SOUTHEND, KURSAAL, PIER, CHANNEL AIRWAYS, 1970, RAILWAY, SOUTHEND ON SEA ESSEX, RARE ARCHIVE FOOTAGE

[@Bonzman]

I moved to Southend when I was 10 from the Eastend and thought it was the greatest place on earth. I remember all these places especially going out on the Swift speed boat. Unfortunately places change and not always for the better. But the 60s and 70s it was a great place to live and work. Viva la City of Sowfend !

[@rallyeraidr7841]

I lived at Undercliff Gardens until I was 6. We moved to near Brentwood in 1967. I still remember all this like I was there yesterday!

[@GaryCosham]

Still live in Southend born in1961 60s and 70s fantastic days all changed now never to be seen again

[@beverlygannon4141]

Yeh I loved Southend I'm in London day tripper. Always wanted move theren. Never got there. ❤️🐾

[@Dan-o3m6e]

Look how clean and peaceful it looks. Now look at it

[@propellingcat]

Thia is what people are telling me. I would like to return, but I have a feeling I may be disappointed.

[@admiralcraddock464]

Yes, low life coming down from London wielding machettes in gand fights.

[@GTC123.]

This is an absolutley FANTASTIC piece of archive footage from a time not so long ago , but somehow a million years ago in a strange way ... brilliant 👏👏👏

[@propellingcat]

Thank you so much for your very kind comments. In retrospect, I wish I had captured more but I guess it's so easily said in hindsight. It was my first Std 8mm cine camera, Kodachrome 2 8mm film I recall was quite a premium and therefore one had to be sparing with it. I'm very pleased you enjoyed it.

[@TMCotton]

Thank you for sharing. I was born in 1960 in East London and have many fond memories of visits to Southend on the weekends during the 60's and 70's.

[@PaulB-justme]

Also born in the East End of London, but in 1961! A day trip by train to Southend-on-Sea was a real treat, even if my parents couldn't afford it too often!

[@thyatron]

Thanks for the wonderful memory of seeing myself walking along pier and finding this 45 plus years later ! I remember that day well I had to carry a shovel and bucket because my dad made me whilst we were walking along the pier. My dad refused to buy a bucket and spade and we bought our own equipment from home. It was always a great day ever time we went and it wasn’t everyday as we lived 30 miles away and it was over an hours drive to get to Southend but I remember that particular day as soon as I saw myself I still can’t believe the chances of getting to see myself.

[@propellingcat]

Wow, that's absolutely amazing. I was just thinking the other day that the probability of someone seeing themselves captured on that camera footage some 45 year's on was one in a million. You've made my day. Where were you located on the pier? Fishing? I must try and find you. The power of Social Media.....Incredible. Thank you so much.

[@thyatron]

@@propellingcat hi I’m happy that you’re happy we’re both happy! I remember walking along with the bucket and two shovels I was wearing a red jumper jeans and my plimsolls and seeing you pointing the cine camera from what I seem to remember you had ever a grey or lite blue jumper on ! With a medium sized predominantly black and chrome cine camera I was walking ahead of my brother and sister and dad as I really loved seeing the trains come past especially with the very destructive knock knock sound of the flat spots on the trains wheels And whir of the motors it made it even more of a great memory. Since my last comment I’ve shared this with my brother and sister they were very happy to see this from yesteryear I still fell like this was no time ago even now

[@propellingcat]

@@thyatron I've found you and somehow remembered filming you as you kind of stood out when I edited the film. (The lad with a blue bucket and what appeared to be a fishing rod.) Your recollection is totally accurate as my camera would have been a Eumig S3, dark grey surround with a lot of chrome bits especially around the lens. Your memory is amazing as I cannot recall what I was wearing at the time, lol. I'm living about 2 hours away from Southend now, but not returned since the late 80's.

[@thyatron]

@@propellingcat Hi I wish I had gotten in to taking pictures with a camera but I never had any chance of getting camera it was my sister who got a Kodak camera outfit Christmas bundle and not me. had I not had to carry the awkward bucket and shovels that me and my brother only used for literally five minutes before we all decided we wanted to walk on the pier instead. I have quite a few pictures of me from around that era of my life sadly none from that day at Southend but certainly from about that time. I remember you being quite tall easily 5’9 in my estimation. I’m glad I also decided to put my jumper on it wasn’t as warm as it looked in the film I remember it being very blowy in the wind and quite cool in the see breeze I do remember just before my dad bought tickets for us walk on the pier even before we went down the long ramp I put my jumper on as we walked past the bowing ally was there still when it was still at the beginning of the pier because that part was covered by a roof and wasn’t as cold as walking on the pier itself.

