Ramsgate Tunnels Local History Day
Ramsgate Tunnels Local History Day takes place from 10am – 4:30pm on Saturday (May 20).
The free one-day event, being organised in coincide with the Historical Association’s Local and Community History Month, will showcase Thanet’s rich, exciting, and interest past.
Attendees include:
- Margate Caves
- Powell-Cotton Museum
- RAF Manston History Museum
- Ramsgate Archives
- Ramsgate History Working Group
- Ramsgate RNLI
- St Lawrence Clock Restoration Appeal
- Ramsgate Society
- Trust for Thanet Archaeology and the Pop-Up Museum of Thanet’s Archaeology
The Ramsgate Tunnels, Powell-Cotton Museum, Trust for Thanet Archaeology, and Ramsgate’s RNLI, will be giving a series of short talks on the day, covering a broad range of intriguing local history topics.
Talks:
10:30 am – ‘In my own backyard?’ Getting Started in Local History – Isaac Naylor, Ramsgate Tunnels
11:10 am – Powell-Cotton Natural History Collection / Quex House & Family – Emily Anderson & Margaret Wraith, Powell-Cotton Museum
13:10 – ‘The Ancient Roots of Ramsgate’ – Ges Moody, Trust for Thanet Archaeology
14:30 – ‘A brief history of lifeboats at Ramsgate since 1802’ – John Ray, Ramsgate RNLI
15:10 – ‘In my own backyard?’ Getting Started in Local History – Isaac Naylor, Ramsgate Tunnels
Deep Tunnel Shelter Tours will run as normal throughout the day, where you can explore Ramsgate’s Second World War history first hand, finding out how the town’s eccentric mayor, and tenacious and talented borough surveyor, were able to orchestrate the construction of the country’s largest purpose-built air raid shelter. The Tunnel’s café will also be open, providing refreshments, alongside light bites, and cake.
The Tunnels is also running its Overground Underground Tour on May 21.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the tour, entering the Tunnels via the newly cleared Arklow Square entrance.
https://ramsgatetunnels.merlintickets.co.uk/product/E000025
Boogie Nights
ROS Productions is staging Boogie Nights at Chatham and Clarendon School Theatre in Ramsgate today (May 19) and tomorrow.
Boogie Nights is co-written by Shane Ritchie (Eastenders), Jon Conway and Terry Morrison. Terry will be in the audience this evening.
The story follows Roddy a Jack-the-lad, and his sweetheart Debs who face the ups and downs of teenage love, with a cast of friends who meet up at the local disco. Set in the 1970s its score features iconic pop songs.
Shows are at 7.30pm plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Minster Playhouse
And Then There Were None
Minster Village Hall. Tonight (May 19) and tomorrow, curtain up 7.30pm.
Show by Minster Playhouse – Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a storm cuts them off from the mainland, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear.
Directed by Fiona Pearse and Sarah Cornwell.
Limited ticket availability at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/minsterplayhouse
Cliftonville Night Market Concert: Refuge
May 19, 5pm-9pm, Oval bandstand and lawns
Street food, music, vintage, arts ans crafts, and artisanal goods at the Cliftonville Night Market.
The Oval Bar will be serving up alcoholic drinks and cocktails and The Oval Kiosk has freshly-ground barista coffee, speciality teas, and Solley’s ice-cream.
Stalls with goods from local makers and tasty dishes from Kentish food stalls plus free live music and entertainment.
Free entry to the bandstand amphitheatre (limited capacity)
-Doors, toilets and concessions open: 5pm – 9pm
-Concert: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
St John’s Margate Pop Up Charity Shop
May 20, St John’s, Victoria Road
Monthly Saturday morning shop from 10am to noon for plants, pre-loved bargains, handmade crafts and homemade cakes. Admission free.
Browse the clothing, shoes and accessories.
Check out stalls in the main hall for bargain bric-a-brac, upcycled crafts and craft materials, jewellery, toys, coins, vinyl, vintage items and books. This month will include a plant sale.
Visit the popular cake stall and enjoy sweet treats or savouries with a cup of tea or coffee while you make and meet friends.
The popular shop is a great way to find bargains, including gift ideas. Public support helps to ensure the Community Centre is available for clubs, support groups and parties.
Live music
LP & His Dirty White Bucks play at the Red Arrows Club in Ramsgate on May 20 from 7.30pm.
