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Ramsgate Harbour.
After the waxwing Steve and I went and played with the Iceland gull. It came pretty close at times!
Sailors' Chapel, West Undercliffe, Ramsgate, Kent, 5 September 2020. Built in 1878 by the Canon Eustace Brennan.
In 1863, Ramsgate Harbour station opened, and over time was a heavily used station. Only problem was that the town was served by two rival companies, and the London, Chatham and Dover Railway had their main station here. Access to the station was via a tunnel nearly a mile long and a downward gradient of 1:75, in addition to the steepness of the line and danger of runaway trains, space at the bottom was very limited, with only space for a small turntable, so only small tank locomotives could be used.
Under rationalisation on Thanet in 1926, this and the Margate Beach branch was closed, and the main line linking the two networks completed, Ramsgate Town station being moved to facilitate this.
An electric narrow gauge railway was constructed before the war, and run until 1965 when another accident resulted in closure.
Since 1965, the tunnel had been sealed, but urban explorers did break in and left graffiti everywhere.
Prior to the Second World War, a series of tunnels were constructed for use as air raid shelters, and it is these which the tours now operating are taken along.
The main railway tunnel still has soot on the roof over where the up line would have been, and in places you can see where the sleepers for the narrow gauge railway was lifted.
The shelter tunnels run for over a mile, and had many different entrances, though all are now blocked up, and some of the tunnels have collapsed.
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The Herne Bay & Faversham Railway company was founded in 1857. In 1859 it became the Margate & London Railway, and two years later took the name Kent Coast Railway, by which it was known for the rest of its independent existence. It built a line from Faversham to Whitstable Town in 1860, extended it to Herne Bay & Hampton-on-Sea in 1861 and opened the section from there to a station called Ramsgate on 5 October 1863.[2] This was much closer to the seafront at Ramsgate than its predecessor, Ramsgate Town, which was opened by the South Eastern Railway in 1846.[3]
In 1871, the Kent Coast Railway was bought by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway.[2] In June of that year, Ramsgate station took the name Ramsgate & St Lawrence-on-Sea, which it bore until 1 July 1899. For the rest of its existence it was known as Ramsgate Harbour.[4] The station was very popular and well-used, but was on a cramped site which was reached through a tunnel down a long 1-in-75 gradient. A train went out of control down this slope on 31 August 1891. One person was killed.[3][5] Plans were made to simplify the poorly connected railway network in the Thanet area; these were quickly adopted by the Southern Railway company, which took over the London, Chatham and Dover Railway's operations on 1 January 1923 as a result of the Grouping Act.[3] It built a new line, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long, to connect the former Kent Coast Railway route from Faversham and the former South Eastern Railway route from Ashford,[2] which bypassed both Ramsgate Harbour and Ramsgate Town stations. Two new stations, Dumpton Park and Ramsgate, were built on this line to serve the town.[3] The line and the new stations opened on 2 July 1926, and the section of line between the new junction and Ramsgate Harbour station, and the station itself, closed on the same date.[2] The station site was bought by a company which converted it into a funfair. The station building was damaged by fire in 1998 and subsequently demolished. Part of the former route through the tunnel was opened as a narrow gauge tourist railway in 1936 which became the Tunnel Railway[3]. Services were suspended during World War 2. It reopened but it closed in 1965 following an accident at the beach station and the owners decided to close the railway. The railway was then dismantled. In 1939 part of the abandoned railway tunnel became an air raid shelter.[6] A network of tunnels was constructed leading from the disused railway tunnel leading under the town with various access steps to the surface. After the war finished these tunnels were abandoned. Following the award of a Heritage Lottery Grant sections of the abandoned railway tunnel and wartime air raid tunnels have been restored and were officially reopened on 27 May 2014.
Ramsgate Harbour railway station is a former railway station in Ramsgate, in the Thanet district of Kent, England. Opened in 1863 as part of the Kent Coast Railway company's extension of its line from Herne Bay, it was conveniently situated for the seaside resort's beach, but it closed in 1926 after a reorganisation of railway lines in the Thanet area.
