A 'roarsome' range of events and activities is held across Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Walmer and the surrounding rural areas, with a whole host of great things to do. 

A 'raptor-ous' reception was given to a collection of 'friendly' dinosaurs when they came to Pencester Gardens for the return of the Dino Day this summer, (pictured). 

Events this autumn include Heritage Open Days, from 6-15 September, including a range of activities at the historic Maison Dieu on Saturday 7 September, and exciting news on the Roman Painted House, (see below).

• Events in White Cliffs Country 

DDC is set to reopen the Roman Painted House to the public from Saturday 14 September to form part of Dover’s Heritage Open Weekend.

This follows news that DDC needed to carry out essential maintenance works, which are now nearing completion. The sign-off for building safety inspections is proposed for w/c 9 Sept, and the site is due to open to the public from Saturday 14 Sept, subject to approval from the health and safety team.

For Heritage Open Weekend, the attraction is set to open Saturday and Sunday (14/15 Sept) from 10am to 4pm. It is then due to open to the public, free of charge every Saturday until the end of November 2024.

• More on Roman Painted House

Major proposals for a new leisure centre in Deal that’s fit for the next 50 years have been given a green light to move to the next stage of development.

In addition to the new five lane 25m pool, health & fitness stations, toning tables, multi-activity & spin studios, and café area being proposed, the team will be giving further consideration to whether a six lane 25m pool can be delivered and further test ways to develop leisure activities. 

As the project develops, there will be further engagement, giving members of the public and other stakeholders an opportunity to give their feedback on proposals. 

• New leisure centre for Deal 

Archaeology and site enabling works are underway on the multi million pound Dover Beacon project, which is set to deliver over £90m of economic benefit, bringing investment to boost jobs, skills and access across the area. 

Major plans for a landmark development in Bench Street as part of the transformational project have been given the go ahead.

An application for a four-storey building, known as The Bench, for uses including education, business start-up space, studio gallery/creative space and a café was approved by DDC planners in July.

• More on Dover Beacon

Community groups in the district are being given a key funding boost to help local people with the cost of living.

The winter round of DDC's Cost of Living Community Impact Fund is now open and the deadline for applications is Monday 30 September.

Successful applicants for the summer round were allocated funding in August, when over £50k was awarded to 34 different groups.

• More on community grants

The first Big Dover Jobs and Volunteering Fair is coming to Cruise Terminal 2 at the Port of Dover on Wednesday, 11 September from 10am to 2.30pm.

DDC, the Department for Work and Pensions, Port of Dover, and Stagecoach are teaming up to showcase job opportunities, along with a whole variety of volunteering opportunities across the area.

• Big Dover Jobs&Volunteering Fair

DDC has welcomed news that two tennis courts in Connaught Park are set to be refurbished with funding from the Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Foundation.

The refurbishment in the Dover park will include a colourful resurfacing, new posts, new netting and perimeter fencing, and a new entrance gate with key code system. The project is being funded by a grant of £57,500 from the LTA Tennis Foundation. 

A new form of tennis is also being served up with new service providers in Victoria Park in Deal, following a recent launch (as pictured) when Chairman of DDC, Cllr Gordon Cowan, opened new temporary padel tennis courts.

• More on leisure facilities

DDC is celebrating after receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award for Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens. 

The Green Flag is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team caring for the parks. 

The parks have met the quality standard every year since the completion of the £3.1m ‘Parks for People’ project in 2021 with the National Lottery Heritage and Community Funds. Part of the project saw the restoration of the Grade II listed Billiards Room in Kearsney Abbey, which hosted its first weddings this summer. 

• More on Kearsney Parks

DDC hosted a prize giving ceremony this summer 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 area, helping to maintain our environment and unite the local community.

The scheme acknowledges those who work tirelessly to make a difference, as well as local businesses who are putting the environment at the top of their agenda.

• More on REACH awards