Nostalgic memories of Folkestone's local history
Share your own memories of Folkestone 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 11 - 20 of 35 in total
JULY 19TH 2012
JOHN MAY
VANCOUVER
CANADA
Father family name - May.
Mothers family name - Pay.
Grandfather and his four brothers (on fathers side) - fishermen
All born on the Stade in the harbour.
Grandfather and his brothers (on mother's side) - seamen working the colliers brigs from the Tyne and Hartelpool bringing coal to the Folkestone gas works, timber brigs brought timber from the ...see more
I think this is a photo of me (note groovy sunglasses) walking my dog Zoe. I used to walk her along by the sea from Folkestone through Sandgate to Seabrook (in high heels!). I think it was about 1962-64 and I remember the coat, which was Kingfisher Blue.
Does anyone remember the simple children's roundabout on the east beach? I had a holiday there in 1947 and I was so fascinated by the roundabout that I wandered off the beach hoping someone would pay for a ride for me. When my Mum found me I was giving a sharp slap for going missing!
Having found my vocation overseas I obtained a post as a student Environmental Health Officer in The Civic Centre in Folkestone. I was living in a flat in Connaught Road and soon met another student who I later married. We studied at the South East London Technical College at Lower Sydenham, I qualified in 1974 and Gabrielle a year later. We married at Mapledurham near Reading and then bought a house ...see more
I am the most sorriest person ....as I don't have a memory of this amazing place...but my 3 x great-grandmother died in this street and was found by her grand daughter Susannah Swain (nee West).
What did it look like then...I wish I had been there...
I was born in Folkestone in July 1950, now living in New York since 1978. I remember as a child my mum or my aunt would take me down the high street, rarely up for obvious reasons, and stop at Andy Amos or Jimmy Rowlands for sweets. I remember the rock and the aniseed twist, toffee apples, the smell was heaven and sometimes watched to see how rock was made. During my teen years, I ...see more
I was at secretarial college in Folkestone in the mid sixties and "The Old High Street" was my stamping ground, along with "Tofts". I remember Archie and Andy who owned the Acropolis at the top on the left and of course Mick who owned "Micks" or "El Torero" at the bottom on the right. Names which come to mind are, in no particular order :) Bruno and Harry B, Geoff C, Micky O and many others ... my word : a lot of water under a lot of bridges since then.
On the extreme right, you can just make out the showrooms of the Folkestone Motor Co., main Austin dealers. This became Henlys, and I worked there for a few years from around 1968 to 1977. Across the road was a nice tearooms - think it was called the Frogmore, and a smart Italian restaurant, called the Portofino. Next door to the car showrooms was a smashing bakery, and every morning, when the bread ...see more
I remember the Acropolis too, and I dated Noel Redding for a short while, when I was at school, in the year above his sister Vicky. Mostly, we used the Caprice coffee bar, opposite Folkestone Library in Grace Hill, almost next door to Tofts dance hall, and opposite the Hillside club and the Empress Ballroom - where Noel used to play with his first band, the Lonely Ones
Kingsnorth Gardens has given the people of Folkestone and visitors great pleasure over the years and to this day still attracts people who want to relax on a summers day and enjoy the Gardens.
In 1966 I was an apprentice electrician and was involved in installing lighting so that the gardens could be enjoyed in the shorter days of the winter months.
In more ...see more
