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Trevor Edwards | profile | all galleries >> Sheppey Pictures and Postcards >> Eastchurch tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Eastchurch

Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey was itself once the home of the early pioneers of aviation. Lord Brabazon of Tara, holder of Pilot's Licence No.1, and the late Sir Winston Churchill were both taught to fly at the old Eastchurch aerodrome.

See the splendid stone memorial to early aviators directly opposite the church. Near the church stand the ruins of 16th century Shurland Hall where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn spent their honeymoon.

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Marina Bright 30-May-2022 21:57
Just reading the old memories of Eastchurch.
My grandmother was a teacher and later the head of Eastchurch school . Mrs Florence Lillian Evans. She must of been the Welsh matronly teacher mentioned on here!!
This must of been in the 1930s or 40s.
She moved several times and eventually passed away in Devon aged 103. Greatly missed as no stories of the past told now
Mr Patrick Vanlind 25-Feb-2021 15:55
Hi I have just lodged on to this site and saw a Name that i can remember when i lived at Flecher battery in 1956? The Name Ken and Alice Summersgill was down the road from where i lived your Grandad often passed with his Horses up to the old Fort.seeing this has bought back old memories I have i think a old Photo of all those who Worked and Lived in that Area. Patrick
Guest 18-Aug-2020 19:26
Hi my name is Leigh carter my brother is Dennis carter we lived in orcherd place my dad worked at the prison I had a sister called Pam Dennis is still alive and lives in Stoke on Trent Staffordshire as do we all when our dad moved to Drake hall prison my dad ran the swimming club any one remember me I was born 31 10 58
Peter West 25-Jul-2019 10:44
Eastchurch Aviation museum is now open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 10am - 3pm. Free entry. free parking. ME12 4AA will bring you to the prison reception, follow signs for Museum & The Old Mill Cafe as a right turn off Brabazon Road onto Wrights Way. www.eastchurchaviationmuseum.org.uk & Facebook Aviation History At Eastchurch.
George Boulden 13-Nov-2017 16:55
I lived in Eastcgurch from 1942 to 47 and had a really super time, Thanks for the opportunity to walk down memory lane, George
George Boulden 13-Nov-2017 16:54
Very interesting. I lived in Eastchurch from 1942 to 47. I have great memories of those times. Thanks for the opportunity to wander down memory lane. George Boulden
Robin Melling 06-Oct-2017 05:40
There used to be a shop on the corner just behind the Aviation Memorial. It may have been called Whites as the Daughter of the owners of the shop "Eleanor White" was in my Class at the Primary School, and She was elected the Queen or similer to represent the school at a multi-school event at a Sittingbourne school, and I was her Page for the event.

Also the top class at the Primary School went to a multi-school singing event in a school at Minster. At break time we had fun rolling down the raised Grass embankments the surrounded one of the classrooms there. Needless to say we had to brush off the grass on our clothes before going back into the hall to sing after break.
David Ahearn 18-Sep-2017 00:33
My sister's live in Orchard way, in one of the old, much altered prefabs. Iwould love to hear more about the history of them.
Ian Wallace 08-Sep-2017 08:51
Yes Robin I do remember a pond in the are opposite the shop, which we referred to as 'The Caff'. The pond I remember was part of the old disused railway line. We used to catch newts there, and yes it did 'stink'. At the time I was there the shop was run by a man called Charlie Newman, and may well have been subsequently taken over by his daughter.

You mentioned Mike Jenner who I do remember, but only as Trevor and Christopher's older brother. I used to knock about with Christopher who was a good friend of mine at the time.

Even though I paid a visit to Eastchurch earlier this year I would still like to go back and to see the museum that has been set up within the prison confines charting the history of aviation that had its birthplace at the aerodrome.

