Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
Was in Dover at the weekend revisiting childhood haunts from the early 1960s. Pleased to see the Gateway flasts and Mr Rolls still there, though he's crossed the road to the gardens where everything looked a little sad. But WHAT no fountain(s) or little bridge to pose on. Also disappointed there was no Top Hat, so had to be content with a visit to Morelli's in Broadstairs which was excellent. Without its suits of armour, the castle felt distinctly tame . . . And it's clear poor Dover's suffered greatly at the hands of traffic and town planners down the years But the bones were still there to be savoured and there were gems to be found; Whinless Down above the Elms Vale Recreation Ground and Samphire Hoe to name but two.
Brian Dixon, Chris and Reginald Barrington like this
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,000
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
Hmmm . . .
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
Why did the water features disappear? Were 'Health and Safety' or 'Lack of funds' to blame. Why did they leave the pool's concrete rim and what is the purpose of the wooden fence in my recent photo? Is there hope the gardens might be returned to something approaching their former glory in time for a Maid of Kent's auspicious birthday next June?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sir not a good time of the year weather is bad but in the summer time the front and the gardens.Not so good as they were in the 1960s but they are still nice.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
It is a shame the colourful fountains disappeared
A good tourist attraction
Prince Charles was asked before they took them away if he would support there retention but sadly he declined
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
Sorry Mr Matcham, but I don't see this hotch-potch looking good at any time of year. Mr Sansum, do you know which year they were removed, and why? Thank-you both for your replies.
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,024
Not sure about the fountains, but the bridge went in October 2018. See
https://www.dover.uk.com/forums/dover-forum/waterloo-crescent-conservation-area from post #16 on.
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
As recently as that. Gutted! I've just read the posts about the Conservation Area and Granville Gardens, thank-you for pointing me in the right direction. I wasn't the only child (or adult) to enjoy the bridge then. There's clearly a lot of feeling around about the treatment of this once-popular part of the seafront.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Iwas born in DOVER1942 apart from working and my army years lived here all my life, Dover is not so good as it was but over the pass four years it is looking a lot better and looking better then the towns a round it.
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,757
The bridge was also popular for wedding photos as i think the registry office was close by.We have some pics of some relatives having their wedding snaps taken there back in the 1970s as i,m sure many others will have as well.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,757
This short film i found shows the fountain and bridge and old Dover stage hotel that was on the site of what is now the car park.
Bob Whysman, The Gov and Jan Higgins like this
Guest 3925- Registered: 28 Nov 2020
- Posts: 541
It wasn't that long ago, and the fountain wasn't there but that bridge and the fountain foundation was where my two children learned to ride their bikes!
Andy B likes this
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
I absolutely love the film clip Andy B, it took me right back there . . . clutching grandad with one hand and an ice cream in the other, pleading to be allowed to stand on the little bridge. Best of all, there's my fountain (see how attached to it I was!) Thank-you for taking the time to research this topic. It's fabulous that this little area has given so many people pleasure down the years, particularly young children, and a shame that today it lacks a focal point. The mosaic, with its promise of exotic destinations like Calais, Ostende and Boulogne, is also looking sad.
The Gov- Registered: 24 May 2020
- Posts: 151
Had some good nights in the Dover Stage
Them motors in the flim
Wish we had them now.
Bob Whysman likes this
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
Yes many of us loved the little fountain as children
But I also recall the coloured lights fountain further down the seafront
How times change lol
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,934
Yes the Dover Stage was a popular place to visit for many of us from Folkestone in the late 50's.
Had some memorable 'meetings' there too!
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,496
Sixties wrote:I absolutely love the film clip Andy B, it took me right back there . . . clutching grandad with one hand and an ice cream in the other, pleading to be allowed to stand on the little bridge. Best of all, there's my fountain (see how attached to it I was!) Thank-you for taking the time to research this topic. It's fabulous that this little area has given so many people pleasure down the years, particularly young children, and a shame that today it lacks a focal point. The mosaic, with its promise of exotic destinations like Calais, Ostende and Boulogne, is also looking sad.
Hadn't noticed the mosaic was in such bad condition. Whose responsibility is it?
Guest 3857- Registered: 27 Oct 2020
- Posts: 30
Our formative years shape us for life, goodness knows what memories today's children will have to treasure. Reminiscing about happier times has been a welcome relief from the current situation; we planned our recent visit in the nick of time, ahead of the battle Dover is now facing on two fronts, Coronavirus and Brexit.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,757
I also had fond memories of that area,i was born in the 60s and we used to come to Dover for a holiday break as we also had relatives here before we moved here in the 70s,i can remember staying at the Dover stage and also going to the Crypt for steaks where our family would meet up.The gardens looked so much tidier back then in this film.I think this might have been some sort of promotional film made for the hotel.Good days back then n no worrys of Covid or Brexit.
Brian Dixon, Chris and Reginald Barrington like this
