Bitterness and Tears
Creative Thanet couple Sharon and Philip Page are putting on a joint show of their paintings, drawings, and sculptures at Ramsgate’s Front Room gallery, 8 Bellevue Road, throughout July.
“Bitterness & Tears” might sound like a depressing title for a show,” said Sharon “but it’s solidly tongue in cheek”.
“We were at a party, and a fellow guest was amazed at us having been together for almost forty years and still being very much in love.” explained Philip Page, “They thought it would all be bitterness and tears by now, and we thought it would be a great name for a show.”
“In reality, it’s a fun show, with something for everyone.” said Sharon.
Both have had shows at the Front Room, Sharon with the very successful “Menagerie” last summer, and Philip with “Toy Art” the year before. This year they decided the time was right for a joint show, even if their work is quite different.
“Bitterness & Tears” opens this Friday (July 12), and is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout July 11am – 5pm.
Art exhibition
St George’s Church, Ramsgate
Now until July 21, 11am to 5pm (closes 2.30pm on July 12th for a wedding)
In aid of St George’s Restoration Appeal
Grease ‘Sing a long’
July 12, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns, Cliftonville
Doors open at 7:30pm (drinks and snacks available), Film runs 9:10pm – 11pm
Welcome to the singing and dancing world of “Grease,” the most successful movie musical of all time. A wholesome exchange student (Olivia Newton-John) and a leather-clad Danny (John Travolta) have a summer romance, but will it cross clique lines?
The Oval Bar will be onsite serving a wide selection of drinks including beer, prosecco, wines, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks. Hot drinks, cold drinks, popcorn and cinema treats will be available at The Oval Kiosk and Bar. Card payment is accept and the preferred method of payment.
Deckchair seating is for those that have booked a deckchair ticket.
Tickets are issued by e-tickets and are strictly non-transferable and non-refundable.
If it rains the cinema will go ahead and there will not be a refund.
Tickets £8 – £10 + booking fee Book now
Photography Exhibition
Crab Museum, Margate Old Town
Last day, July 12. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bird Wise East Kent and Thanet Coast Project Photography Exhibition.
This is a collection of images, celebrating the beauty of the Thanet and Canterbury Coastline, captured by locals.
Earlier in the year, Bird Wise and Thanet Coast Project ran the 3rd annual Photography competition, for which we received huge numbers of amazing images. Our judges had the tough task of whittling these images down, but it’s finally time to announce and showcase our winners.
Richard Ashcroft
July 12, Dreamland Scenic Stage 5.30pm – 10.30pm
This is a 14+ event. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
As the frontman for Britain’s the Verve, Richard Ashcroft proved himself the spiritual descendent of rock & roll icons like Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison.
Following a brief 2007 Verve re-formation, he again cracked the U.K. Top Five with 2016’s These People, 2018’s Natural Rebel, and 2021’s retrospective Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1, the latter of which found Ashcroft reinterpreting many of his favourite Verve and solo songs. His most recent album, ‘Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1’, was released in 2022 and reached No.2 in the UK Album Chart.
Tickets from £52.50 plus booking fee Book now
The Soundcrash Funk & Soul Weekender
Omar, Norman Jay & Emma Noble at Olby’s in Margate
Doors open at 5pm, event finishes at 2.30am
Pre-event Soul Cafe Menu Available click here to book a table
Tickets £15 plus booking fee Book now
Ramsgate Blitz Walk
July 12, 7pm – 9pm
Relive the dark days of the war in the heaviest bombed seaside town in the country
Walk starts from Ramsgate Library.
No need to book. Dogs and children welcome. Approx two hours easy walking.
Free with donations welcome
Blue Mermaid at Ramsgate harbour
Thames sailing barge ‘Blue Mermaid’ will be visiting Ramsgate on a Lottery Heritage funded community engagement sea-tour.
The barge will be in the harbour from Friday 12th July to Saturday 13th July and will be open to members of the public to come aboard free of charge from 6pm to 7pm on July 12 and 2pm to 6pm on July 13.
There will be an opportunity to meet the crew, have a look around a Thames sailing barge and view a display about the heritage of Thames sailing barges and the work of the few survivors of this historic fleet.
Immediately after the open time each day, there will be a free screening of the feature-length film ‘Wind, Tide & Oar’ to a seated audience inside the hold of the barge.
Seating is strictly limited to 40 places per day, and as a result a ticket will be required to view the film.
