Folkestone Then & Now Guestbook

Hi, just discovered this site when searching for Hills in Folkestone.
I am a volunteer with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership where we help to conserve the sites around most of these hills and to restore chalk grassland in the Area, all new volunteers are welcome and it is a great way to learn about the area.

Hi Just wondered if you knew about Baronet Alfred Mellor Watkin? He lived where I live now in Cheriton Gardens and dug the first Channel Tunnel attempt in around 1860.
He's buried in the graveyard opposite Morrisons. The entrance to the Channel tunnel is boarded up but it's on the Warren.
Jeff

Hi there,

I am looking to find a man who played a folk gig in Folkestone in 1963, who is my mother's real father. We believe he played at the Prince of Wales pub. His name was Eddie or Edward (don't know his full name), he had light brown hair, and was part of a two piece band (name also unknown). Apparently the music had hippy/protest/folk vibes. Let me know if this rings a bell at all, for you or anyone you know, it would be of much help.

Many thanks!

Nearly forgot - the huge long concrete apron that runs into the sea by The Warren. What was it for, when was it built and was it military? I also recall playing on old railway tracks nearby and exploring huge storage sheds (presumably long gone) which contained what I think were old military vehicles from WW2, they were huge and green.

As a child during the 1960's, we used to take 3 weeks holiday every year (escaping the grimness of Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham) and stay in a flat in the "Czech House" in Earls Avenue. Abiding memories were the American-style ice cream bar in the centre of town, the huge amusement park, boating lake, funicular railway and standing in awe within Rowlands rock shop in the steep Old High Stret, watching them make their famous confectionary. I used to enjoy accompanying my father early in the morning to fish for mackerel off the beach or pier and take the catch back for our lunch or supper. Folkestone seemed quite a colourful, vibrant and genteel place then. I daren't go back for fear of disappointment!

Was interested in your picture of Surrenden Road as my mum and family also lived there in the 1950's. They were the Browne family and my grandad had a TV and radio shop in Sandgate Road - it was called Andrews.

Dont know about anyone else but didnt Folkestone look amazing in those days. Oh to go back to visit the elegant Edwardians

Between the late 50's and early 70's, together with family and friends I spent many Summers and Christmases at Folkestone. I found this website by accident and for almost three hours enjoyed the nostalgia of past experiences and acquaintances brought by the extensive collection of photographs. Starting at the Moore's Hotel, for the most part we stayed at the Aston Hotel with John and Rita Verkaik. Anybody remember them?

Thank you Christine, so informative and interesting.

Hi my name is graham
Barton I left st marys primary school in 1974 and went to Wyndgate secondary until 1979, would like to hear other people’s memories from that time as I loved my times at those schools

Hi my name is graham
Barton I left st marys primary school in 1974 and went to Wyndgate secondary until 1979, would like to hear other people’s memories from that time as I loved my times at those schools

hi, I am doing some family history research on Folkestone and looking up old maps. In 1901 and 1911 they were living on Invicta Road and Marshall street. The early 1900's map shows Walton Farm and Wingate Villa. Does anyone know anything about the history of the houses in that area? Thank you

I have come across this site by chance. I lived in Folkestone from 1947, then aged 14 months, for many years.
I have already seen a post that mentions the school I attended.
I am very interested to read more.
My late father was a well known accountant who was the accountant when Inter City Tours, later Saga, was formed.

I have Just seen your website and was so interested to see the comments. My mum was Dorothy Gamble from Aerodrome Road in Hawkinge. She left there when she married my dad in 1962 at the age of around 38! Her mum and dad were Gertrude(cissy) and Jack (John) Gamble and she had brothers Dick and Alf.
I think she was born in Cheriton and then my Grandad built the bungalow which is still there today.
She worked in the shop on the corner of Aerodrome Rd and as a teen/early 20s was in the fire service.
My husband and I went for a visit to Hawkinge about 5 years ago, just before my mum died, and she was too frail to make the journey but I couldnt get over how the big open feilds of the Drome had been filled with houses and almost nothing I remember of my childhood visits is left. She said she wanted to remember it as it was and it would be too upsetting.
She had the Folkestone Herald sent to her for years and I bought her all the books on Folkestone, Cheriton, and Hawkinge that I could find, and I have always had a special place in my heart for this part of Kent.
I saw the name 'Brisley' in one of the comments and I know she had a friend, Joan Brisley.
Does anyone else remember my mum?

