Thanatos - Isle of the dead

Nice little feature on BBC Kent today regarding the origins of the Isle. There is a reference to a fact I'd not realised that Thanet has more Bronze Age burial grounds than anywhere in Britain.

In March there was the discovery of a Bronze Age skeleton at Monkton where the new salad growing glasshouses will go.

Harbour Arm opening weekend

Thank goodness the weather was better on Friday and Saturday than today. The opening of the Harbour Arm works has gone off with a real success. Lovely to see it all come together. They really pulled it off at the eleventh hour.

IOTA Gallery put on a great exhibition of works with the promise of more quality contemporary art to come. Sorry it's gone from Ramsgate, folks, but it's just the kind of organisation needed by Margate if it's to live up to the arts being at the centre of regeneration.

The renovations of the fishermen's sheds look to be great quality. The idea of swapping out the top hatch loading doors for glass panels has worked brilliantly.

Spending time at the end of the Arm it's clear what a great view of Margate this is and how the cafe bar at the end will be one of the best spots in town. Immediately at the water's edge without traffic in between you, your thoughts and the view of Margate.

On Saturday there were foodstalls, which I hope will continue on a regular basis (although no info on that yet). There is a lack of small food shops in central Margate and a weekly food market could be a real draw for visitors and a positive addition to the town.


Last night's celebrations were topped off with a firework display that was simply stunning. So yes, I'm a bit gushing about the new kid in town, but it's well deserved. It came together from conception to realisation in record time. I look forward to many happy hours spent looking back to Margate and seeing it all come together.

Sunday School wins Town Pride award

The Emmanuel Church Sunday School on Addington Square is pictured in last week's Adscene. The article states that it is referred to as "an accomplished conversion" and further "This property could easily have been pulled down and a block of flats put in its place".

There seems to be an assumption that if a building is merely converted into flats that it is somehow worthy of an award and that permission would have been granted for it to be demolished.

Why would a building like this have been earmarked for demolition?

It resides in a designated Conservation Area and the criteria for permission to demolish are pretty clear. Demolition would only be permitted if what replaces it would add or enhance the Conservation Area. The loss of a historical building of this nature would have been a pretty high cost when the area is already full to overflowing with converted flats.

Here's how the building looked before renovation:


The not substantial building now houses three flats with the new upper floors cutting across the windows. Personally, I'm unsure why this is referred to as an accomplished conversion.

Elephants ahoy!

Marvelous footage posted over at Eastcliff Dicky's site from Margate's own Mr Bling. Relating to my earlier post, Mr Bling has unearthed footage of mechanical elephants in action.

Sorry I've not been posting much the last few weeks. Have been up to my ears in the proverbial. Hoping that service will resume with more fervour in the summer.

One thing I've been mulling over is to start a Margate or Thanet events calendar in Google Calendar. If people think this is a good idea, perhaps send me details of your event and I can add it. I know I've missed out on a few events of late through not hearing about them in time.

Dreamcoaster Event

The Save Dreamland Campaign have announced details of an event in team with Limbo Arts for a fund raising event, celebrating Dreamland's heritage. The event will take place at Substation in Bilton Square. People are invited to bring in bits of wood to help construct an artistic version of the scenic. The build week is 23-30 May and the exhibition from 31 May - 7th June. Get foraging in those sheds! Your own shed, of course!

KCC to sue Turner 1 architects

Heads up from Ramsgate's finest that KCC is to take legal action over original Turner Contemporary scheme.

It seems KCC is hell bent on regaining some of the £6m it spent on the ill fated scheme from the architects. I wonder what chance they have?

Giant horse proposed for Ebbsfleet

Some lighter news: Giant horse proposed for Ebbsfleet.