Ramsgate to celebrate Pugin with walks, talks and music

Pugin altar

The great Catholic architect Augustus Pugin, who lived in Ramsgate until his death in 1852, is to be celebrated with a week of events in September.

Pugin Week begins on Thursday 10 September and ends with a concert on 15 September. All events are free, except the concert, though donations are encouraged.

Highlights include:

- On Thursday 10 at 7pm, a brand new digital model of the medieval World Heritage Site, St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, will be unveiled. Howard Griffin, University of Kent lecturer and Margate-based photographer and visual artist, will present the digital model which has been built using animation
techniques usually found in computer games such as Assassin's Creed. This will be a fascinating life-like delve into the medieval world.

- On Friday 11 and Saturday 12 at 2pm, genealogist Elizabeth Peters will lead the first Churchyard Tours at St Augustine's. There are surprising people buried in the churchyard, and impressive monuments, so come and seek out their stories.

- On Sunday 13 at 2.30pm, relax with the public readings of some of Pugin's letters and published works. This rare opportunity to listen to Pugin's own words will be in the most ideal setting of Pugin's own building.

- On Monday 14 at 6.30pm - the 163rd anniversary of Pugin's death - John Coverdale will give a talk about Pugin as Catholic, illustrating how his religion shaped his thinking, production, and entire life.

- On Tuesday 15 at 7.30pm, Anthony Tyler will present on the Gothic ideal shared by Pugin and his good friend and benefactor Kenelm Digby. Digby paid for works to St Augustine's after Pugin's death, and several of his family are buried on the site.

- On Saturday 19 at 7.30pm The Pugin Concert will be performed by The Victoria Consort . This will be a wonderful selection of music celebrating the founder and designer of this precious building. Tickets are £10 on the door or can be booked in advance by ringing 01843 592071.

St Augustine's will be open between 10am and 4pm, as usual, during Pugin Week.

Also taking place during Pugin Week is:

Ride and Stride - a fundraising initiative for the Friends of Kent Churches. St Augustine's will be open and welcome for Riders and Striders too on Saturday 12 September.

Visiting will be restricted on the afternoon of Saturday 12th September for religious services in the church. All are welcome to join the services.

These events also comprise part of the Heritage Open Days scheme run by the National Trust. This is a free annual event which opens up historic places for everyone to visit. St Augustine's will be open 10am - 4pm each day for visiting, and a series of special events will take place over these days. Visiting areas
will be reduced on Saturday afternoon owing to religious services.

The Landmark Trust will be opening The Grange, next door to St Augustine's, Friday 11 - Monday 14 September, 10am - 4pm as part of Heritage Open Days. With St Augustine's, this makes for an excellent trip to both fascinating sites.

For more information on the landmark trust see: www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/upcoming-events/the-grange-open-day11

Read about St Augustine's here: http://augustineshrine.co.uk/