Four years ago our visit was in sharp contrast to the fond childhood memories. Gone were the candy floss, fun fairs and masses of people, replaced by boarded-up shops, a lack of people and the air of a has-been seaside town.
This time the experience was so much more enjoyable. The seafront seemed so short compared to childhood memories and space on the beach wouldn't have been a problem if we'd wanted it. The shone brightly on the new steps set into the promenade near the harbour, a new development that adds character and brings visitors together with the beach and the sea which is what Margate is all about.
On this occasion the exhibitions at the Turner were a little disappointing but something different will come along with time. Outside, the community recognised the dedication of local seafarers, predecessors of the RNLI, when the crew of the Victory gave their lives in 1857 trying to rescue the crew of a ship in distress. A new memorial was unveiled to those selfless souls.
Memories fade - we struggled to remember exactly where the entrance to the town's pier, wrecked in a storm in the late '70s, was. And the seaside rock and beach-spade shops were small in number. But a wander around the variety of shops, and lunch, in the Old Town was a delight, crowned with afternoon tea in the Mad Hatters Tea Room (a must do when visiting Margate on a Saturday).Fond memories and a wonderful day out.
