Recent Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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.
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
...and hundreds more!
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Displaying Memories 15681 - 15760 of 36828 in total
Kathleen Cook of Crockleford Heath near Ardleigh became nursemaid to Commander and Mrs Tinson of Colchester. Following her husband's death in 1927, Mrs Tinson set off in that autumn with her children Sheila, aged 9, and Jack, aged 4, and Kathleen, aboard her Austin A7 to visit Mr Tinson's parents who lived in Pitville Park. Following the visit they journeyed on to Gwalia in Tresaith for one month before Kathleen, ...see more
Highwood Hospital, Brentwood TB hospital for children and teenagers. I was there aged 14 just, in 1953 to 1954, 13 months in all. Apart from the treatment we had a good time. Rowans 3 and 4 was my ward. The hospital staff were wonderful. Many friends, names forgotten apart from a few Carole Davis, Pauline Brice, Brian Andrews, Harry Coldrake, Tony Welland as well as a fantastic Nurse Lawless and Dr ...see more
This hasn't changed at all. My friend Andy Moody and his family lived here in the 1970's.
I went round nearly every day for a couple of years ...we were so into playing soldiers, we spent hours making forts and digging trenches, Andy had some great military memorabilia. When we grew up Andy joined the army and moved away. I remember his mum & dad ..a real character...and his sister Nicola.
We made ...see more
I lived at the pub called the Ewe & Lamb (which I believe is a newspaper office now?) in 1944 with my Mum & Dad. The proprietor of the public house was my Great Uncle Arthur, who is now listed in the Kelly"s Directory; apparently he began his time there in 1936. I cannot recall my school there, I was nine at that time. Remember the cobblestone courtyard through the archway there. Market days ...see more
I grew up first in flats opposite the shops in Daiglen Drive (I was born in Islington), then when I was about 3 we moved to Eskley Gardens. It was a great place - the old Belhouse mansion was derelict at that time, and we (my brothers Steve and Bern) used to play in it, marvelling at the sloping floors. Our house was made of something called scotswood pine, which as far as I recall was as thin as paper, so ...see more
I was born in 92 Avondale St and lived in 95 until I was 10yrs old. I remember the jazz bands and the fair ground that came every year at the end of Avondale, where the new Nant-y-Fedw is built. I also remember the Coronation street party; it was held in AB Metals factory canteen. Audrey Jones was Carnival Queen and I was one of the flower girls. I was 4yrs old. Does anyone remember this ...see more
When I was very young, around 1950, Hall Place was cobbled and the fountain which is now in Ayscoughfee stood there. On market days, when it was quite busy, there used to be a little roundabout for very small children. Later the cobbles were removed and a roundabout was put in and I seem to remember that, as well as the grass, there were also flowers. At Easter every year there would be a large wooden cross ...see more
As I mentioned in my memories of Brampton - Cortonwood - I also mentioned Tingles Ice Cream - The man driving the cart was not a member of the Tingle family - his name was Riley who worked occasionally for the Tingle family. I would like to add that my memory is a fond one of tough times.
On Sunday evenings my friend Duncan and I had to go from Crook to Fir Tree to 'blow the organ' in the little chapel. Our station for this was a tiny room over the chapel and the process was to pump a handle up and down to provide air for the organ. Sometimes we might be a bit remiss and the music would start to die away and we would pump frantically to restore pressure - and endure the black looks after ...see more
I went to Wakefield where I called at the wimpy Cafe. I was the only customer. There were two young girls, one manning the till, the other was cleaning the tables and then wiping the table tops down. I had ordered a Wimpy burger and chips and a tea. The young lass who was table cleaning stood in her flat shoes was less than 4'6'' tall. She wore a short and flimsy smock top. She had her back toward me and when she ...see more
I remember summers being summers & winters being hellish with feet upon feet of snow. Being snowed in for weeks, but Mam always had a full pantry. You had to be really organised and I dont remember ever being hungry. Summer was for picnics up byrness hill, or swimming at the ford, where loads of mothers would meet for gossip and tea from a flask. All us kids played together, the older ones looking out for ...see more
We moved into No 33 Crescent Road in 1948 - it overlooked Timber Hill recreation ground which in those days had a large emergency water tank where we caught newts. I am trying to place the house in the 1903 picture. From the look of the slope it was in Crescent Road and fairly high on the hill. Our house was near Jacobs ladder, with 'The Longships' in between. In 1948 milk was delivered by horse and cart ...see more
Can anyone remember the name of the Pet Shop at Mitcham Fair Green, near Drewetts the Funeral Directors. Some friends have said it was the Rag Tag and Bobtail, but I'm sure it was called something else before that.
