Save Herne Bay Court! - Herne Bay Court may close

Herne Bay Court is closing

Add a message to say what Herne Bay Court means to you, and why you think it shouldn't close.

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Messages Received so Far:

David Hawley
Please don't close Herne Bay Court! It is a great holiday place!
22/08/2007 18:17:28

suzanne stewart
my family have been going to Herne Bay court for 25 years on and off. There is no where else like it to meet up with friends year after year. The facilities are super and ideal place for families. My older brothers who now have children of their own want to take them there when they are older please Don't close from Suzanne Stewart
23/08/2007 09:32:30

Judith Barnes
Its the best holiday EVER!! don't close it, me and all my family love it there!! We want to go back there next summer!
27/08/2007 15:09:57

Michael Zac-WILLIAMS
I AM TWELVE YEARS. MY SISTER AND I LOVE GOING TO HERNE BAY COURT FOR OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY. PLEASE DON'T CLOSE HERNE BAY COURT. THANK YOU
06/09/2007 05:28:40

ARNOLD ZAC-WILLIAMS.
HERNE BAY COURT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY THEMSELVES AND ENJOY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Please don't close HERNE BAY COURT
06/09/2007 05:32:19

LOIS ZAC-WILLIAMS.
DON'T CLOSE HERNE BAY COURT. I LOVE GOING TO HERNE BAY. PLEASE DON'T CLOSE HERNE BAY COURT.
06/09/2007 05:35:51

SONIA ZAC-WILLIAMS.
HERNE BAY COURT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO SO MANY PEOPLE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A BLESSING IF IT REMAINS OPEN. PLEASE DON'T CLOSE HERNE BAY COURT.
06/09/2007 05:40:05

Helen Ruffhead
I enjoyed several holidays at Herne Bay Court...[cut for legal reasons]...I sincerely hope and pray that the staff find other employment and that the guests find other places where they can enjoy a good holiday.
09/09/2007 12:31:23

dan
Save The Court! It looks so peaceful in there X
14/09/2007 06:45:09

Dave Wright
Herne Bay Court is totally unique and should definitely not be closed. Praying for a rethink....
19/09/2007 11:05:57

Peter Lawrence
Many wonderful holidays at the Court and thankful to God for the provision of a christian holiday experience. Pray that God would raise up people to develop a vision to continue this opportunity for future generations.
07/10/2007 15:01:53

mICHAEL
Ive BeenGoin Since I Was 4 nd now im 13 ive meet loads omates ther and i wt to look forwad to seeing thm and nt ever see thm agin is it closes because they lie al over the country. all over thecountry so people eery know about it. this has got to stay open
10/10/2007 11:06:35

Shane Burt
Probably a litle late but, HBC means so much to so many especially Christians. A place to Holiday or a place for a Conference. Many Churches from London have greatly benifited from the peace and quiet HBC offers on a weekend retreat. For many its a place that they found God. Many have found their future patners too. Staff who have served there have gone on to greater things some to Bible College others into the Ministry full or part time. Also there will be a little impact on the local ecconomy too. Save HBC? Well, only God knows the outcome. But whatever the outcome REJOICE!! in the good for the place has been used for nearly 60 years to refresh, encourage and bless Christians. Hope we meet again PTL :)
23/10/2007 04:05:24

Paul Kimber
There is a S.A.G.(Support Advisary Group)meeting being held at Herne Bay Court on Wednesday 14th November which I will be attending. An offer has been made to buy Herne Bay Court and keep it open for continued use as a Christian Conference centre. Please pray for this meeting, that if it is Gods will, Herne Bay Court will remain open.
08/11/2007 04:06:41

Peter Walden
My late Father was Chairman of the board of directors for several years, and therefore I have many fond memories of The Court. As children we had several summer holidays at HBC and it really became part of our family in so many ways. Doreen and the late Arthur Owens along with many others were good family friends and certainly impacted the lives of many. As a teenager I worked two summers at HBC, and although long hours at times it was the spiritual input from the staff and weekly speakers that made an impression on me. Closing this great venue and source of Christian Service would be a huge loss and mistake, if property development and debt funding is the only reason to date. Perhaps the current committee can revue the original vision and purpose which the founder Mr Russell had over 60 years ago?
18/11/2007 09:20:02

Michael G
SAVE HBC WOOO!!! YEHH!!
25/11/2007 06:28:41

Paul Taylor
So sad that this wonderful place has to close. I had so many wonderful happy holidays there as a child/teenager in the 1960’s and 1970’s with my family and church. Although I’ve not been there for many years I’ve always intended to go back one day and now it seems I’ve lost the chance. I remember the Russell’s and the Owen’s, I remember meal times – chatting to new people, the playing field, croquet, putting, tennis, and the swimming pool. Then there was the teaching, the worship, and the fellowship with others who I’d never met before but I knew well because of our shared faith. It is such a peaceful, tranquil place where God has done so much in so many people’s lives over the last 60 years. I’m grateful that I am one of them. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
26/11/2007 03:19:49

