Castle Hill House, The White Horse Inn and St. James's Old Church , 1902 THE DOVER SOCIETY §§§ Registered "with the Civic Trust, Affiliated to the Kent Federation of Amenity Societies Registered Charity i^o. 2999S4

PRIBIDENT: Brigadier Maurice Atherton

VICE-PRESIDENT'S; A- P. Adams, Mrs Silvia Corral, Ivan Green, Jack Jnd Peter Johnson, Miss lillian Kay, Miss Philomena Kennedy, Peter Marsh Sutton, • lll llllll llllll ll MlssCittisSnfi Wateianan and Martin Wright

THE COMMITTEE PI?!' iPi IPlliWdfftjRliitAN; JackWooIfotd 1066 Green Lane, Temple Ewell, Dover CTl 6 3 AR Tel: 01304 822871

V ice-C h a ir m a n : 0): John Gerrard 77 C astle Avt T161EZ T el: 01304 20657ft|

V jce-C haosm an (2): Jeremy Cope S3 Park Avenue, Dover CTI61HD Tet 211348 Hon, Secretary: Leo Wright "Beechwood'7, Green Lane, Temple Ewell, Dover CT163A Tel: 01304 823048

H o n . Treasurer; Jennifer Gerrard 77 Castle Avenue, Dover CT161EZ Tel: 01304 206579 Memsershep Secretary; Sheila Cope 5 3 Park Avenue, Dover CT 1 6 1 H D T el: 0 1 3 0 4 2 1 1 3 4 8 Social Secretary; Joan Liggett 19 Castle Avenue, Dover CT161HA l i t 01304214886

Editor: Merril Ulley 5 E ast C liff, D o v e r C T 1 6 1 LX T el: 0 1 3 0 4 2 0 5 2 5 4

C h airm an o f PtAJWJNC Sy?-CoMMJTTEE: Jerem y C o p e 5 3 Paris Avenue, Dover C T O 1H D T el: 0 1 3 0 4 2 1 1 3 4 8

Chairman qeProp^ts Sue-CoMMHTEEr John Owen 8 3 Cash® Avenue, Dover C T O 1E Z T el: 0 1 3 0 4 2 0 2 2 0 7

TO3HB Tel: 01304 820122 ||1 | | A . R Adam»,Adrt3n Galley, Mi keMcFarnell, Margaret Robson, Sybil landing and Mike Weston

Aeohivjsk M ike Sartin $ Richmond Court, Godwyiie Road, DoverCTO 1SJ T e l 0 1 3 0 4 2 0 3 4 2 4 Contents 2 EDITORIAL 4 FAREWELL, BUT NOT GOODBYE Budge Adams 5 PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEEREPORT Jeremy Cope THE OCTOBER MEMBERS' MEETING 6 Dover Society and Dover Town Council Jack Woolford 6 The R61e of the Dover Town Council Robert Bailey, Town Clerk 7 The Town Mayor's Vision Councillor Paul Sheldrake 8 Group Discussions after the interval Merril Lilley 9 THE PLAQUE TO THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR Budge Adams PROJECTS UP-DATE John Owen 10 The Dover Society Lends a Hand in Local Government Issue 12 Battle for the Beaches 14 "A SWALE OF A TIME" John McKechnie 17 Visit to FORDWICH TOWN HALL June Dyer 19 Visit to BUCKINGHAM PALACE John Owen 20 JOURNEY ALONG THE SILK ROAD and a visit to HALL PLACE May Jones and Joan Liggett 21 A Trip to LE TOUQUET A. Merrick 21 EMMAUS UP-DATE Terry Sutton 22 K.F.A.S. 25th ANNUAL CONFERENCE Lillian Kay 24 THE NOVEMBER MEETING Merril Lilley 25 A RESUME of D.H.B.'s DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS John Gerrard 27 Wot - SLEAZE? - in 1886? Terry Sutton 28 MEMBERSHIP NEWS Sheila R. Cope 29 LIVING IN A LISTED BUILDING Clive Alexander 31 SAINT MARTIN - Dover's Patron Saint Terry Sutton 32 DENDROLOGY HO! Remarkable Trees in Kent Owen Johnson 35 WELLARD'S WAY FOOTBRIDGE Contrib. Margery Wright 36 STAINED GLASS A T THE MAISON DIEU Alan Brooks 38 THE 1851 CENSUS RETURN FOR DOVER Martyn Webster 40 CRUISE WELCOME GROUP Merril Lilley 41 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Daphne Davis

SFM 2 0 ------S\ The Objectives of Editorial ^ D ^ f S o c h t y ': SEASONAL GREETINGS TO ALL OUR fbttndvd in 2$8& READERS

NCE AGAIN OUR CHRISTMAS FEAST will be ::* to promote high standards of held at Dover College Refectory, on pfenning: and architecture OSaturday 13th December, and we hope for * to interest and inform the a good attendance. Application forms for this %| jm biic in the geography, • event went to distributors in the second week in • • history* archaeology* naturai November. If, by any chance, you did not receive history and atchJtectar« of a form and wish to attend the Feast, it will not be ;: die area too late to ring Joan Liggett when you read this announcement in this Newsletter, due out on • to sectare the preservation, 1st December. . protection development 1997 summer outings have had the usual success, i| | r: fri^ of with trips to Tenterden Steam Railway, Bodiam Ilk kUS^St ' ’ ^V Castle, Dixter Gardens, to David Evans Craft Centre * And commitment to the belief of Silk and Silk Hall, to Le Touquet, to Buckingham VS rihat a ^c>^ ejmr<)nnientri$ a Palace, to Fordwich, and also small -group trips on good investment. the Swale and to Buckland Paper Mill. Thanks are due to our Social Secretary, Joan Liggett, who works so hard to organise all these outings. The area we cover composes :: The first meeting of the Autumn, at St. Mary's the parishes or wards of Parish Centre, on 20th October, was a Members' Barton Buckland* Castle, Meeting, addressed by the new Town Clerk and Lydden* Temple JBwell* by the Mayor of Dover. Members were very Maxton, TineKam, Priory* interested to hear all the details of the functioning ;. River, j- ^ T ^ j ^ n d ^ T o ^ ^ V of the new Town Council, which has been in : & Pier and Tower Hamlets. existence now for just over a year, and to sort out for themselves the various procedures and M Members receive three responsibilities of the Council and its role in News-letters a year and in Local Government. . each . year the Committee After the interval, members divided, as usual, organises about ten into discussion groups. The first half of the meeting interesting events - talks* is reported hereby our Chairman, Jack Woolford, totitsy visits, M em ber while the Editor has collated the findings of the Meetings and usually a group discussions. The Committee invited the Christmas Feast* Head Boys and Girls of all the local secondary The Society gives Awards schools to attend this meeting. Unfortunately for improvements to the only one school, St. Edmunds', took up the area* monitors planning invitation, sending two representatives. They proposals and supports* joins were pleased they had attended the meeting and in or initiates civic projects it is hoped to include some of their views in the and arts events. next issue of the Newsletter. The discussion groups, as usual, proved very valuable. One of the main discussions, of most V J interest to members, was the possibility of a link between the town and the castle. Everyone Old Park Barracks site if the Board decides ^ holds a view on this topic. Two members in to purchase it. (see pp 25-26). All these are particular had detailed suggestions and had exciting new projects for Dover. written to Jeremy Cope in advance of the Excursions are, as usual, planned for every meeting. Barry Shepherd was in favour of month in the summer, but as these are at the a glass lift and Barry Smith's idea was to planning stage details will be given in the use an old tunnel which runs from Moat April Newsletter. It is hoped that one outing Bulwark at East Cliff up to the castle and will be led by Dick and Dorothy Bolton to could possibly house an inclined escalator. the Churches on the Marsh, the subject of Members also discussed sign-posting in one of the November talks. Dover, the Art Trail, the Internet and Dover’s Members have been kind enough to provision of attractions and facilities for comment that the new-look Newsletter, young people. (See page 8). reduced to 44 pages, was as good as previous The November meeting consisted of issues. It is intended that future publications two talks on local attractions, one about will keep to this length. As already stated in the Churches of Romney Marsh by earlier issues, Newsletter 30 is the last one members Dick and Dorothy Bolton and to benefit from the invaluable work of the other, by Matthew Shepherd of the 'Budge' Adams. We will miss him greatly but White Cliffs Countryside Project, was about he has promised to keep an eye on us and to the newest piece of the United Kingdom, give us help and advice when we need it. Samphire Hoe. I have left it to him to say his own farewell Details of future meetings are given, as to readers and this follows the Editorial. usual on the back cover of the Newsletter. 'Budge' has an idea which has been under On January 19 there will be two talks, one discussion between us for some time and by Mr. C. Wade on the Saxon Shore Way and this is to start a 'Local History' branch of the one by Mr. Mike Dawson on Planning for Society, which would meet three or four Dover. February brings our ever-popular times a year. It is visualised that it would be Wise and Wisdom Evening with Clive Taylor. a fairly small group of members interested In March we have two speakers talking in the subject. In the beginning 'Budge' about Dover, Lilian Kay and Jon Iveson. In would lead the group and, of course, we April the Annual General Meeting will be would have to decide on the chair, the on the 27th of the month, giving plenty of venue, procedure and organisation. If you time for members who \frish to submit any would be interested in joining such a group, proposals. All winter meetings are held at please let us know by telephoning either St. Mary's Parish Centre. myself on Dover 205254 or ’Budge' on Dover This issue includes a report from John 208008, so that we can get some idea of the Gerrard of Dover Harbour Board which gives size of the group which would be involved. us a welcome and heartening update on the Should there be enough response, more Board's future plans. information will be available in the next It reveals that the second phase of the De Newsletter. Bradelei's Wharf factory shops is due to Once again thanks to all our contributors open at the end of November and that new and a thank you to all our advertisers for shops will sell glass, china-ware, kitchen their support, which is a valuable aid to the goods and other household items. production of the Newsletter. You will notice The Harbour Board hopes to extend the that we have lost some advertisers this number of yacht berths yet again in 1998 time and gained others. As always new and is also considering a major investment contributors and new advertisers are always in a second cruise terminal. very welcome. In addition there are plans for a new A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OURMEMBERS modern hotel on the Marine Court site on the seafront and for the development of the EDITOR StPal.4 Farewell, but not Goodbye BUDGE ADAMS writes:

n the first few weeks of the Society's Tbwards the end of 19951 began to take existence I was elected to a Vice- stock of the position in which my I Presidency and though my initial enthusiasm had placed the Society. reaction was a grateful one I felt that if I was in the second half of my eighties at all possible a V.P. should actually work and I could see that the expertise and the for the Society that had so honoured him necessary facilities that were at my or her. My opportunity to do just that disposal might be difficult to replace came in the summer of 1990 when I if and when I was unable to do the work - took on a quite unofficial job as producer, that is, if no steps were taken to find distributor and advertising executive alternatives - but I had the feeling that (what a title I gave myself!) for the as long as I continued those steps would Newsletter and thus became an assistant most probably not be taken. That was, and to Philomena Kennedy who, as well as is, a compliment to me, but I could see being the editor, was also the producer and the danger. I let my thoughts be known distributor. Joan Simmonds until her to one or two and at the end of the year retirement trudged around the town I formally told the Executive Committee drumming up advertisements, the that after issue No. 27, December 1996, revenue from which was very neccessary. I would 'retire from action'. Regretfully Talking to Philomena about her job, that did not prove to be possible and I then and sometimes assisting her, I began to agreed to continue until December 1997. feel that the expertise I had acquired That date is now here and, alas, after in a lifetime as a printer had made twenty-three issues I must go. I will, possible the production of a journal that however, hover in the background, would make its mark amongst publica­ available to help if required or to act as tions from similar societies. With no fuss a consultant (howbumptious that sounds). and a nod of approval here and there I Merril and I have a good working was given the opportunity to put my ideas relationship and we have built up into practice. What a wonderful oppor­ confidence in each other and I am sure tunity it was!, I was as happy as a lark - this will continue. I will miss the contact and the thrill and sense of achievement with our two most excellent proof­ that developed is with me still. readers, May Jones and Pat Tkylor - they I began my job with issue No. 8 are a delight to work with and my for September 1990 and Philomena admiration for their erudition knows remained as Editor until September 1991, no bounds. when she handed over to Merril Lilley. It Thank you all for the confidence you was impossible to match the spontaneity have placed in my efforts. Before you have and elan of Philomena's production but this Newsletter I will be eighty-eight but with expansive headings and good I'm not in the doldrums yet! - 1 have much typography I did what I could to preserve to do and just a few more years will not the subtle originalty of her pages. be enough! The work o f the 5 PLANNING Sub-Committee

