use for this building, which we now own. Of course, we can’t wait forever, with an eyesore looming over Turner Contemporary, so that’s why we’ve set a deadline for a viable scheme to come forward. We’re hopeful, with the interest that’s already been shown, and the wonderful location of the Fort Road Hotel, that there is a future for this building within that deadline.”
Temporary measures will be put in place ahead of the opening of Turner Contemporary to improve the appearance of the building."
ENDS
Cheryl Pendry
Press and Media Manager
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk
Tel: 01843 577 034
Fax: 01843 295 343
Don't you think it would be a good idea, if not also the legal requirement, to apply and approve for a replacement for a building in the Conservation Area before you apply to knock it down?
Yours,
MA
"PLANS AGREED TO TACKLE MARGATE EYESORE
Plans to tackle a prominent eyesore along Margate seafront have been agreed.
Thanet District Council’s Cabinet last night (Thursday 17 March) agreed a strategy to tackle the appearance of the Fort Road Hotel, which overlooks Turner Contemporary.
The building has lain derelict for the last 20 years and was acquired by the council through compulsory purchase in December 2010. Since purchasing it, the council has carried out urgent work to the front wall of the building, which was in danger of collapse. Major repair work needs to be carried out to the property and a structural survey, carried out on behalf of the council, has suggested that, because there is so much to do, demolition is one option.
Over the next six months, the council will actively market the property to see if it can be redeveloped as a small hotel and a restaurant. Cabinet Members were told that there had already been interest from people, who are interested in acquiring the property, one of which is the owner of a five star boutique hotel elsewhere in Kent. The aim will be to complete work on the site by September 2012.
If there is no interest in the Fort Road Hotel within the next six months, then an application for consent to demolish the building will be made to the Secretary of State.
Director of Community Services, Madeline Homer, said: “Despite its appearance today and its condition over recent years, the Fort Road Hotel is a property full of history. It’s one of the few buildings surrounding the gallery that Turner would recognise from his era. For that reason, it’s vital that the council does what it can to find a new use for this building, which we now own. Of course, we can’t wait forever, with an eyesore looming over Turner Contemporary, so that’s why we’ve set a deadline for a viable scheme to come forward. We’re hopeful, with the interest that’s already been shown, and the wonderful location of the Fort Road Hotel, that there is a future for this building within that deadline.”
Temporary measures will be put in place ahead of the opening of Turner Contemporary to improve the appearance of the building."
ENDS
Cheryl Pendry
Press and Media Manager
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk
Tel: 01843 577 034
Fax: 01843 295 343
Saturday, 19 March 2011
The Visitor Centre is moving to The Droit House. Now, is it a good idea to do branding of iconic Margate sites like The Grade 2* Listed Dreamland Cinema that are closed and not due to open for years and are currently covered in scaffolding?
Please Thanet Tourism, promote the things we have and can use now!
2 DAYS LAUGHTER 2011 APRIL FOOLS’ SCREENING & AWARDS NIGHT
Saturday 2ndth April @ The Theatre Royal Margate
Beeping Bush Productions is bringing the sound of laughter back to the British seaside with the return of its quirky collection of hilarious comedy shorts.
Now in its fourth year, the incredibly successful and utterly unique 2 Days Laughter Short Film Competition gives audiences the chance to scream with laughter! Aimed at talented filmmakers, comedians and writers, the production challenge is to produce a comedy short in a total of only 48 hours.
The films will be screened in the sumptuous surroundings of the Georgian Theatre Royal Margate. These will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from film and media & entertainment that includes actress, Brenda Blethyn, Time Out comedy editor Ben Williams, Film 4 Development Editor Lila Rawlings, and comedian teams from Pappy’s and online shorts sensation, Popcorn Comedy.
This year’s competition has attracted enquires from all over the world: Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Sweden, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Canada, USA, Brazil, Zimbabwe, India, Hong Kong, and Australia! With over 400 downloads for the film brief, the competition received a total of 46 film entries involving over 300 filmmakers, from as far as Devon and Wales, to Sheffield and Switzerland! 21 comic gems are from Kent–based filmmakers, and eight have made it to the Judges’ Competition Screening.
“We have had the best response ever this year! It’s a fantastic opportunity for comedians, filmmakers and the public to all come together and actually see how an audience will react to their own creativity, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There are some real corkers in there, so it’s going to be great free night out at the theatre.”
