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 71 - 80 of 88 in total
I was at Port Regis on two occasions - my sister was there longer than I. I was aware of cruelty but that depends on where you are standing. On many occasions I thought I was in Paradise! Possibly the girl you are thinking of was Kathy (who had very bad eczema), but Sister Mary Nerie was my nightmare. Remember the scarlet fever outbreak as have posted on another site, but none seem to link up. My sister is called Sheila if this rings anybody's bells.
My sister and I were both at Port Regis for Delicate Girls between 1957 -9 approx. Various memories (good & bad). Very hard to find a site that is just for this convent. Seems to split between a Broadstairs site. Various names crop up but none that I recognise.
I was at St. Marys convalescent home in 1956 when I was 9 years old and I would like to speak to any other people who stayed there to share our memories. Some of my memories are vivid others quite hazy. It was quite a traumatic time, to be taken away when as a child you have no idea where you are going or even if you will ever come home again. There were good times, some of the nuns were ...see more
I spent a few weeks at the now long gone St Mary's Children's Convalescent Home overlooking the sea in Broadstairs, Kent. In the summer of 1956, when I was nine years old and my name was David Welsh, I was sent there from my home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to convalesce following illness with the now unheard of rheumatic fever. Broadstairs was such a truly beautiful place. In fact, I ...see more
My father's grandfather was Mayor of Broadstairs and it would be fun to know if anyone knows anyone "old" or young who have any info re this time I'd be very pleased and grateful Can't remember his first name name but his surname was as my maiden name of course Pilbrow. My father w as born 1912,two months before the Titanic went down so that will give you a rough idea of the years ...see more
I am not sure which grandfather it was (how many greats do you want?) but the old part of my family, the Strevens, have lived in Broadstairs for the last five hundred years, and have the honour of having erected the post in the middle of the bay. This was one of five snubbing posts that allowed the barges to warp right up to the pier where they loaded tar and coke from the gas works at the top ...see more
I was 6 years old and had had bronchitis and asthma and so I was sent away from smoggy London to St Mary's Home in Broadstairs. I was taken with other young children on a train by a nurse in a brown uniform.
We all slept in dormitories and every Wednesday we had early morning exercises. Sometimes we were taken down the steps to the beach which was lovely. A friendly nurse sewed me a smocked ...see more
I was at Port Regis between 1954 and 1956. I was 8 when I got there and left just before my 10th birthday. Was anyone else at Port Regis, Broadstairs when it was a convent for delicate girls?
The nuns, thinking about it now, resembled Roman Catholic ladies who were probably forced in many cases to be nuns. This was a great honour during that time for a Catholic ...see more
I think this was where I was sent at age about 4. I lived in London and was packed off with some other children on a train. I remember the nuns that looked after us and the stone steps cut in the cliff where we would access the beach. It was winter and freezing cold. I was there for a month and remember the church services on a Sunday and also being visited by a soldier who they told me was my ...see more
This photograph from 1887 shows a post in the middle of the picture, standing upright in the sea - to this day it is still there. As a child it was always a point at which I arranged to meet with my brother, or my mum if I wandered off whilst on the beach. Growing up in Broadstairs was just the best place for a child to start life - we had great freedom, a great place to play and a beautiful, historic town - a privilege. Jo Laight