2 weeks ago
Cold War Bunkers Under Ramsgate?
Recent opening of previously confidential government documents has provided an interesting insight into the preparation for constructing Cold War bunkers in addition to Ramsgate's existing A.R.P. network. Click HERE to read more.
PROJECT TO RE-OPEN RAMSGATE'S TUNNELS
You may have read a recent article in the local press regarding the re-opening of the Ramsgate Tunnels. If you didn’t see it, you can read it online at HERE
The history of the tunnels is well recorded, but what's not recorded in any detail are the memories of residents who used them. What were the emotions when the siren was sounded? What was life like underground while the town was being destroyed above? I remember the air raid sirens being tested in the 1950’s and my mother was rushing around to find the local paper to check this was a scheduled test and not an air raid! It must have left an impression.
Part of the current tunnel project is to record a “spoken word” history to accompany written records. Do you know anyone in the 80+ age group who used the tunnels? You’ll be surprised what Mum, Dad, Gran and Granddad can tell you when prompted. My mother has always told me she never used the tunnels. Now, as a result of this project she has told me she went down them twice, and even remembers details of the occasions.
If you can help we would like you to contact us and discuss how we can best record the memories. You can email: phil@ramsgatehistory.com, or telephone 01843 599153.
The history of the tunnels is well recorded, but what's not recorded in any detail are the memories of residents who used them. What were the emotions when the siren was sounded? What was life like underground while the town was being destroyed above? I remember the air raid sirens being tested in the 1950’s and my mother was rushing around to find the local paper to check this was a scheduled test and not an air raid! It must have left an impression.
Part of the current tunnel project is to record a “spoken word” history to accompany written records. Do you know anyone in the 80+ age group who used the tunnels? You’ll be surprised what Mum, Dad, Gran and Granddad can tell you when prompted. My mother has always told me she never used the tunnels. Now, as a result of this project she has told me she went down them twice, and even remembers details of the occasions.
If you can help we would like you to contact us and discuss how we can best record the memories. You can email: phil@ramsgatehistory.com, or telephone 01843 599153.
Invicta MCC Re-Union
Why is it called Seamark Road?
Have you ever wondered why Seamark Road at Monkton (where Thanet Earth is) was so named? Here's a clue ...
Click HERE to find out more
Sir William Curtis - aka "Billy Biscuit"
William Curtis was born in 1752 in Wapping, East London. He was the son of sea biscuit manufacturer Joseph Curtis and Mary Tennant. William was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City of London in 1790 and held the seat continuously for 28 years. He became Lord Mayor of London in 1795-96 and was created a Baronet in 1802. The definition of the three R's as "reading, 'riting and rithmetic" is attributed to him and was taken from a speech made at a dinner given for the Board of Education. Sir William was a colourful character who resided at Cliff House, Ramsgate until his death in 1829.Read more about Sir William, also known as "Billy Biscuit", by clicking HERE
More Train Information
More Railway information has been added to the RamsgateHistory.com website. A track of the old South Eastern Railway's line has been added to Google Earth including a detailed plan of the Town Station in 1872 and a plan of the Margate Station of 1896. Also now shown is the acurate location of St Lawrence loop.
The London, Chatham and Dover Railway line is also show together with a plan of their Margate Station in 1896, and their Ramsgate Harbour Station in 1872.
In 1926 Southern Railway amalgamated and joined these two rival routes at the same time as building a new Ramsgate Station, a plan of which which is also shown.
The track of Manston Military Railway is shown as is the Isle of Thanet Light Railway Tram network and plan of their main depot at St Peters.
The station plans and tracks are acurately located over current satellite images and can be made transparent to see exactly where they were located.
The Google Earth files can be found at: http://www.ramsgatehistory.com/interactive.html
The London, Chatham and Dover Railway line is also show together with a plan of their Margate Station in 1896, and their Ramsgate Harbour Station in 1872.
In 1926 Southern Railway amalgamated and joined these two rival routes at the same time as building a new Ramsgate Station, a plan of which which is also shown.
The track of Manston Military Railway is shown as is the Isle of Thanet Light Railway Tram network and plan of their main depot at St Peters.
The station plans and tracks are acurately located over current satellite images and can be made transparent to see exactly where they were located.
The Google Earth files can be found at: http://www.ramsgatehistory.com/interactive.html
Interactive Ramsgate
For those that have Google Earth installed, I've created image overlays using old maps of Ramsgate. These are particularly useful when used in conjuction with Google Earth's built in opacity slider which allows you to see Googles imagery through the map. These are surprisingly accurate and provide excellent research tools.
