Recent Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
...and hundreds more!
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Displaying Memories 22801 - 22880 of 36828 in total
I was 10 years old, and had lived at 62, Esp Lane, but now live at 5 Sackville Street. I loved life, school, elderly neighbours, friends that lived on Colne Road, Cavendish Street, and Sackville Street. I remember Kathleen Earnshaw, Howard Dixon and I used to go for walks up Folly Lane, there were meadows on each side back then, and lots of conker trees. I remember we saw a calf being ...see more
After my training as a Fireman I was posted to Hendon Blue Watch who were a great bunch of guys but notorious for their practical jokes! We had many a pint in the Greyhound and the Chequers, after work.
Bye for now,
Jim Rabbitts.
Growing up and the family - Part 1
My grandfather William Morgan Cockram (son of Lewis Cockram) and grandmother (Mary Cockram) (granny and grandpa Cockram) took over the ironmongers after the death of John Richards. They were living behind the shop when I was growing up. I remember the shop very well. It was not a very busy shop – I remember my grandmother in the living room at the back of the shop ...see more
Parc Slip Exposion – 26th August 1892 and-My memories of home life and school
On the morning of Friday the 26th August 1892 an explosion occurred at Parc Slip Colliery, The Fountain, Aberkenfig, near Bridgend in which my (Catherine Delahay’s) great grandfather Lewis Cockram aged 28 was killed together with his three brothers, George, John & Thomas Cockram. They were the ...see more
My paternal grandfather John Routledge was from little Bampton. He had a horse called Tam o' Shanter which was a sulky trotter named after the local pub. I would love to find out more about him.
My grandad lived in Sharnford as a young boy and young man before he married my grandma. I know nothing about him or the family or where he lived. Can anyone help.
Arthur and Sarah Chamberlain lived in this village in the 1900 to at least 1940. They had 9 children, maybe more. My mother, Olive Eunice Chamberlain, was the youngest. She died when I was seven so I have no memories or information about her, her past or my grandparents and thier family. There are no photgraphs that I know of, so if there is anyone out there that can help me I would be really grateful.
I've just recently started to build my family tree and my family on my maternal side comes from Garnant, South Wales. My mother's name was Olive Nora Dicks, she was born in Garnant in 1924, she had one sister and one brother, their names were Sarah Mona and David Victor. Her mother's family name was Davies and her parents were David and Sarah Davies. David Davies was a shopkeeper and ...see more
It was one of the greatest years ever. The area is beautiful and the school grounds are spectacular. I've located many former classmates...mostly everyone except for Jerrilynn Rhoades. Jerri, if you see this please contact me. Many of us are on Facebook.
Our Fuller family has its origins in Methwold and Methwold Hythe, back as far as records go and up until the 1930s. Many other good old Methwold names like Wortley, Dusgate, Riches, Rolfe, Royal and Simons cross into the line through marriage.
Please take a look at our website,if you have a connection or are just interested.
https://sites.google.com/site/methwoldhythe/
You are welcome to leave ...see more
I now live in Lincolnshire but my father and family are native to Weston Rhyn and many family members still live in the area.
I spent many happy holidays in Weston Rhyn as a schoolboy, I stayed at my aunt's house in Rhoswiel just by the canal and would pop across to the local shop run by Mrs Slaughter for sweets etc, or sometimes I stayed at my gran's house (Mrs Williams) at Station Cottages ( They used ...see more
We too lived on this street, half-way down on the left in fact. I remember the Spicers, I used to babysit Christopher.
Whether it was 1965 or a year or two later, I'm not sure. Again all of us used to swim here in the summer holidays, when the college was closed. It was near sunset and we'd dried and changed in the orangery to the rear. We were sitting on the steps watching a film crew setting up where the cameraman of this photo was standing. Intrigued, we hung around waiting to see what happened. Eventually several actors were ...see more
Ah this rear 3/4 view of the big house stirs some memories. We (the estate children) would often congregate on the lawn here mainly during long heady summer evenings. It was actually an old tennis court, the lines then still being visible. Below we believed were the "dungeons" where German pow's were housed during the Second World War. It was here I had my first (or maybe second) spooky experience. I shall reveal that in my Trent Park memoirs elsewhere.
