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.
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Displaying Memories 19681 - 19760 of 36832 in total
The old showman's type caravan at the back of the field was owned by a Mr Palmer and was still on the site in 1970 when we left (the site was being sold). Mr Palmer had a small dinghy in which he used to go fishing out to sea, having launched from the beach with Mr Bishop from another van on the site. The boat could have been Bishop's, I'm not sure.
ref W400054. This photograph shows a Vauxhall Viva. I think this photo is dated between 1967-70, probably nearer 67 as the caravan seen centre left is my grandfather's and that partiucler van, a Marston, was not bought until 1967. The PO was run by Mr & Mrs Murphy. I spent most summer weekends and annual holidays at Walcott from 1957 to 1970.
I was one of three children of a soldier stationed at Bramley Army camp. I remember being taken to my first day at school in Bramley village school in 1930 and I refused to go through the school gate. Therefter I went on a school bus with my elder sister to Basingstoke, to Fairfield School, until I was nine years old. My father was discharged from the arrmy in 1934 when the whole family moved to York, North ...see more
I remember the person who broke his leg that day was Bernie Lowe as I was playing for the team Hound United against Netley FC on that pitch. I also remember your father as I played for them for a season with I think your brother Arthur. I played also for Netley Sports for a number of years and still come back now to the village. I have very fond memories of the village when to me it was the best place to live ...see more
The photo you show is exactly as I remember Pontardawe in the 1960s. I was born at 7 James Street in 1955 opposite Davies the ironmongers. Cherished momories I will never forget.
I went to Mitcham Grammar in the fifties, turning left out of the school gates you could walk up to a small parade of shops. There was a small grocery shop on the corner owned by a rather corpulent elderly man. He had a huge white goose (well it looked huge to us!) which always stood outside the shop and would go for us boys if we got anywhere near it. It usually looked a bit scruffy with a "fringe" rather dirty ...see more
I remember every summer visting my grandmother and family on my father's side, going up on the mountain and just having fun up there. To me it is a special place and always will be, even now as a grown women still visting family I still have to go to the mountains.
I live in Watford but I was born at 55 South Crescent in 1953, my mother's maiden name was Christlow, they moved to 16 Reginald Street. I remember visiting one time and my cousin Joe Lee used to play the bass drum in the colliery band and I went along to a practice session in the school playground in North Road. My uncle Norman Christlow used to have an allotment behind the picture ...see more
I spent quite a time at this hospital when I was a child, all the staff were very good. It was my second home, I went there when I was born in 1958 whth my angelical hip bone, I shall miss the old place.
I attended Warnham Court School in 1963 for 3 three years and loved every minute. I don't remember many names apart from Rita Dixon, Terry Ledane and some members of staff. Does anyone remember me?
I have many good memories of Daccombe and still go down there to this day clearing the rabbits for the farmers. It to me has to be the best village going. The people are so friendly and it's lovely to see everyone doing there own thing down there, whether it be horse riding, ploughing the fields to gardening etc. On the Daccombe to Cofetherfinswell road is a remarkable lady called Judy and she grows her own food ...see more
My aunt and uncle, Dot and Mick Perkins, ran the Commercial Inn, now renamed the Bishop John de Grandeson. I don't know when they took it over but they ran it for over 30 years. As a child my mum and dad, aunts, uncles and cousins all stopped at the Commercial for Christmas. I remember Mick's pigeon loft and loads of empty gin bottles stacked out the back of the pub. This is now a ...see more
In 1950 I was 12 years old and I remember going to Westy's sweet shop in Crownfield Road with our ration book to get sweets, and hopefully cigs for my mum. My dad was killed in 1942 near Mayville Road School. He was in the ARP and was killed when a Lancaster bomber crashed on his headquarters. I remember Walklins the bakers in Eytonstone High Road and Elstermacs the toy shop. For Christmas our ...see more
It's not a memory or not mine anyway, I'm hoping it might be yours...
