Istead Rise, Kent

Howe's Garage, Longfield

Rather than Longfield Hill, this looks more like Longfield itself with Howe's Garage in the centre foreground. My Dad worked here from the late 1930s to when he retired in 1973; it was run by his uncle Frank Howe and his son David (now living in Herne Bay) joined the garage from about 1960. I remember the old petrol pumps... [more]

Time for a rest

We used to go on bike rides from Meopham and always went through Longfield Hill on our way. I do remember my brother entering in to a pool contest there with adults and winning the contest and getting a new two piece cue. It was a great resting place and a chance to get some liquid refreshments after riding/walking up the... [more]

A lifehood of memories during the 1950s

orn in 1942 at 23 Park Avenue, Northfleet, I went to Dover Road School then Colyer Road Secondary School. Churchill's dairy used to be opposite Colyer Road School and allotments where we had a plot. The girls' school was next to boys' school at that time. Coming into Perry Street there used to be a men's hairdresser called Wandings, then... [more]

Perry Street/Pelham Road South

I live in West Sussex [between Brighton and Worthing] now but lived in Northfleet until 1971. Several photos bought back some vivid memories. In 1955 I would have been attending Cecil Road junior school, just off of Perry Street, the little shop just past the cyclist with the white canopy was Deakins fancy goods and I think it contained the post... [more]

Those were the days by Kathleen McCarthy

I am sure this is St Botolph's church on The Hill where I used to be in the choir around 1949. The vicar was Rev. Johnson at the time. His wife and family lived in the vicarage a stone's throw away. There were some church cottages by the front church gate where my playmates, Ingram, David and Joy Dines lived with... [more]

The Queens Head on The Hill

The 2nd tall building on left is the Queens head and was my home from 1945 - 1951. My name was then Kathleen McCarthy. On the right where Jones Butcher shop is, is where my friend Ann was killed when a coal truck reversed over her and her bike...on my Birthday around 1948.
The first building on left was later turned... [more]

Waiting for the 149

On the right was the Baker's shop. On the left the bus took you into Gravesend town. At the top of the hill was the crossroads known as Pelham Arm's where I once fell off my new bike on the way home from school!

All Saints Church, Perry Street

So many memories of attending church here throughout my childhood, of shopping in all the little shops and of cycling to and from school in my Secondary years. Youth Clubs. Meeting old friends and making new ones. For a while it was the centre of my world!