Tickets can be obtained free from: www.windtideandoar.com/screenings
Rats Nest, Tarmac and Few Thoughts
July 12, 7pm, WhereElse? The Centre, Margate
Rodent Promotions bring RATS NEST back to Where Else? in Margate
After a near year hiatus from live shows, Rats Nest return, bringing with them their break-neck sound of aggressive musicianship, emotional lyrics and anthemic choruses all at a turbulent speed.
With support from their good friends Few Thoughts and Tarmac.
Tickets £8 Book now
Wonky Plonky Electronk
July 12, 9pm-3am,Justines, Marine Gardens, Margate
A takeover at Justines in Margate… catch the sonic meltdown of experimental, noise + ambient electronic music!
Tickets £11 plus £1.70 booking fee Book now
Meg Bird & Jacob Berry
July 12, 8pm, Tom Thumb Theatre Cliftonville
A double bill musical showcase at the Tom Thumb Theatre
Jacob is an experienced musician who is now working on his solo material for the first time in years. Having spent the past few years playing other musicians’ music, this gig will be the first outing for some of Jacob’s own, new material. Described as having written “sad songs for happy people”, you can expect music that will pull the heartstrings.
Meg moved from London to Margate in 2023, and, in the slower pace of life, and tight knit community, she has found a style and sound that is uniquely hers. In that time she has written and recorded an EP which is due for release over the summer. This gig will be an opportunity to get to know those songs a little better.
Tickets £15 plus £1.60 booking fee Book now
Blue Lab Beats, J‑Felix, Sam Redmore & Harley Harl
July 12, 8pm, Soundcrash x Funk & Soul Weekender at Faith In Strangers, Cliftonville
Blue Lab Beats are a North London-based, jazz-hop, electronica duo comprised of producer NK-OK (Namali Kwaten) and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM (David Mrakpor).
Launching his new EP series ‘The Mint Experiment’on his own label, OVN Records, Producer, musician, DJ, engineer and songwriter J‑Felix returns with his Modern Funk laden productions.
18+ Tickets £21.50 Book now
Skirmish Through Time
July 13-14, 10am to 4pm, RAF Manston History Museum
Interaction with the re-enactors encouraged.
Skirmishes throughout the day.
Ample free parking.
What3Words: remarried.mornings.pave
Refreshments and toilets available
Guns and cannons will be fired which can be loud.
Subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances including, but not limited to, weather conditions, mechanical breakdowns and shortage of volunteers and/or exhibitors.
Daily entrance to the Museum & Re-Enactment arena:
Adults £6
Concession £5
Children 5+ £3 (under 5’s free)
Family ticket £18 (2 adults & up to 4 children)
Margate Old Town Market
July 13, open from 11am – 4pm (weather permitting) Margate Old Town (
Local vintage traders, artists, designers and makers will be available
Crow Party
July 13, 8pm, Salon Du Miel (old WHSmith building, Ramsgate High Street)
Gothic, crow-inspired party in Ramsgate.
Haunting songs, creepy comedy, poetry, tarot and surprises.
Come dressed in your best black finery, and your crow challenge is to bring a silver trinket (definition of trinket is down to your own interpretation)
Outfits and trinkets will be judged by the head Crows (Gen and Heidi) and the winner will be crowned Monarch of the Crows.
8.20PM LAST ENTRY
Tickets £10 https://www.outsavvy.com/event/20666/crow-party
An Evening of Burlesque
July 13, 7.30pm, Granville Theatre in Ramsgate
Expect fun, feathers and fabulous costumes specialty artistes, cabaret and circus stars, comedians and champagne showgirls.
Tickets from £31.90 plus booking fee Book now
West of the Brooks Walk
July 13. Walk starts at 2pm, outside Margate railway station.
Robin Colyer leads a local history walk on behalf of Margate Civic Society
Explore the streets and stories around Westbrook and Hartsdown Park.
Robin Colyer leads a local history walk on behalf of Margate Civic Society
There is a suggested donation of at least £5 for the walk, which lasts approximately an hour and a half.
For further details, please phone 07878 537448.
The White Cliffs of Kingsgate
July 13, 9.30am to 11.30am.
Join Richard Hubbard to explore the geology, fossils, spectacular coastal erosion and history of Kingsgate
Take a step back in time and uncover the secrets of this beautiful and important coastal landscape.
The walk is based on Richard’s book and will involve a walk and talk along the cliff top and beach.
