Old Photos and Articles about Rainham Kent

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Old Historical Photographs of Rainham Kent

Many of the photos of Rainham here are unique and have never been published elsewhere. We are very grateful to the people who have provided them for use on this site. If you have any photos of Rainham that could be added to this page, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Old Photos of Rainham

  • Rainham Kent Snow Photos from 1987:Winter 1987/88 Snow in Kent

    Rainham Kent Snow Photos from 1987:Winter 1987/88 Snow in Kent Rainham and Kent in general were hit particularly badly by snow in 1987 and for some days were cut off completely. I recall milk being flown in by army helicopter due to roads being impassable and major roads being blocked for many days. As outlined below the weather station recorded 22 INCHES of snow in Jan 1987 in Gillingham (in 2010 the roads were brought to a standstill with less than 20cm!!)At the time I was working at Rainham Co-op as saturday staff. As school was closed due to the snow and being one of the staff that could walk to the shop I worked many extra hours during the snow building up my savings! Later on in the year the great Hurricane hit Kent during October 1987 leaving many trees blown down. A quote from the netweather website below " The cold spell of January 1987 was exceptional and was probably one of the coldest spells since 1740. The intense cold and heavy snowfalls hit the SE the hardest. Transport was gridlocked and the cold even affected Big Ben's chiming hammer. " Snow on Lower Rainham Rd,Kent looking to The Angel pub 12-1-87 Snow at Rainham Station In 1987 the sea at Rainham (Motney Hill) even froze showing how cold the weather got. See the photo above of the frozen sea at Motney Hill. Severe snow also hit the South East and Kent in 1991. This article from The Telegraph explains some of the recent snow events including the infamous wrong kind of snow quote from British Rail. The article says "During the 1991 event level snow lay 12 inches deep in central London, and on January 12-13, 1987, the deepest snow was in south Essex, Kent, Surrey and south London with 22 inches reported in the Maidstone and Gillingham areas. " Video of the snow from Thames News 1987 BBC News Great Storm Oct 1987   More photos of the 1987 severe snow that affected Kent and South East England Snow in Kent-Photos Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions. These snow photos were kindly supplied by Steve Murdoch.   Frozen Sea at Rainham Motney Hill 1987 Rainham Station in Snow Jan 1987 Lower Rainham Road Army & Navy Pub Snow Jan 1979 Snow in Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Darland Banks Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Marshall Road Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Woodside Wigmore Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers

  • Historical Photographs of Rainham, Kent Gallery 4

    Rainham Kent Photos & Information These old photos of Rainham Kent were kindly supplied by Paul Ironmonger. Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions.   berengrave - Eastgate Cardberengrave by W Naylorberengrave lane rainhamberengrave lane Rainhamchapel lane now mierscourt roadRainham high street c 1950 Pump Lane lower rainhamrainham Station 1958station road by Arthur Adiephoto of station road rainham kentRainham Kent war memorial Photo  Dec 1920      

  • Rainham Kent Photos from Peter Hales

    Rainham Kent Photos & Information The following details were received from Peter Hales. We are very grateful for support like this which helps us to maintain and enhance the details on the site. If you have any similar pictures or information then we would love to hear from you. Please contact us by email or phone here. I attach a couple of JPEG files scanned from original postcards of Rainham, provided by my Godfather, Geoff Gilbert. The first is a picture of the upper end of Ivy Street and is taken from a postcard dated 1913, which ties up with the 1912 date on the front of the card, and shows the shop owned by W. E. Jones, who was Geoff’s grandfather on his mothers side of the family. The shop was divided into two, with an Off Licence to the right and a Grocery to the left. Geoff was born upstairs in this house in the room behind the Colman’s Starch advert, although not until the mid 1920’s. His mother lived for many years in No1 Ivy Street, and I can remember visiting her in the house as a small child in the mid 1950’s. Geoff now lives in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.   The second is a picture of St Margarets Church and Lockup (which is presumably the wooden structure adjacent to the Church gate!) and is dated 1834, although the picture postcard it was taken from is dated 1914 And me? – well I was born in my grandmother’s (May Boakes) council house at 19 Holding Street in 1951. We lived for many years at 79 Station Road on the corner of Webster Road, and I attended both Soloman Road infants School and (the then new) Wakeley Road Junior, before passing the 11+ and going on to Gillingham Grammar, by which time we had moved to 25 Thames Avenue. We moved away from Rainham in 1964.  

