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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  • How the location features in your personal history?
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  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • 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 16401 - 16480 of 36828 in total

How many of us as fresh faced five year olds, on our very first day at school, look around the classroom and think ‘will any of these children be classed as ‘true’ friends fifty years from today’? Well none of us of course, we are far too young and nervous to be thinking of anything other than ‘when can I go home?’, but about a year ago my great buddy, John Hughes, pointed out ...see more
Wow, we first moved in to No 20 right on the corner opposite Davy Dun. We came up to stay at our grans in the late 60's. Great times spent helping 'the parky' and sittin around the Maypole with the great clang clang and waiting for grandad, Dick Shaw, & dad to come back from bowling club. Grandad used to take us doon to the Dam and up the old railway to Windygates to Dorianos for a Ice Cream. No 20 stayed with ...see more
I went to Taxal Lodge in 89-90, it was a school for so called 'bad eggs', but we weren't bad just a bit stubborn. I was one of the oldest at that time and can honestly say my memories are fond. Heard the sad state the place is in now, always thought I'd go back now I'm older but unfortunatley that is no longer possible.
My mum's family are from the Isle of Whithorn. My grandparents were George and Ellen McIlwraith of Stannock Farm. Their children were, Ivie, John, Mary, Jean, Effie, George and Ellie. My cousin and his wife, Murray and Dorothy McIlwraith, still live in the Isle. The McIlwraith's go back many generations in the Isle of Whithorn.
This photo means a lot to me as my Mam Lexi Hudson (née Murray), used to take me down the docks and down the ledges where she learned to swim years earlier with the swimming club. I did learn to swim then as it was the only option to drowning!
Somebody just described the River Ching by the Hatch exactly as I remember it as a child. The sandy path running along up to the football club where I remember getting Jimmy Tarbuck's autograph at a charity event held there. The cottages in the forest were always a mystery to us...we used to imagine witches lived there! The Horseless Carriage replaced the Manor Pub I think, they always used to have an old fashioned ...see more
We loved the flics on a Saturday morning, mum got rid of us all for a few hours we got our sweets in the Mayfare sweet shop opporsite before going in. It was always 'cowboys and indians', that's why it was called 'the ranch'.Sometimes the film would snap - well it snapped a lot and when it did we would all bang our feet. It was great, you could hear it outside, great fun - I don't remember anybody getting thrown out. My ...see more
My dad, Cliff O'Dell, frequented the pub on a regular basis, he always had 'a few' and always ended up singing "Danny Boy". He had a garage called O'Dell Bros, on Eastbrook Road, where my brother Cliff worked, also our cousin Andrew. Cliff went to Canada in 1968 and Dad passed away in 1972. My mum, Eileen, came to live in Basildon around 1985, she passed away in 2004. The memories of our childhood in Dagenham have ...see more
Kinglsey Marsh was renamed when the marsh was drained after WW1 and became Kingsley Green. This is the Midhurst to Haslemere road looking towards Haslemere. Somewhere on the right was the turnpike collectors home which was demolished some years before this picture was taken.
This is a picture of Fernhurst crossroads looking towards Haslemere, up the hill. Vann Road is to the left and Church Road is to the right. The building on the right is the local Post Office and I believe the building with the Hovis notice was the local store. Further up the hill is a the Spread Eagle pub.
The white building with the large doorway is the Midland Bank, now HSBC. Behind the trees is the Town Hall and to the left of the trees is Lloyds Bank.
This shop is on the junction of West Street and the High Street, Haslemere. I recall this shop being a menswear shop, but it is now an Aga cook shop.
This picture is taken from the green between Tanners Lane and Church Lane looking towards Saint Bartholomews Church.
I can recall this building being a hotel, but it was converted into retirement homes many years ago. It is now called Redwood Manor.
My late father, Rowland Leslie Williams, served with the Royal Artillery as a driver during the second world war. He served, in particular, with a Scottish Commando Regiment, although he was Welsh not Scottish, and at 40+ years of age, what now would be considered a bit 'long in the tooth' for a commando. He took part in the Normandy D-Day landings but quickly suffered gunshot wounds and ...see more
The Haslemere Railway Station is the building on the right handside of the photo, on the left is the Haslemere Hotel, now known as the Inn On The Hill.