Your remembrances have evoked some very happy memories for me of what was a happy carefree childhood.
Guest 06-Sep-2017 08:45
I lived opposite Tom and Kim Summersgill at the sables on the cliffs. I was very friendly with them. They were lovely people. I would be interested to know what happened to them. I often think of them. I now live in Lancashire.
Robin Melling 05-Sep-2017 11:07
In answer to Ian Wallace. Mike Jenner still lives in Minster, and he and his wife remain in contact with my Sister Ieleen Barrass who lives near Preston often. The other Officer who started the Eastchurch Aerodrome Swimming club with my Dad, WAS Mr Carter. Dennis Carter was a few years older than me. There used to be an old chap who lived in the road at the side of the Thicket whom we called Steptoe who was always trying to throw us out of the Thicket. Do you remember "The Stink Pond, just past the Bus stop opposite Orchard Close just off the field with the big tree there opposite the shop?
Ian Wallace 19-Aug-2017 14:19
Nice memories Robin, which triggered many more in my mind. You mentioned 'The Thicket' where I too enjoyed many a happy hour - there was an old WW2 bomb crater that we all used to head for amongst all the wild fruit trees, cherry damson and plum if I remember correctly. At one stage we lived in one of the brick houses opposite the thicket. When playing in the thicket one summers evening I fell and seriously cut my knee requiring 10 stitches. To get me to Minster Hospital we had to enlist the services of Dougie Beard who ran a taxi service associated with his garage in the village.

You mentioned two families whos names I recall - the Barasses and the Carters, who if I recall lived at the first house on the LHS of Orchard Close. If it is the same family I used to play with Dennis Carter who I believe died in a tragic accident. We lived opposite a family called the Jenners who lived directly opposite us, but they may well have gone by the time you arrived in 1959.

Another thing we have in common is Christchurch - I visited there whilst serving in the Merchant Navy circa 1969/70. If we were sailing around the South Island it must have been to load a cargo of lamb. Being near Christchurch we were docked in Lyttleton.

You describe having a friend who lived in the road before Orchard Close, which I believe may have been Kent View Drive. I too had a friend there called Michael Lloyd who lived on a small holding at the very top.

Eastchurch was such a big part of my life which I will never forget.
Robin C Melling 15-Aug-2017 09:41
Nice to see we shared shared we lived Ian Wallace. I lived at 8 Orchard Close. I was blamed for a fire off the old Tarin Line behind the odd Houses on Orcahrd close. My friend lived in a cottage/ bungalow on a road before Orchard Close before you got to the Prison gates. He was up on the hill and the field below their house ran down to the disused Rail line area. We were playing in the field but there was a fire in it near the houses and as we wwere seen near, we were blamed. I spent many an hour on the dusused Rail line catching Slowworms, common and Sand Lizards and Butterflies as a kid and picking wild Rose hips with my Dad and Mum so Mum could make Rose Hip Syrup for us all. Funny thing, was the number of friends I had just outside the Prison whose Dads were away in the Navy. Most of those houses they lived in especially near "The Thicket" which was a large area of trees in that us lads climbed or played war in, were demolished before we left and my friends moved to Minster. of course as an adult I realised where their Dads really where, and why my own Dad while not stopping me playing with them was cautious. If you lived there in 1969, You may have known my Brother-In-Law as his family lived in the Orchard Close houses Opposite where you lived. The Prison Officer was George Barrass, and my Sister Ieleen married Michael Barrass, He had Sisters, Annette Barrass who still lives in Eastchurch and Suzanne Barrass. Others who lived in that street were Stan Partner who was also in the Prison Volunteer Fire Brigade with a Daughter Denise Partner, and Carters and I think Houlness.
Ian Wallace 18-Jul-2017 12:24
I was very interested to read Robin C Melling's post regarding his time at HMP Stanford Hill during the 1960's as his experiences were very similar to mine, albeit that mine were 10 years earlier - from 1951 - 1958. I moved there in 1951 with my God mother, whose husband Fred Hazell was one of the first Prison Officers there shortly after the prison opened. We were first housed in one of the corrugated iron dwellings on top of Stanford Hill itself. From there we secured a house in St George's Avenue outside the camp, which had no mains sanitation relying on an outside toilet, which had to be emptied periodically - not too good, especially during the summer months; also we had no electricity, relying totally on gas lighting. Our next door neighbours, the Mcleers had relative luxury by having a septic tank and electricity. From here we moved into the red brick quarters within the camp in a road now known as Rolls Avenue - I believe it was Circular Drive when we lived there. I believe these were originally Officers Quarters when the site was an RAF base. Finally I moved to Orchard Close, No.23 which was the last house on the left hand side of the cul-de-sac, and as such we had a much larger garden than other properties in the close. We were the first family to move into this newly erected 'Prefab''. As Robin says, this later became Orchard Way. In March this year my family took me back to Eastchurch for a weekend and we visited Orchard Way - many of the prefabs had been replaced with more substantial dwellings, but the one I lived in at No.23 was still there after all these years.

