Herne Bay & Whitstable - A local's viewpoint

Date	Visitor	Location	Comment
31 May	Audrey Moore	Frankston North, Victoria, OZ	Hi Steve, Just a quick one to say that the 'CASINO' was a cinema next door to MACARI'S Ice Cream Parlor (the one on William St corner). It was so badly damaged in the '53 floods it never re-opened as a cinema. Because of the shape of it 'steps up to the ticket office and foyer then a steep drop to the stage and screen area, the water stayed there for some time and it became too hard to clean and dry it out. I left the Bay in '55 so I didn't see what became of it. Hi Audrey. Your description seems to fit my recollection of the Tudor Tavern. I recall the steps halfway along the building when it was a club. I'll take a look down there soon and get a picture of the area now to see if it jogs anyone's memory.
29 May	John Ross Tassell	Baulkham Hills, NSW, OZ	In 1826 my ancestor William Tassell purchased a triangular plot of land on what later became Herne Bay's sea front. With a 61 ft frontage to the seaward side and other sides of (west) 112 feet and east of 126 feet for the purpose of his store. Do you have any details of this area? Blimey. Where about on the front was this, John? Ber in mind that Herne Bay's main frontage is about half a mile long, there's any number of places it could have been. The name Tassell isn't familiar, personally but if anyone can help, please
28 May	June Hill	Perth, W.Australia	Hi,Steve. It seems there has been a slight misunderstanding. The "Casino" to which I referred recently was the old cinema at the eastern end of Central Parade, opposite the Clock Tower; a fair sized building, which I believe eventually became an amusement arcade. If you want old pictures of Herne Bay I have plenty which I could send, including ones of Rink Hockey. Is anyone interested in that sport these days? Wishing you all the best for your move. Hello June. I wonder if you're referring to what became the Tudor Tavern/Tudor Arcade, near Macaris? We occasionally frequented the place, just before we were legally allowed to. There was a bar on one side and a small dance floor at the back. Ring any bells? Feel free to send any pics you'd like (jpg format, please - easier for me to fiddle with) - there's always room for photos here. Thanks for the wishes. I can't help but think moving day will be upon me before I know it.....
25 May	Jon	Copenhagen, Denmark	Hey Steve. I checked your site out today and liked it - the piece about Oyster Mews made me laugh - that skanky old alley is now hot property; proof that there really is one born every minute. I'm an ex bubble boy and over the years I have of course seen some of the 'Londonisation' you mention on the site. Inevitable but sad all the same. That said I'll spit on anyone who calls Whitstable 'Islington on sea' or any other bull**** yuppie name for that matter, even if I did leave eleven years ago and love to bitch about the place!! Keep up the good work and add more photos of anything. No place like home. Hi Jon. Agreed. In all respects.
23 May	David	Sydney, OZ	We used to take the kids to the Christmas Panto every year at the Kings Hall. Saw some great productions in the early eighties. Is it still open by the way? Herne Bay also had a local group that put on shows in various smaller halls around the Beltinge area, they were quite good too,can't remember their name. May have been "Herne Bay Players" And of course patrons of the Gate Inn at Marshside always put on their own production at Christmas time led by Landlord, Chris Smith. The Kings Hall is still open and still puts on a variety of shows and concerts throughout the year. I've seen rock concerts, quiz nights, Dance shows to name a few there myself, although truth be told, not for a while now.
21 May	Christine Punter	Auckland, NZ	Re The Kings Hall, I well remember the St Patricks Night Dances there. My Dad, bless him, wasn't much of a dancer in those days but came home "Cha Cha Champion" one night! Mum made him go to Ballroom dance lessons after that. Also, regarding the entry from June Hill, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Bob and June when they visited Auckland back in February. It was lovely to see them. And thanks Ami for bringing up the little prob regarding the "left hand column" and congratulations on passing your drving test. Take care all Christine. So; the Kings Hall's past seems to have generated a good response as far as memories are concerned. I assume you did mean "Cha Cha" Champion, rather than "Ch-ch-champion"..... Being the willing learner (sometimes) that i am, I'm glad to hear Ami's menu problems comment has helped others. It never occurred to me to check if the layout worked for 800x600 screens. Sorry about that folks. Still; it's done now.
