Childhood Days

A Memory of Gillingham.

I vaguely remember the bad winter when snow was still laying in June, black snow where people had thrown ash onto paths and roads. There were holes cut into the banks of snow so people could cross the roads. Then in the early 50's, the weekly trip with barrow to the gasworks in Pier Road for a load of coke 'cos we couldn't afford coal. Saturday morning pictures at the Grand or Odeon cinema's I recall getting day off from school to see the King (George VI) open the N.A.A.F.I. club (now the King Charles Hotel). Also of meeting Prince Phillip at the Royal Naval Memorial when I was in the Royal Naval Cadets. The night the Royal Marines Cadets died in Dock Road; we were waiting in the gym for boxing match with them. But we had some good times..didn't like going shopping with mum, but was fascinated in a shop called, Davd Griegs, where when you paid and they put the money in a container, pulled a string that criss-crossed the ceiling and went to cashiers office. And where your change would be sent back the same way. Butchers shops with all manner of meat hanging outside; sawdust and blood on pavement. Ration books were still in use, no stamp - no can buy. Christmas day; apple, orange and if you were lucky a banana or tin of toffees. Fridays was special; pay day for dad, round to Greggs peas pudding and faggot shop in Jeffrey Street, then bath night in the old tin bath with carbolic soap.....hard times but good times 'cos we were all in the same boat.


Added 11 May 2013

#241320

Comments & Feedback

The bad winter was 1947 with snow three or four feet high for weeks end; my friends and I took sledges down to the gas works to collect coke and I remember what hard work it was pulling the loaded sledge up the steep hill to Gillingham Green. This reminds me of many happy hours train spotting on the footbridge by the level crossing - when the crossing keeper was not watching we used to put half-pennies on the track trying to turn them into pennies! I was in the choir at St Mary's Church and after evening service we used to walk along the sea wall towards Sharps Green. Sharps Green was something of a wild place in those days we used to spend hours there bird and butterfly watching and one day got the surprise of our young lives stumbling across a middle aged couple sunbathing - in the nude!
Hi HA. I too remember those hard winters when I was helping our milkman with his rounds by using my sledge to carry crates of milk for hand delivery from there. Do you remember the days the Medway frose over and ships were ice locked? Eric B.

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