Turner Contemporary announces 2013 exhibition programme

After an extraordinary 18 months that has generated over 750,000 visits, Turner Contemporary is delighted to announce its 2013 exhibition programme. The programme includes a combination of contemporary and historic art, with works by JWM Turner included in every exhibition. In 2013, the gallery presents:            Carl Andre: Mass & Matter 1 February – 6 May 2013   A selection of sculptures and typed poems from the 1960s and 1970s by one of the most influential sculptors of the twentieth century.         Rosa Barba: Subject to Constant Change 1 February – 6 May 2013 An exhibition of works, including a significant new film installation, by this leading international artist, who takes a sculptural approach to film. In partnership with Cornerhouse, Manchester.         Turner’ s Perspective:  Selected by Rosa Barba 1 February - 6 May 2013 JMW Turner was Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy for thirty years. This exhibition presents lesser known drawings made to illustrate his lectures, selected by artist Rosa Barba.           Curiosity: Art and the Pleasures of Knowing 25 May – 15 September 2013 An exhibition that playfully crosses the boundaries between art, science, literature, philosophy and popular culture, exploring the themes of fascination, inquiry, obsession, monstrosity and invention. A Hayward Touring and Turner Contemporary exhibition in association with Cabinet magazine, curated by Brian Dillon.  The exhibition will move to Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery 28 September – 5 January 2014, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin March – April 2014 and de Appel, Amsterdam June – August 2014.      Turner and Constable:   sketching from nature   Works from the Tate collection October 2013 - January 2014 A major exhibition showing approximately 50 works by Turner, Constable and their contemporaries. The exhibition offers a unique exploration of how the art of oil sketching in the landscape, rather than in the studio, became fashionable in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The exhibition is in partnership with Tate and will show at Compton Verney 13 July – 22 September 2013.       Maria Nepomuceno: Tempo para Respirar (Breathing Time) Until 17 March 2013 Turner Contemporary’s second Sunley Gallery commission by Brazilian artist Maria Nepomuceno. Nepomuceno creates exuberant sculptures from everyday materials such as rope, beads, straw, ceramic, and found furniture. Using craft techniques from her native Brazil and wider South America, these materials are woven, braided and sewn into coils, resulting in colourful organic forms that drape, hang and crawl across the floor and walls of the ground floor gallery. The artwork has been made with help from local artists and makers.           Juan Muñoz: Conversation Piece III, 2001 26 March – 3 November 2013 Juan Muñoz is known for his unsettling sculptures of individuals or groups placed in architectural settings. Figures from his Conversation Piece series (groups of bronze or resin figures are arranged in carefully staged groupings, apparently frozen mid-conversation) will be installed in this double height space overlooking the North Sea. Like many of Munoz’ figures, they are slightly smaller than life-sized, playing with our sense of scale and perspective.

High Street Swap Shop

A group of local Thanet residents invites you to an afternoon Swap Shop on Saturday 8th December at 60 High Street in Margate.

Thanet in Transition, who wants a better future for us all, together with the Streets Ahead Margate hub welcomes all of you with anything to swap - and will even serve up free hot drinks. 

Open from 2pm-4pm they hope that toys, clothes and anything from the house and garden will be brought along and swapped in this run-up to Christmas.

"We all have to tighten our belts right now" says Thanet in Transition member Mariette Castellino "And this is a good chance to trade unwanted things for something more useful".

"All we ask is that what you bring is clean and usable" added fellow member Sue Kennedy. "And please bring your own shopping bags".

Rox Tesla, from Streets Ahead Margate said “We’re delighted to support organizations such as Transition in Thanet with our free hub space.”

Thanet in Transition is planning more events that enable people to come together to share and learn to live more sustainably. Instead of buying more, they encourage people to recycle and reduce their carbon footprint while having fun.

Thanet in Transition is part of a global Transition Movement that creates community-led activities to help achieve a 'soft-landing' to a real and sustainable future.

MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

Canterbury and Whitstable Stop the Cuts have been campaigning, for several months, about the threats to local Mental Health services.  Prompted by the threatened closures of Laurel House and Durham House Community Mental Health Centres (CMHC’s) and reduction of in –patient beds across Kent, a petition with over 2000 signatures, collected from people in Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and Faversham,  was presented to Ms Angela McNab, the Chief Executive of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care partnership trust.

