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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Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:
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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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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 32721 - 32800 of 36832 in total
I was named after my uncle who was one of 2 boys, Arthur (my dad), and Maurice. My grandfather and grandmother had converted their front room to a shop which seemed to sell EVERYTHING.....We spent our annual holiday every year at number 5.. and I have many happy memories of visits to the Mumbles.. Porthcawl.. Barry and many more... and also of the many friends we met up with each year. Also... I have ...see more
As far as I was concerned there was nowhere else, only what I read or what my parents told me, my life centred around the post office, church, vicarage and Bryn Eglwys, and the neighbouring farms, the lovely views to the west. Buses to Colwyn Bay, exactly as described, characters in the hamlet, and the outbreak of war, the Home Guard, reminiscent of Dad's Army, the A.R.P., rationing, less sold in the shop ...see more
Tha Palace Cinema in St Blazey was one of the longest operating cinemas in England. I worked there as the usherette during the middle to late 60s (I believe it is now closed). We had films three times a week and bingo twice a week - there was a Saturday morning children's cartoon show. I did everything from selling tickets to urshering and during the interval selling chocolates, drinks and ice cream. I have always ...see more
During the mid 1960s I spent many a happy childhood holiday staying at the Crows Nest Bungalow at Reighton Gap. This bungalow was sited near the cliff edge, by the gorge overlooking the distant caravan site. (One of the farthest bugalows pictured in the view towards Filey). Each year we would notice that part of the garden had disappeared due to cliff erosion. Gradually, by the 3rd year, the ...see more
I am from this family - my grandmother was a Melcombe.
Many Rememberance Sundays were spend at the Abercynon Clock by members of the Abercynon branch of the Glamorgan Army Cadet Force .
I can remember having lessons in Duffryn House, top floor. The walls and stairways were amazing, thick handrails curving from top to bottom. An amazing building which in my opinion should have been listed. Dai Boyce, MACS 1981 -1985
Looking at the pictures takes me back to my childhood, having lived in the village for 20 years. My home was at the end of this slip road behind the large hedge. I remember walking down to the bakers and to Taylor and Bristows, to me was like an Aladdin's cave, and then on to the butcher for steak for my dog. The village has changed but many things have stayed the same, only older. I still go back for the odd walk round. It was great to find this web site.
I was born in Newcombe Road, no 52, in 1962. I remember the village shop opposite the White Horse pub, the garden centre and the village pond near the King Will pub. I used to stay a lot at my uncle and auntie's flat in Borehamwood in Leaming Road, their names were Ray and Maureen Atkins. My mum and dad were Betty and John Atkins. I also used to visit Hansens little cafe in the town. I now live in St Neots, Cambs. ...see more
I hope I am not mistaken, but this building looks very much like the old Chepstow Cottage Hospital. I lived and worked at Sedbury in the 1970's and I am sure this is where we used to bring our youngsters (from SPS) to be treated.
I lived at the Earl Grey Public House which is seen in front of the church in this photograph
I was born in Worthing in 1938 and lived in Sompting so grew up in the area until I was conscripted in 1958, and subsequently stayed in the Army but removed to Andover in Hampshire on leaving the Military, although I still have family in Lancing. I spent a very happy teenage from leaving school until call up, in Lancing. My happiest memories were being a member of the Lancing Repertory Players for about 4 years from ...see more
My uncle Mr. Fred Wilson was for many years the landlord of The Cross Inn which can be partially seen at the top of the picture. His Alsatian Rinti used to lay down in front of the stocks and stop the traffic.
