Garage related activities at the site started in 1927 when Mr Gee Kemp took ownership of the site, where he brought his Cambrian Coaches Co business. The activities included Petrol sales from his new forecourt, and conversion
The Oil Mills Garage - Cambrian Garage,
1887-8 Pikes - Oil Seed crushing, Co's works & office, Bushell W. Manager and secretary
4 June 1920 (DE) - Water - The amount of water raised last week was 10,213336 gallons. A year ago 12,565,573 gallons were raised. Councillor Shone said that in regard to the Oil Mill Barracks a statement was made that a defective meter had caused a loss to the town of £8,000. He asked for the report. The Surveyor said that he had the report , but had forgotten to bring it.
03 December 1920 (DE) - MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS - By Direction of the Disposal Board (Furniture Section) - Sale by Auction of a Quantity of Surplus BARRACK FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, At the Oil Mill Barracks, Limekiln Street, Dover on Tuesday December 14th, 1920, at Eleven o'clock, comprising:-, Lamps; baths; night commodes; stools; earthen and enameled ware; 80 combination and other bedsteads; 94 3ft hair and feather pillows; 294 strips of carpet; 44 rugs; 530 dusters and rubbers; 200 toilet and hanging glasses; 226 fencing jackets and pads; 367 stationary and waste paper baskets; 31 housemaids boxes; large quantity of kitchen utensils, including baking dishes; 94 camp kettles; 84 oval iron pots; saucepans, 157 3 gallon tea or milk pails; bread crocks; knives and forks; spoons; 4 bacon slicers; 714 latrine buckets, 2 platform weighing machines and 23 spring balances; 262 galvanised coal tubs; 51 pails; 80 cast iron boxes; 8 portable boilers; 135 washing tubs; ash bins; 13 butcher's blocks; 250 6ft and 4ft forms; 72 chairs, various; 26 field dressing boxes; 5660 trestle, folding and other tables; and many more useful items suitable for domestic use. Goods on view day prior to sale from 10am to 4pm. Catalogues may be obtained from Messers Worsfold and Hayward
14 October 1921 (DE) -
13 April 1923 (DE) - The two cottages that were formerly the offices of the old Oil Mills were being demolished in order to widen the roadway approaching the new Limekiln Street Bridge.
13 April 1923 (DE) - Councillor Fox asked that the Surveyor should consider a new position for the fire apparatus, as it would then be in a cul-de-sac. The Surveyor suggested the site of the old cottage at the Oil Mills would be suitable; and he was asked to report of the question in conjunction with the Chief Constable to the Watch Committee.
26 December 1924 (DE) - Oil Mills as Flats - The minutes of the previous meeting contained a reference to a matter not discussed on the presence of the press. It stated that the Mayor had written a letter forwarding a suggestion by Major Astor for the conversion of the Oil Mills into tenements. The Committee considered the matter, but did not consider the matter, but did not consider the building suitable for the purposes.
6 May 1927 (DE) - Oil Mills Sold - A letter from the Cambrian Coaching Company, read at the Dover Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, announced that they had purchased the Dover Oil Mills, and proposed to establish works and garages there. Except for being used as quarters for employees of Messers Pearson and Son during the construction of the Admiralty Harbour, and as a rest camp during the war, the Mills have been unused since 1889, when they were closed.
23 September 1927 (DE) - Oil Mills In Use - Cambrian Coach Co Take Possession - As announced some months ago Cambrian Coach Co have taken over the Oil Mills, Limekiln Street, and alterations are in progress, adapting it for a garage, and the Company's motor coaches are already using it. The oil Mills were shut down on September 30th 1890. During the construction of the Admiralty Harbour it was used as a hostel for the navvys, and during the war as a rest camp.
4 November 1927 - Alterations at the Oil Mills - The Cambrian Coach Company are proposing to cover in the yard in front of the old oil mills, Limekiln Bridge, which is being converted into a great garage for them. Alternate floors of the building will also be taken out and lifts installed so as to take the coaches on to these upper floors, where they can be overhauled and repainted. The ironwork that was erected outside the mills to give access to the various floors when the place was used as a rest camp during the war has now been removed.
23 December 1927 (DE) - The Oil Mills Conversion - The surveyor reported that he had received from Mr Steele plans for the proposed extension of the Oil Mills in Limekiln St, in connection with making a garage for the Cambrian Coaching Company. It was proposed to roof in a portion of the yard in front of the building by the use of steel stanchions and girders with glazed roofs. It was intended to recondition the W.C, and it would be necessary for it to be connected to the main drainage system. It would be necessary to make provision for a petrol trap to prevent it getting into the surface water drain. The plans were approved.
