The Front Page. - Copy 139 ( Good News:Bad News:Western Heights)
18 November 2010
Latest on the Western Heights Preservation Society :
Well...there's good news and there's bad news. First the bad news...
The Western Heights Preservation Society (WHPS) is disappointed to report that we have suffered at the hands of vandals at the Drop Redoubt which is overshadowing the most successful year for the Society. Over two weekend this year we have allowed over 3,000 people to safely explore the Fortification as well as guided walks and specially arranged group tours.
Over the past month we have suffered two graffiti attacks and several attempts to break into the Redoubt. On one occasion 150 year old brickwork was smashed try to get in through a door and more brickwork was damaged recently too, caused by people trying to scale the walls. This will result in bills of many hundreds of pounds of repairs for English Heritage, who own the site, and hours spent by the volunteers to make the site safe. WHPS carry out volunteer work parties at 10:30am on the 3rd Sunday of each month in and around the Redoubt, and in exchange for some assistance you get a chance to see the monument. Larger groups can be taken around by prior arrangement at the availability of volunteers.
..the above is a press release from WHPS as is the one below. Many thanks to them....read on dear friends read on..
And now the good news...The Western Heights Preservation Society (WHPS) is pleased to announce the success of their Autumn Open Weekend on 23rd and 24th October 2010 when over 900 paying visitors took the rare opportunity to explore the tunnels and casemates, and enjoy the views from the Drop Redoubt on Dover's Western Heights. People also enjoyed the free opening of the Grand Shaft triple-spiral staircase and Napoleonic living history re-enactments displays from the First Footguards and the 79th Cameron Highlanders
For the event WHPS were joined by 10th Sittingbourne Scout Group, who assisted with the marshalling both the parking and Drop Redoubt and their help was greatly appreciated by the Society (image attached). WHPS would also like to thank English Heritage for allowing access to the Drop Redoubt and Dover District Council for the use of the Grand Shaft and Barracks site
Monies raised from the event will be spent on future projects and events on the Western Heights, including tools for work parties that take place at the Drop Redoubt on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Additional Notes: One of the most important and impressive fortifications in Britain and Europe, the Western Heights are a series of strong-points linked by miles of ditches on the western hilltop above Dover. They were originally begun during the American War of Independence, were strengthened during the Napoleonic Wars and updated and strengthened again in the mid-nineteenth century. The Western Heights are now also designated as a local nature reserve, providing a haven for some of Britain's rarest and most protected plants, butterflies, birds and reptiles.
WHPS have this year celebrated their 10th anniversary celebrations and strive to promote, educate and open up the Heights to the public. They are grateful to English Heritage, Dover District Council and Dover Town Council for their support.
Further details can be found on the Society's website
www.doverwesternheights.org
Latest on the Western Heights Preservation Society :
Well...there's good news and there's bad news. First the bad news...
The Western Heights Preservation Society (WHPS) is disappointed to report that we have suffered at the hands of vandals at the Drop Redoubt which is overshadowing the most successful year for the Society. Over two weekend this year we have allowed over 3,000 people to safely explore the Fortification as well as guided walks and specially arranged group tours.Over the past month we have suffered two graffiti attacks and several attempts to break into the Redoubt. On one occasion 150 year old brickwork was smashed try to get in through a door and more brickwork was damaged recently too, caused by people trying to scale the walls. This will result in bills of many hundreds of pounds of repairs for English Heritage, who own the site, and hours spent by the volunteers to make the site safe. WHPS carry out volunteer work parties at 10:30am on the 3rd Sunday of each month in and around the Redoubt, and in exchange for some assistance you get a chance to see the monument. Larger groups can be taken around by prior arrangement at the availability of volunteers.
..the above is a press release from WHPS as is the one below. Many thanks to them....read on dear friends read on..
For the event WHPS were joined by 10th Sittingbourne Scout Group, who assisted with the marshalling both the parking and Drop Redoubt and their help was greatly appreciated by the Society (image attached). WHPS would also like to thank English Heritage for allowing access to the Drop Redoubt and Dover District Council for the use of the Grand Shaft and Barracks site
Monies raised from the event will be spent on future projects and events on the Western Heights, including tools for work parties that take place at the Drop Redoubt on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Additional Notes: One of the most important and impressive fortifications in Britain and Europe, the Western Heights are a series of strong-points linked by miles of ditches on the western hilltop above Dover. They were originally begun during the American War of Independence, were strengthened during the Napoleonic Wars and updated and strengthened again in the mid-nineteenth century. The Western Heights are now also designated as a local nature reserve, providing a haven for some of Britain's rarest and most protected plants, butterflies, birds and reptiles.
WHPS have this year celebrated their 10th anniversary celebrations and strive to promote, educate and open up the Heights to the public. They are grateful to English Heritage, Dover District Council and Dover Town Council for their support.
Further details can be found on the Society's website
www.doverwesternheights.org