I was born in Farleigh Road in New Haw in 1945. My dad, John, worked at Vickers Armstrongs as did many other parents and my Mum, Grace, had also worked there during the war before she had children. She and my elder brother, John, were evacuated to Scotland at one time because of the bombing of the factory. After the war I went to West Byfleet Primary School, as did my three brothers, twins Peter and Paul ...see more
The old coastguard cottages at Mawgan Porth were leased by Mrs Kate Knight and her youngest daughter Winifred in about 1920 from Col Williams of Carnanton at St Mawgan. They ran a tearoom and let two of the cottages whilst living in the third one. When Win married Norman Carthew in 1938 they also lived in the cottages. As children we had a wonderful life with the whole beach as our playground. We ...see more
I think the road you see near the top right of the picture is Hunshelf Bank. If I'm right then I used to live in a house at the top of the hill with my family. It stood back from the road and looked down on Samuel Fox's. When I was around 6 years old my parents moved us to the Coach and Horses on Manchester Road which is the main road seen in the picture. I hope I'm right. My name then was Sanderson.
When I look at these old photos, Sheringham has not changed that much, it's very strange though seeing the old Grand Hotel. I used to take the ponies round the roundabout as a young child to earn money during the summer. The water trough is still there but full of flowers instead of horses' noses.
I remember growing up in Elgin (Bishopmill). All my family have passed on now, but I still visit as often as I can, each time I go there I feel a bolt of pride as I walk down the High Street, happy days.
I lived in Elm Park from when I was born (in Oldchurch Hospital) in 1950 to when I was dragged away to Australia, kicking and screaming (inside) at the end of 1964. I often went to The Bull with a couple of my friends from Maylands girls' school. Of course, being only 13 or 14, we had to stay outside but we went to listen to the groups that played there, from time to time.
I had a couple of holidays at Broadstairs, staying at the Convent at Port Regis. I attended St Philomena's in Carshalton Surrey and I think they owned the Convent at Port Regis. I can remember Broadstairs and going to Margate. I now live in Sydney, Australia but will be in England in September and I hope to get down to Kent (amid a very busy itinerary) and relive those memories. Bette Schoots (nee Miller).
I lived in Surrey but used to travel to Doune to visit Margaret & George Paterson who owned Watston Farm in Doune. Living in a city I loved going up to the farm for holidays and had my last visit to them in 1973 when I came over from Australia with my husband, son and daughter (where I moved to in 1963). I am visiting Scotland again in September 08 and look forward to revisiting Doune, Kippen and Stirling where I have happy memories of great holidays. Bette Schoots (nee Miller).
My Grandfather Blaskett ( my mother Sylvia was the second daughter of his second wife) owned property in Reading and was a spec builder and for a while our family lived at 24 Bath Road. He had a property I think before the War called Rotherham Grange but I don't know where in Reading it was. I will be over in England in September (I live in Sydney, Australia) and hope to find Rotherham Grange. If anyone can help me I ...see more
I lived on Auchmead Rd from 1957-79 and now I live in the States. Life has not been bad, but there's never a day goes by, that I do not think of home. When we were weans, we used to have concerts in the backyard, singing, dancing anything to feel like a star. It's a shame children nowadays don't have that attitude. Summer nights we got to stay out till midnight, boy we thought we were something. We would walk to Inverkip ...see more
The shop on the right was run by my great-uncle Charles Johns, and the sweetshop next door by the Steps brothers, with Triggs shop on the left.
I lived in Rawmish, and as a special treat my dad's mate Tony Williams got his mate the caretaker to let me have my own personal look roun't castle. My dad used to work at the pit offices in Denaby. When I used to go and see my dad in't olidays I'd go train spotting to the station and then ride home making sure I went via the castle.
We spent three years in perfect holidaying mood in Mrs Greig's caravan, the first time ever having a jelly mould, 1955!!!. Caravan site run by the Philps, had Yates round salted butter every day on our rolls, had fruit in our caravan and loved going to the post office for toys. Went on the boat out to sea, mum wasn't happy as they stopped to pick up balloons and bottles in the bay. We had visitors every day as ...see more
To start with, I do not know Harworth, but my grandparents lived there for a while around 1924. I am told they taught at the sunday school, but I think it might have been at a chapel, not the church. Does anyone have an idea if there was a Methodist chapel in the village at that time, and if there would be any records from that period in existance? They were called Knight and lived with relatives called Williams.
