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 12241 - 12320 of 36828 in total

I was born in 1946 and lived in Caldbeck Avenue. When I was 6 on the way to Cheam Common School one morning I was running trying to keep up with a motorcycle and ran into this lamp post and split my head open. The motorcyclist put me in his sidecar and took me to St Anthony's Hospital where a nurse stitched me up and gave me a jelly baby for being brave - I still have the scar. My father grew exhibition ...see more
My granddad, Charlie Davies, owned the post office and it was where my dad, Arfon Davies, was born. When my grandad died it was taken over by my Auntie Nellie, my dad's sister. My brothers, Gwyn, Iwan and Geraint came to the post office often with my dad. I remember being the centre of attraction as we were different as we came from outside the village. In the 1950's I remember the village being a busy ...see more
My dad was manager at Deniably Main in the early 1960s; he'd started work at 14 and come from a very poor background, so to move into the big house on Station Road was quite something for him. As a child I would go round the pit yard on a Saturday morning with my dad. The best part for me was riding on the odd locomotive or spending time with Bill Bisby, the horseman who tended to all the pit ponies. He would ...see more
I was delighted to find this lovely photo of Aberystwyth on the website of The Francis Frith Collection, as it was taken in 1925 – the same year my grandparents got married and went to Aberystwyth on their honeymoon! I imagine they must have looked very like the people in this view.
Cenarth, on the River Teifi, is set in a spectacular gorge with a number of waterfalls, and is famous as one of the last places in Britain where licensed coracles were used, both for salmon fishing and (as seen in this view) sheep dipping by the side of the village bridge. This photo shows sheep being washed prior to shearing, supervised by farmers using traditional coracles to guide them across the river. ...see more
I left the village in 1948, to join my parents, Cyril and Gladys Jones, and sister Pam who had moved to Gravesend, Kent. I had attended the Lawn following years at Abertysswg School, before going to Caerleon for my teacher training. The Army followed; 2 years in the East Yorkshire Regiment mostly spent in Vienna. Demob came and I went to join my parents in Kent, find a job and Dulcie who was to become ...see more
I was baptised in the Parish Church just beyond the trees on the left. My sister-in-law lived in the cottage on the far right - almost next to the Vicarage garden. In the late 40's and 50's I used to walk to Church Street from my home in Foxlands Crescent quite often. Haircuts in the barbers nearer the top of Crown Street - hay and bran and other animal food from the corn chandlers on the left as you walked ...see more
My father was building the Power Station at Shoreham in the fifties and we had a tent here for many Summer months. The lads use to dare me to go to the Wardens control tower and say I was lost! They used to humour me and broadcast my name over the tanoy system on the high tower - they never tired of this game! I was watching a guy named Ralph hitting a golf ball on the grass and I stood too close behind his club and was ...see more
I spent many a summer at this level crossing as my grandmother, Kate Griffiths, lived in the house at the far end of the terrace. In fact the man you can see in this photo of 1965 standing in his garden is my grandfather, Owen Griffiths. It always brings back memories of childhood with me and my brother helping to open and shut the gates every time the train came. We used to be able to name all the engines ...see more
When I was under 7 in the late 1950's my parents & I lived in Offerton cottages just down the road from what my mother used to call the "Pretty House". The couple who lived there were a Mr & Mrs Dowdswell ( I may have got the spelling wrong). My parents were friends of the Dowdswell's and I remember going into the cottage. I can remember saying to my mother that there were even pictures in the ...see more
I attended Embleton Infants School and Embleton Junior Mixed School which were structurally attached but otherwise separate from September 1957 until July 1963. At that time the staff were very respectable and I liked almost all the teachers. The headmistress of Embleton Infants School was Miss Reece (this was how she was addressed but I never saw her name spelt). She was a middle aged kindly ...see more
William Brothers on the corner of Ealing Road, Garners Bakery at the top of the steps leading down to Station Grove which is where I lived until 1956. We could hear the cheers from the football matches at the Stadium. Radio Rentals, Blands linen shop which was still there a few years ago. Wembley police station, the three cinemas; the Wembley Hall, the Majestic and The Regal.
