Dan Thompson
@danthompson33.bsky.social
Artist and writer, interested in seaside, empty shops, and peace. Worthing, Ramsgate, Margate, UK.
Would you like a space to write, with sea views? Dan Thompson Studio are offering a desk at Marine Studios to a writer. You'll have your own desk, 24 hour access, seven days a week. Views over Main Sands, the studio is a five minute walk from the station, Turner Contemporary, and the Old Town.
February 12, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Would you like a space to write, with sea views? Dan Thompson Studio are offering a desk at Marine Studios to a writer. You'll have your own desk, 24 hour access, seven days a week. Views over Main Sands, the studio is a five minute walk from the station, Turner Contemporary, and the Old Town.
Tomorrow is your last chance to catch Lost Margate at Pie Factory Gallery in Broad Street. Mixing contemporary art and historic artefacts to look at how Margate always reinvents itself has inspired lots of conversations over the weekend.
February 8, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Tomorrow is your last chance to catch Lost Margate at Pie Factory Gallery in Broad Street. Mixing contemporary art and historic artefacts to look at how Margate always reinvents itself has inspired lots of conversations over the weekend.
'If I could only quit my job I'd join the hippy elite'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhG8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhG8...
Hippy Elite
YouTube video by Billy Nomates - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:21 PM
'If I could only quit my job I'd join the hippy elite'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhG8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhG8...
In The Guardian, talking about Margate and Londoners - 300 years of gentrification.
www.theguardian.com/cities/2026/...
www.theguardian.com/cities/2026/...
February 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
In The Guardian, talking about Margate and Londoners - 300 years of gentrification.
www.theguardian.com/cities/2026/...
www.theguardian.com/cities/2026/...
Making hope normal again. Ten things, every Monday morning, to inspire hope and give you enough optimism to last til ... well, at least Wednesday. The Ragged Optimist's newsletter, 92nd edition.
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
The Ragged Optimist 92
Welcome, dear reader, to The Ragged Optimist’s 92nd newsletter, although I prefer to see them as pirate radio broadcasts from a hopeful near-future, only in text form.
danthompsonstudio.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Making hope normal again. Ten things, every Monday morning, to inspire hope and give you enough optimism to last til ... well, at least Wednesday. The Ragged Optimist's newsletter, 92nd edition.
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
On this day in 2009, I was on the beach at dawn making offerings to the sea mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/t...
The Fisherman’s Prayer, The Ice Prince and Me
At 7am this morning, with the streets still dark and empty, I loaded the bike pannier with six chunks of ice. Inside each was a splinter of pine from the cargo of the Ice Prince, which sank a year …
mrdanthompson.wordpress.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
On this day in 2009, I was on the beach at dawn making offerings to the sea mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/t...
Reposted by Dan Thompson
We are officially open!
As of today, our new cafe and visitor centre is the place to start your visit to the Pines Garden (and end it, too!). It connects the work of the Bay Trust, the story of the Pines Garden, and the heritage of St Margaret’s. 🌱
As of today, our new cafe and visitor centre is the place to start your visit to the Pines Garden (and end it, too!). It connects the work of the Bay Trust, the story of the Pines Garden, and the heritage of St Margaret’s. 🌱
January 17, 2026 at 10:09 AM
We are officially open!
As of today, our new cafe and visitor centre is the place to start your visit to the Pines Garden (and end it, too!). It connects the work of the Bay Trust, the story of the Pines Garden, and the heritage of St Margaret’s. 🌱
As of today, our new cafe and visitor centre is the place to start your visit to the Pines Garden (and end it, too!). It connects the work of the Bay Trust, the story of the Pines Garden, and the heritage of St Margaret’s. 🌱
Stereolab - French Disko (Live on The Word)
YouTube video by Stereolab
www.youtube.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
I'm working on an exhibition in Margate, inspired by a collection of poetry. It takes the idea that different waves of people who’ve arrived in the town mourn a different version of the town, as it is constantly rewritten by newer arrivals. mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2026/01/10/t...
The town that forgot itself
An exhibition inspired by a collection of poetry, which features international artists alongside some unlikely historic artefacts, will explore the impact of waves of incomers on the North Kent tow…
mrdanthompson.wordpress.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:27 PM
I'm working on an exhibition in Margate, inspired by a collection of poetry. It takes the idea that different waves of people who’ve arrived in the town mourn a different version of the town, as it is constantly rewritten by newer arrivals. mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2026/01/10/t...
