Regent Cinema

A Memory of Deal.

My family were Skinners of Deal.  My mum Sheila used to work at the Regent cinema on the sea-front.  I used to love being able to go & see films over & over when she as working there, (I remember seeing "The Music Man" 7 times!).  Does anyone remember the little pony & trap that used to give rides to the children?  It used to leave from round the entrance to the pier & go along the sea-front and back - a treat indeed for us kids.  There also used to be a photographer who used to stand by the pier & take day-tripper's photos.  Does anyone remember the old man (or so he seemed to me as a child), who used to sell matches outside Woolworths (I think it was).  He had medals across his chest & used to have his tray of goods round his neck.  I also vaguely recall a barrel organ & little monkey in the High Street.  Finally, does anyone recall when Ricemans went up in flames?  Their shop was in the High Street & went up with a huge blaze!