Mr Ray Moon
I just bumped into this website and hear that the Court is going to close. I have really fond memories of the place and frequently spent summer holidays there. There are some real memory jerkers for me such as the original log cabin where I with others enjoyed that cup of Horlicks before turning in. And what about the sports days in the field and by the pool. I can still here Arthur Owens and later Steve Collington or Eddie Vaughan spurring on the teams over that little Tannoy Speaker. 'Tis the promise' and 'To thee oh Lord' were the traditional sung graces, and the Group Photo with Mr Scrivens on Monday morning was an event in itself. I still have many of these pictures to treasure even now. Perhaps a website for memories and photos etc could be created? PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE HBC
30/11/2007 03:09:07

Edward Bamber
Just reading some of these entries above has taken me on a trip down memory lane. I originally went for a fortnight in the summer of 1964 up until then I had never heard of the place. With the exception of 1971 I returned every year for 24 years!! Our church had several conferences at HBC and Praise God I met my wife there! It would be a great shame to lose such a wonderful place that has been a spiritual refreshment for so many.
09/12/2007 11:31:32

Tim Knight
In my teenage years I used to spend our family summer holiday at HBC. I tried to be as far away from my parents as possible in those days and joined in many late night pranks up on the top floor dormitory wing. The trick was to avoid Steve Collington catching you red handed, however his wife Muriel was the strict one and she always managed to silence us rebels. Some lads managed to hack into the Court PA system and broadcast their own tributes. Excellent! I've since grown up but will miss the old place. Thanks for the memories. TK (Worcester)
09/12/2007 11:40:52

Adrian Bourne
Just stumbled across this news while googling HBC on a bit of a nostalgia trip. So many great memories of HBC in the 70s and 80s when we went on family holidays there. We often went same week each year and often met up with the same people. A great place.
11/12/2007 09:11:58

Clare Bull
Just found out today that hbc is closed. Very sad to hear it is closed. I had lots of holidays there as a child and teenager and hoped to go back there again one day.
30/12/2007 15:06:48

j.williams
it would be such a shame to close the court, i know some of the staff who work there . as i have been on first aid courses with them, they are good people. i live over the road to the court, and often see youngters playing in the grounds. they seem very happy, so if you close , you are stopping other boys and girls enjoying them selfs.
03/03/2008 03:27:21

Joanne Redmond
I have so many happy memories of HBC, I went with my parents in the 80's and 90's, all through my teenage years, and had great fun in the dorms!! Then I have been again 3 times in the last few years with my own children, and thought it would continue to be our annual holiday for the forseeable future, as we all love it so much. Looks like I was wrong. Hope it re-opens again with the same atmosphere as before - there's no where else quite like it :-)
01/04/2008 06:06:15

Winston Stanley
I was the chef at the court back in the 70's. Great place to work and loads of memories even if they are from my hours in the kitchen. Most of the staff came back year after year and lived in the famed Stavely Lodge. What happened to make this great place close? How about one last reunion? London? Ireland? Winston - Clevedon
03/06/2008 14:44:25

Winston Stanley
I was the chef at the court back in the 70's. Great place to work and loads of memories even if they are from my hours in the kitchen. Most of the staff came back year after year and lived in the famed Stavely Lodge. What happened to make this great place close? How about one last reunion? London? Ireland? Winston - Clevedon
03/06/2008 14:44:45

Winston Stanley
I was the chef at the court back in the 70's. Great place to work and loads of memories even if they are from my hours in the kitchen. Most of the staff came back year after year and lived in the famed Stavely Lodge. What happened to make this great place close? How about one last reunion? London? Ireland? Winston - Clevedon
03/06/2008 14:45:05

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14/06/2008 17:43:40

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14/06/2008 17:45:00

Andreia Pereira - Brazil
I was a volunteer at HBC in 2002. It was a wonderful year, I met friends, brothers and sisters...But the most important, I learned more from my God, I heard His voice and had unforgettable experiences there..I got very sad when I heard that it has closed..
24/06/2008 13:23:29

Marcel and Vince
we loved Herne Bay Court we went in 1993 and loved playing handicap bowling with the staff. We loved Billy Kennedy and the early morning alarms - morning has broken at 7.15am - heavenly bliss Herne Bay Court - we thank ya
02/08/2008 14:46:40

