Post by Les on Dec 11, 2017 2:23:27 GMT
Delighted to recognise two names in a submission, Sheila Collins and Zandra Scotcher
- I may have kitted them out in the QM stores of 303 Bn 303 Kent WRAC at the Drill Hall Union St.
Last I heard was that Sheila became a police driver.
On a visit recently to see my brother John Morrison I noticed it has been replaced with new housing.
I remember the buses taking us to dances in the area, such as the old fire school at Linton.
Going back some, while attending Southborough school my family were part of the postwar squatters and we lived at Central Camp, Mote Park in a Nissan hut.
Very primitive to start with, lighting by paraffin lamps heating by a combustion stove, cooking on a primus until we were issued with a Kitchener stove.
Coal still on ration and gathering twigs and bits of wood etc on way from school. No school bus then!
We eventually had a stand pipe for water about 30ft from our hut and bucket toilets were built near each hut.
Before this we had a long trek to huts at the back of the manor (later turned into Cheshire Home) where the only toilets were.
Years later I went on a quick tour of Mote Park and diverting from main group, was able to struggle through undergrowth and led my husband straight to the stand pipe!
There was such a good atmosphere though living like that people mucked in to help each other. Also makes you grateful for everything you have now and realise how lucky we are to live the way we do today.
My family moved eventually to Foster Clark Estate, and the only vehicle in Lower Road, was a lorry used for work by Mr Dunk!
I went around that area recently and cars were everywhere - how things change. Maidstone today is so hectic, all that traffic! Years ago you drove down Week Street, Gabriel's Hill past Water Lane which used to flood in bad winters right up to the lower entrance of The Malls, on to the Granada (disappointed to see it looking so bedraggled, it was such a glam cinema) up Stone Street.
There used to be a tiny cafe Ma Bishops, it was so cosy and she made lovely tea. Gingers bazaar was nearby and they'd be things hanging all over the walls and above you all to do with hardware. I must divert on my next visit from Basingstoke to Maidstone, no doubt I'll have a few more memories jogged