Currently available are:
1735 Plan of Ramsgate (not very accurate but gives a good idea of how the town was)
1822 Collard & Hurst map
1882 Ordnance Survey
1919 Richborough Port plan
Liberty Boundary track
South Eastern, London Chatham & Dover and Southern Railway lines
http://ramsgatehistory.com/gemaps/interactive_ramsgate.kmz
The link takes you to a kmz file which should automatically start your Google Earth. When prompted follow on screen instructions to open the file. Locate the "Interactive Ramsgate" file in the Temporary Places window and expand it by clicking on the small + sign. Tick the box next to the item you want to view and wait for it to load (be patient, some are quite big files). When ready you can adjust the opacity of the map by using the slider bar just below the Places window (make sure you still have the map highlighted in the Places window). Click on the object's title in the Places window to see information on the object selected. With the tracks you can "fly" the route by highlighting it and clicking on the play tour icon below the Places window.
Currently available are:
1735 Plan of Ramsgate (not very accurate but gives a good idea of how the town was)
1822 Collard & Hurst map
1882 Ordnance Survey
1919 Richborough Port plan
Liberty Boundary track
South Eastern, London Chatham & Dover and Southern Railway lines
http://ramsgatehistory.com/gemaps/interactive_ramsgate.kmz
The link takes you to a kmz file which should automatically start your Google Earth. When prompted follow on screen instructions to open the file. Locate the "Interactive Ramsgate" file in the Temporary Places window and expand it by clicking on the small + sign. Tick the box next to the item you want to view and wait for it to load (be patient, some are quite big files). When ready you can adjust the opacity of the map by using the slider bar just below the Places window (make sure you still have the map highlighted in the Places window). Click on the object's title in the Places window to see information on the object selected. With the tracks you can "fly" the route by highlighting it and clicking on the play tour icon below the Places window.
Central Government Policies Protect Our Heritage
As I understand it the Heritage Policies of the now expired Local Plan definately no longer apply. Until a new Local Development Framework is in force the only guidance now comes from the Communities and Local Government section of central government, and in particular Planning Policy Statement 5: "Planning for the Historic Environment" which can be found HERE.
Having had a quick look at this it appears far less specific in its policies and doesn't appear to offer anywhere near as much protection as the now expired Local Plan. The period for submitting comments relating to the slipway development ends next week.
Having had a quick look at this it appears far less specific in its policies and doesn't appear to offer anywhere near as much protection as the now expired Local Plan. The period for submitting comments relating to the slipway development ends next week.
Local Plan no longer protects our Heritage?
Whilst researching my response to the application for Listed Building Consent at the Ramsgate Harbour slipways, I’ve realised that the heritage aspect of this site may not have the protection I thought. As part of the transitional arrangements from the old Local Plan to a new Local Development Framework (LDF), the Local Plan expired on 17th June 2009 and only those policies that have been saved by the Secretary of State's direction will continue to be part of TDC’s Development Plan.
The policies relating to Heritage that HAVE NOT BEEN SAVED include the following:
HE1 - LISTED BUILDINGS OF SPECIAL ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC INTEREST
HE2 - CHANGE OF USE OF LISTED BUILDINGS
HE4 - PLANNING CONTROLS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE5 - CONSERVATION AREA CONSENT
HE6 - DEMOLITION IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE7 - NON-LISTED BUILDINGS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
The Local Plan (as amended) can be read here: http://thanet.devplan.org.uk/
It appears the ability of the Council to consider this application from a Heritage point of view has become extremely limited as a result of deleting these policies. If this is the case, this will not have been lost on the developers and other interested parties, which in my opinion makes it even more imperative to have your say. To voice your opinion, go to the UK Planning website at http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/councilSelect.do?council=Thanet+District+Council and then select Search Applications from the left hand menu. When the new screen appears enter 10/0736 as the Application Number. You will then be given the chance to comment from the Summary section.
The policies relating to Heritage that HAVE NOT BEEN SAVED include the following:
HE1 - LISTED BUILDINGS OF SPECIAL ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC INTEREST
HE2 - CHANGE OF USE OF LISTED BUILDINGS
HE4 - PLANNING CONTROLS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE5 - CONSERVATION AREA CONSENT
HE6 - DEMOLITION IN CONSERVATION AREAS
HE7 - NON-LISTED BUILDINGS IN CONSERVATION AREAS
The Local Plan (as amended) can be read here: http://thanet.devplan.org.uk/
It appears the ability of the Council to consider this application from a Heritage point of view has become extremely limited as a result of deleting these policies. If this is the case, this will not have been lost on the developers and other interested parties, which in my opinion makes it even more imperative to have your say. To voice your opinion, go to the UK Planning website at http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/councilSelect.do?council=Thanet+District+Council and then select Search Applications from the left hand menu. When the new screen appears enter 10/0736 as the Application Number. You will then be given the chance to comment from the Summary section.
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