NEWS UPDATE: WHITSTABLE BENCH TO BE RESTORED AND THE BRASS PLAQUE TOO!

A VERY GOOD UPDATE, to the story about the Peter and Helen Cushing Bench at Cushing's View in Whitstable. Also news on the brass plaque and the reason why it went missing. I am SO happy to know, it's disappearance was NOT down to an act of vandalism and theft. These details were printed on the Canterbury Council News site today . . . This is good news, thank you Canterbury City Council!

WORK TO RESTORE Peter Cushing’s memorial bench in Whitstable is about to get underway. The city council has commissioned artist Will Glanfield to carry out the project. He originally made the seat, which is located at Cushing’s View on the seafront behind Keam’s Yard car park, in 1990 and will be restoring it using original Jarrah timber. A few weeks ago, a member of the public contacted the council to say the bench’s plaque had gone missing. The council had begun making arrangements for a replacement when Peter Cushing’s former personal assistant, Joyce Broughton, got in touch to say the original plaque had been handed into Whitstable Museum. The council believes the screws had rusted and the plaque had become loose, prompting a member of the public to remove it and hand it in. And when an officer met Joyce at the bench to collect it, the need for the restoration work to the bench itself became clear.

Peter Cushing on the day of the grand opening of Cushing's View on the sea front at Whitstable, Kent.

THE BENCH WILL BE REMOVED in the next week or so and repairs are expected to take around a month. The bench’s dedication plaque will also be reattached. Chairman of the council’s Community Committee, Cllr Neil Baker, said: “We know how important Peter Cushing’s bench is to the people of Whitstable. The last time it was removed for repairs, there were concerns it had been taken away forever, so we want to be clear this is only temporary and that it will be back in a little while, looking better than ever. “It’s particularly good that we’re using the original artist, Will Glanfield, for this project. He will treat the bench with the tender loving care it deserves and we know he’s going to do a great job.”

YOU'LL FIND TODAY'S POST AND AN ARCHIVE OF MOST OF OUR PCASUK WEBSITE POSTS AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! IF YOU ENJOY OUR POSTS AND WANT TO COMMENT OR DISCUSS THE WORK AND LIFE OF PETER CUSHING, COME AND JOIN OVER THIRTY THREE THOUSAND OTHERS, AND TAKE PART IN THE OLDEST PETER CUSHING FAN CLUB, NOW ON FACEBOOK BOOK! POSTS ARE UPDATED THERE EVERYDAY! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK HERE  AND THEN CLICK LIKE THERE! YOU'LL BE MOST WELCOME!

PLEASE PUT THE PLAQUE BACK! WHISTABLE CUSHING BENCH STILL WAITING ELEVEN MONTHS ON

ONE OF THE MANY GREAT things about managing the PCASUK facebook fan page and website during the summer months, is the steady stream of photographs and posts from the many of you who have taken a trip to Whitstable, in Kent. As I am sure many of you know, Whitstable was the home of Peter and his wife Helen, for many years. They LOVED the town and it's residents. Peter was extremely fond of the walk way from his sea side front door, along the front to what would one day become, 'Cushing's View'. It was a walk he would take most days, chatting and meeting the public along the way. In 1990, Peter dedicated and donated, a beautiful bench to the spot, where walkers and 'lovers' could sit and take a rest, while taking in the sea air and sights. The bench was installed, along with a brass plaque on it's back rest, 'Presented by Peter and Helen Cushing who love Whitstable and its people very much' . . .

SINCE 1990, the bench has been used, photographed and adored by the public, tourists and ..fans. It never was damaged, vandalised or abused...until September 2017, when someone removed and stole the brass plaque. I received many enquiring, worried emails and photographs, from visitors to this site. It was PCAS follower David Perry, who managed to find out that it had been stolen, and the good news that it was now in the safe hands of the Whitstable Museum and it's volunteers..to be reinstalled . . .soon. I am very thankful for a message and photograph from another PCAS follower, John Charles this week that sadly shows the plaque still isn't back in place. It's summer, Whitstable like the rest of the UK is enjoying a wonderful season. The town is very busy with tourists and visitors, many ...sitting on that bench! Many taking photographs of it. Personally, I have kept an eye on the development of the repair. I have emailed, telephoned and contacted the museum and local authority, since September last year. I know budgets are tight, tasks are never ending, but . . thank you

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CUSHING'S DAILY WALKS : FANCY MEETING YOU HERE! : CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS MAN?

