Celebrations set for completion of restoration project at Herne Bay clock tower

The restoration work at Herne Bay clock tower is set to be completed in mid-February. After months of work, Canterbury City Council will be hosting a celebratory evening at the clock tower on Saturday, February 14th from 6pm, which will include a firework display and a light show.

A grant of £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, plus £100,000 from CCC, has funded the restoration project. Cracked stones have been replaced, whilst others were restored with a fresh covering for the columns, and the clock itself has been gilded with gold leaf. A CCC spokesman said there will be a small amount of cosmetic work to be completed after the event, but the main works will be finished.

The landmark's history dates back to October 2 1837, when Herne Bay’s benefactor Ann Thwaytes celebrated her birthday by handing over a clock tower to the town. There were military bands, circus acts and fireworks, and 500 children were also given a free meal as part of the event. Mrs Thwaytes used £4,000 from her inheritance from her tea merchant husband, about £175,000 in today’s terms, to pay for the structure to be built.

HB Times 14th Jan 2014

John Gilbey's blueprint for Herne Bay

The Leader of our Council has produced a blueprint for debate. As he says:

Cllr John Gilbey

As a member of the City Council for 11 years and as Portfolio Holder for Regeneration for 9 years, I have had a unique insight into many issues across the District and the County.

I don’t have all the answers to questions that are asked and would never make such a claim, but I would like to use my years of accumulated knowledge to present my ideas for the future of the Canterbury District.

This is not a plan, or a proposal, these are merely my own personal thoughts, a blueprint to encourage meaningful debate on these issues. This is a document to encourage you to write to me with your views and opinions, to stimulate positive ideas on the ways forward for all of us.

After a little chat about how in love with the Local Plan he is, and how we will all be living in "garden towns", basking in the glow of "sustainable urban design", Cllr Gilbey goes on to focus on specific areas.

Here's what he has to say about Herne Bay [with my comments] - do feel free to add your own comments below.

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Herne Bay

The council will complete the town centre upgrade [after how many years, while you were portfolio holder for regeneration?] including moving the market and preserving some of the buildings currently in a state of decay [examples?]. There is a need to re-open some disused buildings and homes [examples?], and tax second homes appropriately [why, how, and how much?].

A proposal to open up Beach Street and rejuvenate that environment will also be completed [completed? has planning been approved?] as part of the upgrading of the town and in that context the sea front itself should be the subject of renewal/upgrading with analysis and decisions to be taken in the light of local views and aspirations [NO! it should be DRIVEN by local views and aspirations] on the future purpose of such an attractive location. We should widen the appeal and facilities of Herne Bay even further to encourage both tourism and business to provide local jobs.

We will have a solid foundation for a greater marketable attraction with all these planned developments. I strongly believe we should also support the Pier head activities [I think you mean the Pier stub - your Council has long since admitted it has no intention of rebuilding to the Pier head], satisfactorily resolve the future of the Museum [after YOUR Council cut its opening hours, following YEARS of neglect] and continue protection for the Downs [your Council is the ONLY objector to the village green application - village green status is the greatest possible protection under English law]. King's Hall needs to be fully supported in its endeavours to become a self supporting venue for events while providing community facilities. The replacement of the Beach Huts at the base of the Downs should also be part of the package [NEVER!].

The Roman fort remains at Reculver need to be enhanced and protected. The general environment of the coast at Reculver needs firm and direct action to provide an environment worthy of the history, nature, culture and attraction of this unique area [yes, it could be a great place for a caravan site...]. Overall Herne Bay should strive to be a modern vibrant town that provides attractions and facilities for residents and tourists, both taking advantage of the seaside location. The Bends should always be protected as a valuable green gap and open space.

This council has, over the last 9 years made huge progress in Herne Bay and this is often forgotten about. We have renovated the clock tower (with the recent announcement there is much more renovation to come) [so how good was your first renovation?] and sea front flood defences [er, no - this was Environment Agency funded], we have enhanced the whole concept and environment of Memorial Park, designated large Queen Elizabeth II Fields which permanently protects green open spaces from development [it affords no such protection - QEII land can be developed on, if a matching area nearby is provided as a replacement - in contrast, a village green can NOT be developed, which is why the Council is objecting], upgraded the Leisure Centre facilities and cleared the pier head [knocked down a building which had become unsafe through Council neglect, and put down a poor tarmac surface]. We have built a sports centre at Herne Bay High School incorporating a roller hockey rink while also encouraging and supporting local involvement throughout. We have prepared an Area Action Plan for the Town Centre and work is now underway. With residents there is much to be done still to preserve and enhance the ambiance and economic well being of the Town but we are well on our way.

