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Gravesend, Thames shipping scene looking downriver c1955
Gravesend, Thames shipping scene looking downriver c1955 Ref: G47012
Memories of Gravesend, Thames shipping scene looking downriver
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 Gravesend, the Thames from Pilot Station c1965 (ref: G47062) |
Year: 1987
National Sea Training College at Gravesend
I spent the academic year 1987/88 in Kent training to become a Careers Adviser on a post-graduate course run by Kent College for the Careers Service. During my course I had to visit businesses, universities, schools and colleges all around the county (and beyond) but the visit that sticks in my memory more than any other is the day I visited the National Sea Training College at Gravesend. Along with a handful of other students I spent a well organised day in Gravesend carefully taking notes form the instructors in Seamanship, Engineering and Catering. We watched Physical Education drills and inspected the premises and interviewed some of the college's young students. However, what we were really looking forward to was the final activity offered on our one day inspection - this was to be a practical experience of going out on the water in one of the college boats. However, it was late afternoon and we were mystified to be told by the Seamanship instructors that they were calling the activity off. They felt it would not be safe due to choppy seas and a likelihood for increasing winds. We were disappointed and greatly surprised as to our inexperienced eyes the sea simply looked grey, cold and uninviting with perhaps a bit of a breeeze. We were dismissed so made our way home a little bit earlier than expected. That night - in October 1987 - there was the so called "Great Storm" which devastated south east England. A huge swathe of Kent was severely damaged by hurricane force winds so perhaps the seamanship instructors at the National Sea Training College were rather better weather forecasters than poor Mr Michael Fish who had the misfortune to be the BBC TV weather forecaster that night and gave a false assurance to all the viewers that there would be no hurricane!! A memorable visit to Gravesend - but for the wrong reasons! Posted: 12/11/2008 23:23 by John Howard Norfolk |
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 Gravesend, King Street 1902 (ref: 49028) |
Year: 1947
Milton Barracks
I arrived in Gravesend in mid 1947 as advance party to re-open "Milton Barracks". Our first night out was a walk around King St to see what we could find. It didn't take us long to find the pubs in Gravesend or to find the Prom. We spent a lot of time on the Prom watching the boats and the birds. That's how I met a girl called Eileen Mockett. We were married in Milton Church on the 21 August 1948. I stayed in the town for 25 years before returning to Doncaster in Yorkshire. We still visit Gravesend but how it's changed. I'm not sure I like it now.. No Prom (as it used to be), No Ships? No cocker doddle doo on New Years Eve from the river. Sadly the Gravesend I remembered and loved is no more. Vic Lowe EX Royal Artillery, Milton Barracks... Last edited: 26/06/2007 14:22 by Verdun Lowe |
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 Gravesend, the Promenade Café c1955 (ref: G47043) |
Year: 1969
Happy Summers
I was born and bred in Gravesend. This photo brings back many memories of summer days down the prom! We always came here with my mum. She used to leave us and our cousins in the park behind the cafe whilst they went shopping in town. We used to have a lovely time. As I got older I used to know Fort Gardens like the back of my hand and especially the concrete steps that led up to the lookout that was probably the highest point along the promenade. It was always a safe place to be and it was always warm and sunny. There were always lots of families sitting on the grass having picnics and boats going by. Also, not far away behind the cafe was the swimming pool where we always spent our summer holidays. The gardens were always kept lovely and was very peaceful. There used to be a funfair on the land between the pool and the cafe even though I wasn't allowed to go there. The cafe used to have large windows so you could see out and had the entrance on the left and a long narrow wall and had tables and chairs outside too! It was lovely! Last edited: 08/01/2007 20:03 by Trudie Grant |
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 Gravesend, the Ferry 1902 (ref: 49044) |
The Royal Daffodil
I can still remember waiting on this pier for the 'Royal Daffodil' or the 'Royal Sovereign' during the my childhood, for our day trip up the river. We would do this trip regularly whilst on holiday with my Grandparents in Northfleet. It was one of my favourite days out. Julia (Weekes) Last edited: 08/01/2008 22:58 by Julia Banks |
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Gravesend, the Ferry 1902 (ref: 49044) |
Year: 1958
My First glimpse of Gravesend.
I arrived in Gravesend in 1958 on the back of my boyfriend's motorbike, we had travelled from Colchester in Essex. My father, who was in the army, had been posted to Gravesend so we all had to move. We crossed the river Thames on the Tilbury to Gravesend Ferry and so landed and rode off the ferry and up the High Street to find the house where my parents had moved into. Last edited: 21/10/2006 03:30 by Mary Back |
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