[@propellingcat]

@@thyatron You have an amazing memory, considering I wasn't captured on the film anywhere. I'm 5' 8 and a half, lol. I can still imagine you walking around with the same bucket and shovels.

[@janetbayford133]

This has brought back so many memories. After my dad bought our first, very old, car; we used to go to Southend at the week-ends. I used to love the Crooked House and the Helter Skelter. We used to have a plate of cockles from one of the little stalls under the promenade. Life was so much simpler then.

[@bertiewooster3326]

Great punch ups !

[@jeffreycordrey1868]

Never to be seen again now look at Southend

[@likklej8]

Does anyone remember the pitch a ball to tip the scantily clad lady out of bed at the Kursaal? Hit the target and the bed would tip, big cheers from watchers and those having a-try to hit the target.

[@Worldwarone853]

Yes l do, l remember my dad and uncle getting the ball to hit the target and the lady tipped out the bed and was topless from what l can remember. I wonder if the lady is still about would be in her 80s now.

[@rogerking7258]

We owe a debt to the people who shot films like this, giving us genuine historical data. In those days it really took some effort to make a cine film so very few bothered. It's different now of course.

[@ronnied1754]

Brilliant. So many memories having lived in Leigh, Shoebury and Southend nearly all my life. I spent so many weekends down the seafront and of course in the arcades as a kid and a youth. A lot of us always look for the arcade footage and the machines we remember. But not many of the film makers went into the arcades, unfortunately. Great shots of The Kursaal. Things were a lot more simple then and people seemed more relaxed. You really should come back on a nice summers day, whilst you still can propellingcat. Yes it's changed a lot, some for better and some for the worst. The seafront is much smarter now. All been repaved since you were here, and things added. 20mph on the centre of the Golden Mile. and camera's everywhere, making it a much safer place. What's left of The Kursaal is sadly closed, while they figure out what to do with it. They have just installed new greener trains on the pier as well. Thanks for posting this on KZbin.

[@robertknight5429]

I was 1970-1975. Great memories here, especially the pier train etc. Also, remember the state of those trains to London!

[@steviejd5803]

Thanks for posting this. I grew up in Southend from the late 60’s into the 70’s…such a happy time. My guess would be that everyone looks back and thinks it was better, happier etc. I do for sure, but was it? I do wonder. So many memories stirred with this film. Days spent crabbing or just walking the pier and seafront, the arcades, Peter Pan’s, the lovely parks too. Yes, I was lucky to grow up in Southend on sea.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your comments, Stevie. For me it was the magic of the Kursaal and I was bitterly disappointed when it closed in the 70's. I visited again in the 80's and of course Southend had still retained quite a lot of it's magic. My Aunt and Uncle lived in Southchurch, my dad was an Eastender, so I was introduced to Southend on sea at as a child. You are very privileged to have grown up there.

[@essexpeter6116]

@@propellingcat Thank you for the upload. Grew up in and around Southend, never went in the Kursaal. Lots of sights I recognise , and a real step back in time to childhood days. Is that Charlie Kunz backing? Are the recurring folk members of your family? From the cars, I would have guessed a little earlier than '69/70 if you had not dated it. Peter

[@propellingcat]

@@essexpeter6116 Thank you for the feedback, Peter. You are very observant. It was my mum and dad and my grandmother on the beach and mum and dad appeared again several times. According to the Pier Museum, the 10th Essex Salon of Photography as displayed on the pier took place in 1969 but some of the other shots mat well have been earlier. The music was in the style of Charlie Kunz. My dad's friend Ron Coster was the pianist and my dad was on the drums. I made the recording in the 70's at mum and dad's house in Marlow, Bucks. Ron also taught me to play in that style but Charlie Kunz was truly inimitable and very difficult to replicate.

[@zeddeka]

We know now that an absolutely massive paedophile ring was operating in Southend back then - listen to the investigative journalist Charles Thomson's podcast series about it. So, no. It definitely wasn't a better place back then. As you allude to, when we're young we're absolutely clueless about life.

[@mickymantle3233]

Wish I could physically morph into this film and take a long slow walk..back home. I mean, I don't care if it takes days !

