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Posted by Maggie on 11 October 2008 at 16:00 Great stories about Sandwich Bay. Just been staying somewhere that overlooks the River Taf estuary. Seeing the mud flats and sand banks at low tide reminded me of a story of a little girl getting trapped in quicksands at the Bay. Now was this true or a story to frighten us off straying too far from the beach? Pat, don't think I can identify the one who pulled your plaits, might choose the wrong one. In fact not sure who it could have been.When Ian is back from his hols he will surely remember. Wasn't Susan Hampshire's house next to where Dr Jones had his surgery? Replies (73)

Reply by David from Ashford on 12 October 2008 at 08:45 - IP Logged The little Girl missing at Sandwich Bay, 'Brenda Morris' I seem to remember.

Reply by Liz from Dover on 12 October 2008 at 08:57 - IP Logged So we made it onto a new thread eh and what a great one - was it a record at 251 - got it saved for posterity Do you know the story of the little Morris girl David Liz

Reply by Pat from The Land DownUnder on 13 October 2008 at 21:10 - IP Logged Maggie, Funnily enough I was drifting along the same lines as you Maggie. I was vaguely remembering a drowning down in the quicksands. Also I think a boy drowned in the Ropewalk stream. Brian was telling me that they often used to go to school (in Dover) on a Monday morning and be told that another boy had fallen off the cliffs and died. Brian said it didn't bother them, they just kept on collecting those seagulls eggs on the cliffs! Children seem to find it horribly fascinating that someone has died but don't think it will ever be them do they. I remember standing at the edge of the quay looking down at the yellow oozey mud and imagining what would happen if I fell in. Thinking back to your bomb shelter at the school, I remember a really creepy one down near the gasworks. It sloped down and there was water and chunks of concrete in it and Pete used to dash in and round the corners where I would never go as I imagined some slimey monster coming out of there. Do any of you remember a lovely lady Mrs Erskine, she lived next to the churchyard on the Bay Road Side. Her husband, Colonel Erskine. She used to be tall and beautiful and was an ex-bluebell girl. Also does anyone remember Miss Lovelace and her cats. She lived in a little alley off Fisher Street. She asked Peter to tea one day and he went round and when she opened the door there were cats on the table, cooker and sink so he quickly said that he'd come to tell her that he couldn't come to tea. She used to wear black clothes and crawl around the backyard walls looking for her cats. I've found some photos in Mum's things of Peter with school groups etc and will e-mail them to you to see if you recognise anyone. I know a few of the people.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 15 October 2008 at 09:53 - IP Logged Don't remember a drowning on the Ropewalk. Have a clear picture of Miss Lovelace, she used to have all over her legs. Yes she did dress all in black, usually with a soft looking, squashy sort of hat.Peter was brave to even go along to her cottage. Were there two cottages along there? Of course not far from the Champs dealing with the shrimps, bet the cats liked that. Got thinking about the fun fair, remember it being on the small field at the back of the Red Cow. Did it set up anywhere else? Also remember the circus, did we ever have one in Sandwich?

Reply by Nick Axon from Charing on 15 October 2008 at 19:48 - IP Logged I remember the "Anglo American Circus" being at the back of the Red Cow in the late 50s-early 60s. A few of us kids that were hanging around there were given the errand of going to the Red cow and asking for "Buffalo Bill's bottle of whiskey"....lol We got it too so he obviously had a prior arrange ment there.

Reply by Pat from Queensland on 15 October 2008 at 20:42 - IP Logged I'd forgotten about the circus. Yes, it must have come for many years as Dad used to tell us that our Grandad Sear went regularly before we were born, he loved it. I remember sitting there watching the acts and the smell of the straw. Also, was it a separate time or at the same time as the circus that the funfair was there Nick. What a lovely feeling it was to go in the swingboats. Pulling the ropes and sailing up and down to the sky. My favourite. That's right too about Miss Lovelace's squashy black hat Maggie,a bit like a witches hat but floppy. I think there were two cottages there, amazing how little homes were squashed into every crevice.

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 16 October 2008 at 12:26 - IP Logged The funfair was called "Penfold's Fair" and it set up annually on The Butts. As well as the swingboats, with their lovely ropes that looked like bullrushes, there were the chairoplanes, thrilling chairs on chains that swung out almost horizontally on a roundabout. And there was a coconut shy, over towards the market gardens owned by the Kingslands, behind the Red Cow. Old Mrs Penfold used to preside over the fair, her hair in plaits pinned round to the front of her head (like Miss Govier at SPS). Behind The Butts there was a workshop and a forge, again owned by the Kingslands and Dennes, where we used to watch red hot metal being hammered into shape, with sparks flying, until we were shooed away.

Reply by michael rowan from nz on 17 October 2008 at 02:32 - IP Logged Miss Govier now that is a name I've since come across. The village of Staple has it's own web site, similar to this one, Well I was looking throught the old photos on it when I found a picture of Staple school. It shows all of the children in a class type photo and at the back there stands Miss Govier. I think that she went to Staple school after leaving Sandwich school. The web site is staple-online, there are other interesting pics in there also.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 17 October 2008 at 09:47 - IP Logged The Staple site is very interesting. Loved the photo of Miss Govier, just as I remembered her. Though when I was five she seemed very old! Were the Penfolds a local family? Another question Margaret, do we know you from SPS?