Campaigners have now had the opportunity to speak to some of the practitioners who work in these threatened centres.  Whilst wishing to remain anonymous, several expressed concern that the needs of service users will not be met under the future proposal that they will receive treatment in the home.  One employee of the Trust said  

“It is a rationalisation to assert that home is the best place for treatment to take place when this argument is advanced only after it is noticed that this will save the Trust money. Home is not the best place to treat people because many are trapped in their homes by their conditions and fear of the outside world. Taking people out of their homes is an absolute necessity as a re/introduction to the world beyond the front door.”

In response to our petition, Ms Mcnab has stated that in order to operate within the allocated budget that efficiencies can be made by making best use of their estate.   Unconvincingly she also asserted that closures have nothing to do with the economic climate but that changes are being made because “they are the right way to develop services”.

Ms Mcnab {has} also responded to the issue of in-patient services.  Canterbury and Whitstable Stop the Cuts have been concerned about reports of local people having to access beds far away from their home because of an overall shortage of beds across Kent.  She states that KMPT is currently reviewing the responses to a public consultation exercise to gather the views of people on the future of acute services for adults.  But, wards in Ashford have already been closed and people from as far away as the Tunbridge wells area are now being treated in the new St Martin’s Unit because of a shortage of beds across Kent.

Canterbury and Whitstable Stop the Cuts campaign remains concerned about the state of local mental Health Services. However, the campaign will now continue under the umbrella campaign of East Kent Keep Our NHS Public. EKONP is campaigning against privatisation of the NHS and for all health services to remain publicly accountable. Within the EKONP campaign we will be watching with particular vigilance for the impact of cuts and privatisation on services for people with mental health problems and learning difficulties.  EKONP will hold KMPT to account for any failure to meet their needs.

 

New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Bleak House

Bleak House, the former holiday home of novelist Charles Dickens,
which opened recently as a restaurant with rooms, has announced
details of its New Year’s Eve black tie dinner.

The evening, which begins with a champagne cocktail reception,
features a five-course gourmet dinner with a cabaret featuring tribute
acts to Michael Bublé, Frank Cabaret, Dean Martin and Neil Diamond.
The evening’s grand finale will be a spectacular fireworks display on
the terrace overlooking Viking Bay. Tickets £90.

The venue offers a uniquely historic setting made famous by the author
of A Christmas Carol, and with it popularised created many of the
‘traditions’ we now regard as essential to festive celebrations, Bleak
House is unique.  This year marked the centenary of the Victorian
author’s birth.

The former museum and private residence, now operates as a boutique
B+B, restaurant, museum and tea rooms with spectacular sea views.
Bleak House is also available for private hire.

Now owned by the Hilton family, who have lovingly restored the
property to its former glory, Bleak House, which retains many original
features and antique furnishings, offers a truly unique setting.

“The brass bed in the luxurious Dickens Suite was once slept in by
Queen Victoria, although we have changed the sheets and replaced the
mattress,” said Nicola Hilton.

Bleak House is also taking orders for its a four-course menu,
Christmas Day lunch with “all the trimmings for £79.95 (under 12s
£39.95) and its Christmas Party Menu from 1st December for £37.50 a
head.

For guests looking for over night stays, a double room with breakfast
costs from £135 a night.  Bleak House is also offering a third night’s
accommodation for free on two-night bookings until March 2013.

‘Nancy’s’ tea rooms offers cream tea’s, daily specials, snacks and
selection of Nellie’s delicious home made cakes, pastries, sandwiches
and baguettes.

Home cooked Sunday lunches are served between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm.
One courses £9.95, two courses £12.95.

Editor’s Notes:  Photos and menus available

The house offers 6 bedrooms.  Four luxurious en-suites range from £135
a night for the ‘Little Dorit’ superior room, £155 for the ‘Fagin
Suite’, £295 for the ‘Copperfield Bridal Suite’ to the £295 ‘Charles
Dickens Suite’.

