The Stone Family Of Margate

A Memory of Margate.

What wonderful memories I have of my childhood holidays in Margate. Reading others memories bring them all racing back. The children born just after the war were so lucky. Although we really had nothing as regards money or material things I think we had everything. Freedom to roam and caring parents. We could not afford holidays and although we had a nice house in Dagenham Essex it was pretty built up. I was so lucky that my Grandparents lived in Margate and I would spend all my holidays there. My darling Grandad worked in the Lido. I thought he was the bees knees when I was younger as he would stand outside the door and take the tickets for the shows. He was always respendant in his wonderful uniform. He would take me back stage and I can remember all the dancing girls making a fuss of him (and me) We had great times on the main beach at Margate. I also remember the wooden Tea Rooms that stretched out towards the bathing pool. How many of you had splinters in your feet from running over the wooden floor to get an ice cream? What laughs we had at the Punch and Judy shows and of course Dreamland with its rides and games - the best scenic railway in the world I thought. It was always sunny, hot and we never had to wear our socks, just sandals and shorts and T shirts. We would hope that perhaps we would have just one day of storm and then we could go and watch the waves near the pier. I remember Cranbourne alley - which was like stepping back in time to the era of the old curiosity shop with its little bottled window shops, I would get all my sweets in the little sweetshop there. My Grandfather and Grandmother lived at Poets corner. They were William and Annie Stone. My father (also William) was born in Byron road in 1907 but my Grandparents soon bought a boarding house in Beunos Aires (which I believe is the Nayland crescent) which they boarded out to Soldiers in the 1st world war. I rember my father saying he thought the soldiers were wonderful but did not realise they were just cannon fodder - never to return to the land they all loved so much. They also lived in Grosvenor Place as William grew up. Before them were my Great Grandparents William and Annie Stone. They lived in Pleasant Place and he was a baker.
So I have great feelings for Margate. I like so many of you are sad at the decline of Margate. It could be such a wonderful seaside resort again if only its problems were sorted out. For me, in my heart it will always be a sunny happy bright place with memories of gold.

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