Allington Castle and its restoration started by the Carmelites in 1951Standing beside the river at the old Malta Inn and looking towards the opposite bank you have views of Allington Castle. Vehicle access is from London Road and then into Castle Road past the quarries.
School OutingI learned the connection between Allington Castle and Aylesford Priory on a rare school outing. What wonderful fun days, to be away from school and to take a ride on a Valdene coach.
There is a connecting tunnel between Allington Castle and Aylesford Priory, they say.
I should have known never volunteerSome years later while still a school lad, my cousin and I worked a summer holiday with other volunteers on the restoration work. Our job entailed work on a building to the left of the castle; I think it may have been for an office.
We were busily knocking the old brickwork down when I felt intense pain in my left arm. Blood was everywhere, my cousin had miss-placed a shot with his pick-axe and hit me right in the arm.
The Brothers took me to hospital for stitches but my cousin had to endure the final pain telling his mother and mine what had happened.
This particular cousin later went on to become a site agent on a building site. Funny old life isn't it.
The Leaven
Recently a group called the Leaven occupied Allington Castle; they are a religious secular group who now have moved on.
Chris Lovelidge Canada Maidstone I remember it well: I lived in Maidstone from birth to 15 at Palmar Road off the London Road. At that time it was the edge of town with woodland close by. I loved Allington Locks and the Castle run by Nuns. I used to pinch holly at Christmas near the entrance gate to the castle. I was caught in the act once but I was too fast for the Nuns. There was also an old rock quarry off Allinton Road with a miniature railway down to the Medway where the rock was loaded onto barge, we used to play on the cars sometimes. I believe the entire quarry has been filled in and is now a subdivision. I attended West Borough County Secondary school and used to cycle all the way up Queens Road past a cage where someone kept and old Chimpanzee monkey, it would not be allowed today. There was a marvellous jazz club just down the London Road called Highfield House, bands like Acker Bilk and Chris Barber played there when they first started. It was run by a real nice, no nonsense lady, Miss somebody,I forget her name, they were great times in the early 60's. Sharp's sports field was one road over, I used to watch the cricket matches there and next door was a bowling green. The thing I miss most about Maistone now that I live in Canada is the bitter beer my favourite was Directors Bitter made by Courage And Barkley I think.
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