Driving nostalgia
Driving nostalgia
Inside Medway's hidden motoring museum. Plus changes at Dockside, a review of Brettington's, our weekly events guide, news in brief, and more
What leads to a man setting up a museum in the corner of an airport? 30 years of collecting motoring ephemera and a desire to share it. This week, we went up to The Garage Museum at Rochester Airport to meet its owner and find out more. Further down, we have news of potential changes at Chatham Dockside, a review of Brettington’s in Rochester, our weekly events guide, news in brief, and more.
Driving nostalgia
One of Medway's most unique museums is hidden in a quiet corner of Rochester Airport. Park in the small car park at the end of a gravel track, cross a taxiway, and you’ll find The Garage Museum at the edge of the airport’s largest hanger.
When you look at reviews of the museum, one phrase comes up often: ‘An Aladdin’s cave’. Walking in, this seems apt, as so much has been packed in that it can be hard to know where to look first.
The museum is packed full of motoring ephemera. Old petrol pumps are probably the most prominent feature, but so much else is on display. Old petrol and oil cans, road signs, old maps, motoring board games and puzzles, and lots more that stretch the original brief. Some bicycles are dotted around, and a small number of rocking horses hang from the ceiling.
This might seem strange in a more traditional museum, but it’s clear this is far from it. The museum houses the personal collection of one man, Trevor Hoare, who has been collecting things he finds interesting for over 30 years now. It all started when he ended up possessing an old petrol pump destined for the scrap heap, and it’s fair to say that things have spiralled a bit since then.
Trevor worked in the motor trade for years, so perhaps his choice of collection isn’t too surprising. His enthusiasm for what he does is infectious, though. He has built a collection over decades, primarily by picking up what the rest of us would throw away. An oil bottle or an old petrol can might not seem particularly unique at the time, but Trevor sees his role as preserving what won’t be around in the future. He points toward some modern plastic oil bottles and notes, “One day, it will all be rare”.
This isn’t Trevor’s first attempt at creating the museum. He first opened up in the same building nearly a decade ago, but he quickly filled it and found it turning into an inaccessible store room. Following a forced temporary relocation while the airport underwent renovation work, he’s making a proper go of it this time.
Partly a way to keep busy in his retirement and partly a way to share his passion, the new version of the museum is packed but not cluttered. Most of the displays have been designed and built by Trevor himself, leading to the museum being a constantly evolving entity. Particularly given he already has far more than he can fit inside, with another building on the airport site being used as an overflow storage room.
That said, there’s clear room for The Garage Museum to expand if a suitable new venue could be found, but Trevor is somewhat wary of the idea. He funds the project from his pension and makes no money from its operation. There’s no entry fee to visit the museum and no gift shop. He’s conscious that any expansion would likely result in a need to charge, and with increased professionalisation, “the fun might go out of it”.
There are already some challenges. Finding new items is becoming more difficult. Trevor doesn't find modern petrol pumps appealing because their homogenous design is uninteresting, and finding more vintage items is getting harder as the restoration market grows.
From talking to Trevor, it is obvious that he wants to do something more, whatever form that might take. He talks about an increased collection and how he could easily fill a space twice the size. He enthusiastically talks about the desire to build full petrol forecourt exhibitions.
In the meantime, he is trying to boost the profile of his museum. Trevor admits he isn’t the most tech-savvy, so his son has been helping him develop a social media presence for the venue. The Facebook page, in particular, seems to be making a difference, leading more people to find this treasure trove at the back of the airport. He’s talking to other organisations about potential collaborations and getting involved in the wider heritage sector in Medway.
Trevor’s collection has also found another use. It has been regularly featured on television and film productions. Any garage seen on Midsomer Murders is likely from his collection, and his Shell petrol pumps played a pivotal role in the Only Fools and Horses spin-off Rock & Chips. Pumps from his collection have popped up in everything from Kavanagh QC to films to several adverts.
The Garage Museum is a unique experience, and it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll spot something that brings back memories when visiting. There’s a good chance Trevor will also have an anecdote to share.
It’s that passion for his collection that makes The Garage Museum work. Trevor is an enthusiastic curator of decades of items most of us would take for granted at the time, and it’s clear how much he enjoys what he does. After all, as he says, “It’s just a bit of fun”.
