Seaford Museum & Heritage Society
Dolphins in the Martello Tower?
In the early ’70s, the Martello Tower was a rather sad looking place. The imposing structure was surmounted by a rather odd flat perched on top rather like a pie crust. The role of the building was examined by East Sussex County Council during the period of local government reorganisation in 1974.
The Tower had been developed or despoiled, depending on your point of view, through the early part of the twentieth century by the addition of slipper baths and a roller skating rink in the moat – which was partially covered in 1936 to improve the Esplanade – a café, an amusement arcade and that flat on top, of course. In a report to the Amenities Committee, the Chief Planning Officer of the ESCC set out a number of possible options for the Martello Tower. It was suggested that the landward part of the moat could be roofed over and the entire space could be a craft centre, offering exhibition space for local artists, potters, iron workers and other craftspeople. Plus, part of the covered moat and the tower itself could be used as an astronomical observatory with a public area equipped with telescopes ‘to afford views of passing shipping’. Or perhaps, the Tower could become a restaurant and bar with a marine exhibition centre in the moat area. It was also suggested that it could become a museum dedicated to the Napoleonic Wars. But the most imaginative suggestion was that the Martello Tower should become a Dolphinarium. Quite how the aquatic mammals were to be accommodated or shown to the public is unclear, but the idea may
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have involved converting part of the covered moat into banks of seating with the open moat being converted into water tanks for the dolphins. Who knows? Creative sketches were prepared, showing how a revised bridge and entrance arch might look, even more theatrical than the arch that existed at the time. There may have been further studies and suggestions for the use of the Martello Tower, but in the event – and probably because of its Ancient Monument status, none were carried out, and in 1977 Lewes District Council took the decision to ‘restore’ the Tower. The flat was removed in 1978, as was the arcade/café structure on the seaward side and the Tower was returned to something closer to its original appearance. In 1979, Seaford Heritage Society was allowed to lease the building for use as a Museum and a large amount of carefully planned restoration was undertaken. But being a Scheduled Ancient Monument, has meant that no alterations may be made to the tower at all. ‘We can’t even drill into the wall to hang a display’ commented Jane Keel, Chairman. ‘Our job is to preserve the Tower in its current state and as a home for our exhibition of local history and artefacts. All being well, we intend to reopen our Archives to enquirers on Sunday 1st of August from 1.30 to 4pm. Anyone with an enquiry about a specific building, street or event is welcome to come along.’ Photos from top: The flat being removed from the Tower roof; Part of the ‘creative’ suggestions for the Tower. Please recycle this magazine when you have finished with it.
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