I lived in No 2 Shabden Cottages with my mother and grandfather. Our name then was Wood. I was 6 years old in 1952 and this is my memory. The shops on the left of the road were: the newsagent/sweet shop run by Mr & Mrs Butcher. They had a daughter, Shirley. Mr Bradshaw's shop was originally back further, together with Mr Chiverton's shoemenders shed. On the far end, where there are now houses, were the hardware ...see more
Lowfield Heath School. 21 pupils. Head Teacher, Miss Ryde, and assistant Miss Ivy Walder. Miss Walder later married Bob Riley. Where are some other pupils now? I remember Margaret Dudman, David Slaughter, Barbara Banks, Brenda Cheal. Later on the Old Tyme dances at the W.I. hut. Has anyone got old photos of those?
Further south on the A23 the Ventura Cafe, and of course the Blue Pencil Cafe.
I could ...see more
Hi there, I am writing from BBC London looking for peope who lived at the Racecourse estate. It's for a short history film we a putting together for May. I'd like to hear youre stories and if you'd be interested in getting involved? If so can you contact me on: www.katy.dartford@bbc.co.uk / 0207 765 0231 Thanks katy
In 1956 I went to Harcombe House as a boarder. Mrs Jowett was in charge of us - 52 girls. Crocket did the gardens and lived in a cottage on the lane, as did cook. Matron and the housemistress, Miss Haytor, lived in. The house cat was called Whitey - a poorly creature with scabby ears. We walked into Lyme Regis each day to attend Lyme Regis Grammar, and back in the evenings. I'd never been so happy, ...see more
I live at Haccombe House now and would love to know more infomation on its past. If more photos are available that would be great as we have them up around the House!
With my newly obtained lawyer´s degree and after joining a British bank based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I was sent to London, to follow an international training course of one year, along with my wife Rosemarie and our one year old daughter Cecilia. It was my first time in the UK and one of the things which I had decided to do was to visit Car Colston, the birthplace of my gt-grandfather, Prof. Albert Euerby ...see more
My name is now Marie Moore but my maiden name was Jeeves. Memories of Cayton Bay 1960s to 70s will stay with me forever, my nannan, mam and her 2 sisters all had their own caravans on Wallis's Holiday Camp, our caravan number was 224, it was on the top field across from the big house on the corner of Cayton Lane then but later got moved further down the field for some reason, mam and her sisters were all next to ...see more
My young years from the age of 5 to 19 were spent in Tintinhull. I had a very happy time there going to a very good school (I remember Mrs Bradbury). I used to have great fun with our village carnival which was always a great success. When I was older I belonged to the village drama group which was most enjoyable and which I was so proud to be a part of. In 1967 I came back to Tintinhull to live with my 2 children ...see more
My dad Raymond Washington went to this school, he said he had some happy memories but remembers the school being closed due to scarlet fever, he was the first to get it then they closed the school, he was sent to Hinckley Hospital.
My great-grandfather I found out worked on the Blockley railway line, this was a great history find for me. After thinking that he worked on the land around blockley, I found my listing wrong. But just knowing what he did back in 1800s is a great result for me and my family history file for my family. As for his wife I still am not sure what work she did, but in them days the ladies stayed home and did the child ...see more
My great-grandparents, Herbert and Edith Cornish, were the landlords of this public house in the 1930s.
Fireworks night as a five yearold 1944, outside Smith the bakers.
Researching through census records I have found that my great grandfather George Toyne was born in Tetford in 1829. He married a Mary Richardson who came from somewhere called Gautby. The then lived at Old Bolingbroke for many years after this. If anyone has done any research and found the name Toyne in records of Tetford I would be pleased to hear of it as I am looking to see if I can go back to find his parents and any siblings.
