Filmed by Tony Blake and his brother, William in around the late 1950s or early 1960s. Tony was a local historian in the Chestfield and Whitstable area
who started collecting amateur films of the local area before the value of home movies was widely recognised. He regularly gave public screenings of these films and much credit is due to him for his early work ensuring the archiving and preservation of amateur film. On his death in 2011, his collection of Kent films was passed to Tim Jones, Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University.
No legitimate reason to have demolished the bridge
The bridge shown in the opening sequence was, up to the time of its demolition, reputed to be the oldest railway bridge in the world. It carried the Canterbury to Whitstable railway on its way towards Whitstable Harbour. Only vandals destroy such items. One of my teachers George E Lissenden and one of my old school friends, Willy Shearer, both lived in Old Bridge Road back in the mid 1960’s
Hi barney I lived on douglass avenue back in the early 60s.Willy shearer was also a friend of mine back then also David keeler who lived in reservoir road.We used to play by the old red brick bridge.Was it knocked down in 1970?I moved to London in 1964.Was heartbroken to leave whitstable.Fond memories.Do you know where Willy Shearer is now?
Can you believe they would knock it down… even then!