The Herne Bay & Faversham Railway company was founded in 1857. In 1859 it became the Margate & London Railway, and two years later took the name Kent Coast Railway, by which it was known for the rest of its independent existence. It built a line from Faversham to Whitstable Town in 1860, extended it to Herne Bay & Hampton-on-Sea in 1861 and opened the section from there to a station called Ramsgate on 5 October 1863.[1] This was much closer to the seafront at Ramsgate than its predecessor, Ramsgate Town, which was opened by the South Eastern Railway in 1846.[2]
In 1871, the Kent Coast Railway was bought by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway.[1] In June of that year, Ramsgate station took the name Ramsgate & St Lawrence-on-Sea, which it bore until 1 July 1899. For the rest of its existence it was known as Ramsgate Harbour.[3] The station was very popular and well-used, but was on a cramped site which was reached through a tunnel down a long 1-in-75 gradient. A train went out of control down this slope in 1891.[2] Plans were made to simplify the poorly connected railway network in the Thanet area; these were quickly adopted by the Southern Railway company, which took over the London, Chatham and Dover Railway's operations on 1 January 1923 as a result of the Grouping Act.[2] It built a new line, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long, to connect the former Kent Coast Railway route from Faversham and the former South Eastern Railway route from Ashford,[1] which bypassed both Ramsgate Harbour and Ramsgate Town stations. Two new stations, Dumpton Park and Ramsgate, were built on this line to serve the town.[2] The line and the new stations opened on 2 July 1926, and the section of line between the new junction and Ramsgate Harbour station, and the station itself, closed on the same date.[1] The station site was bought by a company which converted it into a funfair. The station building was damaged by fire in around 2005. The tunnel through which part of the former route ran became the Tunnel Railway, an independent tourist railway line,[2] until it closed in the late 1950s and was dismantled.
Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate, 5 September 2020. Built in 1903-4 as a theatre/concert hall/assembly rooms/cafe. It was designed by Stanley Davenport Adshead in the style of a Robert Adam French Classical Revival Orangery with the interior based on the Queen's Theatre in Versailles (yes, really). Adshead drew up the plans in a week and won Ramsgate Corporations competition to build it, his first major architectural work. A good example of Edwardian seaside architecture. It became a casino in 1970 which closed in 2008 and it fell into a very dilapidated state. However, in 2017-18 it was restored by Wetherspoons and became the largest 'spoons pub in the world! Although it has to be said that Wetherspoons only have pubs in the UK and Ireland. Nonetheless, it also has to be said that Wetherspoons has done a truly excellent job of restoration and having a 'full English' breakfast on the veranda on a sunny English Summer's morning was a delight. Pictured is the interior with the Imperial Staircase leading to the galleries.
Hoverlloyd commenced operations from Ramsgate Harbour to Calais Harbour on 6 April 1966 using small, passenger only SR.N6 hovercraft.
When the much larger SR.N4 craft, capable of carrying 30 vehicles and 254 passengers, were delivered in 1969, Hoverlloyd moved operations to a purpose built ‘hoverport’ in Pegwell Bay, near Ramsgate.
A similar facility was provided north of Calais harbour and was shared with Seaspeed (who operated into Dover on the UK side of the English Channel). Crossing ('flight') times were typically 40 minutes between Ramsgate and Calais, which compared favourably with crossing times of 90 to 100 minutes for the traditional ferries on similar routes.
It remains the case that the hovercraft were the fastest crossing of the channel and have never been bettered. Hovercraft operations were prone to disruption and cancellation during bad weather, although this was eased over time by various modifications to the craft, a typical problem being damage to the rubber 'skirt'. Also, the hovercraft had an unmatched turnround time, with the ability to disembark/embark cars at both ends of the craft, whilst simultaneously dealing with foot passengers from two main exits on the port and starboard cabins.
Hoverlloyd operated a successful express coach/hovercraft/coach service from London to a number of near European cities with fares which were considerably cheaper than the air fares available at the time.
The most frequent service was London - Paris with London - Brussels with fewer departures. In 1978 these were the only two destinations. In 1979 Amsterdam was added.
On the UK side the coaches were operated with Hoverlloyd liveried coaches provided by Evan Evans Ltd - at that time a subsidiary of Wallace Arnold Tours of Leeds. Coaches did not cross the channel - though the Hovercraft could take standard height coaches with luggage space at the rear. Film footage of operations is included in the 1974 spy film "The Black Windmill" with Michael Caine. Film footage also appeared in the 1980 film "Hopscotch" with Walter Matthau.
By 1980, it was obvious that cross Channel hovercraft operation could only continue economically if the two operating companies merged, with consequent rationalisation. Therefore, Hoverlloyd and Seaspeed merged in 1981, to create Hoverspeed.
The former Hoverlloyd services from Ramsgate were subsequently withdrawn after the 1982 season and the four ex-Hoverlloyd craft were thereafter based at Dover until their withdrawal from service between 1983 and 1993.