About Bleak House
Built in 1801, the cliff top Fort House as it was known then, was the
home of the local fort captain during the Napoleonic wars. It was
renamed Bleak House in 1870 on Dickens’s death, it was turned into a
museum by way of tribute to the author before going into private
ownership.
From 1837 to 1859 Dickens leased the six-bedroomed property for his
family's summer holidays, spending a least a month here or over 20
years.  At the time he lived 20 miles away at Gad's Hill Place at
Higham, near Chatham, Kent.
He wrote David Copperfield at Bleak House, plus chapters of Nicholas
Nickelby, Barnaby Rudge and Oliver Twist and was inspired to write his
1952 novel ‘Bleak House’, which is set in Bedfordshire.
A spectacular wedding venue – Bleak House is licensed for civil
ceremonies – the entire property can be rented as a family holiday
home for between £5,000 for a weekend and £12,000 a week.  A private
chef, butler and maid can also be provided as part of the package.
Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm. Guided Tours cost £4 for adults and £2
for children under 12.   The cellar is home to a gruesome Smuggling
Museum.  The Charles Dickens lounge bar is open from 12.00 noon to
10.00pm.
Bleak House, Fort Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1EY
T: 01843 865 338  M:  07974 131 375
enquiries@bleakhousebroadstairs.co.uk  www.bleakhousebroadstairs.co.uk
Media contact:  To arrange a press tour, overnight stay or restaurant
review call George Shaw at Avocado Media on 01892 750 851
geo@avocadomedia.co.uk


-- 
George Shaw
Avocado Media

MLTC Snaps Up Trophy Brace At Thanet Sports Awards

Margate Lawn Tennis Club has landed a pair of Winners trophies in the highly prestigious Thanet Sports Awards 2012. Head Coach David Houseman won the Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by the KM Group and George Buckmaster picked up the TDC Sport Matters Inspire Pride Achievement Award.

The Awards were made at a special presentation ceremony at Margate’s Winter Gardens on November 21, compared by Academy FM’s Johnny Lewis and featuring guest speaker Team GB Olympic Taekwondo Gold Medallist Jade Jones.

 Highly qualified Level 4 LTA Coach David Houseman snapped up the award from stiff competition for transforming the coaching and competition programme for juniors at Margate Lawn Tennis Club where he achieved a 150% increase in junior membership. He also introduced new adult tennis opportunities for new intermediate players whilst also heading up a targeted outreach programme for local schools.

George Buckmaster, who won an Inspire Pride Achievement Award, is an extremely active ‘senior’ at Margate Lawn Tennis Club. Not only is George prominent in club and competition tennis, he also encourages junior and adult beginners. He is also the Club’s Mr Fixit, the ultimate handyman, tirelessly carrying out repairs and essential jobs for love of the club. Moreover George has single handedly transformed a virtually derelict ‘middle hut’ building into a very usable place for Club juniors.

“David and George thoroughly deserve these awards,” comments Margate Lawn Tennis Club Chairman John Taylor. “Their selfless effort and resultant success for the Club’s benefit are immense and testament to just what can be achieved, adding strength to the club: David by building on club membership and George by ensuring that there indeed continues to be a club to come to. The entire Club thanks them for their individual effort and congratulates them, on their awards.”  

The Thanet Sports Initiative, now ranked as one of the biggest celebrated awards in the district, is designed to promote the work and effort put into Thanet sports activities. According to Martyn Cassell, Chairman of the Thanet Sport Network, this year’s awards has seen an incredibly diverse range of candidates. “The quality was phenomenal,” he says. The judging panel comprised Thanet Sport Network members and sponsors.

Margate Lawn Tennis Club brings a high level of tennis to the community at both social and competition levels covering East Kent and Kent Leagues with individual members even playing at national team and event levels. With its six all-weather hard courts, it offers all year round play, encouraging juniors of all levels to play. With various coaching schemes in place for juniors and adults, the club welcomes prospective new members. 

COUNCIL UPDATE ON LIVE ANIMAL EXPORTS

Following legal advice, Thanet District Council has today (Thursday 29 November) had to unilaterally lift its temporary ban on the movement of live animal exports out of the Port of Ramsgate with immediate effect. On this basis, the council has also invited the transporters and owners of the Joline to drop their legal proceedings, which as they currently stand, would see a judicial review of the council’s decision to impose a temporary ban heard at the High Court on Tuesday 11 December. This follows legal advice which reveals that, in the eyes of the law, the basis on which the ban had originally been imposed could no longer be sustained. The council’s decision also comes in the wake of news that Defra has been undertaking a review into the circumstances and procedures of the transportation of live animals following the incident on 12 September, which saw over 40 animals slaughtered at the Port. Although still underway, it is very unlikely that the review will require additional facilities to be provided at or by the Port. Instead this will focus on revisions to the current arrangements. From the council’s point of view, this is a significant factor to be taken into account when deciding whether to continue with the legal case. Cabinet Member, Cllr Michelle Fenner, said: “Our position has always been to work within the legal framework to ensure the welfare of animals. The decision to impose the temporary ban at the Port was not taken lightly, following the horrific incidents in September, and we still consider this action to have been correct. “In terms of now having to lift the ban, our hand has again been forced as we are duty bound to act in accordance with the law. We have to consider our absolute obligation to protect the public purse. “As we’ve done everything in our power to get to this point, it is disappointing, however we have worked extremely hard in recent months and will continue to push the agencies involved in whatever legal way we can to ensure that the welfare of animals is protected.”

