This summer is set to be packed full of fun for a 'roarsome' season for all the family.

With a whole range of great places to go and things to see and do, you'll be spoilt for choice across Dover, Deal and Sandwich and the surrounding areas. 

This includes Market Square Live sessions, and the return of the popular dino day, bringing a unique blend of entertainment and T-Rex-citement to the area this summer.

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It's been one year since the Grand Reawakening of the Maison Dieu - and over the year we've been delighted to welcome thousands of visitors.

We've also welcomed news that the Maison Dieu was awarded a 2026 Civic Trust Award and an Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) Conservation Award. 

And the journey continues with a range of events, including the recent Marconi Day and Stone Masonry Festival, and the forthcoming Cinque Ports Conference.

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Work is well underway for the new multi million pound Deal Leisure Centre.

A range of facilities is set for the new centre, including a six lane 25m pool, gym, health & fitness studios, pool inflatable fun sessions and a toddler splash pad, a café, and accessible facilities including a Changing Places toilet. 

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Works have started on an exciting new-look play area for Kearsney Abbey.

This follows the go ahead for the £155k renovation, with funding from the National Lottery ‘Awards For All’ Scheme and DDC.

Works are due to be completed by the start of the school summer holidays.

• Kearsney Abbey Play Area

A diving survey of Deal Pier took place last week – as we continue to invest in a major programme of works to protect Deal Pier for future generations.

The survey involved experts diving to inspect the reinforced concrete pier legs.  

This follows a Cabinet decision last year to carry out a second phase of key works for the popular local attraction. Subject to confirmation of details, works are set to take place over the summer months, with the pier set to remain open while works take place.  

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The Roman Painted House in Dover has reopened its doors to the public following its routine closure over the winter months.

The attraction reopened for the Easter weekend, and is now in its spring/summer opening hours.

It's now set to open Saturdays during term-time, Thursday to Sunday in school holidays, extra days for cruise ship visits, and during Heritage Open Days (11-20 Sept).

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A summer drive to continue to help reduce the amount of litter on our local beaches has been launched this week – with the return of the successful #LoveYourBeach campaign.

The campaign is being run by DDC, in conjunction with Folkestone and Hythe District Council and waste contractor, Veolia.

The Love Your Beach campaign includes a range of initiatives to raise awareness and help keep beaches clean around the district.

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DDC hosted a prize-giving ceremony in the Billiards Room at Kearsney Abbey in April, to reward some of our community’s local environmental heroes.

The REACH Awards (Recognising Environmental and Community Heroes) recognise our district’s unsung heroes.

The awards recognise individuals, organisations and groups for activities that help to make our district a cleaner and greener place to live.

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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on the future number of councils in Kent and Medway and the areas they should cover is now closed - and the government is considering the views put forward.

This comes after councils across Kent and Medway worked together to draw up 5 options for the number of unitary authorities needed and what areas they could cover.

We expect to hear the decision on the future structure this summer.

• Local Government Reorganisation