I remember the day we moved to Rookery Cottages, Trent Park. A fine warm spring day. I had just turned 7 years old and the date was 7th May 1959. At least I'm sure it was the seventh. Dad opened the door and the smell of dust and suchlike filled the air.
The cottage stood close to a big reddish coloured building which I learned was the gymnasium for the college. Opposite a large steel clad building ...see more
My great-grandfather - John William Lord - was licensee at the Flowery Field from about 1917 until well into the 1920s. My grandmother had her wedding reception at the pub in October 1919.
Grandma (Emily Lord) was a bit of a local celebrity in that she was one of the first 14 women to serve in France during the First World War - leaving for France in March 1917. Emily was decorated for valour during the bombing ...see more
My family lived in and around South Ockendon for many years. I was born in 1965 in Romford. I went to Shaw County Primary School from aged 4, then to Lennards for years 1 and 2 finally at Culverhouse until I left school in the eighties. I have some really good memories of Ockendon, sad too as my Dad passed away while we lived there - which changed the course of my life. I can remember so vividly being at ...see more
I was born in Kensington Road in 1954 to Derek and Reki Smith and was one of four children. We moved away in 1960`s but always returned as my grandparents all lived there. My dad's parents were Reg and Ida Smith (nee Cutts) who lived their married life in Stradbroke Road, Pakefield. Mum`s grandad was Frederick Bezant and her mum was Edna Jamieson (nee Bezant) who then remarried and was Edna Dines, they lived in Windsor ...see more
Ref to the pay day. I remember a full room and locker inspection in the morning before Wednesday pay.
Head girls Thrybergh comprehensive 1965 to 1975.
I was born in Recreation Close - a tiny 1 bedroom maisonette at the bottom of Wide Way. My Grandparents lived in Greenwood Road just around the corner. In June 1944, during the Second World War, a doodle bug exploded on the shelter killing my grandmother, and I think, 6 other people in the road. Their names are recorded in a book of rememberance in Westminster Abbey which I visited recently. Anyway, in 1946 my ...see more
Mum and Dad (Roy and Joan) were the landlords of the Rose and Crown which is the white building in the middle of this picture. I was 14 at the time and Sarah my sister was 6. The pub also had a birthday while we were there 300 years (built 1661). The living accommodation was basic and the toilet was an outside shed and bucket but there was a flush job for the customers across the yard, I used that! We didn't have ...see more
In 1968 my Dad became the Post Master for Woolavington and with Mum ran the PO and the stores until 1973/4. I have so many memories... the school (Mrs Hardcastle and Mr Moncrief) and the village, the farms and our neighbour taking potshots at us as we 'borrowed' apples from his trees! I was 8 when we moved in and found it difficult to settle to 'country' life - coming from the bustling metro ...see more
Last year I visited the place in search for memories of my old folks. I came from Argentina, my country, and stayed at Cheviot View B & B run by Dean & Kay Wilkinson, lovely people, located in close by Powburn village. The story has that some almost two hundred years ago my gt gt gd father, Mr James G. Davison who had been born at the above mentioned farm came to South America and never went back to UK ...see more
The photo of Minster Way is of the prefab where I was born.