MICK ETHERTON, BEEPING BUSH PRODUCTIONS
21 films from Kent!
Nine films were produced in Thanet and two have made it to the final Judges’ Competition Screening.
There are two films from Broadstairs: Ian Reader’s spellbound Munassa, a cautionary tale about a man who desperately needs not to get in touch with his feminine side, with surprising results. The other film entry comes from students Mark Castro and Max Philo, whose contemporary farce, Facebook Man, provides a fresh and witty account of teenage social networking addiction!
Canterbury based filmmakers Katharina Mietz, Dalina Rusanova and Augustas Marozas produced Me & my Dead Husband – a cautionary story about how not to walk out on your loved one!
Canterbury based Martin Banov’s student film, Brainstorming is a tale of a trio of wannabe filmmakers with a fast approaching deadline and ‘inappropriate’ ideas!
Street Party by Whitstable based filmmaker Nick Pearson, was produced entirely on his iPhone, a slapstick escapade about a pizza delivery order gone manically wrong!
Chatham based comic dynamic duo, William Thomas & Ben Worsfield have once again come up with a comic gem KENT! A Brief History is a wonderful satire of local history television programmes. That’s also true of Wild Watch, a film co-produced by ex-University of Kent student, Dan Thompson, that even out-Goodies Bill Oddie and Kate Humble!
Congratulations to Rochester based filmmaker Ed Hall, who directed two of the films in the Judges’ Final this year: How to Throw a Soiree! An alarming development starting with a girls night in; and The Lovers’ Tiff, a homage to Mr and Mrs Smith, with Hollywood-style special effects!
The evening’s gala screening will conclude with Work! Love! Dance! Die! A comic musical film extravaganza from Switzerland!
ALL 43 accepted film submissions will be shown at the April Fools’ Screening on Saturday 2nd April 2011 at the Theatre Royal Margate, and hosted by University of Kent Student Stand-up Comedians Kenny Budd and Ryan Parsons.
To get a flavour of the competition why not check out last year’s entries and short documentary of a Screening night.
2 Days Laughter 2011 Screening & Awards Ceremony
14.30pm Doors Open
15.00pm Just for Laughs - Film Screening
19.00pm Judges’ Competition - Film Screening
21.45pm Awards Ceremony
22.00pm - Late Afterparty @ The Westcoast Bar, Margate Harbour
Further details will be posted on the www.2dayslaughter.co.uk website.
To book your free tickets please fill in online request at www.2dayslaughter.co.uk/screen/screen.html
NEW KENT FILMMAKERS’ EVENTS CALENDAR
Discover this year’s great film events in Kent! As part of our Screen South Community Network Film role we are delighted to announce that our new Kent Filmmakers’ Events Calendar section is now online.
Check out our free What’s On resource in the Kent area to find out what’s happening in your area - film screenings, workshops, events, festival dates and deadlines and lots of other film and digital media related information.
Need distribution ideas? You can also easily upload your own event to share your activities. This free What’s On resource is a comprehensive distribution resource with lots of useful features, including social networking, diary links, etc.
Visit beepingbush.co.uk/calendar to check out film related events going on in Kent & Medway, or to submit and upload your own event - even if it’s outside the county.
Be the first to know about these filmmaking events! As newsletters are only sent to registered users, please make sure that you sign up your details here to make sure that you don’t miss out on what’s happening in Kent and the South-East.
Please contact Mick or Chris at Beeping Bush if you have any questions or difficulties.
We are here to help - your film is our film!
ABOUT BEEPING BUSH LTD www.beepingbush.co.uk
Beeping Bush Ltd is a digital arts & media organisation and is a Screen South Community Network Film Delivery Partner for Kent & Medway, supported by The UK Film Council.
We are based in The Community Pharmacy Gallery in the heart of Margate’s historic old town cultural quarter, since 2002. The ground floor offers workshop, studio & arts exhibition space for local individuals and community interest groups, with full disabled access. The production services above offer professional digital-media services & training for the community and business. The company has IPS status and produces a variety of community and corporate-based, educational and promotional digital-media productions & workshops. It also provides vocational training and arts exhibition space for local individuals, organisations, charities, and educational establishments.
For Sale: Amazing corner freehold opposite the Turner
Guide price £50k - £75k!