Spectacular Sports Awards

The fourth annual Thanet Sports Awards took place Wednesday 21 November and celebrated the very best of Thanet’s sporting community.

Taking place at Margate’s Winter Gardens, the awards were attended by taekwondo star and Olympic gold medallist at London 2012, Jade Jones.

Thanet District Council organised the awards in collaboration with the Thanet Sports Network, in a celebration of ‘all things sport’ achieved at a local level. Family, friends, sports coaches, teachers and sports professionals were asked to nominate individuals and teams from the whole range of sports in the district, covering all age groups.

Academy FM breakfast DJ Johnny Lewis hosted the evening’s proceedings, which saw winners – and those highly commended – acknowledged in 14 separate categories, including Coach of the Year and Club of the Year.

Thanet District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr Iris Johnston, said: “Once again the Thanet Sports Awards proved to be an amazing success and I’m thrilled for all those involved.

“The Thanet Sports Awards have shown the extraordinary range of talent and enthusiasm that exists within the area, and I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved. These awards represent the very best in our community and we should all feel very proud of such an achievement.”

She added: “I’d like to pay particular thanks to our special guest, Olympic gold medallist, Jade Jones for her inspirational answers given in the Q&A part of the evening. Her enthusiasm, motivation and tenacity conveyed in her words captivated everyone in the audience, and I’m sure her words inspired all who were present.”

Jade Jones said: “It was a really good evening. I couldn’t believe the amount of talent that exists within Thanet and I was so impressed by everyone’s enthusiasm.”

Orbit Housing sponsored two of the categories – ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Unsung Hero’. Karen Campbell, Orbit’s Community Investment Officer, said: “Orbit is proud to sponsor the Thanet Sports Awards, we believe that focusing on the positive aspects of our residents and their communities bring balance to negative stereotyping.”

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT WORLD AIDS DAY IS DECEMBER 1st 2012

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

WORLD AIDS DAY IS DECEMBER 1st 2012

 

Since I received an Aids Phobic voice mail from an ultra stupid Thanet Councillor saying “With a bit of luck you’ll get aids” I have had an unusually high amount of politically motivated standards complaints made against me costing the tax payer thousands of pounds on failed investigations. However, now is the time for something good to come out of this foolishness; I would like to appeal to both those that made the failed complaints and the independent investigators that were hired, to put this nonsense behind them and make a donation to the Terrence Higgins Trust on December 1st 2012 World Aids Day…

NO MORE NONSENSE! Lets stop the hate – its time to donate! 

