There is a book out called The Gillingham Chronicles for those interested in it's history. I got it today. An incredible work. The book covers Rainham as well. The question someone raised about Pump Lane is answered in the book. The author is Ronald A Baldwin. Published in 1998.

Does anybody have information on the Goldswain family (Upchurch) I beleive they may have had a pub called the Lord Stanley

Pam Bygrave
 i live in pump lane now,i knew the last 2 owners of 185 pump lane....small world

Hi Lees

Do you live near 185? When did you move there? I'd be interested in knowing what they have done to Pump Farm? Last time I visited somebody seemed to have bought it and built on it, am I right? I find that such a shame but I did manage to see it as it was a few years ago. If you look on www.webshots.com for Pump Lane you will see some photos that I took of it there. I am also sorry that 185 had been painted a redish colour at the bottom half and most of the garden now concrete. I have photos of some of us when we were small in the back garden.

Hi does anyone know what used to be at christmas street gillingham kent years ago.I would like to know how long this road has been here many thanks!!

Hi ,
I'm sorry not to have responded before re Gillingham Chronicles. I am interested in obtaining a copy of the book because
my grandfather A.J. Smith owned two grocery shops in Gillingham. One in Mill lane no 53 in 1928 and then he moved to 53 Station road in 1930. Could you please tell me where I could obtain a copy of the book
Thanks for your trouble
Pam Burnett
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Hi Pamela

You can do a search for the Gillingham Chronicles on www.amazon.co.uk or
www.abebooks.co.uk. I have noticed that the book is out of print according to Bazaar Books. There are two copies only on these two websites. I hope you manage to get one.

Regards
Pam

Hi Pam,
Yes i live a few doors away from 185,i was born in pump lane in 1971,grew up there, moved away then bought the house i was born in.As i said i knew the last 2 owners..
 Pump farm is still there although no farm shop remains,they have built several new houses on the old coach site,and the house on the road outside pump farm was knocked down and replaced with a new detatched house,that has only just been sold.

Having spoken to a few people in the lane,your family is remembered,am i right in thinking that your family did a house swap from the Manchester area?
Please feel free to contact me,

Regards

Hi Lees, yes they did in 1963. Who remembers us? It would be great to be in contact with them. A friend and I are planning a trip to the area in the spring when the blossom comes out. So perhaps we could meet up? That would be great. Gosh it's amazing how you bought the house you were born in. I don't know what it is but Pump Lane is very special. Perhaps it's being born there or been there as a child?

regards,
Pam

I have a copy of 'Gillingham Chronicles'. If you'd like it please keep it. A donation to St Margaret's Church would be fine, or to any charity of your choice. Please phone 01634 231924. Margaret Dunn to collect from central Rainham.
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My Great Grandfather William Sampson Charlesworth was the manager of the F. C. & Co. Falcone Cement Works at Rainham in 1891. Does anyone have any details of this works please?

I used to live at the nursery behind the Co-op in Rainham which was run by my Dad, Ken Hutchinson and by my grandfather before him. My Uncle Tom also had a carpenter's workshop at the top of the property. Does anyone remember it? It was in between Ivy Street, Station Road, Hothfield Road and the High Street. Everyone came to buy their tomatoes, cucumbers and cut flowers.

In about 1964 we moved to Meresborough which is where my parents still live, though my Dad has retired and someone rents the nursery from him. The nursery in Rainham was sold and turned into a housing estate. I have fond memories of growing up in Rainham - playing down at the rec, in the trees up the church lane and in the old bakery (now a nursing home) when it closed down and remained empty for several years. A lot of the places where we played would be considered too dangerous these days, but we had a lot of fun. The guy who worked at the horse stables opposite the church (now a gym) told me many years later that he almost had a heart attack every time he saw me hanging by my legs way up high in a big tree just up the church lane! After we moved to Meresborough my pastimes changed and I have fond memories of going to the Central and another place at the top of Pump lane for what today's kids call clubbing. My Dad used to pick me up afterwards at the laundrette in Station Road, because it was always open and warm inside and there were no buses to Meresborough. I went to St Mary's in Gillingham, then Chatham Grammar and got married at St Thomas's in Rainham. I now live in Canberra Australia.

I do remember the Nursery and have bought plants etc from them.
Your Uncle Tom was a keen Fisherman & very good worker in his workshop with Wood I was born down Station Rd and still live in Rainham but have been around the world when I was a Marine Engineer on Tankers
My oldest Daughter is a teacher at St Marys a task she enjoy
So linda Peek can reach me via C-manley @ sky.com

Hi Mark James
Your cousins Georgre & Maurice lived William St both very good footballers and played for Charlton Atheltic
I do hope I have'nt confused you as their were a lot of Tadmans in Rainham when I was a boy
CSM

Hi Linda

When did you go to St Mary's? When were you married at St Thomas? Do you remember any of us Bygraves? I used to go to St Mary's also from 1959 I think to 1963. Do you have any photographs of the school? We also used to attend St Thomas's church for Mass etc. My brothers were altar boys there.

Hi Pam
I was born in 1952 and went to St Mary's until I went to Chatham Grammar in 1963 or 1964 (can't remember!) I started St Mary's when I was four and a half, so I was too young to do the 11+ without repeating a year, so I did Mr Kirk's class twice. I got married in St Thomas's in May 1975. What were your brothers names? I don't remember you - you must have been a couple of years behind me, but my sister Diana was also born in 1954 so maybe you remember her?