I'm looking for information on my Great Grandad, Walter Payne, born around 1891, I think he originated from London, he married Kate Thompson and live in Cwmgorse. Any help please email me :)
Hi, I am wondering if anyone would possibly have a picture of this house, in World War Two, I don't even know the name of the house, but Percy Linden/Lynden lived in this during the war. His family was the owner of Fletts (not sure of the spelling) Sauce. I don't think he ever married, he had a dog called Jack, and when he use to come out the pub, he would often get ...see more
Can anyone tell me where the stone quarry was at Sheriff Hill? From 1944-1949 I lived at Springfield Place. My grandparents lived at Egremond Gardens. On the 1911 census my grand father and great-grandfather are living at Lilac House, Larne Crescent (not far from St. John's church). My great-grandfather is buried in St John's churchyard. Lilac House is private road so after a visit to Sheriff Hill, I found the ...see more
My name is Peter Smith. I have some wonderful memories of Ryde. The flying boats in East Cowes is one of them. The trams that ran through Ryde, before the underground stock was bought in from London. I remember being severly told off one day for stripping naked and jumping in the boating lake, bear in mind I was only about 7 or 8 I think, lol. I don't know if others would remember my gran, she worked in the ...see more
You caught newts in the reservoir, just off Greig Park....down at the trenches....apples and pears in the berries...an old garden down Haughmill Lane...who remembers the barrel bridge....and the tennis courts?
As a young child mother would always take me to Barnsley where she'd do most of the shopping. Barnsley may have been something of a rundown town but one could always have a bargain. There in the old market was Oatfields caravan which would have been a three berth, but it was gutted on the inside with forms to sit on. Nearest to the door was a small cramped kitchen and bar. Oatfields would serve home-made mince ...see more
My gran stayed in a wee cottage across from Kinears (the grocer), used to play rounders at auld beenie Aggie's front door. Play areas were the lintholes, the wells green, the mear, swam in the summer after building a dam at the bridge over the back burn. Other gran / grandad owned the ice cream shop on the corner at Windygates (bottom galles )...want to know more?
I do think this picture could be a lot earlier than 1955. I think this Aylesbury road, heading down into Risborough. The St.George playing field, being on the right behind the hedge. The houses in the distant right, are down Longwick road I believe.
My grandmother was in service in a house in Saltwood. I have been trying for years to locate it but to no avail. All I know is the address is: Whythenshaw, Saltwood, Kent. I am assuming it was a house but it may not have been. If anyone can help solve the puzzle it would be very much appreciated.
I can vaguely remember Les Walker catching a big salmon in Rock Dub although I'm not so sure of the year. Lots of salmon were caught in those days, it was a great river until the water authority ruined it by over extraction at Ennerdale. I myself witnessed a kill of millions of smolts and parr just below the temporary extraction pumps at the lake sometime in the 1960s. But back in the good old days I once caught ...see more
I was born in 1967 in Tipton. I lived close to Victoria Park and have fond memories of sitting on the witch's hat swing which when looking back was sooo dangerous but fun. The metalic slide, made slippy from greased bread wrapping papers, was almost far too dangerous for a young child, and my mother remembers having to sit me on her lap to slide me down. We fed the ducks and the pond wasnt fenced off and mum was ...see more
I and a few other chidren were sent from Portsmouth authorities to this school which was for malajusted children. Mr Benions was the principle and it was run on the lines of a Rudolf Steiner School. We had no schooling and were made to work scrubbing and cleaning all day. The punishments were tremendous. We tried to get letters out to tell our parents but they were all censored. When Portsmouth Authorities found ...see more
Born in 1936 at Blackhall Rocks. Went to junior school at Blackhall Colliery and then to Henry Smith at Hartlepool. Nana used to live in Third Street (Graham) with my 3 uncles (Thomas, Jack and Stanley). I have very fond memories of this period of my life and going to Crimdon Dene for days out and to play on the beach and in the caves at Blackhall Rocks. Lived in Poplar Avenue until I was 17 and then a career and the big wide world!
To left of the bus is the bakers.