I too attended the village school, my last teacher being a Mrs Evans, a matronly Welsh lady. Mr Collins was there teaching the older children. On leaving in 1958 I returned to London to live with my birth parents. It was a real culture shock for me at the age of 9 moving to a big city after the freedom of a small village environment - it took me some time to adjust.

What I remember is the wonderful freedom we had on the prison at that time, as a child one could wander anywhere with no fears at all. I did blot my copy book once with my love of matches - I accidentally set the bank of the old train line alight, resulting in the inmates having to come and extinguish the fire. The inmates were also called out when I went missing once, only to be found at the top of an old disused water tower.

I thoroughly enjoyed my nostalgia trip back in March - we stayed at the Shurland Hotel, previously known as the 'Crooked Billet'. The village had changed very little in the intervening years, apart from a by-pass around the village itself. Happy days indeed.
Robin C Melling 07-Jun-2017 11:21
I noticed a mention about Eastchurch Carnival. I recall going to it in the late 1960's, and buying a succulent in a paper cup which had little succulents growing off its main leaves that you could transplant. Also I bought a Second Hand !0 Inch Microgroove LP of Tommy Steele And the Steele Men, which had amongst its song "Hand Full Of Songs" I STILL have the LP.
Robin C Melling 07-Jun-2017 11:18
To June Wright who messaged above. Yes I have pictures from the school and of Sheppey Carnival from the 1960's
Robin C Melling 07-Jun-2017 11:12
I should add that our house 8 Orchard Close became 8 Orchard Way a few years after we moved into it because the prison opened it up at the end to connect it with a newly built road to the end of Range Road which was INSIDE the Prison Barriers area.... I also belonged to the Prison Officers Judo Club as a boy and have a photo with me on it amongst a group of us having a bundle on the Judo Mat with the teacher. A Prison Officer whose name was I believe Stephenson.. That is also from the North East Kent Times by the way. Robin.
Robin C Melling 07-Jun-2017 11:07
I lived a HMP Eastchurch from 1961 to 1968. My Dad was Principal Officer at the Prison and worked in the top security part called 98 which was at the top of the hill there. and at that time was JUST CALLED Eastchurch Prison. The buses that came down to it however had Eastchurch Aerodrome on them Our Address was 8 Orchard Close as it was a cul-de-sac just outside the white painted barriers and building that formed the gate lodge. ( I recall the barrier not being lifted in time when the Prisons voluntary Fire Brigade was called out to a fire on the Island and it broke the barrier. I was at Eastchurch Primary School, and the Headmaster when I arrived in 1961 was Mr White. The Infant Teacher was a Mrs Beal whose family owned Beals Farm which was at the side of the Eastchurch to Eastchurh Prison Road. A Mr Attaway took over as Headmaster later. The teacher of the top class was a Mr Collins nicknamed Pop. There was also a Mrs Channing. I wsas knocked down by a bus on Cup Final Day 1963 in Eastchurch opposite the Post Office and was unconscious for 44 day, finishing up in Hospital in London. My Dad started the Eastchurch Aero Swimming Club at the Prison Swimming Baths and we beat Sheerness Swimming Club, in a gala. I have by the way cuttings from the North East Kent Times to back this up and also of the primary School and I am on one of the pictures as well as the one when pupils from Eastchurch Primary School went along with another School to Blankenberge in Belgium and then Oberlahnstein in Germany on the Rhine with me in it. I have the slides I took on that holiday as well. In 1966 I went To Sheerness Secondary School in Jefferson Road Sheerness, and at the Christmas Holidays after the first term, ther was a fire at the school and a burglary and the upper part of the school was damagedso badly that it was shut for over a year and we had to walk to some old empty schools/ comunity halls in Sheerness to use them as classrooms. ALL the pupils t the school were fingerprinted by the Police in the school Gym/Hall. For those intersted, I have photographs on my computer of The Sheppey Queen Motor Launch which gave you a trip around the Wreck. Sheppey Carnival in about 1965 or 1966 were men were painted up as natives in grass skirts collecting for charity. my Sister and Brother-In- Law lived in Cliff Cottage on Eastchurch Cliffs, and later Park Avenue, Leysdown opposite Jack Purvis Chip shop (I was at Eastchurch Primary School with his sonTerry (Rusty) Purvis, who I believe became a radio DJ. If any of you are interested my email address is robincmelling@gmail.com. I now live in Christchurch New Zealand with my family
Tim Moynihan 03-Jan-2017 21:35
Hello all...I am planning a trip from Vancouver to Eastchurch this spring. Wondering if anyone knows of any family decendants of the 'Woollett' girls? My great-grandfather, Frank Woollett, owned The Crooked Billet" back in the late 1800s. My grandmother's name was Mahala Woollett (1903-1980) and she had 3 sisters: Mabel, Phyllis and Nora.
