Margate: Oh dearie, dearie me...

[SteveC]

Having had a good nose through the forum last night, I hope no-one minds me posting up a review as it were of all things Margate as I found them at the weekend, rather than specifically about Dreamland itself, and I apologise in advance for the length of this post, but I feel something needs to be said.

I had cause to pop down to Margate on Saturday, off the cuff so to speak.

Whilst I'm only over in Canterbury and have had regular cause to visit various parts of Thanet over the last few years, (including passing along Margate seafront in the car to get to wherever it is I've been heading to), I've not really spent any real time down there or up in the town centre for ages.

Whilst I was more than aware of the fate of the Scenic Railway, that the Dreamland site itself is now basically a rarely utilised car park and that buildings in and around Dreamland (together with the rare Compton cinema organ housed in the Dreamland cinema), were going to rack and ruin, I'd not really appreciated just how much of a shell of its former self the place had become.

Firstly, a positive: The beach races held over the weekend - what a cracking idea this is, and far more in keeping with Margates heritage than any number of 'art galleries' ever will be.

If anyone from Thanet Council is reading this, take note: spurious links with famous artists are a poor excuse, not least in the face of opposition from a fair proportion of the people you are employed to serve and protect the interests of, to waste an abundance of time and public money on, (or in fact anyones money on, although one can but live in hope that anyone financially involved with the project who perhaps hasn't made this interest public knowledge for fear of it being viewed as something of a conflict of interest, ends up learning a very 'harsh but fair' lesson financially in the longer term), in the hope of turning what was a thriving by comparison to its current state and well loved sows ear, into an unwanted by the vast majority, silk purse.

Margate is not and never will be the South Easts answer to St Ives, which with its Tate St Ives contemporary arts centre is where I feel the poor misguided fools who have pushed hard for this idea to be put into action have drawn their inspiration from.

Indeed, one only needs to take a look at the case study relating to St Ives and the Tate St Ives as featured on the following website for the 'Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)', to see exactly where such misguided inspiration on the part of the councillors concerned with approving plans for the Turner Centre have been drawn from, not least given the sites the opening gambit therein that determines that 'Tate St Ives can be seen as the pioneer for a new cycle of seaside town regeneration'.

Factor in the stated statistics relating to the visitor numbers the Tate St Ives initially drew in when first opened and it's easy to see exactly why the more feckless might be taken in hook, line and sinker by the prospect of creating the same in their own backyard.

Had the Turner Centre been proposed for Broadstairs, I could understand the reasoning for it far more than that which has been put forward to gain approval for it to be built in Margate.

Margate, whether those with the power to make a difference like it or not, is a traditional 'kiss me quick' seaside town... and in its day, was a very good one at that.

As mentioned elsewhere on this forum, if Southend and Blackpool amongst other seaside resorts with the same basic heritage and blood running through their veins can continue to make a prosperous living in part due to their pleasure beaches / fairground attractions, why is it that Margate can't?

In answer to Councillor Ezekiels claim that Margate is too close to compete with Alton Towers, Southend is nearer to there and still thrives, as does Blackpool.

No, if Councillor Ezekiel had bothered to pay attention in the geography classes he attended as a boy, he'd have realised that Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and indeed Southend are all far closer to Margate than Alton Towers and are therefore more likely candidates to be classed as a threat to the potential of any amusement park in Margate.

The fact that Councillor Ezekiel chose to mention Alton Towers over any of the other other aforementioned leisure parks merely underlines his ignorance with regards to ‘the bigger picture’ in relation to the viability of a regenerated theme park in Margate.

That, and of the four alternative sites above, how many of them have the added attraction of miles and miles of sandy beaches accessible within a hundred yards of their main entrance?

Anyway... moving on.

Having watched some of the racing on the beach, I made the mistake of venturing up into town to get some lunch.

A number of big name retailers that you'd expect to see on every high street had gone, most notably Marks and Spencers, and in its place something purporting to be an 'art exhibition', if you can call strips of the tape more normally used to mark out roadworks and the like, hanging from the wall in uniform fashion, 'art' that is.

