![snowdogscate](https://theisleofthanetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/snowdogscate-620x381.jpg)
I spent yesterday outside of Thanet – this happens from time to time, but I’m still caught off guard when I step off the train and find myself nowhere near the sea. However, Ashford made me very welcome on Saturday when I spent the day there hunting Snow Dogs; long story, but lots of fun.
I even managed to sustain my energy levels with a bout of man flu which, as everyone knows, is a severely debilitating disorder – no matter what anyone else says. But I won’t dwell on that in case people believe I truly think that and send in complaints to the editor (I don’t mind a complaint if I’ve done something wrong, but I want to avoid a debate on my questionable sense of humour for the foreseeable future).
The Snow Dogs – large models made from metal and painted by different local groups – are placed around the centre of town, in parks and shops and libraries, and there is an online app with free offers when you find certain ones. It was a lovely chance to see more of a town I don’t know much about, and there was a sense of community as we met up with other families who were doing the same challenge.
I found myself wondering, after the group I was a part of had finished tracking down all 36 Snow Dogs, and a few Snow Puppies, how we promote Thanet. This is something we should all be responsible for together – the Snow Dogs, for example, were a concept come up with and developed by the Pilgrims Hospices, which will help them raise money for a worthy cause as well as create interest in a local area.
It would be lovely to come up with our ideas to promote Thanet; we have events already – everything from Folk Week to Margate Bookie to the Food Festival to … well, you get the picture. But to give us more opportunities to showcase the beauty of where we live is always a pleasure. I just haven’t come up with any ideas yet, despite my best efforts – maybe someone out there has the next big thing.
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Speaking of Pilgrims Hospices, did you see the events they’re planning over the next couple of months? Palm Bay will be the host for the Colour Run – I took part in this a couple of years ago, and it was great fun, running or walking around a 5km course and getting sprayed with power paint so that you end up as a rainbow of easily-washable paints over whatever old clothes you’ve thrown on.
I will either be taking part or supporting the runners and walkers from the sidelines, as I will be for the Santa on the Run 3k or 5k event (yes, they measure these walks / runs in kilometres now – don’t worry about it) in early December. I dressed up as a Santa last year to take part and laughed a lot at myself in the mirror as I stuffed a pillow up my jumper. Take part or support them by donating some loose change – you’ll be doing it for a very good cause.
Anyway, think about how we can celebrate and promote our brilliant towns – they deserve to be celebrated!