The Garage Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm, and is free to visit.
In brief
🏗️ Medway Council has adopted a Design Code for Chatham to set out aspirations for the town centre's future. The document becomes part of the planning process and guides developers on the standards expected from new developments.
🛩️ A plane crashed at Rochester Airport on Wednesday. The plane came down in woodland next to the airport, causing traffic disruption on Rochester Road. No injuries were reported, but the pilot was taken to hospital as a precaution.
🔵 Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has revealed he is backing Tom Tugendhat as the next Conservative leader. Guesting on the Kent Politics Podcast, he also talked about the role of the PCC under a Labour government.
🅿️ Plans to move all parking payments at Southeastern stations in Medway to app or phone-based systems have been paused following user feedback. The train operator acknowledged customers' ‘concern’ and delayed the switch for a few months.
🔥 The former St John Fisher School site in Chatham caught fire again today. Smoke was seen across the towns, with fire crews extinguishing the blaze after a couple of hours. The cause is so far unknown.
More changes coming to Dockside
Over the past couple of decades, the Chatham Dockside area has had to regularly adapt to changing tastes and economic challenges. From a shopping centre that was underutilised upon launch to Dickensworld's departure, the area has taken a long time to find its feet.
Now, the area is relatively thriving, at least when compared to our town centres. New leisure uses have come to the area, chain restaurants litter the area, and the Dockside Centre itself runs at mostly full occupancy, albeit with some increasingly diversified uses, such as a dentist and a recruitment agency setting up shop inside.
Following two planning applications submitted to Medway Council, more changes appear to be on the horizon. First, there is a proposal to subdivide the existing Choice unit into four outlets, which is devastating news to anyone who likes to buy discount Next clothes, your author included.
The plans would see a complete remodelling of the area, with three units facing outwards of the centre, allowing them to be open even when the main centre is closed. The intent appears to be to create potential new restaurant or entertainment spaces within the centre, which makes sense given that food seems to work best in the area and retail is experiencing a slow decline.
A second application seeks to expand one of the shop units within the centre. The unit was formerly home to Regatta, and is proposed to grow by more than 50%. While the unit is set to remain retail, the purpose of this particular expansion is unclear. Given the timing of the applications, one could speculate that the unit could provide a new home for Choice, but there are no formal clues within the documents. Still, anyone who enjoys discount Next clothing will be keeping their fingers crossed.
Out to Lunch: Brettington’s
In which Steven Keevil assesses the lunch options available in our towns. This time, he’s testing Brettington’s in Rochester…
Brettington’s is located on Rochester High Street, not quite opposite Rochester Cathedral. This steak and lobster house has a small seated area by its large window at the front, but there are lots more seats at the back. It is often very busy, so consider booking if visiting during peak times. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Brettington’s is also at the pricier end of the food offerings in Medway.
I ordered a large rack of ribs in homemade smoked BBQ sauce, along with chips, slaw, and a side of mixed wild mushrooms.
The food took longer than expected, so we were lucky we weren’t on a tight lunch schedule. When it arrived, however, the wait was worth it. The chips were crisp and fresh, the slaw creamy and flavourful, and the tasty mushrooms complemented it well. The ribs were the star of the show, however: well cooked, tender, delicious, and with a great sauce. They fell off the bone and into my mouth as if we were both doing what God intended.
If you can, save up for a special occasion, book a table and enjoy this delight on Rochester High Street.
Events this week
🏳️🌈 Medway Pride is back at Rochester Castle Gardens tomorrow (Sat 17 Aug). Features music, drag performances, and a parade through Rochester High Street from 10am. Free, but booking essential.
🥕 Rochester Farmers Market is back on Sunday (18 Aug) in the Blue Boar Lane car park. Around 20 traders will be selling local and unique food and drink. Free.
🎨 Medway musician and artist Lupen Crook has an exhibition of new paintings at Analogue Music in Rochester from Thursday (22 Aug) until 8 Sep. He will also play some songs on opening night in a rare performance. Free.
Footnotes
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Music that soundtracked the creation of this edition: More Break-Up Songs by New Starts, Every Bad by Porridge Radio, and Ordinary Silence by Mixtapes.