I've lived in Ramsgate all my life,so I've always known this place existed. I am ashamed to admit however,I never visited the museum when it was open as I was far more intersted in the model village some 300 feet along the esplanade! Therefor,all knowledge in this report is not from my own grey cells I'm afraid.
Visited with Mr Space-Invader,here goes..
The building is located at the top of the Paragon,right at the edge of the cliff. It was originally built/dug out of chalk in 1914,just a couple of days before the 14-18 war. As a concert hall it had a resident band consisting of 4 old chaps and a saxophone,and in the 60's The Rolling Stones played there as well as other up & coming legends,which was thought to have something to do with Ramsgate football clubs social.
After the decline in business,the Concert Hall was closed in the 60's and the building taken over by Terence Sharpe and his collection of 1900's-1970's classic motorcars . That's when it became Ramsgate Motor Museum. Terrence died some years later and his brother Dennis took over,along with some retired volenteers. Eventually it got too much for Dennis to travel from his home in Rayleigh,Essex and the museum closed in 2006 and the collection of cars were sold at auction for 2.5 million.
From what I've seen, the building would of made a great venue! The garden and 600m square balcony now overgrown and decaying were once such beautiful places. I'd like to see it re-created but can't help but think it's doubtful given the state of it now. Fingers crossed the mayor of Ramsgate pulls something out of the bag on this one.
Now a few pictures...
"That will be £5 please little boy" said the pensioner..
Entry hall.
Acro's are never a good sign...
Space Invader says tunnel,I say strongroom,either way it was locked.
This is the most time I've ever spent in the gents...
This is part of the view from the balcony
Before:
I had a couple of goes at this shot but our time was cut short by the homeless guys that are currently residing outside the museum returning.
After:
Hope you enjoy.
Visited with Mr Space-Invader,here goes..
The building is located at the top of the Paragon,right at the edge of the cliff. It was originally built/dug out of chalk in 1914,just a couple of days before the 14-18 war. As a concert hall it had a resident band consisting of 4 old chaps and a saxophone,and in the 60's The Rolling Stones played there as well as other up & coming legends,which was thought to have something to do with Ramsgate football clubs social.
After the decline in business,the Concert Hall was closed in the 60's and the building taken over by Terence Sharpe and his collection of 1900's-1970's classic motorcars . That's when it became Ramsgate Motor Museum. Terrence died some years later and his brother Dennis took over,along with some retired volenteers. Eventually it got too much for Dennis to travel from his home in Rayleigh,Essex and the museum closed in 2006 and the collection of cars were sold at auction for 2.5 million.
From what I've seen, the building would of made a great venue! The garden and 600m square balcony now overgrown and decaying were once such beautiful places. I'd like to see it re-created but can't help but think it's doubtful given the state of it now. Fingers crossed the mayor of Ramsgate pulls something out of the bag on this one.
Now a few pictures...
"That will be £5 please little boy" said the pensioner..
Entry hall.
Acro's are never a good sign...
Space Invader says tunnel,I say strongroom,either way it was locked.
This is the most time I've ever spent in the gents...
This is part of the view from the balcony
Before:
I had a couple of goes at this shot but our time was cut short by the homeless guys that are currently residing outside the museum returning.
After:
Hope you enjoy.