Would really love to know if there is any family still on the island...
Janet 29-Feb-2016 10:35
Hi Tara, Who is your Grandad, Chris or Tom? I m their cousin Janet! I hav fond memories of Seafields and my Uncle Ken and Aunty Alice. I learnt to ride there and used to take the beach ponies down to the sands with cousin Jackie. I have only one photo of Seafields itself with my Grandad in it (Kens dad). He died about 1971 aged 91 and was living with my mum and dad at that time in Derbyshire. He trained your great grandad for his boxing career. Uncle Kens job in the war was to man a look-out post up on the cliffs.
M-F C (Guest) 16-Sep-2012 18:31
Used to go up to Eastchurch to ride at Millards stables. Otherwise, knew a girl named Sonia, who had a brother named Richard. Their father was an officer at Eastchurch Prison.
kelly 09-Aug-2012 19:01
Tara; i was taught how to ride at your grandfathers place on two shetlands he had dublo and lucky 35 years ago then when i was 16 your grandfather look after a pony i brought he wasnt running the stables anymore then. there was a girl who use to stable her pony was called blueboy.
Pat; my mum and dad had a caravan on there ray and angie moore we use to bring the horse on the site and let them graze in the garden or play with john moores kid you wouldnt be big johns wife by any chance.
Guest 03-Jun-2012 19:49
My nan and grand dad had the Crooked Billet pub in Eastchurch. My name is Michelle. Does anyone remember me or my grand parents?
theresa webb14-May-2012 19:30
mum and dad are alan and daphne webb
theresa webb14-May-2012 19:29
Eastchurch carnival was great i was on a float once they always ended up at cricket ground then fayre stalls and a dance in the evening either at village hall or eastchurch working mens club.i have good memories of the club going some saturdays and also with my nan o ballroom dancing with julie holkham.if anyone remembers the holkhams.also my mum and dad ran eastchurch youth club .my dad and i were in drama group at the village hall i also attended bingo and whist drives with my nan when i was about 12. my mum and dad had the shop next to the castle pub from 1972 to 1978 and aso the one across the road with pet food and gardening things.i remember connies stores she was lovely.also the crooked billet in the childrens room.the war memorial we used to have our gatherings as young teenagers.i have good memories of growing up there even though it was only 6 years everyone knew everyone and good family life.i had my 13th birthday disco in the village hall.we moved there from rainham but before that gants hill ilford essex and was made very welcome .good times.lovely pics to reminisce over thankyou.i live in hampshire now but my mum and dad live in sheerness and we all went back to eastchurch 2 years ago where mum and dad celebrated their golden wedding and renewed their vows in the church in which i also sang in the choir and did bell ringing when we lived there.
serena 26-Apr-2011 20:58
RE TARA STOWERS post above, your great grandfather Kenneth was my grandmothers brother.
Contact me @ usglynns@hotmail.com!
Susan Delsnyder 15-Feb-2011 20:54
Susan Delsnyder:
My grandfather owned the Crooked Billett in Eastchurch, Kent. My mother was born there in 1902, met and married my father Frank Moynihan in 1919 and emigrated to Canada in 1922. I have visited the Crooked Billet several times on our trips to England to visit relatives and recalled the many stories my mother(Mahala Woollett) told me about growing up in England and about Eastchurch in particular.
Guest 12-May-2010 13:49
Got to say have really enjoyed this site. The pictures have bought back great memories. I lived on the Island between 1973 and 1980. We first lived at the Rose & Crown in Leysdon before moving to Warden point in 1976. I have been back a few times since but not enough.
Doug Kirkbride 20-Apr-2010 02:59
Hi, Doug Kirkbride.
I was born in Eastchurch on July 14th 1933. At a place called Blue Houses,I wonder if anybody out there remembers them. The Sheppy Light Railway Ran to Leysdown about a mile down the road.Also remember the Tinker used to come by and we would get sweets off the cart.Pictures are wonderful. Live in Canada now but can never forget the Island
sharon & junaita chatting 12-Dec-2009 18:30
My twin sister and I spent many happy days staying at our grandparents bungalow, close to the cliffs on Third Avenue from 1961-1978. I vividly remember playing all day long on the cliffs, swimming in the sea, which was always warm from the heated mud underneath, horse riding at Summersgils, and nearby Five Acres Stable. There was also an underground hospital we discovered in the cliffs but I can find no mention of it anywhere. Then the lanes were all grass, the fields had not been eroded away, and the area wasn't so populated. Happy days.
Guest 18-Nov-2009 12:05
These photographs brought back many happy memories. my name is Ian Wallace. I lived with my Godmother Josephine Hazell & her husband who was a Prison Warder at the newly opened Standford Hill Prison - circa 1951 until 1958, when I went back to London.

