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:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • 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 25361 - 25440 of 36833 in total

Unfortunately, I couldn't view the printing on the Mitcham page as it was obscured by little green figures, but I do know someone has asked if anyone remembers Thorpe's Music Bar. I do. I used to work there Wednesday evenings and Saturdays for a couple of years. Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe were very kind to me, took me to the theatre on occasion (once at the London Palladium)! Mrs. Thorpe insisted we wear white coats to work ...see more
I remember attending cubs in Faygate Village Hall back in around 1964-66. I think the building had some corrugated iron sheets on the roof or on the walls and I think there was a petrol station next to it. We lived at Clyst Hayes, Brook Lane, a house about two miles from Faygate on the way to Horsham. The surname 'Jobson' rings a bell, possibly Peter Jobson, not quite sure, it was a long time ago. - Kevin Mann, k.mann@tesco.net
In the picture of the four shops at Copthorne bank the last on the left was, until recently a Branck of Lloyds Bank. But during the long sweaty summer of 1959 it was a grocer's shop. The shop next door was a newsagents shop (owned for a long time by a chap named Hewitt). Last time I stayed above the last shop on the left was the summer of 1960. You could travel from West London to Crawley (in 1959) on a Green Line Bus for just under 4 Shillings. Memory is so short.
GRADE 11 LISTED. House, formerly the south lodge of Buckland Court (q.v.). Probably mid C19; simplified Tudor style. Granite rubble. Slated roofs. Large granite ashlar chimneystack on ridge in centre of south range. U-shaped plan. 1 storey with garrets. Main front to south is 2-windows wide. In centre of ground storey are 4 deeply projecting granite ashlar piers on pedestals, the ...see more
I and my sister are trying to get geneaology info on our maternal grandmother who grew up in Cippenham. Her name was Mary Freeman and she was the daughter of Daniel and Roseann Freeman of Balt's Green, Hurley. RSD England. Nanny's last address before coming to Canada in 1913 was 27 Millstream Lane, Cippenham ,Slough, Berks , England. Does anyone know of this address , ...see more
I was born in Cricklewood NW2 in 1942 in 1949 we moved to 121 Fairmead crescent Edgware Middlesex this was a new council estate being built for familys moving out of the London area , At the back of our house was a large park that had a lake with a stream running through it, In one part there was a small pig farm but that didnt stay there long and the park keepers made a small cricket pitch for us ...see more
Alas my wife passed away in 2005 but my memories are still very vivid re St Columb Minor, maybe someone reading this will know where I am talking about, our honeymoon was spent in a cottage next to the village pub, Mr & Mrs Masters owned the cottage, they were so kind and she made a lovely cornish pasty. Back in the fifties after demob 5 of us lads stayed at the same address (can you imagine?) Mrs Masters ...see more
My mom grew up in Main Road, the family was called Tully, in 1940, she would really love to hear from anybody who has been there for a long peroid of time who will remember any old tales, she wishes to come and stay overnight in a hotel or B&B to catch up on memories, please help me make this special for her as I love her very much 07837167815 betball@hotmail.co.uk Please reply, thank you.
I was born in Netley Abbey in 1962. My dad and uncle were joint managers of Netley F.C. who had their ground at the rec down by the waterfront. I was only 11 when my uncle died and 12 years old when my dad died so the memories I have are very few and far between. I do remember that when we had football matches, I used to run on the pitch at half time with the orange quarters and I used to stand there and ...see more
I am looking for any information about a family called Mccormack, they lived in Stonehome Terrace, then Goodshawfold, then Hamer Avenue. Phyllis Mccormack was in the army in the 1940s, stationed at Catterick army camp (anything on her would be very welcome). Her parents were Michael Mccormack (he died in the First World War), and her mother was Jane Ellen (nee Heys), she married again to a Herbert Meeks. I ...see more
The simple pleasure of camping with my Scout group from Ockham, has been a lasting and warm memory over the years. Our Scout room was over the stables in Lady Lovelace's Ockham Park estate. Opposite our camp on Ranmore was a group from Canada, they had made an entrance gateway with a thatched roof with a single vertical pole crossed at waist hieght with pole lashed tightly, the whole revolving on a greased ...see more
My grandfather Walter owned the Mr Softie ice-cream van that operated around Rossal beach & Fleetwood. I am looking for anyone that may have pictures of that van on the sea wall there? Gary
William Hawkins Heath was my Gt Gt Grandfather and I am trying to find out more about him, his siblings and successors.