Well nobody actually said "lunch", It was "dinner" then. No families that I knew of ate a cooked evening meal so "dinner" was the main meal of the day. The school had no kitchen or dining facilities and so every day, come rain or snow, we were herded in double file down Cowley Road to the old school house that served as a canteen and that stood on bottom corner of Vine Street. Who you chose as ...see more
I can remember as a teenager in the late 1970s early 1980s walking home in the dark down Crouch Oak Road and being terrified of walking past the gates to the home and the Church that was just inside the gates. Even during the day you never ever saw anybody going in or coming out of the home or walking about, it was almost like it was deserted. I think thats where I learnt to run in platform boots and stiletto heels, to get past those gates as fast as possible lol.
We moved from Southampton to Trefriw on 5th November 1973. Mum & Dad bought the house 'Llys Llewelyn' opposite the village hall, Mrs Williams' Hair Salon (Harold Gas' wife) and the dreaded entrance to the coal yard. They stripped out the house and turned it into a B&B until we moved to Glan Conwy in Sept 1978. During renos of Llys Llewelyn they found a beautiful kitchen range that you could stand up in and ...see more
As kids, we use to go swimming here. Locally known as the stepping stones. Great times.
Thankyou to you all for sharing your memories, I have really enjoyed reading them. I know this is not a memory, but I would really appreciate some help in tracing my dad's past/relatives and maybe even his place of birth. My dad, Sydney Watson, has just passed away aged 96. He was a typical Geordie collier; he worked down Silverwood pit, Rotherham, South Yorks, from the age of 14 till he ...see more
This, I believe, was originally a coach house situated on The Strand. My mother worked here and I wonder if anyone remembers her? I cannot remember the actual dates but I know that she was definitely there in 1962 since a young man who also worked there decorated my wedding cake for me. Mum's name was Winifred Cook (Win or Winnie).
I remember Eileen Rowan well, my cousin Patricia Cassidy and I used to play dressing up with Eileen and her sister Roberta. This was in Balbeddie Avenue, Lochore, we had alot of fun and I have warm memories of Eileen and her lovely family. Morag Hanka nee Connelly.
As a child I spent many Saturdays at Helions Bumpstead visiting my Great Aunt Eva (Moore). My grandmother, Blanche, was her sister. There was a family of 12 Moore children but by the 1950's when I spent time there, most were scattered far and wide with children and grandchildren of their own. I was fortunate enough to meet my great grandparents, Newman and Sarah, who lived in a thatched ...see more
Went to live in Crook: Rosedean, West Road, in 1937. Everybody spoke a foreign language even though I came from only a few miles away, Northallerton. Or maybe I was the one who spoke a strange tongue. Many happy memories of playing on the farm over our back wall. At school my teacher, Mr. Gibb, caned me a lot although the other teachers were quite nice to me. Anybody remember him? After a year or so we moved up to ...see more
Hi, does anyone remember going to this school between 1940s and 50s, my father in law went, his name is Leslie Thompson his sister is June-
George Robert Brown was my Grandfather. He was manager (or whatever the title was) in the Rose and Crown from 1950/51 until 1953/54. I lived there as a baby, born 1st March 1953. Although some years younger I feel an affinity with Pink Floyd and in particular, David Gilmour who lived in the village and of course, a track from their album, Ummagumma, Grantchester Meadows is a favourite because I fished there as ...see more
i remember going there with my mum years ago and i enjoyed it as i walked round the gardens and inside the gallery the place was nice back in the day i would like to go again and see if anything has changed.