6 April 1928 (DE) - The Oil Mills Garage - The Surveyor reported on the application of Mr Kemp Gee for licence to store 6000 gallons of petrol spirit in three steel tanks at Cambrian Garage, Oil Mills, Limekiln St. The Surveyor recommended that the licence should be granted subject to his approval of the provision of petrol traps in the drains, etc. This was agreed to
26 July 1929 (DE) - Dover Rating Committee - .......... Messers Kemp Gee Ltd, workshop and garage at the oil mills, had the forecourt covered with seven bays of glass and he recommended an increase from £220 to £260 rateable. ...........
18 October 1929 (DE)
4 April 1930 (DE) -
1931-2 Pikes - Kemp-Gee, A. M Ltd. Cambrian Coaches, Limekiln Street.
Cambrian Coaches had a booking office outside the Covered Market in the Market Square - see photo below
6 July 1934 (DE) - Petroleum Licence Application - The Surveyor said that the Dover Auto-car Company applied for a licence to keep 2000 gallons of petroleum spirit at the old Oil Mill, Limekiln Street. The tanks were already in existence, and had previously been licenced for the storage of petroleum, and could doubtless be used again, subject to the examination showing them to be in proper condition. They also asked for a licence to petrol in a portable container, but he prefer that this should be held over until he reported on other premises. The Company proposed to install three new pumps, electrically driven, with swing arms over the footway. He thought that this should be given extra careful consideration, as sanction for swing arms over footway had only been given in the past where it was impossible for vehicles to draw off the highway and back into the premises, or where that would cause more obstruction than waiting at the kerbside. In the present case, there was ample opportunity for cars to run in off the highway. As a rule, the Ministry of Transport disliked those swing arms over footways. The conditions in Limekiln Street were different to High Street, where there was objection to vehicles driving over the pavement into the premises.
Alderman Barwick moved that the matter be referred back to the Company, and they asked to make provision for cars to draw in
Councillor Took said that would mean great expense to the firm, and Limekiln Street was not a very busy spot. He did not see much danger to the public.
The Surveyor said that the Ministry disliked filling on the public highway at all. Most modern filling stations were off the street and cars were able to draw up to the pumps. In this case, three swing arms were asked for, to enable three vehicles to draw up in line for filling.
Councillor Took said they probably wanted to supply three different grades of petrol. He doubted whether at any time there would be three cars filling at the same time. They should be careful not to interfere with legitimate trading.
Councillor Ryeland said no doubt the company wanted to tap the traffic to and from the continent and that sort of traffic would not draw into a place for petrol. They wanted it on the road so that they could be away quickly.
Councillor Took said he would like to move that the Surveyor carefully reconsider the matter.
Alderman Barwick's resolution was carried, the mayor stating that it did not commit them to anything
20 July 1934 (DE) - Limekiln Street Oil Mills - The Surveyor reported that in regard to the resolution at the Council meeting of the 3rd inst, he wrote to the Dover Auto-car Company and received a reply from Col Hooper, Director of the Company, who stated that the Town Council visualised long queues of motor cars waiting to have their tanks filled up with petrol and that that would cause a nuisance and congestion. The Company wished they could share the same optimism. The number of cars would be small and the congestion would be nil. It was, however anticipated that a number of motor vehicles would be stored during the summer months and these would be filled from inside the forecourt. In this connection they did not consider three swing arms would be necessary. Two would be ample whilst all normal working could be accomplished by one. The Town Council might be prepared to sanction one or two instead of three pumps. As regards cars running into the premises from the highway in order to fill up, that could be accomplished at great expense at the level of the floor was 3ft below level of Limekiln Street. There were already four garages with petrol pumps and swing arms between New Bridge and the Marine Station, three being in close proximity to the tramway track. At the Oil Mills the road was wide there was no tram track. They asked for a little indulgence. The Mills had been derelict for a long time and they were endeavoring, in conjunction with the new owner to put new life into them. They asked for sanction to use for two months, a portable pump until they got the permanent electric pumps going.
The Surveyor said HM Inspector said these were in fairly common use and there was no objection to them provided a proper place, that could be locked, was provided for their storage. The apparatus must not, however, be used on the highway. The Surveyor recommended that the use of the portable container be allowed on these conditions. He reminded the Council of the communication received from the Minister of transport in October 1928 regarding the undesirability of allowing pumps on the highway, in view of the necessity of removing existing encroachments when widening a highway. The pumps under consideration would not be on the highway but behind a fence, but how far swing arms could be considered encroachments he could not say.
Councillor Walker said they should give the Company some consideration and help them over their difficulties as the Corporation would be getting rates from the Mills. He moved that permission be given subject to the Surveyors approval for two swing arms and the portable container, on conditions laid down.
Councillor seconded the resolution, which was carried.