We lived in Upleatham, my gran, grandad and my mum and dad. I was really young and my grandparents had lived there for a long time. We lived in a row of houses as the centre of the village and my grandad worked in the local saw mill and had other jobs. We had no electricity and no running hot or cold water. We had an outhouse at the back of the house up a hill. It was really cold going up there in winter! No bathroom and ...see more
This picture is of the shops in Leeming Road and not the main shopping centre in Borehamwood, fondly known as the village. Leeming Road shops are in fact about a mile away from the main town. I would love to see any photos of the "village" if anyone has any.
I was born in Medomsley in 1957 in the big house top of Fines Rd, Fines House. I lived in Medomsley till 1973. I've got some great memories of the village when it was a small village, Mrs Finlay's shop, the old school, St Mary Magdeline, the snow when the buses couldn't get down Fines Rd because the road was blocked from the Hat & Feather.
I used to live in Churchfield, my old house is the only one left standing amongst a maze of flats. It was a council house in those days and we shared it with another family, the Caines. I went to Churchfields Primary and Junior Schools, as did my two sisters. I have wonderful memories of my time at Churchfields and me and two friends went back there recently to have a look and to our amazement there was ...see more
I think it was about 1959 when a new Vicar arrived in the village of Yapton he was the Rev. Nelson. I was 12 at the time, His wife who we only knew as Mrs Nelson decided to start a church choir. So with a few of my cousins and girls I went to school with off we went to see what it was all about. Mrs Nelson had at least two daughters that I remember and we were all welcomed into the Vicarage for choir practice which used ...see more
I remember this school so well, my first born went to this school in 1983 and so did my daughter, it's a shame they pulled part of it down. I remember walking the children over to what is now the infant school to use their swimming pool, later when they pulled some of the old school down the children were moved to the infant school in South Wigston, on the Countesthorpe Road, where all three of my children ...see more
I moved to South Wigston in 1978 as a newly wed, I lived on Marstown Avenue which then was a two way road, and very busy, and I remember using these shops all the time. I used to do my shopping in what is now called Jacksons and is a Sainsburys shop. I notice looking at the picture of the 1960s that not a lot has changed but the end shop on the left of the picture is now a fish and chip shop, ...see more
I lived at Lowfield Park Lodge on the Charlwood Road (from the long-disappeared Lowfield Heath) from about 1950 to 1962, and I believe the house was demolished around 1965(???) to make way for the expansion of Gatwick airport. My dad and I used to fish for carp in what we called the Brickyard Pond about a 5 minute drive from (I think) the pub that Dudley Wickens' dad used to be landlord of ... or have I got ...see more
My memory - in 1964 I left Henry Harbin Secondary School, aged fifteen, the world was my oyster, well that was the theory. I spent two weeks laying on the sand at Sandbanks, until my father took me to Bluebird Caravans and I ended up in the cabinet shop. After a week my dad's words came flooding back - 'Your best days are at school'. I hate to admit it, he was right. Well I met some really nice guys, they became good work ...see more
Hello I don't have a memory as such. I am one of the current owners of the Saffron Hotel and am looking into its history and would love to hear from anyone of their memories and also any insight they can provide on its history. I have a certain amount of information obtained from census information but any other information would be greatly appreciated. We are asked so many times for the history on ...see more
What a dump Iwerne Minster was to a school boy of the 60's sent from London to that boarding school in the middle of nowhere. The locals spoke in a strange unintelligible dialect, the air was sometime thick with the stink of manure, and you had to be 14 to buy beer from the off-licence at Tarrant Hinton! Now, 50+ years on, it doesn't seem such a bad place at all. In fact, its quite nice down there. The beer is not so bad after all.
