Monday 17 December 2012

Rainham Police Station Demolition - Redevelopment to Flats

Rainham Police station is finally being redeveloped after many years lying empty following the closure and move to new Medway Police station in 2006. The former Rainham police station was located on Berengrave Lane parallel to the A2 High Street/Sovereign Boulevard.

These photos of Rainham Police station were taken in Dec 2012 just as the boarding was being put round the building for demolition. Planning permission was granted for flats but no work has taken place since the site was offered for sale by Cluttons.


Rainham Police Station Demolition - redevelopment to flats
Rainham Police Station Demolition 2012


Rainham Police Station Demolition - redevelopment to flats
Rainham Police Station - Berengrave Lane panorama - redevelopment to flats

Monday 10 December 2012

Rainham History Now on Facebook

I've been looking for better ways for anyone interested in the history of Rainham to be able to interact and ask/answer questions. The old forum had its uses but really doesn't work anymore so a new Facebook page has now been setup.

Rainham History Now on Facebook
Rainham History Now on Facebook

If you are on Facebook you can go to http://www.facebook.com/RainhamHistory and hopefully we can get a community of people interested in the history of the area that are able to get in touch with each other.

Thursday 11 October 2012

Great Storm of 1987 in Kent Hurricane Winds Batter UK

Great Storm of 1987 in Kent - Hurricane Force Winds Hit SE England


Along with much of the rest of the South East of England, Kent was affected by the severe winds in 15/16 October 1987 resulting in hurricane force winds that destroyed many trees and damaged lots of buildings in the area. The event was made more famous by Michael Fish's comments on TV weather forecast that no hurricane was on its way a few hours before it struck. This gallery shows a selection of images of the immediate aftermath and of trees uprooted taken some weeks later near Queendown Warren.

You can see the scale of the tree roots that have been ripped out of the ground compared to the person standing next to them which gives an idea of the ferocity of the hurricane force winds that hit Kent on 15/16 October 1987

http://www.rainham-history.co.uk/articleslist/147-1987-hurricane-photos

Newspaper headlines on the Great Storm of 1987 showing ferry blown ashore in Kent by Hurricane winds. Sealink car ferry the Hengist was blown ashore at Folkestone Kent


Great Storm 1987 Kent Hurricane
Great Storm 1987 Kent Hurricane



Thursday 28 June 2012

1950s Outing Photos Rainham Kent


Photos of South Eastern Gas Board outing from Rainham Kent, approx 1950. Can anyone recognise any of the people?

Photos of South Eastern Gas Board outing from Rainham Kent, approx 1950
Photos of South Eastern Gas Board outing from Rainham Kent, approx 1950






Photos of coach outing from Rainham Kent,TOCH?, approx 1950s
Photos of coach outing from Rainham Kent,TOCH?, approx 1950s

Saturday 23 June 2012

View from Rainham Church Tower - St Margarets Tower Photos

The church tower at St Margarets Rainham was open today to allow members of the public to go up and view the local area from the high vantage point. It was interesting to be able to go up and compare the view of Rainham to the last time I went up in 2002. The other difference was that this time I had a 21Mp digital camera to photograph the scene and decided to take some panoramic shots of the views - these shots are 12000 pixels wide - thats the equivalent of a 50 megapixel camera image!


View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Grain
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Grain
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Sittingbourne
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Sittingbourne


View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards churchyard
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards churchyard
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Gillingham
View of Rainham Kent from Church tower - looking towards Gillingham

Thursday 14 June 2012

Falklands War Thatcher Triumphs: The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982-Thatcher Triumphs as War Doubts Linger
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982-Thatcher Triumphs as War Doubts Linger
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982-Thatcher Triumphs as War Doubts Linger

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982-Thatcher Triumphs as War Doubts Linger
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 16 June 1982-Thatcher Triumphs as War Doubts Linger

Wednesday 13 June 2012

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 15 June 1982- Ceasefire in Falklands as Stanley Surrended

Falklands War News: 14 June 1982- The Final Push to Liberate Port Stanley

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 14 June 1982- The Final Push to Liberate Port Stanley

The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 14 June 1982- The Final Push to Liberate Port Stanley
Other news - Israel attacks Lebanon, King Fahd succeeds to Saudi throne
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 14 June 1982- The Final Push to Liberate Port Stanley
The Guardian Newspaper headlines from the Falklands War: 14 June 1982- The Final Push to Liberate Port Stanley

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Saturday 2 June 2012

Rainham's Coronation Clock - When Was the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II?

With the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the UK this weekend Ithought it would be appropriate to post some information about the clock erected in Rainham to celebrate the Coronation.

Coronation Clock and wall plaque on Barclays Bank Rainham
The clock on Barclays Bank in Rainham Kent was erected to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953. You can see the Coronation clock on the wall of Barclays Bank in the photo below:

Coronation clock Rainham Kent
There is also a plaque on the wall of Barclays to commemorate the Coronation. Until I read the inscription for writing this article I'd assumed that the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place in 1952 as we are celebrating the Jubilee in 2012. However on closer inspection the date is actually 2 June 1953 which led me to check if the clock was installed the year after instead.

