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Leysdown

Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey is a traditional seaside resort with award-winning beach and facilities. There is a busy, lively central area of The Promenade where shops and amusements contrast with the nearby Coastal Park and SSSI Site occupying the former historical airfield and aircraft factory site. A memorial to early aviators is to be found at Muswell Manor. http://www.muswellmanor.co.uk
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Leysdown Beach 1946
Leysdown Beach 1946		 The Sands 1903
The Sands 1903		 Holiday Camp
Holiday Camp		 GREGORY
GREGORY		 BathingHuts
BathingHuts		 Leysdown
Leysdown
Priory Rd
Priory Rd		 Station Rd
Station Rd		 Sheppey007
Sheppey007		 The Beach, Leysdown
The Beach, Leysdown		 General View, Leysdown
General View, Leysdown		 Leysdown Holiday Camp
Leysdown Holiday Camp
Marchers
Marchers		 T-Scan-039.
T-Scan-039.		 East End Lane
East End Lane		 The Promenade Leysdown 1933
The Promenade Leysdown 1933		 Leysdown Holiday Camp
Leysdown Holiday Camp		 Leysdown Beach
Leysdown Beach
On the sands, Leysdown
On the sands, Leysdown		 Central Beach Camping Ground
Central Beach Camping Ground		 Shell Beach, Leysdown
Shell Beach, Leysdown		 Central Beach & Pioneer Camps
Central Beach & Pioneer Camps		 The Promenade, Leysdown
The Promenade, Leysdown		 Nutt's Camp, Leysdown 1961
Nutt's Camp, Leysdown 1961
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Sophie McDonald 19-Mar-2023 00:55
I lived in the Warden Bay Hotel for a couple of years in the early 90’s when I was very young (before the age of 5). My mum then Sharon McDonald and dad Steve McDonald were running it (didn’t own it though). We lived in the flat above. I have lots of memories here including a bit of a spooky one that I’ve always wanted to dig on a bit more. Did anyone ever know of a Sid who either owned or managed the pub?

Dad used to always go to the Talk of the Town, many happy memories of when I was young there going crabbing while he sat in the pub with a bloke called Ticky (anyone know him don’t know his real name).

My dad passed away in 2020, mum still around. Does anyone remember my dad? Would love to hear from people who did! I went in to the Warden Bay Hotel pub a couple of years ago for the first time in years (now The Cavern) and it was so completely changed from how I remember it. This old photo above looks more like my memories than it does now!
Guest 31-May-2021 16:22
Hi can anyone remember Tommy Swan.he went to live there a few years ago.had a brother named Alfie.love to know if he is still living there.
Guest 18-Feb-2021 19:10
My family had a caravan at hearts camp for years our pitch was right by the club house I was born in 1979 my name was Katie dixon and spent a good four years on the camp,all in all we had family with four carvans,my mum was called kitty and dad jeff and my two sisters were Sharon and debbie dixon my nan and grandad was sally and Harry,I had my nans sister Mary and Bill had a carvan and a aunt and uncle called Marlene and len and other family was cath and Vic they was also on the site.what happy memories in the club house singing on the stage singing you are my sunshine and drinking cola and eatting chips outside swinging on the poles outside the club house,I loved Fred who owned the club house he gave us his tortoise as his dog keeped trying to get it.i have so many photos.i hated the dark,cold wet toilets and we had to run over the wet grass to go for a last min wee before bed.if anyone has any photos of the 70's and early 80's would like to see them.there was so many of the family down there we used to take over lol.i loved going down the front and going on the trampolines and having a mint choc chip ice-cream on the way home and after the club house we used to get chips and sing all the way back to the carvan (show me the way to go home im tired and I want to go to bed lol) if anyone remembers my family would love to hear from you.my dad used to fish for eels and would gut them on the carvan slab!!! Its funny the things you remember
Guest 17-Feb-2021 12:47
I remember the peanut seller in Leysdown. His name was Len not Les Oxley. He lived with his parent in a house near Taylor's riding stable near the Glen in Minster.
paul davis 18-Aug-2020 06:39
I remember George Parlane and the wellworth stores. All part of a happy childhood.
Linda McMillan 07-Apr-2020 15:16
I did post on this site some time back but can't see it now. My 'little' cousin Arthur, now in his seventies and not little any more, looked in to find out about the train station at Leysdown. His passion is model railways. Many years ago Sheppey Light Railway ran all over the island but this was long before people had cars and like many things, it has long since vanished.

My dad was George Parlane who bought the Wellworth Stores from Stan Northover in 1958. The two men were great friends, both self-made men. George always dreamed of having his own business and as a boy in the East End of London he used to buy pencils for a farthing and sell them to his school friends for a halfpenny. He had various shops on the island but the biggest was Wellworth. All the family were roped in to help (including 'little' Arthur. My uncle Alf came with my auntie Win and their daughter, Christine, from Forest Gate most weekends bringing my disabled Auntie Daisy. We had stalls out the front for Leysdown rock (we sold tons of the stuff) and postcards like the ones on this site (as well as the naughty ones now collectors' items). Alf would run the rock stall shouting: 'Any price you like, any colour you like, they're nice, they're lovely'. Does anyone remember Dido and Rose and their sons Dido and Joey who ran a fruit and veg stall outside Wellworth in the sixties and seventies? They came from London and stayed in a chalet nearby.

On Sunday mornings George would cook breakfast for all of us working in the shops and often gave Kelly his own breakfast. I remember Kipper Tom and Len selling his toffee apples. His face was round and tanned and as a child I always thought he looked like one of the toffee apples himself! He always had a smile and a cheery word for everyone. Happy days.

Rita Northover's hairdressing shop was next door and often she would do my hair in the then fashionable 'cottage loaf' looks funny now in old photos but it was the style then. Her blue-grey open-topped Triumph Herald parked outside on the pavement. There was a film-star quality about the whole family, they were larger than life but very generous to those less fortunate to themselves. Before selling Wellworth Arcade to George Parlane, the Northovers lived in the large flat above. Stan would often appear in the shop with a cutely dressed chimpanzee. Later when they moved to The Island Hotel he kept a pet lion!

With Wellworth Stores, my dad's dream became a reality but not for long. After the fire at Whitsun 1961 I remember standing with my dad in the doorway of the burnt arcade seeing silent tears on his face. All was repaired but then a second fire starting in the fairground next door. But a wall had been put up between us so the shops were saved. A curse seemed to be on it from then on and after two more tragedies, no-one would build there and it became an open air market. Not sure what has happened recently.

My dad's health failed and he sold the shop, moving to Minster. He died suddenly while on holiday in Malta in 1978.

All so long ago but what a brilliant site Trevor (thank you so much) giving us all a taking chance to look back down the years and take a trip down memory lane.
Clive Perkins 20-Nov-2017 22:18
My Grandparents lived at no.9 Shurland Ave Leysdown,Mr Patrick Croft and Mrs Hope Croft.
I believe they move there in 1940'S have been evacuated out of Burma in WW2.We lived abroad as my father worked for the Burma Oil company.When my sister and I started school in the UK we went to boarding school then we went to live with our grandparents. I remember many good times spent roaming the Leysdown marshes chasing rabbits mushrooming and eel fishing in the numerous dykes.The boys I still ,remember are,Steve Golding,Jeff Deed,Tony Deed,Ray Stokes and the Stanford brothers.Also a Chris Rose who had a black lab called Nigger.My Dad and I to watch the USAF jets cannon practice on the floating targets and when the tide was out picking up brass cannon cartridges
Peter 08-Aug-2017 09:55
I am researching the history of RAF Leysdown Gunnery & Armament Ranges for the Eastchurch Aviation Museum. Anyone with any memories and/or photos that can help the museum can contact us any Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat 10am-3pm at HMP Standford HIll opposite the Old MIll Cafe or on Facebook "Aviation History at Eastchurch". Thanks in anticipation.
Guest 29-Jul-2017 12:13
Great photos and memories I was lucky enough to be part of a family that owned and worked on Warden bay holiday camp back in the fifties went to school at Eastchurch had a wonderful time on my uncles camp with my parents Charlie and Jess Elliott who worked hard to make every ones holiday somthing to remember my uncles were Les and Bill Edge my mum s brothers I also love going to the spinny in Leysdown for the sixpenny ponies rides with a man named Mr Sumerscill who also owns and ran a riding stables at Eastchurch he was the person who taught me to ride happy days and I still from that day to this love horses Jean was Elliott
Audrey Taylor (Nee Whiting) 24-Feb-2017 18:32
What a wondeful site this is and it has certainly taken me down memory lane. I knew Leysdown in the fifties and sixties as my late father, Ginger Whiting, played the piano in the Rose and Crown and various other places, including the Bay View. He was friends with Eileen and Stan Northover, Peanut Len and a brilliant character called Kelly. Chris Rose mentioned Queenie and Harry in his post and I think these are Queenie and Harry Ferry from Stepney in London. I worked in London when I was 17 in 1955 and Quenie and Harry would drive me down to Leysdown every Friday night. We would go straight to the Rose and Crown which was always packed. I remember the Island Hotel as my dad played there and they had some very good artists which were female impersonaters. I can remember the Bay View which was always packed at weekends with Londoners and can still see them doing the conga all the way around the bar from room to room. Thank you so much for this site, memories are flooding back. I live in Spain now, have been here for 16 years, so don't expect to see Leysdown again so, once again, thank you for the memories.
Guest 09-Apr-2016 13:02
I remember going to Leysdown Holiday Camp in 1971 and the entertainers name was Des Allan, I wonder what happened to him!!!!!
Deano 09-Jan-2016 02:32
Hi,
Been having a debate with the members of a leysdown facebook group...
We are wondering if Vanity Village and Vanity Farm were ever part of the same holiday camp or maybe just owned by the same person. this would have been pre 1975ish .
As we used to holiday on V.Farm and later owned chalets on V.Village and they were separate camps by then.
If anyone can shed any light on this, it would be very much appreciated :)
John Holman 15-Oct-2015 17:58
Hi Angle, we were kids that sat on the beach in 1963-65 for the Bible classes. All great fun. Check out my flkr page Leysdown Isle of Sheppy.loafs of great photos from the 60s. My parents hand grandparents had caravans on Davis central beach site. Odd my nans maidon name was Eliza Beadle. Best John Holman johnsfortunes@yahoo.co.uk
Paul thompson 05-Oct-2015 18:35
Hello im paul thompson now 60 years old i lived in 48 parsonage chase till i was 9 years old i went to ayrdale private school think thats how it was spelt my mother vera thompson played the piano and the local baptist church if anyone remembers me please contact me on paulthompson677@btinternet.com
Angie Stagg (Beadle) 06-Sep-2015 10:07
Oh and mum mentioned that that she'd seen Arthur Mullard (old east end actor) several times on weekends at the pie and mash shop that was opposite the (one time) hardware store on the Leysdown road in the 1960's. And the Gideons? Used to run activities on the beach for kids in the morning/ afternoon (depending on the tide) during the summer, only requirement was that you had to sit and listen to a bible story.
Deano 04-Sep-2015 21:40
Keep on `Rambling`

