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:
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Displaying Memories 21041 - 21120 of 36832 in total
My eldest sister Lynne and I used to attend the sixpenny matinee. Before joining the queue outside we would walk down to Woolworths and get threepence worth of broken biscuits to share. They were a real treat as you would get chocolate biscuits in the assortment. We lived in Exley, so we would catch the bus into Halifax. We are ex-patriots as we have lived in Australia since ...see more
I was born in 1950 and lived first in Parsonage St and then, from 1956, in Woodend Lane. I attended St George's Primary and Junior School and was an active member of St George's Church. My earliest memories include two shops. My maternal grandparents owned the shop (general grocers) on Sydall St and my neighbours, the Leighs, ran the Cycle and Tobacconists on Market St (it became the Ron Hill Sports Shop).
I remember ...see more
Music at The Forest Grammar School
I taught music at 'The Forest' - 1954 - 1964. Thence to New Guinea (which I thought was in Africa! - geography not a strong point). For those who may be interested my website is at http//: www.durquhartjones.id.au
Anyone remember our production of 'The Pirates'? I remember the pirate king who was a heavy smoker - a very nice chap whose name was Benson.
I remember John Fanning's son David who as a very small boy hit me on the head with a hammer.
Hello, my name is Barbara Wearing (Nightingale).
I had my first job at Robinsons bakery, I was 15, I felt so grown up. I came from Wednesbury but spent happy times at West Brom, I used to go to watch the Albion play, and they won the cup in 1968, I watched them parade down the high street, and a white horse stood on my foot. I want to pick your brains, does anyone remember Udalls in Pitt ...see more
April 3 1946 is the date of my birth, born at 2 Nightingale Terrace, Scarcliffe.
My parents being Rose and Albert Nicholls,
I was baptised at St Leonards and went to Scarcliffe school and then went on to Moorfield secondary at eleven. I still remember all my friends and would love to hear from any school friends or relatives.
I moved away from Scarciffe and spent time in Bristol and Birminham where I ...see more
My great-great-grandfather, Robert Langton, was born in 1791. He was innkeeper, farrier and farmer (owning 50 acres). It is said he made the first iron plough in Yorkshire. He was gifted with horses. He employed apprentices and journeymen in his business, which we think operated from the Horseshoes.
He operated with strict principles and no one was alllowed more than two ...see more
I lived at the camp with my family around 1958. I was then put into a children's homes in Swansea. My mother moved to London and divorced my father. I had virtually no contact with her after this until approx year 2000. She told me that the "Captain" at the camp was not very nice and used to pick at her - so she moved us all out. Any more info available about this place at that time would be appreciated. I was about 3 years ...see more
I was born in Manor Drive in 1948, in the white house at the top left of the picture. Each house from bottom left working up and then back down again was the Simmons family, then Coppack, Clewes, Fowler, Emptage, Lyons, Leather, Roberts, Keelty, Hulse, across the road, the Curbishleys, Liecester, Yeomans, Hornby, Banks, Wilkinson, Simpson, Hornby, Elsby, Elsby, Carter, Fagg, Essen, Quilty, Bland. We used to ...see more
My ancester James King and his newborn son Frederick King lived at Frimley Bottom. James was a farm labourer. Has anyone got any information please
I was born in 1951 and lived in Middlefield Road, Mistley with my parents, sister and brother. My maiden name was Lay - Flurrie. I attended Mistley Norman School in 1956 my teacher being Miss Temple, Headmaster was Mr Thompson. Other teachers were Mr James and Miss Jacklin. I remember having a bottle of milk everyday at school and when it was winter time the birds had pecked at the foil bottle top. I left Mistley ...see more
My mum is in this photo, living at the time on this street. It was taken summer 1958. The photo was for sale in a local shop.