View from my work digs this week. The White Cliffs. Although now it's dark, it's just a big fat moon, the rippling English Channel, the sound of waves on the beach.
www.cottages.com/cottages/st-...
www.cottages.com/cottages/st-...
January 5, 2026 at 10:15 PM
View from my work digs this week. The White Cliffs. Although now it's dark, it's just a big fat moon, the rippling English Channel, the sound of waves on the beach.
www.cottages.com/cottages/st-...
www.cottages.com/cottages/st-...
It's not all shit. Incredible things are happening in the world - rewilding and nature restoration, new ways of doing things, people making the world better, lots of beavers. Get ten hopeful things in your inbox, every Monday morning, for free. You'll be happier.
open.substack.com/pub/danthomp...
open.substack.com/pub/danthomp...
The Ragged Optimist 88
It's getting better all the time
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:20 AM
It's not all shit. Incredible things are happening in the world - rewilding and nature restoration, new ways of doing things, people making the world better, lots of beavers. Get ten hopeful things in your inbox, every Monday morning, for free. You'll be happier.
open.substack.com/pub/danthomp...
open.substack.com/pub/danthomp...
Reposted by Dan Thompson
We have enjoyed mooching about Rochester today, bumped into @danthompson33.bsky.social and had lunch in Tiny Tim's.
December 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
We have enjoyed mooching about Rochester today, bumped into @danthompson33.bsky.social and had lunch in Tiny Tim's.
Feel like you need hope and optimism and maybe even a little bit of joy? Every week, I collect together ten hopeful and happy news stories and drop them in your inbox. It's free, too. Subscribe for some ragged optimism. danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
The Ragged Optimist 87
Have you got your 2026 diary yet?
danthompsonstudio.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Feel like you need hope and optimism and maybe even a little bit of joy? Every week, I collect together ten hopeful and happy news stories and drop them in your inbox. It's free, too. Subscribe for some ragged optimism. danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
Margate Zine Fair at Marine Studios was F U N ! A bunch of great people, all doing interesting work.
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Margate Zine Fair at Marine Studios was F U N ! A bunch of great people, all doing interesting work.
Reposted by Dan Thompson
I'm really pleased that this year I introduced a zine making workshop (run by the amazing @danthompson33.bsky.social) into a Media module. Making stuff with your hands, writing by hand is more important now than ever if we want to fight against the ongoing enshitification of everything.
What else won't matter? Evidence from an author's handwriting, watermarks, paper, parchment, mold, folds, stains, seals, signatures, or other signs of usage. Guido Fawkes' signature after having been tortured will look the same as after he recovered; Emily's Dickinson's dashes will be em-dashes
November 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I'm really pleased that this year I introduced a zine making workshop (run by the amazing @danthompson33.bsky.social) into a Media module. Making stuff with your hands, writing by hand is more important now than ever if we want to fight against the ongoing enshitification of everything.
I do turn up in some unlikely places.
Album purchases come with a copy of the ‘Western Verses’ liner notes by @danthompson33.bsky.social - once listed (by #GQ) as one of the 100 most influential men in Britain, has done a few things with @grindrod.bsky.social & is in this episode of ‘Mark Steel’s In Town’ www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Mark Steel's in Town, Series 13, Margate
Mark Steel is back in town. First stop, Margate.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I do turn up in some unlikely places.
Reposted by Dan Thompson
Really nice exchange with @jonwoolcott.bsky.social last eve. I only knew of his upcoming #HillFigures book thanks to a @grindrod.bsky.social repost… his Monstrosities Mon Amour series features @danthompson33.bsky.social who was working with me at @thebaytrust.bsky.social today. Happy linkages :-)
October 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Really nice exchange with @jonwoolcott.bsky.social last eve. I only knew of his upcoming #HillFigures book thanks to a @grindrod.bsky.social repost… his Monstrosities Mon Amour series features @danthompson33.bsky.social who was working with me at @thebaytrust.bsky.social today. Happy linkages :-)
Reposted by Dan Thompson
Lovely to catch up with @danthompson33.bsky.social at the Marine Studios in Margate and to meet all the other artists, poets and creatives working there. Part of the East Kent Open Houses project
October 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Lovely to catch up with @danthompson33.bsky.social at the Marine Studios in Margate and to meet all the other artists, poets and creatives working there. Part of the East Kent Open Houses project
The Ragged Optimist has published his 71st newsletter, a start-the-week bulletin full of hope, joy, and optimism - architecture, rewilding, science, art, music and other wonderful stuff so you can start the week in a good mood.