I love hearing all these old memories :)
learning about who was who and who run what...
Angie Stagg (Beadle) 30-Aug-2015 22:28
Love the photos, found them today after nostalgic visit to the Island today. So much has changed and sparked so many memories. I grew up in Danes Drive, Bayview form 1959 - 1974. I remember the Gem Stores, there was a lady (Mrs Gilder if I remember right) who lived at the top end of DDrive, she made fantastic scones that she sold to the shop and mum always sent me to buy some when she saw her go past with them on a cake stand covered with a tea towel. We nearly always walked to Leysdown along the track past the mynah bird who would whistle an apparently 'coarse' tune (as I found out when I repeated to mum!) The arcade at Happy Valley used to keep their pennies in a potty (figures I suppose) I knew Mr Corrigans daughter, Kim, think she was a year younger than me, someone in a previous message said that they thought he was blind. That was right, I think he may of lost his sight during the war? My first summer/weekend job was working for Henry and Sheila Forrest in their cafe on the corner, Mrs North, who lived over the road from me in DDrive got me the job as she worked there too. A few weeks later Margaret and Nan Forrest opened their cafe a few doors up (next to The Chocolate Box) and I was transferred to work there until 1973/4 when I left the Island. I would work there at weekends during the low season when they were open (I was their only employee then) and all through the summer along with a school friend, there were only about 12 tables to serve. Shame that the arcades have changed so much, have fond memories of losing my money in the Golden Horseshoe and the Silver Horseshoe (they had dogems too). The Spinney looks naked without the trees and Len (next to the sea mine) sold the best toffee apples ever. I went to Eastchurch Primary with teachers, Mrs Beale (husband had Beales Farm - think they may have been related to the Beales at Mustard Farm at Bayview) Mrs Chandler, Miss Waterfall, a Canadian teacher (forgotten her name) and Mr Trueman. the Head teacher was Mr White when I started followed by Mr Attaway. Mr Trueman was my tutor at Sheerness Secondary Girls when we transferred there for a year while they completed Sheppey Comprehensive. (Saw that's been demolished in favour of an ' Oasis Academy'!) Fond memories of Sheerness, would go perhaps once a week (buses were hourly in summer and 2 hourly in winter but last bus was about 11pm back to Leysdown - I've heard that they stop after 6pm now?) especially of the record shop and the electrical stores (first record player in black and orange came from there) and the bakers by the clock tower did the best mince beef pie in rich gravy ...yum. Sorry for rambling on but the memories have just flooded back. Would love to find my friend Karen who lived next door with her mum for a little while, they rented the house from Alan and Colin (known as the boys) also Paula, who lived on the Leysdown Road in one of the little bungalows on the left.
M-F C (Guest) 26-Jul-2015 14:59
In 1962, I had a magic fun summer at Leysdown working for the Forrest family, who were fabulous. Not sure how I got the job, but, as an early teen wanting a summer job, maybe, someone I knew, knew them and put out the word. I worked in the café they had on the corner (the Northovers were kind of next door) and worked in the section selling ice cream, milk shakes etc. The pay was great and it was a great place for getting chatted up, so see what I mean about a fun summer? Mr Forrest was great, I well remember Margaret who was so kind to me, (glad to hear she is still around), and also remember Mr Forrest's son; think he was named Henry (aged about ten) who was 'trouble' in the nicest kind of way; a lovely lad with a great sense of mischief. As for 'the matriarch' oh, do I remember Mrs Forrest Senior. As with Margaret, she was kind to me, but, kept telling me off as my idea of lunch were a couple of cakes and a Pepsi. 'You ought to eat something sensible', she'd moan, so come the great day when I announced I eat shrimps for lunch. 'Well, I suppose that's a bit more sensible', she conceded. As I was run off my tootsies selling ice cream and sorting the milk shakes, with the carelessness of a 14 year old, I am ashamed to say, I asked her if she could shell the shrimps. Prawns, maybe, but, we all know how fiddly shrimps are, and even now, I can see her muttering away to herself in the kitchen as she tried shelling them. When I got home and told my mother, she hit the roof, and all but frogmarched me into work the next day and made me apologise (quite right, too). Mrs Forrest gave me a wry smile, said thank you to Mum and me, and kind of giggled. As Mum said to me much later in life, 'I have not forgotten how you made that poor old lady shell those shrimps; didn't you feel ashamed'? Oh, don't; think I am going a bit red even now. I also remember a lady from London's East End named Dora who came down for the season to work as the cook. She was priceless. Had her very dark hair covered in a hair net (way before health and safety), always spoke nine to the dozen with a fag going up and down in her mouth (how did she balance it?), and was told she'd been amazing in WW2 whizzing around the East End in an ambulance doing her bit, and for all I know, climbed on the dome of St Paul's to see off the Luftwaffe single-handed (I would not have been surprised!). Also, remember Amy, a lady in her fifties, who worked in the kitchen with Dora, but, worried about her as she often showed for work covered in cuts and bruises. As Dora sighed, 'At night, she goes down the boozer, has a few, but is not too steady on her feet on the way home'. As for Stan Northover, he, or Reg Counsell, told off one of my friends for putting his feet on a table in the Northover café, and when I missed a bus one evening, Stan Jnr gave me a life in his red MG back to Minster. As said, a magic summer, thank you Forrest family and Stan for the lift.
Guest 11-Jul-2015 12:11
Deano, yes there was a small train line setup just behind the golden horse shoe and ran along the top of Davis central beach site behind the Chicken field. However it was not there for long.
Guest 08-Jul-2015 19:49
I remember Stan northover, I thought he was the most hansom man I hadeverseen! And I ran home to tell my mum I have just seen dean martin the singer down the town as we called it in the sixties,how she laughed,but she knew who I ment!
Traci 07-Jul-2015 17:07
Please anyone got pics of my aunt and uncle stan Eileen northover
My parents billy bingo and June maylum
Traci 07-Jul-2015 17:06
Great pics anyone have pics of stan Northover and Eileen who where my aunt and uncle
I am Billy Bingo s daughter mother was June Maylum
Would love more pics please
Guest 20-Jun-2015 14:17
My great aunt and uncle was Henry Forrest and Margaret Forrest. The matriarch as you have called her true to word was my great grandmother who lived until she was just shy of 105! My aunt Margaret is still alive and well..my grandfather built merlins many years ago.. James manning Aka Alfie/alf. We have a lot of family history there.. I remember they had a bungalow..outside was a wishing well in the garden.. I wonder if it's still there? If anyone has any photos of the Forrest/manning family I would love to see..
Peter McCarthy 25-May-2015 20:29
Hi All, My Grandad Tom McCarthy owned a chalet on Southbank he bought it from new and owned it until the mid 60's when my he sold it to his younger brother. My grandparents later retired to Leysdown in about 1970 and lived at No1 Eastern Road next door to Kipper Tom. I used to spend all my school holidays with them and allways found myself a job for the duration of the holidays. I worked on the beach doing deck chairs for Mr & Mrs Davis who also lived in Eastern Road, I called bingo numbers for Mrs Parish in the arcade next to the garage (we kids used to call her Aunt Marg) and I used to work at the clubhouse at the Priory camp looking after the entrance door checking the membership cards. Dave the guy that ran the club used to do a turn every night and allways san the same song, a certain smile. Kipper Tom was a propper character and used to sell toffee apples on the beach. As a kid I used to walk his dog 'peggy weg' for him whilst he went to the Rose & Crown and he would give me a toffee apple. I can remember helping my grandad dig up an old barrell that had been burried in his back garden Kipper Tom looked over the fence and said that it looked like a bomb. Next thing we knew was the army bomb disposal sqad arrived as Kipper Tom had rung then for a drunken prank (he very much liked a pint) Does anyone remember the drag act that used to do the season in the Seahorse they were called the fabulous menamimes lol. Does anyone remember Frozen Freddie who refused to sell out to the new holiday camp in the early 70's. Happy days and loads of great memories
Guest 28-Mar-2015 13:11
My parents George and June Yexley ran the bingo next to Greenos late 50s early 60s and I went to school at Eastchurch primary and then sheernesss sec. modern. Anyone remember my parents ? I recognise so many of the names. Thanks Chris
Jane Carter 18-Mar-2015 17:21
When I was about ten yes old my dad was in charge of the happy valley holiday camp I am 52 now it was fun living on a holiday camp
John Alexander 31-Dec-2014 12:24
John Alexander,

I went to a chalet on Love's Holioday Camp (by a pond) from around 1957- 1961. Does anyone have a map/plan showing where all the holiday camps were during that time?

JRA
Jeanne 04-Dec-2014 13:38
The talk of the town started life as a serve yourself cafe type owned by Henry and Shelia Forrest my mum worked for them and I worked for Sheila upstairs where they lived x
Deano 23-Jul-2014 22:16
The Talk of the Town is at the bottom of the prom on the right opposite the Seahorse pub facing the sea.
That used to be called King Henrys in the 1980s... It was never The Crest Club.

The Crest Club is opposite Vanity Village chalet site, It`s now called Merlins Club.

John Holman, just had a flick thru your pics, most of yours seem to be at Central beach, could the railway not be behind that backing on to the Car Park of the golden horseshoe.
There was a small train ride there in the mid 70`s when i was a kid i think they may have used to bottom end of the sheppey light railway line that used to terminate there... before it was scapped several years before. Also i note you refer to a Billy Bonds, but as far as knew Bobby Wilson owned the Golden Horseshoe and Stans(Stan Northover) was opposite.
John holman 13-Jul-2014 16:47
Before the hotel in question. It was the site of the Ding-a-Ling (kids railway train site). Mid 50's to mid 60's. I have photos and more on my facebook photo pages at https://facebook.com/johnyholman
Chris Roberts 25-Jun-2014 14:49
Hi I believe it was called the Crest Club it was built by Mr H Forrest Snr
Deano 14-Jun-2014 16:29
It was called `King Henrys` in the mid-late 80`s
But it was called sommat else before that, cant remember now though...
I`ll get back to ya..
Lisa 29-May-2014 20:24
Hi there, I was just wondering if anybody knew what The Talk of the Town used to be called in the 70's? I am not sure if the name has ever changed, but my mum can't remember! She used to use it from about 1976 onwards. Thanks in advance!
Roger Adams 18-Apr-2014 02:36
Easter, brings back some wonderful memories of many Easters spent at Leysdown in the 50s.
M-F C (Guest) 26-Feb-2014 22:41
I well remember Freddie Lardeaux (have already mentioned him somewhere on one of Trevor Edwards' Sheppey sites) from when I was very small, and I would presume to suggest he and Vivien, his wife, lived on the island pre-1960. Mr L owned what might be described as an army surplus shop in Sheerness, and before Warden Manor, he and his wife lived in a bungalow in Scocles Road. Mrs L had a sister named Miss Nicholls who worked in the library in Minster (probably long gone) and she also ran the local Brownies/Guides. She tried to make me join the Brownies and just to get her to go away I kind of said Brownies was not for me but I'd join the Guides when I was old enough. God knows how she got hold of my age, but, sure enough, she was on the door-step when I was ten, or whatever, and I had to join. I loathed it and dropped out as soon as I could. I can also remember Mrs Nicholls (mother of Mrs L and Miss N) who would probably be your great-aunt (?), and my parents knew Mr and Mrs L through our church. I did read of your Uncle's death a year or so back and understand he is now laid to rest with his wife at Papa Stronsay. I sincerely hope they do rest in peace. As for any stories, he once told my parents and I that he went out early one morning, tried put on one of his wellington boots (left outside overnight) and there was a frog inside. As an eleven year old I was horrified, and thinking on it still feel a bit quesy.
Guest 21-Feb-2014 15:55
All my family used to go there in 70-80's - my nan & grandad - Jenny & Dick Hill had a caravan at Nutts Farm, they used to stay from Mar-Oct every year. All the family piled in. my dad Tommy Hill also had a chalet at Happy Valley. Doe's anyone remember "Family Affair", great family band that plaed in the club house. Such happy days :)
Deano 23-Jan-2014 01:34
The Sea Horse has just been knocked down.
Apparently there is gonna be a Crazy Golf built there instead.

Dunno why they had to knock down the pub when they could have put the crazy golf on the land behind the pub

uch a shame, The Sea horse has been there for years :(
Alison Platt 20-Jan-2014 10:26
My Uncle Fred Lardeaux Lived and ended his days in Warden Manor, on the cliffs at Warden Point in 2011. If anybody has any information or nice stories to share, I would be grateful. He lived in Kent since 1960. Thank you for your help. Alison Platt. Email ag.platt@gmail.com
I found this site because it was supposed to mention his name somewhere, but couldn't find it anywhere.
Graham 10-Jan-2014 19:29
I saw a note below mentioning Corrigans. In the early '70s I worked for a few weeks as a bingo caller at Corrigans Cash Bingo. Was that the same family? I seem to remember he was blind.
Ross Page 04-Jan-2014 21:20
Hi, just found this site, when I was 17 in the summer of 1975 I played the organ and sang at the Little Groves Holiday park, my name is Ross, my boss was called Dave that's all I remember but I do have many happy memories of my summer season at Leysdown I do somebody can remember me and help me fill in the missing pieces.
Guest 03-Jan-2014 11:19
Thankyou all the same.
Roger Adams 03-Jan-2014 08:39
To Guest
We stayed at Loves Farm a lot in the 50s in fact my aunt and uncle Fred an Polly Magnus had a caravan and ran a mobile canteen on the farm. At that time the Owner was Cyril and Mrs Love with their two sons David and Brian also very much involved. There was also a young lady Susan Love Not sure if she was a daughter or married to Brian. Can't recall any of the names you mention.Roger Adams
Guest 02-Jan-2014 11:28
Can anyone please tell me was Loves camp or farm, connected to the love family, who were Margaret Isabel Love, nee Murphy, and Wiiliam David Love, Clare Love, or Lilla Catherine Poll, nee Love? Also was there an aged care or business called Susie Wong in Mustards road, Bay View, Leysdown? I'm attempting to find a lost relatives(though I think we are actually the lost relatives), that resided in this area. Any info would be welcomed S.Spiers. Australia, Grandchild of Lilian Murphy.
Trevo Parmenter 24-Dec-2013 23:58
Any pics of The Sea Horse Bar? Old and New.
Trevor Parmenter 24-Dec-2013 23:44
We stayed in Chalets in Leysdown in the 60s I assume that most of the Chalets would have been removed because of Asbestos standards. Great days Great Holidays. Thank you.
Deano 21-Oct-2013 22:17
Sheila.. Its not like it was in the `hey days`
Much quieter now and a little run down in places,
although the local council claim to be doing sommat about that...

The smell .. i have no idea what that means unless they are referring to the fertilizing of the fields which has always happened..

Chalets are cheap, ground rents are Not !
plus other bills, gas, elec, water etc...
sheila meadows 18-Oct-2013 02:13
I vaguely remember going to Leysdown with my mum and dad in the 50's and have just been looking at a chalet to buy. Read a review which said it was terrible and smelly. Is this true? Would love to hear from someone who has been recently.
Deano 13-Oct-2013 12:04
Just to say The Island Hotel wasn`t oposite Vanity Farm, it was next to it...
As you came in past warden bay, On the right was The Island Hotel then Vanity Farm then Vanity Village(directly opposite The Crest Club on the left).. Then after that you had Corrigans Pool club then carries on down to the Pie & Mash shop and the Pop-In market and then the Garage(now gone)....
This is how it was 70`s to pretty much now..
M-F C 01-Oct-2013 20:42
Never visited the farm, but, was at school with Susan Love.
Roger Adams 24-Sep-2013 05:56
I used to spend a lot of time at Loves Farm during the early to moid fifties and am just wondering if anyone else did so Roger Adams
Roger Adams 23-Sep-2013 13:21
I used to spend a lot of time on Loves Farm each year in the early to late 50s and am just wondering if anyone else did so during those years. Roger Adams
Deano 15-Aug-2013 00:31
No, I wasnt born till 1969.
Our family used to holiday there EVERY year in rented chalets.
In 79/80 they all bought chalets and had them right up until 2000

