Dear James, I am sending you an article on the armorial bearings of Robert, son of Nicholas Sprackling of St Lawrence. Young Adam was noted for his violent outbursts and scandalous behavior. On 11th December 1652, in a drunken frenzy, he stabbed his wife Catherine to death at Ellington House. As the murder was technically outside the boundaries of Ramsgate, Adam was sent for trial at Sandwich. Adam was buried in St Laurence Churchyard, being brought back to Ramsgate under torch light after he was hung in the following April. His ghost and some dogs he also murdered are supposed to haunt the grounds of the site of the old Ellington House, demolished in the late 1800's. Don't have nightmares! Suzannah ----- Original Message ----- From: "james platt" <jamesp006@optusnet.com.au> To: "LAWRENCE BRIDGER" <laurie.bridger@btinternet.com> Cc: "ISLE OF THANET ROOTSWEB" <Isle-of-Thanet-L-request@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 2:57 AM Subject: Re: [IoT] Ramsgate query > What a shock to a colonial cousin, who appears to have one Titled person in > his family tree > - Sir Adam Sprackling, no less !!, and now I read he murdered his wife !! > Had a bit of a "google" but did not find anything to substantiate this > alleged crime - > Can some-one please advise some on-line references to enable me to check out > this > amazing statement. > My Sir Adam Sprakeling ( Spracklyn ) was born 1552 / Died 07/04/1610 - some > 17 years > before his wife ( Katherine Estday ) who died 1627. He had 17 children, and > there is a brass > rubbing in his local church which names all of them , including his second > son - Adam Sprakeling > > Can someone please sort me out - are my records incorrect, and why is/was > Adam Sprackling > "infamous" > > Any assistance greatly appreciated > > > JAMES > E-MAIL : jamesp006@optusnet.com.au > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "LAWRENCE BRIDGER" <laurie.bridger@btinternet.com> > To: <Isle-of-Thanet-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 2:18 AM > Subject: Re: [IoT] Ramsgate query > > > > Hi Stan,, > > > > I've just seen your enquiry regarding Cowells Cottages > > in Ramsgate. I'm sorry that I am unable to give you > > any definite information on the cottages but I wonder > > if you are aware that in the 18th century the Cowell > > family were quite large landowners in Thanet, > > especially in Margate, but some in Ramsgate. They are > > connected to the Troward family who lived at Manston, > > through marriage. The Troward family also leased the > > Ellington Estate after the infamous Adam Sprackling > > had murdered his wife there in 1652. At the trial one > > of the witnesses was named as Joseph Cowell, tenant of > > Adam Sprackling. Perhaps it is possible that the > > workers cottages on the estate were known as Cowells > > Cottages from this association. > > > > My interest stems from my local history research into > > the village of Garlinge, Margate; the Cowell family > > held some land in Garlinge. I just thought it may be a > > possible answer to your enquiry. > > > > Laurie Bridger. > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/06 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/06

