’n Kevuim G-rue. l~‘ehrvaI'y '1. “'7' "Children like their new school '1<:-un~I. (mun-" r.~,..-m-r ’ um: nu nnun‘ Hnlxv. -~ .3 l5\‘A131)ung in [his ylarliculzu pzardtn n Inn-I_\'. ‘I hv ‘,1:-nlvmvr Ix li\u—\ur—ul«I \'\'uunx' Filfl. \\lm i< showing hcr nan-n-rc«~. crop In her n-:wIu»r, Mn. ]II.'u| 'l'.|rr.1ls. An IHMI cum in ms uchm9]‘« hlchcn. \~Iu-n- ;. IT\1‘!L| .« s.‘...._r pr.p.1n.xI In, I.-n m n" .; Mn. um iivliurl H14’ "An. ['.I>§l|nt Surndgu. cixdren using uh: schaol gymnasjnm find lhtrnselves having 1. appnntlls. ' 10 ' Kentish'Gantte,' Feta-nary’ -12, 1971' \ v x I_ m ' I I, . _‘_ C Children like their new school “Kentish Gazette” reporter H A new £80,000 school has been given the seal of approval by those harden ed education critics-—the pupils. The first children to use Bridge and Patrixboume Church of England Controlled Primary School recently moved into the - new buildings in Conyngham Lane, Bridge. After having time to settle _in children seem de- lighted with their new surround- . ing‘s.l and the teachers ‘ who worked in the old buildingsare pleased with ‘the change of scene. ‘ The new school caters for children from jBridge, Patrix- ume, Bekesbourne and ishopsboume. There are 218 yr children using seven classrooms, one of which is a mobile build- ing in the playground. The classrooms in the new building are luxurious compared to those most of the teachers and pupils have been accus- tomed to. There are fitted car- pets and gone are the rows o desks. Instead, there are small. differently shaped tables that can be arranged to suit the room and the teacher. Another innovation is a white blackboard. Teachers now have a gleaming white surface on the walls on which to write in crayons or felt pens. However. it‘ closely questioned some still think the old blackboard was the best as the pens and crayons often slip on the new. surface. The school also now has a hall which can be turned into a gymnasium. Such instant con- versions .were never possible at the former 100-year-old Bridge Primary School. A gleaming, well equippi-‘1 kitchen makes sure that the. children's stomachs are well filled, while a library .»nsures that their minds IJ.l'c “(:11 led with literature, Mrs. Olive Knight, who had been he8.dl'!‘lisLl‘cS5,- at Bl'i1,lgr) Primary School since 1948. has now moved into the hcatl teacher's room -at the nu;-\\' scho-‘:1. She is more than plcasr-I with the new builtlings: "They an- spacious and aittractivc in t-\‘e1'_\' way." One class I visited on .\l0mla_\' endorsed Mrs. K:1igl1L1~: x-iwws. When asked to provide ill»:-it teacher with 21 nLr\\'.< item. the reply came: "It is fun to \'.u1E( in our new school." 'l‘he:'»_~'s a recommendation for you! ~:-1 i ajorie confl} g}-,.. « .. % ;._ 1n:,.1u-*:tmn:.' I-uni hur m.-\' “-11,: - ' ‘ '-- C lug:-..‘£.huard." -.-&\5\-«- where a meal is béing prepared by, left to right: Mrs. Bar Gilbert and Mrs. Pauline Sm-ridge. mm in the school’s kitchen, .5 , .. time on the modem swinging ium find themselves having a apparatus. dren using the school gymnas u 3: J... IJII; . _ . .. l'I-‘\.‘.- '1' ' . - .. .. ajorie Collier giflillg iTl:'."t!L‘.[lI)il:i ‘..ni‘.I inn‘ an ‘F. niun; "[n;.t..§~.Lau.I.