These walks are suitable for adults (& over 14 years of age) and involve walking on the beach and rocky chalk shore.
Online bookings only as numbers are limited – with a suggested online donation of £5pp.
Live Music at Broadstairs Bandstand – 5 in the bar
July 13, 2pm-4pm
Weekend entertainment brought to you by Broadstairs & St. Peters Town Council
5 in the Great swing, celebrating the great composers and singers of our time
Yard Sale and Open Day
July 13, 10am to 3pm, St Georges Church Yard in Ramsgate
There will be stalls with bric-a-brac and vintage clothes, as well as refreshments, fun family activities and tours of the tower and crypt.
Palace Cinema Broadstairs
THE DEAD DON’T HURT 15
A romantic Western epic set in the American frontier of the 1860s in the shadow of impending civil war. Vigo Mortensen is Danish immigrant Holder Olsen, who falls for the fiercely independent French-Canadian Vivienne, played by the luminous Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread).
Saturday 13 July to Tuesday 16 July. Details here
Book signing
The daughter of a ‘high functioning heroin addict’ will share her story at a book signing event in Ramsgate on July 13.
Penelope Red – which is a pseudonym to protect identities – started writing her story ‘Consequences Beyond Belief’ four years ago when, as a 22-year-old, she went into therapy to help her deal with the traumas in her life.
Penelope says she began to think that if she had a book like hers when she was growing up it would have helped her to feel less isolated.
The book was published in September 2023 and proceeds have been donated to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). The book launch in London raised £5,000 for the children’s charity.
Penelope will be at Book Bodega, 7 Harbour Street, Ramsgate, on Saturday July 13 from 3pm
Sarah Thorne Theatre – Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation
A play coming to the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs will star actors including Jack Klaff -of Star Wars – and Nicholas Robinson who played evacuee William Beech alongside John Thaw as the reclusive Tom Oakley in drama Goodnight Mister Tom.
Maggie & Ted- Live on Air is one of four shows at the venue focused on former Broadstairs resident and Prime Minister Ted Heath.
Maggie & Ted – Live On Air takes place on July 13 from 5pm.
It follows Ted Heath (Jack Klaff, Star Wars) fighting for his political life as he is challenged by his one-time protegée Maggie Thatcher (Clare Bloomer). Also in the cast is Nicholas Robinson, Lisa Bowerman (Casualty, Doctor Who), Jon Glover (Spitting Image) and, as narrator, Deputy Speaker in the last House of Commons, Sir Roger Gale.
Tickets £22 + £1 booking fee Book now
The first festival show is British General Election Campaigns on July 13 at 11.30am-12.45pm.
LBC’s Iain Dale will lead a discussion and Q&A about his recently published collection of essays on British General Elections.
He’ll be joined by other contributors to the book, including distinguished journalist Michael Crick.
Tickets £15 + £1 booking fee Book now
This is followed by For The Many Live at 2pm on July 13.
The award-winning podcast features former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and author and LBC presenter Iain Dale.
They will record the podcast live before an audience at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, with special guest Gyles Brandreth.
Tickets £25 + £1 booking fee Book now
The last show of the four is Gyles Brandreth gives a Ted Talk on July 14 from 2pm.
Gyles reminisces of Ted Heath and Westminster, including candid extracts from Gyles’s diary.
It is followed by a Q&A and signing of the paperback edition of his memoir “Breaking the Code.”
Tickets £27 + £1 booking fee Book now
All shows are at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs.
Rise Up Clean Up Summer Saturdays Beach Clean
July 13, 4pm-6pm
Join Rise Up Clean Up Margate for this weekly clean-up and litter-pick on Margate Main Sands…
Meet at the Blue & White Beach Hut opposite Arlington House.
All equipment is provided and everyone is welcome (and needed!)
Under 18s must be with an adult. Please wear covered shoes.
For updates, keep an eye on RUCU socials.
Jack Francis
July 13, 7pm, Tom Thumb Theatre, Cliftonville
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Francis’ second album ‘Early Retirement’ is another example of his impressive work. Shining a spotlight on Francis’ unique brand of Soulful Folk, ‘Early Retirement’ explores a broad range of influences, touching on great British, Irish and American songwriting.
Tickets £10 plus £1.30 booking fee Book now
Nature Club for Children – Nature Walk and Drawing
July 13, 11am to noon, Monkton Nature Reserve
Join Monkton Nature Reserve for a walk together slowly around part of the reserve, looking at the different shapes and colours
What different things can we see when we take the time to look carefully for them?