Minster Garage Sale
May 20, 10am-2pm
Participating houses so far:
Way Hill, Northcroft, Tudor Cottage
Wayborough Hill, Field House
Prospect 12,17, Greenhill Gardens, 40, Tothill St SA
Shop, 94, 96, High St 39, Station Rd 9, St Mildreds 21, Thorne 20, Domneva 2,3, St Marys 23, 27
Nick Evans at Westgate Galleria
May 20, noon until 3pm.
Nick Evans returns to Westgate Galleria to meet and talk with readers about the stories behind his popular series of photo books on Dreamland and Thanet’s towns, and to introduce his new book which is all about classic cars.
He has also arranged a re-print of his sell-out book on Westgate (volume one). Free entry and no purchase necessary.
Westgate Galleria is in Station Road.
The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra
May 20, 7:30pm, Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs
The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra return with their multi-instrument and comedy show.
Tickets £15 in advance / £17 on the door Book now
Freekind
Ramsgate Music Hall, May 20, doors open 7.30pm.
Austrian-based neo-jazz/R&B duo freekind with support from Thanet’s Maxine Scott.
Tickets £10 + £1.50 Booking Fee Book now
Quiz night at the Margate Caves with themed rounds
May 20, 6.30pm for a 7pm start
Teams of up to 6 people with nibbles for the table
Prizes for the winners and excellent wooden spoon prizes!
Chance to visit the Caves in the interval
Non-alcoholic refreshments available, bring your own bottle
£25 a team, £5 deposit (non-refundable) to be paid now with balance to be paid on the night. Book now
Queer Country
May 20, 7pm, Olby’s Soul Café, Margate
Hosted by Margates’ Dame Jame with guest performances from Dairy Kind and all the way from America Paisley Fields, and DJ set from Bouche!
Plus Pink Suits & The Northdown Rodeo featuring Sue Spurs, Sugar Ray, Janet District Council, Shelly Grotto, Pretzel Cage, Cherry B, Lucky DeLuz and Ash Kenazi
Tickets are on a sliding scale starting at £10, if you can pay more than you are welcome to! This night is for and by the queer community. Click here to book
Nature and Metal: An Evening with Christophe Szpajdel and Billie M. Vigne
May 20, 7pm, Crab Museum, Broad Street, Margate
Legendary metal logo designer Christophe Szpajdel and artist Billie M. Vigne discuss how metal, art, nature and science interconnect at the Crab Museum
Free public discussion with Christophe and artist and metalsmith Billie M. Vigne, who each offer different perspectives and approaches to the intersections between nature and art via their respective metal mediums.
The discussion will be followed by metal karaoke until close.
Children are allowed but adult themes may be discussed. Book now
Mary Hyde, meet the Artist afternoon
York Street Gallery, Ramsgate, May 20, 1pm-4pm
Mary will be in the gallery to chat about her paintings.
Drinks served 1-4pm
Henry’s Birthday Party
May 20, 1pm-3pm, Thanet Disabled Riding Centre, Broadstairs
Free event and free child’s only raffle! Party games, party food and lots of fun!
Henry (the horse) is celebrating turning 25 so deserves a party! Anyone is welcome! Bring friends and family to ceebrate.
The centre is also hoping for donations of new unused children’s toys for the raffle (no food please)
Family Prize Bingo Night
May 20, 7.30pm, Westgate Community Centre
The Act 1 committee invite all to the return of the popular family prize bingo
BINGO BOOKS
BACKWARDS BINGO
HOY
HIGHER OR LOWER
BYOB & table snacks
Tuck & hot drinks available to buy
Bring cash for additional games and goodies!
Don’t forget your dabbers!
£6 ADULT
£4 CHILD
Reserve your seats or a full table https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/pOXhWqjUBQiF
All monies raised by Act 1 will go towards upcoming, summer productions.
Royal Garden Party Fayre
May 20, 2pm to 4pm, Holy Trinity Church, Bellvue Road, Ramsgate
Food, stalls, games and raffle. Plenty of bargains and lots of fun and games!
EOS: VERMEER – THE GREATEST EXHIBITION (12A)
Palace Cinema, Broadstairs
In the spring of 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam opens its doors to the largest Vermeer exhibition in history. With loans from across the world, this major retrospective, already completely booked out, brings together Vermeer’s most famous masterpieces. This film invites you to a private view of the exhibition, accompanied by the director of the Rijksmuseum and the curator of the show. Unmissable.
