food and drinks industry. For homegrown, local produce there is no better place to be than here – find out more at www. broadstairsfoodfestival. org. uk.
And of course we couldn’ t – and wouldn’ t – forget the incredible Looping The Loop Festival, which runs from 23rd April to 1st May. This festival, which takes place throughout Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, is all about entertainment. Looping The Loop is a showcase for dance, music, literature and performance, and it is an inclusive, exciting event for all. For tickets and to see who’ s doing what, where and when, take a look at www. loopingtheloopfestival. org. uk.
May in Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate
The fun and entertainment don’ t end when April does – there is also plenty to keep you occupied in May.
From the 12th to the 15th, The Grange is open to visitors. This is the home that famous local architect Augustus Pugin designed and built( and he lived there too), and these open days offer visitors the chance to see inside this beautiful house complete with information about Pugin’ s life and other work. More information can be found at www. landmarktrust. org. uk. At the same time St Augustine’ s will be
opening its doors. Now known as the National Pugin Centre, this astonishingly ambitious building was Pugin’ s Gothic masterpiece.
26th May to 4th June sees St Augustine Week. St Augustine landed near Ramsgate in 597 and went on to become the very first Archbishop of Canterbury. This week-long celebration details his life, his work, and the legacy he left behind through talks, tours, a coach trip and more. Details are at www. augustine-pugin. co. uk.
At the very end of this fascinating week, on 3rd June, the new St Augustine and Pugin: Shrine and Visitor Centre will open. This will house the Pugin and St Augustine education, research and visitor centre, and the main aim is to teach people more about both the architect Pugin and the Archbishop St Augustine. There will be a variety of facilities in this exciting new venture including workshops for schools, and information for visitors and the local community. It will also be home to fascinating exhibitions, and the first will take place in summer 2017. The new centre has been made possible thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is sure to be a popular and special place indeed. Visit www. augustineshrine. co. uk and www. augustine-pugin. org. uk for more information.
For further information on Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate go to www. visitthanet. co. uk.
Pugin ' s Tomb © Ludmila Griffin
© Michael Desbruslais
The Grange
Broadstairs Spring Fair © Jo Scott
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