The Kent History Forum

Military History => Castles, Forts and other fortified places => Topic started by: Local Hiker on September 10, 2019, 10:03:59 PM

Title: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Local Hiker on September 10, 2019, 10:03:59 PM
The Spur Battery at Fort Amherst should be opening in September.
 The overground site was closed when I visited on August 16th, to facilitate a crane lifting large items onto the Spur Battery that would not fit through the access tunnel.
 I spoke to a Fort Amherst Facebook moderator to query the site closure. The information was given by the helpful person who answered me.
 I have followed the Facebook page to get up-to-date information on developments at the fort.
 
 https://www.facebook.com/fortamherstuk/ (https://www.facebook.com/fortamherstuk/)
 
 
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: epsom on September 11, 2019, 07:43:04 AM

Hi Local Hiker,
The official opening is on the 19th September this will then allow access to the Barrier road area previously used as storage, and the the area known as the unrestored A lot of work has been done to open up this area of the fort for use. A lot of brickwork repairs have been done to consolidate the walls in various areas the sunkan courtyard has now been turned into a amphitheatre which can be used for all sorts of things from concerts etc to plays. New pathways have also been installed as well the tenile area will be used for allotments by various groups although some areas still look untidy I was impressed byt the amount of work that has been done by the builders and the fort staff.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: MartinR on September 11, 2019, 08:02:58 AM
Realistically, how accessible is the fort these days for a mobility scooter?  I can walk short distances.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Local Hiker on September 11, 2019, 10:48:08 AM
MartinR, the the upper, outer levels that are part of the Great Lines Heritage Park, are accessible.
There are good cinder tracks, and slopes rather than steps.
The main slope from the lower car park up to the top is fairly steep: I do not know how the torque of a scooter would cope.
Some of the nooks and crannies to explore have a few steps, but no distance from the main paths, so if you can walk short distances, it should all be accessible for you.
The cinder paths go out to the War Memorial, so that is also accessible on a scooter, then on out over the Great Lines too.
There are plenty of benches and some picnic tables to rest on.
I think you would manage as long as the scooter copes with the main slope.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: MartinR on September 11, 2019, 11:06:10 AM
Thanks.  You mention the "lower car park", is there an upper one, and would it be more accessible?
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Local Hiker on September 11, 2019, 01:09:48 PM
The "lower car park" to which I refer is the fort's car park by the cafe.
There are no car parks as such at the higher levels.
There is an entrance in the north east corner, off Maxwell Road. There is street parking in that area, although the area closest to the entrance is a "residents only" area. I think the signage is a "recommendation" rather than an enforceable restriction. You would need to confirm for yourself, especially if you have the benefit of a blue badge.
There is also street parking in the "Sally Port Gardens" military estate. The Kings Bastion road has access onto the Lines just by the War Memorial, and thus access to the southern entrance into the upper fort.
There is also access from Kings Bastion road to Maxwell Road through the military tennis courts, an area that is easily missed but quite interesting in itself.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Smiffy on September 17, 2019, 05:39:05 PM
Any idea if the footbridge leading to the Spur battery near the tennis pavilion will finally be opened?
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Local Hiker on September 17, 2019, 05:54:18 PM
Smiffy, I do not know if the bridge will be opened as part of the opening of the Spur Battery this month.
However, when I was there last month, the footbridge gate from the tennis courts was still locked.
I have to say that the fairly new, unused bridge looked in a bit of a state of disrepair, with buckling evident in the hand rails and sides.
I wish that I had taken a photo. Now that the KHF seems up and running again, I need to capture such observations in future.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Smiffy on September 17, 2019, 06:49:48 PM
Hi Local Hiker,


As far as I know that bridge has never been used since it was built seven years ago, apart from some rare guided visits. It makes you wonder why they bothered in the first place, apart from giving the Royal Engineers something to do. Once the new work is completed perhaps it will finally be opened to the public, that is unless it's now deemed to be in an unsafe condition.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: epsom on September 18, 2019, 07:47:33 AM

Hi All,
As a trustee at the fort I can let you all know that firstly when the bridge was built it was the intention at the time to have this open, but due to the constant break in's we had at the time the trust decided it should be kept locked. As regards the bridge although it might look tired the recent structural report has said that it is in very good condition. We queried about the buckling at the time of the report as this was designed by the army to a standard design they do and we were told that this is to be expected due to the design. The opening of this area (the unrestored) I guess this must change now is due on the 19th 20th and 21st September with the Icon production of the Chatham witch. Once this has been done with and following a lot more tidying up of the area from the building works this is likely to be open next year.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Smiffy on September 18, 2019, 01:27:12 PM
epsom, thanks for clarifying things a bit regarding the bridge.


