College Gate And Cathedral 1908, Rochester
College Gate And Cathedral 1908, Rochester Ref: 59881
Memories of College Gate And Cathedral 1908, Rochester
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Rochester & local memories
Read and share memories of Rochester and Kent inspired by Frith photos.
Rod Hull And Miss Havisham
I took part in a simple survey of Restoration House in the early 1990s when the Local Authority were considering buying the property from the children's entertainer Rod Hull (of Emu fame). He had fallen into disastrous financial circumstances, partly through his labour of love in trying to restore Restoration House that arguably contributed to his untimely death. My abiding memory is of Miss Havisham's wedding table with cake, cobwebs and all, set out in the very room that Dickens based his Satis House upon for the setting of 'Great Expectations'. The decorations were I believe the original props from the David Lean film of that book of 1946 that Rod Hull had also acquired. The atmosphere was soaked in history - real, literary and cinematic - it is no wonder that Rod Hull must have been seduced by the place. I haven't been back since, although I understand the present owners do offer limited guided tours in peak season and I have no idea if the... Read more
Old School
Gad's Hill Place was my school when I was 7-9 years old, from about 1950-1953. About 4 or 5 girls of similar ages lived on Thames Sailing Barges at Hoo and went to school together, sometimes by car, but usualy by bus. I don't remember much about the school, but I remember the gardens which had many little 'graves' dedicated to pets which the Dickens children had had.
Milk Boy
I was a milk boy for Bourne and Hilliers in the 1970s. I would oftern go to the Red Lion after my rounds on pay day for a pint or two and throw some darts - Tom was the landlord of the Red Lion at that time. Where the police warden stands in this picture now sits a round about. The pub and dairy are now long gone.
THE CASTLE TEA ROOMS
I lived at the Castle Tea Rooms from 1953 untill 1976, my mother and father ran the tea rooms. I would love to hear from anyone who passed over the doorstep to enjoy my mum's scones.
M2 Bridge Worker in St. Bart's Hospital
I remember being in St. Barts Hospital in 1961 or 1962, aged 11 or twelve, to have my appendix removed. At that time there was a construction worker recovering from a very serious injury received while working on the bridge. His whole arm had been removed, leaving him only his right shoulder.I met him during a mass held in the ward and he was amazingly cheerful and determined to stand and kneel as required by the service.
Traffic Jams at Star Hill
I regularly went across this junction on the bus to and from home in Rochester and school at Chatham between 1955 and 1961. The Gaumont cinema was directly across the road from Bourne & Hilliers Dairy. I went to Saturday morning pictures, and ocassionally to the Victor Sylvester Ballroom Dancing classes, also at the cinema. Unlike the photo, Star Hill and the New Road were gridlocked morning and evening for the school run.
Rochester Sweeps Festival And Whitethorn Morris
The Rochester Sweeps festival celebrates the traditional May Day holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy. It is a glorious mixture of dancing, music and dressing up with visitors from all over Britain bringing their entertainment to Rochester High Street each year.
The festival attracts morris dancers and musicians who are delighted to perform in front of the huge crowds thronging the High Street. Most years the dancers from Whitethorn Morris join in the Rochester Sweeps Festival together with the Whitethorn Band of accordians, melodeons, fiddles and drums. Its a colourful display of red white and blue with lively music and always draws a crowd of onlookers all day long.
Fortunately most of the dance venues arranged by the Festival organizers are in front of the pubs in the High Street so traditional refreshments are always available!
Fort or Folly Near City Lawn Tennis Club?
Can anyone please shed any light on what was (or is) an old fort or folly in woodland behind the Lawn Tennis club off Maidstone Road? I have a photo but I'm not sure it would come out well scanned. I remember as a kid we walked slightly off the walking track and scrambled down a slope into copse where there was this tower and a walk way. It's been driving me nuts since I couldn't find it when I visited a couple of years ago. Any help would be great.
