Frindsbury Motors, Sittingbourne Convent, The Night Hawks, Winget Apprentices, Brown Bros; & Taylor

             

Many apologies for such a long gap between postings, although I did warn at the start of such possible delays.  Choosing what might be of interest is part of the fun, but my research into each picture has been curtailed by my restricted mobility as I await a second date for an operation after the first one was cancelled. 

Recent talk of snow reminded me of photographs taken in 1955 of Frindsbury Motors. Many will recognise the site, and the name slightly gives it away.  Kelly's Directory shows them actually at 2/4 Bill Street Road but the present garage is advertised at Frindsbury Road.    I can really feel the coldness of the day it was taken.  Covering a substantial area it is now an Esso service station with a Tesco Express attached. Notice the bus stop. Anyone who is familiar with the site today will be aghast at its location!

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Girls at Sittingbourne Convent of the Nativity are at their Christmas concert in 1953

The school was in Ufton Lane from 1894 to the 1990's and no longer exists. I visited there a few times to play hockey and netball - we thrashed them each time! Great school though. Yet another beautiful building that was demolished and the site is now a housing estate.

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Skiffle was possibly derived from the Afro-American music culture in the early 20th Century, and took off in post-war Britain throughout the 1950s. Instruments could be bought cheaply and adapted or were homemade. A large number of musicians achieving later success in the industry started out this way - even The Beatles - but Lonnie Donegan made it his own and was commercially successful with this style of music. 

Echoing the trend in 1957 was this group of lads who called themselves 'The Night Hawks.'

I know nothing of them, aside from the fact that I went to the same school as one of them and he lived in Chatham.

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In 1957 Winget apprentices enjoy their social evening.

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Brown Bros. & Taylor, economic house furnishers of 159 - 161 High Street, Chatham in November 1956.   Opposite at this time was Marks & Spencer.   Banks & Bryan warehouse next door later became Bournes Bakers. On the other side was the Duchess of Edinburgh Public House.

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Workshops of Elliott Bros; and construction of their offices and factory at the northern end of Rochester Airport in 1961. Specializing in avionic innovations, technically since 1804, they were                        producers of instruments for optical,surveying and navigational requirements.

Those with a keen eye will have spotted the old greyhound stadium to the left of the photograph.

There is a very informative website explaining the history of the Company for those wishing to                                                  explore further. www.rochesteravionicarchives.co.uk.

Abuse of  copyright will be dealt with under the copyright law.

Model of Sirdar, McAlpines, F.Bannisters, Luton High Street, Nelson Terrace, Mechanical Mokes

This is a model of the Thames Barge 'Sirdar', built by Mr. Wraight, and on display at Rainham Craft Fair which took place at the Co-op in 1957.

The original craft was built by Horace Shrubsall at Ipswich in 1898. Owned by Edward Alfred Hibbs of Brightlingsea, Owen Parry,  then Maurice Gill of London and Rochester Trading Co. Rochester, when the crescent moon was added to her topsail, the mark of her new owners.

Along with 'Veronica' this 53 ton spritsail was one of the fastest when racing under full sail at 14 knots. She took part in barge races until 1963

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Since its conception in Glasgow, 1869, the Sir Robert McAlpine dynasty has provided the Nation with many era-defining constructions such as Glenfinnan Viaduct, Millenium Dome and Eden Project, to name but a few

.From the 1930s they employed large numbers of Irish immigrants who needed work. 

In 1953 the depicted gathering was at Gaumont, Rochester, at a time when the Company was working at the BP Oil Refinery on the Isle of Grain, creating deep underground chambers, roads, railways, bridges and jetties, employing over five hundred workers.

Harsh working conditions and treatment by the management are part of Irish folklore, epitomised by

Dominic Behan, (Irish singer, songwriter, novelist and playwright) when he penned 'McAlpine's Fusilliers' in the 1960s, which described life on the building site for many ex-pat Irishmen, and mentioned the Isle of Grain. The song was made famous by 'The Dubliners.'

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McAlpine%27s_Fusiliers)

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Frank Bannister was an established  motor cycle dealer in 26 Railway Street, Chatham (sited where the Tap n' Tin is now),  and later opened motor car and cycle showrooms, incorporating a petrol station, on New Road, attached to Gibraltar House. These photographs were taken in 1958.

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Built in the 1950s Christchurch Court in Luton High Street, Chatham in 1960.

 Cub Scouts look as though they are on a mission - perhaps it was Bob-a-Job week. 

 Nelson Terrace that ran next to the 'Hen and Chicks' towards the water works. These views are historic, as anyone visiting there today will realise the difference!  Perhaps somebody recognises the children leaning against the pub wall? There was a lot of character there in 1961.

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 Winget  mechanical mokes working hard in the Strood factory.

On the edge of the Medway, the location is familiar to all who know the area. 

 All traces of this former industrial site have been obliterated without sentiment. 

Some of us will make sure future generations are aware of just how important our local industry was to the development of the area, providing employment for so many people, and pride in their manufacturing achievements that were in demand around the world.

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Abuse of  copyright will be dealt with under the copyright law.

Kenneth More, The Paddock, Rochester Riverside, Civil Defence Home Nursing, Freedom of Borough

In August 1954 Shepperton Studios used Conyer as a film location for 'Raising A Riot,' which was a domestic comedy based on the writings of Alfred Toombs, about a Naval Officer who takes his family to his father's newly acquired windmill whilst his wife was visiting a sick parent in Canada. The windmill chosen for the part was at Barham, and a barge owned by Mr and Mrs H. Smith and named 'Saltcote Bell' was also used in the production which was filmed in technicolour.