Reported by JEREMY COPE, Chairman

CYCLE ROUTES AND TRANSPORT We did not oppose the proposal to demolish the old listed railway walkway POLICY on the Admiralty Pier. A group of ollowing up on the last report, Gwyn members made an inspection and the Prosser has been very helpful obtain­ universal opinion was that it was ugly and Fing responses from the KCC and DDC toits removal to return to the outlook pre- our request for information about the prob­ 1916 was far preferable. However, we lems of getting a cycle network off the wanted the entrance, which is a handsome ground. It's all very clear. Both councils building in its own right, to be retained. claim that whatever their aims they do not The ugly security fencing needs to be have money to make changes and that if changed and the necessity for a public anything is to be done then it is up to toilet was emphasised, the verdict on this central government to provide funds. application is awaited with some interest. Hence when John Prescott announced The castle is our most famous historic he wanted views on an integrated trans­ site. Last time I asked if any one had any port policy, and this includes cycling, we ideas on a link between the town and the felt bound to respond. Our response will Castle, following an article in the Dover be not just about cycling but the future of Express, there was a sense that English transport generally, a matter of consider­ Heritage was against change. I was able importance to Dover. We shall shortly delighted to hear from Barry Smith (at one be finalising our views, to be set out in time our Secretary) and from Barry a letter prepared by Jack Woolford. The Sheppard. At the Members' Meeting in critical measure of the government's October they both joined discussion groups intentions will be the cash it is prepared and explained their ideas. Barry Sheppard to put into any transport system. favoured a glass lift going up the face of the cliff which would provide spectacular YOUR LISTED BUILDING views. Barry Smith reminded us that there VANDALISING SOCIETY is a tunnel from Moat Bulwark up into the Castle which could provide access, maybe The Society likes to think that it looks even house an inclined escalator. It seems forward, supporting new ideas and that it to me that both ideas have great merit and is not just stuck in the past. However, when should be publicised. Such ideas, if prop­ suggesting or backing change, listed build­ erly thought through, need not ings should be the subject of particular care damage the integrity of what is our castle, as representing the best of the past. Dover whilst providing a more dynamic link to has lost a wealth of buildings through the the town. war and the subsequent attempts at modernisation. It is against this back­ GENERAL PLANNING MATTERS ground that I have to report two cases of The August report noted our support of your committee standing on its collective an application to develop the old head. Castlemount School site with good quality housing. It seemed an excellent way to deal toria Park, the photo-montage was sent as with, in a very constructive way, what has supporting material for the objection. become something of a derelict site. There The Society opposed the planning appli­ was provision to retain the extensive tree cation for a business park development at cover, safeguarding the view from the Farthingloe on the site of "Stalag Maxton", town. However; a new planning applica­ more properly known as the Channel tion had been made to build an additional TUnnel workers village. We should not for­ 18 flats in three blocks. John Gerrard pre­ get that it is within an area officially pared a photo-montage which demon­ designated as an area of outstanding strated how intrusive this additional devel­ beauty. Other business parks make this an opment would be. The flats appeared a unnecessary development and the com­ poor fit within the adjacent area and did mittee are firmly of the view that it should not harmonise with the neighbouring Vic­ revert to countryside. DOVER SOCIETY AND DOVER TOWN COUNCIL ------JACK WOOLFORD ------

HERE WAS A WELCOME n o v e l t y at our Members' Meeting on October 20. Inspired by Dover Town Council's example at the Mayor-Making, we invited all the T Secondary Schools in Dover to send their Head Boys and Girls and their Deputies. Only St. Edmund's Roman Catholic School responded but the contributions of Thomas Connolly and Jonathan Verrill to the Discussion Groups, notably (but not exclusively) on the adequacy of youth facilities in Dover, were splendid. They were informed, articulate, and a credit to their school. We look forward to a larger response from other schools next year. A second surprise was the Chairman's production of the mayor's application for mem­ bership of the Society. This was received with appropriate applause. The Dover Society campaigned for a Parish (Tbwn) Council in the recent reorganisation of local government and has established friendly relations by attendance at Council committee meetings on common concerns. Permission to speak and to make suggestions on matters such as twinning with Calais, signposting, and the promotion of tourism is very much appreciated. The invitation to "them" to speak to "us” naturally followed. THE ROLE OF THE DOVER TOWN COUNCIL ROBERT BAILEY, TOWN CLERK

obert Bailey, Man of Kent and former Dover as a community had suffered for senior Civil Servant, now Tbwn Clerk, 20 years from the absence of effective Remphasised his non-political role in ad­local representation after the abolition vising on policies but his responsibility to of the Borough Council in 1974, and it implement them. For this, good relations was this gap that the (single) Parish^ with mayor, councillors, townspeople and (Tbwn) Council, separate and autonomous, local societies were essential. now fulfilled. The Tbwn Council had taken over and It maintained historic ceremonials, improved allotments and could act to notably those of the Cinque Ports, and promote the arts, footway lighting, the planned to add twinning links to clearance of litter, car and cycle parking Zeebrugge in addition to those with and tourism, etc. It must be consulted by Calais and Split. It had revived the Dover District Council on planning Dover Day and Ball. applications and may make grants Links with Dover District Council, to voluntary organisations. These had Tbwn Centre Management, the Chamber already included play schools, the Music of Commerce, the Police, the Citizen's Centre, the Bronze Age Boat Trust, the Advice Bureau - and the Dover Society - Boccia Club, the Dover Festival and the were close and co-operative. Regatta. Prospective developments included The Tbwn Council was funded by a decoration of the Aycliffe roundabout precept, currently £16.09, collected from ("Welcome to Dover") on the A20, a roller- local Council tax payers, which currently blading area, and a ten-pin bowling alley. amounted to £190,000. The Council Offices in Castle Street, Matters of involvement included licens­ as a focus for activities including meet­ ing, street furniture, trading consents, ing rooms and window displays, were and appointments of school governors. an asset. Representations had been made on If new Regional Assemblies and the Channel TUnnel closures, French lorry abolition of County Councils, as forecast drivers' strikes, Buckland Hospital, by the Member for Dover, materialised, Coombe Valley access, bootlegging and the role of the Dover Tbwn Council might asylum-seekers, etc. greatly expand.

THE TOWN MAYOR'S VISION COUNCILLOR PAUL SHELDRAKE

he present government's commit others, protecting our town's histoiy and ment to Regional Assemblies and heritage but not stopping its progress or Tunitary authorities everywhere meantstifling its future. Like the Dover Society that Kent County Council would be re­ the Council believed that a good environ­ placed by a layer of government probably ment was a good investent. Only by covering an area (excluding London) from listening to local people could many Milton Keynes to Dover, and that Dover problems be solved. District Council would be replaced by an Hence money had been put into the authority encompassing Canterbury, improvement of Bench Street's appear­ Thanet and Dover. Government commit­ ance, into events which should bring peo­ ment also to the devolution of power to ple to the town, to the Music Centre, the as local a level as possible must mean YMCA, the Dover Youth Theatre Project, Dover Tbwn Council taking on greater etc. Lobbying for improved access to our responsibilities. He would expect it to main industrial estate and in connection deal with all but the largest planning with the influx of refugees and bootleg­ applications. gers had taken place. It was hoped to rem­ Consequently Dover Tbwn Council al­ edy the shortage of leisure facilities with ready used its powers in a more imagina­ a dedicated rollerblading area and a ten­ tive and responsible way than many pin bowling alley. Provision for the disabled included access by ramp to the people of Dover worked together they War Memorial and sports facilities. were unbeatable. Even with current prob­ The real vision of the future was a coun­ lems there was a new spirit in our town cil that listened to what people said and that assured us of a great future. then responded to their needs as quickly Thanking the Tbwn Clerk and Tbwn as possible. The machinery was in place Mayor for their addresses and spirited and it was important that as many peo­ responses to questions, the Chairman ex­ ple as possible had an input to the demo­ pressed surprise and hinted at misgiving cratic process. This included standing as that Dover District Council, which the Tbwn Councillors - though not in Tbwer society had helped to save from extinc­ Hamlets! tion, was again scheduled eventually to History had shown that when the disappear. A re-think would necessary. ------INTERVAL------

A fter the interval members divided into Thompson's garage site seems the obvious three discussion groups to give their answer at present - but is it ear-marked opinions on a variety of topics. for future development? The questions and responses were as It was felt that the desirability of follows: this kind of link with the town was essen­ Question 1. Is anything wrong with sign tial to bring visitors to the castle into posting in Dover? the town. One ambitious suggestion was for a Responses: The sign posting for pedestri­ cable car system to link Eastern and ans in the town was approved, especially Western Heights. some of the new signs recently added. Some people thought there needed to Question 3. Should the White Cliffs have be more pedestrian signs leading to the a public Art Trail? castle. Responses: This had been discussed at pre­ Signs for motorists entering or leaving vious meetings. Answer still NO from the the town were sometimes confusing and majority of members. may need more thought and attention. Question 4. Should the Society go on the Some signs were out-of-date: e.g. Old Internet? sign to Transport Museum had not been removed. Responses: No, not necessary, apart from a mention on a list on the DDC page for Question 2. Should there be a ski lift ( or the town. other link) from the town to the castle? Question 5. Are Dover's attractions and Responses: YES. - Most people in favour and facilities adequate for young people? many different suggestions. Most people did not favour a ski-lift - but preferred the Responses: No. idea of some kind of cliff lift or funicular Members supported the Town Council's This could be cut into the cliff face and ideas for a Ten-Pin Bowling alley and for a blended with the surrounding landscape. space for roller-blading. Various sites were favoured, including Other suggestions - small areas for activi­ the sites at the back of the Sports Centre ties like basketball practice. Making the Car Parks, or at the Henry VIII fort at East Sports Centre more available to young peo­ Cliff. Possibilities - a lift, water or electri­ ple, perhaps with more realistic entry fees cally operated - a lift in a tunnel - a glass for school children. Also does it need lift. Car parking was discussed - the old up-dating? Question 6. How should the Dover should the Town Council concentrate on Society mark the Millennium? lobbying these bodies to maintain the serv­ Suggestions: Perhaps donate an object, like ices in question. (An example given was a clock, or contribute to a project, like the provision of Salt for the Salt Bins) restoring the Gateway water fountain, or or should they take over these services provide a riverside walk ramp, or help to themselves? restore the beauty of Connaught Park Answer: Continue to lobby for KCC or DDC in some way. to maintain the services. Alternatively to find out what plans the 2. Is there a project in the town which the DDC have and contribute to those. Town Council should pursue in partner­ In addition maybe have a lunch time ship with Dover District Council? party for Dover Society members! Suggestions: Additional questions provided by (a) Clean up litter in key spots in the town. the Tbwn Clerk (b) Tidy up Cowgate Cemetery. 1. Where KCC and DDC budget cuts are (c) Discuss making more of the Western threatening to reduce services in Dover, Heights.

Plaque to the Unknown Warrior____ budge adams Readers may like to refer to pages 14 of Newsletters No. 28 and 9 of No. 29.

Two notable additions have recently been made to the assemblage that forms Dover's only reference to the home­ coming of the Unknown Soldier- the plaque on the wall of the Cruise Tferminal near to the spot where the body as landed. A few days before Armistice Day the photograph displayed on an easel near the plaque at the time of its dedication, now beautifully mounted and framed, was hung above the plaque by Dover Harbour Board. On the 8th November members of the Federation Hut tkts spot m iH Kfcfe feafe ^ i&c < firnl ttum Abbey at the Ibmb of the Unknown Soldier where the Dean

THE DOVER SOCIETY LENDS A HAND IN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

, he attention of the Projects a prime position where it is clearly seen Committee was drawn to the by all who enter or leave the UK via Dover Tinvasion of East Cliff by gargantuan Eastern Docks. weeds. Encouraged by the wet weather in The contrast between this section of late June their height was phenomenal, far Dover Sea Front and that maintained so out-stripping even the tallest of the professionally by Dover Harbour Board carefully planted shrubs. is unbelievable. Likewise the new

L- R. John Owen, Merril Lilley, Bruce Lilley, John Gerrard, J. McKennen (DHB)

Yes, we have at East Cliff not only a A20 Dover roundabouts are scruffy and widened A20 and improved sea defences lacking the care and attention they but also carefully constructed raised beds deserve. The Department of Transport's with carefully selected shrubs and ground response when the situation was pointed cover plantings. Species include ajuga, out to them was 'lack of resources' but it griselinia, buckthorn and roses. did agree to the Dover Society, the Dover Unfortunately there seems to be no Harbour Board and the KCC coming ongoing management plan for the care and together to try to resolve the impasse upkeep of this amenity, situated as it is in without delay. rivals. The prompt 11 action also meant seed heads were removed before the seeds were scattered. It was a mag­ nificent effort by the volunteers but much else needs to be done on the new stretch of the A20. Interviewed by Bob Dale of BBC Radio Kent, the Dover Society spokesman said we were happy to Gargantuan Weeds - many more in background help out on this Within three days a volunteer group occasion but those from the Dover Society and Dover responsible need to have arrangements in Harbour Board was formed to clear several place for an on-going maintenance truck loads of dominant weeds from the schedule if this newly installed public planted beds, thereby immediately and amenity is to be sustainable as an attractive substantially improving their appearance feature of the Gateway of England. and saving the shrubs of the East Cliff Following the completion of the three- sea-front from suffocation by their and-a-half hour session of Saturday 5th July a further group was organised to complete the job on the following Saturday.

