GRASS Grows this Summer

GRASS are thrilled to announce that The Oval Bandstand & Lawns entered community ownership on Thursday 8th July, 2021! The freehold was transferred to GRASS Cliftonville CIC from Thanet District Council, which means the site and associated buildings are now owned and managed by our not-for-profit community organisation.

Local people have always felt a sense of ownership over this site, with individuals and community groups acting as informal custodians over the years. Now, with the legal completion of the Community Asset Transfer, the central role of The Oval Bandstand & Lawns in our vibrant community has been strengthened. This important change will help GRASS to attract grant funding and allow us to upgrade facilities at the site so that it can play an even bigger part in community life. 

The challenge of concluding this transfer was heightened by the ongoing pandemic. It has taken tenacity, sleepless nights, strong partnerships, and a collective vision, to reach this milestone moment which promises to release the huge potential this attraction has to help buttress the growing Cliftonville coastal economy. 

The Oval Bandstand is a not-for-profit social enterprise, which means it will be a self-sustaining community events space generating revenue from the café and events, as well as donations, and 100% of that money will go back into the running of the site. We look forward to bringing immediate employment opportunities, training, and a vibrant community hub located at the heart of Cliftonville. 

As its efforts to protect and enhance The Oval are redoubled, the CIC looks forward to collaborating with heritage partners, interested groups, stakeholders, and, most importantly, local residents. 

We would like to say thank you to all our local councillors, our partners at Thanet District Council, The National Lottery Community Fund, and to everyone who continues to support us. The local community has shown an immense amount of support and generosity in their donations through our hugely successful Crowdfunder campaign, and this must be applauded publicly. 

If anyone would like to get in touch to ask questions, suggest projects, or donate money, the group’s website grasscliftonville.org has a contact page, details about the CIC, and lots of information on our exciting plans for The Oval Bandstand and Lawns.

We are delighted to complete the transfer of the ownership of the land and surrounding buildings to GRASS Cliftonville. The Council is certain that GRASS and the local community will make full use of the asset to protect its future and develop the range of facilities and services provided on site. We wish them every success in their future ventures. 

Councillor David Saunders, Cabinet Member for Finance at Thanet District Council

GRASS Membership 

Becoming a member of GRASS is a meaningful way of having a say on issues that affect your area. We talk to our members to gather their views on what matters most to them about living in Cliftonville, and use those opinions to guide the community work GRASS undertakes.

Becoming a member ensures you will be kept informed of our work and what’s going on within the GRASS area, and the wider Cliftonville community. 

Membership is open to all Margate residents who are over 16 years of age and who are interested in the improvement of the area. Membership is FREE, and you can be involved as much, or as little, as you like. 

Other member benefits include regular social events so you can meet your neighbours, priority tickets to GRASS events, a prize draw at our AGM, and lots of great competitions. 

To become a member of GRASS, or to volunteer at one of our community events, please visit grasscliftonville.org/grass-members