Every mark is meaningful and there is no such thing as a mistake. Taking inspiration from nature in our art!
All ages are welcome.
Tickets £5 (includes entrance to the reserve for accompanying adults/carers) Book now
Carlton Cinema Westgate
Inside Out 2 (U)
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
July 12-18. Details here
Composting Workshop
July 13, 12.30pm-3pm, Windmill Community Gardens Margate
A composting workshop run by the incredible Heart and Soil Community in Margate.
You’ll begin by engaging the heart, exploring the manifold reasons why composting is great for the earth, the community and yourselves.
Then engage the head by diving into the basics of composting science and exploring ingredients through an interactive game.
Finally you’ll set to work engaging your hands, doing some composting together to construct a well balanced heap.
No previous experience is necessary for the engaging and interactive workshop.
This workshop is pay what you can with a suggested cost of £15. Book now
Cycle del Mar
July 13, 8pm, meet at Turner Contemporary
Free to join sunset ride from Margate to Westgate
Don’t miss this chance to hit the prom on any form of wheels you like, and roll with a mobile sound system towards Westgate and those incredible sunsets.
All welcome
Thanet Vintage Bus Road Running Day
July 14, 10am to 5pm
Join Southern Counties Omnibus Collection as vintage buses return to the Isle of Thanet
This year there will be a network of bus routes centred on the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston. There are 7 bus routes operating over the course of the day.
58: Palm Bay – Margate – Manston.
58A: Hornby Visitor Centre – Manston.
65: Manston – St Nicholas – Sarre – Monkton Nature Reserve – Manston.
67: Westgate – Birchington – Acol – Manston.
70: Manston – St Lawrence – Ramsgate Railway Station – Ramsgate Harbour – Dumpton – Broadstairs – Asda – Northwood – Newington Road – Manston.
71: Manston – St Lawrence – Ramsgate Railway Station – Nethercourt – Cliffsend – Minster – Manston.
87: Sandwich – Cliffsend – Nethercourt – Ramsgate Boating Pool – Ramsgate Railway Station – St Lawrence – Manston.
Most areas of Thanet are served so leave the car at home and travel there on a vintage bus..
As before, the bus rides are all free but you can donate to chosen charity Thanet Cats In Crisis.
All buses are operated by volunteer crews.
The railway stations of Ramsgate, Westgate, Broadstairs, Dumpton and Sandwich are served. The Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, Monkton Nature Reserve have toilets and cafe facilities.
There will also be few sales stalls at Manston.
Click here to view the bus timetables
Friends of East Kent – Vintage Bus pick-up service at Crampton Tower Museum in Broadstairs
July 14, 10am – 4pm
Friends of the East Kent (Bus company) are operating a pick-up service between Crampton Tower Museum and the Thanet Vintage Bus Road Running Day at the Spitfire & Hurricane Museum.
There will also be a pre 1940’s car exhibition at the tower on The Broadway.
Museum open with Admission prices as below
Nearest public car park off St Peters Park Road (free on Saturdays)
Admission with Museum tickets – Adults £4, children £2, Family tickets £10 (2 adults + 2-3 children)
Live Music at Broadstairs Bandstand – Birchington Silver Band
July 14, 2pm-4pm
Weekend entertainment brought to you by Broadstairs & St. Peters Town Council
Birchington Silver Band is a local brass band as well as the official town band of Les Mureaux (France).
National Garden Scheme Open Day at Quex
July 14, 11am to 4pm, Quex House and Gardens, Birchington
A beautiful historic space awaits you: winding paths, cooling woodland, stunning flower borders, and a bountiful walled garden
For generations, the Powell-Cotton family has enjoyed the gardens at Quex. Their love of outdoor spaces is clear to see today in the seven acres of historic gardens and natural woodland. Take a stroll around the beautiful gardens and take in the winding paths, cooling woodland, stunning flower borders, and the bountiful walled garden. On this open day, Head Gardener Sue will be on hand to talk to you about the history and future of this special place.
Your ticket also grants you entry to the Powell-Cotton Museum and complimentary tours.
All admission monies from the day will be donated to the National Garden Scheme support Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queens Nursing Institute, Parkinson’s UK, Perennial, MS Society, and more.