- .1. Forget about those school meals’ jokes; these children at Bridge do not seem to have any complaints. Forget about those school meals’ jokes; these children at Bridge do not sccnl to have any complamts. C--‘W:-old Toni Denne i Quite the young lady with her ;| | |' IXIIJ atricia Gibb thought she‘d found me perfect free entertainment for a wet Sunday after- noon. One March day in 1994, she took her son Barry and her old friend Amanda Hamis- DeanstnnosearoundHighamPark.an8'l'- room rnansionjust outside Canterbury that wnsforaIle.Nocuewouldbecrazyeooughtolmythis hoIIse.tlIeygiggled.piclcingtheirwaydrrough1he barhedwireatutluithecnunblingbalustmdesoutside. Wltuareliefthlttheywotrldtftbetheonespayingout thnusaltdsofpoundrtotestrxepeelingpaintmracked pi.a.sterwrx'Larottet1roofanti25acresofovergruwn gnrhts.'I‘hentheywen1olftoteainPat:'lcia'swann. mndembungnlow nearby. Amicablysepantedfmm Iheirhusbands.theirchildru1gruwnup.Patricia.then 54. Ind Amanda. then 44. enjoyed comfortable. But that Sundry. perhaps time was a mysterious. life-changing ingredient in the tea. They found thernselvesnultinganofferrobuyl-[ighannPark. lnvingwuiredtnrttlteycottlddoitifbothwornatnnld theirltouaer»Pan'icia'ssonBarry.30.wl1owork:for thel’IuIt:l1hnnkParnl:arinlnndon.tluewltissavings intntlrepottno.‘Webidamillionpotrnds:mridicu- Iott:IyloIvIlteertauugentdidn‘tbothertosendan acknot\t1.dsfinenL'lattghIPatt-icia.lnstead,l-[igham wanoltllnplnputydeveloperwtrohrdsweet-talked flmillitlI‘oIrIof1hInkIo_¢IlIVI=|1ititttoaswish£I)- hedronttt bout. Alla’ that. whenever Patricia and I5.|lll|tlItlll1V,¢lIII_!lnet'll¢a'|h¢)l|7ee.tetlupIlnd|'ive V k _ lheaIl=.l'lig_iIIl'8'h1IyuiIIddiIq:Ipealed llIel:nk'§uIIuy,‘,llIelItnt|eIrasbeckon jahmnizhuemugorue Ilutnlmommwehardlyspcakd surfaced, then pulled out. as there u'a,s' so much restora- tion work involved. But Patricia. Amanda and Barry l"-"'8 0" Will! "16 SBIDC 'pitlu'y' £l million offer. Their grit impressed the Official Receiver so much that he supported them. Now. the friends are proud chatelainu of one of Britain's most offbe.-u gn::n hguggs, The two self-confessed antateurs, who knew more about horses than houses. have restored and decorated it on modest incomes with little pmfssioml help. These ladies. who barely knew how to plmtamue from Woolworths. have raised acres of fonnal gudens from the dead. embellishing them with rare plants in complex oolour patterns. The massive mofsrill has dry rot. Until it is repaired. they can’! begin work on the upper floor: with its maze of bedrooms and rusting bathtubs. But. when it comes at last, a grant from Canterbury Council will help them. It's the least the Council can do for Higham Park, which holds visitors in lhrall with its gardens and glittering history that includes Julius Caesar. Mozart, Jane Austen, General de Gaulle. and even the fabulous car Chilly Chitty Bang Bang. For the ladies. the present is rather less glamorous than the past. ‘We don't have much time to comes to help each weekend. The story ofthese doughty ladies‘ adventures wouldrmkeagoodfiritishfilm comedy. 'tmteadofanioelittlebattieufClnnelt'orotn- aociatiae.‘conressesPauicin,in}I!IcbriS|£,gi¥vor_:heuse Jutnnnnulr birthdays.wehadscaffoldingtowus.'saysArmnda. - tonesofawomanusedl0lellInBflh°""5*1flII|f!lh ntttlnnutttuu Tltsewereabigitnprrwementottlhe .II=Y‘ mannersatatriclry fence. ‘Everyday IIlIIIII-- tobalanceonwlaileusing ‘ ' ° ' 5.30crn|ndwot-lrinthegnrdentilll n-,;dytndopublictours.