All four ex-Hoverlloyd craft were eventually broken up and none remains extant
The hoverport at Pegwell Bay was used as an engineering and administrative base by Hoverspeed for a few years after passenger services ceased but the site was eventually closed and all buildings completely demolished. Nonetheless, the hovercraft pad, car marshalling area and approach road are all still clearly identifiable.
Hoverspeed continued cross Channel hovercraft operation until October 2000, when the last two craft were retired and the era of ‘hovering across the Channel’ came to an end.
Ferry operator Sally Line UK, sailing between Ramsgate and Ostend. A fading memory on a Ramsgate building site hoarding.
This is a recent photograph taken from the same vantage point as the previous photo showing Royal Harbour in the background.
The good news was that the weather was due to be better on Sunday, so for the morning I planned a trip to Ramsgate to snap a blue plaque where Vincent van Gogh once taught and lived.
We got up very late due to the heavy meal and booze from Saturday night, had coffee, croissants and more coffee before driving to Thanet.
I worked in Ramsgate pretty much every weekday from 2010 to 2014, and so I got used to walking round the harbour. But it has been several years since we were last here, maybe five or six years, so about time for a return.
And the reason for going was to check out where Vincent van Gogh worked in the town for a few weeks as a teacher in a boy's school, but for a combination reason, he only lasted a month.
But he did draw the view from his bedroom window, which is recognisable today as the view past the Churchill pub overlooking the harbour.
Once we found where the school was, and also found where he lodged too, both had a blue plaque. Then we went for a walk round the harbour, to take in the air and for me to take nearly 400 shots in the glorious winter light.
Upper Ramsgate, the part that overlooks the harbour and the streets behind, at Georgian glorious. I mean row up on row, street after street of wonderful stylish houses, and once you have no trouble imagining Vincent living in.
My wife is a Lady of Kent, and she thought she knew Kent, and had rather a low opinion of Ramsgate, and she was blown away by how wonderful the area still is. Some streets open into fine green squares, others have tennis courts. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in that kind of place?
The only downside I can see is the piss poor parking on the streets, and moor signage meant I did, at one point, drove the wrong way down a one way street. Nothing was coming the other way, and I don't think anyone saw me.
But easy to do.
On the wide sloping road that leads to the harbour, another famous man once lived, Charles Darwin, or at least another fine Georgian house has a blue plaque dedicated to him.
We walked down the stops leading to the harbour, past the Sailor's church, then along the road along which freight for the port used to travel along. Not any more, the port has closed, just as the link road was completed from Thanet Way.
I meet a group of technicians from the windfarm, they are no longer employed by Vestas, but two remember me and we swap news and how our lives have gone. They had been to a café for a "fat boy's breakfast" before sailing out to the windfarm. Nice day for it.
We walk round the harbour, past the row of restaurants and bars so I could snap the Edward VIII post box, very rare, and then an amble back, via the fish quay, then back along the harbour and up the steps beside the harbour road.
There's worse places to live.
On the way back to the car, we stopped at a café under the Yacht Club for a coffee and to look at the view. It was warm enough, just, to sit outside.
Back to the car for a quick drive home, by which time it was lunchtime.
An ex Manchester Airport ,EX Southdown L/N at Ramsgate working for Eastonways on a Sally line contract.30th August 1996.
Granville Theatre, Ramsgate. Constructed in a sunken garden in 1947 as a live theatre, films were added to the mix later. In 1988 it was split into two auditoria the rear stalls becoming a permanent cinema, while the front stalls and original stage became a dual purpose cinema and theatre with a new small balcony added. The there is a low fly-tower.
Ramsgate Kent, Granville Theatre, Victoria Parade
January 2016
School swimming carnival. Obviously the teachers were really interested in the events.
Left to right: Miss Wilson, Miss Fairlington, Miss Merrit, Miss Rees.
Hoverlloyd commenced operations from Ramsgate Harbour to Calais Harbour on 6 April 1966 using small, passenger only SR.N6 hovercraft.
When the much larger SR.N4 craft, capable of carrying 30 vehicles and 254 passengers, were delivered in 1969, Hoverlloyd moved operations to a purpose built ‘hoverport’ in Pegwell Bay, near Ramsgate.
A similar facility was provided north of Calais harbour and was shared with Seaspeed (who operated into Dover on the UK side of the English Channel). Crossing ('flight') times were typically 40 minutes between Ramsgate and Calais, which compared favourably with crossing times of 90 to 100 minutes for the traditional ferries on similar routes.