Half way up the hill from the clock tower, I noted a relatively new block of flats which looked like they were populated, but with the ground floor frontage all boarded up and looking sorry for itself, a state which they’ve been in for ‘some time’ from memory.

Venturing back down to the seafront, I made the mistake of venturing into some of the arcades along the main promenade… the ones that were actually still open, that is.


Like the rest of the town surrounding them, these were shabby and full of poorly maintained machines which appear to have lengthened the odds in their favour by way of dead bulbs etc leading to a general lack of a clue for the lucky punter looking to try their luck on them, all of which added in spades to the rapidly overbearing perception I was gaining as a result of the visit, that the town is an overly neglected former shadow of its once cheerful self, that has been systematically run into the ground by those who really should know better.

I left and headed further along the front to where what I believe is known by local wags as 'Goddens Access Road' sat in all its, erm, 'barren glory'.

How a council with a promenade of the former magnitude of Margate under their control could have allowed for a gap of this nature to have been left in such a key prominent location for so long, I will never know!

And then finally, the piece de resistance - the Arlington Arcade.

I don't think I need say anything about that - the pictures elsewhere on this forum speak more about that than I ever need to, although the car park to its rear is also a sight to behold.

All in all, it saddens me to see what was in my lifetime at least, somewhere that was a bit dogearred but ultimately popular and full of life, in such a poor neglected state... and remember, I visited on a day when there was actually something of a crowd puller going on down on the beach.

The ultimate, not completely off the primary topic of this forum, point of my post?

That I wish those actively fighting to bring life back to the town by way of restoring the former jewel in its crown, as in Dreamland, all the luck in the world in securing the funds, rights and support in bring their dream to fruition, and that as someone with very happy memories of Margate in my formative years with Dreamland, the Sundeck and its excellent beach, I’m keen to do my bit where possible as well.

One thing that any campaign with regards to getting Dreamland firmly back on the map needs to not lose sight of, is that that the surrounding area and to a certain extent, the town centre itself, also need to be pulled up from the gutter in which they are all currently lying as well, if it is expected to be able to stand on its own two feet for years to come, as the town needs to return to a state whereby people would consider holidaying there.

In this respect, maybe the Turner Centre will add something to the appeal of the town for some, but it really isn’t enough to turn the town completely around as it would appear some in positions of local authority would appear to be pinning all their hopes on.

Margate has its place in the history of popular 20th century seaside culture… and there’s no reason at all that by way of the proposed heritage park and a council not so seemingly obsessed with moving Margate away from its roots, that such a town wouldn’t thrive in the 21st century.

I look forward to meeting some of you on Sunday, as I will be attending the event being held to outline the plans for the heritage park.

[vince69619]

What can I add but "Welcome Steve"!



Vince.

[SteveC]

What can I add but "Welcome Steve"!

Cheers Vince.

And apologies for the length of the rant above, but I really am quite dismayed by what I saw at the weekend.

Still... when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up.

[EAS]

It does appear that having a new 'arts facility' is now considered the pill to solve all ills in other places also:

Hastings:

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/newsh ... 5023341.jp

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/newsh ... 5056882.jp

http://www.hastings.gov.uk/jerwood/

Folkestone:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=3134752

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sec ... de=3135541

Chapel St Leonards:

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/bus ... ticle.html

No doubt there are others...

http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_lib ... /5752.aspx

[vince69619]

Have any of them worked?????

Vince.

[EAS]

All still in the planning stage I think...

It's flavour of the month. If they don't, no doubt those responsible in local authorities will have moved on...

[SteveC]

It does appear that having a new 'arts facility' is now considered the pill to solve all ills in other places also:

Hastings:

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/newsh ... 5023341.jp

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/newsh ... 5056882.jp

http://www.hastings.gov.uk/jerwood/

Folkestone:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=3134752

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sec ... de=3135541

Chapel St Leonards:

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/bus ... ticle.html

No doubt there are others...

http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_lib ... /5752.aspx

Interesting... especially the website in the last link.

I had a nose around on there and found this piece, concerned with a report released by Kent County Council with regards to the Turner Centre: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/freedom_of_information/91090KentCountyCouncil.pdf

"Turner Contemporary is being developed from an original brief for a building with a strong sense of place that also reflected its local landscape – the environment that inspired Turner.