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY How cool is this? Here's a photograph that was passed onto me over Christmas. As you know, Peter Cushing's walks through his home town were often opportunities for visiting fans to bump into Peter and have a chat, but also Peter had many friends in the town, he would meet on the street or beach, during his daily jaunt. One of these were the Hewlett family. Many UK followers here will I am sure recognise Donald from the extremely popular 1970's BBC tv comedy series, 'It Ain't Half Hot, Mum', in which he played Colonel Charles Reynolds 🙂 Peter was very good friends with the family. This photograph was taken on the beach just outside Peter's own front door 🙂 Did any of you ever 'bump' into Peter on the beach at WHITSTABLE? Do tell . . .

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY! OVER THE YEARS I have seen lots of strange and wonderful illustrations on VHS and DVD covers, that grace the covers of Cushing films. But this one would be sure to make any Hammer fan, raise their eyebrows! Both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in the film, contained in the box . . . but Lee certainly doesn't appear as Dracula, neither does Cushing play Baron Frankenstein. The image of Dracula has been lifted from the 'Satanic Rites of Dracula' (1973) press kit. Cushing's up to his elbows in Kensington Gore pic, comes from Hammer films, 1969 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' . .  along with Simon Ward who plays, the Baron's assistant Karl. . . and no, Ward doesn't make an appearance in 'Cuerpos Vivientes' either! It's certainly not the worst of bungled Cushing film covers and there are more to come . . .    

#WHOISTHAT? MICHAEL ANDREWS popped onto the PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE  today, and set you all this puzzler. Andrew asks: 'Does anybody recognise the gentlemen below? He has a certain Cushing look about him. He does actually have a connection with Hammer films!' If you can put a name to that face, we'd be pleased if you too can pop over to the PCAS Facebook Page and provide the answer!

 

REMEMBER! IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA     

NEWS: MYSTERY OF MISSING BRASS PLAQUE IN WHITSTABLE

Over the years, many of you have sent us photographs of your visits to what was Peter and Helen Cushing's home town of Whitstable in Kent. I see many many photographs of the 'love bench' that Peter donated to the town, dedicated from both he and his late wife. Only yesterday (Monday 18th September), a good friend to the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE Becky Jarrett, made a trip to Whitstable and thought she would walk along to 'Cushing's View' at the sea front and sit on the 'Cushing Bench' and take in the sun and sights. She was upset to discover that the brass dedication plate has vanished from the bench ....

You'll find LOTS of features about the 'Cushing's Love Seat'

here at the website, but here is a interesting one! CLICK HERE! 

For over 25 years, the bench has sat there, in all weathers, offering a place to sit and admire the view, that Peter Cushing visited on his daily walks along the front. Visitors from around the world, visit Whitstable, many knowing the town's connection with Peter and Helen, and visit Cushing's View and the bench. Never has the bench been defaced, carved into, vandalized or damaged. Just over two years ago, the bench vanished... no warning.. while it was given a coat of varnish and some TLC. It returned, looking better than ever. I am hoping, the plaque has been removed for some maintenance too... If you have any news or information about its where-abouts, please let us know here . . . thank you Becky for letting us know ;) Marcus

IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA    

CUSHINGS WHITSTABLE WITH LEXI : FROM NEW YORK TO WHITSTABLE ON CUSHING TRAIL

"Hello everyone, my name is Lexi, and I've been a PCAS member for the past 4 years. When away from the Internet, I am a clinical psychology graduate student, and I live in New York.

Living in New York, Whitstable is a bit more than a hop, skip and a jump away, and I figured that I would only ever see it via Internet.  Fortunately, my parents had planned a tour of Europe for this summer, including London.  My parents are not horror movie people, but they are well accustomed to my whims by this point, so they graciously agreed to take half a day out of our schedule and take the train over from London (I sent them off shopping, and they seemed happy).

My description of the rest of the trip follows with the pictures.  I'm thrilled to be able to give back to the Society members by sharing them!  I hope that you all enjoy them, especially if you've never been.  I found it to be a very special place."

Sign marking Cushing's View. This is a very discreet little area and I needed some help finding it.  I asked some locals for help (I'm rubbish with maps) and they actually seemed surprised that I wanted to find something so small!  The older people seemed to be more understanding that it was something special.

The very popular 'Lovers Bench'  which looks out to sea by Keam's Yard, which was donated by Peter Cushing 25 years ago, and installed at 'Cushing's View'

Me, on the bench, to give an idea of its scale.  Very cosy and just right for two people to cuddle up together on, which I imagine was Peter's point. The little brass plaque on the bench reads : Presented By Helen And Peter Cushing Who Love Whitstable and It's People So Very Much. 1990.

Views from the bench. I think the bottom one, might be the Oystery?  I sat here for about 20 minutes and people watched.  A wonderful, calm spot and the weather was gorgeous.  It was very meaningful to me to experience the View as I imagine Peter wanted people to enjoy it.