The project was sponsored by Dover Harbour Board.

Below L-R: Jeremy Cope, Terry Sutton, Joe Harman, John Owen, DHB Truck Driver THE BATTIE FOR THE BEACHES

o v e r 's Sh a k e s p e a r e Be a c h received the attention of the Dover Society on Saturday, 20th September, a beautiful sunny morning and just the ticket for D a spot of beach-combing, chat and joie de vivre. Though very tempted we were far too busy to indulge in a 'dip'. It will be remembered that the Society and Dover Town Council, fielded a team was last here in 1994, beachcombing with of thirteen member volunteers to give Aycliffe School during the Civic Trust support to this worthy cause. BBC Radio Environment Week. This return visit was Kent's Ian Harkness, whilst interviewing on the occasion of Beachwatch '97, an a Dover Society spokesman in a live annual beach survey by the Marine programme on the morning of the Conservation Society, now in its fifth year event, kindly gave up-to-the-minute of scouring more than 250 beaches in weather information as a sunny on-shore Britain and over ninety other countries: breeze, moderate sea and tide state - and marine pollution is a global problem. so it was! The survey gathers information that gives help to an international cam­ paign to stop dump­ ing at sea, to reduce leakage from sewage outfalls and to raise awareness of the impact of marine debris on wildlife, and human health and tourism. The Dover Society, in partnership with Dover District Council After this commemorative shot - all ready for the off! Descending the steps at Sunny Comer 420 plastic drinking containers. and following a quick briefing, the This beautiful beach with its not syndicates were on their way, collecting, inconsiderable history of work and identifying and listing all the pollutants on recreation continues as a valuable though the data sheet provided. much under-used public amenity. Not many people know it, but driftwood and seaweed are not classed as official rubbish as they provide a habitat for wild­ life and together form an integral part of the beach eco-system. Generally we agreed it was an enjoyable and thirst-provoking outing though (quite pleasantly) tiring. We collected about sixty bags of litter, approximately 350 kg (700 lbs, say) on an estimated 800m stretch of beach. Work in progress! Additionally a fair number of large As we approach the millennium the 'uribagable' items were also collected. time has come for Shakespeare Beach, a One enterprising syndicate did it's own Dover "lung" for hundreds of years, to be thing, magnificently collecting no less than given a new and imaginative focus.

The end a most rewarding day SUMMER OUTINGS Its a Swale o f a Time as members end JOHN Right up the Creek! McKECHNDE

atu rd av 20t h September aro u n d n in e in t h e m o r n in g eleven 'intrepid' mariners waiting by the Harty Ferry hard near Oare. They were Society S members assembled for their trip aboard a Thames sailing barge. The sight of the black-hulled barge with join and leave many ships at the 'Royals'. brick red sails brought back childhood This was before I joined Townsend Car memories of yearly trips that I took to the Ferries at Dover in 1980. Royal Docks in London. In the late 50s and All has now gone and in place of the early 60s a colleague and myself made an ships' whistles is the roar of aeroplanes at annual pilgrimage to see the ships in the the 'London City airport and on the vast London Docks. Clasping our treasured PLA expanse of water in the Victoria dock dock passes we travelled by boat from recreational facilities replace the sweating Charing Cross to Woolwich. In those days dockers. Still, we are about to board a both the Pool o f London and the River reminder of the past, the M ir o s a . She will Thames were a hive of activity with all the take us back through the years to the days wharves full of ships. Once we had arrived when sail was 'King'. in Woolwich we crossed the river and a bus Built in Maldon, Essex in 1892, she is 82 ride took us to the Royal Docks, the tops of feet in length and the mast is 85 feet high. funnels just visible from the bus as we Her official number is 96485 with neared our goal. a cargo capacity of about 250 tonnes. Presenting our passes to the policeman at the gate we entered the world of Specially designed with a flat bottom and 'commerce1, where ships from all countries shallow draft these baiges were able to were busy loading and unloading. The go up many of the creeks on the Thames sights, sounds and smells told you where and its environs. At the turn of the you were in this vast complex. Ships were century there were 8,000, now 30 remain moored in some places three abreast. Thgs and the M irosa is the only left that is still a hooted in reply to the Pilot's whistle, sail only vessel, no auxiliary power, only pushing or pulling ships into or out of their the wind. berths. T\icked in amongst twentieth The 'engine' comes in the form o f a century bustle were the last survivors of jib, sprit sail, main sail and a steadying the Victorian era, the Thames barges still mizzen aft. Sprit sail rig is easier to operate plying their trade. than the more conventional Bermuda Little did I think that a few years later, or gaff rig. It allowed the barge to carry I would, as a young apprentice deck large deck cargo, the 'sprit' caught the officer be leaving my first ship here. wind that was shielded when in rivers by Throughout my deep-sea career with high warehouses and trees and was easy Royal Mail, Lines and Shaw Saville I would to operate with the crew of two. The sprit could be used as a derrick for cargo oper­ ations if required. The day dawned fine, with a keen easterly wind and our instruct­ ions to wear warm clothing proved necess­ ary. The barge crew arrived at 9.30: Petei; the Skipper, Geoff alias 'Frog', the Mate and Meg, the ship's dog. We were ferried out in the jolly boat to a small tug, four at a time. The tug then took us all out to the M ir o s a . The tide was out when Geoff and Meg we arrived and vast areas of mud were exposed. The 'lee ho' from Skipper to Mate as we estuarial birds were having a field day on changed tack came thick and fast and food sources seldom exposed. This was the with the help of the Mate 'backing' the jib lowest tide of the year and adjacent to the we changed course with the modicum of Oare Creek Bird Sanctuary observation fuss. We were unable to use the large centre at the top of the hard a mechanical lee boards to their full capacity because of digger and lorries were frantically working the low water. These are laige boards, one to reinforce the sea defences before the each side, which are lowered in the highest tide for forty years that evening. absence of keel to give the barge more By the time we were all transferred to the grip when tacking. barge the tide had turned, the first of the Progress was slow: the Horse Sands to port flood was making up the Swale. The Swale were still an area of mud and the is the area of water between the Isle of 'Receptive' wreck buoy seemed to take ages Sheppey and the mainland from to pass. Once past it the channel opened Queenborough in the NW to Whitstable out and we made better progress and the in the SE. Shellness buoy could be seen in the We were welcomed by Sally, the distance. On the horizon a splash of red Skipper's wife and went below to have was identified as the sails of the Thames hot drinks and warm croissants after a sailing barge 'Greta' which had left the conducted tour and specific instructions Swale earlier for Brightingsea. Several on how to use the 'heads' (toilet). The smaller yachts kept us company as we noise of the anchor being hove up brought tacked to Whitstable. They had overhauled us out on deck and we got under way us in the narrower channel, now with around 10.35, heading out towards more room M ir o sa showed her sail power Whitstable. and the gap between her and her smaller The wind was a 'dead muzzier' (right sisters soon closed. ahead) and the crew were soon working Just after midday Peter said “enough of the hard tacking back and forth across the hard work" and then turned the wheel to Swale beating up against the wind. It was put tide and wind astern, this started our soon apparent that Victorian efficiency run 'down wind' towards Emley and made the sail operation easy. The cries of Ridham Dock. We would anchor for lunch around 12.45, our position dictated by wind the anchor was 'aweigh'. We set off and tide. It was during this part of the trip upstream towards Ridham. During lunch that the more adventurous members were the tide had come in fully and the estuary allowed a turn at the wheel. was now full of water. Sailing was now In what seemed like seconds our starting much easier as there was more room to point was passed, Fowley Island Spit buoy manoeuvre. There was a special event for slid by and so did the entrance to Conyer yachts in the Medway and while we were Creek. Conyer was a port frequently used below having lunch the Swale had filled by barges to load bricks, alas no longer. with a myriad of yachts hurrying along Progress was good and M ir o sa turned into with tide and wind, making a good speed, the wind around 12.35 and tacked up to sails well filled. Off Wellmarsh Creek at the anchorage off Bells Creek on the 15.25 the wheel was put 'hard over' and it Sheppey side of the Swale. The mud flats was time to tack back to Mirosa's anchorage. were now being quickly covered by the Look behind us a small coastal vessel could flood and once we had 'brought up' it was be seen making its way out to sea. "A rare time for lunch. The horizon was being sight" commented the Skipper as most filled by the many structures that form the commercial shipping uses the Medway ^gaol at Eastchurch. route. The radio crackled into life as Peter spoke to the Leonis from Kingston, Jamaica, discussing who would keep clear. Before long power overtook sail and the Leonis was ahead and away to ports unknown. As we approached the anchorage around 16.20 it was apparent that the wind and the high tide had kicked up quite a sea and as we took afternoon cream tea the barge was moving about — we were 'at sea'. Peter and Geoff were busy stowing sails Mariners’ lunch and securing the gear Sally had prepared an excellent spread for whilst we lazed below and then it was time lunch, the hot soup to start being very to leave. The small tug (built in welcome. What was noticeable as we Holland in the 1930s) we had used in the enjoyed our food was the total absence of morning was alongside, however the Hard sound bar the slap of waves against the we had boarded from in the morning was hull. The saloon where the meal was laid awash and a lumpy sea was crashing out was part of the barge's cargo space and ashore. It was obvious that landing here the galley would have been the Mate's was impossible, the Skipper decided to go cabin, the Skipper living aft. It must have round the entrance of Faversham Creek been a hard life, especially in winter time. and put us ashore on the bank. Some barges even made voyages as far as Once everyone was safely on the tug we South America, a true testament of their bade farewell to Sally and the M ir o sa , the versatility. tug swung slowly head to the sea which Activity above meant the crew were was was by now quite noticeable and pro­ preparing to get under way and at 15.00 ceeded towards the Creek. Once into the entrance the sea was less, but 17 despite several attempts to find a suitable landing area the tug kept grounding. There was no alternative but to go right up the creek to the small boat yard near the Ship­ wrights pub on the junction of Faversham and Oare Creeks. Here landing was safe and we had to resort to modem transport in the form of a Landrover and a taxi to return us to the car park we had started from, thus ending a very enjoyable day some­ what later than anticipated. Thanks to Joan Liggett for once again organising an excellent day out. Members who require further informa­ tion about sailing barges can apply to Sailing Barge Association, Docklands Business Centre, 10-16 Tiller Road, London El 4 8PX. Leonis passes Mirosa Visit to FORDWICH TOWN HALL JUNE DYER

N Sa t u r d a y llT H OCTOBER a small group from our Society joined up with a party from the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings (SPABS) O for a visit to picturesque Fordwich, recorded in the Domesday Book and now described as "the smallest town in the country".

