Folkestone Then & Now Guestbook

Christine - site owner Tuesday, 24 August 2021 00:22
Hi Clive, I personally don’t know of an East Cliff Road, there is just East Cliff that runs from the Tram Road, or East Cliff Gardens that runs from Radnor Bridge Road to Wear Bay Road.

You may already know this, but for many years, all births, deaths and marriage records were held at Elham. So even though the index sheets indicated a person was born, married or died there, it could have been anywhere in the surrounding district, including Folkestone. Baptism, Birth or Death certificates are a better record of where they actually lived.

So glad my site brought back so many fond memories for you. Thank you for sharing with us.

Christine Tuesday, 24 August 2021 00:42
By the way, I have a 1948 Kelly’s Directory, and at that time there was a Mrs, Highton living at 46 Sidney Street, would that have been a relative of yours?

Christine - site owner Tuesday, 24 August 2021 00:26
Hi Rosemary, yes you are correct, the art school was indeed in the former Pelham House School.

Christine - site owner Tuesday, 6 July 2021 22:18
Hello Shalon,

 I have checked through all the directories I have, but have had no luck finding the Folkestone Church Refuge.  The earliest directory I own that has a street directory is 1928, but for some unknown reason Quested Road is missing from it.

Earlier ones I checked were 1882, 1907 and 1927, but none had a street directory.  I checked out the lists of institutions, clubs, churches, hospitals and dispensaries, but could not find a listing.  I also checked the alphabetical listings of residents, as it also listed some businesses and organisations, but again, nothing.  The next directory I have is 1949, and this does list Quested Road, but all addresses are numbered, none were called Glenburn.

So I am afraid I have drawn a complete blank.  I am assuming you found the information you have on the 1911 census, so not much point in me looking at that for you.

I am sorry I can’t be of more help.  You could try the Folkestone & District Local History Society, they may be able to help you.

Shalon Hoyle Wednesday, 7 July 2021 08:54
I did get the information from the 1911 Census. Thank you so much for your effort!

Christine Warren - site owner Tuesday, 15 June 2021 17:48
Hi Ian, I personally don’t remember a blacksmith, but I was just a child at the time. I have a 1949 Kelly’s Directory, but would need to know the name of the firm he worked for, and then they would have had to pay for a commercial listing. Either that or I would need to know the name of the street he worked on, then I could find the business.

I looked at the list of Private residents, and there are three Murtons, an Edward, Daniel and William. If your father was one of those, I can give you his home address, that’s all I have I am afraid. I wouldn’t have thought there were many blacksmiths left by the 50’s. Anyone know if Ovenden’s used blacksmiths?

Christine - site owner Thursday, 17 June 2021 09:51
Hi again Ian, I have found a list of ‘Smiths, Blacksmiths & Farriers’ for the year 1949
Kemsley & Son, 100 Stanley Road, Cheriton Ph 85386.
Ovenden J & Son, 9 Radnor Street,
& The Stade, Folkestone,
Rolfe & Son, Forge Yard, Bradstone Road, Folkestone
Trowell ,Charles Henry, Chapel Street, Hythe
Wise, Percy William, 9 Cheriton Road, Folkestone.

Not sure how you would find out which of these employed your father, as I doubt any of them are still in business today

Christine - site owner Thursday, 17 June 2021 10:25
I tried to let you know you have an answer here Ian, but the e-mail address you left is not valid, so I hope you come back.

Ian Murton Friday, 18 June 2021 14:52
Hi Christine Edward was my father, William was my dads older brother and Daniel was his younger brother. I was born in Wear bay Crescent so I would expect my father to have worked close by, but having said that he was a scaffolder at Dungeness Power station before he died in 1971 whatever info you have I would be extremely grateful for. I have two cousins Robert and Peter who were Williams sons and Peter apparently lives in Warren road.

regards

Christine - site owner Friday, 18 June 2021 19:13
Hi Ian, Edward was 63 Wear Bay Crescent, Daniel was 28 Ivy Way and William was 8 Ingoldsby Road.

The closest business to Wear Bay Crescent among those I listed above would have been Ovenden’s who was in both Radnor Street and on The Stade. He could have walked down the steps from The Durlocks, which would have taken him right to Ovenden’s in Radnor Street. I have no current directories, but I am sure you can track your cousins down online.

Ian Murton Saturday, 19 June 2021 13:20
Many thanks Christine, loads of help

Christine, site owner Wednesday, 19 May 2021 09:42
How lovely Dawn. The house of course is still there, but is now a private residence. Your Great Great Grandmother must have had to collect the tolls from mainly horses and carts or carriages. I can remember when they collected from cars, who else remembers that?

Paul Seward Thursday, 20 May 2021 12:55
Need you ask, Christine? Once a year the road was closed to prevent it becoming as public r
ight of way. Lord Radnor was a keen motorist and the Sunbeam Talbot Motor Club held annual speed trials down there. It made for good viewing at the bottom of the Zig Zag path, where there was a terrific bump in the road!

Christine, site owner Friday, 21 May 2021 11:37
Ha ha, now we are both showing our age Paul. I didn’t catch the speed trials though. I think I once saw a price list of tolls, and it had a different price if you just had a motorcycle versus one with a sidecar. I don’t think you had to pay on a push bike though did you?

Sonia Thursday, 18 March 2021 15:30
Does anyone remember this?

Christine - Site owner Thursday, 18 March 2021 21:48
Hi Sonia, underneath the Leas, near the lifts, there were two places for swimming apart from the sea. I suspect you might have been inside the Marina, the indoor pool. The outdoor pool was opposite, closer to the sea, but had no glass walls. Regrettably I have no photos of the inside of the Marina, but if you would recognise it from the outside, you will find pics on the West Beach page. The original name for it was The Bathing Establishment, but was The Marina in the period you are talking about. It’s demolished now, as is the outdoor pool.

Gerald Stone Tuesday, 6 July 2021 06:16
I remember those swimming pools well. A few of us used to go for a swim in the indoor pool on a Sunday morning in the mid 50’s. It was known as the Rock Pool and was very warm and because of the humid air there was condensation running down the windows.

The outdoor pool was very cold though and was famous as a place where Sam Rocket trained for his Channel swims!

Daphne Jay Sunday, 4 April 2021 16:07
What was your fathers name? My mother was born at 2 Princess Street in 1921, so very near Streets and birth dates.My Mother is still very well and just had her 100th birthday. I see you live in Norwich, so does my Mother.

Christine - site owner Thursday, 18 March 2021 22:08
Hello P. Cook,
My first thought is that the hotel in question might have been the former St. Andrews Convalescent Home, that took on another life as the W.T.A. Guesthouse in the 50’s and 60’s. This was a hotel for the use of Union employees, and was on the East Cliff overlooking the harbour, and the sands with the arches are directly below. The building is still there, but has been converted into flats. You can find photos of it on the Buildings page.