George Dyson Fudge was in the RAF volunteer force and is recorded as having died in Little Stoke in 1941. Was he shot down? Did he crash his plane before he could land at one of the RAF bases nearby? Does anyone have any memories of such an incident or are there any records?
Can anybody please tell me the name of the pit(s) that was/were closest to Arthur Street in Crook during the period 1925-1935?
Hi, my name is Yvette (maiden name was Beaney), does anyone remember my nan and granddad, Ernest and Cissy Beaney, who ran the village shop that has now been turned into a house? My dad Don and his brother Lionel did local deliveries from the shop, there was a cottage at the back of the shop where I lived with my parents for a while. I was very young when they left Bethersden but can remember being in the shop with my nan and visiting some of her friends.
It is 1959 and I have been looking at a pair of Winkle Picker shoes (pointed toe shoes) in the window. I now have the money to get them £59/11, nearly three pounds. I enter the shop and try them...my they feel good. I walk home to Studley Grange Road with them in their box and carefully un-box them in my bedroom. I was on the edge of adulthood.
I meet one of my friends, he is going fishing, it is around 6:30pm. We go down Green Lane to the canal and turn right over the River Brent. He starts to fish between the locks. Mr Hunt from Studley Grange Road passes and says hello, he is walking his dog. I think to myself he is very content, perhaps he has cracked the meaning of life. I tell my friend I am just popping over to the railway. One ...see more
My striking memory of the Bunny Park was feeding the rabbitts lettuce and carrots. Later I explored under the Warncliffe viaduct. We played football there with the school (St Marks) also our sports day were there.
I remember Hounslow High St for all the shoe shops. Hounslow was the place to go for shoes. People used to walk up and down the High St in the evening. Later on I remember Hounslow Ricky Tick, saw many great groups there in the sixties. It was opposite the bus garage.
I remember that market square very well indeed. At that time I was taking my girlfriend from Stockwell Teachers Training College to my house to meet my parents for Sunday dinner in my father's Hillman Minx. Feeling very grown up and pretending that it was my car, came round that corner you see there careful to look in the direction of the traffic coming from my left, when I was brought to a dead stop. The noise was ...see more
I lived in the prefabs during the war, lots of memories like my friend Ralph Binney. We spent our holidays working for nothing on the large farm opposite our prefab on the upper estate (there was also a lower estate). The farm was owned by Griffin Mills whose house was on the Pontypridd Road. It was a large farm. Ralph and I helped to get the horses in from the fields first thing and harness them up ...see more
I remember the Borough Hotel, mainly because it was a Duttons house and they sold their spirits in 1/5 of a gill, when all the other pubs gave 1/6th gill (same price).
I'm looking for any information on Maes Mawr Hall around 1950; I believe Norman Edwards lived there with Lucy Collins and they had a son called Keith. If anyone has any info I would be grateful.
I'm trying to find anything or anyone who knows about my ancestors; Harry and his brothers, Fred & William Winder, who lived here in the late 1880's.
I remember the school well, I was there from 1966 - 1970. I remember all the Merediths, Miss Close, Miss Norman, Paddy Rice, Mr Mumford and Mr Johnson the head master. I would love to meet up with some of the people I went to the school with. If anyone is out there that went there in these years please contact me. I would love to hear from anyone, we had some great times there. Please make contact if you were there, look forward to hearing from anyone.
I can remember moving to Sinderby Close to a brand new house from Waterloo. Only shops were then Rossington Avenue. As kids we watched Leeming Road shops being built. I now live in Hersham but often go back to the wood to see my brother and sister. How the town has changed. My close friends them days were Gordon Sharp, Terry Perkins, Tommy Walker, Ian Walker, Alan (ginger) Reynolds, Frank Campbell and Jack Lovesay who I understand sadly passed. Be nice to hear from old locals on the site.