Many fantastic memories of Leysdown
Sad to see it in decline these days :(
Guest 26-Jul-2013 21:42
Enjoying the pics used to holiday here all the time as a kid wonderful memories thanks really must come back
kev24-Jun-2013 16:40
Thanks Deano,do you come from Leysdown,and was you there in the 60s?dont remember the name.Regards Kevin.
deano 23-Jun-2013 17:08
Island Hotel was there all thru the 70`s and into the 80`s
Its now a retirement/nursing home, think this happened in the late 80`s
kev20-Jun-2013 17:33
I can only speak about the 60s,dont know when it was built.When you drove into Leysdown it was on the right side,just after the church,and opposite Vanity Farm.Again i dont know when that was opened.There is a photo in the collection.Hope this helps.
Roger Adams 17-Jun-2013 03:08
The Island Hotel,
I spent a lot of time in Leysdown during the 50s and knew the town well but can't recall this hotel. Wfere abouys was it? Rog in Oz
kev11-May-2013 08:30
Thanks for your reply Reg.Pity about the photos.I visited Leysdown last year,it brought wonderfull memories back,but the Island Hotel bought tears to my eyes it was so run down.I live in Holland now,have done for the last 33 years.Mum and Dad have both gone so i dont come over much,but wanted to see the old place once again,probably for the last time.Thanks again Reg,Regards Kevin.
reg counsell 27-Apr-2013 15:30
re frank sims he and you mother where good friends of mine we spent many long hours in the island hotel.he always wore a white coat, i have lost all the photos i had of him but
still have old movies of frank and your mother at some of our wild party nights,
all the best from reg counsell
kev18-Apr-2013 14:08
I lived in the Island Hotel in the sixties.My dad Frank Sims run the place for Stan Northover.Does anybody remember?would love to hear fron you.So glad i found this site great memories and photos.Kevin Sims now living in Holland been here 33 years.
richard5506-Feb-2013 16:55
I use to stay with my Grandparents Sid and Gert Burton who lived in "Cartref" Eastern Road the white detached bungalow on the right heading away from from the high street.I stayed during the school holidays from the late 50's until the mid 60's and had a wonderful time exploring the Island and generally doing anything I wanted day after day. I would go with Granddad to collect eggs from the farms to sell at the bungalow along with vegtables and Nans home made Jam. The freedom was amazing as I was only around 10 and I could spend hours in the amusments looking for those big pennies or with a bit of luck threepenny and sixpenny pieces. Kipper Tom was friends with Granddad and they often got up to some mischief. I still visit as all my family are buried in the old church at Bay View. Great site and memories.
Chris rose 20-Nov-2012 18:52
Lived in Leysdownl as young boy but remember many persons there. My father George rose run Stans Bingo
Mum and Dad best friends of Northovers . Moved to Lowestoft to run Claremont pier and buy it from George Studd. Remember many nights at Harty ferry with Queenie and Harry. Stan only ever used cleave and petrol in his car because it contained Alcohool. Most generous people you could ever meet. Remember skating rink in
Leysdown owned by Northovers. mum and Dad friends of les edge at warden bay camp and run Bingo there with Stan Slosher so many memories although I was very young
Chris Rose
Graham 11-Sep-2012 22:28
Roesmary,
Yup, that would be him. Once known, never forgotten.
Guest 30-Aug-2012 11:25
double your money.
rosemarie 29-Aug-2012 16:42
I wonder if the Paul Lillo mentioned in the posts is the same Paul who camped in my parents orchard (Hurn Airport) in the summer of 1964 when the 'Mods' were not very welcome on the beaches of Bournemouth? That Paul stole my teenage heart!
rosemarie 29-Aug-2012 13:20
I wonder if the Paul Lillo mentioned in the posts is the same Paul who camped in my parents orchard (Hurn Airport) in the summer of 1964 when the 'Mods' were not very welcome on the beaches of Bournemouth? That Paul stole my teenage heart!
M-F C (Guest) 19-Aug-2012 19:28
Jefferson Road split into a couple of ghettoes by a gang culture style 'Berlin Wall'? Amazing! Otherwise, thank you for your courtesy in getting back to me and as we have both written in before, we shall no doubt do so again to comment on the social history of the Isle of sheppey. Kind regards M-F C
Graham 17-Aug-2012 22:31
No. It was probably a differeng gang. I was thinking of us kids who used to play in Jefferson road around 1955 to 1960. It was very small society, the kids who used to live at our end of the street never met the kids that lived at the other end.
M-F C (Guest) 11-Aug-2012 07:36
What do you mean, 'Only Grham Bentley'? Everyone is someone! Otherwise, have not seen Paul L since I was a teenager as moved away from the island. But, you can only hope everyone is surviving relatively unscathed by the ravages of the world. However, to pick up on your comment, 'He (PL) was the out and out leader of the gang'. I, and not a few more, thought it was Keith Ketley. Did you know the gang, and if so, do you know what became of the other members I listed?

KRs (kind regards) M-F C
Graham 10-Aug-2012 22:23
Hi MFC - regretfully I am only Graham Bentley. We used to live at 103 Jefferson road, and I remember Paul very well. He was the out and out leader of the gang. If you ever see him, say I said "Hello".
M-F C (Guest) 10-Aug-2012 18:25
To Graham who wrote in on 9 August, and commented obliquely on my mentioning Paul LIllo: yes, you are quite right in that Paul Lillo did live in Jefferson Road, but he now lives, I think, on the Lower Road in Minster. He married Linda Ludgrove, a former UK Olympic swimmer who represented Britain at the Tokyo Olympics (1964) and who has likely been glued to the television for the London Olympics. One of my friends, Caroline (yet another convent school girl) thought he was the proverbial teenage bees knees; well, in those days he was tall, slim and blonde. Otherwise, you're not Graham Bishop by any chance? If not, no problem, but, I only ask as yet another convent schoolgirl, Diane Oakley, there were zillions of us) thought Graham Bishop was god (with the greatest of respect to the man upstairs).
Graham 09-Aug-2012 19:48
I remember Paul Lillo. He used to live in Jefferson Road. He had a younger brother David who was driving a bus the last time I saw him 30 odd years ago. There was an older brother, I think Pete, who I believe died.
Greg 07-Aug-2012 12:39
I've just found this site. After 35 years I went back to Leysdown last week and it prompted me to do some more digging, I see I'm not the only one. My wife booked the holiday as treat- we stayed on Harts- now a modern caravan site. As a kid in the late 60's and 70's my parents had a chalet on Southbank and many of my family had chalets and caravans on other sites- it holds great memories of family get togethers- escaping from East London at weekends and holidays. I was surprised how little had changed. The sad point was that the clubs which used to be the focal points are all now gone or on their last legs- but people and expectations have changed. Soutbank and Priory Hill were the best in my view. Most sad of all, our chalet had disappeared and only the concrete footing remained- I'd love to know how/why so many chalets have disappeared like this? On the plus side the amusement arcades are going strong- and just like me, my kids had hours of fun for a few pennies. The Leysdown bakery is also fantastic- I've so missed London style bread and bread pudding. I recommend you all go back. It's great to make that connection with your past. Greg
Guest 02-Aug-2012 21:04
Although, I've commented on this site previously, I'd never, until tonight, read as far back as 2008; given some of the information sent in, I comment as follows:-

(1.) I remember Derek Barlow with great clarity. He used to occasionally socialise at
what was then the youth club in Minster, situated almost opposite the old hospital.
As with the hospital, that has no doubt long gone. I think he had a friend named
Mick Wade, and they may have flat shared in Rose Street, Sheerness.

(2.) Regarding the Ingletons, they were/still are (?) many. Maurice Ingleton used to farm
at the lower end of Scocles Road, and Judith and Janet, his daughters, attended
the Convent of The Nativity in Sittingbourne, as did Penny Havers (nee Hunter)
who has written into this site. Ken Ingleton went into local politics and is still
'politicking'. He married Mick Judge who once lived on the Wards Hill Road. Mick
is a lady, and another former convent schoolgirl, but, as she loathes her Christian
name, Moira, one presumably addresses her as such at one's peril. So, I hope that
assisted, albeit in a small way, James Pender's enquiry.

(3.) As for Katrinna's enquiry about Scocles Court, I used to play there as a child. It
was, at that time, owned by Sidney Hale and his wife, Clara, and their daughter,
Angela, yet another convent schoolgirl, was a friend. It was, and surely remains, a
remarkable, old house, with a great history, as has Warden Manor (owned by the late
Freddie Lardeaux), along with Holme Court, which Karen refers to. There is, in
fact, a book, entitled, 'The History of the Isle of Sheppey, by Augustus (great
name!)Daly (1st ed 1904)which can possibly be ordered via a local library from
the British Library, (unless it is one of the books you have to read in the great
reading room ([and having been there, be warned, you can't take sweets in!]).

4. Otherwise,does anyone remember what might be called 'The Mod Dawn'? When Mods
came on the scene? A crowd of scooter boys in Sheerness, led by Keith Ketley,
were much in evidence, with others who included Peter and Michael Peake (though,
I don't think Peter is still with us), Paul Lillo, Joey and Sonny Schembri,
Dave Appleby, Bernie Kemp, Bugsy Wilson, Anthony 'Tank' Bradley, Danny Freundlich,
Colin Creed, his cousin, Adrian Stocker, with Paul Jackman on the fringes. I seem
to recall Derek Barlow was a Rocker, as were Cuffer larke and Flash Gordon.

Will likely write in again, but, for now, it's back to the books. Hope life has
been kind to you, Derek.

Guest.
Trei Tinsley 03-Jun-2012 19:57
Hi mark sorry can not help you with the skyliners,i can't remember them.I can remember being on priory hill in 1977,I can remember sitting outside the caravan when i heard on the radio that Elvis had died.If you go on to priory hill facebook there very helpful.
Mark 25-May-2012 13:20
Dear all,

I have been reading your comments regarding the Priory Hill campsite and wondered if you could help?

I am trying to track someone down who was playing in a resident band called the Skyliners. His name could be Roger and the year was summer 1976.

Any information or memories would be very very helpful.

Thank you in advance.

mark.bridge09@gmail.com
Guest 07-May-2012 21:28
previous message to keith was from teri tinsley
kabee 07-May-2012 21:25
hi keith,thanks for your message,i was born in 1955 and as far back as then i went on holiday for 2 weeks every year until i was about 15/16 with my mum dad and brother and lots of aunts/uncles and cousins.my dad and uncles were very friendly with dave williams and jim reid,i used to meet up with friends year after year.one family were from woolwich se london,they were janice,karen and terry king.also a brother and sister who mum owned the supermarket on priory hill,the only family that i knew that owned chalets was the family who had tony the lad with downes syndrone,they spent all season there.as you say the club in the evening made the holiday.had a few years break then went back to priory hill after getting married and taking our 2 sons craig and dean born 1974/76 for holidays.we have 4 grandchildren now and often just have a drive down there.dont know where the years have gone.
kaybee03-May-2012 20:21
To Ken Pullen,do you ever come back to Gloucestershire to visit and have you any more memeories of those lively days in Leysdown,the hub of all England!!!!.I live in Cheltenham still with my Wife Jane and Boys (18 and 16),Ryan and Craig.Married 29 years on the 4/6/12.Keith.
kaybee03-May-2012 20:17
Hi Teri,Can you give me any more of those memories from Leysdown and Priory Hill,i can remember quite a few of the guests who had their own chalets etc ,who would appear on the camp every weekend,which werte all spent in and around the clubhouse,were you a regular visitor and who did you come with to leysdown.Keith
Guest 03-May-2012 11:51
Double your money.
teri tinsley 02-May-2012 21:02
hi keith, i cant remember brian, but i can remember malcolm very well singing his cornish songs.
kaybee02-May-2012 06:56
To Ken and previous Teri,How are you doing Ken,do you remember me,i went with yu al to Germany,Franfurt and Fulda i seem to recall.I beleive you live in Kent now.To Teri,Malcolm was the Singer and Brian was the drummer,I see Brian and his wife Cathy now and again,I play golf with Brian now and again,so he is the only one from those days that i see now.

Keith.
Jo Smith 20-Apr-2012 19:49
@ anne mercieca, i was born 82 and grew up in eastchurch, myself and friends would often walk to warden point to climb the cliffs or sunbathe on the roof of the old post office (how stupid were we!!) i also had a paper round which was the longest and best paid!! £15 p/w lol it would take me from the 1st house in warden road all the way to the last house at warden point, and yes i do remember the converted carrige... we would also use the back road (donkey hill)to get to bay veiw and leysdown, so we wouldnt get caught on the main roads by our parents ha ha!
teri 12-Apr-2012 20:47
hi ken thanks for message, i do remeber a little about your band, was the lead singer called malcolm? spent many happy holidays on priory hill.
Ken 10-Apr-2012 19:35
Hi Teri

