It is almost three years since Mick Twyman died and at the same time Margate lost a true friend. Mick was totally dedicated to conserving the history of Margate especially at a time when there was little interest in sea side history and during his lifetime he built up a huge archive of research and photography.
Margate has undergone a renaissance and Margate's seaside history does attract considerable interest and thanks to the internet Margate's sea side history can now be accessed and promoted in a positive way.
Recently I received from Mick's widow a number of disc's containing some of Mick's collection of photographs and postcards. I know for a fact that Mick would supply images from his collection to whoever asked for a particular image for nothing as long as it was used for education, research, media and to publicize Margate. The discs I have cover almost every avenue of Margate's sea side heritage and if you require a particular image just email me and I will see what I have got.
Subjects include Bathing machines , Margate Sands , Cliftonville , Hotels , Shipping , Events , Dreamland Margate Pier , Harbour, etc.,, All you have to do is ask.
I like this photographic postcard above. Customers for the bathing machines would enter a board walk from narrow gates in the railings on the sea front. The gates are still visible to day.
The customers would then climb aboard a high wagon that will take them out to the bathing machine in the water.
