Old Photos of Ramsgate

 The first picture is the aerial view of Ramsgate date wise it's before the cliff collapse in front of the Grange that happened on the 7th of march 1947 and after the building of Westcliff Hall the second picture, in about 1914. Can you do better?

The black and white one of Ramsgate sands opposite Augusta stairs, looks to be 1940s or 50s from the clothes.

The third picture, the coloured one looks to be 1970s or possibly 80s. 

Sorry for any grammatical errors and spelling errors, Michael's Bookshop where I work in Ramsgate it's very busy today, so basically I have just read the post into Google keyboard which tends to be a bit American. 

Bookshops and Broadstairs

 

Bookshops and Broadstairs for as long as I can remember the main new bookshop in Thanet was Albion Bookshop in Broadstairs, this has been followed by a period of time recently when Broadstairs had no bookshop at all. Now Writer, Director, and Filmmaker Gavin Boyter has opened a new bookshop called “The Best of Times Bookshop and Cafe" at 1 Chandos Rd, Broadstairs CT10 1QP. As I expect most people will know I run Michael's Bookshop in Ramsgate which is the largest bookshop in Thanet but is primarily a secondhand bookshop. The Best of Times is primarily a new bookshop, that is one that sells new books.

I'm strongly recommending a visit to this bookshop. It has a good general and literary fiction paperback section. Places to sit down and browse, get coffee, a cool basement room, everything the reader in Broadstairs would want.

Marks and Spencer Ramsgate and ramble

 I think it was 2005 that Marks and Spencer closed in Ramsgate, correct me if I’m wrong. Pictures of Marks and Spencer are quite hard to find with both of these pictures I'm fairly certain that they are Ramsgate. I used to use Marks and Spencer a lot when I first opened Michael’s Bookshop here in Ramsgate in 1987. So I think the timing of the closure is about right. I also remember that its closure had a big impact on Ramsgate as a town center. I'm sorry I haven't got any relatively modern pictures, it's surprising how often you don't rush out and photograph Marks and Spencers.

I now have exact dates, first picture 25 High Street Ramsgate.

Marks & Spencer 1913 - 1931. Penny Bazaar second picture Marks and Spencer.

41 - 45 High Street. Opened 13th March 1931 - Closed 3rd March 1990.

Two pictures of the staff when it closed

Staff doing the cancan for an event for M&S 1950s

I went sketching and book buying in Canterbury yesterday. If you are unfamiliar with Canterbury that is a garden inside the cathedral precincts between the main entrance and the toilets that it's a good place to relax. It is possible to order drinks and food that is delivered to your table by going up the steps in the garden and then down the steps in the hotel. See photos below.