Spotted your conversation with Keith. I was the lead guitarist with The variations at Priory Hill. We did 3 summer seasons spending the winter in Germany working for the US forces
Regards
Ken
Guest 23-Mar-2012 23:26
hi keith thanks for your reply i do remember lorraine,as soon as you said the name i remembered her,and i can remember the lead singer too.do you remember a older man called jim reid he used to work in the club aswell,also a man called tony he had downes sydrone,he would spend all summer on priory hill i think his family owned chalets there.we only live 50mins away often have a drive down in the summer.
kaybee22-Mar-2012 21:24
To Teri Tinsley,from Keith,Kaybee.
The band with Peter Hurley was my younger years as well,i worked as a bar stocker in those years,progresing to barmen in later years,thats when the band from the west country whom had the girl in the band was resident there,they originally replaced peter Hurley's band around 1971/72 and then had a male Bass player called paul,but the next year they turned up with a female bass player named Lorraine who i married and divoiced later in 1981.I remember Dave williams very well,his wife Doris sort of took care of me when i first started working at priory hill.they had a son who worked there part time and his wife as well,They were David and Dee.i cannot help you with any more info on the Peter Hurley band,he has got to be in his sixties now i would think.
Guest 20-Mar-2012 09:24
the previous message was to kaybee, from Teri Tinsley thankyou.
Guest 20-Mar-2012 09:20
thanks for message regarding priory hill,I do seem to remember a little about a lady in a group,but i did have afew years break from there.I went there all through the 60s when i was younger,then back mid 70s when i had young children.really pleased you knew peter hurley, dont suppose you know what happened to him after priory hill, he was there for a few years.I remeber a group from the west country there as well.I used to meet up with the same friends year after year,i have been trying to find one on facebook without any luck.i am friend with priory hill on facebook,they told me that Dave Williams died a few years ago,but the manager there now had not heard of peter Hurley and another person in his group was Ricky.he told me that mrs Butcher still went to the club every weekend but her husband who i think owned priory hill had died,and their sons ran it now.thanks for replying leysdown and priory hill have so many good memories.
kaybee19-Mar-2012 21:12
to teri tinsley,
i worked part time at priory hill in the late 60's early 70's.dave williams was manager and peter hurley and band were resident and.i worked there till 1973 when i moved to cheltenham with the lady guitarist who played at priory hill in the band that year,variation showband.
keith.
Guest 20-Jan-2012 18:32
Regarding the email from Tracey (01.12.11):- not sure the Dixons did, in fact, own The Happy Valley camp site as Arthur Dixon lived at and owned a camp site at the end of Oak Lane, Minster-on-Sea (used to play there with his daughters). Otherwise, do remember the Hunters (John Hunter and Nina, his wife, Penny, their daughter, and believe there was a son). Oh, and Freddie Lardeaux (who owned an army surplus shop in sheerness) passed away on 06.12.11 at the age of 91.
Guest 17-Jan-2012 18:08
I've just been told (for the thousandth time) about how my father-in-law, Arthur Wright, built chalets for Les Edge in Leysdown. Arthur had a builders merchants in Woolwich and Les used to live nearby. He would often come in for bits of timber and got Arthur to build a cocktail cabinet. He also asked Arthur to build the holiday homes and Arthur also did quite a lot of work for Stan Northover who he described as a generous man. Either Les or Stan once paid Arthur in a dustbin full of change from the slot machines! Arthur also mentions Bernie Ecclestone in these stories and how he saw Bernie colecting a load of used glass for reuse somewhere in the Kent area. Arthur said how there some young rowdy hooligans in the holiday bar and Les and some others got them to leave. They were waiting for Les after the bar shut and attempted to attack him but were all defeated by Les on his own.
David 17-Jan-2012 16:53
I love the photos, brings back so many happy memories of some great family holidays in the Priory Hill chalets! I remember the beach front so well, the arcades, the fish & chip shop (Galley) and the small pitch & Putt golf at Shellness, I even had a drive down there the other to see how much it had changed in 30 years! A very special place.
Thomas Felton 10-Dec-2011 00:11
Hi,
Thomas Felton of STAGE 3, go to our page on facebook it called STAGE 3 NETWORK,
All the news and more.
tracey 01-Dec-2011 15:43
so many fantastic memories here, my nan and grandad, marge and henry gardner, firstly had chalet on happy valley 50's- 70's.(think the dixons owned the site) they had 2 daughters janet cant think of other name, they had the little shops on the front too.(who remembers the helicopter ride entrance to happy valley) used to have pony and trap rides also) They then run the warden bay club, living in the little flat next to the "blue lagoon swimming pool". Nan used to sell the crisps/sweets etc in the bar shop. They then brought house in leicester gardens when newly built off warden bay road. then Huge house on the cliffs "glengary" probably gone now. they moved back to london in 1972. unfortunately both gone now. But we had brilliant memories of leysdown all our childhood holidays spent there. aunt and uncle peggy and ron had the cockle stall on the entrance to warden bay during the 6o's. so many happy memories thankyou. tracey
anne mercieca 13-Nov-2011 10:15
Seeing the pictures of Leysdown, Warden Point and Harty, bought back many happy memories of Sheppy when my parents took me on holiday there in the late 40's, early 50's. As I am writing an account of my childhood I have included these memories in "my book". Several spring to mind. We usually stayed in the Bayview area, once in a cottage called Meadowsweet which was next to level crossing at Bayview and another time in one of the cottages opposite Leysdown church (have a picture of these). Knowing that the railway closed in 1950, I was surprised to find amongst my treasures, a Platform ticket dated 1952! I then remembered we visited an acquaintance of my Dad who lived at Warden point. He had acquired one of the old railway carriages and had it set, end on, against a brick wall, which was painted to resemble a tunnel. I believe he let it out as a holiday home to friends and family and had the Platform tickets printed to give a souvenirs. Does anyone have any memories of this?? Will willingly send to picture of the ticket to any interested party
Regards
Anne
Guest 06-Oct-2011 13:30
double your money
Guest 05-Oct-2011 16:50
My grandfather was a friend of old Stan Northover, and my my and aunt were friends of the son and wife. My grandfather owned Warden Bay Holiday Camp, it had the Blue Lagoon swimming pool. I dont suppose anyone remembers him and his wife, Les Edge and Betty Edge.
Guest 05-Oct-2011 16:50
My grandfather was a friend of old Stan Northover, and my my and aunt were friends of the son and wife. My grandfather owned Warden Bay Holiday Camp, it had the Blue Lagoon swimming pool. I dont suppose anyone remembers him and his wife, Les Edge and Betty Edge.
Guest 05-Oct-2011 14:41
You got him! Also maybe you remember the grocery store called the Carlton Stores with a chain smoking lady assistant who dusted your sliced ham with ash! Good old days.
Guest 04-Oct-2011 20:39
i can always remember as, a kid going there the mine and a fatman doing peanuts for sale with his tan
Kevin Sullivan 24-Aug-2011 11:33
RE KEN GIBBARD. Very sorry to hear that Ken has passed away--but very pleased to hear that June and her family are still going strong in Leysdown
steve haynes 23-Aug-2011 20:08
Hi Gary.
I remember the concrete bunker look outs on the cliffs near warden bay,they gradually fell over the cliff one by one.
But would you remember the ww2 runway down by shellness,which had for years under ground hangers and staff quarters.
I paid a trip back some years ago and found that it had become a golf course,though if you look carefully the tarmac still exists.
steve haynes.
gibbard 23-Aug-2011 17:05
this is a message ref june and ken gibbard and their sons: ken sadly passed away but june is 80 years young and still living in leysdown. 6 of her sons still live on the island as do many gandchildren and great grandchildren!
Guest 23-Aug-2011 15:14
Message for Janet : His name was Billy Maylam - i have a photo of him with Big V, my Dad ran the Bingo on the corner for a while (was Greeno`s fish bar) many happy memories of the Northovers - parties etc - remember the gay guys! can remember a black guy called Chunky who used to ride his horse down to the beach!!
Teresa
Guest 02-Aug-2011 14:55
I have so many wonderfull memories of Leysdown.From the moment i was born in 1963 up to the age of about 19 many half terms and summer holidays were spent there.
Three of my aunts had chalets on the site on Warden Bay Road, not Warden Bay itself but the one opposite, opposite happy valley.
My Aunt Nell had one on the front row facing Warden Bay rd, my Aunt Rose and uncle Bert had one directly behind facing onto the main field with the clubhouse on and my aunt floss and uncle sid had one on the back field.
Most summers the family travelled down en masse from Notting Hill for their jollies,and i had many a great time messing about with my cousins.
I have not been back for the best part of 30 years, but i am planning to visit this august bank holiday for a bit of reminising. Also to show the wife where i spent happy times as child.....looking forward to it! - Mark Holley.
Guest 03-Jul-2011 18:42
An email in response to the remarks made by Roger Adams. I can just remember Warden Point circa 1951/1952, as my parents occasionally took me up there for a picnic. My father was a keen amateur paleontologist who dug up not a few fossils that included a
plethora of sharks' teeth (or if you prefer, prehistoric 'Jaws'). I still have some pikkies of us (the family) sitting at the Point. Sorry, but, I do not remember the large, white house Mr Adams refers to, but, it is probable it tumbled into the sea; as
has, so I understand, virtually happened with the house once owned by Arthur Dixon at the end of Oak Lane in Minster. Returning to Warden, I certainly remember Warden Manor which I was taken to when I was about 11, along with a local girl named Angela Hale, and the then owner, Mr Martin(pre Freddie Lardeux days)told us terrifying, but, probably embellished tales of ghosts that supposedly haunted the old place. Otherwise, Mr Counsell, I sent you a private email in spring 2010 regarding Leysdown/Northovers; you have not replied Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Roger Adams 01-Jul-2011 13:14
Just wondering if anyone can recall Warden Point of the early to mid 50s.
There was a big double story white house there very close to the cliffs edge.
Our family gave much consideration to buying it as it was very cheap. However, in the end it was considered too risky as it could have fallen into the sea at anytime although it remained there for many years and was still there in the early 60s - my last visit to Leysdown. I am interested to know if anyone can remember the house and for how long it actually survived. Thanks Roger Adams
Kevin Sullivan 22-Jun-2011 10:58
Sorry, I"m the guest below
Guest 22-Jun-2011 10:56
Hello Reg and Steve.I remember Jim Thompson from the seventies/eighties. If I recall correctly he was a manager for the armed forces(NAAFI or something like that) in Germany.Thanks for the kind offer Reg.my email is SULLYVANK4@AOL.COM.You mentioned you drove around Harts a couple of years ago-- according to google earths satellite photos our chalet was demolished around that time,where it stood there is just a base and the two adjacent sites are concrete bases too--- at the bottom of the hill on the left from the clubhouse---yet it was the newest and biggest chalet on the camp.Best Wishes Kevin
steve thompson 21-Jun-2011 17:17
hi to all im have done a google search and cant believe that i have found this to see some names jim thompson (my uncle)i can rember visiting him and and still have little things he used to buy me all them years ago i never really new much about arthur other than the suicidewas never talked about as i was young, all them years ago any info would be nice,cheers
REG COUNSELL 21-Jun-2011 11:38
HI KEVIN THANKS FOR MESSAGE I LAST VISTITED THE ISLAND 2 YEARS AGO AND DROVE AROUND HARTS
AND NOTICE HOW MANY RUN DOWN CHALETS THERE WERE. MUST BE THE HIGH RENTS,
I MUST HAVE TAKEN HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS IN THE CLUB OF THE HAPPY CAMPERS AND ARTHUR, I NOW
LIVE IN FOLKESTONE.IF YOU LOOK ON TREVORS LEYSDOWN SITE AND CLICK ON TO [ALL] AND SCROOLL
DOWN TO TAKE COURAGE AT HARTS I AM THE LETTER Y IF YOU SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
I COULD SEND YOU SOME OLD PHOTOS TAKEN IN HARTS CLUB. ALL THE BEST REG
KEVIN SULLIVAN 20-Jun-2011 10:46
Hello Reg, my uncle owned the chalet we replaced and in the mid to late sixties our holidays were spent there.I am sure you will remember, as I do, Arthur always did the song Green grow the rushes O! and would lead all the children out and then back into the club behind a large umbrella.
REG COUNSELL 19-Jun-2011 13:46
RE KEVIN SULLIVAN
ARTHUR TOMPSON TOOK HIS OWN LIFE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF GROWING OLD
I WAS HIS CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE LATE 50s AND 60s HAVE MANY MEMORIES AND PHOTOS OF HIM.
Kevin Sullivan 16-Jun-2011 11:14
My family owned a chalet on Harts from 1974-88.We knocked my uncle"s chalet down in 1974 and built a large blue one in its place--it was at the bottom of the hill on the left(from the clubhouse).we knew many people very well including Ken and June Gibbard,Tom Butler(camp manager),Bill Finch,John and Audrey(clubhouse),Bill and Liz Rainbow,Jim Thompson and,of course, Arthur Thompson,who sadly took his own life in 1987.Does anyone remember any of these or any others of that time? and what happened to them?--they were great people and great times.
Guest 08-Jun-2011 12:20
Double your money - it's your lucky day.
rodney stovell 07-Jun-2011 19:30
does any body out ther remember the band at the southbank holiday park with derek johns leading the band on vocals myself rodney stovell on drums johnny knee on piano plus danny dunbar on saxophone it was in the year of 1961 i remember the owner very well mr hunter i think it was we had a ball .one thing did spoil it i lost most of my photos.it would be nice if someone could remember us as three of the band are no longer with us such happy times
teri tinsley 24-Apr-2011 20:54
i went to leysdown for many years in the 60s and stayed on priory hill camp the club in the evenings was always very good does anybody remember a resident group with peter hurley and dave williams was the manager
Fred Morgan 22-Apr-2011 15:21
HELLO CAMPERS i can remember my nan and aunts with there dress pulled up and tucked in there nickers and going into yhe see and we all used go cockling and get covered in mud and the water used to go right out miles and we used to stay in a convereted coach called why worry and when it rained we used to sing the song why worry days to remember
Guest 14-Apr-2011 20:10
Hi your photos are superb. Would you happen to have anymore Bob Wilson photos and any photos of The Golden Horseshoe Arcade at Leysdown from the seventies or eighties.
denise 20-Mar-2011 09:59
hello i have just been down memory lane, reading all your comments about lovely leysdown,me and my brother spent every summer at paradise holiday camp the one on the right as you go into leysdown.we was only in our childhood days but so many memorys to remember, donkey rides, train rides, the merry go round on the beach and strawberry ice creams our names are stuart and denise aggett. we are in our 50's now,but hope to have a day trip there this summer happy days indeed
Paul Shave 12-Mar-2011 01:23
My Dad (Mike Williams) used to run the Nutts Caravan site from 1978 until 1990's - I moved from the island in 1988 but happy days - darts on a Friday night in the Ives Club! (Alan and Ellen)
Veronica 09-Mar-2011 18:50
Hi i was born Veronica Calverley in 1942.William Calverley was my da and Hilda Swinyard my mother.I was adopted to a Lovely lady,no longer a live.Also Geoffrey was adopted to a friend of our dad's.I only found our brothers and sisters 5 yrs ago.Raymond,sheila and Hazel.I have carol on face book we have never met,we spoke once
Guest 09-Mar-2011 13:21
Is Leysdown a nice place to live now?
DAVE ARNOLD 06-Feb-2011 09:23
Sorry Roger forgot my name on previous comment
Guest 06-Feb-2011 09:21
Roger, My Grandfather owned Wing Camp, it is now Priory hill caravan park. His name was Charlie. He had the Rose and Crown pub for many years befor starting Wing camp.
Roger Adams 04-Feb-2011 05:09
Dave,
I seem to recall an Arnolds Holiday Camp at Leysdown in the early 50s was that anything to do with your family. Roger Adams
DAVE ARNOLD 02-Feb-2011 15:27
Have seen comments from Jean Elliot, her uncles the Edge brothers had the big holiday camp down the warden bay road. I went to Eastchurch primary school with you Jean and had a real crush on you. It was approx 45 years ago and I can still remember your very long dark Hair. Nice memory Dave Arnold
Guest 01-Feb-2011 21:51
Wow looking at the pictures of Leysdown brought back many memories as my husband and I spent our honeymoon there in 1957 and last year we were lucky enough to visit Leysdown with The Battersea Bunch (people who were born in Battersea) and we now live in Canada and we had a drink in The Rose & Crown and then had a nice plate of pie and mash and then walked all around the different arcades and played a few games. Lovely memories thank you for posting those pictures.
Roger Adams 31-Jan-2011 12:19
I have just found this wonderful site which brought great memories of Leysdown flooding back Our family (Battersea Folk) first started going there in 1951 when my uncle Fred Magnus and Aunt Polly bought two army ambulances, backed them together, removed the cabs and made them into quite a luxurious caravan (in those days). The caravan was parked on Loves Farm over the back near the stream towards Bay View. The next year my uncle bought a van, fitted it out with a lot of kitchen equipment and opened a mobile canteen which soon became very popular. I used to sped all my summer holidays on Loves Farm with my two aunts that ran the canteen and got to know Cyril Love and his two sons Brian and David very well. In fact they used to let me milk the cows, drive the tractors etc. and they took me everywhere with them. Anyone down that way at the time may recall my cousin Tony being tossed by a cow (Topsy) and spending four days in Minster/Queens? Hospital. Strangely enough the day after this incident Topsy was struck by lightning and killed. In the mid 70s early 80s my two cousins Mary Phillips and Pat Wright moved to Leysdown to live for about 10years. Reg Wright was an electrician at Eastchurch Jail while Nobby Phillips did a bit of taxi driving.We were in Oz then so never got to visit them.In the early days I used to love the bingo stall in the arcade and nearly always went home with a tea set or vase for Mum. Can anyone remember the planes comig in over the sea and firing at targets out in the ocean or the floods of 1952? Roger Adams (age 68)
reg 26-Jan-2011 11:41
to guest sorry for name mistake i don't know anybody named dave i ment trevor edwards
i sent photos to trev to put on his site. getting old now must be memory loss.
Guest 26-Jan-2011 09:42
Sorry Reg, but who is Dave an can I get on his site?
JANET 21-Jan-2011 21:14
THANK YOU TO REG COUNSELL FOR GETTING BACK TO ME!! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THESE PHOTOS OF RITA NORTHOVER'S 21ST BIRTHDAY PARTY. I MIGHT EVEN RECOGNISE SOME OTHER PEOPLE THERE, WHO KNOWS?
Guest 21-Jan-2011 12:12
double your money
reg counsell 20-Jan-2011 14:01
re janet 1oct 2010 sorry for long delay regarding reta northover i was the partner of her father stan when we left leysdown in 1969 we took a pub in hertfordshire
i lost contact with rita. she was a friend of my late wife i have lots of old films of r
ritas 21st birthday party and of her hairdressing shop in the 50s.just a few name
mistakes kenny gough and eilene northover, one of his old bingo callers has a shop in
sheernes barry wellard. hope dave puts photos on his site
Guest 18-Jan-2011 14:35
i use to live there it is a beauty there
Guest 03-Dec-2010 11:00
where wood thay go if thay all got barnt down
Guest 01-Dec-2010 13:17
Any Pickies of the Bus Station?
Adrian 27-Nov-2010 10:04
I am from the island and used to work at the go kart track in the late 60's when I was a student at Maidstone college of art. The track was run by a guy by the name of Jim Martin, who had tracks at Jaywick Sands, Par Beach and St Merryn. I also worked in the kitchens of Vanity Farm holiday camp. My father, Arthur Pearman worked as an inspector for M&D and during the summer months ran the bus station.
Mark B 25-Nov-2010 14:31
Hello Hayley, I remember you and Bradley. I used to be in your class. Didn't your mum also have the greengrocers near the garage at one point? I used to hang around with Peter, his mum and sister are still on the corner.
Janet 01-Oct-2010 12:47
I have such lovely childhood memories of Leysdown! My family (Harmer) were closely linked to the Northover's through Charlie who was Rita's partner back then. Together they had Nathan. I remember Billy Maylen(that's probably spelt wrong)- who I think met un untimely end sadly. Billy let me work with him sometimes in the bingo and I remember a couple of gay men being around who were lovely company - not sure if they worked there too. The picture of Stan & Joyce is lovely, just as I remember them. Although I was a young girl I remember having some lovely meals with them in the Island Hotel. I remember Forresters Bingo and vaguely remember 'young' Henry. I even remember old Henry's funeral. Staff in Stan's bingo were Ken and, I think, John Gough. My aunt and uncle Rosie and Dido had the fruit stall and 'lived' in a chalet on Vanity Camp. They were directly opposite Kit and Jimmy Wise's chalet. Many is the meal we had in the 'Coffee Pot' but I think that's enough for now - maybe more later as I remember it!!! Would just like to say that I would love to be in touch with Rita Northover again.
Guest 25-Sep-2010 14:08
"The Battersea Bunch" is a private web site for people who lived in Battersea in the days before high rise buildings. A dozen or so from our group decided to hold a beano to Leysdown in May this year (2010). We all had wonderful memories of the chalet camps from the 1950's and thought that a trip down memory lane was long overdue. We met up at the Rose and Crown then decided to try out the pie and mash before moving on to the Seahorse.
We were really surprised that many of the old chalets were still in use. A great time was had by all.
Hayley 22-Sep-2010 17:29
to Sheri.
My name is Hayley and my family used to run the Leysdown Cafe that was next to the bookmakers William Hill. They don't have the cafe anymore- it is now a chinese! I don't remember anyone called Sheri but I am really bad at remembering names!
dave flynn 07-Sep-2010 02:32
Hi
I remember all the fun we had during the 60s,my family had a caravan on loves farm,As anyone got pictures of the warden bay club,I would love to see them or any cine film
James Walker 02-Sep-2010 08:09
I am a community development worker for Leysdown and am about to run a project that involves youths from the local secondary school taking pictures of leysdown to compare with past pictures and to interview local people about their perception of Leysdown NOW and how it USED to BE. These interviews will be quite brief but will eventually form part of a website about Leysdown. If anyone is interested in being part of this project please contact me, we will be doing the project between October and March. - James Walker, Swale CVS - 07581 311427 or james.walker@swalecvs.co.uk. We really need your help to make this a success Thank You.
Pat Lawson 30-Jul-2010 15:48
My parents used to own the Warden Bay Hotel Dave and Lorna Connolly and my brothers used to work there John and Vic. I used to work at Jack Marsh racing stables. I married Fraser Lawson who was in the resident band at the Island Hotel at St Clements Church in 1966.
How lovely to suddenly discover this wonderful site with all its postcards. I have some of the Warden Bay Hotel as well.
toni flynn 16-Jul-2010 15:38
hi i use to go on holiday to leysdown as a kid every year our family holiday it was fantastic use to cry when it was time to come home .Anyone know of love farm its where we use to stay in a chalet mum said the club house was called the grove or little grove club house ,i woul love to see if anyone has any pics please xxxxx
Penny Havers nee Hunter 28-Jun-2010 10:29
I was bought up in Sheppey in the 1950/60's, my cousin still farms there. My father built and owned south bank holiday camp. We previously owned Muswell Manor. I came back last year and did the memory lane trip...it was very nostalgic. I remember Tommy Holland, Stan Northover, Bobby Wilson , Ken Butcher, The Rose and Crown,Leysdown and of course Len and his toffee apples and peanuts and his cry ..... I still have friends that I visit from time to time. It would be good to hear from anybody that remembers the Hunters.
Sheri 09-Jun-2010 22:14
I'm looking for a friend called Hayley. Her family used to run a cafe in Leysdown on Sea during the 80's. I guess Haely would now be mid 30's. I wonder if anyone knows where she now is and if her family still have the cafe?
joy 05-Jun-2010 09:21
thanks roy, nice to hear from you.just got back from a weeks holiday [not leysdown!] and got your message.our family came from burnham bucks too.although that area now is under berks i think. speaking to my sisters about you and they were thrilled to learn that you and your family had been to heydays and enjoyed happy times there like us. we look forward to seeing any old photos you may have. i now live in datchet berks.thanks again for getting back, joy.
Roy Crisp 31-May-2010 14:58
Hi Joy,great to hear from you,I dont really remember how we heard about Heydays,I think my dad saw an advert in Daltons Weekly?we stayed many times at 31,I dont even remember it raining but I guess it did.I dont remember your dad or even
how we got in,I think a key was sent in the post,thinking back it must have been difficult to carry all our clothes in a huge case,we lived in Buckinghamshire and the journey by bus.train and buses again must have been horrendous,I seem to remember boys with 'prams'to take your luggage to the chalet!I think somewhere there must be photos of no31,I'll see what I can find and let you know.Finally,you say you lived in Burnham?my family and I live in Burnham,Bucks,I wonder if its the same one?,Speak soon,Kind Regards,Roy.
joy 31-May-2010 13:26
thanks roy crisp for your memories of 31 eastern rd heydays chalet.my father who bought it in 1958 owned it up until his death in 1973. shortly after that my mother sold it on.we like you,went there for our family holiday each year with the large suitcase and also remember the radio and listening to all the latest pop songs on radio luxemberg. at the time we lived in burnham and my dad often let the chalet out to other families.the chalet is still there but no longer named heydays we visited last year and the place has changed very little.i would love to hear of any other memories you have and did you know my father who was the owner at the time you went there?
Peter W 14-May-2010 10:33
What happened to the red Mine on the approach road to the beach? and what was the history of the mine?
Guest 08-May-2010 11:20
I have only known about Leysdown since 2007.
Love the island and most of the people are some of the best I have ever known, but our dealings with just one holiday park, has soured our love of Leysdown. If it wasn't for the wonderful people in and around Leysdown, and the other lovely parks, this one privately owned park and how it is run could ruin the reputation of the whole island as somewhere to have a carefree holiday.
MR ROY CRISP 07-May-2010 11:32
Hi,I have many memories of No31,Heydays,Ithink it was the last chalet in the row?We went there during the 60's,63 or 64,I remember it had a small radio high on a shelf that picked up all the pirate stations,amazing as a 13yr old.I recall my younger brother running to the toilet out the back and hitting an open window(not clever)we would walk up to a shop and get saveloy and pease pudding for supper,there was also a stand in the middle of the pavement?where a woman called bingo numbers but outside?.we had no car so it was always buses or trains to get there with my Dad pulling a huge expanding case for ALL the families clothes,a brilliant holiday everytime,I often wonder if Heydays still exists as I've not been back,thanks for the pic's,Roy.
Jackie 06-May-2010 02:24
I grew up coming to Leysdown every august bank holiday with my parents and siblings. I loved the chalet we stayed in each year on Vanity Farm. As a teenager a group of us drove down from Eltham every Saturday night to Stage 3. In later years we bought a chalet ourself but sold it to become wardens on Warden Bay, working for White Horse Leisure, George and Maureen Wharton. Now living in New Zealand this site bought back great memories, thank you.
angelaw03-May-2010 11:17
From Angela W to Rosie. Hello Rosie. Thank you for you post. My husband, daughter and I met with your brother and his wife last weekend. Had a fantastic time chatting about allsorts but of course very much about our family history. This was fantastic for me because I knew so little about my father's side of the family. I really hope your brother can let me know when you are next visiting so that my family and I can drive up and meet you. Only a 45 minute hop from Lincoln to your brother and sister law. Really look forward to it. It means a lot to me to make up for all the missing family history. Take care Rosie, hope to meet soon. PS Thank you to the site owner for making all these connections possible. Angela W.
Guest 03-Apr-2010 07:29
Lived in the Rose & Crown late 60s to 70s, remenber many of the old regular caracters including ---
Frozen fred, Kipper tom, Doggie jim, Brewmaster charlie, Kelly the bog man (used to live in the gents toilet block shed at the back of our old camp site side of the Rose and Crown) , Johnie the watch , Cockle Annie, Eddie & Sadie (musicians),Toffee apple Len, The drag queens (racheal & ?)Fishy Philis, so many other local characters just cant recall them all. Must not forget Bill Baileys hamburgers spent all my pocket money with him lol.
John
Rosie 07-Mar-2010 10:13
message for Angela W.
I have spoken to my brother who has apparently been in touch with you Angela, obtained your contact details through our cousin Carol. Looking forward to meeting you also at some point in the future when we perhaps are visiting my brother who lives in North Lincolnshire. It would be good to meet another cousin especially from my father's family with whom we had little contact.

