Animal cages

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

OK, ladies, how did this get overlooked? THIS is century+ old stuff.
Inclusion of these could have pushed protection of the entire site years ago.
(Shaking my head in wonder, and not the good kind.)

Remember 2 years ago when I said we needed to think outside the box?

[vince69619]

Welcome back Jim!

When you said outside the box, you didn't mention cages!!!!!!

Vince.

[EAS]

It didn't get overlooked, people knew it was there, it wasn't in danger and it may well not get nationally listed. Nothing is certain. Heritage protection is not straightforward. Simply being over a century old isn't always a reason to list.

There's six months grace, though. Useful at this time.

[dave771]

No, not everyone did know it was still there. If they did then they would not have started demolishing it without looking into it further. The local authority are the ones wanting to look into it further which is a good thing and they were not aware that all the cages still existed under the trees at the back of the park. Nice to see you having such a positive response to this though !

[EAS]

Well, I did gee a few folk up to ensure the CO would get on site with some sort of urgency, but I wouldn't think this is an easy one for listing, for a number of reasons which I won't go into in public.

Most useful is the sixth months' grace. A preservation order isn't simple either, it can cost the local authority a great deal of money in the end, which is why these are not often used.

However, who was it actually did the demolition? Who were they working for?

By the way - the US has no system of genuine heritage protection at all. Ours is far from perfect, and it's ponderous and hedged about with all manner of get out clauses and legal difficulties, but we do have some.

Inclusion of these could have pushed protection of the entire site years ago.

I think you have a very vague idea of what our heritage protection policies can achieve!

I have a 'positive' response to most things Dave about Dreamland - but I'm also a realist. There are no magic wands to be waved. It's a long hard slog.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Yes, possibly, but if you make a big deal about something, it BECOMES a big deal. The more on the roster for the site, the more public awareness, the better the fan base, the better chance that things will be done.
Pefhaps there are people out there who'd be all for saving these and better protection for the site that don't give a rat's ass about the Scenic Railway.
See where I'm coming from?
The more interest that's generated, the better.

I depend on YOU guys to know what's there and what could be used as leverage both legally and as media devices for generating support.
I realize I'm a zillion miles away and have never been there, but I hope you get my point.
Everything possible can and should be used as a publicity device.

[paul69]

just seen the new pics of the cages and they are Terrific ! would look lovely in the new heritage park ! . Also spotted the pieces of rides from Southport !.

[dreamland]

it looks more like a castle in the pictures, was it a castle? what could it be used for in the future ? just for decoration ?

[dreamland]

i can confirm that it is a castle or was once a castle as ive seen the castle on a old bembom brothers leaflet on the map of the park and it was called the inchanted castle

[dave771]

The Enchanted Castle was an attraction at the park and wasn't what we are seeing in the recent photographs. It was situated at the back of the park as shown in the 1983 Bembom Brothers leaflets.

[dreamland]

what was the enchanted castle about then dave ? what was inside it ?

[dave771]

To be honest I cannot remember, I was only 9 at the time ! I may have a lot of knowledge about the park but not to that extent !

[Lou]

I remember the animals in the park in the early 70's i think. As far as i can remember the entrance was just after you came down the slope and in through the opening into Dreamland - (the tunnel where the cafe was).
My dad had the Health Ray and it was opposite that, i think later on the big apple was there. Anyhow, before you got to the mirrors.
I remember there were all sorts of animals there - remember seeing lion-cubs, and i have a memory of a polar bear.
I think the little train came as far as the little zoo and then went back again - bit hazy now, well it was a while ago.

[dreamland]

isle of thanet gazette news article in these exact words , another issue that has caused MTCRC concern is thanet council,s preservation notice on the remains on sangers menagerie which was uncovered last month. the cages and a cottage might need to be removed if plans go ahead for a new road along the railway line between all saints avenue and eaton road. mr stewart said it seems abit strange to us because they have plans to put a new road around the back that would run in to the structure. it feels as though they were so keen to act on it that not alot of thought has been put in to it . the councill would then have a hard time if they needed to demolish the listed structure. the bartlett society, which studies the history of zoos, said the cages are unique. a councill spoksman said if they were to be listed then the road could bypass them , but if there was felt to be an overriding public need for the road , an application for listed building consent could be made for there demolition

[dreamland]

that was the news article as you would read it in the paper, i think its all wrong , they cant demolish them cages as its apart of dreamland and margates history