More memories of Maidstone and its people

Jim Harris (jimharris_ifa@yahoo.com) Maidstone I remember it well: - Roger (Banfield) In one of your entries you asked if anybody knew the whereabout of Wilkie (I guess Rodney Wilkins) and Nigel Wise. The three of us went to the Boys Tech together, and Ian Edge. Rod and I went on the trolley from the bottom of Mangravet Avenue on the 08.10 every day for 3 years where we sat upstairs at the back sharing a cigarette. My parents moved to Sidcup in 1960 immediately after I left school and I went to work for an insurance company in the City so those years you talk about with them at the Tav were mostly missed by me. I do remember all of us drinking there and also meeting together at the back of your parents shop. A friend told me that Nigel is in New Zealand although the last time I actually spoke to him was around 1962 when we all met in Soho for a boys booze up. As for Rod, he had met a girl who lived in the Channel Islands and whether he married her or not I don't know but when my parents moved back to Mai dstone around 1975, my Mother used to bump into his Mother shopping in Maidstone and eventualy she told me that he was living in Jersey. Maidstone must have some magnetism as in 1966 I moved back with my wife (having moved to Plymouth for a couple of years) and worked in and around Maidstone from then on. Aware that he might still be in Jersey and whilst sitting at an office desk in Cornwallis House in Pudding Lane, decided to look in the Chanel Islands phone book in case it gave a number for Rodney Mervyn Wilkins. There he was R M Wilkins. I rang but he was obviously busier than me so the call was relatively brief and it wasn't a particularly good line. I think he said he was an auctioneer. That was around 1992 and the last time we spoke. If you know anything of any of them I'd be delighted to hear. Jim Harris

Peter Dean Maidstone I remember it well: like most kids in the fifties an early sixties on a saturday after noon i would go to the athletic ground to watch Maidstone united play, when th first team was playing they used to have the army band before the kick off. does any one remember some of the old players who played then or have team photos or programes. players i remember are Danny Wiltshire, Dave leonard, Fred Baker, Dave Mash, Stuart Davies, Paddy Long, Mike Candy and best of all David Sadler.

Peter Dean Maidstone I remember it well: From Peter Dean To Bernie Martin, Chris Garrett was married to Lou, I dont know if you was aware Lou was killed in a building site acciedent about twenty five years ago. Do you remember Mick Martin who used to knock around with Tony Bathurst he was always in the tavern. Regards Peter

Terry McKenna E-mail Address: terrymckenna178@btinternet.com Maidstone I remember it well: As promised these are the funeral plans for Trevor Miles. Friday 25th Feb at Vinters Park Crematorium 3-30pm. Family flowers only please. Any donations to The Heart of Kent Hospice (where Trevor was a volunteer). Funeral Directors are: Family Funeral Directors.6 Marlborough Parade. Beverley Road. Barming. ME16 9JN. Tel. 01622725704. Thank you.

John Palmer Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: My Dad was in Civil Defence. I was only a young kid in the early sixties so don't remember any of his stories. His name was Frank Palmer. If anyone out there knew him, please drop me a line. john.palmer@sterihealth.com.au

You may well have read about my part in the cold war but I don't remember your dad I'm afraid perhaps someone else will. Peter

Bernie Martin Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: To Carol Bowles, I am a little confused [quite easy at my age\ the Ray Bowles I knew was a scaffolder at SGB when I worked there . I did know Brian Swaffer he used to have a beer in the London Tavern. Trissa my sister has told Phil about this web page and about a couple of people who want to catch up but I don't think he is into computers. Chris Burdett lives in Wingham near Taree on the Mid North Coast, I had a beer with him at Xmas when I was down at Trissa's she lives at Port Macquarie.

