Rainham memories
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Memories of Kent
New Homes in Upchurch Oak Lane
This line of new homes was built 1956/7 by local builder Gransden. Mr Gransden the owner had an office/yard/joinery factory in Oak Lane just below Wallbridge Lane and he and his family lived in Wallbridge Lane. This small development was of 2 types of semi-detached homes, those in the foreground being slightly smaller than those furtherback. We lived in a larger one (4th one down from the Victorian homes visible at the top of the photo). The house was brand new built from Newington Red bricks from Newington Brickfield, then on the A2, and was a very well built home. At that time there was no gas or main drainage in Upchurch. Thus all these homes had a deep brick-lined cesspit in the front garden. This was periodically emptied by the local authority. The photo shows homes well established with a made-up footpath that would have come somewhat later than 1955. These homes were in many ways the beginning of a change to Upchurch, with new people coming into a... Read more
Jenkins Farm / My Grandparents' Orchard
I remember visiting my Grandparents orchard which was on the bend at the bottom of the hill leading into Upchurch coming in from Gillingham, and opposite was a cattle farm owned by the Jenkins family.
I spent many a wonderful weekend there up until probably the early Sixties when Grandma Young (I think her first name was Maude) moved into Rainham.
Does anyone else remember these times and maybe my family?
My Mum and Dad along with the rest of the family helped in the orchards, their names were Bill and Win and they worked alongside my mum's brother who I only knew as Uncle Son.
The Jenkins' farm always intrigued me as a youngster and they used to let me help to herd the cows in to be milked.
The highlight of the year was the Parish Summer Fete which as a very young lad seemed like what Disney World must do to modern kids! How times have changed I would be more than... Read more
Vine Cottage
I used to visit the Castle family who lived in Vine Cottage (next to the school) late 50s early 60s. I think it was occupied by Jessie Castle, Alfred Castle and Emma Francis Castle (Mother). I would like to hear from anyone who may have known this family. I think they also had connections with the Crown public house in the village. Thanks, Alan.
Sharps Green
We had some great times in the summer hollidays. A crowd of us would get on our bikes go along to the Strand and then along the sea wall to sharps Green. We passed a boat yard, but I don't remember the name. We were gone all day. We played "bike scrambling" up and down the mounds, the boys were always better at it than us girls. There were always loads of damsons and blackberries that we could pick and eat. We came home at six tired out. I first got my love of the countryside then and since then have always respected it. I also remember going to the war memorial on Mill Road with my dad and all the men removing their hats in respect. We went to fairs on the lines, Navy Days. I remember the Dockyard hooter morning, lunch time and evening, no excuse then for being late for school. Time off for the Queen's visit to Gillingham, she wore green I remember. "Happy highways where I... Read more
Embassy
I believe that this cinema was called the Odeon before the Embassy. As a boy growing up I had the choice of going to Saturday morning pictures at the Grand in Skinner Street for sixpence (2.5 pence ) or the Odeon for ninepence (4 pence). At the Odeon you got in free on your birthday. Oh, such innocent times.
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