Heritage Open Days
The annual Heritage Open Days festival continues until Sunday 15 September and Thanet has more than 30 venues taking part.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the festival and to celebrate, isle venues and experiences are participating in the national scheme with opportunities to discover Thanet’s rich history, architecture and culture, free of charge.
This year’s theme is ‘Routes, Networks and Connections’. People are invited to delve into the rich tapestry of history through the movement of people and ideas.
In Thanet, the festival includes:
The Grange/St Edward’s Presbytery, St. Augustine’s Road, Ramsgate- Open Friday 13th – Monday 16th 10am-4pm
Radford House, Effingham Street, Ramsgate Open September 13th and 14th, 10am-4pm with tours at 11am and 3pm
The Heritage Harbour, Royalty and the Everyday, 13th September – Talk on the history of Ramsgate and its royal connections at the San Clu. Doors open at 6.30pm for talk at 7pm with pre-booking required Book now
Clock House Museum Exhibition,13th September – 15th September, at Arch 6, Military Rd, Ramsgate, noon to 5pml Learn about the history, heritage, and people of Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour
St George’s Church, 14th September, 10am-3pm, wander round the church at your leisure – highlights include the Dunkirk window which shows the little boats setting sail for Dunkirk from Ramsgate Harbour and our Grade 2 Listed Organ built by William Hill, a famous organ maker. There will be guided tours up the lantern tower and down into the crypt.
Italianate Glasshouse, 14th September – 15th September, noon to 2,30pm at King George Memorial Park, Ramsgate
Drapers Windmill, St Peter’s Footpath, Margate,14th September – 15th September, noon to 4pm.Take a visit to Thanet’s last working windmill grinding local grain.
St John’s Church, Victoria Rd, Margate, 14th September – 15th September, Open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm – 4pm
On Saturday 14th the church will welcome those taking part in the Kent sponsored Ride and Stride to raise money for their own church and the Kent Churches Trust.
Refreshments are available to buy in the pop up cafe in the church.
Dickens House Museum Broadstairs, 14th September – 15th September, 1pm-4.30pm
See the parlour where Dickens and his son would take tea in the cottage and take inspiration for his beloved character Betsey Trotwood and explore the museum.
ARK, Albion Rd, Cliftonville,14th September – 15th September, noon to 3pm
Exhibition about The Kitchener Camp Rescue in 1939 at ARK in Cliftonville.
The Ramsgate Show & Tell Event,14th September, Ramsgate Tunnels, Open 10am-4pm
Revealing Ramsgate’s Heritage with a show and tell event where visitors can showcase their own memorabilia or browse the Ramsgate Archive collection
Spencer Square,15th September, 11am to 6pm
The historic Spencer Square in Ramsgate will be celebrating its connections with Van Gogh. Visitors will also get a chance to enjoy a free tennis taster session and watch a competitive match on the tennis courts located in the square.
Four Thousand Lives, 15th September, ARK Albion Rd, Cliftonville, 2pm-3pm
A talk by author Clare Ungerson about the rescue of German Jewish men to Britain in 1939 at ARK, Cliftonville’s Cultural Space. Free (or donate via supporter ticket) Book now
Dreamland Heritage Trust, 15th September, Dreamland Margate, 10.30am-6pm
Local history fair & heritage tours at Dreamland, Margate.
BUILD AN ELEPHANT PUPPET WORKSHOP (11am – 6pm)
JOURNEY BACK IN TIME (10.30am – 6pm)
THIS BEAN SPINS (2pm – 4pm)
Joining them at the event will be a host of Kent Heritage organisations including:
Thanet Heritage HUB – Representing Margate Caves, RAF Manston, & Dickens House
English Heritage
The Art of the Samurai sword
Margate Civic Society
Westgate Heritage Centre
Looping the Loop
The Steam Tug Cervia Preservation Trust
Ramsgate Heritage Harbour History Group (HHG)
Kent Archives
Shrine of St Augustine and National Pugin Centre
Full line up at: From Palace Cinema to India House and Paradise – more than 30 Thanet venues to take part in Heritage Open Days
Michael Blaker exhibition
Ellington Park Café has an exhibition of some of Michael Blaker’s original artworks on show. The paintings by Michael show his interpretation of some beautiful trees in the park as well as different events on the bandstand.
