Watch Dragons, Lions and Gargoyles Emerge from Stone at the Stone Masonry Festival!
A cross‑channel Stone Masonry Festival is set to bring hands‑on creativity and historic craftsmanship to the Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall) later this month.
Running from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May, visitors will have the opportunity to meet talented stonemasons from the UK and France, as they carve fantastic creatures from blocks of Maison Dieu stone, inspired by animals that appear in the building’s carved stonework, stained-glass and decorative scheme.
The festival encourages visitors to learn about Dover and its history through the ancient art of stone masonry. They can try new creative skills and discover opportunities for working in the heritage crafts and cultural sector.
It’s being organised by the Maison Dieu and Cats Eye Carving in partnership with the Kent Downs National Landscape and Cross-Channel Geopark and a host of local partners.
The festival is a free drop-in event suitable for all ages. It will take place both outside and inside Dover’s Maison Dieu, and in the nearby Biggin Hall. It also includes the opportunity to visit nearby venues, including historic St Edmund’s Chapel and St Mary’s Church, where alabaster monumental plaques have recently been cleaned and conserved.
The carving will begin on Saturday morning with each stonemason working on a piece of recycled stone from the Maison Dieu. The winning pieces will be decided by a public and stonemasons’ vote announced on the final day.
There are plenty of fun activities across the weekend. Some will be at set times and further information can be seen at .uk
Read the full press release by searching 'news' on our website.
DDC is pleased to support the relaunch of Crosslinks Community Hub in Dover, following an extensive £169K refurbishment which is allowing the hub to expand its services for young people.
The relaunch took place last week, and Leader of Dover District Council Cllr Kevin Mills is pictured cutting the ribbon with the group’s Youth Worker, Becky Meredith.
Crosslinks Community Hub based in Dover has been running communal activities since 1997, primarily working with children and young people.
The DDC-owned building on Sheridan Road has been extensively refurbished by the Council. The charity already leases the building next door, and the new expansion means they can now host a new music suite, art room, chill out area and social area.
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, DDC’s Community Safety team will be joined by KCC’s Adult Social Care team in the Community Roots van as they travel across the district.
They’ll be meeting residents, listening to their experiences of adult social care and offering support within the local community.
Monday 11 May
11am to 12.30pm - Sainsbury's, Deal
1pm to 2.15pm - Jubilee Centre,
(together with Deal & Sandwich PCN Social Prescribing)
Tuesday 12 May
11am to 1pm - Pencester Gardens, Dover
1.30pm to 2.45pm - Market Square, Aylesham (together with @bechangecommunityhub )
🎶 Happening today - Friday 8 May from 10am to 12 noon. This week's Market Square Live session welcomes Colby Gaffney to #Dover Market Square.
🎤 Colby is a young crooner singing songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Matt Monroe and many more.
🎼 These fabulous and free-to-attend sessions showcase our talented local musicians.
#livemusic #shoplocal #whatson
🎶 This week’s Market Square Live session welcomes the fabulous Colby Gaffney to #Dover Market Square from 10am to 12pm on Friday 8 May.
🎸 Colby is a young crooner singing songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Matt Monroe and many more.
🎼 These fabulous and free-to-attend sessions showcase our talented local musicians. We’re running them on varying days to reach different audiences including cruise passengers – and the Port will see its first ever four cruise ship day on 8 May!
Sessions are weather dependent.
#livemusic #shoplocal #whatson
@visitdover
Running low on heating oil?
There may be support for households in the #Dover District for those who rely on heating oil to keep their home warm.
Eligible residents will receive the payment of £300 designed to contribute towards the rising costs of heating oil from The Crisis Resilience Fund.
For more information regarding eligibility and how to apply, please scan the QR code or call 01304 821199.
🎶 Saturday 2 May, 11am to 1pm - Dover Market Square Live welcomes singer Chris Ray.
🎸 Hailing from Austin, Texas, Chris carries the soul of country music in his sand-paper smooth voice and the grit of a roadhouse troubadour in his guitar.
🎼 These fabulous and free-to-attend sessions showcase our talented local musicians.
#livemusic #shoplocal #whatson #dover
DDC hosted a prize giving ceremony on Saturday 25 April in the Billiards Room at Kearsney Abbey, to reward some of our community’s local environmental heroes.
The REACH Awards (Recognising Environmental and Community Heroes) recognise our district’s unsung heroes who work hard to improve the appearance of the Dover District, helping to maintain our environment and unite the local community.
They are supported by Veolia, DDC’s waste management contractor.
Split into four different categories, the scheme acknowledges those individuals and groups who work tirelessly to make a difference, as well as local businesses and schools who are putting the environment at the top of their agenda.
The awards were free to enter, and candidates could nominate themselves or be nominated by others across four categories. Many worthy entries were received for the panel of judges at DDC to review, and the winners in each category are:
Community Project of the Year Award – Branching Out, Temple Ewell
Green Organisation of the Year Award – Sandown School, Deal
Litter Picker of the Year (over 18 category) – Sue and Alan Smith
Junior Litter Picker of the Year (under 18 category) – Nevaeh McKeown
When considering the winners for each category, the judges were looking for a clear passion and a consistent focus on making a difference.
Read the full press release by searching 'news' on our website (link in bio).
🎶 For our first Market Square Live session in 2026, we welcome the wonderful Chris Ray to #Dover Market Square from 11am to 1pm on Saturday 2 May.
🎸 Hailing from Austin, Texas, Chris Ray carries the soul of country music in his sand-paper smooth voice and the grit of a roadhouse troubadour in his guitar.
🎼 These fabulous and free-to-attend sessions showcase our talented local musicians.
🌞 Sessions are weather dependent.
#livemusic #bankholidayweekend #shoplocal #whatson
@visitdover
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, DDC’s Community Safety team will be joined by KCC’s Adult Social Care team in the Community Roots van as they travel across the district.
They’ll be meeting residents, listening to their experiences of adult social care and offering support within the local community.
Monday 11 May
11am to 12.30pm - Sainsbury's, Deal
1pm to 2.15pm - Jubilee Centre, Sandwich
(together with Deal and Sandwich PCN Social Prescribing)
Tuesday 12 May
11am to 1pm - Pencester Gardens, Dover
1.30pm to 2.45pm - Market Square, Aylesham (together with Bechange Community Hub)
Great first meeting of the Dover Pride in Place Board.
The newly appointed Chair and Board met at St Radigunds Community Centre on Friday 17 April to make a start on its exciting work going forward.
The Board has been set up to lead Dover’s new 'Pride in Place' programme which will bring up to £20 million of investment to St Radigunds and Buckland wards over the next 10 years.
It is working to bring residents, local businesses and community leaders together to identify the projects that matter most to local people and create a plan for delivery.
#prideinplace #community #Dover
After school sports sessions
Great news – extra dates added!
⚽️🏸🏈 🏀 FREE multi‑sports sessions in Pencester Gardens, #Dover. Open to ages 5–18, with activities especially for 11 to 16 year olds.
⏰ 3.30pm to 5.30 pm
Sports include football, badminton, swing ball, Panna football skills and more!
Come along, get active and have fun with friends!
See /pencester-sport-session for dates.
