Author Archives: Lorraine

Unknown's avatar

About Lorraine

I am a local historian, whose love of Dover has lead to decades of research into some of the lesser known tales that this famous and beautiful town has to tell.

Great Bullion Robbery – Part I

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Lorraine

On 27 January 1844, the South Eastern Railway Company’s (SER) line from London, via Folkestone, to Dover was completed and the 2-2-2 steam locomotive number 36 Shakespeare, made a trial run. At 16.00hours on Tuesday 6 February, a shrill was … Continue reading →

Posted in Courts, Crime & Punishment, Great Bullion Robbery - Part I, Great Bullion Robbery - Part I, Railways | Comments Off on Great Bullion Robbery – Part I

Mary Horsley plus Transparency

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Lorraine

‘You weren’t born in Dover so you have no right to write about its history!’ I was again in trouble from this particular section of the Dover community and I knew that it was pointless to rebuke. The fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government, Mary Horsley plus Transparency, People, Transparency plus Mary Horsley | Comments Off on Mary Horsley plus Transparency

Bench Street and the Crypt Tragedy

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Lorraine

In ancient times, the thoroughfare from the seafront to Biggin Gate, near St Mary’s Church, was known as King Street. At that time, this area was the centre of commercial trade and at the sea end, in the town wall, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bench Street, Bench Street and the Crypt, Bench Street and the Crypt Tragedy, Buildings, Crypt and Bench Street, Wanton Destruction | Comments Off on Bench Street and the Crypt Tragedy

Dover’s Art and Technical Schools – Colleges

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Lorraine

It was in 1868 that Dover’s School of Science and Art opened. It was founded by Sir Henry Cole (1808-1882) in connection with South Kensington School of Art. Looked upon as a pauper’s school, it was first located in Cambridge House … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Dover’s Art and Technical Schools - Colleges, Dover’s Art and Technical Schools - Colleges, Schools and Education | Comments Off on Dover’s Art and Technical Schools – Colleges

Palmers and Jenkins & Pain

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Lorraine

In 1798, a water-pumping windmill was built at the bottom of Union Road (now Coombe Valley Road) and in 1829, Alfred Kingsford utilised the windmill for a brewery that he opened there. The brewery lasted until 1889, having been taken over … Continue reading →

Posted in Businesses, Palmers and Jenkins & Pain, Palmers and Jenkins & Pain, Vehicles | Comments Off on Palmers and Jenkins & Pain