QUEBEC HOUSE LORRAINE SENCICLE

ot far from Chartwell Edward Wolfe rented Nis Quebec House, the until 1738, was originally childhood home of Sir built betw een 1530 and General James Wolfe 1550. The first building (1727-1759) and now was an L-shaped timber owned by the National framed house but it was Trust. I was particularly altered in the 1630's to a interested in this part of ‘double pile' house, our trip for my interest in popular at that time. In General James Wolfe the 18th century the front stemmed from when I wall of the house was was preparing the case replaced with a parapet against a proposed fagade but by the 1880s development on Western the house was divided in Heights back in the late two. One part became 1980's, early 1990's. The Quebec House West and main thrust of my was used as a school. James Wolfe argument was about the Courtesy of the National Trust historic fortifications and The National Trust has I drew parallels with those in Quebec, recreated Quebec House in the Georgian Canada. The latter are located within a style, so that the rooms display furniture World Heritage Site, a designation given and artefacts that belonged to the Wolfe in 1985. In English history, Jam es Wolfe family. One room held particular is synonymous with Quebec and I had fascination for both Alan, my husband, every reason to believe that the General and myself, as it was a depository of was in Dover prior to the Quebec papers, pictures and maps appertaining campaign - the trip to Westerham to the events that led up to the historic confirmed this. Battle of Quebec.

General Wolfe was born at the vicarage In a separate room was a detailed in Westerham, Kent, the elder of two exhibition and film of the General's sons of Lieutenant-General Edward military career, with particular reference Wolfe (1685-1759) and his wife, to the Battle of Quebec. It was here that Henrietta (d.1764). The family moved another member of the Dover Society, along the road in 1726 to what was then John Morgan, pointed out the called the Spiers but was renamed confirmation that I was desperately Quebec House following the famous seeking on General Wolfe's connection battle. The redbrick edifice, which with Dover. Without doubt, this was the 23 highlight of my visit. I was, however, saddened to read what one visitor had written that a visit was 'not really worth the trouble ... I would have thought the N T should be looking to get shot of it!

Even though at other times there are participation demonstrations on 18th century cooking, quilting, being an 18th century soldier etc., these were not available on the day we visited. Nonetheless, there was much to see and enjoy. Unlike Chartwell, Quebec House where there was a (no photographs and no touching policy,' at been like in the days of the Wolfs Quebec House there were a number of residency. It is well stocked with cooking well informed volunteers around who ingredients and flowers and not only was encouraged hands-on with many of the it delightful but tranquil after the tourist artefacts. The thought of climbing the infested Chartwell gardens! Although we Heights of Abraham at Quebec, carrying did not have time, being so caught up one of the guns that I was encouraged to elsewhere, to enjoy the home-made handle and then trying to aim straight cakes from the tearoom, other Society and fire, was a feat that I will not forget members did and gave favourable in a hurry! reports.

For those not so interested in the minute As for General Wolfe's connection with of details to do with Wolfe and Quebec or Dover! Around 1753-1754, he was the different aspects of a Jacobean stationed at Dover Castle when households there is a pretty garden that discussions were taking place to convert is a recreation of what it would have it from a medieval stronghold to an 18th century artillery fortress. Following Wolfe's stay there extensive alterations took place including:

• The defence of the landward approaches from the north and east;

• Lowering the towers between Fitzwilliam Gate and Avranches Tbwer to give guns a field of fire;

• The building of a number of batteries in front of the Motes Bulwark. Handling a rifle used in the Battle of Quebec All of which can still be seen today.