Plaque to celebrate Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Having checked the date online it appears that although Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952 the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II actually took place the following year so in 2012  we are celebrating the accession to the throne sixty years ago rather than 60 years since the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Friday 1 June 2012

Rainham History in Kent Family History Society Journal

Kent Family History Society have kindly printed an article written by Alan Makey about the History of Rainham with some information about the Rainham History website.

You can read the article in Vol 13 No 7 of the Kent Family History Society Journal.

Old Rainham - The Cricketers pub in 1950s

Rainham Jubilee Parade

This is a video of the Rainham Jubilee parade in 2002 showing iconic vehicles from the previous 50 years. Unfortunately the video isn't fantastic quality - and certainly isn't HD!

Rainham Jubilee Parade June 2002

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Falklands War: Casualty secrecy fuels fear on toll

Falklands War: Casualty secrecy fuels fear on toll
The Guardian news headlines - Falklands War: Casualty secrecy fuels fear on toll

Friday 25 May 2012

Falklands War 1982 - British Propaganda Leaflets

As the Falklands War was drawing to a conclusion in May 1982 the British were dropping propaganda leaflets across the islands to encourage the Argentine soldiers, primarily conscripts to surrender and to generally try to damage their morale.

Falklands War Safe conduct pass leaflet

Falklands war propaganda leaflets

Falklands war propaganda leaflets - Radio Atlantico Del Sur
These are copies of the leaflets dropped by the British forces in the Falkands War. The leaflets include messages in English and Spanish as well of details of a radio station broadcasting messages to the Argentine troops. The leaflet has a Safe Conduct pass included on one page to allow the Argentinian troops to surrender safely and guaranteeing their safe passage. It was believed that they had been told by their commanders that the British would kill them rather than take prisoners.

Radio Atlantico Del Sur broadcast on 9.71MHz.

Tuesday 15 May 2012

NEW PRIMETIME PROPERTY PROGRAMME OFFERING ASPIRATIONAL MAKEOVERS FROM TOP DESIGNERS

I am working on an exciting new property programme for a major TV channel.  The show will transmit in a prime time slot.

We are currently looking for homeowners who would like the opportunity to have a top interior designer revamp their home, creating an aspirational and visually stunning transformation.   

The criteria is quite specific in that I need three households who all live in architecturally identical properties, for example all 3 houses might be a Victorian terraced or a 1930’s semi or they could all be Georgian townhouses.    

I wondered if this might be something for your members/parents and I would be grateful if you would consider bringing the show to their attention.    

Splash Media are an independent television production company founded in 2006 by ex BBC Head of Entertainment Jane Lush and BBC Executive Fenia Vardanis.
We have developed and broadcast successful property shows in the past such as Fantasy Homes by the Sea and Celebrity Fantasy Homes with Gaby Roslin, Piers Morgan On…Dubai/ Monte Carlo/ Sandbanks etc for ITV1 and we are currently in production with a new property series called Marbella Mansions. Splash Media has experience of working with major British Broadcasters making a wide range of programmes including James Martin’s Operation Hospital Food for BBC ONE, Great British Hairdresser for E4 and Cleverdicks, a new quiz hosted by Ann Widdecombe for SKY.

Please contact  SarahAllen@splashmediatv.co.uk

Saturday 5 May 2012

Falklands War - News Headlines 6 May 1982 - Two Jets Lost



Falklands War - News Headlines 6 May 1982 -  Two Jets Lost as peace efforts founder


Falklands War - News Headlines 6 May 1982 -  Two Jets Lost

Falklands War - News Headlines 5 May 1982 - Fleet may pull back to avoid missile attacks

The burning hulk of the destroyer HMS Sheffield was still visible off the Falklands yesterday visible proof of a fatal flaw in the air defences of the Royal Navy's task force. She was lying about 70 miles from the islands' coast, where she was hit on Tuesday aHernoon by a longrange missile from an Argentinian naval bomber.
Fleet may pull back to avoid missile attacks

Friday 4 May 2012

Temperance Hotel -Station Road Rainham, Bessie Humpreys

I have received the message below. If anyone is able to help shed any light on the questions please post your replies as comments below: I was guided to your address through your web site, and also from Freddie Cooper’s site, and wondered whether you could offer me any suggestions for solving a family mystery? My paternal grandparents (who I did not know) were from Northampton where my grandfather was a shoe maker. They married in 1887 in a Baptist church in that city and immediately moved to Brighton where he set up a small shop making and selling his shoes and boots in Edwards Street. They remained in Brighton for the rest of their lives and had 8 children, the last 5 of which were born in Rainham between 1895 and 1905. I only have the birth certificate of the last child who was my father who died in 1967, and this gives his place of birth in 1905 as ‘Station Road, Rainham’. The mystery is why my grandmother went all the way to Rainham for her confinement. We can find no family connection with the town, and a quick glance at the 1901 census only offers the remote possibility of the Temperance Hotel in Station Road where the ‘Head’ was a Bessie Humphreys single, age 27, whose occupation was Midwife (?LOS) and she was born in Brighton. She was 12 years younger than my grandmother which seems o.k. and it may be that she undertook her midwifery course at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Kemp Town, Brighton which is close to where my grandparents lived. Probably wishful thinking but I can find no other slight link between my grandparents and Rainham and wondered whether you might tell me any more about the Temperance Hotel or it’s Bessie Humphreys, or whether you might have any other thoughts about why she should have travelled to your town. Any ideas or suggestions will be most welcome, Thank you, Chris Woods retired mariner, Norfolk (born Brighton)