What an amazing location. Right on the corner, directly opposite Turner. Please someone with vision do something lovely for a change. I really cannot believe some of these crazy prices! It make an amazing cafe and has views over the main sands and the Turner.
A Freehold Building internally arranged to provide Basement and Ground Floor Shop and Two Self-Contained Flats. Shop Vacant, One Flat Vacant and One Flat subject to a Long Lease.
http://www.auction.co.uk/residential/LotDetails.asp?A=710&MP=24&ID=710000091&S=L&O=A
This is the building we complained eons ago had removed the discarded the ornamental snake above the door when they renovated it into a shortlived estate agents for only a few months. Such a shame.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Margate Bazaar
this an animated event, remember it's going to be on every Sunday a great
opportunities to to build up a reputation or following and to get what you
do out there in real time and space in front of a real audience.
More Details can be Found on
www.MargateoldTown.co.uk and Margate Bazaar on facebook.
I hope to hear from you all soon.
ROX
Margate Bazaar
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Laura Sandys MP Secures Tourism Commitment and Jokes with the Minister...
Hot off the press from Laura Sandys:
"In Parliament, Laura Sandys MP received a commitment from the Minister for Arts and Culture, Ed Vaizey MP, that he would support her campaign for seaside towns to be marketed as all year round destinations.
The Minister explained that “culture makes a fantastic contribution to regeneration throughout the country.” Earlier in the week, the Minister had attended the parliamentary reception in the House for the launch of the Turner Contemporary Gallery. In Parliament, Laura joked that fellow guest and Margate artist - Tracey Emin - “was most taken by the Minister”. After many laughs, the Minister blushed and thanked Laura for ensuring that he would now appear in the parliamentary sketch.
Following the question, Laura said: “With the forthcoming April opening of Turner Contemporary and the array of cultural and heritage attractions across Thanet, Sandwich and the Stour Villages now more than ever we have a chance to market the area as an all year, all weather tourism destination.”
[Ed.: Those working in quality independent businesses here in Margate, know that we already have a growing all year round offering. What is needed is recognition and support of this in terms of strategic marketing.]
“Tourism already contributes a huge amount to our local economy. If we effectively market the area to attract visitors throughout the year and not just in the summer months, we could create more jobs and boost the amount of money spent on our local high streets. My campaign – Destination History – aims to do just this and over the coming months I will be working closely with our local attractions to help maximise the number of tourists to Thanet and Sandwich.”
Watch Laura at 31.25 in: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=7733
For further information please contact Laura Sandys MP on 07980 595861
Regeneration (Seaside Towns)
17. Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con): What assessment he has made of the contribution of arts and culture to the regeneration of deprived seaside towns. [43648]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey):
Culture makes a fantastic contribution to regeneration throughout the country. Earlier this week, I was privileged to attend a reception in the House for the launch of the Turner Contemporary gallery, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will join me in praising Roger de Haan's work in revitalising Folkestone, even though it is not in her constituency.
Laura Sandys: I most certainly will, and I know that Tracey Emin was most taken by the Minister on Monday evening. Seaside towns have always been marketed as summer locations. Now we have that internationally renowned gallery in Margate, I hope that he might make representations to the tourism Minister to ensure that seaside towns are marketed all year round. That is how we will secure the most effective regeneration for places such as Margate, Ramsgate, Hastings and, yes, Folkestone as well.
Mr Vaizey: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for ensuring that I appear in tomorrow's parliamentary sketch, and the minute I sit down, I will turn to my right and lobby the tourism Minister.
"In Parliament, Laura Sandys MP received a commitment from the Minister for Arts and Culture, Ed Vaizey MP, that he would support her campaign for seaside towns to be marketed as all year round destinations.
The Minister explained that “culture makes a fantastic contribution to regeneration throughout the country.” Earlier in the week, the Minister had attended the parliamentary reception in the House for the launch of the Turner Contemporary Gallery. In Parliament, Laura joked that fellow guest and Margate artist - Tracey Emin - “was most taken by the Minister”. After many laughs, the Minister blushed and thanked Laura for ensuring that he would now appear in the parliamentary sketch.
Following the question, Laura said: “With the forthcoming April opening of Turner Contemporary and the array of cultural and heritage attractions across Thanet, Sandwich and the Stour Villages now more than ever we have a chance to market the area as an all year, all weather tourism destination.”