| -I 'D:eh9JueirelooedmFridaysurdS_ anrmursndweedalldaywrttrtlrend Dream house is awakening with tender oving care ONE of the zire2i's most prt-stigioiis liotisos is lieiiig restored under an ambitious proizraniine call- ing for cash, cm-nmitnieni and lots of tender. loving care. Higham Park. better known for many years as Highland Court, Bridge, dates from the late 1300s. It has seen many changes of style, architecture and owners since then. Sq)’ the words Chirty Chilly Bang Bang and everyone recalls the house and its 24 acres of gardens and grounds at the top of Bridge Hill. You doii‘t have to be at racing enthusiast to recall the car which lent its name to the novel and film. it was built here by Count Zborowski who raced for Mercedes and took in speed trials along Home Bay $£‘£l.fr()l'Il. _..._,.. A SEVEN—YEAIl dream of owning a Mth century maM'°" is new reality For a mother, her son and a friend. t Bill the house —— at one time a hospital - stood Cindi) : for years and the 24 acres of grounds resembl wilderness. Undniinted. they took on the mammoth task of restoring everything to its former glory. ROSEMARY BRAI‘I‘HWA['l"l-I But the t‘0l.llll and his milv liunttire cronies are only a few of the ghosts lingeriiig iii the higli-ceiliiiged, stiiiny rooms or in the beautiful grouiids. it is in their memory that mother and son ti~a.i-q Pat and Barry Gibb with their fnend, Amanda Harris-Deans. are uncovering secret gardens once hidden under tangled undergrowth, letting light into yew-lined walks and water gardens and putting their efforts into back-brt-zikiiig projects like rt-storiiig the balustrades .-surrounding the Pzilliidiaii frontage. went along to meet them. If that were :ill, lht‘ lfl“ would be smiling if ‘'0’ laughing. _ But tliey also fun‘ P9133175 costiiig $250,000 to the innnsiun's roof and ii $599; rcsloraliiin prugraiiniiie to turn the main house into ill“!-'1' mt-iits quite apan front l"Intl_|l18 the near Ssntlfitlti asking price. It is a real laliuur of luv?- Wlieii they sax-v the house [or the first time in I988. il W315 owned lI_\’ the area lit-allli auth- ority tiiitl used as a linspital ziniiex. TiIt‘_\' fell in love i-rith its I-'l0|’E.'~& Fl.t)WERIN(}: Amanda graimlimrv it‘ milrhlv l-‘IllTilllt‘i- la Vi“-'V(‘ir||1l nintilrliiii: flliti lire- ? ‘ ‘ *'-Iill romiiiitiv hiillrootii al'|ll_I|I‘v.'in1c-I I-I‘ owiiiiig at Jr. 199‘). the til't‘E|lll [nut-gum -,. re1Ih1_v Illlti they an; 5111] ,,,, Clmttl nine, PHI ~:;ii<|: "\|'r_' hat] to pm;-.. on! \l)lli‘i In buy ii_ [1 [uni hm.” amp‘? _“" .V"i|l‘:~. the plrisit-r lnD‘.lidll|g.\ wt-n. ,|,,”,[,iM aWil)_'. the roof llt'l‘(it‘(i rep2iir— mg. 111 fact. if it had lwvll l(‘n 3n01]ll‘l'}'|‘&ll', ilu-re uoulti lu- l'l€|_‘_h|llIrs'l' tn rt-.sti'>rt-. BN1 “'4' fell in love with i:_ B8|’|".V W15 ti-.'t<-rrniiiod to buy ll, ht’ stiltl his liti1:i.~ii- uml that Wl=s'_ II. Luci-cily we ilI'€ not afiélitl til’ hart! wr;rk and we love i:ui'-la.-iiiiig." AlT|ili"l(ikL who with Pat hall l9§{.“l'E'li (‘nun [.l'L‘ts Mminr, mlilhlilllifll is ziireiidy iuokiiig . [thvItililitlrillulul|II'1|;I}"~ o I ,_ 8 project wh - lesser souls thin luiis |-iZl\ lllml In Mn . i‘iIlll' — i AL. |Unt:int:i_\' nf ii sr,-a-irl.- i)l|Il£l}.{i'I\-|'. Think slash and lizicl-t rather "Iii"1%:-iitlygartlt-ii:»inuplt|, ilIr‘lllti- iii_-.1 lliaiiiai 1'-ill?»-it. the \Vliilst;il-l:- }L:ll'til'll Ii|‘.\ii1ll|‘|. who :itl\l>I'(l u~ ail---tit thr- l“ll’ litlritk llli ' ,!