http://www.tht.org.uk/our-charity/Donate

 Councillor John Worrow
Thanet Independent Equalities Spokesman

New planning applications,

The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet 

Date Published*	Application No.	Address	Status
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0719	69 WESTFIELD ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5PA	decided
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0859	57 ALPHA ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9ED	current
26 Nov 2012	OL/TH/12/0875	LAND FORMERLY USED AS CLUB UNION CONVALESCENT HOME, READING STREET, BROADSTAIRS	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0924	31 SANDWICH ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT12 5HX	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0899	173A PERCY AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3LE	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0896	23 THE HAWTHORNS, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2NG	current
26 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0886	10 KINGSGATE CASTLE, JOSS GAP ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3PH	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0885	10 KINGSGATE CASTLE, JOSS GAP ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3PH	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0874	EAGLE HOUSE, THE PARADE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LZ	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0854	69 MONKTON ROAD, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4EE	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0765	LAND ADJACENT 30 AND 32 HIGH STREET AND 9, CAVENDISH STREET, RAMSGATE	unknown
21 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0891	CHALK GARDEN THE LENGTH ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70PJ	current
21 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0907	CHALK GARDEN, THE LENGTH, ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE, KENT	current
21 Nov 2012	A/TH/12/0890	PARKLAND ESTATES 131 NORTHDOWN ROAD CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT92QY	current
20 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0883	16 MARINE DRIVE AND 42, HIGH STREET, MARGATE, CT9 1DS	current
20 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0881	157B HERESEON ROAD RAMSGATE CT11 7DU	current
20 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0832	LAND NORTH OF SOLAR PARK, EBBSFLEET LANE, RAMSGATE	current
20 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0856	60 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9RA	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0876	71 ROYAL ESPLANADE MARGATE CT95ET	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0739	3 FORT CRESCENT, MARGATE, CT91HN	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0793	20 ALBION ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102UP	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0860	the centre, newington, ramsgate	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0866	20 RIVERS COURT DURLOCK MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124EZ	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0872	27 ST. PETERS COURT BROADSTAIRS CT102UU	current
19 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0884	THE DINGLE NORTH FORELAND AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103QR	current
19 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0833	GRANVILLE HOUSE, VICTORIA PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8DF	current
19 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0852	3 FORT CRESCENT, MARGATE, CT91HN	current
19 Nov 2012	A/TH/12/0880	MCDONALDS RESTAURANT AND DRIVE THROUGH, LAUNDRY ROAD, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4HY	current
16 Nov 2012	A/TH/12/0780	THANET COLLEGE RAMSGATE ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101PN	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0415	74 CRESCENT ROAD RAMSGATE CT119QY	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0812	25 HIGH STREET MARGATE CT91DL	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0816	10 RYDERS AVENUE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88LN	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0842	69 HERESON ROAD RAMSGATE CT117DS	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0849	78 WEST CLIFF ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101PY	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0862	90 RYDAL AVENUE RAMSGATE CT110PZ	current
16 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0871	10 PYSONS ROAD RAMSGATE CT126TR	current
16 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0845	143 MINNIS ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79NS	current

* This date is when Thanet District Council first published this case file.

EMERGENCY MEETING TO DEBATE THREAT TO HEALTH SERVICES IN THANET MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON WED DEC 5 AT 7.30PM

An emergency meeting has been called to discuss what government changes in the NHS will mean to people in Thanet.

The meeting has been called by Save Our Health Service, a new campaigning group, which has been formed to safeguard health services in Thanet.

Speakers will include Dr Ron Singer, President of the Medical Practitioners Union, Peter Holloway, a medical worker from the Medway and consultant psychiatrist Dr Dick Symonds,

Local film-maker Christine Tongue, who is a member of Save Our Health Service, said: “This is meeting comes at a critical time for our local health services. The new Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group which will take over control commissioning health services here now claims to be consulting the public about their future plans.

“This may mean big changes for the future of QEQM Hospital and the other health services in our area. We have to understand what’s happening and organise to give people in Thanet a real voice in the decisions that are being made.

“Many fear that the changes will mean increasing privatisation of the NHS, giving it over to outfits like Virgin and American company. The only way we can stop that is we if start organising now.” 

The meeting is on Wednesday, December 5 at 7.30pm at the Red Hall, 11 Grosvenor Road, Broadstairs CT10 2BT.

More information from Christine Tongue on 01843 604 253.or email inmeds@yahoo.co.uk

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

• 27/11/2012 - Meeting scheduled: Tuesday, 27th November, 2012 10.45 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 27/11/2012 - Meeting scheduled: Tuesday, 27th November, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Board
• 21/11/2012 - Meeting held: Wednesday, 21st November, 2012 7.00 pm, Planning Committee
• 20/11/2012 - Meeting held: Tuesday, 20th November, 2012 6.00 pm, East Kent Hospitals Clinical Strategy Review Task & Finish Group
• 20/11/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Tuesday, 6th November, 2012 6.00 pm, Corporate Improvement & Budget Working Party

Thanet District Council licensing applications,

Name of Applicant / Club	Address of Premises / Club	Nature of application. New or variation	Proposed licensable activities / or proposed variation	Date by which representations may be made (no less than 28 days after date received)
Mr Anasooyathevy Anandasundaram	108 King Street, Ramsgate CT11 8PA	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	29 November 2012
Martin McColl Limited	57 Station Road, Birchington CT7 9DJ	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	06 December 2012
Salmestone Grange Limited	Nash Road, Margate CT9 4BX	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	10 December 2012
Mr Krishnapillai Saseenthiran	Rzi Restaurant, 49 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2RN	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol and late night refreshment	13 December 2012
Charlotte Russell & Joanna Cornford	Fredericks Tearoom, Carlton Cinema, 29 St Mildreds Road, Westgate on Sea CT8 8RE	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	18 December 2012
Charlotte Russell & Joanna Cornford	Carlton Cinema, (Upper Floor) 29 St Mildreds Road, Westgate on Sea CT8 8RE	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	18 December 2012

Come and join in the Christmas fun

Margate is the place to be on the evening of Friday 30 November.