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
The Ragged Optimist 71
Hope, the Helm Wind, Harvest mice, and the Hastings Kelp Project
danthompsonstudio.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
The Ragged Optimist has published his 71st newsletter, a start-the-week bulletin full of hope, joy, and optimism - architecture, rewilding, science, art, music and other wonderful stuff so you can start the week in a good mood.
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
danthompsonstudio.substack.com/p/the-ragged...
Reposted by Dan Thompson
Monstrosities Mon Amour is on a summer break, but will be back soon. In the meantime I can’t believe there’s already nine episodes! What a lot of cheery chat about unloved things johngrindrod.substack.com/podcast
Monstrosities Mon Amour | John Grindrod | Substack
In Monstrosities Mon Amour we celebrate places and things that have been unfairly monstered in popular opinion. Host John Grindrod will be your excitable guide to a world beyond the lazy stereotypes o...
johngrindrod.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Monstrosities Mon Amour is on a summer break, but will be back soon. In the meantime I can’t believe there’s already nine episodes! What a lot of cheery chat about unloved things johngrindrod.substack.com/podcast
It was fun to be on this. Even if the car ride was a little bumpy. Sorry, John.
Thanks so much to all my guests so far: Mike Althorpe, @helenbarrett.bsky.social, @philipdowner.bsky.social, @angelabarnes.bsky.social, @garetherees.bsky.social, @regretteruane.bsky.social, Travis Elborough, Catherine Croft and @danthompson33.bsky.social, delightful kidnappers all
August 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
It was fun to be on this. Even if the car ride was a little bumpy. Sorry, John.
This is lovely to know.
I have spent a fascinating time in the @kent.ac.uk library archives looking at artists' books and zines that are all part of the @danthompson33.bsky.social archive!
I'm teaching fanfiction and zines in week 2 of term to Media students - I've now got loads of ideas for the workshop.
#AcademicSky
I'm teaching fanfiction and zines in week 2 of term to Media students - I've now got loads of ideas for the workshop.
#AcademicSky
August 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is lovely to know.
Remembering a forgotten soldier of the First World War. My attempt to keep the life of a stranger in people's memories. mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2018/08/02/t...
The life and death of William Gibson Clarke
William Gibson Clarke was born on 16th May 1891, in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Skipton is on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, south of the Yorkshire Dales and 26 km northwest of Bra…
mrdanthompson.wordpress.com
August 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Remembering a forgotten soldier of the First World War. My attempt to keep the life of a stranger in people's memories. mrdanthompson.wordpress.com/2018/08/02/t...
Reposted by Dan Thompson
The temptation to mention (again) that @danthompson33.bsky.social wrote the liner notes to my #WesternVerses EP is too strong… he’s guesting, not for the first time (see Arlington House in #Iconicon), with @grindrod.bsky.social in the latest of the latter’s Monstrosities Mon Amour.
NEW PODCAST EP! Smashing to chat to @danthompson33.bsky.social about his love for Terry Farrell's much overlooked Drum in Margate, and about the joys of studio pottery teapots in the latestMonstrosities Mon Amour open.substack.com/pub/johngrin...
Monstrosities Mon Amour: The Drum, Margate, with Dan Thompson
#9. John Grindrod meets writer and artist Dan Thompson to experience Terry Farrell's much overlooked Drum in Margate, and the secret joys of studio pottery teapots
open.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The temptation to mention (again) that @danthompson33.bsky.social wrote the liner notes to my #WesternVerses EP is too strong… he’s guesting, not for the first time (see Arlington House in #Iconicon), with @grindrod.bsky.social in the latest of the latter’s Monstrosities Mon Amour.
Reposted by Dan Thompson
NEW PODCAST EP! Smashing to chat to @danthompson33.bsky.social about his love for Terry Farrell's much overlooked Drum in Margate, and about the joys of studio pottery teapots in the latestMonstrosities Mon Amour open.substack.com/pub/johngrin...
Monstrosities Mon Amour: The Drum, Margate, with Dan Thompson
#9. John Grindrod meets writer and artist Dan Thompson to experience Terry Farrell's much overlooked Drum in Margate, and the secret joys of studio pottery teapots
open.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 5:19 PM
NEW PODCAST EP! Smashing to chat to @danthompson33.bsky.social about his love for Terry Farrell's much overlooked Drum in Margate, and about the joys of studio pottery teapots in the latestMonstrosities Mon Amour open.substack.com/pub/johngrin...