<e /Dave Slee/ Bamby/ I was with Lyn Bell for about 3 years, lived in Halton Lea for about 5 years. I loved it. Had 2 farmers help sideys man and ginger man, if you lived there at time you would know. PS what happened to John the bomp? Any of my old mates please get in touch.
Hello Margaret, I knew the Cowleys and the Laidlaws, but only as acquaintances. I did work with a Miss Pauline Cowley and lived opposite a Mr and Mrs Cowley in Northfield Road near Cockfosters,New Barnet. I don't know how the Cowleys family tree looks, if you know what I mean. Were they also related to the Sunderlands of Hadley? I knew Barbara and Freddy Sunderland. I do remember the teachers of Byng ...see more
I live in Shimpling in Suffolk near Bury St Edmunds (not Shimpling in Norfolk) and would like to hear from anyone who has memories of the village. I am compiling a catalogue of historic recollections that will disappear if not recorded. Perhaps you were in the Women's Land Army during or after the last war as there was a training establishment here and someone who helped in training still lives in ...see more
In 1974 my mum and dad purchased the farm from a man called Laurence Organ. Our next door neighbours were Arthur Morris and old ma Morris, we used to call her. She was scary. My dad used to hold charity evenings for the nuns who lived on Blackwood Road. There was many a barn dance. My dad Ronald Lloyd was a builder and tried for 5 years to convert the old barn house into a pub. After 5 years of planning permission ...see more
I remember walking home from Hednesford Raceway, with my Mom, on Sundays and visting a little tobacco shop. My Mom would buy a bag of snuff for her Nan from there. I remember a little old lady working there and the fantastic smells in the shop.
We had no TVs, and there was not much on the radios so we made our own entertainment. One activity was playing up the local wood. We had two woods close to East Howle. One was called the Side Wood and the other was known as the Middle Wood. We just did the usual things, like making camps, climbing trees, playing on rope swings, eating worms, just the sort of things that young lads did in those days. Most of the ...see more
I think the photo must have been taken in 1961 or 1962, as the "new" or "top" shops are there; the original parade from the 1930s are taller than the later ones which can be seen at the top of the hill. From left to right, and as far as I can remember were: Out of shot to the left Walker's grocers, to which I referred in an earlier memory; W Haselden the chemist, Maison Calypso (ladies hairdressers at ...see more
Please see my Rayleigh message. I am looking for any and all history on the above building situated at the bottom of the London Road Rayleigh but it came under Rawreth until fairly recent history. It once had 180 acres and was 1 of 5 manors including Rawreth Hall, Chichester Hall, Tryndehayes, Beeches etc. It owned much of lower Rayleigh and I am desperate to know its history as it has been there since at ...see more
Hi, I am looking for any information on Beke Hall, Rayleigh (sometimes spelt Beak - or with Farm in the title!). It is situated on the left side of London Road out towards Wickford and is first mentioned in 1523. The furthest back I can go, Beke Hall owned 140 acres covering all of little Wheatleys up to Great wheatleys. I am looking for any information from any era over the last 500 years! ...see more
Mendlesham Primary school was wonderful, it is still there but sadly, no longer a school, there is now a new Primary school. My favourite teacher was Miss File, she taught class'B'. Mr Hurrell was also a wonderful teacher. He had small glass files on the wall around the classroom with wild flowers in each one and he carefully had the names of the flowers written close by each one, so that we could learn them. Mr ...see more
In 1944 my mother was in the Ruskin Emergency Hospital in Oxford giving birth to my brother. Before going to hospital she sent me to the Kathleen Schlesinger Home at Russels Water. I was 4 years old but I do remember bits of my time there. I was there from around 3rd August until 6th September, a long time for a 4 year old to be away from his mother. I have some letters written by members of the ...see more
Its 1965 and I'm a 5 year old boy living in Tonbridge. Now, there was or still is a large white house almost opposite a green near to where there used to be a cinema. Can anyone else remember this house, what it was (children's home etc?) and the summer fayre held there? In 1965 I was taken there on the bus and saw the red Dalek from the Peter Cushing 'Dr. Who' movie and rode on a mechanical elephant. Can anyone else remember this or does anyone have any photos of the fayre? Ralph.
My name is Lee Struthers. I lived in Horndon back in the 1960s with my parents and sister at Alwin on Hilcrets Road, we moved to New Zealand in 1968. I have just been back for a visit, July 2010, went to the Bell for lunch. What a great place Horndon is, loved the place, wish I could have spent more time there. I remember going to school there and going to Cubs & of course church.
