Nostalgic memories of Margate's local history
Share your own memories of Margate 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 19 in total
Does anyone remember the Pavillion View Guest House on Fort Crescent in the mid to late 1950's. The guesthouse was run by Mr. & Mrs. Walter & Kitty Chart at the time. I would like to make contact with any descendants of Mr & Mrs Chart as I am also trying to see if anyone remembers Violet McKinnell whom I think was living and working at The Pavillion View as a chambermaid at that ...see more
I also went to salmestone school in the late fifties, from 56 to1960 then to st Johns C of E, I remember the teachers, Mr Bird, Mrs dumpford, Mrs Ashby and the headmaster Mr Walker. Also a circus that came to town and saw a procession of animals along the seafront. Does anyone remember the character "holy Joe " who cut hair in cranbourne ally and and preached the end of the world etc wearing a sandwich board.
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 ...see more
lived in margate from approx. 1945 to 1952. There was a pier with a life boat station halfway up.Took a trip on the lifeboat, public once year, and was really seasick. There was also the Pavilion, close by was a 'pillbox' a wartime concrete structure meant to provide defence against invaders. As kids we would get into it and explore all kinds of things. First time I ever saw someone naked. would love to hear if anyone else ...see more
My grandma and granddad and my mum and dad, with me and my brother who was six years old then, and my baby sister spent two weeks in the summer of 66 - we was in Margate for two weeks. The weather was glorious and really warm we had travelled from Sheffield at 02:30am from Sheffield Victoria station to Manchester then from Manchester to London then from London to Margate. We arrived in Margate at 13:30 when we got ...see more
My mum & dad used to take me and my sister to Margate (Cliftonville) for 2 whole weeks back in the late 50s/early60s. I shall look up some old photos when I have a chance. Although we didn't have much money then, we took a bus from East Malling, Kent to the Maidstone Bus Station where we travelled on the sea coach to Margate, stopping off at a cafe in Molash for our halfway break. We visited Margate once last ...see more
My father of 76 yrs has a problem. He has a photo of himself at the Margate winter gardens on a charity night, as he used to box for the army. He was in the boxing ring with a marine in 1957. He had the report from the paper that has since gone missing.
The bout he won was in aid of the Cheerful Sparrow ward at the hospital. The fight was so unusual because the spectators were throwing money ...see more
As a child we used to visit Margate on a regular basis, before the war. We used to have a tray of tea from the Nayland Rock Cafe which had a special smell and distinctive china. I would love to obtain a photo.
I was very fortunate to be able to spend three wonderful holidays in Margate 1960-1962.
My friend's family took me along on their family holidays staying at the Salvation Army boarding house in Cliftonville, on the sea front, it was wonderful.
We travelled down from Liverpool in their large family car, it was a great adventure for an 8 year old. The first thing we used to do when we arrived was run ...see more
This is a very evocative picture. My parents used to take me on two week long summer holidays to the Kent coast in the 1950s to early 1960s - Margate, Westgate, Broastairs, Birchington. They were exciting times. Although it was only an 80 minute journey from Bromley, where we lived, it was like entering a different world to me.
The scene in this picture, with a packed beach, summons up a bygone era when ...see more
