Looking Back by photographer Keris Eyton-Williams opens at the Eclectic Gallery in Margate tomorrow (August 5).
Were you, or do you know, someone who lived in or visited Margate in 1970? Fifty-two years have brought many changes since the British seaside holiday was the number one choice for families. Do you have memories from under those long-gone boardwalks?
And then there is the flip side of the tourist season, the stark emptiness of the winter months. Come and turn back the clock and have a nostalgic glimpse of times gone by with the images by Keris.
Keris (pictured above) went to Dane Court Grammar in the 1960s and then went to Harrow College of Technology and Art to study photography, followed by roles in advertising.
Now living in Lincolnshire, having made a life in farming, he has hung up his wellies and returns with his portfolio of Margate shots from 1970.
Framed and mounted prints, cards and books of the images are available to buy.
The exhibition runs from August 5 to September 2, Eclectic Gallery is at 6 Broad Street, Margate. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 11am – 5pm.
This looks (potentially) amazing!
You’re right there Peter, and Carina. We are thrilled to be hosting Keris’ exhibition at Eclectic, the images are gloriously evocative, hope you will be able to get along to see them
I certainly will Sarah. Looking forward to it!
I agree Peter. Something about the 2 photos shown suggests this will be a subtly different take on Margate.
I do wonder if the 2nd pic is actually 1971 (or early 1972), as it appears to be advertising the first ‘On The Buses’ movie, which wasn’t released until the summer of ’71.
Thank you for your comments. The photographs were taken during 1970 and 1971.
Thank you Keris. Looking forward to the exhibition.
I’m going to try and get there as I worked in Dreamland then on the double wheel for Alfie Manning. Would there be any pictures of that there
Its really sad.
Look at the second picture of the old man. No graffiti, no weeds, no fag butts, no beer cans, the shelter looks to be kept to a decent standard.
Now most shelters have the glass smashed or no glass, graffiti and fag butts, and those canisters things.
Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of local volunteers, the shelters in Birchington/Minnis Bay are still looked after.
Where on Google can I see more pix as I live in France and not able to attend the exhibition.
If you message us through our website Yann we will be able to help with this, it is http://www.eclecticartmargate.co.uk
Confused, i am sure that is the large shelter by the Clock Tower in Margate.
Sadly, how tines have changed, as it still has a homeless person sleeping in there.
All their bedding is in a neat pile each day.
Look forward to seeing the exhibition. I am sure it will evoke happy memories of Margate
I thought it was the one near the lifeboat memorial? I might be wrong though.
Let’s look on the bright side for once , well done Keris I look forward to popping in to this exhibition in the week .
I was brought up in Margate from the age of about 5 to 18, when I left to attend Teacher Training college. I was born in 1955 so span
the time of the photographic exhibition. My parents owned a Boarding House on Union Crescent . I remember the atmosphere well in Margate’s hey day . If you stood at the top of the hill looking down on to the Clock tower you could not see an inch of pavement.Crowds of people, day trippers, locals and holiday makers, sometimes with the Mods on their scooters, all mingled happily together. I can still see the photographer with the monkey in his usual pitch.The happy noise was immense, that heady mixture of salt and vinegar frying chips smell mixed with hoppy beer smell emanating from the packed pubs all wrapped into the good sea air smell was intoxicating. I loved growing up in Margate and visit when I can . Long May it continue to prosper . I know the photographic exhibition will be a success and I hope to see it .
If you get there, I hope they bring back more memories. Please check out the books as they have a lot more photos.