Many of you attended the free showing of Dunkirk-related films at the Granville Theatre. This was our major contribution to the ten-day Ramsgate celebration of the 85thAnniversary of Operation Dynamo and proved to be a deeply rewarding experience.

Up until this point the commemorative activities had involved huge crowds – mostly in our Heritage Harbour enjoying the music, watching the newsreels projected on the Clock House and cheering the Little Ships departure. The film experience was very different. With the audience spread out in the comfort of the Granville Theatre 600 seat auditorium most kept a respectful distance from their neighbours, there was little conversation and no popcorn. The big screen enveloped us all in a private immersive experience that produced more than a few damp eyes and much spontaneous rapturous applause with the closing credits on each evening.

The event was a communal effort including support from Denise Blunn and the Heritage Harbour Group, the Granville Theatre for hosting for free, the Ramsgate Society for hiring the projection equipment, the Ramsgate Town Council for publicity help, and not forgetting Nick Rankin for the original idea which he saw to fruition with tactful and persuasive negotiation.