Catriona Blaker generously donated both the oil painting, and the rest are on loan from owners of the pictures.
Michael, a celebrated artist, lived for many years in Ramsgate and painted many pictures of Ellington Park. Catriona said: “Bev Perkins has put on a charming display of Michael's work in the cafe here. I know he would have been really delighted to see this. He much enjoyed painting in the park, and also made etchings of scenes which had inspired him there, particularly around the bandstand. This is a particularly fitting way of remembering him locally, and my thanks go to all concerned.”
Ramsgate XL Comedy Club
13th September, The Granville Theatre Ramsgate, 7.30pm
Ramsgate XL Comedy Club showcases the biggest names in comedy alongside favourite comedians from TV.
This shows Line Up includes Dylan Moran, Nick Helm, Tom Deacon and MC Adam Beardsmore!
Tickets £27.50 + booking fee Book now
Enclosures
12th September – 16th September, Hold Creative Spaces, Albert Street, Ramsgate
David Nettleingham’s first solo exhibition combining folk imagery and industrial materials
Open 11am – 5pm daily
Private view… Friday 13th September, 6pm
Nai EP launch
13th September, ARK – Cliftonville Cultural Space in Albion Road, 7pm-9pm
EP launch with live band and choir at ARK, Cliftonville’s Cultural Space
Nai, formerly one half of Rinngs (Universal / Wow and Flutter), is a composer and solo performing artist. Nai’s musical journey has led her to work with renowned artists such as Ray Davis (The Kinks) and Jacob Collier.
Having toured the globe as a multi-instrumentalist and singer, Nai now calls Broadstairs home. This summer, she’s been in the studio, crafting and recording fresh tracks.
Tickets £11.55 Book now
Sunshine Ocean Records – Showcase Event
13th September, Ramsgate Music Hall. Doors Open: 7:30 PM
Showcasing some of the finest talent connected to Sunshine Ocean Records at Ramsgate Music Hall. Featuring Ned Ashcroft, The Worry People and daisy.
Tickets £12.50 Book now
Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop event – Oi Dinosaurs!
13th and 14th September, The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop, 30a Reading Street (above Staple), 1.30pm – 2pm
A lovely storytime and creative fun activity with the latest in the hilarious rhyming ‘Oi’ series – ‘Oi Dinosaurs!’ at Staple in St Peters
For ages 3+ Tickets £5 Book now
Kneecap (18)
Palace Cinema Broadstairs
The real life, very funny and deeply irreverent story of how an anarchic Belfast rap trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue.
Friday 13 September to Tuesday 17 September. Details here
Pugin Week
St Augustine’s & Pugin: Shrine & Visitor Centre
Annual festival celebrating the life and work of the 19th Century architect Augustus Pugin
Friday 13 – Monday 16 September 10am – 4pm St Augustine’s open to coincide with The Grange Open Days.
Friday 13 September 11am Contrasts: An exploration of Gothic vs Georgian architecture. A 2 hour walking tour of Ramsgate’s architectural gems, led by Pugin enthusiast Jayne Evelyn, inspired by Pugin’s book ‘Contrasts’
Saturday 14 September 12pm – Midday Mass for Pugin on the anniversary of his death at St Augustine’s Church
There is free parking on Royal Esplanade, a very short distance away. St Augustine’s is accessible for those with reduced mobility.
Free Entry
Cycle del Mar
13th September, Col’s Kent Bike Tours
Meet outside the Turner Contemporary (Margate) for a 7.30pm start
If you are looking to make getting active fun then come and join Col’s Kent Bike Tours to ride and see the Margate Sunset. They have a live DJ on a Rickshaw leading the ride, with 3 ride leaders if you need confidence to get cycling again. There is also space on the rickshaw for 2 non-riders to enjoy the experience.
Margate Swing Festival
13th September – 15th September, Nayland Rock Hotel, Margate, 7pm-11pm
Seaside vintage dance weekend. Three nights of dancing with wild swim, roller disco and outdoor dance sunset finale
DJs, dancers and live bands from the London swing scene as well as Margate’s local talent to play the very best in Lindy, Balboa, Shag and Blues.