We assembled outside the tiny Guildhall, River Stour. Here stone from Caen in now the Tbwn Hall, built in 1544 during France was unloaded for the building the reign of Henry VIII. In Roman times of Canterbury Cathedral. an arm of the sea ran in as far as Inside the Town Hall we ascended steep Canterbury and was navigable as far as wooden stairs to the panelled Court Room, Fordwich, which thus became the port where we were welcomed by Andrew for Canterbury. The crane house can be Claque (former Inspector of Redundant seen at the rear of the Town Hall on the Churches) who introduced our lecturer, bank of the now somewhat smaller Michael Beck, a Town Hall Trustee. We heard how Fordwich., which became fined or his house could be pulled down! a corporate limb of the Cinque Port of In early times mayoral duties included Sandwich in about 1050, was self-go vern- checking measures used by bakers and ing and thus had such an important build­ brewers, etc. Fishing rights had originally ing as the Town Hall. We were shown the been given to the town by King Canute. "Pleading Bar", where prisoners stood Fish were caught by net each night (hence "prisoner at the bar"). The judge and the first catch of the night went to or chief magistrate was the Mayor, with the Mayor. six Jurats each side, seated on the "bench". As a 'limb' of the Cinque Port of A very small Jury Room led off the Court Sandwich, Fordwich originally provided Room. Sandwich with money for half a ship, ten We saw handcuffs (with screws - men and one boy, but this was later possibly this was the origin of the term commuted to money and each July this "screw" for jailer), also a truncheon used Ship Money (40 old pence) is paid to by the last constable and a branding mark Sandwich. In fact, the same 40 old pence for convicted felons (thus "branded a are used each year, when 17V2 new pence thief1). The brand mark itself would have are actually kept by Sandwich and the old been "R" for Rex or Regina. A jailer would pence handed back. This delightful receive two shillings for branding. An ceremony involves sherry and a banquet! ancient chest, believed to be over 800 years It is recorded that the Town Hall was old and used for the storage o f town built in the twelfth century, repaired in documents, records,charters, etc., had 1474 and rebuilt in 1544 during the reign been made from a large, rough piece of of Henry VIII. The 1996 inspection of the tree trunk, and from that came the use of building showed it to be in good order but "trunk" for a storage chest. The chest had with a small amount of attention needed, three locks with three different keys, so including, for example, a cracked fillet to that, for security reasons, three people be repaired. We were shown some very had to be present each time the chest interesting slides depicting how this was opened. particular repair had been carried out. On the main cross beam two drums were During our inspection of the outside of displayed, one decorated with the Mayor's the building we were able to see the little coat of arms and the other with the arms jail, exercise yard and jailer's quarters, also of the Cinque Ports. These drums had in the opening through which the prisoners been used to call the townsfolk to hear were fed we saw a very efficient arrange­ proclamations or for warning of danger - ment of spikes which protected the jailer thus "drumming up volunteers". from attack. Felons could be kept in jail In one comer of the Court Room hangs for up to a year and a day. Women judged a list of Fordwich Mayors, from John to be scolds or gossips were subjected to Maynard in 1292 ( Founder of Maynard's the ducking stool, suspended on the Hospital, Canterbury) to Charles James town crane, and then dried out in the small Fox in 1885, when the Town Hall lost its area, more like a cupboard, above the Jury corporate status. Town Status was restored Room. under the Local Government Act, 1972, Lunch had been arranged for us in the and the property passed into the hands of Fordwich Arms, close by, and a leisurely a body of trustees. Mayor-making takes meal was much enjoyed, before the after­ place annually in the church, where in past noon visit to Fordwich church. By that time times the older and frailer people propped rain had set in but we shall certainly look themselves against the wall - hence the forward to visiting delightful Fordwich expression “weak to the wall". again on a fine day. Grateful thanks to Joan Originally the elected Mayor had to Liggett for once again arranging an accept the post, otherwise he would be excellent visit. A VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE ------JOHN OWEN cxx>oooooocoocxx>ooooooooooooooooooooooooooocxx>ooooooooooooooooooooooocxx>ooooooo

SMALL PARTY OF SOCIETY MEMBERS joined the coach on Saturday, 27th September to take part in one of Joan Liggett's mini-excursions; this time A to Buckingham Palace which has been open to the public in recent years. On arrival in London we had a lunch through the green drawing rooms to the break at Convent Garden before moving throne room with its magnificent on to the palace where we entered on chandeliers and the thrones, one with the schedule and without fuss or bother. As the royal cypher EIIR, the other a solitary P. Queen's official home it also serves as a Next the picture gallery with its fine centre for state ceremonies and official collection ,including works by Vermeer, entertaining and it is one of the few re­ Zuccarwlli, Frans Hals, Rembrandt, van maining working Royal Palaces left in the Dyck, Rubens and Canaletto. world today. Then to the state dining room, flanked by Buckingham House, the property of the the blue drawing room and the music room, Dukes o f Buckingham until the mid­ all facing west and overlooking the garden, eighteenth century, was acquired by George landscaped by Nash and the head gardener III as a private residence on his marriage at Kew, William Aiton, where the famous to Charlotte of Michlenburg-Strelitz. It was afternoon garden parties annually take George IV who had John Nash re-design it place; they were started by Queen Victoria as a palatial residence where, in preference who spoke of them as 'breakfasts'! to St. James's, he could conduct his courts and official business. Our viewing of the Many fellow visitors felt the expanse of palace showed how progressively enriched water beyond the garden appeared to be the interiors became under George IV; who greater than previously envisaged. Therein was advised by the artistic guru, Sir Charles lay the strength of this visit for it enabled Long; this to meet the demand for one to actually experience and amplify those opulence and grandeur. glimpses of the palace seen through media coverage of important events. Further practical alterations occurred during Queen Victoria's reign, including the An abiding memory is of the unhurried addition of a new east wing facing the Mall, quiet perambulation as one attempted to designed by Edward Blore and built by assimilate the grandeur of the whole Thomas Cubitt between 1847-50. In 1913, experience of furniture, fittings, pictures, owing to stone decay George V had Blore's porcelain, sculpture, tapestries, silver-ware fagade refaced in Portland stone to a new and gilt; and, of course, what an experience design by Aston, giving the palace its it was to look out towards the Mall on the present look. many, many people who were looking in! We entered by the ambassadors' Our journey, both there and back, was entrance, passing through the grand hall comfortable, on schedule and relaxing, and up the sumptuous gilt bronze staircase, thanks to Gillies, the coach people. 20 A Joumeu along the Silk Road and a Visit to Hall Place JOAN LIGGETT

n 21st June as we drove through is the slightest deviation from the stipulated torrential rain along the M20 colour or design. O towards Crayford. Would it be a After a visit to the factory shop - to buy repeat of our 1995 Arras drenching? inexpensive remnants rather than top Fortunately our luck changed as we quality garments! - we repaired to the little reached the David Evans Craft Centre of restaurant for a tasty made-to-order snack Silk and in the dry we walked the few yards eaten during a deluge which pounded the to the entrance. glass roof over our heads. The site of the silk-printing works beside The weather relented for our afternoon the River Cray was chosen in 1829 to satisfy visit to Hall Place only a mile away. This the need for large quantities of clean water. attractive sixteenth century rubble masomy The old buildings now house a craft centre house with its seventeenth century red with museum exhibits telling the story of brick addition is a Grade I listed building silk production in graphic detail, from the standing in extensive grounds. It was cocoon spinnng by millions of silkworms originally owned by a succession of wealthy to the unravelling of the strong, fine threads London merchants, but it is now the after a boiling water bath and the spinning property of the London Borough of Bexley and weaving of the natural fabric ready for and houses Bexley Museum, Bexley Local its shipment to England. Studies Centre and several exhibition A retired worker, now one of the guides, galleries. What a wonderful place for demonstrated the original processes of employees and students to work in - a colour mixing and careful building up of haven of peace and tranquillity set in 160 the pattern on a length of silk with heavy, acres untouched by noise and pollution of hand-held blocks carved from hand-drawn the adjacent A2! and printed designs. He could remember Some of the party explored the interior, the time when the river was coloured by viewed the current displays and admired the various dyes as the silk was washed - a the bridal party being photographed against practice no longer permitted. a backcloth of the house. Others enjoyed We had a brief taste of current conditions the afternoon sunshine in the grounds, in the modem processing sheds where the appreciating some of the 4000 roses, the heat and humidity, noise and smell were colourful bedding plants, the herb garden overwhelming. Printing of the computer- with its Braille labels and the rock and drawn designs is still controlled by hand heather gardens across the river. The apiaiy before the screen is mechanically lowered section with heraldic animals from the to cover a square metre at a time. A keen Royal Coat of Arms planted in 1953 for the eye and a steady hand are still necessary Queen's coronation provided an interesting for touching up if the dye fails to take at and unusual feature. A few of us even had pattern junctions. It is skilled work and time for a fleeting visit to the glasshouses buyers must be prepared to pay craft prices. and model gardens beyond. Most of the production goes for scarf- and Combining two such different visits made tie-making in the USA and Japan, where for a most satisfying and enjoyable exacting customers will reject a whole excursion, even enhanced perhaps, by the order, worth thousands of pounds if there absence of flaming June temperatures. A Trip to Le Touquet A. MERRICK T hirty-one members of the Dover the hospital. (It was later decided that the Society boarded the F&O ferry Society would donate a further £23.00 to Pride of Burgundy, at 7.30. on Saturday, bring this figure to £100.00.) 19th July for the trip to Calais, arriving at By this time the views were becoming 10.00 a.m. (French time) after a pleasant greener and soon we were passing through crossing. pine forests and approaching Le Touquet. Our escort for the day on our Cardinal We had some time to stroll around coach was Dave. We were soon on our way, the town before meeting for lunch with Dave pointing out interesting sights, at Auberge L'Arlequin, chosen for us marble quarries and pottery centres. by our Social Secretary, Joan Liggett, - We joined in a £1 coin raffle, organised menu 90 francs, traditional food and by Jeremy and Sheila Cope. As the Soci­ good service. ety could not attend the annual fete this Afterwards we had two-and-a -half hours year, it had been decided to donate the pro­ to ourselves to explore the town, sit on the ceeds of raffles on summer outings to the promenade surveying the miles of white, Buckland Hospital Fund. Our Chairman, sandy beaches and, if we wished, paddle Jack Woolford, won the first prize of £10 in the sea. with the first coin out of the hat and told At 4.15 p.m. we returned to the coach to Jeremy to put it back, but when a second be whisked off to Eurocity, which has 150 attempt revealed Jack's name once again shops and the cheapest wine ever in Tesco's we told him he was meant to win! The raf­ Wine Store. An hour there sufficed before fle raised £25.00. With £52.00 from previ­ we boarded the coach for our ous outings this made a total of £77.00 for homeward journey.

Em m aus TJp-date TERRY SUTTON n important new stage in the St. Mar Fund raising continues. The latest details tin's Emmaus project at Archcliffe show that only about £32,000 remains AFort, Dover, has just been reached, withto be raised towards the original target the bringing into use of the ground floor o f £400,000 - although the Trustees of the large Victorian barrack block, accept that a little more than the following extensive work. £400,000 will be required to complete The ground floor of the block now pro­ the venture. vides an excellent community dining The shop at the fort continues to room, three residential flats, a large be busy, with average weekly takings kitchen and other facilities. of around £540. The Companions, who It means that there is now pleasant have been working hard bringing into living accommodation for three more use the Victorian barrack block, and the companions, taking the total to a dozen, Coordinator, Kendal Beasley would towards the final target o f twenty-one welcome more visitors to the shop and to residents. Next w ill be the repair and the fort, which is undergoing such a refurbishment of the first floor above, dramatic transformation. to provide the rest of the residential accommodation. FEDERATIONS Reported by Amenity Societies LILLIAN KAY

The 25th Anmrnl Conference AT THE OLD COLLEGE, WYE. KENT 13th-l4th SEPTEMBER 1997

aving had my arms gently twisted by Jack Woolford, our Chairman, who is also Chairman o f the K.F.A.S., I rather reluctantly agreed to represent the H Dover Society at this conference. Waste disposal, pollution and Channel TUnnel Rail Links do not make an immediate appeal, but after two days of excellent speakers and discussion one could get really enthusiastic about the potential improvements which amenity societies can promote.

