Guess the Place

[Dave Smith]

MartinR. As you have a knowledge of all things associated with maps, at what stage does the benchmark change from inches- e.g. 123.94"- to feet & inches please? BUT, as that is only 10ft 3.94" & I'm sure Gillingham High Street is higher that that above msl, maybe it's 123ft & ?" I know that this is a little off topic but still relevant &, like John Walker, I find all these threads interesting.

[John Walker]

That's more info I've learned from the GTP threads.  Thanks, Stuartwaters, MartinR, and CAT.


I had to work for this one.  Worked my way through NatWest banks on GSV.  Found it around the 10th try.


Next one up after discussion on benchmarks etc.

[CAT]

Worth baring in mind that when looking at Bench marks on old maps they will be marked in feet and inches as opposed to the more recent maps which are in metres and centimetres. joys of metrification.

[MartinR]

Stuart, that is a surveyor's benchmark, not a WD boundary marker.  The WD symbol doesn't have the line across the top.  Looking at an old 1960s map (attached) you can see it shown as an arrow against the bank's wall and the legend "BM 123.94" gives the precise height of the deepest part of the horizontal cut.  Incidentally, the cross and "121" is a spot height that isn't marked but just added to make understanding the terrain easier.

[stuartwaters]

JW you have it, well done.


That branch of Natwest is infamous for those of us of a certain age. Way back in the mid-80s, a fight had started in a trendy pub/nightclub called "Kents", formerly the Kent Arms on the corner of Jeffrey Street and James Street. The fight spilled over onto the street and into Gillingham High Street and somebody was stabbed to death outside the Bank. Kents closed soon after due to a lack of customers and is now a Chinese Takeaway.


I had no idea that the War Department owned land into Gillingham High Street (I'm assuming that is a War Department boundary marker carved into the stone).


 I thought that might go a little longer. Over to you....

[John Walker]

NatWest Bank, Gillingham High Street ?

[stuartwaters]

What and where is this?

[stuartwaters]

Thank you for that both of you. I have a pic to post but it's at home, so I'll post it in a while.


As for the Water Works, I drove past it quite frequently on my way to the Sewage Works at Dambridge Farm just outside Wingham. I've also spent a few nights working on the pumping station just behind the High Street in Wingham.

[CAT]

I think you have it stuartwaters as you got the location and I just needed the final clarification.


The inscription on the front of the building says 'Margate Water Works' as it was built by the Margate Corporation between 1903-5 to supply pumped water to the Fleet reservoir and then onto Thanet. It draws water from  three separate wells, each over 100ft deep into a tunnel system extending over two miles around the immediate area of the wells.


For those not in the know, its located beside the main road roughly midway between the villages of Wingham and Aylesham.


So over to you stuartwaters

[grandarog]

Give it to Stuart please Cat.He found it. I already knew where and what it was.

[stuartwaters]

Who are you giving this one to CAT? I got the location, but grandarog's answer was more accurate than mine. Don't mind either way....

[MartinR]

Grade II listed, see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1363294?section=official-listing
I notice that the distinctive stack has been removed, presumably on electrification.

• Grid: TR 24307 55335
• Post: CT3 3JD
• WGS84: 51°15'11"N, 001°12'47"E

[grandarog]

It is "Margate" as it was built as a pumping station Waterworks to supply the towns needs from the water source springs at Wingham.. .
Donate the Brownie Point to Stuart. 

[CAT]

It is indeed commonly known as Wingham Waterworks building, but for the extra virtual point, what is the more distant town name inscribed on the front of the building?

[stuartwaters]

Wingham Water Works by any chance?