Lost Gillingham

Gillingham in Kent grew up around the Royal Navys Chatham Dockyard, but its closure in the 1980s led to a rethink of its focus. Lost Gillingham presents a photographic history of the town over the last century, showing industries, buildings, people, street scenes, entertainment, and more. It will appeal to those who live in the area or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The town of Gillingham in Kent, situated around the Royal Navy's Chatham Dockyard, has a rich maritime history dating back centuries. However, it was only in the nineteenth century that the small settlement transformed into a thriving town. The dockyard played a significant role in the town's economy, employing a large portion of its workforce and supporting numerous businesses. However, its closure in the 1980s led to significant changes and challenges for the town. Today, Gillingham is the largest and busiest town in the Medway region, but it has undergone significant transformation over the years. Annual military and naval displays, once a major attraction, have been replaced by new developments. Many houses occupied by artisans and labourers have been demolished, and shops and chapels have been removed due to extensive road projects. Cinemas and theatres have been redeveloped, and barracks, defence works, and the Victorian naval dockyard have had to find new purposes. Lost Gillingham presents a photographic history of this corner of Kent over the last century, capturing the industries, buildings, people, and street scenes that have gone or changed. It also showcases popular places of entertainment and much more, making it a fascinating read for those who live in the area or have memories of it from previous decades.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 164 x 233 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398117488