28 December 1934 (DE) - Troops At The Oil Mills - The Oil Mills which were Barracks during the War, were again in use last week in connection with transport of British Troops to form the Saar Plebiscite International Force. The Pictures show the scene on Friday, when the main body of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment and the 1st Essex Regiment stopped there before crossing on the "Isle of Thanet."
1935-6 Pikes - Car Ferry Garage, Dover Autocar Co Ltd
15 March 1935 (DE) - Dover & Eastry Assessment Committee - ........ Derating was claimed in respect of premises occupied by messers H W Alston Ltd, in Dolphin Lane, and a sheet metal workshop at the Oil Mill, and these were allowed....... (Glenn's note.... could this be Jenkins & Pain mentioned 20-3-1936)
28 February 1936 (DE) - New Industry At The Oil Mills - A Mile Of Mushrooms - In the labyrinth of caves behind the old Oil Mills at the end of Snargate Street, a new Dover Industry has been growing up during the last few months Mushroom cultivation as a serious project was begun there on a small scale in August last year by Mr. Stevens, and he has since leased more and more of the caves, until now there is about a mile of beds laid out along the winding passages in the cliff. The crop, which exceeds half a ton weekly, is for London markets.
The spawn is planted in manure and covered with a coating or earth from Shorncliffe. After about two months the mushrooms appear. They grow in "flushes," and are said to be considerably affected by the new moon. The beds are sprayed twice a week with insecticide as a precaution against flies. The premises have been inspected on several occasions by the Medical Officer of Health.
The caves themselves are interesting. Their exact origin is unknown and many of them have still to be explored by the present owners. There is an inward and downward draught of air, so that even far inside the atmosphere is quite fresh and wholesome. After heavy rain, the roof drips slightly, but the chalk is quite firm. Whatever the outside temperature, the caves maintain a fairly even temperature of 54 degrees. When they were taken over for mushroom cultivation last year they were littered with many tons of rubbish and their sides thickly coated with soot. They had all to be cleaned and whitewashed.
20 March 1936 (DE) - Jenkins and Pain - Recently a reference was made in this paper to the new Dover industry of mushroom growing in the huge caves behind the old Oil Mills, which has been started by an expert horticulturist, Mr. Stevens. Another new Dover industry started near the same spot i.e., in a portion of the old Oil Mills buildings, is the construction of the metal bodies of the coaches for the trains of the Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway. These are being built by Messrs. Jenkins and Pain, sheet metal workers, who have been in business there for some time. The miniature coaches are occasionally to be seen being |transported through the town on lorries en route for their destination.
18 September 1936 (DE) - Complaint by Chairman. - The Chairman said he had had a complaint that in certain winds the smell iron the manure at the Oil Mill caves was objectionable.
Alderman Powell: Don't try and drive another industry away!
The Chairman: If it was out your back, you would be the first to complain!
Councillor Martin asked in the Medical officer of
Health had ever found that place
in an insanitary condition.
The Medical Officer of Health said that everything they had asked for to prevent a nuisance there, had been done. As far as he was aware, and he had been there several times, it was kept in a very satisfactory condition.
The Chairman said he had the complaint. and so he brought it up.
Councillor Martin said it was the doctor's job to see there was no nuisance, and he did that regularly. It was the wish of the owner that he went there every week, and the suggestion was most unfair.
1938-9 Pikes - Dover Commercial Buildings
Car Ferry Garage, Dover Autocar Co Ltd
Jenkins & Pain, motor sheet metal workers Tele 641
CP Stevens C.P. mushroom grower
21 January 1938 (DE)
6 May 1938 - Jenkins and Pain move out into the old Palmers site at 228 London Road
1939-40 Pikes - Dover Commercial Buildings, Limekiln St.
Bulwark Engineering Co.
Dover Autocar Co Ltd, Car Ferry garage
6 January 1939 (DE) - Oil Mills Caves - with reference to paragraph 7(c) of the caves report of Dover and District Air Raid Precautions Statutory Joint Committee of 20th October, the Town Clerk reported that Mr C.D. Stevens, the tenant of the Oil Mill Caves, who carries on there the business of a mushroom grower, has claimed a sum of $101 1s as compensation for damages suffered by him as a result of use by the Corporation of part of the caves during the recent International crises....... Alderman Russell had interviewed Mr Stevens and considered the claim with him in detail, and satisfied that the amount was reasonable. We recommended that the claim be admitted and paid, and that an order payment be signed accordingly.
31 March 1939 (DE) - A new engineering firm, the Bulwark Engineering Co Ltd, has recently been established at the Oil Mills, for general marine and electrical engineering work. The directors are Mr T.J.S. Harvey and Mr E.A. Thorpe.