The first subject was HOUSING; in the water has disappeared this century and next ten years the Kent Structure Plan the Environment Agency (formerly the allows for 87,000 more homes, 6,100 in National Rivers Authority) is urgently Dover. This is partly due to changes in considering schemes such as metering social trends, for instance young people and is transferring water from Hamp­ moving away from home. In over 20 shire and other sources. years it is reckoned that 6% more peo­ After a good lunch, we had a most ple will need 20% more homes. At interesting afternoon on Kent's WASTE present about 5% o f houses are unoccu­ CRISIS. In 1989 Richard Boden, o f Wye, pied, which in Kent amounts to 30,000. formed a not-for-profit business called We went on to consider WATER for "Wyecycle Limited", to protect the Kent. We have an average of 600mm of environment and create employment rain per annum, of which 570mm through the reduction of waste. The evaporates!! Our permeable rocks give citizens o f Wye sort their rubbish into us three-quarters o f requirements from different containers paper and card­ wells and bore holes. We have 170 board, glass bottles and jars, tins and pumping stations in Kent, two reser­ cans, textiles and simply. These are voirs, managed by six water companies collected w eekly from the kerb side. and each o f us uses 150 litres o f water Organic kitchen and garden waste are per day. Although any firm abstracting also collected weekly. Re-usable items water must be licensed, half our river are collected monthly, anything from armchairs and washing machines to After many unavailing skirmishes the paint pots and crockery. Wood is sifted death of the owner put an end to the by a local carpenter and distributed battle! as firewood. The only material not HOW POLLUTED IS KENT? a talk by accepted is plastic. The town has a refill the Environmental Manager from the system for house cleaning products and K.C.C. drew our attention to Kent's shore urges that carrier bags should be reused line; pollution from passing ships and and over-packaged goods rejected. 47,000 complaints per year about dogs! Un­ We were taken to the 'Wyecycle' depot believable. in some large sheds in the country and This led on to Kent's TRANSPORT to a nearby organic farm. The whole PROBLEMS presented by Gary Thomas of enterprise does not pay for itself and, the C.P.R.E. He traced the history of trans­ at present, is subsidised by the K.C.C., port from horses, canals, railways but securing this involves almost (1850-1950) to the present environmental a war, between "community-based problems of cars - 160,000 a day on the waste reduction" and the K.C.C.'s pref­ M25 at Dartford. The roads, he said, are erence for "technology-based waste necessary for economic growth. He did not management" - i.e. chiefly incineration, give me a straight answer when I decried which needs constant feeding and still the use of huge lorries on the roads of our leaves ash to be dealt with. A really small island. interesting afternoon! After lunch on Sunday we had two We returned to CHANNEL TUNNEL very interesting talks on RECYCLING. RAIL LINK UPDATE, which will cost The first was by Alan McKendrick, £3 billion and has 100 workers at present, Chief Executive of Aylesford Newsprint, and ARCHITECTURE IN KENT, telling where the input is 100% recycled, they us about the formation o f an Architec­ have a way of de-inking newsprint, ture Centre in a disused building in using water from bore holes; they Chatham, where all are welcome at dis­ have a combuster which produces cussions and consultations. ash to make roads and they have a rail­ I had wondered how I should sleep in way siding from which one-third of their a student bed after all these years. I need produce goes to Europe. Roger Thom of not have worried. I could hardly keep Pflzers described their "Waste Beater" awake in the Wheelwright's Bar at the group which has saved £50,000 in end o f the day. costs, donated £5000 to charity and Sunday morning began with a survey been presented with an award for o f the Kent Federation, undertaken by saving one million plastic cups (approx. our own Mrs. Snezena Lawrence. The 4,700 a day). There are 3,500 people federation has 2,000 members and most on this 100 acre site. Other recycling societies number between 100 and 600. involves cans, cards, stamps, envelopes, The survey is ongoing, focussing on paper, cardboard, rubber bands, toner car­ communication between societies, tridges, footwear and batteries. sharing events and suggested contacting After tea I drove home through the o f sixth form pupils. beautiful countryside of Kent in Judge Babington then gave an account glorious weather, much encouraged of the CHILHAM ENVIRONMENTAL by the work of societies like ours PROTECTION SOCIETY, formed when and hoping that other members will Lord Masserine encouraged ear-splitting decide to enjoy next year's conference - groups to use Chilham castle as a venue. perhaps without having the arm twisted. 24 Marsh and Hoc: THE NOVEMBER meeeting ______MERRIL LILLEY

n 17th November Dover Society members were fortunate to hear two excellent speakers on local places of interest. ODick Bolton entertained us with a talk "Evil in winter, grievous in summer on the churches of Romney Marsh, he and never good" William Lambard made an introductory sweep through and history, explaining the development of the "As Egypt is the gift of the Nile Marsh and the founding of the earliest This level tract has by the bounty of churches, before moving on to a detailed the sea examination of churches to be visited on Been by degrees added to the land the Marsh today. There are 14 ancient So that I may not without reason call it churches, of which only one is redundant - A Gift of the Sea". and, in addition, there are 9 ruins. William Camden Similarly, in the second half of the evening, Matthew Shepherd, o f the WCCP, gave an overall history of the site before focusing on the wonder of Samphire Hoe today and treating us to a "year of flowers" on slides. From 31 species of local plants originally introduced to the site, there are now 118, the greatest surprise appearance being the orchids, a profusion of common spotted and just 3 rare spider orchids. Their exact location remains Mathew's secret! A few shrubs have appeared, not always welcome; buddleia, willow OLD ROMNEY CHURCH, from the East dogwood and sea buckthorn. Wildlife increases gradually; butterflies, spiders, Dick gave a fascinating account of 13 dragonflies, moths, grasshoppers and churches, with lots of local anecdotes and crickets. Countless birds make migration references, details of architecture, stops. The occasional vole or weasel is stonework and interiors, spending a little sighted. more time on his favourites, like New Since April 1997, the official opening, Romney, venue for film-makers (Dr Syn) Samphire Hoe, now with toilets, office, and Lydd, the "Cathedral of the Marsh", maps, signs and seats of driftwood, has where he also included intriguing snippets attracted 40,000 visitors. from the tombstones. In all cases he Matthew, too, ended with a quotation, illustrated his points with appropriate slides and, where possible, followed these "Enjoy the earth gently, for if it is with a John Piper painting of the same damaged, it cannot be repaired". scene. Our chairman welcomed Matthew, a He ended with a dramatic Piper painting newcomer to Dover and thanked of one of the ruins and with two opposing him for his graphic, enthusiastic and quotations about the Marsh. knowledgeable address. A Resume of D.H.B/s Development DOVER HARBOUR BOARD Proposals JOHN GERRARD

First o f all I would like to give an interesting statistical backdrop to the port and its activities. I recently had occasion to give a Radio Kent interview about the changes seen in the port over the last thirty years and took the opportunity o f checking the traffic volumes that have passed through Dover during that period. Our members may be somewhat amused by the following: Passengers - 357 million Cars- 54 million Freight Lorries - 19 million I f we put the cars and freight vehicles into a straight line it would be 360 miles long, Some queue!!

Development 1. Western Docks ' a) Wellington Dock De Bradelei- Phase 2 The new £1.8 million 2nd phase development constructed by Ballast-Wiltshire will open on programme towards the end of November. The shop will provide extended shopping for clothing goods and in addition will cater for glass, chinaware, kitchen goods and other household items. b) Marine extension - Tidal Harbour A project team is busy working up proposals for extending the number of yacht berths in the Tidal Harbour area and it is hoped to make a decision about this early next year 1997 has been a good year for visiting yachts with numbers up to 875 compared to 595 last year. c) New Cruise Terminal Spurred on by our great success with the station conversion and ever-increasing demand from cruise operators the Board is hoping to be able to justify a major investment in a second cruise terminal. If constructed the £20 million terminal will be located at the outer end of the Admiralty Pier inside the harbour. It will certainly need a good strong roof!! Tenders will be invited shortly. 2. Marine Court Such has been the success of the Churchill Hotel that the company that operates it has asked the Board to join them in a joint venture to develop the Marine Court site into a medium price modem hotel. A planning submission has now been lodged and we await the outcome. 3. Eastern Docks Work on the sheet-pile perimeter wall to the new £7 million Eastern Docks reclamation located adjacent to Jubilee Way is now well advanced and we hope shortly to be able to fill it with Goodwin Sand. The area will be vital to the port for the storage of unaccompanied freight vehicles. 4. Roundabouts and cycle routes The Board is working closely with the Dover District Council and others to develop sponsorship of all of the roundabouts and planters on the approach roads to Dover. In addition, it is also developing new safe cycle routes at the Eastern Docks which in the fullness of time will link with the SUSTRANS national cycle network route to Inverness. This work demands and receives close assistance from our friends at the District Council. 5. Old Park Barracks site The Board is committed to helping those freight companies who work out of Dover and who provide jobs for local people. One such firm is Murfitts who currently work out of the Old Park site. This large, important site is currently up for sale by the Ministry of Defence and it is hoped that the Board will agree to its purchase to safeguard the Murfitt jobs and to develop new freight and other commercial industries on a limited section of the site. This site has huge potential for a wide range of activities and if we do purchase it there will be some fine challenges ahead to make the very best use out of it to the benefit of town and port alike.

Newsletter Binders Society With the co-operation o f Members we will be able to supply "Cordex” Binders Badges for the Newsletter. The Burgundy coloured binders have a capacity for 13 The wearing of a Society Badge reminds copies and are lettered on the spine “The the general public (who really do have Dover Society Newsletter" in gilt foil. eyes to see) that the Society is a viable The minimum order we can place is and energetic non-political voice for 100 and a list is being compiled o f those Dover. The beautiful little enamelled who would like to have one. (At the Lapel or Brooch Badges are to Philomena moment we have fifteen names). When Kennedy's original design, in black on a the list has, say, eighty names the white ground, surrounded by a gold line binders will be placed on order. The cost, defining the shape o f the badge snd are (likely to be a few pence more than last available from the Treasurer, in either time's figure o f £3.00) does not include type, for £2 post free. postage for out-of-town members. Just contact the Treasurer, Jennifer Tb add your name to the list write a Gerrard, at 77 Castle Avenue, or phone note to the Secretary, Leo Wright, at her on 206579 (with a cheque or "Beechwood", Green Lane, Dover P.O. if possible) and she will very quickly CT16 3AR. ensure that a badge is in your hands. WOT- Sleaze? - IN 1886? TERRY SUTTON - with the aid of a London printer - contributes another interesting article

he days when political infighting over membership of Dover Harbour Board caused such a row in Kent that questions were asked in the House T of Commons are revealed in a document that has been lodged in the port authority's archives. The details, contained in a pamphlet published by a London printing house in 1886, were given to me by an old Dovorian and handed on to Dover Harbour Board. The dispute involved the sacking of Mr Crundall before he could cause Dover Conservative councillor William any real bother. He wrote to his friend, Heniy Crundall, a local timber merchant, Mr Mundella, by then the President of the from his seat on Dover Harbour Board Board of Trade, suggesting Mr Crundall at the request of the chairman, should be removed from the Board. Lord Granville, a leading national Liberal An excuse was needed. Lord Granville and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. pointed out that the Crundall family had We complain about political sleaze now contracts to supply timber to the two but the pamphlet shows how dirty were railway companies that sailed ships out politics more than a century ago. Even the of Dover. Both railway companies had Liberal-minded Dover Express, a friend of representatives on the Board. Lord Granville, attacked the sacking of Without saying so, Lord Granville was Councillor Crundallby the Liberal coterie. suggesting that here was a clash of inter­ The Conservative's two local newspapers, est between Mr CrundalTs wood business the Dover Standard and the Dover & County and his responsibility to the Board. That Chronicle, were even more bitter in their was sufficient for the President of the condemnation. Board of Trade who wrote to Mr Crundall What happened was this. At that time thanking him for his few months of Dover Harbour Board, under Lord service but adding he was being replaced Granville, was in the hands of the by a man from Shropshire who then moved Liberals. One of the members of the Board to Dover. died and the Conservative government What the Liberal President of the Board then in power appointed Councillor of Tirade had probably not realised was that Crundall to the vacant place, representing another member of Dover Harbour Board the President of the Board of Trade. was also a wood merchant. Mr Steriker A few months later there was a general Finnis, a Liberal, also had contracts to election and the Liberals were returned to supply wood to at least one of the railway power. Councillor Crundall had been companies. sitting at Board meetings biding his time Mr Crandall's dismissal was first debated to come up with a series of suggestions by Dover Town Council and condemned that he believed would benefit the town with all councillors, Conservative, Liberal of Dover. and Independent, calling for the reinstate­ But with the Liberals in power the ment of Mr Crundall. It did no good. The Liberal chairman Lord Granville, saw his newspapers took up the issue, condemn­ chance to get rid of the troublesome ing the Lord Warden in very strong terms. National newspapers joined in the row, were the tributes paid to him. Mr Crundall all backing Mr Crundall. revealed he had hoped to persuade Dover Eventually past and present Members Harbour Board not to hand over a £4,400 of Parliament wrote to the President of the surplus to the government to help pay for Board o f Trade asking for Councillor a larger Dover harbour, to open up Board Crundall to be returned to the Board. But meetings to the press and the public, and to no avail. to sell the leases of sea front houses to the So Major Dickson*, one of the two tenants and give the revenue to Dover in Members of Parliament for Dover, tabled order to widen Biggin Street. a question in the House of Commons when No wonder the majority of the Board was the President of the Board of Trade admit­ not in favour of that! ted he did not realise Mr Steriker Finnis, Many suggestions were made in Dover, vice-chairman o f the Board, also had in the national press and in Parliament that contracts with the railways. But the if the Liberal's decision was not reversed President pointed out that Mr Steriker there were likely to be sweeping changes Finnis was not appointed by the Board of in the membership of the Board if and Trade so his continuing to sit on the when a Conservative government returned Harbour Board was nothing to do with him. to power. Again the Liberal government did nothing and local feeling against Lord * Major A.G. Dickson and Mr C.K. Freshfield (Conservatives) were joint MPs for Dover until Granville grew apace over the insult the Parliamentary Re-distribution Act which offered to the popular Councillor Crandall. reduced Dover to a one-Member constituency. So much so that a big dinner was held In 1885 Major Dickson was elected, defeating in Dover Town Hall when Councillor Mr R. Murray Lawes (Liberal) o f Old Park, while Crundall was the chief guest and many Mr Freshfield retired.

