The horror film star who fell for Whitstable
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Whitstable has attracted generations of devotees, including an actor who rose to international fame in a string of British horror films.
Peter Cushing is remembered for playing Dr Van Helsing in numerous Dracula films, Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, Dr Who and several Frankenstein films.
He was born in 1913, in Kenley, and lived in the Kent seaside town for more than 30 years.
Steve Keeler, a trustee of Whitstable Museum, told Secret Kent that his kindness and modesty has left a lasting impression on locals.
Keeler said Cushing first visited Whitstable in 1948 with his wife, Helen.
He described the town as a place he could hear the “marvellous sound of the Thames Estuary”.
“In the 1950s, his wife was diagnosed with emphysema and the doctor advised she needed sea air,” Keeler said. “The couple then moved to Whitstable.”
Despite Cushing’s fame, Keeler said he was so well respected and loved by locals that they “treated him like a normal resident”.
Keeler said visitors at the museum often shared their recollections of their interactions with the actor.
“He used to go cycling around the villages, he loved going to the tearooms and he used to draw pictures of the customers.
“He also loved bird watching,” he said. “And he adored the sea view.”
Keeler described Cushing as a “perfect gentleman”.
“Anytime someone did something for him, he would write them a thank you letter. He would always include ‘may God’s blessing go with you’,” Keeler said.
Cushing died in 1994 and Keeler said he would always be missed by the town.
“Most people remembered him cycling to Seasalter to visit Helen’s grave and there were always tears in his eyes,” he said.
“He used to say ‘I was born in 1913, I started living in 1943 when I met Helen and I died in 1971 when she did’.”
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Cushing’s love for acting had always been in his veins, said Keeler.
“He loved dressing up when he was little,” he said.
He said Whitstable Museum features several items that were connected to Cushing, including a pair of slippers he wore during the filming of Star Wars.
“Cushing was a size 12 but the production team didn’t have enough time to make boots his size, so he had to wear the slippers instead,” Keeler said.
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The seaside engine created by George Stephenson
Whitstable Museum
Whitstable
