I do hope everyone will be trundling over to the Arsonists' Playground today for the official opening of the newly-revamped pier. Although I'll admit to some resentment that the Ile's finest gallery, IOTA, which used to be based here in the Millionaires' Playground, has brazenly gone over to the other side. And I'm not sure some of the hard-pressed traders in Margate High Street are that struck at having subsidised competition on their doorstep. Still, all part of the masterplan to turn Margate into the arts capital of Kent, and Ramsgate into a truck stop and runway, I suppose.Later on I'll be inviting some of my celebrity chums round to the old cliff top mansion for a Eurovision party. After last year's woeful UK effort, in which Skooch cheesily impersonated the cabin crew of British Airways, the world's most patronising airline (how on earth did they think that was going to win over the continentals?), I think we're in with a better shout this time. And there's always Sir Terry Wigon's commentary to chortle at. Unfortunately, though, the turkey that should have won it has already been, er, stuffed at the semi-final stage (listen out for the classic line: 'Eastern Europe we love you, do you like Irish stew?'):
24 comments:
Congratulations on you comming second in 1968. I understand you were robbed by Spain. And didn't Sandy Beach have something to do with the 1967 winner puppet on a string?
Go and have a look today then-there is a great atmosphere and lots to do for all!
Great idea on paper, but again there seems lack of detailed planning as the pier does suffer from sea spray and waves coming over the top on days. The decorators commented on the sea spray last week. Take an unbrella.
Had a nice hour wandering around the jetty today and exhibition centre. Margate looked great from the end of the jetty where there was plenty of ale flowing.
What do they expect from a pier sticking out into the sea!! Of course there will be spray.
Andy Abrahams song was one of the best but of course that doesn't guarantee a win at Eurovision - I never sit through all the songs but enjoy watching the voting!
Joint last with Poland and Germany. Oh the ignominy!
I loved the Polish song it was the presentation of it that sucked especially those teeth?
She should have one cleavage or is that Breasts award of the night.
The act before with the old boy had me in stitches along with the Russian.
It should now be called Instatallation art song of Europe.
In the words of McEnroe "you cannot be serious"
Who...cares.
Quess if it all goes wrong, Tdc will fill the harbour with those ugly beach huts that are now blighting Broastairs and the neighbouring coastline or allow catering trailors. Revenue collection seems to paramount to tdc, even in Broadstairs Harbour the council have allowed a mobile catering trailor to be parked by the old lightboat station, and devalues the harbour.
There's been a mobile catering trailer (selling seafood) near Margate harbour for years.
When is an official opening not an opening? When half of the sheds are not open, the ones that are are not properly open and the toilets still look like a builders yard. Why can't the opening have been when everything on the harbour arm was, well, open?
Because part of the harbour arm was closed to the public,and so it was an opening of the harbour arm!I went along on saturday with my family and we had a great day food sampling craft shops bouncy castle face painting and jolly good time had by all!
Kathy - it was pretty much open as far as I could see. yes, still finishing touches to go, but there was lots to see and do. The IOTA gallery was great, stalls, the Art Monkeys, crepes, a bar... As for the anon comment about sea spray, well, of course there's the odd bit of spray. Makes it more real and adds some fun to the visit. I've had a great weekend down the arm. Fireworks were brilliant too.
last year terry wogan said 'we need to rebuild the wall'...classic. I thought the cute brittany spears wannabee representing greece was the best. but no one this side of europe will ever win again.
I went and had a look at Margate pier yesterday during Margate Meltdown. There was practically nothing to see and I got drenched.
should of gone on sat...
That's what I like to hear. All the locals getting behind the events and making them a success.
couldn't agree more, well over 3000 people went through the doors of the new IOTA over the weekend. Well done to all concerned. Peter it has nothing to do with TDC go and put your name on the IOTA mailing list and you will be showered with invites to many a wonderful event and evening.
I went on Bank Holiday Monday rather than the opening day and there was nothing to see apart from the waves crashing over the pier drenching anybody who dared to venture out there. Of course nobody is responsible for the weather but at least whnen IOTA was in Ramsgate having to go home soaked in seawater was not on the cards and you might have hoped there would at least be something happening there on a bank holiday.
I suspect that there may be only 20 days a year when it will be a pleasant experience to walk out on the pier. Cannot imagine what it will be like going to an exhibition opening there on a winter evening.
Can't you? Why am I not surprised.
Peter ... http://www.margateharbourarm.co.uk/page4.html
Site under construction but worth a bookmark.
http://iota-arts.org.uk
Kathy et al - we 'opened' the Harbour Arm so people could enjoy the space and get a feel for what was coming in the future. We never said that all the shops would be occupied - that's why we laid on the bar and other stuff. Most of the units have been allocated to businesses but it would be too much to expect that everyone could suddenly get up and running that fast. Everyone is doing their best to get the units occupied as soon as possible - surely you wouldn't have wanted to leave the hoarding up for any longer?!
Regarding the weather - people round here seem to forget we live by the sea! The Monday event on the Harbour Arm was based upon the plan to have classic bikes lined up all along it which would have been stunning. The weather meant that didn't happen which was a great shame. However, we did keep the gallery and a few stalls open anyway in case anyone ventured out there.
It is rubbish that there will only be 20 pleasant days a year. I've been out there all year round - there are lots of beautiful days throughout the year. We live by the sea - why don't we work with it and make the most of it? So many people never have a clue when high tide is, or which direction the wind is blowing. Of course it will have to be closed sometimes - that's life, but even when it's crazy weather it can be fun - come and get wet on the Harbour Arm (then get warm with brandy and wood-burning stove)!
It's great that some people DO get it. Look forward to seeing you out there!
Well said Fiona it's great to see things finally happening-the start of many and well done to all concerned.
Post a Comment