The Thanet Visitor Information Centre will be welcoming shoppers to their special shopping evening at The Droit House from 5pm to 8pm.

Delicious free samples and tasters will be available from local producers such as Quex Barn, Quex Foods, The Chocolate Pod and Little Stour Orchard. 

Plus there will be a free prize draw with the following great prizes to be won:
- Four x family tickets to see 'A Christmas Carol' at the Theatre Royal, Margate
- Two x return tickets to London with National Express coaches
- Two x return tickets to Paris with Eurolines Coaches
- Two x tickets for 'Aladdin' at the Winter Gardens, Margate
- Two x tickets to 'GEEK 2013'

This VIC shopping event has been timed to complement a range of late night events taking place in the original seaside town on 30 November, as well as late night opening of many shops in Margate’s Old Town.

All of this will be taking place on the night that Turner Contemporary Christmas light switch-on takes place. A gospel choir will kick off the festive period in style, and the art gallery will also be open late to celebrate the finale of Maria Nepomuceno's Tempo para Respirar (Breathing Time), which has been exhibited since September 2012.

Thanet District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr Iris Johnston said: “It’s important for the VIC to be part of a town-wide festive event. Staying open until 8pm will give busy shoppers a fantastic opportunity to come along to see the wide range of gifts we have on offer, as well as giving out free samples of the delicious local produce we stock.

“It’s also a great way to remind everyone of the broad range of services and assistance the team can provide to locals, as well as visitors. This includes information and bookings for local accommodation, attractions, transport, entertainment and events.  We’re also really excited to promote some lovely gifts, many of which are produced in Thanet or Kent.”

The Visitor Information Centre is open all year round. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm, during October to March and open seven days a week between April and September. The staff are here to answer all of your questions and queries about the range of activities to help plan your trips around Thanet, as well as selling a range of gifts and souvenirs. To find out more, please contact the team on 01843 577577, email visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk or visit the website www.visitthanet.co.uk

Council saves pub from demolition

The Northdown public house had been saved from demolition by Thanet District Council’s refusal to approve planning permission that – had it been given – would have sealed the building’s fate.
Situated on the Palm Bay estate, Margate, The Northdown was built in the 1970s and was once a focal point for the local community.  But in 2008 it was closed and sold to a developer. Subsequently, the developer submitted a planning application to demolish the pub and build 12 houses in its place.
However, the council refused permission on the grounds that it would result in the loss of a valued local community facility. Designs for the part of the proposed housing were also deemed, by the council, to be poor .
The developer submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, and a Secretary of State-appointed Inspector held a public hearing at the council offices on Wednesday 17 October. Many local residents came to the well-attended hearing and backed the council’s decision.
But the appeal was dismissed by the Inspector on Monday 19 November, who supported the council’s decision. He said that The Northdown was valued community facility, and that there was no adequate alternative provision available.
In his concluding report, the Inspector said that the planning system can play an important role in facilitating social interaction and creating healthy and inclusive communities. He also noted considerable local opposition.
Thanet District Council’s Cabinet member for Housing and Planning, Cllr David Green, said: “For many years, The Northdown was more than just a pub – it also served as an invaluable hub for the community. Sadly, the pub business has closed and local people have lost a resource.
“But the council has always firmly believed that The Northdown has an integral role to play in the future of the community, and that’s why we’re very happy with the Inspector’s decision.”
He added: “We’re extremely grateful for the support that we’ve receive from members of the public, particularly those who were able to attend the Hearing and put their concerns to the Inspector. They shared our concerns, and collectively, we’ve managed to save The Northdown and give the building a future.”

Ramsgate Port Hijacked by “Pirates of Caribbean”

Ramsgate Port Hijacked by “Pirates of Caribbean”

Less than 48 hours after foul weather forced it to return to Ramsgate, the live animal export ship Jolene forced it way out of the port amidst scenes described by local Councillor Ian Driver as being like “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Said Driver “according  to inside  information I have received 4 lorries packed with 1,500 sheep arrived at  Ramsgate Harbour on Friday afternoon without giving the normal prior notice. The port authorities refused the ship permission to load because it had not followed procedures and the lorries were ordered to leave.

