Ruins of Sanger's circus to be saved

A PRESERVATION notice has been slapped on Dreamland's owners to preserve the historic remains of Sanger's menagerie.

Council contractors uncovered the ivy-covered building belonging to Sanger's menagerie as they put up a steel fence around the scenic railway to protect it against more vandalism.

Although the structures have been on the site for about a century they had become overgrown and hidden beneath trees and shrubs.

Lord George Sanger, pictured, the most successful circus entrepreneur of the 19th century, bought the land in 1874 as a headquarters for his circus empire and housed lions, elephants and various other exotic animals.

Thanet council has served a preservation notice to owners Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company and the important finds could become listed.

Culture boss Roger Latchford said: "This is a very interesting find and a unique part of Margate's history. What has been uncovered are three animal cages from the Sanger menagerie and a tower, which is believed to be part of Sanger pleasure gardens.

"The preservation notice lists the building for six months, pending a decision by the Secretary of State. This was done because, as we had reason to believe that these remains could be demolished and, so we wanted a chance to further explore their history."

George Sanger, an eccentric millionaire renowned for being a smart dresser with his shiny top hat and diamond tie pin, had his base in Dreamland for about 30 years.

Margate resident Mark Miller and his sister Alison used to play in the cages in the late 1950s.

He said: "It was great to see those pictures again because we were always playing in them as kids. We used to be able to squeeze through the bars. It's amazing that they ever kept animals in there.

"We used to make a camp up there so it was good to see them uncovered again."

The ruined structure was built as such and was used by Sanger as his menagerie.

By 1905 the menagerie had gone and in 1919, eight years after Sanger died, the Hall by the Sea became Dreamland after being purchased by John Henry Iles for £40,000, the same price as the fence going up to protect it now.