All entrance fees donated to National Gardens Scheme
Member: Free, Adult: £4.00, Concession: £3.50, Child: £3.00, Infant (age 0-3 years): Free. Book now
Youth Club Daytime Disco presents KYLE & WOODY Bastille DJ set
July 14, 2pm until late, last entry 7pm, Lido, Ethelbert Terrace, Cliftonville
Youth Club DJs playing 90s with all the one hit wonders and the classics from the golden era of music with special guest Bastille DJ set at Margate’s Lido!
Brought to by the guys gave you Zig A Zig Ah!! Youth Club is a new Daytime Disco for kids of all ages.
Special Guests Bastille will be DJing in the afternoon.
DJs playing the best in 90s/00s with a set by Red Mick, the UKs best Simply Red tribute act.
Showing the kids how it is done, doing The Macarena, Saturday Night, Stop! and dancing like an idiot to Cotton Eyed Joe & B*Witched.
Kicking off with those jams that we remember. Lisa Loeb, Brownstone, En Vogue, Aaron Soul, Ace Of Base, 112, Jagged Edge, Aaliyah, Blur, Big Mountain, Shaggy, TQ & LOADS More………
Special tuck shop for the kids featuring some of the best in retro sweets and Mario Kart on the N64 for some parent vs kid action!!
All ages
Tickets £20 plus booking fee Book now
Discover Your Community Day
July 14, noon to 4pm Gadds’ The Ramsgate Brewery, Unit 4, Pysons Road industrial estate, Hornet Close, Broadstairs
Broadstairs Town Shed is taking over The Ramsgate Brewery to deliver a fun day of free activities for all the family
Do you know what’s on your doorstep? Prepare to be surprised!
Broadstairs Town Shed, in association with Gadds Brewery and a host of local community groups, brings you a day of activities and information celebrating all that your community has to offer.
Come along and have some fun getting involved in a range of workshops and demonstrations for all the family. There’ll be live music and refreshments available.
Are you an individual, small or specialist group who is interested in voluntary/community issues around Thanet?
If you’re a local community group, charity, CIC or social enterprise and would like to join the celebration please email [email protected] for further details.
This proves to be a great networking day to share knowledge, experience and discover new collaborations.
Margate Cultural Walking Tour
July 14, starts at 1pm, Shakespeare pub, Canterbury Road, Margate
One for the locals and visitors – hear of the artists, lovers and rockstars who found their haven in Margate. Local wine tasting after too!
This 60 minute seafront walking tour into Margate’s Old Town covers the town’s history from 900 AD, through its history as a holiday getaway, then as a haven for artists, lovers (and the occasional rockstar) in more recent times…. to the spot it is today.
A fun tour whether you are a local or a visitor – starting at The Shakespeare Pub, near Margate Train Station, then taking a gentle stroll through the spots along the seafront that feature in these historical tales… ending in Margate’s Old Town. And those who stay on afterwards will have the option to taste some of the local wines, ales (and cheese!) together at Little Swift.
Tickets £10.00
Shakespeare on the Beach : Henry V
July 14, Margate Main Sands, opens 4.30pm, performance 5pm (finishing at 7.45pm in time to watch the football!)
Changeling Theatre and Phoenix Community Events return to Margate Main Sands with ‘Henry V’ by William Shakespeare
A young superstar King has ascended the English throne. When his advisors tell him the French throne is rightfully his too, Henry falls for their persuasion. An insult from the Dauphin – heir to the French throne – is enough to trigger Henry, who gathers a mighty fleet and invades France.
After defeating the French at Harfleur and Agincourt, the young King makes the old King of France swear to hand the throne to him on his death, making him King of both countries. To seal the deal he marries the old King’s daughter, Princess Katherine. Based on the events of the Hundred Years’ War, Henry V is much more than a historical documentary.
It is a play about the merits of war, set against the moral and personal cost of conflict. “Once more unto the breach dear friends…”
Suitable for all ages
Deckchair hire is included in the ticket price – no need to bring your own!
Tickets Adults: £21.50 Under 16s: £13.50 plus booking fees Book now
Oval Summer Sundays – The SuperMicks
July 14, 1pm-5pm, Oval Bandstand and Lawns, Cliftonville
-Doors, toilets and concessions open: 1pm – 5pm .
-Concert: 2pm – 4pm.
-A minimum £2 donation per adult on door (under 16’s no donation required).
-All persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
-A fully licensed bar and food is available (alcohol and food is not to be brought into venue, bag searches are in operation).
-Fully accessible toilet facilities are available.
-All seating areas have step-free access.
-Well behaved dogs are welcome, but they MUST be kept on a lead