My grandparents Hylands live in the millhouse at Petworth. When I was a child, after moving from a farm at Sutton my grandad Bill worked for the mill driving a flour lorry and nan Olive used to sell tickets to men wnting to fish along the the river. I loved staying there, trying to catch fish in the big millpond with our nets. I remember the millpond used to swell and come up over the road, sandbags were put up to ...see more
Does anyone remember a pub called the Railway Tavern that used to be in Primrose Street? I actually thought it was Primrose Lane, but can't see that on the map now. Same street as the public baths used to be, or maybe still are, across from what was the Co-Op. It was attached to a restaurant, on an upper floor, I think called the Imperial. My parents owned it in the late 1970s, early 1980s, for a short while, but I see no mention of it anywhere online. Thanks.
My Great-Aunt Margaret Valentine married John "Hugh" Valentine and lived in Bower Road Hale in the 1920's. She was an infant teacher, had lovely red hair, and was described by my family as everybody's favourite. My Dad, Howard Norfolk, went to stay with her and her family around 1927 and remembered her fondly. Sadly she died in tragic circumstances in 1930 when she fell in front of a train on the level crossing whiich I guess may be the one by Hale station.
My name is Silvya Waston, born 1943 at St Mary's, went to school at Fair Childs, lived in Grenville Road. My dad was John Waston, if there is anybody out there who knows me please email.
My first memory is that my father's parents lived in the school house which is at the junction where the road forks to go into the village of Cumrew. William and Ann Thoburn, both born in 1878 and died in the 50’s. All of the boys Albert, Ernest and Fred worked as road men for CCC. Albert(my father) took over his father’s length which was from Carlatton to Newbiggin. Fred took the length from Carlatton around the ...see more
Thank you Lorraine for the many memories you brought back. I lived in Queens Crescent from when I was born in 1956 until I moved to Australia in 1968. I also remember the bakery on the corner of the lane by the school and the row of cottages alongside which then housed the doctors surgery, Mr Davies the chemist, The Red Lion with the budgies out the back, the Post Office where I would receive parcels, ...see more
My husband and I moved to Smallfield nearly two years ago. The noise on Redehall Road is quite a change from the peace and quiet of Cumbria! I am presently writing a book about Veteran's Memoirs' of the Italy Campaign (the Forgotton Campaign) 1943-46 and as Canadians entered the War with us in 1939, several have now contacted me and are telling me about the Canadian Hospital in Smallfield. Is there anyone ...see more
Grand parents, aunts, uncles with Winstanley surname buried at St John's. Staying at Tootle Terrace with relatives. Recent visit July 2010 met with octogenarians and older ones who have lived in this area all their lives. A photograph of my dad and some friends in a club house of some kind. Has been identified as Whittle Cricket club about 1930/35 when no catholics were allowed to join. This ...see more
Does anyone know of George Robinson of Wootton. Apparently he survived WW1, but witnessed the shrapnell hit on my grandfather Harry Walden service No.3/10333 KIA 22-7-1916. I would be interested in any info on George as I have none other than this. Thanks in anticipation Harry Walden.
Does anyone remember the McAteer's of Murdock Place or Sauchinford in Cowie, or the Bruce's, Judges or Kilmurry's associated with them.
