By James Bonthron
Fantastic efforts by staff and volunteers to transform the area into a cornerstone of the community culminated in the park winning two awards, including the top prize.
The Ramsgate Design Awards, hosted by the Ramsgate Society, announced winners last month at an event held at Radford House.
This year the awards were organised with Ramsgate Town Council with the aim to enthuse residents to care about the quality of their local built environment and good design of buildings around Ramsgate.
Overall, there were 32 nominations in the different categories.
Ellington Park was the recipient of Public Realm award for a “fabulous effort over a long period of time to bring the café, a restored bandstand and some well-designed landscaping to this much appreciated community park”.
It also won the prestigious Building of the Year 2023 Award, with it being remarked that: “The judges were delighted to award this year’s top prize to this amazing achievement”.
The Friends of Ellington Park said: “We are delighted and honoured to have received these awards from The Ramsgate Society which highlight all that the development that has happened in Ellington Park. We are also proud that we have retained the prestigious Green Flag and Heritage Site Awards again for this year. A massive thank-you to all those involved for their continued hard work and support to make this beautiful park a welcoming space for all to enjoy.”
Beverley Perkins, former chair of the Friends of Ellington Park and current Director of the cafe, said on social media: “Well done everyone! I hope we are all proud of our success ~ the trustees (old and new), our many, many volunteers, café staff, members and supporters of the Friends of Ellington Park, TDC officers, and of course the National Lottery for funding it.
“I’m sure the park will continue to go from strength to strength in years to come and thereby retain this wonderful green space at the heart of Ramsgate, and loved by so many, for future generations.”
The Ramsgate Design Awards judges were Jane Hetherington, RTC Councillor; David Gullick, architect; Gabriel Holland, interior designer, with Sue Gyde and Paul Shearer from the Ramsgate Society.
Winner of the Building of the Year award – Friends of Ellington Park for their renovation of the popular park
RESIDENTIAL – BEST NEW BUILD
WINNER THE OLD COURT HOUSE
HIGHLY COMMENDED POPPY FIELDS
COMMENDED ROYAL SANDS COTTINGTON GARDENS HARBOUR COURT
RESIDENTIAL – BEST RETROFIT
WINNER BREAD FACTORY
HIGHLY COMMENDED COURTSTAIRS MANOR
COMMERCIAL – BEST NEW BUILD
WINNER FIRE STATION
COMMENDED LALEHAM GAP SCHOOL
COMMERCIAL – BEST RETROFIT/SHOPFRONT
JOINT WINNERS BUBBAWARES and POSTIVE RETAIL
HIGHLY COMMENDED ASWASISNOW .
COMMENDED NO 36, ADDINGTON STREET THE ICE HOUSE
COMMERCIAL – BEST RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY
WINNER VINCENT’S CAFÉ, SPENCER SQUARE
HIGHLY COMMENDED HONEYSUCKLE INN WOODEN BOX GALLERY AND CAFE .
COMMENDED THE MODERN BOULANGERIE SAN CLU HOTEL
COMMERCIAL – BEST WORKSPACE
WINNER WW MARTIN HEAD OFFICE
HIGHLY COMMENDED 9, CHAPEL PLACE LANE
COMMENDED RAMSGATE STATION UPSTAIRS@TMB
PUBLIC REALM
WINNER ELLINGTON PARK
HIGHLY COMMENDED WHEE!
HIGHLY COMMENDED KENT STEPS
COMMENDED THE BEACONS
THANET AWARD
WINNER TKE STUDIOS
HIGHLY COMMENDED CARL FREEDMAN GALLERY MARGATE CAVES FORT ROAD HOTEL
COMMENDED CHARTWELL HOUSE QUEEN ELIZABETH QUEEN MOTHER HOSPITAL A&E
BUILDING OF THE YEAR
ELLINGTON PARK