I grew up in Huntingdon, I remember the old town back then, Okendens, almost across from the George Hotel, and Wyles the shoe shop. It was a nice town. I remember the jumble sales held in all the churches were exciting events, and the old cinema, I miss the old town a lot, I have good memories. I remember the Cromwell Cafe which was owned by Greeks and had great food, my school mates would meet ...see more
In 1954 I was 10 and went to the junior school in Horden, then moved on to the Secondary Modern, where I learnt to play the violin, the music teacher was Mr Neal and the head master was Mr James. After leaving school I went down the mines which was the only option then. I was brought up by my grandparents, Peter and Lisa Rowland. In 1960 I left the pit and joined the DLI as a musician, I stayed in the army ...see more
I was born in what used to be the Aldersbrook Maternity Home and lived in Shakespeare Crescent, Manor Park until my parents moved in 1983 to a flat in Aldersbrook which had been the maternity home - talk about coming full circle! I have so many memories of East Ham it's hard to know where to start. I went to East Ham Girls' Grammar School in 1964 and had a wonderful education from great teachers such as ...see more
I worked in the Buying sction of W. T. Henleys as a Clerk for about two years before leaving to join another cable manufactring company at Leatherhead. I remember there being a very fine staircase in the building.
I started work for the first time on 31st December 1946 as a messenger in the Bridge Section of the Chief Civil Engineers Department of the Southern Railway. Our offices were situated on the whole of the top floor of the building. Then on the 1st January 1947 the railways were nationalised and I worked for the Railway Executive at Deepedene until I was called up for National Service in 1951.
My wife and I were married in this church on the 30th March 1957. I had spent most of the first twenty five years as a Sunday School member and later as a full member of the Methodist Church.
Leadgate will always be in my heart. Some of my happiest times spent in Geordie's cafe and playing football on a Sunday afternoon with some of the best lads ever. Silky, Tommy and Malcom Coates, Hat.(Kev Calcutt), Gats (Alan Robertson) tragically killed at the Iveston along with Cogy (Davy Calvert) in the early 1970s. Does anyone remember Little Willy who used to go in the cafe. I remember having my ...see more
Born in Wimbledon 1950, I lived in Trevelyan Road in Tooting until I was 10 when we moved to South Lambeth. My nan lived behind the Granada in Tooting and she cleaned there. She lived in Bickley Street. I went to Sellincourt Road School, buying sweets etc from Mrs Alexander's shop which was next door to Bernard Say's shop on the way to and from school. Mrs Alexander's husband also repaired shoes at the ...see more
My mother Janet Ravens, and her sister Gweneth, lived in South Woodford from 1943 to around 1958. I am researching her family tree and also trying to get together photos of the time in the places she lived. (She turns 70 next year). Also, I am trying to trace her cousin, Brenda Ravens, who was a couple of years older, who had a daughter Jane Kearney, who has probably long since married, she would be 48 ...see more
I was born in Vicarage Road and went to Rainsford Way Primary School. This was near the Hornchurch Bus Garage and us boys would watch the big red Routemaster buses swinging round in that tight space with screeching tyres.
We used to play in the streets or have dens in our gardens. We would climb trees in Harrow Lodge Park and get chased by the Parky. We had to keep a look out for the Teds, who would ...see more
My father, Alexis Alfred Hare, was born at 88 Sizewell Road Leiston in 1916. He lived there with his parents Marmaduke and Kathleen and his brother Alec. He was an apprentice printer for the local newspaper. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers them. Thank you.
This little girl could be me! I spent many happy hours playing with my model boat here, while visiting my grandmother, Ruth Knowles from Fawcett Road in the town. What happy memories!
My father was born in 1916 at 88 Sizewell Road Leiston, and lived there with his parents Marmaduke and Kathleen and brother Alec. He was apprenticed as a printer in Leiston I believe. His grandmother lived in Sizewell. I would love to hear from anybody who has any memories of these people. Thank you.