I am now in the process of establishing Samuel and Florence DAYS, then address with the Records Office at Bedfordshire County Council. Apparently Sandy Lane and Cardington Lane were mentioned many years ago as well as the 'Sandy' area. Was there ever ?......a small isolation Hospital (wooden Barrack Type Huts) in and or in the vicinity of Sandy Lane or Sandy. I believe however that the ' ...see more
The winter and spring of 1958 I was an ACC cook in the hospital kitchen. On one night duty I contracted tonsillitis and was put in the ward upstairs where the ghost of 'Sister Aggie', as she was known to us, was supposed to haunt and give comfort at their bedside of those who were about to slip away. She did not appear to me as I was not about to die. I had to sample our food which was sent up from the kitchen in ...see more
I now live in Gnosall Mason Lawn after living on the cut for a number of years when I was forced off due to ill health. I was born in Brineton about 3 miles from Gnosall. I have lived on Masons Lawn now for about 4 years and it's ok.
1950s generally. My aunt Nora Brown was in charge of the sweet shop at Brown's. My uncle worked with his sisters Sis and Vi in the grocery store. Happy memories of free samples when I went to see my aunt. Happy memories of riding with my uncle as he made deliveries all over Oxshott. I remember the elation when, finally, sweets went off rationing - no more coupons to clip. I was always fascinated by the ...see more
Still live in Bakewell, so if anyone wishes to know about the area, please let me know.
Mine is not a memory but a request for information or old photos. I live in Station House (the old Station Masters house) and have only been able to find 1, unclear, photo of the house. I would love to know of the previous residents here and photos. Many thanks.
I started work at 15 when I worked at the quilt factory, I later went to work at Tizer pop factory. I had smashing mates there my own age but we all got on with the older women as well.
Friday night was the best night of the week when me and the lasses would get the bus home have wor tea and get bathed and wash wer hair make up on and all make wor way to Byker. We'd start off at the Blue Bell pub, then go across ...see more
I am trying to find details of my grandfather's nursery business in the Chesthunt area. He had long retired in the years I lived with him in Flamstead House in Flamstead End. I have managed to fit in many details but nothing has shown up about his Nursery. I think he sold out to one of the big local names. Any information would be marvellous.
I was born in 1944 at a place called Gwanffaren House in Merthyr, my mother had been evacuated from London and was staying with my father's family in School Street, Tirphil. My father was in Italy in the Royal Marines and was unable to be there when I was born. I was wondering if Gwanfarren House is still standing and if there is any photographs or photograph of it. I still ...see more
Sarah Levene and John William Bailey great grand parents.
I can hardly believe this; I've just looked at this website for the first time, and see a comment from someone who lived at the police station from 1953. Would you believe, so did I! My father was based there and we lived in the police station house for a year or so; it must have been us who moved out to accommodate the family of your other correspondent! As I recall, we moved out a few days before the ...see more
I was on H&R working on the old Shackletons. We did a detachment to Aden where we were the back up aircraft for 42 sqdn who were in Majunga at that time doing the airborne blockade of Rhodesia as Smith had declared UDI.
When I was still going to school Ashburton High School I had a park time job at the Fish Shop at the Shirly Road shops I worked every day arfter school Monday to Friday, also all day Saturday, and I got paid 12 shillings for that, this is how I paid for my new bike. When I say fish shop I mean the old fish shops with the slab in the front of the shop with all the fresh fish on it. My friend used to work in the ...see more
I remember the old club house school. I lived in Coleridge Road and I went to the Ashburton High School, now pulled down, they have a new school there now but the fire station is still there, also the corner shop oposite the fire station is still there, it used to be the post office and inside the shop he had rows of jars of sweets. I came to Australia in 1962 so we are talking over 50 years now.
I was on the ward for TB patients in 1952 waiting for a lobectomy. I am now 76 and have survived. I was wondering if any old patients look at this site. I was Pat Fisher then, and have so many memories of in spite of our illness we had such laughs most of the time. I was there for about 1 year and before that in Cumberland House in Mitcham for two years, and what fun we had there!! I wonder if Yvonne ...see more
Some years ago I bought an old book at Greenwich Market. The book carries an inscription to "Sybil Shillabeer from the Chisledon Wesleyan Sunday School May 1931". It is a childrens book entitled The Golden Cushion Story Book by Blackie & Son If this is of particular interest to anyone I would be delighted to hear from you.
