BIG BANGS AND WORLD WAR 1 FIRE COMMAND POST AT DOVER CASTLE
One hundred years after guns on the White Cliffs first successfully repelled a German Zeppelin raid, Dover Castle once again resounds to artillery fire. English Heritage has restored a rare anti-aircraft gun used in the First World War and now you can visit and enjoy the unique opportunity of seeing it in action.
The 3-inch gun was the first purpose-designed gun developed to combat the new threat of aerial warfare. This one, built in 1917-1918 is one of only six examples known to survive worldwide. After months of restoration work, it’ s been installed at Dover Castle as part of an authentically recreated first World war anti-aircraft emplacement.
Regular firing demonstrations take place at weekends during peak season on the White Cliffs outside the recently conserved and re-presented Fire Command Post and Port war Signal Station.
With a panoramic view over the Straits of Dover, these command and control centres were crucial in protecting the harbour and approaches, controlling the guns around the coast and motoring the thousands of naval and merchant ship movements in the Channel.
Artefacts will enable you to imagine what it might have been like to live and work there a century ago.
Paul Pattison, Senior Properties Historian for English Heritage says,“ Dover Castle was critically important in the defence of Britain during the First World war, standing guard above the English Channel and helping to defend the nation from the new threat of aerial warfare. This project bring to life the story of the soldiers who manned this front line, monitoring the channel and firing newly developed anti-aircraft guns.”
EXCITING TIMES FOR TUNNEL TRUST AS VISITOR CENTRE OPENS
Dudley Canal Trust’ s new multi-million pound visitor centre,‘ The Portal’, has opened to visitors.
The new centre features an interactive exhibition in the Biffa Award Gallery, a new restaurant, a large gift shop and space for school workshops, community events and wedding receptions.
“ We’ re delighted to be able to welcome visitors to our new centre,” said Nick Morris, Chief Executive at Dudley Canal Trust Trips Ltd.“ This is a very exciting time for us. We’ re particularly excited about our new licensed restaurant, Gongoozlers – it’ s the perfect space for a canal side bite to eat.”
Supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Biffa Award and Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, the new centre marks a significant improvement to facilities at the Dudley heritage attraction.
“ It’ s amazing to finally see it all come together,” said Zoe Harris, Heritage Activities Assistant,“ We have so many new and exciting things planned for the coming months”.
With its vastly improved facilities, the Portal will provide a new backdrop to the Trust’ s ever popular Halloween and Christmas events. At Halloween the tunnels will play host to special Halloween boat trips, with spooky entertainment early in the evenings and scarier trips only for the brave later on at night. At Christmas, theTrust will be running its Christmas boat trips, now in their 30th year, giving visitors the chance to meet Santa in his underground grotto, and to enjoy a pantomime in one of the caverns.
The new centre is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. The restaurant will be open 10am to 10pm. For more information, or to book for special events or Gongoozlers call 0121 557 6265 or visit www. dudleycanaltrust. org. uk.
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