Nostalgic memories of Birchington's local history
Share your own memories of Birchington and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total
I have just stumbled across this wonderful site and how the memories have come flooding back! My name was Jackie Coppin and I lived at 7 Farrar Road in Birchington until I was 15. My mum worked at the Economic Stores in The Square and when we left Farrar Road, Mum and Dad ran the Fish and Chip shop next to the Smugglers Restaurant. I have been reading other members memories of Birchington and all the place names are ...see more
We hope to visit Birchington again this year 2019, love the place, wish the Wayside cafe was still there, it was where my Aunt Audrey & Uncle Dennis had their wedding reception, Aunt Audrey was the head pastry & cake chef/cook & my other Uncle met his wife Betty there, happy memories, of Birchington in the 50's , hope to visit the United service club also
Like many others I also spent summer holidays in Birchington with my Grandfather at 96, Park Avenue. I remember that the Icecream Parlour had a fairly large wooden parrot outside. We were friends with the children opposite at 111, Park Avenue, they were permanent residents and Barbara had a holiday job there. I also remember walking across the fields and over the railway line to get to Minnis Bay and, putting pennies on the tracks for the train to 'run over'. Happy days!
this is my 3rd attempt to record this. My grandparents honeymooned in Minnis Bay in 1925. Just before WW2 my Dad stayed at the Minnis Bay hotel as a Marine Commando and did some training prior to D Day Landings. Does anyone know where the hotel was? Apparently there was a parade square outside.
The ice cream here was superb it was called 'ABSOPURE' as far as I can remember , I was in Birchington last year 2013 & wanted to visit the Ice Cream parlour but it was closed which was a disappointment for me
Happy memories of Birchington in the 50's with my dear Nan & Granddad & great aunt Mag (next door) I loved the place (still do) cant wait to go back
My ...see more
We use to stay at my Aunts in King Edward Road Birchington. My Dad lived in Dunstan Ave Westgate as a boy. Most of the family were in the local brass band and so it was our duty to go and listen on a Sunday afternoon. We had a visit to the Quex park and of coarse to the local cream parlour which served delicious ice creams.
My sisters and I are Birchington born and bred and as far as I'm concerned growing up in Birchinton in the late fifties and early sixties was the best place in the world. My mum would collect my sisters from Sunday school and we would catch a bus from the square, usually the number 70 (a single decker coach in maroon and cream) then down to Minnis Bay - to be taken to the ice cream parlour as a real ...see more
Many happy memories of Birchington - my sister (born 1933) often used to take me to the Ice Cream Parlour which until about 5 years ago still had the rattan chairs and tables and distinctive smell of vanilla. Most family links through Mill Row and Mill Lane (off Canterbury Road and near Court Mount) with aunt and uncle moving into Shamrock Villas in 1911 when first built. Lots of connections through ...see more
I can also remember the ice-cream parlour from when I was little, we used to stop here on the way back from the beach, we lived in Broadstairs.
In fact at present (2011) the parlour still kind of exists, but is closed!
Most of the original decor was changed in 2005 when the owners retired, but it remained an ice-cream parlour and is currently up for lease.
I was partly raised in Birchington during the 1950's, my Nan & Grandad and Aunts & Uncles also lived there, I would spend all my summer holidays there at my Nan's house in Park Avenue ...happy days, I still think about them even today we would spend much time in Minnis Bay, Beresford etc, Birchington was a lovely place & still sometimes visit it