  • Pictures of Rainham Kent taken from St Margarets Church

     Historical Photographs of Rainham, Kent Pictures of Rainham Kent taken from St Margarets Church Tower - Feb 2004  You can view the video taken at the same time here Aerial View from St Margaret's Church, Rainham, Kent (Feb 2004) View of A2 looking towards Sittingbourne Aerial View from St Margaret's Church,Rainham (Feb 2004) View of A2 looking towards Gillingham & Chatham                

  • Recent Rainham Kent Photos

    Rainham Kent Photos These are more recent photos of Rainham Kent although changes can also be seen from the scenes pictures compared to the present day. Bredhurst Road Wigmore, Rainham Kent Hoath Lane Wigmore, Rainham Kent 2003 A2 Rainham Mark , Rainham Kent 2005 Hempstead Hill Kent 2003 Orchard Street, Rainham Kent 2003 Station Road , Rainham Kent 2003            

  • Gillingham Northern Relief Road A289 & Medway Tunnel

    Gillingham Northern Relief Road/Medway Tunnel/Wainscott Bypass Kent Photos Gillingham Northern Relief road (A289) was constructed in the late 1990s and opened in 1999. It joins the A2 near Strood and routes to the north of the Medway towns via a new Medway tunnel to link up with the A2 Watling Street at Gillingham Business Park between Gillingham and Rainham. It was built to allow traffic an easier less congested route avoiding the delays caused by travelling through the Medway towns. The new Medway tunnel allows an alternative route of crossing the River Medway avoiding the A2 at Rochester and the M2 at Cuxton. It also allows access to the housing developments on St Marys Island Chatham and the industrial development of Chatham Maritime as well as Medway City Business Estate. All photos taken approx 1995, prior to construction starting, thanks to Eddy Newport for providing them.   The Strand, Pier Road Gillingham 1995 The Ship Inn, Pier Road, Gillingham The Good Intent pub, Pier Road, Gillingham Pier Road, Autoyachts Ford & Fiat car dealer Strand, Gillingham (Lower Rainham Road)(Photo: Eddy Newport) Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Akzo Nobel & Good Intent, Gillingham (Lower Rainham Road)(Photo: Eddy Newport) The Good Intent & Autoyachts(Photo: Eddy Newport)   View to Chatham/Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Lower Woodlands Road/ Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport)     Plough & Chequers/Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Plough & Chequers/ Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport) Short Lane/Lower Rainham Road(Photo: Eddy Newport)

  • Old Photos of Wigmore Kent

    Old Photos of Wigmore, Gillingham, Kent This is a collection of old photos of the area around Wigmore Gillingham Kent originally from my grandmother's archives and subsequently added by contributions from readers in the Wigmore area. She lived in Woodside for 60 years having built her own property in 1939. In addition a few more recent scenes have been taken around the area. Wigmore Road/Hoath Lane circa 1910 Wigmore Road/Hoath Lane 2003 Hoath Lane Wigmore Kent around 1910 Photo of Woodside Wigmore in 1916 Woodside Wigmore Kent in 1974 Woodside Wigmore 2003 Smallholders Club Wigmore Kent Smallholders Club Wigmore Kent Bredhurst Road Wigmore Kent Marshall Road Rainham Kent, approx 1928 Marshall Road Rainham Kent, approx 1932        

  • Historical Old Photos of Gillingham Kent

    These old Photos of Gillingham Kent were ones my grandmother had kept from her childhood.  Byron Road school play approx 1920 Waverly House,  Rock Avenue, 1926 (Light Family in foreground) Byron Road Infant school Class VI approx 1920 Byron Road Infant school Class IVA approx 1918   

