Her Majesty the Queen to visit Margate

OMG wrote:

This comment from anthony just demonstrates perfectly what is being said about ignorant whingers. Good luck to you, Hastings and Eastbourne are not all they are cracked up to be if you had spent any time in these places to speak of, I have lived there and they both have their problems believe me. Just feel sorry for you when you look back in a few years and wish you hadn't left.

10 Nov 2011 7:12 PM

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CHOCOLTE THUNDA wrote:

to me it sounds like the ant wingeing society just had a massive winge, stop arguing, i cant hear myself eat my potato pie off of my donkey skin bannana bowl! anywhay, what was i saying? oh yeah, NO this is patrick

10 Nov 2011 7:08 PM

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Anthony wrote:

Margate is a run down depressing place. There is no reason for tourists to come here at all. Go to Eastbourne, Hastings, Bournemouth etc to see what a seaside town could be like if we had a decent council. I am leaving Maraget for good and have no desire to ever come back.

10 Nov 2011 3:59 PM

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anti whingeing society wrote:

It's like groundhog day, why do these whingers have to be so predictable, why do they do all they can to contribute and perpetuate the opinion that Margate is a depressing place to be? They fail to realise that they are the ones who potentially make it a depressing place to be! They seem to acknowledge none of the positive things that have already happened in the area and simply continue to whinge in this self centred, self pitying way; these people, complaining about the demise of Margate's high street which is duly blamed solely on the council and Westwood cross, are the people who will shop in Westwood cross on a regular basis and do nothing to support any of the small businesses who have invested in what is now, arguably, one of the best and most original shopping areas in the country, so lacking in imagination are they! How on earth do they expect things to improve if they don't and won't support anything? These irritating, ungrateful whingers of which there appears to be an abundance like no other place I have ever come across would and could never be satisfied or lifted out of their negative and dated attitudes no matter what was done in the town! When Dreamland is finally reopened, let's see how much whingeing that'll generate, I can't wait?! I can hear it all now..."it's rubbish, it's not as good as it used to be" etc. They are so misguided and it is such a shame that their ignorance is so powerful and all encompassing. If I see or hear another comment about the £17,000,000 that was spent on the Turner Contemporary ( yes, that's what it's called, not the Tate!) being a waste of money and that it would have been better spent on regenerating Margate's high street and Dreamland, I think I might explode. How can people be so misinformed?! The arts council paid for the gallery, not the tax payer, (of which most of these whingers are not!!) so that money could never have been spent on Margate's high street or Dreamland. There is such a lack of vision, why does everything have to be about them? Quite frankly, I'd like to know why they think they deserve anything at all, what have they ever done to deserve anything? There is no point in going backwards, if regeneration is going to happen properly here then it has to be from a futuristic view point. Margate will never return to it's "former glory" in the way these whingers want it to, it's not possible. What is possible however, is what is already happening and if these people would only realise that all they need to do is stop jumping on the same old whinge wagon and actually start supporting the people who are trying to make the changes happen, they might, just might, see that there is hope for Margate! The fact that the Queen is coming here is something that should be celebrated, it is positive publicity for Margate, nothing more, nothing less. Royalist or anti royalist, it is good publicity and should be seen as such instead of using it as yet another excuse to voice these tired, misinformed and so overused negative views. If you want to do something for Margate, use the Queen's visit as a good starting point to highlight the admittedly corrupt and incompetent council by contacting the National press perhaps, instead of referring to the Queen as a doddery old age pensioner which only highlights the overwhelming ignorance of these tedious bores! Go away if you don't like it or put your money where your mouth is and start supporting your own town, shop on the Northdown Road, the High Street and the Old Town instead of trolling up to the nemesis that is Westwood cross, you bunch of hypocrites!
We'll probably see you all waving and cheering the Queen on Friday won't we?!!

08 Nov 2011 5:00 PM

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James wrote:

Oh my god this will be so funny.

Queen:What is this place thought we were ment to go to margate

Charles: This is margate !

Queen: Good Lord charles what a sh*t hole

07 Nov 2011 1:39 AM

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KrisRoe wrote:

Do people really think the Queen will see a true representation of Margate? She will see old town and Turner, both of which will undergo a massive cleanup campaign before she arrives same as when Turner opened. The coucnil are closing all the streets going into old town and no cars are to park there subject to a £1000 fine so you can't see the problems of parking residents of old town face everyday.

06 Nov 2011 9:34 AM

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Andrew wrote:

Demolish Westwood Cross!

04 Nov 2011 8:33 PM

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Paul wrote:

I have lived in Margate for 40 odd years and I have moved away now as I wanted to give my daughter a better chance in life. Still love the place but also know that the grass is always greener the other side of the bridge. Life is what you make it, so if you think possitive Margate will improve.

04 Nov 2011 3:14 PM

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Mand wrote:

I give up. Maybe those of you should just wallow in your disgust. I am only trying to be positive for all those people reading this and thinking OMG remind me to never go there. What people don't seem to understand is there was never money for the other things the gallery was going to be built somewhere the Arts council funded it to help regenerate somewhere and Margate was the lucky town to get it. I actually used to hate Margate with a passion but even I can see how it has changed recently, as someone said Rome wasn't built in a day. Maybe you will be happier when someone gets their finger out an finally gets Dreamland up and running as promised. I am not Margates tourism officer as commented and no I haven't fought on a battle field for king and country as asked by the Colonel and quite frankly can't see how that is even relevant. I am not going to bother looking on here again, it makes me too miserable. Good luck to you all.