[Ed.: Those working in quality independent businesses here in Margate, know that we already have a growing all year round offering. What is needed is recognition and support of this in terms of strategic marketing.]
“Tourism already contributes a huge amount to our local economy. If we effectively market the area to attract visitors throughout the year and not just in the summer months, we could create more jobs and boost the amount of money spent on our local high streets. My campaign – Destination History – aims to do just this and over the coming months I will be working closely with our local attractions to help maximise the number of tourists to Thanet and Sandwich.”
Watch Laura at 31.25 in: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=7733
For further information please contact Laura Sandys MP on 07980 595861
Regeneration (Seaside Towns)
17. Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con): What assessment he has made of the contribution of arts and culture to the regeneration of deprived seaside towns. [43648]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey):
Culture makes a fantastic contribution to regeneration throughout the country. Earlier this week, I was privileged to attend a reception in the House for the launch of the Turner Contemporary gallery, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will join me in praising Roger de Haan's work in revitalising Folkestone, even though it is not in her constituency.
Laura Sandys: I most certainly will, and I know that Tracey Emin was most taken by the Minister on Monday evening. Seaside towns have always been marketed as summer locations. Now we have that internationally renowned gallery in Margate, I hope that he might make representations to the tourism Minister to ensure that seaside towns are marketed all year round. That is how we will secure the most effective regeneration for places such as Margate, Ramsgate, Hastings and, yes, Folkestone as well.
Mr Vaizey: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for ensuring that I appear in tomorrow's parliamentary sketch, and the minute I sit down, I will turn to my right and lobby the tourism Minister.
Learn about Victorian theatre with The Theatre Royal's Smoke and Mirrors Event
‘Smoke and Mirrors’ is a lively and creative opportunity to learn about and communicate the history of Victorian Theatre. The project will take place in and involve the exploration of the Theatre Royal Margate building. The Theatre is well known for being an old theatre and a heritage gem, dating from 1787 and is the oldest working theatre in the South East region.
They're offering participants a hands-on experience of the practise and circumstances of Victorian Theatre. There are many exciting talks and workshops as well as a show that participants will be able to be involved in.
The first introductory and exploration session is on Sunday 13th March at 4pm. The session should last approximately 90 minutes and should be fun for anyone aged 11 -100!
To register call 01843 282956
smokeandmirrors@theatreroyalmargate.com
http://www.theatreroyalmargate.com/
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Margate listed as number 3 as top cultural hotspot by The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ten-topcultural-hotspots-2233435.html
Ten top...cultural hotspots
1 Miami
A visit to the Frank Gehry New World Center (nws.edu) will be as much about admiring Gehry's architecture as the music made within.
2 St Petersburg
Over on the west coast of Florida, the new Dali Museum (thedali.org) offers more room to display the 2,000-plus art works kept in the city.
3 Margate
The Turner Contemporary (turnercontemporary.org), a new gallery for contemporary visual arts opening this spring, is set on the site where Turner stayed during his frequent visits.
4 Hastings
Further along the south coast, the Jerwood Gallery will showcase the Jerwood Foundation's formidable collection of 20th- and 21st century art opening late autumn 2011.
5 Tallinn
One of the 2011 European Capitals of Culture, the Estonian capital is wooing visitors with its new maritime museum at Lennusadam Harbour (mere muuseum.ee), with exhibits housed in huge seaplane hangars.
6 Turku
This Finnish city is the other 2011 European Capital of Culture. Logomo (logomo.fi), an old engineering works now filled with theatres, exhibition halls, and concert venues, is just one reason to visit.
7 Helsinki
Not to be outdone, the Finnish capital is about to open a new Music Hall (musiikkitalo.fi) to the delight of musicians worldwide – largely because they hope it will improve on the poor acoustics in Alvar Alto's Finlandia Hall.
8 Antwerp
The new Museum aan de Stroom, aka MAS (mas.be), on Antwerp's waterfront, will open in May, a new home for the city's Ethnographic, National Shipping and Folklore Museums.
9 Stratford-upon-Avon
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (rsc.org.uk) has put the audience nearer to the action in its new 1,000-seat thrust stage auditorium.
10 Bristol
The south-west city has created M Shed (mshed.org) in an old transit shed on the wharf, in which to tell its story, from prehistoric times to now.
Ten top...cultural hotspots
1 Miami
A visit to the Frank Gehry New World Center (nws.edu) will be as much about admiring Gehry's architecture as the music made within.