I would like a photo of the old Bath House at Neyland. If anyone has any old pictures which I could have copies from I would be grateful. garry.thomas@talk21.com
Garry Thomas
Robert Benson, also known as Toby, left his Manchester home in June 1901 and came to Lambourn to be a jockey. He was apprenticed to Captain Ossie Bell at York House, but was sacked for giving racing tips to punters. He had some involvement with the training of the 1928 Derby winner, Felstead, so must have been back with Captain Bell at that time. He never did become a jockey. In 1911 he lived ...see more
I remember the small apple orchard at the bottom of Church Road near the school, climbing over the fence and scrumping and filling my pockets, then getting back over the fence and with horror seeing the farmer (Mr Chaplin) coming round the corner with his 12 bore shot gun over his arm, he looked like Charlie Chaplin in a old black suit and hat, he gave me a look and I ran for my life dropping most of the apples in flight. Memories from Gerry Andress.
We lived in Belfast and our summer holidays were in Portrush. My father was a pianist and his dance band played the summer season at the Seabank Hotel. I and my sister remember playing on the beach at The Arcadia as this was a safe beach. Barry's amusement arcade was visited frequently as the weather was usually wet and cold. We would get on the beach and make a dash for the water and get out again in a ...see more
I remember Hogarth Close going up - it seemed out of place as all the rest of Bower Way was bungalows or modest 2-storey houses but with good-sized gardens. This was different - small gardens and lots of 3-storey buildings. I seem to remember it was built on the site of 2 big houses?
I remember going to school in the village. My family were all from the village and worked for JCB, maybe someone knows my family, the Tompkinsons. It would be nice to heare from someone who knows them or relatives, as I have not been back for 20 years.
I was caned regularly by Mr Bowls. My mother came to see once and saw the welt marks on the back of my legs and another lad called David Hyde, she went down to his house and tried dragging the matron out, the matron was screaming out that Bowls was in his office. My mam barged in and set about him, me and David Hyde ran down to the office and the coward Bowls was cowering down on the floor with his glasses ...see more
I attended St Andrew's school in the 1960s (next to the church), I sang in the church choir when we had school assembly at the church every Wednesday and Mr Brooked played the fabulous organ. We also played in the churchyard too as it was for a long time our playground. We went on nature walks in the churchyard with our teacher, and loved the countryside we found there. Once we lost our class guinea pig inside a grave ...see more
Situation of Farm: Glebe Farm was situated in the centre of Brough approached along a track off the Fosse Way,,the A46 and approximately 3 miles north of Newark.. About 800mt away was the very busy war time Winthorpe aerodrome. My association with the farm was through a family relationship; Mr and Mrs L E Stephenson, uncle and aunt, together with their son. They were tenants of the property, ...see more
I enjoyed the memories of Burrow Hill School. I worked there for a few years in the new school as a Housemaster. This was in the new school, which housed 140 boys. At that time is was run by the L.C.C. and headmaster was Mr. Churchill. Later it was a private boys school but sadly became redundant.
At that time we had a Scout Troop and an Army cadet force. Happy days.
Many happy years playing in Grange Wood and surrounding fields and walking through the fields up to Acton Bridge. Picnics with jam butties and water. Bike rides up to Cuddington and Hartford. Long summer holidays when the tar melted on the roads and scraping the top of my big toes with those rubber flipflops they used to sell in Woolies. McNeals sweet shop at the bottom of Forest Street and the old Co-op with really high counters. It's so sad how things are now
I was born in Thornley in 1949 and attended St Godric's until I was 15. I remember Thornley as a community that went through good times and bad. When the pit closed it affected everybody, shops closed and young people moved to Peter Lee. Reading Ken Orton's memories brought a lot back to me, I knew Ken and Tom as a youth, among a lot of others. When I was 21 I married a local girl, Doreen Bell, who sadly ...see more
These memories really are 1944 to about 1953.
The corner shop by the church was a favourite as they used to sell home made toffee when sweets were on ration. One character I can still see was Mr White the baker being taken home in his trap by his horse after a lunch time visit to the pub at the end of his day's deliveries. Once the war ended we used to have great Guy Fawkes bonfire nights in the garden at ...see more
My husband Stephen Peace attended your school around the mid 1960s. Does anyone remembers him?
