Streetlife

Zippy

Are you interested in Gravesend?

Hi,
My first post so I hope it goes well!

I recently attended a meeting of Urban Gravesham (Google them and attend perhaps) to listen to a presentation by some University students about their thoughts on the future of Gravesend from an urban planning perspective. It was obvious that these people really got to know and love Gravesend during their research.

I would love to hear your opinions on their suggestion that the town be renamed " Gravesend on Thames"

Comments

Showing 1 - 25 of 32
Bee L
I Phillip D

Yes, I think that has a zippy sound to it!
Gravesend sounds so dreary. Although it's nothing to do with graves. - check on google.....
Vanessa H
I don't think there's anything wrong with just Gravesend.
Zippy
Yes 'Gravesend' is OK. There is nothing wrong with it but it does have  an unfortunate sound to it.
Having lived here for some time I find that Gravesend is often prejudged by it's name.
These Uni students were charged with producing an Urban Design for Gravesend and they took a holistic approach which included assessing how Gravesend was perceived by 'outsiders'. In addition the way the residents of a town perceive it is important to their sense of community and civic pride.

Gravesend-on -Thames may sound somewhat pretentious but I think it is important that this and the future of Gravesham is openly debated by those who care about this delightful riverside town.
Thank you Vanessa for contributing to this burgeoning debate.
Joyia H
Hello Philip, interesting blog.  I quite like the name Gravesend on Thames. 

Having visited the riverside today, reflecting on the many years of pleasure it has given me, watching the tides turn and the small boats bobbing about yet staying afloat in the strong currents.  I am also amazed and pleasured to view the old Landing Stage on the other side at Tilbury, to see it remains the same colour blue as when I was a small child, taking people emigrating to New Zealand and Australia on the PO Ships for £5.

This river flows into the heart of our town and it would make a wonderful tribute to include it in our name, pretentious not really, beautifully grand yes and quite fitting for a majestic water way we are lucky to have go by our front doors.
Zippy
"The river flows into the heart of our town" ! I love that and thank you for it.

I am lucky enough to live directly opposite Tilbury. I love to share my flat and it's beautiful views
across  the river therefore I host travellers from all around the world.
As I write I am hosting a young lady who is taking part in the Opening and Closing  Olympic Ceremonies.
Watch out for Charlotte who will lead out the St Lucia Olympic athletes.

Next week I have 2 x Australian professional Tennis Players here for the duration of the Olympics.
I will point out where their for-bearers might have sailed from.
Thank You!
SUE
If you're going to change the name anyway why keep 'Gravesend' as part of it at all, how about Gravesham-on-Thames.
Zippy
Hi Sue,
Exactly! That was my suggestion also at the meeting and a lot of people liked it.. I have NO idea how you make this happen but a discussion like this just might make it to our local paper and then......

Gravesend has not always been Gravesend I understand in the same way that TeHe! is now lol.
Sorry, just being silly as my guests are getting tiddly. See previous post.

I just hope we can get Charlotte to the Olympic Stadium on time Lol !
Catherine T
Gravesham-on-Thames... yes, I like that! :)
Zippy
How can we take this forward I wonder?

I will contact Tony Larkin Graveshams unofficial d seek his advice.

There is NOTHING Tony does not know about Gravesend
Zippy
OOppps
'Gravesham's unofficial historian'How can we take this forward I wonder?

I will contact Tony Larkin Gravesham's unofficial Historian

Catherine T
Re. Tony Larkin - sounds like a plan.

Also - another night-owl, so it seems! :) Or periodic insomniac, as in my case.
Zippy
philipdaviesuk@gmail.com

Insomniac no

But nice to late night chat
##

I am an Owl not a Lark
SUE
I prefer to think of myself as soporifically challenged.
Catherine T
Even at the best of times, I'm definitely a morning person - I get my best work done between 6AM and 2PM, and definitely don't fire on all cylinders, work-wise, late afternoon or onwards. When insomnia bites (as it has, for the last week) I just start earlier and finish earlier. It's not ideal, but it's better for me than worrying about it. Besides, I love sunrises, so I get to a lot of them!

"Soporifically challenged" - nice! :)
Joyia H
Hi Philip, how about adding Chris Bull to your list of knowledgeable locals, he is also an expert on local history.  Just a thought!
Zippy
Chris Bull;  Yes I will contact him. Thank You.
Zippy
I just submitted a little piece about "Gravesend-on-Thames to The Reporter. When it appears perhaps you will add to the debate.
Philip
SUE
Yes, I'll look out for it.

Zippy
Thank you Sue. I will be out of the country for 3 months when it comes out so I hope others will continue the debate. I don't really mind what is said as long as a debate ensues.
Anna D
Is anyone in favour of keeping Gravesend's name as it is?
Bee L
I do like Gravesend-on-Thames but guess it's a bit of a mouthful. But then, no problem with Henley on Thames, is there?

Jury is out at the moment!
Zippy
Kingston-upon-Thames is one letter longer ! Thanks for contributing Bee.
I have 2 x Aussies staying with me right now for the Olympics and they love Gravesend and hate with a passion it's name. This came up over dinner last night as I told them about this forum.
I wish there was a way of conducting some 'market research' on the image Gravesend portrays to those that have never visited. I will admit that before I first visited Gravesend to meet my now parents in law I had a negative image of the town based solely on it's name.

As a student I used to live in a suburb of Cardiff called 'Splot'; I wonder if anyone ever proposed a name change. lol
SUE
I had a positive image of Gravesend before moving here, a lass I used to work with in Sussex came from Cliff and thought Gravesend was great.
Hilary D
I didn't know anything about Gravesend when I moved here about 40 years ago, but having lived here all that time I love it! We have everything to hand - river, countryside, coast, London, shopping etc. Despite Bluewater the town always seems to 'bustle', having visited Dartford recently you can really see the difference, it seems dead there. I was recently in Sevenoaks and a shop employee who lives in Medway says she often comes to Gravesend for the shopping, and I also met two ladies a while back who had come over from Essex to shop.Re changing the name - not sure on that one. How about Gravesend By Thames?
Bee L
Gravesend probably derived from Graaf- ham - home of the reeve or lord of the manor, from Doomsday times....nothing to do with last graves from the plague - Gravesend was in existence long before then.

I rather like the sound of this explanation of our town's name so I'll stick with that. LOL

As for changing the name - should imagine that could be tricky - act of Parliament??!!

Hillary - Gravesend by Thames has a nice ring to it....

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