My Great Grand Aunt Sarah Holgate, née Barnes, came here with her husband Benjamin in the 1870s to run the hotel (from Manchester). Benjamin died in 1877 and Sarah stayed in charge until sometime in the 1890s because in the 1901 census she is retired in Newquay. I am descended from Sarah's brother, George Barnes, who went to London and became a brewery manager somewhere south of the Thames (it ...see more
I lived at 73 Marford Crescent before moving to 45 Moss Lane (over the road from St Mary's church). I was a member of 2nd Ashton scouts. I then joined the RAF. What a great time I had!
I was born in Merthyr Tydfil but my grandparents lived in Rees Terrace. My grandfather, Hugh Price Watkins, was the St John Ambulance driver for the pits. I lived and went to school in Llanbradach for about three months while my mother was in hospital. Whenever there was an accident in the mines, the phone would ring in grandad's house and I would be told the location of the accident and would run as fast ...see more
I went to St Catherines School prior to going to Australia. Have very fond memories as a child growing up in this area. I lived at 513 Barton Lane, and my Grandparents lived at 569 Barton Lane. Would love to correspond with anyone who lived here in this era.
My mother worked at the N.A.A.F.I. although I'm not too sure which year. Her name was Alice Andrews and I would very much like to hear from anyone that remembers her.
I too lived in Lycett Road - from 1943 to 1959, when I got married and left for New Zealand. Grower Jones was Bob Jones, who lived at either No.1 or No.3 Lycett. He had a couple of daughters, one, Jacqueline was about my age, the other one somewhat older. Billy Hannah didn't mention Hockings, the newsagent on the corner of Beechwood Road. Mr Hocking and his brother ran it, and I did a paper run for them for ...see more
I think that it became Savemore Supermarket. I remember going with my mum from Willerby Road. Supermarkets in those days were few and far between.
On the 24th March 1962 we had our wedding reception at The Lord Nelson Hotel. We invited 50 guests and were on a very tight budget but The Lord Nelson did us proud. Next year we will be celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary so it's natural that my memories turn back to where it all began. At the time I thought The Lord Nelson to be the poshest place in the area and I`m sure it was. Thank you for making my day one to remember.
Stan and Marion Warn.
From early 1970 to 1975, when I left Brixham, we used to go on a very regular basis, winter times Friday/Saturday, Summer time every night (except Sundays) when I could make it, and sing along with my local friends from Paignton and Brixham with a fine lady on the piano, "Winnie" ,what great times we had!! When I have had a few drinks now I can even remember all the words! even now at 57!
Is there ...see more
I spent every summer staying with the Jones family at Bryn Du farm, from about 1957 to 1965. They were friends of my parents. The farm was sold some years ago, after Tom Jones had died. I enjoyed the farm very much, which was only about three acres, or so. Tom was also a welder, and he was married to a German lady, Anna. I also enjoyed going down to the beach and the shop where I used to buy my bucket and ...see more
Was stationed at R.A.F. Stanbridge as my first posting out of RAF Cosford (Boy Entrant 20th) in May 1955. Lived at RAF Bletchley and travelled to and fro by gary to Stanbridge. Moved up to Stanbridge the following January and lived in the RAF block, one for the men and one for the WRAFs. Have a lot of happy memories of that time both of Bletchley and Leighton Buzzard. Went back to visit Stanbridge about 5 years ago ...see more
With big hugs from waiting family on one of the many platforms that was Central Station, we hurried though the noise and clouds of steam towards the station exit and into the sunlight...my eyes gazing in wonderment at all the the grand buildings, trams and bright yellow trolly buses, we had nothing like it in our Hampshire town, our railway station had but two platforms and ...see more
Does anyone remember Charlie's exchange mills? It was C. HIRSTS & SON.
