It’s all action at the newly re-opened Camden Arms in Ramsgate with a busy December schedule planned.
New landlady Jo Park took the reins of the La Belle Alliance pub last month and has organised Christmas events for the whole family next month – including an appearance by her miniature Shetland pony, Honey, who will be ‘Santa’s reindeer’ for an afternoon.
Jo, 54, says she has worked in pubs on and off throughout her career, first training with Thorley Taverns and later helping out at the Oddfellows.
The mum-of-four is also a dementia carer, a keen horse rider and in her 17th season as a football referee in the County league, Vets league and Thanet Sunday league.
She said: “I want this to be a nice, community pub, welcoming families and dog friendly. We have had some really nice people in already and some older people who were really excited that we are back open.
“I’ve always been in and out of the pub trade and did my training with Thorley Taverns. I helped at the Oddfellows and then this opportunity came up because I had been in touch with Keith Clark (owner).
“I’m Margate born and bred so this is coming over to the dark side! I have moved in with my two boys, my girls have their own homes.”
Jo, who says she is a sports lover and passionate about her two Shetlands who are also therapy ponies for Autistic youngsters, has lined up a series of events including a quiz night, raffle, children’s Christmas party, a fundraiser and – for the New Year- afternoon teas and yoga and Pilate mornings in the function area. The function room is also free to hire for events, with catering available if required.
Upcoming events are:
December 1 – launch of the meat raffle
December 10- Quiz night with Mr Quizzer
December 13- Christmas Party from 2pm to 5pm. 2pm into the function room for a Christmas film and buffet. 3.30pm visit from Santa and his reindeer ( Jo’s pony) in the grotto. Small gift for each child. Take your own photos with Santa and Honey who will be the reindeer for the day. Then back into the function room for Christmas songs and dancing. For children up to age 10, discount for siblings. £7 per child, pop in the pub or contact the facebook page (link below)
December 14 – fundraising Christmas fair for a young person who is hoping to go to Tanzania in 2027 on a school trip to help build classrooms, instal clean water systems and carry out conservation work. Mulled wine and homemade minbce pies will be on offer.
December 23 – Meat raffle draw
New Year’s Eve- Open 9pm to the early hours to see in 2026, DJ and buffet
Jo says she is also hoping to put together Ladies pool and darts teams and is doing pub food on the bar on Sundays.
She added: “People can come in and watch the football and I might rustle up sandwich and sausage rolls.
“We have our big function room, free to hire and I can do catering or people can do their own. In January I’ll be doing afternoon tea and hosting yoga and Pilates from 10am with smoothies.
Camden Arms opening hours:
Monday-Thursday- 3pm to close (around 11pm)
Friday noon to close
Saturday 11am to close
Sunday noon to close
The Camden Arms has been a Ramsgate fixture since the eary 19th Century with the licensee list dating back to 1839.
Sounds brilliant! Best of luck Jo – quiz night sounds appealing!
The Camden is a great pub but unfortunately its in the bum town area of Ramsgate with life’s dregs and middle earth coming in off the streets.
I wish you the best of luck with running the pub.