The once annual carnival at Upchurch was always a grand affair, with many floats taking part, and residents all coming together to raise lots of money for charity. Here in 1955 the Carnival Queen was Patricia Atkinson with assistants Susan Cumberworth and Ruth Kitney. Miss Upchurch was Shirley Swift with assistant Maureen Atkinson.
Such gender-defining competitions are now universally considered immoral and the Upchurch carnival itself, the fete and the marathon no longer take place, although the village still adheres to
the long tradition of fund-raising which it has enjoyed since the mid-nineteenth century, and now includes a Festival of Music and theatre
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In the days before the advent of 'Medway Council' Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham were each served by a Mayor. From 1938 - 1945 John Thomas Hawes was Mayor of Chatham.
Looking a little similar to the author Charles Dickens he was the obvious choice to play his double
in the 1931 Pageant which took place at Rochester Castle, where he performed with Dame Sybil Thorndike.
Born in Coventry in 1878 he discovered Chatham during his Naval career.
He is pictured here wearing the regalia of his post at the end of his term of office.
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Many an expectant mother, myself included, would arrive at All Saints Hospital, Chatham,
pre-natal clinic with raised blood pressure. The Doctor would first enquire ''Did you walk up from Chatham?'' The climb up Magpie Hall Road was an endurance with the extra weight
on board, especially in the summer. However, it was a good hospital and served the area well. Probably the majority of people reading this were born there in what used to be the Medway Union Workhouse, built in 1849 to replace the one in Union Street Chatham which was believed to be the
inspiration for Charles Dickens when writing 'Oliver Twist.'
These photographs were taken in 1954
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Peter Sadler revived the old tradition of a Town Crier in 1986 because he felt that Rochester needed one.
He was self-funded and motivated, but the Council eventually adopted him as their own following the obvious popularity of his character on the High Street. His ability to speak German, Dutch and French was a great asset and endeared him to countless tourists. He made friends right across the world. He represented Rochester in Canada in 1993 at the World Town Crier Championships.
After his death in 2003 aged 81 he was succeeded by Robin Burfoot who died in March this year also aged 81.
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Winget Batching plant at British Road Services depot in Priory Road Strood in 1961.
The houses immediately behind are in Smith Street and the ones a little higher are part of Cuxton Road
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This property, seen here in 1955 was an ex-wine warehouse from the 18th Century, and was being used by Kent Art Printers as an art studio.
A local journalist called Duncan Rand transformed it into a 100-seater theatre, and it was curtain-up in 1958. There is an annual one-act festival which is held in his name, and attracts drama groups from all over Kent and beyond. Mr Rand died in 1981.
Dame Sybil Thorndike once gave a performance there and enthusiastically declared it to be ''a darling little theatre.''
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