Birchington Heritage Trust

28/03/2024

The unknown house mystery continues.

Another photo here, potentially a few years later. We’ve looked through our copies of old Kelly’s directories but struggling to find a match with the name.

These photos were rescued from an album in an old writing desk at the refuse tip.

Thanks for all the help so far.

24/03/2024

Can you help us?

This photo was sent to us to identify. It was found in a family photo album in wales with ‘Birchington 1906’ written on the back. Do you recognise it?

28/02/2024

Grenham Bay, 1930s.

Note some key features.
• The shoreline before the sea wall, showing various stages of erosion
• Birchington and Minnis Bay were separated by fields
• Grenham Bay use to be sandy and was known as the locals beach and is being enjoyed by many

22/02/2024

Canterbury Road looking towards Birchington.
King Ethelbert School seen on the left.
Original photo 1938 compared to todays view (courtesy of google maps).

03/02/2024

This week we are featuring 10 Station Road through the years.

From 1932 through to today.

Birchington Village Bakery

28/01/2024

Mandy’s, 63 Station Road.

1932 and 2023.

Still has the same style frontage and entrance today.

Mandy's Deli Birchington

09/12/2023

Thank you to Chrissy for sharing your lovely Christmas childhood memory. A calendar will be on its way to you in South Africa next week.

If you still want to get your hands on our 2024 calendar, we have the last few left which are available to collect from the museum Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings for just £5.

Chrissy’s memory…
“1962. I was 8. Christmas was more than magical in my village of Birchington. It started with the village Square enormous Christmas tree lit up with thousands it seemed, coloured lights. This was the heart of our village, the gathering for Christmas Carol singing and the meeting place to go Christmas shopping once dark at 16:00 starting at Woolworths for cheaper family presents. But then across the road was Barrows. Just to go down the polished wooden staircase to the ground floor and take in the boundless Christmas delights was truly a wonderland for ones immagination and dreams.”

02/12/2023

COMPETITION.

Win a 2024 BHT Calendar.

Now that December is upon us, we can officially mention Christmas.

For your chance to win a 2024 calendar, share your favourite memory of Christmas Shopping in Birchington. Please comment on original post.

Winner will be chosen Saturday 9th December.

If you’re not local, we will post it to you.

02/12/2023

After our popular map exhibition and particular interest in Ordnance Survey Benchmarks, you’ll be pleased to know we have now published an A5 booklet on the Benchmarks of Birchington.

Available to buy from the museum Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings for £2.50.

30/11/2023

97 Station Road through the years.

1932 to present day.

28/09/2023

Our 2024 calendar is now available to buy for just £5.

This years theme is Grade II Listed Buildings.

Available to buy from the museum located in the Burley Gallery at Birchington Library Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

Also at our upcoming talks and events.

All proceeds go to the running costs of our museum and archive room.

06/08/2023

Date for the diary.

As part of the Heritage Open Days this year, we will be holding a map exhibition at Church House on 10th September.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/birchington-map-exhibition

06/05/2023

Birchington Engineering in Albion Road (now Taplin Court), with the front of their building representing the Union Flag in 1953. This gained first prize in the Shops and Offices competition category.

27/04/2023

New window wrap is looking great!

Museum is located in the Burley Gallery in the library and open for viewing during library opening hours.

Archives and research facilities are open Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

Lots to explore in the archives including articles, photos, publications, directories, maps, property particulars, plus much more.

Thanks to PremierSigns for the window wrap.

01/04/2023

Pink Wellies.

Newspaper article from 1995.

01/04/2023

What was your favourite?

April Fools Day in The Square

24/12/2022

Christmas displays at Ocean Close.

After 5 yrs of raising money for charities, the lights were switched off as street vendors were coming and profiting from the illuminations. As they were licensed and in some cases coming from as far as Essex, there was little that could be done to intervene.

29/10/2022

Grab your 2023 Calendar, available from the museum Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

Only £5.

01/10/2022

C. A. Edmonds, Station Approach. Photo and advert taken from Sun and Sea holiday brochure, 1938. An original metal To Let sign brought in from a private collection to share with us today. Note the phone number is 50.

06/08/2022

Can anyone help to identify people in this Birchington scouts photo.

Any help with the gaps, or any corrections would be much appreciated.

Top row, from left
__________?
__________?
__________?
Timber Wood (Anthony)
Peter ‘Giddy’ Gordon
Peter Welch
_______ Mandeville?

Front row, from left
Arthur Shepherd
Kenneth Hatwood

04/12/2021

A morning spent helping family research using old directories and other resources in the museum. Our archives are available for research and browsing when staffed Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings in The Burley Gallery in the library.

04/12/2021

Who remembers going to Ocean Close on cold December nights to see the amazing Christmas displays?

21/11/2021

Thank you Tim Chawner Antique clock shop for repairing our Birchington clock. Now back up on the wall of the museum telling the right time. The shop became the office of Operative Builders and Decorators before the clock shop.

29/07/2021

Summer Exhibition at Bay Church, Minnins Bay.

20/06/2021

We are excited to announce that the museum located in the Burley gallery of the library will reopen on Saturday 26th June 9.30am-12.30pm.

We will operate in alignment with latest guidelines and information so for now visitor numbers will be restricted and face masks must be worn. Hand sanitiser will also be provided.

Initially we will be opening only on Saturday mornings. We will however continue to monitor the situation and will confirm future opening plans as and when we are able.

09/02/2021

Bay Hotel at Minnis Bay, February 1956.

09/02/2021

From The Observer, 1969. "Pictured from an AA spotter plane, cars being dug out of the blocked Canterbury Road near Birchington, or trying to get past drifts, are stranded in the fields."

A great photo that also shows the pond at the bottom of Brooksend Hill.

09/02/2021

07/10/2020

Tibble outfitters, 1964.

26/09/2020

Advert for the Guest House at Court Mount Farm.