The idea for Turner Contemporary developed at a local level but has become part of a much larger regeneration project for Thanet.

There is an already an established educational outreach programme and even at this early stage, Turner Contemporary has already done much to improve Margate’s image."

The date of this report? 11th October 2004.

I'd be more than happy to show the author of the report around Margate as it is now, nigh on four and half years on from its publication, to show them just how far Margates image has come along in that time.

"Furthermore, a recent consultation carried out by Thanet Council showed that most people were in favour of it and consultation is ongoing with the community."

So where exactly are the results of consultation, or indeed any subsequent consultations, given that 'consultation is ongoing with the community'?

Nothing obvious is turned up by a Google on the words 'Turner Margate Consultation'.

A search of Thanet Councils own website comes up with this, a link relating to a consultation published in August 2004, (over four and a half years ago), and with nothing obvious after this date to be found in relation to members of the public actually being consulted in relation to the Turner Centre: http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/closed_consultations/margate_master_plan_04.aspx

"The key findings of the public consultation were:

General support for Turner Contemporary, but lots of debate over the location and design of the building."

Ok... so I'm interested to see just what is defined by 'general support' and click on the link that says 'Public Verdict on Margate Master Plan'... and surprise surprise, the link is dead.

Going back to the KCC report of 11th October 2004...

"Overall, the key to this challenge is involving local communities from the start, whilst still being prepared to make difficult decisions when necessary."

In other words, 'we're happy to let the public have its say, but whatever, we're committed to this and will push it through regardless...'

Me? Cynical?? Never!!!

And as a final snippet from that report, there's a corker of a line on page 8:

"Evidence is appropriate in some circumstances, such as when using pubic money."

Yes, they really did publish it with the phrase 'pubic money' included.

Getting back on track with regards to why we're all here, as in our common love of Dreamland and the campaign to get it back on the map, a further nose round Thanet Councils website came up with this link:

http://www.thanet.gov.uk/news/latest_press_releases/dreamland_planning_brief_24-07.aspx

The link appears to effectively be a mission statement on the part of Thanet Council with regards to the plans for the regeneration of Margate as at 24th July 2007, and in particular focuses on Dreamland, with the following stated:

"Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: “This is another milestone in bringing forward the regeneration of the town and is the culmination of a lot of hard work by Thanet District Council, the Margate Renewal Partnership and our partners.

Through this work, we have reached a position where the Council, landowners and partners are getting close to an agreement on the future of Dreamland and that’s something that has never happened before.

We want to create a dramatic destination on this site for both visitors and residents, one that provides a major boost to the tourism economy and that’s what this development brief sets out.”

The results of the consultative questionnaire which went out in response to the brief being published revealed that over 92% of the people questioned want to see the Scenic Railway retained, and over 87% want to see an amusement park of some description, covering more than 50% of the site.

So given this, why is it all of a sudden 18 months later, there is no mention of Dreamland in the recently released 'Future Vision' paper published by Thanet Council?

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/margate/8216-Forget-Dreamland-stop-living-past-8217/article-682682-detail/article.html

Furthermore, why is it that Councillor Ezekiel is reported to have dramatically changed his tune with regards to Dreamland and said with regards to it that 'people should stop living in the past', and that such a park wouldn't pay?

In answer to that the claim that 'such a park wouldn't pay', I offer this URL: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Cut ... news=local

"Director of the Turner Contemporary, Victoria Pomery, said it was hoped the gallery would help to regenerate Margate by attracting 100,000 visitors each year."

At its peak, Dreamland was pulling in around 2 million visitors every year, and whilst times change, there is no reason why, not least given the demise of so many other seaside amusement parks in recent years, why Dreamland wouldn't pull in numbers more than large enough to justify its very existence once more.

One final thing to consider... the reported cost of a rejuvenated Dreamland is, unless I'm mistaken (and I'm going by figures elsewhere on the Save Dreamland site), £12 million.

The total cost of the Turner Centre is now reportedly going to be just over £17 million, having originally been priced up at at round £7 million back in 2001!

