New Group Formed to Restore Heritage Leas Lift Carriage
The Appeal Fund steering group, Jack Gill, Cllr Rory Love and Robert Mouland in the dilapidated 1890 Leas Lift carriage.
A new voluntary group has been formed to undertake the restoration of the last remaining stepped carriage that once operated on Folkestone’s Leas Lift. The group, the “1890 Leas Lift Carriage Restoration Appeal” has been set up by prominent local campaigner Robert Mouland, retired civil engineer Jack Gill and Cllr Rory Love, and aims to raise the £25,000 necessary for a complete restoration of the 4-ton carriage. It is hoped that the work will be carried out by a specialist firm in Kent. The owner of the lift, Shepway District Council, has given its backing to the group’s aims.
On August Bank Holiday in 1890 the pair of stepped lift carriages started operating on the now disused lines alongside the leas lift carriages that remain in operation today. The stepped design, which brings the whole carriage closer to the tracks, was introduced to give passengers a more comfortable ride, free from the oscillations that can be felt in the earlier carriages. The carriages were restored in the 1930s, and continued to operate until 1966. In 1985, one of the carriages was removed and dismantled by the Council, and the other was sent to the Dover Transport Museum. Its return to Folkestone was arranged in 2003 by Robert Mouland, pending plans for its restoration. The new group aims to achieve the complete rebuilding of the carriage, and seeks its display in Folkestone for the benefit of residents and visitors.
The group is shortly to launch a public appeal for donations. Further details are available at www.leaslift.org.uk or through Cllr Rory Love at the Civic Centre. Meanwhile the carriage will be moved into secure storage on Thursday 26th October in advance of the restoration.
The Appeal Fund steering group acknowledge with grateful thanks the contribution of Millennium Lifting Ltd of Swingfield for waiving their usual charge of nearly £3,000 for moving the lift, and of Charles Hewitt Ltd of Canterbury for supplying, free of charge, the low-loader for transport.
Speaking for the Appeal Fund, Cllr Rory Love said:
“The unique design of this carriage makes it a very special part of Folkestone’s heritage. Our group is entirely voluntary, and our simple aim is to ensure future generations of residents and visitors can benefit from seeing this carriage fully restored to working order and displayed in Folkestone. We intend to use the finest craftsmen and to have the work done in Kent. The more funds we can raise by donation, the greater the chances of seeking match-funding grants. We will shortly be able to give further details of how local people can help restore this carriage.”
23rd October 2006