Marine Studios is awarded CIC status!
The home of the Writers' Room is a Community Interest Company once again; plus First Friday news and brand-new opportunities and events for writers
A new era at Marine Studios
Fifteen years ago, Margate was a very different place. Before Turner Contemporary opened in 2011, the town’s renaissance didn’t feel like the certainty it does today. Attracted as much by the grassroots activity like the Margate Rocks festival as by Turner Contemporary, one London design firm decided to take a chance, and relocate to a large studio with sea views. It would give them enough space to expand their business, but also give them room for a gallery, coworking space, and studios for others. HKD - Houghton Kneale Design - is a company that specialises in design for science centres and museums, with 120 projects completed across five continents. The company was founded by Rick Houghton, who had inherited James Gardner's studio, and designer Kate Kneale.
Marine Studios, the space they carved out of an old casino a few minutes walk from the station, has been a huge success - nurturing many of Margate's best known events and organisations, like Margate Mercury, the Dreamland Trust, and POW Thanet, and making projects like GEEK Festival, Adventures In Comics, and the Margate Games. And after fifteen years, as Kate and Rick concentrate on projects in India, China, and elsewhere in the UK, it's time for Marine Studios to take a big step and become artist-led. As four studio members take leadership and as we establish a new Marine Studios Arts & Culture CIC, we’d like to say a huge thank-you to Kate, Rick, and all the HKD staff - who have made a huge and lasting difference to Margate, and leave us with a great foundation to build on.
First Friday planning meet-up
First Friday (est. 2009) is a place for the inquisitive where art, science and heritage meet, a town-wide opportunity for the community to explore, celebrate, network and connect.
Thanks to a grant from Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), Marine Studios is planning to refresh old connections and make some new ones – and we want to shout about and share First Friday happenings throughout Margate.
Are you involved in programming local spaces, running a cafe or venue? Join us on 1st November at 1pm for an informal meet-up at Marine Studios. Email Jenny Duff jenny@marinestudios.co.uk if you'd like to attend, or for messages with updates.
We’re continuing to hold our own First Friday events at Marine Studios – other dates for your diary include a look at AI on 1st November and an annual get-together on 6th December, with a chance to try Christmas-themed crafts.
1st November First Friday: AI
At our next First Friday event, explore AI, transhumanism, and how technology extends human capability.
Is AI an apocalyptic nightmare or does it represent an generation defining technology like the internet? With talks from The Geekery & Genetic Moo, as well as Dan Thompson as an Actual Intelligence Machine; and – not for the squeamish – a live, on-site subcutaneous microchip implant demonstrated on by our very own Connor Sansby.
Friday 1st November, 6–9pm at Marine Studios, CT9 1UJ. To find out about upcoming events visit our website; and if you have any questions about accessibility please read our accessibility statement.
Looking back: ON THE SAME PAGE
In October, we teamed up with Margate Bookie and held a day-time First Friday at The Margate School, called ON THE SAME PAGE. We were delighted to welcome back Hope Fitzgerald from Bindfulness Handmade Books, who ran a gorgeous bookbinding workshop, and also Bryony from Bee’s Bookshare who held a special edition of her book group for new and longstanding booksharers.
In the evening, we all hot footed it to the Ballroom at Dreamland for the brilliant Kent Poetry Slam Championship, hosted by Connor Sansby and headlined by Raymond Antrobus.
Join us next month for our First Friday event on 1st November back in its usual time and place (Marine Studios, 6–9pm).
Writing Opportunities
Disabled Poets Prize 2025
The 2025 Disabled Poets Prize is now open for entries from deaf and disabled people aged 18+. Submissions are open until Monday 4th November. For more details and eligibility requirements see online here.
Wellcome Collection
Applications to the Wellcome Collection Non-Fiction Awards are open from midday on Tuesday 1st October to 5pm on Monday 11th November. For more information on eligibility, bursaries, access and terms and conditions see online here.
Hosking Houses residencies
Residencies at Church Cottage – close to Stratford-upon-Avon – are offered to support established women writers, artists and creative practitioners, usually over the age of 40, who face some kind of need in the continued development of their work. For information about residencies, and bursaries, see online here.
What’s On?
For details of all the monthly Marine Studios Writers’ Room groups (Margate Fiction Writers; Margate Stanza; Where to Start Writing…) please see the website here and for information about accessibility at any of our Marine Studios events see here.
Dan Thompson’s Seaside History Club
Thursday 17th October and Thursday 21st November), 7pm / Marine Studios
A new monthly event for Marine Studios, with guest speakers, performers, and exhibits that explores the history of seaside towns and just what makes them special. The opening night will explore the ways people have imagined Margate's futures, from unfinished regeneration plans to dystopian fictions
Pay What You Want (suggested £5)
Writer’s Block
Friday 25th October, 9.30am-1pm / Marine Studios
Writer’s Block is BACK! If you need a quiet space to write (no matter what the project), come to Marine Studios for a free 3-hours on Friday morning.
Free to attend / RSVP on Instagram
Mindful Mondays
Monday 28th October (and ongoing monthly), 6.30–8pm / Marine Studios
Set up by Ed @queerwellbeingthanet, sessions will be a mix of mindfulness exercises, breathing and meditation exercises as well as group chats about common topics such as anxiety, work stress, and struggling with being ourselves. Expect kindness, empathy, snacks and tea & coffee! Sessions will be a suggested donation of £7, but it’s pay what you can afford. Sessions are open to LGBTQ+ folk as well as allies.
Email hello@edgarveylong.com or RSVP on Instagram
Margate Bookshop Bookclub
Wednesday 30th October, 6.30pm / Fort Road Hotel
Join Margate Bookshop Bookclub for this month’s discussion on Orbital by Samantha Harvey.
Free to attend
First Friday: AI
Friday 1st November, 6–9pm / Marine Studios
Our next instalment of First Friday will explore AI, transhumanism, and how technology extends human capability.
Free to attend
Brighter Days Markets
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd November, 10am–4pm / Turner Contemporary
Meet and buy work from local independent makers, artists & craftspeople.
Free to attend / More information on Instagram
Green studios collaboration - Thanet
Wednesday 6th November, 9.30–11.30am / Marine Studios
Are you involved with a creative space or studio that’s taking steps to improve your environmental impact, or interested in doing so? We’re looking to bring together the collective knowledge of Thanet’s studios to produce a Green Guide to help us better share resources and good practice – join us for an information sharing session.
Email jess@co-relate.co.uk
Poeticon
Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November / Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Rallying up writers, poets, performers and all-round poetry fans across Kent, the biggest literary convention in the South-East is coming to Canterbury!
Tickets £5
Pop-up bookshop
Sunday 24th November, 9.30am–4pm / The Pavilion Broadstairs
A pop-up book fair supporting local authors – if you’re a writer you can buy a stall for £10 (any book related merch that authors have made is welcome – stickers, badges, bookmarks, etc.)
Email chrishorn.author@gmail.com or popupbookshopkent@gmail.com