Historic Medway Guestbook

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There are now 271 messages in our guestbook.
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Viewing messages 271 to 222.

Msg 271: Christine Sandman | @

Hi all I am after trying t find out about a Twydall Ridoubt-sorry about spelling-sure it must have gone, but trying ti find out where it was/is.

Monday 9 November 2009 at 19:53:07 - Kent

Webmaster comments Hi Christine

There's some information about the Woodlands and Twydall Redoubts here:

http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1724.0

- Jason

Msg 270: Christine Sandmann | @

I hope people will not forget the service at the Royal Naval Memorial on the Great Lines on Wednesday 11th November at 11.00

Monday 9 November 2009 at 19:36:28 - Kent

Msg 269: Edd Taylor | @

Hi,used to play all over what is now Fort Amhurst,saw lots of tunnels,when I started work as apprentice sheetmetalworker at Ozonair which was along the Esplanade when there was factorys there,there was tunnels there to,which my firm used as storage,what I have found about these tunnels is that they criss cross the towns and connect up all the forts,hope this helps,Edd

Saturday 7 November 2009 at 16:32:41 - Chatham

Msg 268: Bill

msg 264 Thanks for trying Dawn.

Saturday 7 November 2009 at 08:49:05

Msg 267: Bill Fowler

Remembrance Sunday! A Naval Service will take place at the Chatham Naval Memorial on the Great Lines on Sunday 8th November at 9.00am. All are welcome!

Tuesday 3 November 2009 at 13:20:18 - Chatham

Msg 266: Alan Castle | @

I was born at All Saints hospital Chatham in 1948 and attended Fort Luton school from 1959 to 1964. Trying to find information on 'Markey School of Dancing, Chatham and 'Dennis Francis Markey' born c1920.

Saturday 31 October 2009 at 13:49:34 - Suffolk,United Kingdom

Msg 265: dawn

msg 243 corrine are you by any chance related to kieth penfold

Friday 30 October 2009 at 00:20:13

Msg 264: dawn | @

to bill sorry aunt cant remember much about henry street as was married and lived away i only my nan at 103 she was married to bill johnston at that time

Friday 30 October 2009 at 00:17:53 - northampton england

Msg 263: Kay Waterhouse | @

My grandmothers sister "Winifred" was very ill and died in the Chatham Workhouse in approx 1920 at the tender age of 24 according to her death certificate. My grandmothers family name is CATE or CATT and I have traced records back to the late 1700's via Parish Records and it appears the family lived, married and died in Cuxton Kent until the late 1800's. My Grandmother married Frederick Waterhouse from Chatham in 1924 when she was 30 and we all eventually settled in Northfleet where my father and myself and siblings were born. If anyone has any further information whatsoever on the workhouse or the Cate family I would love to hear from you.

Thursday 29 October 2009 at 17:35:03 - Broadstairs, Kent

Msg 262: Brenda (Boxall)Baldock | @

Calling all those who went to All Saints Primary School Chatham in the 50's. A group of us who attended 53-59 are trying to plan a reunion for April/May 2010. If you did or have contact with any others that did please contact me through Friends Reunited.

Wednesday 21 October 2009 at 21:24:15 - Rochester Kent

Msg 261: Ian French | @

MSG224 I remember HMS Collingwood Block ive been there as harry and maud was family friends i was born in Castle Road and Harry and family lived at 112a children joy neil and i think lisa i do appologise if it not, i know joy was a nurse at all saints and neil when into the army, in 1970 i brough 112a and lived there for about 15 years which are your wifes parents.take care Ian

Monday 19 October 2009 at 23:53:46 - Lydd Romney Marsh

Msg 260: Bill | @

Message 258. Bernadette. Glad to be of help. I miss the OLD Medway towns too!

Saturday 17 October 2009 at 11:02:45 - Rochester

Msg 259: Sandra Smith | @

Ive lived in the Twydall and Luton area most of my life,and have never come across some of the things mentioned on here! Im really interested in the blocked tunnels in the Luton arches area....I walk past them most days! Im going to take the dog out with me and start exploring my area.....theres so much around! Thanks Jason for such a brilliant web site....I will keep coming back for information....im hooked!