I am trying to trace June who worked in the offices.
June.
Yup, I think it was called Parkers (or was it the one in Palmers Green?).
The journey up to and across London to King's Cross Station in 1944 for a 4-year old boy was exciting enough, but our adventure had only just begun. Holding my mother's hand tightly, we searched carriage after carriage for our seats on the packed but magnificent steam engine that was to take us at breakneck speed to Newcastle and the safety of my nana's house in Stanhope ...see more
I remember going to the woods to collect a christmas tree, it was so tall we had trouble getting into the big oak door.
Mr & Mrs Rix and their family lived in the lodge.
I think it was about 1986 when I moved to Horton, I was around 7 years old. We only moved from Wraysbury Road near Staines but it may as well have been 500 miles, leaving all my friends that lived all along the road to moving to Horton. There wasn't that many kids in Horton back then. We moved into the house next door to the Five Bells pub, a large detatched 4 bed house, it felt like a mansion house. Darlaron was the ...see more
My maiden name was Wood. We lived at Cuckoo Hill, I just wonder if that was our father's VX. I have spoken to my brother Richard who thinks it's possible as they were so very rare in those days. My brother Richard use to run the youth club down the road from the church. He did it conjuction with his school friends from Johns Lyons School, Martyn Potts, Graham, Johns Coles and some others. He is four ...see more
Us Ainslie's remember 'the Apters', who was the 'jockey' in the family? Was it Eric Apter senior? Who was Michelle Apter, my bro was in !! love with her when we were kids.
I remember it well, we fought to get a single cabin instead of what we called the Monkey Cabin at the end which was the communal cabin where people finished up going home wearing something they didn't arive in, but the pool was great, there was a diving board and a spring board then even though the depth was only 6 ft deep. When Sam came to open the iron gates outside there would be quite a ...see more
My memories of Waterperry are all happy ones, my granmother Mrs Sparkes lived at no 4, the house was built in 1921, and my mother lived there as well, so some of the memories are from what she told me and some are from myself. As for what my mother told me, she as a child did not have it all easy in the school summer holidays, she once told me that she used to dread the school holidays as she had to go stone ...see more
Margaret Forrester, what number did you live at? I lived at number 19, I can't remember you, I can remember the Maguires. I had a brother Keith that would be about your age, what was your surname then?
Peter x
My dad used to drive the speedboat, I used to go for rides as a child, it used to seem so fast. All the holiday makers used to scream, it was great fun. I used to help with the beach ponies and donkeys in the summer holidays. Has anyone got any memories to share?
My dad was taken suddenly from our home one day when I was at school. I returned home to find my elder sisters and mother in a state of distress. They told me daddy was in hospital and that we would all have to have an x ray and injections. A man in white overalls came and sprayed all my dad's clothes and also his cup and plates. That was the beginning of 6 years of visiting Milford ...see more
I was born 16 Violet Road in 1960 and lived there up until 1970 when we moved up to Church Road (dead posh). As a kid I played on the 'Matchy' where all my mates learnt how climb and on the 'Rella' where the kids from Lily Road had a football pitch in between the two railway lines that ran to the docks. Happy days when everyones front door was left open and everyone in the street was your 'Auntie' or 'Uncle', we also had summers!
I started school at the age of five following in the footsteps of my brother John and sister Pam and walking each day to school from Quarr Lane, sometimes we used the footpath starting at Frogmore farm and coming out above the football field which was in the field next to the Council houses. Mrs Smith was the infant teacher and Mrs Hurst the senior teacher. I remember my mum taking me to the dentist that came to the ...see more
I used to live above our shop, "Luff's" the grocers. My bedroom window looked out onto the clock tower. I spent many hours looking out of that window watching people going by and watching the activities around the clock tower. I believe we lived there from about 1948, I left in 1959, but the shop is still owned by my brother.