To guest 'Sheila's youngest', please pass on my best to your Mum, I hope she is well
reg counsell 03-Mar-2010 12:20
to guest re stan northover march 1st please print your email on this page so we can share
memories. ps i must have been me who told your friend to take his feet of the table
hopeing yo hear from you soon reg
Guest 01-Mar-2010 21:00
I had a teenage summer job in Leysdown and remember it with clarity. I worked for Mr and Mrs Forrest serving ice cream and milk shakes which, for a 14 year old, was the epitome of sophistication. Mr Forrest had a sister, Margaret, who was very kind, and Old Mrs Forrest (that is said with respect)was the family matriach; as my lunch invariably comprised a doughnut, she would tick me off for not eating sensibly; but they were great fun to work with. Of course, I remember Mr Northover (Senior),though I was never introduced to him formally. I was having coffee in his cafe next door to the amusment arcade and one of my friends was very politely rebuked for putting his feet on the table. The friend seemed to spend most of that summer in the amusement arcade, and got to know Mr Northover (junior), who once gave the two of us a lift in a his red sports car; that may well have been a contributory factor in some of my philosophy. Barry Wellard, a tallish, slim, fair haired man, used to work for the Northover family and I can just about remember Rita Northover who appeared very fashionable. Of course, one moves on, and since then I have skipped around the globe, but it is still a summer I cannot forget. Mr Counsell, although you have given your telephone number, I would prefer to email you, but seem unable to find your address. Please, could you print it in a response to my email? Perhaps, the Northovers should return to Leysdown, along with not a few of us, to recall old times?
jackie mattingly (gibbard) 23-Feb-2010 16:34
brilliant site, loads of luvverly memories ; does anyone remember johhny oram bingo caller in stans bingo opposite ritas shop? does anyone remember jackie and kay? we used to go in charlie bakers(king henrys) opp seahorse. fantastic times 1973 to 1987. moved back here last year, stil great place!
reg counsell 23-Feb-2010 11:00
hi martine i have been in contact eith stan northover jn the name harry rose rings a bell
i can not place him at the moment,i am asking trevor to print a photo of stan northover
at the island hotel leysdown which i think is a classic. reg counsell
reg counsell 17-Feb-2010 20:15
hi stan i rember you when you were young and was a good friend of your dad and your
grandad please phone me and let me have your email adress then i can send photos
phone 01303 874948
hope fran is keeping well all the best reg
Annika Douglas 16-Feb-2010 00:49
Hello,Im Annika,daughter of Ian Douglas born 1936,who was the youngest brother of the Gillingham triplets. Rosemary,Margaret and Joyce Douglas. I Came on the site to see if anyone remembers my dad or his mother Bessie Miriam Douglas. She owned a property on Leysdown Road (Main Rd) called Hazel,or 110 as its now known. I have looked through the photo's with my dad & he's told me all about what it was like as he grew up there.Would really love to get in touch with other people he might have known. Annika
Martine R Clark 15-Feb-2010 23:22
My name is Martine and I'm hoping someone out there may have some old photo's (from the 60's)of the Northover's and a man named Harry Rose.In the late 70's/early 80s Lloyd Northover and I were a couple, and i was close to the family.
When Stan had the Island Hotel apparently Harry Rose was there alot, i would dearly love to see some pictures.
Guest 15-Feb-2010 11:31
Hi Reg,

I am actually Stan Jnr Jnr, i.e. Stan Earnest Northovers grandson. Mums name is Franny. We all lived at Beverley when I was younger. I would greatly appreciate if you could upload any photos of the family, and tell any stories from old times...? Mum and Dad lost the majority of their photographs when their beach chalet washed away. Mum only has a few that Rita passed on to her when grandad died. Mum wishes to be remembered to you and hopes you are well. Are you still living on the Island? Also, you wouldn't have any photos of Harry Rose by any chance as well?