Dear Suzannah Thankyou so much for this interesting account of our deep Thanet ancestors. I have become increasingly interested in this era and beyond of our ancestry since reading "The Seven Daughters of Eve" by Prof. Bryan Sykes several years ago. He postulated in his book that everyone with European ancestry descends from one of seven women who lived in various parts of Europe between 15,000 and 45,000 years ago. For my 60th birthday (several years ago!) my son bought me, at my request, a Mitochondrial DNA test through Oxford Ancestors, and when I received the results it turned out that I came down from one of the "daughters" Prof. Sykes named Helena, who lived at the end of the last ice age about 20,000 years ago in the Pyranees. Her descendants followed the retreating ice North over the centuries and populated Britain and Scandanavia. There was an interesting discussion by Dr. Mark Humphrys, Lecturer, School of Computing, Dublin City University, at http://humphrysfamilytree.com/ca html; Dr. Humphrys claims that mathematical models and computer simulations lead to conclusions like the following: 1. Quite likely the entire world is descended from the Ancient Egyptian royal house, c. 1600 BC. 2. Quite likely almost everyone in the world descends from Confucius, c. 500 BC. 3. Quite likely everyone in the West descends from Charlemagne, c. 800 AD. 4. Quite likely everyone in the West descends from the Prophet Muhammad, c. 600 AD.” So, even if the Thanet ancestors' descendants have spread all over the world I bet most of us come down from them. Best wishes Merilyn Pedrick Aldgate, South Australia -------Original Message------- From: suzannah.foad Date: 05/06/06 00:40:37 To: Isle-of-Thanet-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [IoT] Isle of early civilizations and hostile invaders - Just for Interest Definitive traces of human activity on the island of Thanet stretch back as far as 8000 BC. By around 5000BC the area was quite well populated with early farmers and Thanet became a major Stone Age settlement. Early Britons known to have been in Thanet were a mix of Neolithic farmers from the Mediterranean circa 3000BC and "Beaker' people (so called because of the kind of pottery they used), from the Rhineland circa 1700 BC. Trade in Corn, lead, tin and skins from Thanet ports to Ireland and the Continent were already established in the Bronze age circa 1800 BC or even earlier. Romans came to Thanet, establishing forts at Richborough and Reculver. After the Romans came the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. The Anglo-Saxons were peaceful colonists while the Jutes and Danes were war like and vicious and Kent was the first part of Britain to be colonised by these warriors from the North. During the 12th and 14th centuries life centered around small fishing settlements on the coast or farming hamlets in land. Brewers in Margate, fisherman and ropemakers in Ramsgate, exporters of wool, flax and hemp to Europe, coopers, carpenters, bakers and smiths prospered in a 13th Century trade boom from the Island. Ramsgate was primarily a fishing port, Broadstairs built up a substantial cod fleet and Margate prospered from herring fishing. Thanet was famous for the quality of its agriculture, due to advanced systems of crop rotations, cheap improved drainage as well as the use of seaweed as both fertilizer and animal fodder. Up until the 18th Century, Thanet consisted of a group of farming and fishing villages living as communities based around Churches and Harbours. Improved communication and leisure travel, as well as trade, helped develop the Island's seaside industry. In 1815, Paddle Steamers had started to ferry in passengers in greater numbers, but the real developers and exploiters of the travel market were the railway companies, which began to arrive in Thanet in 1846. By the turn of the Century, Margate had established itself as among the foremost of Britain's Holiday resorts. Tourist soon began visiting neighbouring Broadstairs which attracted a more refined holiday maker, while busy Ramsgate, thrived around the Harbour which developed from a small fishing port to a Harbour handling cargo ships, a cross channel ferry service and now an international yacht marina. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

Hi Stan I'm not sure if Cowell's Cottages still exist or not. I really do not know much about them except that my cousin Charlotte ATWELL married Stephen COWELL in 1849 and Stephen's parents & siblings were listed as living in Cowells Cottage in the 1851 Census for St George, Ramsgate. Not sure if it is any help at all, but the other two households listed on the same Census Record are "National School" and "1 Sydney Place". Regards Shelley ------------------------------ X-Message: #3 Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 07:42:21 +0100 From: "Stan Weeks" <stanweeks@onetel.com> To: Isle-of-Thanet-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <000c01c6700f$0ff3bcd0$1b654ed5@STUDY> Subject: Ramsgate query Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="Windows-1252"; reply-type=original MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My apologies if this query has appeared previously. I've had problems with the List and am not sure if my postings are getting through. Does anyone know anything about COWELL's COTTAGES, RAMSGATE please? Do they still exist? Where are/were they located? My 3 x gt. grandmother died there in 1867. Stan Weeks ___________________________________________________ Try the New Netscape Mail Today! Virtually Spam-Free | More Storage | Import Your Contact List http://mail.netscape.com

