The Francis Frith Collection.
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Appledore photos (3 available)

Old photo of Appledore

Appledore maps (2 available)

Old map of Appledore

Appledore books (11 available)

Appledore memories

Collecting runner beans

Appledore, the street 1955

My mothers' side of the family all come from Appledore and thereabouts.
I have 3 out of 4 of older sisters who were all born in Appledore. I was born in Wallsend on Tyne. My mother and father (he was stationed at Appledore in the second world war), moved up to Wallsend before I was born. But, when I was very young, we would travel down to Appledore during school holidays, I enjoyed these trips tremendously and have many happy memories of Appledore. In particular, I remember collecting runner beans from my Uncle Lens' smallholding along with other members of my family.
I still have cousins and an Aunt who live in the village and nearby but, unfortunately, we don't seem ...read more here
Contributed by Lenny Wright

Kent memories

Collecting runner beans

Appledore, the street 1955

My mothers' side of the family all come from Appledore and thereabouts.
I have 3 out of 4 of older sisters who were all born in Appledore. I was born in Wallsend on Tyne. My mother and father (he was stationed at Appledore in the second world war), moved up to Wallsend before I was born. But, when I was very young, we would travel down to Appledore during school holidays, I enjoyed these trips tremendously and have many happy memories of Appledore. In particular, I remember collecting runner beans from my Uncle Lens' smallholding along with other members of my family.
I still have cousins and an Aunt who live in the village and nearby but, unfortunately, we don't seem ...read more here
A memory of Appledore contributed by Lenny Wright

Clare House

Tenterden, Clare House 2004

Does anyone know where the name Clare House came from? Is this property in the High Street, north side? I had relations surnamed 'Clare' who lived in a very similar property in the 1930/40s. The front door is different now, and steps went up to it.  Any information please?
A memory of Tenterden contributed by Jill Howell

My memories of Bilsington

I can remember moving to Bilsington village when I was just over seven years old.
I attended Bilsington Primary School and have clear memories of Miss Fellows (the headmistress). She had a kind heart I think but at the time she seemed very strict to me. She would take us off for nature walks and it was during these times that I learned to love the soft greens of the countryside. She would point out to us the wonders of the wildlife and plants and we would pick grasses and wild flowers to take back and decorate our classroom with.
Our Sports Days were held in the field opposite the school ( the one with the monument in) and ...read more here
A memory of Bilsington contributed by Creina Lightle

Extracts From Appledore & Kent books

Pegwell, High Street 1907

On the right is the old Belle Vue Tavern dating back to the 1760s, which was an earlier haunt for smugglers. In 1831, the landlord Mr John Cramp received a visit from the Duchess of Kent and her daughter Princess Victoria; they dined on potted shrimp paste. Later, Mr Cramp received the Royal Appointment of Purveyor of Essence of Shrimps in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen. On the left are the Floral Tea Gardens followed by the Pear Tree Inn, later Samuel Banger’s potted shrimp paste factory. His small paste pots had highly decorated lids depicting scenes of Pegwell; today they are valuable antiques.
An extract from from"Ramsgate Old and New Photographic Memories".

Ramsgate, Spencer Square 1890

Work on building this elegant square started in 1802 after James Townley bought the ground. The buildings on the left were officers’ quarters during the Napoleonic Wars. The square was a large parade ground, and nearby Addington Street was a military camp. Frith’s photographer was standing outside No 6 Royal Road, where Vincent Van Gogh had stayed.
An extract from from"Ramsgate Old and New Photographic Memories".

Here we see three of eight classical-style statues holding lanterns which stood at the junction of the High Street and George Street outside Sangers Amphitheatre and Hotel between 1911 and 1913. Six statues were removed and erected outside the Hall by the sea in Margate; the other two remained until 1939. There was controversy surrounding these figures: in 1908, Alderman Gwyn called them ‘an eyesore and a disfigurement’. Lord George Sanger had seen the originals of the statues in Paris outside the Grand Opera House in 1883, and had eight replicas cast, paying £50 per figure for the transport and erection of these statues. Opposite is Lloyds Bank, which moved to new premises in 1928, renting the building to the NatWest Bank. The piano sign next door denotes Golden & Wind’s premises.
An extract from from"Ramsgate Old and New Photographic Memories".

Here we have a tranquil view at low water of the inner basin. On the extreme right is the Clock House. To its left in Smeaton’s dry dock is a sailing vessel being repaired. The fishing smacks in the foreground have RE numbers, denoting that they are registered in Ramsgate; later the E was dropped and only the letter R used.
An extract from from"Ramsgate Old and New Photographic Memories".

Minster-In-Thanet, Abbey 1894

The abbey stands on the site of a Saxon nunnery set up by Domneva, and run by St Augustine’s monks from Canterbury; it was destroyed in the ninth century by the invading Danes. Rebuilding started in the 11th century. The year 1538 saw the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII, and the land reverted to the Crown. Later, ownership of the grounds went to the Conyngham family and various tenant farmers until 1937, when a community of German Benedictine nuns bought the monastery and 10 acres of land.
An extract from from"Ramsgate Old and New Photographic Memories".