£2 Ramsgate Matters

The Quarterly Journal of the Ramsgate Society

Autumn 2015 Ramsgate Matters Chairman’s Report Autumn 2015 Contents

2 Aims, New Members, Chairman 4 West Cliff Park: The Green House 5 West Cliff: 225 Years by Benedict Kelly 7 Two Charities: one roof 8 The Royal Harbour 10 Lost & Found: 250 year old Stained Glass 11 Who am I? by Terry Prue Ramsgate: Television Star 12 Remembering Freddy Hargraves by Terry Prue John Walker 15 Letters after the Little Ships Issue 16 Spencer Square 17 Notes, Past, Present & Future Our first task has been to review what the 18 Diary Dates society needs to do, to better enable it to 19 Who am I revealed carry out the role defined in its constitu- In Memoriam tion: Contacts

“To encourage high standards of architec- ture and planning in Ramsgate.

To stimulate public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of the town and its surroundings.

To encourage the preservation, develop- ment and improvement of features of general public amenity or historic interest.

To pursue these ends by means of meet- see p.8 ings, exhibitions, lectures, publications, other forms of instruction and publicity, and promotion of schemes of a charitable nature”

The Ramsgate Society welcomes My first task as Chairman will be to thank the outgo- new members: ing Chairman Jocelyn McCarthy for his outstanding contribution to the work of the society over the last John Hughes, Ramsgate ten years. Jocelyn has done a superb job during his John and Susan Holton, Ramsgate term of office to promote a sense of civic pride in James Patterson, Ramsgate the town and it is for those of us who follow him to build on the work he has already done.

The Ramsgate Society is a Registered Charity: 1138809 The Society is a Founder Member of Civic Voice, An affiliate of the Federation of Amenity Groups And the Kent History Federation

Front Cover: Julian Cottrell, Jenny Dawes, Brian Daubney Below: Slipways Exhibition Centre, concept by del Renzio

2 With this in mind there are things we need to do so that we have the internal resources to function well as the civic society for Ramsgate. It is going to be important to reinforce the executive committee of the society with members who are committed to delivering the aims of the society and also to review the committee structure so that we are able to deliver the things the society stands for. I am pleased to report that following the AGM we now have five new committee members who bring with them the skills and enthusiasm that we need and I am confident that the new committee will work well as a team. We intend to raise the profile of the society in the town and to encourage better cooperation between the various organisations who share our concerns and values.

Our immediate concern has been the promenade shelters. We have now got the CCTV system up and running to protect the shelters from the mindless vandalism and damage that we have seen over the last twelve months. Any further attacks will be captured on CCTV and the police will be able to use this as evidence in any subsequent pros- ecutions. We hope this will have the deterrent effect that is intended. I would like to thank all those who have helped us with this including Rebekah Smith and the Ramsgate Town Team who have helped with the necessary finance and to Paul Smith of PTS CCTV who has installed the system for us and set up the necessary monitoring controls. Our thanks too go to Ramsgate Glass who have replaced the damaged glazing at a price which barely reflects the cost of the materials. Under our lease from TDC the society has an obligation to maintain the shelters for the next 9 years so we will be actively seeking ways of raising funds to fulfil this obligation. Committee member Gerry O’Donnell is leading on this so if you would like to help please contact Gerry at email address

As members will already know the society had to vacate the shop in Harbour Street when developers wished to carry out extensive improvements and alterations to the building. A new lease was offered to the society to reoc- cupy the property when works were completed but the terms were beyond the society’s finances and with regret the committee decided it would be unsustainable to continue. When offered the opportunity to occupy part of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum on a temporary basis, the committee agreed we should relocate the shop there until September of this year. We will monitor how this arrangement performs and consider our options later in the year.

Other projects we are currently investigating for the society are:

• Taking on the promotion of Heritage Open Days in Thanet in 2016. • Working closely with TDC and The Friends of Ellington Park in the £1m bid to the Heritage Lot- tery Fund (HLF) for the restoration of this popular park in the heart of Ramsgate. • Working with TDC on a review of the register of Locally Listed Buildings in the Town. • Nominating further sites and buildings in Ramsgate as Assets of Community Value (ACV) • Supporting TDC with a £2m bid to HLF to improve and restore some of the Listed structures around the Royal Harbour. • Assisting the Ramsgate Maritime Museum in progressing their plans for improvements to the Clock House and the museum collection. • Working closely with TDC, Ramsgate Town Council and other community groups to promote a sense of civic pride in the town of Ramsgate. • Representing the society on the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Plan Group. • Engage the ordinary members in the work of the society and encouraging their support for what the society is doing. • Organising a litter campaign to take place in June 2016 and beginning in October 2015

3 West Cliff Park: The Green House

After years of neglect the original greenhouses, heated frames and gardener’s buildings within the walled garden of West Cliff House have been lost or destroyed. A small section of a south facing espalier wall that remains in the middle of the 0.2 acre plot is now preserved as a reminder of the garden’s heritage.

