Week Street

Wig and Gown

The Wig and Gown in Week Street has now long since closed. This was a fabulous old venue for all sorts of dances, clubs and general drinking. It was also popular with commuters leaving the East Station, where many a weary traveller would have wet his whistle.

As a musician this was one of my first venues, not a particularly good performance on my part but as the earlier musician was rubbish I went down a storm.

This public house in week Street was also popular with the Irish contingency that had attended Mass in St. Francis and leaving feeling suitably absolved decided to imbibe. I love the Irish, I love the way they talk and I love the happy go lucky attitude they have which we English find so hard to emulate.

The Victoria

Opposite St. Francis was another public house called “The Vic”, this was a huge pub, if you look at it you will see what I mean.

Gilberts Toy and Cycle shop

Next to the church was Gilberts I bet you lads remember this one, a lovely toyshop showing the entire range of Dinky Toys and Hornby trains. I must have spent an hour or two looking in there. The second window of Gilberts was devoted to all things cycling, bikes spare etc.

Although I can remember many of the shops in Week Street, I am only listing those that I particularly liked and used.

The London Tavern

This was a Maidstone pub that everyone knew and used at some time. They enjoyed live music on weekends and I think some nights in the week. The times I have stood in there innocently drinking when a fight would break out and glasses thrown down, as were people in the way. The Black Maria would turn up and take the culprits away but not for long, just long enough for them to return the following week. I played in various bands in this pub on many occasions.

Would someone please tell me the name of the small man who did a party trick, dancing with a pint of beer on his head? Thinking back, he did it every week and to my recollection never spilt a drop. Is that clever or is that clever.

Dave

Maidstone I remember it well: With regards to the small chap with the pint of beer on his head, sory i dont know his name but he worked for Wallis as a labourer along Hart Street. I worked there when I left school as an apprentice electrican.

Dave

Maidstone I remember it well: Have been in contact with my brother who also worked at Wallis regarding the chap with the pint of beer on his head at the London Tavern. He thinks his name was Adrian which does ring a bell with me.

Colin mason

Maidstone I remember it well: Regarding the chap with the pint of beer on his head at the London Tavern I remember him and seem to remember he was called Mike Elvis.

Potters Stamp Shop

The next was “Potters” the stamp shop. Never really took to collecting stamps although many of my mates did but would use this shop when I bought 1d magnifying glasses, wonderful on a sunny day for setting fire to paper. They also sold a range of magic tricks all starting in price from 6d. Lost count of the number of ventriloquist books that I bought there and still cannot do it. Can anyone tell me what the funny little thing that went into the mouth was for?

Mr. Potter was a giant of a man, although when you are children everyone seems tall but he really was very, very, tall. I also remember him trying his utmost to install some love of stamps to us lads but alas, it was not for me.

Kent Messenger

The “Kent Messenger” was on the opposite side of the road having an office and part of the printing works there. Many years later, I had occasions when my wife who is a hairdresser used to do the hair of Mrs. Boorman at Bilsington Priory, during which I would sit with Mr. Boorman and chat. I remember him asking me where I originated from and replied “Maidstone”. He said, “I had a pal in Maidstone who had a garage”. Most men are interested in talking cars, I was no exception, and as the conversation went on he said, “His name was Billy”. “Sorry Mr. Boorman I don’t know anyone with a garage in Maidstone Called Billy” “Well it was quite big, his name was Billy Rootes”

This was the Billy Rootes mentioned and alas I did not know him.

I remember him telling me the time his printers had gone on strike in his works and he had gone to talk the men round, which he did. He was a very special man who inspired people by his sense of decency and straight forwardness. I think that if he had been an army officer who said ok lads over the top we go he would have been one of the first himself and I am sure the others would have followed.

Do you remember this Church, which stood between Dunnings and the bakery, still there but looking very different

Beehive Stores

Much further down Week Street was “The Beehive Stores” bet you remember this one. You may well imagine that from my memories I spent half my young life looking in shop windows well you would probably be right.

This was a proper store though it sold beds, shoes, penknives, musical instruments, and army equipment. Believe me “Millets” do not hold a candle to it.

Unfortunately the shop was closed when I took this picture in 1923. Only joking, still looking for a more recent pic. if anyone has one I would much appreciate it.

Sergeant and Parks

Still walking now and we have “Sergeant and Parks” purveyors of decorating products as well as an area devoted to artist’s materials and china and pottery.

Woolworths

I can remember the toughest of the local lads standing or leaning outside “Woolworths” with their yo-yos performing all sorts of tricky and sometimes perilous moves, not least aiming at passers by.

Tailors

Can you remember how many men’s tailors were trading in Week Street? I seem to remember three but I am sure there were more.

Burtons the tailors probably the only one still going although not quite the same thing, they were proper tailors and would make a suit for you in four weeks usually. The cheapest I remember was £9-17-6d.

Neville Reeds further down Week Street on the opposite side of the road, one of my school mates was an assistant here measuring people for their new suits and showing you the latest designs in cloths. His name was Paul Stone, you probably cannot remember this lad but in later years, he made good as a wrestler, working under the name of Aaron Stone. He now owns the Casino Rooms in Rochester and the Circus Tavern in Essex, come quite a way that one.

Hepworths the tailors were on the corner of Week Street and Earl Street, where the Fremlins centre stands today. I think they were a little more up-market never used this one myself. They were also tailors who would make a suite up in your choice of cloth in about four weeks and cost, well more like £11 or £12, dear wasn’t it.

Coffee grinders and coffee shops

I remember the coffee shop in Week Street where they would grind your choice of coffee while you waited. In the window was a machine constantly turning and roasting the beans, the smell from this shop was wonderful.

Do you remember the cheese and grill? quite a trendy place this, in my late teens I worked for an impresario who ran this establishment, I think his name was Maurice. I was for a time a professional singer and entertainer and this was the man to put you on the map. At the same time he managed another couple of lads Jim and John they were brilliant. Strange times as we all became involved with some shady characters in those days.

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