Tickets Friday 13th… £22 / Saturday 14th… £25 / Weekend ticket… £40 Book now
Margate Collectors Fair
14th September, 10am – 3pm, United Church Margate
Stamps – Postcards – Playing Cards – Militaria – Coins – Phone Cards – Cigarette Cards-Books – Breweriana – Ephemera – Antiques and Small Collectables
Free admission. Refreshments available.
Ramsgate Rumble 2
September 14, from 2pm at the Granville Theatre Ramsgate
CG Fight League presents an evening of semi-professional boxing in support of Harper Dunsford. There will be 17 thrilling bouts with a performer opening up the show.
There will be a raffle and auction with great prizes to be won and memorabilia to be bought to raise funds for Harper who has recently been diagnosed with a rare condition ‘SMA TYPE 2’. Tickets are £40 and can be purchased online at www.cgfitnessgroup.com
The Last Dance with Leftfield & Orbital
14th September, Dreamland Margate, 5.30pm – 10.30pm, last entry 9pm
With support from Luke Vibert, Richard Fearless and Paranoid London
From £42.50 plus booking fee Book now
Yard Sale
14th September, St Georges Church Yard in Ramsgate, 10am – 3pm
There will be stalls with bric-a-brac and vintage clothes, as well as refreshments, fun family activities and tours of the tower and crypt.
Tia Cousins, Zoe & Damo
14th September, Faith In Strangers, Ethelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, 9pm
Up and coming London based DJ, bringing her eclectic and experimental sounds to Faith In Strangers.
Event is 18+. Book now
Dane Court boot fair
Saturday 14th September, Dane Court School Broadstairs
Gates for stall holders 6am. General public 6:30am. Refreshments available. Cars £8 Vans £10
Jane Weaver
14th September, Where Else? The Centre, Margate, 7pm
Since her start in ’90s Britpop band Kill Laura, Chesire-born singer and songwriter Jane Weaver has constantly reinvented her sound. From folktronica to psychedelia to “Day-Glo Pop”, her albums have featured collaborations with Susan Christie, P.J. Philipson and Emma Tricca. She started her record label, Bird Records, to promote female artists such as Cate Le Bon and Maxine Peake.
Tickets £19.44 Book now
MA Fundraiser Part 2
14th September – 15th September, Joseph Wales Studios, Dane Hill, Margate, noon-5pm
An open studio event at Joseph Wales Studios where Twinkle Troughton will be showing some new works at the same time as having a studio sale, selling signed prints, and will have a ‘pay what you can’ section of works to raise some money towards her MA studies which resume in September.
Open Cockpit Weekend
14th September – 15th September, RAF Manston History Museum, 10am-4pm
A selection of open cockpits, plus displays, stalls and military vehicles at RAF Manston History Museum
The Open Cockpit Weekend will be a chance to get up close and sit in the cockpits of a number of aircraft, as well as experience rides in Fire Engines and Tanks.
On both days the Museum will be opening up a selection of cockpits, including for the Nimrod and English Electric Lightning, inviting visitors to step inside, sit in the pilot’s seat, and see what it’s really like to be in charge of these amazing machines.Fire Engine and Tank rides, and plenty more!
Refreshments available
Usual RAF Manston History Museum admission prices apply – ride admissions extra.
No booking necessary
Adults £6, Concession £5, Child £3 (under 5s free), Carer £3, Family (2 Adults, up to 4 Children) £18. Ride admission separate
Operation Market Garden
An exhibition to commemorate the 80th anniversary of wartime op, Operation Market Garden, will be held at the RAF Manston History Museum this weekend (September 14-15).
The exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and focuses on the strategic and crucial role played by RAF Manston and The Glider Pilot Regiment. It aims to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who participated in Operation Market Garden.
Outside on the day The Glider Pilot Regiment will be represented by:
The Glider Pilot Regiment Society (GPRS) whose objective is to preserve and promote the heritage of The Glider Pilot Regiment through education and engagement and create a network for veterans of the Glider Pilot Regiment and their families to engage with one another.
The Men of Arnhem will be bringing their Horsa Cockpit down to exhibit.
