Kent Miscellany
@kent-miscellany.bsky.social
A canter round the history of the Garden of England, from items of major national importance to items of utter insignificance.
#OTD 1781 An order was made to demolish the centre section of the Burgate in #Canterbury, leaving just its two towers standing.
June 5, 2025 at 6:52 PM
#OTD 1781 An order was made to demolish the centre section of the Burgate in #Canterbury, leaving just its two towers standing.
#OTD 1918 Damage amounting to about £2,500 was caused by a fire which broke out at the Isle of Thanet Tramway Company's Depot at St. Peter's.
It originated in a store, and this and the mess room were gutted, but flames were prevented from reaching the generating station.
It originated in a store, and this and the mess room were gutted, but flames were prevented from reaching the generating station.
May 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
#OTD 1918 Damage amounting to about £2,500 was caused by a fire which broke out at the Isle of Thanet Tramway Company's Depot at St. Peter's.
It originated in a store, and this and the mess room were gutted, but flames were prevented from reaching the generating station.
It originated in a store, and this and the mess room were gutted, but flames were prevented from reaching the generating station.
#OTD 1929 Many people take platform tickets at Sandgate station in the evening for the sole opportunity of hearing the nightingales, which are in full song.
The wooded banks overlooking the station are an ideal nesting resort of the birds, which are this year, very numerous.
The wooded banks overlooking the station are an ideal nesting resort of the birds, which are this year, very numerous.
May 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
#OTD 1929 Many people take platform tickets at Sandgate station in the evening for the sole opportunity of hearing the nightingales, which are in full song.
The wooded banks overlooking the station are an ideal nesting resort of the birds, which are this year, very numerous.
The wooded banks overlooking the station are an ideal nesting resort of the birds, which are this year, very numerous.
#OTD 1982 The old Marlowe Theatre (previously the Empire Theatre and a cinema) in St Margaret's St, Canterbury, closed for the final time.
May 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
#OTD 1982 The old Marlowe Theatre (previously the Empire Theatre and a cinema) in St Margaret's St, Canterbury, closed for the final time.
#OTD 1970 A 5 day beer festival, claimed to be Britain's first, opens in Marine Gardens, Folkestone as part of Expo Euro '70.
In conjunction with Bass Charrington, visitors will can taste some of the country's best beer in a gay continental atmosphere of music and entertainment.
In conjunction with Bass Charrington, visitors will can taste some of the country's best beer in a gay continental atmosphere of music and entertainment.
May 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
#OTD 1970 A 5 day beer festival, claimed to be Britain's first, opens in Marine Gardens, Folkestone as part of Expo Euro '70.
In conjunction with Bass Charrington, visitors will can taste some of the country's best beer in a gay continental atmosphere of music and entertainment.
In conjunction with Bass Charrington, visitors will can taste some of the country's best beer in a gay continental atmosphere of music and entertainment.
#OTD 1941 Many in #Faversham were caught without their gas masks when there was a surprise test, the first in the country.
Tear gas, in low concentration, was discharged in the town centre.
Those that had masks quickly donned them, but many maskless folk were mildly affected.
Tear gas, in low concentration, was discharged in the town centre.
Those that had masks quickly donned them, but many maskless folk were mildly affected.
May 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
#OTD 1941 Many in #Faversham were caught without their gas masks when there was a surprise test, the first in the country.
Tear gas, in low concentration, was discharged in the town centre.
Those that had masks quickly donned them, but many maskless folk were mildly affected.
Tear gas, in low concentration, was discharged in the town centre.
Those that had masks quickly donned them, but many maskless folk were mildly affected.
#OTD 1944 Raymond Reynell (13) and David Clutterbuck (8) of #Beltinge were both killed after hammering an object they had retrieved, braving barbed wire, from the beach.
They had invited Carl Denham (6) to join their game, but he refused, instead becoming witness at the inquest. pic.x.com/qsXSCpuks7
They had invited Carl Denham (6) to join their game, but he refused, instead becoming witness at the inquest. pic.x.com/qsXSCpuks7
May 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
#OTD 1944 Raymond Reynell (13) and David Clutterbuck (8) of #Beltinge were both killed after hammering an object they had retrieved, braving barbed wire, from the beach.
They had invited Carl Denham (6) to join their game, but he refused, instead becoming witness at the inquest. pic.x.com/qsXSCpuks7
They had invited Carl Denham (6) to join their game, but he refused, instead becoming witness at the inquest. pic.x.com/qsXSCpuks7
#OTD 1949 Joan Gomm reminded the Dean, Dr Hewlett Johnson, of his promise to officiate at her wedding
The Dean had promised when he saw Joan as a little girl eating chips, and said how much he envied her. "Have a chip then." she said.
He married her at St Martins, #Canterbury.
The Dean had promised when he saw Joan as a little girl eating chips, and said how much he envied her. "Have a chip then." she said.
He married her at St Martins, #Canterbury.
March 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
#OTD 1949 Joan Gomm reminded the Dean, Dr Hewlett Johnson, of his promise to officiate at her wedding
The Dean had promised when he saw Joan as a little girl eating chips, and said how much he envied her. "Have a chip then." she said.