I was an office boy at Franklin Barns. One of my jobs on a Wednesday was to go the cattle market and collect messages that where left in desks of the back room of The Market Tavern.It was a wonderful place; farmers, drovers, sheep dogs all doing business (not the dogs!) I can remember taking Cyril Franklis tea every morning at 10.30 in his office where he had a model of the new Franklin Barns building ...see more
l was born in the Rookery, Ebbw Vale, lived in 19 Second Row, Newtown until l was eight. We then moved to a new housing estate called Garnlydan where I grew up before we moved to Newport. I worked at LLanwern steel works - and retired from there. I am now living in south west lreland. l have very fond memories of Newtown, Ebbw Vale.
I was born in Battersea 1950, son of Mr & Mrs Redpath (Wally & Edith) I had two other brothers Terry & Garry. Fond memories of Battersea Park and of spending many days in and around the park with other kids from Elcho Street; Roger Hockham and Alan Flower. Many times waiting for the buses terminating in our street for the bus driver & conductor to go off for their break, whilst we searched the ...see more
I was known as Katie Baker, I lived at No.4 Park View. Looking back life was simple, enjoying the changes of the seasons knowing you would be snowed in in winter, and flooded out in the spring. Watching the boar come up the Severn. I remember playing on the sandbanks when the river was low, the strong community spirit and singing in the choir.
This town doesn't change from decade to decade
Streets look no bigger or wider now than they did in '66, when I left for Canada
Still the same as when I left in '66
Hadn't changed when I lived there in '63, or when I went back in 2003.
Lived here during that time and it's nice to see the old photos as I remembered them.
What a lovely site, it hasn't changed much since I left in 1966
First place I got off the bus in 2003 after 37 years away. It hadn't changed much to me.
We used to live on East Hill estate, the bottom end number 69 Peter Head House. My mum Bobby, my 2 brothers, graham and Steven, me (Lorraine), and my sister Michelle - we had great fun there playing in the playground at the back of our block. We used to go to the sweet shop on the corner to get our black jacks and fruit salad chews, traffic light lollys; and if we crossed over the road and cut through the other ...see more
Many trips through here to go into town or the Adelphi.
Had all my business training on the Trading estate 1960-'66
Walked through this park many times to town
Raised many a pint in here.
Spent many a Saturday night in this theatre while dating in the '60's
A lot less congested than today.
Alot of these shops are gone, but the town really hasn't changed much as I still see it as it was.
Saw this daily as I went to the Slough College of Further Education (now a University).
A great job transforming this old lady into a viable and attractive entrance to Windsor from the Slough station, where tourists arrive from all parts of the country. An improvement from the dirty, smoke stained facade that it was when I was in nursery school a few doors away.
Too bad these old post boxes have been removed from most towns now - the red ones were such a cheery sight.
These are the old terrace houses across from where my Dad was born. Shame they can't be revived for housing.
When I left there was a high fortress wall around the castle which has ben taken down so that visitors can sit on it.
Hasn't changed a bit in the 37 years I've been away.
Nothing has changed since my most recent visit 2005. Always a pleasure walking down beside the river.
Three years after returning I was still getting used to Slough. Now in 2012, this road is closed to traffic and two big shopping centres have been built on left side halfway down.
