Video: Comedian Harry Hill unveils £2.5m refit of Whitstable Castle
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Video: Comedian Harry
Hill cuts the ribbon at Whitstable castle
Comedian Harry Hill joined dignitaries to unveil £2.5 million
renovations to Whitstable Castle.
The funnyman, who hosts Harry Hill's TV Burp, joined local
dignitaries at the castle in Tower Hill to celebrate the reopening
of the castle and gardens.
Harry was on sparkling form as he joked with the
crowd.
"This castle can be used for a variety of things including
lunches, teas, meetings, but it can also be used should the people
of Herne Bay ever decided to invade," he jested.
He then cut the ribbon to officially unveil the renovations.
The work includes a gothic style orangery, which replaces a flat
roofed modern extension at the side of the castle. This will be
used as the new tea rooms, along with the wood panelled Wynn Ellis
room which opens out into the orangery.
The gardens have been opened up so it is easier to have picnics,
the paths have been widened, a children's play area and the
fountain in the grounds has been restored.
Pat Todd, the councillor for Chestfield and Swalecliffe and the
Lord Mayor of Canterbury, said: "This is the rebirth of something
that has stood here since 1790 and it has come along since
Tankerton Towers.
"We nearly lost this place, but now it's been reborn and it
depends on the people of Whitstable and the district on using it -
coming together and working.
"Let's everyone pull together so we don't lose it. It is the
jewel in Whitstable's Crown."
Whitstable Castle started life as Tankerton Towers in the 18th
century and was home to the Pearson family.
The money for the restoration came from the Heritage Lottery
Fund's Parks for People initiative plus £1 million from Canterbury
City Council and other organisations in Whitstable.
Monday, September 06 2010
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