THE Blue Town Heritage Centre has officially been opened and the steps towards making Sheppey a recognised tourist destination have begun.

Jenny Hurkett, who set up the Remember Blue Town Group, held a ceremony to mark the official opening of the centre, which is at the back of Blue Town Kitchens in High Street, Blue Town.

There were talks from Cllr Steve Worrall and Maria Clarke, of Medway Ports, and visitors also enjoyed a lunch as well as having a look round the centre.

The centre was officially opened by Times Guardian editor Matt Ramsden.

Jenny said: “It’s been a real community effort and we have achieved our objectives and got the point across of all the history that is here.

“Those that were here were very impressed with what we have achieved and the Montgomery Exhibition went down well.

“People also liked sitting in our quiet reading area and looking at all the old newspapers.”

The Blue Town Heritage Centre will be open every day from 10am – 2pm and it costs £1 which goes towards its upkeep.

From 2.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, there will be classic film showings. Tomorrow’s film will be Rebecca.

Twice a month on Fridays there will be more modern films shown, and Friday July 18 will be Master and Commander.

The next big event for the group, and indeed the Island, will be the arrival of the Albatross Cruise Ship on August 18.

Jenny is keen to encourage people to get involved in making Sheppey a suitable and exciting destination for the crew and the tourists.

She added: “Swale Forward has said if we can form a Sheppey tourism group they will move the tourism in Sheppey on significantly with leaflets and exhibitions and things to promote the Island.

“If anyone who has hotels, B&Bs, caravans parks, pubs or restaurants wants to get involved with the campaign then please get in touch with me.

“We know we can get some funding so it’s not just a dream any more, it’s reality.”

If you would like to get in touch with Jenny, either with historic artefacts for the centre, or to get involved with the formation of a Sheppey tourism group, please phone her on 01795 662981.