Tuesday 13 October 2009 at 04:36:38 - Chatham. Kent.

Msg 258: Bernadette | @

To Bill thank you for correcting my spelling oops that will teach me to rush and thanks for adding your friends site which has some great info, as i was a little un living in castle avenue in the 50s I only saw the old buildings on Burritte st on the corner when all the little old houses were still there before they demolished them and built the new ones, so much of the old Rochester has changed its great to hear about the old roads etc Rochester is now mainly a tourist attraction but once upon a time we had so much to offer the people who lived here,the open air swimming pool on the esplanade,the Odeon cinema for films and saturday morning pictures and dancing upstairs in the ballroom with local bands, the cinema was opposite Crown court,the casino for roller skating and wrestling,many youth clubs in halls and Rochester high st had lots of good local shops that local people could shop in before they all disappeared and gift shops and antique shops became the norm, oh for the good old days.

Sunday 11 October 2009 at 20:31:49 - Rochester

Msg 257: ANTON | @

GREAT SITE, Attended Fort Luton in the 70's now live in Louisiana I miss England everyday.
Good to see that Fort Horstead is being preserved, I used to play there a lot as a kid I lived at 230 Castle rd from 59-76 love to hear from anyone back home.my e-mail antoyt@excite.com

Saturday 10 October 2009 at 15:28:26 - Louisiana

Msg 256: Bill | @

Msg 253.Claire. The Windmill on the Delce stood at the top of Burritt Street (demolished in 1970's). Have a look at medwaymemories.co.uk which is a website run by an old friend of mine. There is an article on there entitled The Windmill amongst the Delce Backgardens. Hope this helps.

Saturday 3 October 2009 at 15:40:42 - Rochester

Msg 255: Bernadette Keane | @

Thw windmill which was near the delce was at the top of Cossock st on Burruck st the top half was pulled down during one of the wars but the buildings that were at the bottom where still there for many years till the area was rebuilt and Burruck mews was built .

Sunday 27 September 2009 at 15:11:43 - Rochester

Msg 254: lorraine ingram[ryan] | @ | url

: does anyone remember hoath lane army camp?my husband john[paddy]ingram was there when Imet him. also Iworked at maidstone zoo -57/58 very long and tyring hours

Wednesday 23 September 2009 at 21:48:09 - gillingham kent

Msg 253: Claire Barnes | @

Does anyone have any information about the windmill in the Delce?

Tuesday 22 September 2009 at 13:53:03 - Rochester

Msg 252: daren endicott | @

could ralph who left the message 247 on the guest book please email me at jestersmurf@hotmail.co.uk

Thursday 17 September 2009 at 19:51:54 - the great lines

Msg 251: Brian Damerell

Still rooting round the town before it all disappears! Has anyone got any details of George Bond, the architect of the Town Hall, the Theatre Royal and the Royal Sailors' Home (in Upper Barrier Road). I have a feeling that George was responsible for perhaps quite a few buildings and I would like to learn about him.
In anticipation ....

Tuesday 15 September 2009 at 14:38:25 - Gillingham, Kent

Msg 250: Bill | @

Re 245. Thanks Kate.

Friday 11 September 2009 at 12:46:03 - Rochester

Msg 249: Tony Plummer | @

Came to this website searching for info on Chatham dockyard, where my grandfather worked as a rigger in the 60s. What a mine of information this site is!

Saturday 5 September 2009 at 12:02:54 - Essex

Msg 248: Ian french | @

the white castle building at the rear of st barts was the mortuary iknow this as i used to work for the coop funeral service and later for a.h.apps iwas born in chatham and lived there until 1994

Thursday 3 September 2009 at 15:30:23 - romney marsh

Msg 247: Ralph

Whist investigating for hidden tunnels on the Great Lines, went into some undergrowth, and found an entrance that is accessible to the network of tunnels.
Dont want to give away the location to too many as fears of vandalism

Wednesday 2 September 2009 at 15:45:33

Msg 246: Richard Stevens | @

Is anyone still around, and alive and well from Rainham, Kent, in the 1950's? Especially from the secondary school in Orchard Street.

