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NEWS
 
22nd May 2009
Charitable Status Granted...
THE STEAM MUSEUM

Following our annoucement in January regarding the Steam Museum Trusts' aquisition of the East Kent Maritime Museum exhibits, we are pleased to announce that the Charity Commissioners have now granted us full charitable status.

The Ramsgate Museum Clock House
The Clock House at Ramsgate

As from May 1st 2009, the Steam Museum Trust, registered charity No.1129376 has full legal status to accept the transfer of EKMT's exhibits.

Concurrent with this, we have been very busy developing our proposals to take over and run the Ramsgate Maritime Museum. Our proposals have been received most constructively by Thanet District Council and it is hoped that matters will be resolved in the near future. These proposals are wide ranging and designed to ensure the museum has a permanent, active and important role to play both in the town of Ramsgate as well as in the wider area of South East England.

SMT have been very appreciative of the overwhelming support and encouragement shown from the public at large, the residents of Ramsgate and the museum world. This support has been strongly voiced in the local media, giving us much needed encouragement to persevere with our plans.

On 20th May Thanet District Council issued the following statement to the local press:

"After hard negotiations over the last few weeks between the Council and
the Steam Museum Trust, agreement in principle has been achieved between the two parties that should see the Ramsgate Museum being re-opened soon. Formal ratification is required (by the) Corporate Management Team and then at Cabinet on 11th June, but preparations are likely to be underway in the near future by the Trust to start setting up for the opening. If this proceeds as agreed then the museum should be open well in time for the main summer season, as the beginning of long term development proposals into the future."

This statement brought the press campaign to a happy conclusion and the Isle of Thanet Gazette today, 22 May, accounced in their front page headline:

"SAVED
Museum to reopen after Isle of Thanet Gazette campaign. "

Steam Tug Cervia outside the Ramsgate Museum
One of the most pressing tasks will be the restoration of the
steam tug Cervia, which in recent years has become very run-down.

We are now waiting for the East Kent Maritime Trust to complete the hand over of the exhibits, following which it is hoped to re-open the museum in time for the high summer season.

This is a very busy time for the SMT as arrangements are in full swing for this years Preston Steam Rally, due to be held on the 27th and 28th June. Last year the weather was kind to us and a reported 30,000 visitors attended over the two days. The 2009 show should be bigger and better, with lots of new exhibits including a full size passenger carrying industrial railway, steam ploughing and a working steam demonstration area, plus an enlarged fairground. For more details about the Preston Rally click on the menu above.



PREVIOUS NEWS
1st January 2009
The Steam Museum Trust is expanding...

The Ramsgate Maritime Museum

Following lengthy negotiations with the East Kent Maritime Trust, a legal agreement has been reached which transfers ownership and stewardship of the entire collections of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum to the Steam Museum Trust.

Now in the process of dissolution, the EKMT had been forced to close the Ramsgate Museum in the autumn of 2008. But this agreement, sealed in early December will allow SMT, an established heritage organisation, to step in to revitalise the museum and create a new and vibrant visitor attraction for Ramsgate. The aim is to make the museum self-sufficient and able to properly manage and care for the collections in the long term.

EKMT trustees have pledged their support along with the skills of museum volunteers and staff, to ensure a smooth and orderly transfer to the new trust.

The Goodwin Gallery at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum

An early objective will be to secure the future of the Clock House, which houses the museum, and develop the adjacent Dry Dock as a base for the museum's historic vessels, which include the MY "SUNDOWNER" and steam tug "CERVIA". The Steam Museum Trust would then pursue alternative methods of funding for the Ramsgate Museum, including a calendar of events and an improved shop as well as other visitor attractions and facilities at the Clock House. We believe the museum is an important focal point for Ramsgate and its harbour and that, with a viable plan and the enthusiasm of local people, it can continue to serve us all.

Steam Tug CERVIAThe former harbour service launch MY SUNDOWNER
Above are the Steam Tug "CERVIA" Commander Lightoller's MY "SUNDOWNER".
Below is Smeaton's 1788 sectional drawing for the Dry Dock at Ramsgate.
A sectional drawing showing Smeaton's design for the Ramsgate DryDock

In a statement dated 17th September a TDC representative said:

"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."


The SMT are now in discussions with TDC to agree how best to achieve our shared vision.

The Island Gallery at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum



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