Having just read that the museums are to close imminently both on Eastcliff Matters and Eastcliff Richard’s blogs, links and feed on the sidebar, digesting this rather depressing news, I wonder if anything can be done.In Ramsgate we have lost the motor museum, the museum in the library and now the maritime museum makes a full set, one would have thought the maritime museum and the Cervia would be eligible for some sort of funding.
From a local history publishers point of view I have lost four of my outlets now two museums and two Albion Bookshops with the Broadstairs Albion Bookshop due to close soon that will make five.
I have cheated with the picture above by joining two pictures from the 1817 book Picturesque Views of Ramsgate together. It says a lot for the accuracy of the artist Henry Moses that this was possible click here for more from the book
The Picture shows what is now Harbour Parade, the buildings on the right were demolished in 1890.
We are all venting our anger on ECR sorry Michael. Culture amongst those running TDC and a sense of history doesnt come into it and any idea that maybe the visitors and locals might like to know about better times in Thanet is off the agenda. You only have to look at the yobs running our council to see how low they rate anything vaguely aestic! Swearing and rude behaviour rule and they cant see they arent any different to the youths they critise
ReplyDeleteEastcliff Matters is driving along on this plus Tony Beachcomber's site.
ReplyDeleteI have posted on Eastcliff Matters the copy from the Charity Commission site which now only lists two trustees.
Perhaps there is an explanation why names like Cllr Bill Hayton seem to have disappeared.
If it is the case that Trustees have resigned then why did Trustee John Kirby fail to mention it (as by Charity Law all trustees must know in order for a resignation to be made)
And if it is correct that at the misprepresented AGM it was publicly reported there had been no resignations then when did the resignations occur (if that is what has happened) and when were they first planned ?
There is comment moderation on David Green's site now.
ReplyDeleteMy fault I thought to lighten the mood by quipping that the last time Wee Willy Hayton was not required to answer there was a certain Cllr David Green on the Standards Cttee concerned.
Just had a few words with a local to get a run down on the museum closures - Why have The Ramsgate Society done nothing? Apparently the Chairman has known for over a year that the Maritime Museum closure was on the cards? Nothing in the papers to whip up local support to fight - Land sold at Jackey Bakers, the Warre rec fiasco... surely they should be doing something about this decimation.
ReplyDeleteI think the history of concerns about EKMT goes back to its birth.
ReplyDeleteTony Beachcomber seems to have trodden a wise line balancing pragmatism and principle throughout.
I will be interested to read if he sees a way forward to promoting a history and museum resource in Thanet. IE Is there a way to germinate a useful seed in this apparently rotting mess.
I recommend him as a local whose comments merit weight.
Look on the bright side though. We have a brilliant shiny Gateway office which is Charter-Mark rated no less.
ReplyDeleteSurely that is worth closing a few museums for ?
A council that cannot understand the purpose of a library was hardly going to spare the museums.
ReplyDeleteWould the museums have carried on meandering visitorless away taking a hundred grand a year out of TDC (as for the past quarter century) if Cervia litigation was not poised over the hill ?
ReplyDeleteThe Gravy Train dodges the Gravy Boat
I am afraid the Museums went down the unfortunate road of charging an entry fee, rather than exploiting merchandising in a busy museum. Suppose an entry fee were charged the Turner Tate M&S thing in Margate High Street, what would its visitor numbers be like?
ReplyDeleteWith small local museums that are likely to be used a lot by local residents as a local history resource, entrance fees are counterproductive.
These museums are used a lot by local schools, so we are losing an important educational resource too.
Michael
ReplyDeleteSchools visits
This is why there was a Police Firearms Unit inquiry against Margate Museum just a few years ago.
Thanet Times pictured Hereson lads playing at the museum with the curator's private collection of de-activated World War 2 firearms.
As I understand it a local historian asked the Imperial War Museum if they would do such a thing and was told certainly not Fun and firearms are not messages to mix and to do so ill serves the object of teaching history.
Just to let you know I have requested David Green to remove my name from a comment moderation explanation he has given.
If he wishes to name people and make accusations of his own then he should avail a right of response or a right to readers to read the original piece.
With determinations imminent before Kent Police Authority and the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry I don't feel minded to leave a slur from a TDC cllr unremarked.
He made a point in his thread about how tory cllrs reconciled being on the council and a trust funded by council.
The complaints to KPA and Rosemary Nelson Inquiry have a similar theme about the failure to observe separation of powers (checks and balances). And of course involving the same councillopr as the EKMT matter.
Rick would you mind having your tiff with David on his blog or yours and apply your mind to haw we could possibly save the museums here.
ReplyDeleteA few comments: (a) the museums were not "visitorless";
ReplyDelete(b) I happen to know that consideration was given to free entry but sales revenue would never have paid as much as visitor income. Free entry would not have increased visitor numbers to the extent that the sale of books, etc., would have compensated for the loss in admission fees. Additionally, charging an admission fee meant that undesirables (and, believe it or not, there are some in Margate) could be kept out. Researchers were not charged a fee and the general admission fee was very reasonable and affordable. The problem with Margate museum is the lack of "footfall" in the Market Square and that is precisely why the Turner Contemporary is being built where it is - to try and filter visitors into the Old Town.
(c)I note the conspiracy card is being played - perhaps Rick could state the outcome of the firearms complaint against the museum.