Nostalgic memories of Maidstone's local history
Share your own memories of Maidstone 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 24 in total
My first job was at G H Laveys 65 High Street (corner of Mill Street). The store sold clothing for men, women, children's school wear, also an equestrian dept. It covered four floors and even had a lift.
I was 15 years old. My job was to polish the brass counter edges, clean mirrors, sweep the pavement around the shop, and stoke the boiler during the winter months! I was not allowed to speak to ...see more
This isn't my memory, I want to know if anybody remembers my uncle Jack. He died in Maidstone hospital in 1985 aged 74 (I didn't know of him then) he was described as a retired newsvendor, so, I was wondering if anybody remembers him. I know that newsvendors can be quite characters so if you think you remember Jack I would be very interested to know. He was born in Texas and was about 7 when the family returned to the UK, so he may have had an unusual accent.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s my brothers and I were Scouts and each summer we went to Scout Camp at Westgate on Sea.
There was no M20 in those days so our journey by lorry took us through Maidstone High Street and we were all excited to be the first to spot the cannon which I believe was captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War.
In high summer it could take half an hour to pass through the town!
Great days.
Ken Cook
Does anybody remember Harry Smart and family who ran and owned the cafe at East Farleigh? It was a bikers' cafe and riders used to come from all over Kent to sit and talk bikes etc. His son Paul was a successful rider with a works team and his brother in law I believe was Barry Sheene. You could even hire a boat from Harry if you fancied a trip on the River Medway that ran past the door of the ...see more
I remember going to Maidstone Zoo, I believe it's location was Detling Hill, the old road going downhill from what is now the Kent showground. If I remember rightly there was a lift system in which was pulled up and down by elephants, I think I must have been 7 or 8 at the time. I lived on the Isle of Sheepy, born 1950.
I remember the train that ran by the side of the approach drive when I visited the zoo as a young child with my parents. I wanted to go on it, but my parents made me walk. I was just learning to read and asked my Mum what a 'dangeroo' was. On the way out, I felt unaccountably embarrassed because my father helped a man who couldn't walk well to get back onto his coach. I remember that my mother told me that the tiger (or lion I can't remember which), was eyeing me up for a meal.
I remember as a child going to Maidstone Zoo on the bus from Sittingbourne with my parents. We did this about once a year - I think it was always on a Sunday. I was born in 1951 so don't remember the early 1950s. What I'm having trouble with is trying to locate where it was, and also what is there now in its place. I also remembered the smell of it, which was not very nice, especially in the long hot summers. The ...see more
I believe my great uncle Edward Goodwin of Canon Court, Wateringbury, donated his Butterfly and Moth Collection to the Maidstone Museum on his death in 1934. Since that time I think the museum was burnt down, and of course, the butterfly collection too.
From around 1906 to 1969 my grandfather - Thomson Darge - ran his business at Borough Nurseries, 8 Tonbridge Road (opposite the Council offices) with my late father George(Cecil) Thomson Darge - I carry my Grandfathers only christian name(Scottish origin) Thomson as my middle name - anyone with any similar memories??
I remember there being an Ashby's in Tonbridge Road down the road from the old trolley bus depot. My grandfather worked there as a cashier.