2 St Petersburg
Over on the west coast of Florida, the new Dali Museum (thedali.org) offers more room to display the 2,000-plus art works kept in the city.
3 Margate
The Turner Contemporary (turnercontemporary.org), a new gallery for contemporary visual arts opening this spring, is set on the site where Turner stayed during his frequent visits.
4 Hastings
Further along the south coast, the Jerwood Gallery will showcase the Jerwood Foundation's formidable collection of 20th- and 21st century art opening late autumn 2011.
5 Tallinn
One of the 2011 European Capitals of Culture, the Estonian capital is wooing visitors with its new maritime museum at Lennusadam Harbour (mere muuseum.ee), with exhibits housed in huge seaplane hangars.
6 Turku
This Finnish city is the other 2011 European Capital of Culture. Logomo (logomo.fi), an old engineering works now filled with theatres, exhibition halls, and concert venues, is just one reason to visit.
7 Helsinki
Not to be outdone, the Finnish capital is about to open a new Music Hall (musiikkitalo.fi) to the delight of musicians worldwide – largely because they hope it will improve on the poor acoustics in Alvar Alto's Finlandia Hall.
8 Antwerp
The new Museum aan de Stroom, aka MAS (mas.be), on Antwerp's waterfront, will open in May, a new home for the city's Ethnographic, National Shipping and Folklore Museums.
9 Stratford-upon-Avon
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (rsc.org.uk) has put the audience nearer to the action in its new 1,000-seat thrust stage auditorium.
10 Bristol
The south-west city has created M Shed (mshed.org) in an old transit shed on the wharf, in which to tell its story, from prehistoric times to now.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Meeting to discuss setting up Margate Publicity Group 17th March
A meeting will be held on Thursday March 17th at 7pm to discuss the setting up a Margate Publicity Group. The meeting will be held at The Shell Grotto on Grotto Hill.
The proposed aim for the group is to promote Margate as a high quality place to live and do business.
The invitation is open to independent businesses or sole traders in Margate, Cliftonville or Westbrook.
Initial ideas:
- To encourage inward investment that goes to the people running independent businesses.
- To foster relations with other like-minded seaside towns; to share
experiences; to inspire.
- To facilitate the ongoing creation of a sustainable and broad
tourism offer in Margate.
- To proactively and positively promote life at the seaside.
- To represent the interests of Margate’s independent businesses.
Sign up to the Facebook Group Event Page
RSVP to margateprgroup@gmail.com
The proposed aim for the group is to promote Margate as a high quality place to live and do business.
The invitation is open to independent businesses or sole traders in Margate, Cliftonville or Westbrook.
Initial ideas:
- To encourage inward investment that goes to the people running independent businesses.
- To foster relations with other like-minded seaside towns; to share
experiences; to inspire.
- To facilitate the ongoing creation of a sustainable and broad
tourism offer in Margate.
- To proactively and positively promote life at the seaside.
- To represent the interests of Margate’s independent businesses.
Sign up to the Facebook Group Event Page
RSVP to margateprgroup@gmail.com
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Red - new exhibition at CRATE
A new exhibition at CRATE featuring Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Installation and Video.
RED brings together new works made in 2011 by Margate-based artists Tom Swift and Mark John Smith.
Private view: 19 March 2011 6PM – 9PM
Exhibition continues: 19, 20, 26, 27 March 11am – 5pm
RED aims to explore the interdependencies between: gallery – museum, location and place.
Although the works on show were conceived and produced separately, they share both a common aesthetic and conceptual approach.
Tom Swift’s practice relies on a ‘make and do’ ethos. The final works shown are a reduction of this process.
Mark John Smith’s practice is concerned with the juxtaposition of the ‘elite’ with the mundane. His sculptural works include essences from 1960’s Minimalism. These key historical aesthetic signifiers are then represented through the engagement and appropriation of utilitarian objects sourced from the everyday.
TOM SWIFT
tomswift76.blogspot.com
highwallmargate.blogspot.com
MARK JOHN SMITH
markjohnsmith.com
facebook.com/markjohnsmith
Appointments are available for those requiring alternative viewing times. Please email: markjohnsmithstudio@me.com to book.
Crate Studio and Project Space
6 Bilton Square Margate CT9 1DX
Charity No: 1105867
Company Limited by Guarantee 5163003
Crate is designed to give artists access to affordable space and resources.