“It  then appears that the Jolene turned off its radio to avoid receiving orders from the harbour master  and deliberately blockaded  the port, forcing two wind farm vessels to  take emergency avoiding action as they tried to access their berths”.

“I understand that Thanet Council legal officers  arrived at  the Port and overruled the port authorities, allowing the ship to be loaded and to leave. If this is true, I am extremely disappointed  with Thanet Council’s legal officers. They appear to have caved in to the exporters abuse of  proper processes, and their piratical blockade of  the port which recklessly caused  danger to other vessels.

“The question in my mind is who is running  the Port of Ramsgate Thanet Council or a gang of animal exporters, some of whom have criminal records for animal abuse and some of whom are under investigation for potential criminal acts.”

The short notice departure meant that the Police were unable to attend the port and the RSPCA could not get their inspectors to Ramsgate in time to check the animals.

Councillor Driver said that he would be calling for a full investigation into what had gone wrong on Friday and would be checking to see  whether the captain of the Jolene can be prosecuted for his outrageous actions”.

Inaugural Platform graduate art award recipient announced

23 November 2012   View in browser

Inaugural Platform graduate art award recipient announced

Artist Joella Wheatley was announced last night as the inaugural recipient of the Platform Graduate Award 2012. The 22 year old was presented with the award at Modern Art Oxford by artist Lindsay Seers for her work - a series of intense paintings that explore the mind as a channel for restructuring the concept of space.   Victoria Pomery, Acting Chair of Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) South East and Director, Turner Contemporary said:   ‘We look forward to seeing how Joella will build on this opportunity in her future career. CVAN South East would like to see Platform continue to develop closer working relationships between South East galleries and their local Higher Education institutions while providing opportunities to support and showcase new talent.’   Wheatley was one of eight graduate artists shortlisted as part of the Platform Graduate Award 2012 - an inaugural mentor programme devised by the CVAN South East network, between galleries and emerging artists from the South East.   Platform Award selection panel member and Director of MK Gallery, Anthony Spira said the standard of work throughout the Platform project had been particularly high, highlighting the wealth of Fine Art talent in the South East.   Over the last few months four flagship galleries, Aspex, MK Gallery, Modern Art Oxford and Turner Contemporary, have each provided a platform for 31 recent graduates from each of their local art colleges, of which eight were shortlisted for the award.   Wheatley will receive a 12-month tailored programme of professional development from the four South East art galleries as well as £2,500 bursary towards further development of her practice.

Turner Contemporary displays selected 20th century paintings from the Arts Council Collection

22 November 2012     Turner Contemporary displays selected 20th century paintings from the Arts Council Collection      Arts Council Collection display From 27 November 2012  Turner Contemporary’s unique coastal location is the inspiration for a new display of three works from the Arts Council Collection. From 27 November 2012 to 2 June 2013 visitors to the gallery can see paintings from the mid part of the twentieth century by Jeffery Camp RA (b1923), Ivon Hitchins(1893-1975) and Thelma Hulbert (1913-1995). Jeffery Camp’s panoramic Blue Sea (1959) depicts the waters off the East Anglian coast where he lived from the mid-1940s. One of Camp’s ongoing preoccupations was the horizon line, where land meets sky. Landscape and still life were the principal subjects of Ivon Hitchens and Thelma Hulbert, both painters experimenting with abstraction to different degrees. Rocks Under Water(1962-65) is likely to have been painted on the Cornish coast, where Hulbert spent time, while Hitchens’ Garden Cove (1948-50) is evocative of the light and colour of the English countryside – a recurring theme in his work. This new display is part of Turner Contemporary’s ongoing programme of temporary exhibitions that connect historical and contemporary art. The display can be seen alongside exhibitions by contemporary artists Alex Katz and Maria Nepomuceno, and in February 2013, alongside Carl Andre and Rosa Barba.   Quote ‘The Arts Council has a fantastic collection and we are delighted to be able to work with them to bring this group of paintings to Turner Contemporary this autumn. We hope audiences will enjoy the different approaches to land and seascape in the work of these twentieth century British painters.’ Victoria Pomery, Director     Read more >

CLOSING THE YEAR...and thinking of the next

Without doubt, this year's A Summer Squall hit a level we've not achieved before and set the event on to its next stage. La Boheme on an outdoor stage on the harbour, the premiere performance of Noggin the Nog, The Dualers drawing a huge crowd, Thanet artists and makers producing a Pavement Paradise - we had over 30,000 visitors, 130 professional artists taking part and 74 events over the 3 days. It was FUN, it was EXHAUSTING, it was INSPIRING!