[@pstonard]

What a fantastic trip down memory lane for me! Greetings from Portland, Oregon, USA. My grandparents retired and returned from Kingsbury, London, NW9 to live in Southend-on-Sea (actually Hadleigh, Essex) That was 1963, I was six. My father went to Southend-on-Sea high school. My brother and I were sent to live with his parents "at the seaside" for the entire summer holidays each year. Many a walk along the "World's Longest Pier" and a treat to ride the electric train if the weather was cold or raining. There was an RNLI Station at the far end, and every so often we'd be there for a launch. I well remember the Kursaal (mainly as it was "off limits" to us) There was the Guiness Clock on the Parade, and Osborne's cockle shed (in Leigh-on-Sea) The Southend "Illuminations (in August?) were eagerly awaited. Great to see them switch on each evening at 19:30 from the far end of the pier. The gardens in West Cliff were open as "Never-Never Land" alongside the year around West Cliff Lift (elevator that took passengers up to the cliffs road) Anyone remember "Mr Therm"? The cartoon mascot on the gas works bridge (on the main road towards Shoeburyness) I think coal barges fed the station and landed at a jetty. It was torn down in the mid 1970s, I think.

[@rickwaters7459]

Brought back wonderful memories of growing up in Southend and fishing from the pier at age of 13 onwards..

[@ianmeyer2652]

I was born in 1969. Been going to southend every decade since 1975. Was GREAT in the 70s so so in the 80s n 90s ..REALLY bad in the 00s...but for the past 5 / 6 years, its been great again. Think the hot summer's now and staycations have helped it alot...just wish the kursaal comes back to life.

[@veronicabennett4359]

Thank you for bringing back happy memories of my childhood in Southend. Unfortunately, judging by the more recent films of it on KZbin, it has changed for the worst and the magic has gone.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your kind comments, Veronica. I'm sure it has changed considerably since my youth. I would still love to return sometime even if it's just to reminisce. I am still unsure of the exact date of this footage. It could well have been in the late 1960's, but most definitely prior to decimalisation.

[@propellingcat]

@@emward6858 Sorry to hear this. Maybe it's better to remember it as it was. I guess everything changes and evolves but not always for the better. Thank you for your feedback.

[@johnwelton2606]

@@emward6858 That is a gross exaggeration. Adventure island (Peter pans in the video) is great. We have had a free fireworks display every Satutday evening since the beginning of November. The sea front is a vibrant place packed during the summer. As with all urban areas some parts are run down but in general it is a great place. New Pier trains will be in place soon.

[@tonesw6957]

Its Chav central now

[@WackyNZ]

@@emward6858 Lived there from70-82 moved to NZ.

[@tonymooney9244]

Beautiful clean ❤

[@ed9763]

Thanks for bringing back long gone memories.

[@propellingcat]

You're very welcome. I had no idea at the time that this old Std 8mm amateur guage film would be of some interest in the future.

[@tectorama]

That brings back some memories. I used to love walking around Never, Never Land, with a bag of chips. My sister was a stewardess with Channel Airways, and where she met her future husband.

[@Flanbon]

Absolutely love it!! Thank you for rekindling wonderful memories of my home town Southend. 🥰

[@propellingcat]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I wish I'd captured more of the Kursaal-particularly the 2 wooden Rollercoasters and the River Caves.

[@whufc6764]

brings back wonderful childhood memories

[@petecollins4925]

Osborne Bros seafood establishment is still in business at Leigh! I often visit Old Leigh for lunch with friends but now I'm getting on a bit the walk from the station past the boatyard and cockle sheds takes a few minutes longer than in my youth. The Peter Boat pub just along the road to Osbornes is a great alternative, I can thoroughly recommend their whitebait starter lol. Seeing the old slam door trains was a blast, used to commute into London on the LTS line on those things until I got a more local job. They had first class and ladies only compartments.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your interesting comments, Pete. It's great that Osborne Bros are still going especially during these very challenging times.

[@marieryan2541]

Thus brought back so many memories it's unbelievable. Thank you

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, Marie. I was so young at the time and had no concept the film would be of some interest in the future.

[@AllOuttaBubblegum123]

The roller coaster with the single cars still the most terrifying ride I've been on to this day. Memories of when Southend was a beautiful place. Not the cess pool it is today

[@propellingcat]

I remember The Cyclone, The Wall of Death. Tornado Smith rings a bell. You're right, things change and not always for the better. In those days, particularly in London there was much more of a sense of community. Thanks for getting in touch.

[@oldguy2976]

Thank you for taking me back 50 years . If only technological advance and social media and mobile phones could have been things that never happened .

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, Kevin. I quite agree. It was great, particularly without the mobile phones. Can one imagine people on the Kursaal's 'Wall of Death', unable to converse, but simply texting each other. It was a magical era and Southend on Sea has always been a special place for me.

[@rotate.]

Your name sounds familiar. I was 14 in 1970. Went to Southend High for Boys.

