Life Was Full Of Promise!

A Memory of Margate.

I have lived in Margate since 1953 having moved from Ilford in Essex, I was 3 years old. My nan and granddad owned a small guest house in Vicarage Crescent, Margate. My life was a little upheaved as my father left my mother, myself and my half brother in about 1955. I went to Salmestone School until I was 11, I passed the 11 plus and went to Danecourt Technical High School for Boys in Broadstairs.

Margate was a seaside holiday extravaganza, especially for the visitors, not so much for myself and my close friends. It was very busy, very noisy and very messy, especially near the seafront. We opted for sea fishing as this was a relatively cheap and enjoyable experience which kept us away from the noise and mess as much as was possible. Our lives were filled with digging for worms, collecting peeler crabs, catching shrimps, prawns and the occasional 'Punga' crab which was very tasty, then off fishing wherever we could; the pier, the harbour, the rocks or off the promenades.

As we grew older, into our teens life did move on for us, we discovered Mods and Rockers (entertained us for a while), beer, girls and the arcades along the seafront. By then holiday destinations had changed. Most now went abroad and the holiday trade virtually vanished from the likes of Margate. Our town was ours again, much quieter and less messy.

I think we understand peoples fond memories of Margate at that time, but our circumstances dictated a differing memory which affected our lives accordingly.