Francis Frith logo

The Francis Frith Collection Francis Frith

An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

Call: +44 (0)1722 716 376
Sign-in or Register
Contact Us
Trustpilot
Sign-in or Register
Delivery Info Help Contact Us
UK (£)
Choose A Francis Frith Shop
 UK (£) For UK & International delivery US ($) For US/Canada delivery
Call +44 (0)1722 716376
0 Items: View Basket
Shopping Basket

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Deliveries: If you placed an order on or before midday on Wednesday 18th December for Christmas delivery it was despatched before the Royal Mail or Parcel Force deadline and therefore should be received in time for Christmas. Orders placed after midday on Wednesday 18th December will be delivered in the New Year.

Please Note: Our offices and factory are now closed until Thursday 2nd January when we will be pleased to deal with any queries that have arisen during the holiday period.

During the holiday our Gift Cards may still be ordered for any last minute orders and will be sent automatically by email direct to your recipient - see here: Gift Cards

Trustpilot
  1. Home
  2. Durham
  3. Chester-Le-Street
  4. Memories

Nostalgic memories of Chester-Le-Street's local history

Share your own memories of Chester-Le-Street and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for Chester-Le-Street

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 14 in total

War Baby Head Banger 1944
I was born in September 1939 just after WW2 had started...My parents who had their house in Waldridge Road decided to move into West Lane to be near my Grandparents while my Dad who was in a reserved occupation was away quite a lot dealing with armoured vehicles. My Grandad had built a shelter within the house where we could sit during an air raid to eat and drink. After one particular raid when I ...see more
Contact Contributor
Read Comments 2
Added 28 December 2014

Albert Street, Chester Le Street, County Durham, On April 3, 1969.
hi am asking on behalf of my mother sharon westlake she was in a housefire on April 3, 1969. it was on Albert Street, Chester-le-Street, County Durham she lost her mother june westlake at 28 yrs and siblings Diane Westlake 2 yrs,Peter Westlake 11 months old,Sandra Westlake at 4 yrs,Stephen Alan Westlake at 7 yrs if anyone out there has any more infomation we would ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 09 December 2014

Mother

Well hear goes - I used to live in Shelly Gardens when I was very little, around 5 or 6. We lived next door to a Mrs Cliff. Hoping to find anyone who knows them or my mother - her last name was Sheldon.
Contact Contributor
Read Comments 2
Added 24 August 2013

Fergusons In Chester Le Street
I am interested in genealogy; The Ferguson's were in Chester le Street from the early 1800s. William F. born 1853 was blacksmith at Lumley Castle and married Margaret Tate, their children were; John (Jack), Florence Violet and Henry Levesque. William F (senior) was a market gardener who supplied vegetables to the Castle; he had a daughter Mary who I have never been able to trace. I am also ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 06 November 2012

Looking For Relatives, Please Help
I am looking for any information on some relatives of mine who lived in Chester Le Street, they are called Alan and Mary Hall and they had a daughter called Elaine. They had a milk round and also a television arial business and lived in a bungalow. Sorry, don't know the address but it was on the main road. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Contact Contributor
Read Comment 1
Added 21 August 2012

Pelton Fell Pit
I remember moving to Pelton Fell at about the age of eight, number 9 Ferndene Avenue. The house was new and we were the first to occupy it. There was a small alley at the end of the street that led to the railway line. A small shunting engine ran back and forth along the line from Pelton fell pit to Waldridge. There used to be an engine shed up on the fells near to Waldridge not far from the Swan Inn and ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 10 April 2012

Good Times
I remember the lad that used to have the hot dog bike on the burns every weekend, that was about 1963. I drove the buses down Chester in 1967. Good times, never to come back.
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 17 December 2011

Perkinsville
Because I was raised by my Grandparents I inherited their surname Green untill I left Pelton Modern school and started work. Mole Terrace being the street where we lived served not only as a football pitch but also cricket-rounders-hopscotch-tiggy-marbles-hoopring and sledging. Outside toilets and the Midden men collecting household waste I remember and the metal sliding door served as a wicket. Broughs man ...see more
Contact Contributor
Read Comment 1
Added 26 August 2011

X Miner
I was born in Fatfield and moved to Chester-le-Street in 1961 after I was married. My early memories of Chester-le Street was of the choice of the local Picture houses namely the Queens, the Empire, the Palace and the Savoy. We also had the Empire ballroom, and regular hops at the local Miners' Welfare. The cattle market also featured in my early memories along with the Silver Grid and the Carousel night club and casino, the Dunn Cow pub and the Middle Crown. All gone now I'm sorry to say. .
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 01 June 2011

Mother's Memory
My mother remembered being looked after by Olive and Jack Carr of Chester-le Street during her teenage years. Kitty, my mother, attended 'Chester-le-Street Secondary School' where she won a prize in 1932-33: the Theodore Francis Memorial Prize. I think at one time she was in class 5.7(g). Mother's name was Kitty Taylor, later to become Kitty Burridge. She moved south, to London, I believe, when she was ...see more
Contact Contributor
Add Comment
Added 29 January 2011