Author Archives: Lorraine

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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.

South Eastern Railway Company – the Blowing Up of Round Down Cliff

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Lorraine

In May 1834, a meeting was called in what was then Dover’s town hall, in the Market Square. Headed by the Mayor – Joseph Webb Pilcher – and supported by one of Dover’s would be members of Parliament, John Minet Fector junior, … Continue reading →

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Blockships

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Lorraine

At the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) on 4 August 1914, Dover’s harbour was taken over by the Admiralty and one of the main considerations was to prevent enemy submarines entering. It was decided to block the Eastern entrance … Continue reading →

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Dover Sharks

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Lorraine

Before the Admiralty Pier was built, Dover’s harbour was on the west side of the bay and relatively small. Further, there was a constant problem with silting that, at times, made it difficult to enter and exit. Sailing ships would … Continue reading →

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William Adcock – Builder of Excellence

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Lorraine

As one looks around Dover, there are still monuments to the work of William Adcock, Mayor 1885 and 1890. These include many of the nineteenth century villas’s that line Maison Dieu Road, Park Avenue, Godwyn Road, Leyburne Road, Castle Avenue, … Continue reading →

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Witch Trials

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Lorraine

Theodore (602-690), Archbishop of Canterbury, published the first ecclesiastical laws condemning witchcraft in England, in the seventh century. It would seem from this that the fear of witchcraft had been around for a long time before and it continued, reaching … Continue reading →

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