The car is parked outside the White Horse Hotel in Haslemere High Street, with the National Westminster Bank in the background.
This is a picture of Haslemere High Street looking towards the Town Hall in the centre of the photo.
This is a picture of the Petworth Road (formerly East Street), looking away from Haslemere High Street.
I lived at Benfieldside at the time the reservoir was being constructed and the lady next door (Mrs McKay) used to take in lodgers. One of the engineers working on the reservoir lived there for some time -.he worked for John Mowlem & Co. I have vivid memories of his gorgeous sports car, a soft top MGA in cream with red leather seats, which I hanker after to this day. He once took my friend and ...see more
I was born in 1952 and lived with my grandparents, mum and dad in Cross Whitehouse Row, Hunslet. When I was 6 months old we moved up across Hillidge Road to Ashbourne Street and then up to Belle Isle when I was about 4. It was a new house, the estates being built to replace the slum clearance that was taking place in Hunslet, athough I still went to St Joseph's School in Hunslet travelling by bus. We had a brand new house ...see more
I went to nursery school in the castle. We lived only 50 yards up the road in Loaning Road in the Munrospun factory. Number 3 Loaning Road belonged to Munrospun and my dad was the electrician and the house came with the job. There was a bomb shelter in the back garden that we played in daily. I walked to Craigentinny Primary with my brothers David and Brian. Went to the scouts in the church hall across from the ...see more
As a child my family lived on a farm about two miles from Hepple village. Like my 2 older brothers I attended the primary school at nearby Hepple. I started my school life there in August 1961 and remember being upset when my mother had to leave me behind, but my 2 older siblings were there to comfort me. Being a village school there was only one class of mixed ages from 5 to 9 yrs, at the age of nine ...see more
My sisters and I are Birchington born and bred and as far as I'm concerned growing up in Birchinton in the late fifties and early sixties was the best place in the world. My mum would collect my sisters from Sunday school and we would catch a bus from the square, usually the number 70 (a single decker coach in maroon and cream) then down to Minnis Bay - to be taken to the ice cream parlour as a real treat! ...see more
133 Clemintine Road, Layton - Charles Henry Darby his wife Laura Charlotte Woolston. He was a baker, he had daughters; Vera Frances and Gwendoline Phyllis and sons; Ernest Edward and Joseph William. They had connections with Emmanuals Church, Lea Bridge Road. Anyone knowing this family or any decendents, please get in touch. Thank you, Joann
I was born in north London in 1951. We moved to 3 Penzance Road when I was about 6 months old, I lived there until 1972. I remember Wallies van, buying broken biscuits from the shop in Petersfield Ave, playing runouts and tin tan tommy. Making carts out of pram wheels and going down Lemington Hill sitting on a skate with a book on it. I had 3 good friends throughout my school years which started at Mead Infant ...see more
My brother Tony and I lived with our grandparents Mr and Mrs Ford at 112 Watney Cottages. What a magical time we had, we knew all neighbours and doors were always open. We would collect the cows in for milking with grandad, and how the fresh milk tasted fantastic in the hot chocolate our nan would make. We collected conkers, chestnuts, blackberries and hazelnuts from the fields or lanes. I used to wind the ...see more
I was born at 72 High Street in 1939, my parents were Maisie and Harry Heatherley. Theodora Jenkins was my father's sister, my aunty Dosia (as I knew her). She was a lovely lady, I lived with her and uncle Tom in Bristol for a while after my Dad died in 1943. I remember the little school where Miss Pritchard taught - what a lovely place to be as a child.