Simon Cairns
It was great splashing about in the pool with the floatation aids provided from Scotland. Enjoyed the worship especialy Andy Ritchie on vocals - great! Meeting Paul McCartney was a highlight - it was great seeing him shave his chest! I loved the German young people - meeting the Berlin bus on the back stairs was a moment to treasure Thanks Herne Bay Court
02/08/2008 14:50:29

Paul Roach
As a former employee between 1989-92 I have many happy memory of herne bay court. I would be very sad to see the place closed.I pray this will not be the case.Its a very spritual Place.
30/09/2008 19:04:42

Osy and Kate Waye
We worked, 1976 - 1999 here, Married here, and Had many great memories of HBC, is it closed ?. Love to visit it, after 25 years in April if still Open. osy@btinternet.com
11/01/2009 08:55:48

Leslie Quarshie
This is a wonderful place to go for a quiet time of relaxation and reflection. It's close proximity to the other attractions in Canterbury speaks volumes. The fields are lovely and the scenery is super. It is closer to London and those of us from London enjoy a short drive down there for a good weekend away from all the noise and hustle of city life. Please do not close it.
14/01/2009 14:42:20

Grace Kilpin
Our Family have been to herne bay court for 20 years . please do not close the court. welling Baptist church.
08/02/2009 11:26:43

mark mc gilton. belfast
i went to hbc with my family in the 80,s and loved it so much, to loose aplace like that would be so sad.
14/02/2009 04:55:57

mark mc gilton
if rachel from birmingham or joanne from belfast happen to read this email me at m.mcgilton@yahoo.com, cant beleive they gonna close hbc, such happy memories!
14/02/2009 05:20:14

Kara Enroth Bettencourt
I spend a semester at HBC in 1982 and have great memories of Steve Collington and his family. It was a wonderful place for a group of American college students to call home.
01/03/2009 23:40:13

lorna remice
Please do not close Herne Bay it is a fantastic retreat for families and friends alike.
03/04/2009 10:13:53

Stewart Copeland
How can they close this wonderful retreat that has helped so many people enjoy God, enjoy friends and enjoy relaxing over the years? Crazy
08/08/2009 01:56:03

Carole
I worked and lived at The Court for a year after leaving school in 1962, when Doreen and Arthur lived in their bungalow overlooking the pool and the Laurence family packed for their emigration. I loved it, and for me it was a safe springboard to life. Now I'm 62 and can't quite believe The Court has gone.
14/10/2009 15:35:26

Stuart Stevenson
I just discovered this board by accident. I do feel really sad about the closure of HBC since I spent 4 wonderful holidays here from 1987-90 when I was 12 to 15 years old. I actually cried when I left a couple of times since I loved the holidays so much - the friends, Chrisian atmosphere, sports activities, young people's meetings, walks to the beach with Brenda & Billy etc! I am a Dad of 2 girls now and would have loved to take them there, but I suppose life moves on. Good to read all your comments to bring back great memories!
17/11/2009 10:16:57

rebecca smith
have happy memories of holidays with my family as a child in the 80's. the staff were amazing and so were all the people there, coming together as children of the same heavenly father, real family atmosphere. i ended up working at herne bay summer 1996 and really grew in my christian faith. i pray sincerely that the centre does not close!!!!
12/01/2010 14:39:53

Matt Joiner
What a shame this iconic piece of Christian history has closed. I used to visit with my parents and had many memorable holidays at the Court. For some this was the starting point of their christian walk and helped cement their foundation with Christ which has kept them strong many years later. SUGGESTION: Can you add an option to this site to upload photographic memories of the good old days? Blessings...Matt Joiner - Bricket Wood
15/01/2010 03:36:45

Luigi Kloban
Sad to see a holiday house close it give happy times to all family and childs. We liked the teaching and speaks gived each night. Jim Hawton was the man who speaked then we were there 1971 Luigi - Naples
15/01/2010 03:41:00

Steve Brian
Sad to see the place close. I worked there in the summers of '75 and '76, as did many students. I remember Winston (I thought your surname was Archibald?), Steve and Muriel, Eddie & Maire. Hard work, long hours, an old caravan to live in, and little pay, but great fun. Many happy memories.
11/07/2010 08:32:20

K'ANCHAY GROUP before Orama
we played there an we had a great memories. hemos tenido la oportunidad de estar 3 veces en Herne Bay Court, y estamos muy tristes de saber que se va cerrar we arevery sad to see the place close. saul http://www.kanchay.net
19/07/2010 13:38:37

mark hencher
I had my holydays here from i think 1974 to about 1984 when i turned 16. we used to have a right good crack and any time i think about it i always think of big winston the chef,great bloke!shame the place is shut but then weve still all got the memories..mark,gloucester
27/07/2010 14:56:23