Best regards,

Stan

Best regards,

Stan
angelaw09-Feb-2010 12:08
Hi Rosie and Guest, last message september 09.
My name is Angela White nee Calverley. my mum is Betty (Florence Elizabeth). I was born in Sittingbourne and my dad was Walter Calverley. So sorry not to have seen your message. much happening and very involved with a 'family tree'study for a friend. I hope my slow response has not lost me the chance of a new contact in the family. 'Guest' and I have already met and I think it is wonderful to be able to get to know our wider families. I live in Lincolnshire but still visit Sittingbourne to see Mum and other relatives. So pleased to make your acquaintance Rosie. Hope to speak again I will check back soon.
reg counsell 07-Feb-2010 11:26
I HAVE MANY STORIES AND PHOTOS OF STAN NORTHOVER AND ALL THE FAMILY YOU CAN CONTACT ME
ANY TIME ON THIS SITE OR MY EMAIL ADDRESS.
Guest 04-Feb-2010 20:05
My parents knew Stan Northover. They ran his football pools game. I remember hearing the story that when they arrived in Leysdown they had nothing, and Mrs Northover started a cafe next to where they later had their amusement arcade. I remember having a bacon sandwich in there. Apparently they were so poor, Mrs Northover had to buy a hoover on the never-never at 2/6 aweek! That's about 20p now.
Guest 02-Feb-2010 11:48
Hi, I'm doing research on Leysdown. Can anyone share their knowledge of who Stan Northover was? Apparently he was a well known character in the 60's? Any information/knowledge/opinions of him and the family would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
Guest 29-Jan-2010 11:44
For Shannel Walker; The clay cliffs with the WW2 bunkers not far from Leysdown is Warden Point, there are pictures of the village and cliffs on this site. If you want to know more about the bunkers, they were part of the Chain Home Low radar network. There are some good websites specifically about Kent defences that will have more info and pictures.
Philip Robinson 23-Jan-2010 10:03
A great site and brings back loads of memories,my farther John Robinson used to run the go kart track in the seventies.I used to go down on school holidays to help him.what a great time it was for me.Bony M (brown girl in the ring)was always on at the club house in the camp site .Anyone got any photos from then.I would love to see them as i do not have many photos of my farther.
Graeme Frost 14-Jan-2010 21:45
Nice one Trev, think I remember you from school? Great memories of the island. Peanut Len used look after me in my pram for my mum when she was busy in the shop that she and my dad owned. Think it was called Arthurs stores, it was next door to the Rose and Crown. Their names were Dee and Reg Frost, they also owned Bell Farm House and site, were I was born in 1956. I lived on the island until the early 70's. I have two brothers still there and get back on the odd occassion.
Tom Lyons 03-Jan-2010 18:08
The first time I entered the enclave of Leysdown was probably 1972, a weeks holiday at the Happy Valley Park, just off Ocean Road, or is it Sea Road?, which runs towards Warden Bay, then during the early 1980's the odd visit to the Stage3 nightclub to hear the Cerwin Vega Speakers punch out what where then the latest disco sounds, and from rumour it was burnt down? around 1985?, after which it may of become a temporary car park, but it was not the last of Leysdown I saw, I have been back to that far flung town many times since, in fact it only takes a little over four hours to cycle from Crystal Palace, so perhaps it's not that far flung at only 52 miles, and between 2000 to 2002 I lived further east at Thanet, an approximate 73 miles from London, an approximate 7 hour cycle from London, but by late 2002 I ended up back in London, it seems that for some of us, that you can take the physical out of the city, but not the mind, ah well, spring is on it's way, and I do plan a cycle ride to Hoo Pininsular and Sheppey soon, and Leysdown will be on the list of places to revisit, Tom, Crystal Palace, London,
tomlyons77@btconnect.com
utube name > LetsCycleToday
Shannel Walker 01-Jan-2010 23:36
Hi i'm Shannel Walker i'm only 15 and i've known Leysdown-on-sea over a year i had a chalet in Vanity Village untill my Mum passed away in May 2009 we had to sadly sell our chalet, Me and my cousin found abit of history what i can not find on the internet? on Leysdown-on-sea's beach at the bottom of the big clay hill, Its like a look out for bombings or an air aid shelter in not sure but its still perfectly normal but on its side and theres others but all smashed like they have fell from the hill to be honest its amazing i wish i took photo's now but annoyingly i dont think i can :/ can anyone help me find out please? :)thankyou
amy 06-Dec-2009 20:50
hello, my name is amy bolding, i am 19years old and have been going to the white horse leisure centre caravan park in leysdown all my life, as my mother and all her family did before me. i wonder if you knew my grandparents? rose and ted bolding. they have also been going to leysdown for as long as they can remember, :)
reg counsell 17-Nov-2009 10:23
TO TESS I AM STILL WELL AND KICKING..RE KELLY HE WAS A VERY TOUGH MAN,WHEN I HAD THE
SANDWICH BAR IN LEYSDOWN I WOULD PAY HIM AND GIVE HIM SOME GRUB FOR WASHING MY FLOOR
WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD HE WOULD STUFF CARDBOARD INSIDE HIS SHIRT TO KEEP WARM.
HE DIED IN THE OLD PEOPLES HOME IN SHEERNESS.
I HAVE A NICE PHOTO OF HIM TAKEN OUT SIDE BAYVIEW HOTEL AS MAYOR OF LEYSDOWN SOMETIME IN
THE 60s HOPE TREV WILL PRINT IT
Tess 15-Nov-2009 15:22
To Reg Counsell - Hope i`m in time :-) I remember Kelly - We used to see him mostly at Sheerness when i was a kid in the early 60`s. I can remember my Dad telling me he used to be a boxer??
Teresa Bigg
Guest 10-Nov-2009 11:08
hi sharon its andy one of the battersea boys lol. please go to this web site jazzfunkand soul.com you will go back in time. we both are married with lots of kids. loads from 12 to 27 in ages. nicks in spain im in essex but we do go down leysdowne alot in the summer to see our mums.maybe meet up with you and your girls and show them were we all had great times all the best andy x keep watch this space
Sharon 05-Nov-2009 23:09
Must be over 25 years since I last visited Leysdown, but how fantastic to hear news of Nick & Andy. Perhaps I should re-visit with my own girls to show them where their mother mis-spent her youth!! Please pass my best wishes to those Battersea boys, if they remember me. Hope life has treated them well xxx
brenna dickinson 30-Oct-2009 10:04
I remember Sheppy, Leysdown and Sheerness very well from 1960. My parents worked for Stan Northover that summer, running his football pool Game. We had our trailer behind the motel he was building then...
Guest 14-Oct-2009 19:24
Rosie - Sheila's youngest
Rosie 30-Sep-2009 07:14
Message for guest researching Calverley and Bastard family. Will need to know your Mum's name to confirm as I think I know who you are.
Guest 19-Sep-2009 14:47
Rosie, yes am chasing Calverley's and Bastard - think you are my step-aunt think your dad William - he was my grandad.
Rosie 17-Sep-2009 11:57
Message for Angela, Lyn, Rena and anyone else connected to our family, the Bastards and Calverley's - have not visited the site for ages due to ill health but would welcome contact, seems there are more of us than first thought!
Guest 13-Sep-2009 11:01
nick and andy are alive and well sharon .still go down from time to time. great times always smile when thinking about leysdown. memories. never forget. hope you are well xxx
Malc 14-Aug-2009 09:07
A wonderful site, bringing back memories of holidays there in the 1960s. Just one thing missing: do you have any pictures of the M&D bus station/garage? I have been looking everywhere without success!
reg counsell 06-Aug-2009 12:54
Answer to Karl Phillips from Reg Counsell re. vanity site and station
the station was on the left hand side where the bingos .are now it was closed in the late
50s, the site was bought by stan northover, he built a row of shops.a theatre,skating rink,and a zoo then after a big fire a bingo.
from london you had to change trains at sheerness for leysdown and kids with carts
made with old pram wheels would take your luggage to your camp at a cost of 6 pence in
old money.
i meet my wife to be in the old RAF N.FF.I just inside the gates of harts camp,
her mother had a chalet built by kings of lewisham at the cost 185 pounds number 3 vanity
no tolets or elec. calor gas was 5/-a bottle,
there was a club house run by a rose phillips she was very stirct and known as the beast
of belson hope your not related. ground rent was 25 pounds a year.
the hoiday camp was on the right hand side at the round about in the high street just
along the beach. hope this helps a bit, so memorys and good times. all the best from reg
Guest 04-Aug-2009 08:32
Alfred Bastard was my great great grandfather's brother so I have been fascinated to see the comments about the family and would love to be in touch with some of you relatives there. It has been good to see the photos of the area which I have never visited, but hope to do so next time I am in UK. I am taking a risk in publishing my email address : rena.brewin@yahoo.com because I would like to hear from any of my relatives. Thank you for helping me to get an idea of the area with your lovely photos. Rena
Guest 01-Aug-2009 15:22
Lovely collection of old photo's. My family had a chalet in the Warden Bay camp every year from 1950 - 1954. I remember the old club house which had old bus seats fitted around the bar. I also remember the mobile fish and chip van outside the Rose and Crown. I returned last week and found that many of the chalets still survive!

Many thanks for your great web site

Peter Towell
Karl Phillips 30-Jul-2009 15:24
Sheppey bottles, thank you for your reply.
Sheppey bottles 29-Jul-2009 10:22
Karl, the station was in the car park at the back of old Mr B,s Bobby Wilsons old place the Golden Horshoe. If you go to the far end of the car park you will see the track bank remains where it crosses the road to Loves camp and beach. The holiday camp is where the older Villas are now. Go down the promenade and turn right just passed the Spinney the camp was along on the left hand side. We used to go in there as kids for a free swim, join in camp games for the holiday makers and we even managed to get a few free meals in the dining room...Don't tell anyone though.
Guest 28-Jul-2009 13:53
Message for Rosie,
You say that Kate Kenealy had 6 children, she actually had 7, I think that you are forgetting their first born son Frederick Walter who died just a 12 weeks old, but still he was born, buried as their son. The memorial card says '...The darling child of Frederick and Kitty Calverley,...' Kate Kenealy was my Grt Grandmother.
Karl Phillips 27-Jul-2009 17:02
Message for Reg Counsell, I am interested in any information about the Train that served Leysdown. Also I have a chalet in Vanity Village and would love to know more about this site if you can help
Karl Phillips 27-Jul-2009 16:48
Can anyone tell me where the Train station was located in Leysdown. And where was the Butlins type Holiday camp and has anyone any idea what year the camp closed
pauline collins 26-Jul-2009 00:22
going back 1959 right up to now i have always been to leysdown it it nice down there iam going next so if anyone as got any adderess of caravan i would like them if you can email them to me please
Sharon Munns 23-Jul-2009 11:21
Dear Trevor
I see that you have linked to Muswell Manors the Birth place and cradle of aviations front page which has now also created a picture gallery of the 2nd and 3rd May 2009 Aviation Centenary celebrations. Which include the Battle of Britain memorial Flight and Tiger moth Team and with all of the unvielings of the three memorials and plaques here with much more of the two day celebrations. I was just wondering would you like to have a photo to add to your very good picture gallery?

Kind regards
Sharon Munns
Muswell Manor
Angela 17-May-2009 15:08
Hello from Angela - ARE LYN AND ROSIE STILL VISITING? Just found this site today and will spend more time studying it. I love the way people keep their history and heritage alive in this way. It is fabulous. To Lyn and Rosie especially....my name is Angela and my father is - was -Walter Calverley, son of Kate Kenealy Calverley nee Bastard - my grandma. She died when I was four at our house and I dimly remember that night. I and a new found relative (who I will mention this sight to) have been researching our family tree - Bastard and Calverley lines. You mention someone else - a brother - who is also researching. I have lots of info and will certainly visit the Sheppy Heritage Centre when next down to visit my family in Kent. Would like to know more of my history, so happy to hear from anyone thru 'private contact'.
reg counsell 11-May-2009 15:24
Dear jean re. les and bill edge i ran the shop on vanity farm in the 60s later moving on
to a shop i called FINGS next to rita's hair dressers then over the road a sandwich bar
there was 6 photographers working at night in the clubs for bernie who had a ofice on
warden bay camp. we printed photos at night in an old tolet block,my 3 camps were IVES.
HARTS. and VANITY FARM. Do anybody remember KELLY who slept rough.? I am in my 80s now
if anybody wants any imformation best hurry before i kick it.
regcounsell 28-Apr-2009 10:07
reply to doris dempsey. re stan northover the island hotel is now a old peoples home.
i moved to hertfordshire with them in 1969 in partnership with a pub,
stan died in cyprus in the 1980s i have lots of photos of him if you want copys.
anne 27-Apr-2009 12:36
Does anyone remember the Gem Stores run by Mr + Mrs Carrington in the late 40's early 50's? It backed on to our rented bungalow in Bay View Rd.We also stayed at a cottage opposite Leysdown church(alas no longer there)with partridges in the back garden.Another time we stayed at a bungalow called Meadowsweet which was next to the level crossing gates at Bay View in the 50's when the railway had been closed. We often walked along the empty track to Leysdown, going cockling at low tide and seeing a plane towing a target. All that lovely cold oozy mud between your toes! Walking to Harty Ferry and going in the church with its "old" smell, fishing for eels in the dykes and seeing the remains of a Sunderland Flying Boat on the Swale. Sheppy was a very important part of my childhood
Anne
anne 27-Apr-2009 12:36
Does anyone remember the Gem Stores run by Mr + Mrs Carrington in the late 40's early 50's? It backed on to our rented bungalow in Bay View Rd.We also stayed at a cottage opposite Leysdown church(alas no longer there)with partridges in the back garden.Another time we stayed at a bungalow called Meadowsweet which was next to the level crossing gates at Bay View in the 50's when the railway had been closed. We often walked along the empty track to Leysdown, going cockling at low tide and seeing a plane towing a target. All that lovely cold oozy mud between your toes! Walking to Harty Ferry and going in the church with its "old" smell, fishing for eels in the dykes and seeing the remains of a Sunderland Flying Boat on the Swale. Sheppy was a very important part of my childhood
Anne
pat 17-Mar-2009 14:48
Great site went to leysdown from about 1950 on nuts farm two familys stayed in a army bell tent with communal toilets and wash hand basin, no showers like people expect now.
many loveiy times there. Evan met my husband there andwe have been married for 48 years


