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Napoleonic Drop Redoubt and Grand Shaft in Dover opened by Western Heights Preservation Society

An open weekend at Dover’s Napoleonic fortifications attracted 1,000 people.

Both the Drop Redoubt fort and the Grand Shaft staircase were opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Children were put on mock drills by the Men of Empire Re-enactment Group, who dress as First World War soldiers.

Re-enactors in Napoleonic soldier uniforms
Re-enactors in Napoleonic soldier uniforms

Also there were re-enactors in Napoleonic soldier uniform.

The event was organised by the Western Heights Preservation Society and was one of two annual public openings, the next one being on the weekend of May 19 and 20.

Children in a mock drill led by First World War re-enactors
Children in a mock drill led by First World War re-enactors

The Drop Redoubt is one of two fortresses on the Heights and is linked to the other, the Citadel, by moats.

The Grand Shaft staircase was a rapid route for troops from the clifftops to the harbour.

The fortifications were originally built to help fend off a possible invasion from Napleon Bonparte's French forces in the early 19th century.

They heavily used again during the Second World War to help stop a Nazi invasion.

For more details visit the website doverwesternheights.org or visit the society’s Facebook page.

Several more photographs from the event are published in this week's Dover Mercury, out today.

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