Save our past for the future - Support so far
Margate Civic Society president Ralph Handscomb has backed our campaign to reopen the museums.
Mr Handscomb, who lives in Eastern Esplanade, said: "The suggestion that a new trust could be set up hasn’t got very far.
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Join our campaign to save the museums
"We’ve sent letters to the council telling them they’re fools for letting the museum go and I would encourage others to write lots and lots of letters and keep on at them.
"If it doesn’t stay where it is it could go in Dreamland and tie in with the plans that are surrounding it. People want to know things about Margate and Bob Bradley, who was curator of Margate Museum until it shut, has the files at his fingertips. The whole society backs this campaign."
Ramsgate Society chairman Jocelyn McCarthy says he is 100 per cent behind the drive to get Ramsgate Maritime Museum back in business.
He said: "It’s a very important part of our history and an important part of Ramsgate. There is so much history here. I can’t understand why the council has proposed selling the building because it can be repaired.
"We have lost the museum that was in the library and with such a superb building that’s integral to the harbour I think it should stay. It’s important to the people of Ramsgate and to those who have moved away.
"Without the museum what else is there for people to do?"
Deputy leader of Thanet council Cllr Roger Latchford said the authority was in talks with one interested party over the future of Ramsgate museum.
He added: "We have had very positive talks this week. There has been a meeting of minds. More talks will take place soon."
Leader Sandy Ezekiel said the authority wants to keep museums in both towns and is keen to meet with groups and individuals who could help. He added: "We do not have limitless budgets. We need people to come forward to work with us to get the museums open."
Cliftonville primary school continues to get value from Margate Museum, with pupils learning about history from former curator Bob Bradley during Second World War days.
Year four teacher Alice Holdstock said: "The day really helps the pupils and gives them a better understanding of the era.
"Mr Bradley brings in artefacts not normally taught about, such as special headlight covers that helps them understand the blackouts.
"He is full of local knowledge as well and can tell you the names of aeroplanes that landed on the beach.
"Lots of different year groups have been to the museum and it’s an important part of the town."
Cliftonville hotelier Ann Smith, head of the Isle of Thanet Tourism Association and chairman of Margate Town Centre Partnership said the TCP had already expressed an interest to Thanet council in running the Margate museum and finding volunteer partners to work with.
She said: "This is absolutely essential from a tourism point of view you just have to look at what we are up against in other towns where millions of pounds are being poured in to tourism while all we are seeing here is cut backs.
"How can we be building the Turner Contemporary and talking about regeneration in the Old Town when we have seen the heart of the Old Town closed down. Our partners in the Old Town need the museum. It’s a nonsense."
Harbour Newsagent owner Tony Radcliffe has a petition in his shop for people to sign up their support.
He said: “Museums are part of our history and part of the culture and I think it’s a shame that people can’t go there anymore. People can’t see how Margate used to be. Even the building itself is spectacular. I think it should stay there rather than building anything new because they wouldn’t get the funding for it.”
Principal of Hartsdown college in Margate, Andy Somers, said: “Margate museum is an important educational resource in the same way as a local library. We direct students to do research for projects in these places and they are fantastic opportunities for parents to work with their children. As someone who is still relatively new to the area, I would say that the museum needs to improve its publicity and promotion. Margate is on the brink a lot of changes – The Turner gallery and the regeneration of the town centre as well as a brand new secondary school at Hartsdown - it is therefore more important than ever that its heritage is preserved.”
What do you think? If you feel passionately about the museum leave your words of support in the comment section below.
9 Comments
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by Robert Ellender, Ramsgate
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 8:19AM
“Im Deeply saddened that the clock tower and maritime museum have been closed we should be doing everything possible to keep local history alive where are the schools going to go now for school trips informing local school children all about ramsgates local history Also we should be looking long term with 2012 olympics in London we should be doing everything now to build up our area to encourage tourists to our beatuful harbour and not to closed down signs. Also where will all the artifects go as Im lead to believe some were donated to the local people and not owned by the council?”
by Ralph Hoult, Ramsgate
Saturday, April 11 2009, 4:09PM
“I spend most of my time working for my town weather it is at the Granville Theatre, the East Cliff Bandstand or delivering one of my talks on Ramsgate at venues across the Island - group's that I have been assocciated with since leaving the RAF in 1974 have spent time and energy talking up and working for the town - this is all volluntary - we can only make this work with everbody working together ,most of our events are about our heritage and history - this is our greatest asset - our corner of the nation has played such a vital roll in the way our nation has become - Christianity started here, St Augustine, there has been visits from all the grteratest names in history to our town - we have the only Royal Harbour in the UK and much, much more. This iis celebrated in the Maritime Museum - our shop window to our great past - you don't ever close your shop window - we should promote and exploit our past and be proud of it - not forget it - our main income still comes from our tourism - lets not forget that - if you want to know what a great town we live in come to the Granville Theatre any third Tuseday and I will put it on the big screen and show you all what we had and what we can still enjoy - together we can save it. In the Bandstand Group we are staging at least fifteen days of quality family fun days brin ging back thge fun of yesteryear - please, ;please join us and make that work as well - we caannot bring back the days when Ramsgate was one of the top resorts in the UK - but we can certainly make it much, much better - join us now. Go on to www.theramsgatebandstand.com”
by Cherie Neale, Ramsgate
Thursday, April 09 2009, 9:53PM
“I have lived in Ramsgate most of my life and have hosted many foreign students and on the days they didn't have any thing on at the schools of English I have taken them to either the Mariteme Museum or the Spitfire museum, both of which they have enjoyed. The motor museum has gone please do not let our Maritime heritage been forgotten too! I can't form a group but I and my husband would be willing to help out as volunteers at the Ramsgate Maritime museum, if possible”
by Horace, Kingsgate
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 2:44AM
“I have today arranged with the Fayreness Hotel a fundraising evening at the hotel for the 'Save Our Past' campaign. It will take place on Friday the 22nd of May at 7.30pm. The cost is £15 with a percentage going to the cause during the evening we will have a raffle and Bingo to help raise even more money. The menu is Leek and Potato Soup, 2nd course will be Homemade Pie and Mash with vegetable. The Apple Crumble and Custard for dessert. Raffle prizes are welcome. For more information please call Horace on 07814306664 or to book your table please call the Hotel on 01843 868641.”
by Phil Hughes, St. Peters, Broadstairs.
Sunday, April 05 2009, 11:40AM
“I believe that the Ramsgate Maritime Museum must be saved as a history of seafaring in Thanet over hundreds of years. As a retired merchant seaman of 32 years service I am passionate about our maritime history in Thanet and take my grandchildren there. Think of the RNLI rescues over the years which are still spoken about such as the "Indian Chief". Think of the Ramsgate families involved then and still today, the Verrions, Goldsmiths, the Coopers. Think of the Napoleonic Wars, the Dunkirk evacuation, the Cinque Port status, the Royal status and the links to the great "Titanic". Ramsgate Harbour and it's maritime history is the jewel in Thanet's crown and must be preserved. Thanet Council could do more by way of advertising this museum by better and larger signs such as in place in other towns instead of these silly Italian car number plate size signs. Let people know it's there instead of hoping they will come across it by chance. We should be proud of our maritime heritage and promote it better. It must be saved.
Mr. P. Hughes.”