03 Nov 2011 8:39 PM

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George Armstrong Custer wrote:

HMQ is coming to Margate to check out the so called art gallery and then onto QEQM that is the itinerary. As for the downfall of Margate/Cliftonville you only have to blame Thanet Council who have always adopted a could not care less attitude towards the chargepayers. They are now also business linked with Dover Council and Canterbury Council so things will continue to go downhill. The inmates are now in charge of the asylum ! The so called art gallery monies should have been spent on trying to regenerate Margate etc. But of course logic does not come into it when the chargepayers money is being chucked down the drain. If Thanet Council were in the real world they would be declared bankrupt...

29 Oct 2011 7:31 PM

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margate boy wrote:

right lets get it right its NOT called tate centre or tesco contempary its called the turner contempary art gallery, second margate has been left to fall down further then any other town in the U.K, the turner contempary has barely boosted anything except for the old town (which is great) i agree that the 17,000,000 should have been spent on Dreamland and enhancing all of margate including Clifftonville! the queen visit to margate is basically to have a look at the art gallery and the QEQM hospital that her mother is named after. what does make me laugh is that the great and "wonderful" thanet council should be asshamed of them selves for letting margate get this bad and for having to let the queen see the result of they're mistakes!!! i do wish that this gives them enough embarresment and the insentive to focus on Dreamland and margate high street instead of westwood cross and the turner contempary, but then again proberly not!! lets face facts that margate has proberly gone beyond help but i hope that can change because i still love living in margate!!

29 Oct 2011 1:12 AM

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Lord Lucan wrote:

HMQ is only visiting MARGATE because she wants a look at the TESCO CONTEMPORARY....AND...that is the only reason apart from the fact she wants a good laugh..
The only way you can describe Margate is......GOING DOWN FAST..
That money should have been spent on ways to remedy the dire situation that Margate finds itself in..The TESCO CONTEMPORARY is a very simple build so just how the hell did it cost £17.OOO.OOO plus...
It is for the few not the majority. Well okay if you are caught in a shower it will be handy to shelter in...RIP MARGATE.... No doubt the CHUMPS at Thanet Council will grovel all the way...

28 Oct 2011 10:47 PM

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Gabriella - The Rough Guide to Thanet wrote:

I can't say bad things about Broadstairs because it's quaint and quite nice. Reminds me of Hythe or Whitstable.

Ramsgate, sadly has seen better days. The people are poor, bored, drugged, or addicted in one form of another and shop in either Iceland or Waitrose (some extreme incomes down there).

On the positive side, Ramsgate has a great harbour and the nightlife is not bad.

Thanet has Westwood Cross the boil of an open plan shopping centre that sucked the life out of Rams/Margate.

Traffic crawling everywhere and East Kent's own version of how to shop the Capitalist way or should that be the american way.

Now Margate:

Bad thins: Dead high street, no night life, fights and violence, fire starters, immigration or diversity whichever take you take, all forms of life are there though mainly unpleasant walk around the town centre.

The good things: A lovely beach, a lovely old town and the Turner Gallery though I don't like the building itself.

However, Margate should be like Hastings as it will never ever be like Brighton, it certainly does have more in common with Hastings too.

As for the Queen, she will come in to do a tour of the positives. She will see the thriving businesses, the great and good of the town, the Turner Gallery and the Old Town but she won't see the real Margate.

And on a positive note, Margate is better than it was but it still has a long way to go. Still Rome wasn't built in a day. I wonder if she will allow her corgi's to go for a doggy on the beach?

28 Oct 2011 9:46 PM

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Bunch of knobs wrote:

IT IS NOT CALLED THE TATE OR THE TURNER CENTRE!!!!!!! It is TURNER CONTEMPORARY, if you are to diss something atleast get its name right......idiots!

28 Oct 2011 9:35 PM

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Gabriella wrote:

Well next time I am down in Deal, who knows our paths may cross.

G. You do make me laugh though

Wuff wuff

And whoever did the doggy drawing, it's very clever

28 Oct 2011 9:22 PM

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Lionel the Dog Spotter wrote:

Gabriella: I am pleased to have amused you.It makes it all worthwhile.

28 Oct 2011 8:57 PM

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I want the doggy to do me wrote:

Doggy, oh doggy

28 Oct 2011 7:21 PM

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Jack Warner wrote:

Just what does HMQ know about the real world and the answer to that is zero. She could not care less about anybody but herself and her own clan. Poor old Margate which has been left to rack and ruin. That money spent on the Tate should have been spent in a bid to get Margate and its many problems put right.