In 2011 a modern energy efficient single story eco-house was completed along the eastern wall incorporating the benefits of a living green roof, solar gain, high levels of insulation, MVHR (me- chanical ventilation with heat recovery) photovoltaic solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

Since then the land to the west and south of the three bed- roomed dwelling is being designed and grown as a sustainable and edible forest garden using proven permaculture principles.

The resident owners of the walled garden are committed to ‘green’ ideals and have created a wildlife haven well in keeping with the original purpose of the land.

4 West Cliff: 225 Years Benedict Kelly

The 1925 sales map of Ramsgate’s West Cliff shows the recently planned St Lawrence West Cliffs Estate. When the main house was built in 1795, Joseph Ruse had named it “Belmont.” The 4th Earl of Darnley bought it in 1804 and renamed it “West Cliff House”. The Times of October 2nd 1830 described “Lawn and pleasure gardens sloping towards the sea. It contains 10 principle bed chambers, servant’s ditto, water closets, dining and drawing rooms of large dimensions, ladies boudoir, library etc. 3 coach-houses, stabling for 8 horses, together with about 9 acres of rich meadow land. More land may be had if required’.

Thomas Warre (1752-1824) had purchased West Cliff in 1817. His family came from Somerset and were notable in the port wine trade; their company still is today. Besides Ramsgate, Thomas had one house in Stratford Place off Oxford Street and another in St Petersburg Russia. On his death in 1824, he left £60,000 in cash to relatives and West Cliff was inherited by his nephew John Ashley Warre (1787-1860).

John A Warre appeared in Ramsgate’s poll book of 1832. His eminence was confirmed when on 1st October 1836, Princess Victoria and her mother arrived to stay for two months. Variously MP for Hastings, Lostwithiel, Taunton and Ripon, Warre was also Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for Kent, President of the Ramsgate Seaman’s Infirmary where he laid the foundation stone on 17th August 1849. His son John Henry Ware (1825-1894) inherited in 1860 and he too became a Magistrate in Ramsgate and life Governor at the Seamen’s Infirmary. When he died in 1894 he was buried in St Lawrence Churchyard. His brother Arthur Braithwaite Warre, is probably best remembered for donating 7 acres of land to Ramsgate in March 1897: the Warre Recreation Ground. His heir and eldest daughter, Caroline Ashley Warre married Charles Murray Smith on 8th June 1904 and West Cliff became the Murray-Smith Estate.

5 West Cliff: 225 Years Continued.

In 1921, Caroline sold the estate to The Ramsgate Corporation. House and grounds, fields from Grange Road to West Cliff Terrace, and beside Pegwell Road, in all 58 acres, with another 28 acres north of Pegwell Road, cost £50,000. The same year West Cliff House became St Winifred’s Girls School and remained so until World War Two. Land on Downs Road and portions of Norman Road that was not bought by the Corporation, was later offered for sale from 3 pounds 10 shillings per foot of road frontage.

Also In 1921 the Corporation bought West Cliff Terrace Mansions for just over £11,500 and was offered land to make an eighty-foot road, Road, to the north of Norman Road at £600 an acre. A cottage at the corner of Chilton Lane and Road cost £1,000. Borough Engineer, Mr TG Taylor, planned it and the Mayor opened London Road on 8th February 1923. The Government met half the cost. An open competition to plan the estate offered prizes from £100 to £500. Architects Franklin and Deacon of Luton only came third, but as the Corporation felt their scheme to be the most practical and economical, they were chosen. On 14th February 1924, plots were marketed by St Lawrence Estates Limited of Cavendish Street, Ramsgate with the land being sold free from tithes and land taxes.

The West Cliff Lift was built in 1929 by W W Martin for £3,328. On Friday 6th June 1930, Ramsgate Mayor JSG Langley opened the bowling green. Messrs Sharman Ltd built small shelters and tennis pavilions. It was a major scheme and costs were considerable: private roads, £26,616; Royal-Esplanade, £19,082; under cliff drive and wall, £47,637; upper promenade; £9,655; work prior to cliff top levelling, £32,688; shelters, putting greens, hard tennis courts, bowling greens, £11,104; rockwork chine and planting, £4,506, Bandstand and shelters estimated at £9,225. The eventual pleasure gardens’ bandstand and pavilion by architect Basil C Deacon FRIBA. now the boating pool and café, cost £18,526. W W Martin built terraces with seating for 2,000. The bandstand in reinforced concrete proved very challenging when demolished in February 1961, but in 1929 columns, walls and terraces were finished in artificial stone of the Italian Renaissance style and the tea pavilion was furnished with Lloyd Loom chairs supplied by R G Dunn & Sons Ltd of Queen St, Ramsgate. The Mayor of Ramsgate, Alderman T H Prestedge opened the estate on Friday 2nd August.

