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The new neon lighting, as part of the famous vertical Dreamland sign, are lighting up the skies of Margate once again following restoration as part of our works at the heritage theme park.

Local artist Tracey Emin was the guest of honour at the official switch-on event, which marked an important milestone in the revival of Dreamland.
The neon signage once again brings a sense of grandeur and glamour back to Margate’s iconic seafront having been given great care and attention to accurately light up the past. Our latest phase of work, on behalf of Thanet District Council, involved the renovation of the Grade II* listed building that was formerly home to the Sunshine Café which before it was acquired by Thanet Council it had been neglected for many years.

A specialist historical lighting technique enabled the original colours of the sign to be accurately replicated and involved working with Historic England, the public body that looks after England’s historic environment.

The ‘new’ signage is a hybrid of glass neon tubes, for the DREAMLAND letters and the strips on the front of the fin, whereas LEDs have been used for the strips on the fascia, fin and along the tops of the walls as these are more vulnerable to vandalism.

Dreamland dates back to the British railway boom of the 1860s and is considered to be the oldest-surviving amusement park in the country. Our second phase of works at the theme park will contribute to Margate’s growing reputation as the new capital of British cool.

For more information click here.

The first steps of The Canterbury Journey have been completed with our works to create the Contractor’s Compound.

The compound works are the start of a 5-year programme to conserve and safeguard the Cathedral and its heritage for future generations.

During the course of The Canterbury Journey, the western end of the Cathedral is being restored and enhanced with repairs to the West Towers, Nave roof and Christ Church Gate. Furthermore landscaping improvements will significantly improve access and bring visual coherence to the South Precincts.

To enable the conservation works, we formed a new Site Compound, consisting of a level deck to provide flexibility and full accessibility by fork-lift vehicles for the transport of materials; a single storey timber frame sectional building for the Cathedral’s craftsmen and creation of a new temporary Welcome Centre and Canterbury Cathedral Shop Store to maintain the visitor experience ahead of permanent facilities.

Coombs’ Managing Buyer was among the record 39,487 finishers of the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Completing the 26-mile journey from Greenwich to Westminster in 3:42:50, Ian took part on behalf three good causes including:

• Children with Cancer UK: the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer.  For more information visit: http://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/

 

• Alzheimer’s Society: who make sure that there’s the best possible care for people with dementia today, and research into new treatments or a cure for tomorrow. For more information click here.

 

• Prostate Cancer UK: who have a simple ambition – to stop men dying from prostate cancer. For more information click here.

With almost 40,000 people taking part in the 2017 event, organisers are confident the race will again break the Guinness World Record it has set for the last 10 years.

Ian is now setting his sights on next year when he hopes to take part in both the London and the Greater Manchester Marathons. All here at Coombs would like to congratulate you on your fantastic achievement and wish you good luck for next year.

We are pleased to announce that for the second year running our charity for the year is Catching Lives.

As with 2016 we will be holding a series of events throughout the year to help support this excellent cause. We would like to thank all who have helped with previous events and for your continued future support.

Catching Lives is an independent charity aimed at supporting the rough sleepers, homeless and vulnerably housed in Canterbury and East Kent. Those who have fallen through the gaps in society and feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Their vision is of a society where all are included and all, no matter how disadvantaged, can make a contribution. Catching Lives works towards ending the harm caused to individuals, families and the community by homelessness, rough sleeping and insecure housing.

For further information about Catching Lives and their important work please visit their website.