Registered with the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council  No:1424

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Ramsgate Maritime Museum News

12.07.2009 - Museum open again!
On July 4th, coinciding with the Ramsgate Rocks festival in Pier yard, the Maritime Museum opened it’s doors once again.
Volunteers to help with manning the museum during the season will be gratefully welcomed.

RE-OPENING DELAYED
We regret to announce that due to still unresolved issues relating to tenure of the Clock House in Ramsgate Harbour – home to Ramsgate Maritime Museum – the intended Easter 2009 re-opening has had to be delayed until later in the season.  We apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this may cause potential visitors and assure them that all is being done to ensure a return to full service as soon as possible.  Meanwhile the museum’s research and historical queries service is still in operation.

07.10.2008 - New RMM Website Online.
In light of the demise of the East Kent Maritime Trust the museum now has it’s own website. This site should be the first port of call for those wishing to find out about the museum, and further developments in the museum’s story will be posted here.
The following statement is repeated from the EKMT’s website...

East Kent Maritime Trust - Statement by the Trustees

Regrettably after more than 20 years service, to both the local community and heritage services, the East Kent Maritime Trust will be winding down it’s operations due to current financial pressures.

The Trust would like to thank Thanet District Council for the financial help and support in the past and fully understand the need to cut the Annual Grant Aid that they received, given the economic climate.

Having provided a museum service during the current “2008 Season”, Ramsgate Maritime Museum and Margate Old Town Museum will close for the Winter period on the 1st October 2008. All current EKMT operational posts will be made redundant and the staff involved will receive a generous severance package.

It is hoped that a new “subscription based” membership led Heritage Association can be formed during the closed period and with the support of Thanet District Council and other like-minded groups, a new and vibrant coastal and maritime heritage visitor and resident offer will be provided.

Thanet Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Economy, Cllr. Roger Latchford, said:
“The Council would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the East Kent Maritime Trust’s Trustees, staff and volunteers for all their hard work of dedicated service to the community over many years in the advancement of Thanet’s maritime heritage. In particular for their pragmatic understanding of the Council’s 2008/09 budget constraints and priorities leading to the unavoidable withdrawal of it’s annual support grant to the Trust in respect of their management of Ramsgate Maritime Museum and Margate Museum.

Over the past several months the constructive discussions that have taken place with EKMT representatives will continue in the winter months closure period with the proposed successor organisation to the EKMT.

The Council is looking forward to working jointly with the new body to explore developing innovative, viable and sustainable heritage visitor solutions to interpret the best of the nationally recognised local maritime collections, with potential support from other local interest groups, commercial partners, and key regional and national cultural agencies.

The Council remains committed to developing a vibrant cultural agenda for Thanet with it’s partners, particularly so in regard to our truly unique coastal and maritime history and heritage.”