20 May	Audrey & John Moore	Frankston, Victoria, OZ	Hi Steve. John and I used to go to the Kings Hall in our teens. We danced to a few big bands but time has dimmed the memory now as to which ones, as we are in our 70s now. I do remember walking home from there to Grand Drive one winters night, looking for snow that had not been disturbed and walking through it, just for fun. An innocent but quite illegal pursuit, as we trespassed on private property (i.e. people's gardens) to leave our footprints. It kept us warm on a chilly night (around midnight). Regards, Audrey & John Moore Wow, Audrey; you were quick off the mark. I'd only posted the updated feedback page a couple of hours before I got your mail. I was amused at your definition of doing something "quite illegal", however. Walking on a garden in the snow, huh? You must be feeling so contrite. Innocent days indeed. If only that was the worse sort of misdemeanour we heard about lately. Oops, here I go again.....
15 May	Peter Hubble		Dear Steve, I am trying to find out anything about 'Eddington House' public school. my father (now dead) attended there at about 1930s i believe it is now demolished, but would be interested in anything you may come up with. I have postcards of the school, printed by a P A Buchanan, of Croydon. Hello, Peter. Eddington House is another new one on me. If you're prepared to email me one of the postcards, I'll post it here and see if any of my visitors can provide any clues.
12 May	Tracie Venables	Harlow, Essex	Dear Steve, my family are all from Herne Bay. The family names are Longley, Eason, Venables, O'Neil and Brown. The families are from Sea Street, Grafton Rise & Pier Avenue. I was trying to find my parents' school in Kings Road but I cannot find any info on the school or on the Net. I wonder if you could help me find their old school, or any 1935-1950 pictures of the Kings Hall which, as a dance hall, was where my parents went to from 1940-50. Manys thanks for any info. From Tracie Hello Tracie. there's a photo of Kings Road Junior School in the Photos (3) page in the Herne Bay section. The school also has it's own web page now. You'll find a link in my Links page. There have been a number of visitors that frequented the dance halls in the period you mentioned. If any of you good people are looking in,
10 May	June Hill	Perth, Oz	I see that you have been having a discussion about Herne Bay's cinemas. Has the Casino been mentioned? It stood on Central Parade, west of the William Street junction. Also I seem to recall two older cinemas. One (The Red Lantern?) was in the High St., opposite the Library and a bit to the west. In the 1940's I think it was turned into a factory to help the "war effort". Herne Bay's oldest cinema was at 19 High Street. I have an idea that it was called the Magic Lantern, but I might be mistaken. My grandparents lived next door at 17 High Street in the 1920's. It is possible that I have an old photo taken outside Grandad's house showing part of this cinema. If I can find it I'll send it to you. Keep up your good work, Steve. Best wishes from June & Bob. Hi guys. Good to hear from you again. I'd be happy to post any old pictures you can find, June. there always seems to be interest in the Herne Bay of old. A casino? In Herne Bay? Whatever next? That's news to me, certainly but then again, I've found out a lot about the place since I started this site up, almost entirely thanks to ex-HB contributors now living abroad.
10 May	Ami Male	Herne Bay	Heya. I know that you don't check this site (that'll be my Hotmail address) for e-mail nearly as often as your web one but the contact thingy on your site irritates me (hmm). I really like the layout of your site; it's simple and easy to find things. Only thing I found, with my 800x600 screen, is that I can't see all the left bar and it doesn't scroll so you have to highlight the whole lot and drag down to see the last few bits. Quite frankly that was a bummer to do. Thought I'd tell you. Sorry for picking holes but feel free to do the same with my site :D Now; how do I play this? Tell her that, as my daughter, I'd expect her to give a bit more bloody respect, or take the criticism squarely on the chin and make the simple code change? OK; so I changed the source code. I still want the respect though, young lady.....