My father John McAteer, a coal miner, was one of a large McAteer family who lived at 22 Murdock Place in Cowie, this address no longer exists. An uncle Tommy, after WW2, had an small holding at Sauchinford and in the 1930's I would have spent school holidays there. It would be nice, in my final years, to hear from any other McAteer's (or associated Bruce's, Judge's and Kilmurry's) who have, or had connections with the Cowie McAteer's. Many thanks, Patrick
I believe that my Great Grandfather, Henry Herbert Ward had a Blacksmith's business in Markyate in the 30's / 40's. My Grandfathers name was Ernest Ward born 1910 and I believe he had a brother. Edward who married Betty? I would be extremley grateful for any informtion on my relatives. Thank you Annette Ward
The earliest memories of the shops on Ellacombe Road was a Co-op at the top of the rank of shops a kiosk then Ron the off licence, wool shop, butchers and greengrocers at the bottom, these all closed when Asda arrived. Opposite the bottom of Ellacombe Road on Bath Road there was The Golden Fryer chip shop, me and my friends used to get free scrumps but only if we pestered them long enough! On ...see more
I was at the college from 1972-76 (Environmental Sciences) but have lost touch with many of my friends there - the recent posting from Kathryn jogged a few memories, as I used to wander down to Skippool to do some birdwatching and eventually sailing, when I could get hold of a boat. If any of those mates of mine from back then read this (esp. David Summerville, who may still live ...see more
When they found coal, Treodrhiwfuwch was only a farm. A book was published by J R Pearce back in 1985 about Pontlottyn and Treodrhiwfuwch. Over the years terrace houses were built for miners, some turned into shops. My father David Thomas Harris was born 16th Feb 1917 in one of these houses. He went to school here and at the age of ten he was awarded a silver medal for three years ...see more
Hi All, I remember the same shops on the main street, I lived in Donaldson Road, No 37. From the phone box on the corner were: Clements, Wood then Slaven, Ross, Hamilton, Young, Herd, Keiller, Beattie, Steele, Johnstone, Gilles, Mcrae. opposite us were Henderson, and Faulds, also were the foster families, the Carstairs, and the Gardners. I also remember Jock Laing, James ...see more
I was born in Liverpool in 1952 and later with my parents, Ken and Ivy Jenkins and my younger brother Kevin in about 1960, moved into one of the two 'new' semi's built across the road from the Miner's Arms.  I went to the Ash Vale County Primary School and was a member of the Frimley Green cub group which met in a building behind St Andrew's Church opposite the community hall just over ...see more
I was born in Caldecotte on 26,09,58, a great little village. I came from a family of 5 children, times were hard moneywise, but we always got by. We used to grow all our veg and kept chickens and ducks for meat. Dad was good with the shotgun so we always had a rabbit on the table. I was the youngest (a right Tomboy). Most days we would be up the allotments all day helping out whatever our age, a bit ...see more
I went to St. Anne's school from the age of three til I failed my 11+ and got sent to Thomas Moore school. I remember Sister Mary Dorothy was the head of the school when I was there and we had a teacher called Mrs Lodhi, another teacher called Miss Jessop and the really scary teacher was Mrs Williams. I recall she wore stompy Victorian style boots and if you could hear her walking stomping those boots ...see more
My father was born into a large army family and became very connected to Caterham barracks and was a ground engineer for the 615 squadron at Kenly aerodrome during world war II. My dad was born in 1914 and by the age of thirteen was living at the barracks with 12 other siblings. His father was a Sargent and his grandfather was an army architect that helped with some of the builds within the barracks ...see more
I lived in Bute Gardens West, from Oct 1943 to when I married in 1965. My friends were Donald Scott, Rex Poge, Yashew, an immigrant boy who we nearly killed with a bow and arrow, and brother Dave. We had a club, The Silent Death, we called it the T>S>D>, and to join you had to do all sorts of stupid things like jump off Donalds garage roof, or kick a hat [with a brick underneath it!] funny, we ...see more
My folks moved out in 1985 - we'd been there from 1960, the year I was born, and much had been done to sort out the huge garden. Mum grew lots of veg and we kept chickens as well. When Mrs. Dupont died, her cottage at the top of the yard was rebuilt as it was very old and the builders gave us a lot of firewood from it. My dad, Bob Collier, used to take a 7:30am service at St. Mary's twice a month, and I was allowed ...see more
Does anyone know what became of the family named CASTON who ran the Bell Inn in the early 60's ? JANE CASTON was my friend back then and I remember the fun we had and sleeping over at the Bell Inn with a ghost or two. She had a sister SALLY CASTON. Jane and I lost touch when I came to Canada. Please email me if this rings a bell (no pun). lasreed@shaw.ca Lynda (nee Service)
I was born at Hill View Lamberts Castle in the 1940s. Mum use to run a small tea rooms and I remember a hiking organisation called the Holiday Fellowship calling their once a week. No mains water, electricity or gas made running the tea rooms a difficult job. She had to walk 200 yards for buckets of water from a stream from the nearby woods. I have many many memories of those years.