Bernie Martin Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: For Peter Dean, Yes I did know Lou Garret died , he was still working for SiteCast the company he,Colin Brooks & I had worked for, they sent out green [uncured] concrete & it collapsed on him. Yes I remember Mick Martin ,big lump of a lad. Thanks for all the memories , hope you are keeping a few in reserve for when we catch up in July/August. To Jim Harris, Nigel Wise my ex brother inlaw is alive & well & living on the Gold Coast in Queensland ,Australia. Bernie Martin

Audrey Bigley Nee Meek nee Mathews Maidstone I remember it well: I remember my father buying all his garden seeds etc from Honnors. We were hard up as my father was the local window cleaner and could not always work when the weather was bad so he subsidised his income by selling our garden produce. We were clothed in Featherstones garments. I still remember my sunray pleated red skirt and my fisrt suit in pale green.Andersons leather shop I remember and they lived a few doors away from me in Moncktons Avenue. We are still alive and kicking and living in Canterbury.

You know I think we all felt pretty hard up in those days and I can still remember feeling almost ashamed by the thought that other kids had more than us. In later life I realised that most of us really didn't have much. I hated having to go to school in someone elses cast offs. Good to hear from you Audrey. Peter

Proposed cuts to the National Health Service.

The British Medical Association has weighed in on the new Prime Minister David Cameron's health care proposals.

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had a sort of a gut feeling about it, but the neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all labouring under a misconception.

Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.

Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Paediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!"

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.

The Surgeons were fed up with the cuts and decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The ENT specialists didn't swallow it, and just wouldn’t hear of it.

The Pharmacologists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter...."

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.

The Anaesthetists thought the whole idea was a gas, but the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the bums in London .

tony mitchell Maidstone I remember it well: to john pettit.do you remember my brother brian mitchell. A close friend of Frank Sando. Brian died in 1990

tony mitchell Maidstone I remember it well: I attended here 1950-1953.lived in charles st grocery shop.Forms p1-2-3. Played in sharp cup team.Detling house cricket.House master Mr Ayling.

lorraine calverley Maidstone I remember it well: i used to hang round with denise drake (spelt first name wrong i think)her parents had a pub in canterbury, she went out with pete arthur, lynn allen was another friend, barry smythe, john mappleston, sam small, steve ennox, derek joyce ,mick joy, john lambert winnie wilson (andy). my mum used to live above hookers fruit & veg shop top of high st, we used to go to the g ranch try to sneak in and out through windows. i married pete calverley he was keith hilts side kick, untill i came along. i am still married 40 yrs last nov. we arer still together, 3 children all grown with kids of there own. we still sometimes see a few faces a lot are living around snodland area, ive heard a few died. we used to come out of the g ranch and go to folkestone and sit on the mod wall. i used to go to toffs and the tontine club in folkestone.we sometimes slept on the trains in maidstone. i remember elvis, i saw him last year and he doesnt look any different, i was suprised.i could go on for ages, we should set up some sort of g ranch reunion.

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Bernie,i saw Guy Martin today and he sends his regards also Mick Martin i see him every day nearly he's still a big old lump i'll remember you to him tomorrow. Regards Barry

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Lorraine of all the names you mention the only one i see now is Steve Ennox as he works for a scaffolding company down the road fromm me.Regards Barry

peter honey Maidstone I remember it well: Would like to hear from anybody who lived in york road 1953-1967 or worked at charles arkcoll stone st 1958-1968

Now thats a name from the past Charles Arkcoll

Bernie Martin Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: To Barry Hynes, was it Guy Martin my nephew you saw ? To Barry Hynes,Peter Dean or anyone really , does anyone see or hear fron Roger Arnold,Dave Farrow, or Chippy Wood.Haven't had much response to the naming of the players in my photo in We Remember 12. What ever became of Lenny Pullen? Sorry about all the questions. Regards Bernie

peter honey Maidstone I remember it well: Ken Allen i remember you from york rd you lived next door to the neaves family we lived five doors up at 56 i had brother brian and sister eileen.Did you have a meshersmit car,i think it was yellow.

Shirley Hope nee Farnham Maidstone I remember it well: Shirley Hope Nee Farnham lived Devon Rd 2 doors from Barry Hynes went to Senacre School left 1965 married Richard (Dick) Hope he died oct 2010 very sudden still in the Merchant Navy anybody remember us recall lots of names on this web site

peter honey Maidstone I remember it well: Peter Honey Anyone remember the fat red faced man selling newspapers at top of high st I think his name was Len also the man by the granada feeding the pigeons and swearing at everyone

The ruddy faced man selling newspapers is somewhere else on the site, have a read.