6 May	Geoff Holden	Perth, Western Australia	Dear Steve, I see that the Club 711 has been mentioned again. It is amazing that people still remember the Jazz club in the basement of the Grand Hotel, Station Road, Herne Bay. I refer to Molly Anne Fabre's message but unfortunately I cannot recall the name but I must know her. We were all so keen on making the club a success. What prompted me to write was the fact that I still have the original 78 RPM 'Esquire' recording of '711' from which Colin Shilcock (The clubs founder) decided to name the club. It has travelled the world and is very scratchy but still in one piece, over 50 years on! And now as I approach my "use by" date I still get in my den and wind up The Duke Ellington Band or Count Basie and even Ted Heath at times, and have my wife calling out "Geoff, turn that racket down" just as my mother did 50 years ago in Herne Bay. Nothing much changes in life does it? Hooroo from Western Australia. Welcome back stranger. Good to hear from you again, Geoff.
5 May	Elliott Howes	Tankerton	I live at the top end of Saint Annes Road and have heard several stories of the apple orchard that used to be there. I have also heard stories about a possible stream or spring that used to run through the area. Does any one have any maps, plans or proof of this? It has been suggested that the orchards had clay pipes running through them to help. Could this be true? I have some old documents regarding the sale of the original Tankerton plots from 1901 but nothing is mentioned. Please can anyone help? Well; here's a mystery and no mistake. You've got me intrigued, Elliott. If anyone has any information, please
4 May	Ralph Zander	Essen, Germany	Hallo Steve, great webside you constructed. It brings me beck into summer of 76 when I was sixteen and stayed with a group of students in Herne Bay at the Jowsey´s (Eric and Hilda). All the memmories come back when I watch the pictures. That visit to England influenced my life. So in fact the idea of changing young people all over europe brought countries together. Greetings from Ralph in Germany Ich grüße ihnen, Ralph. Ich hoffe daß ihre Besuch hier war auch gut. Vielen danke. Entschuldigen Sie mich - sehr schlect deutsch.
2 May	Molly Anne Fabre (née Smith)	Herne Bay	Dear Steve, I was very excited to find your website and to read all the comments that brought Herne Bay in the fifties to life! I was a founder member of Club 711; in fact I was the one who cleaned the floor and scrubbed it from corner to corner and then polished it for dancing! I would love to hear from anybody who has memories from those days and who might still recall me, and Jean-Pierre (still my husband after 47 years!!) With best wishes, Annie Fabre Hello, Annie. It's nice to see another connection with one of the old photos (although I have yet to find the identity of the mysterious man in Geoff Holden's "Unlikely Lads" photo). Should anyone want to contact Annie, you can do so by clicking
30 April	Malcolm Jarvis	Dansville, New York	Just got done looking at the toy run 2004. This might be before your time but I remember those days well. I saw some scooters in there - does that mean the Mods and Rockers now ride together? Just joking - it is for a very good cause. Me, I was a mod. Had a Lambretta scooter back in 1960's. Hi Malcom. As it said in the Toy Run pages - big and small, scooters and choppers. Everything and everybody got together and had a good time. The mods & rockers seafront get-togethers (for that, read "riots") were well before my time but there was a UK resurgence of the Mod movement in the early 80's. Poor saps.
24 April	Charlotte Burford	Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote	Really enjoyed seeing the photos, I was born in Canterbury and lived in Herne Bay, left there at the age of 6 with parents and my brother to go and live in the Canary Islands, 22 years later we're moving back this year. So, your web site has helped me to show my Spanish boyfriend and father of my 2 month old son where he is going to. He liked what the pubs looked like! Keep up the good work! Hi, Charlotte. So; you're coming back? From the (presumably) sunny Canary Islands? Some might question your judgement (possibly your sanity even) but I hope the move goes well. Let me know when you arrive and I'll pass the word on.
23 April	David	Sydney, NSW, OZ	Hi there Steve. Sometime back I posted a comment about the Canterbury (full) marathon which nobody seemed to recall. Just dug out my medal from the event and can confirm that it was run in September 1983. Maybe this was just a one off event. Hi again, David. I'm ashamed (and appalled) to admit that my training plans have all gone awry and I've now left it too late to be able to compete, at least not without the likelihood of throwing up along the way. As I said, the only Canterbury run I took part in was the ½ marathon, in 1985, I think. I do have a medal for that (somewhere) but any ideas of running again have been put on hold for the moment. Once I have sorted out revised accommodation arrangements with Cheryl, I will get back to a running/cycling regime again. Probably.
