Guest 2043- Registered: 29 Mar 2017
- Posts: 2
Hi KTdover - I'm trying to trace Lionel and Christine. My mother and niece died in the same fire on March 1977. My mother was best friends with Marian Clay and was staying over the night of the fire. If you are in contact with either, would you ask them to contact Ruth on
rufust1@gmail.com. I would dearly love to hear from them. Many thanks
Guest 706- Registered: 25 Oct 2010
- Posts: 285
My mother worked there. Her name was Jean Thompson
Guest 2149- Registered: 2 Jul 2017
- Posts: 1
Hi KtDover, Lionel is my brother. Well half brother. My Dad is Colin Clay. His sister and my half sister is still alive though after the fire as well as my dad.
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Guest 2180- Registered: 30 Jul 2017
- Posts: 2
I was 8 years and at school in Dover (St Richards - awful school). It was all very traumatic. I remember the little boy Shane that died. Tragic.
Guest 2465- Registered: 19 Jan 2018
- Posts: 4
My Grandparents Nina and John Gray lived above the Crypt at the time of the fire and thankfully both were rescued. I remember the footage on the news showing my grandfather leaning out of the window as the smoke poured out, it was so disturbing. I wonder if anyone remembers them? My Grandmother was very distinctive, she had a jet black beehive hair do, and was always immaculately turned out. I remember visiting as a little girl and being taken into the tiny bar where my my Grandmother would show me off and the drinkers would give me pennies to spend in the "Walk around" shop across the road that I recall selling buckets and spades, swimming costumes and sweets. I moved away in the late 1980's and am shocked to see that since the fire in 1977 the area has not been looked after. I find it disrespectful to the poor souls who died that night that this has never been resolved and that it looks horrendous. I can't imagine how horrific it is for the survivors and families of the deceased to see such a litter strewn eyesore.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,975
I remember Nina as I worked in Lukeys seventies until 1981 .Nina often called in to have a chat with Mr Lukey and other members of staff.Yes very distictive hair do
Guest 2465- Registered: 19 Jan 2018
- Posts: 4
Thank you Sue, that's good to hear that such a big character has not been forgotten. I wish Bench Street looked more appealing. I find it so disrespectful that the site of the Crypt Tavern site is still in such an appalling state.
Guest 2465- Registered: 19 Jan 2018
- Posts: 4
Oh that's lovely to hear Sue. I remember being taken the The Elizabethan? and a coffee shop that had booths (it may have been the same place). The last time I was in Dover Bench Street looked dreadful. I wish they would do something with the old Crypt Tavern site, it seems so disrespectful.
Ian Handley- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
Hello Mellisa, I remember your grandparents well. A truly lovely couple, Nina always so graceful and John a true gentleman. I have such happy memories spent in their company, particularly in the Golden Lion which we collectively frequented during the 1969s/70s.
Those of us of a ‘ceratain age’ often speak of ‘Dover Characters’, Nina and John were both that and far more.
Being able to speak of such wonderful human beings is what life is all about.
Please allow me to such memories.
Ian
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Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Ian Handley- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
That should read, please allow me to share such memories.
Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,719
I recently reported to the council of the recent and regular fly tipping that seems to go on there,safety fencing pushed back to create a handy rubbish shute.Theres builders rubbish etc as well as lots of unopened mail.Council replied back that they couldnt safely retreive the unopened mail to prove the matter,dont suppose they thought of a long stick or litter picker.They said they would take the matter up with the landowner to try to clean things up.Unbelievable but about what i expected.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,636
Andy B wrote:Council replied back that they couldnt safely retreive the unopened mail to prove the matter
If the council believe the site is that dangerous they should do something about it straight away, what they really mean is they can't be bothered to do it.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The issue is about going on to private property, DDC are stuck on this one. Keith and Sheila will tell you about the alleyway clean ups in the days of the Priory Forum. Broken down fences and unwanted furniture and white goods dumped at the bottom by problem families.
Believe me if we had ventured over a boundary to retrieve rubbish the occupants would have the telephone number of an unscrupulous solicitor to hand.
