Reeves Beach

Reeves Beach. . In front of you is the sweeping vista of Whitstable Bay. Behind, you can see that the town is below the level of the beach and the highest tides. Danger of flooding has persisted throughout the centuries. In 1583 Whitstable's first seawall was built, running seaward of today's harbour from the line of the road on your left. It was often breached, and the road to your right stands on an inner seawall built in 1780. The concrete wall in front was constructed in 1952., In spite of these efforts, heavy storms have sometimes overwhelmed the defences, the last in 1953. The latest scheme, completed in 1989, has provided a raised and steeper beach to force the storm waves to break before reaching the seawall., The beach here got its name from William Reeves, a foreman of the Company of Oyster Fishers. In 1793 he enclosed the waste ground along the waterfront and developed a family business of block and mast making. This kind of development took place all along the waterfront, sometimes growing into ship-building yards Reeves kept a shore-light by the beach, its lantern guiding vessels into Whitstable Bay at night. The bay became increasingly important from about 1800 as an anchorage for fishing boats, barges and colliers. Stores, workshops and cottages - often of tarred weather board were built on the edge of the seawall. You may find nearby an unusual example called 'Stone House'., Fires as well as floods are typical of Whitstable's history and in 1869 a great fire swept through the area, possibly started by a pet monkey knocking over a candle in one of the workshops. The area behind you, derelict in 1915, was converted by Mr. George Reeves, a descendant of William Reeves, into the 'Oval Rink' for roller-skating, and a Tudor tea room. The skating craze did not last and, in 1944, the Town Council bought the run-down yard as an open space for townsfolk and visitors to enjoy., When you walk around the area you will find fishermen's stores, sail-makers' lofts and marine suppliers still surviving in an attractive jumble that is typical of an old fishing town. Nearby is the Whitstable Yacht Club, founded around the turn of the century, its craft still adding colour and movement to the waterfront.