I would be grateful for any information, photos or transcriptions from tombstones of the Crockford family; in particular any related to Harry Crockford and his 17 children. He was born about Sept 1852 Petersfield (East Meon) died between Apr & Jun 1942 Sodbury, Gloucestershire. He married Hannah Kent, Feb 1873 Langrish, Hamps. Harry, wife Hannah, and son Vincent Greystone Crockford were buried at ...see more
I remember the church in the background of this photo, my mother and father and brother are all buried there now and I'll be visiting in May 2011, with my close friend Maxine. I used to remember a small bungalow there called Eastveiw in Kelsale. I also remember a gentelman named John White from the 1950s. I would like to say I'm aged 77 and loved looking at these old photos from where I grew up, it brought back many ...see more
I am writing to say at last I've found a photo of what I believe to be what I knew as Taxal Edge Convalescent home for children with chest problems, I was there in 1959 for 4 months. The home was used for children from Manchester, Liverpool Ashton Under Lyme and other areas, but I was accepted from Yorkshire as I was in need of urgent convalesence, I remember Mrs Griffiths the cook, Dr Brown Miss Shakeshaft, Mr & Mrs ...see more
My wife and I were married on the 31/12/60, our wedding took place at St. John's Church, Balby, which is approximately half a mile from the Dell Cafe.The Dell Cafe was the chosen venue for the wedding reception. We decided to visit the location on the day we celebrated our Golden Wedding. Although the Dell Cafe is no longer there, its original location in the grounds of Hexthorpe Flatts can be ...see more
I was born in 6 Hedgefield View, Dudley on 4th January 1947, this is where my life's journey started and at 5 years of age I attended the junior school, then the secondary modern (or the big school as it was known locally), leaving in 1961. Growing up was a very eventful process and I recall many happy times as well as many not so happy times. At the big school there were many teachers who stood out but none more so than ...see more
I started work as an Hotel Receptionist at the Runnacleave Hotel on the 16th May 1970 and spent four wonderful summers there. It was my first time away from home and a bit daunting at first, but with the kindness and help of Anita Roberts, the owner, it became my home for the nest four seasons. I have so many memories of that lovely hotel, all the people I met and all the fun we had. Just a pity it is now a ...see more
I was born in the village in 1934, my grandfather Edgar Edwin Budge had Bremhill Grove Farm, we lived in the cottage attached to the farmhouse. I and my sister Janet went to the local school, where Miss Tavener was my teacher, Miss Simper was the head. We used to go to the local Sunday School and events in the village hall. In about 1942/43 my grandfather had foot and mouth on his farm when all his animals had to ...see more
I lived in the first house opposite the church, before we moved to Australia in 1963. Next door lived Dr Adenbrook (I think), next to the church lived the Hoods in the now college, mum worked for a Brenda & Bryan Mullens who lived down the lane. Dad worked for the Davis's who have 3 sons (could be more). I remember Christopher (who drowned in an accident, he was in the Army), Roger and I think Tommy, ...see more
I remember as a 16 year old that I was a patient in the Lord Mayor Treloars Hospital, ward 1. I was considered to be a long term patient who was having knee surgery. I had to stay in bed for six weeks, only allowed out when the beds were changed or made. I always remember being pushed to the operating rooms along an open air walkway and as I was laid on the trolley I remember looking up at ...see more
So many memories.....so village 'elders' got together to document their memories lest they be lost forever. The result is a book of 120 pages and 300 photographs of people, places and events. A unique record of which only a few copies remain unsold. Please contact me by email if you would like further information.
One of my earliest memories was of falling in the dyke with my best dress on, I was around 18 months old and on Mrs Smith site which I think was close to Dover Lodge. I remember the delicious milk from Wrigglesworths which had red writing on and a picture of a cow on the bottle and a red top. After the dyke incident we moved to Thornfield. I have very fond memories of this site. I was friends with Margaret ...see more
I grew up and played around the Welfare Hall,r ows of pit houses were situated behind it, Pretoria Street, Earle Street, Kimberly Street. We would watch the shows in the Welfare put on by the Featherstone ADS, and I attended the youth club there. We would play cricket and rugby on the "reza" at the top of Pretoria Street, we played on the pit stacks and around Ackton, there were lovely walks to Old Snydale. I ...see more
My sister and I would be given 3p and it was a treat to run down the hill to the shop and buy a packet of Smiths Crisps with the little blue salt bag, happy days. My Nanny lived at this end of Back Street in Abbey Road.
I used to go to Usworth Park to play football or go bird nesting down the planton at Waterloo. I also used to go round collecting bottles to take back to shop and get the money for the pictures. We had 3 picture houses in Washington, the Kings, the Queens and the Regal. I went to Saturday matinees and saw Flash Gordon and Hopalong Cassidy.
