Fresh from the success of this year’s Promenade festival, organisers are already thinking ahead to 2012.

More than 1,000 people attended the celebration of the Island’s heritage, architecture and art from September 9 to September 11.

It was supported by a partnership of Swale council, voluntary arts and heritage groups and individuals but, for a similar event to take place next year, organisers need to secure funding.

Festival co-ordinator Allison Young said: “The steering group are very pleased with the response to the festival.

“Participants and many individuals and organisations have expressed an enthusiasm for the event to take place again in 2012 with perhaps an island-wide heritage focus and are already suggesting ideas for events.

“Despite this year’s festival being run on a shoestring and all the speakers participating voluntarily, the event’s future will still need to attract funding to enable it to continue.

“A report on this year’s event is being put together and the steering group hope to apply for grant funding to enable Promenade to take place in 2012.”

Various venues held events as part of the three-day festival, including the Sheerness Heritage Centre in Rose Street and the Healthy Living Centre in Royal Road, Sheerness.

Allison added: “The most successful Promenade events were the talks, tours, open day and family history research opportunities.

"All the talks by visiting speakers Dan Cruickshank, Michael Palin, Ptolemy Dean, Edwin Heathcote and Christopher Woodward were sold out as was the SS Richard Montgomery talk and the daily Dockyard tours.”

Hundreds also visited Shurland Hall on its open afternoon following its lengthy restoration and before it is sold.