During the Second World War, West Cliff House was taken over by the army. On 14th June 1946, St Lawrence Estates sold house and gardens to become St Lawrence Cliffs Hotel. In 1949, the hotel became the Bon Secours Nursing Home.

Rockhurst Investments Limited purchased the building on 29 March 2001 for £750,000 and the former holiday home of was refurbished, reroofed and became a private estate of apartments and individual homes. The original kitchen garden has now been transformed architecturally and is a model of futuristic living for the 21st century, based on principles of balance and self-sufficiency.

West Cliff House, 1806

6 Two Charities, One Roof

Unexpected redevelopment meant that the Ramsgate Society had to leave its Harbour Street HQ at short notice this summer. It was generously offered temporary accommodation in the Maritime Museum annex at the Royal Harbour Clock House. The Steam Trust that runs the Museum and the nearby Steam Tug Cervia, holds an annual summer event. Volunteers from both the Society and the Museum jointly served refreshments on a glorious day in July.

Sadly before the end of the month the Museum had been broken into, along with cash boxes, tills and a safe. Two charities were both robbed. The Museum was damaged and covered in fire extinguisher foam and powder that enveloped both floors and forced immediate closure. For seaside attractions and the Society, August closure is like depriving a department store of Christmas and January Sales.

Cleaning began at once although sadly many people who volunteered to help through the Society’s Face Book site could not be accommodated in the confined chaos. The shops and sales teams were rapidly back in action. The Society Shop but not the Museum will be open this winter and plans to extend selling on line as soon as possible. The assistance and support of everyone who can contribute, will be more than welcomed.

It is hoped that the Society may continue its association with the Clock House, following in the steps of , the , the General Steam Navigation Company and RNLI. Discussions that are in an early stage with Council, the Freeholder, will hopefully benefit the Museum, the Society and all Ramsgate.

7 The Royal Harbour

The Ramsgate Society’s 2010 Town Image award was presented to the Custom House in Harbour Parade, now an accessible home to Ramsgate Town Council, much-used café cum restaurant, central visitor information centre, Royal National Lifeboat Institute shop and quality craft shop. In short: A Success.

Jack Baker who developed the Custom House had been a successful developer in London’s Docklands until the 2008 collapse led backers to foreclose on an almost completed project. Long before coming to Ramsgate he knew that success is never certain and good intentions rarely recognised.

Mr Baker’s planning application for the Custom House expressed the aim of restoring the historic profile of the Georgian Harbour, from Obelisk to Lighthouse. What seemed an almost impossible concept in 2010 is coming close to fruition. His latest development will echo the 19th century waterfront and preserve all four historic slipways with the oldest, largest and most used continuing to service a wide range of boats: commercial, fishing, and leisure. The tiny Georgian watch house, exposed winding gear and slipways will all be restored. A working, centuries old facility, unmatched from Portsmouth to is hauling its way into the twenty-first century.

8 The Harbour itself was over half a century in construction: assembly rooms and harbour offices were moved or demolished while other buildings came and went. Regency structures with magnificent arched access were often destroyed or adapted, and not recorded, as demand changed. This project sets out to restore something of an elegance that was never fully realised.

A modern building, reminiscent of the late Georgian buildings that used to occupy the Harbour, will float above the central slipway giving the illusion of an elegant new quay. Ramsgate-born architects Pier Luigi and Ivan, del Renzio and del Renzio, are sons of artist Toni del Renzio who died in 2007. Their names are a reflection of their father’s Russian-Italian origins and it was he who fostered their interest in architecture. As well as the drawings, which they and their client have made exclusively available here, you can see more of their work in the restoration of the building that stands to the right of the Royal Temple Yacht Club, on the site once occupied by the home of Sir William Curtis who entertained George IV there, just before the King conferred Royal status on Ramsgate’s Harbour.

The new building, designed to balance Wyatt’s historic Clock House, will house Hornby, Airfix, Corgi and Scaletrix models currently on display at Hornby’s former factory site in . At 9,000 square feet and costing £1.6 million the new visitor centre is expected to attract tens of thousands of new visitors.

Early Concept Elevation: South West (Maritime Museum shown for reference)

Projects proliferate all around the Harbour: new businesses have opened in refurbished arches, newly completed berths are occupied in the marina, JD Wetherspoon is set to restore the Pavilion, and work is underway to consolidate the East Cliffs so that construction on the Pleasurama site may begin after years of doubt and delay. A few hundred feet away, the Ramsgate Tunnels have just celebrated a successful first year and while cavernous HMS Fervent remains sealed for the time being, it too is a huge part of Ramsgate’s hidden history and a record of the role Ramsgate played in the story of the nation.

