Post by Les on Nov 11, 2017 4:47:22 GMT
09/08/2013
Maidstone I remember it well: Jennifer Garner: One thought about your 'friends' who lived on the Foster Clark estate. Go to your local library and ask about the famous Kelly's Street Directories. Not too sure when these brilliant directories ceased being published but I'm sure they were still around in the 50's and 60's. Failing that as you now know there were only 2 streets Upper and Lower Road then maybe take a look at the Electoral Register for these times. As in my day ALL my parents friends were known as Aunty or Uncle, related or not!! John Ford: Georgie Fame and the Blue flames were indeed regular performers at the Star. What a great place the Star used to be. Even the Mods and Rockers of Maidstone used to put aside their differences inside for a couple of hours!! My older brother Michael used to be known as Top Mod in Maidstone and often appeared in Kent Messenger as the epitome of the Mod movement. Which was good for him BUT meant I often became the Target of revenge for some of the local rockers. I remember one thing my late father advised me, even though he wasn't a violent man by nature: He said if you get confronted by any 'Gang' then take out the leader in front of his mates and they will think again!! Though not for one instance would I advocate violence (I really wouldn't) BUT I heeded his advice on a few occasions and guess what? The word soon got round not to 'mess' with me AND they didn't or my great friend Trevor Miles who was also targeted, albeit briefly!! Must stress I don't believe in violence BUT do believe in self preservation!! Having written that brought me to remember going down the top of the High Street towards the Canon with me and 6 other friends ALL piled up on my scooter and a local bobby stepping out in front of me with his hand in the air shouting STOP!! Well like an idiot I braked and all 7 of us fell in a heap on top of the copper!! We ended up at the Cop Shop next to the bus station where the immortal words of horror were said: "Wait until we tell your father" AND they did!! Strangely enough I never did that again!! Those were the days as Mary Hopkin used to sing!!
Maidstone I remember it well: Jennifer Garner: One thought about your 'friends' who lived on the Foster Clark estate. Go to your local library and ask about the famous Kelly's Street Directories. Not too sure when these brilliant directories ceased being published but I'm sure they were still around in the 50's and 60's. Failing that as you now know there were only 2 streets Upper and Lower Road then maybe take a look at the Electoral Register for these times. As in my day ALL my parents friends were known as Aunty or Uncle, related or not!! John Ford: Georgie Fame and the Blue flames were indeed regular performers at the Star. What a great place the Star used to be. Even the Mods and Rockers of Maidstone used to put aside their differences inside for a couple of hours!! My older brother Michael used to be known as Top Mod in Maidstone and often appeared in Kent Messenger as the epitome of the Mod movement. Which was good for him BUT meant I often became the Target of revenge for some of the local rockers. I remember one thing my late father advised me, even though he wasn't a violent man by nature: He said if you get confronted by any 'Gang' then take out the leader in front of his mates and they will think again!! Though not for one instance would I advocate violence (I really wouldn't) BUT I heeded his advice on a few occasions and guess what? The word soon got round not to 'mess' with me AND they didn't or my great friend Trevor Miles who was also targeted, albeit briefly!! Must stress I don't believe in violence BUT do believe in self preservation!! Having written that brought me to remember going down the top of the High Street towards the Canon with me and 6 other friends ALL piled up on my scooter and a local bobby stepping out in front of me with his hand in the air shouting STOP!! Well like an idiot I braked and all 7 of us fell in a heap on top of the copper!! We ended up at the Cop Shop next to the bus station where the immortal words of horror were said: "Wait until we tell your father" AND they did!! Strangely enough I never did that again!! Those were the days as Mary Hopkin used to sing!!