Index

Founded in 1968, Margate Civic Society is a registered charity (no.257884). It is a founder member of Civic Voice.

We hope that you will enjoy browsing these pages and that they will help you to take pleasure in the history and character of Margate and its surrounding towns and villages.  We hope also to provide a service to members of the Society in publishing news and photographs that will be of interest.

The Society produces a Newsletter four times a year, and has a lecture programme which covers a wide range of interests.  Details are given on the "Calendar" page.  The May meeting of each season includes presentation of the coveted Town Pride awards, and details of the 2025 winners can be found on the "Town Pride" page.  Town Pride contenders are nominated by members of the Society.

If you would like to join Margate Civic Society, details of fees and a link to an application form are shown in the "About us" page.  We currently have over 160 members and always like to welcome more. The winter lectures are invariably of a high quality as is the Newsletter, and membership of the Society really is extremely good value. The Society takes an active role in reviewing and, where appropriate, responding to planning applications and has a good working relationship with Thanet District Council in helping to improve the character and appearance of the area.

MEETINGS

Although we normally hold monthly meetings from March to October (except August), we are going to hold an additional meeting this November. This is so that we can hear a very special talk by one of our Vice-Presidents and noted local historian James Brazier. James' talk is about Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 and in particular the very large part played by Margate. The meeting will be held on Thursday 6th November and, as ever, all are most welcome.

The meeting will 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.

We serve tea, coffee and excellent cake at all our meetings at a very reasonable price.

Please note that meetings in 2026 will be held on the third Thursday of each month, rather than the first Thursday as hitherto.

OUR CHRISTMAS EVENT

This year, we are holding a Christmas tea party, at Church House, Kent Gardens, Birchington CT7 9RS. The event will start at 2.30pm and, as well as afternoon tea or coffee plus mince pie and cake, there will be a raffle and a special talk by Ian Carter-Chapman on "Mistletoe and Mummers". We hope that members and guests will enjoy meeting up and having fun shortly before Christmas.

We ask that you book, please, if you would like to join the party. The fee for members is £6.00 and for non-members £7.50. Please pre-book by emailing Christine March at membership@margatecivicsociety.org.uk or by phoning her on 07752 456519. Payment may be made to the Treasurer by cheque, bank transfer or PayPal - please see the "About Us" page for details.

TOWN PRIDE AWARDS

At our meeting on 1st May, we were delighted to announce the winners of our prestigious Town Pride Awards. The winner of the Blue Plaque was Thanet District Council for their tremendous renovation of the fire-damaged Nayland Rock Promenade Shelter. For further details of this and the other winners, please look at our Town Pride Award page - click to see it.

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 £8 per person.

Robin has completed his programme of walks for this year but will be holding more in 2026. Watch this space for details.

Booking is recommended by telephoning or texting Robin on 07878 537448.