I remember going to see an old family friend who lived in one of the houses on Chipping Steps. His name was Fred Cook. Fred was a very good friend of my dad's family (the Topps) who used to run Macfisheries on Market Street. My father Michael Topps, well his father Ernest and mother Norva, ran the business which is now a charity shop. Tetbury I call home even though I was not born there but my ancestors were.
I was born at Trevalyn Manor in August 1953. I have returned to The Golly these last few years for short holidays and still love the place. Does anyone know when the place closed as a maternity hospital? A lot of people will remember my brother David (Dai) Williams who is 12 years older than me. He has been asking about old school friends and neighbours, so if anyone can remember him we would love to know.
I have very happy memories of working at this hotel many years ago but have lost contact with the friends I had there. My first introduction to good food was from Bill the chef, and his daughter Yvonne made delicious puddings. She became a good friend and her family took care of me when I most needed it. I was also bridesmaid to Sue and Andrew, she too became a friend. I think it was one of the better ...see more
This is categorically Mid Holmwood.
An old pond just up from Bonds Pond that is now filled in.
I was a boarder at Beauclerc School in the 1950s and remember Miss Garlic and Miss Walters. Miss Garlic did everything - stoked the boiler (called Robin), looked after us, taught, issued the bills and weeded the garden. She kept tortoises and made the papers when she hatched some. The tree was a most beautiful old weeping beech, not a willow, which had a huge skirt under which we were forbidden to go. But we had ...see more
Around this time a fire destroyed much of the Imperial Hotel which was, then, owned by Trust Houses. The previous year (1970 on the 6th of March) The Moorland Hotel, Haytor, was also much destroyed by fire. This started at midnight - a fact of which I am fully aware as I was the manager of the hotel – also owned by Trust Houses. It occurred during the police annual dinner which was taking place at the time. ...see more
My Aunt Clarice and Uncle Keith Symes live in Micheldever in the early 1960s, I used to go there on holiday, I remember going to the river and collecting cress off the water, there was tons of it. I believe they lived in the Forge, I believe Keith's father and brother worked in the smithy.
Does anyone remember Bryn Row in Treboeth, Swansea? I was born there just after the Second World War. My parents were Tom and Lily Evans, my brother Len was 12 when I was born. We moved to Penlan in about 1948. I have a vague memory that the cottages were halfway up the hill from Brynhyfryd Square. I have been trying to find a photo but no luck so far.
I too was a boarder for just one year, along with my two younger sisters Linda and Angela. One night Angela was ill - do you remember? To call the sisters you had to pull the bell rope on the landing. Sister Lawrence always seemed so strict but underneath I think she was a big softie, Sister Bernard well, she was strict but Sister Rose was the worst and such a beautiful face too!! As boarders we had to go ...see more
My mother was a niece of Donald Stewart (her father "Charles Stewart's" brother) She remembers being driven in his treasured Rolls Royce when she was a child.
Hi
My parents owned a confectioners at 5 High Street Cheshunt in 1959 known as R.A Press. I had been born in 1955 at 16 Sidney Road in Waltham Cross, a house my parents purchased in 1950, and my grandparents lived at 55 Northfield Road. They were John & Margaret Press.
My mum and dad Ronald Arthur Press and Irene Elsie Crow married 17th Dec 1949 at the Holy Trinity Church. I think my grandparents had moved to ...see more
I was born in Widnes in 1934 and lived on Lowerhouse Lane until I married in 1965.
Then went with my wife, Shelagh, to live on Elkan Road before moving to Lowton in 1967 and then to Sheffield in 1971.
Memories of Widnes include dancing at Everite, playing cricket for West Bank and Peter Spence. I visit Widnes fairly regularly.
My memory bank has been activated by the contributed items about Hugh Bell Central School, though my recollections of Hugh Bell are older than those published on this website. My years at Hugh Bell were 1938 to 1942 and so my memories have had many years to fade and I’ve been living on the far side of Canada in the beautiful Okanagan Valley since 1948.