Reply by Liz from Dover on 17 October 2008 at 23:36 - IP Logged If you type in Anglo American Circus on the net a really interesting circus site comes up. Nick can you remember what Buffalo Bill looked like, and do you think hes the same one that you got the whiskey for. I too can remember this circus, but only very vaguely, I can remember the boys being given jobs to do and a row of animals out the back of the main tent including a shetland pony and a llama who spat at you, and like Pat had forgotten it before now, so thanks everybody. but I do distinctly remember feeling very sad when the circus never came to town again. Im wondering you know if the reason it all stopped was because it got very flooded and still does even though its a car park now. And yes doesnt Miss Govier loook wonderful, I used to wonder where she went after SPS, werent the babies taught by Jean Hibbert, then Miss Govier then Mrs Roberts. Oh yes two more things mum told me once that a boy/girl ?? had drowned on the ropewalk but never knew just who and Patty love your Brians tale of the Dover kids never taking any notice of the boys getting killed on the cliffs (So glad you had a lovely break -E mail coming up) Can also remember a car going over the edge on Sandwich quay, which was a separate occasion to when the landlady for the Admiral Owen Ang? McFadden - her fella actually fell in whilst drunk. Anybody know any more on that one And lastly talking about falling into the ropewalk, I can remember when we lived on New Street opening the door one morning to a very upset sopping wet Cheryl - our dog Candy had pulled her in. Thank God it was the shallow end. Codicil, all three of my lovely dogs learned to swim in the Deep Stream down the Bay Path. Have mentioned this because they were always jumping in the water after that especially my lovely old labrador Tess who scared herself silly one day. Tess was very much a swimming dog, who in her youth could swim the River Ribble with all its tidal currants to the cheers of the little boys running on the bridge high above who used to try and beat her to the otherside. Youve got a good dog there missus, they would say. Tess would go in any water anywhere even if they were dirty puddles, just loved water. Anway I digress - it was a beautiful hot summer day and having visited mum, proceeded to take her for a run in the car with Tess up the back. Well we went down to the quay where Mum and I got out to get an icecream, intending to continue our trip out when wed et em so wed left Tessa in the back of the car. The minute we were out of the car Tess squeezed her fat little self out of the half open window and had run straight down to the river by way of the boat launching pad. I chased after her to find the tide out and a very surprised Tess up to her nose, literally in oozing yellow mud/silt. Needless to say Tess got an extra walk that day and found herself chucked in the river by the White Bridge. Blimey did she stink.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 21 October 2008 at 03:44 - IP Logged Hi Gang! back in (cold) UK again after sun-chasing in Barbados. Been catching up on the latest collection of memories, and how they have stirred my old grey matter up again. In no particular order: 1. I remember being warned (often) about the dangers of the quicksands at the bay...seem to vaguely recollect story of a child dying there. 2. Remember the PE kit being stored in the Air Raid Shelters in the front playground at SPS. The shelters have now gone. On this subject do you remember the team "bands" we had to wear when playing team games..sort of coloured sashes made from a sacking type material about 1 inch wide? Also the rush mats we laid on for exercises. 3. Penfolds Fair also went on Cow Leaze opposite the Rope Walk...they had their own wooden bridge which was put across the Rope Walk stream at the Woodnesboro Rd end. I think the Penfolds were a local family (perhaps not Sandwich - Ash is vaguely in my mind). Mrs Penfold's hairstyle and the plaits round her head....leading onto: 4. Miss Govier (same hairstyle); I was never taught by her but I can picture her to this day. Also (and I've mentioned this to Maggie and Pat before) Miss G used to thump out the tune "Country Gardens" for on the piano for us to 'march' back into class from playtime...which leads to: 5. Games we used to play at SPS at playtimes...the on duty teacher...the whislte sounding for the end of playtime and woe betide anyone who moved after the whislte went! Forming up into lines by class and moving back into school...leaidng to: 6. Playtimes when it was raining. Each class had a massive box of old comics and books with which we were meant to entertain ourselves if we couldnt go out to play. 7. Mr Ford and his habit of banging his sticks onto your desk. 8. Corporal Punishment at SPS. I remember Don Pettitt and Mr Miles who taught in St Clements Hall had a slipper which was passed through the dividing screen if required. Afraid to say I remember the slipper from personal experience!!! Don't know about the girls though...or perhaps you never misbehaved!?! Mr Chesterfield used a ruler (didnt he) or pinched your cheek. Never knew if Mr Sage actually did anything; again from my bad days, if you were sent to his office it was the school Secretary - Mrs Hayward (Madeleine's mother) who wrote your name in a little grey book. Think my name went in only once (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!) ...and finally for today... 9. Pat Sear's Plaits. It might have been me! I certainly remember pulling Jane Solly's plaits on more than one occasion. If it was me Pat is it too late to apologise?? Sorry! I sat at the back of Mr C's class in the row on the extreme right looking from front to back, next to back row. There was an external door in that corner, with the temperature thermometer outside it which you recall we had to read each day. Barry Cornwall or Godfrey laslett sat next to me. Again Pat...sorry if I pulled your plaits.

Reply by Pat from Qld. Australia on 21 October 2008 at 20:59 - IP Logged Ian, You are off the hook. I was in the front seat of your row and the boys were behind me so you are not guilty. It was probably that Dennis Coleman or Peter ?. Punishments: I don't think I had even blinked an eyelash when Mr Pettitt had yanked me out of my chair and started shaking me. I can feel it now, he had hold of both my shoulders and looking furiously at me said "I'm going to shake you till your teeth rattle". My plaits were flying everywhere. I was more amazed than anything. I stubbornly kept my teeth clenched tight because no way was I going to let him rattle them. I was also made to stand on a chair in the middle of the class. (humiliation was a popular punishment.) Seemed like a long time up there but to stop myself being too embarrassed I pretended I was supervising the class. Once, when we were in the babies two naughty bigger boys were made to come and stand in front of the babies for a time for fighting. Trouble was, they didn't care, toughed it out up the front, big cheeky grins on their faces. Bigger trouble was...baby sister of one was sitting there in tears because of her beloved brother's humiliation. (Me and Pete of course). Next question...Whose favourite pud was gypsy tart? Seconds please. What happens these days at the level crossing between the Ropewalk and Butts. I didn't notice when there but in OUR day it was opened manually. A nice little boy called Derek Firminger (nicknamed fertilizer of course) lived there and hung around with us. He always had sugar cubes in his pockets, being diabetic. One wet, dismal day (can't quite remember what they are but I know it was one) we were at home, restless, four or five of us, so Mum said "Write a poem". Pete went white at the thought of anything so similar to schoolwork but we sat chewing our pencils for a while and then came up with some fancy stuff. Derek was first finished and we rolled about laughing at his....including him. Can still remember it....famous at last Derek, (sadly, posthumously I think)...here it is. The breeze in the trees blew the fleas off the leaves. Brilliant eh? Interestingly I can't remember any of the others.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 22 October 2008 at 08:44 - IP Logged Ah... memories of Mr Pettit. That slipper of his, very large and very very bendy. Don't call them plimsolls these days. If you asked him for a bit of paper that's what you got, torn from the corner of a page. Made you ask for a "piece" of paper. Don't forget as well, you had to have the pie before the piece, good way of teaching the i e rule. Can anyone else remember this when we were at St Clement's Hall, a partial eclipse of the sun? Think we stood in the yard, did we have a piece of smoked glass to look at it? Hope we did! In Mr Chesterfield's class had to also measure rainfall, the container was in the garden. What did we do if it was raining hard? Those hard PE mats, can still the colours of them. Remember being out there on a cold miserable day. Did we really do it in the winter? Some schools I've worked in still had those coloured bands. Used to give the one who'd either skivved off the lesson, or had forgotten or lost their PE kit the job of tidying them up. I wonder how we would react if we could come face to face with these teachers now? I don't think we ever disliked them,more usual these days to be told "I hate you!" Did anyone feel like that at SPS? Just got on with it, didn't we?