We're programming now for 2013 and keen to hear from artists in all disciplines who have ideas which we can help to fulfill and show at the next or a future Squall. 

Our next Festival Club is on Thurs 29 November with accoustic Jazz by DAYLIGHT SAVING http://ramsgatearts.org/festival-club

We continue to promote the work of artists in Thanet - on Sat 1 December local professional actors are giving a new performance to fundraise for the Mayor's Charities. Written by Frankie Jordan (Tom Thumb Theatre), produced by Albert House Productions,  'PANTO-DINE' is a riotous murder mystery, with a cast of deeply untrustworthy characters, inviting you to dine and pit your wits. A flyer is attached. The Mayor's fund contributed over £1000 to Ramsgate Arts in 2012, which is why we are keen to help this year. 

We're delighted that Ramsgate now has the new Updown Gallery in Elms Avenue, the York Street Gallery continuing its fantastic shows, the new Blue Swift in Queen Street displaying contemporary art and artiness, Nice Things on Harbour Parade showing local art and artisans' work, Meltdowns with a superb programme of workshops, talks and exhibitions and The Great Wall of Ramsgate transforming an urban horror. And other new ideas emerging for the town all the time....

We urgently need new collaborators, even for 2 hours a week, so please get in touch if you are intrigued and want to join in making this huge event a continuing success for Ramsgate.  

We'll be sending out news as it comes for 2013 and hope you'll get in touch if you'd like to contribute in any way at all. 

With best wishes from 

Ramsgate Arts

Creating inspiring new activities for local people and visitors

www.ramsgatearts.org 

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Festive celebrations at Turner Contemporary Friday 30 November 6 – 9pm

Late night opening, lights, carols, craft workshops, shopping and more…

 

On Friday 30 November Turner Contemporary is staying open late to start the festive celebrations in Margate with an evening of festive lights, carols and Christmas craft workshops. Thanet residents, supporters and visitors are invited to gather in front of the gallery at 6.30pm for the switch on of the Christmas tree lights. Artist Maria Nepomuceno, whose Sunley Gallery commission is currently on show will be turning on the lights. We’ll also be joined by cast members from the Theatre Royal’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk (showing at the theatre from 13 December), the Big Sing choir will lead a Christmas carol sing-a-long and Turner Contemporary Café will be serving mulled wine and mince pies. The festive celebrations continue with a night of free Christmas craft workshops at the gallery led by local artist makers including Dawn Cole, Nick Morley, Zoe Murphy, Heidi and Emrys Plant, Maxine Sutton, and Clare Youngs – there is a range of activities where visitors can pick up tips for creating their own Christmas crafts/make their own gifts such as paper reindeers, paper cut architecture, origami decorations, beading and screen print decorations. It’s also an excellent chance to enjoy the current exhibitions Alex Katz: Give Me Tomorrow, Alex Katz on Painting: Masterpieces from Tate and Maria Nepomuceno's Tempo para Respirar (Breathing Time). It's free admission to the gallery and exhibitions, plus all of the activities on the evening are free.   Visit our website >

 

Christmas shopping Turner Contemporary's shop will be open until 9pm and is offering a 10% discount on everything. Artist Maria Nepomuceno’s new publication launched on the same evening will also be discounted by 10% - for one night only. Many Old Town shops will be open late to coincide with the late night opening at the gallery including Breuer & Dawson vintage clothes shop, Madam Popoff vintage shop, Beaux Interieurs gift shop, Punkaboo, Showtime Retro, Paraphernalia, Qing Art plus more.   Margate Visitor Information Centre will also be holding their own Christmas shopping evening from 5pm to 8pm.

Christmas Opening Dates The gallery will be closed on Monday 17 December Christmas Eve (24 Dec) Christmas Day (25 Dec) Boxing Day (26 Dec) New Year’s Eve (31 Dec)   We are open all other days over this period 10am – 6pm.   Family Christmas holiday activities Easy Sunday family activities every Sunday 1-4pm. In addition, over the festive period we have family workshops on Friday 28 December and Tuesday 1 January to Friday 4 January 1- 4pm where you can create your own wish to add to our artist-made ‘Wishing Tree’.    Read more >