Most of the teacher’s names have ...see more
Not wishing to sound pedantic, but (with reference to another 'memory' posted about this photo) I'm pretty sure the photo shown is of the cottages on Old Village Road Barry, and not buildings adjacent to Cadoxton school which is a few miles away. These cottages are still in existence though I think one or more may now be slated not thatched.
or around there-ish. Always got sent to Wandsworth on Wednesday afternoon if anyone needed anything from the shops - Wandsworth High Street shops closed on Thursday afternoons - Battersea shops on Wednesday afternoons. Guaranteed my sister would run out of cotton, or something similar and I would get sent to get it. Didn't mind - 170 and 44 went to Wandsworth.
I come from Battersea, SW London. My mother sent me to Barrow Hill School when I was 8 years old, I stayed there for 3 years. We lived in dormitories. The head master at that time was Mr Churchill. I had a nice time there, sports day was good. My mother used to come and visit me. There were places there where we used to venture out. The army used to leave all their ammunition lying around, it was out ...see more
My most vivid memory of Hengoed Viaduct was when I travelled by train over the viaduct (Hengoed High Level) to Stoke on Trent in the summer of 1961. The whole family went and we stayed at my father's step-brother's home in Burton on Trent.
That viaduct crossing on the train was absolutely breath taking when you looked down the valley and beyond. I have since ridden across ...see more
Valence Park swimming pool I remember always being cold. It cost a couple pennies in old money, cup of oxo and a thick biscuit, and the old changing sheds by the pool, 2 foot gap top and bottom of door, freezing, haha. The noise in there - I can still hear it now. What fun we all had, I also remember the bandstand, and Sunday am people reading their Sunday papers, just relaxing, good times.
My name is Bryan Cole, I ...see more
icecream bike box...tonys.....came..corona lorry came ..orange pop tizer...cherry ade.........prefab 1951/2....garden out back......shed coal......little fire living room....gas fridge..fitted tin doors kitchen table folds up......museums have prefabs now to go in....little fire close glass doors in living room..2 bed toilet bathroom..........beginning tv..bbbc 3pm kids look mother 15 mins ...see more
I was posted to the RAF radar unit in Hawthorne from 1954-1955 and had some of the happiest memories of my service in Easington Colliery. We attended most of the dances in the Welfare Hall after having coffee in Moscardininis? cafe. I was particularly friendly with Eileen Quinn who lived in the Station Hotel and often wondered what happened to her. Everyone in the village was so friendly and there was ...see more
I used to go to Montecleffe girls school from 1956 untill 1959. It was an all girls school then with the toilets outside and they were wooden seats! Mr. Davey was the care taker. My teacher in class one and two was Miss. Swain and in clases 3 & 4 it was Miss. Bibby. She was a strict old woman. Her house adjoined the school.
I was born in 1946 and spent the first 3 years living in a curved un-insulated "nissen" hut next to the gunsight in Adel. We then moved to 71 Raynel Way in 1949.
I attended Cookridge School and used to walk up Farrer Lane, on my own, even in the dead of winter with snowdrifts bigger than myself. We were told never to go on the embankment of the reservoir, 3 of us did one day and were caught and ...see more
The name of the pond is Four Ways Pond. My family have lived around Holmewood for centuries. There are indeed four ways leading from the pond, hence the name, simple really.
My grandparents William and Lilian together with their 5 children lived at The Lodge, Chiselhampton. William was head gardener employed by Sir Charles Peers until his death 22.9.42 aged 58, Lilian died 18.10.74, her 86th birthday. They are both buried in St Katharine's Churchyard, Chiselhampton. William was a special constable. I have a ...see more
I was really shocked but pleased to find this photo - it is of my mum and nana in 1955 on Scunthorpe's High Street - we lived in Allanby Street. I was 10 years old when this picture was taken - it has brought back fond warm memories thank you - Linda.
Well, I was born at no 54. My godparents lived at no 56. Mum taught at the village school (Ingrave Johnstone Primary) and I was a May Queen's Attendant in 1970. And I remember we had a float for the Brentwood Carnival, it must have been a nursery rhyme theme as my brother and I were Jack and Jill!