  • Photos of Rainham People from Bygone Times

     Photos of Rainham People from Bygone Times. These photos of various Rainham residents over the years have been sent in by readers of the site. If you have any photos that you would like to send in please email copies to info@rainham-history.co.uk    William Keutenius Chief Fire Officer between Wars (Photo:Paul Stevens) George and Martha Cory,taken in their garden on Henry Street,Rainham about 1910. George Cory worked for Ebby Kemp in the workshops behind the Kemp's house. His specialty was making coffins. (Photo: Dave Cory Dennis) Henry E.Dennis and Elizabeth S.Wells' wedding group taken at the home of William and Amelia Dennis, Plumtree House, Lower Rainham Road ,in 1899. Henry E.Dennis and Elizabeth S.Wells farmed at Eschol Farm,Hoo. Most of the relatives in the photo were farmers : Will Dennis :Weavering Street,Maidstone. Tom Dennis : Natal Farm,Otterham. James Edmonds : York Farm,Twydall & Fant Farm,Maidstone. Willie Edmonds : Rede Court,Strood. William Edmonds' family : Bendigo Farm, Higham. John Talbot :Jackmans Farm,Bowers Gifford,Essex. (Photo: Dave Cory Dennis)   “Peter and Ellen Emma (née Barrow) Edmonds with their son, Peter Leonard Edmonds (standing), in the garden of their home in retirement on Birling Avenue, Rainham, taken about 1953    {Source: Peter D. Edmonds)"   I can attest to the accuracy of this caption because I took the photograph.          

  • Channel Tunnel Rail Link

    Channel Tunnel Rail Link bridge across River Medway Although not directly affecting Rainham as the line passes some miles away, these images give a good impression of the impact of the CTRL line on the Kentish landscape of Channel Tunnel Rail Link bridge across River Medway. This also shows the construction of the new motorway bridge built to expand the M2 motorway to four lanes each direction across the River Medway which widened the motorway between junctions 1 and 4 in early 2003. Medway Bridges, 2002

  • Savacentre/Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre 30th Anniversary

     Savacentre/Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre 30th Anniversary Hempstead Valley Shopping centre (aka Savacentre) near Gillingham Kent was constructed in the late 1970s just outside the village of Hempstead. It opened on 17th October 1978 so has celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2008. These photos showing the construction of Hempstead Valley were kindly sent by Chris Shade. You can see the large sign showing the original name of Savacentre. A current photo of Savacentre is shown on the Hempstead Valley website There is currently (2010) a proposal to redevelop the Hempstead Valley shopping centre to modernise areas of it. You can view the proposal on the Hempstead Valley website here When it is completed in 2015 it will make a huge difference to the appeal of the centre as a shopping destination. What may seem commonplace now was groundbreaking in 1978 as there were very few other out of town shopping centres of this size at the time. Hempstead Valley was the second Savacentre (Washington Tyne & Wear opened in 1977). At the time of opening Savacentre was one of the largest out of town shopping centres in the South East. The original Picnic Parlour was the first Food Court in the UK. You can see more info about Sainsburys Savacentre here When originally opened the main shop was Sainsburys Savacentre, the brand they originally created for their large hypermarkets. At the time Sainsburys was by far the largest supermarket in the UK with Tesco trailing far behind – a far cry from the current situation with Tesco leading the field. The originally Hempstead Valley offered 250,000 square feet of shopping space but when the centre was redeveloped in the early 1990s with an extension and new shops like M&S being added, this was increased to 330,000 square feet. The challenge is to remember all the original shops that were there when the centre opens….Sainsburys, Presto (which then became Safeway) - but which others?So far the following shops have been suggested for the original opening NSS (Newsagents) then became ForbuoysOur PricePost Office (not one of the original shops) Sainsburys SavacentreBootsThomas Cook Presto SupermarketWimpy Burger BarSpud-U-LikeLater additions when the extension was added in early 1990s were WHSmith, Marks & Spencer. Notice in the aerial shot the area to the bottom right which was developed for large housing estates shortly after the shot was taken. Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions.   Looking towards Savacentre Hempstead Valley from roundaboutPetrol station would be to middle right of photo Looking towards Hempstead Valley from Sharsted Way Underground car park to right of shot, Abbey to left of shot Looking towards Hempstead Valley from roundaboutPetrol station would be to middle right of photo Looking towards Hempstead Valley from Sharsted WayUnderground car park to right of shot, Abbey to left of shot Aerial photo of Hempstead Valley Savacentre 1980Sharsted Way runs along left hand side of photo joining A278 in bottom left corner. Hempstead Valley Drive runs along top and right side of photo.        