_, i .. tllit t‘ 1;’; :- imtumagum ivmoirtauqeiuo mi iii. mum. Pu, work on . lialnstrldc April :7, I997 33 - L Harris-Deans and Pat Gihh at Hiizham Park tluijfillllll.‘-i to he fll‘l>'V\'l'l't‘.(i. We are hoping sum-,-um- will ll'i1 us whti thasigned thr‘ garden which is a luntlstapv park in the [lepton style. And any informatioii about the house, which has gone through so Intiny clianges, wmiltl he fasci- nzitiiig." The-_v know the grounds were the original home of the llythe and Dymchurch R:iil~ waiy. built by Bligh Brothers at the suggestion of Prince Yiistipt m who escaped to Eng- land after the :e.,-tat-euinziriiin of R'tL\p\Illll They know llighairi was renaiiu-il Highlanil after Wtiits-r \\'li'tgli-am lmug_ht ii and tlitli\'i like the -miiiid uf \\lii[.',i\.'ll’t\ from lliqh-.iiii hut ilu.>_\ ‘ \kIi\|I_(1 lain t.. k,..,\.,— fl\Hl't‘ Hi rm ‘h*Vt charging beyond ttieir means, they mucked in to lcam every skill themselves — except plumbing. which needed an expert to deal with the fotir-inch iron pipes. aridwiringwhichneededaprofessicirial tolaytbe4m metresneededinthehallrilorie/I'licyvisitedotlierold houses for tips. wheedling free help where Pflssible. A gardening teacher gave‘ advice in exchange for a car-tloadofhorsen1.anure.AstorieniasontoldtIiembow togrindoffthecementlriid overthePortland stone floor'inthehall.Patr'icia.anastltmatic.losthervoioefor aramiynamntmiitrtiy activisy.Ar_nand-iwrmded aieluctantjoinenwtiolet slipthnt Insliohbywaiiold To the riiatitir drum Slim littylriu lllghiii Plrli tor the ltriiictrliiiiin prlu Ill 21 million, iutrirliin It to It: ttiririur uiliiitliir has trecorne III III- niiiisuiilnu lllrnnr til _/ 0 LOCAL 1- it tells how Julius 03953! °"_°° C.-.mp,.,d on J:::IDnTwo|fl Hignarns grounds. linding ll a l30l"lV€3t1iI?rtlr],-[V's mmct-i from Dover. in 1320. Edward ll 93”” 1' ilousu on the site to the De Higham family,‘ desc.-3nu_-ms D, Norman it-waders who helped William the Conqueror subdue the area. Present 0_lW'lel5 ‘ Amanda and pamcta have tound Tudor brickwork in the basement and 3 priests hole from a lime when residents Included mg Culpaper family of famous herbalists. one or whafll. . . Thomas» was later tatalfv implicated in Mary Queen of Scots‘ tinal cons -racy 3Qain5t Elllabeth L11-i house passed Waugh many hands. until in 1901. -9 banker rzalleq William Gay added 3 POVTICO and gardens insphed by his 9l3llUS0ll'S glowing account of his Grand 70”, of Europe. 0 HIGHAM t>Ai:ii(-s flmfl heyday began in 1910, Wlfifl Countos.-. rarsngaocldentshewas datsnniriedtobuvmuham gm Engtgt-i estate for her sort, Louis. William Gray wasre|i.idanttbsaII—untlI Margaretwhoowried mirchotMrritiatlan.ri'iadeanotletrioeoiildn'treluse. JustIstheOOllnlessmovedln,in19tt.sl'iedledof 'tlu.iea\/ll9L0|ll5- hBl15year-aids-oi1.lolivothara alonawlthhis£1t.5mlllioripetind|e9acy.Louls,areal- tifeGtaatGetsbY.marrledaGaletyGlilealedVtolet Laloestar.0t'l80fBn elite gmupotstrlnriig music-hall darieetItttl|0VI8dlt1lotl'iatippert:lasses.Haraced n-itrihtrrotralrtsiouridtl1agarden.riridbunrasti:ars.A neint'ibour,JarnesBondciaatorlan Flamlng.wati:tied ‘Ian Fleming watched aging as Louis created three racing MaraarvlZl>°rowv-W - 2 ::rT:ine3 ‘ - iiirl- of twenty-somethings — living 1! plastic bags while may do up thelr oi Illa joys of moving inwards _ . is that you have usually x lmled lnlo a home m which you in rennin for a oonsidurnble limo;-. living schoul comes a renled n» V _: of being a nrstvllme bu:-‘I.