Reply by Liz from Dover on 22 October 2008 at 17:48 - IP Logged Maggie, when we were selling our house up Woodland Way in Woodnesborough, (just about four doors down from Chestnuts house) Mr and Mrs Roome came to view. Now I always liked Mrs Roome at school so I made them welcome and showed them round my lovely house, including my beloved garden, with pride. At that time it was breaking my heart to have to sell it. During the whole viewing she ran everything down in the most nasty manner, the brick fireplace I loved was terrible, the garden was far too big and far too much work involved to clear it, it really was the look on her face which said that me and my house was far beneath her in status that made what she was saying so awful. I did have a very hard job not to be very rude and lob her out. But her attitidue that day always surprised me, seeing how lovely she was at SPS, and also that she and Ronnie were great friends with my mum and dad. Having said that Ronnie himself didnt have much to say at all and indeed according to my dad was a lovely bloke, and as a defence perhaps she thought thats how you had to behave to get a reduction in price - I really dont know. But this does go to show that the 'teacher' image (nasty or nice) was put on a lot of the time and was assumed just for the job, but I think the status and power of pushing around thirty little people everyday (which they did then didnt they) must of gone to some of their heads. But when that teacher image was peeled away and some were shown to be human beings after all it came as a shock. Well it certainly did to me when I suffered from a sense of outraged innnocence when we were in Don Pettits class one summer. It had gone round that Mrs Roome had been seen going in to see a supposed 'racy' film, think it might have been a Richard Burton/Liz Taylor job - No it wasnt - its just come to me - I think it was called 'Lady in Red'. Thought her very debauched. Plus a lot of them went apple picking that year in the summer hols, and again that upset my very narrow juvenile view of how teachers should behave. - Ha. But then again, as I've said before Chestnuts is always perfectly lovely and remembers us all by name whenever I meet him. Must pick up on Melanie at the Lhongis feff, last time I heard (long time ago) she was still croupering?? (spelling) on the boats. Chestnuts always insists that my youngest daughter was named after his youngest. Absolutely not true chaps. Who was it at St Clements who used to stand us girls on a chair and slap your legs and for that matter who used to get the boys by the ear or am I imagining things again. But me for one didnt despise the SPS crew for the way they treated some of us, it was just the way things were, but I certainly did the Slimy Langton lot Maggie. I was made most unhappy by the staff there. But I did get absolute justice - be it only two years ago - on behalf of all the little working class people who went to Grammar bright eyed and full of hope during the late fifties and found themselves with their dreams dashed and treated as second class citizens in a much more personal way than the SPS teachers ever did - so much so that we gave up all attempts at 'becoming' or achieving anything. Well weve proved em wrong havent we kids. lol

Reply by John Durban from Wantage, Oxon on 22 October 2008 at 19:02 - IP Logged Hi All. Just as a matter of interest, I was in the New Inn last Wednesday (15th) celebrating my Dads 90th birthday when Mr Chesterfield came in to have a drink with Dad. We had a little chat about the old days, his memory and witt is still very sharp. Pat, the old level crossing has been automated for many years now, the signal box and the well tended veg garden that Mr Ferminger looked after is now just a waste ground, shame. regards all.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 22 October 2008 at 19:40 - IP Logged Maggie - perhaps its the onset of "Rose Coloured Glasses" as we all get older, but my memory of the SPS teachers is that they were a lovely bunch . Wonder if we really thought that when we were, say, 10 or 11! After I left school and joined the RAF on those occasion when I went back to Sandwich (when my dear old Mum was still alive) and afterwards when my youngest son was at Manwoods - and again when I lived in the RAF houses at Stonar (that would have been '77 time)if ever I saw any of them, they were always polite, had fantastic memories of what we did or didn't do in their class. Always interested in my career in the RAF, and in my growing family. In fact, in 77 whilst living in the RAF quarters across the river, my daughter was in Mr Cs class, and my middle son was in Joan Roome's class. Again always most favourable comments both about the children and about me (at school). In fact, my son Andrew - with all the wisdom and seriousness of the average 7 year old once declared that "...if Mrs Roome calls me Ian once more, I'll be very angry with her!" On reflection, I suppose there were worse schools and worse teachers than we had at dear old SPS. Perhaps, overall, it was the "small town" thing - where as we grew up - everyone knew everyone. Can any of you remember that if, playing out, we did something "wrong" our parents seemed to know about it before we got home. Liz: I certainly remember your Mum and sometimes your Gran commenting to me in St Peter's St about something I had (apparently) done, and saying "wait 'til your Mum (or Gran) finds out!! That said, we knew that would happen, we were aware they everyone knew everyone, and I think we had respect for them because of that : or it was a reflection of the way we were raised in the 50s. What do you think gang??

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 22 October 2008 at 20:54 - IP Logged Sorry! Didn't mean to stir things up with my remark.I'm sure there were ones who held onto grudges from their time at SPS, probably felt like letting down the tyres on their bikes, if any of the staff came by bike. Did they, can't remember? To use some jargon used nowadays we knew the "boundaries." Going by the messages on here they were held with respect and affection. After all we seem to be doing a good job at remembering them. Mr C must be about your Dad's age John.

Reply by Pat from Qld on 22 October 2008 at 21:44 - IP Logged Liz, I certainly agree with you about Simon Langton's ....tales I could tell but won't. I don't think you had any problems did you Maggie. There were some lovely teachers that were an inspiration, remember lovely Miss Slawson and Miss Pierce and was it Miss Good with her lovely skirts who taught maths.... but the head and deputy....talk about snobs!! I remember doing bob a job for Mrs Roome. Well, Pete did but I tagged along as usual (poor Pete). We weeded her cobbled path. Took ages and she gave him two bob as she told Mum that she was amazed to see me there helping him. I think that Pete was glad when we were older and he didn't have the task of looking after his little sister while Mum and Dad were slaving away down the farm. I didn't have any problems with punishments, no resentment, went off quite happily to extra maths tuition with Mr. P when at grammar school. Not that it worked, still don't know a theorem from those triggy things. Of course you are right Ian about everyone knowing your business. When I was about 14 I had my first 'date' arranged by my friends with a very handsome Elvis lookalike, brylcream and all. (How did the Mums get it out of the pillows?). Well, to the pictures we went. He paid for himself and walked on in and left me to pay for myself...not working out as I'd expected. Followed him in and watched the film....he didn't say a word all evening and didn't even try to hold my hand. It was the most boring time I'd ever spent and to cap it off there was Pete hovering at the door when I got home telling me in no uncertain terms that if I went out with THAT boy again he'd bash him up. Someone had seen me and told Pete before I'd even got home. You won't be surprised to hear that I said to Pete "Don't worry, I'm not, he's too boring"! Ian, how lovely for you to have your children at the school too. You would have known all the ropes. I had to learn all about Tuckshops instead of school dinners, Frozen cordial in lunchboxes so it would be nice and cold and melteded by lunchtime, putting the sunblock cream on religiously every morning, etc etc for my three when they started school here. Maggie, I do remember those mats we used to use for exercises...I can always remember when we had to relax. Make your fingers go limp, your hands your feet etc and the teacher came and picked up your hand to see if it was suitably floppy. John, I never did get back to you about my Aunt Ada's Husband Bert Durban, sorry. I expect your dad would remember them if he's 90..congratulations to him! Well, gotta go! Pete's due back today from his trip sailing to New Caledonia. He phoned two evenings ago and was 200 miles off shore but in Australian Territorial Waters. We've had a couple of storms since then but he's due in customs today and home tomorrow so I'm off to stock up his fridge and turn the hot water on. See ya later mates.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 25 October 2008 at 19:51 - IP Logged Still can't place a circus in town. Perhaps I'm thinking of going to Deal or Ramsgate. Had to climb up those rows of benches, between the gaps saw the grass a very very long way below. And the smell!

