Well summer, if we call it that, is nearly over.

The castle has had its usual successful themed weekend events despite some atrocious conditions and credit must be given to all who have worked to make these events come to fruition with such enthusiasm.

Pat Sherratt
Report by Chairman

A great deal of development at the castle will occur in the future including the possibility of a cable car linking the castle with the town. Certainly this is an exciting period both for the castle and the town of Dover.

On the 28th June the “Friends” enjoyed a wonderful special evening tour that is reported elsewhere in the magazine, the 22 participants were blessed with one of the few dry evenings although a little windy.

This tour was so popular that a second one has been organised for Saturday 27th September and details are on page 6 of the magazine with advance booking required.

Three “winter” dates for your diary are the Annual General Meeting on the 6th November, Christmas Carol Service at St Mary in Castro on Sunday 7th December 2008 and the quiz evening in the spring 2009.

With the AGM on the horizon I would repeat my request in our last magazine for some active committee members; we urgently need someone to take on the role of Membership Secretary and another as Social Secretary.

Our membership is currently a little over 200 and is well below the level a few years ago. Our membership drive has, however, secured some new members and I welcome you to the “Friends” and hope you have a long and enjoyable time with us.

He started his career on the graduate scheme with British Airways (Holidays division), rising to Area Product Manager for the Latin American region, and then spent 3 months working for a UK advertising company in Athens in the run up to the Olympic Games.

Steve then left to take up an opportunity as UK operations manager for Euro Disney, based in Paris. This included leading on large scale projects to link up UK, Paris and Florida reservations teams, as well as other internal change projects in operations. He comes to English Heritage and Dover Castle having recently completed a full time MBA at Manchester Business School.



Chris Pascall talks to members of the Friends of Dover Castle at start of ‘Loves & Legends’ tour.

Steve Lang arrives at Dover Castle to take up his new position of head of visitor operations after 8 years in the tourism sector both in the UK and in France.


Steve Lang

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Averanches Tower

 

A highlight of ‘Lives, Loves and Legends’ of Dover Castle tour with Chris Pascall was the visit to Averanches Tower.

During a dramatic pause the outside gate shut with a loud bang making everyone jump and set the pulse racing.

There was an opportunity to place one hand on the bricks laid at the time of Henry II and the other hand on relatively new bricks laid over 800 years later.

The first family connection with Dover Castle comes via William D’Averanche who landed in Dover with William the Conqueror.

William D'Averanches was made Lord of the manor of Hougham (An Anglo Saxon Manor near Dover) together with sundry other manors and was one of the 8 Knights who were wardens over Dover Castle under John de Fienne. He probably married Matilda daughter of Baldwin De Redvers Earl of Devon but no definite proof exists.

A window to his memory may be seen in Dover Castle.