28 Oct 2011 7:10 PM

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Very Pleased that Kent is on the Up wrote:

The visit of HM Queen to Margate is fantastic.... She doesn't have to come, yet she is and she's coming because she is aware of the "troubles" that coastal towns like Margate have had for years. She's coming to support the town and EVERYONE who lives here. The Turner Contemporary - love it or hate it - is definitely bringing money, people and business to the area. People are invetsing their energies and money into the town and vistors seem to be liking it. Let's hope that HMQ has a great day in a great town - and that her vist and seal of approval on Margate brings in even more visitors.

28 Oct 2011 5:58 PM

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Gabriella wrote:

I am very impressed with the Doggy person. I can type 60 wpm but I could never for the life of me call myself doggy and draw two dogs engaging in carnal activity,

I did laugh though.

It's a rather fitting tribute to Margate and the Queen

Trust Lionel to notice gives new meaning to old dog and new tricks

28 Oct 2011 5:54 PM

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Arthur wrote:

@Mand: perhaps you shouldn't have resisted your first impulse on reading the comments.....

28 Oct 2011 5:39 PM

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Lionel the Sweeper wrote:

@Rocket Man: Who said anything about her WALKING anywhere?
Margate will be clean on the day!

28 Oct 2011 5:36 PM

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Rocket Man wrote:

We have the Turner Art Centre like or not so lets just support it and stop moaning about it as its not going away . Think about the dirty filthy roads, streets and avenues in Margate and Thanet. TDC have not got the money or staff to clean the side roads or so we keep being told but just watch how many road sweepers are out in the town centre and main roads into Margate and the areas she is visiting . It will be the same as when the Turner was opened all the entry areas were cleaned and swept but soon as the opening was over and the civic leaders and guests had gone back to their country piles it was back to the dirty filthy roads etc. which we have to live with every day. The bad smells in Margates are not all the drunken idiots but the poor hard up TDC . Your Majesty you are very welcome to visit Margate but go for a walk around the side roads and see the real Margate .

28 Oct 2011 3:22 PM

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Lionel the Cryptographer wrote:

Has no one noticed what "doggy's" dogs are doing? That's NOT an "equal" symbol!!
Well done doggy, I agree with the pictoral comment on this planned visit!!

28 Oct 2011 2:40 PM

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Local Lad From London wrote:

I sometime think that the bigger picture is sometime forgot. The Turner Centre is the main attraction, yes I agree, OK art is not every ones thing,I agree. The art of having people come to Margate is, so be honest a art in it's own. Having people, who are willing to spend money in the local shops,making places like Cafe G's packet or Nigel's Barnicals packed taking money. I feel other people, who are keeping a eye on MARGATE and willing to put their money where their mouths are to invest in the area, so they can employ more "local" people, which must be a good thing. Negative think is not the way we should be thinking. Whats the alternative? What other way can we get people to Margate? I guess a drug rehab place will be good, I am sure that would be good and have loads of people wanting to invest in the area. No! Get people coming, get people spending, get people employed get Margate working for local people. A few of us locals have to travel 120 MILE a day for work, what would we give to work local, but we spend our hard earned cash in Thanet.

Im glad the Queen is coming to Margate, yes she might see the places which need money spent on, she might even spend our money re-vamping it. I would rather have the Queen make a visit than nobody visit.

28 Oct 2011 12:43 PM

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Thanet Resident - It's Got Nice Places! wrote:

Those commenting about all the 'free' and cheap things to do at the Turner need to remember that there is a large public subsidy to the Centre. Perhaps if people want to do these things they should pay more for their activities.

Some might be pleased if the proposed new Margate Football Ground was funded by the public with free entry on match days and free use of the pitch etc in the week for the public. I'm sure the numbers attending would suddenly increase and we could all say what a success it is.

What I'm saying is that there is a cost/benefit aspect to this. On the Turner if it was to be built anywhere I'm glad it's in Margate although I'm not saying that it's the best thing that Margate could have had for the money. It's just that the money couldn't be used for anything else so Margate might as well take it while it can rather than it go elsewhere.

Yes, I've been to the Turner so I've increased the 'visitor' numbers. I wasn't overly impressed with the first exhibition but will go to future ones if they are 'free' or pay (entry fee not more tax subsidy) if there is something I really would like to see. I've already seen The Kiss in London so not rushing to that.

There is a lot of negative emphasis on Margate seafront which does admittedly leave a lot to be desired but there are a lot of nice places in Thanet apart from the Old Town, Margate including Broadstairs, Ramsgate Harbour, Westgate, Minnis Bay, Birchington, Palm Bay, Cliftonville Joss Bay etc so if you have not been, don't get the impression that it should all be nuked! Maybe just the old guest houses which have outlived their purpose and were not designed for as family homes. In modern Britain people should not have to live in conditions like these.

28 Oct 2011 10:26 AM

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Robert's Robot wrote:

I hope Her Majesty takes time to visit the Shell Grotto - the only thing in Margate in my humble opinion worth seeing.

28 Oct 2011 9:07 AM

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Confused Tourist wrote:

One is rather confused. The Margate I know certainly isn't the one painted by Mand, Margate's very own PR officer.

