Nostalgic memories of Broadstairs's local history

Share your own memories of Broadstairs and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 31 - 40 of 88 in total

I was at a Home in Broadstairs, I think it could be St Marys (not sure), I was there in 1962 at the age of 12 and stayed for 12 weeks. Do you remember the Minidex that they used to give you after one meal you would line up and it was spooned into your mouth - it was green and was nasty stuff, then they would give you some sweets to hide the taste left in the mouth. I don't remember a lot about the place ...see more
Hi, my surname was Brooker then when I attended like yourselves - was good memories. Sr Ita and Sr Shelia were my favourites I must admit. I went to the school reunion - it was good to catch up with a lot people I didn't even know, but was good. Its now an old peoples home - hope they are all happy there like we once were. If Marie Bedwell reads this, it be great to catch up with you after all these years.
In October 1958 I was sent to Yarrow for two weeks to recover from a complicated operation. I have a sense of dread about my time there; my arrival into the panelled and imposing hall as my dad disappeared down the long drive, still haunts me and none of the staff helped me to feel any better - they were unfriendly and at times very unkind. The atmosphere was heavy with lots of silence and I never ...see more
In October 1958 I spent two weeks at Yarrow and have never been able to forget how unhappy I was during that time. I do not remember staff putting us at our ease in the big old victorian building which felt very oppressive to an 11 year old. It was often quiet and you talked in a whisper, I think I thought I was there as a punishment and I remember a constant sense of loneliness and fear. My ...see more
Further to memories of Fairfield; when I was 7 I came to Fairfield House and stayed for 3 and a half years. Like many residents I had breathing problems and was sent there for the sea air. I have lots of good memories of the school and Broadstairs itself, the only names I remember are my friend Irene Reynolds from Ilkeston, and a girl called Pat Porter who I think came from Canterbury. I recall the ...see more
Hi Lorna and Carole, I may have been at St. Mary's at the same time as you but my memories are not as good as yours. I remember my mother telling me, when I got home, how scared of the nun's I was and if I saw one in the street I would pass wind! (She thought it was very funny). She was also impressed that I could write my own name. I was born in September 1944, hadn't started school ...see more
I was about 6 when I went to St Mary's...never knew why I went. I can remember going on the train with other children; my mum & dad did not visit and I'm not sure how long I was there. There was a secret passage down to the beach, it was scary. I also went to Fairfield House, it was a huge manor house with a huge staircase - we used to clean the stairs and if you were naughty you slept in the passage way! ...see more
This photo is in reverse! Editor: Thank you for this info - we will have this corrected in a day or two.
My name was Beverley Anne Davies and I went to Port Regis for about 18 months in 1952. We lived in East Ham E6 and I had asthma. I remember the nuns were strict and at times cruel. I have a memory of one very young girl being sick and the Sister shaking her. I was in a play whilst there, my memory is hazy except I was dressed in a satin dress as an angel. The nuns names I remember are Sr Mary ...see more
I think this was the year. I was sick with chest problems, I loved it there. Getting all the new people's hair washed in little basin and watching all the fleas fall out. Having naps after lunch, sometimes in the dormitory, sometimes in the field. Listening to teddy bears picnic at Sunday tea time. Going down the clift steps to the beach. My name at that time was Frances Smith, I was only little at the ...see more