As I've said to various people off-list, exactly my grandparents' situation. My grandfather was often unemployed ( I remember my Mum saying how good it was if it snowed, since he could then get some days work sweeping the snow away). So they took in lodgers during the summer months. My Mum and her two sisters slept in the smallest bedroom and her parents downstairs so the lodgers had the two best bedrooms and the front parlour. And for the rest of the year my Grandma took in washing. And I still feel guilty if I don't iron a shirt 'double bits first' as I was taught to do by her! Anne On 5 May 2006, at 20:02, Eric Bishop wrote: > During the late 20's and early 30's my grandmother took in lodgers, at > 1? Alliance Road, simply to make ends meet, my grandfather having > deserted the family. My father often had to literally "sleep in the > bath" so a lodger could have his bed. it's hard to believe in these > days, that poverty was still rife in a small resort town like > Ramsgate. > > Eric >

Excuse I !! Not only am I born & bred in Ramsgate, I still live here !!! Pistols at dawn in St. Laurence churchyard ???? Oh no - you're not *doing* the churchyards, are you ??!! :o)) How's about Ellington Park then, scene of Adam Sprackling murdering his wife ??? Pat.xxx :o)) A Maid of Kent Steady now - I can claim thanet ancestry back to 1550, so I can have the lot of you "blow-ins" driven off "my" land, or remove your right to drive your sheep across thanet way or something....and then theres that Sprackling gene I have as well....:) Richard PJK :o)) wrote: > *Oh, Richard !!!! We don't bite hostile invaders . . . . HARD . . . > you know !!! :o)* > > Pat.xxx :o)) > A Maid of Kent > > ** >

Steady now - I can claim thanet ancestry back to 1550, so I can have the lot of you "blow-ins" driven off "my" land, or remove your right to drive your sheep across thanet way or something....and then theres that Sprackling gene I have as well....:) Richard PJK :o)) wrote: > *Oh, Richard !!!! We don't bite hostile invaders . . . . HARD . . . > you know !!! :o)* > > Pat.xxx :o)) > A Maid of Kent > > ** >

During the late 20's and early 30's my grandmother took in lodgers, at 1? Alliance Road, simply to make ends meet, my grandfather having deserted the family. My father often had to literally "sleep in the bath" so a lodger could have his bed. it's hard to believe in these days, that poverty was still rife in a small resort town like Ramsgate. Eric

Oh, Richard !!!! We don't bite hostile invaders . . . . HARD . . . you know !!! :o) Pat.xxx :o)) A Maid of Kent Brilliant! Thank you so much. And yes, am still coming even after that last batch of emails about hostile invaders! Got the camera loaded, should be a good weekend! I shan't be doing the graveyards though... //R suzannah.foad wrote: > What you want to do is find the "Sea Searcher" in Ramsgate Harbour skippered > by Tony Thatcher. He has a wooden Cabin Cruiser which gores about for twenty > minutes at a great cost of 2.50p. > You can see the whole Harbour up to the Plains of Waterloo and all of the > West Cliff as it never leaves the confines of the Harbour Wall. > It Leaves every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour, you can get tickets > from the Kiosk opposite the Oak Hotel, Maritime Museum end of the Harbour. > Don't miss it!!! > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Richard Sandwell" <rsandwell@mentoris.co.uk> > To: "suzannah.foad" <suzannah.foad@btopenworld.com> > Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 7:23 PM > Subject: Re: [IoT] Thanet Facts - Just for interest > > > >> suzannah.foad wrote: >> >>> Some Fascinating fats you may not know about buildings to be found in >>> Thanet. >>> >>> Minster Abbey, founded in 670, is one of England oldest inhabited >>> > buildings > >>> Parts of the Old Tithe Barn at Minster Museum date from the 8th century >>> >>> >>> >> Witch. :) I was wondering yesterday what the oldest inhabited building >> in the uk was ......really! >> >> And even more scary - we shall be "doing" thanet this weekend. For only >> the second time in my life - what a shameful admission! >> Are there such things as harbour cruises at Ramsgate? I plan to feed the >> littluns full of ice cream from the shop opposite the harbour and then >> take them out on a boat....ha! >> >> //R >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 >> >> >> > > > >