28 Oct 2011 8:55 AM

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charlotte silver wrote:

OMG the Queen is comming to Margate on the 11th !!!! while she is done hear i think she should come to a show at the winter gardens in margate on the 11th at 7.30 pm x x

27 Oct 2011 11:51 PM

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Curtis Le May wrote:

I have a very good solution as to how one can improve MARGATE...
A thermo nuclear air burst explosion directly over the Tate LOAD OF RUBBISH building !
Mind you it would make a good bus shelter !

27 Oct 2011 9:39 PM

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James Peterson wrote:

The person who suggested to the queen she ought to visit Margate will most certainly be relieved of his duties when she arrives back home ! Next Boris Johnson
will make it a World Heritage Centre...
It needs demolishing and preferably tomorrow morning...
WHAT A DUMP !
Best thing about Margate...
Leaving and going home !o

27 Oct 2011 9:34 PM

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Colonel J R Hunter wrote:

Comment by Mand...
Yes dear I have been to the Turner Contemporary....and quite frankly it reminded me of Tesco's. I simply cannot understand what the fuss is all about. Had a meal there too.
The vast majority of people who visit are simply curious and probably will not return unless of course it is raining in Margate. Margate has many problems which need attending to as a matter of urgency just where is that money going to come from ? This should have been dealt with as a matter of priority first and not the Turner Contemporary.

NB I dont suppose you have ever seen any action on a battlefield
fighting for Queen and Country ?
No I dont suppose you have !

27 Oct 2011 9:21 PM

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Mand wrote:

By the way, a message for Colonel J R Hunter it is not called the Tate Contemporary and the more than quarter of a million visitors who have come to spend the day in Margate and spend money here can't be wrong. Why don't you go and actually have a look at it and have a nice dinner in the restaurant looking at the sunset. Also yesterday and today the learning studio has been absolutely packed to brimming with people and their kids having great fun making clay models and drawing all afternoon. Every weekend there are family sessions and Studio workshops which cost no more than £2.00 and open to everybody and local schools are so lucky to be able to go there for fun learning sessions etc. They also have lots of free things for people to get involved with along with films, talks, music and performances. Don't knock them because they are working hard to improve everyones quality of life and everyone I have spoken to love it is there. We are lucky we got it and not some other town.....

27 Oct 2011 8:07 PM

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Mand wrote:

Hear hear. Am glad to see these comments are slowly turning around. I felt like slitting my throat when I first started reading them. Thank god there are still people with a positive attitude. i know what you are saying about the ice rink but that would only have a limited effect on the long term regeneration of the area. The key is investment and visitors spending money in the bars restaurants and shops. Dreamland, hotels with the gallery to bring thousands of visitors a month. Westwood Cross is here and there is nothing we can do about it so the town centres need to re invent themselves as centres for leisure and holidays. The ice rinks and leisure centres etc will follow. Look back a couple of years and compare with now. The old town always used to be closed and dead, go there on a Saturday now and sit and have a cupcake and a cup of tea.

27 Oct 2011 7:49 PM

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stranski wrote:

Thanet has its failings but if we continue to give it bad press like so many of the contributors on here, we're doing nothing to help. I'm Thanet born and bred but if I were a visitor to the area I think the attitude of the locals would be the thing to put me off. It has some real gems and is getting better year on year. Be proud Thanetonians instead of slagging it off all the time!!

27 Oct 2011 7:23 PM

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Hump that doggy ! wrote:

@doggy

Oh you man you, is that a corgi you have or are you pleased to see me !

27 Oct 2011 6:32 PM

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Trigger wrote:

A jolly Queens outing to Margate? Lets hope her coach doesn't blow up!!

27 Oct 2011 5:31 PM

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tony wrote:

Maybe we should level some blame at TDC and KCC for allowing it to end up so run down, then wasting so much on an art museum for a young population that is having teenage pregnancies rather than listening to local people and building things link an ice-rink
yes they had a poll on what should be built in the old dreamland site and it came top, and what did they decide, oh yes, another tesco and possibly another kind of dreamland, maybe they spend all there time in dreamland. Shame the Queen can't as it is just half a burn roller coaster !

27 Oct 2011 3:44 PM

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John wrote:

Good on you! Go to Margate, it is beautiful! People always measure a place by the number of shops it has, well with Margate, and the surrounding areas you get so much more. Go and enjoy our WORLD CLASS art gallery, enjoy our sea air, go to our parks, our up and coming football team, the shell grotto, the tudor house. Take a trip around the old town. The potential in the Dreamland project. It truly is a unique and wonderful place.

oh and don't forget to stop in at Pete's fish bar.

27 Oct 2011 12:52 PM

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doggy wrote:

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27 Oct 2011 12:50 PM

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doggy wrote:

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27 Oct 2011 12:47 PM

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Local Lad From London wrote:

Well said JAL. If is good enough for our Queen to visit, its good enough for anyone. Give it a few more years and we will be back on the map. I might have a good chance of a visit from my mum as now its going to get the Royal Approval.