  • Rainham Kent Snow Photos from 1987

    Rainham Kent Snow Photos from 1987:Winter 1987/88 Snow in Kent Rainham and Kent in general were hit particularly badly by snow in 1987 and for some days were cut off completely. I recall milk being flown in by army helicopter due to roads being impassable and major roads being blocked for many days. As outlined below the weather station recorded 22 INCHES of snow in Jan 1987 in Gillingham (in 2010 the roads were brought to a standstill with less than 20cm!!) At the time I was working at Rainham Co-op as saturday staff. As school was closed due to the snow and being one of the staff that could walk to the shop I worked many extra hours during the snow building up my savings! Later on in the year the great Hurricane hit Kent during October 1987 leaving many trees blown down. A quote from the netweather website below " The cold spell of January 1987 was exceptional and was probably one of the coldest spells since 1740. The intense cold and heavy snowfalls hit the SE the hardest. Transport was gridlocked and the cold even affected Big Ben's chiming hammer. " In 1987 the sea at Rainham (Motney Hill) even froze showing how cold the weather got. See the photo above of the frozen sea at Motney Hill. Severe snow also hit the South East and Kent in 1991. This article from The Telegraph explains some of the recent snow events including the infamous wrong kind of snow quote from British Rail. The article says "During the 1991 event level snow lay 12 inches deep in central London, and on January 12-13, 1987, the deepest snow was in south Essex, Kent, Surrey and south London with 22 inches reported in the Maidstone and Gillingham areas. " Video of the snow from Thames News 1987 BBC News Great Storm Oct 1987   More photos of the 1987 severe snow that affected Kent and South East England Train stuck in snowdrift Kent 1987 Photos of 1987 snowdrifts in Kent Snow in Kent-Photos Kent snow photos from 1987 Medway snow photos January 1987 Further pictures of the 1987 snow in the South East Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions. These snow photos were kindly supplied by Steve Murdoch.   Snow on Lower Rainham Rd,Kent looking to The Angel pub 12-1-87 M.V.Resilience at Otterham  Quay Docks April 1982 Frozen Sea  1987 Otterham Quay Docks  April 1982 The scrap metal yard at  Bloors Wharf July 1983 Rainham Station in Snow  Jan 1987 Rainham Station Footbridge  1988 Angel Pub Rainham  1991 Otterham Quay Docks from the sea-wall Lower Rainham Road Army & Navy Pub Snow  Jan 1979 Motney Hill Road Dock  1988     Snow in Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers  

  • Rainham: a pictorial history then and now

    Old photos

  • Theatre Royal Chatham

    Photos of the Theatre Royal building in Chatham prior to demolition

  • Photos of Rainham in 2001

    This gallery of photos were taken in 2001 on film and have been scanned into digital copies. There are photos of Rainham High Street including the former post office sorting centre demolished to build retirement flats opposite the Green Lion pub.    

  • Rainham Snow 2010

    Along with the rest of the South East and much of the whole UK Rainham had a heavy covering of snow in 2010. These are some photos taken in and around Rainham in the evening after one of the heavy snowfalls. The snow wasn't anywhere near as bad as 1987 when rather than 22cm we had 22 inches (60cm) fall over a day or two.  