What can I say, I have fond memories of the Royal Masonic School for boys. Some comments were very poor in my opionion. They were some of the happiest years of my life, with good friends in Latham House in the 50's Whybrow, Grimsby, John Taylor. I wonder how these good friends ended up in life? Vic Lawton
I am the current owner and restorer of the former Town Hall. It was originally called Whitehall and is now called Mossley Hall. The Palm House in the picture was removed, along with the stained glass Atrium over the staircase, in 1958, due to decay. I was told this by the borough engineer that ordered the works at the time. He was a nice chap, Scottish, by the name of Jim Bruce. He came to visit me in ...see more
I was brought up at Sandiacre and lived in Gas Street. I remember playing on Bouyant field and spending many a happy hour fishing for tiddlers in the canal and the Erewash. Ater leaving school, I worked at Bouyant, Lace Web and then Springfield Mills where I worked as a lace mender. My mam used to work at the Pencil factory and my dad worked at Taylor Brothers as a crane driver for many years. Often, on the way ...see more
I lived on Abbey Road at no.42. I went to Durnford Street School and was known as 'Bash Baker'. Anyone out there still? Does anyone know what happened to Sylvia Penny.
I remember going to see Lindisfarne live at the Catchgate live music venue. It was near christmas and the band had been to the USA on tour; they had a sax and trumpets on stage and were really good. I can remember a sit down meal that was not that good as there was a lot of people there. The catering was more like school meals, a bit sloppy and tasteless but Lindisfarne were fantastic and I never saw them ...see more
I lived in Medway Road from 1934-1956. I also remember the doodle bugs (as did Gordon Savage, I remember him), the dockyard heavy guns, and school. I was due to start school on the day war started and finally went to Richmond Road Infants two years later. All the teachers were evacuated with the local area evacuees so there was no one to teach us. I went for 1 hour, then 2 hours, an afternoon, and ...see more
The headmistress was utterly terrifying, I don't think she liked children very much! There were some lovely staff there, particularly Miss O'Connor (Maths) and Miss Williams (Latin and History) - she was as daft as a brush, but very kind and true. The gardener/handyman was a Mr Digweed! and the lovely Cook was Miss Evans - parents used to queue for her recipes. We were allowed to see our parents twice a ...see more
Hi, I was born in LLay north Wales in June 1939, three weeks later we moved to Walkden. The family joke was, I was the cause of the WW2. We lived at 67 Westminster Road, just down from where the monument was originaly located. Whilst I will concede there was a war going on my early recollections were of hiding under the table and under the stairs when 'gerry' was bombing. I also remember quite vividly telling the Yanky ...see more
I was a pupil at St Margaret's from about 1959 to 1963. My fondest memories are of the beautiful house and grounds, we were so priviliged to live there. One summer was so hot we were taken to swim in the river nearby, across the fields. In winter we played lacrosse and tennis and netball in summer and competed against other local girls schools. On Sundays, we walked to church along a track to the ...see more
My parents moved to the Becontree Estate in about 1926 and we eventually settled in Hedgemans Road overlooking the field near Talbot Road. In those days the council used to decorate a couple of rooms as well as keep the outside looking almost new and eventually they provided electricity. I can remember my mother pushing my brother in a pushchair with me hanging on walking down Hedgemans Road passing ...see more
Yes it's been confirmed; two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fly over Ely Cathedral at 1:45pm on Saturday 29th September in memory of all those, both servicemen and civilians, who served at RAF Ely Hospital during it's existence. I am holding an RAF Ely Hospital Reunion at the Lamb Hotel for my Dad and his friends who served at the hospital in the 1950's. Several people who served with my ...see more
My Granddad lived in the retirement bungalows by the lake at Harthill in the late 60s-early 70s. Can anyone remember the Bateman's with daughters Elsie, Beatrice and Dorothy. Beatrice, gave up so much when she met my Dad. He was struggling to bring up four children single handed in 1964, I was 18 months old with twin sisters of 4 and a brother of 6. What a marvellous women, to bring up someone elses children as ...see more
Remember when Mr Booth had the local papershop, he was a cracking bloke. Then later on Les Copley took over. There was Dick and Win Smith who had the spotted cow, always remember a no cuddling policy in there. My dad, John Knightley, worked behind the bar and they had some famous people come in, it was a place to live.