My Mum and Dad often use to tell me the story of my birth. When my Mum went into labour she was taken to Freedom Fields Hospital, later that day (my Dad walked to the nearest phone box) phoned Freedom Fields Hospital to enquire as to how my mum was, only to be told that she wasn't there and that there had been no record of her being there, my dad could'nt believe what he was being told as he actually took ...see more
I spent many holidays, as a child, in Elton, staying at Beresford House, the home of Mrs Elliott, a lovely lady. My parents were Bill and Lucy Paterson.My father had holidayed in Elton since he was a teenager, and knew lots of the locals. My parents were friendly with all of Mrs Elliotts children....who were all married by then.I remember Joan, maried to Jeff, Framk, married to Vera, whi later kept the ...see more
I remember back in the late 50's, as kids, we used to swim at the Woodlands camp swimming pool. We lived at East Hill and used to either walk or cycle to the pool. I remember we then used to play in the club house. We have very fond memories of those days. We attended sunday school at Woodlands church and i can remember being collected and driven to the church by Mr Lukes and his family who lived ...see more
I am not a beach boy, even though we share a name. (I have not worked out how to create paragraphs,so bear with me.) My parents moved to the Beach when I was about 11 years old (around 1953) to Beach Road. We lived in the last house before the boating lake and I went to Patchway Secondary Modern by coach every weekday. I never sat next to Robin Stockham, he was too noisy!(sorry Rob). I also used the ...see more
We moved from Derby to the new estate in 1958. My son Paul went to the local school for a short time before we moved south to Hertfordshire - my home county. Amongst his many friends I remember particulary Celine Reilly, and often wonder how she is faring - she was a delightful child. I expect times have changed there now, but at that time we had a really good butchers shop, a ...see more
I was born in Chingford prior to the Second World War. In the early 1950s I became an avid cyclist and participated in several massed start cycle races on Stapleford Tawney aerodrome. If I remember right there was a downhill stretch on the circuit unkind to flesh and machine being mostly gravel. I wonder if anyone else remembers. About that time I belonged to the Unity CC in Highgate. Also at ...see more
I was a student at Clarendon between 1963 and 1966, and how I remember the Sunday evenings curled up before the fire listening to gospel and classical music before supper. Of course there were also the House evenings spent in the Principal's parlour doing our sewing or embroidery or some other craft work, while she read to us from one of the missionary books or short stories that she kept for the ...see more
It's taken 11 years to finally return to the North East. I have just returned to Wales after a short but very pleasant stay in Warkworth with cousins I have not seen for 11 years. We have been in touch for months now almost on a daily basis, discovering our ancestors, hoping to put together our vast family tree. I didn't know much about my dad's family other than he lived in Broomhill. Whilst on my break I ...see more
Does anyone remember Greengate & Irwell, Irwell Works, off Ordsall Lane? From 1957 to 1962 I worked there as one of the three telephone operaters. I have very happy memories of my time there and the many friends I made. My question is about the bridge which crossed the River Irwell from almost outside the factory. I always believed that it was the famous ...see more
Earliest memories... staying home from school (Church School now Russell Hall) in the winter because the boiler had burst. Swinging on my gran's gate on Highfield Terrace, and playing with a teaset and dolls pram in her house, and loving the view from her window, going down in the cellar to look at the washer boiler. May Dday processions, fizzy pop delivered every week, Dandelion n Burdock our favourite. Sunday ...see more
My parents were separated during WW2 as my mother was pregnant, so she was moved to Tintagel in Cornwall for 7 months. Through this period they wrote to each other every day - I recently read and typed out all 234 heart wrenching letters! It was a hard time for them as they had recently lost their first infant. They were desperate to get back together again and it finally happened in March 1941, a couple of ...see more
My memory of the pond was when I fell down a well in the pond with my wellington boots on, and my brother pulled me out. Also on the heath we used to build the bonfires for Guy Fawkes day, that was so much fun, bringing all the furniture and putting the guy on top, also the shovel with the spuds on, yummy. Bertha Deates was a favourite place too. Fond memories. Irene Rogers-weller
I don't know if anyone remenbers me, perhaps Christopher Potts or Robert Tayor? I was looked after by Sister Catherine, if anyone remenbers me please get in touch.