17 April	Christine Punter	Auckland, NZ	Hi Steve, didn't think we'd hear from you for a while, now that there is a new bike to play with!! How about a photo? Re Neal's query about the Odeon Cinema; I remember it well - going to Saturday morning pictures for sixpence. Being frightened out of my young wits by "The Invisible Man" and "the Purple Monster". It was situated opposite Pier Avenue on Avenue Road and was still there 1960-62, just before we emigrated to NZ. Even then we called it the Flea Pit! Have just been watching a Civil Defence programme on TV and I had no idea that Auckland has 50 thermal volcanic vents dotted around it. I was quite happy thinking that the few volcanic cones I could see were extinct and that the biggest one, Rangitoto, out in the harbour last blew it's top hundreds of years ago. I think I might come home!! Christine. Hi there, Christine. You'll find a pic of the bike via the link on the home page. Oh all right; you can find it here, too. I'll get Mark to take a snap with me on it soon. It seems that the Odeon cinema of your youth and the Classic cinema of mine are one and the same. I recall the outcry when it closed down, to be demolished and replaced by a warden-assisted block of flats. It was quite a while before the Kavanagh opened as part of the Herons leisure centre. Finally; you really don't want to be coming "home", I think. OK, so HB ain't so bad but I'm not sure I'd trade a place in NZ for it, volcanoes or not.....
16 April	Chris Rozee	Herne Bay	Steve, Just an update on how the 2nd Herne Bay Scout Group are getting on with their recovery from last year's arson attack. We start functioning properly - to some degree - back at our HQ in Herne Drive week begining April 18. We have been given the use of a generator to power lights etc. Once EDF(Seeboard) reconnect the mains supply we hope to be fully functional by late summer. Thanks to the generosity of many from Herne Bay and Whitstable through donations & help, the young members of the 2nd Herne Bay Scout Group will not miss out on their scouting activities (camping etc) this year, which did seem a possibility. A special thanks must go to Briary School. Without the school making its self available, the scout group would not now be functioning. With their help there is a light at the end of a very long tunnel. Thanks and all the best, Chris Rozee Group Scout Leader 2nd Herne Bay Scout Group Hi again, Chris. It's good to know things are getting back onto some sort of even keel. I recall Martin Saffrey (Head at Briary) being keen to emphasise the role of Briary not just as the local primary school but as an active contributing member of the community. The man is evidently as good as his word.
14 April	Audrey Moore	Frankston, Victoria, OZ	G'day Steve, Reading through the new postings, I saw mention of the 'Odeon Cinema'(Oh! the memories that name brought back). Saturday morning pictures, 'Booos & Hurrays' when the baddies and the goodies clashed, the choir, the dancing ball sing-a-long. Then when I was older, courting in the back row, (well that's what we called it) but no hankie-pankie. The 'Art-deco' styling with chrome and black all over the place, the huge mirror in the foyer which was used for advertising 'Forthcoming events'. I worked there for a while as an usherette, an ice cream lady then as cashier. My Mum also worked there for quite a long time. It was situated on the corner of Pier Avenue and Avenue Road, backing on to St Georges Terrace. The last time I saw it, it was a Bingo hall (but that was quite a few years ago). Just up the road, heading towards Sea Street, was a place which was a meeting place for many of the teenagers of the time. I wonder if anyone remembers the 'Billiard hall'? I can't remember too many of us playing billiards but they made great coffee and sandwiches. Well that's my 'Hit' of nostalgia for this time until someone else jogs it again Steve. Regards Audrey from OZ. Thanks for that, Audrey. As I said to Neal & Shirley Lipscombe (Comments, Jan-Mar 2005), I don't recall an Odeon but I do remember the Classic. I think. Hmm - marble loss seems to be looming. I'm guessing they are/were the same place, given your location description.