-r. W lavural more mm-es. to follow the ‘ orln Iocmnmodalea grnwing nchmuve comes an urge to n3-do ' balm. The DEY firms make ~ .. p¢uflIs.and the family lives in - all: fur a couple or yams as - [Interns are lmnslunned, lance of mine told. um - into I dream. bcdmonl house will wonderful. but it was a ‘llvingin salt-ndld puvert Illluetl wnnrlerlul. but snfar we «mm: lndmw picuu-es uf \\'h.1L Bathe kitchen walla," 4- - Iml'.her\-Ind—sun pnrlnuslup. ‘ A - bought the old Hlgblami Htnfllal In I906. and km year ~ lupnhnn to the puhllx 5 they torenur: it In H; pre-hospllul dfil lhezmy lleIboveB'm;e h hurawnalgga tlugranlmere ‘ wullahelmnturtalsedlnlan H unillnelychlldmn‘: clnsslc . *‘ Wflanvliarw given! th :1 H in , mm ).It on ' H lath: hnrbullawhumas ~ task taken on by a trio blddlng to bring back to Its name mu changed when ll was arrluu-ed by the Whizhm tunlly. which mum! the e1)iLhI.'lWhl[ham ul Hjglnm a mue loo unzalnly, uring Lhe Second World Wu it was used by Lhe Arm)‘, which Ian it in lhe mess ll left most of its Telmisiuunecl properly. Later il beam: a ]:BS)lih’l|..(|l1d.lhDII stood den-llct (or I2 yenrs No one, lensl or all they llmmelves. tan explain quite why its Pl?S@nl trimnvlr-ale ml owners look ll nu. Between them they had almatly restored a smaller mansion at Court Lees Msmor. Whiumhle. After it was sold Pal mwt-dz "'l'hnl'| the last olnl hum: mu: I will ever own." \\fi\‘~V'.“\‘ EIKHND PIOJEUI‘: PM Glhb and. Amanda 7 g, \ lnmw home at Bos~m}:h.Im 1h.u m. 3 final] the mod cons :m:l lnrl. m r 1 hllls ul any new hmlnlmg. Eu! Hm. ' and Cour! value on lht‘ Inurkcl , i I agenda: to have .| Snoop -.lu.~| «- -& lhrcurloslty'.-. 5.15.» — that's an hunt. "We ml‘ é hat! In I|a\‘e a nose amund mm Bnrry asked me lo I!Ial~'<' 4 1 to come and look, uml {ell lll Ix. |[_ "\\'u lnm unlinn of buying it. but ht‘ xulll l . Amanda sum hers an-I I sulll rm U. TIN‘ hUI—- 5! acres at gruumls ms! then: v‘ ‘ ' ammo‘ the mot wul iakt’ flnflllk : ‘ wugepnperwnru to zlrlm-\ .- .1 3:! It still irrixuling on _ _. rmer glory a house with a fascinating higlgly Hm rl-Inn: hnvr alread) re-clorcd one former mansion E and other l’clurhIShl1‘lL'll1L\ uruwcled In um .um:m-r« "Fl um, Thcv hum .|ln>mly :1-slur:-xi mum of the gmund flour \~hBrL-lhe}'\M|1,1IIl\\.e 'The plan ls nnw lu menu the sumxm-r nhrklh}: nn the nnlcn, men. when um gram Ii thruugh. repair lhr mot and comvn the fitsl Eluor Inlu Apartments 'Thert- are 3’; menu harp and we ::an‘l la.-we lhl‘|]'l cl ' or thew \n'll rll-tennr.nm." )5 .~\nI:anrl.1, I lock lllrec monllu lu Dn€lJ:u'e and palm the ballruum: and um dues nu! ‘mclude the vlasu.-nm: Like the ballmulu. (he rlmiug mom h.1~ ban taken back to the team ushu: pnclure §:Il1L'.l'_\’ ml. "Tu he honrrsl ll 1.: not our colour. but cnnsidermunn lhrw mmldm-4. Na-.—n h . . I vf\ Tum ) n":Ir‘v-1 -mr. gJ‘E4:I£Sl' ‘ 5 “ :1 KKOWN .»‘ ‘ll I? I0 MAN’ ' If 4 1 See the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at this year’s KENT COUNTY SHOW July 16.17.18 Fr-v Parking 0 Fr» Frrwhr 0 Fun F'7r ll.’ I2: I \l‘orp 0 Keep Bnmzx Farmlnr: 0 Bnmn Food Tam I English \\ me Ian! I Flmrer Sho- U Lneclork Judmug I l,. %-scr :o.