Les Huggins Maidstone I remember it well: Hello again

The "ruddy faced" newspaper seller who stood outside the Red Lion (Gin Palace) at the top of High Street, was definitely called CYRIL.

The gentleman who used to throw bread to pigeons and swear at passers-by in Gabriels Hill was called, VIC GASH and he lived in nearby Ringlestone.

Other well known faces in Maidstone at the time was an old chap who was (reputedly) shellshocked from the war. His name was "SNOWBALL" and he lived somewhere around North Borough School. ----------------------------------------------

I lived in Ringlestone from 1946 (when I was born) to 1965 (when I got married) and have seen lots of names on M-I-K-I-Well. Many of them I remember well.

I know I love lists, but I list below some of those who were brought up in Ringlestone in the fifites and sixties. My hope is that the names invoke their own memories of these people, to all readers of this excellent site. I will list Calder Rd on this occasion and in the future I will list Dickens, Egerton, Edna, Lushington, Monctons and Chatham Road.

CALDER ROAD Mick, Robert, Ralph, Tony and Evelyn Veness. Rodney Carter Malcolm Hayes, Neville Hayes George, Roy, Douglas,Jim, Jean Morgan Pearl, Pauline, Pamela,Penny Wightman William, Keith,Walter, Marjory Sedge Colin, Pauline, Wills David,Maureen, Knott Martin, Yvonne, Earl Barry, Angela, Emery Nigel Iggleden (died in a motor bike accident aged 19) Ruth, Joan, David, Morris Huggett Dennis Brooks Diane, Terry, Franks Janet, Derek,Margaret Swan Geoff Goldup Len, Marylin,Avis, Bond Charlie Dann Kenny, Derek, Brooker Ian,Leo Pratt Angus Ring and brother "Cruiser" Terry, Colin, Alan, Janet, Neville, Durling Wendy, Joy, Eillen, Rex Gibbons Pete, Teresa, Bridget, Gamble Rob, June, Jackie Tucker John (Jinxy) Stevens June, Ray Cross The shopkeepers in Calder Road were, THE CO-OP the Manager was Mr Alan Watson who lived in Edna Road, SMITHS STORES AND OFF LICENCE Ted an Ethel (Vi) Smith who lived on the premises WCL CUTBUSH The local Butcher who also lived above the shop

Hope this has jogged a few fond memories.

Heres till next time! All the best

Blimey you've got a memory

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Brian i dont know the name of the paper seller but i was talking about him to my brother the other day.He remembers him making up his own headlines to sell more papers shouting out all sorts.The man who fed the pigeons and swore at everyone was Vic Gash my mates dad.In his heyday before he become ill he was a handful a very big man.I know this as my dad knew him well and for a time worked over Reeds mill with him.Regards Barry

Carole Bowles Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: To Bernie Martin, don't think my Ray was the one as he worked over the mill for a lot of years, then at Tillings for a while before we came over here. He lived in Wellington Place which was between Perry St, & Perryfield st. You mentioned a Chippy Wood, I think he worked with Ray over the mill too, he used to give Ray a lift to the station when he left me to go on his shift. Wish I had known Trish lived at Port Macquarie as I was up there a few weeks ago, would loved to have seen her. To Roger Banfield. I spoke to my brother Phil Vernau this evening and he sends his regards. He does not like computers, so any messages would have to go through me.