9 Lost and Found

This beautifully stained glass window has been boarded up for security inside the British Legion Headquarters at Cliff Street for some time. Branch Secretary Mrs Wooldridge explained the precise dates are uncertain as to when the window was moved from the adjacent, former home of Sir William Curtis, Lord Mayor of London. He entertained George IV in his house just before the King designated Ramsgate harbour as Royal. Somehow the window survived in a triptych form with slim twin side panels, that were revealed again in August.

The main image of the Arms of London is reversed when viewed from the Club interior. However the British Legion placed the letters BL in two side panels so that they can be read correctly from inside the building. It may confuse future archaeologists but it blends two centuries and situations in a spectacular piece and was an auspicious unveiling as the Town begins to rediscover overlooked treasures from its past.

The Harbour Obelisk commemorates the visit of George IV.

10 A Television Star

Who am I and what’s my connection with Ramsgate? by Terry Prue

‘Undoubtedly the beard of man was designed to perform certain offices; one was to protect the Lungs from dust and dirt in drinking and breathing, a second to afford warmth, a third to regulate the elastic condition of the body, a fourth to act as sentinels over the tender sensitive capillary surface, and to warn them of abrupt changes – these are a few significant points quite sufficient to condemn the absurd usages of society about beards…. Wear your beards then by all means, ye, at least, who in very truth require it’ (For answer see page 19) ?

For a town with a population of some forty thousand souls, 2015 produced exceptional television coverage for Ramsgate, reaching international and in some cases worldwide audiences. Programmes like the Hotel Inspector at Albion House filmed skies, harbour and architecture as well as interiors, to present an image of Ramsgate that could hardly be achieved in any other medium. The seals and wildlife of the nature reserve and town gardens were captured for Springwatch and other natural history programmes with detailed close up filming that attracts international sales. Once in a century a cactus soars through the roof of the Italianate Greenhouse and flowers gloriously before dying but it has never been so widely recorded before.

The arrival of EastEnders in Ramsgate must be an ultimate accolade for a huge audience but an event like the celebration of ’ Small Boat Crossing had a world-wide appeal. An earthquake off the Harbour and another one, in election terms, were both unpredictable and if the presence of foreign film crews were an indication, overseas viewers stayed interested longer than many locals. This brief survey has explicitly not mentioned an airport or other resort that may also have had some coverage.

11 Remembering Freddy Hargraves Terry Prue

I was 13 in 1959 when Freddy Hargraves retired from Ramsgate’s post- War entertainment. My interest in his style of dance band music was then waning as a new generation; Elvis, Cliff, Buddy and Adam, rose with TV cov- erage of pop on Juke Box Jury. Yet I remember him with affection, perhaps because I had seen his show at the West Cliff Bandstand every year of my life up until then. Both his limp and his talent show interlude, with a ‘magic’ whistling kettle as first prize are, for me, unforgettable.

My quest for biographical information started with this flyer:

1

The ‘Broadcasting’ claim led to the ‘Radio Who’s Who’ of 1947 (1) and the entry for Frederic Hargraves was:

“Dance Music, b. Burnley, 17th May, 1909. First broadcast, 1942. Address: 39, Grange Road, Ramsgate. Phone: 912 Ramsgate. Started studying violin at age of nine, and at fourteen began career as professional musician. Started play- ing dance music on saxophone and clarinet in 1928, and has since led his own Dance Band in principal Hotels and Ballrooms. Has broadcast in “ Music While You Work “ programmes, and “Saturday Night At The Palais.” Hobby: “Collect- ing fine violins“.

The address of 39 Grange Rd matches Kelly’s Street Directory of 1951 so it would appear that he created a base in our town.

Being disabled, with a clear limp Freddy was exempt from conscription and became a working musician throughout the War. Initially he enter- tained the forces with personal appearances but from 1942 to 1944 he was a regular broadcaster on BBC Home and Forces Radio stations – sometimes as Frederic Hargraves and the Knights of Music, occasionally Knights of Swing and sometimes Frederic Hargraves and his Band. In 1943 he regularly played the 3pm weekday ‘Music While You Work’.