I was born in Esh Winning in 1949, dad Bob White and mum Alice Eddy. Mum's family had 2 of the chip shops and the garage, but dad's family were from Hamilton Row. I remember living in South Terrace before getting our first house with an inside toilet in Fir Terrace and then in Dene Park, which I left in 1968. My mum continued to live there through till her death in 1995. Our neighbours there ...see more
I am trying to find old photos or maps of 50 Meden Bank, Station Hill, Nr Mansfield, from 1920's to 1935 any thing related to that area, where my mum grew up.She always had fond memories of growing up there.
Phew, so long ago. Mrs Ozols the music teacher and Mr Wilson the english teacher. I live in America now, wish they had reunions like in America.
Pictured is the spot in New London Road where I used to wait for the school bus to Moulsham Schools. On the left was the Slyths Monumental Showroom full of sample headstones. If it was raining I would shelter in there out of the rain. To the left of Slyths (out of shot) were the Congregational church schoolrooms. I believe that the Boys Brigade were located there and on Sundays they could be seen marching their band down New London Road towards the Congregational church.
School playtime was prolonged on many occasions by up to half an hour. At the end of playtime the school bell was supposed to ring out. It rarely did because we would climb up the pole and place a dodd of wet paper between the hammer and the bell, so there was no sound. This was at Kilbirnie Central, Do you remember this?
The Sugar Bowl was always an open air pool and never an indoor one. We considered this pool 'posh' probably as it was more expensive than The Galleon, but it was nice to swim there as a treat. I now live in Somerset with family in Banstead but I understand the Galleon is no longer in existence but what about the Surrey Yeoman? That was my watering hole when it was run by Oscar Collier and his son Richard (Dick).
I was born at 36a Brasenose Rd, above McCanns general shop. My sister, Belinda Hughes, brother Teddy and myself all went to St Alexander's school. We lived there with my nana, Belinda Townsend. We had two bedrooms between seven of us; 5 of us in one room, 3 kids in one bed and mum an dad in another. My parents, Ted and Kay Hughes, drank in the Hangmans Pub, you could hear them singing on their way down the road. We ...see more
As I lived in Banstead I had to walk or catch the 80 or 80a to Burgh Heath in order to swim with my school friends from Burgh Heath, Walton on Hill or Lower Kingswood - most of whom attended Picquets Way school. Does anyone remember our Headmaster Mr Spearing with the nickname of Chewy and the maths master Baldy Hutton? Back to the Galleon, at the end of the balcony there was a café, I was always hungry ...see more
Just able to use this ipad as I am somewhat of a Luddite. Having googled the club I thought I would express my happy memories of the Sunday morning 25 mile time trials at Wiversfield and then off on the Sunday run from Cuckfield for 80 or more miles with pints and pie for lunch, a tea stop and back to the White Harte to finish with beer! I remember various charactors: Arthur and his sister, Cedric, John Gallsworthy, ...see more
My paternal family owned the nursery/market garden in Ambleside prior to and after the war, their house is now the Glava Restaurant. My maternal family owned High Wray Bank on the other side of the Lake. I was bought up with so many tales, especially of my late father John Milligan and the antics that he and his brother Tony would get up to. One tale being how the two of them would row across the lake to Wray Bay and ...see more
I left Crossley & Porter school in 1963 and went to work as a trainee dispensing optician at Rayner & Keeler, 20 Fountain Street, Halifax. Next door was a bespoke tailors named Tillets. Our shop was very small and when Tillets retired in about 1968, Rayners moved into their premises which were much larger. Next door was the Hebble Bus Co. booking office. A gents hairdresser, who was across the road (Jim ...see more
I attended Lawrence Weston Comprehensive School from September 6, 1963 until February 1969. Although I had passed my 11 Plus examination very highly (highest in the southwest of England) and wanted to go to Clifton College my parents could not afford the fees, and other schools I favoured were either full or too far away so I reluctantly came here. My disfavour was because pupils of ...see more