Brilliant! Thank you so much. And yes, am still coming even after that last batch of emails about hostile invaders! Got the camera loaded, should be a good weekend! I shan't be doing the graveyards though... //R suzannah.foad wrote: > What you want to do is find the "Sea Searcher" in Ramsgate Harbour skippered > by Tony Thatcher. He has a wooden Cabin Cruiser which gores about for twenty > minutes at a great cost of 2.50p. > You can see the whole Harbour up to the Plains of Waterloo and all of the > West Cliff as it never leaves the confines of the Harbour Wall. > It Leaves every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour, you can get tickets > from the Kiosk opposite the Oak Hotel, Maritime Museum end of the Harbour. > Don't miss it!!! > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Richard Sandwell" <rsandwell@mentoris.co.uk> > To: "suzannah.foad" <suzannah.foad@btopenworld.com> > Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 7:23 PM > Subject: Re: [IoT] Thanet Facts - Just for interest > > > >> suzannah.foad wrote: >> >>> Some Fascinating fats you may not know about buildings to be found in >>> Thanet. >>> >>> Minster Abbey, founded in 670, is one of England oldest inhabited >>> > buildings > >>> Parts of the Old Tithe Barn at Minster Museum date from the 8th century >>> >>> >>> >> Witch. :) I was wondering yesterday what the oldest inhabited building >> in the uk was ......really! >> >> And even more scary - we shall be "doing" thanet this weekend. For only >> the second time in my life - what a shameful admission! >> Are there such things as harbour cruises at Ramsgate? I plan to feed the >> littluns full of ice cream from the shop opposite the harbour and then >> take them out on a boat....ha! >> >> //R >> >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 >> >> >> > > > >

What you want to do is find the "Sea Searcher" in Ramsgate Harbour skippered by Tony Thatcher. He has a wooden Cabin Cruiser which gores about for twenty minutes at a great cost of 2.50p. You can see the whole Harbour up to the Plains of Waterloo and all of the West Cliff as it never leaves the confines of the Harbour Wall. It Leaves every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour, you can get tickets from the Kiosk opposite the Oak Hotel, Maritime Museum end of the Harbour. Don't miss it!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Sandwell" <rsandwell@mentoris.co.uk> To: "suzannah.foad" <suzannah.foad@btopenworld.com> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 7:23 PM Subject: Re: [IoT] Thanet Facts - Just for interest > suzannah.foad wrote: > > Some Fascinating fats you may not know about buildings to be found in > > Thanet. > > > > Minster Abbey, founded in 670, is one of England oldest inhabited buildings > > > > Parts of the Old Tithe Barn at Minster Museum date from the 8th century > > > > > Witch. :) I was wondering yesterday what the oldest inhabited building > in the uk was ......really! > > And even more scary - we shall be "doing" thanet this weekend. For only > the second time in my life - what a shameful admission! > Are there such things as harbour cruises at Ramsgate? I plan to feed the > littluns full of ice cream from the shop opposite the harbour and then > take them out on a boat....ha! > > //R > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

Compiled by Harry Venner June 1971 Ramsgate Borough Place Force "The force grew from a body of Light Constables first appointed in 1816. This body acquired a Sergeant in 1836 and a Head Constable in 1844. The extension of the Railway added to the responsibilities of the Police and in the 1870's, officers attended at the stations to check and stop persons entering the town who were thought to be possible small pox suspects, small box being prevalent at that time. Mr Edward BUSS was Superintendent of the Police from 1869, being appointed Chief Constable in 1884, upon the incorporation of the Town as a Borough. He resigned in 1892 and was succeeded by Mr Roderick ROSS, who remained for seven years before transferring to take over the Chief Constable's duties in Edinburgh. Mr William B JONES was appointed Chief Constable in 1899, holding the post until 1916, when Samuel F BUTLER took over ; he remained in office until 1943 when the Borough Police Force joined the County. At the begging of the Century, a Sergeant and fiver Constables were in charge at the Harbour, having an office and lock up just outside the Pier gates. They also had a rowing boat for use when required. The Ramsgate Force also had an establishment of six mounted men for the use on Ceremonial occasion, but as the years passed, these dwindled to two for the use of Mayor's Sunday, and like functions. Prior to and just after the First World War, the Force had one of the finest Tug O War teams in the County, if not the Country, and in the 1930's the Cricket Team was one of the best in the District. Ramsgate Police in those days had also some of the finest shots in Kent. In conclusion, who among the older generation of the Ramsgate residents will ever remember 'Mickey' MOCKLER on point duty in the Market Place" -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

