Folkestone, The Leas 1901

Photo ref: 48052

My grandparents, Kenneth Gordon and Mavis Lyne Smith, opened this hotel in 1923. The money came partly from Mavis' mother, Harriet, who had been widowed in Barbados c.1897 and was left a substantial amount of money. Harriet purchased the Clifton Hotel and ran it until 1933.

My mum also worked at the swimming pool in the early sixties and I rented out the swimming costumes . I remember Ted and miss Tyrrell was the manageress

Memories? Many! Worked on the refurbishment of some of the shops on the left of the picture. Often went to the 'pictures' at the Central Cinema in George lane up the top. My late wife worked as secretary for the manager of Plummers at the top. Pre WW2 we used to play up and down the High Street and up onto the Bayle. Then down into South Street. Grandparents bought my first real pair of shoes in a ...see more

i remember my grandfather working in the security box at the entrance of folkestone harbour, i remember my grandmother would take me down to him during the morning to take his sandwiches, i would sometimes have to stay with him there because my mother had a long term illness so nan and grandad helped out by looking after me when dad was working or visiting my mum, my grandmother used to work at ...see more