I remember my father speaking about Woodford Bridge and High Road, Woodford. His name was Clarence Harris Bickers and together with my mother we all lived at 52 St. Ronan's Crescent. When we were bombed my father lost a leg and I was injured, we then moved away to live with the family of my mother's uncle in High Wycombe, Bucks. My father's uncle, William Benjamin Bickers, lived in Snakes Lane, ...see more
I am looking for anyone who might have gone to school with my Mom, Agnes or my Aunt, Eleanor. They were placed in care around 1928 or 1929 due to financial difficulties in their family. Initially they were separated because my aunt was very young, but eventually they were reunited. Their last name was Fennelly. I believe they stayed there until they aged out. I hope someone can help me. Lois
My name is Roland Mitchell. I worked at Walton colliery as a haulage hand. I worked alongside Percy Heckles, Alan Jennings, Phillip Casgoin and Phillip Redmond and a young lad by the name of George Bernard Shaw. We would take supplies up the tailgate of Berkwood. The tailgate was uneven and also had a very low roof where one would crouch down and walk for fifty yards. The haulage engine driver ...see more
Life started for me in 1948 in Lower Upham, we moved to Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh around 1952. My older brother and two sisters were going to North Sonehan School so that's where I went, there were two teachers, a Mrs Payne and a Mrs Parker. We did all sorts of things including country dancing, going to the one hand clock church to do brass rubbings, once a year there was a country fete where ...see more
I believe my mother worked at Balgranach, Betty Robb, does anybody have any memories of her?
Dose anyone have any memories about my mother Betty Robb who lived at Sauchen at Waterridgemuir Cottage?
Does anybody have any memories to share about my mother? She lived at Waterridgemuir Cottage, Sauchen. I am hoping there may be someone who may have some relatives that may remember her, she was called Betty Robb, this may be as far back as 1940.
My grandfather who was Claud Andrews owned and ran the butchers shop nextdoor to Pratleys. I am looking to see if there are any old photos of his shop.
I was born in Colesmead Road Redhill, one of seven children. I had a wonderful childhood with fantastic parents, relatives and friends and even the school teachers from Merstham Primary and Bishop Simpson C/E. I am Helen and my maiden name was Coombs, born in 1952. Dad worked at Fullers Earth and he and mum and us were all involved with the British Legion in Redhill. Lovely dances, all age groups ...see more
I arrived in Otley in October 1947 as a member of R.E.M.E. My recollection is vague, as I was only there for two or three weeks in what was known as a Holding and Mobilizing camp for troops prior to, or returning from, overseas. The camp was on the side of a hill in Nissen (not Nissan) huts which were bitterly cold and we slept with our uniforms on. While waiting for reassignment, our days consisted of parading on the ...see more
I moved to Melville Street, Castleton in 1956 at the age of 9. I went to Cassie council school, learnt to swim at Castleton baths taught by Ted Murphy, taken there from school by Pop Wright. Castleton was a nice place to live then, not like today with its drug and yob culture. Spent many happy hours playing on the rec and horse riding at Schofields stables. Fell in love with Angela Carter from no 33 ...see more
The bus terminus for Warrington was in Ferry Lane opposite the Pickering Arms. From memory I think it was the 10A one. It was always a double decker.
The single decker one went through Thelwall village centre and up Bell Lane on to the top road, Stockport Road to Altrincham. I lived in Bell Lane but there was no bus stop in between the Pickering Arms and Stockport Road.
I also attended dance classes in the ...see more
I used to live in Bell Lane from when my parents moved there aroudn 1960 and moved out in 1977. This corner was known as Rachel's Corner and it was said that Bell Cottage was haunted. Rachel hanged herself on a tree after her lover didn't return - from where I don't know, the stories changed so much...
