Mick Jago’s name came to CommunityAd’s attention via Facebook, when we kept noticing how engaging his Facebook posts were.
Titled ‘Disappearing Sandgate’ Mick uploads old pictures of Sandgate, be it house, shop, street, etc the photo is accompanied by words highlighting how much the area/subject of the photo has drastically changed or in some cases is no longer there at all. Sandgate lost many buildings in the decades of 50s 60s and 70s, some Mick informs his Facebook following were beautiful ones, others probably needed to come down.
CommunityAd took the time to get to know Mick a little better and we’re glad we did. The Jagos’ occupation of Sandgate began in 1870 when Mick’s great grandfather came here as a member of the coastguard. Moving to Wilberforce Road in a house that would be the birthplace of Mick’s father and then indeed Mick in 1939 just before the start of the Second World War.
Heart-warmingly Mick tells us “my wife was born 6 houses away and we have now been married 62 years. Unfortunately, when we got married in 1960 property in Sandgate was getting very dear so we had to move up the road to Folkestone where we now live but still have a lot of memories of Sandgate”.
What makes it such a charming community to be a part of?
Sandgate has always been a charming place, at one time in the 50s, 60s and 70s had every kind of shop you would want. Two butchers, two wet fish shops, two bakers; you got everything you wanted local. When the supermarkets started opening they all closed one by one and were taken over by antique shops. And where it was a working community the houses were getting purchased by people moving down from London, this pushed up the prices and local people on local wages were priced out of the area. Other people also found it a lovely place.
Your pictures of old postcards titled Disappearing Sandgate spark much debate, don’t they? The people of Facebook can’t get enough of them, why do you think that is?
The postcards I have been posting get a lot of interest because there are not many real locals left, so newcomers are interested in what buildings there used to be where they now live. My aunty who was born in Sandgate in 1900 had a marvellous memory. She gave a talk to the Sandgate Society back in the 1980s and how she remembered the Sandgate of old surprised many people.
Sandgate and its surrounding areas have changed massively over the years, haven’t they?
Yes, Sandgate has changed a great deal since my wife and I grew up there. Mostly for the better, but at the expense of some lovely old buildings, and some I must admit needed to get pulled down.
Do you have a favourite era in Sandgate’s history? If so, why?
I loved growing up there in the 50s, everyone knew everyone and there was plenty going on with the British Legion putting on shows at the Chichester Hall and putting boats into the Hythe Venetian fete. Sandgate even had its own cinema.