- -\..v-as-s Eng-me: u Irarlufil sum .IupIngOFnrpsh"§ 1:2: 1111:111111j1111ZI 't‘-l1‘P='-’!uH!3e'_-::uJ"e—:v'rc.':~e’>1'Ieq_J Sam - 6pm Than 500 Tradp -razd« ,\L'1'lruJrurzJ'D¢-93.111-rrailan Vzleran .\nd \ lntagp Can I Steam I :.\,_.. ram:-: IX rams t.’5E mumuyu ~_-—«JInn-gun»-\:s_1.--:__|,»3 ion 2: Liz MIDI! 20 2004 t.:tIiIuI|n1tv f\« i.*:¢‘.r‘.iu- 37 tle ample tately living 1... r ' ta‘ . group at Hlgharn Park 5' "7 VILLAGERS hnvo boon bridging the gap botwoen two cultures by welcoming visitors from Japan irrlo Ihlir homol. The liast meets West initiative is the brainchild of University of Kent at Canterbury cnntparative cultural studies lecturer Valerie de Furrcntes and former Japanese prisoner of war William Ruse. Both residents til" liridge. Valerie and William organised for children from Tcnryu Junior High School to spend :1 week in their village learning about England and its traditions. The connection with Tennju was established by William, who was incarcerated on the site where the school now stands during the Second World War. After returning to England, Wfilliam wrote a book about his experiences which is now a central part of the social-studies Curriculum for the Tenryu students. The eight—day visit was packed with activities and events, including a visit to a Canterbury Cathedral service attended by the Japanese ambassadnr, a morning spent in a local school and a visit to stately home Higham Park. Higlnm Park owner Amanda Cultural bridge first built by WWII Pow llarris~I)can-e WL'll.()Tn('tl lhr gmup tin Tuesday afternoon and tg.a\'e them 4| rnur of her home. She said; “The students live in ll lit- tlc village up a mountain in J.'tpan. w I don't think they have ever \l.'Cl'l 4 house quite like thi: ~ they were thur— oughly arnawd. “They had all heard nf james Hunt! 007, and on were very 1l'!‘t§]rL"«\t'tl when we explained the Ian Fleming EfIlIfl['{- tinn tn them [the Bond author Iivi-ii at the parkl and also when they learned that Mmart and Jane Austen had \«‘l‘«- ited here. "They liked the Italian water gar- den. which as very different [0 What they are used to, and We aim showed them our bamboo and kni carp, which they recognised straight away. “Although their English was very basic, the group were all firniles; Fm sure the group enjnyed their Vlhll untl. nf course, they took hundreds in photos!" The students will stay with their hosts until Sunday. when they will return home to tell their tar-mlica about their experiences. “All the host families. say the "alu- dent: have been wonderful guests and have eniuyed intmdumng them in life in England," said Valerie. H1030 ‘I'll! IINIDE: Students from Tenryu with (from left) translator Trevor Anderson. William Rose, Valerie de Furrentes and Bridge COUnC|llClF John Anderson &IlrKtAmandaHarrisrDeanocha1atott1evisltors \Qiuf'own skip lorries supplying: 4,st8“§arr_sups V Fast, elllcieiii reliable service. ‘.-x ." .- . Mini digger hire Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay 1‘ A .~ ' surriarrr * YDUFLDCAL .. COMMUNITY , SUPPORT yy *4 Q YDUFLOEAL \ ‘rt .BUSINESS 7‘ \/V“ .‘ if \ Road permits obtained. Drop door sltlps always available. competitive prices Serving the local community for 25 years with a family business Wee- Pave-Weesklps-Wee-mlx concrete and surrounding areas. 1hour drop oil service Skips deilvered on Sundays ' TASTEFUL WORK: The spendour of the dining room at Higham Park I3/2301E Restoring ABOVE: The bustle of a ward when the ballroom was part of Highland Court Hospital. BELOW: The ball- room now restored to former glory. 