Medway Towns (documentary 1982)

[@cyraxx604]

Randomly watching this and my uncle pops up for an interview lol

[@baby_joe]

No way! My uncle is also in the video

[@jp3622]

If only they knew this was the best it was going to get!! RIP Medway

[@florence2095]

This was filmed only 10 years after our family emigrated to Australia 🇦🇺. I can see a humongous difference. I went back there in 1992. I was in total shock and embarrassed to say I used to live in Gillingham. I remember the High st covered in dog 💩💩💩💩. Did you ever live there yourself ❓🐨🐨🦘

[@amberplays1232]

@@florence2095I lived in gillingham since I was born but I moved in 2013 to wayfield. I used to live in the block of flats on top of the high street i was born in them flats and the nurses had to come help my mum. I remember Gillingham being very ruff and I don’t think it’s the best place to live. Ever since I haven’t really been to Gillingham town as I’ve been going to Chatham town instead but in my opinion I think Chatham town is a bit better than Gillingham town.

[@steenystuff1075]

I grew up in Medway. Loved it. Moved away for a few years to a few other places but always ended up coming back to Medway. Was born in All Saints hospital when my parents lived in Darnley Road. I grew up in Rochester. I now live in Chatham. Will probably still be here in Medway on my dying day.

[@waynegray2284]

I live in Luton Chatham for 19years now its changed a lot but before that I was live in Rainham in the 1980 when that film was made

[@Otto8767]

Still here after 36 years. Born all Saints. This place is definitely beyond saving. Chatham, Gillingham especially. I love Medway, but sorry.. this place has gone to pot big time unfortunately.

[@florence2095]

My mum & her family lived at 230 Darnley Road, before, during & after WW11.

[@lewisfox2641]

Its crazy how so much has changed in this town but some of the buildings still look recognisable!

[@darrenwhitecross5932]

Haha Mr El Toba himself! I remebered him straight away and bought a quality leather jacket that cost me a lot of money back then and its still in my wardrobe now.. How sad I'm I :-D

[@matnewton3123]

Been ‘closing down’ for 30 years !!!

[@nervousnerys4215]

I remember El toba. Used to go there for fila t shirts probably 85/86. Only had brown, and blue if you was lucky.

[@ashjeremiah4514]

I bought a leather coat from him a few years back,

[@cyraxx604]

My uncle lol, it was a surprise seeing his face watching this randomly at midnight.

[@michaelblyth5359]

i remsmber his shop so;d fila pringle tacchini ect bought a few bits from there 83 84

[@MichaelOglesby]

WOW! Great video! When Chatham High Street and Military Road were actual roads; I remember it well :). I grew up in the Medway Towns from '81 - '83, '85 - '95, and although I have fond memories of the place, the place was bleak. I am in no rush to move back there thou.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Well, this was depressing

[@florence2095]

It’s even more depressing now. This is paradise compared to what it’s like now. Have you watched any recent videos ❓absolutely horrendous 🥲🐨🐨🦘

[@christmashomevids]

no matter how bad things may get in medway was born here and love it..do miss the old bowketts though.and c&a the awesome lights in the pentagon loved looking at them as a kid man i want to go back to the 80s .best time..and this vid proved mc donalds was in the same place then as it is today ..great stuff

[@davidarnold98]

The past is a different country. They do things differently there. Fascinating and enjoyable

[@PeregrineTrousers]

The towns took a big hit from the Thatcherite government. Already challenged by employment issues, they closed the dockyard around 1980 and the rest of the associated businesses fell like dominoes. The place slowly evolved into a bronx, though it did enjoy a vibrant music scene back in the day.

[@brucedanton3669]

The Dockyard closed in 1984 as far as I know by the way too.

[@70sbabe]

She killed the town.

[@brucedanton3669]

@@70sbabe Indeed so too-of course?!

[@Clodhopping]

The Navy pulled out which tore the guts out too.

[@sebastianohalloran9093]

Whilst in Rainham, Wigmore, Hempstead etc the horrendous job losses shouldered by the dockyard workers and their suppliers was balanced against the rise of the self employed and the large number of commuters.

[@NeilCooper72]

I grew up in Medway. I moved there in 1973 and left Medway in 2001. I now live in Dorset and it's like living in another world. I could never move back, I was never a fan of the place. It's pretty miserable.

[@andrewfish3778]

There was always something depressing about the place even before the closure of the dockyard sank it. The centre of Chatham, out through Luton was uninterrupted urban sprawl - tightly packed Victorian terraces, many in a state of decay, with very little sign of nature (apart from the pigeons that used to hang around Luton Arches and crap on people from on high). We had three half dead silver birch trees on Cobden Road and that was basically all the greenery you could find until you got out to Luton Rec (long way to go as a small child, even if you were allowed out). I escaped in 1995 (after four years where I'd been spending most of the year in Glasgow anyway) and eventually ended up in Nottinghamshire, ten minutes walk from the heart of Sherwood Forest. Couldn't go back now. The guy in the video complaining about the cost of entertainment amused me: £2.50 for a cinema ticket is less than £10 in today's money - you'd be lucky to pay that little now.

[@T_P21]

Not much has changed mate, just alot more crime

[@cliveharman7237]

Neil cooper,where about a in Dorset you live in.? We been going on holiday there for 30+ year.been to Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester,Swanage, Bournemouth,Poole,abbotsbury,Lyme Regis,West bay, Bridport.

[@NeilCooper72]

@@cliveharman7237 I lived in Bournemouth then Verwood in Dorset. I’ve just moved to just across the border to Fordingbridge in the New Forest.