l S J p w Q S. R. COPE Membership -L i VJ V V U Membership Secretary

AUTUMN 1997 Our membership stands at 430, slightly this summer, raising £77.50, which the more than this time last year We have both committee agreed to make up to £100, as gained and lost about 30 members but the our contribution to the Friends of Dover overall trend is upward. While it is inevi­ Hospital. We were unable to man a stall at table that many members can maintain the fete because the date clashed with our contact only through our Newsletter, we outing to Le Touquet. continue to hope that all members who Congratulations to Mrs. Janet Johnston come to meetings will feel equally at home. who was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Name badges are being worn by the com­ Birthday Honours list. Members who have mittee members, so please introduce your­ received similar honours in recent years selves, especially if you have recently are Mrs. Joan Dobby, Mr. Derek Leach and joined. Mr. Terry Sutton. Warm thanks to those who supply prizes We welcome to our membership: and buy tickets for our raffles; proceeds in The Rev'd Father Gary Gill, Mr. D. Iron, winter contribute largely towards the hire Mr. J.Aylen and Mrs. S.Allen, Mr. & Mrs. charges of St. Maiy's hall. We also organ­ W. Worsley, Mr & Mrs. P. Sheldrake and ised raffles on our three main outings Mrs W. T. Westwater. Living in a Listed Building CLIVE ALEXANDER r\jr\jr\jr\jr\jf\jr\jf\jf\jr\jr\jr\jr\jr\jf\jf\jr\jr\jr\jr\jr\jr\jf\jr\jf\jr\jr\ji\jr\jr\jf\jr\jr\jf\j

T IS DIFFICULT to imagine living in a society which has no historic buildings. Perhaps the nearest one could get to this would by living in one of our "New I Towns" developed in the 1950s and 60s. It is some of the faceless environ­ mentslike these which have helped to fuel public pressure to save the best of what we already have. Historic buildings give us a valuable link • architectural interest: this consid­ with the past, they enrich our lives and ers architectural design, decoration provide an established background for and craftsmanship. Additionally, life today. In order to ensure that our most mportant examples of particular important historic buildings are kept for building types and techniques that future generations to enjoy, they are pro­ display technological innovation tected by law. Government inspectors will be taken into account. identify buildings which are of "Special • historical interest: these include Architectural or Historic Interest" and buildings which illustrate important these are commonly known as "Listed aspects of the nation's social, eco­ Buildings”. nomic, cultural or military history. Owning a listed building can be both a Generally all buildings builtbefore 1700 privilege and a burden, for whilst owners which survive in anything like their origi­ have something considered to be of na­ nal condition are listed; and also most tional importance, they are expected to buildingsbetween 1700 and1840, although keep their property in good repair and to selection is necessary. After that period preserve its character. For the owners of only buildings of definite quality and char­ listed buildings, it may seem that every­ acter are listed. Buildings less than thirty one is against them, trying to stop them years old are not normally listed. The doing what past generations took for approach taken for twentieth century granted. What has happened is a change buildings is to identify those from a range in priorities. Now the law asks us to think of building types, e.g. industrial, educa­ a little more about the special qualities of tional, residential, etc. the building and less about our own com­ Should you wish to try to get your fort and convenience. There are many building "listed'', anyone can write to the misunderstandings about the legislation Listing Branch, Department of National surrounding listed buildings and the Heritage, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London remainder of this paper tries to set the SW1Y 5DH. Any request should include record straight! as much information as possible on the history of the building, together with pho­ How are Listed Buildings Chosen? tographs and a location plan. Listed buildings are identified by inspectors from English Heritage work­ How do I find out if my building is ing on behalf of the Department of Listed? National Heritage. The criteria used for The easiest way is to ring up the local selection include: authority and ask for the Conservation 3 0 Section, they have details of all the build­ extension, but relatively small alterations, ings listed in their area. If you buy a like changing an internal door or insert­ building that is listed then the searches ing a balance flue for a gas heater will made by your solicitor will identify it's also require consent. If you are in any listing status. If, on the other hand, your doubt it is always best to contact the property has been listed since it was Local Authority before starting work. If bought, then the Local Authority will send your application for listed building a letter informing you and giving informa­ consent is refused by the local authority, tion on what it means. The local library then you have the right to appeal to the also normally keeps this information. Secretary of State. Are there Different Grades of Listed What are the penalties for doing work Buildings? without Consent? There are three different grades oflisted Anyone who alters a listed building buildings. Grade I listedbuildings are those without consent can be taken to court, as of exceptional interest, and tend to be a well-known EssexM.P. has recently found large country houses, churches or castles. out! The legislation allows courts to im­ Grade II listed buildings are buildings pose substantial fines and even imprison­ of special interest. This grade, however, ment!! This underlies the need to has a sub-group known as Grade II* (star) always consult your local authority which is awarded to buildings with some before carrying out work to a listed extra merit, for example a fine interior, building. which is not quite good enough to be Are there any Grants available for Grade I. Repairing Listed Buildings? Despite the different grades it is impor­ Limited grants are often available from tant to remember that the legislation is the local authority for carrying out exactly the same for them all. structural repairs to listed buildings, What is Listed Building Consent? however these grants are normally quite small, and are aimed at ensuring that Any alterations or additions to a listed repairs are carried out using good quality building, which affect its character, re­ matching materials in the traditional quire listed building consent from the manner. English Heritage can also offer local authority. This includes internal as grants for the repair of Grade I and II* well as external alterations. In reality, listed buildings. unless it is a repair using identical materials, it is likely to require consent. It Fortunately the pendulum of public is also worth remembering that all opinion has now swung in favour of buildings within the curtilage of the listed conserving our historic buildings. Their building, built before 1948, are also presence adds to the quality of all our afforded the same protection. lives and they help to sustain a sense of local identity which is important, as so In order to make a listed building many of our towns now look the same. I application to your local authority, de­ would like to conclude with a quotation tailed drawings and plans willbe required, from William Morris, which for me says it together with completed application all, "A place without old buildings is like a forms, however the good news is that person without a memory". there is no fee, unlike that required for planning applications.! Clive Alexander is the Conservation Officer Deciding on what needs consent can for Dover District Council, however it should sometimes be difficult. Some things are he noted that the views expressed in this obvious, e.g. taking down a partition or article are those of the author and not of the wall, altering a window or adding an District Council.) SAINT MARTIN - Dover's Patron Saint ______TERRY SUTTON

T 1 T H O WAS THIS GUY, St. Martin, responded by saying that he was willing \/\f Dover's patron saint, whose name to go into the battle line without arms and Y Y is so much to the forefront in our advance against the enemy in the name town? In the Great East Window in of Christ. Instead he was thrown into St. Mary's Church he is depicted as a prison but shortly afterwards was honour­ warrior saint with a goose clucking around ably discharged from the army. His kill­ his feet. Yet he was more a conscientious ing days were over. objector than a warrior. He went from the army to Poitiers Martin was a native of Sabaria, a town of where St. Hilary welcomed him into the Pannonia, bom in the fourth century, the church. For his beliefs he got into further son of an army officer. Because he was the trouble, after converting his mother son of a veteran, at the age of fifteen he to Christianity. For years he lived in was forced to join up himself - a sort of virtual isolation on an island in the Gulf early-day conscript. Yet he disliked the life of Genoa. Eventually he returned to of learning to kill. Gaul, where he tried to pursue his It was while Martin was stationed at vocation in solitude, but about A.D. 371 Amiens that he made a name for himself the people o f Tours demanded Martin in an incident which is depicted on our as their bishop. He wanted none of it Coat of arms, 1,500 years later. but they tricked him into visiting Tours and One freezing morning, at the gate of he was acclaimed bishop by the local Amiens, he noticed a poorly-clothed, old clergy and people. beggar pleading for alms. Rather like to­ He lived in a cell near the church but day, the passers by tried to ignore the old had so many visitors that he retired to an man. But not Martin. He had no cash at isolated abbey where, it is claimed, he car­ hand, only his armour, sword and cloak. ried out many miracles. Jumping from his horse he slashed his own He was no member of the Green Party, cloak in two and gave one half to the beg­ judging by the number of trees he had gar, while wrapping himself in the remain­ chopped down. This was because many ing section. Those who saw this generos­ people in Gaul worshipped trees as idols. ity were ashamed. That night, so it is told, One of his reported "miracles" was to have Martin had a dream in which he saw himself tied to a tree, on the dangerous Jesus dressed in the half of the cloak that leaning side, and then order the woodcut­ he had given to the beggar. ters to get to work. The tree, so we are told, Martin did not immediately leave the always fell the other way! army. Probably men could not buy them­ Saint Martin had a knowledge about his selves out in those days. But when he was approaching death. His disciples pleaded about twenty there was a barbarian inva­ with him not to die but, on 8 November sion of Gaul. With his comrades, Martin 397, in a remote part of his diocese, he de­ paraded before his commander-in-chief to parted this life and was buried a couple of collect his war bounty. When it was his days later at Tours, where a chapel was turn to go forward, Martin told his com­ built over his grave. mander, “ I have served you as a soldier. Why Martin should have been adopted Now let me go to serve Christ. Give my as Dover's patron saint is difficult to un­ bounty to the others who are going to fight derstand, especially as Dover was a garri­ for you but I am a soldier of Christ and it son town and Martin was not a particu­ is not lawful for me to fight." larly good PR story for the army. Martin was accused of cowardice but he But perhaps, through his vocation, he was. Dendrology Ho! REMARKABLE TREES IN KENT ------OWEN JOHNSON------

We are deeply indebted to Dr Johnson and to the Editor of the'International Dendronology Yearbook* for 1996 for permission to reprint this captivating article.