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 26 October 2008 at 12:23 - IP Logged Maggie, you ask if you knew me at SPS - no, you were a few years further on. But most of the teachers seem to have been the same. I think they gave us a very good start ... chanting the times tables at St Clement's has stood me in good stead. But Mr Pettet did once call me up to the front and used the ruler on my hand, when he thought I had misbehaved. It was humiliating and painful. And I hated it when the boys were slippered, by both Mr Pettet and Mr Miles. Mr Ford introduced us to the Just So stories and Walter de la Mare poems - lovely lessons of just being read to. Mr Chesterfield I remember as being strict and a very good teacher. Mr Sage introduced us to classical music - I remember hearing Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite for the first time in that classroom and him explaining the story. Also he started French lessons with us. Miss Dean (Janet Dean) was a lovely lady in the classroom behind Mr Chesterfield's, the other side of the corridor from Mr Ford's class, who taught us recorder. And about the circus: I think it set up at least once on that field behind the Red Cow and the Kingsland's engineering workshop.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 26 October 2008 at 23:09 - IP Logged Maggie - come on, even I remember the circus....but my memory was of it being on Cow Leaze opposite the Rope Walk. Not very often though only perhaps once or twice during those years. Margaret - what a memory your note struck in my mind. Mr Ford and the Just So stories...that is one I'd forgotten. All you "Class of 55-ers" Mention of Mr Sage, also reminded me that - I think it was when we were in Mr Cs class - Mr Sage took us boys into the school garden for gardening lessons. The one incident I do remember was being told, together with Brian Latham (remember him)to dig across a piece of ground with "the small fork". Simple enough you might have thought...only trouble was Brian and I took him at his word and used a hand fork, whereas he meant the (ladies- I guess you call it nowadays)full size fork. Needless to say, by the time the lesson had finished, we had only dug a small portion of ground relative to what Mr S thought we should have!! School Garden... who remembers the class photos taken in there with Mr C...anyone got a copy?

Reply by John V Goldup from walderslade on 27 October 2008 at 08:59 - IP Logged There are some photos on the FRU site of Mr. Chesterfield under Sandwich primary school. Who remembers to school photos they used to take in the school garden, which you then could buy and take home. Found one the other day that was taken when holding big jig saw bits.

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 27 October 2008 at 21:46 - IP Logged Ian, you mentioned that we played games in the playground at SPS. I remember boys walking round the playground, two or three together, arm in arm, chanting rhythmically "Who wants to play, cowboys and Indians, and the girls can't play" ... collecting other boys until they had enough. There was Kiss Chase as well, although I can't quite remember how it worked...it involved a girl having to go into the corner of the playground, where one of the boys was waiting to be kissed! It was mainly the girls who played "The Big Ship Sails Through the Alley Alley OO" and "In and Out the Dusty Bluebells". The girls organised the skipping ... sometimes there was a big rope with a girl turning at each end, and two or three would skip at the same time or lined up to run under the turning rope. We also played with individual skipping ropes, and chanted "salt, mustard, vinegar,pepper" as we skipped - or else skipped doubles, where the rope went round twice before our feet touched the ground. In the senior playground we used to play "What's the Time, Mr Wolf?" and Film Stars, where someone called out initials, and if you knew the name (like DD for Diana Dors) you shouted it out and ran across the playground and back. We played hopscotch, too, marking out the squares on the playground in chalk. I wonder what games they play these days at SPS ...?

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 28 October 2008 at 09:02 - IP Logged Ian, I give in, I do remember the circus! Wasn't a regular thing as you say. What memories of the playground games. I can picture us there on a bright, very cold morning, keeping ourselves warm before we went in. Used those skipping games when I was teaching,had a whole school day, I was on supply and got thrown in at the deep end. Had to think of something very quickly so had groups skipping, learning the rhymes all through the day. It was always good for a round of applause when boys mastered skipping. Sorry chaps. And what about those outside toilets?! They must have frozen in the winter, were we sent home? I can picture two boys out in the playground on a warm afternoon just before the summer hols cleaning out the ink wells. It involved a length of tubing and a bucket as far as I remember. Also blue lips, did they sit by the drain?

Reply by Liz from Dover on 02 November 2008 at 12:39 - IP Logged Hi everybody - well the awful weather we've had here in Dover has cleared up and its a lovely fresh Sunday morning and I'm just going for yet another trip down memory lane in my mind and I thought I'd take you lot. Does anybody else remember the Worth path on the Deal/Dover Road in Sandwich, just off the bend where the road splits to go up to St Johns Green If you remember the Worth path was famous in our day for tadpoles and newts, jam jars and nets, plus in my case many a Sunday afternoon walk with my Dad, my baby brother and our dog Psyche. So if anybody is visiting Sandwich this coming year do try and make it, because its still there, almost untouched and is one of our special places in our corner of Kent which is magic. The walk is only about a mile and bit long, and I introduced my eldest grandaughter to it last year in late summer when the grasses were high, the corn was waiting to be cut and the Herons were out, whilst the summer sun blazed down on the just ripening blackberries. Wonderful stuff and Holly loved it too, especially meeting Mr Heron on the path. Not only that theres a couple of decent eating houses/pubs for lunch in Worth just waiting for the not so young, hungry walker to enjoy. Liz x

Reply by David from Ashford on 02 November 2008 at 14:58 - IP Logged Worth path and the Delf, There used to be lots of eels and the odd pike in my days, we used to go fishing with a rabbit snare on a pole! Glad to hear that the two pubs in worth still survive. when I left the town the delf was almost dry, due I believe to problems at Betteshanger. When the colliery was in use they used to be pumping vast amounts of water in the North Stream further over.

Reply by Liz from Dover on 02 November 2008 at 19:44 - IP Logged Pleased you remember David,as I said my fishing only went as far as jam jars, and didnt know of pike, still I was only a girl - you boys knew far more about that sort of thing. But the streams still there as ever with the bridge about halfway up the path. And yup would confirm the Crispin is great eating, well it was a couple of months ago.

Reply by trevor bower from oz on 02 November 2008 at 23:55 - IP Logged i remember the best spot for newts was at the butts just to the left of the entrance to the 'rec'under the weeping willow trees. nets and jam jars were required. tadpoles could be caught at a spot we called the 'camels hump' don't know why it was at the end of a lane at he right to the road which led to poulders farm. also you could get to it by turning right, if you were heading towards woodnesborough, almost between the junction of the woodnesboro rd and st barts and laburnum ave where some new houses were built in the early 60's

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 03 November 2008 at 08:19 - IP Logged What memories of going across the Worth footpath. There was a long line of trees that were to one side of the path. Are they still there? Once you got past them the path dipped down, you walked through the long grasses. There was always good blackberrying up the Richborough Rd. Derek Larkins had the farm, got a summer holiday job there one year.My back,after doing potato picking!

Reply by Nick Axon from Charing on 03 November 2008 at 13:59 - IP Logged I remember the Worth path well - My Mum used to love walking along there. I also remember the "Round House" just over the wooden footbridge which had a wind-powered generator way back before those things were fashionable !!