[@propellingcat]

@@rotate. Hi, Thank you for your message. I am not from the Southend Area and was living in Buckinghamshire at that time. My father was an Eastender, belonged to a Motorcycle Club and visited Southend frequently in the 1930's. I wish I could accurately date this footage. It could be in the late 1960's. There is one clue which was at the pier entrance at the time of filming ...The tenth Essex Salon of Photography. I don't what year it started. Maybe someone out there knows the exact year that this pier photograpic exhibition actually commenced?

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

WATCHING THIS IN JULY 2024, IN MY FLAT IN EAST SUSSEX, MAN DECIDING WHAT TO WRITE , SO SO HARD want to get it right, you sir have taken me back to a so so simpler time i new and lost , so many memeories of SOUTHEND , CANVEY ISLAND GOD WHERE DID EY GO THEY SAY TIME MARCHES ON , BUT ITS LIKE I BLINKED AND NOW ITS 2024 THIS FILM BROUGHT BACK MY MUM , DAD BROTHER , LL MY AUNTS , UNCLES , COUSINS NAN GRAND DAD , WE ALL WENT TO SOUTHEND OR CANVEY , WE USED TO MUM DAD BROTHER CUSINS NAN GRAND DAD STAY IN THE HOLIDAY CAMP IN CANVEY, NO RUNNING Water had to go to a COMMUNAL TAP, WE MADE OUR OWN ENTERTANMENT, GOT BITTEN ALIVE BY THE KNATS AT NIGHT , MAX BYGRAVES SUNG A SONG WRITTEN BY LINAL BART , FINGS AINT WHAT THEY USED TO BE , THERES ALINE THAT SAYS MUM DAD PADDLING DOWN SOUTHEND , BUT IT AINT DONE , PARIS IS WERE WE SPEND OUR OUTINGS , WHAT A SIMPLE TIME WE HAD I AM NOW 70 YEARS OLD BUT YOU TOOK ME BACK TO WHEN I WAS VERY VERY YOUNG THANK YOU ,, I CULDG O NBU FEELTHET RS COMING SO AGAIN THANK YOU

[@jeanwatling100]

Thank you very much for a real trip down 'Memory Lane' , Never, Never land, the wonderful beaches, going out to bring in passengers from planes arriving at Southend Airport. Yes, whilst the aircraft were still maneuvering and the props still turning ! Not much H&S in those days ! The walk down to the Leigh-on-Sea fickle sheds... So many lovely memories. 😊

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, Jean. I'm pleased you enjoyed it all. I thought exactly the same about the lack of H and S when I recently scanned and edited the airport sequences. I recall my late Uncle Tom King worked in Civil Defence at Rochford and it was through his connection that I was able to gain access to the runways etc. He was quite a character, bit of a space oddity, he claimed to be Major Tom and definitely operated from Ground Control, lol. I often wondered whether he was the inspiration behind the David Bowie song. After all it was about 1969.

[@Rickstartattooman]

Wonderful and just as I remembered it as a child :))

[@propellingcat]

It would be great to revisit and hope not to be too disappointed as it may well have lost some of its magic.

[@virgilcurtin2664]

Fabulous footage. Time travel indeed.

[@maurice8607]

Absolutely brilliant. Great memories. Used to travel from the East End by train with my mum and dad. Loved the Kursaal,the pier and Peter Pans playground. Sometimes we'd get the open top bus to Shoebury. Wasn't much there but we liked it. Happy days.

[@propellingcat]

Hi Maurice, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. My dad was an Eastender. Both my parents were from London but moved to Buckinghamshire, however, we had regular day trips by car to Southend. I never wanted to leave. It made such a big impression on me as a kid.

[@briboy2009]

Being an old Southendian that brought back a lot of happy memories. Many thanks for the video.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you. You are very welcome.

[@WackyNZ]

How long ago i knew someone there with same name.

[@briboy2009]

@@WackyNZ I lived in Southend from 1952 to about 1972

[@colettereed4987]

Never never land, I remember that, very happy memories of southend back in the day.

[@chrisdrakeuk]

I'm fairly certain that the footage from around 15mins shows the oil that hit Southend's beaches a few weeks after the Torrey Canyon wreck in late March 1967. Thanks for the memories!

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, Chris. This is something I has never considered at the time. Interesting thoughts.

[@keithcornell692]

hi chris i remember seeing the news reports of the torrey canyon in 1967 and film of the raf buccaneers bombing the slick with i think phosphorous bombs to try and burn the oil of the sea as much as they could. i was 8yrs old at the time

[@tomlee812]

Nice one. A lot of my youth in there. Born in Leigh on sea in the 1950's... Thanks for posting.