h e fascination o f t r a v e l l in g the Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and countryside and visiting gardens knocking everywhere on the front doors T and stately homes searching for and of the good and the great. In the case of measuring spectacular specimen trees, the better-known collections, the process needs no elaborating. Among the benefits was one of updating existing records of can be counted the opportunity to protect growth-rates and likely lifespan. Every­ trees by alerting their owners as to how where else, it was also one of discovery. big or unusual they are. Britain's trees too Kent, like much of the British Isles, is - not only wild ones but everyday street remarkable for its variety of soils and or garden trees, or the big conifers of landforms, packed into a small area. Victorian parks - make an impact on the Climatically, too, it is a battleground landscape out of all proportion to the between the mild, moist air off the Atlantic research which has not yet been con­ which penetrates up the Channel, and the ducted into their abundance or variety. influence of the adjacent Continent with The atmosphere of dignity and peaceful­ its hot dry summers and harsh winters... ness, for instance, in a scene with many One product of the Kentish survey has trees thirty metres tall, is quite different been a clearer picture of just how much to the impact o f one where, owing to these variations are mirrored in the pattern exposure or poor soil, the trees are only of tree growths within the county. Kent's fifteen to twenty metres in height. tallest tree, a grand fir of 46 x 1261 at Bedgebury National Pinetum, grows among other conifers from the western TYee Register of the British Isles: seaboard of North America, such as The process of discovering where and douglas fir and sitka spruce, which find the how big different trees can and do grow conditions here, in the intricate valleys in Britain, which was the life work of the of the High Weald, just cool, moist and late Alan Mitchell, is now being pursued sheltered enough to thrive and reach by the Tree Register of the British Isles, dimensions exceptional for south-east for which I am one of a number of England. This well-watered sandstone volunteer recorders. In the summer of country in the south western fringes of 1995, thanks to funding from the Merlin Kent, with its rash of Victorian mansions Trust, I found myself in Kent - scouring and their well-treed parks, provides the horizon through binoculars for tell­ generally the most rewarding conditions tale foliage and promising crown shapes, for tree-hunting. marching onwards through cemeteries 1 Measurements are of the height in metres x and sleepy hamlets, peering through the bole diameter in centimetres at, unless hedges and probably alerting numerous stated, 1.5m. All are 1995. seaboard but is too tender to be grown at Bedgebury, Mote Park, Bedgebuiy. Sweet chestnuts, again, hate Wateringbury chalk, but the clay is deep enough for most of the Kentish giants to be clustered in this A few miles north of the narrow clay patch of the Downs. The biggest is at plain of the Low Weald, the Lower Howlett's Zoo, east of Canterbury, 23 x 327 Greensand forms another sandstone ridge. at 0,5m under massive boughs - a youthful Here, however, the soils tend to be richer; tree which has increased in diameter by sometimes alkaline, the rainfall is ten to nine per cent in the space of fifteen years twenty per cent lower and the summers are marginally hotter and sunnier. Suddenly the giant American conifers Named Trees in Nonington cease to play any part in the landscape. But the most astonishing of the trees Instead, heat-loving trees thrive, such as the east-coast American black walnut, here are the English oaks on the site of the old house at Fredville Park, Nonington which after fifty years at Bedgebury remains thin and stunted. Mote Park, no other big oaks being reported from Maidstone, has one 190cm in bole these Downs. By the eighteenth century, diameter planted around 1910 and dead the largest of these maiden oaks had been above twenty-seven metres, and all seven given individual aims. "Beauty", 20 x 197, others are ten times the size of the largest was commended in 1821 for "the regularity at Bedgebury. A few miles away, in a private of its bark" being beautiful beyond garden at Wateringbury, the largest conception - a notable feature still on its example found in Britain of the heat-loving long cylindrical trunk, which bears only American honey locust is 25 x 75. So fertile light branches, many of which have now is the ragstone of this part of the ridge that died back. "Stately" is larger though far less the small garden contains the tallest shapely, at 17 x 241. "Majesty", at 19 x 384, recorded “Prinz Handjery" sycamore, is probably the finest though not quite the 12 x 42, possibly the best Acer negundo, largest English oak in Britain, having a 15 x 75, and a number of other outstanding trunk hollow but entire which runs for 6m trees. with very little taper and still bears high boughs larger than most mature trees. North Downs Measurements made since 1821 suggest North and east of the greensand again, that all three trees are in the range of 500 the chalk of the North Downs forms a third years old. “Majesty" in particular continues range of hills. The demanding conditions to increase its diameter at the standard rate offered by raw chalk are ameliorated over for healthy trees in their prime - a little much of the downs by cappings of acidic under 1 cm per annum. clay, particularly south of Canterbury where heat-loving trees also grow well and Tunbridge Wells, nearly every isolated village - Elmstead, Stowting, Nackington, Upper Hardres, Kent's Tree Capital Bossingham, Waltham - has its huge old churchyard yew, but where parks and As nine trees out of ten measured on gardens are generally far-flung. Some of any recording trip are likely to be planted the most notable trees in this region are ornamentals, it is inevitable that record totally unexpected: the tender red beech specimens will cluster around centres of Nothogagus fusca of 21 x 75 at Goodnestone population. In old settlements, nutrient Park, almost within sight of the North Sea, accumulation and the constant shelter of or the clean-boled Monterey cypress at tall buildings also sponsor good growth. Waldershare Park, 28 x 194: Monterey Kent's tree capital is Tiinbridge Wells, cypress thrives in the rain of the western ideally situated on the northern fringe of 34 the High Weald. Because of the moist and Knole Park, Sevenoaks sheltered microclimate, several of the outstanding trees here are conifers which The tallest native trees in any county generally are too pollution-sensitive to be are found as likely as not in deer parks, at their best in town air. Abushy but gigantic where over many centuries trees have Grecian fir in the small garden of been left to grow to their full stature and "Creggans", is 28 x 233 at 0.4 between draw the next generation ever taller, the boughs. An example of the rare larch without this being simply due to un- Larix x pendula, growing in front of the farmably poor soil. Half of the trees over Spa Hotel at Manor Park, is much the thirty-seven metres tall in Kent (the largest found, at 24 x 88, whilst a weeping other half being nearly all Victorian wellingtonia in a back garden in Birling wellingtonias) still grow in the greensand Road, at 9 x 82, is second only to one at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, despite all the at Bodnant in Wales and has thrown out losses sustained here in the storm of 1987. monstrously snaking branches as far Among these trees are the tallest sessile as the house. Other Tunbridge Wells oak currently recorded in Britain, 40 x 188 "Champion Trees" include Acer cappa- with 10m of clean bole, and the tallest and docicum "Aureum" in a Warwick Park back finest hornbeam, a tree like a forest beech garden, 13x76 a tlm and Prunus avium which, despite the loss of its central crown, “Plena" in the Grosvenor and Hilbert is 29 x 130. Recreation Ground, 15 x 79. Elms: Maidstone, Miracles in Maidstone Rolvenden, Benenden, and Canterbury Petham, Cranbrook

One of the biggest wellingtonias in Kent, The Dutch elm's close relative, the 35 x 226, grows, most unexpectedly, only Huntingdon elm, is a much tougher tree, a kilometre from the heart of Maidstone and specimens still grace many town in the grounds of Tirkey Court. What has parks, particularly near the east. overridden the crippling effects of town air The best, at Chaucer House, Maidstone, in this case is the high water-table in this was 25 x 112. remarkable “secret garden" behind the The eastern North Downs is one of the Ashford Road, with its series of lakes and heartlands of the smooth-leaved elm, Ulmis cascades. minor, a variable species of which some In the pocket-handkerchief front garden examples can be guaranteed to survive, of Vernon Grange in the Old Dover Road, The biggest noted was not on the generally Canterbury, a judas tree was planted in windswept Downs but near Rolvenden - a 1927. Fortuitously, this did not, as do most large-leaved form of 17 x 114. The judas trees, grow in a largely horizontal variety subarosa, a corky-twigged tree fashion, but has remained tall and straight was grown by Collingwood Ingram at and is now the finest in the country at Benenden Grange from seed collected in 11 x 64. The discovery of this tree was France, and a tree of 12 x 46 survives there, capped almost immediately by recording with a scion making good progress at the largest Prunus sargentii in Britain in Hemsted Tbll nearby. The golden “Wredei" front of the Kent County Constabulary is another resident clone, with the finest Nationality Department office opposite, tree at 23 Warwick Park, Tunbridge 9 x 85. This cherry is dwarfed, however, Wells, 15 x 47, and at Kenfield Court, by the larger of two Prunus x yedoensis on Petham ,15 x 48. "Samiensis", the Wheatley the golf course at Mote Park, 9 x 109 and elm, was noted only at Cranbrook and at still growing with wild abandon. Chaucer House, 23 x 79. Elms: Sandwich, is 12 x 136. The largest known Betula lenta, among some outstanding trees at the Saltwood, Wateringbury, Red House, Crockham Hill, measures 12 x 57. The wild service tree makes Canterbury, Maidstone particularly good growth on Kentish clay, Little research has been conducted into and an exceptional tree at Hall Place, the varieties of elm growing wild in East Leigh, with a long columnar bole, is Kent before Dutch elm disease struck. outstanding at 19 x 124. Other remarkable Some trees seen last summer appeared to trees at this lovely garden include the be Ulmus minor plotii, a nominally Mid­ biggest example of the normally tiny Pyrus lands form - the largest, 18 x 77, in a hedge salicifolia in the country, 9x69. near Knowlton Park, west of Sandwich. The hybrid wingnut, Pterocarya x Like Ulmus minor, the wych-elm is rehderiana, is one of the most vigorous genetically variable enough for the trees known. How long it can keep up this occasional resistant survivor to be found. vigour has been shown by a tree at Being the elm of more acidic soils, these Frensham Manor, Rolvenden, a are mainly in the Weald, with the best spontaneous cross which was planted in being on the greensand at Saltwood, 1928 and has grown to 21 x 148. Another 24 x 93. The weeping cultivar "Camper- tree showing hybrid vigour is the bean tree, down" is disease resistant and still planted: Catalpa x erubescens, of which the largest the biggest, at Wateringbury, is 6 x 66. in Britain is a tree o f 17 x 123 below Much rarer now is the less weeping and Chilham Castle. more elegant "Horizontalis", which has Salix x Meyeriana is an exceedingly rare survived at the Dane John Gardens, hybrid between the native crack and bay Canterbury, 13 x 83. willow, combining the latter's glossy foliage The largest surviving example of a rarer with the vigorous growth of the crack elm grows at Mote Park. This is the Siberian willow. A grove of apparently spontaneous elm, Ulmus pumila arborea, 22 x 66. trees found near Hunton includes one which has reached the previously Oak, Ash, Wingnut, Bean, unsuspected size of 20 x 70. Crack WUlow.

Let me end by mentioning a few other favourite finds. Much the largest scarlet Tree Register's huge fund of information oak yet found in Britain grows in a lane- about large, rare and historic trees is accessible to anyone interested in the subject: side hedge opposite Kenfield Court, donations welcome. Please contact the 24 x 118, with a fine bole. At Bedgebury Secretary, Mrs P. A. Stevenson, 77A Hall End, School, the biggest recorded weeping ash WOOriTON, Bedford,MK43 9HP

Spotted by Margery Wright in a recent issue of the Dover Express:

CLOSURE OF be necessary to close the footbridge for Editorial comment: Does work on the WELLARDS WAY FOOTBRIDGE the period of 29 November 1997 to 29 footbridge portend the permanent Notice is hereby given that Railtrack Marchl998. closure, after the completion of the Southern will be carrying out essential WS Atkins Rail Ltd are managing the adjacent sewage pumping station works, maintenance works to Wellards Way works in (sic) behalf of Railtrack and any o f the now ‘temporarily’ closed but Footbridge which carries the footpath queries relating to the closure should be much more convenient Pilot's Crossing, over the Dover to Folkestone railway addressed to Mr A Dean, WS Atkins Rail near the foot of the Admiralty Pier? lines and on to Dover Wsst (sic) Beach. Ltd, Floor 18, Network Centre, Wellesley And have you ever heard of "Wellards In the interests of public safety it will Grove, Croyden (sic) CR9 IDA. Way-? Sir Edward Poyntev’s Stained Glass AT THE MAISON DIEU ALAN BROOKS

D o v e r is f o r t u n a t e t o po sse ss a magnificent series of stained glass windows designed by one of the most eminent of the classical painters of the Victorian period, Sir Edward Poynter. These windows were designed when he was only twenty-one, and are by far his best work in stained glass. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the windows rank among the best in the country for glass of that period. In his career, Sir Edward Poynter retire through failing eyesight. He handed reached the pinnacle of artistic achieve­ the job over to William Burges, now known ment. He became Director of the National as one of the most exceptional of Victor­ Gallery in 1894, and then President of the ian architects. Burges was responsible for Royal Academy in 1896 a post which he obtaining stained glass work for the held until 1918, the year before he died. young Edward Poynter, Ambrose's son, He was perhaps the most distinguished of while in Paris, and it was he who several painters who had an early undoubtedly put forward Edward in involvement in stained glass. A few, such 1860 for the job of producing a design for as his brother-in-law, Burne Jones, a window in the Maison Dieu in memory continued their involvement in stained of a Mr Bass, a relative of a former Town glass design as a major part of their artistic Clerk. The subject was 'The Embarkation career all their lives. of Henry VIII at Dover for the Field of Poynter first received commissions for Cloth o f Gold, 1520'. This design was stained glass designs when he was so admired that the Restoration of the studying in Paris in 1857. He produced Hall Committee quickly resolved to obtain work for the important firm of Powells of five more designs from Poynter of Whitefriars between that date and 1863, historical events concerning Dover. The at which point he ceased designing for matter went to the full Council who, after glass because he was beginning to achieve debating whether it was reasonable to pay success as a painter. His work can be seen Poynter the sum of £20 on production of notably in churches at St. Ives, Cornwall the designs (about £650 in today's terms), and Hitchen, Herts. approved it. The Maison Dieu in Dover dates In the event, the Council got a bargain. originally from 1253 and has had a varied The composition, figure design and and fascinating history. When it was pur­ historical detail in all the windows, is of chased by the Corporation of Dover the highest quality. Poynter later became in 1834 it needed much restoration. known for a meticulous attention to detail A major phase was commenced in 1859, in his paintings. In these window designs when sufficient funds had built he was assisted greatly by his father up. Ambrose Poynter was appointed as Ambrose, who settled in Dover and was architect, but was soon after forced to active in local archaeological work, and the Town Coroner; George Thompson, who figure work is noticeably not as strong as himself is commemorated in the second the others. window of the series, having been killed The series achieves a remarkable unity by the accidental explosion of a gun at considering that it was made over a period Archcliffe Fort. This window was installed of thirteen years by two different stained in 1861 and its subject is 'The Landing of glass firms. The first two windows were Charles II at Dover on his Restoration in produced by the prolific William Wailes of 1660' Newcastle, who had also made the west The making of the other four windows window of the hall in 1858 and the followed as commemorative funds became following four windows by the London available. 'The Landing of the Emperor firm of Heaton, Butler and Bayne, who Sigismund Opposed in 1416' dates from picked up a reputation for fine glass in the 1864, 'The Relief of Dover Castle by John early 1860s and who had designed a de Pencester in 1216' in 1865, 'Henry III notable window in 1864 for the nearby new granting the Charter of the Maison Dieu St. James's church (demolished as to Hubert de Burgh, 1277' in 1872, and redundant after WW2). It was they who 'The Embarkation of Edward III at Dover, made the later series in the adjacent 1359'in 1873. Connaught Hall and Council Chamber. Having designed the original water­ With the revival of interest in Victorian colour sketches for the windows, Poynter stained glass, Poynter's windows today was subsequently actively involved in the should be seen once again as a gem of cartooning of the full-scale designs in the artistic achievement of which Dover can studios of the stained glass makers in the be proud. case of the first two windows, which he signed along with the makers, and also the (This essay is a much reduced version of 1871 window where the Dover Express felt that which won the Pevsner Memorial impressed enough to report the fact. His Prize for 1996 awarded by the Victorian involvement is likely in fact with all Society and which is published in their except the last, the 1873 window, whose Annual for this year.)