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Shirley good to see you here.So sorry to hear about Dick he was nice man.Long time ago since Devon Rd isnt it? have memorys i'll not forget.I take my boy boxing at Parkwood and always drive back through the estate and down devon Rd. Can picture all the kids playing on the field,days of innocence werent they?I look forward to seeing you here again Shirley and i'll leave my email addy bye for now regards Barry. wayitwasin66@hotmail.com

peter dean Maidstone I remember it well: Bernie Martin Your team photo as best i can remember back row from the left Micky webb,Bill file (who was my groundsman at Gravesend & Northfleet sadly passed away) Stan marchant who also died,les apps dont know,dont know,dont know, John lingham (my old mate) Alan butcher,Bill Lock, dont know,steve clarke,dont know dont know, dont know,Micky cloude,Maurice Reynolds. front row Kenny Spiken who has also died, Dave Moorkite,dont know,Tony weston,Peter Mannering,dont know,Roger Arnold,Syd Green,Spud Waite,John Walsh Charlie Head. how did i do. Lennie Pullen works up the Maidstone hospital as a orderly

Andrew Court Maidstone I remember it well: The market buildings had the smells emmiting from the little cafe wafting along them. The cafe had its door always open with a wooden screen sheilding the occupants from passers by staring in. There was a little shop selling novelties and practical jokes and a selection of penknives. I recall peering through the windows at the fire engine resting in its garage, an umbilical chord charging its batteries for ready use. In later years i would ride my motorbike along the narrow roadway through the buildings exiting onto the high street by the Royal Insurance Offices where my sister worked as cashier for many years. Its now a Weatherspoons. Was the little fishing tackle shop called Pettits?

Yes it was Andrew

andrew court Maidstone I remember it well: Eastborough Primary, I remember Vinters Girl used to share the buildings in Union Street,now the site is housing although the new building is of the same style as the original school and the school railings and steps still exist. I recall the toilet block in the playground and the hopscotch marked out on the tarmac. I remember two teachers, Mr (wacker) Wells, he used to deal out punishment with a wooden ruler smartly across yer shivering outstretched hand. He also luvved to sit the girls on his lap at his desk and help them with their work.. I also recall Mr Bettle, who introduced us to 'songwriting', I wonder how many other classes learnt to write the same song! It went, Mr Bettle comes to school in his motor car, then he teaches girls and boys how to do their work......ha He drove a VW Beetle,a green one I think. I remember walking to school from Headley street via a run down area waiting to be demolished, Carey Street. There was three sweet shops en route to school! Watsons, Wades and another which I recal being a Wavy Line type of shop? Watsons was later converted to a flat I beleive and Mrs Wades also returned to a house,her shop had a very distinctive smell to it! It was like stuck in a time warp. Nice old lady though.. I can recall swimming lessons at the old victorian baths too,not sure if it was during my first year at Vinters or last at Eastborough, I do remember just how strong the chlorine was though and the basket for your clothes, getting splashed as you waited for your red wristband when you handed in your basket of clothes and the doors which enabled you to see the girls dropping nikkers to the floor and hopping about putting on their costumes,lol.I remember the forceful stream of water jetting into the pool from the heating plant. Eastborough later moved along to the site vacated by Vinters Boys at Huntsmans Lane about 1/4 mile away. I left Eastborough and moved along the rd to Vinters Boys, the school was shortly to move to the brand new site at Vinters Park. I do however recall the science lab in the 'horsa' ex WW2 Nissan huts,the musty smell of gas in the lab. Alf Reid the Head was about to retire, he had a scarey reputation and looked the part. The school moved along the rd to its new buildings, musty smells repalced by fresh paint smells! State of the art facilities including a huge library set out on stilts with the 6th form common room below. A new headmaser, who drove a brand new xj12 jaguar, another teacher who drove a Hillman Hunter GT in a mustard yellow colour and wore a tweed sports jacket. A Physics teacher who drove a big old rover (Mr Williams aka Tank).He was a big man,jolly but so strict,he would throw the heavy wooden/felt blackboard eraser at you if he caught u messing about! Good teacher though,real character. Miss Boyd taught history,always well dressed and the only female teacher I can recall. There was often the local road safety officer inspecting our bikes (another Mr Williams?)He would be waiting in the mornings as you placed your bike in its rack to inspect it and it was my mission to ensure mine was faultless. The metalwork shop was interesting to me and I still have the tea caddy spoon and the toast rack we made there. I remember how we watched the girls from nearby Vinters Girls go by on crosscountry runs too. The Girls Tech was on our doorstep,indeed we could see them in their grounds,idling away the lunchbreaks in the summer sun. I recall each year had its own year room where we gathered for registration and lunch,there were lockers outside each year room but we never left anything of value in them as they were not very secure. I also recall I was always late back from lunch on a Tuesday,the new top ten was announced and the new number one single was not known until about 12-55, we were due back at 12-50! I just had to be the first to hear Slade were straight tin at number one again! I remember sitting the CSE exams in the school hall and my last day at Vinters was a relief...I was off to an exciting aprenticship as a mechanic. love to hear from anyone who can recall these years.