The problem with keeping it locked is that the fence is constantly being ripped open in order to gain access to what must be perceived as a "forbidden" area, something that is irresistible to many people (especially kids). Now that the restoration process is nearing completion hopefully this will help to put a stop to it.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: Local Hiker on September 18, 2019, 01:35:49 PM
I was having a look through Medway Mayor's diary for September and came across this:-


Saturday 21st September, 17:45 - 21:30,
The Mayor and Mayoress will be attending the VIP launch of The Command of the Heights at Fort Amherst in Chatham
Title: Re: Fort Amherst
Post by: epsom on September 19, 2019, 07:49:05 AM
epsom, thanks for clarifying things a bit regarding the bridge.


The problem with keeping it locked is that the fence is constantly being ripped open in order to gain access to what must be perceived as a "forbidden" area, something that is irresistible to many people (especially kids). Now that the restoration process is nearing completion hopefully this will help to put a stop to it.

Unfortunately it is not just kids that are doing it a number of people we know to have done this have been reported to the Kent police heritage unit . As you say after the opening it will be an open area with just the Prince Williams barracks sealed other than for tours along with the redoubt canopier part but time will tell.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Local Hiker on August 22, 2020, 04:19:40 PM
I visited the newly opened Spur Battery yesterday. I took a few photos and videos if anyone is interested.


https://www.facebook.com/Spilt0Milk/posts/887928725068379 (https://www.facebook.com/Spilt0Milk/posts/887928725068379)
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: stuartwaters on August 22, 2020, 06:20:43 PM
Brilliant pics. It's easy to forget just how impressive the Fort is. I'd certainly hate to have been a French soldier trying to get in if it had come to it.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Dave Smith on August 22, 2020, 06:54:07 PM
As you say, Stuart, brill.pics. Can someone enlighten me as to the red tower block on pic.6 please?
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Local Hiker on August 22, 2020, 07:27:58 PM
Dave Smith, that is the Pentagon complex, shops and offices and a redundant bus station.
Did somebody say "hideous carbuncle"?
Sadly, it does dominate the southerly views from the fort.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_Shopping_Centre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_Shopping_Centre)
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Bill Jones on November 28, 2020, 12:44:49 PM
I just seen that a naughty film called Tight Rider was filmed in the underground tunnels a few ago and Amherst was paid £1200 to use them, that seems to be a bad way of raising money//? I will not put a link to the naughty film but it is bad lol. I am very suprised that a history site like a fort like this would accept such money to raise funds.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: MartinR on November 28, 2020, 01:36:41 PM
Did it harm the structure?  Was it illegal?  If not then why shouldn't Amherst pocket the cash.  If it's 48 second spoof of Knight Rider that is on YouTube, then it's a bit tasteless but hardly illegal.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Bill Jones on November 28, 2020, 04:51:02 PM
I have not said it was illegal just that I thought a hardcore pornorgraphic film was not a suitable way of raising funds surely? I do not know the youtube clip but what I was shown was a long naughty film very graphic. But if that sort of thing is ok with you martin then good luck to you. Would you say that English Heritage should therefore be able to do the same and pocket the money???


And Martin you say its a bit tasteless but the lady didnt think so lol
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: MartinR on November 28, 2020, 06:39:29 PM
Some people like different types of film.  People's ideas of what constitutes "hard core pornography" also differs.  In general though, if the film is legal and likely to get at BFC rating, then I would encourage charities to take advantage of such propositions.  There's precious few charities that can reject money just because some people regard it as "naughty".  Since all that appeared on the first page of an internet search was the short clip then obviously I can't judge this particular instance.  Still each to his own.
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: pete.mason on November 29, 2020, 09:11:45 AM
The churches don't seem t worry about being paid to host the likes of Antiques Roadshow or Flog it
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: CAT on November 29, 2020, 02:42:08 PM
And they can be perceived as 'Hard core' to some?  :) . Maybe I'm watching the wrong kind of Flog It?
Title: Re: Fort Amherst, Chatham
Post by: Lutonman on November 30, 2020, 06:58:27 PM
Not sure that churches allowing Flog it and Antiques road show equates to the type of filming that took place at For Amhurst.
I do recall that at the time there was a few comment son the old forum about the filming.