[@fletcherdavies8749]

I escaped the Medway Towns, but the same issues can still be found where ever there is poverty.

[@Martin-id4xp]

Shifty lads at 1.14 look like they were about to rob that bank/ post office before they got interviewed :)

[@mervynlamb730]

They would have a shock now

[@winstonsmith4156]

Grew up in lower gillingham in the 70s . Horrible to see it now .

[@arsenaljamie2267]

I was born there in 1980 then moved to Germany in 84, moved back in 87 to North Yorkshire in harragate and ripon, moved back to Medway in 1989. I hated it.. all the kids just loved fighting, it took a while to adjust; spent all my teenage years there.. a lot of good memories. In 2012 I moved to north Scotland the highlands Inverness. One of the best things I did was escape Medway. When I visit family and good few friends i trust, I can’t believe how dirty the place looks. Dog shit everywhere you look. Scotland is so much cleaner for I

[@kittykat8795]

I was there between 1977 and 1999. Teenage years were really crap there. Terrible schools and no chance of a decent job. Still that was the 80s so probably pretty dire everywhere. Haven’t been back for over 20 years, so not sure what it’s like now. I do remember going to the cinema a lot, (think it’s gone now) on the plus side, the pentagon shopping centre was really nice in the 70s when it was new. It had a fountain I remember, and plants everywhere and seats. Quite a nice atmosphere. Probably shite now.

[@tommyeason374]

I’ve grew up all over Medway my whole life last 16 years, some is still shit but some is seriously gentrifying

[@darrenroberts6376]

The most riveting documentary I have ever seen 😂

[@TWH442]

Looks much busier back then. More people milling about.

[@arseburgers4208]

Idk about anyone else but surely 26 a day is enough...

[@JamesTilsley1]

2:25 I’ve never seen a boil as big as that before.

[@madripoorpirate4668]

£1.50 to go swimming lol

[@rahma4043]

Omg, wtf, did no one hear that?! (7:04) 😲😂, how was that acceptable to say on film back then?

[@beefcakepoo118]

i know right, was that 27 times a day? per week? He must be almost out of balls!! Explains why he has quite a high pitch voice lmao.

[@Retrobeemer]

27 times is pretty impressive though.

[@queenbee2371]

Chatham for you. Even then.

[@andyfredericks6205]

What a champ!

[@brynhudson2166]

I love all this raw footage of Medway! That last guy was right though, very bleak future for Chatham! 30 years on and sure as 💩 its bleak!!

[@stevesamson3940]

I think his shop is about the only one shown that's still in business

[@maxcuthbert100]

Kind of a shame no-one adjusted the TV ariel ! I grew up there from '66 till I left in '79. I have no idea how anyone hangs on there,it's always been so damn bleak,Billy Childish or no Billy Childish.

[@reesechelsea8866]

1.50 was expensive in them days 🤣 sounds mad

[@jfc4798]

Glad I escaped in 2000.

[@Seansaighdeoir]

Very interesting video thanks for sharing. Also interesting how many correspondents actually like living in the area - compare that to the responses likely to be had today. But this was before the death knell of the Dockyard closing. That saw the rapid decline and destruction of the area and that has never recovered. One of the brilliant results of the financialisation of the economy. Sadly the last correspondent saw the future as very bleak and a more accurate forecast couldn't be made.

[@strongest-avenger0096]

MY HOMETOWN

[@Sundae_Times]

'Documentary' is pushing it, lol.

[@The_ATARI_King]

Aaaaahhhhh mate I was born in All Saints 1972. Lived in Luton Went to school at Luton Infants and Juniors .. left for Walderslade Secondary Boys in 84. Them streets shops and people were my community and playground. I have diamond memories of childhood Chatham .. the toy shops video games shops Allders window display at Christmas or the huge fountain and Christmas tree in the Pentagon. I moved to Rainham in 2001 and finally left for Ireland in 2014. I came home in 2019 and was so shocked at the place , fly tipping on Luton Rd every other shop fast food or a mobile phone shop ... Just about every shop was gone. Just memories of how great it used to be with friends family and neighbours . Real shame

[@theo1856]

3:25 don't get people sounding like that anymore.

[@TheBatMav]

1:20 - Dude on the left looks like Ewan McGregor lmao

[@paulhayward4383]

If they they don’t like the area why are they there

[@florence2095]

Same reason a lot of people don’t move in the U.K. Generation after Generation, they’re born and bred there and that’s where their family & friends live 🤷‍♀️🤔

[@rahma4043]

This was almost 40 years ago, and it didn't change drastically. Still boring and nothing much to do for leisure. I mean this is what I thought of it after I visited it a few months back.

[@rayvon6386]

Chris how do i get back on my own facebook page? Cheers Graham

[@rickhoyle671]

What does that guy do 27 times a day at 7:00 ?

[@peterapps9421]

Wants to move to Strood lol

[@buntyjoy1800]

No entertainment? I'm gunna pop into Snob and I'm off to Scamps.

[@reidmulligan8478]

Sounds like derren brown

[@Otto8767]

Wow just look at the difference even back then, it wasn’t great but compared to now! Good luck finding anyone who speaks proper English to give you an interview. No that’s not racist it’s just a fact

[@florence2095]

I remember going to Upbury Manor 1970-mid 1972. There were only 3 families not English, Amos, Murza & I can’t remember the name of the other family. That’s out of 2 campus’s. We emigrated to Australia 🇦🇺 1972. I visited back there in 1992. I was absolutely in shock and shattered 😳. It was sooo depressing 😢🐨🐨🦘