Sheerness Heritage Centre

Paul Dummott

Sheerness 1/2 mile
Bus stop in High St

The Sheerness Heritage Centre is  housed  in a weather boarded cottage that was built in the early 19th century as a dwelling for a  dockyard worker. Despite being constructed of seemingly temporary building materials the house, as with its two neighbours, has lasted well and, over the years, it has also been a baker's shop and a fish and chip shop. Now cared for, the rooms here have been restored and they now reflect authentic 19th century rooms and are furnished with genuine pieces from that period. The Royal Dockyard here closed in March 1960 - it has now become a flourishing port - and, in the heritage centre, there is also an exhibition describing the development of the dockyard along with a display of tools used by its workers.It seems almost impossible to believe now but until 1861 when the first bridge was built there was no direct road or rail connection with the mainland. Everything has to be brought either via the ferryboat or down the Medway by ship.The first and every subsequent bridge until the new Sheppey Crossing opened in July 2006 carried road and rail.

                  PUBS HAVE DISAPPEARED AS WELL AS OTHER BUILDINGS

The following was written in the 1920s by a Mr Staveley, a High St florist, on an advertising card.You would have needed a strong head to visit all these pubs in one day Many have disappeared and those underlined are the ones still extant 

“The Tour”

It began in Blue town, went through Sheerness into Minster, Leysdown and Harty and back via Halfway and Queenborough, ending in Westminster.  “Wearing the Crown and Anchor a Jolly Sailor refreshed himself at the Fountain on his way to the Crystal Palace falling in with Watermen and Cricketers. They informed him Cumberland was in Arms, so ordering Horse and Groom and waving the Red White and Blue he formed a Mitre and went to the Ship. Seeing Lord Nelson he told him with Good Intent the news. That is no Criterion, take these emblems sealed with the Red Lion and summon the Army and Navy or Druids to Arms, then refresh yourself with Grapes, for you will require Hearts of Oak to face the Duke of Clarence. Proceed to the Railway but don’t act the Goat: be a True Briton and Victory is sure. Go with the speed of a Greyhound until you come to the North Star, You will receive there another Crown and Anchor for your Sun. At the Brewery Tap you will be presented with a Belle and Lion. Toll the bell and sing that popular ditty Blue Bell with a Good Intent, but don’t disturb the British Queen who will give you a Wheatsheaf to place in her favourite Bricklayers Arms.You will next sing Britannia rules the waves to Wellington who will order the Mechanics Arms to sever the Tartars Head and take Kent’s Arms. You must then take the Crown from the Old House at Home and place it in the Castle which protects the Queen’s Head. Refresh your self at the Royal Hotel. A Sea View will then be taken by Napier from the Glasshouse and the Hero of the Crimea who fought on the Heights of Alma being a Man of Kent will be made a British Admiral and his sword hardened by a brawny Blacksmith’s Arms. Proceeding you will come to the Ship on Shore and a Prince of Waterloo will tell you how the King’s Arms were taken by the Highlanders who captured the Sons of Sheppey and took them to the British Queen. After planting a Royal Oak near the Plough then taking a Wheatsheaf they found a Crooked Billet at the Castle. Proceeding with a Rose and Crown they discovered a Greyhound which they took to Harty Ferry and on to Halfway House where they were entertained by the Oddfellows. They were then sent to Queen Phillipa with a Rose and the Hope that they would take the Ordnance Arms to the Castle from the Old House at Home, then return to the Ship or Lady Hamilton now The Aviator  sail round the Globe and finish in the Medway”

MORE DETAILS OF DOCKYARD ON FOLLOWING PAGES..........