I attended the village school from 1954 - 1958 I was also in the village church choir - circa 1956-57

Although I have returned a couple of times, my last visit was about 22 years ago. I hope to redress that situation next year, and take a trip down memory lane via Eastchurch.
David Nicholls 12-Mar-2009 18:38
My father -Francis John Nicholls was born in 1915 at Black Cottages, Warden Road, Eastchurch. His father-Lancelot was an engineer-I wonder if connected to the aircraft industry.? I am very anxious to find ANY information about the family-all now long gone. Is there anyone who can help and/or any local historian or archivist who may be contactable or able to help please. I want to visit the village soon but live 150 miles away.
Tara Stowers 06-Mar-2009 06:45
My great grand parents Kenneth and Alice Summersgill used to own Seafields Riding school in Eastchurch many years ago and my grandmother and father were brought up there. Have you got any pics of the place as it was then?
pat 05-Mar-2009 12:24
Thank you for showing these wonderful pictures. We used to go to Elmhurst Caravan Park, owned then by John Moore, over thirty years ago and we loved it. I hope we can go again soon if we can rent a place for a week.
Guest 03-Sep-2008 21:01
Has anyone got old pictures of the School?
regcounsell 28-May-2008 11:52
HI TREV0R GLAD YOU RECIVED THE TWO CARNIVAL PHOTOS THEY WERE TAKEN AT BAY VIEW IN 1964
A FEW MORE FOR YOUR SITE No 466/715/763 HARTS CAMP LEYSDOWN 1N THE 1960s.
I HAVE MANY MORE UP TO 1982 IF YOU WANT THEM.ALL THE BEST FROM REG
guest 28-May-2008 11:12
Teanne i would like to know when your mother bought the site
regcounsell 09-May-2008 23:58
I HAVE PHOTOS OF LEYSDOWN CARNIVAL IN 1960S ALSO FROM PLOUGH IN MINSTER 1965
ALSO SHURLAND PARK 1981 WHICH ALL TOOK PART IN EASTCHURCH CARNIVALS AND SHEERNESS
ALL SO POSTCARD OF BEVERLEY WHEN IT A CAFE IN THE FROUNT
june wright 19-Mar-2007 18:31
Great to see so many interesting pictures of Eastchurch, there must be loads more out there. Has anyone got any of the village school? I too would like to see some of the carnivals
Guest 29-Jan-2007 22:59
if anyone has any photos of the carnivals eastchurch and sheerness used to do would love to see them my dad was in most of them from about 1970 onwards would love to see what they were like.
teanne king 13-Nov-2006 17:55
my mother bought a holiday camp called beverley camp site if anybody has any pictures of the site when it used to be a army base camp could you put them on the site as that would be great to see them from teanne
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