For further information on Crate visit: www.cratespace.co.uk
Housing Associations have identified Margate and other coastal towns as ideal investment opportunity
Following on from the post on Orbit South Housing Association's involvement in 19 Hawley Square I was reminded of a recent presentation at the Seasider event where coastal regeneration was the main topic of discussion. A speaker from Local Space housing association stated they were launching Coastal Space and that they have identified coastal towns Margate and Hastings as being good investments for expansion. What wasn't clear to me was good for who? Given our high numbers of unemployed and our housing stock being larger than average buildings (ex-hotels and guest houses, more often than not historical buildings requiring a high standard of upkeep and maintenance), and with 800+ empty properties in Margate and Cliftonville, with already low rents do we need an influx of housing associations?
Here's an article in The Guardian on the impact of the Housing Benefit cap. We will be an affordable region.
"A third of England will become unaffordable for low-income households within a decade, according to a study by two leading housing organisations."
Party on the Pier
As part of British Tourism week celebrations The Harbour Arm are putting on a series of events. Margate is a tourist town and should be celebrating its history as one of the very first to lay claim to being such a thing.
It all kicks off at 10am on Saturday the 12th of March with a talk about the history of the pier by TDC's Nick Dermott, Tug-of War, Robert Poulter's brilliant New Model Theatre and more. Really worth seeing and it's such a treat.
www.britishtourismweek.co.uk
http://www.margateharbourarm.co.uk/
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Orbit South Housing Association Vivien Knibbs speaks out for Margate
In today's Guardian, Vivien Knibbs, Managing Director of Orbit South Housing Association has defended Margate's honour in response http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/03/margate-will-thrive-again to the lazy article from Tom Dykoff I reported on last month. We also reported on the plight of Orbit owned 19 Hawley Square last month. One hopes that a bright future will also await for that building.
"Your article on Margate poignantly highlighted the significant challenges the town faces (Fun is running low. Now Margate has a dismal new claim to fame, 19 February). But claiming that "Margate may be the saddest of all" Britain's seaside towns suggests an inevitable decline which is simply not true. I firmly believe Margate has a great platform for renewal and regeneration.
In particular you describe the high street: "So forlorn is the town's retail centre that a group of A-level students walk around with clipboards, marking off the closed shops as part of their geography coursework." However, over 15 new boutiques, galleries and cafes have opened in the old town over the last 18 months.
Margate has much going for it. The location of this original seaside town is excellent. Its beautiful, sandy beaches and stunning architecture set it apart from other coastal towns. The sense of community is strong and the local authority and other agencies, including my housing association, have a deep and long-standing commitment to further regenerating the area. Crucially, there are significant and exciting plans already in place to attract new investment.
In 2009 the High Speed 1 rail link enabled commuters to travel directly to London in just under an hour and a half, and firmly placed Margate at the gateway to Europe. This has opened up the town and we're excited about what this may bring with regard to people relocating and an increase in visitors to the area.
You rightly highlighted the opening of the £20m Turner Contemporary in April, citing Jane Holbrey's comment that "the Turner gallery has been a real draw … but I think [artists and galleries] started moving in before then because of the beautiful surroundings and architecture." This is only part of the picture.
Thanet district and Kent county council plan to buy and refurbish around 300 properties with targeted investment on a street-by-street basis. This will particularly start to reverse the impact your report cited of "the handsome Victorian townhouse hotels in the Cliftonville area [which] were carved into bedsits".
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[Ed. This is 19 Hawley Square, which Orbit has proposed carving into tiny 1 bed flats and a bedsit]
Our housing association owns more than 2,800 homes and is committed to providing 300 new affordable homes over the next seven years, as well as offering training and apprenticeship opportunities to local residents.
This partnership approach is part of a long-term regeneration strategy – in collaboration with local and central government agencies and private investment – which is set to revive Margate. Shopkeeper Tamburlaine Robb-John says in your article: "There are a lot of doubters in the town but I'm hoping it will be the start of the renewal." Margate's greatest asset is its people, who have a growing sense of optimism about the future of their town.
There are no quick fixes, it will take time. But don't write Margate off just yet. We know this once-great town can grow, thrive and eventually flourish. Visit Margate for yourself and you'll see the changes that have already taken place."