[@propellingcat]

You're welcome. I recall my first visit as a kid. So magical......I never wanted to leave.

[@christinewynne1935]

The last time I went to Southend I was 15 I'm now 75 I loved it stayed in a hotel called the keyora

[@stevenrawlings4663]

This has to be my fave film footage yet! I think I may even be in it! The piano sounds like me grandad in the pub. I would only have been about 4 but as you say it seemed a most magical place back then that I never wanted to leave! You captured scenes I thought I would never be seen again & that would only ever stay in my happiest of memories !! Well done indeed & thank you for sharing!!

[@propellingcat]

Thank you very much, Steven. You may well be in it. Someone saw themselves in it walking on the pier which was absolutely amazing after all that time. The pianist was my Dad's friend (He taught me this style of playing when I was doing my piano grades which got me into bad habits) and it was my dad on drums...and yes it's stride piano stuff reminiscent of an old London Pub. I recorded this during the 70's on a Ferrograph Tape recorder at my parents' house and now have the recording preserved in a digital format.

[@stevenrawlings4663]

@@propellingcat There is a young lad @ about 1:27 that looks like me being chased by my older sister at the bottom of the screen on the pier. I would be about 5 & my sister about 7. This would have been my first visit to Southend. I remember so much of it so well! Like Popye in the rowing boat called Olive, having cockles from that same fish place. I remember walking through never never land while illuminated at dusk with actors dressed as Disney characters walking through the west cliff gardens & getting quite upset at being told it's time to go home to Enfield sobbing that I wanted to stay forever. I also spotted on the video what may have been my dad's Mk 1 Cortina once or twice. My dad's family had several generations of butcher shop's in the east end. I stayed in The Queen Elizabeth Children's Hospital in Hackney Rd after I was born & lived & worked around Bow for about 20 years until the Olympics. My piano playing grandad was Jim Gardner. Any chance he could be your dad's friend?..

[@propellingcat]

@@stevenrawlings4663Hi Steve, If it was you, it was my dad you brushed against. He was carrying my camera case. That's quite amazing. I don't think he knew Jim Garner, His pianist friend was Ron Coster and I know they played in London but unsure of the venues. I think my dad was born in Barnet Grove, Bethnal Green. I often visited the area as a kid seeing my aunts and uncles, Columbia Road Flower market Brick Lane Market and I think Club Row.

[@davidstoves9619]

lovely archive ,shame its not like that now

[@moderator-63]

That was great to see! Thank you, brought back so many memories! ☺️

[@propellingcat]

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@darrenrawlinson6344]

Great to see the old Gas works jetty behind the corporation pier. Used to be fascinated and scared playing under it, watching the cranes unloading the coal barges. And a glimpse of my favourite shop, 'Owen Wallis'. Great toy department upstairs and ironmongers below. Christmas was a wonderful time with the lights and the shop windows all aglow with their displays. Happy times long gone....

[@propellingcat]

Hi Darren I am so pleased it conjured some happy memories for you. Thank you.

[@jim_ginge]

Not a single person looking down at their phones 😉

[@propellingcat]

Good observation, Jim. How on earth did we all survive without mobile phones, lol. So refreshing to see it.

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

1 1 CULTURE , SAYS IT ALL 1 PEOPLE SAYS IT ALL 1 COUNTRY SAYS IT ALL, LITTLE DID WE KNOW, WHAT WAS AROUND THE CORNER MANY THANKS ,,,, T O N Y B L A I R,,, WITH YOUR OPEN BOARDERS , , LET THEM IN , NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE , YOUR ALL WELCOME , YET KICKING THE PEOPLE WHO MADE BRITAIN GREATIN HE COBBLERS, MULTI CULTURE KISS MY ARSE , LOOK AT SOUTHENDAND LONDON IN 2024, MIND MY FRENCH ,,, ITS A SHIT HOLE OIL SLICKS EVERY WHERE , MAKES WANT TO CRY THE STATE WE ARE IN THOUSANDS OF ILLEGALS SWAMPING OR SHOARES , POCERS ON THE STREETS WANTING HAND OUTS DRUGS EVERY WHERE , CRIME , KNIFINGS EVERY DAY, NOW EFFINGLA ARE IN THERE GOING TO ET SCUM OUT OF PRISONS EARLY , TO EASY THE OVER CROWDED PRISON , DO THE CRIM DONT DO THE TIME, WHERE AFTER EEING THIS FILM , I ASK YOU WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WANTED BRITAIN TO BE THE SESS PIT OF EUROPE FLOODED WITH 3 RD WORLD STONE AGE PEOPLE . TIME MACHINE WANTED GET ACK TO WHEN THIS FILM WAS MADE , LIFT ANY ONE

[@Toby_the_Glen]

...how long have you had a phone?