Monday 24 August 2009 at 08:52:21 - Australia

Msg 245: Kate Oakley | @

Bill 204 regarding Dorcas Ward at All Saints Hospital, . I trained as a nurse at All Saints and at that time Dorcas ward and Matthew Ward were elderly Care (Geriatric ) wards, at some time latter they became James and Queens ward.
Hope that helps.

Tuesday 18 August 2009 at 14:59:52 - Birmingham

Msg 244: John

Have you ever been near fort horsted? The entrance is used to get to avondale offices but there are so many open tunnels in that fort.

Thursday 6 August 2009 at 00:47:11 - Kent

Msg 243: corinne penfold | @

WOW what an amazing site-- i grew up on thorold road so saw the bricked up tunnel nearly every day and I have NEEDED to know wot was behind it, I was born in all saints in 1981 and lived in chatham until 2005, I love going back to chatham and felt a bit homesick found this sight. My dad has always lived in chatham, he started off in clover street when there was houses there. We used to get in to fort luton, that was a freaky place to get lost in and very cold!

Wednesday 5 August 2009 at 20:33:11 - chatham girl at heart

Msg 242: Kate | @

I would love to know how many mile it is around st marys island if anyone knows please email me back thank you

Saturday 25 July 2009 at 11:47:32 - chatham

Webmaster comments Hi Kate

If you start and finish at the outlet centre, and follow the footpath, it's around 2 1/2 miles.

Regards

Jason

Msg 241: karl gridley | @

hi i used to visit ramsgate as a child in the 1970s and have fond memories of the funfare on the seafront i had a go on the helta skelta and sort of remember going in the marina pool as a 4 year old .wish the old railway tunnel could be used for something like a cycle way /pedestrian way to the beach seems a shame to let it go to waste .i would love to visit the ramsgate tunnels walk from one end of the railway tunnel to the other

Monday 20 July 2009 at 22:09:39 - ashford kent

Msg 240: Brian Damerell

We went into Chatham today for our usual Tuesday shopping trip and I went to see what was the state of the flyover. Big stretch missing over the High Street so I guess the council have reached the point of no return. My thoughts went over to the trees on the Paddock (and so did I!) and as I stood there watching the chav drivers gaily going past the signs indicating that only buses, taxis and cycles "beyond this point" and "no right turn into Medway Street" when I spotted an interesting feature on the horse-chestnut tree nearest to the anchor. Carved into the bark, many years ago by the look of it, I saw ALBAN. Strange word to put on a tree in large letters. I moved around the trunk and found two more letters "I and A" completing the word "ALBANIA". I have never seen this before and would love to know who put it there, when and why. Any ideas anyone?

Tuesday 14 July 2009 at 20:08:25

Msg 239: pauline reynolds | @

hi,I went to Upbury Manor School from it's inception to 1959.
Sang in the choir of St. Marks church on Gillingham High Street.Worked in Chatham High street at a shop called "Penny Packer", a dress shop.Lived inPaget st. Gillingham till I got Married. Now live in Australia,had 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Visit the old place about every 5 to 10 years,staggered by the changes.
Congratulations on a great site,brings back memories both happy and sad,still get the feeling of coming "home" when I visit.like to hear from anyone from my times.

Monday 13 July 2009 at 02:16:11 - Adelaide ,Australia

Msg 238: Bill

I've heard the same thing (from varying sources). Forget how the Health Trust wants to portray something. Remember the MRSA/CiDif outrage at Maidstone. Keep quiet and nobody will know until it's too late to do anything about. I have nothing but praise for St Barts. They must be mad if they want to close it. We've already lost All Saints and St Williams.

