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An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

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  1. Home
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  4. Memories

Nostalgic memories of South Kirkby's local history

Share your own memories of South Kirkby and read what others have said

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.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for South Kirkby

Displaying Memories 11 - 17 of 17 in total

My Dad
I remember the snows of 1963, I was four, looking out of our bedroom window on Camp Road and the snow was drifted up to the windowsill! Gorgeous memories of our bedroom fire making shapes on the ceiling and being warm as toast as me and my brothers listened to the howling north wind outside. Our dear dad, Jim Taylor, fought (or tunneled) his way to Kirkby pit in the morning only to find just a handful of guys had made ...see more
South Kirkby, the Colliery c1965
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Added 01 December 2011

Memories And The Tunnel

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
South Kirkby, the Colliery c1965
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Added 13 March 2011

The Good Old Days
I attended this school 1974 to 1977, doesn't seem to have changed much, that's how I remember it. Can't say that I enjoyed school when I was there (spent many a time wagging). But looking back now, yes they were the good old days. I had many great mates and we use to get in trouble quite a lot, caught smoking in the toilets, skipping class, talking in class etc. Mind you I must have done something right as I came with my certificates. Oh to be young again and back at school.
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Added 26 November 2010

Memories Of Little Wigan
I grew up on the estate near Kirkby pit known to locals as Little Wigan. It was a great place to live where everyone knew each other and I know peaple say you didn't have to lock your door in days gone by, but down Little Wigan you realy didn't. Virtually all my family worked at the pit, either down it or on the pit top this is where me and my mates spent most of our spare time and, I've got to say, ...see more
South Kirkby, the Colliery c1965
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Added 03 November 2010

My Christening

I was christened here in April 1966. I was born December 1965 - lots of my relatives' funeral services have been held here and it was also where my parents got married in 1956. I now live near Caerphilly in South Wales. My father is travelling to Yorkshire on Sunday as my mother's brother passed away on Bank Holiday Monday last week and as she is unable to travel due to ill health, my dad will be representing us....funeral 10/05/2010 12 mid-day....R.I.P Uncle George Newcombe
South Kirkby, All Saints Church c1965
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Added 06 May 2010

Colliery Blacksmith
My granddad, Arthur Walker, was a miner at South Kirkby colliery until his retirement around 1960; and my dad, Richard Edwin Walker, known as Ted to his mates, was a blacksmith. Dad started at the colliery when he left school aged 14, in 1936, as a blacksmith's striker, eventually becoming a blacksmith himself. I visited the colliery many times with my dad, and I remember the noises of the colliery: the ...see more
South Kirkby, the Colliery c1965
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Added 14 June 2009

Sinking Feeling
My grandad used to work at South Kirkby pit for many years, so growing up I was forever hearing stories of his days down the mine. Being a very inquisitive child I would spend hours exploring, even though my grandad used to tell me how dangerous it could be round the colliery. He used to also live on the Northfield estate, which was also known as Little Wigan. I am told this is because of the miners that moved ...see more
South Kirkby, the Colliery c1965
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Added 28 March 2008