Folkestone Then & Now Guestbook

You have a picture of the harbor entitled 40 to 50's. It shows an RAF Air Sea Rescue Launch near the old wooden jetty. My Father Sydney William Smith operated such a launch for Harbor trips after WW2. In 45 to 47. It was called "The Black Prince". His Mother Mary Jane Smith was the Innkeeper of the Packet Boat Inn between 1869 to 1899. Her sons Harry and Robert apprenticed with the Railways and became Chief Engineers on the cross Channel Ferries in the 1890's.

My father and mother both worked in Vanes bakery in Totine Street. My father was a baker there until war broke out and my mother service in the shop. My father's name was William (Bill) Kimmings and my mother Margaret (Meg) Longhurst. My parents told me many stories of working there and how my father used to do the deliveries (after baking the bread) all over Folkestone. I know that when they married in March 1940 my father made their wedding cake with Mr & Mrs Vanes help. It was a skill that stayed with him until he died

Mum and Dad had a caravan on the Romney Marsh and as a family we came to Folkestone a lot, I remember Dad used to park on a green area at the top of the cliffs aboveThe Warren, where we would spend the day walking down into the Warren, playing games etc.

Just returned from a few days camping in the Warren and on walking into town from the campsite came across the large green area off Wear Bay Road, between the 2 Martello towers, I am sure this is where we used to park and picnic, I see that it is now fenced off with no vehicles allowed, can anyone else remember if this area was used by cars, this would be in the late 50's early 60's. Thank you

I had a great time during the 1960's staying at the Warren camp site with my family, being able to wander the beach and cliffs making my way to and from the town and amusments. My friends were Graham Shorter and Elaine and Janet Hagger and I can't believe I still remember their names. All that freedom to run wild at a really young age was wonderful and I have such fond memories of Folkestone.

Hi all
Used to live in Radno Park Cresent with family and sister pam , had good friends at number 30 Colin smith and hos sister Pat
I used to investigate the martello towers as a boy especially the one at the top of the warren and also at end of leas, both I guess death traps and borded up but fun for a 14 year old, Remember the warren being fenced off as a large minefield for a long time
Went to St Eansworth school then Hillside school first at dover road then at Park farm rd forms 2a1, 3a1, 4a1 etc
Remember theold ship Deal which just did freight cargo and bearthed in the fishing boat harbour and dried out at low tide, Had a friend Stan Gale who's dad was a fisherman i think owned FE5, most of the fishing boats were converted sailing trawlers with just a wing engine pocking out on one side, then a brand new boat FE20 and a open boat called Gleamer
Now moved to just outside Great Yarmouth, but lost touch with all when i joined the navy in 1962

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).