Two weeks ago the Isle of Thanet Gazette launched a campaign to save Margate and Ramsgate museums from closure. Since then support has come flooding in from across the isle - and beyond.

THE man locked in talks with Thanet council over the opening of Ramsgate Maritime Museum has welcomed the overwhelming support gathered by the Isle of Thanet Gazette’s Save the Past for the Future campaign.

Michael List-Brain, who already runs the Preston steam museum, said he would gladly work with those who have offered their backing to get the museum reopened as soon as possible.

He has been in talks with Thanet council bosses since January and had hoped to open the museum at Easter.

Thanet council has refused to reopen the museums saying it needs a watertight business plan covering all legal eventualities. Council leader Sandy Ezekiel told the Isle of Thanet Gazette he doubted that they would reopen for another 18 months.

Cllr Ezekiel said: “We are not looking for a short-term fix to the Ramsgate museum situation. We want something for the long term to ensure it’s sustainable. There has been nothing wrong with the business plans submitted. They just need to show the museum is sustainable without core funding from Thanet council.”

The future of Margate museum seems even more in doubt as Mr List-Brain said that was not part of the current deal he was negotiating but it could be in the future. Cllr Ezekiel would only say the council was in talks with “partners” over Margate’s museum.

He said money would be needed to cover insurance, legal costs, Criminal Records Bureau checks and possibly staffing before the council would consider reopening it.

Mr List-Brain is already responsible for the entire Ramsgate Maritime Museum collection after coming to a deal with the former owner, the East Kent Maritime Trust (EKMT).

He had been about to take legal action against the EKMT which had failed to maintain an exhibit he had donated, the steam tug Cervia.

At the 11th hour the EKMT agreed to transfer the museum’s artefacts to Mr List-Brain.

The EKMT had previously received £100,000 a year from the district council to fund the museums in Ramsgate and Margate but funding was dropped after it was decided the museums were not good value for money.

While the museums were mothballed in October, the council still continues to pay for electricity and heating to ensure the artefacts in both museums do not deteriorate.

The Steam Museum Trust hopes to pursue alternative methods of funding for the Ramsgate museum. This includes events that would run throughout the year as well as improving the dry dock to house the museum’s historical vessels such as the Sundowner and the Cervia.

SUPPORT continues to flood in for our museum campaign. Readers have offered to give up a few hours a week to help run the museums or have lent their support to keep the isle’s historical attractions open.

Northdown House campaigner William Friend has pledged to donate money to the fund.

There is a three-course fundraising dinner being held at Kingsgate’s Fayreness Hotel on May 22 from 7.30pm. Places cost £15. Raffle prizes are welcome. For more information call Stephen on 07814 306 664. To book a table call 01843 868641.

Thanet Archaeological Society chairman Gordon Taylor said: “We are currently investigating the location of a Roman building first excavated in the 1920s by Arthur Rowe in Tivoli Park Avenue, Margate, and in Hartsdown Park. The finds and records were dispersed over the decades mainly because there is no central location for storing and displaying them.

“When heritage is of such ever growing interest, it is vital for the area to have a modern museum. The success of the Hadrian exhibition at the British Museum is an example of how popular history is if properly done.

“When I first moved into the area in the early 1970s I became interested in local heritage and history because of the excavations at Lord of the Manor, with a subsequent display in the Tudor House.

“Kent County Council should be involved with this, it's that important.”

Margate Civic Society member Colin Bridge, from Birchington, pledged his support and used to give historical walks around Margate Old Town.

He said: “I have visited many times and provided music there on special occasions. I am willing to help in any way.

“Also I organise the Thanet Clarinet Quartet which can provide music from easy listening to concerts. We would be happy to help with fundraising or other events.” THDS270608colin-5

The Isle of Thanet Gazette says:

OF COURSE Thanet council needs to be sure that a long-term deal over Ramsgate and Margate museums is both legally watertight and the best for the towns but what good aredoes having two closed tourist attractions which are closed over the summer do anyone?

Thanet council should allow Mr List-Brain to reopen Ramsgate museum immediately, even if it is on a short-term agreement, while talks continue.

Leaders should enter in urgent discussions with other interested partners over the Margate museum, to secure its reopening at once and continue talks for the future.

Without this kind of commitment from Thanet council, Margate and Ramsgate have lost vital attractions for a summer when, because of the credit crunch, many people are planning holidays in the UK.

If tourists come and find nothing to do will they return next year when the museums might be open? Probably not.

Local authorities and swift action seldom go together but in this case time is of the essence or a vital opportunity to promote our district will have been lost.