[@ThomasPrior-wv6zn]

@@Toby_the_Glen MAN CANT YOU SEE HE MEANS MOBILES SOME PEOPLOE

[@deborahking2955]

Loved your video and the sound effects

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, Deborah. I wish I was able to put an exact date on these archived shots when I was let loose with my first camera. The effects and post production scanning was a bit of challenge. I must return to Southend. It was certainly a magical place when I was kid.

[@deborahking2955]

@@propellingcat I think you'll find that it has changed a lot. I also have fond memories of the place when I was younger but haven't been back for decades. But judging by recent footage, I hardly recognise it. That's why your video was so good - simple but timeless memories. Thank you for uploading it.

[@propellingcat]

I'm sure it has changed significantly. I remember reading in the Southend Echo at the time of filming that the Mayor of Southend did not like the image Southend presented and was determined to convert the Kursaal into a housing development and promote Southend as place of culture and historical interest conveniently forgetting that the Kursaal with some of the rides eg:The River Caves datied back to the 1920's and they were indeed part of Southend's culture and history. I was devastated when I read the article. Anyway, our memories live on. Charles.

[@ohyeah2816]

My family used to load up the blue Bedford Dormobile crew bus with a days supplies, a Primus stove and head for Shoeburyness for the day. After a day of beach, sand castles and swimming it would be time for Peter Pans Playground, the Golden Hind and the Guinness House. We never went on the pier, maybe we couldn’t afford it I’m not sure. That was the late 60’s. I did eventually go on the pier about 10 years ago.

[@billyfury1952]

Most enjoyable film..nice camera work..loved the Piano music..very nostalgic...not too keen on some of the sound effects.. a great piece of historical archive....thank you

[@propellingcat]

Thank you, for your comments. There was no live recorded audio at that time and indeed it was difficult to find suitable sound effects in order to bring it to life. I recorded the piano music live in the 1970's on a Ferrograph Series 7 at my parents' house. (My late dad on drums and his friend on piano) They had a small band and I was told they performed in London sometime in the 1930's.

[@eddherring3088]

Wonderful

[@beverlygannon4141]

The hood old days back then ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@send2gl]

Most enjoyable.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for the feedback, Geoff. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@davidmoore2308]

Never knew southend had a lift like hastings shown at the start. I also love the blokes in suits and ties on a hotday on the roller coaster.

[@garylawrence9347]

Great nostalgia

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

I recall as a kid going to Southend from the Eastend in the 70s - then I lived 2 mins from the Kursaal 88 - 98 and I can honestly say i'd never move back,best thing I did was move out.To me days out in the summer is one thing living there's another.it's very run down in places.

[@propellingcat]

i know exactly what you mean. When you visit somewhere just for a day or two, I guess you see it from a totally different perspective. Thank you for your feedback. Happy New Year.

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

@@propellingcat You too.

[@davefish8107]

Me and my friends would cycle from Manor Park to south end once a month in the summer. Through ilford and onto the A127 . You would take your life in your hand if you tried that nowadays great times

[@decfiore8715]

Beautiful footage! Have you ever considered getting this film scanned in at 2k and restored? I'm only asking as I work at R3store Studios and we do tonnes of 8mm restorations, I also have lived in Southend my whole life so I'm very fascinated. Thank you!

[@propellingcat]

Thank you Dec. I no longer have the original footage. It was one of 100's of films that I attempted to digitise during lockdown. I had reels of celluloid collecting dust for years, it was becoming a potential fire risk and taking up so much space. I had no idea it would have been of so much interest. I have already donated a copy to the Southend Pier Museum for non profit use.

[@decfiore8715]

@@propellingcat That's a shame but I do understand, it was very kind of you to donate it!

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

@@decfiore8715 looks like you'll be calling that museum. This stuff really deserves full restoration. I hope it does.

[@decfiore8715]

@@Mr_Gray_Sky I agree! I'd love to acquire the footage and get a full restoration done but I don't want to start taking donations from the Southend Pier museum! I may talk to them and my manager though to see what can be done.

[@propellingcat]

@@decfiore8715 I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I guess I was young and maybe a bit naive at the time, more interested experimenting with my new Std 8mm camera than realising the significance of any futuristic interest in what was captured. I revisited many times when I was able to drive and would now love to go back again when the Covid situation improves.