12 Probably the biggest accolade in his broadcasting career came in 1945. The new Light Programme began on July 29th with a peak time evening show at 7:10pm. The first Saturday broadcast was ‘Holiday Nights’ with Freddy Hargraves and his Band at the West Cliff Ballroom. In peacetime, his broadcasts would become fewer but by then he had moved to light en- tertainment. In February 1948 ‘Variety Concert Hall’ at the Palace Theatre Ramsgate starred Peter Brough and ‘’ with Freddy. (2)

As radio work declined in the late 1940s, personal appearances increased. West Cliff Hall and both Cliff Bandstands saw regular summer seasons. Audiences at the West Cliff were larger, being sheltered from the wind and enjoying refreshments. The souvenir postcard shows the now demolished bandstand:

2

Freddy’s ‘orchestra’ provided strict-tempo dance music in , Canter- bury and . He was ‘proprietor’ of the Odeon Ballroom, St Peter ‘s Street, Canterbury (3) and from 1942 to 1947 advertised dancing every night to the band of Frederic Hargraves’ ‘Swingtette,’ probably four musi- cians rather than his orchestra.

By the end of 1947 changing tastes led Freddy to convert the Odeon Hall to the Talisman Restaurant with dinner-dances on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and regular fashion shows. A report from March 1948 reveals sartorial elegance as the band joined the spirit of the events:

1. Author’s “Frederic Hargreaves’ Band (with both names mis-spelled) in their full sleeved Collection blue blouses and scarlet boleros, played light background music throughout 2. Author’s the show, in an alcove at the further end of the room with banks of lilies, daf- Collection fodils, tulips and pussy willow” (4)

13 Freddy managed talent: Johnny O’Rourke, his trumpet and orchestra at the Oval Bandstand, , and Ronnie Mills & His Band at the Marina, Great Yarmouth.

At Ramsgate in the 1950s Freddy’s summer shows in the West Cliff Hall included comedy routines that were usual for dance bands; ‘Margette & her novelty band’ on my 1947 handbill would feature band members in drag. Two photographs from these shows remain in Ramsgate Library probably dating from about 1955. The blacked-up musician is no longer politically cor- rect but he pre-dates ‘The Black and White Minstrels Show’ on TV. The ‘Egyptian Sand Dance’ is also not quite PC but, is still featured and remembered with amusement.

3 4

Near the end of his career Freddy achieved national if unplanned, publicity. At a fete in Elling- ton Park the Band was supported by “Professor” Jimmy White’s sword-and-apple “William Tell” act. Usually a female volunteer would have an apple placed on her head and the Professor would cleave it in two with a downward sweep of a sword. When no volunteers came forward, Carol Hayes, singer with the band, stepped up. The apple split but Carol had a two-inch cut in her scalp, and bled profusely. The Daily Mail front page of August 3rd read: ‘She was rushed to hospital. The professor disappeared.’ Carol was pictured bandaged and in bed, claiming ‘she could hear the strains of music from Frederic Hargraves’s Band Show 200 yards away on Ramsgate’s Western Promenade’. Professor White was a café owner in York St and Hargraves asserted against White’s protestations, the singer ‘most definitely did not move.’ (5)

Through the 1940s, Freddy was heard on the BBC but was never in the first league of band leaders. Unlike the ‘greats’ he had no recording success. He was extraordinarily hard working, an entrepreneurial individual and a big fish in the small bowl of South East Kent. He remained a core ingredient of entertainment for Ramsgate Holidays from wartime until 1959. Two years after retiring from the Ramsgate summer season he died in 1961. The same year, West Cliff Bandstand, stage for his long career, was demolished and became the boating pool that still exists.

3. Kent County Council – Libraries, Article References: Registration & (1) Compiled and edited by Cyrus Andrews. 1947 Pendulum Publications Archives (2) Radio information: newspapers, BBC Radio Times Genome Project 4. Kent County (3) Whitstable Times and Herald 19 Sep 1942 Council – Libraries, (4) Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 27 March 1948 Registration & (5) Daily Mirror August 8th 1956 Page 5 Archives

14 Letters After ‘Dunkirk Little Ships’ Issue

Dear Editor,

In 1941 I wrote to the East Kent Times & Mail and asked if someone could start the Army Cadet Force in Ramsgate. I heard from the War Office that a unit would be started.

Six of us lads went each evening for Mr Rose to make us the first cadet NCOs. Mr Rose was a jeweller in Harbour Street. The man- ager of the Odeon was to be CO for the new battalion. His chief of staff, Mr Baker, was to be our CSM and the two projection- ists became platoon commanders.