I just wondered if anyone knew my grandad, Leslie Morris? He was born in 1927 and died in 1979. He lost an eye while working in the pit, and lived in Hall Green. I am trying to find out which pit he was working in when he lost his eye. Many thanks, Maxine
My father Jim Blayney, worked for Sir Lesley Joseph and was general manger of Trecco Bay and also Works Manager of Coney Beach. My brother and I had a very happy childhood playing around the fairground, it was in those days a very safe place to be. We lived in a company house on Rhych Point, our neighbours were the Palmers, Nelly and Noah and their sons and their wives, Basil and Margaret and Noah and ...see more
My Gt Grandfather John Godfrey had Park House, Carlton, built for his family in the early 1900's. The house was on the corner of Main Street and Burton Road. After John died in 1921 my Gt Grandmother lived there for a few years before moving to a smaller house. Park House eventually became a Clinic and in more recent years it was knocked down and a new Health Centre stands in its place. The ...see more
We didn't have modern technology, it wasn't invented then anyway when arriving at our village school to learn our lessons each day. We didn't need endless classrooms with miles of corridor to walk, just a desk facing the teacher, a blackboard and some chalk. Each morning we'd chant the times tables and have a spelling test. There was art and nature study, science, history and the rest. Being ...see more
My nana, Marian Morris (then Thomas), was from Aberfan and was born in 1930. Her father also lived in May Road, Aberfan his name was William T Morris his sister was Hilda, their mum and dad Archer and Mary Jane Morris. If anyone has any info on them, I'd love it. Thank you, Lisa York
Does anybody have pictures of the old white building which was Bristol Street Motors, Bromley please? I have the clock movement and would like pictures of how the front of the building looked so I can build a new dial that looks like it. It was12 blue stones / jewels lit up, with hands that lit up as well. regards Gordon
I was also at the convent in Dovercourt and think I remember Rita and Mary Kelly. I remember the flood and the statues in the chapel looking very freaky as the water had washed the plaster away leaving spiky metal fingers showing.
After the flood I was sent to Sandrock Hall in Hastings where I was beyond miserable.
My maiden name was Godfrey,
Was Sgt Barraclough an instructor in the teleprinter and tape-relay sections - who lived just across the road in the married quarters? (name rings bell ) but it was a long time ago - 1957
Yes. Compton Bassett = great memories I was stationed a the RAF base there - No. 3 School of Radio Training- had many a walk over the hill to the chalk white horse - about half a mile from the camp in the spring/summer of 1957. The camp was located just off the main Rd - and at the beginning of the lane that goes further down to the village - (I have quite a few photos of it) - it covered a large area, it has now reverted back to farm land. A beautiful and magical part of England.
I believe the Mini Van parked by the clock tower belonged to my auntie, Masie Hockaday, who owned the Thicket Cottage Riding Stables in Houghton. She bought one of the first Minis off the production line. It was pale green and used to attract attention where ever it went. I remember going to Wicksteed Park in it when I was about 10. It was very cramped in the back and the highlight of my ...see more
I was born on this road in 1957 at number 21 and well remember it looking like this for years as my friends and I grew up here. There were no hedges, or very few then, and I still remember the concrete posts with two strands of galvanised wire strung between them to mark boundaries of gardens and paths. The scene depicted here has changed so much that there is not enough space to tell of all of them, most of the houses ...see more
Every Tuesday lunch time I went to the market held in the Market Place. At that time animals, with the exception of fully grown cattle, were sold in the Market Place. I remember, on a hot summer day, seeing several escaped pigs being chased straight through the Westminister Bank and onto Minister Street. It was common to see men with sticks trying to knock chickens, which had escaped from cages, out of the ...see more
Not sure if the year is right, could be earlier, but I took part in the Go as you Please competitions held in Letham Glen, and won nearly every time, my prize - a free ticket into the Troxy Cinema, it was great!! The pianist at the time was Ella Lowe, she played for all the artists, I think her married name was Taylor, her husband had something to do with Leven Toon Council. They had two sons, I think one was ...see more
My parents moved to Bognor in 1961 when I was 14. I remember when half of the pier was washed away after a terrible winter storm. The beach was piled with wood from it and it all disappeared in a day! Bognor was left with just a pier head and a short jetty that led nowhere. I don't think they've ever rebuilt it.
Our precious daughter was born here February 13, 1975. This hospital and the entire staff of the NICU were responsible for her survival. She was born weighing three and a half pounds. Only due to their skilled and continued perseverance at her birth did she survive. Today she has become a surgeon, and is giving back for all that was given to her. We, as parents, will always hold this hospital, and the ...see more
Hello Mellissa
How lovely to receive your message and memories of Country Riding stables. It would just be amazing to meet up with people who rode with us. I too have been back to visit the property and it broke my heart when I could not find it. I think it is now under the new dual carriage way to Bordan. I have a lovely photo album of most of the ponies we had and so many fantastic memories. unfortunately I do ...see more
Yup well recall Smiffy treated us boys of St Helena on the skive.... with considerable contempt..... recall his "floating" marathoons spread eagled in the deep end.