He married her at St Martins, #Canterbury.
The Dean had promised when he saw Joan as a little girl eating chips, and said how much he envied her. "Have a chip then." she said.
He married her at St Martins, #Canterbury.
#OTD 1899 The world's first radio distress call was transmitted from the East Goodwin Lightship, after the German merchant ship Elbe ran aground on the Goodwin Sands.
The signal was received by the South Foreland Lighthouse radio operator who then alerted #Ramsgate lifeboat.
The signal was received by the South Foreland Lighthouse radio operator who then alerted #Ramsgate lifeboat.
March 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
#OTD 1956 #Charing broadcaster Paul Coates (26) has a novel idea to bring peace to arguing couples.
He says "Tape recorders have now made it easy to preserve speech. I am sure that when relations become strained, a replay reminding them of their vows can help to reconcile them."
He says "Tape recorders have now made it easy to preserve speech. I am sure that when relations become strained, a replay reminding them of their vows can help to reconcile them."
March 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
#OTD 1864 Good progress is reported on the building of the Carmelite Convent in Hales Place, #Canterbury, with 150 bricklayers on site, plus 50 stonemasons in Maidstone and 40 in Bath.
Unfortunately, the walls reached only 3-4ft before the project was abandoned.
Unfortunately, the walls reached only 3-4ft before the project was abandoned.
February 20, 2025 at 8:32 AM
#OTD 1864 Good progress is reported on the building of the Carmelite Convent in Hales Place, #Canterbury, with 150 bricklayers on site, plus 50 stonemasons in Maidstone and 40 in Bath.
Unfortunately, the walls reached only 3-4ft before the project was abandoned.
Unfortunately, the walls reached only 3-4ft before the project was abandoned.
#OTD 1962 The minute 3.5 ounce pouting which Ramsgate angler Owen Spain so nearly threw back into the sea from #Margate jetty was the only bite among 25 anglers after 5 hours' competition.
The pouting won Mr Spain the major prize - a canteen of cutlery for the biggest haul.
The pouting won Mr Spain the major prize - a canteen of cutlery for the biggest haul.
February 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
#OTD 1962 Engineers worked overnight at Folkestone to switch on the first Southern Region signal box equipped with a 'domino' type panel.
Twelve miles of the express and boat train line from #Ashford to #Folkestone will be controlled by the box, which replaces 8 manual boxes.
Twelve miles of the express and boat train line from #Ashford to #Folkestone will be controlled by the box, which replaces 8 manual boxes.
February 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
#OTD 1962 Engineers worked overnight at Folkestone to switch on the first Southern Region signal box equipped with a 'domino' type panel.
Twelve miles of the express and boat train line from #Ashford to #Folkestone will be controlled by the box, which replaces 8 manual boxes.
Twelve miles of the express and boat train line from #Ashford to #Folkestone will be controlled by the box, which replaces 8 manual boxes.
#OTD 1845 A subscription is being raised to put St. George's clock in Canterbury in a state of repair.
From its contiguity to the Post-office, it is of great service to the public, and hope the liberality of citizens will not only to set it going, but also have it lit with gas.
From its contiguity to the Post-office, it is of great service to the public, and hope the liberality of citizens will not only to set it going, but also have it lit with gas.
February 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
#OTD 1845 A subscription is being raised to put St. George's clock in Canterbury in a state of repair.
From its contiguity to the Post-office, it is of great service to the public, and hope the liberality of citizens will not only to set it going, but also have it lit with gas.
From its contiguity to the Post-office, it is of great service to the public, and hope the liberality of citizens will not only to set it going, but also have it lit with gas.
#OTD 1931 The 'Troc' Cinema opens in #Tankerton next to the Marine Hotel, showing The Dawn Patrol.
It was originally built as a skating rink, which was unsuccessful.
Undergoing much modification under multiple owners it ceased to be a cinema in 1951, and was demolished in 1996.
It was originally built as a skating rink, which was unsuccessful.
Undergoing much modification under multiple owners it ceased to be a cinema in 1951, and was demolished in 1996.
February 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
#OTD 1931 The 'Troc' Cinema opens in #Tankerton next to the Marine Hotel, showing The Dawn Patrol.
It was originally built as a skating rink, which was unsuccessful.
Undergoing much modification under multiple owners it ceased to be a cinema in 1951, and was demolished in 1996.
It was originally built as a skating rink, which was unsuccessful.
Undergoing much modification under multiple owners it ceased to be a cinema in 1951, and was demolished in 1996.
#OTD 1962 Work started on #Whitstable's ten-pin bowling centre in Beach Walk by developers Westmont Ltd. Total cost will be £70,000 amnd it will be open for play in mid-August.
The building will have a cafe and snack bar, and a licenced club room and bar for members.
The building will have a cafe and snack bar, and a licenced club room and bar for members.
February 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
#OTD 1962 Work started on #Whitstable's ten-pin bowling centre in Beach Walk by developers Westmont Ltd. Total cost will be £70,000 amnd it will be open for play in mid-August.
The building will have a cafe and snack bar, and a licenced club room and bar for members.
The building will have a cafe and snack bar, and a licenced club room and bar for members.