"Your article on Margate poignantly highlighted the significant challenges the town faces (Fun is running low. Now Margate has a dismal new claim to fame, 19 February). But claiming that "Margate may be the saddest of all" Britain's seaside towns suggests an inevitable decline which is simply not true. I firmly believe Margate has a great platform for renewal and regeneration.
In particular you describe the high street: "So forlorn is the town's retail centre that a group of A-level students walk around with clipboards, marking off the closed shops as part of their geography coursework." However, over 15 new boutiques, galleries and cafes have opened in the old town over the last 18 months.
Margate has much going for it. The location of this original seaside town is excellent. Its beautiful, sandy beaches and stunning architecture set it apart from other coastal towns. The sense of community is strong and the local authority and other agencies, including my housing association, have a deep and long-standing commitment to further regenerating the area. Crucially, there are significant and exciting plans already in place to attract new investment.
In 2009 the High Speed 1 rail link enabled commuters to travel directly to London in just under an hour and a half, and firmly placed Margate at the gateway to Europe. This has opened up the town and we're excited about what this may bring with regard to people relocating and an increase in visitors to the area.
You rightly highlighted the opening of the £20m Turner Contemporary in April, citing Jane Holbrey's comment that "the Turner gallery has been a real draw … but I think [artists and galleries] started moving in before then because of the beautiful surroundings and architecture." This is only part of the picture.
Thanet district and Kent county council plan to buy and refurbish around 300 properties with targeted investment on a street-by-street basis. This will particularly start to reverse the impact your report cited of "the handsome Victorian townhouse hotels in the Cliftonville area [which] were carved into bedsits".
[Ed. This is 19 Hawley Square, which Orbit has proposed carving into tiny 1 bed flats and a bedsit]
Our housing association owns more than 2,800 homes and is committed to providing 300 new affordable homes over the next seven years, as well as offering training and apprenticeship opportunities to local residents.
This partnership approach is part of a long-term regeneration strategy – in collaboration with local and central government agencies and private investment – which is set to revive Margate. Shopkeeper Tamburlaine Robb-John says in your article: "There are a lot of doubters in the town but I'm hoping it will be the start of the renewal." Margate's greatest asset is its people, who have a growing sense of optimism about the future of their town.
There are no quick fixes, it will take time. But don't write Margate off just yet. We know this once-great town can grow, thrive and eventually flourish. Visit Margate for yourself and you'll see the changes that have already taken place."
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
£2 million public money - demo in Pierremont Park
I got this from over Broadstairs way:
" A demonstration against the cutting down of trees in a Broadstairs park has been organised for this Sunday 6th March at 11am.
Twenty trees in Broadstairs' Pierremont Park are threatened with the axe in order to make way for a controversial new £2 million community centre in Broadstairs' historic Pierremont Park. Norman Thomas of pressure group, the Thanet Action Group, said there is huge anger among local people at the proposal. He said: "People are outraged by the whole idea. Pierremont is an incredibly small park – losing twenty trees will scalp the place."
The Trust who recently won planning permission to build the new centre have stated that they will replace the trees by planting semi-mature ones – but Mr Thomas denied this will be any compensation for the destruction proposed. "The only places the new plantings can take place will be in open ground used for games. They won't last five minutes. The council has given the go-ahead to nothing less than a desecration of one of Broadstairs' few remaining green public spaces. This isn't just an issue for Broadstairs," Mr Thomas added. "Thanet as a whole has lost vast numbers of trees and green spaces in recent years, mostly to private development. But this is being funded by our own councils – Broadstairs Town Council, Thanet District Council and Kent County Council – all putting our money into the destruction of a piece of much loved public space. This is environmental vandalism of the worse kind – committed by our elected representatives, with our money.
Anger over the new proposal has led to the revival of the Thanet Action Group, first set up to oppose the Westwood Cross shopping centre, of which Mr Thomas was one of the founding members. The demonstration will take place at 11am on Sunday 6th March, with people meeting in the wooden shelter in the park. Mr Thomas said: "If possible, people should bring placards and ribbons to put round the trees, but above all anyone who wants to save our park should just come to make their voices heard."
More information – Norman Thomas, 01843 604253 THANET ACTION GROUP 11 Grosvenor Road, Broadstairs, KENT CT10 2BT
In the media: Turner Could be World Renowned
An article from Kent News asks whether Turner will bring change to Margate.
