tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post5941201134022196490..comments2024-03-19T00:13:22.599+00:00Comments on LETTERS FROM SHEPPEY: Growing up in Sheppey - Part 2Derek Faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05140363868104172311noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-21499053578820973262023-11-19T13:30:59.758+00:002023-11-19T13:30:59.758+00:00Thank you for sharing these memories! Does anybody...Thank you for sharing these memories! Does anybody remember the Proctor family who lived on Winstanley Road in Sheerness in the 1940's / 50's?Ruislip_Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01052043003806308774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-44780628716843774122020-04-04T09:14:20.040+01:002020-04-04T09:14:20.040+01:00Hi I am in process of writing my memoirs for my fa...Hi I am in process of writing my memoirs for my family. I was born 1948 lived at 20 Clyde Street and lived very similar lifestyle. Also attended Alexandra, Delemark and Sheernes Secondary. Fantastic memories. Willing to Chat. Ian SMITH Irvinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971075433905380082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-67005575621522642312019-10-18T00:26:40.639+01:002019-10-18T00:26:40.639+01:00Hi Sue
Just found your message. I was also born in...Hi Sue<br />Just found your message. I was also born in 1951 and lived in Sheerness for 20 years. I have lots of wonderful memories of growing up there. The swimming baths. The youth club. Morrelies coffee bar. The Argosy and Ritz cinema's. I live in Wales now but go back to visit my sister sometimes. But the place is not the same. It's lost all its character sadly.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12607743416644244556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-56690862214058040152018-09-28T17:54:25.370+01:002018-09-28T17:54:25.370+01:00This article bought back many memories I thought I...This article bought back many memories I thought I had lost. I started at Alexandra Road in 1954 I believe. I remember my first day very well, and with shame. Similar to you, I was traumatized at being separated from my mother. I remember being led into the classroom where I prSomptly stood in the middle of the floor and wet myself. Ashamed of that to this day. I remember the network of alleys that connected Jefferson Road with Alexandra Road and later Delemark Road. I did not know they had names. My father was a bus driver. Ted Bentley. He was well known around the island. Like your dad, he only lived for work and the pub - the Blacksmiths Arms. I think there was friction there with my mum, but it was pretty well hidden. I think the British Admiral was tucked away round the back of the end of Jefferson Road. If so, we called it "Gwen's Pub" as she was the landlady. Very friendly. I liked her and her husband George a lot.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00960670931561249887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-36765104253917924892016-10-13T17:23:32.273+01:002016-10-13T17:23:32.273+01:00Hi Derek, I couldn't have put it better. Your ...Hi Derek, I couldn't have put it better. Your experiences not only mirror my own, but could actually have been mine. You see I actually remember you from your days in Unity Street because I was born in the front bedroom of number 96 in February 1947. I used to play for hours with my brother Nicholas (you may remember him, he wore leg irons) and my sister Heather in the back alley and up the beach. And, like you, spend more time than was good for us in the Blacksmith's. I too remember the arrowroot biscuits, and my father's life just like yours seemed to revolve more around the pub than the family. Sadly he died early out of turn as well. Not quite as young as your dad, but in an accident at work at the age of 58. Do you remember Gerald Gel or Ivan Winch? I've not seen either of them from that day to this, but they were very much around at the time. I went to both Alexandra Road infant and Delamark Road junior schools at the same time as you and then managed to squeeze into the Tech. Like you we eventually moved from the primitive house in Unity Street, and ours was exactly the same as yours, to the 'luxury' of Vincent Gardens. We left the island in 1959 and moved to Portsmouth due to the rundown and eventual closure of the Dockyard where my dad worked. You're right Derek, primitive though those conditions were, we had great fun and learnt great life skills from a very early age. Who these days would let their seven or eight-year-old child draw up an open fire with the Sunday Pictorial until it started to scorch? Well I did, and what's more, I survived! Take care and keep up the good work. Regards Clifford BallAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10702951106822830276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-46413652420928860372015-01-08T13:49:30.088+00:002015-01-08T13:49:30.088+00:00I too spent my formative years in playing in the b...I too spent my formative years in playing in the back alley of Winstanley Road. I moved on to The True Brit when I was older ! Then to the big smoke, but my heart remains in Sheppey. Maureen Oliva ( nee Dowding)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07184987693712206623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-82033753744319701372014-03-13T12:43:12.350+00:002014-03-13T12:43:12.350+00:00Hi Derek, I can relate to all you have written hav...Hi Derek, I can relate to all you have written having been brought up in Sheppey. I was age 10 in 1961 and lived in halfway road sheerness. I was actually born in the house we lived in. I have fond memories too. Too many to mention. I loved the donkey rides at the fairground and the Gypsies! We children often picked winkles, blackberries etc and would even do scrumping in the orchards. We emigrated to australia in 1962 and I have lived here ever since but I still call England home.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09973316121302098338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-90505597709501189722014-01-20T06:02:24.611+00:002014-01-20T06:02:24.611+00:00Thanks again Ken.
I agree entirely with the fact t...Thanks again Ken.<br />I agree entirely with the fact that we were lucky to grow up in the era that we did and have, I'd happily go back and do it all again.Derek Faulknerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05140363868104172311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367416329197066280.post-23091987817129693932014-01-19T20:50:22.663+00:002014-01-19T20:50:22.663+00:00Hi Derek,
I hope that Midge is making good progres...Hi Derek,<br />I hope that Midge is making good progress.<br />I've only just caught up with your articles and all I can say is long may the wet weather continue if it means that you are going to have to carry on posting such fascinating memories. I'm sure that many members must have similar stories to tell but having spent my formative years in Sheerness and knowing the areas and living conditions you describe so vividly, makes your tales are particularly poignant.<br />It may not have seemed like it at the time, but I think that we were lucky to grow up in those times and with such freedom to roam.<br />Very many thanks,<br />Ken L Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16799127029576136372noreply@blogger.com