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.

Dover Stage Coachotel

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Lorraine

The Dover Stage Coachotel, near the seafront, was demolished in November 1988 to create a car park on Camden Crescent. It had been built on the site of an equally as distinctive building, the Round House. Dover’s first Council surveyor was builder … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Businesses, Camden Crescent, Dover Stage ‘Coachotel’, Dover Stage Coachotel, Dover Stage Coachotel, Dover Stage Coachotel, Wanton Destruction | Comments Off on Dover Stage Coachotel

Smith’s Folly

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Lorraine

From Tudor times Dover’s harbour, which was at the west end of the bay, had suffered from being blocked by shingle caused by the Eastward drift. In order to combat this, in 1753, the Harbour Commissioners built a wooden pier … Continue reading →

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Dieppe Raid – the Aftermath

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Lorraine

Following the publication of my article on the 60th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, in the Dover Mercury of August 2012 a number of readers contacted me. One was Ron Akines, who said that he had a number of photographs … Continue reading →

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Dieppe Raid

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Lorraine

In St. Mary’s Church, Dover is a case, donated by Mrs S Banks in memory of her husband Stan Banks, who was awarded the BEM for bravery during the Dieppe Raid. Nearby is a plaque dedicated to MY Robrina, a … Continue reading →

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Granada / ABC Cinema Castle Street

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Lorraine

August 2014 and the once grand and prototype Granada Cinema in Castle Street was demolished.  Interestingly, a similar art deco building in Tooting has the grade I listing while one in Walthamstow has grade II and both have been returned to their former glory. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Granada Cinema Castle Street - Wetherspoon's neglect, Granada/ABC Building Castle Street, Roads & Streets, Wanton Destruction | Comments Off on Granada / ABC Cinema Castle Street