I lived in Clayton Street. I remember playing in the street - rounders where our ball kept bouncing against the gable end of Mrs Lowndes house in Meadow Lane, and she wasn't happy! We had no gardens and we all played in the street. There was an air raid shelter built on spare ground opposite our house, it wasn't very substantial and we used to play hide and seek around and in it... I used to do odd jobs ...see more
My only son, James ,was born in Glenroyd Maternity Hospital in March 1964 weighing in at a tiny 5lb 4 oz. In the next bed, I had made friends with a lady whose mammoth son born a day later, weighing 17lbs! I promised that my Jamie would take care of her boy in the hospital nursery and make sure he wasn't bullied by the 'big boys'. The lady, a great fan of the Western series of the time, decided to call her son ...see more
I was born at Glen Andred which is situated just beyond the Groombridge cemetery, which was just beyond the pumping station. There was Dad, Mum, Gran and my brother, Paddy. After 6 months we all moved to Forge Gate Crossing which was for the traffic wanting to cross the railway line at Forge Farm, and was between Birchden and Eridge. Dad returned to the army after his escape from Dunkirk the previous year ...see more
FAMILY STATIONED AT STREENSALL CAMP
I lived in Balham for many years, and when my Nan came to visit, her first request was a trip to a little shop near the market that sold 'old fashioned' knickers, stays, liberty bodices etc, I have fond memories of that lovely little shop sadly long gone now, but cant remember the name, can anyone help to jog my memory.
My family and I lived in the old houses along the canal, there was a large archway leading into what we called the big yard, I was very small and can still remember the smell of the coal trains as we stood on the bridge and breathed in the dirty smoke from their chimneys. Bonfire night was a treat and we used to carve faces out of big turnips and put a candle inside. Our house was dark and musty ...see more
Accompanying my Husband on business trips to U.K and Europe and being entertained by associates, I decided that I would like to do the same in our home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I got a"Cordon Bleu" in London and Paris over the years. We lived in the most beautiful Tudor-Style house which was a land-mark and the home for our 3 children - Alan, Hilary and Jonathan. I served on the Union of Jewish Women and ...see more
Hi, I'm Tony Rivers. I was born 1943 at St Heliers hospital to the sound of bombs falling around me ( I wasn't aware of it at the time of course). I used to live in Muchelney Road and my family did most of their shopping in Rose Hill. I used to spend a lot of time at the athletics track which was in front on the hospital and between the prefabs. I remember they were lovely little prefabs all with nice gardens and ...see more
My memories are from Moor Lane when Weirs had the Petrol pump on the pavement at the side of the old Maude Smith and opposite to the DD England farm with the little dairy on the front where you bought the most gorgeous homemade ice cream served by a lady called Mrs Faiclough and she had a daughter Ann.I recon that the cobbles are still there at the side of the doit yourself as that was were the cows used to go up to ...see more
I was bought up in Brixton, Water Lane - have very happy memories. I remember going to Brixton market with my nan, she would meet her sister for a drink in the pub, Prince Albert. I would wait outside with my crisps and lemonade, then she would take me into Walworth and buy me sweets. I used to love going to Saturday morning pictures with my best friend who lived next door in Trent Road. I went to Parkside ...see more
I used to live at Ampney Knowle in the 1950's - father worked on a farm for Mr A R Kent. Initially we were the first occupant of the granary flat which had just been converted, then we moved to the cottages down the drive Nos 58. Have many memories just e mail me for more on mjajones@btopenworld.com its where Liz
I grew up in Southend in the 70's and 80's. The one thing I miss more than anything else since leaving is Rossi's. Ice-Cream to die for. I miss seeing Warrior Square gardens when I visit too. So much has changed.