  • Photos of 1987 Hurricane in Rainham Kent

    This gallery shows a selection of images of the immediate aftermath and of trees uprooted taken some weeks later near Queendown Warren. You can see the scale of the tree roots that have been ripped out of the ground compared to the person standing next to them which gives an idea of the ferocity of the hurricane force winds that hit Kent on 15/16 October 1987  

  • Newspaper Front Pages from the 1980s

    This is a selection of some key newspaper front pages and their headlines during the 1980s. A further selection will be added later. Some key events covered by these newspaper headlines are the Great Storm of 1987, first articles mentioning global warming, IRA Brighton Hotel bomb in 1984, Romanian Revolution 1989, Lockerbie PanAm plane terrorist bombing, Chernobyl nuclear accident headlines showing crisis developing in April/May 1985, Black Monday share crash in 1987, Herald of Free enterprise ferry disaster, INF Arms treaty signing, Poll tax riots, PW Botha South Africa clampdown

  • M2 Motorway Widening / Channel Tunnel Rail Link CTRL Photos

    These are photos taken of the M2 motorway being widened during 2002-2004 and show the bridges at Bluebill hill before, during and after demolition and construction. This photo shows the A229/M2 junction 4 while the roadworks to widen the M2 were in progress  

  • Rainham Kent Snow Photos 1987

    Rainham Kent Snow Photos from 1987: Pictures of the Winter 1987/88 Huge Snowfall in Kent Rainham and Kent in general were hit particularly badly by snow in 1987 and for some days were cut off completely. I recall milk being flown in by army helicopter due to roads being impassable and major roads being blocked for many days. As outlined below the weather station recorded 22 INCHES of snow in Jan 1987 in Gillingham (in 2010 the roads were brought to a standstill with less than 20cm!!) At the time I was working at Rainham Co-op as saturday staff, the shop now occupied by Wilkinsons. As school was closed due to the snow and being one of the staff that could walk to the shop I worked many extra hours during the snow building up my savings! Later on in the year the great Hurricane hit Kent during October 1987 leaving many trees blown down. A quote from the netweather website below " The cold spell of January 1987 was exceptional and was probably one of the coldest spells since 1740. The intense cold and heavy snowfalls hit the SE the hardest. Transport was gridlocked and the cold even affected Big Ben's chiming hammer. " In 1987 the sea at Rainham (Motney Hill) even froze showing how cold the weather got. See the photo above of the frozen sea at Motney Hill.   Severe snow also hit the South East and Kent in 1991. This article from The Telegraph explains some of the recent snow events including the infamous wrong kind of snow quote from British Rail. The article says "During the 1991 event level snow lay 12 inches deep in central London, and on January 12-13, 1987, the deepest snow was in south Essex, Kent, Surrey and south London with 22 inches reported in the Maidstone and Gillingham areas. " Video of the snow from Thames News 1987 BBC News Great Storm Oct 1987 More photos of the 1987 severe snow that affected Kent and South East England Train stuck in snowdrift Kent 1987 Photos of 1987 snowdrifts in Kent Snow in Kent-Photos Kent snow photos from 1987 Medway snow photos January 1987 Further pictures of the 1987 snow in the South East Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions. These snow photos were kindly supplied by Steve Murdoch.

  • Rainham Snow 1979

    Kent was hit very badly by snow in Jan 1979. I remember waking to massive snowdrifts and cars buried in snow as a result. Snow looking towards former Army & Navy pub, Rainham Kent 1979

  • Rainham Snow 1983

    Kent was hit very badly by snow in Jan 1983. I remember walking to school for several weeks with snow still covering roads and paths as a result. Snow looking towards former Army & Navy pub, Rainham Kent 1979      

  • Photos of Rainham by Hazel Thorn

    These are a collection of photos of Rainham kindly provided by Hazel Thorn and taken over the last 20 years around the town.