I was born at Usworth colliery and lived at Old Row. I went to Usworth Colliery School and when I left there I went to work at Usworth pit.
Yes, I remember the time the Trident crashed near the "Crooked Billet" pub. I was driving a 116 bus and was on the bus stand in Staines. The journey to Staines from Hounslow was uneventful. I had about 20 minutes before I was due to leave for my journey back to Hounslow. I left the stand at my allotted time and drove into the High Street and there I stopped. The traffic was horrendous. After some 30 ...see more
I used to live in the house opposite the farm called Wall Hill Cottage. I remember picking the damsons from the trees lining the path and sell them to passers by. My parents renovated the cottage from a very run down state then we moved away around 1985/6. When we owned the property we had a large garden and had two donkeys in a paddock at the end. I visited recently (13-Mar-2011) and the cottage hasn't ...see more
Although I do not know West Harptree very well, my great-grandmother and great-grandfather are buried here, and there is a memorial to my grandfather William Moon in the church, he died in 1915 in India while in the army.
If anyone knows about either the Moon or Bendle families I would love to hear from you.
I felt as though I grew up in Fauldhouse (I didn't), number 19 Barton Terrace. My mother Rebecca Alan's parents lived and died there. Her sister Cathy took the house over and then her cousin David. She had 3 brothers, Alan, James and David, she also had 2 sisters, Margaret and Cathy. If anyone remembers them, let me know.
They originaly lived in East Benhar when she was very small, it was a mining village, ...see more
We used to often walk along the lovely River Stour, walk under Hod Hill then over the hill, down to the road, cross over to the lane that led up to Hambledon Hill, up to the top then back to Child Okeford. I think it was in the 1950s that a dig was done on the Roman fort on Hod Hill.
In spring the hill was coverd in flowers, including the wonderful Bee Orchid.
I have very fond memories of my very first job. I worked for Healey & Baker at 28 St. George Street, Hanover Square. I started out in the Duplicating Room, running an old print press, and would fill in with the telephone operators at lunch time, My supervisor was Sally Clark and she became my mentor. I graduated to the typing pool, along with about 15 other girls. It was a wonderful time of my ...see more
Hello, my name is Elaine Pierson, it was Elaine Williams when I was at Warnham Court School. I was there for my special dietary needs. I can remember a boy called John Walls and he had a cousin there called Terry Gascoinge and also there was my friend called Susan Chattaway, she lived in Fulham in Clem Atlee Court with her mum, we made our holy communion together in Horsham parish church. I think ...see more
Oh the memories stored away!! Charlie's opposite Cove Green, going there for sweeties on a Sunday, Cove Green (not as good as Tower Hill swings though!), Mundays closing at 1pm on Sundays, Thorntons with its yellow facade, and wool etc, I always fancied their pink woollen gloves with little pearl beads, the Post Office, with toys in the window - I remember my dad buying me a farm set from there... The butchers next to ...see more
I went to school (Croydon Hall) at Felon's Oak, on Sundays we went to the little tin church in Rodhuish
morning and evening, we also went to Minehead on the Saturday bus, I wonder if anyone remembers?
My grandad was Joseph Witty who farmed at Medgehall, the farmhouse used to be just across the level crossing. I can remember the station master being called Mr Bull, he had a lot of children. My grandad retired in the mid 1960s but we visited every other Saturday, until he retired. I can also remember them getting milk from Till's in the old wide-necked milk bottles, there was always a lot of cream ...see more
I remember the loyalty to family and friends who worked at the pit. My grandfathers (Frickley) did, my father was a fitter and turner there at South Kirkby colliery. I miss the place. I remember digging a hole with my next door neighbour Mr Brown, we found big bricks that were the outer of a tunnel headed out to the nunnery, obviously an escape route from many years past. We prised open the tunnel, it ...see more
I'm glad I came across this website as I have been looking for my family's relatives from this area. I remember the first time I came to East Challow to visit my late uncle's family for the first time. I have in my possession a personal photo of him outside his home in Hills Close beside the old red telephone box. His name was Pat Downes (deceased), he was living at No 1 Hills Close. I would ...see more
I was Christened here in 1960.