Reply by Liz from Dover on 03 November 2008 at 17:40 - IP Logged Yes Maggs the line of trees are still there, and the pigs in their huts are still the other side of the stream whilst under the trees are all the blackberry bushes - beit they are a bit skimpy. But agree the Richborough Road was always the best for blackberrys, but since my dear old mum went no-one in the family seems to want to come with me, and this old girl dont fancy doing it alone. Even so I think I'll pluck up the energy and nerve next year, the fruit was really good, so if you hear stories of a granny with a walking stick and basket down that way its gotta be me not the ghost of Electra Cook. My dad used to get his elderberries and his hips and haws down there too for his wine, bless him. I also know where there used to be some super eating mushrooms, big flat b.ggers, down by the white bridge on the Bay path. Used to go with my Granty when I was a very little girl,very early in the morning, but cant remember if you had to go a certain time of year or not, just that it was imperative to pick mushrooms as the river/sea dawn mist was just lifting. Why I just dont know does anybody else. Trev, surely the place that you got your newts was the deepest part of that stream, and where someone fell in that we were talking about a couple of weeks ago, or am I wrong

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 03 November 2008 at 21:01 - IP Logged Liz Re-reading all these comments and all the "talk" of dear old Sandwich in the 50s when we were at school, and I just cant get my head round the fact that time has marched on. As i read (and re-read) all our memories my minds eye still sees the 8,9 and 10 year olds - girls with plaits, the clothes we worn and (of course) Sandwich as we remember it! Tjhe body may be getting old but the mind seems to be firmly lodged in the 1950s and early 60s....sad sign of the times I'm afraid. As regards wild mushrooms, I seem to remember that August/September when the heavy morning dews begin is prime time. I certainly remember working a summer holiday at a farm in Richborough and picking mushrooms (vast things they were) and I left Sandwich mid Sep 1960, so must have been late August/early September time. On a broader note: we've recalled the Bay footpath across the White bridge and the Worth Footpath...did any of you walk to Richborough? There was a footpath that went along the river bank just before the railway crossing on the Richboro Road that rejoined the Richboro Road just before Richboro Castle - where the old Light Railway had originally crossed the Stour. As I remember the brick piers were still there but not the actual bridge...think they were still there a few years ago when I drove round that way. In another vein, who remembers Primrose and Bluebell picking in Willow Woods at Tilmanstone? Keep remembering gang!! Ian

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 03 November 2008 at 21:54 - IP Logged Liz, I think that the place where Trevor Bower found his newts was the same place I used to go - and it wasn't part of the main river, at all - it was a little shallow stream that often dried up. I remember crouching there, scanning the rocks for newts. Sometimes there was water. The dangerous place for me was the Ropewalk river, where somebody once had fallen in and drowned, or so my parents told me. But I still went there to catch sticklebacks in jars. I would have loved a fishing rod, I used to look enviously at the boys, but it seemed an impossible thing for a girl! Ian, yes, primrosing in the woods - once a year my father piled us into the car with a picnic. He and my mother smoked all the way to the woods, and it took forever to find just the right spot to put down our picnic rug. Then we'd get out and pick primroses, which had the most delicate perfume. Does anyone remember sledging down the steep Millwall banks covered with snow? That was at the Ropewalk end of the Millwall. Or, when they'd cut the grass in the summer, jumping down from the wooden bridge further towards Manwoods, into piled up grass? And buying lemonade powder in little paper bags at the sweet shop, before it became Clarimboulds, and dipping our index fingers in and licking them until they were bright yellow? We seemed to have hours to spend doing exactly what we wanted to, in those days - we left the house in the morning, and played until lunch, then after lunch out again, maybe on bikes, until early evening. What freedom!

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 04 November 2008 at 00:17 - IP Logged Oh I did that Margaret - sledgin down the Millwall slopes (New St/Ropewalk end) - and the yellow fingers! And you are so right about the hours we all spent just - well - playing. Hours and hours on the Rec, on the Millwall, down by the river (Be careful Mum used to say - don't fall in!!), around the cattle market - all over the town in fact. And all we did was .....play. Regret to say, the youngsters of today can't do that: they have to be "plumbed" into a computer, electronic game or anything else that costs a fortune!! Or are we getting old and out of date??

Reply by Liz from Dover on 04 November 2008 at 08:00 - IP Logged US???? - No NEVER Ian, thats the secret of this site and our particular string, we never will. Nothing sad about us was there then, and our freedom to do as we pleased Margaret was and still is so unique to the generations of children not only those that come after us but also those that went before. For instance, we didnt have to work from the age of 12/13 to contribute to the family kitty, neither was our childhood cut short, well not by very much anyway by the War, even if in our particular case we were cofined by it living where we did. After all just what did our parents fight so valiently for but our freedom. So we were encouraged by our parents to be free, and free we were and play we did - all of the day until the curfew, and every day we could, and we are all the richer people because of it. I mean to say, who else but us knows where the best newts, tadpoles, sticklebacks, blackberries, walks, and pubs are to be found in our lovely Sandwich. And your right Ian, like you I see everybody as kids, including myself. and there aint nothing wrong with that so keep remembering chaps, this site is producing some wonderful stuff.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 04 November 2008 at 09:21 - IP Logged Going to digress for a moment! Don't know what it was like where you were last Saturday but it was very, very wet on the south coast. Well Margaret, we were in Eastbourne visiting our son and his family. As you drive in, I think it's the Willingdon road, come across the sign,which gave us a laugh,, welcoming us to Eastbourne, "The Sunshine Coast!" Remember going out to Willow Woods on the bus. As you say, we went all over the place, I remember riding my bike out to Woodnesborough and Staple.Like you say Ian going up to Richborough. These memories when they put into the book will be great to pass on. Then our grandchildren will know I haven't made up the stories I tell.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 04 November 2008 at 19:23 - IP Logged Don't you just feel that the 50s were so so wonderful!!? I suppose - being just after the War money was in short supply, we made do with anything that came our way, but families were families and friends and neighbours were just that. I know I was very happy...perhaps there were times when we might have thought things could be better, but overall we respected Life, we respected people especially the older generation, and particularly we respected Property. Mentallyh it seems the sun shone every day...but it couldn't have done. But my memories or at least the way my mind looks back now, it was like every day was sunny. And what friends we had. Neighbours in your own part of town....for me as a younger boy...the area around St Peter's Street...really great people. Then at School, there were no people like the people in one's own class and perhaps a year above and a year below. Well...we've demonstrated that with all these magnificent memories. Perhaps on reflection, that is what seems so sad when I go back to dear old Sandwich now...the streets are the same, the familiar shops have changed hands, but the people...our people...have (like me) moved on and have dispersed all over the UK and abroad. Oh how I wish we coujld all be around together again...even if only for a few hours. If we could recreate those idyllic times electronically and in words, just imagine what actually being there would do!!! Presumably, Liz, the book will contain a chapter on secret places to catch newts and sticklebacks?? You're right Liz, there's nothing wrong with memories and the great kids of the 50s - us in fact!!

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 05 November 2008 at 22:39 - IP Logged Just returned home from a 5th November Firework Party....got me thinking.../.here's a challenge to you other "50-ers". When we were young, say between 53 and 63 (dates that is, not our years!!) where were all the 'public' Guy Faulkes Night bonfires in the town? I can remember 4 at the moment....any offers?

Reply by Liz from Dover on 06 November 2008 at 07:42 - IP Logged Crikey Ian - no idea - Dad always did ours in the back garden, didnt even know there were any. Liz x

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 06 November 2008 at 08:34 - IP Logged How about on The Green and The Butts?