28/230IE 27230JE M I"... -f-Isltlllllit --JIIIIIIOI 1011 v : Pat Gibb and Amanda Ham?--.Deans have already restored one former mans m M R P m m m TASl'flULWORI:ThIliII|dm|rofflIediIiIU‘l!Iou|tKl¢hImPnrk18'I&901l: (..\|(“[.V ~ IILORY: Pat Gibb and Amanda lIa- ; . Ir ‘I ”l'fl1l'llI| tliiv nxir-uralvo l.’i‘ilIiiitl5 Re toring their home LAST not we highlighted the start of work to restore the former Highland Court hospital. the grey stoned mansion above Bridge. , A yEI‘l;.0II. ‘Kent Journalist oi‘ the 3:153 'mi-vivni M |:]nm If).?2.Wf~,‘ r.i<.\r‘i:rI’l. l.lVl\'l'.. lino "1 mp F.,;....,. _..,_in._, ,,1,m,W ,1 _ 2m_.,,,,,,_ Pictures: MIKE WATERMAN T Gibb is what ‘ referred to as a wfiififzllcglesly Wflflin age. Her son Barry is a ble stock broker in the City. friend Amanda Harris.Dean5 is no teenager either. makes it all the stranger that at stuck in that particular _ oi twenty-somethings — living of plastic bags while they do up their Jail...‘ 1...... .. - nlllllll : of thejoys of moving towards ‘ ' ' ' ' r _ ~ use is that you have usually - ‘ ' settled into a home in which you to remain for a considerable time. _ having school ‘comes a rented fiat, ’ of being a first-time buyer. several more moves, to follow the arm acconunodate a ABOVE lillflle of I word when uie ballroom was :'l'he IIII1 of Elllilllid Court. Hospital. BEIDW: The ball room now restored to turner Elan. 28.'2301E 27230115 each move comes an urgeto re-do ' home. The DIY firms make profits. and the family lives in 4 siteforacouple of years as ‘and gardens are transformed. [acquaintance of mine told me, into: dream six-bedroom house was wonderful, but it was a 1! living in splendid poverty. house is wonderful. but so far we __ afford to draw pictures of what im the kitchen walls." mother-and-son partnership. da, bought the old Highland Hospital in 1995. and last yea!‘ its gardens to the public as they r it‘ Its name was changed when it was acquired by the Whigham family, which found the epithet Whigham of Higham a little too ungainly. uring the Second World War it was used by the Army. which left it in the mess it left most of its -. "3 |‘95l-0T9 ll U0 its PW-h05Pll3l requisitioned property. Later it became a ,’ Mil hospital. and then stood derelict for 12 [in the grey pile above Bridge where yeais. zb°|'DWSkl Bafflfied the racing No one, least of all they themselves. can t were to be immortaiised in Ian rk 1 11.1 dr ,s classic explain quite why its present un i e y c i en triumvirate of owners took it on. own." '.\‘._y_\\\S\rV'1‘«\« my Bang Bang’ Between them they had. already restored 3’ “V9” ‘'3 ‘he ‘'9 llegham a smaller mansion at Court Lees Manor. . by Edwalaiglll tlhrfitlgelgzed in Whitstable. After it was sold Pat vowed: “min the herbnliél Thomas “'l‘hat s the last old house that 1 will ever . i‘*‘_4 SECOND PROJECT: Pat Gibb and Amanda Henri:-Deans have already resturPd one former mansion = : 'I‘hl‘,\ ll .‘ In new home Ell [ilusiiigliniii that rm 1nd in all the I1'U|llL'l3[].\ imil lurk til :.|ur bills of unyxw\\'hL1l|Il:1Ix-t. liui LllL'[ fihlarld Court came on the markvt .-lH’at decided to llii\'l-‘ .i snoop —j :1 III for I:uri0sii)"s siilie — that's .11. honest. “We 0:11‘. chine here to have zi nose Bfoullll ‘llthen Barry :\.