Sunday 12 July 2009 at 18:43:07 - Rochester

Msg 237: Brian Damerell

reply to message 112
Amie ... sorry for the wait but try www.dockgraffiti.wordpress.com
This site was featured in last week's NEWS since when the hit rate has gone up!

Wednesday 8 July 2009 at 22:55:37

Msg 236: Irish eyes

are you sure closure is on the cards as

I have read this vary vary recently.... St Bart’s Hospital, Rochester is a proactive and rapidly changing community hospital. We currently provide rehabilitative services to the population of Medway and have national accreditation of our stroke unit. The hospital has a total of 50 beds plus a day unit. This is an exciting time to join the team who are striving to become a centre of excellence. A change programme is in place and work has started on ‘The Productive Ward ’project.

Sunday 5 July 2009 at 10:07:35 - Chatham

Msg 235: CHRISTINE KIRK | @

My great great grandfather died in this hospital on the 7th May 1870 aged 23, of a fractured skull and other injuries. His name was John James Denton. I am very surprised to learn that it may now be in danger. I would love to know more about John Denton if anyone can help?

Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 07:47:29 - Thorne, Doncaster, Yorkshire

Msg 234: tony berry | @ | url

I am writing a memoir which covers time spent in Gillingham from 1935-40 (at Barnsole Road) and from 1945-47 (in Charter Street) with grandparents in Twydall Lane, Rainham. Went to a primary school near Charter Street and then to Gillingham GS. Anyone have any relevant memories/records? VE parties? the Dcokyards in wartime?

Sunday 28 June 2009 at 04:37:11 - Australia

Msg 233: Ian Sinclair | @

Although I and my brothers weere born
in the then West Ham area of east London,
we know we have lost relatives throughout east Kent and would dearly love to know more.
We have knowledge of a Great uncle killled in action upon HMS GAILARDIA
1918 -can anyone help fill in much needed family info?

Sunday 7 June 2009 at 00:43:59 - Newham East London (former West Ham)

Msg 232: Rita Arnold | @

Thanks Merilyn for the info about Maidstone Zoo. I know what you mean about how peaceful it is in that area although it's many years since I have visited there. I'll make sure that when I next come over from Spain I will visit it although I'm not so sure that I would like to see it's return as a Zoo because by today's standards the animals were very confined and it would make me very sad to see animals kept like that now.

Sunday 31 May 2009 at 12:53:35 - Esparragal de Puerto Lumbreras

Msg 231: Merilyn Latimer | @

Response to message 230 from Rita Arnold.
I remember the zoo at the bottom of Bluebell Hill, it was the Tyrrwitt-Drake zoo,now it is a country park and Gert and Daisy's elephant house is still standing, although sadly neglected now, and covered in Ivy, there is a a big notice outside it, telling the story of the two elephants, sadly one of them died and the other pined for her, can't remember quite how the story went. We go there often, it's a favourite walk for people with dogs and is lovely and peaceful, a great shame it had to close , it would be an ideal family attraction in this area of Kent now. Some of the land is now the Cobtree Golf Course, so you can also watch the golfers in action , I'd rather have a zoo !

Friday 29 May 2009 at 18:53:51 - Rochester, Kent

Msg 230: Rita Arnold (nee Williams) | @

Who remembers the ZOO at the bottom of Blue Bell Hill? They had a little train that used to take you up to the entrance. My parents used to take us kids there for the day (by bus from Chatham Town Hall No. 1 to Maidstone) They had two elephants called Gurt and Daisy and a large piece of shrapnell was nailed above the elephant house apparently it was a remnent from WWII which narrowly missed them.