We finished up in an old school in Artillery Road. The Dumpton Woods were used for training and also Minster Marshes. Silver War Badge soldiers [from WWI] used to train us and the car park in Cannon Road was our main parade ground. Dear Editor, Just before I left as a cadet sergeant, a company At 8.30 one morning, late May 1940, as usual I was formed in and, later on, in Mar- waited for my friend Nancy to arrive on the school gate. I served for four years in the army and, train from Sandwich. It was bright, sunny, warm and in 1947, I took over the cadets from Captain very still. There was never anyone about at this time Fuller in Wilsons Hall. in the morning until the rush of Clarendon House and Chatham House pupils emerged from the Margate and Alas, what happened? Our Band went to Sandwich trains. Canterbury, and all marched up to the drill hall in Margate Road and joined The quietness was disturbed by a lorry that arrived and drew the TA. up beside me. The driver got out, dropped the tailboard, and a dozen or so men almost fell out. They were dishevelled to Len Gray say the least; unshaven, very ragged, no shoes or socks, some in army greatcoats, some roughly bandaged. They were very dirty Our sympathy goes to Mr Gray and looked absolutely exhausted. They sank onto the pavement, on the recent loss of his wife. leaned against the wall and shut their eyes to the sunshine. Another lorry arrived and another, each with a load of thoroughly dejected men who flaked out on the pavement.

After school that day my father took me to the cliff top, overlooking the harbour. The harbour was full of small boats, overladen with men such as I had seen at the station. There seemed to be hundreds of them, sitting, lying, standing on the pier, drinking tea which was provided by another army, of women. The Pavilion had been turned into a casualty station and all available doctors and ancillary staff had been brought together there. As boats unloaded, they refuelled and set off again and the bay was still busy as more arrived. Some 60,000 men came into Ramsgate. It was an amazing exercise that would be over- shadowed by the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, U-boat attacks on our ships, Doodle- bugs, and the on-going rationing.

In the meantime, we were instructed to be at the station on Sunday morning in our school uniform – with gas masks of course – a drink and sandwiches for the day and a change of clothes we could carry ourselves. There was no argument. A few went independ- ently with their parents but we all left. It was a masterpiece of organisation. The station forecourt was packed with children from many schools and parents waving goodbye, not knowing where we were going or for how long, as well as English and French troops from Dun- kirk. As we left from platforms 3 and 4, so they used 1 and 2 , and we all steadily dispersed.

I left Ramsgate in 1940 and, with a very small group of friends ‘stayed the course’ in Stafford, thankfully returned to our own school building in 1945.

Mrs Hunt (Gwyneth Edwards)

15 Property Advertisement: Wavecrest

A family heir loom lovingly restored regardless of expense is the best and perhaps only way to describe Wavecrest, this period property set in one of the most prestigious parts of Ramsgate.

The four storey property plus sizeable basement, cellars and a secluded garden has ample accommodation for seven bedrooms or an equally comfortable mix of five bedrooms, dressing rooms, a study and considerable storage. Balcony views over a beautiful square housing cared for gardens and tennis courts and a seascape encompass Deal and the French coast from upper floors. En suite shower and toilet, two separate bathrooms and additional toilet are all new additions as is rewiring, plumbing, insulation, pointing, redecoration, fire protection and wired alarm system, central heating to five floors and a number of other improvements to compliment stunning, period features.

A comprehensive sales prospectus can be obtained from the owner via email: [email protected]

or from agents Miles & Barr 01843 572 000

16 Notes, Past Present and Future

Waterloo Won in Spencer Square

The house that is the subject of this magazine’s first full colour property advertisement overlooks the largest residential Square in Ramsgate. Spencer Square was used to train cavalry in the Napoleonic Wars. Wellington, is traditionally quoted as saying “Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton” but among the residents of the Square, many will share a view overheard in its historic tea room: “The Cavalry were pivotal in winning Waterloo, so the battle was really won on Spencer Square”.

Waitrose

After decades of discreetly desperate enquiries, the Ramsgate Branch of Waitrose is about to acquire its first cus- tomer conveniences. The Store was built before such facilities were common or expected. An outdoor and indoor coffee shop are to be provided along with self-service tills. The Store is one place where you can speak to someone you might otherwise never meet, in an increasingly amenable, safe environment.

The Publishing Mayor of Ramsgate

Gerald Tripp and Benedict Kelly, regular contributors to the Society Magazine have produced a new booklet on Ramsgate Past: The Royal Ramsgate 1665-2015. It was personally sponsored by the Mayor of Ramsgate, Trevor Shonk. He contributed unpublished material from his own historical archives, and believes that, like their recent 1736 Map, such publications go a long way towards promoting the town. Were our Mayor’s example to be followed by other civic dignitaries, print and publishing sectors with numerous artists and authors of and very prob- ably the whole economy might all enjoy a boom.

