November Talk: The World’s Finest Shelter of its Time
Historic England Image of Merrie England in 1932: Ramsgate Tourism is booming but dark days are coming!
For our next talk we are delighted to welcome Max Streatfield to talk about “The World’s Finest Shelter of its Time”. We are sure you will be quick to guess he means the Ramsgate Tunnels – you know where they are but how much do you really know about their history?
Max himself has a long personal connection with the place. He has been a volunteer there since 2016 but his involvement goes way back. To quote directly:
“My Parents were Tunnel Rats and my Grandfather was in the Fire Service for WW2. I first entered the Railway Tunnel aged 11 and later became a local firefighter which involved entering the Tunnels officially from 1982. My passion has grown for the Tunnels from continuing to research their history.”
He will be joined for the Q&A session by Garry Saunders who added much in the way of new research about the lesser-known connections between the Ramsgate Tunnels and those in Barcelona at the time of the Spanish Civil War. There is an exhibition about this connection at the tunnel entrance until the end of October which we hope will whet your appetite for this talk.
From the talk you will learn why Ramsgate needed these Tunnels and about the 3 Men that took on the Government to make it happen.
1) The story will start with WW1 and how Ramsgate became the most Bombed Seaside Town in the Country.
2) The Vision of what Ramsgate would need in regard to the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) for the possible WW2.
3) How the design came from the Spanish Civil War
4) The Construction.
5) The Ultimate Test.
To quote again from Max: “We are still Learning and seeking the answers on how this happened here in Ramsgate. My Parents were saved, so that is why I am alive and can look forward to talking to you on November 27th”
This talk on November 27th will be at the San Clu Hotel with doors opening 6:30pm and the talk plus Q&A running from 7pm to 8pm. Pre-booking is essential at £3 for Ramsgate Society members and £5 for non-members.