I remember Mr & Mrs Les Long and their daughter's Linda & Anne, they lived next door but one to my parents. Linda used to help me with my homework. I used to walk through the alley's to St Johns school in the early 60's.
I was born in the village of Etterby in January 47 which was one of the worst winters on record. Spent some of the happiest years of my life there playing and fishing by the river Eden with my friends; Ian Ballantine and John Mitchell, whose family had a small holding on land next to their house on Stainton Road. I also lived there at number 2 until we moved to Harraby when I was 7. My dad worked at the old power ...see more
Does any one remember going dancing on Sunday afternoon/evening at Suters in Slough High Street in 1960/61? Also dancing at the Adelphi ballroom where I learnt the Twist! My friend and I also used to travel on the 457(?) bus to Uxbridge to a dance above Burtons. Often Brian Poole and the Tremeloes would be playing there, it was a great venue.
I can remember going to the Allonby Sunshine Home as a very young boy, where an aunt and uncle were in charge but I cannot remember their names. I went there on a personal visit, not as a resident as I went with my grandmother Alice Lancaster from Workington (now deceased). I remember various children being there in a bright and airy room and they did not seem to be very happy. Does anyone have a recollection of people who were in charge round the mid 1950's?
We remember well Mr Arthur Harry Read telling us about his father Henry who was employed as gamekeeper at Brandon House. It was his inlaws who were last of the flintknappers. Henry was also gamekeeper at Kimberley Park, and raised his family in Thetford forest.
I have an old letter from a Miss P Hill who lived at Summerleaze Cottage in the mid sixties. Sadly, we lost touch. Does anyone know of Summerleaze Cottage, Wookey, please, or of Miss Hill? Thank you.
My great grandfather - John Stacey had the first petrol station on the A1 at Markham Moor. It was situated where the flags are on the photo. I have a photo of him stood outside the petrol station. He then sold the garage on to Mr Turner and started a threshing machine business. He bought land the other side of the buildings with flags in the photo and built a home. Before moving to Markham Moor, he spent all his ...see more
The formative years of my early childhood were spent at No. 39 Bondgate, Pontefract, which was one of a block of four small two-up, two-down houses situated immediately adjacent to the front entrance of Wilkinson's Liquorice Works. Our house was about three steps up from the pavement and enjoyed the luxury of a narrow strip of garden, possibly three yards deep. However, we ...see more
My first job on leaving school was at Smiths in Staveley. Recently found a diary I kept that year and my first take home pay was £25. I pressed the insides of the seams on arms of RAF jackets on what seemed like a conveyor belt that went on forever. Really did not like the job at all, same thing day in day out it was horrendous, not a good job to start working life. Smiths is no longer there. No idea when it was demolished.
I grew up in East Finchley and one of our family treats during the summer was trips to the 'outdoor pool' with my brother, sister, mother (Dad was usually at work), aunts and cousins from Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire. Usually as little ones we spent our time in the small pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Usually wearing our rubber rings we all learned to swim, and enjoyed our picnics on ...see more
As a small child I remember going to Wilkies fish shop in Western Road and from the counter you could see into their living room at the back. They had a huge fish tank filled with bright coloured fish and I felt very priviledged when Mr & Mrs Wilkie let me go into their living room to see the tank. I can also recall a shop called (I think) Maidments? Again in Western Road, the owner used to make fruit lollies ...see more
In the 1950's and 60's, Bank Villa belonged to Dr Dodds, in partnership with Dr Holroyd whose surgery was in Kirkby Malzeard. Dr Dodds' surgery was within Bank Villa. Dr Dodds was invalided out of the Royal Navy having served on the Russian convoy routes, which is why his wife Anne, who herself was the daughter of a senior Navy man, was always very supportive of the Lifeboat Service and fundraising in Masham. The ...see more
This photo, looking West South West shows the weir across the River Ure which serviced the former corn/flax(?) mill just downstream and on the far bank of the river. In the 1892 ordnance survey map, The Grotto described the wood named Grotto Plantation. At some stage in the 1920's a house was built there adjacent to the road, and named The Greens, and occupied by the Burrill family. In the 1930's, the weir was ...see more
The Bay Horse Inn would then likely belong to T & R Theakston Ltd, which became a limited company in 1905. Now, 2012, the pub belongs to Greene King plc. The chimney in the background belongs to Lightfoot's Brewery, Wellgarth Masham. The same scene today still has the chimney, but reduced by the top section, taken down before the 39/45 War. Halfway along Silver Street to the left, obscured by buildings, was ...see more
We moved in to number 13 after we got married. Our first visitor was unfortunately a policeman with a warrant for the previous owners arrest. I'm sure we were not alone in the house. We often used to hear an over the door type bell and were later told it used to be a sweetie shop. Something used to flit past the kitchen door which you would see out the corner of your eye, but never for long enough to say what it ...see more
On the same side as the Church was 73 Crown Road where I lived for a few years. My father had a builders yard at the end of the road on the corner, just before it turned into Staplehurst Road. I remember big yellow painted gates with the words R. E. Stone Builders. Anyone remember this?