Reply by John Durban from Wantage, Oxon on 06 November 2008 at 12:24 - IP Logged Hi All If my memory serves me right the town bomfire was on Cow Leas, this was mostly built by the Cubs & Scouts. There was another one on the Butts behind Kingsland's yard, this one was built by one of the local "gangs" which included Mick Town, Mick Bushell, Sid Watson to name a few. I also remember one being built at the rear of the market, before it was concreted over and one at the back of Sandwood Road, where the Youth Club is now. How does that get your gray cells going. regards John

Reply by Tim Summers from Sandwich on 06 November 2008 at 20:57 - IP Logged Bonfires!weeks of collecting cardboard boxes from local shops and wood and pallets from where we could, those I remember were the butts Mick Town and all the gang from Church street St Marys and around the SPS, Cows Leas built by the local organisations, St Barts Road built the kids from the estate, another at in the garden at the Woodnesboro train gates compliments of Derrick Firmingers family, In the field behind Frank Wood the builders, Bob Wood and family and friends and always a big one at the RAF married quarters also I believe one in the then empty fields alongside the 'cattle market'Lots of fun in those days, perhaps not though for thr fish in the Ropewalk where we used to drop in bangers weighted with mud. (I'm sure John and Ian may remember that) Good to read the memories Tim

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 07 November 2008 at 16:13 - IP Logged Well done crew. My four were: The Green, The Butts, The Cattle Market and in the bean field before the new Laburnum Ave was built. This latter one was always just beyond where Birch Ave crossed the top of (old) laburnum Avenue. But your memories have also prompted mine; I too now recall the Cow Lease one and the RAF Quarters one. Well done everyone....another brain teaser on its way shortly. Liz: oh dear, what a narrow life you had!! Ian x

Reply by John V Goldup from walderslade on 07 November 2008 at 16:25 - IP Logged Ian, Re your all getting together. Would be good to arrange to meet up before the school reunions, for all those have put something about the old days of Sandwich!!

Reply by Lizzie Drippin from Dover on 08 November 2008 at 06:40 - IP Logged Ian - Har har har - at least I know more than you about where to find newts and sticklebacks AND I had to remind you about the Bunny Hutch.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 08 November 2008 at 10:46 - IP Logged Liz: Touche!! x

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 09 November 2008 at 16:44 - IP Logged Another one for the book Liz. What about all those sweets we could choose from if we had the money. I suppose we could buy one chew for a ***thing if we were a bit hard up? I can think of a few, barley sugar sticks, were they 3d? Pineapple chunks, toffee crunch, aniseed balls etc etc.

Reply by Liz from Dover on 10 November 2008 at 09:18 - IP Logged Gosh Maggie I'd forgotten all about ***things, did they have a robin on them. Yes your right its all going in the book and I'm taking careful note. Four strawberry/licquorice??chews for 1d, these were around for my own girls and I think they were still four for a 1d -could be wrong, flying sherbert saucers hapenny each that stuck to the roof of your mouth and then burst, I can taste em now. Oh boy youve got the old grey matter grinding now Maggie,

Reply by John V Goldup from walderslade on 10 November 2008 at 09:24 - IP Logged sweets what about- coconut squares/ black jacks/ sherbert dabs/ licquorice pipes/ gob stoppers and pear drops

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 10 November 2008 at 09:48 - IP Logged Apologies to you all, I obviously wrote something rude and edgy. Yes Liz a far--- thing did have a robin on it. What about winter mixture? Bought 2oz of those and they lasted ages but you did have to get bits of the paper bag off them, they got so sticky. And of course sherbet lemons!

Reply by John V Goldup from walderslade on 10 November 2008 at 10:28 - IP Logged and of course fruit salads/ coconut mushrooms and packets of sweet cigs

Reply by Nick Axon from Charing on 10 November 2008 at 14:06 - IP Logged I seem to remember that during the late 50s you could buy a (very) small ice lolly from the sweetshop next to SPS for either a ***thing or a halfpenny....

Reply by Pat from Redcliffe, Queensland on 10 November 2008 at 19:44 - IP Logged And they were all tipped into a piece of paper twisted round into a cone shape. That lovely Irish man Bob Stewart was our sweetshop proprieter. In the chain before the Claringboulds took over. His assistant was Sheila Gambrell until she died quite young (forties I think). Thinking about the characters of the town....they all had their own interesting lives. Mr Stewart's wife died in her twenties and he truly loved her and never married again. His brother was the curator of the Dublin Museum and they were an educated family. Funny, wonder what brought him to Sandwich. I was also recalling a time when Foot and Mouth Disease hit the country and when we were doing our childhood exploring up near Richborough Castle we had to step into big bowls of disinfectant at every farm gate. I remember too a band of gypsies who camped up there near the bend in the road leading to the castle. We had a little gypsy girl in our class once and I found her fascinating. Then there were the camps we used to make, over the white bridge in the pine trees at the back of Mr Burch's place, the pine needles thick on the ground. There used to be a man who slept rough there sometimes. Also learning to swim at the deep stream between our meadow and the St Georges Gold Club land. Sitting there in a rubber inner tube tyre on a summer holiday day.....bliss. The old brickfield behind the farm reached from the town by the white bridge path, always full of boys, building rafts and blackberrying etc. Used as a rubbish dump by Ramsgate Road factories. One time full of old car bodies...great fun sitting in them and pretending to be on a drive. The button factory and the doll factory after a fire, also dumped stuff there. Also who else went to picture shows at the Salvation Army, they were great free entertainment. Was anyone else a teeny bit scared, watching the ferret man who came along with his ferret in a sack over his shoulder, put the ferret down a rabbit hole and we all stood back waiting for action. TIM !!! Gotcha!! So it was you who used to let off those bangers behind our heels on bonfire nights down The Butts. I swear the darned things chased you.

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 11 November 2008 at 17:16 - IP Logged Another sweet: a slab of toffee that you had to smash down on to the pavement to make into splinters, before you could eat it! I think it cost 3d and I remember buying it from the little sweetshop owned by the Coppings in Moat Sole. Oh, and licorice shoe laces! John, Liz, Maggie and Nick: thank you for the very evocative list of other 50s sweetshop fare - it brought it all back. More about food: going into the butcher's in King Street and trying not to breathe in because of the smell of the carcasses dripping blood on to the sawdust. And do you remember when Donald Wynn set up the first delicatessen in Sandwich - we thought it was so exotic, selling things like smoked cheese, and tiny gherkins.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 11 November 2008 at 21:40 - IP Logged Margaret - what evocative memories of the Butcher's Shop in the 50s....we shopped in Ginger (Tim and Tony's dad) Summers' shop in Strand Street...and do you remember the floor covered in sawdust. The other memory I have is watching the butcher cutting the meat and then calling over to the Cash office with the price. In the Summer's shop it was Tim's Mum who looked after that side of the business. Also remember at the end of the day, the cutting blocks were scrubbed down with sawdust and a steel bristled brush (am I right Tim?).....NOW WHAT WOULD HEALTH & SAFETY SAY ABOUT THAT?????? Talking of sweets, do you remember we children only had 2oz (if we were lucky) and certainly Mr Welford always put in a few over the weight (is that why I always went there??). And who remembers Frys 5 Boys chocolate bars..they were 3d I think; grown ups had Cadburys but they were 6d an unheard of sum of money for us youngsters to have in the mid-50s. Donald Wynn's deli - now theres a memory..as I recall the older folk (ie Grandparents generation) didn't take to the idea and still retained their loyalty to the traditional Grocers shops'. Can any of you remember the lady who was head librarian when the Library was in Stand Street, opposite The Trap? And mention of the Trap - remembers Mr & Mrs Miles who opened The Trap? Wonderful people!!