Trevor Howland 15-Feb-2009 09:57
Trevor - thank goodness for people like you who are prepared to put time and effort into producing sites such as this. I lived at Minster 1948 until 1959 ( when the dockyard closed & I moved to Rosyth Scotland ). I really enjoy looking through your site.
Fond regards
Trevor Howland
Doris Dempsey 12-Feb-2009 16:35
Anyone remember Stan Northover and his family, and their garage/petrol station/cafe on the edge of town (where exactly?) as my parents rang their bingo for them in the town in 1959. Happy memories...
Guest 18-Dec-2008 23:21
Lived at Henry's Bar opposite Sea Horse 1984-86. Remember Stage 3, Coffee Pot cafe, Rose & Crown, Rollins store. Anyone know if John, Cheryl & daughter Samantha still living there?
Rosie 29-Nov-2008 10:44
Msg for Lyn - I have spoken with my Mother and she has ironed out my confusion! Alfred Bastard was Annie and Kates father, and yes of course Annie had 6 daughters, no sons. Kate Kenealy Calverley, nee Bastard was my grandmother, had 6 children also, 3 sons, 3 daughters. My father knew Annie as his aunt who was apparently a very good pianist and that would make Annie Bastard my great aunt. Kates children were Kitty, (who is buried on the island at Minster), Mary, Madge, Ivor, William (my father) and Walter. My eldest brother has gone into the history of the family in depth but more the Calverley side of it.
Guest 27-Nov-2008 19:17
what a wounderful site you have so many memmories it brings back.i am currently sitting here with my sister Mary my name is Jean our surnames then was Elliott as i said we lived on warden bay hoilday camp for about 11,12 years which was owend by our uncles Les and Bill Edge ourmother was sister to them her name was Jessie and our father s name was Charlie they both worked on the camp and made many many friends there over the years .does any one remember them and the camp .the club was always busy and had a fun and family atmosphere there was also the blue lagoon swimming pool (open to all campers) in Leysdown. there was Bernie the photograopher Stan Slosher entertaiments and so many more if any one out there reads this and knowes us or the camp please write back thanks .
Lyn 26-Nov-2008 15:10
This is a message for Rosie. I'm a bit confused as my Annie Bastard had 6 daughters but no sons, however Annie's sister Kate's married name was Calverley and although I don't know how many children she had in total,I think that she had a daughter named Kitty.Does this make any sense to you??
Rosie 23-Nov-2008 15:51
Message for Lyn is she is visiting this site again - Annie Bastard was my Father's mother. He was William born 1910, and had brothers Ivor, Walter and sisters Kitty & Anne. Think we definitely have a connection somewhere! Does the surname Calverley mean anything to you?
anne love 13-Oct-2008 12:38
Well I love your site, have just arranged to have our caravan moved to Little Grove site I hope I enjoy it as much as everyone else seems to have.... I would like some wonderful memories too......
Neil Osborne 30-Sep-2008 16:50
What memouries of the old Holiday Camp we went several years always secound week in June
sometimes august Bank Holiday Week as well i can remember 1970 watching the Mexico World cup in the Tv room in the camp England/Brazil, i think the only reason that we stopped going was the camp shut at the end of 1971 as we knew it. I can remember fantatic holidays when at one stage about 15 of the family going in mini bus used to meet up with same lot every year from London all the adults used to enter all the compeditions Putting,Darts,snooker my mum even won the tennis one year being the only one who entered.The mums and dads used to drink all week i can remember the freezing cold outdoor pool and the ramble on the last day ending in a trip back from pub on a double decker bus
Have had many expensive holidays over the years Antiga etc but somehow when no one had hardly any money this week at the camp always stands out and brings alump to the throat as being the one holiday i wish i could bring back
me and my cousin still talk about it now
Happy days
Mark B 23-Sep-2008 10:13
I was brought up in Leysdown and moved from the Island in '87. Every morning I would walk down to the bus station to take me to school. It is a shame that they haven't done anything with the land. It is now an eyesore. A lot of my memories are from the winter when we would get blocked off by snow from the rest of the Island at Jenkin's hill. One year it was so bad that the army dropped potatoes outside Nutts house. A chinook off loaded food near the Island hotel and we would go and collect it by sledge. Later it was on the Six o'clock news. The holiday camps were deserted. I remember playing in 3 foot snowdrifts at Harts and Southbank. The day that we handing the house keys over was the 16th October 1987. The day of the great storm. It was a shock seeing the destruction, caravans toppled over, roofs lifted off the villas, trees down. Now it is hard to find the evidence.
Summer, it was a different place, full of holiday makers. At night lying in bed I could hear the arcades, not to mention the parrot toy despenser, "here comes your present". There was the Briny and Greeno's corner with Derek and Rita. Two greengrocers opposite each other. The garage, the Fun Factory, Rollins later Ferns shop where the costcutter is now. The Royal Wedding when we had street parties. Not to mention that if you headed down to shellness it was quiet and could walk down the old airfield.
Lyn 05-Sep-2008 16:45
I grew up in Sheerness & can remember travelling to Leysdown during the summer months on an open top bus (possibly late 50's early 60's).Thanks for the wonderful memories. Also if Rosie (mssg left 21 May '08)is still visiting this site my greatgrandmother was Annie Bastard daughter of Alfred & grandaughter of Thomas Bastard whose picture is in Sheppey Heritage Centre on permanent loan by my sister.
pauline collins 31-Aug-2008 17:21
when i was 7 years old every year we came down to nutts camp site every night we went round the bingos and then when we came home we got abag of chips and on the way home we got some peanuts it would be nice to have it all back agine we came down every year
Guest 23-Aug-2008 09:02
hello what a great site you have my uncles owned warden bay holiday camp and my farther built the firat chalet on there i am sure that the photo you have of warden bay holidy camp that it is my father in the for ground of it at the entrence i lived at the camp with my parents from the age two untill i was about 13 wounderful times my mums name was jessie and my father was charlie my uncles were les and bill edge i wounder if any one remembers any of them. happy days
Hans Chr. Sørensen12-Aug-2008 12:33
Very nice gallery! You have many great shot.
tracy marshall 30-Jul-2008 17:30
My grandparents had a chalet on vanity farm from 1977-1995. Loved Leysdown and miss it so much, we used to go to the paradise club and play pennies from heaven where all the drunk adults would through money and the kids had to grab as much as you could off the floor. Also Little miss paradise which I won and still have the trophy from.
Guest 20-Jul-2008 21:20
now in my 40's i remember going to leydown regulary with my skool friend who was lucky enough to have a caravan in leysdown. in my 20's i brought a chalet on priory hill (2 small) where my daughter, who is now 11 years old, was conceived. my brother lived in minster for a few years but has now relocated so roll on six weeks holiday when i can visit my favourite seaside town ever xxx
joy 18-Jul-2008 17:29
nadine11

i remember your nan and grandad who had the fruit and veg stall they were a lovely couple my mum used to get all our fruit from them. happy days they were
Sharon 11-Jul-2008 23:11
What a trip down memory lane! - We had a caravan on Little Groves,through the 70's and 80's. Spent many a great weekend there. Loved the Seahorse Disco (next to the pub) and The Island Hotel. Then there was the classier Stage 3, owned by the Wilsons (always thought they were 'Ewing family' of Sheppey!!! )and the DJ Tom Felton who used to be the bingo caller during the day! Ahh,good old days, lots of memories!!! - the Drag queen from the Seahorse Pub with his little white poodle, Milkshakes and chips in 'The Coffee Pot' cafe (run by two sisters I think) The Stage 3 'all-dayer' (for the royal wedding or was it the jubilee? And of course the boys!!!Nicky, Andy whatever happened to you????
nadine1103-Jul-2008 19:38
I have many wonderful memories of Leydown in the 70's from holidays with my beloved Grandparents, Albert and Annie Smith, Aunt Lulu (Sarah Marsden, nee Harmer) my Mum, Janet, and family friend, Gladys. My aunt and uncle, Rosie and Dido had a caravan (and a fruit and veg stall, which also sold peanuts that my mum bagged up as a little girl). Another uncle, Charlie Harmer, married Rita Northover who had Rita's hairdressers. One of my earliest memories is of the Rose and Crown! After such an enjoyable trip down memory lane I think I'll have to re-visit Leysdown in the very near future! Nadine
nadine1103-Jul-2008 19:31
I have some wonderful memories from the 70's. My Aunt Rose and Uncle Dido had a caravan, and a fruit and veg, stall in Leysdown. Another uncle, Charlie (Harmer) married Rita Northover (who had Rita's hairdressers). After viewing this web site and having so enjoyed the trip down memory lane - wonderful holidays with my beloved Grandparents, Annie and Albert Smith and Aunt Lulu (Sarah Marsden, Nee Harmer) I think I will have to visit! Nadine
nadine chapman 02-Jul-2008 19:05
My Aunt and Uncle, Rosie and Dido Slingsby, had a caravan in Leysdown, They also had a fruit and veg stall there (which also sold peanut's!). Another uncle, Charlie Harmer married Rita Northover from leysdown (had a hairdresser's called 'Rita's').
I spent a few very happy summer's there in the late 1970's with my adored nan Annie Smith (nee Harmer), her sister Rosie, nan's friend Gladys and my mum, Janet. Have lots of memories, where the sun always seemed to shine - rose coloured glasses and all that!
Guest 17-Jun-2008 07:52
Guest
Lived on the Island for 17 years and it was great to read all the comments about Leysdown. Remember Len the peanut man very well as I also worked in Leysdown for a while. Lovely gentleman. Sometimes return to Sheppey to look up old friends. It has changed quite a lot but then everywhere has. Good luck to Sharon and Terry on your venture. It will be hard work getting noticed but I`m sure you will do it. Keep pushing.
Edward 28-May-2008 22:14
I used to DJ at stage 3 with Thomas Felton and flicks in dartford with Colin Hudd, I have some wonderful memories of Laysdown with me getting off with my first girl from the campsite opposite!
MALCOLM DAWSON 23-May-2008 11:42
I GREW UP IN WARDEN JUST OUTSIDE OF LEYSDOWN AND STILL HAVE FAMILY THERE .I COULD SPEND HOURS LOOKING UP ALL MY OLD HAUNTS AND SEING IF I RECOGNISE ANYONE
Rosie - Guest 21-May-2008 20:45
I have spent ages trawling through this wonderful site I found by accident, and am absolutely loving it! Congratulations Trevor for a work of art in progress. I first visited the island as a child with my parents, and regularly visited, eventually buying a chalet here, and then re-locating from London about 11 yrs ago, not knowing at that point that my paternal family originated from here. My greatgrandfather was Alfred Bastard who was a corn merchant and apparently had a store on Marine Parade. My grandmother was born in Minster about 1876-8, and I have been trying to find out more info ever since. Thomas Bastard is pictured in the Heritage Centre but no idea if they were related. I think our house is pictured in one of your photos showing Nutts farm, but as it has changed so much over the years I cannot be sure. It was once two farm cottages built circa 1893, was altered to a shop at some point and changed back into 2 cottages about 11 yrs ago. I love living here and wouldn't return to London if I was given a penthouse overlooking the Thames for free. Thanks for all the lovely pics and keep up the good work - will definitely keep looking in.
Simon Faulkner 18-May-2008 18:19
I was born in bermonsley in March 1968 and had my first holiday in Leysdown in the June of that year. My mum and dad used to have there holidays there every year as both of my nan and grandads both owned caravans on Nuts Farm camp site. I spent every holiday back in the 1970s here. I was even there the day Elvis Presley died 16th Aug 77. When it used to rain my mum would bye me a Airfix model from the camp shop. I could go on forever telling of my holidays on Leysdown. I will be returning to Leysdown on the 30th May 2008 for a weeks holiday. This will be my first time for thiry years. Stephen the one with the blonde hair and the purple budgie bike are you still out there?
Guest 13-Apr-2008 11:10
i remember stage 3 they used to hire out trousers if you turned up with jeans on.
Guest 13-Apr-2008 08:42
i remember len we used to call him the toffee apple man.we where from from south london and all millwall fans, len was a big west ham fan and always had his radio on listening to the football. happy days
Roger Tiller 31-Mar-2008 23:23
What memories, took me back to when i stayed there for six weeks with a touring marionette show i was 12 years old then i'm now 67 years old, we came there in a old ford 8 car with a trailer on the back to carry all the props, much later to appear on the Billy Cotton band show, black & white tele in those days. Can anyone remember them they where called the Jolas Puppet's
Guest 06-Mar-2008 11:05
does anybody remember the old man who used to leave his barrow outside the seahorse pub with a note on it saying buy some peanuts and leave the sixpence in the box. there would be little bags of peanuts all neatly tied up ready to buy, imagine trusting people like that today.
Tim Oxley 25-Feb-2008 21:49
Goodness, this site has brought back memories, and given me a good chuckle. Old Peanut Len was my Uncle. As kids, during the summer, we were brought up on a diet of toffee apples, Nan would get up at 4.00am to boil the toffee, & make them in her kitchen. In those days they lived at the bottom of Wards Hill, Minster. Len would get a lift up to Leysdown & sit there all day on his stall, and yes in the latter years had his blue, 3 wheeled mobility. Minster people would remember Nan, Mimma Oxley, with her very broad Scottish accent. I've spoken to people all over the country about Sheppey & Leysdown, over the years, and they all remember Peanut Len.
ashley 10-Feb-2008 11:53
I LOVE LEYSDOWN i used to come every year as a child, had quite a few abroad hoildays but leysdown i thought was better, i am 31 now with two kids of my own girl age 11 and boy age 7 i took them to florida orlando etc....it was a surprise for them, only my daughter was dispointed as she thought she was going to leysdown !!!! so yep this year we are staying in hearts....cant wait....i think they love all the train journey and sleeping in a caravan its an adventure....altho they do want to go back to florida...at some point...haha.. leysdown used to be a little quite resort no one really knew about but now its in all the brochures...and loads go every year...i would love to own a caravan down there...one day.... untill then i will have to dream...... x
sheila .c. 04-Feb-2008 22:46
yes, iremember old len who sat at the top of the promanade, spent every holiday there from 1955-1960, stayed on harts camp , chalet called the THREE JJJS, had the toilets outside, my dad had to light the gas lamps, many happy memories, shame we cant turn back the clock.
Guest 26-Jan-2008 21:36
I have a van on nutts farm.I cannot wait for march to come.So i can escape dreary london.Ihave 6 grandchildren who just love it.The friends i have made i look forward to seeing them after the long break.Just one more thing to say.I love leysdown;
Guest 22-Jan-2008 22:23
I love leydown i have done for the last 30 years ,i moved here 7 years ago from london
and i would never move back . muswell manor is a very nice and quit location , but near all the shops amusments pubs bars clubs and doctors for every ones needs ,the cosy cafe is good all day for any food ,ie breakfast,dinner and tea ,our even a sandwich . The doctors are open 5mornings a week ,and if they can help you they can ,if not put you on the right footing .
Guest 11-Jan-2008 23:50
Oh, thank you for all the messages and memories. I have recently sold my chalet and gone on to pastures new. I will never forget family holidays in Leysdown and it is such a shame that for some reason the island is determined to get rid of the people who made the island. Such is life. Jan
Guest 11-Jan-2008 12:59
yes i remember the carlton stores well, it was near the rose and crown pub also remember the cosy cafe the handy stores where we got our gas bottles and the vanity stores. i also remember a man who was the caretaker of vanity holiday camp in the 60s his name was mr. butcher. from joy
Guest 11-Jan-2008 12:37
does anyone remember vanity camp there were two, one was on the right hand side as you came in to leysdown and there was another one on the left, this is the one i stayed at ,anybody else stay there?
Guest 04-Jan-2008 12:50
No one remembers the Carlton Stores then?


Colin
Bob Johnson 31-Dec-2007 23:53
Great photos bringing a whole host of happy memeories flooding back from the 60's...We used to stay in the chalets in Southbank Camp...We used to travel down from Woolwich most years on the Sheppey Excursion.....I remember Len the toffee apple man, scouting for bullets from the ranges, stealing and cooking pigeon's eggs from the old air raid shelter, watching the fighters flying in from the sea when filming the film 'Battle of Britain', the bus station, walks along the cliff, such happy memories....Does anyone remember the night one of the arcades in the promenade caught fire and blew up....We used our buckets and spades to collect hundreds of scorching hot pennies, never been so rich...What about the horse rides in the smallpark behind where Len sat....Such wonderful memories....
Guest 07-Dec-2007 13:05
Any one remember a grocers called the Carlton Stores? In the late 60's I remember a chain smoking woman in there who loved to give the pork pies a touch of ash (accidentally of course) !!!