Blimey that was a long one

graham(nick) Nicklin Maidstone I remember it well: Reference Angela Waller nee (Loft) Angela i remember your brother Robert we used to play football for West Borough he is a couple of years older than me i remember he was a big lad with a curly mop of red hair. I had a couple of friends who lived in the Fant Lane pr-fabs Frank Wright and his sister Pauline and Roger Spice cannot remember his sisters name, i lived in the pr-fabs on Gatland Estate I hope that Robert is well but he probably will not remember me.I hope that you see this little message.

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Graham,my family lived in the prefabs in gatland est. they were the sedges you may have known them.Also Bob Loft became a very good amateur boxer and won kent heavyweight titles for the westree boxing club.Regards Barry

paul moon Maidstone I remember it well: does anyone remember the name of the shoe shop at the top of king street maidstone?????? shut down about 20 yrs ago

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Paul i believe the name of the shoe shop in King St was Baileys it was an excellent shop i used to get my shoes from there.I remember you could always do a deal on the price as it was an expensive but quality shop.Regards Barry

You always were a wheeler dealer Barry

Bernie Martin Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: Peter Dean, You did really well with the photo ,I was sorry to hear about all the deceased I think I had heard about Stan Marchant. I wonder if Lenny Pullen can still put a tobacco tin in his mouth sideways , that was always his party trick. You have quite the nack in knowing who is who & who is where ,heres another one for you : Johnny Baker , god I use to have some problems with him when I bounced at the "Wig & Gown" seemed nice enough sober but couldn't handle his drink. I know the Wig & Gown is gone and the Tavern , what is left , The Cricketers was a good Sunday lunch time pub,I think it was Jack Jarrad's local ,do you remember him ? I can see my visit to Maidstone is going to be a beery do,we must organise a pub crawl or two. Is their any classic landlords left ,like Kenny Grover & Vince Ford both of the Tavern,I have good memories and good stories about both of them. Thanks to you both , Bernie Martin.

I apologise for the size of this picture but it is due to the limitations of this site. Peter Capon

Annette Cowley Maidstone I remember it well: I taught Geography at South Borough Girls School from 1988 to 1990. I believe Karen Millen was an old girl.

paul moon Maidstone I remember it well: Many thanks Barry, I've been trying to think of the name of it for months!

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Bernie sad news im afraid Johny Baker passed away earlier this year i believe.I was told he had grin on his face as he left i can believe this this bless him .regards Barry

adam Maidstone I remember it well: Was just wondering if anyone had heard of any old tunnels running under maidstone?

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Adam,there is a site called hidden Maidstone mentions tunnels under Drakes pub in fairmeadow and the Angel in west malling .There is not a lot there but there must be links or groups.Regards Barry

Hi Barry, I remember when I was an apprentice many years ago, we had a client called (I think Len Spicer) who had a sweet shop in lower High Street. He always led us to believe that in the cellar of his shop there were parts of a tunnel, supposedly leading all under the High Street. Still who knows, perhaps someone will.