The Tudor Tea Rooms.  Another place that was quietly tucked away, although I was able to find it myself. Very small inside but they seem to do a brisk business.

Inside the Tudor Tea Rooms, Peter's plaque, which is attached to the post right next to his table. Teared up a bit here.

Me, at the table, with a bit of the restaurant behind.  I had imagined Peter setting up court in a corner booth, but this is a very small table wedged right in the middle of everything!  Maybe he felt more "normal" doing it that way?  I also talked to the cashier about the significance of my trip.  She said that Peter had been at her wedding, that he was "a lovely older gentleman," and that he was just as wonderful as I had always heard.

The large picture over the Peter Cushing Pub's bar.  I wish I had taken more pictures here, alas!  The bartenders were both very friendly, knowledgeable about the town, and set me up with a delicious cider.

Peter's house. Took me a little while to find this one--I had to cut down a few side roads and eventually ended up on the beach, which the house runs alongside.  I can't tell if it's currently occupied.

I (and my parents, who amused themselves with other things) had a fantastic time. Everyone we met was helpful and friendly, and it's a beautiful town.  Thank you for providing the map, Marcus (I did my best with it!) and for sharing in my joy when I messaged you while I was there.  I hope you and everyone else enjoy these pictures.

EVERY SATURDAY HERE AND AT PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE #ONSETSATURDAY Pics from the sets and behind the scenes on Peter Cushing films. there's a new feature coming up NEXT!

HOW TO TELL IF YOU ARE A UBER CUSHING FAN: ALICE LOPES TRAVELS TO WHITSTABLE

Some of you may remember last weekend I shared with you the lovely story and images of Charlie and Brad's amazing Peter Cushing Themed Wedding in Whitstable...and how we crowned them Uber Cushing Fans! Well, here's another friend and member of our Cushing Community... Alice Lopes from Brazil! Illustraited with her own photographs and in her own words, here is Alice's story. Again we ask the question, Uber Fan? You decide.

'My name's Alice Lopes, I'm nineteen years old and I'm from Brazil. I live in Sao Paulo, where I study Economics. I, like Vincent Price I believe that, "A man who limits his interests, limits his life" so, despite my area of study being so different, I do enjoy literature, films, arts, classical music and so on.'

'I first became acquainted with Peter Cushing in the film "Madhouse" when I was twelve years old. Since then I've been watching his films and interviews, and reading about his life and his career at the wonderful PCASUK facebook page. Madhouse is also my favourite Peter Cushing film, there is something that touches me profoundly. Maybe because it was the first film in which I saw Peter. Maybe due to the whole gothic and mysterious atmosphere, Vincent Price as a tormented character, I love the breathtaking photography, in scene of the murdered girl being carried off into the mists by an unknown man...'

'The Peter Cushing restaurant and Inn was very special. I loved the Peter Cushing items around. The photographs and his watercolours on the walls too. The photograph of Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes! 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is my favourite story. I love the way Watson describes Holmes' thoughts about love. But every single Sherlock story has something special. I also appreciate tv Sherlock series, specially those ones of Peter Cushing's BBC programmes, later Jeremy Brett's too. Basil Rathbone I like very much too.'

'To sit at Peter Cushing's table at the Tudor Tea Rooms, was a strange experience, in a public place, yet to me very personal and touching. Peter's photograph on plaque over the table, looking down. The staff were very friendly. I was able to sit and reflect, this was was my first time to travel abroad, and I definitely loved every single detail about Whitstable. The UK is quite different from Brazil, full of bookshops, museums, parks... And there's much to be explored.'

'Another very special moment. It was very peaceful sitting on the 'Lovers Bench' that was donated by Peter Cushing, on behalf of him and his wife, Helen. This little area is named after Peter Cushing too, 'Cushing's View' and well worth a visit'

'And so, we come to 'the magic place'. I had traveled almost 10,000km, to see it for myself. The home where once Peter and Helen Cushing had once lived. I was so surprised to see outside, it had not really changed, since they had lived there. All of the photographs I had seen. His studio, with the large sloping windows, to let in light when he did his painting. The little white gate, I had seen him stand here in photographs. Now, I was here. And very happy to be. The local people there told me, lots of people come here to visit, to see. And I can see and feel why. It is very peaceful. He physically is not here,... but would you think me crazy if if I said, his smile is! No. 9,000 km is not too far. And will come again. Peter Cushing plus Whitstable equals, Magic !' 

Alice Lopes Chats To Geoff Laurens

Antique Shop Owner in Whitstable

 St Alphege Church, Whitstable Exterior and Interior, A copy of Peter Cushing's book, 'The Bois Saga' at the local library and Whitstable train station. 

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