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 12 November 2008 at 10:48 - IP Logged Sorry about this Tim but can't go into a butcher's shop even after all these years. I think you could get Fry's chocolate cream bars in friut flavours as well as peppermint.We were qiute sophisticated because I think I'm right in saying they were dark chocolate? Do you remember the peanut sweets shaped like peanuts? Also that lurid pink bubble gum. After you'd burst the bubble it stuck around your mouth and if it had been particularly large on your nose. then you gathered it into your mouth to start again! I think it came in a pack with a card,you could collect a set. Now what could the set have been? Possibly film stars. Any other ideas? You could also get dolly mixtures, possibly a girly buy,liquorice comfits and liquorice allsorts. The school I taught at had a new room built on. where I did special needs teaching, admin, seeing parents etc. It was also used for music lessons and cooking. Some bright spark suggested the Bassett Suite, a plaque was put over the door, because all sorts of things went on in there! Cant place where the Deli was,was it next to the post office or opposite in one of the two shops on the corner of St Peter's St? I think the librarian was Miss Hooker, had glasses, curly hair?

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 12 November 2008 at 23:00 - IP Logged Right on all counts Maggie. Both the mint cream and fruit flavoured choc bars had dark (plain) chocolate. I think the bubble gum cards were in different series; film stars, aeroplanes (I think),and (even then)( football players. Hey don't apologise for mentioning Dolly Mixtures; I always thought they were greaqt (Probably because you got so many for 2oz!). In fact I still like them, but buy them for the Grandchildren now (well thats the excuse anyway!!). Bob on about the librarian, with your words I can picture her now. It was pre-computer days and everything was done manually, wasn't it? Do you remember, when you took your books back her fingers fairly flew through the tickets to find your library tickets. Very strong images of that in my mind. The library next to the Weavers in Strand Street was a delightful little place, fully of character. The children's section was right through the back. I remember when I was studying for O Levels (what? I hear the youngsters say) I remember my dear old Aunt Kath joining so that I could use the non-fiction part of the Adult Section. Also remember being sent home to wash my hands once before Miss Hooper would allow me to change my books!! Boys eh? Those were the days when next to the Library (Three Kings Yard side) was the Weavers Wool Shop..you went down a step into the shop. Much later it became Richard Brown's Tobacco and Pipe shop - but alas thats gone now too. I too can't place the Deli exactly; know it was top end of King Street (was it where Brewers shoe shop now is?)

Reply by John Durban from Wantage, Oxon on 13 November 2008 at 08:19 - IP Logged Hi Ian Yes the Deli was on the right hand side of what is now the shoe shop, before Mr Brewer brought him out, not only that, when I was in town last month, I noticed that Mr Brewer has expanded again, he now has what was the opticians shop next to Jutson's. regards John

Reply by Nick Axon from Charing on 13 November 2008 at 17:24 - IP Logged My main memory of the old library was the loud sound of people's shoes on the polished wooden floor - Bad choice for a library ! lol

Reply by mel prett from france on 13 November 2008 at 19:35 - IP Logged Hi John. Mike Brewer died a couple of years ago.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 13 November 2008 at 20:13 - IP Logged You're right Nick, and I remember there was a garden or patio about half way up the Adult Section on the right with French Windows...obviously got the afternoon sun, for I can still (in my minds eye) see the reflection of the sunshine on the highly polished floor. The present library although mujch bigger hasn't the same charm and peacefulness!!

Reply by Pat from Australia on 14 November 2008 at 21:20 - IP Logged What lovely memories of the library, I spent hours in that place and it was full of wonderful books. My favourites back then were The Secret Garden and Children of the New Forest. Wonderful reads. I've been trying to remember what we used to listen to on the radio and have come up pretty blank. I do remember there was a really rivetting story on each Sunday and we were glued to the set. Different story each week. That was all pre 1953. Then there were the first tv programmes. Sitting there mesmerised by opera singing etc!! Quatermass was a must see. Couldn't wait to see what was going to happen down Hobbs Lane.....but did anything actually happen? I can't remember a finale just a big hole in the ground. Of course, real excitement also arrived later in the form of Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide. What else did we listen to or watch? I can still remember all the words to the Esso Blue ads on tv and the Typhoo tea ad...."When the typewriter bell goes ding ding ding......" They were all quite good fun, not like now when there's more ads than programme.

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 14 November 2008 at 22:18 - IP Logged How about Journey into Space on the wireless? 8 o'clock, Monday or Tuesday evenings. On Saturday mornings, songs on Childrens Favourites, called something like that.There was Children's Hour at teatime, with Uncle Mac!

Reply by Liz from Dover on 15 November 2008 at 06:40 - IP Logged Oh lovely stuff Pat and Maggie I can vividly remember at about the age of six or seven on a Saturday night, sitting in me tin bath with one arm getting roasted by the fire and the other freezing listening to In Town Tonight or Dick Barton Special Agent. Then there was Toytown with Larry the Lamb, Denis the Dachound and Mr Growser the grocer as you reminded me Maggie, Childrens Hour with Uncle Mac and his "Goodnight children everywhere". And of course we never missed the first Quartermass stories on the radio and always listened to the Sunday programmes like Billy Cotton and Rays a Laugh after dinner (we didnt have lunch then) Oh yes, I believe that that Five Boys chocolate was begun during the First World War, with five different flavours (I think that at the time I was told there was only the peppermint one in production, though a few years later Frys did bring back the fruit flavours.) Is it only me chaps or can anyone else remember the various very distinctive smells that hit you when you walked in various places. The wonderful smell of books and polish of the library for instance, lovely mixed smells of sweeties and tobacco in the sweetie shops, the sawdust smell mixed with the raw meat in Gingers for instance, for me the smell goes with the memory. In fact I'll confess a closly guarded secret, when I was quite small I used to hang around Roses garage just sniffing the petroly air. Oh just remembered - does anyone remember the big tubs of broken biscuits etc in Roses grocer shop. Being sent there gave me the excuse to hang round the garage, from where I was always being sent on my way.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 17 November 2008 at 23:40 - IP Logged Radio programmes and smells!! Now that'll get the old grey cells turning over! Radio - do you remember that in the pre-tv days, the centre of family life was the Radio. it was always on. I distinctly remember Sunday mornings..there was a programme called "Chapel in the Valley" (all popular hymns) and then of course 2-way or3-way Family Favourites, and the Billy Cotton Band show. If you ever saw the TV programme "Darling Buds of May" there was a most nostalgic look at Sunday mornings with Ma larkin cooking Sunday Lunch and the radio on in the background. In fact, the Darling Buds of May was set in our 50s time, so is full of those memories we've been reliving. Another thought - the wonderful children's classic THE RAILWAY CHILDREN : I first heard that on Children's Hour. And (harking back to a previous reference in these notes) I think at one time Antony Buckeridge's JENNINGS was serialise don Children's Hour. Not So odd Liz, I too remember the distinctive smells of Roses Garage and the Oil and petrol. Sweet shops too had their own smells as did the Butchers and perhaps the most obvious - Maggie - you will remember this...THE BAKERS. hEY - YOU'RE RIGHT lIZE, WE HAD dINNER AT MID-DAY and Tea in the evening. Mind you, living as I do now "Up North" we still have Dinner at mid-day and Tea at Teatime (does that make sense??- you know what I mean). Liz: a final tale to recount this evening. Your mention of Broken biscuits reminded me of it. We all remember, don't we, that when we were young our parents and grandparents were always "threatening" us into behaving ourselves. Well, when I was about 13 or so, my Granty (dear old Fred Field) let slip one evening when we were all talking, that when HE was a lad, he and his mates used to go into the Grocers Shops to ask if they had any Broken Biscuits. On being told "Yes", Fred and his mates used to shout at the shop;-keeper " You shouldn't have been so clumsy and dropped the tin" - and then flee from the shop. And they talked about the way we behaved!! More tales from our golden years another day....