I had scarlel fever and was sent the Isolation Hospital as it was then called . I had no idea where I was and hated it there so much so I didn't eat.I was only about 4 or 5 & one night I had diarroea & fouled my bed. The nurse was cross because she had to change the bed clothes and give me a bath. I returned home after 10 days.
My father's family lived in Rose Cottage, Chalk Street from before the war till about 1970. My father was Fred Little, he unfortunately passed away in 1969 at the age of 46. My father had John, Joe, Percy, Jim, Peg and Nellie as brothers and sisters. My grandmother was Sarah Little, she, as I remember, moved in 1970 and passed away shortly after. My sister Janet and I used to go to Mrs Turpins farm over ...see more
Well hear goes - I used to live in Shelly Gardens when I was very little, around 5 or 6. We lived next door to a Mrs Cliff. Hoping to find anyone who knows them or my mother - her last name was Sheldon.
It was the year of the Coronation and we, the Allans, had a T.V. We were all sitting watching this event when Mother got up and said, "right, one of you go down and tell Annie Laurie that Bill, her son, is on the telly". I said "who is Annie Laurie?". "Mrs Ferguson", she said, "run like stoor, move yourself". I ran down to the house and Mr Ferguson answered the door, "Whit dae you want?", "My mother said tae ...see more
My mother often spoke fondly of living in Bearpark from 1920 -1926 when the family came down to London. My grandfather, Edward Leadbitter, was a miner at Bearpark pit. He worked on an 18 inch seam, lying in water in the semi darkness as he hewed the coal. They lived at Aldin Grange Hall and called it 'The Hall'. Apparently the streets were built on the site of a large house. There was also a street called Ballroom ...see more
Wonderful memories of my father who took me shooting for pheasants as a child with our Labrador dog in the then wheatfields of Bluewater. Later when the fields were excavated for chalk we would walk through the chalk pits with the dog and find a wealth of wildlife it was an idyllic childhood.
I lived @ 34 Gurnell Grove from 1947 to approx.1955. I remember the names of everyone up my alley, and others in the Grove. I had eight wonderful years there, the freedom to go wherever you liked, over the six fields, which took you all the way via Jacobs ladder to West Ealing. There was a riding school just off the first field, there were plenty of parks, tennis courts, golf courses, the River Brent, loads of trees ...see more
Rossi's ice cream shop in Barkingside, Pennyfarthing Records, Ilford, the old Sainbury shop in Gants Hill and Gants Hill tube station our gateway to "up west" !!
I have no memories to share but maybe some local interest. My great grandfather Edmund Evans was born in Esgairgeiliog 1845 and our family name is Evans. His parents were David Evans and Elizabeth Evans nee Evans! Is it known which 'Evans' the bridge was named after ???
I, with my brother Malcolm, attended the original Mrs Bland's School when it was in Reading Road. I think we started around 1957/8. From there we were two of the first fifty pupils to attend Theale Grammar School in 1963. This year (2013) along with several others of the first fifty pupils, plus some from the next years intake, we attended a reunion marking the first fifty years of Theale school. ...see more
A trip to Market Drayton swimming pool was a massive treat for me and my cousins. We loved the feeling of the sun on our backs whilst we swam and the wonderful rural surroundings, with the church clock chiming on the hour. Mum used to pack a picnic and we would get hot tea or ice cream from the green tea hut. As the day drew to a close we never wanted to leave. To this day I still love to swim outdoors ...see more
I had been coming to Chesterfield as a child from early 60s to visit family in Rhodes Ave Newbold from Glasgow and loved every minute especially summer holidays when my cousin Susan and I would come into town and straight to the co-op for a cheese cob before wandering the market. Every visit when the spire came into view it would bring tears of happiness. Now at the age of 56 I've finally come to live here ...see more
Anyone have any knowledge of deene house where a relative of my friends late husband worked. His great grandfather labourer/gardener there during 1920`s/30`s.