[@MrJonpac]

Classy times. Never to be seen again.

[@zeddeka]

You're joking mate? Southend had an absolutely massive paedophile ring operating in it back then - including at the amusements.

[@RileysRamblesCentral]

What a gem. Will go down in the archives and become more culturally valuable as time goes by. Love the shot from the train. Did you make the cine film ? Well edited and put together. 😎👍

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I did make the cine film. I was very young at the time and I shot the footage on an old Eumig S3 Standard with all the optical definition limitations of the Standard 8mm guage. The editing was very much done in the camera at the time with a few extra edits and effects added during the digital transfer..

[@michaelpolley01]

Great memories of Southend. It was however a shame to stretch the picture to widescreen. How about republishing in the original aspect ratio?

[@propellingcat]

Thank you Michael for your feedback. You make a very valid point. I uploaded some archive std 8mm material some years back and received comments from many people with aspect ratio tv 16.9 screens who didn't enjoy looking at blank areas, so that influenced my decision. From a purest viewpoint you are absolutely right, it would reflect everything in normal proportions. I'm sure it would be possible to upload an additional 4.3 version at some point. Thank you for getting in touch.

[@andrewjones1649]

Fantastic. I visited Southend twice around the time this film was made. I wasn't very old, about eight. Can someone confirm to me that the Kursaal had two roller coasters? The big one which you see in the all the films but also an older wooden one near the main entrance. It seemed very creaky but it didn't stop us riding it. I rode both. Unless my memory is playing tricks on me..?

[@akbukgraham408]

I think they did, one long and high with double joined carriages and a smaller one with single cars both were wooden structures and wobbled a bit .....but the sound they made you will never hear again

[@themightyimp08]

A great way to date this accurately would be to find out when the Excel Bowling alley (2:54) turned into the pavillion lanes (4:58) I frost knew it as AMF bowling, and that was before the bowling alley burnt down, twice..

[@wagner251]

If only life could be that simple now !

[@kalimgold9268]

Times change, the Kursaal couldn't compete with the new leisure industries and the grounds were turned into flats, I re-visited the Kursaal about 8 years ago (not exactly sure when) and the main building was a sad reflection on what it used to be. ( I worked in the main building on the rifle ranges in the late 60's - early 70's then the Pier rifle range for the Lecorgnes until that burnt down, that too was sadly left in ruins)

[@propellingcat]

Great to hear your connections with the Kursaal and indeed the pier. I wish I had captured much more of it all at the time. I remember the River Caves with I think dated back to the 20's but unfortunately didn't record them on film. Anyway, the memories live on. Thank you for your interesting comments.

[@manofweed1]

I remember the rifle range. They had .22 real rifles ! Can you imagine that now ?!

[@zeddeka]

We now know of course that Southend was a much, much darker place back then than these videos might make it seem. An absolutely massive paedophile ring was operating in Southend bsck then which included the infamous child murderers Sidney Cooke and his accomplice Lennie Smith who lived in Southend for a while. The amusements were a particular hotspot. In league with another local paedophile, Jack Parsons, Lennie Smith worked at the amusements grooming local kids, and one of the kids he and Cooke murdered, Jason Swift, was trafficked to Southend in the 80s. The investigative journalist Charles Thomson put together a podcast about it called "Unfinished - the Lost Boys". He uncovered links to corrupt local police, drug dealing, child sex trafficking acros the south east, the industrial production of child sex photos and videos, and a sprawling local paedophile ring that included police, local criminals, local businessmen, bus drivers, teachers and pub owners.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for the historical background information. At the tender age of 15, the only attraction for me at the time of filming circa 1969/70 was the pier, amusements and the wonderful illuminations.

[@lorjon68]

How the fuck did me and my mates survive? Never knew I was so lucky to escape a youth misspent on the Golden Mile alive.

[@paulconner9354]

Brilliant film. Im glad I’m old enough to remember most of this including the old seafront layout, trains, pretty gardens, pier bowling alley except the kursaal park. To me, Southend has lost its appeal now.

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

I live close by and remember those days well when you could walk around and not get mugged or someone's drug money. Very good quality footage for 8mm but ruined by the terrible sound effects, the music was good enough.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your feedback. I've had both praise and condemnation of the sounds effects, lol. I felt it needed something to bring it to life and was very much restricted to non copyright material including the music which is licenced to me. Like your good self, so many people are saying it was a much safer place in those days.

[@RileysRamblesCentral]

All that is missing is the “Pathe” introduction 😉😆.