Lottery money for our Clocktower

Exciting proposals to bring new life to Herne Bay’s historic seafront clocktower have received initial financial backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The city council submitted a phase one funding bid to the HLF in autumn 2012 and has just been awarded a development grant of £16,100. This allows further detailed planning work to take place ahead of a phase two bid for the full grant of £232,200 in November. The council is also contributing £100,000 to the project.

The proposals would see major refurbishment of the clocktower together with educational activities. Modern LED lighting would be installed, along with four webcams on the top of the clocktower and one inside showing the workings, with the pictures relayed live to a website. Displays relating to the history of the clocktower would also be created in a shop on the seafront as a visitor attraction and resource for schools.

Other activities include publishing an updated version of a book about the clocktower by local historian Mike Bundock and the development of culture and heritage walks around the town in partnership with Herne Bay Improvement Trust.

Over the next few months, firm plans for the project will be put together, which will involve extensive public participation. Demonstrating community support is key to securing phase two funding from the HLF.

The council’s Herne Bay Regeneration Manager, Patrick Rynne, said:

“The clocktower is a magnificent building and a focal point on the seafront, but its condition has deteriorated over the last few years. This project gives us the chance to restore it to its former glory and create a wonderful attraction for residents and visitors. We hope local people will want to join us on this journey and look forward to working with the community as we put the next part of the bid together. And we are naturally grateful for the support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is allowing us to develop this exciting project.”

A first-round pass means a project meets HLF criteria for funding and HLF believes the project has potential to deliver high quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The council’s application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the HLF sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy.

From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environments and cultural traditions, the HLF invests in every part of the country’s diverse heritage. The HLF has supported more than £30,000 projects, allocating £4.7 billion across the UK. For more information, visit www.hlf.org.uk .

CCC 23rd Apr 2013

Herne Bay sea front development

A TV bad guy is shrugging off his image to develop a positive project to regenerate Herne Bay. Actor Bill Murray, who played Johnny Allen in EastEnders, is poised to submit plans to provide a link from the town centre to the seafront, opening up views of the historic clocktower.

The star owns properties along Central Parade and plans to demolish one, number 73 – a boarded up arcade – and build shops, flats and townhouses behind it. He told the Times:

"The development is to expose the clocktower and create something to really improve that whole area. It means demolishing the property in front of it and losing some of the public car park but the result will be a new shopping area that people can enjoy."

Mr Murray's company, Beach Street Associates, is working with Clague architects on the scheme, for Beach Street, and the proposals have been discussed with Canterbury City Council officials.

A formal planning application is due to be submitted shortly and a land swap deal is close to being agreed, where Canterbury City Council would gift part of their land, used as a car park, for the scheme. Funding would come from Mr Murray and his company. Architect Geoff Mitchell said:

"It would open a pedestrian link between Beach Street and the clocktower, which is a really strategic movement for the town. The glimpse of the clocktower will draw people along through and hopefully create a space people can enjoy. It will revitalise the bottom end of Mortimer Street and Central Parade."

Under the proposals, Beach Alley would not be affected but buildings bordering it would be redeveloped. Mr Mitchell added:

"It could be an arts quarter for Herne Bay, with a real cafe culture feel, and we have already spoken to the Arts Council about their involvement. The idea is that people will be happy to sit there and meet there, with very few cars and lots of space for pedestrians to enjoy."

He said the team was hopeful the development would give plans for the rest of the town centre a boost. These plans stalled after Morrisons pulled out of building a new store, and no other investors were found. Mr Mitchell said:

"This will create the momentum for regeneration of the rest of the town. It will give people confidence. It just has to start and people will see we are investing in Herne Bay and they will follow."

thisiskent 16th Mar 2013

Survey for Herne Bay clock tower

Work has started on a hi-tech structural survey of Herne Bay’s landmark clock tower. Three-dimensional laser scanning is being used on the clock tower, and engineers will also be making a hands-on inspection of every stone, fitting and fixture. Part of the survey will include the use of ‘rectified photography’, enabling an accurate scaled image of the clock tower to be made.

Following the detailed inspection, a report will be submitted to the city council, containing recommendations and cost estimates for future repairs and stonework replacement. Standing at nearly 25 metres tall, the clock tower was built in 1837 as a gift to Herne Bay from town benefactor, Anne Thwaites. The clock tower is made of Portland stone over a brick core and built in the style of a Greek temple.

The council’s senior surveyor, Colin Pengelly, said:

“Since it was built, the clock tower has been exposed to the rigours of the marine environment. Some areas have been eroded by the constant wind and salt-laden atmosphere and require remedial attention. We also need to look at some earlier, inappropriate repairs that need attention. The clock tower is not suspected of being in any immediate danger, but given its iconic importance to the town it is essential that the council knows what resources will be required to ensure its ongoing survival.”

Stonewest of Croydon has been appointed to carry out the £10,000 survey.  The company has previously carried out work on St Paul’s Cathedral and St Pancras railway station.