But I wonder if these changes will really be driven by Turner or more a sign of the times.
Isn't it more the case that British Tourism is changing, as are the lives of the general population?
People now eat quality food at home, enjoy clean homes, sleep in good beds and linen and have nice bathrooms with hot running water and good showers. The tourism industry cannot offer people less than they have at home. They have a choice on where to visit. No longer do seaside resorts have a captive audience. And in the era of Trip Advisor, people find out about other people's bad experiences very quickly.
"Changing attitudes is perhaps the biggest challenge any politician, any opinion-maker, anywhere, faces.
Altering the way people live, interact and behave can rarely be achieved overnight, more often taking a generation to truly bed in.
After all, we all learn methods and modes of behaviour from our parents and grandparents. It takes them to change, to ensure the next generation alters its mindset too.
All of which brings us to what is being expected of the good folk of Thanet right now.
The arrival of the Turner Contemporary has long since split opinion, long since divided the local populace.
But whatever your view on it, a change in the way we act is being demanded.
However pessimistic many are about quite what its opening will mean, how successful, in the long term, it will prove, the one thing that is certain is that it will open the gates to a flood of visitors.
It is a genuine pivotal moment in Margate’s, in particular, history. But to ensure its opening benefits the whole area that different mindset is being required.
Tourism chiefs are urging a sea change in our approach to visitors. Taxi drivers are being required to be more cheerful and helpful, ditto owners of hotels and bed and breakfasts. Other attractions on the isle too are being urged to up their game.
The purpose? To ensure those people travelling to Margate for the first time to visit the art gallery head back down the Thanet Way feeling that they want to return. That they had a good day out and they want to come back and spend more time, and crucially money, in our area.
It makes good sense, after all. The local economy is in desperate need of a boost. To re-activate tourism as a major draw could transform our towns once again. But you don’t need telling that. That has long since been the mantra recited time and time again with every passing mention of the Turner’s arrival.
It would be so very easy, after all, to say that an art gallery cannot, alone, transform an area single-handedly. And the answer is, of course, that alone, it cannot. But it can provide the catalyst for change. Yet it is our attitudes which must change too. We must be open to the concepts of being more friendly, more welcoming. Of proving to visitors far and wide that where we live deserves far more recognition that simply being an area cited as the classic example of a once boom area in a terminal decline due to cheap flights and a changing populace brought about by a lack of local industry and cheaper house prices.
The reality is that if we all shrug our shoulders and say ‘come on Turner, you do all the hard work and we expect to see the changes’ it won’t happen. We’ll just be known as the declining seaside town which even turned its back on a golden opportunity too.
So let us all pull together for our mutual benefit. Let us all embrace the changes and give it a chance to transform our lives. A chance to bring visitors back to our towns, a chance to prove to retailers they should once again be in our town centres occupying empty shops, that this great, beautiful isle is worthy of praise and not patronising comments and sneers."
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
The Countess of Huntingdon's Burial Ground - Community Gardening Day, Sunday 20th March
There will be a voluntary community gardening day on
Sunday March 20th from 12pm - 4pm.
Meet at the gated entrance to the site at the side of BT and the Post Office Sorting Office on Addington Square, Margate.
The newly formed Friends Group invite the community to come and discover one of Margate's hidden gems. The day is being supported by TDC and Kent Wildlife Trust.
We need your help to bring this secret garden back to life. Help clear the site and get involved with the project for the future. There will be activities for kids and all the family.
Gloves and tools will be provided but please wear stout footwear and something warm
Free hot drinks and snacks round the fire. Food and drink also provided by "The Old Comrades” and their beloved "ELLIE" campervan
For more information contact:
thecountessofhuntingdons@gmail.com / 07932 713292
paul.pearce@kentwildlifetrust.org.uk / 07872 028947
The Friends of the Countess of Huntingdon's Burial Ground on Facebook. Please join us!
Download a PDF poster to distribute.
There will also be a planning meeting with elections for group officer positions on Friday March 4th at 7pm at The Harbour Cafe, The Parade, Margate.
Thank you TDC. Cliftonville Seafront is wonderfully clean
We hope it will be maintained and that funds can be found to install vandal proof dog poo bins and litter bins along that stretch. There are many bins placed at Minnis Bay, so one hopes that this could be replicated along this stretch in Cliftonville.
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