Mate, that is superb, way before my time (I’m 53), but some much of what you’ve captured there remained pretty much the same till they built the flood defences in the late 70’s? Brilliant work in that you’ve digitized it, that is effort and you’ve got to be commended for doing so. A quick Question on Youtube had you intenitionally clicked the private settings so that it can’t be found other than through this website?
Like the others I remember the moat when it had sail boats in it as well as rowing boats, I think I’ve got a picture of me there in around 64/65 and they’re in the background, I’ll have to try and dig it out. Yeah, like the other person I’ve swam in the moat many a time, we used to play glorified run-outs at night and have to attack the island and another group of lads had to defend it, one of the ways of attacking was to swim in! Also swam the river from the fort to Gravesend or from the landing stage to the other side several times, we used to do it in our shorts and then say to the ferry blokes “Look mate we haven’t got any money – give us a lift back please”? I think the prospect of us swimming back and them having turned us down for a lift and us drowning on the way back always meant they let us on the boat! Although there was one occasion I seem to recall they did turn us away and my mate was knackered and there was no way he’d have made it back so we went and saw the river pilots at Gravesend and they gave us a lift back in a tug.
By Dave Thompson (19/01/2014)
This is a brilliant film for so many memories. Thankyou for sharing them with us.
By susan mccrory nee Malthouse (01/08/2013)
Great film, brought back many memories.
By Christina Jalland (nee Firth) (25/07/2013)
I can remember there used to be a little boat with a motor, that took you for a sail round the moat for 3 old pence, or you could row yourself in one of the many row boats. We used to take a picnic and play around there all day in the summer holidays.
By kathryn opie (25/05/2013)
Wonderful memories. Like many, I am sure, I actually have swum in the Mote. No health and safety then -say no more !
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Mate, that is superb, way before my time (I’m 53), but some much of what you’ve captured there remained pretty much the same till they built the flood defences in the late 70’s? Brilliant work in that you’ve digitized it, that is effort and you’ve got to be commended for doing so. A quick Question on Youtube had you intenitionally clicked the private settings so that it can’t be found other than through this website?
Like the others I remember the moat when it had sail boats in it as well as rowing boats, I think I’ve got a picture of me there in around 64/65 and they’re in the background, I’ll have to try and dig it out. Yeah, like the other person I’ve swam in the moat many a time, we used to play glorified run-outs at night and have to attack the island and another group of lads had to defend it, one of the ways of attacking was to swim in! Also swam the river from the fort to Gravesend or from the landing stage to the other side several times, we used to do it in our shorts and then say to the ferry blokes “Look mate we haven’t got any money – give us a lift back please”? I think the prospect of us swimming back and them having turned us down for a lift and us drowning on the way back always meant they let us on the boat! Although there was one occasion I seem to recall they did turn us away and my mate was knackered and there was no way he’d have made it back so we went and saw the river pilots at Gravesend and they gave us a lift back in a tug.
This is a brilliant film for so many memories. Thankyou for sharing them with us.
Great film, brought back many memories.
I can remember there used to be a little boat with a motor, that took you for a sail round the moat for 3 old pence, or you could row yourself in one of the many row boats. We used to take a picnic and play around there all day in the summer holidays.
Wonderful memories. Like many, I am sure, I actually have swum in the Mote. No health and safety then -say no more !
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