News

Historic carriage given a lift

Posted by editor on Oct 20, 2006 - 09:01 PM
Filed under: Articles, News

HISTORIC CARRIAGE GIVEN A LIFT

Folkestone's 1890 step lift carriage is to be moved from the Leas Lift on Thursday 26 October. It will be lifted by a 60-tonne crane and taken by a low loader to a covered storage facility in Sandwich before the restoration begins at a company in Ramsgate.

Work for the move is due to start at 8.00am and it is hoped the four-ton carriage will be lifted within an hour.

The 155 feet Leas Lift on a 4 feet 10 inch gauge track was built in 1885 as a means of access from the top of the cliffs to the seafront. A second track was added in 1890. It is the older track that is still in use.

In 1966, the 1890 track and carriages were decommissioned. The two cars were left to stand at the bottom of the track and deteriorated.

In 1985, while the working lift was being renovated, it was decided to '€œtidy up'€ the unused tracks. One of the two 1890 cars was broken up by Ginger Bakers of Green Lane, Folkestone and burnt. The second car was to have been sent to Beaulieu to be exhibited in their museum, but went to the Dover Transport Museum instead.

In 2004, the museum moved and local resident and Leas Lift enthusiast, Robert Mouland, arranged for the car to come back to Folkestone, hoping to restore and possibly exhibit it as a tourist attraction. The lift car was brought back solely on the initiative and expense of Mr Mouland.

After its return, Robert explored the possibility of having it completely restored by AC Tripodi, vehicle restorers from Ramsgate. Negotiations were carried out over the following two years and the work will now be carried out.

Robert has set up a small committee '€œ1890 Leas Lift Carriage Restoration Appeal'€, which has received a number of private donations from members of the public who are eager to see the remaining carriage restored.

Mr Mouland said: "October 26, 2006, is another step up in the long-running saga as to whether the carriage survives or withers away.

"Mr and Mrs Campbell of Millennium Lifting Limited, in Densole have made this day possible. They have donated the sum of £3,400 for the lifting and removal of the carriage free. What beautiful people.

"The low loader supplied by Charles Hewitt Limited, transport specialists from Canterbury, is also entirely free and HSBC Bank have contributed the sum of £50 towards the restoration of the carriage. It is not everyday that a bank gives its money away!

"I would also like to thank the Hawkinge Gazette website who have highlighted the historic carriage and its condition since 2004, and the Folkestone Herald newspaper who have carried numerous articles, resuscitating the step lift carriage in our darkest hours. We are indebted to both for their vital coverage to date, and through thick and thin, our right-hand man who never let us down with regards to photography, Mr Max Hess, to whom we are indebted until the end.

"District Councillor David Callahan, kept the council chamber very warm over the last two years and three months regarding this burning issue.

"Shepway District Council has given a firm commitment to seeing this carriage restored. A Heritage Lottery bid for the carriage will not be put in until 2009/2010. The carriage, however, will never survive this long period of time."

A group has been set up officially to address the charitable status situation. The chairman is Mr Jack Gill, Cllr Rory Love and treasurer Robert Mouland.

The bank details for our appeal to raise £25,000 and we will! €” is as follows, HSBC Account Number: 21433784, Sort Code: 40-21-15.