27 Oct 2011 11:43 AM

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JAL wrote:

I’ve just read everyone’s hilarious comments at the start of this thread. How have you managed to allow yourselves to be left so far behind and utterly unaware – can you not keep up with the dynamic progress Margate is making? The Queen and Prince Phillip are visiting Margate because it is an important place – it always has been - with a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and a fantastic naturally beautiful coastline. Margate is repairing from 3 decades of economic dystrophy. The local economy, thanks to Margate’s regeneration programme starting with Turner Contemporary and concluding with Dreamland, is recovering. Margate is one of the few places left in the UK that is actually thriving and is therefore of national significance hence the Royal visit.

27 Oct 2011 11:36 AM

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I'd rather be in Margate wrote:

I visited Margate for the first time yesterday and was hugely impressed by the attractive sea front and old town area. The Turner Contemporary is a terrific landmark building and was absolutely packed with visitors who have already chosen to make the trip to Margate. You are right, there are huge opportunties to continue the trend which has already begun of attracting some of these visitors into other parts of the town and celebrating what Margate has to offer. Further investment to regenerate some of the other landmark areas of the town would be a wise move to take advantage of the wave of positivity sweeping in from the seafront. Go Margate!

27 Oct 2011 11:09 AM

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Why always negative negative? wrote:

Fair enough Why always negative? but censorship of other people's opinions of Margate isn't the way to boost the town's ego/perception.

27 Oct 2011 11:05 AM

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Local Lad From London wrote:

I moved from Dagenham a good 7years ago, OK Margate is not the best place in the World.But I can see the real change happening, more people are visiting, some are moving from London to Margate, and spending cash in the struggling bars and restaurants, its getting a really cool vibe about the place, I have seen Dagenham go down hill fast, n Margate start going places for the better, slowly but going the right way. In the summer I dare anyone to sit out side the Turner Centre or Barnnicals and have that sun on you all day and watch the sunset and think " Yep I like it here" come and visit and you will to

27 Oct 2011 11:04 AM

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pat wrote:

1. Some ppl like to visit devastated areas.


2. If HM reads this she will probably wear a complete NBC suit and travel by tank. And have another tank stand by in case it's nicked by the time she wants to leave.

27 Oct 2011 11:00 AM

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Why always negative? wrote:

The Queen's visit is a huge honour for Margate, Thanet and Kent.

With the opening of Turner Contemporary and plans for Dreamland Margate has a massive chance to ditch its looser tag, and attract new visitors, residents and investors to the area.

The negative, whingy, outdated comments by some of your posters below, only damage this and perpetuate a negative view of Margate.

I am tired of this outdated bleat.Get with it. Margate is changing and editor, please remove some of these negative and ill informed posts from this page before they undo all the good work that is happening.

27 Oct 2011 9:37 AM

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Lionel the Real One, But Also Well-Travelled wrote:

So the Queen is going to "tour" Margate; No need to park the royal limousine then, or are the first 15 minutes free?

27 Oct 2011 9:33 AM

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J'adore Gabriella wrote:

Gabriella is spot on. Shut the blood sucking westwood cross and redevelop Margate (and Ramsgate) town centres.
The point is that seaside towns throughout the uk are run down shanty towns especially out of season. Margate is no exception.

Even the twee seaside resorts in the south west of england are run down due to the upper classes retreating back to London from their holiday homes.

27 Oct 2011 8:57 AM

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Gabriella wrote:

It must really be hardbreaking to be from Thanet. I was told about Bobby's Department Store which later became Debenhams but alas they didn't think there was potential in Margate and closed and that was in 1972.

I do remember Margate being a bustling town centre even even in the 1990's with BHS, M and S, River Island, Etam, and more choice of shops than any other coastal town including Hastings at the time.

Ramsgate too used to be fairly good and it is sad to see that although TDC were right to build a shopping centre they were wrong to buiid it at Westwood Cross it should have been built in Margate Town Centre and Margate may well have still been alive.

As for dossers blame that on KCC and the London Boroughs who feel the area is cheap and KCC who allow it to be used as a dumping ground.

But in all honesty, other than Deal and Whitstable most of the coastal towns are dumps in kent apart from Hastings which is in sussex who had the brains and commonsense to redevelop their own town centre and build a decent shopping centre there in the form of the priory centre Margate should look to Hastings to halt it's decline not compare itself with Brighton because it will never be a Brighton

27 Oct 2011 8:39 AM

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Robster wrote:

Perhaps Her Majesty can convince the TDC to get their finger's out and commit themselves to, initially improving our High Street, then curing the Cliftonville area of ex-London drug addicts, and then all those Kosovan/Romanian types from Northdown Road area, who walk around as thought they own it.
Then to work on the Council Estates to make them NICER places to live in. "By Golly" if she can get them to start getting 'Dreamland' up and running quickly.... I will kiss her feet!

27 Oct 2011 6:44 AM

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Educated Thanet resident wrote:

@Its me again. My point was that it's things like bad spelling and grammar that make certain people think everyone in Thanet is thick and bitter. I'm sure you are neither of those things, but it's the common misconception whenever anything about Thanet is posted in here. Did you see the "hilarious" remarks about overdue library books recently?
You say you left 10 years ago, I'm not surprised, that was when it was really not a great place to be. Have you been back recently? If not you should, you'd be amazed.

