25 Apr 2025
Tags: #Ramsgate, #Dunkirk Little Ships
Ramsgate's Royal Harbour is preparing for an unforgettable event when up to 70 Dunkirk Little Ships gather to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. From 16th to 26th May 2025, this historic flotilla will honour the heroic efforts of those who rescued British soldiers and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.
This will be the largest assembly of Dunkirk Little Ships in Ramsgate since the Second World War, making it a not-to-be-missed occasion. The fleet, many vessels over a century old, will begin arriving on Friday 16th May, before setting sail for Dunkirk from 6am on Wednesday 21st May, escorted by Royal Navy, Estuary Services and RNLI vessels. Returning on Monday 26th May from 4pm, they will receive a hero's welcome with a piper, standard bearers, and cheering crowds.
Kevin Finn, Commodore of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, said, “The Return to Dunkirk in May 2025 is an opportunity to join the skippers and crew of these historic vessels to celebrate the continued survival of the remaining Little Ships. They stand as a reminder of the rescue of over 330,000 British and allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk. The weekend will be the first time the Dunkirk Little Ships have gathered in such a large number in Ramsgate's Royal Inner Harbour since May 1940.”
In and around the Royal Harbour, there will be a wonderful festival feel to commemorate the return of the Dunkirk Little Ships, including:
The Little Ships in Concert (18th May, 5:30pm) Following a weekend of live music, funfair and other entertainment, there will be a world-premiere performance featuring over 200 boats sounding bells, whistles, foghorns, plus a choir, musicians, and a WWII air raid siren.
The Little Ships Film Festival at The Granville Theatre (19th, 20th and 21st May, 7pm).
Re-enactors & Exhibitions at Ramsgate Tunnels, showcasing personal stories from Operation Dynamo.
Church services, military parades, and special exhibitions, honouring Ramsgate's vital role in the Second World War. The parade on Tuesday 20th will be followed by a short offshore air display with the only surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish biplane.
To pay homage to the town's recognised efforts when the soldiers returned to Ramsgate back in May 1940, the town is once again rallying together in true 'Dunkirk Spirit', with various organisations including Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate Tunnels, The Ramsgate Society, and Ramsgate Town Council, joining forces to deliver an event expected to attract thousands to the south coast town.
John Walker, Chair of The Ramsgate Society, said, “This historic gathering of Dunkirk Little Ships will be a huge draw for both local residents and visitors alike.”
For full event details, visit https://www.visitramsgate.co.uk/operation-dynamo/
- Ends -
85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, Ramsgate - 16 to 26 May, 2025 Programme (also attached as pdf)
Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May:
- Arrival of the Little Ships (weather dependent), including the Medway Queen.
- Live music on stage opposite Queens Head pub by Ramsgate's Royal Harbour.
- Funfair over the three days (from Friday evening to Sunday evening)
- Projections onto the Maritime Museum of Pathé News reels and stills.
- Ramsgate Tunnels will be hosting a series of displays and tours with support from RNLI and the Royal Temple Yacht Club.
Saturday 17th May:
- Ramsgate children's art installation of 400 Little Ships at Albion Gardens.
- Handmade fair over 17th and 18th with children's creative workshops.
- Launch of the Harbour arch and obelisk lighting installations at sundown
- Live music on stage at Ramsgate's Royal Harbour
- Children's workshops, painting wooden horseshoes to hang on the harbour railings for the Little Ships crews.
Sunday 18th May:
- Town Parade from Sailors' Church around 10.30am to St. George's Church, followed by a public service.
- Visit the Operation Dynamo commemorative stained glass window and an installation of over 3,000 mini paper boats inside St. George's Church.
- Ramsgate Children's art installation of 400 Little Ships at Ellington Park's May Fayre.
- Children's workshops, painting wooden horseshoes to hang on the harbour railings for the Little Ships crews.
- 'Little Ships in Concert' at the Harbour at 5.30pm. A live performance with opera singers calling to the Little Ships.
- Live music on stage at Ramsgate's Royal Harbour
- Projections onto the Maritime Museum of Pathé News reels and stills.
Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st May:
- The Little Ships Film Festival, hosted at The Granville Theatre.
Tuesday 20th May:
- Parade featuring the Royal Marines Band from Ramsgate's East Cliff or Ramsgate Tunnels (TBC) from 11.30am to the Sailors' Church. followed by a short air display off the harbour with the only surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish biplane.
Wednesday 21st May:
- Departure of 70 Little Ships and over 100 supporting boats around 6am to 7.30am. A call to (early bird!) locals to wave them off will be done via social media.
Friday 23rd May to Sunday 25th May:
- The Lost Ships of Dunkirk – a short film on a loop with soundtrack, featuring sonar images of wrecks sunk close to Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo, taken from a seabed survey carried out in 2023.
Monday 26th May:
- Return of the Little Ships from Dunkirk from 4pm with pipers, standard bearers and cheering crowds
Notes to Editors
General media enquiries to Rebekah Smith, Town Centre and Tourism Manger, Ramsgate Town Council on town.promoter@ramsgatetc.org.uk
For media wishing to stay overnight - for accommodation in Ramsgate go to www.visitramsgate.co.uk/where-to-stay. For accommodation in Ramsgate and nearby Margate and Broadstairs go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/stay-and-eat/places-to-stay or ring Visitor Information Services on 01843 577577
Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
The object of the Association is to keep alive and preserve for posterity the memory and identity of those 'Little Ships' that went to the aid of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 and took part in Operations Dynamo, Cycle and Aerial and to preserve the 'Spirit of Dunkirk' by forming a registered Association of their present-day owners and of those closely associated. Vessels from all three Operations are included within the ADLS and are collectively known as 'Dunkirk Little Ships'.
Royal Temple Yacht Club
During the WWII the Royal Temple Yacht Club building was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and became part of HMS Fervent. When a building is given a Royal Naval name then there must be a boat of the same name, and HMS Fervent, a 50 ft Motorboat, was assigned as the communications boat for the Officer commanding the convoys. During the evacuation, she was the launch of the Senior Naval Officer at Dunkirk and the last boat to return. The boat has since changed her name to White Marlin and is owned by a past Commodore of the Association, and remains one of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
The Ramsgate Society
The Society chairs the Ramsgate Heritage Harbour Group, where local community, business and government organisations come together to collaborate on projects to celebrate and promote Ramsgate and its Royal Harbour. The Group is a member of UK Heritage Harbours and has acted as a forum for all those involved in planning this very special event.
UK Heritage Harbours
Heritage Harbours is a joint initiative between local groups and Historic England, the Maritime Heritage Trust and National Historic Ships. Its aims include protecting heritage assets at risk; attracting investment and heritage funding, supporting local business growth; increasing tourism; and improving community cohesion and inclusion. Heritage Harbours supports the safeguarding and conservation of the UK's most historic coastal and waterway locations, along with the buildings, quays, shipyards, and environments that make them special. They are where you can see traditional ships and boats still in operation, and the buildings, facilities and people that make this possible.
www.maritimeheritage.org.uk/heritage-harbours
Ramsgate Town Council
Local Town Council that funds and supports community events that benefit residents and visitors alike. A small team of employees work to make Ramsgate a better place to live, visit and do business in, alongside Thanet District Council and Kent County Council.
