Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
I was chatting to a couple of natty gents near the Market Square yesterday, well, John G and Chris P actually. One of the subjects was the state of Dover's buildings.
I floated this idea and I'll run it past the Forum to see what you think about the feasibility of it.
Given that it was a listed building and that nothing will be done about it for the foreseeable future, what about turning it into a temporary memorial garden?
OK, so I have no idea where the money will come from but surely it wouldn't cost much. It would be a fitting tribute to the men of the (then) Fire Brigade.
On a related subject perhaps David H could give us an update on the other side of the road.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
It would be a nice idea, I am sure that something could quite easily be done to make the site accessible (though I don't know about the stability of the buildings either side ?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doverpast/sets/72157594251850731/Been nice knowing you :)
Regarding The Crypt: well, anything at all, I suppose, Terry, after 30-plus years of inexcusable and outrageous inertia.
The site is a disgrace. It's of great historical value and it currently shames us all.
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Yes Paul, the scaffolding will have to remain (or be replaced) but it could be tarted up somehow.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
What a wonderful idea Terry. I recall reading about the history of the Crypt on the old forum.
Yes, a great idea.
Anything, anything, please, to replace the shameful mess that's been there for more than three decades.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
I've had an idea, commission an artist/artists to put up a 'life size' canvas or hardboard shell over the eyesore & illustrate the crypt as is was before. It might sound a bit daft, but if the powers that be will not allow any rebuild let us at least tastefully cover it up.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Just to let you know my wife and most of her family was working there on the night of the fire and were pals with the owner and still talks about that night and the poor mum and the children who died that night, some weeks after I did box at the town hall to help with the funds for the fireman that also died that night,it is anight none of us will forget, on the night of the fire I was just coming out of the Alma pub on Folkstone rd, we would come out of the pub and go there for a meal.
Vic Matcham
The name of the Family was the Clay family
What I can tell you as I have said before on this thread is that the development is awaiting the redesign that the new bridge has brought about and secondly that the Crypt site hosts a scheduled ancient monument which
I understand is a drain. that is what has caused it to be delayed in the past.
I am sure tha DDC know a lot more about it but I have seen two sets of plans for the redevelopment of all that area and am waiting a third, so believe that something is in progress.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
My parents met for the first time in The Crypt in 1966. If it wasn't for that building I wouldn't be here so I suppose I owe everything to that pile of ruins.
Maybe it wouldn't have been any great loss to society if they hadn't met, but it makes you think.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
it is looking a bit tatty around that area very notisable from the main road,just wondering wot tourists think when they see it.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
"secondly that the Crypt site hosts a scheduled ancient monument which I understand is a drain"
This will be the mediaeval cellar I should imagine...
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Actually grade 2 listed
TR 3141 DOVER BENCH STREET
(west side)
2/33A Mediaeval undercroft at number 10 Bench Street (Formerly listed as:
BENCH STREET
(west side)
Number 10)
30.6.49 II
Probable undercroft. Probably Cl3. Two linked stone chambers with external lancet window and wide chamfered pointed arch with remains of springing arch to left. INTERIOR: has similar arch at right angles dividing chambers and barrel vaulted ceiling.
The circa 1840 house above ground level (Number 10 Bench Street) was destroyed in a fire in 1977 and subsequently demolished.
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Well how long does it take the council to come up with an acceptable proposal to incorporate the ' Mediaeval Well' built by craftsman 800 years ago into a new building.For Gods sake it's only a hole in the bloody ground surrounded by a few stones.You think that we were dealing with radioactive waste or an unexploded nuclear bomb the way everyone is pussy footing aound it.I'm sure countless councils have used the fact of the'well' as an excuse for doing sod all.
Can't anyone make any decisions anymore?
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
I remember very clearly going to The Crypt - and its Shakespeare Bars (in its Berni/Rabb Inn days) - in the early 70s when I was a kid (they let nippers in with their parents, a real rarity in those days). It was lovely. A really nice atmosphere, and almost impossibly exciting and exotic for a three or four year old!
The wilful neglect of that historic, if tragic (some say cursed) site, in the intervening years is bloody outrageous.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sorry but it is not the council this time but most of the hold ups with this site has been English Heritage.
Vic M
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
I have found in my dealings with English Heritage you have to keep constantly phoning, e mailing and generally making a nuisance of yourself to get anything done!
I would be more than happy to cleanse this 'cursed' site and send any poor lingering souls on their way if necessary next time I am in Dover if access could be gained. Please note I would not do this as a psychic investigation, I am always respectful and it would be to merely to remove anything negative.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
does this mean that you are an exorcist too jeane.?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
that neck of the woods does need a revamp badly.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Not an exorcist exactly Howard, I leave that to the clergy, but I have done several (Native American Indian based) 'cleansing's' of properties and buildings where there have been sad events, loss of life or the occupants have felt uncomfortable. Sometimes spirits linger so I do a prayer ritual which hopefully sends them towards the light. People have reported a change in the atmosphere afterwards so maybe on some level it works.