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello Bernie,just thought id mention an old name i saw Trevor Gobel this morning crossing holland rd.He ambles slowly along now and wears a trilby.I put my foot down and put hand on hooter you should have seen him jump and the language would have shamed a vicar.Then he saw me and started laughing.Funny how we change over the years Trevor spends his days now on river bank with a flask of tea and his sarnies he dosent drink now shame he wasnt like this a number of years ago !!!!Fun though wasnt he.Regards Barry

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello peter,there were tales of a lot of tunnels under Maidstone,i remember talk of them being under the old police station at wrens cross and many of the old buildings down stone st and the top of high st.This is different but when they did work in bottom of high st at Viennas i believe they found an intricate sewage system and called in acrhielogists they mentioned number of interesting finds there,also the maidstone water came from wells there so i suppose there is bound to be tunnels there.Regards Barry

Bernie Martin Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: Barry Hynes, Keep them coming mate,I love it,I was in the "Fishermans" I think, in 1990 I hadn't been back to England for 16yrs,in walked Bert Gobel & said "Hullo Bernie,whats happening" and carried on with a conversation like I'd seen him yesterday.they were quite the family.Did you know Trevor Green,in 1986 I was working on a film in Cannes,Northern Queensland when walking down the road comes Trevor,the last time I'd seen him was the night I took a hammer off him in the Tavern before he tapped someone,probably 1973,again he just started a conversation like he had seen me the day before.Iv'e got this memory of being told about small people who lived in caves near Hollingbourne & who would come out at night & rape & pillage, they never saw daylight so were called the Grey Men because of their skin colour.Anyone else ever hear this?. Tickets booked yesterday for our trip. Regards, Bernie

Alison Merrett (nee Hipkiss) Maidstone I remember it well: I lived with my parents at Ulcombe Hilltop in the 1950s and went to Ulcombe School. My father worked for M&D Bus Company as a Surveyor. A trip into Maidstone on the bus was always enjoyable. I remember many of the shops, and the smell of ground coffee so often reminds me of the coffee shop in Week Street where there was always the delicious aroma of roast coffee beans. I also remember the Congregational Church. Our neighbours at Ulcombe were Mr & Mrs Tom Horton and their daughter, Carol, who moved to live at Otham in the late 1950s around the time that we moved away to live in Cheltenham. I have happy memories of those days and of time spent with them at Otham during Summer holidays. They also had an older son, Donald. Mr Horton worked at Langley Stores and delivered groceries. I wonder if anyone remembers the family. I believe Carol may have emigrated to New Zealand after marrying. I remember the many hopfields in the area too. I have only just discovered your excellent website, and it is fascinating. Alison

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: Hello again Bernie,ive heard the name Trevor Green but dont know much about him. Some of the old ones have gone but some just dont seem to change. Stormy Jones has been unwell and i hear he was mugged couple of weeks ago by 3 yobs who stole his gold,loved his bling didnt he? poor Stormy he must be 110 now they would have had a shock if he he was only 90 wouldnt they? sadly no respect have they? The story of Hollingbourne i was converting a house there and heard similar stories as you mention here about rape and pillage going on. I believe most of it has stopped now but it's rife in Shepway and Parkwood!! I do know a local historian and will look further into it Bernie interesting stuff isnt it? Sadly Bernie all the good pubs have gone now all that history for a block of flats one day people will ask why was it allowed to happen these pubs catered for all sorts builders,hippys,bikers you name it they all mixed. Pub games like crib,dominos,shove halfpenny, dar will just be thing of history books, as will outrides to the coast and all the social side that went with these great old establishments. The George has gone, the Rose tovil, the Rose Wheeler st, Holly bush, Fishers, Parkwood,century,one and only, even the Bull Gabriels hill which was steeped in history from english civil war. We could relate almost living history to our kids as the building were there, point out where these events took place but why would they be interested now.Well thats me off my soapbox Bernie Peter will say i always moaned!!I will keep you posted of any scandal or gossip i may even make it up for you to make you feel homesick.Regards Barry

What a moaner, must be getting old Barry.

barry hynes Maidstone I remember it well: just a quick one for you peter Remember robert"pop" walters? well i saw him last week first time in about 30 years then bumped into him again today strange isnt it.I told him about this site so maybe he will be adding his memories lets hope so,and yes pete i am getting old and moan a lot but you aint heard nothing yet wait till i really have something to moan about,bernie will be glad he's in australia !!! cheers barry

Keep it coming Barry and lets hope pop Walters has a look, must be forty five years since I have seen him. He was more friendly with my cousin Andrew Woodward.

