The Rosa and Ada

*
Site Updates

What's New
A list of new items on the site

Visitors Book
Including discussion of Whitstable past and present 

Storm Surge 2007
The Storm Surge on Friday 9/11/07 - featuring photos by Peter Dalrymple 

Chat Columns

Chat w/c 31/3/08
Detailed discussion of Whitstable topics

Chat w/c 24/3/08

Chat w/c 25/2/08

Chat w/c 31/12/07

Chat w/c 10/12/07

Chat w/c 5/11/07

Chat w/c 22/10/07

Chat w/c 8/10/07

Main Pictorials

Pictorials
Almost 250 photos accessed by map!

Aerial Photos
Whitstable from the air featuring the photos of Peter Dalrymple.

Wind Farm
Whitstable from the air featuring the photos of Peter Dalrymple.

Other Pictorials

Night Sights
Whitstable at night

Country Views
Dargate & Hernehill

Duncan Down
Whitstable's much appreciated open space

Nature Reserve
Swale estuary at Seasalter

Cycle Path
Ride to Canterbury

Wind Farm
Strange scenes of the waterfront's latest addition

Waterfront
Whitstable Coastline in wide angle 

Nature

Sunsets
The famous sunsets of Whitstable

Whitstable's Woods
Names & locations

Simply Snow
Snow scenes

Brook Flood
Swalecliffe Brook

Places

The Playhouse
Town's local theatre

Misc Pictorials

Photo Extras
Other photos 

With Thanks To
Photos contributed by local businesses

Other

Links
Links to other sites 

Statistics
Site hit counts and analyses

Miscellany

Curiosities
Lighhearted look at Whitstable's "ornaments"

Home from Home
The new homes of ex-pat Natives

Beach Walk 

    

Collar's Boat Yard

A fascinating new article kindly produced by Jean Martin on the subject of the town's most influential boatyard of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The yard's slipways launched  many of the town's most famous oyster yawls... including such craft as Gamecock and Rosa and Ada.

As a descendant of the Collar family of boatbuilders, Jean is able to supply a wealth of information and supplement this with family portrait photos.

Even if you don't have an interest in the town's maritime heritage, you will be fascinated by some of the language of the nineteenth century and the lovely tales of old Whitstable. The latter includes... how one of the Collar ladies hid a keg of brandy from the duty men.... how a local spirit runner hitched a lift to escape deportation.... how an apprentice was expected to behave.

The article also delves into the origins of Beach Alley, the origins of the Guinea pub.... and how the construction of Island Wall provided more than just a sea defence. 

Click Here
 

Whiststable's Old Field Names

Another fascinating new article from Brian Smith in which he maps nearly 200 old field names from around the district and discusses origins. 

You will be able to spot modern uses and even locate the names of the original house names of the Sir William Nottidge - Minters, Coppins, Torrith and Sedberry! 

Click Here

Chat Column for w/c 31/3/08

We take a closer look at Tankerton College of the early twentieth century.... and, this time, we include some brilliant old photos supplied by Jean Martin. These have been plucked from the school prospectus 

Click Here

Regatta Memories

A lovely new article by Richard Perks who was involved in organising the 182nd and 183rd Regattas back in 1986/87. Richard looks back at the history of event including the very first Regatta on 7th Aug 1792.

Watch out for a lovely shot of one of the Regatta's most fondly remembered events - the greasy pole.

Click Here

    

Welcome to Whitstable

Welcome to Whitstable on the North Kent coast of the UK. The town lies just 60 miles East of London and 6 miles North of the cathedral city of Canterbury. As a fishing port, Whitstable is famous for its oysters and appreciated by many for its quaint architecture and stunning sunsets.

In these pages, we have tried to capture the magic of a unique town. We don't pretend to present an official view... we don't have any official status and we don't have connections with any local organisations. We don't set out to advertise specific Whitstable businesses... we are not PR men. We don't make money... in fact we have no income and run the site on free web space at Orange.

We are simply born and bred Whitstable people presenting our view of our home and having some fun along the way. However, we do have specific aims....

  • to make contact with ex-pat Whitstable Natives (and others with an interest in the town) from around the world
     

  • to reunite ex-pat Natives with friends and relatives in Whitstable or elsewhere
     

  • to stir a few memories amongst current and former residents of Whitstable
      

  • to investigate aspects of Whitstable's past through the recollections and research of our vistors
     

  • to prompt discussion of some local issues 
     

  • to enable local residents to show friends and relatives where they live and what their home town is like
     

  • to provide some information for visitors 

The site is organised here in Whitstable but the content is provided by many Whitstable people from around the globe and it takes the form of substantial articles, photos, memories and anecdotes.

It is therefore "Our Site".... and the "We" can be anyone who wishes to contribute. Think of it as a community club... but  one that is open to all.

We hope you enjoy it. More important, we hope you enjoy Whitstable itself. Thanks for calling.

Your visit to Simply Whitstable has been recorded in the count 
below. The counter commenced at zero on 10 July 2000. 

 

*This Is..... 
 Simply Whitstable

 

The Greta

*
Town Origins

Name & Place
Brian Smith's absorbing article on the origins of Whitstable

Mystery of 
Dodeham

Brian Smith continues the discussion of the origins of Whitstable with a mystery sutrounding the ancient manor. 

History of the Shoreline
Brian Smith's fascinating discussion of the Whitstable shoreline since 1287

Old Field Names of Whitstable
Brian Smith maps and lists almost 200 old field names and discusses origins. Spot how some now have modern uses. 

Old Canterbury & Whitstable Railway
Brian Smith provides an overview of the famous line.

References

Sources of Ref
Books/Videos on Whitstable

Days Gone By

DGB Menu
 Frozen sea, hobbies, clubs, schooldays, streets, the Vigilant & more 

Whitstable Harbour
Articles & photos about the past

Whitstable at War 
Whitstable in WWII

Collar's Boatyard
Article by Jean Martin on the subject of the town's most influential boatyard of the late nineteenth century... established by her great, great, great grandfather.

Maunsell Forts 
Memories of the WII sea forts in the Thames estuary  with photos by Peter Dalrymple

Flood of '53
Town's most severe natural disaster

Windmills
Brian Smith's article on the location, function and history of 11 Whitstable windmills of the past. 

Thames Barges

Thames Barges
History of barges in Whitstable, harbour operations, barge stories, pictorials and a simple guide to barge design.

Active Barges
Photos of ten active barges taken by Peter Dalrymple at the 2007 Swale Barge Match

Barge Match
Photos of the Swale Smack and Sailing Barge match of 2007... supplied by Peter Dalrymple

Sea Trips/Charter

The Greta
The Thames Barge "Greta" - with photos of the vessel, Red Sands Forts and Windfarm

Waverley Paddle Steamer
Whitstable to London Bridge and more

Events

Carnival
From recent years

May Day 2005
The 2005 event

May Day General
A typical Whitstable May Day with photos from recent years

Oyster Festival
Recent festivals

Xmas Market
Recent Xmas Street Markets

Information

Location
Location maps

Road Routes
Routes to Town

Rail Routes
Rail travel

Car Parks
Parking issues and car parks

Accommod
List of local hotels and guest houses 

Eating Out
List of local eating places