2 June 1939 (DE) - Petrol Storage - The Surveyor reported that the were applications for renewal of licences in respect of 75 places for the storage of petroleum spirit, etc....... in regard to the Autocar's premises at the Dover Oil Mills for storage of 400 gallons, alterations had been carried out by the removal of the pump and swing arms without authority, but these had since been satisfactorily tested...........
8 September 1939 (DE) - notice
12 January 1940 (DE) - Young men urgently required; must be over 16 years of age; good wages and prospects; some knowledge of welding preferred but not essential - Apply, Bulwark Engineering Co Ltd, Oil Mills, Dover.
23 Feb 1940 (DE) - A number of falls of chalk have taken place this week behind the Oil Mills, and the Snargate Methodist Church.
14 November 1940 (DE) - notice
14 Jan 1944 (DE) - Another Cave Party - Mr Henry Barringer, Marshall in charge of the Oil Mill Shelter, writes as follows:- The organisers and committee of the Oil Mill Air Raid Shelter, Dover, recently gave a Christmas tea party and concerts to ninety-six children of the Pier District. Tea was served at five o'clock sharp, when all the children had a good meal, after which Father Christmas (Mr Thomas) gave presents to each child from the Christmas tree. The stage was then occupied by a party of the shelter children who had been trained by Miss Kathleen Mack whose performance was much enjoyed. The school class sketch by the Oil Mill Gang (male patrons of the shelter) under the direction of Mr B King, created a great deal of fun and laughter. Mr Tunbridge entertained the children with games, for which prizes were given by patrons of the shelter. At ten o'clock the children went to bed, but the grown-ups enjoyed dancing and singing until midnight, when all joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne" as the year passed out. This party ended with the singing of "God Save the King" and the exchange of good wishes for 1944. The organising, catering, etc, were carried out by Mrs Dunt, Mrs Prescott, Mrs Robbins, Mrs Hall, Miss Robbins, Mrs Greenfield, and Miss McKean. It is the wish of everyone that their thanks and gratitude be tendered to all who made the arty and tea such a great success.
2 February 1945 (DE) - notice
29 November 1946 (DE) - Fire At Transit Camp - A ton of Army stores was destroyed in a fire which broke out at the Oil Mills Cave on Thursday afternoon. The Cave at present is being used to store bedding, etc, for Transit troops. The N.F.S received the fire call at 12:47. They arrived within five minutes with a salvage tender, pumps escape and turntable, under the charge of Col Officer Smith. Smoke was so dense that the firemen had to wear breathing apparatus, but within half an hour the fire was under control and two tenders were able to return to the depot. At 2.40 pm there being no danger of further outbreak of fire, the third tender was able to leave. The origin of the fire was unknown. Later in the day the same party from the N.F.S dealt with a small fore at the Spot Garage, Crabble Hill.
24 September 1948 (DE) - Woodson Trailers (Dover) Ltd - are open to receive enquires for trailers and other light engineering work; electrical welding, profile cutting, turning, etc - Dover Commercial Buildings (the old Transit Camp), Limekiln Street.
29 July 1949 (DE) - New Clothing Factory - It is understood that the Oil Mills is to be opened as a clothing factory next week and that about 50 workers have been engaged.
1950 kellys - Dover Commercial Buildings
Woodson Trailers (Dover) Ltd, general engineers (nb the next few years woodson are listed at finnis hill)
Marley Gowns (Marks and Son & Lee Ltd) clothing mfrs
1956 kellys - Dover Commercial Buildings
Central Publications (Dover) Ltd Printers
G.P.O. (Foreign mail section)
Lloyds A.J & Sons (Peckham) Ltd, clothing mfrs
1959 kellys - Dover Commercial Buildings
Peacocks (Dover) Ltd, Ford main agents. Tel 2088
Barden Products (Tunbridge Wells) Ltd, export mfrs
Court Bros (Furnishers) Ltd
Lloyds A.J & Sons (Peckham) Ltd, clothing mfrs
27 Feb 1959 Dover Express - advert for Limekiln st & Crabble Hill
8 May 1959 Dover Express - advert for Peacocks
2 Oct 1959 Dover Express advert
9 Oct 1959 Dover Express - advert
1962 kellys - Dover Commercial Buildings
Barden Products (Tunbridge Wells) Ltd, export mfrs
Court Bros (Furnishers) Ltd
Lloyds A.J & Sons (Peckham) Ltd, clothing mfrs
1967 kellys - Dover Commercial Buildings
Woodson Engineering (Dover) Ltd. genr engr
Dover Carpet Weaving Co Ltd
G.P.O. telephone stores
Lloyds A.J & Sons (Peckham) Ltd, clothing mfrs
East Kent Salvage co. waste paper mers
1971 - George Hammond Shipping