17 Diary Dates

October December Saturday 3 October 2015 Friday 4 December to Sunday 13 December 2015 Historic tour of St Laurence Churchyard, resting place The Friends of St George Christmas Tree Festival, of royalty and famous personages. St George’s Church: 2.00pm -5.00 pm Monday 10 am, tour takes about an hour. Free - donations to Friday, 11.30pm – 5.00pm Saturday, noon to welcomed. Refreshments afterwards. 5.00pm Sunday. Sunday 11 October 2015 Saturday 5 December 2015 The Ramsgate Society Litter Clean Up Day, 10.00 am to Historic tour of St Laurence Churchyard, ‘A Story in 1.00 pm. Meet at Albert Court. Every Corner’. Sunday 11 October 2015 10 am, tour takes about an hour. Free - donations European Day of Jewish Culture and Heritage: welcomed. Refreshments after. open 10.30-2.30pm Sunday 6 December 2015 Thursday 22 October 2015 Ramsgate Mayor’s Charity: Christmas Carvery Ramsgate Mayor’s Charity: Poker Night at G Casino, Lunch with entertainment. Price £23. : Price £20 (includes supper and one Contact Dave Hougham: 01843 601233 drink). Contact Dave Hougham: 01843 601233 Saturday 12 December 2015 Sunday 25 October 2015 St Laurence Church: Annual Christmas Fair 10.30am The Ramsgate Society: Katherine Spencer in concert, – 1.00pm St George’s Church, 3.00 pm. Members £8. Non- Monday 21 December 2015 members £10. Contact ramsgatesocietysocialevents@ St George’s Church, Carols by Candlelight, 7.00 pm, hotmail.com or telephone 01843 580832 refreshments after. November Wednesday January 6th 2016 Saturday 7 November 2015 The Ramsgate Society New Year Lunch: Historic tour of St Laurence Churchyard, ‘A Story in Hotel : 12.30 for 1.00pm £22.00. Every Corner’. Details Jan Holden: 6 Chatham Place Ramsgate 10 am, tour takes about an hour. Free - donations CT11 7PT Queries: 07989569935 welcomed. Refreshments afterwards. Saturday 21 November 2015 The Ramsgate Society Social Committee would like The Friends of St George Quiz Evening, St George’s to hear from you, the members, present, former Church Hall, 7.30 pm, £5 (includes light supper). and future with ideas for events you would like us Contact Janet Reid: 01843 580832 to arrange. Contact ramsgatesocietysocialevents@ hotmail.com or telephone 01843 580832

18 WhoMy connection am I? (from with page Ramsgate17) compiled by Terry Prue and who I am (from page 11) by Terry Prue heSe wordS are those of King George IV Patron: Sir Terry Farrell during his visit to Ramsgate in September TThese1821. claims Contemporary about the newspaperssupposed medical (from which Patron:President: Peter LandiSir Terry Farrell all quotesbenefits are of taken) wearing described a beard his reflect reception one asof the President:Vice Presidents: Davena Green ‘animatedlesser-known and enthusiastic causes supported beyond description’ by John Collis and the Vice Presidents: George DavenaArnheim Green decorationsBrowne (1819in the –town 1884) as and‘one areof the quoted most frominteresting a

andsouvenir beautiful bookletscenes that to mark can be the conceived’. unveiling Flags,of a plaque George Arnheim Chairman: Jocelyn McCarthy boughs of foliage and lamps covered the main roads and Chairman: John Walker on Mount Albion House (aka 22 Victoria Rd on the Vice Chairman: John Walker harbour front so that ‘the entire town … formed such East Cliff) on May 8th 1973. This unveiling marked Secretary:Secretary: RosemaryRosemary Kirk Kirk a blaze of light as must have been seen from Deal, and the 100-year anniversary from the date he sailed Treasurer:Treasurer: Mark RobsonMark Robson perhapsinto Ramsgatea greater distance’. harbour in his yacht ‘Kala Fish’ and th Minutes Secretary: Wendy Rumsey cameHe arrived to make in Ramsgate the town at his on home. the evening of the 24 and went straight to ‘an elegant and sumptuous dinner’ Committee:Committee: Ken JonesJan Holden at the home of Sir William Curtis. Two days earlier the Gerry O’DonnellGabriel Holland Ramsgate packet, the Eagle, had brought the cooks Ken ReadKen Jones and ‘a fine turtle and many other good things’ for these Janet Reid Cliff House festivities. After dining, it was off to the David RumseyGerry O’Donnell Assembly Rooms for a grand dress ball ‘at which were JenniferRichard Smith Oades present near 250 of the Nobility and Gentry, etc.’ Irene Seijo The ceremonial welcome came next morning, after The Society would like to extend its an open-top drive to the pier. Sir William Curtis gave Nigel Phethean condolences to the families and friends of Mr the official address and the quote I used came from a D McNichol and Mrs E Powles (d. March newspaper summary of, ‘his Majesty’s most gracious 2014) and Mrs Anne Busson (d. April 2014) answer, read by himself’. He left the harbour aboard his In Memoriam

