Sunshine, crowds and a Honey Monster could be found in Ramsgate today (September 12) with the return of the town carnival.
Floats moved off from Royal Esplanade and travelled through Paragon, Royal and Harbour Parade, Plains of Waterloo, King and Queen Streets, Westcliff Road, Grange Road and back to Royal Esplanade.
As well as carnival courts, a Medway Queen float and a Morris/Steam Punk troop there was also the highly creative Making Waves float, featuring a replica sculpture of the iconic Pfizer Hands and Molecule sculpture on Ramsgate’s West Cliff, and highlighting both the joys of swimming in the sea and the threats to the environment of rising sea levels from climate change and pollution.
By working collaboratively the community groups behind Making Waves created a wonderful spectacle, without spending a penny on materials! Instigated by the group of Ramsgate sea swimmers behind the recent Swimmers Blanket and Swimzone installation on the High Street, it was supported by Ramsgate Town Council, Addington Street Community Group, Western Undercliff Regeneration Group, Ramsgate Litter Pickers, Ramsgate Arts,, Great British Carnival and Tales of Moon Lane children’s bookshop. Everything used to decorate the float was created from materials that were reused, recycled or litter picked in the local area.
Carnival judges were so impressed that The Swimmers took top prize in the voluntary group category.
Scooping three prizes, including best in carnival was the Stage Door Arts with Arts in Ramsgate float themed Birds of Paradise.
Stage Door boss Heidi Moran said: “We collaborated with Arts in Ramsgate for our Birds of Paradise float – they ran a workshop making bird masks, shakers, bird and flower decorations with our children and their members.
“The workshops were held Stage Door Arts Studios, and brought together the local community, with people of all ages and abilities coming together to create art and have fun.
“Our float had around 70 children involved all dressed as birds or in bright festival colours, plus the cast of Matilda joined in too. We placed 1st in youth group category 1st in commercial category and we came overall first in the whole carnival.”
The afternoon also included music, stalls and prizegiving at Government Acre.
Winners list
Best in carnival – Stage Door Arts/Arts in Ramsgate
Playgroup/nursery/youth – Stage Door Arts/Arts in Ramsgate
Commercial – Stage Door Arts/Arts in Ramgate
Voluntary – West Cliff Swimmers
Decorated vehicle – Kent air ambulance
Fancy dress – Josh Hedges and friends
Best queen float – Witham
Best majorettes – Rainham
Best band – Section 5 drummers
Best queen tableau – Maldon
Best visiting queen’s court – Maldon
Spirit of carnival – Mr and Mrs Maine who have run the funfair at the carnival for 30 years
Carnival was the worst I’ve ever been 2 won’t be going next year
Working so I missed it !!!!! Well done Ramsgate for a traditional non woke !!!!! community extravaganza. Home made fun at its best seeing the photos brought back wonderful nostalgic childhood memories.
Waste of money and time it’s just a chance to chuck leaflets everywhere.
Oh look. A negative review from the professional moaning prick.
Probably a limp one at that. Jack.
What a fantastic event! An opportunity for the community to get together and celebrate and support Ramsgate.
Waste of time and money.the Ramsgate mayor was leading the parade blowing her own trumpet as usual,
I think one of the duties of the Mayor is to lead civic and community events.
I wasn’t aware that she was playing in a band, too.
It’s great to think that even in these terrible covid times, townspeople can pull together.
Great i love Ramsgate it’s traditional carnival it’s really so Annoying that negative twats make such horrible comments
It’s not a waste of time or money it’s called community spirit and togetherness well done
Gobsmacked by the negative comments about what was a fun and happy community day. Generally the people who whinge about such things have never lifted a finger to help their community, so no point taking their criticism seriously
All these sad pathetic people who have nothing better to do than complain, how about you support you’re local community instead of being a cause of its decline? Margate carnival didn’t even happen this year so how about people be grateful that Ramsgate even had one??
Seeing people fight back against the continously bile filled hatred of everything has really cheered me up.
People like Thanet Resident are typical right wing hate mongers, who bring nothing to our communities.
The sooner twats like him peg it, the better Thanet will be.
Unreal Corona breedin ground bunch of divies
Jack is a right wind granny bedder get out of thenet u welk
Francis. I’m literally in Greece as I’m writing this, you barely literate twat.
I personally thought it was a great day and fantastic to get people out and about again after what we have all gone through the last 18 months. Well done to Ramsgate council and everyone else who helped organise this day and for all those of you who are making negative comments, let’s all just be thankful that it wasn’t cancelled like a lot of other local carnivals.
If you would like to take over the Carnival. Contact Ramsgate Carnival commit or miss Ramsgate association. You can find all details in Ramsgate magazine.
I used to watch the Carnival every year when younger, and have also been on a Ramsgate float years ago. Now living O/S and there is nothing like this her in our township. I thought that a lot of effort from the participators should be recognised, as well as the money they collect for special local programmes. Keep going!
Sue Gillis, from Australia