Maidstone Community its people, shops and streetsDon't we all remember the street that we grew up on?
For me its was Brewer Street and what a different Brewer Street. Traffic moved both up and down the street but what the heck who had a car in any case?
What a community, I have amazing recollections of the people of the time. The characters, we helped each other, troubles were analysed by everyone in the street probably because it was hard to keep secrets from neighbours who lived so close and besides we depended on each other. Communities from one street to the next regarded as foreigners, apart from special friends and relations, most of the relations lived within a ten minute walk anyway.
Shops in the town were very individual, tatty maybe, not professional by today’s standards but just good interesting shops. What street in what town doesn't look the same these days. There I go again.
What were sports facilities but a piece of derelict ground which we played football or cricket on.
Rosemary
When the County Show was in Mote Park, we actually lived in Hermitage Lane (cottage now demolished), opposite the old Oakwood Hospital. School was Westborough for a year, and then we moved to Hampshire Drive, Shepway, and I went to Mole Hill Copse, when it was brand new - happy days!!!! Why did the sun always seem to shine, and winters had snow?!!! Playing outside, in the street was a right, not a luxury - and certainly not a risk. Even in Hermitage Lane we used to go "over the back" where there were orchards, which had housed Nissen Huts during the war - the concrete foundations were still evident - quite lonely, but actually safe, even in spite of some patients being trustees and being allowed offsite from the hospital.
Maidstone Swimming BathsThe swimming baths were in Fairmeadow next to the Maidstone Electricity Generating Station. If you stood with your back to the baths you would be looking into Medway Street. Can anyone tell me what would have stood on the right corner before European Autos? For some reason I cannot remember.
Weight Loss no pills no gadgetswww.empowering-ideas.co.ukCinemas
We had several cinemas for when we had the spare money to attend. I spent many happy hours at Saturday morning pictures (come on you Grenadiers sing up) and what did it cost? 6d. two and a half pence new money.
Week StreetI remember that Week Street used to be two way traffic from County Hall all the way down to the High Street. The point where Week Street meets High Street was always called top of the town, don’t know why.
Week Street was our main shopping area Maidstone market
Maidstone general market day was Tuesdays, quite the high-light of the week. Sandling Road
The army had a lot to answer for. Sandling Road Downswood Community
Please spare a moment to peek at the official web site of the Downswood Community Association.
The Downswood Community Association |