I used to play here when I was a child of 11. We used to run and down that wonderful spiral staircase and read all the names and dates that people had scratched on the brick work over the centuries on the first floor. This was back in 1951. I used to go back every year to see the old place. The last time I saw it was in 2010. Terrible damage had been done to the building, sucj a shame, and that damn airport coming closer ...see more
In the latter part of 1959 my father John Maile established himself in business at 37 High Street, Chislehurst, selling wallpaper, paint and Wolf power tools. This site formerly traded as Bowmans Bakery. When the shop was being refurbished prior to my father taking over, he produced and installed an innovative suspended ceiling that created quite a stir with the locals. Indeed, the ...see more
Ahhh Good old Totting... I was born in Rookstone Road in 1949. I went to Sellincourt School about 1955-ish, my memory is not that good! When I was at school Mr. Roberts was the headmaster and he was great. School meals were great in those days, better than what we got at home most times (I still hate stew) except for the sunday roast. Home had no running hot water hot bath (once a week) was in a tin bath in ...see more
My grandfather, W R Edwards moved into Manchester House from Tal y Bont in the Conwy valley with his family, a wife and 4 children around 1910. He ran the grocery business from the shop also dedelivered groceries to the local inhabitants, having to negotiate the steep streets! My mother, his 3rd child, took my sister and I to Gerlan in the late 1940s and early 1950s to visit my grandparents. I ...see more
My father was stationed at Alcombury and we were lucky to live with the Hunt family in a manor house. Mr. Hunt worked at the school. I went to school in Bedford as a weekly boarder. The Hunts' daughter was my friend and we use to explore all over the village. The 2 big things I remember as a 9 year old was the sweet shop and the smells of the fish and meat on High Street. I loved living there. Wish I could find the Hunts.
I'm trying to find my Grandma's grave, can anyone help please? She was Annie Bell (nee Robson) and lived at 61 Devonshire Street in 1951. She was 50 when she died on 6 February, 1951 and had chronic bronchitis which is what she died from. Her family had a pet shop in Gateshead (in the High St I think and it would probably be under her family's name of Robson, unless of course the family ...see more
My parents moved to Heston in 1954, I was one. My uncle owned Heston Garage, his name was Bill Biggs, he lived above the garage for a while before building and living in the Bungalow next door. My sister and I went to Norwood Green Infants & Junior School. We went swimming at Heston Baths, played in Heston Park on the swings and putting green. I went to Heston Secondary Modern School, my sister ...see more
I was at St Luke's School from 1944 to 1954. My name is Barry Jones, if any one remembers me I would like to hear from them. I used to live on Lancaster Road. After I left school we used to go to Mortons on the height on Sunday afternoons for hot Vimto, then in the evening go to the Ellesnere cinema.
I'm sure Barnet Cinema is well remembered, but I cannot find any photograph of it. Another building that I recall is GOTHIC HOUSE which stood at the top of Baker's Hill and overlooked Clifford Road golf course and the Northen railway line. It was a large mansion which was requisitioned to Reuters News. My mother worked there just after WW2 and I roamed freely around the house and grounds. The ...see more
I was christened in the parish church around 1955/56. They used to send you a postcard every year until you were 5 years old to remind you of the event - unfortunately having moved several times during my life I no longer have them.
My brother also got married there in 1959 and I was a pageboy!!
I used to walk through the graveyard every day on my way to work in the Post Office in Church Street or the sorting office in Southbury Road in the 1970s.
Does anyone remember the gate at the back of 17 Spencer Park leading to the garden? Does anyone recall when the gate was bricked up and whether people used it to access the garden beforehand? If so, please post a reply to this message. I look forward to hearing from you!
Between 1926-36 my grandfather's family lived on an ex WW1 motor launch, known as the ML106, which was moored off Bursledon. My aunt recalls that they were the only ML moored mid river between the bridges, certainly in the early days. "We were moored fore and aft and facing down stream. We had 2 pontoons, 2 dinghies and later on a small motor boat that Dad acquired so that we could cruise up and ...see more
Carol Collins, nee Bass. We often had the cows come in our back garden in the 1950s, they used to walk them to market.
