Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Wey Hey, it's Friday. gotta love that!

Not that I'm wishing my life away but now I'm getting my act together a little more, I'm actually looking forward to the weekends and doing stuff.  This evening is a case in point.  Now I won't pretend that what I've done has been wildly exciting but it got me out of the house and increased my knowledge of the town I was born and grew up in.

One of the things that is good about Ramsgate is the number of societies named 'Friends of...'  These have possibly sprung up in response to the lack of care that the local council seems to display.

A case in point was when the library burnt down, the local residents were so worried (if not convinced) that the local council would claim that it was impossible to rebuild the library (not enough money, expertise etc) and then would sell off the land for housing, that they (the local residents) formed 'The Friends of Ramsgate Library' on the very same night of the fire.  They were successful, the library was rebuilt (and is more beautiful than before) and the councils (both local and county) denied that there would ever have been any plans to sell off the land.  This is the rebuilt library.

Another society is The Ramsgate Society of which my parents are both lifetime members.  This is very successful in promoting and preserving the history of Ramsgate.  Back at the turn of the century, they produced a limited edition book about the history of the town containing words and images.  It is a lovely book and will become an heirloom I believe.

More recently a new society was set up 'The Friends of Ellington Park'.  This was the park I played in when I was a child and, like many public facilities in this area, it has not been well maintained, nor is it well used.  The 'Friends' plan to change this.  They have arranged a fair and other fundraising activities in order to renovate the bandstand in the park, seen here during their first summer fair,

and to encourage people to use it more.  One of its main uses is to walk dogs but the downside of this is doggy debris - not all owners are conscientious about clearing up after their pets which, in turn, discourages parents from letting their children 'off the lead'.  I've joined this 'Friends' and on Hallowe'en there is a ghosts and ghouls event with paranormal activity in the evening.

This evening's event was organised by 'The Friends of St George's'.  St George's is a landmark church in Ramsgate, at the top of a short hill in the town and over the last few years it's Friends have raised about £2m to restore the tower and the roof.  Tonight's event was a short film and slideshow presentation on the best of Ramsgate to raise funds.  It was very interesting especially as some of the slide were of photos that were over a hundred and seventy years old.

It has inspired me to get back out there and take some photos of the town I live in - watch this space.