I was born and lived all my life till 24 in Oulton. It was then a small village and everywhere I went someone knew me or a family member. Back then we could play in the street and roam all over the village. One supermarket Grandways which closed many years ago now. My mum still lives in Oulton and three uncles live in Woodlesford. I however moved to Castleford and have been there for 20 years. I go back all the time but ...see more
My great grandfather lived at 49 Chapel Hill, Highweek, Newton Abbot. He was 39 then and he had a wife called Susan and 6 children. He was a policeman in Highweek and I am trying to find out more about him and his mother and father, his children were Mary Ann, Susan Ann, William, Samuel, Elizabeth M and John Henry who was my grandfather, he I know joined the 1st Life Guards in Windsor but I am trying ...see more
I was born in Epsom in 1936. Apparently, when still in my push-chair, I trundled down the bank shown in the picture and ended up in the water!! Later when 10 or 12 we used to sail our model yachts on the pond and in our teens spent a lot of evenings in the park chatting up the girls! Happy, happy days. I must admit there was a tear or two in my eyes when I saw all those lovely trees felled by the great storm.
I was born in Llawog LLandyrnog in 1946 and attended the local school. A small school the headmaster being J H Archibald Jones and teachers Miss C P Lloyd, Misses Crabtree and Rowlands, they were happy times and the sun always shone - it always did then didn't it ? Like everywhere else the village has changed over the years - the shop having been re-sited, lots of new houses built - with people my age having ...see more
I was so pleased to see this photo, as the caravan by the brick building was my grandparents'. We had another one right opposite this one. I had many a happy time on the site. I was born in 1949 & used to be down there every summer until it closed in 1972. My grandparents had them well before I was born. I can remember all the men getting the chairs all in a line, this was the people with tents who didn't know ...see more
Meads 1894
I used to live in Sundown Ave, just around the corner from these shops. My friend Michelle lived to the right of the bus. My Mum used to work in the sweet shop at the end of the parade to the right. There was a supermarket on the far left with a chemist next door. I remember buying my Mum some rather stinky Yardley perfume there for her birthday one year for about 1/6d I went to school at Downside CP ...see more
My best friends father used to be Vicar here back in 1960's (Rev J Gaunt). Sabrina and I would hang around Hatch End at various places getting up to all sorts of mischief. I had my confirmation at this Church under the guidance of Rev Gaunt but carried out by the Bishop of Singapore who was visiting at the time. When Rev Gaunt moved on the fabulous Rev CLive Pearce took up residence. Clive carried out my ...see more
Another view of The Fox, one of 5 local 'hostelries' which was frequented by the Debden Royal Airforce crowd, including, most likely, my dear mother, Elma Rivis,a WAAF.
More than likely The Fox was a popular watering hole for the pilots, mechanics and WAAFs at Debden Aerodrome during the war.
The Saffron Hotel, quite possibly where my life began in the wartime summer of 1942.
I have no doubt that my lovely young, 23 year old mother, Elma , a WAAF stationed at Debden fighter aerodrome, during WW2, cycled this lovely lane at some point. It was around here, in the summer of 1942, that my life began when my mother and still unknown father 'sparked' me into life. He apparently named John, according to one source, guarded a radio transmitter from a small hut out in the Essex countryside, ...see more
While studying at Westminster Technical College, Hotel School just off Victoria Street in London I became good friends with Andy Gardiner whose parents ran a small hotel, probably one of these pictured here, in the North Parade of the front at Skegness. Andy invited me up at some point to meet his parents and sister, he being accompanied by his then lovely French girlfriend of whom I was ...see more
Savernake Forest is significant to me because this was the chosen halfway point on our family's mid+ 1950's long road journey from Hereford to Portsmouth for our annual summer holidays. Here, my stepfather, Lt.Colonel H.R.W*****, MA,RAEC, future OBE and general SOB, would pull the old Hillman off the road among the massive roots of this ancient, historic forest's huge oaks and my ...see more