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Body & Soul

[@DavidBarry-kn2uk]

I miss my home and all the white happy people who belonged there in those happy innocent times.take a look now.oh boy!

[@jeremyfine3422]

Memory lane for me, was a kid who travelled to Southend a lot in 70,s - 80,s it will never have the atmosphere and character for me as it did back in them times - absolute dump now.

[@propellingcat]

Thank you for your comments. So many people are telling me the same thing. It sounds like it has lost it's character and maybe it's sense of community. I would like to return maybe for a long weekend in the Summer just to reminisce. I 'm sure I will see many changes.

[@johnwelton2606]

@@propellingcat It is nowhere as bad as some people are saying. I have lived in the area since the 50's. The seafront is still packed in the summer with day trippers. All the arcades etc are still there. The Kursaal is closed but what is Peter Pans in the video is now a large amusement park. Make the effort next summer and come and have a look for yourself. From the cars in the video I would guess at more mid sixties than 1970 but may be wrong.

[@propellingcat]

@@johnwelton2606 Thanks for the feedback, John. Sources have told me that the10th Essex Salon of Photography on the Pier which is depicted on the video took place in 1969, but there could well be some earlier footage which pre dated that, which would have account for the type of vehicles being driven at that time. I guess Summer would be the best time to return and try to recapture some of the magic.

[@astrocity5088]

Great archive footage! But you almost completely skipped over the amusement arcades, showing about 3 seconds of film. In my opinion, the arcades and slot machines are the most important thing of all. I'm assuming there must be much more footage of the arcades. So, could we have another compilation containing just the arcades, please?

[@propellingcat]

Thanks for your comments. Sorry no more footage. I was around 14 years old at that time experimenting with my first cine camera. I had absolutely no idea then I would be capturing material which may or may not be of interest to anyone 50 years hence. At that age it was a question of Carpe Diem. In retrospect I regret not capturing more especially of amusements generally.

[@admiralcraddock464]

A rare beast at 3.37 a Vauxhall Cresta estate.

[@GreatBarrWolf]

The train looks futuristic and the bass is heavy.

[@propellingcat]

Reslo Ribbon Microphone was indeed very close to the Bass Drum.

[@iain4]

Looked lovely back then, shame about the mess it is nowadays.

[@paddy4799]

Went on that speed boat ride and chucked my guts up.

[@propellingcat]

Oh dear. Not one of the most happiest memories for you I guess, but I hope you enjoyed the rest of it. Would love to re visit Southend sometime and reminisce.

[@paddy4799]

@@propellingcat never revisit memories like that. Yes the magic has more or less gone. So many road humps on the front, it rattles your teeth out. On a nice hot weekend you can visit any of the drunken punch ups, beef dripping gone so no decent chips. Nowhere to park and extortionate prices most places. I wouldn’t recommend a revisit but you might like it.

[@propellingcat]

@@paddy4799 Thank you for the update. I must lower my expectations.

[@AllOuttaBubblegum123]

@@propellingcat Southend is not a safe place to visit anymore for various reasons.

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window ? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[@ed9763]

Clear from the clothes of the people in the street it is the end of the summer season.

[@thethreebestfriends6890]

Lovely in the 70’s, plagued by drugs & immigrants now 😢

[@happyjack7948]

mmm strange i don`t see any diversity , not to worry fast forward to now and see how it has been destroyed

[@fletcherchristian1611]

Oh happy days, when Britain was still Great, what a cosmopolitan dump Southend and the rest of our country is now🤬

[@Darkstar3022]

Zero BLA X

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Ah, the world sucks now. Be depressed, be very depressed. The paradigm is coming to a crashing end. I for one will continue spending my time laughing.😂

[@AReallyLongAndUnremakableUser]

I've worked with people who have never been to a British Seaside.

[@davidkennedy8929]

Your point being?

[@AReallyLongAndUnremakableUser]

@David Kennedy Exactly what I posted above.

[@davidkennedy8929]

@@AReallyLongAndUnremakableUser But what’s your point? Just saying you have worked with people who have never been to a British seaside doesn’t explain what you are trying to put across!

[@AReallyLongAndUnremakableUser]

@David Kennedy it does! I've worked with people that have seen the world, much travelled people, people younger them me... Yet have NEVER EVER been to a British seaside. One of my work colleagues, who is younger then me HAS seen much of the world, has tattoos of the places his been too, Yet has never EVER been to the seaside, And lives only a hour away from the coast, by car or train. Does this make it clearer?????

[@london52uk]

not rare now

[@debbywilliams9172]

Full of you no what's now waiting to go rawanda