Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
One of our respected councillors, at last weeks full DDC Meeting, at the Fantasy Factory at Fort Whitfield, made mention of one of Dover's unsung heroes, the late Samuel Shenton who ran the International Flat Earth Research Society (IFERS) from his address in London Road until his untimely death in 1971.
I had not realised that this august body was actually based in Dover but this probably explains why so many of his followers are present in our Council Chamber putting forwards common sense views against what so many see as perceived scientific wisdom and research.
Surely it is time to honour Shenton with a blue plaque at his former abode? Perhaps the Council Chamber itself could be named after him? Why is there not a statue to him on the seafront alongside the silhouettes of Vera Lynn, James Bond and someone holding an Olympic torch? Why is his grave (does anyone know where it is?) not bedecked with flowers on the anniversary of his death and what are we doing in the district to celebrate the 50thh anniversary of his death?
Details about Shenton are here:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Shenton
Does anyone on the Forum remember him? (He would appear to have a number of disciples who post on here).
I'd be grateful if others, like me could begin to lobby their representatives from Town Councillor to MP to get the man the recognition he deserves.
Guest 1926 likes this
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Visionaries like that deserved to be commemorated as there are still people that think the world is a globe and something called gravy keeps us standing upright, have to laugh sometimes.
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
Thanks Ray. An excellent start to the campaign.
Anyone know where his grave is?
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
I think you could be onto something here. A tourist walk around Dover celebrating the eccentric and interesting characters of Dover as well as more conventional heroes such as VC recipients. Dovorians have always been more than tolerant of those who are a little different. Maybe that's why I am happier in Dover than anywhere else!
Guest 1926 likes this
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Must say after living in Dover all my life I have not heard of him and thank you for telling us about him here on the forum.
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
Most of Shenton's correspondence is archived here:-
http://www.theflatearthsociety.org/cms/index.php/flat-earth-library/letters-and-notes
Some most interesting stuff to while away a spare half hour!
And here's some experimental proof for those who find the theory difficult:-
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,257
Interesting read, the video however shows a woeful lack of understanding of physics, kept Shenton amused though I suspect
Arte et Marte
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,818
Never heard of him or the society but very interesting reading about him.Something new i,ve learnt.
Guest 1713 likes this
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
I met Sammy Shenton once. In 1969 Joe Wilson interviewed him for Hospital Radio, I was in the studio at the time, the one in the Crypt as it happens. I couldn't make up my mind if he was serious or having a big leg pull.
Happy days.
Terry
Guest 1926 likes this
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,818
Cant find any records of his buriel but my search skills are not the best.Get so far on some search sites but just before the info they ask you to subscribe which i dont wish to do.Might have a trip to the library in the week if nobody finds any more info.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,818
All i found regarding his death is in a copy of the Dover express from 5th march 1971 in the obituries column reading, "Samuel Shenton,husband of Lillian Jane,father of Peter and Pauline passed peacefully away March 2nd 1971 after much suffering,patiently borne,aged 67 years,no flowers please". Theres no mention of either a buriel or cremation or where although on another website its mentioned that he died in Folkestone but doesnt mention anything else so i,m not sure.There is records of buriels at the Dover library but i couldnt access them today as i didnt have anymore time to spend.Without knowing which cemetary it could take quite some time to look through all the records.Something i might do another day if no others come forward.
Guest 1926- Registered: 24 Nov 2016
- Posts: 1
Samuel Shenton was my great uncle! As I'm a geography teacher, now working with student teacher in geography this fact is of great amusement to those I know! I'm not local but think we should do a plaque - why not.
Judith Roberts, howard mcsweeney1, Reginald Barrington and
2 more like this
Judith Roberts, howard mcsweeney1, Reginald Barrington, Andy B and Captain Haddock like this
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,818
Do you know where his funeral was?I was trying to find this out during my research of him.
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,071
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,257
The flat earth society seems to have a sound investment strategy,
https://news.sky.com/story/self-taught-rocket-scientist-mad-mike-hughes-announces-launch-over-california-ghost-town-11135430
What could possibly go wrong?
Mad Mike - Flat Earth Steam Rocket Launch:
Arte et Marte
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
Thanks for that Reg. Looking forward to Saturday! One for the Darwin awards?
'Just because you are not interested in physics does not mean physics is not interested in you'
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,257
Arte et Marte
Captain Haddock- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,101
Reginald Barrington wrote:
Tks Reg.
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