Colin
John 05-Dec-2007 23:05
Happy days,lovely site with super views.We had a caravan on Nutts from the mid sixties on..when philpot was the warden.I remember peanut Len ,we used to go and get him drinks and help out in the summer.Sold newspapers round the sites in the summer for Paynes? shop.Roller skating at back of Parnells? Gary Greeno was at the bingo Las Vegas( an old mate in the scooter days).Remember crown cap bottle tops being used as bingo card markers...sigh jumpers for goalposts..they were happy days for sure. Loved the island so much we moved down her in 87. i collect old bottles from Sheppey and old seaside souvenirs etc.
John 26-Nov-2007 21:51
Went camping at Love's farm Leysdown twice in late forties. Aged twelve then. Had a great time. Used to collect mail from home from the dairy. Still remember the smell of the milk. Someone used to run trips for the kids from the beach into the sea using a world war 2 amphibian landing craft! We used to walk from the farm into Leysdown along the railway track, one train a day from Sheerness. A man at the farm used to round up the sheep on a motor bike. Toilets on the camp were abit primitive, When the drums were full they were loaded onto a trailer pulled by a tractor and towed away splashing all over the place! I remember watching the beauty contest at the pub where The Miss Leysdown Belle was selected. Happy memories enjoyed the pics.
Guest 04-Nov-2007 16:48
I grew up in the 70's in Leysdown along with Paul Davis who has added his coments to your pictures. Fantastic images! Stage 3 was a product of the Wilsons who also ownedd Mr B's, which at that time was the Golden Horseshoe, and much welcomed it was at the time.
Terry 25-Oct-2007 19:31
Remember the go-carts well also the trampolines,

Just came back from leysdown today and sadly it is not the same as it was then, shame..
paul davis 16-Oct-2007 01:37
Trevor great to see your photos.I was born in leysdown and lived there till I was 22. I now live in Minster. My family owned and run Central Beach caravan site from it's conception till 1981. You have a photo of my house ( now pulled down ) that I have never seen before. I have so many great childhood memories growing up in Leysdown and visit it often. My family also ran several other bussinesses there including the beach arcade, deck chairs, tea rooms and cafe.
Alan Haines 24-Sep-2007 21:29
Great pics that brought back memories (just about) from two family holidays in 1963 and 1964. Went back there last year to try and find Leysdown Holiday camp but I think it's gone which is a shame as I really wanted to see the old chalets again. I have loads of old pics from that period if you're interested?
Guest 27-Aug-2007 15:15
Stumbled on this website by accident, was having a memory lane moment this morning and thought I would look up Leysdown! What memories it has brought back, I used to go to Leysdown, Vanity Farm. Always went on holiday there from the early fifies. I remember the old chalets and the clubhouse which was an old barn.

August Bank Holiday was always a great if not bittersweet moment., as on the one hand you had great activities such as the sack, egg and spoon races etc., and the evening the adults had their fun in the clubhouse. The downside was that it meant that it was soon time to pack up and come home again, which meant going back to school.

Have thoroughly enjoyed looking through the gallery and the memories that they hold. I know I have loads of pictures which I will one day dig out.
lyn hansen 04-Aug-2007 23:59
my name is lyn me and my mum and dad spent years at leysdown holidaycamp with arthur thompson ents manager and after that came ben with the bad feet anyone remember ????
topsy turvey king of the camp .. i went back to leysdown recently HELPPPPP
michael alford 23-Jul-2007 16:37
i was always on holiday in leysdown with my nan grandad mum and dad must of been in the 1970s i started going there i remmber the fair on the beach they used to have go karts in there. now ive got a caravan down there and my children are down there.
Guest 22-Jun-2007 10:16
Thanks for so many memories. Spent many happy childhood holidays there during the 60's staying at Southbank and Harts holiday camps, entering all the fancy dress and talent competetions. In later years I moved there and spent a few happy years there, working in the Seahorse and the Rose and Crown. My daughter is still living there. Has anyone got any old photos of Southbank?
joy 09-Jun-2007 13:57
love the site trev. brings back a thousand memories. my dad bought a chalet on vanity site on eastern road in 1958. it was new then and was the show room for the sale of them. we still have the receipt forit £450 a fortune back then. i was only six years old and it was the first time i had seen the sea.i went there for the summer holidays for six weeks some times, wonderful. i remember the old man who used to sell sweets on the beach my dad had a drink with him once in the sea horse pub his name was tom but always known as kipper tom also remember len calling out toffee apples peanuts there lovely. our chalet was at 31 eastern road and was called heydays
Rina Scowen 18-Mar-2007 17:16
I remember the camp walk when we seemed to walk for miles and ended at a pub and discovered we had walked in a circle....happy memories of leysdown.does anyone remember being asked to get a grapefruit for auntie sarah, when they went to the shops.we had many good holidAYS AT LEYSDOWN HOLIDAY CAMP.REMEMBER BEING SEEN OFF BY BILL AND BEN ON THE COACH. I AM FEATURED ON THE GALLERY PHOTO SITTING ON THE WALL WITH MY Daughter. p.s.hullo kingy! Rene
Mick Luck 19-Feb-2007 10:04
went Harts as a kid with Mum and dad. Went to Loves camping with my brothers. Was aged 14 then .
In later years , i am now 62, owned a caravan at Priory Hill site. Grpoun rents now getting too expensive though for " ordinary people"

Great childhood memories forever
Rob 01-Feb-2007 00:39
His name was Len the nice big round man who used to sell his peanuts on the corner next to the old red sea mine. We used to see him everyday and he would ask us to get him drinks when he ran out he used to look so brown. I also remember the man who used to sell sweets on the beach from his goodie box hanging from his kneck like they used to sell ice creams in the cinemas.
When the circus came to Leysdown we would first break in to a cafe and nick crisps and pies and then we would take our ill gotten gains and sneak under the circus tent and watch the show from under the seats. We thought we were kings of the hill eating our goodies and watching the show, Untill we got caught haha.
guest 22-Jan-2007 21:05
My Grandfather had the rose and crown for many years and later had priory hill caravan park, Charlie Arnold Sometimes known as the shirt. Looking through your webpages brings back some good memories. My Father had the wing cafe and I was born in leysdown 1954.
Dave Arnold
Guest 03-Jan-2007 21:12
What a fantastic gallery. Brought back many happy memories of holidays from the 60s. My Nan had an old caravan at the top of the hill caravan sight (cant remember name of the place) but remember a big fire down the hill and the fire engine got lost and my dad hopped on the footplate to show them the way, with a very jealous 6 year old running behind!!. Another memory was the day England won the world cup in 66. The whole of the Island must have shook, it was lashing it down with rain so we went in the arcades and found a 10 shilling note and had fish and chips to celebrate.(what would 50 p buy now?) Also remember the old guy in the three wheeler invalid trike, dont know anything about him or his name till now. Great sight WELL DONE.
Derek Tucker 31-Dec-2006 14:38
wow love looking at the old pics of leysdown. My dad used to take us there for a weeks holiday every summer in the late 60s early 70s to happy valley chalets i took my wife there for a day trip only last summer and couldnt believe that its hardly changed at all in all that time. ps used to get a great strawberry milkshake in the childrens room of the bay view hotel can anyone else remember that
TRIGGER 28-Nov-2006 21:46
there was only one stage 3 mark and rob wilson now own strawberry moons
STEVE WALSH LARGER THAN LIFE IN ALL RESPECTS R.I.P
THOMAS FELTON AADIL JOHN LEACH PAUL HARSDCASTLE
GINGER JAY NICKY WARRY JON JON NIC AND TRACEY UTTON
BLACK"trevor little"MILLWALL BUSHWACKERS
colin 25-Nov-2006 22:51
i new peanut len all his life his full name was len oxley,he had polio as a boy, but what a happy go fellow he was,he passed away a few years back god bless him.
linda hansen nee wescott 12-Sep-2006 15:05
all through the 50s I spent every holiday at leysdown holiday camp Arthur thompsom was ents manager and we campers put on some wonderful shows .. my dad stan was often king of the camp!! we had some great times
linda x
Guest 03-Sep-2006 08:51
stage 3 was the best thing around at the time,now its knocked down ,its an out door market.
Guest 03-Sep-2006 08:31
does anyone know were moores holiday camp is/was at eastchurch,my wife use to go as a child,but cant find it
Gary 16-Aug-2006 12:35
Stage 3, must have been 1984/85 when i used to go there get drunk then sleep in the car outside overnight, across the road on the dirt track road. I remember Tony blackburn and Steve Walsh DJing there, not long after that Steve Walsh was killed in a car crash. Any one else remember Stage 3.
Danny 19-Jul-2006 12:04
I remember the holiday camp very well. Just wish there were more pics of it. I had a truly great fortnight there in 1967 or 68. Met some guys from Brixton and 4 girls from Tottenham/Edmonton..Still remember they great holiday..Hope they are all still around somewhere
Julie 18-Jul-2006 15:03
I love the photos! I spent 12 months in Leysdown, I worked in the nightclub Stage 3 in 1980, does anyone remember the nightclub? I had many good memories about the village, everyone was so friendly, sadly I never got the chance to go back and have a look at what has been changed over the years. Hopefully, one day, I will go back.
Roy Preston 14-Jul-2006 13:59
My God, the memories! I was born in 1945 in my Aunt Maggie's bungalow in Easton Road (Halfway down the main street towards the beach, turn left into Easton Rd by the newsagent). All my summer hols were spent there from '45 until '58. Mum and I arrived from London by coach at the top of the main street, and I couldn't wait to get to the bungalow to see my eccentric Aunt Maggie. It was bliss -- sunshine, ice creams, the beach, Stan's bingo. Not a care in the world. Sadly, I see from maps, that Easton Road no longer exists? I haven't been back since '58, due to health reasons. What is it like now I wonder? Thanks so, so much for the wonderful memories!
Roy Preston
osbjef 29-Jun-2006 13:30
Fantastic images!!!My childhood was spent down at the cornation camp,off of mustards road ( near the bayview pub, Leysdown )in the late 70's to mid 80's.my sister and myself have great memories of spending weekends down there with my belove grandparents.Has anyone got any photos of that camp??
Doug 24-May-2006 08:58
Great site. Brings back many memories of family holidays. The old fort buildings moved further down the cliffs each time i visited. they should try and preserve them as historical buildings somehow. Whatever happened to the bus garage at Leysdown? does anyone have any pictures of it or the busses that served it?
Richard Cormack 08-May-2006 21:30
I belive the peanut-sellers name was not les but Len Oxley like the site its very interesting
Teresa 23-Apr-2006 10:57
Hi
I remember Les too... a lovely old chap who was disabled - Does anyone remember the turquoise invalid cars (3 wheeler) from those days? Les used to sit in his all day. My Dad had a bingo hall on the corner about `63 and we used to talk to Les a lot. He really liked children and was always happy to chat with us.
Lee 16-Mar-2006 12:32
These photo's bring back so many childhood memories. My Dad was Ricky James who sang in the Warden Bay Hotel andother places in the 1960's & 70's. We had caravans and chalets all the time I was growing up.
Jenny 14-Mar-2006 08:06
Thanks for some lovely memories ,,,,,,we went to Leysdown for years and years ...very very happy days !!! I THINK the old weather beaten man someone was asking about was "Tubby" used to sell the seafood !!!
Shame to kids of today don't have the same sense of fun we had ......my husband bought a chalet in Leysdown (he too went there as a kid !!) as a surprise for me and our children and they were bored senseless !!! "WHAT do I do on a beach all day ??" was one of their moans ...we kept it for a few years then sold it on ...none of our lot enjoyed it ...shame ...they missed out on so much ...or was it that we were happier kids !!!
Dunno the answer I'm afraid
Guest 01-Mar-2006 13:01
Thanks John re Les - after all these years I now know his name! I think I remember the Peanuts now you mentioned it!
John Sissons 28-Feb-2006 16:38
The Priory Hill staff think that the site is brilliant. Keep it up
john Sissons 28-Feb-2006 16:35
The beaten up old man on the Spinney was Les the peanut seller. I cannot remember his surname Great to see the old shots of Nutts Camp It is a bit differant now althought that Mk 1 cortina is still there i think
Daren Terry 12-Feb-2006 21:38
Sheerness buses please 1980's have any?
kyn 08-Feb-2006 12:12
the old army forts are now at the bottom of the cliff!
Guest 01-Feb-2006 12:46
Anybody remember the old weather beaten man who had a stall near a Seamine at the top of the promenade in Leysdown in the 60's?
Guest 23-Jan-2006 13:27
Re: houses at Warden - scan 96. I checked with my father and we do not think it was these.
Mr & Mrs Monk's house was surrounded by about 6 others we think. We only went up to Warden a couple of times as most of the time we stayed put in Leysdown. We used to get around on bus a little via a Bus Garage (Maidstone and District) in Wing Road, Leysdown. Not there now I guess!
Gary 21-Jan-2006 11:24
Did Mr & Mrs Monk live in either of the houses in scan no. 96 ? (top of page) as these would have had lovely views. If so am very interested in more information on the area. Of course none of these houses have survived the cliff erosion, can anyone remember when they were abandoned and eventualy went over the cliffs.
Guest 18-Jan-2006 12:55
Re comment from Gary - I cannot help with a WW2 plane at Warden but I do recall there being a Jaguar car half way down the cliffs of the type that Inspector Morse had!
My Dad had friends at Warden called Mr & Mrs Monk - loveley view from their house.
If anyone can remember the old weather beaten chap with a ruddy complexion in Leysdown (mid to late 60's era )please leave a comment.

Colin
Gary 18-Jan-2006 10:59
All the photos bring back memories, my family had a caravan at warden point during the seventies, and these were indeed happy times there. Does any body have any information or photos about the WW2 plane that was found in the woods at warden point around that time or even the army forts that used to be at the top of the cliffs near the post office.
Guest 17-Jan-2006 12:53
Love all the photo's of Sheppey. Leysdown was our holiday destination in the mid to late 60's and they bring back happy memories for me as a young boy. Always remember there was a weather beaten old man who used to sell things from a stall at the top of the promenade I think near a Seamine from WW2? I remember the graffiti on a wall near a bus garage written by mods ( The Who ). We used to stay in a chalet at Priory Hill and always got our groceries from a shop on the site or went to the Carlton Stores in the town. Happy days indeed!
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