27 Oct 2011 5:27 AM

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My turn wrote:

Can I just ask all the moaners what they have personally done to try and make Margate a better place themselves? Maybe they have contributed to the rubbish and filth around that makes it not nice to live in some areas. maybe if people took more pride in what we do have, everything else would slowly be a better quality of life for everyone. I was brought up in the Eastend of London and as a kid had nowhere to go. It was a bloody awful place to live, look at the beaches and fab things we do have. Maybe you should take your kids down to the Gallery that everyone moans about and enjoy one of their lovely family fun sessions. At least it is pushing us in the right direction at last.
Come on people...........

26 Oct 2011 11:41 PM

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Its me again wrote:

@Educated Thanet resident... its a forum... its not an important piece of documentation, its a forum.. as long as people get the idea if what im saying who cares for the grammar or punctuation?? get you head out ya bum bum, if your dyslexic you will understand its effort to get things right, so who cares about it on a forum/message board (rolls eyes)...@ flabberghasted, here here.. you hit the nail on the head!! best thing i ever done was move to London.. its a shame about my home town being so run down, and things like the scenic railway being burnt.. its gutting.. Hope my spelling is better for some now... -|-

26 Oct 2011 11:00 PM

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Flabberghasted wrote:

to all the local people on here moaning about margate - if you're that embarrassed about the place, why do you still live in it?! bunch of whingeing morons. Instead you should be moaning about TDC's decision to "unman" the CCTV. The Queen's visiit may just give the place the moral boost it needs.

26 Oct 2011 10:17 PM

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Educated Thanet resident wrote:

@Its me again. I don't know what your business is but I hope you get someone a bit more literate to write your adverts. I am Thanet born and bred. I'm also dyslexic, but take extra care to check what I'm writing before posting it in a public forum. The fact is that Thanet and Margate especially have been run down for years, but over the last five years or so, there's been an absolute transformation. I have lived and worked all over the world - when I was at school in Ramsgate in the 1990s, we were actively encouraged to move out of Thanet if we wanted a decent future. Now, most of my former classmates have moved back. It's not some kind of Utopia (look it up). It's got more problems than most places but that doesn't justify most of the uneducated jealous commentary on this forum. The Queen is visiting because big things are happening here. If the rest of Kent can't hide its petty jealousy, then keep your bigoted opinions to yourselves. And comments about certain parts being rough are totally irrelevant. A friend of mine was beaten up at the weekend because of his sexuality - and he lives in a very posh and leafy part of Surrey. So bad things happen everywhere. As for the whole ridiculous benefits/foreigners argument, welcome to the UK in 2011, people. If there is a town in Kent with no benefit claimants or people born in another country living there, then I would like to know. Thanet residents who come on here to say the area is dead are a slowly shrinking minority who wheel out the same old arguments. Most of us don't even hear their whining anymore, we've had our ears retuned to block it out. If you don't like it, move out - there's plenty of people willing to move here, thanks.

26 Oct 2011 9:58 PM

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Its me again wrote:

1 i aint unemployed, i run my own company as well as working another job, i moved out of thanet 10 years ago and it the best thing i ever done. There is so much more outside the thanet bubble and people dont even realise it as they have never left Thanet! 2, who here would walk up northdown road at night on there own?? its not bad its another country almost. I would not let my kids play down dane park alone as i used to... i know its like it everywhere in the world but thanet has nothing to offer other than a poxy art gallery that 90% of thanet think is a waist of time. how about they get a town back, fix pot holes and boot out the waisters!!

26 Oct 2011 9:36 PM

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Mick wrote:

@lala47

You took the words right out of my mouth I could not agree more....mind you there are still a few Queens about dear.

26 Oct 2011 9:34 PM

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Nothing Wrong with Margate wrote:

The is nothing wrong with Margate that a limited thermo-nuclear airburst couldn't put right - in an instant!

Go on, drop one on Margate!

26 Oct 2011 9:30 PM

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lala47 wrote:

The only thing that is stopping Margate from moving into the 21st Century as a top destination, a place with stunning beaches and amazing architecture that is complimented by good restaurants, boutiques and galleries is the small minded ignorant local population, most of whom seem to have commented on this article.
There are alot of people championing Margate at the moment, putting energy and money into making it a better place to live and visit.
Turner Contemporary is working flat out to bring people into the town, to bring new money and new hope to a place with so much potential.
If the local idiots that do nothing but run it down and slander it actually opened their eyes to see how much of a better place it is in just 6 months and started showing abit of pride and care in their town then it would get better even faster.
It can be nothing but a good thing that HM is visiting Margate, it is a hats off to those who work bloody hard to try and make it a better place and should be a kick up the backside to those who are negative about it.
Stop the ignorant, small minded comments and start being positive and up beat about potentially one of the best things that has happened to Margate in a long while!!!!!

26 Oct 2011 9:20 PM

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Robster wrote:

Has HM been to Margate before? I seem to remember, as a child, seeing her, Prince Philip and Winston Churchil, in the late fifty's, in a motorcade along the seafront.

26 Oct 2011 8:27 PM

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Mand wrote:

Oh please listen to yourselves its no wonder people think twice about visiting Margate, chill out and be happy if she is coming, that Margate may at last be on the way up. Anyone reading all these messages wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I have spoken to so many people since the Turner has opened who are visiting Margate for the first time ever and actually love it.....