12 April	Michael S. Rogers	Vancouver, BC, Canada	Just visited your website and it certainly brings back a lot of memories. Was surprised also to see you had visited Vancouver. We emigrated here in 1960. In 1952 my parents moved us from Beckenham, Kent to Herne Bay. My father was an engineer with the GPO & commuted to London every day, catching the 5.18 "Dawn Express" and returning home around 8 pm. He said it was worth it just to spend the weekends in Herne Bay. My mother rented a hotel on the Waterfront, just one in from the hotel on the corner of Canterbury Road.(I believe that was called the Miramar at the time.) Our was called St. Brelades and it was funny to see that name mentioned by another of your readers who mentioned the name of St. Brelades relative to a nursing home on the Downs. The people that owned that home owned the "St. Brelades" that my mother rented and ran as a hotel, owned that nursing home also. I used to take the rent up to them every week. I was there for the flood of 1953 and our lower levels were decimated, and the basement totally flooded. The fire brigade pumped the water out and then the air force bought this big machine they used to heat planes up with and used it to dry our place out. Last time I was in Herne Bay I noticed that our old hotel had been converted into flats. I am presently looking for an old photo and will post same when I find it. I am pretty sure we were at number 5 on the promenade. Hello Michael. I have fond memories of Vancouver and Cheryl and I would be very keen to return as soon as we can afford to. I have to agree with your father's sentiments about wanting to return from the Smoke to Herne Bay (or Whitstable, in my case). I'm happy to make the occasional visit up town but I couldn't imagine living there again. I'm not aware of there being a Miramar anywhere other than in Beltinge but you may be right. St Brelades was the nursing home where Ness's grandmother ended her days. I recall the staff there being very kind to her during her stay there. I do seem to recall it formerly being one of a number of seafront hotels in the Bay.
4 April	Sharon Cheeseman	Mangonui, NZ	I have just got my computer and wanted to look at where I had been in Herne Bay etc. I had the great pleasure being over there in May/June 2003 (my first time) and I have to say I loved every moment. We were visiting my husband's family so got to see a lot of the surrounding countryside. We would love to return but in the meantime your website will keep me occupied and informed of any news. Thank you so much for bringing my memories to life once again. Regards, Sharon. You're more than welcome, Sharon. It's good to hear you had such a rewarding visit. You never know; if I actually get myself properly sorted, I may even keep it updated.....
4 April	Malcolm Saunders	Auckland, NZ	I like the site, brought back fine memories of skating in the pavilion on a Saturday morning with my neighbour Sandra Holness. We lived in Mayfield Rd from 1955 to 1964. Dad (Cyril) was an inspector on the buses. I went to school in Herne where there were a few of us Herne Bay kids there; Johnny, Bill (or William) Packer and his sister Susan, whose dad had a taxi firm. The beauty of the Internet is that you can get to see some of your old haunts without actually leaving home. hope this site has been partly successful for you there, Malcolm. Thanks for visiting.
3 April	Barry Cummings	Sheffield	Steve, Came across your interesting website and thought you might like to see this picture of Mortimer St which I got at a Postcard Fair last week. The card was posted from Herne Bay from Grandma Finch to her daughter Daisy in London in 1908. Not sure if the house is still there! The picture shows Grandma Finch with another lady at the front door. You can just make out the wording on the plate at the side -BED SITTING ROOM and APARTMENTS. There is also a little girl just visible next door. Please feel free to use it in your news page - and if you get a minute please let me know if the place is still there? I don't have any family connections with Herne Bay except my old dad's brother Jerry Cummings who had a Punch & Judy pitch on the beach in the late 1940's. But sadly no pictures. Hello Barry. The house is indeed still there. I'll send a picture when the weather improves. If you'd like to see the picture Barry referred to, just click on the image below to see it full size:
2 April	Kim Young		Hi Steve. Have looked at your website about Herne Bay. I have a question - do you have any idea when the building next to the Divers Arms was knocked down? Or even a photo? That would be great. I have been told it was know as Invicta Art and was original the Oyster Bar. Any info would be great. Many thanks. Kim Hello Kim. I only remember the land next to the Divers Arms as being wasteland, although there clearly was a building there once. As for photos, I can't help there but I'll ask at the museum, my usual source for such information. In the meantime, if anyone else can help, please

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