It remains the case that the hovercraft were the fastest crossing of the channel and have never been bettered. Hovercraft operations were prone to disruption and cancellation during bad weather, although this was eased over time by various modifications to the craft, a typical problem being damage to the rubber 'skirt'. Also, the hovercraft had an unmatched turnround time, with the ability to disembark/embark cars at both ends of the craft, whilst simultaneously dealing with foot passengers from two main exits on the port and starboard cabins.
Hoverlloyd operated a successful express coach/hovercraft/coach service from London to a number of near European cities with fares which were considerably cheaper than the air fares available at the time.
The most frequent service was London - Paris with London - Brussels with fewer departures. In 1978 these were the only two destinations. In 1979 Amsterdam was added.
On the UK side the coaches were operated with Hoverlloyd liveried coaches provided by Evan Evans Ltd - at that time a subsidiary of Wallace Arnold Tours of Leeds. Coaches did not cross the channel - though the Hovercraft could take standard height coaches with luggage space at the rear. Film footage of operations is included in the 1974 spy film "The Black Windmill" with Michael Caine. Film footage also appeared in the 1980 film "Hopscotch" with Walter Matthau.
By 1980, it was obvious that cross Channel hovercraft operation could only continue economically if the two operating companies merged, with consequent rationalisation. Therefore, Hoverlloyd and Seaspeed merged in 1981, to create Hoverspeed.
The former Hoverlloyd services from Ramsgate were subsequently withdrawn after the 1982 season and the four ex-Hoverlloyd craft were thereafter based at Dover until their withdrawal from service between 1983 and 1993.
All four ex-Hoverlloyd craft were eventually broken up and none remains extant
The hoverport at Pegwell Bay was used as an engineering and administrative base by Hoverspeed for a few years after passenger services ceased but the site was eventually closed and all buildings completely demolished. Nonetheless, the hovercraft pad, car marshalling area and approach road are all still clearly identifiable.
Hoverspeed continued cross Channel hovercraft operation until October 2000, when the last two craft were retired and the era of ‘hovering across the Channel’ came to an end.
The good news was that the weather was due to be better on Sunday, so for the morning I planned a trip to Ramsgate to snap a blue plaque where Vincent van Gogh once taught and lived.
We got up very late due to the heavy meal and booze from Saturday night, had coffee, croissants and more coffee before driving to Thanet.
I worked in Ramsgate pretty much every weekday from 2010 to 2014, and so I got used to walking round the harbour. But it has been several years since we were last here, maybe five or six years, so about time for a return.
And the reason for going was to check out where Vincent van Gogh worked in the town for a few weeks as a teacher in a boy's school, but for a combination reason, he only lasted a month.
But he did draw the view from his bedroom window, which is recognisable today as the view past the Churchill pub overlooking the harbour.
Once we found where the school was, and also found where he lodged too, both had a blue plaque. Then we went for a walk round the harbour, to take in the air and for me to take nearly 400 shots in the glorious winter light.
Upper Ramsgate, the part that overlooks the harbour and the streets behind, at Georgian glorious. I mean row up on row, street after street of wonderful stylish houses, and once you have no trouble imagining Vincent living in.
My wife is a Lady of Kent, and she thought she knew Kent, and had rather a low opinion of Ramsgate, and she was blown away by how wonderful the area still is. Some streets open into fine green squares, others have tennis courts. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in that kind of place?
The only downside I can see is the piss poor parking on the streets, and moor signage meant I did, at one point, drove the wrong way down a one way street. Nothing was coming the other way, and I don't think anyone saw me.
But easy to do.
On the wide sloping road that leads to the harbour, another famous man once lived, Charles Darwin, or at least another fine Georgian house has a blue plaque dedicated to him.
We walked down the stops leading to the harbour, past the Sailor's church, then along the road along which freight for the port used to travel along. Not any more, the port has closed, just as the link road was completed from Thanet Way.
I meet a group of technicians from the windfarm, they are no longer employed by Vestas, but two remember me and we swap news and how our lives have gone. They had been to a café for a "fat boy's breakfast" before sailing out to the windfarm. Nice day for it.
We walk round the harbour, past the row of restaurants and bars so I could snap the Edward VIII post box, very rare, and then an amble back, via the fish quay, then back along the harbour and up the steps beside the harbour road.
There's worse places to live.
On the way back to the car, we stopped at a café under the Yacht Club for a coffee and to look at the view. It was warm enough, just, to sit outside.
Back to the car for a quick drive home, by which time it was lunchtime.