26 Oct 2011 8:27 PM

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sarah wrote:

how sad most of these comments are obviously made by unemployed losers. if the queen wanted to visit a real dump try medway,swale or maidstone

26 Oct 2011 8:21 PM

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Its me again wrote:

margate is a kin poopie hole... it was lovley 25 years ago when i was a kid, now i hate visiting the pace to see my folks. Its full of Refugees, chavs and people that like to pretend everythings ok....

26 Oct 2011 7:34 PM

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pat wrote:

At last somebody from London visiting Thanet. She might be looking for a place to stay for her holidays next year. I'll drink to that.

26 Oct 2011 7:33 PM

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Mick wrote:

It is not usual to see a Queen in Margate.

26 Oct 2011 6:45 PM

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Anonymous. wrote:

Cools story bro, tell it again!

26 Oct 2011 6:02 PM

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Gabriella wrote:

I wonder if she will see all the empty shops or is she kept away from the realities everyone else has to see.

26 Oct 2011 5:24 PM

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Ho Chi Minh wrote:

Ho Ho

26 Oct 2011 4:07 PM

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Ho Chi Minh wrote:

Ho Ho

26 Oct 2011 4:06 PM

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Freddie Mercury wrote:

You've all got it wrong dahlings!
It's the real Queen, not Her Maj..
Yes....Queen, the mightiest of mighty rock bands, are playing Margate as part of their 'Seaside Pension Plan' tour 2011.
I am being resurrected for the tour and I will stand atop Turner Contemporary and sing our classic song Sheer Art Attack.

I want it all!!!!
Freddie Bulsova

26 Oct 2011 3:43 PM

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james goldie wrote:

i expect thanet council will all be there taking the glory for the day , i thought the queen had more sence than to come down to benifit on sea , biggest slum erea in england ,

26 Oct 2011 3:00 PM

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Margate's Highlights wrote:

What will the Queen be shown? Perhaps the multi-dwelling slums, where the drug deals take place, where bodies are found. Maybe the highlight could be to show her the nearby railway level crossing where someone recently left a car for a train to collide with?

26 Oct 2011 2:59 PM

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Ultimate Benefit Scounger wrote:

Well, let's face it. The queen and associated hangers-on are the biggest benefit scoungers, so perhaps margate is not such an odd choice for a visit?

26 Oct 2011 2:54 PM

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East European Royalty wrote:

What is Polish/Slovak/Czech/Lithuanian/Latvian/Estonian/Romanian/Bulgarian for I love your county your majesty as with the benefits I can live like royalty as well!

26 Oct 2011 2:44 PM

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Reality Check wrote:

I wonder if she has ever been to Margate? Does somebody on her staff think the place is populated by cheery eastend folk on a day out, having a good old knees-up on the sands eating jellied eels and pie and mash?

Can her secuity people speak enough central and east european languages, in order to be able to move on the 'locals'?

26 Oct 2011 2:40 PM

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Steph wrote:

Margate's problems are mostly associated with decisions made at national level.....which are immigration and allowing the long term useless to live by the sea and claim benefits. The Labour govt did nothing to stop this benefit culture.

26 Oct 2011 2:36 PM

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Margate, Australia wrote:

There is a Margate, near Brisbane, Australia and it looks very nice. Will they welcome the worst of UK and Europe to come and despoil it?

It's time to act in Thanet. Stop immediately all benefits to non-UK citizens and give only six months to the indigenous feckless, including single mothers. That would sort it out.

26 Oct 2011 2:07 PM

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April already? wrote:

Is it the 1st of April today?

26 Oct 2011 1:57 PM

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Unbelievable wrote:

I just don't believe it.

26 Oct 2011 1:56 PM

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Ted wrote:

I would assume her majesty is coming to Margate to see for herself how the Conservative councils that have been and gone over the years have not only brought the town to it's knees but put it [Town] flat on it's back. Multi occupancy slums have been allowed to completely ruin a once pleasant area that now sucks into the town undesirables from all over the UK and beyond. Now madam you can see first hand why Cameron does NOT want a referendum to get out of Europe. I am at a loss as to know who in their right mind had the nerve to invite Her Majesty.

26 Oct 2011 1:47 PM

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Jonnymac wrote:

Must have the wrong Margate....I reckon they mean Margate near Brisbane in Australia.....The Queen is out there at the moment isnt she :-)

26 Oct 2011 1:43 PM

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Tracy Emin wrote:

Does she have meet Tracy Emin as well? Now really would be punishment.

26 Oct 2011 1:37 PM

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Inhuman wrote:

No one she have to visit Margate, least of all a dodery old pensioner! It's inhuman.

26 Oct 2011 1:36 PM

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TL wrote:

There is also a Margate in South Africa, with Ramsgate next door.
When I was last there it smelt of Candifloss/Fish & Chips together with 35c heat.

26 Oct 2011 1:31 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:29 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:28 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:27 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:27 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:26 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:26 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:25 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:25 PM

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Brisbane wrote:

I think Kent On Line have got the wrong Margate. Surely The Queen is going to visit Margate in Brisbane, Australia !!