For all my whinging above, I do not have a problem with something like the Turner Centre being cited in Margate, and would consider it to be perhaps another string to Thanets bow... but if limited funds are the order of the day and hard choices have to be made as to what they should be thrown at, given the various statistics above... why on earth would you choose to spend £5 million more on something not particularly in keeping with an area such as Margate, and by area, I don't mean the current dilapidated shadow of its former self.

I mean of the area that will surely get back up on its feet and dust itself down should it be given a real reason to return to its former thriving self... and that reason is Dreamland, not a contemporary arts centre.

[EAS]

Well, the history of the Turner Centre is a long and unfortunate one, with architects coming and going, costs out of control, scrapping of the original plans, until really it was all too late to cancel. When the Turner was first mooted, Dreamland wasn't a cleared site, with the stated aim of the owner to erase it forever and build on it (more profitable?).

http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/vie ... ght=turner

Yes I agree with all that you say re consultations, am very aware of the Dreamland planning brief, all discussed at the time here also.

But... Dreamland is not a 'public' piece of space. It is a privately owned site. The funding opportunities are a little different, look at where the Turner funding is coming from and much of that I suspect cannot simply be switched to another project (there isn't simply one pot of cash to share out ), especially considering in the past we seem to have not exactly been singing from the same songsheet as the owners... but maybe the current economic situation re new developments coupled with a new planning brief for the site is helping concentrate minds.

So really, comparisons aren't so helpful. Hopefully both will help bring people to Margate. Just because we like amusement parks, doesn't mean some supporters of the campaign aren't also lovers of art?

Personally, I'm not too keen on the design for the new gallery, but maybe in years to come it will become much loved and indeed 'iconic'...

[SteveC]

Well, the history of the Turner Centre is a long and unfortunate one, with architects coming and going, costs out of control, scrapping of the original plans, until really it was all too late to cancel. When the Turner was first mooted, Dreamland wasn't a cleared site, with the stated aim of the owner to erase it forever and build on it (more profitable?).

http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/vie ... ght=turner

Yes I agree with all that you say re consultations, am very aware of the Dreamland planning brief, all discussed at the time here also.

Apologies if I have raked up old ground on here, I am new to the site but regardless, the recently reported negative comments of Councillor Ezekiel with regards to Dreamland are perhaps a sign of an exasperated council who may well have 'gotten away with it if it hadana been for you pesky kids!', showing their true colours?

This is something I feel is worthy of comment even at this late stage, not least given the wealth of contradictory comments and circumstances relating to the councils stance on Dreamland detailed in the last post I made to this thread.

But... Dreamland is not a 'public' piece of space. It is a privately owned site.

Indeed... even more reason for why, given the scope in terms of pulling in visitors to the town, the council perhaps should have considered buying the site themselves in the past, with a view to preserving it / finding additional investment partners if needs be with which to work in partnership with in order to bring it back to a well nurtured and financially viable state.

The funding opportunities are a little different, look at where the Turner funding is coming from and much of that I suspect cannot simply be switched to another project.

Of the £17.4 million projected capital needed for the Turner project, some £4 million has been secured from SEEDA.

SEEDA for those not familiar with it, is a government funded organisation whose mission statement declares that it is '...responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.'

In other words, it's not specifically interested in art galleries or theme parks, it's interested in all manner of schemes which will enhance and allow the area for which it is responsible, to flourish.

If we look further down their mission statement, it states that 'SEEDA's aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities, while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

Dreamland is part of that very same rich cultural heritage.

Kent County Council has committed £6.4 million to the Turner project.

That's £6.4 million of public money from a body again without any specific commitment to the establishment of art galleries over other types of leisure facilities.

So that's £10.4 million already which could have been put towards to regeneration of something which, in its day, pulled in 20x more many visitors a year than is projected for the Turner Centre by its own director.

there isn't simply one pot of cash to share out.

See above... neither of the two organisations concerned are bodies dedicated to providing funding only to arts specific projects.

especially considering in the past we seem to have not exactly been singing from the same songsheet as the owners... but maybe the current economic situation re new developments coupled with a new planning brief for the site is helping concentrate minds..