I to went to live on a caravan site in Lanmaes as did other families.
My three children and myself were in Rhoose Camp in 63/64. I hated it, and the camp manager who was an ex-policeman, was a bully. Mothers had to put the children in bed and lock them in, and then go back up to the dining room. He would make smutty remarks. I got out in 6 months .
I was 3 years old when I was in Melba's Troupe. I was the smallest and Betty (Jones) Lane was the youngest, the only boy was Len Gair. I am still looking for photos of us. I was taken by my mother when I was 4/5 to the Empress, as my father was afternoons in the pit. My sister Phyllis was learning to dance by my mother (who could do any dance) so there was no baysitter for me, ...see more
My cousin Edna and her husband Walter, lived in 53 Avondale.
In 1958/59 my mother-in-law Elsie Pugh has been cleaning the toilets for several years in Trecco Bay together with her husband Albert. My husband Roy Griffiths also worked on the site. We got married in 1960 and went to live in Trecco Bay in 1961. Leslie Joseph owned it and Major Kelly and Tom Evans were the bosses and Ernie Tanner was the tractor driver. His wife was Beryl. The rest of Roy's family worked on the site, ...see more
My maternal family hail from Mountain Ash, my paternal from Ogmore Vale. I always spent my school holidays 'going home', as my nan would say.I loved it, and go back each year now. I loved the ice-cream shop (it was Italian) and nan always bought me a knickerbocker glory - yum! Never saw them in England. Nan also took me to see Laurel and Hardy films at a big hall. The pit was there then, and grandad O'keefe worked there. How I loved those days and Mountain Ash. Christine Budd, Marlow, Bucks.
My mother, Kathleen Cook in 1910, still has a photograph of Lexden Road gatehouse where a relative held position as porter.
My mother & father moved to london in 1958 for my dad to start work as a teacher. I was born in 1959 in Bangor (they brought me back home to be born), but from the age of 5(ish) I remember coming back to either Tyn Lon, where my mum's parents lived, or Groeslon every christmas, easter and the summer holidays. We stayed with my grandparents in Glan Gors and had many a happy holiday there. I remember going to church ...see more
My Uncle Andrew, was the head gardner for the Gestetner Paper Mill Grounds. He and my Auntie Mary (my dad's sister) lived in Kennet Village (Kilbagie). These houses were built by the Mill owner for the workers and they stayed in that house for over 40 years. I remember visiting that house and grounds while on vacation with my parents and my sister in August of '69. What a tiny wee place it was! My Uncle had ...see more
have just spent a wonderful hour looking through the photographs of Port Sunlight, they have brought back so many memories that are as clear as day still to me. I first came to live in the village with an aunt and uncle in1939 ,so of course the war years were quite prevellent in my experience. I lived in Greendale Road, near the junction with Bolton Road (number 72). It was opposite the tie bridge ...see more
I lived in Broomfield Road from l947 until I got married in l976 in this church. I also remember going to West Byfleet primary school and being in Mrs Crabbe's class with Miss Hey as headmistress. When in my early teens, I worked on Bentley's farm in the evenings with Marilyn Bailey.