The Air Cadets will be manning a stall throughout the day running cardboard cut-out Glider workshops.
Plus there will be an exhibition inside the museum which will become a permanent display after the commemorations.
On Saturday 14th September at 7pm there is a public unveiling of Veteran RAF Glider Pilot Brian Latham’s Statue followed at 7.15pm by a public talk about Operation Market Garden and The Glider Pilot Regiment. Entry for the talk is £3 per person and can be booked via [email protected]
The NAAFI Café will be open from 5.30pm.
Jude Kingshott
York Street Gallery Ramsgate
Exhibition of beautiful botanical pieces.
Jude will be at the gallery on Saturday afternoon to meet and greet and discuss her work and process. All welcome.
Open Tuesday – Saturday – 10.30am – 4.00pm and Sunday – 11am – 4pm
Live music at Broadstairs bandstand, 1pm-4pm
Friday | Nick Kelly | 50’s 60’s & 70’s |
Saturday | Adam Green | Indie / Folk / Rock / Pop |
Sunday | Richie Triangle | Originals & Covers |
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (12a)
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened.
With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
This feature contains sequences of flashing lights that may affect viewers who are susceptible to Photosensitive Epilepsy, or other Photo sensitivities.
Carlton Cinema Westgate
Now until September 19. Details here
Margate Cultural Walking Tour
15th September, 1pm, from the Shakespeare pub.
This 60 minute seafront walking tour into Margate’s Old Town covers the town’s history from 900 AD, through its history as a holiday getaway, then as a haven for artists, lovers (and the occasional rockstar) in more recent times…. to the spot it is today.
A fun tour whether you are a local or a visitor – starting at The Shakespeare Pub, near Margate Train Station, then taking a gentle stroll through the spots along the seafront that feature in these historical tales… ending in Margate’s Old Town. And those who stay on afterwards will have the option to taste some of the local wines, ales (and cheese!) together at Little Swift. Tickets £10.00
The Ramsgate Affordable Print Fair
14th September – 18th September. Curated by Harry William Pye at the Front Room Gallery in Bellvue Rd, Ramsgate. Open noon – 6pm
Opening Party on Friday 13th September 6pm – 9pm / Closing Party on Wednesday 18th September 6pm – 9pm
The plethora of phenomenal print makers whose work features in the show include Billy Childish, Bob London, Carson Parkin-Fairley, Cedar Lewisohn (t.b.c), Cristina Calvache, Denese Morden (t.b.c), Gordon Beswick, Gregory Solomans, Harry Adams, Harry Pye, Jaime Jover, James Lawson, Jo Mama, Jonas Ranssøn, Julia Maddison, Julian Wakeling, Kate Murdoch, Kelda Storm, Kitty McCarron, Lee Maelzer, Loretta Wall, Owen Thomas, Reece Higham, Russell Herron, Sandra Turbull, Sarah Wood, Suzanne Spiro, Tinsel Edwards, Twinkle Troughton
All works for sale & under £100
Oval Summer Sundays – Smokin Mavericks
September 15, Oval Bandstand Cliftonville
-Doors, toilets and concessions open: 1pm – 5pm .
-Concert: 2pm – 4pm.
-A minimum £2 donation per adult on door (under 16’s no donation required).
-All persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
-A fully licensed bar and food is available
I know it’s not Thanet, but heritage open days include a rare chance to go up Reculver Towers (that’s what I’m probably doing this weekend!).
what about watching the armed police on margate beach taking down felons , thats great entertainment , kids would love it
I’ll be spending Sunday afternoon at The Smokin Mavericks gig at the bandstand over in Cliftonville, one of my favourite parts of Europe.
I prefer the art shelter down the road.
I’m afraid all that highbrow stuff is a bit over my head!
Don’t be so bloody stupid “Hatty Nuff”. It’s obvious you’re just another boring right-wing twat.
You have such a great sense of humour M.M. Rees. I’m sure the people you use to go to parties with would agree.
Are you tempted by any of the above events, M&M? Or are you just going to sit indoors moaning online? It’s a lovely day, get out of Ramsgate for a few hours!
Yes, MM; venture across the Wantsum this weekend. These days it’s not as much of a challenge as it used to be.