Lighting Up Ramsgate: Joining Forces to Bring Vision to Life
The Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board and the Ramsgate Winter Festival are joining forces this winter to spark a new chapter for the town.
From big ideas to real action Over the last year, the community shared their big ideas for Ramsgate. Now, we are entering Phase 3 of building together the Pride in Place Programme. This phase is about moving from gathering ideas to designing the real details.
To make this happen, the Board is working with the Winter Festival to help bring Ramsgate’s story to life. This collaboration is a way to roll up our sleeves and show exactly what Ramsgate can do when we work together.
Showing, not just telling We are not just talking about pride; we are bringing it to life. We are inviting residents to use creativity to show us exactly what the new vision for Ramsgate means to them.
Through lantern-making workshops and a Giant Lantern Community Build, residents will build a large illuminated heart to lead the parade. This allows us to create beautiful assets—like films and photos—that tell our own story of a town that is rising.
The action doesn’t stop with the festival. In January, we will launch a small grants funding pot. This new scheme will empower local community organisations to run their own creative projects.
Whether through film, photography, music, arts, crafts, or innovative ideas, we want to enable the community to tell its own story. This is your chance to bring the new Ramsgate vision to life in your own neighbourhood.
PermalinkWe are using this festival to test new ideas for Ramsgate’s future. We want to see how events help Ramsgate ‘Revive and Thrive’. To do this, we will count the visitors, ask how the event makes them feel and how community activity can help Ramsgate “Revive and Thrive”. This evidence will help us as we move into the design phase of projects for the wider £20m Investment Plan.
PermalinkThe Ramsgate Winter Festival is a true team effort. The Board is funding specific engagement activities, but we are proud to work alongside the main funders. Ramsgate Town Council, St George’s Church, and Vattenfall make the core festival possible. By joining forces, we ensure Ramsgate shines brighter than ever.
Brian Horton, Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board Interim Chair, said:
“Real change happens when the town pulls together. That is why we are joining forces with the Winter Festival and its partners, including Ramsgate Town Council and local businesses. When multiple organisations pool their resources and energy, we can make things happen. Everything from lighting up our streets to reaching the people we don’t usually hear from, to give them a real say in Ramsgate’s future.”
Teresa Askew, Winter Festival Producer, said:
“This is about more than just a festival; it is about activating the pride we all feel for Ramsgate. We are excited to work with the Board to turn our workshops into a space where the community can build something beautiful together. We invite everyone to come along, make a lantern, and help us show the world that Ramsgate is rising.”
PermalinkThe project ends with a spectacular Community Closing Ceremony in February. We will display the art made by the community and officially launch the “Ramsgate Rising” vision. This event marks the start of our journey to build the town’s future.
Find out more about the Winter Festival
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