Cowper Road Gillingham

A Memory of Gillingham.

My nan, Lucy Williams lived in Cowper Road, Gillingham - she was a lovely friendly lady and my sisters often stayed with her (one at a time!). They remember Gillingham Park nearby, where they would go to play. My nan used to know the lady who owned the corner shop opposite, and would help out from time to time. When the owner was taken ill in 1954 she went over to help. She went to what she thought was a cupboard, opened the door and fell down the stone steps to the cellar. She was in hospital for a long time, I remember waving to her through the door (children not allowed). She died from her injuries - very sad. I go back to Gillingham to see an elderly relative in Cleave Road and I went to the shop, which is now an upholstery shop. I asked to see the cellar (they must have thought I was mad!) and they kindly let me in. I was then able to see where my poor nan had her fatal accident - I felt I owed it to her to see how it happened. I was only five when she died, but we still have the letters she wrote to my sisters - she had a heart of gold. I love Gillingham because my mum was brought up there, it holds a special place in my heart.

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