Wednesday 27 May 2009 at 14:12:40 - Spain

Msg 229: John Chaplin | @

Response to message 221 from Bob Jones. It is strange how lives run parallel, I was born in 1942 at Sturla Rd Chatham but moved to Rochester when my father came back from overseas. I was also in the sea cadets for a short period and remember the tragedy well and the affect it had on us all. I met and married my wife who was born and lived in Pier Rd Gillingham. We then moved to Borstal then Strood then Maidstone then Eastchurch then Somerset and are now settled in Devon. I had family that lived in New Rd Chatham over a doctors surgery close to Luton Arches and my uncle lived on the Brook in Chatham where he worked on the river and ran grey launches from sun pier to upnor. Good luck Bob.

Saturday 23 May 2009 at 15:19:15 - Devon

Msg 228: Merilyn Latimer | @

I have since found out I wasn't wrong, there was a zoo by the Helter Skelter, found a site about Ramsgate Air Raid Shelters, and there is mention of the zoo, but not when it was closed down at all. My sister remembers that there were lions there, and thinks the arches further along housed some of the animals, such a long time ago now, even she can't recall all of it. Interesting pics on the site of when it was turned into a Scenic Railway after the station moved , showing the tunnels and also platforms etc. I'm glad I wasn't imagining things !!

Friday 22 May 2009 at 19:39:01 - Rochester kent

Msg 227: Merilyn Latimer | @

Your pictures of Ramsgate brought back a few memories . I lived in Ramsgate then Broadstairs until 1961 when the family moved to Gillingham. Now living in Rochester.
The amusement Arcade you spoke of , was called Merry England, and was great fun especially that Helter Skelter. We would stand for ages watching people come down into the bowl at the bottom. I'm not 100% certain but I think there was also a small zoo at one point in time ( will check with older sister) and it was housed partly in one of the arches next to where the Helter Skelter was.
Loved this site and all it's content.

Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 14:27:54 - Rochester, Kent

Msg 226: Bob Jones | @

Msg 221-Neville Anderson

Kinda scary reading your comments in how my formative years in Medway closely paralleled yours.
I was born in 1942 and from the womb to 1946 lived at my grandmother's house in Jenkins Place just behind New Road opposite St Augustine's church. When my father returned from the war we also moved to Gillingham-Pier Road.
In November 1951 I was a young Royal Navy Cadet and was part of the contingent boxing tournament arranged in Pembroke Barracks awaiting the arrival of the RM Cadets. They never arrived! A naval CPO quickly mustered the cadets and marched us to Gillingham Gate-Prince Arthur Road and dispersed us home. We knew nothing about the tragedy until the next day at school, before being told by the headmaster I had noticed that the desk next to me was empty and my school pal Ray Cross should have been sitting there. Alas he was one of the victims. I also remember that two panels of the high brick wall on Dock Road-brow of the hill which was the scene of the disaster were always painted black-never knew who did this but they were regularly painted for the next 20 years or so.

Thursday 30 April 2009 at 11:13:11 - Plymouth Devon

Msg 225: Jacqueline Gibson Tweed | @

Does anyone have any photos to share of Howard House Childrens home in Lower Fant Lane Maidstone or remember my mum Ann Sayer who was there in the 50s. She has many fond memories of there.

Sunday 19 April 2009 at 20:48:35 - Northampton england

Msg 224: Stewart Coleman | @

Looking for any one who remembers The HMS Collingwood House Training Block in the Barrack at Chatham and in particular a Gentlemean called Harry Southon who was the caretaker there in the 60/70's living in the attached Collingwood House in Khyber Road. He is my wife's Grandfather and she used to visit the house as a child.

Sunday 19 April 2009 at 09:39:51 - Chatham

Msg 223: Peter Collison | @

Anybody recall the old building "Bleak House" at the top of Lower Woodlands Road in Gillingham. A spooky looking Gothic House with stone eagles on top of the walls overlooking the river. Would love to see any old photos if available. It was demolished some time ago and has since had flats built upon the land.

Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 22:17:05 - South Bucks, returning to Gillingham next year

Msg 222: Hazel Isitt | @

The room right next to the delivery suite doors wooden cladded single storey was where my son was born at 02.58 on 17.01.1981 brought back memories looking aat All Saints in pictures

Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 22:11:58 - Chatham Kent

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