  • The Fredville Oak at Nonington near Dover

      Photo of The Fredville Oak at Nonington near Dover. Locally known as "Majesty" this ancient tree is possibly 600 years old. The full article is inside Action Forum - November 2016 Click to view (7Mb file)    

  • Old Photos of Earl Street Maidstone February 1981

    The photos on the site are primarily of Rainham but there are a few pictures of other areas of Kent that I've found. These photos of Earl Street Maidstone were taken in February 1981 and show the gas holders across the river where the St Peters Street shopping centres and new housing blocks have now been built. You can see sign for Wrights TV rentals, Sketchleys cleaners, The Company Store and the old pub sign for the Druids Arms. In the distance is part of the Norwich Union Insurance societies offices and a Pickfords removal van.  

  • RMGS Rainham Mark Grammar School Photo 1988

    While not an old photo by any means this was the school photo taken of Rainham Mark Grammar School in summer 1988. Some of the teachers present in the photo are: Dr Keen Mr Lawrenson Mrs Berry Mr Gulston Mrs Pilgrim Mr Flowers Mr Parsons Mr Mudge Mr Bowen Mr Payne Mrs Timms Mr Kitney Mr Wood Mr Boothby A larger version of the photo is available to click but is a 120 megapixel image so very slow to download and hard to open! I'll load the photo split into sections shortly RMGS- School Photo 1988 - Section 1 - Click to view in High Res RMGS- School Photo 1988 - Section 2 RMGS- School Photo 1988 - Section 3 RMGS- School Photo 1988 - Section 4 

  • The Mulberry Tree Inn - Pub on Lower Rainham Road

    Photo of The Mulberry Tree Inn on Lower Rainham Road taken around 1905. The Mulberry tree beer house opened before 1872 and closed in 1973 as one of the last beer houses in the area which only served ales and no spirits. The concept has been resurrected again in Kent with micropubs being started on a similar idea. It was probably build to serve men building forts in the area. The photo shows the Style and Winch ales sign above the pub. Style & Winch Ltd Brewery & Pubs - Maidstone Fine Ales Action Forum - January/February 2016  

  • Old Gas Showroom Rainham Kent - Manor Farm pub

    The building now occupied by the Manor Farm pub & restaurant used to be the Gas showrooms as can be seen from this old photo. The Manor Farm Pub and Beefeater restaurant in High Street Rainham Kent used to be the Gas Showrooms for the area. The gas showrooms were built around 1928 and converted to Manor Farm Beefeater Pub Restaurant in the 1980s. The photo below is of Manor Farm Beefeater pub in 2001 before the outside was painted cream colour. The Premier Inn was added to the site in 2011 covering part of the Manor Farm pub car park. Manor Farm Beefeater Pub Restaurant High Street Rainham Kent in 2003 prior to construction of Premier Inn hotel in the car park to the right of this picture. This photo was taken shortly after the Manor farm was repainted with the current yellow over the original lattice brickwork as part of their refurbishment The photos below are from 2010 during the winter snow  

  • Medway Snow Photos 1987 (Chatham/Gillingham/Rainham)

    The snow in Medway in 1987 was some of the worst for many years, possibly since the severe winter of 1962/63. Due to the snow areas of the towns were cut off and some supplies needed to be airlifted in as lorries were unable to deliver by road. Pictures of the Winter 1987/88 Huge Snowfall in Medway & Kent. Below photo of Ford Capri stuck in snow in Chatham Chatham/Gillingham/Rainham and Kent in general were hit particularly badly by snow in 1987 and for some days were cut off completely. I recall milk being flown in by army helicopter due to roads being impassable and major roads being blocked for many days. As outlined below the weather station recorded 22 INCHES of snow in Jan 1987 in Gillingham (in 2010 the roads were brought to a standstill with less than 20cm!!) At the time I was working at Rainham Co-op as saturday staff, the shop now occupied by Wilkinsons. As school was closed due to the snow and being one of the staff that could walk to the shop I worked many extra hours during the snow building up my savings! Later on in the year the great Hurricane hit Kent during October 1987 leaving many trees blown down. A quote from the netweather website below " The cold spell of January 1987 was exceptional and was probably one of the coldest spells since 1740. The intense cold and heavy snowfalls hit the SE the hardest. Transport was gridlocked and the cold even affected Big Ben's chiming hammer. " In 1987 the sea at Rainham (Motney Hill) even froze showing how cold the weather got. See the photo above of the frozen sea at Motney Hill. Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers Snow in Chatham Kent 1987:Photos by Alun Rodgers       Photos on this page are clickable to view higher resolution versions. These snow photos were kindly supplied by Steve Murdoch.   Snow on Lower Rainham Rd,Kentlooking to The Angel pub 12-1-1987 Rainham Station in Snow Jan 1987     Snow in Marshall Road Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Darland Banks Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Marshall Road Rainham Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James Snow in Woodside, Wigmore Kent 1987:Photos by Andy James