yachtCollis Browne’s currentthe label: Royal George at about 11am, accompanied by a fleet of naval and other vessels to arrive in Calais Mrs Marjorie Easton Apology betweenCollis 4pmBrowne’s and 5pm. fame, as indeed his fortune, was Mrs Jacqueline Clerk basedIt is probably on the impossible invention nowof ‘chlorodine’ to know exactly – a patent how In the Spring 2014 issue we regret that we inadvertently manymedicine times he that had originally actually been (but tono Ramsgate longer!) contained before Mrspublished Jan Paramour two photographs in an article by Terry Prue which were taken from the Ramsgate Historical Society website – certaina mixture trips, of like laudanum that to join (an Mrs. alcoholic Fitzherbert solution here of without permission. Although we do not believe copyright lies in Augustopium), 1799, tincture were of only cannabis rumoured and by chloroform. the press! He The Ramsgate Society extends its sincere with the Ramsgate Historical Society, this was a mistake on Certainlyhad first no usedother thetrip preparationmatched the ingrandeur 1848, while and condolencesour part and we apologise.to their friends and families. hugeserving expense with of thethis armyone in in 1821 India. and In it 1854, led to when the later on grantingleave ofin RoyalEngland, Harbour Collis status Browne to Ramsgate.was asked to go to The King’s return from France on 8th November TheTerry death Prue adds: of the former Society President the village of Trimdon in County Durham to fight ‘I am sorry for the offence caused to Mr Wheeler. The wasan a muchoutbreak more of rapid cholera and functionaland achieved affair encouraging and it Roy Adsett on 30th August 2015 at the age is uncertain whether he did revisit the town in the photographs I submitted were sent to me by a third party but I results. Buoyed with this success and on leaving of 83 was announced as we went to press. remaining nine years of his life.. accept that I had guessed they were from his website and used the army in 1856 he went into partnership with J. Thethem Society’s against his condolenceswishes. Copyright isgo a complex to Viv issue his andwife. I T. Davenport, a chemist practising in Great Russell Anunderstood article willthe photos appear to be in the the public Winter domain issue.as they had Street, to mass produce his ‘compound’ as a both been published over 70 years ago (The Times 12/10/42 remedy, not just for cholera, but also for coughs, and East Kent Times 17/10/42).’ colds, influenza, diarrhoea, stomach chills, colic, flatulence,Ramsgate bronchitis, Society croup, whooping-cough,HQ PhotoAcknowledgements Credits neuralgiaWe need andshop rheumatism! assistance - volunteers JulianPhotographs: Cottrell, Stephen thanks toDavies, Julian JennyCottrell, Dawes, Clive delSax, Renzio We who will commit to two or three hours a & delAre Renzio, Hector BrianPhotography, Daubney, RTYC, Mike Anna Hoachum, List Brain, Tim Collisweek Browne’s to be at 19-21originally Harbour lived in Street 15 Nelson to sell Spencer,Stephen Ramsgate Davies, KeithTown Williams, Council. Thanet Gazette, Ben Kelly, Matt Cardle. Crescentmerchandise before and moving be a friendlyto Mount face Albion House. for visitors. He praised Ramsgate for the quality of the air but Contacts Contributions and help: thanks to Catriona Blaker, Carol it seems the big draw for him was the harbour. The Editor, 12 West Cliff Rd, CT11 9JW If you can help, please contact Rosemary Jackson, Ken Read, Terry Prue, Jennifer Smith, Bert He was a prolific inventor but after coming to [email protected] Kirk on 592102 or Battery, Peter Landi, Emma Irvine, Rebecca Smith, [email protected] his many patents concentrated. on If youNatasha would Warley, prefer Helen to receive Bartlett, the andMagazine Len Gray. by email, nautical applications, from a new design of please let us know. propellerThe shop’s to ideastelephone for lowering number boats is 58825 into 5.the This edition of About Ramsgate was produced by water. He died at Mount Albion House on 30th SubscriptionsVeronica Pratt and Stephen Davies and printed August 1884 and left the equivalent of over £1/2 Singleby Saxoprint. Membership £8; Joint Membership £12; Overseas million to his widow, Harriet, with a request for £20. Standing-order mandates can be downloaded from23 his friend, Captain Berkeley, to ‘aid and assist her www.ramsgate-society.org.uk or are available from the in the development of my several patents’. He is Secretary: buried in the churchyard at St Laurence in Thanet. [email protected]

19 The Ramsgate Society

Present

Katherine Spencer

Clarinet Virtuoso with woodwind accompaniment

In Concert at St. George’s Church on Sunday October 25 2015 3.00pm

Followed by tea in the Church Hall

Works by Elgar Mozart Gershwin

Tickets

£10.00

Society members £8.00

Phone 01843 580832

[email protected]