Saturday 20 May to Tuesday 23 May
Broadstairs bandstand live music
May 20, 1pm-3pm Bromley Concert Band and 4pm-5pm Paige Mason School of Dance
May 21, 2.30pm-4pm Birchington Silver Band
Weekly Saturday Market
Margate Old Town, open from 11am – 4pm (weather permitting)
Local vintage traders, artists, designers and makers will be available
Book Club: The Next Chapter (12A)
Carlton Cinema Westgate
Four aging friends take a trip to Italy ahead of one of the friend’s weddings in this US comedy. A sequel to the 2018 film, fans of the original will recognise the occasionally crude sense of humour.
May 19-25
MDC+ Comic-Con
May 21, Quex Park, 10am – 5pm
(10am for early entrance tickets)
Stars from Stranger Things and House of the Dragon, droids, wookies and more
Live music, Merch stalls, Replica props, Rides and inflatables, Roaming characters, Celebrity guests and Q&As, Comic book artists, Cosplay competition, Street food & licenced bar, Movie cars, Modern and retro gaming, Photo ops and Cinderella’s beautiful carriage that children can pose in.
Tickets – Adult £16.95, Child (6-16 years) £12.95, Child (3-5 years) £3.95, Children aged 2 and under free
Click here for more information and to check availability for tickets
Margate Rotary Boot Fair
Sunday 21 May
First Rotary Boot Fair of the Year.
Palm Bay Recreation Ground CT9 3PP.
Gate opens at 7am
Summer Sundays Concert: Sold on Soul
May 21, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns, open 1pm – 5pm with concert 2pm-4pm
The Oval’s Summer Sundays concerts are free-to-enter and take place throughout the summer season (subject to weather conditions),
Free entry to the bandstand amphitheatre (limited capacity).
Branco Stoysin – Guitar Concert
May 21, 7pm, Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs
Branco Stoysin will play solo guitar music from his new album Whispers From The Sun and from his previous albums which span over 25 years of unalloyed artistic creation.
Advance tickets: £12.00 / On the door: £14.00 Book now
Memorials
May 21, 7.30pm, Ramsgate Music Hall
Introducing MEMORIALS: a new band featuring Verity Susman (Electrelane) and Matthew Simms (Wire) to Ramsgate Music Hall!
£10 + £1.50 Booking Fee Book now
Kent Talents Art Centre opening
Kent Talents Art Gallery has announced the opening of its new arts centre on May 21.
The move to larger premises in Albion Street, Broadstairs marks a significant expansion of isle artist Lana Arkhi’s presence in Kent and builds upon her international reputation and exhibitions in London, Moscow and Chicago.
The opening will take place at noon on May 21.
The new Kent Talents Arts Centre & Gallery is at 5 Albion Street or find it online at: www.KentTalents.com
Bee’s Bookshare
May 21, 2pm-4pm, The Garden Gate Project, Northdown Park, Margate
Bee’s Bookshare is a friendly book club where any type of book and any type of reader is welcome. Meet at The Garden Gate Project for booky banter and book swap.
Bring any book to talk about, go home with a new one to devour. Hot drinks and cake, made from produce from the Garden Gate and by their team member Julie, available. Suggested donation of £2 to help support the charity that helps people with learning disabilities and mental health needs
Sunday Social
May 21, 11am-4pm,Board At Home, 107a High Street, Ramsgate
Sunday Social is the ideal place for people to meet up, play some board games, maybe paint a model or two and enjoy the company of others in a fun, safe and friendly venue.
Model painting in the Board Room. Bring along your latest projects or, if you are new to painting miniatures, get some tips from regular members.
Grab a table, grab a game and play.
Availability each week:
1 table up to 6 people
2 tables up to 4 people
Join the Facebook community page and Discord here to arrange games sessions at the shop:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardroomcommunity
https://discord.gg/EZqU4yZWNy
Refreshments are available.
Entry to the Board Room is £3 per person. Booking is advised.
Word Slags
May 21, 7pm, The Albion Rooms, Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville
Spoken word poetry night.
Tickets from £5 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/word-slags-tickets-620190996967
LP & His Dirty White Bucks rockabilly band playing at the Red Arrows Club, Ramsgate 20th May.
Will find a few more details and add