  • Avenue Nightclub Central Hotel Gillingham

    The Avenue Nightclub was formerly the Central Hotel and was located on the corner of Featherby Road on the A2 in Gillingham. It became Bar Rio in the 1990s but the nightclub was demolished in the late 1990s/early 2000s and replaced by housing that now occupies the site.   Photo of the Avenue Nightclub in early 1990s (judging from the MG Montego car in the background) Photo of Central Hotel in Gillingham

  • Betabake Bakery Shop & International Stores in Rainham Kent

    Betabake bakers was located on the A2 High Street in Rainham, the shop next door was International Stores. This photo was taken in the early 1970s and the lower shot was taken in 2014. The building is now an Indian restaurant, originally Raj Rani and now called Tarana.  

  • Little Crown Pub Chatham

    It's slightly out of area but when I was walking today I noticed the Little Crown pub in Chatham High Street which had a sign showing 1892. I wonder if it has been covered up previously as I don't recall spotting it before. The pub appears long closed but hopefully the building will be restored.   

  • Old Midland Bank, High Street, Rainham Kent

    Midland Bank was originally located on the A2 opposite Maidstone Road and next to Hidsons car dealership. This photo was taken in the early 1970s, probably around 1972 based on the cars in the Hidsons showroom that were selling Humber & Hillman cars at the time.  The Midland Bank site building was demolished in the early 1990s and the Hidsons site extended. Midland Bank then moved to the precinct but that branch was closed in 2013. This is the same location in 2014

  • Beveridges Chemist Shop Rainham

    This photo from early 1970s is of Beveridges the chemist shop on the A2 at the top of Holding St in Rainham. The Electricity shop used to be next door on the corner.

  • Maidstone Road Rainham from the Air 2016

    This aerial photo of Maidstone Road was taken in 2016 showing the view towards Gillingham. Maidstone Road crosses the photo from left to right with Herbert Road in the bottom left corner, Broadview Avenue in bottom right leading towards Nursery Road. In the distance you can see the playing fields of the Howard School and Rainham Girls

  • Great Lines Steam Fair 1965

    This video was on YouTube showing a steam fair at Great Lines in around 1965   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQdEYp7lgHI    

  • Liptons Supermarket Rainham in 1972

    This photo of Liptons Rainham was taken around 1972. This was the site of the old cinema known as the Bug Hutch. Harris and Bone estate agents were next door. Look atthe prices in the shop window, whisky and gin were both £2.55 a bottle!

  • Natwest Bank Rainham 1970s

    This photo of the Natwest branch in Rainham was taken in around 1972. Incredibly this is one of the few locations that is very little changed since then. Try spotting the difference with the 2014 shot below. Cash machines and litter bins added but the building looks very little changed  

  • VE Day party for children on Thames Ave Rainham Kent 1945

    Nora S Suddath writes: This photo of the VE Day party for children was taken on Thames Ave, Rainham Kent in May 1945.  The piano was from my house at 1 Thames Ave on the far right is Mr. Heather playing the drums while his son Colin watched on.  My Mum is in the photo walking under the Union Jack.  My brother Brian Spenceley (wearing glasses) is seated just to the right of my Mum and I am to the right of him.  Many thanks for the Photo supplied by Nora S. Suddarth  