I was at Mill Street Junior School until 1969, my first teacher was Miss Carefull and I remember a Mrs Reid too. I loved singing in the assemblies in the hall(?) across from the school. I also remember the tuck shop around the corner. The loos were outside and I remember playing marbles in the school yard. It was a very happy time, though I recall getting my mouth washed out with soap for saying "bloody". ...see more
My dad Harry Newbon, became the village bobby in 1956. We lived in the police house in Wellfield Road until 1964 - the happiest days of my young life. Attending the village school where the head was Mr Hayton. Does anyone remember the day the great gales blew the roof off their house and we were all sent home? Mr Harvey was the lollypop man, he was the grandad of my friend Elaine. Calling at Dickenson's shop ...see more
Marston Shelton CP and the bus coming to teach us to swim at Stewartby. Gardening on a Wednesday and get 6d for mowing the Head`s lawn. I played my only club football game on the old playing field for Marston Shelton Rovers 2nds - I turned up to watch and was told to get my kit on at 15, we lost 21 - 0 to SKEFCO(?) My mum still lives there and I can see it in my mind`s eye from the 50's. The 158 bus service was our lifeline.
My family lived in Gladstone Road, Micham opposite Terry Bull's coal yard and I can still hear the coal men calling "coal man, coal" as they left and returned to the yard. 'Uncle Terry' had a minor bird in his office, and boy did it know how to swear, 'Uncle Terry' was a lovely man and even bought us kids Christmas presents. On a Friday night the coalmen use to give me a ...see more
I lived and went the junior school from 1964 to August 1965, the school's headmaster was Mr Smart, he was a fantastic teacher. I then went to Alnwick Secondary Modern, the name I can't recall. I have such fantastic memories of Alnmouth; earning pocket money, caddying at Foxton golf course. I recall living in Riverside Road, my parents used the Sun Inn as their local. Few names I remember; Joanna Percy and a Mrs ...see more
Although I have never seen Newick, I am attracted to the village for two reasons: firstly the photographs look appealing, and secondly I have family roots there. I believe that the village church in Newick is where Edward Creasey married Mary Mackarell in 1668. Thats makes them my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents!
I grew up in Lower Church Street, next to the Pitlake ph. As kids we used to play all summer long in the park. By then the boating lake had been drained and it was just a big circular ditch with the island in the middle. The river was still there with, if I remember, three bridges crossing it. We used to go over the iron footbridge from Waddon New Road past the shelter on the right to the cabin for sweets and ices (by ...see more
Hello everybody, wish I had found this site years ago. My Grandparents Margaret and Christopher Clark, I believe were one of the first to move into 8 Buckingham Terrace in around 1909. He was a hewer at the coal mine, and a frequent visitor to the working mens club every night. My Aunt Nellie Clark lived in that house until her father died in 1959, when she was moved to the cottages. My Uncle, also called ...see more
I was born to Michael and Mary Murray (nee Williamson) at 79 Reather Street - a long terrace street running between Rochdale Road and Oldham Road about a mile and a half from the city centre. I remember going to Osborne Street public baths and washhouse with my mother on a Saturday morning and the corner shop on Reather Street., where my mother used to get groceries 'on tick' each week. I remember going to ...see more
I was brought up in Williams Close in Crescent Road in 1962-1983. At top our road there was a old gothic house which I was looked after in as a four year old by a lovley lady called Mrs Murphy. I always felt uneasy in that house, it had a bad feel about it. As the years rolled by the gothic house was left empty; at night time that house looked way scary. One summers day me and my mate, ...see more
I remember during the 1960's taking my pony to the blacksmith in Uppington,we lived at Eyton-on Severn then. We used to go along the cart tracks across the Beckamoors to Donnington, up past the Streffords farm to Beslow then along the bridle path to Uppington, coming out by the church. The blacksmiths shop was opposite the estate yard and I think is still there in one form or another. It was ...see more
Walked past this park every day on my way to secondary school between September 1974 and June 1979. I now love to walk round it with my grandson who is fascinated by the ducks and loves the play area.