On this day in Kent
What has happened on this day in Kent over the years, with the occasional smile.
Covering major international events to the tiniest bit of trivia, it is amazing how many aspects of life have changed over the years, and equally amazing, how many things have remained the same.
This is an ongoing project which I hope to expand. Still a lot of work going on behind the scenes!
Prince Philip opens hoverport
May 2, 1969Prince Philip formally opens Pegwell Bay hoverport (which had already been operating for a month) after visiting Manston
City motto
May 2, 1958
Noting that Canterbury people live longer, have more babies and fewer marriages than many towns in Kent, Mr. G. Hews, chairman of the Canterbaury and District Chamber of Trade told members at the annual banquet that the city’s motto should be “Longevity, virility and a degree of broadmindedness and tolerance.”
Keep it in the family
May 2, 1958At a recent Woodneborough wedding, Barbara Andrews married her step-father’s brother and became her mother’s and step-father’s sister-in-law, her own aunt and an aunt to her two brothers, and the bridegroom is now son-in-law of his brother and his sister-in-law became his mother-in-law.
No to morris dancers
May 2, 1956East Kent Morris Men’s request to dance in Upper Bridge St car park in Canterbury was refused due to lack of space – they were told to use Dane John instead.
First VHF broadcast
May 2, 1955
VHF radio broadcasts start, offering better quality sound, free from the interference that dogged the existing Medium and Long wavebands. the first transmitter was Wrotham, Kent, broadcasting the Home, Light and Third Services. The station still transmits the FM signal of Radios 2, 3 and 4 on the same wavelengths. Wrotham now also hosts the DAB signal.
Station closes
May 2, 1953
Margate East railway station closed with the departure of the 5.47pm train, after one woman had boarded and a single schoolboy got off. The station, almost 100 years old, was closed as the number of passengers didn’t warrant its upkeep.
Tower collapse
May 2, 1950
The tower collapses at St James’s Church Dover, leaving only the outer walls and Norman west front. The 11th century church was badly damaged in both world wars and after the collapse, the building was made safe and preserved as a “tidy ruin”.
Cricketer dies
May 2, 1935Edward Johnstone (50) collapsed and died while fielding for Beverley 2nd XI on the county ground at Canterbury. He was seen to be off colour, and a strange manner was noted at tea 30 minutes previously. The match against Ramsgate Wesleyans’ 2nd XI, in which he had previously scored 30, as well as another, was abandoned.
Luxuries for nurses
May 2, 1914
Owing to the frequent resignations of nurses at the Medway Union Infirmary, the Guardians have decided to tempt them by giving them a reading room furnished with newspapers and magazines and a pianoforte, and by providing a tennis court and parlour games.
Milestone UK flight
May 2, 1909
John Moore-Brabazon becomes the first resident British citizen to make a recognised powered heavier-than-air flight in the UK, flying from The Aero Club’s ground at Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey in his Voisin biplane Bird of Passage.