Margate

It may be a dump now, but once upon a time Margate was the place to be. Probably dating back to the turn of the last century Margate was one of Britain's most popular coastal resorts. It's heyday lasted well into the 1960's, but after some battering storms in the 1970's the Town went into steady decline. The most memorable storm being the one in January 1978 which destroyed Margate pier and the Lido, particularly the outdoor pool area. Sadly reconstruction was not even considered, and in my opinion, from here began the decline of Margate.

The Lido now faces certain demolition, but even though it has been filled in with concrete, traces of the past still exist underground. These area's are off limits to the public due to it being extremely hazardous, but I found the pictures above on a website. They were taken in the last couple of years of the cafe and changing area's that still exist hidden away, untouched since the day of that fateful storm.

As some may already know, a group of determined, strong willed individuals have got together and raised millions of pounds to help put Margate back on the map. Dreamland, Margate's famous amusement park is in the process of being re-built as the world's first Heritage theme park. Vintage rides have been purchased from all over the world (some dating back to the 1920's), transported to storage facilities in Kent and will be re-assembled on the original Dreamland site. there will be a cinema, a museum and lots of other attractions which will all celebrate the history of the British seaside in Kent.

I have a little flame of hope within, that someone, somewhere will have the power to save the Lido from certain demolition. With my love of the seaside and everything Beachy, it means a great deal to me, an I am sure many others, that this side of seaside culture is not forgotten. There are so few seaside Lido's left in the UK... please lets not loose another.

Watch the film I have posted, it's images are of Margate at the peak of it's popularity in the 1950's. Times are changing, the British are falling in love with the Seaside once again, so let's make sure we preserve these hidden treasures.