11 07976 236672 Paul Coombes Decorators A Long Established Local Painting & Decorating Company. Professional Workmanship & Competitive Rates All Work Considered Please Call for Advice or Information Arthur Derrick Huthersall Foster stationed at Hawkinge with RAF. KNGF rented Athelstan's old gym from Claude Counsell, ex-head of Feltonfleet School. KNGF purchased Beachborough School's old chapel moves to Westbrook House and erected at the Playroom. KNGF installs Sgt Major Norris and family at 50 Shorncliffe Road. He becomes caretaker and PE Instructor . Humphrey Household arrived. 1940’s Jim Metcalfe (ex-MTB commander ), Richard Campbell, Michael & Sheila Blee arrived on staff. Mr Judd, local estate agent, donated part of his garden to the school. It became known as Sherwood Forest. KNGF purchased Leigh House. The 'covered way' was erected 1950’s 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s 2000’s Swimming pool donated by the parents and built by the pupils. KNGF retired and presented cheque at a party at the Grand by former Head Boy Richard Thompson. KNGF took over at Hon Sec of Radnor Club. Dover College takes over Westbrook House under Richard Rottenbury. KNGF a common sight in town in his striped blazer and straw boater. New masters – Richard Wood (2 nd Master), Brian 'Digger' Stanley, Brian Cooper. School does well in European Judo Championship, National Ski Championship (Aviemore), Shepway Schools Swimming Gala. School choir sings in Rome for Pope John-Paul II Link block between Old Fosters and Lawford is built. Heads change rapidly – Stephen Abbott, Roger Lewis and Lesley Watson. 100 th Anniversary of Dover College. Dover College breaks away from Westbrook House. Westbrook House merges with St Mary's College (formerly St Mary's Convent) to become St Mary's Westbrook. John Ryan, author of Captain Pugwash books visits and donated illustrations to school. Richard Rottenbury dies ~ Humphrey Household dies. Roger De Haan elected Chairman of School Governors. St Mary's Westbrook becomes member of COBISEC Swimming pool filled in. St Mary's Westbrook ceases to exist and Westbrook House is born again Any information or facts about this era greatly appreciated. Westbrook House ~ It’s Past & Present. Last month I received a call from Mr David Lyne-Gordon. An ex pupil of Westbrook House School. He explained he was preparing to write a book about the school and continued to tell me of the research and information he has managed to collect so far. I found his story and plight really interesting and decided to do a running feature over the next 3 issues on the history of this school and the people attached to it. David would like anyone who has any information or knows of anyone who either worked or went to Westbrook House School to contact him by email or leave a message on the official web site. [email protected] www.oldwestbrookians.cjb.net The following is a very brief outline of the information collected about each era from the 1940’s to present day. Could you add any information to this date line? Date Line of Facts olkestone was once a thriving seaside resort with a pier and ferry terminal, many fine hotels and guest houses, a theatre, cinemas, golf course, school and colleges, and the world famous Leas with its water-driven lifts. Since I arrived in the early 1960’s much of the town has disap- peared - the Pleasure Gardens Theatre, the Hotel Continetal Wampach, the Odeon Cinema, Bobby’s Brampton Down School and now the heart of the town is being redeveloped. The leas is still with us and there is still one lift, the golf course is a housing estate, many of the schools have be turned back into flats, the pier is merely a couple of rusty stains on the forshore and the harbour is sadly derelict. Buildings are not merely the sum of their parts; they are like time capsules that capture the essence of their inhabitants and the events that have taken place in and around them. Folkestone had some beautiful buildings and still does have a few classics such as the Leas CLiff Hall and the Grand and Metropole Hotels. Thoses that have vanished have in main left nothing but a smudge in the town’s historical record. Not all our lost buildings have been 2redeveloped2, some were casualties of war ~ Athelstan and Feltonfleet schools on Shorncliffe road, the Parish Church on Sandgate Road and a certain greengro- cers shop in Tontine Street. Many buildings have remained but have changed use ~ Bobby’s, the exterior promises grandeur within, but one is disappointed. The Town Hall is now a cinema-cum-bookstore and the Methods Church on Grace Hill is now an eatery! Legacy..... Times Gone By Omnia Mutantur, Nihil Interit F