Hi folks. Any ideas for inclusion are always welcome. Thanks. As far as the Odeon goes, I don't recall that. The only cinema I remember in Herne Bay was the Classic, which is now the site of a warden assisted home for the elderly.

Hi Kevin. I "make time" on an occasional basis nowadays, as there's not much effort needed to maintain the site. There's only so many photos of the same places you can post and I don't spend as much time in the Bay as I used to, to be able to catch some of the events as they occur.
For whatever reason, the TDM is not a popular bike in the UK. People seem more interested in owning highly-focussed supersports machines. Despite me collecting my R6 next week, I'll not be getting rid of the TDM - it's still far too comfortable and far too much fun.

Hello Kerry and welcome. I'll pass your comments to Dad about the paintings. We're all impressed with his art here but then we would be, wouldn't we? I'll look into getting a picture of Juniper Close in the near future for you.

I'm glad you enjoyed the site, Lennart. Feel free to return. Often, preferably.

There's no full marathon at Canterbury, so far as I am aware; only a half marathon and a 10K race. I went out this morning, the first time for quite a while. I went from Tankerton to Hampton in 5 minute run/1 minute walk sections. Going was fine but I discovered on the way back that I had had the wind behind me. It's amazing how much difference it makes when you run into the wind. Then again, it could just be that I'm fantastically unfit.....

Blimey. A lot of questions there, Khadijah. The harbour does still operate as a fishing port, although it's not as busy as it would have been, say, 50 years ago. There's a lot of shellfish fishing still, what with the oyster beds just out to sea. However, I'd have to enquire a little more in the harbour itself.
Getting questions like this remind me that I should check up on the information to ensure it is still up to date.

You're welcome, David. As far as the sign in Bullockstone Road is concerned, it appears to have spawned another. Check out the picture in the Herne Bay photos(2) page.
I've been toying with the idea of running again, having enjoyed doing it years ago. Admittedly, my body is somewhat more knackered now than it was 20 years ago but I think it's not the body that is the main obstacle. Getting past the apathy is the real problem.....

Hi, Claire. It's good to get feedback from a local. As far as the water tower is concerned, an elderly relative of a friend always referred to it as a tree that never changed.....
I've always liked Herne Bay for being what it is and not pretending to be anything else. That's not to say I don't also love Whitstable, it's just that Herne Bay isn't fashionable enough for "outsiders" to keep trying to put their mark on it. However, I think you'll be lucky to see anything other than demolition to be the pier's future. But please - no more housing - we're getting way too overcrowded as it is. Lately, it seems that whilst "People need somewhere to live", as far as the Government is concerned, that means "People must live in the southeast" but doesn't mean "people must have work, schools, hospitals etc." Oops, sorry; I felt a rant trying to get out there.

Hi Mark. Thanks for the note. You'll have lived not far from my old place, then.

Hi, Jeremy. I had pictures of the Druid’s Head and the Queen Vic on an earlier version of the site. I’ve now resubmitted them onto this version. You'll find them in the Herne Bay Photos (4) page.
As for the Dolphin; that’s currently under scaffold as it seems to be being converted to flats.

Hi Elspeth. I'd have to agree on the rubbish collection comment. Whilst the wheelie bins are so much better for keeping stuff in, not everyone has somewhere to keep the bin, although the council has, I believe, made provisions by providing purple sacks. However, the rights or wrongs of putting out black sacks rather than purple ones seems to be petty in the extreme. I've got a replacement bin now, which will be getting my house number written on all sides.

Thanks for that, Gary. See? Proof that people actually visit and read this site. (Ego takes a bow).

Hello, Elspeth. Thank you for your note. I can't tell you much about Studd Hill personally but this is what I have heard:
Studd Hill was originally conceived as a private estate of holiday homes, in the 60's, I believe. It was alleged to have been used by company bosses who wanted a quiet location for the occasional daliance with the secretary, although I'm not sure whether (a) it's true or (b) if it was the basis for the name of the estate.
For some time, it was not the place to buy, mostly because you couldn't get a mortgage on the properties, due to the construction of many plroperties, which were single skin walls (no cavity walls), often using thinner bricks than are deemed acceptable for substantial property stability. It also has the disadvantage of being a private estate, so the council is less willing to prvide services. The roads are poorly built and the place has a tendency to flood in winter, especially at the Hampton Pier Avenue entrance. As far as the street names are concerned; perhaps there is someone out there who could give some pointers. If so, please
Regarding the wheelie bin episode; the council recently sent out letters with the new refuse collection dates and has warned people to put their name or house number on the bins "in case they are stolen". I can't help feeling I'm not going to be alone in being victim to the bin-nickers.

Hi, Sue. I guess the changes that have occurred are like most places inasmuch as they have generally been gradual and we've not noticed them much from this close. Anybody coming back after a long absence may feel differently, of course, although I think both towns retain much of what used to be there.

Hello, Chris. I do recall the fire last year. I can imagine how such an action could be devastating for you all. It is good to see that Briary has been so supportive, mind. I recall the new head arriving, when I was the PTA Chairman and he was very keen to foster the community link between the school and the area. I'm glad to see he was as good as his word.
Let me know how things progress.

Ah; the joy of a mis-spent youth.....

Hello again, David. Lets see; the Gate and the Dove were fairly regular haunts when I was 17-20 I guess, though I never went to the White Horse. The Gate was considered a bit too studenty, mind, as it was a favourite of Canterbury university residents. Mark used to live near the Dove, so that was always going to be on the drinking route. The other Gate that we used to frequent was just outside Boughton, right on the A2. Although the building is still there, sadly it's a Little Chef roadside restaurant now. That was an even more memorable place, as Mark was manager there for a couple of years. The New Year's Eve lock-in of 1981 was particularly memorable.....

You're more than welcome, Duncan.

Hello, Haydon. Thanks for the note. I put an article in my news page this week (27 Jan) about this but I’m happy to add your request to my feedback page. There's also a link on my Herne Bay links page now.
Good luck.

Why, thank you, Audrey. That really is a long pier there, which highlights just what a shame it is that nowadays, it is just a sorry looking stub.

Thank you for the photos, Roger. Carlton Hill is just behind my old house in Grand Drive. I'll pay a visit to the house and show the owners your email and will let you know how I get on.

Hi Vikki. Sorry but I don't have a copy myself but if anyone does have a picture they are willing to share, please .

Hi, Audrey. The "Herne Bay Press" disappeared years ago. It became the Herne Bay Times, which shares it's office with the Whitstable Times in Cromwell Road. Should you wish to get in touch, the address is:
136 Cromwell Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1NG, UK.
The phone number is +44 1227 771515.
Good luck.

With such a politely worded letter, how could Ipossibly refuse? Thank you for that, Bill. You've given me the inspiration for my next "Street Life" pages; I'll sort out Cromwell Road and Belmont Road next.

Hello, Duncan. Welcome to the relative sanity that is life outside London. You join a growing number of converts whose only regret is not doing it sooner.
I would recommend getting in touch with the Herne Bay Historical Society as a first port of call. If you talk to the people in Herne Bay museum in William Street, they will be able to give you some specific contacts.

Hello, Duncan. Red House Farm can be found just south of Greenhill, between the new and old Thanet Ways. The OS map still shows it as a farm and I have no reason to believe otherwise. If anyone else can shed further light, please and I'll forward your message to Duncan.