The Friends of Dover Castle MAGAZINE No. 3 |
The Magazine |
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Chairman's Report More Friends join the committee The Annual General New Deputy Constable The British Brigade at Dover Castle The American War of Independence Letter from John Seitz, Commanding Officer of the Bournbonnais Regiment Ermine Street Guard Story of Gwain's Skull The Dover Castle Crossword The Officers'Mess, Dover Castle by Dr Lesley Shaw The Officers' Mess stands to the south of the Church of St. Mary-in-Castro and the Roman Pharos, facing southwards over the Port of Dover and the English Channel. On the same site, between the Roman Ovalfortifications and the edge of the cliff, civilian inhabitants of Dover in Roman and Saxon times are reported to have had their dwellings. The Officers' Mess was built in the mid nineteenth century as part of a programme of construction and renovation activity in the Castle initiated by the Commission of Defence in 1858. The need for new officers quarters must have been prompted in part by the overcrowding when the Castle played host for a short time to a large number of troops returning from the Crimean War in 1856. A magnificent stone building, it now stands empty and forlorn. In winter it is lashed by strong winds and rain, but in summer it is a lovely calm place with superb views over the Channel to France. In recent years, the west wing of the building was used by the immigration services, and is still known as the immigration block. This wing retains its original floor and room structure, although the interior is much in need of renovation. The interior of the central hall and east wing of the building was removed some years ago to convert it to a Visitors Centre, but the work was never completed. A few reminders of its former glory, such as the lovely stone fireplaces, remain amidst the bricked up stubbs of the former interior walls and the reinforced concrete floor. But English Heritage have kept the exterior of the building in good repair and water proofed, and the interior wood paneling stripped from the central hall and east wing is safely stored, ready for the day when the building will once again be put to use. The question is, to what use? The Officers' Mess is one of the newest buildings in the vast Castle complex. Much work remains to be done in renovating and opening to the public parts of the Castle that are of much greater historical interest. Ken Scott, recently appointed as Dover Castle's first general manager, has already taken a major step forward in bringing Dover Castle and its history to life for the people of Dover and the tourists. There seems to be little need to turn the Officers' Mess into a museum or to use it for catering for visitors - there is plenty of space elsewhere in the Castle. But English Heritage would undoubtedly like to see the building put to use. A number of other options for the Officers' Mess have been raised in recent years, including turning it into an hotel and conference centre, making it an exhibition centre, and converting it to office units or residential units. Other ideas are to turn it into time-share units, or to a short stay centre for archaeological students visiting the Castle for study purposes. English Heritage commissioned a report three years ago to consider the feasibility of some of these options. The building is not ideal for any of these uses, and renovation and refurbishment will probably cost somewhere between two and four million pounds, depending on the final use. But the building and its setting are magnificent, and Dover Castle is the most important tourist attraction of our area. As we make efforts to draw more visitors to the Dover area as a way of improving our prosperity, surely we can find an economically viable role for the Officers' Mess, which fits with this plan for tourism. For example, as a hotel and conference centre the Officers' Mess could fill a need for more high quality beds in the area, bringing more business to our local shops and restaurants. And many local people could enjoy its restaurants and function rooms, and the splendour of its Channel views. Dover District Council is aware of the importance of the Officers' Mess and is considering how it might be developed to fit in with their Tourism Policy for the area. Between them, I am sure that our District Council and Ken Scott will bring the imagination and resolve to ensure that, if at all feasible, the Officers' Mess becomes a living part of our community once again. The challenge is to restore it in such a way that we will all have the opportunity to enjoy the splendid facilities and atmosphere that can be created within the fine Victorian architectural shell. LESLEY SHAW The Casemate The Marcher Lords at Dover Castle The dressing of a Knight by Phil-Wyborn Brown Ancient Britons Dye A Plain Christmas Pudding for children The Grand Shaft, Dover |
Issue 3 |