I have just moved to Haighton Court on Sandgate Road, backing onto Balfour Gardens and the Leas. I am keen to know more of its history. We know it was built in 1903 for an Earl of Chicester-but not much beyond. Any info or pics would be much appreciated.
Amazing site by the way...although,yes, it absorbs hours!

I am about to embark upon writing the history of the Old High Street and would be very grateful if anyone here would be willing to share their reminiscences of living, working and playing in the street.

Hi my name is Chris . I grew up in Hollands Avenue and therefore have the East Cliff and The Warren firmly etched in the memory.Summers spent traipsing up and down the Little Switzerland Caravan Park road and playing football on Jocks pitch will always stay with me.(who Jock was is a mystery).

Ronnie said he know two sisters worked at the Laundery at Hythe
I worked there in 1959 there names were Lucy & Pearl
I also see you live in Espana

Hello to all, I saw this site some years back and thought it was good for all interested in our old town, history lives on after we die and also proves our existence. I have seen some names I remember here but there are many in my mind still and although I have found some on FB others are still elusive, I will list a few here and see what comes up.

About me, well, I worked in the butchers in Bouverie Road West for a while,the greengrocers in Tontine street,the Chinese also,sometime with Alan Hughes on Miss Folkestone,KING radio with Charley Evans,in his steakhouse too, VC coffee bar was the choice of the day as it was close to the Guildhall pub!

People I remember Alan Barton,Brian Coulson,Andy Pope,Midge Elliot,Katie Deane,Ann Laing,Cristine Looker, Renata Clarke,Pat Rayner?(I), Jesse Parsons(mentioned on this site),Veronica Jones,Sheila White,Denise Holmes,Marion Kennett,Angela Bowden,Sue Bull, Stuart Fairbrass,there were sisters that lived in Holland Ave that worked at the laundry in Hythe,Sylvia Toman,Barbara Woollett and her sister too,Barry? that was often in the Hillside club,Jimmy? that I heard had passed on,Guy?,Colin Musson had a brother too,Mick Saunders, Ann Amor? had a sister too, Dave Poyle?,Brenda Wynn, Mick Freeman,Colin Hart.......enough to go on with I am exhausted let's see what come up from you old Folkestonians.

Cristine
Thank you got it now
But my first name is Alan

I used to go to the Skating Rink on Saturday mornings.

I was at Brockhill from 1955-56 till 1959 Anybody remember me?

My grandparents ran the Hythe Reporter.

We lived in Palmarsh Crescent next to Godards Dairy.

We had a flat in London

My first job was at the Eclipse Laundry in Hythe,
I remember one boy there had the same Birthday as me, David Blackman I think was his name. He lived at the fishmongers in Hythe.

I remember the Rock Pool Down the Marina in Folkestone. I used to go with Mr Bond my first and best teacher at Brockhill. I also remember Mr Dolton and Mr Setterfield.

All my holidays were spent in Palmash with my gran.

I lived in Cheriton Road from 1956 until 1970, I attended All souls primary and Folkestone Grammar School for Girls 1967 to 1970, I went to Cheriton Baptist Church where I was in the choir, entered the #@*%!ure exams, sunday school etc.

I am trying to make myself a memory book of events and pictures but am having trouble finding photographs so would be very grateful if anyone has any they wouldn't mind sharing with me. I am interested in the uniform of the grammar school - it changed from green when I started to very trendy royal blue suits before I left.

My friend at primary school was Bobby who's parents ran the shoe menders next to Elizabeth's bakers. (now sadly gone).

I returned to Cheriton in 1974 and often spent my lunchtimes in the sunshine caf? so I remember it well.