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 18 November 2008 at 11:22 - IP Logged Another wireless programme came to mind "Life with the Lyons". Did it transfer to the TV? My Granty and Granny Marsh always had supper at 9 o'clock listening to the news. Had the chimes of Big Ben before it started. It was probably a habit left over from the war, when people must have listened for news of the fighting. They always had a cup of Bournvita and ginger nuts. Of course there were the Ovaltinies. Do they still make the two now? I suppose the Empire operated during the war, there would have been Pathe News. Yes Ian, brought back memories of going in the back door of the bakehouse, that was in New St. There was a huge mixer for the dough. Everthing else was done by hand. I always liked being allowed through the shop to the bakery, Miss Ellender worked in the shop. I seem to remember that her father had a bakery, but can't remember where it could have been. As to the smells, at times I smell Condor tobacco which my Granty smoked in a pipe, don't think it was used for roll ups! It always comes with a picture of a Sunday evening in early summer, and what quietness. That has just reminded me of being on the Green in the summer about 4pm, and there was a wonderful echo when you shouted.

Reply by michael rowan from new zealand on 18 November 2008 at 23:39 - IP Logged 'Smells' well they are well known for bringing back memories, some that i remember are the sharpening of wooden pencils at SPS and of course all of the bakery and butchers smells. A group of smells that I particularly remember are the weird collection as you left SPS and walked along Loop St. First came the awful pong of the tannery, then the equally nasty smell of the 'slaughter house' (a mixture of death, meat, singed hair, horn and dung). While you were savouring this mixture you would get a whiff of the acrid mixture of plastics from the 'button factory'. If you were lucky then by the time you reached the Butts the grass had been freshly cut. I bet that Mel Prett enjoys the smells of lavender in France, I remeber sharing the train journey to Broadstairs with Mel rather a large number of years ago. Ian you write often here, I remember you when we were all very young, I lived in Woodnesborough Rd next door to Judith Smith (who is still in Sandwich) we were at the bottom of Boatmans Hill almost at Sandwood Rd. I am a couple of years youger than you though. Reading older comments in this thread, I see that Pat you mention your aunt Ada and uncle Bert, well I remember them well. They lived across the road and down a bit. My father (Les) worked for Harold Durban and later for his son John. They had their 'yard' across the road next to your aunt and uncle. By the way , where in Queensland are you Pat, were you in Wellington before? It is strange how we all have similar memories such as 'blackberrying at Richborough, sliding down the slope of the Millwall (on the dirt with just shoes to slide on) I tried a toboggan but one comes to a rather sudden stop!! and then the Worth path, it's seems a wonder now that we could ever find space to walk with all of the crowds of children there must have been! The other thing about walking along Loop St. that I have just remembered, is hoping that you were not going to be met by a mad rush of cattle being driven to the 'slaughter house' I used to be scared witless if I saw them coming my way, with no where to escape to. Well I must get back to work (not retired yet) I'm now a secondary teacher so be careful about those teacher comments! Also in the Kent police for four years (1970 to 74) Keep enjoying the memories all, I am.

Reply by Ian from Wigan on 19 November 2008 at 00:52 - IP Logged Maggie. Bournvita and Ginger Biscuits...now there's a couple of happy memory; I always preferred that to Ovaltine. But oh how you make me feel old. I have never smoked cigarettes, but started smoking a pipe when I as about 18 or so..and what do I smoke????Condor! Funnily enough my own condor memories go back to when I was about 14 or so. My uncle Ted lived in the bungalows at the top of laburnum Ave (old one) and he smoked Condor. Michael - remember you and your sister well. Apart from anything else, didn't we all go to the Salvation Army Sunday School towards the end of the 50s? Sure it was you...or is that another senior moment? And your description of the various smells in Loop Street...so accurate and priceless.

Reply by Pat from Australia on 20 November 2008 at 20:20 - IP Logged Loved your memories Michael. We are in Redcliffe, Queensland which is just north of Brisbane, on the coast opposite Moreton Island. Yes, we used to live in New Zealand, in Raumati South just north of Wellington, opposite Kapiti Island. (what made you ask that?) Our youngest daughter was born at Paraparaumu. Peter still has a business in the Hutt Valley, DCR (Darn Cheap Rentals) a car hire firm, perhaps you've heard of it. His children help run it while he's over here having a good time and sailing around. He's just bought a motorbike by the way. I'm hoping that he'll mostly keep it in his garage and polish it but he has turned up here on it a couple of times....it's almost like old times!!!

Reply by Liz from Dover on 20 November 2008 at 22:50 - IP Logged Have you rode pillion with him for old times sake yet Patty Pat. L x

Reply by Margaret from Eastbourne on 21 November 2008 at 11:14 - IP Logged Yes, lovely evocative memories of smells, Michael! And did anyone listen to "Write Me a Letter" on Children's Hour - introduced by Leroy Anderson's "The Typewriter" music? I was thrilled when a sentence from one of my letters was once quoted. My mother always listened to Mrs Dale's Diary, with such strange characters as "Monument" ... and I of course listened to "Listen With Mother", where I learnt the nursery rhymes that I now sing to my baby granddaughter. We got a television for the Coronation in 1953, and thereafter used to watch The Grove Family (in which Grandma Grove was frequently "faint from lack of nourishment") and The Appleyards. And a very strange programme called The Bumblies, with I think Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine - they seemed to be odd creatures that would move up and down in the air, and there was a song: "I'm Bumbly Number One, and Bumbly Number Two ... and I'm the one that's not very bright, I'm Bumbly Number Three!"

Reply by Maggie from Portchester on 22 November 2008 at 10:33 - IP Logged Don't know why Margaret but you brought to mind games we used to play as well as listening to the wireless. Ludo was a favourite in our house, sounds tame nowadays. My gt aunt taught me to play crib, so she could beat me probably! She also taught me Patience or as they prefer now Solitaire, also Clock Patience. There must be others which I can't remember at the moment.

Reply by Open Sandwich from Sandwich on 22 November 2008 at 14:10 - IP Logged Apologies for interrupting the thread but the Open Sandwich website is about to under go a major update. There is now a new message board - please continue to post your memories there Click Here for new Message board Note - you will still be able to view this old guestbook but you won't be able to post any messages or replies. Best wishes from Sue

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