Falkland War - News Headlines 4 May 1982 - HMS Sheffield Destroyed

Falkland War - News Headlines 4 May 1982 - HMS Sheffield & Sea Harrier Destroyed


HMS Sheffield was hit by an Exocet missile from an Argentine bomber and a Sea Harrier was shot down while attacking an airstrip on the Falklands. The news was announced by the Ministry of Defence by their spokesman Ian Macdonald in what was to become a familiar voice over the coming weeks as all news from the frontline was far more controlled than is the case now with internet. It is hard to believe now how restricted the news at the time was and that word of casualties could be contained. Later on in the war the attacks on soldiers disembarking were kept secret for several days leading to speculation about the extent of the losses which will be seen in future headlines.


Falkland War - News Headlines 5 May 1982 - HMS Sheffield Destroyed


Thursday 3 May 2012

Falklands War News Headlines 1982 - Exclusion Zone Extended



Falklands War News Headlines 1982 - Exclusion Zone Extended



Falklands War News Headlines - Zone Extended

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Wettest April for 100 Years - Highest April Rain since Records Began

The Met Office have now confirmed that April 2012 was the wettest April for 100 years or since records began. Our weather station shows the massive variation between March and April 2012 with March showing 20mm of rain and April recording a massive 137mm of rain falling during the month.

Wettest April for a century - highest monthly rainfall since records began
You can view the Rainham weather station records here with the rainfall figures for April 2012 as well as previous months.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Falkland War - News Headlines 24 April 1982

Falkland War - The Guardian News Headlines 24 April 1982

Fleet poised for attack as peace hopes fade


Fleet poised for attack as peace hopes fade

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Falkland War - News Headlines 5 April 1982

Falkland War - News Headlines 5 April 1982

Falklands War - Headlines from 1982 - 31 March 1982 Crisis Develops 31 March 1982

Although not directly related to Rainham with the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War that took place in 1982 I thought it might be appropriate to share some newspaper headlines from each day as the events developed. These are from papers that were used as part of a research project at the time.

The invasion of the Falklands took place on 2 April 1982 but even a few days previously it was being reported that a crisis was developing. This headline was from 31 March 1982

Sunday 4 March 2012

Jubilee - Help Required by BBC South East Today

BBC SOUTH EAST TODAY – JUBILEE FEATURES

Dear Sirs,

My name is Joanne Curtis and I work for BBC South East Today setting up future features for the TV news.

I’ve been assigned to work on our Jubilee coverage and over the coming weeks will research and produce features on this subject.  So, I’m on the lookout for any local stories with relevance to the Queen, her visits, people’s memories and recollections of meeting her.  As well as the way communities have celebrated royal occasions throughout the years etc.

I’m on the hunt for feature ideas which will have local resonance / relevance and be of real interest to our viewers.   I’m keen to liaise with you over this to see if there are any possible ideas you may be able to suggest.

One of the features we regularly run on BBC South East Today is called “my photo” where members of the public show us a treasured photo showing them doing something unique, or meeting someone famous or participating in a historic event.    We then interview them about their memories.    I’m therefore keen to track down people from the South East who will have photographs of themselves meeting the Queen.  

We are also interested in finding streets / villages where residents have regularly put on Jubilee celebrations.  Plus, I’m keen to find out more about events being planned in our region to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this year.

I am also looking to find companies who were set up after the Queen’s Coronation or after the Silver Jubilee and to seek out local companies who have royal assent

I’m trying to cast my net wide at the moment in the hunt for any possible stories and I’m keen to see if there is any way that I could draw on your member’s expertise in order to find some potential ideas and features.

I have a few weeks to try and gather as many interesting leads as possible and would really value any help that you may be able to offer.

My contact number is as follows:  01892 675683 and my email is:  jo.curtis1@bbc.co.uk

Friday 10 February 2012

Finally Redevelopment of the Old Shell/Texaco Garage at Rainham Mark

The site of the former Shell then Texaco garage at Rainham Mark finally looks to be coming back into use with Enterprise Car Rental taking over the site. The site of the garage has been empty since 2004 and was the subject of a planning application by Dominos Pizza which got rejected. Dominos subsequently took over the Hop & Vine pub when it closed to open their Rainham Pizza outlet.


Monday 23 January 2012

Action Forum Jan/Feb 2012 Online

The Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Action Forum is now online and can be viewed here

http://www.rainham-history.co.uk/action-forum/28-af2012/182-af022012

The cover photo is of the Coronation Day Party in 1911 to celebrate King George V's coronation