Indeed... I note that whilst it does not appear any direct representation from KCC was present, someone from SEEDA amongst other key organisations were present at the recent 'Urban Panel' visit to Dreamland, so we can but live in hope people in positions high enough to make a difference are finally waking up to the golden opportunity for Margate in the regeneration of Dreamland.

So really, comparisons aren't so helpful.

I disagree.

Thanet Council has blatantly become fixated with the idea that the Turner Centre is the key to solving all the areas ills, and it isn't.

The very same fixation appears to have blinkered the council with regards to other options for the area, not least the regeneration of Dreamland.

The park is indeed in private hands.

In view of the listed status of the Scenic Railway, the cinema and now Sangsters animal cages, and of the acute neglect and vandalism that has blighted the park in recent years, one questions whether or not a stronger, more committed to the idea of a rejuvenated Dreamland, council might have been more effective in terms of the enforcement of the listed protection orders on the former two of the above elements, much sooner.

Instead they appear to have sat back, twiddling their thumbs and doing little with regards to Dreamland whilst it has been left to fall into an acute state of disrepair.

Ask yourself just why it possibly is that its been necessary from a local government point of view for 'things to get far worse before there's a glimmer of hope that they can get better'?

Indeed, if you think about it, it's questionable in view of the above as to why a council truly committed to the protection of a site as unique as Dreamland did not invoke a Compulsory Purchase Order against the owners when it became apparent they had no real interest in preserving it.

Yes, I understand these things cost money... but sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate, and in this particular instance, for whatever the real reasons are for it appearing to sit back and do little in the face of the effective death of what was once a relatively thriving seaside resort, Thanet Council is guilty of sitting back and doing nothing bar pay lip service to those who've bothered to raise concerns with regards to the future of the park.

Hopefully both will help bring people to Margate. Just because we like amusement parks, doesn't mean some supporters of the campaign aren't also lovers of art?

If you read back at the admittedly numerous and lengthy comments I've made so far in this thread, I've not actually come and with anything along the lines that 'art is bad, mmkay'.

I've questioned the wisdom in spending so much money on a project like the Turner Centre in a town like Margate, when as detailed above, a fair proportion of the money has come from bodies who may well have thrown the very same money at Dreamland had the local council not been so blinkered and instead adopted a more pro-active stance in relation to the park.

Indeed, perhaps both projects would have got recognition and funding, without the need for Dreamland and Margate itself to fall into such a dilapidated state in the interim.

I'm hopeful we'll actually see the same bodies and others besides now throw their weight and money behind the Dreamland Heritage Park project, as well.

So much focus has been placed upon the Turner Centre, an arts centre which, if the projects detailed in the links you previously posted with regards to proposed centres of a similar ilk in other coastal towns, will be 'yet another art gallery in a seaside town'.

A regenerated Dreamland on the other hand will be something quite unique.

Personally, I'm not too keen on the design for the new gallery, but maybe in years to come it will become much loved and indeed 'iconic'...

Like the Millenium Dome, you mean?

And look how much public money that swallowed up...

[EAS]

Well, I haven't time to argue, but the Turner was well under way long ago, when Dreamland was still open. It's part of someone's dream, and I think both can work together. I don't have a problem with the idea, just the architecture (which may be better in the reality).

Indeed... even more reason for why, given the scope in terms of pulling in visitors to the town, the council perhaps should have considered buying the site themselves in the past, with a view to preserving it / finding additional investment partners if needs be with which to work in partnership with in order to bring it back to a well nurtured and financially viable state.

I don't think it was ever up for sale, and they haven't the power (nor the cash) to simply enforce a sale. It's actually not been closed for very long, the cinema a very short time really, and it takes a long time to do anything with a site once it's out of use. You can't force the owner to do anything other than keep it safe and tidy. Even then that's not simple. A CPO isn't a straightforward matter, believe me! I can see no reason for a CPO that would stand up to a legal challenge at this time.

Dreamland is still owned privately. It can't simply be given a pot of 'public' cash without the land and structures being handed over to a trust, and that land is worth hard cash. Philanthropy isn't part of the ownership remit I don't think.