The photograph shows, left to right, Hugh Perceval (Associate Producer), Ian Dalrymple (Producer), actors Kenneth More and Jan Miller, and Wendy Toye (Director). Also in the cast were Ronald Squire, Shelagh Fraser, Lionel Murton, Michael Bentine and Sam Kydd.

               It was apparently obvious that good humour was shared both on and off the set.

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This was a very busy area of Military Road, Chatham as the buses terminated here. The 140 is heading for Burma Way via Luton Arches, Chatham Town Hall and Star Hill.

It looks as though a faulty wheel is getting attention, but the lads are more interested in the photographer. The Paddock Restaurant behind the bus stop was always a welcome haven for weary travellers. This was 1961.

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In 1958 this was the industrial hub of Rochester.  It shows the railway system and sidings that served the site. Iron, steel and scrap metal merchants M.Lynch & Son is in the foreground.  In Gas House Road behind them was Camwal Ltd; manufacturers of mineral water at Acorn Works. The local office of Courage and Barclay Ltd; brewers, were on Acorn Wharf. The New Medway Steam Packet

Co.Ltd (ship repair yard) was in Acorn Shipyard. The large gasholders claim the corner, belonging to the South Eastern Gasboard. (These were dismantled in recent years to make room for the redevelopment of the whole area, but perhaps the Council should have looked at what enterprising architects in Kings Cross, London have achieved to preserve their historical status. http://gasholderslondon.co.uk/ ).

Travelling east from Gas House Road ran Cory's Road. This was occupied by Gyproc Products.

Cory's Wharf  houses the cranes, and one has been rejuvenated and stands proudly erect at the mouth of Blue Boar Creek, as a reminder of the important role they once played here. The Ham River Grit Co. sand merchants occupied Blue Boar Wharf. 

The Crown and Quarry cement works of APCM is across the river.

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Civil Defence was formed to instigate assistance to individuals, groups or communities in need of help following natural or man-made events, during war or outside of it.

Methods used encompassed search and rescue, firefighting, first aid, shelter, feeding, communication, nursing, counselling and befriending.

Civil defence volunteering still continues today but under different umbrellas within volunteer groups who undertake work or care within communities.

This was a recruiting display in 1956 held at Sittingbourne Town Hall.

Young people joining Scouts, Guides, Cadet organisations and some youth groups today continue the trend towards help in the community.

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The Honorary Freedom of The Borough was conferred by Gillingham Borough Council to the Royal Engineer Corps. Bomb Disposal on 10th September 1953. It is the highest civic distinction awarded to individuals or collective bodies in recognition of outstanding service or particular civic association, ensuring the honourable perpetuation of their memory within their community. At least two-thirds of the Council must approve the award.

A scroll is presented in a casket, embodying details of the formal Council resolution, embossed with the corporate seal.  

They are given permission to march through the Borough with bayonets fixed, drums beating and bands playing. There was contention that Gillingham was chosen for this march and not Brompton, where the barracks were. Loyal locals felt that their area was always overlooked and neglected.

The march went through Crimea Arch to Brompton Road, along Gillingham High Street, Balmoral Road, Duncan Road, Nelson Road, Canterbury Street, Watling Street and Darland Avenue to Gordon Barracks, where the Borough provided tea. Guests at Brompton Barracks enjoyed a reception in the officers' mess. 

Twenty officers and five hundred men took part. The local newspaper recorded after the event that 'the ancient mistrusts between the military and the people were yesterday ceremonially buried.'

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Irene Weller, Spartans, Luton Rd.,Winget Screed, Uphurch parrot.

Firstly I would like to congratulate former Director of Dudley Studios Pauline Joyce Panton for being awarded the British Empire Medal for service to the community in Tunstall and Sittingbourne. Very well deserved!

In an earlier part of her life she acted with local drama company The Irene Weller Players, and was awarded the Marlowe Cup for Best Actress by the Kent Drama board in 1973.   Pauline was also a cast member of 'You Can't Take it with You,' here in 1960, the year they were awarded the Challenge Trophy in the full-length play festival. Also there is my primary school teacher Peter Lyons who helped me discover my appreciation of poetry and the arts. He is seated at the table with Irene Weller on his left. Pauline is standing behind him.

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This is the Medway Spartans Football Club in 1960.

There is nothing in our records to tell me where they were based so it will be great if somebody recognises them! They were perhaps a team created by one of the local companies.

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At numbers 188 and 242 Luton Road Chatham The Expert Radio Co. were radio dealers and Luton's leading cycle store in 1952. Alongside is Maida Road. 

Retailing Hercules, Capitol, and Vindec bicycles, a 50 shilling deposit secured one.They also dealt with repairs.

 At 244 and 246 was Sydney Pallant Briggs, pawnbroker, jeweller and gents' outfitter.

Adverts on the wall  for Nugget shoe polish, and Redfern rubber heels and soles were on the side of Edward Allen's (rag-dealer) building in Maida Road.

Notice the unchained bikes stored around the shop exterior! I recently saw online a photograph of dozens of babies in prams outside Woolworths. There was never a worry that someone would steal your child, even less your bike. What has happened to our society since those days??

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A Winget pneumatic screed in action outside the Copper Kettle in Gillingham in 1959.

Hopefully its task is obvious to the reader.

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The bar and regulars at the Crown Inn Upchurch in 1952, a pub that owned a prehistoric bone and an extremely eloquent parrot, who was reputed to occasionally turn the air blue, and provided entertainment for the crowds awaiting the annual carnival. 

NB: The bone was reputed to be one of many found in 1911 on land belonging to the Royal Engineers in Upnor, further up the river Medway. Fragments were sent to the British Museum who identified them as belonging to a Straight Tusked Elephant which lived 115,000 years before the find. 

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Abuse of  copyright will be dealt with under the copyright law.