My mother was apprenticed to the ladies' hairdressers in George Street, circa 1934. She did well and was made manageress of the salon in the late 1930s. Her name was Betty Cowling, she was born and raised in Bickleigh and would come into Plymouth every morning on the steam train from Bickleigh station. A long shot but does anyone out there remember anything of this? The Blitz, of course, ended Mum's dream, ...see more
I was Christened here in 1960, we lived at Bankside London Road. I remember walking from Reigate Hill down Gatton Bottom which comes out by the church when I was about 7 with my grandmother, it seemed to take forever.
I remember Higgings toy shop, I had many a good look round there, also Bernard Bakers men's outfitters, and many more. Good days.
I see that no person has placed a memory of this crash. I lived at Mountfield and this Lancaster circled the area and 4 crew bailed out each time it came round and went to what was Mr Bailey's snack bar just below Johns Cross pub. As young lads we jumped on our bikes to see where the Lancaster had crashed, as I remember we went over a field where the road branches off to Bodiam, before you get to Hurst ...see more
I remember the prison camp at the bottom of Weston Park Avenue. They had a Bedford Utility bus to transport the inmates and my parents got friendly with the camp officials and went out on the bus one night to the Pack Horse at Kings Newton. My sister and I were left on the bus whilst the adults spent the evening drinking in the pub. I was 2 years older than my sister who had just started to walk so I ...see more
I grew up in the "Joinery" where there were lots of characters and moved just down the street when I was 15.My parents still live there. I remember "The Green" where the Boys Brigade hall was at the bottom of the street. Seeing people on the doorsteps and the women out chatting, that type of community has long gone, you knew everyone in the street and locally. The doctors surgery was in Park View and the Welsh chapel ...see more
I have happy memories as a boy playing on The Bing. Not so good memories of my paper round for Jimmy Dickson. Drinking in The Cross, The Quiot and occasionally Birrels.
Hi, I am looking for my grandmother's family, Hannah Anderson, she was born in Sunderland in Southwick in 1898 and moved to Hartlepool to 22 Portland Road in about 1904 and then moved to 6 Marmion Road, Hartlepool. Her father was from Hartlepool, he was Thomas Anderson, born in Stranton in 1862.
It was from here that the children of the village waited for the school buses to Blandford Grammer School and Sturminster Secondary Modern School. We never mixed, the Blandford children waited by the cross, we waited by Curtis's shop. At that time Mr Dyer had this butchers shop and Mr Pride had the pub.
Before that Mr Davis had the pub, Mr Turner the butchers and Mr Cottle had a harness shop next door.
Some of the children had to walk over a mile to catch the buses.
In 1960 this was the main building of Salisbury College of Art. The college specialised in photography, fine arts and, when I joined, was one of the first provincial art colleges to award a recognised graphic design qualification. It also offered courses in hairdressing and sign writing. There were several very popular tutors, Tony Brown, Fox-Talbot (not the original) and Charles Cusden among them. Mr ...see more
I remember many happy days in the 1940-50s spent by the river near the bridge. It was here that I saw my first otter, we also used to fish from off the bridge.
When the 8 a.m train used to go to Blandford, if the driver saw any late travellers coming over the bridge he would sound the whistle and wait at the station till they arrived.
The fields round the bridge were farmed by Alec Cross of Bere Marsh ...see more
I have a few illustrations of Bury Hall (I'll have to dig them out!). I'm descended from the Purvises. You can contact me by email, my address is genealogy at dunning dot plus dot com.
I lived in the Old Rectory from the year I was born (1990) to 1993 and 1997 to 1999. It was a wonderful place to grow up, if a little spooky. We moved to Lakenheath shortly after.
Does anyone remember having to run twice round the lake at 1am for being noisey in the Dorm??? OUCH