My great uncle Mr Arthur Real who was born at Axmouth Devon in 1886 and grew up there, started a business in Castle Cary Somerset with Mr Walter Holton from Trowbridge Wiltshire in the 1930s. They named their bakery business Real & Holton. Mr Holton was a master baker and confectioner and worked in the bakehouse in Fore Street from 4am in the morning until he finished his day. ...see more
I brought up 3 children in Cyprus Street and have loads of memories of the area before demolition of the house from St. Johns Street through to Charing Cross. This was a redevelopement area in the 1960s -70s. Many of us were glad to get away from the cellar houses with outdoor toilets and no hot water or bathrooms. Across the road was a convent known as The Little Sisters of the Poor, next door was ...see more
We moved to Shalford's new country estate "Somersbury Drive" as a young family from Eltham in London in 1959. My parents said that when they first saw Shalford there were still cows grazing on the village green. For them it was the remote countryside. I recall a concert in about 1960, in the newish village hall, where I later attended Brownies, at which my mother sang some songs, in a very glamorous ...see more
I lived in Holbury View and had Mr Oakley on my right with his little shop and his brother and his wife running a taxi business on my left. The Johnsons lived further down. My friend lived on the Green where his Dad had a petrol station and car repair business. My friend Martha Jane Everett lived opposite - the first girl I fell in love with! I loved my time in Lockerley and was sad to leave when my father was moved to Singapore. My name is John Scott and my email is lockerley@hotmail.com
Hi, my name is Milly and I am 10 years old. I have lived in Yardley for 9 years and I have lots good friends where I live and I go to Hobmoor Primary School and I have lots of lovely friends and where I live is okay.
I lived in Southall from April 1943 to May 1960, all my young life was spent there. Among the many good memories was the 1953 Coronation with all the excitement of sweets off ration and TV. We had our party in 2 canvas workman's tents from G. Wimpeys, Lancaster Road, Southall. The party was held in Lynwood Gardens off Lady Margaret Road after the Coronation was shown on TV. In the evening a large torchlight procession was held the length of Lady Margaret Road after dark.
Does anyone have any information about John Guy who lived in Little Jims Cottage in the early 1960's? John was my fathers cousin and I understand that he was a musician.
No memories but would like info & photo of Mr W Bensons garage who supplied my grandfathers MG WA saloon in 1939 - which I have just restored. Any info or links would be appreciated. Thanks, Rob Taylor
After attending Newton village school from the age of 5 to 14, I found employment at a place called Tholthorpe where a new airfield was being built. Being 12 miles from my home I had to use a bicycle to get there and back. This was fine during the Spring and summer months but was a devil in winter. However I enjoyed my 18months there where I witnessed an airfield being built from start to ...see more
I was born in 1944 at 52 Millfield Crescent, my nana's house, Mrs Liddle. I lived in Millfield till 1963. I was part of Jimmy's gang, I remember doing most of the things that Jimmy did. Saturday matinees there used to show 3 different pictures, first was a cartoon, then a cowboy picture, or fatty and skinny (Laural & Hardy 2 b p.c.) then the serial 'Flash Gordon', or whatever, we got our money's worth, I ...see more
As a young lad, I went with my family to pick hops near Staplehurst village, my cousin and I used to swim in a nearby river that had a bridge across it and arches under the bridge, and the arches were a great place to change into our swimming trunks. I do not remember the location of the river, but recall the happy times we had there, we found a raft that someone else had built, and we had wonderful moments there far away from the streets of East London.
My dad Len Bayford had the barbers shop in Forest Road. I was born in 1948 and he died in 1955. My brother Mike came out of the army and took over the shop.
We used to live at The Green, Bexleyheath off Heversham Road and my earliest memories were riding my tricycle around the detached bungalow. My mother took me shopping at Long Lane on this tricycle which had a boot and a rod device that allowed her full control of it. The Co-op then was three separate shops rather than the supermarket of today. A Greengrocers, a Butchers and Grocers. I can remember a ...see more
My late father was born in Troedrhiwfuwch on 16th Feb 1917. His name was David Thomas Harris, mainly known as Dai Tom. He lived in a terrace house later turned into a shop. He lived there with six other brothers and sisters. His grandfather worked down the pit, his father worked down the pit. He went to school there. In 1927 Glamorgan council awarded Dai Tom a silver medal for not ...see more
My father, Dennis Chappin, who was born in 1924, frequently refers to a pub in Childwickbury that he frequented in his youth. He seems to remember leaving Harpenden town centre to have a late drink at this mystery pub as it had later licencing hours. I live at Shafford Cottages, part of the Childwickbury estate, but have yet to come across anyone who knows about this pub. There seems to be no ...see more
The best years of my life, I loved Blandford Camp and everything about it, swinging high on the swings singing songs, going to Blandford primary school (as it was callled then), roller skating around the camp, bike rides to the NAFFI, it was the second time round for me, we lived at Racedown Road when I was born, then when we came the second time we lived in Collage Road, number 32 or 37, I can't quite remmber ...see more
My father's family were born or lived in Cound and Counmoor My dad Basil Crump was born at 4 Coundmoor Cottages, BKI 1935. Also others in the 1800s. I hope to visit one day.