We of Thanet love our history, due partly to the fact that we have so much of it here and one of the sights that greet visitors entering Thanet is the Viking Ship Hugin which is found at Pegwell Bay. I’m sure most of you know the history but just to recap in 1949 the ‘Hugin’ sailed from Denmark to Thanet in celebration of the 1500th anniversary of the traditional landing of Hengist and Horsa at Ebbsfleet and the betrothal of Hengist’s daughter, Rowena, to King Vortigen of Kent.

We can go a lot more into that historical line but I’m more interested in 1949 rather that 449 and I’ve come across these great videos from British Pathe that show the Hugin arriving at Viking Bay (originally known as Main Sands until this event), the thousands who celebrated its arrival, and the presentation ceremony in 1950 by Prince Georg of Denmark with the ship on display at Pegwell Bay.

Just click on the photo and you’ll be taken to the relevant video.

VIKING SHIP ARRIVES

KENT GREETS VIKING INVADERS

THE VIKING SHIP ‘HUGIN’ AT RAMSGATE

It really is amazing having such a link into the past. Yes it’s a relic that’s only 60 years old but it signifies something a lot older and normally gets me spouting off about Vikings et al.

I’ve made a trip back into the Google library and today have for you sections from ‘A practical, guide to the watering and sea-bathing places, on the coasts of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire‘ published in 1846.

The three larger towns of Thanet are reviewed in detail and I had a smile when I read this passage:

Of the three watering places in the Isle of Thanet, Ramsgate is considered as the most fashionable, Margate as the most lively and bustling, Broadstairs as the most quiet and retired.

Things don’t change that much do they? (Apart from perhaps Margate but hopefully her glory days will return.)

The book provides a good read and I always enjoy reading about the history of the local area. The section starts with Margate (page 14), moves on to Ramsgate (page 18), and then finishes with Broadstairs (page 21). You can view the sections below in the embedded reader or you can view the whole book online here or you can download the complete book in Abobe PDF format (2.2MB).

NYE 2003

For the past decade New Year’s Eve has consisted of going on a pub crawl in either Broadstairs or Ramsgate whilst in fancy dress such as Morris Dancers, Mr T’s, Nerds, etc but to be honest I haven’t enjoyed the past couple of years as much as I have in the past. I guess the main factors are that I’m not getting any younger and that it now costs quite a bit to go out, so I decided that this year I would be having a house party instead.

I broached the question to my friends and they all agreed that this would be a nice change and it would also mean that those with children would be able to come along (even if only for a few hours) without having to worry about babysitters and I really wanted to make it possible for everyone to come and have no excuses.

I’ve off to Calais on the 15th December (using the Eurotunnel £15 deal) and will stock up on alcohol in preparation for the party and will try and do a few more bits to the house between Christmas and New Year, but it certainly won’t be as much of a rush as it was getting the place ready for my housewarming.

Ramsgate High Street

Way back in March I blogged about the possibility of a Thanet Loyalty Card and how such a thing could help local businesses, and reading in today’s Thanet Gazette it looks as though Thanet Council have pulled their fingers out and are looking at ways of helping local sole traders.

Shop Local is a new scheme running initially for a year which involves 100 business located in the five pilot shopping areas of  Birchington, Broadstairs, Margate, Northdown Road and Ramsgate. These stores have signed up to the scheme by contributing £25 and promising to offer incentives to those shoppers who present an incentive card. For every £25 contributed Thanet Council will match that with another £25 and this money will go towards promoting and marketing the scheme.

If this scheme proves successful then it will be extended to other parts of Thanet.

Click the links below to find out who is offering discounts in your town:

• Birchington
• Broadstairs
• Margate
• Northdown Road
• Ramsgate

The scheme kicks off in November and from Monday 2nd November you can pick up your card from:

• -the 100 businesses taking part in the scheme
• -in Council offices and libraries
• -by calling 01843 577000 or emailing customer.services@thanet.gov.uk

I really hope this works and that it gets the publicity it deserves, as there would be nothing worse than getting people’s hopes up, taking money from local businesses, and then letting it flounder which can sometimes happen when effort is gone into setting something up but then it is not followed through.

It’s here again and it’s very busy.

Albion Street on Saturday Night