Really not a simple matter at all.

Re 'listing protection' - it's not so simple either, otherwise we wouldn't have Buildings at Risk lists. Neither the Scenic nor the cinema were so badly neglected that any action was possible (until the fire). In Thanet there is an excellent conservation team, but really, they can only work within the law. Also, once the cages were uncovered they acted very rapidly (I know as I had some involvement) in getting on site and stopping any demolition, and bravely put a preservation order on also (that has difficulties) and put it forward for listing. Also the upgrading of the cinema to II* was pretty recent, which was a significant move and I believe Thanet's CO was involved with that?

And making our seaside heritage a bit of a national priority is something a number of us have been campaigning about for several years. It takes time to get people in official bodies to sit up and take notice. Maybe you've missed the visits by Commons Select Committees and the like? English Heritage conferences where the campaign has been represented? There's been a great deal else besides, with national conservation organisations rooting for Dreamland too.

Until very recently there was still Pleasureland, arguably as historic if not more so than Dreamland, so not so rare, and the rides which have been rescued for Dreamland not available. It was the destruction of that (and Rhyl) which has made the Dreamland heritage idea more of a reality, sadly (and none of us wanted that destruction, and tried all we could to prevent it, but in vain).

I have no idea why Coun Ezekiel threw a wobbly recently, but I do know some on the council are keen members of this campaign, and deeply involved with the future of Dreamland. It's ongoing and blaming the council isn't possibly helpful at this juncture. Let's try to move on and look at the things happening now.

[EAS]

I add - latest news posted yesterday 12 th March (click the right hand column Latest News:
What is happening in the Campaign to save Dreamland?)

on the news page has a drawing of the proposals for the River Caves and the Water Chute at the new Dreamland. There's a report on today's Your Thanet . co .uk site also linked.:

http://www.yourthanet.co.uk/kent-news/D ... news=local

On Sunday, the Dreamland Trust will show its £12 million plan to the public at a free event at the West Coast Bar in Kings Street, Margate, from 7.30pm.

The Dreamland Trust – which administers the Save Dreamland Campaign – announced its plans for a new tourist attraction at the site of the former Dreamland amusement park in 2007. If built, the park would be the first of its kind in the world.

The trust has been working with Thanet council and Dreamland owner the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company on the proposals.

Nick Laister, chairman of the Dreamland Trust, said: “We were successful in winning a Department for Culture, Media and Sport Sea Change grant last year.

“With additional funding from Dreamland’s owner, MTCRC, and the Margate Renewal Partnership, we have been able to appoint specialist advisers who are starting to bring our dreams to reality.

http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/

River Caves: a rescue in part from Pleasureland, the water chute parts from Rhyl (which was funded by donations from members, and I suspect that more donations would be warmly received by Sarah).

[Nick Evans]

There is some good sound, thought provoking stuff here. What hasn't been said, picking up on the point about not being too hard on the council at the moment - sorry if I've misinterpreted that - but it gives me the chance to say that Nick Dermott, TDC's conservation supremo, must be congratulated for his work over a long time to ensure certain people follow the rules about listed structures. His most recent work towards getting Sanger's cages listed as well is also highly creditable. Well done Nick. A council officer who knows what he is supposed to be doing.

[EAS]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.c20society.org.uk/docs/build ... mland.html

Dreamland acquired new owners in 1995. At this time there were still considerable survivals on the site from the pre Iles' period: trees, terraces and zoo buildings. These were all swept away - the site lying outside the Margate conservation area - as were all the fixed rides, some of considerable antiquity, with the exception of the Scenic Railway. In January 2003 the owners announced that the park was to close since it was no longer profitable. Since then the railway has still operated every summer, although it now looms over a small collection of travelling rides.

A conservation hero.

[EAS]

Here's more about Folkestone's regeneration project, arts based:

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/1995132.article

http://www.creativefoundation.org.uk/

although maybe some of it is on hold for a while:

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Cre ... news=local

[EAS]

Steve's quote above about the 'pubic' spelling mistake in an official doc set me delving and I have posted a few more such clangers I found here:

http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/vie ... 2674#12674