Over the last few months, we have gently trailed some of the events that will be taking place in Ramsgate between May 15th and May 26th to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. As we get closer to these dates, more and more events are being confirmed and we will send all Ramsgate Society members a detailed list of these in early May.

Central to the activity will be over 70 of the original Little Ships, and the rather larger Medway Queen, that will be assembling in our Royal Harbour from May 15th. They will then join a similar number of support vessels and a naval escort to head to Dunkirk from 6am to 10am on May 21st (weather permitting).  Most will then return to Ramsgate on May 26th between 2pm and 4pm (again weather permitting).

Over the same period from May 15th to 26th there will be numerous activities for locals and visitors to enjoy. Most of these will be free and this includes The Little Ships Film Festival at The Granville Theatre that will run each evening from Monday May 19th to Wednesday May 21st.

The Granville Theatre have made a significant donation through the waiver of three days venue hire. They will be running the festival: setting up, running and packing up the cinema equipment, managing the audience experience, paying their staff, heating and cleaning the venue, etc. for free.

The Ramsgate Society is paying for equipment hire and film licensing costs. Ramsgate Town Council is paying for promotional design and materials. Ramsgate Working History has donated the films in BluRay format, plus research, planning and coordination effort.

We hope that you will support this film festival – it is totally free, no tickets in advance so just turn up in good time on the days and tell your friends and family. Children are welcome within the limits of each of the film classification certificates.

Finally, we want to thank Nick Rankin. The film festival was his idea and he has done an amazing job in working to bring it about.

Terry Prue

Communication Lead