  • Aerial Photos of Rainham 2013

    These photos of Rainham from the air were taken in 2013. Thanks to Den Lyon for providing them

  • Rainham Royal Mail Sorting Office

    Until the early 2000s the Royal Mail sorting office was in the centre of Rainham opposite the Green Lion pub. The site was redeveloped and the buildings demolished to build the retirement flats that are currently there.  These photos were taken in 2001 when the building had already closed and the land was up for sale. Reynolds Health & Fitness is the building behind the trees.  

  • Herta's Hairdressers Rainham

    Herta's Hairdressers Rainham - International Hair Stylists - Herta Hair Sylist 33026 There were two branches. One in Hoath Lane opposite & just down from Woodside. The other was where Greyfox is now - Rainham High Street. It was owned and run by Roy and Herta Gros ( might have been double S) This photo is of the branch in Rainham where Greyfox estate agents are now.  

  • Prestige Launderette Rainham 1972

    This photo is of Prestige Launderette Rainham at 35 Station Road taken in about 1972. Interestingly the shop is now a launderette again having been a pet shop amongst other uses in the last 40 years. Photo of Prestige Launderette Rainham 1972 Rainham Launderette 2014

  • Rainham & District Co-op Share Book

    I wonder how many local residents recognise or had one of these Rainham & District Co-operative Society Ltd Share Books?

  • Photo of Locomotive 73088 BR Standard 4-6-0 at Rainham Station

    Photo of Locomotive No. 73088, one of 12 BR Standard 4-6-0 engines built in the 1950s which from 1955 to 1959 pulled express trains serving the Kent Coast at Rainham station in front of Wakeley's Oast which was converted to a Community centre in the 1970s

  • The Railway Pub Football Team, Station Road Rainham

    This photo is of the Railway Public house football team taken at the annual Boxing Day football match in 1971.  Some names in the photo are: Peter Foster, John Perrin, Billy Huggins, Maurice Mills, Ron Ward, David Wood, Billy Hales Do you recognise any other players?

  • Old Aerial Photos of Rainham from 1930 & 1990

    These aerial photos of Rainham were taken in around 1930 and 1990 covering the area around Rainham train station. You can see the difference in the railway buildings between the 2 photos a nd the amount of housing development that has grown around Rainham.  Click on the photos to see a larger version In 1930 you can still see the Railway Hotel on the corner of Station Road and Platform Row Cottages Rainham (next to Wakeley Oast house/Station Road) By 1990 there is a new station building but The Railway pub is still present but now surrounded by houses in adjacent roads. You can also see the large car park next to Rainham Rec on Station Road.

  • Rainham Bed/Cart Race Photos 1980s

    These photos of the Rainham bed race were kindly sent in by Trish Vinten and Margaret Daniels These photos were from 1982/3. The race ran from the Cricketers pub to The Angel – calling in at The Macklands Arms of course.  Raising money as they went...   The rocket took part in the bed race down Station Road and it is taken just before the junction with Ellison Way.    This was the Macklands Way team in The Rainham Cart Race organised by The Macklands pubLeft to right ...Ray Poll, Pierre Cousins,Trevor ?? Rennie Daniels Silver Rocket Suit Bill Douglass (My Dad) & sitting in cart is Paul Harris       These additional photos were kindly provided by Margaret Daniels      This earlier photo was taken near Rainham station further up Station Road around 1981 of the Rainham Bed Race  

  • The Oast Rainham - Then and Now

    Jas has kindly sent in this edited image of the Oast Community Centre in Rainham combining a current photo with one showing the hops being loaded from approx 1930s

  • Old and New Photos - Rainham Time Machine

    I've been experimenting with showing old and new photos together with a slider to compare them. Unfortunately I've had to create a separate webpage to host the Time Machine in order to get the coding to work Click here to view the Rainham Time Machine This one of Hoath Way in around 1930