We are delighted to welcome Geraint Franklin from Historic England to give more context to the historic development of our town.

Autumn 2022 marks the publication of Historic England’s Ramsgate Historic Area Assessment (HAA), the final research outcome of the Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) initiative. The report charts the historical development of the town and profiles its character and significance. In this talk Geraint provides an introduction to the HAA, including both insights and opportunities for further research.

Originally a fishing community in the parish of St Lawrence, Ramsgate assumed greater importance on becoming a limb of the Cinque Port of Sandwich. The commencement of a ‘harbour of refuge’ in 1750 coincided with Ramsgate’s growing popularity as a sea bathing resort. Improvements in passenger boats and the arrival of the railway opened up the resort to an increasingly broad social spectrum of visitors, resulting in investment in bathing facilities, entertainment venues and civic infrastructure. Ramsgate also attracted minority faith communities, represented by the Montefiore Synagogue and A. W. N. Pugin’s Roman Catholic church of St Augustine.

Geraint’s talk will explore the historical development of the town and profile the character and significance of its built heritage, providing an evidence base for sustainable regeneration. The Historic Area Assessment is intended to assist stakeholders, the local community and others in showing how Ramsgate has assumed its present form, in identifying a range of building and landscape types and relating them to wider historical contexts.

The talk is free for Ramsgate Society members. Non-members are welcome but are asked to consider a voluntary donation of £3. Doors open at 6:30pm for the talk from 7pm to 8pm. As always, places must be booked in advance.

Click here to reserve your place: bit.ly/FranklinTalk