26 Oct 2011 1:25 PM

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Towed Away wrote:

Perhaps she is going there to announce that Thanet is to be towed into the North Sea and sunk along with all who infest it!

Can drug dealers and assorted low-life swim?

26 Oct 2011 1:18 PM

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Equerry St John Clarence Boulevard wrote:

Shurely shome mistake? I believe there is a Margate in Queensland (Australia). She is perhaps due to visit there?

26 Oct 2011 1:18 PM

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Security? wrote:

This must be a mistake as on security grounds alone such a visit would not be made public this far in advance.

26 Oct 2011 1:15 PM

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Mistake? wrote:

Surely it has got to be some kind of mistake. I'm no royalist, but what on earth has she done to deserve this?

26 Oct 2011 1:13 PM

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Painting wrote:

That's a lot painting they are going to have to do - better get started straight away.

26 Oct 2011 1:12 PM

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Wanda Rogers wrote:

What else, other than the people of Margate town, does the Queen need to see? How much more high profile could it be? Much better than Mary queen of shops.........

26 Oct 2011 12:27 PM

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Beach boy wrote:

You know she's gonna end up in Primark.

26 Oct 2011 12:23 PM

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Lionel The Well Travelled wrote:

Deary me! Poor old Queenie. Margate in mid November will be pretty depressing!
One minute - good ole Oz then Margate. Poor woman.

26 Oct 2011 12:21 PM

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Ed Devereaux. wrote:

Well we all know times are pretty desperate now but the queen to visit Margate ! She must be off her rocker !
Lets do hope she will have with her the SAS AND LETS HOPE THEY CAN REACTIVATE THE MET'S SPG.
The place nowadays is simply awash with ! yep you've guessed it ! the lads from Eastern Europe and not forgetting the other rotters who have simply added to the general decline of MARGATE...ENJOY YOUR DAY MAR'M
HE HE HE.......

26 Oct 2011 12:21 PM

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Terry Tibbs wrote:

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26 Oct 2011 12:10 PM

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Thanet Mum wrote:

Hope plenty of police on duty on day. Remember what happened when Rodin's The Kiss opened at Turner Centre - Animal Rights people tried to hijack it.

Imagine what they will do when the Queen attends with her background of fox hunting.

26 Oct 2011 12:04 PM

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Tired wrote:

More waste of taxpayers money, all the plods will have to get out of bed and be at work that day, what is there to visit in Margate? What a dump Margate is, should be blown up, awful place full of awful people, im sure old queeny will have a lovely day there.

26 Oct 2011 12:03 PM

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J D Tippitt. wrote:

The queen visiting Margate !
Crikey I do hope she has a sense of humour and just what will she make of the boarded up shops, drug dealers and weirdos which abound...Oh yes the scienic railway...WHAT A DUMP...
As for the TATE....A RIGHT LOAD OF TRASH, NO OTHER WORD FOR IT
MATEYS !

26 Oct 2011 11:58 AM

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Colonel J R Hunter wrote:

I must make sure I am not in MARGATE that day especially when she goes to the new Tesco's on the seafront, oh sorry I mean the Tate Contemporary and all the old rubbish that will be spouted out by one and all about how wonderful it is !
ABSOLUTE WASTE OF MONEY. MARGATE DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT BALONEY.

26 Oct 2011 11:51 AM

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Andy wrote:

Surely whoever booked that gig is gonna get the sack?

"here's ones P45 now orf with your head, idiot"

26 Oct 2011 11:11 AM

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BATTHESEA wrote:

EXCELLENT NEWS BLESS HER I'm sure she will get a wonderful welcome. Must make sure I get the day off work - Debenhams will have to do without me for the day!!!

26 Oct 2011 11:05 AM

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New Thanetian wrote:

Must agree,apart from the Turner,what else is there to see!? The scenic railway? the boarded up(mustn't forget brightly painted)shops,the Jobcentre to meet the unemployed? Manston? Does her maj know what shes let herself in for? Cue lots a "posters" exalting the virtues of Margate! Yawn.

26 Oct 2011 11:01 AM

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Nick wrote:

Good news for Margate. It will be a great opportunity to ensure the place looks tolerably smart for once. Let's just hope Her Maj isn't overcome by the fumes from all the paint they'll have to use!

26 Oct 2011 10:58 AM

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dave wrote:

Margate a good choice for a day out. When she leaves the station she can take a look at Arlington House and the site for the new Tescos. Maybe she can get Charles involved in the merits of the new store. next to see the boarded up shops in the High Street then on to the derelict Dreamland. A bite to eat in Northdown Road and if he gets time 5 minutes in the Turner Centre.
And on arrival back home she can reflect on what has happened to her beatiful kingdom.

26 Oct 2011 10:55 AM

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Jim wrote:

great news for Margate, but no so great for the queen!!

26 Oct 2011 10:53 AM

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confused wrote:

Is this right? The queen to Margate? I know its good, but its a poor scummy place apart from the new art gallery gaff, what is she going to do apart from visit that? How will they get rid of the immigrants and drug dealers for the day?

26 Oct 2011 10:51 AM

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