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The Former Wakeley Brickworks in Poot Lane Upchurch
During the second part of the 19th century brickfields and small brickworks sprung up along the Kent coast from Gravesend to Faversham, an area highly suitable for brick making because of an abundance of brick earth and the rivers Medway and Swale which allowed for barge transportation. -
Apprentice Indenture - George William Kingston to William Henry Wood Haberdasher
George William Kingston Indenture 1851 Haberdasher William Henry Wood -
Rotunda Amusements Folkestone Seafront - Advert 1993
This advert for Rotunda Amusement Park on Folkestone Seafront was published in 1993 -
Rainham's Coronation Clock
History of Rainham's Coronation Clock -
Rainham Station Rebuilding 1971
Anyone going to catch a train from Rainham station is likely to get covered in mud before their journey begins according to commuters. -
THE RAINHAM WE LOST (Part 1-May 1999)
This month we begin a five-part series prepared for us by Freddie Cooper on Cozenton Farm -
Wigmore DIY Shop/Shell Sherlodge Petrol Station Hoath Lane Rainham Kent
The shop next to Wigmore DIY on Hoath Lane was Armitage Television, Sherlodge Garage in the distance. -
Appletree Court Rainham McCarthy & Stone Retirement Housing
McCarthy & Stone Retirement Housing development called Appletree Court was built in High Street, Rainham -
Rainham Healthy Living Centre Construction - History Photos
The Rainham Healthy Living centre was built on the site of the old Co-op Store and former Church House on the High Street -
The Rainham We Lost - Part Two (from May 1999)
Mr Walter Prentis lived in Cozcnton Farm before my uncle bought it in 1922 -
RAINHAM-A Nothing Place (from April 1999 about Century Road)
I listened with disappointment to the BBC programme about Rainham‘s Century Road -
Crest Packaging Water Ball 1993 (now Tesco Extra)
This photo of the Crest Packaging (Bowaters) Water tower ball was taken in 1993 -
Arthur Tucker Watch maker/Repairs & Jewellery shop Rainham
Tuckers Watch maker/Repairs & Jewellery shop was located at 147 High Street, Rainham, Kent. -
Copsey Butchers Station Road Rainham Kent c1910
Copsey Butchers were located at 78 Station Road Rainham Kent -
GS Richards Cash Stores Rainham around 1900s
GS Richards Cash Stores Rainham shop signs show Berrys Boot Polishes, Brooke Bond tea, Stillora, R White's Ginger Beer -
Hoath Way A278 Gillingham Link Road Opening 1966 (M2 Junction 4)
Although the M2 motorway opened in May 1963 (actually on 29th) the link from the M2 to Gillingham wasn't started until later -
The Rainham Cycling Club 1910
The Rainham Cycling Club, according to the 1908 directory, was a large and enterprising Club -
RAINHAM AT THE TURN OF THE 20th CENTURY
I was recently asked to assist a student from a Teachers Training College with her project. She had chosen ‘A Trail of Rainham High Street at the turn of the Century’ -
Aerial Photos of Rainham Kent Taken March 1968
These aerial photos of Rainham were taken on 28 March 1968 and show so many details that have changed since. -
Chatham Pubs Closed and Demolished 1972
Pubs that were demolished for the Chatham town centre road scheme in 1972 which created the ring road and Pentagon centre -
Miss Dainton Opens Rainham Scouts' Fete 1951
Miss Patricia Dainton, star of the film The Dancing Years opened the Rainham Scouts Fete in Berengrave Lane in August 1951 -
Parkwood Development Enters Its Final Phase (October 1986)
History of building Thrale Way Goldsmith Road and Ferrier Close in Parkwood. -
Rainham Palm Tree - White Horse/Church House High Street Rainham Kent
There used to be a palm tree located in the garden of the former Church House opposite Rainham Church that was demolished in the 1960s. What happened to it? -
Changes in Orchard Street Rainham in 2000 - Freemasons Lodge
Two of the older buildings in Orchard Street were vacated as furniture stores at the end of July by Lukehursts who have acquired new facilities at Sittingbourne. -