London's main railway stations truly are wonderful and Charing Cross was the one that I frequented the most as I travelled every weekday from Woolwich Arsenal in SE London to Green Park Underground, near the great Victoria Station. The sounds of the whistles, doors slamming, the hum of the electric trains...the overhead announcements reverberating in the cavernous domed roof... "last call for Waterloo, ...see more
The shop on left hand side is White Fuller (Kent) Ltd, 68 High Street, Deal. My father, Cecil Prime, was the owner. Our mother, Phyllis, my brother John Prime and myself lived there. John and I were both born there he in 1948 and myself in 1947. We spent all our formative years here. I have been looking for photos of this building to include in a memory book for my brother's ...see more
My parents were married in St Nicholas Church in 1960 - Valmai Daily (my mother) grew up at 234 Lower Road with her brother, Adrian and parents Dot and Drew. My Grandfather was a local electrician who spent all his free time at Effingham Golf Club and my grandmother (having retired from midwifery) was for many years the nurse at The School of Stitchery. I spent many of my early years in Great Bookham and then every ...see more
I think it ought to be mandatory, for every person of English heritage, to pass through Westminster Abbey at least once! Returning from Canada and, later, the USA , for only the second time in 35 years I took my teenage son and daughter to tour Westminster Abbey. There we joined the throng as it somehow wound its way through the crowded abbey. As much as I have become a North American, it surprised me that I ...see more
As a frightened 7 year old, in 1950, I was plunged into an unfamiliar London life when my meddling and self righteous aunt unfortunately reminded my stepfather of fulfill his promise to my dying mother to 'take care of Jimmy'. He had since remarried and brought my sister and I together again after we had spent three years apart,my sister with his parents in Chester and I, happily in Kirkbymoorside, ...see more
Before my time, of course, but this is still a very familiar view to me . Not only did I intern (from Westminster Technical College Hotel School) at the Charing Cross Hotel on the right but also passed through the station 5 days a week for two years. On occasion I'd stay too late at a party on a Friday night and have to get the 'milk train' in the dawn hours. I loved walking the streets of ...see more
The first time we visited Aberaeron, apart from the road bridge, one way of getting across the river was by the Aeron Express. Propelled by some sort of pulley arrangement, it looked like it could seat about 6 to 8 people. It wasn't actually working when we there; we've since been back quite a few times & it seems to have been taken away altogether. Can anyone throw any light on this, please? Thank you. Trevor.
Hello I'm hoping someone may be able to help me. I'm trying to find anything to do with my grandparents /fathers life, especially old photos of the area they lived and worked. My grand father was called Joseph Millington and he had a place of work/ factory in Hawarden. All I know was that it went under the name of Ellis & Millington. He was married to Annie whos parents had a farm at Llong. They had 2 ...see more
Hello I attended Brown Rigg from 1960-1965. My best memories are the horses and the Sunday afternoon rides around the countryside, do you remember Bent Toe? The hours trying to learn side saddle. The hikes to Grassy Bridge? I have lived in Canada now for 34 years and have returned to Bellingham to visit and remember the memories of this place where I spent so many years.
Hello me again. As I have so many lovely memories of Manningham, which I could reminisce about all day, I've decided to start by concentrating on what I think were local land marks. The Saddle Bar stands out vividly in my mind. Situated on Carlisle Road opposite the Malborough Picture house, the shop incorporated a wagon into its counter complete with wheel and all the associated horse tack etc. The smells were ...see more
This the South Est Corner of the junction on the A4 known as Everret's Corner. Just around to the right from this position are some lock-up shops that I remember from the early 1950s which included a Gents Barbers. Further along still was the Essoldo Cinema and Ballroom (known locally as Dollies). Opposite this corner was a row of brick built shops which included a Post Office. The road running North from ...see more
This is Everret's Corner approached from the West. The road is the A4 and it is a good distance North of the real Cippenham Village. The main bus-stop for buses coming from Slough was right diagonally opposite the photographer's position. To his left would have been the Bishop Centre (seed merchant and landscaper gardening - Bishop's would later take over the "William Woods" garden centre).
