ON Thursday 17 and Friday 18 October, members of the Historic England Commission, the organisation’s governing board, visited Thurrock and Tendring to see how important heritage sites are being restored and rejuvenated for the benefit of the local community.
Members of the Commission were keen to understand the special character of the area and how communities can further connect with and benefit from the historic sites.
Commissioners were joined by Historic England’s Chief Executive Duncan Wilson and staff.
With representatives of Thurrock Council and Place Services at Essex County Council, Commissioners explored Coalhouse Fort, a ruined 19th century fort near East Tilbury, which is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
This year, the Fort was opened for public open days for the first time in more than four years. Historic England is advising Thurrock Council on the repair and restoration work needed to bring the Fort back into good condition and give it renewed purpose.
Commissioners also visited Tilbury Fort, a spectacular late 17th century coastal fort, operated by the English Heritage Trust.
On the second day of the visit, Commissioners enjoyed a walking tour of historic Harwich with representatives of the Harwich Society, Tendring District Council and Harwich Town Council.
The tour started from the Grade I listed Georgian Guildhall, where, in the Carvings Room, the Commissioners saw evocative 19th century graffiti of ships, gallows and symbols, which had been etched into the wooden walls by prisoners waiting to be tried or sentenced.
The tour continued to the Electric Palace Cinema (one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in existence), the Harwich Treadwheel Crane (believed to be the only surviving double-wheeled enclosed crane in the medieval tradition in England) and looked at the 19th century Harwich High and Low Lighthouses.
Thanks to Historic England’s partnership working with Tendring District Council, site owners and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Harwich Treadwheel Crane and the Electric Palace Cinema have been saved from the Heritage at Risk Register. These important local heritage sites are delighting local communities and visitors to Harwich.
At Dovercourt, the Commissioners saw the iconic Leading Lights, an instantly recognisable landmark much loved by the local community. Together, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England have funded investigative work to support a repair programme for the Lighthouses.
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Lord Mendoza, Chair of Historic England, said: “It has been hugely rewarding for fellow Commissioners and I to see the remarkable heritage in Tendring and Thurrock that are a vital part of the area’s special character. I am really pleased that, with positive partnership working, Historic England is helping to save so many important local landmarks and give them a new lease of life.”
Councillor Ivan Henderson, Tendring District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The council was delighted to welcome the Historic England Commissioners to Dovercourt and Harwich to hear about our district’s fascinating heritage, which spans from 400,000 years ago to more modern developments, such as our piers.”
“The visit was a wonderful opportunity to talk about the hidden gems across our district and how working with Historic England can help to address some of our challenges. This can include engaging with schools to boost skills and opportunities as well as the employment opportunities that tourism provides.”
“Promoting our heritage offer, attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer is an important part of Our Vision – the Council’s Corporate Plan – while we recognise that when people engage with heritage it can raise aspirations and improve our residents’ quality of life.”
Mayor of Harwich, Cllr Pam Morrison, said: “It was marvellous to host the Commissioners of Historic England in the Guildhall and to have the opportunity to show them Harwich’s history and heritage. Such a visit was very important for our town, and it was very pleasing to see how impressed they were.”