What wonderful memories you have woken. My Mum had guest houses (never boarding houses!) from when I was about 4, Dad worked full time for the NHS & part time as a taxi driver. The season started at Easter & went right through til September with the busy 'peak weeks' in the middle. In our first guest house we had 6 bedrooms to let out , my parents, brother & myself all slept in one room downstairs. All the rooms had wash basins but we only had one bathroom & one toilet, I never remember it being a problem though. In our first year, we were fully booked for the summer & the weather was incredibly good. Relatives of our guests rang wanting to come down but we had no rooms left, but they came anyway & slept on lilos & cushions between the beds. Entertainers working at the Lido Theatre & the Winter Gardens came to stay for their weekend gigs & ended up staying til the end of the season, then returning the next year. As the factories 'up north' closed for their annual holidays we would have the 'Birmingham week' followed by the 'Sheffield week' etc. They arrived by train or coach never by car & dad would pick them up in his taxi. Days on the beach, evenings at the shows, the arcades & Dreamland. That was enough then. Lovely people...lovely memories Thanks for that Barbara

My Grandparents, Aunts and Uncle had Guest Houses in Sweyn Road in Cliftonville, before my time but I know they needed the income of the "lodgers". My Grandfather Louis Kemp 1909-1970 was a musician and came down for one summer season in 1950, the rest is 'family" history. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anne Peat" <anne.peat@bigwindows.demon.co.uk> To: <Isle-of-Thanet-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 5:57 PM Subject: Re: [IoT] hostile invaders > My Mum, who grew up in Ramsgate ( and whose mother took in paying > guests during the summer ) used to call them 'the lodgers'! > A Nother Nonny Mouse > On 5 May 2006, at 16:16, PJK :o)) wrote: > > > We still have hostile invaders - only these days, they're called > > tourists !!! :o)) > > > > A. Nonny Mouse. > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

Where did she have her lodging house ? I wonder if it's still there. Pat.xxx :o)) A Maid of Kent My Mum, who grew up in Ramsgate ( and whose mother took in paying guests during the summer ) used to call them 'the lodgers'! A Nother Nonny Mouse On 5 May 2006, at 16:16, PJK :o)) wrote: > We still have hostile invaders - only these days, they're called > tourists !!! :o)) > > A. Nonny Mouse. >

My Mum, who grew up in Ramsgate ( and whose mother took in paying guests during the summer ) used to call them 'the lodgers'! A Nother Nonny Mouse On 5 May 2006, at 16:16, PJK :o)) wrote: > We still have hostile invaders - only these days, they're called > tourists !!! :o)) > > A. Nonny Mouse. >

Hi Stan,, I’ve just seen your enquiry regarding Cowells Cottages in Ramsgate. I’m sorry that I am unable to give you any definite information on the cottages but I wonder if you are aware that in the 18th century the Cowell family were quite large landowners in Thanet, especially in Margate, but some in Ramsgate. They are connected to the Troward family who lived at Manston, through marriage. The Troward family also leased the Ellington Estate after the infamous Adam Sprackling had murdered his wife there in 1652. At the trial one of the witnesses was named as Joseph Cowell, tenant of Adam Sprackling. Perhaps it is possible that the workers cottages on the estate were known as Cowells Cottages from this association. My interest stems from my local history research into the village of Garlinge, Margate; the Cowell family held some land in Garlinge. I just thought it may be a possible answer to your enquiry. Laurie Bridger.