I used to live in Sir John Moore Avenue, Hythe. This small estate was built on the site of the School of Musketry. We went to Nova Scotia, Canada, to see my wife's family. While there, we visited a tourist attraction. I found myself at a bookstall, picked up a book that I liked the look of, turned it over to see what it said about the book etc. The book was written by Thomas Head Raddall, born 1908, in Hythe, ...see more
This is the church where my 17 year old son was christened. This is also the church where I spent most of my childhood. From about the age of 10, my friends and I would go grave rubbing. We actually spent more time cleaning the old graves with an old twig and reading about who was in there. As we got older, about 13-ish, we would go into the graveyard for a sneaky puff of our cigarettes, and hide any spare ones ...see more
The Dee View Hotel was one of our haunting grouds in our courting days
During my last two years at school money was raised at Christmas time and Christmas presents were bought for the children who had to stay in hospital over the Christmas period. One little chap I remember was Tony. He was in hopital for a few years and he would now be about 32 years old.
The Anchor Inn was one of my Mum and Dad's favourite haunt. When my husband and I were courting in 1984 we went in one evening and there was a gentleman (quite inebriated) perched on a stool, cigarette in one hand and a whisky in the other. He fell backwards, stool and all, and landed with cigarette and glass of whisky still intact clutched in his hands.
I attended here circa 1969/70 for one year. I hated every minute. I lived about 3 miles away and we had to get a bus there every morning.
May 2008, and the city of Winchester hosted a festival of music and dance, with the streets closed to traffic and thronged with entertainers, market stalls and happy crowds. I was part of the band playing for Whitethorn Morris at this event and enjoyed my visit to Winchester. As I walked from the station I passed by the clock in the High Street shown in this Francis Frith view of ...see more
My mother's name was Gladys Letton, she lived in Eden Grove, Horfield, she was in the WLA. Is there anyone out there that would remember her?? A great web site, thanks for any help. Carol.
My great-grandparents lived in a place called Western Square, Clifton. Anyone have any memories of this place?? Their name was Simms. I was told that there was a pub and a sweet shop there and maybe only 6 large houses, any help please. Thankyou, Carol.
My parents lived in Tandridge Gardens, Sanderstead in the late 1930's and up to the mid 1940's. I was born in Purley Cottage Hospital. Have lived in Australia since 1963 but am visiting England in September 2008.
I attended St Philomena's School from 1951 - 1960. I have been living in Australia since 1963 and am visiting England in September 2008 when I will be attending the OGA Reunion at St Philomena's on 13th September.
I lived in Redford Avenue, Wallington when the road was a dead end with the old Croydon aerodrome at the end. I attended St Philomena's School in Carshalton. I came out to Australia in 1963 and have a son and a daughter and two grandsons. I am visiting England in September 2008 and will certainly walk up Redford Avenue with memories.
My parents and I used to stay in a bungalow owed by a Mr & Mrs Tidy and I was made to keep it tidy! I loved the sandy beach and remember playing deck tennis on the sand. Next door was a family with three girls, their father was the local postman. I will be back in England in September 2008 (I have lived in Australia since 1963) and hope to revisit St Mary's Bay and ride on the railway.
I remember 'guddling' for trout in the Teal Burn in Auchtertool. Most of the lads in the village tried it at one time or another. When we caught one we would measure it by placing the nose of the trout on our finger tips and the tail along our arm towards the elbow. The aim was to catch one that reached all the way up to the elbow but of course we never did. After all we were growing lads and each year ...see more
How many people remember the picture shows which were held in a hut at the top of the hill. I was one of the London evacuees billeted at Minions, and some of us would walk to the pictures and back again - how far was that! We were at Upton Cross school and I can recall the class being told to bring a lunch to school one day as Mr Bartholomew, our teacher, was to take us up on the moors, I think towards Sharp Tor, ...see more
Pitsea will always bring back happy memories for me. I was born in my gran's bungalow during WW2 & remained there till I was 3, when my mum took me & my brother back to London, where she had been bombed out. But I always went back to Pitsea, throughout my childhood, to stay with my grandparents. The freedom I felt there was wonderful (unlike London). I spent my days walking through fields, going to the market, ...see more