POSTSCRIPT Heard on the B.B.C. programme "Sunday" on Radio 4 on the morning of 2nd November 1997: (paraphrased) William Wailes of Newcastle, the old established firm of stained glass makers, suffering from an almost total lack of orders, will close down at the end of November. The firm said (still paraphrasing) they had many potential orders that were to be, or might be, financed through the Millenium Fund, but the wheels of the Fund turned so slowly that they could not survive the waiting period.. and POSTSCRIPT II On 16th November during the same serial programme the B.B.C. said (para-phrasing) The possibility of helping the firm out of its difficulties is being examined and there appears to be a good chance that there will be a successful outcome. B.A.

MICHAEL JOHN SARTTN. We are sad to have to record the death of Mike Sartin who recently took on the post of Archivist to the Society. Though he had not spent all his life in Dover he was well respected and well loved and all who knew him, especially in H.M.Customs, will miss him greatly. At his cremation the chapel was full to overflowing. Index to the 1851 Census Return for Dover MARTYN C. WEBSTER

CENSUSES OF THE POPULATION have For those interested in genealogy, been taken in the United Kingdom local and social history surname indexes every ten years since 1801 (with of these census returns, especially those the exception of the Second World War of 1851 where birthplace was given for the year 1941). Originally the purpose was to first time, are an invaluable asset. It was assess the numbers o f fighting males for this reason that I, as an expatriate available during the Napoleonic Wars and Dovorian, and one who helped to produce also to obtain accurate figures of the size other records of Dover people, decided to of the population to be fed and defended compile at my own initiative and expense in the threat of invasion. In peacetime a surname, first name and birthplace other considerations and requirements index of all those listed in the 1851 Dover came to apply. census. This is shortly to be made After the period 1801-1831 when only generally available through the auspices numerical and sex figures were collected, of the Kent Family History Society, it came about that in 1841 names, although the completed project has already addresses, occupations, ages and whether been deposited in microfiche at Dover or not people were bom in their county of Library and Museum. residence were compiled. Thanks to the hard work of Ruth Nicol The 1851 census was a first, in that apart and Kathleen Hollingsbee, such indexes for from recording all the extra information East Kent are already in place for most of taken in 1841, it then recorded the actual the parishes all around Dover (with the place where everyone declared themselves exception for the moment of Deal, Walmer to have been born. Although unappreci­ and Sandwich). Once these have been ated at the time of course, and it must achieved, genealogy in this area, aided be admitted unintended for that purpose, by all the other indexes of people, trades, it now serves as a vital tool for all family etc. that already exist, will be really history researchers and students of well served. social history. It is true that partial transcripts of the The schedules o f census returns are Dover 1851 census returns have been released for public scrutiny only 100 years made. They are: a 2% national sample after the information was first collected. taken by Cambridge University (brief Those for the years 1841-1891 are available extracts from Dover Castle and Heights to enquirers at the Public Record Office, Barracks); the Dover Mariners' Index by the original folios now all converted to Ruth Nicol (covering 1941-1891); and a list microfilm or microfiche. Many of these are of Kent-born Sussex "Strays" plus twenty- also located at the places to which they five German musicians staying at hotels apply. Dover Library Local Section holds in the Pier District by Philip Hudsmith of such records as fall within its ambit. Canada. However these are but the tiniest selection of the whole. As far as my Dover feature of the town being the major cross- index is concerned, I have produced it in Channel port, a military garrison, a market seven parts, 1-5 consisting of the con­ town as well as a watering place of some stituent parishes of the borough. That is: fashion, Dover could well have rivalled a Part 1 - resort like Brighton. It is sobering to see Guston-in-Dover (East Cliff) pop. 771 how much has been lost. Charlton pop- 2,513 In transcribing the census I had to read Part 2 - through the handwriting, some immacu­ Extra-Parochial- (Dover Castle and late but occasionally virtually illegible, of East Cliff) P°P- 862 the twenty-seven enumerators (whose Part 3 - Hougham P°P* 2,639 occupations included those of parish clerk, Part 4 - Buckland pop- 1,893 tax collector, schoolmaster; beer seller, Part 5 - St. James pop 3,699 confectioner and builder, among others) Part 6 - St. Mazy pop. 19,116 from 682 folios of manuscript. The average Part 7 - Overall surname index to parts number of persons enumerated by each 1-6, Street Index, Maps, Post Office enumerator was 828. My process of doing Directory, Enumeration Details. this involved reading from each folio, line The population of the borough of by line and frame by frame from the Dover in 1851 was therefore well over microfilm copy, writing down the requisite 20,000 persons. The total number of information on delineated pro-formas and different surnames was 3,587 of which the in due course sorting all the information top ten were Smith (227), ClarkfE] (222), by computer into alphabetical order; giving Marsh (172), Jones (137), Wood (128), a final total o f22,293 lines. A laborious and Baker (121), Taylor (119), Williams (110), time-consuming enterprise which has Beer (101), Johnson (101). «. taken four years to achieve fruition, The overall impression gained however undertaken around a full-time job. from this fascinating snapshot glimpse of The major difficulties in the operation Dover nearly 150 years ago is the extent were basically that ofbad handwriting and to which the fortunes of our poor quality of either the original folios or historic town have been almost totally film copies. Some names proved very reversed. Take for example the gracious difficult, if not impossible, to decipher. Also marine residences on the sea front it was clear that quite a few people could occupied by mainly retired, titled or either not write their own names down holidaying gentlefolk, many of them of or could not spell them correctly. My military or foreign background. Little hint particular favourites are the landlady now survives of the former prosperity of the “Bell" in St. James's Street, Mrs. thanks to the demise of the old social Susannah Handsumbodie, and a Polish order, and the ravages of time and a war commercial agent named Sochaszewski that destroyed so much of the fabric of the whose spelling completely defeated the town, both human and material. In 1851 it poor enumerator. was a thriving community drawn from There is much more I could add but every corner of these islands and abroad space forbids. This project is at last com­ that was as diverse and unique for a plete. I cannot say that I and my advisors provincial town as almost anywhere have got all the difficult or illegible names outside London. It might be said that right but the results have been arrived although the people did not have all the at to the best of our ability. It has been a modern sophistications we enjoy today, most rewarding and fulfilling experience everyone except the old or infirm, to associate my name with the original appeared to have a job of sorts and the twenty-seven enumerators, without whose impression was that the quality o f their diligent travails this wonderful human lives in the context of their time was that extract from Dover's glorious past would much the richer than ours. With the never have been possible. Cruise Welcome Group Meeting on 20th August 1997 MERRIL LILLEY

he Meeting was held at the Town passengers and crew but also for local T Council Offices, Castle Street. It was people. The current monthly print was reported that various new contacts had 4,000 copies and it was felt this could be been made with nearly all the shipping increased. Colin agreed, saying all that was agents and it was hoped to tiy to increase needed was a small increase in the number our presence on the ships next year. of advertisers. The idea of translations into It was also suggested that early next year other languages ( French, German, Italian, these new contacts be invited to Dover for Dutch) was also discussed. familiarisation trips. It was suggested that the group now Next year there will be fewer ships needed a paid co-ordinator and that this overall. This is due mainly to the fact was evident from the time Miranda had that some of the ships using Dover as spent on cruise work this summer. The their home post are going on long haul group needed someone to be in charge of cruises and will thus be away for much keeping in contact with agents and tour longer periods. 115 ships are expected, the operators. It was thought that contribut­ majority in the summer months, as has ing parties to the salary for the post might happened this year, so in fact the differ­ include Dover Harbour Board, D.D.C., ence is minimal. It was felt that every T.C.M. and Dover Town Council. The post effort must be made to attract ships to would be for a short term contract cover­ the port as the cruise ship industry is for ing the cruise ship season. The idea would ever fluctuating. be explored further before the next One of the major items for discussion meeting. was the provision of a promotional infor­ Tina Pullinger, from Tbwn Centre Man­ mation pack. This would need enormous agement, was elected as the next chair­ resources, not least the filling of 25,000 person of the group. envelopes. Questions of help, logos, Under AOB the question of access for funding, sponsorship, design and printing taxis to the Eastern Docks, when cruise were all discussed. The package would ships were berthed there, was discussed have to be ready by April 1998. at length. Drivers felt that a new system A trial day for the use of Horse S' should be introduced a.s.a.p. Also Carriage from the docks was to be held on discussed was a liaison with the new 30th August, when the Maasdam was in Radio Station, Neptune Radio. port. Results are awaited. Lastly, Miranda of Dover District Colin Sawyer reported the success of the Council, who was leaving at the end of Dover Guide which appears to have had a September; was thanked for all her hard great impact on the town, not only for work.

THE BRONZE AGE BOAT The Society recently made a donation of £1000 to the Fund for the Restoration of the Bronze Age Boat and an acknowledgement has been received from the Museum Curator, Miss Christine Waterman, on behalf of the Fund. Letter to the Editor 41

THE 4TH JULY 1997, AMERICAN The gesture was much appreciated and the INDEPENDENCE DAY, was celebrated Captain mentioned this in a radio inter­ in great style in Dover aboard the luxury view on Radio Kent later that morning. liner, the Crystal Harmony, which berthed At 10.30 a.m. the Dover V.I.P/s and at the terminal that morning. She is the members of the press - including our own largest cruise ship to use the new termi­ Dover Society member, Terry Sutton- nal, being 241 metres in length - ten me­ arrived and were taken on a conducted tres longer than the Royal Princess which tour of this elegant vessel. Needless to say, set the record a year ago. the cabins are really sumptuous and so It was agreed by the Cruise Welcome they should be at over 1,000 dollars a day!! Group that we should mark the occasion The tour concluded at 12 noon and we and I suggested presenting the lady were all entertained by the Captain at a passengers with a red rose buttonhole. Welcome Reception, with Barbara Sturgeon With the blessing of the Dover District of Radio Kent giving a running commen­ Council, I managed to obtain sponsorship, tary. It was indeed a really successful; not only from the Council but also morning. I was unaware, until then, that from the Town Centre Management, Americans call "Bucks Fizz" a "Mimosa" - 1 De Bradelei Wharf and the Churchill think I still prefer "Bucks Fizz" - Hotel, the roses were ordered from "Ann By mid-afternoon passengers began to and Pam” the florists in Cherry TYee Av­ embark and were greeted at the terminal enue. Pam really “rose" to the occasion and by a string quartet, champagne and a red delivered 450 buttonholes to my home late rose buttonhole for the ladies. It was a most in the evening of July 3rd, ready for me to happy occasion. One lady passenger take to the Cruise Terminal the following remarked to me, "The Colonists have come morning. back home"... At 8 a.m. on the 4th July we set up our We in Dover have every reason to be stand in the terminal. Mr. John Tbrgoose, proud of what Dover Harbour Board has General Manager (Shipping), Dover achieved. The potential is tremendous for Harbour Board, was the first to be the future of the cruise terminal - long may presented with a buttonhole, together it continue. with the Captain of the Crystal Harmony. D a p h n e D a v is

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DECEMBER 13 CHRISTMAS FEAST - £17.00 Saturday 7 for 7.30 In the Refectory at Dover College Members and Guests Entertainment: R o d e rick Spe n c er a n d F riend s 1998 JANUARY 19 MEMBERS’ MEETING Monday 7.30 Speakers: MR C. Wade on "Sa x o n Wa y ' Members and Guests MR MIKE DAWSON on "PLANNING FOR DOVER - PROBLEMS and OPPORTUNITIES" St. Mary's Parish Centre Parking at Stembrook

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