Source information: HO107/1466 Registration district: Kensington Sub-registration district: St Mary Paddington ED, institution, or vessel: 6b Folio: 307 Page: 22 George a Printer, wife a Dressmaker. Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island George Valmer abt 1825 Margam, Kent, England Head Paddington Middlesex Susan Valmer abt 1825 Northamptonshire, England Wife Paddington Middlesex Alice Burdett Valmer abt 1850 Paddington Daughter Paddington Middlesex I came across a Grave at Margate Cemetery which may beone of yours? In loving memory of Alice Palmer Who died December 6th 1924 aged 69 years. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dene and Peter Gill" <peterjgill@tiscali.co.uk> To: <Isle-of-Thanet-D-request@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 3:11 PM Subject: George Palmer born Margate 1825 married Susanna (Moisey?) born Peterborough abt 1825. Married in 1850 & lived in London. - Paddington at 1881 Census > Hi, > > I am looking for George Palmer born Margate 1825 after he married, in 1850, Susanna (Moisey?) born Peterborough. > > Kind people have found George and Susanna on both the 1861 and 1871 Census Returns. However, no sign of them so far in 1851. My reason for wanting to see these Returns is that I do not know how many children they had. On the 1861 and 1871 Census days there were two boys and a girl. At the 1881, just the two boys were left at home. The 1851 Return should tell me whether there were ever any other children. > > Thanks v. much in anticipation. > > Dene > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

I have seen this on the site mentioned. But will heck the newspaper to see if an age is given or mention of any of his family, hopefully during next week. Regards Suzannah ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Taylor" <trees.taylor@sympatico.ca> To: <Isle-of-Thanet-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 3:03 PM Subject: [IoT] Thomas Foster Incident > Hi Suzannah, > > Would it be possible for you to see if you have anything in your fund of > knowledge on the incident below? What I would really like to know is the > age of Thomas. We have 2 Thomas' in the family (uncle and nephew), both > smack owners and we'd like to know which this was. > > Thank you (and anyone else) for any information you can give. > > Best wishes, > > Terry > > > Taylor, F.J. Lance-Corpl. RE. Case 31815 > On the 1st February 1902, owing to the capsizing of a boat in which he was > leaving his wrecked smack, Thomas Foster was thrown into the sea at > Ramsgate. It was very cold and rough at the time. Taylor, at great risk, > jumped in and was successful in saving him. > > >From ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY BRONZE MEDALS CITATIONS > TAKEN FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT 1902 > Compiled by Peter Helmore > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06

We still have hostile invaders - only these days, they're called tourists !!! :o)) A. Nonny Mouse.

Some Fascinating fats you may not know about buildings to be found in Thanet. Minster Abbey, founded in 670, is one of England oldest inhabited buildings Parts of the Old Tithe Barn at Minster Museum date from the 8th century The Church of St Mary the Virgin, traditionally the 'Mother church" of Thanet, is the earliest parish church on the island. Its site, or there abouts, has been used since before the Norman conquest. Salmestone Grange, a monastic grange with a 14th century Chapel, dates back to 1027. In medieval times, Margate Caves were used as a prison with dungeons. In times of oppression, they were used as a Church and finally as a hideout for Smugglers. St Nicholas at Wade has a 12th century Church. The first Bungalow in England was built in Westgate in 1869. Bleak House, high on the cliffs above Broadstairs, was a favourite Holiday home of Charles Dickens, where he was thought to write David Copperfield. When he lived there it was known as Fort House. Draper's Windmill was built by Millwright Thomas Holman c.1845. There has been a lifeboat Station in Margate since 1864. The Royal Sea Bathing Hospital was founded 2nd July 1791 by Doctor John Coakley Lettsom. The first patients were admitted in May 1796. Terrified folk seeking refuge from the Vikings within the monastery cloister at Minster are recorded as being burnt to death. Thanet's inhabitants were among the first in Britain to suffer from the Black Death because of the Isle's links with the continent. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.4/332 - Release Date: 5/4/06