An ambitious festival that is expected to attract 80,000 visitors to Ramsgate next year is calling for sponsors, volunteers and schools to get involved.
The three-day Royal Harbour History Festival ,taking place from June 15-17, 2018, has a massive programme planned to promote the wealth of rich history in Thanet and east Kent.
There will be a focus on commemoration, celebration and education, including a special schools’ festival which will be in line with the national curriculum, a ‘salute’ from a flotilla of Little Ships and a screening of the new Dunkirk movie on the beach.
Cricket at the Goodwin Sands
One of the highlights will be a 25-minute cricket match between a Royal Harbour team and a Royal Navy side at the Goodwin Sands, some four miles offshore.
Some high-profile names are already in the hat for match, including Head of the Royal Marines Major General Robert Magowan, former England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom and TV historian Dan Snow.
Presenter and historian Peter Snow will talk to camera from the Sands and the Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Boyce will umpire.
Across time
The festival will run the gauntlet of time from Romans, Saints and Vikings to famous authors, architects and artists and the huge role played by the isle in the First and Second World Wars.
There will be diverse history modules, each with a mixed and unique three-day programme in a dedicated location. These will feature lectures, debates, various displays, living history devised by the Past Pleasures Ltd team, interactive experiences and re-enactments, many of which will be freely available to the public and schools.
A commemorative service will take place at the Sailor’s Church and the Landmark Trust will offer free access to The Grange, built by architect Augustus Pugin, during the event.
Volunteers
The Ramsgate Harbour History Festival team wants to hear from anyone who feels they have something to offer that could contribute to the event. This could be anything from a role as a speaker to loaning photos or slide shows and films.
RHHF chairman Victoria Nielson said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have skills that could add value to the festival.
“We hope this festival will involve people from all backgrounds, bring together major organisations and institutions, community groups and societies, schools and charities and individual enthusiasts, big and small, young and old.”
Schools
Schools are invited to get involved with festival activities.
Ms Nielson said: “We’d like to hear from schools that would like to be added to the mailing list so they can be kept informed and would like to be involved in the School’s Day.
“The school’s programme is being supported by the University of Kent and maps the curriculum for key stages 2-4.
“Schools will be invited to visit for a full day of activities, demonstrations and talks. This will include ‘have-a-go’ sessions in the Roman, Viking, Napoleonic, World War One and World War Two areas and visits to the Dunkirk Little Ships.
“We also want to include Sea, Army and Air cadets to take part in highlighting our sea, air and land inheritance.”
There will be a dedicated schools’ day on June 15.
Sponsorship
Funding has been applied for but an appeal is also being made for sponsors. Ms Nielson said: “The more financial support we can garner in the form of sponsorships and in kind support, the more we can do to showcase, unearth and immerse people in their maritime heritage.”
The festival will raise money for local charities supporting education, heritage and regeneration.
Launch
The event was officially launched at the Royal Harbour Brasserie on July 21.
Speakers included Victoria Nielson, her brother and festival co-founder James Thomas, Sandra Matthews-Marsh MBE, Chief Executive Visit Kent (all pictured above), Rob Kenyon from Thanet council and Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Boyce.
Get involved
To contact the RHHF email nielson.victoria@gmail.com
Find out more about the festival at www.rhhf.co.uk
Meet the team
Chairman Victoria Nielson
Vice chairman author and historian Peter Warwick
Director Mark Wallis of Past Pleasures Ltd
Military historian Andy Robertshaw
Lecturer Dr Graham Jones MBE
Director and co-founder of RHHF James Thomas, of the Royal Harbour Hotel
Director MV Events Melissa Stisted
Safety officer and two-time Atlantic rower Roger Gould
Event and creative production manager Andrew Gibson
Photography Tom Parsons
Production Ben Morton
Royal Navy advisor to RHHF Commander Nick Chatwin OBE
Festival patron Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Boyce.
Festival backing
Thanet District Council
Visit Kent,
Lord Lieutenant’s office
Royal Navy
RNLI
The Cinque Ports Confederation
Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
University of Kent
Landmark Trust
Other cultural organisations.