Guest 2465- Registered: 19 Jan 2018
- Posts: 4
Ian Handley wrote:Hello Mellisa, I remember your grandparents well. A truly lovely couple, Nina always so graceful and John a true gentleman. I have such happy memories spent in their company, particularly in the Golden Lion which we collectively frequented during the 1969s/70s.
Those of us of a ‘ceratain age’ often speak of ‘Dover Characters’, Nina and John were both that and far more.
Being able to speak of such wonderful human beings is what life is all about.
Please allow me to such memories.
Ian
Hi Ian,
Oh that's great to hear. I do remember my Grandmother taking me to another bar which could have been the Golden Lion (there was also a pub off of Maison Dieu Road across from the museum, there was a stuffed polar bear in the doorway?). I was only about 4 years old but I have such vivid memories of this time. After the fire they moved to a flat in Peverell (?) Road and used to use the pub on the Whitfield roundabout, they took me there a couple of times when I was about 14 years old. Ha ha , there is a theme of taking me to bars here but they were very social people. I'm so glad they are remembered for the great characters they were. Thank you so much for your post it means a lot.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,636
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:The issue is about going on to private property, DDC are stuck on this one. Keith and Sheila will tell you about the alleyway clean ups in the days of the Priory Forum. Broken down fences and unwanted furniture and white goods dumped at the bottom by problem families.
Believe me if we had ventured over a boundary to retrieve rubbish the occupants would have the telephone number of an unscrupulous solicitor to hand.
If that was the case with the Crypt site DDC would have replied they could not legally enter private land not " they couldnt safely retreive".
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ian Handley- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
Melissa2 wrote:Hi Ian,
Oh that's great to hear. I do remember my Grandmother taking me to another bar which could have been the Golden Lion (there was also a pub off of Maison Dieu Road across from the museum, there was a stuffed polar bear in the doorway?). I was only about 4 years old but I have such vivid memories of this time. After the fire they moved to a flat in Peverell (?) Road and used to use the pub on the Whitfield roundabout, they took me there a couple of times when I was about 14 years old. Ha ha , there is a theme of taking me to bars here but they were very social people. I'm so glad they are remembered for the great characters they were. Thank you so much for your post it means a lot.
Hi Melissa,
Yes the pubs opposite the museum would be the Sir John Falstaff and the Park Inn, both frequented by us all in the 1960s/70s. Nina also worked as a bar maid in several Dover bars including The Merry Dolphin during the mid late 1950s with my late Aunty Vera (Pilcher); they were great friends for many years and both could tell a tale or two regarding life in war time Dover and elsewhere! Dover, during the 1950s through to the late 1970s was a simply great place to live in and enjoy the extensive nightlife in an abundance of pubs, clubs and other venues. We enjoyed so much laughter every evening now sadly all gone - such wonderful memories, such Larks!
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Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Guest 2506- Registered: 4 Mar 2018
- Posts: 2
Good evening and warmest regards from a somewhat chilly Hungary!
With the 41st anniversary of the tragic fire at the Crypt Tavern I found this forum.
This event still stays at the forefront of my career. Together with my colleague, Police Constable Bruce Tuck, we were on footpatrol in Castle Street, Dover when we smelt smoke. We made great haste back to the Square to be confronted with the Crypt Tavern in flames...our actions together with those of the Fire Brigade and the rest of my section are a matter of history. Every year I remember those who perished in that fire and it still have a great affect on me.
My name is Jonathan Heppell and I was a probationary Constable with just 1 years service.
I have now retired and life abroad but still maintain strong links with Dover.
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Guest 1997- Registered: 3 Mar 2017
- Posts: 148
Good evening, Jon.
I too remember that tragedy well but with nowhere near the same personal poignancy as you must do. I hope you find your memories just a little more bearable by sharing them here.
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Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,636
I echo Stuart's comment.
Something as awful as that night is an event you will never forget but have hopefully come to terms with.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 2506- Registered: 4 Mar 2018
- Posts: 2
In memory of Marion Clay and her two children, Shane (6) and Charlotte(18 months), Barmaid- Anita Lee, Janusia Ashton and her Grandmother, Phyllis Conlon and Leading Fireman, John Sharp. Perished this day 41 years ago in the Crypt Tavern, Dover despite all our desperate attempts to rescue them. Gone but never ever forgotten.
Guest 3145, Reginald Barrington, Andy B and
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