Around the late 50's/early 60's I was at Pilgrims Wood with my two sisters, Patricia and Mary. It is and will always be a lasting memory of both our arrival and our departure. We came from a loving but dysfunctional family that grew in size each year with additional children. We had never known structure and order within our lives and found even the smallest thing so very daunting and frightening. ...see more
I was born at 1 Donaldson Road. My dad was John White a marvelous singer, he worked at Haigs Distillery, Cameron Bridge for 46 years. My elder brother was Ron White. I played in the Methillhill Pipe Band in 1946, with Pipe Major Jock Stewart at the helm we won the Daily Record shield. The Methill Museum (great place) has a photo of the band just after the win. The picture was taken outside the Toll Bar Hotel beside ...see more
I recall well, nights out at the Plough and Harrow pub and the Oak too. Lots of great times there. My father was a HGV driver for a haulage company called A M garage, it was based down the end of Elliot Road, right at the back of Selly Oak hospital. I worked there briefly too making packing crates for shock absorbers that the company delivered around the UK car factories. I think it was work for Burmans or ...see more
I was born in 1943 at number 9 Dukes Crescent, Edlington. In 1953 my family moved to 33 Clark Avenue, Hill Top. This was the year I was 11 yrs old and I went to Hill Top School for girls. Most of my mother's siblings also lived at Hill Top; 2 of her sisters lived at numbers 38 and 40 Tait Avenue, my maternal grandparents lived at 15 Dukes Crescent. I loved school and I have many happy memories of my years ...see more
My gran, DOROTHY AYRES lived in Byfield for alot of years till recently, due to ill health. My memories of stopping there in summer holidays are great. Boddington Road was a funny road, busy but not busy. I remember the person who had the budgies at the top of the road, used to spend ages watching them.
My Memory is of the Kerry Arms Hotel between 1972 to 1979. My parents were the Manager and Manageress and I was the oldest of 4. I was 6 when we moved there. My Sister Gail and I went to a little school around the corner called St Peters. It was an all girls school and I loved it. We were all certain that the hotel was haunted by a ghost (who we named Percy) we would hear lots of strange tales of things that occurred. ...see more
Although very young at the time, about three, I spent several years during the war in Great Oxendon, living at The Cot which was owned by a Mrs Bland, opposite the village school where my aunt, Miss M Pressley was one of the two school teachers. She was also the housekeeper to Mrs Bland, an elderly lady with two sons, one of whom was in the RAF. I went to school every day and was in the class for the young children, ...see more
My memories of Beeford follow those of Ms Smith, as my husband and I were owners of Beeford Village Stores from 1986 to 1992. We had to replace the roof due to woodworm. We had only lived there a few weeks when Beeford was cut off by a severe snow storm, and snowploughs came to clear the roads. Another event I remember was an auction of furnishings from the Ship Inn, which had been purchased as a private home. ...see more
I think it was Colin who remembered that the 118 bus went from Clapham Common to the Cricketers. Well, Colin (or whoever it was), it went all the way to Raynes Park. I lived in Meopham Road, Mitcham, the upper part of which ran alongside the grounds of the South London Crematorium and cemetery. We always caught the 118 outside the florist shop at the top of the road and on various occasions, I have travelled both to Clapham Common and to Raynes Park.
Douglas F. Tunbridge (Revd.)
I recall Hides Department Store and a box of soft toy rabbits for sale. Jacksons Stores (the supermarket) and poking a bag of rice causing the whole stack to collapse to the floor accidentally as a child. The pub 'The Rose' perhaps is /was its name which had a wooden barrel outside which my father reminded me to kick each time we passed, as I had done first. Going to the cinema with my auntie Sesie, ...see more
As children we spent hours fishing for sticklebacks in these lakes. Armed with a jam jar with a bit of string for a handle and a fishing net made from a bamboo stick with a loop of wire and one of mum's old stockings, we had a great time. There was a little island in one of the lakes which provided the setting for many adventures.