2nd Wigmore Brownies Fancy Dress April 1982
Photos of 2nd Wigmore Brownies Fancy dress in April 1982 -
Diary of Third London Airport at Foulness - January 1971 Action Forum
British Airport Authority suggested expanding Stansted; Public outcry by local residents. Sheppey Group formed in July 1967 due to pressure built up in favour of Sheppey instead of STANSTED. -
Army & Navy Pub Rainham Kent
The Army & Navy pub was situated on the Lower Rainham Road and closed in around 2010. -
Rainham Boozers - Part 4 (Nov 1972)
ln the period between the Boer War and the first European War, no less than 10 pubs or ale houses were closed within the Rainham Parish boundaries. Of these, three were around Otterham Quay. -
Long Lost Rainham Pubs
In the November 1972 issue of Action Forum it was stated that 10 pubs or alehouses were closed in the Rainham Parish boundaries between the Boer War and the First World War (so before 1918). Of these three were around the Otterham Quay area. -
Rainham Boozers - Part 5 (Jan 1973)
The Cricketers, White Horse and Green Lion in Rainham from 1972 -
Action Forum - September 1972 Number 39
The cover informs readers about local libraries and lending other than books -
Action Forum - October 1972 Number 40
The cover showed a photo of the Rainham Community Centre - the old church school at the top of Station Road before it was demolished and the new Community centre opened at the Oasts. -
Action Forum - November 1972 Number 41
The cover showed a photo of the Rainham War memorial outside St Margaret's Church -
Action Forum -December 2024
Cover picture is of Rainham station during the heavy snow of 1987 -
Freddie Cooper talking about Rainham
Freddie (P.F) Cooper was a local councillor and Rainham historian -
The Angel Pub Station Road Rainham
At the lower end of Station Road on Lower Rainham Road is “The Angel”. Photos from 1980s -
Watermans Arms Pub Rainham Kent
The Watermans Arms Pub was located in High Street, Rainham Kent but has been closed for many years and is now a private house -
Macklands Arms pub Station Road Rainham
The Macklands Arms is pub located in Station Road Rainham. It is named after the former Macklands Estate -
The Flying Saucer pub Hempstead
The Flying Saucer pub opened on Hempstead Road in 1951 and closed in June 2024 -
Pubs in Rainham Kent
Although the area is still fairly well served by pubs there are many that have closed over the years. The "Rainham Boozers" articles from 1972 highlight some of the ones that have since gone but there are others that ceased trading prior to that date. -
Rainham Boozers - Part 2 (March 1972)
Smallholders Club, Spyglass & Kettle, The Queens Head pubs in Wigmore -
Rainham Boozers - Part 3 (June 1972)
Rainham Boozers - Men of Kent, Three Sisters and The Angel pubs -
More Rainham Mark Reminiscences by Linda Taylor
Readers might like to know just how different Rainham Mark was in the 60s, 70s and early 80s -
Changes in Rainham Since 1969 from 1978 Perspective
I would hazard a guess that Rainham has changed more in the last nine years when Action Forum began than it did in the previous 100. Most dramatic has been the most recent — the final demolition of the old Church School at the top of Station Road. This has -
CAMRA - Action Forum May 1978
Hands up all those who like to go down to “the local” for a pint or three. Have you noticed the changes that have taken place in the way your beer is served? -
Jacobs Meadow Rainham Kent and Edith Cavelle Memorial
Jacobs Meadow and Edith Cavelle Memorial -
TW Cramp Baker Shop Chocolate Confectionery
TW Cramp Baker Shop Chocolate Confectionery shop in Station Road Rainham -
Action Forum - September 1983
Action Forum - Cover showing TW Cramp's baker shop in Station Road -
Action Forum - August 1983 number 160
Action Forum - August 1983 Cover showing Jacobs Meadow opposite the Railway Hotel in Station Road