By the way we must all meet up when Bernie comes over.

graham(nick)n Nicklin Maidstone I remember it well: I have submitted several messages but none have appeared so hopefully this one might i last wrote in response to Angela Lofts letter i used to play football with her brother Robert when at school at West Borough,Angela do you remember Frank Wright and his sister Pauline also Roger Spice he also had a sister but i cannot recall her name they all lived in the pre-fabs in Fant Lane i lived in the pre-fabs on Gatland Estate also in Bramble close numbers 15 and 20. If you see this message i hope that you will reply.

All your messages have appeared Nick you just need to look in the right places. Peter

Mick Martin Maidstone I remember it well: Congrats on the website its certainly provoked a few long forgotten memories, I do recall the fire engine crash in 1970 vagely as i was 5 yrs old at the time. I left maidstone in 1985 and still visit a couple of times a year. I was wondering if anyone can remember which year the fire at Rootes car place was (i think it was the paint store that went up) and also a fire in bank street in town centre was (A dry cleaners if memory serves) Keep up the fantasic work.

Rumpa or Ronald neaves Maidstone I remember it well: hullo peter from york rd, im the mysterious owner of the messerschmitt it was red You knew me as rumpa neaves from 42 york rd i lived next door to ken allen he joined the RAF. i remember you being born and your sister eileen gave me my first kiss. eileen was a great friend of my sister Barbara. you must remember the Kinslows next door to you.

Peter Attrill Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: Maidstone I remember it well. My family first moved to Maidstone from Ramsgate in 1952. I was ten,we moved into 33Marsham St. right opposite the RWK hospital. I had to attend East Borough Junior School which was in Union St. at the top of Wyatt St. Mr Humphreys was the Headmaster and the only other teachers that I can remember were Mr. Farquhar, Miss Cranston, and Miss Maclean. Coming as I did from a tiny school with only 4 classrooms, East Borough was a rude awakening, they had A,B,and C streams and seemingly hundreds of kids. I was bunged into the B stream class 4 of Mr. Farquhar, a very nice man, but the kids were quite aggressive, especially one Bobby Brett, but I made his ear bleed and he quietened down after that. I would really like to get in touch with someone from that time and place. Those names that I can remember from class 4 are: Melvyn Pugh, Roger Handford, John May, Bobby Brett, Allen Green, Ronny Ettinger, Madeline Carter, Barbara Robinson, Cynthia Dawson, and Daisy Garrett. After several months at the end of the year, it was decided that I should 'go up' into the A stream, so when the new school year began I was in class 1 with Miss Maclean. I hated it for quite a while.

Peter Attrill Country: Australia Maidstone I remember it well: I remember class 1 in East Borough Junior School in 1953. Miss Maclean was the teacher. In the beginning she seemed ok, but I quickly caught on that she had her pets. It was a strange class, there were a few of us who had working class accents, and we were definitely 'on the nose'of the fat cow. Most class members spoke with 'toffy' accents, "Oh I say!" and it was obvious that most of them were destined for greater things. I had never encountered 'class' before and I couldn't get along with it. It turned out that most of the kids were ok in the end, the distinction came from Maclean, not them. The names that I remember from class 1: Earnest Foreman, Till Meyer, John Parks, Peter Brown, Geoffrey Hayes, Denise Measday, Pat Snelling, Delia Moseley, Sue Emby, Madeline Wise, Elaine Stutely, Irene Kelly, Dora Muggeridge, Sylvia Crouch, Barbara Hamilton, Maureen Masters, Valerie Coppin,

peter honey Maidstone I remember it well: peter honey maidstone hallo rumpa nice to know someone is still about from york rd. i do remember you and your sister barbara who worked on the buses with my sister eileen also your brother norman who was a mate with my brother brian who passed away a few years ago eileen is living in australia. i do remember the kinslows was it linda jackie and alan i did not relize it was you who had the messerschmitt have you still got it are you still in maidstone i see ken allen moved to australia some time ago did he have a sister june well thanks for replying rumpa hope to hear from you again