MEETINGS
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 1st May 2025. This meeting is when we announce the result of our Town Pride Awards and present certificates to the lucky winners - and a Blue Plaque to the overall winner. The meeting starts at 7.30pm, all welcome, members free of charge, guests £4.50. Following the presentation, we will all be celebrating with a complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice.
Details of our 2025 programme, from March to October (except August) is shown on the Calendar page.
Meetings start at 7.30pm, the venue is Holy Trinity Church Hall, St Mary's Avenue, Margate CT9 3TN and all are very welcome. Members free of charge, guests £3.50 except where shown otherwise.
We serve tea, coffee and excellent cake at all our meetings at a very reasonable price.
TOWN PRIDE AWARDS
The winner of the 2024 Town Pride Award is the Wilderness to Wonderland project, who have done an amazing job on the flower-beds in front of Margate railway station and above the beach in Westbrook, turning overgrown areas into beautiful, colourful, areas which enhance the town and give pleasure to locals and visitors. Details of all Town Pride Award winners in 2024 are on our Town Pride page, click to see it.
We will soon be announcing nominees for our 2025 Town Pride Awards. Watch this space. Results and presentations at our meeting on Thursday 1st May.
TOWN WALKS
Robin Colyer, who is a vice-president of the Society, hosts a number of town walks each year. Robin is very knowledgeable and presents information in an authorative but light and humorous manner. These walks are an ideal opportunity to learn about the heritage and history of our town.
The walks are free of charge, but we recommend a minimum donation to Margate Civic Society of £5 per person.
The walks planned for this year are:
Saturday 3rd May: Margate Old Town. Meet at the Droit House at 2pm.
Saturday 7th June: Northdown to Palm Bay. Meet at the Wheatsheaf PH at 2pm.
Saturday 5th July: The Dane and Dane Park. Meet at the Tudor House at 2pm.
Saturday 13th September: High Street and St John's Church. Meet at the Droit House at 2pm.
Saturday 11th October: Maritime Margate. Meet at the Droit House at 2pm.
Booking is recommended for all walks by telephoning or texting Robin on 07878 537448.
CLOCK TOWER GATE
Following repeated acts of vandalism to the timber door of the Margate Clock Tower, Society stalwarts Lynda and Harry Smith suggested that a protective iron gate fitted to the stonework in front of the door should prevent further attack.
The idea was promoted to Thanet District Council and a subsequent meeting was held with Council officers. The proposition was welcomed and initial thoughts considered as to what form the gate should take. The design had to be appropriate and respect the Listed Building status that the structure enjoys.
Committee member Mike Thompson had in mind that St Saviour’s Church in Westgate featured a beautiful pair of wrought iron gates in front of the entrance door and that a single one of the same design would be entirely appropriate. Subsequently, having carefully measured up the clock tower door reveal, he drew up the design to scale and this was submitted as part of the required Listed Building planning application. The design was accepted and eventually we received the necessary Listed Building consent.
In the interim, the Society had found a suitable contractor who was able to provide a quotation for the construction and installation of the gate. Aided by financial contributions towards the project from the Mayor’s fund and from money that Thanet District Council (TDC) received from a Southern Water fine, plus contributions from Society members, sufficient funds were secured to cover the project’s cost, and the go-ahead was given for manufacture.
This was awarded to Stonaco Fabrications of Ramsgate who were enthusiastic about the project from the start and were most helpful throughout the process.
Once the gate was manufactured, a date was agreed for fitting and this was carried out on 14th November 2024 by staff members from Stonaco, who did a first-rate job. The result speaks for itself.
A period now must elapse prior to painting the gate to allow the galvanising to settle and cure and then the Small Works team from TDC will paint it black - the colour approved in the planning application.