I remember my late Uncle Norman Buckley, ( W Buckley & Sons Butchers ) and my late Auntie Irene, working tirelessly on their butcher's stall, always the busiest in Tunstall market !! The finest meats, sausages etc you could buy in the town !!!! Uncle Norman would give me a large piece of black pudding, as a 4 year old, a special treat, spicy and delicious !!!( The recipe was a ...see more
My name is Tony Baker and I'm the unofficial (and unpaid) family historian for our family. One of my mother's brothers was Edward Barber was born in Gosport, he lost a leg in WW1, and eventually married a girl from West End, it is thought late 50s or early 60s but this detail is a bit vague. It is also thought they had 1 child. He used to get about in a wickerwork basket invalid ...see more
My brother and I spent very important years in Theydon Bois. We were only there for 5 years but they were probably the most formative. It was a very simple village. There was the school, far too small for the many children born at the end of 2nd World War. So the Telephone exchange and Scout hut became class rooms to suppliment the Victorian school which was just one room with a dividing screen that was pulled ...see more
My mother, Barbara Davidson, was born in Hulme 1927 to Jenny and Harry Davidson, they lived in Junction Street. My mother went to Vine Street primary school and South Hulme Senior girls. The families she remembered are the Metcalfs and the Glovers, her best friend was Dorothy Glover who became a war bride at the age of 18 and went to America. If there are any relatives who would like to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
I was 12 when I bought my first balsa wood glider from Wally Kilmisters model shop on Wembley Triangle. It made me more interested in model making as I continued to buy and make models and fly them at Sharons farm, a local park nearby. I remember it well, just as if it was yesterday. Can anyone share this experience ? Thanks, bye for now. Virendra
Just to the right of where this photo has been taken was the village smithy, it was built in 1947 by my grandfather Harold Cottrell and my father Reg Cottrell. They continued the business started by my Gt Gd Father Fred Cottrell who had a smithy at Dane in Shaw. Unfortunately the smithy closed on my father's death in 1981. This was a good time to live in the village, the Silver Springs factory you can see in ...see more
I was born here in 1949 and went to school at Heath Hayes infants school. My dad was a miner, as was my grandad and everyone in the village. I have very happy memories of living in Glover St and going to chapel there. Has anyone any old photos of the old village before it was pulled down. I'd love to see them.
I was placed with a lovely warm family, Ivor and Betty Boase, they made me so welcome. I spent about a year with them - they treated me as family member, it was the happiest time. They had a son, Derek and daughter Brenda. Uncle Ivor was into amateur dramatics and did many shows while I was there. I attended the local Cathlolic school and they made sure I went to mass every Sunday. My ...see more
Lived in Netherton Colliery from 1937 - 1952. Attended Morpeth High School for Girls 1940 - 1947. I remember some names, if anyone remembers me I can be contacted on e mail at - jaynell130@yahoo.co.uk. Look forward to hearing!!
I was born in Williams ward in Upney in 1957. We lived on Thames View in a small flat near the top end of Bastable Avenue. We then moved to Bredo House – I will always remember the flat, it had a downstairs and a staircase up to the 2 bedrooms, bathroom and toilet. There was a door at the top of the stairs leading onto a landing where the laundry was hung on washing lines. I remember many a happy day playing on ...see more
The name of the cricketer that came to play at Blackhall from Barbados was called Desmond Haynes I think
My mother and father lived in Sezincote back in the fifties. Does anyone remember the Hodder family.
Please get in touch with me if you grew up on the St Marys Crescent Estate, especially if you remember my family. We lived in number 48 then no.4 then number 93 - I got married from there. There was eight children in my family all with the initial B - Brian, Barry, Barbara, Bernard, me (Beryl) then came Janet, Beverley and Stephen (mum thought Janet was going to be the last). I had wonderful memories growing up in Pitsea ...see more
I was born in Lincoln May 26, 1957 to American parents. My father was in the United States Air Force and we lived at 65 South Park. I was born just a few doors down at the Eastholme Maternity Home. My family returned to America in 1959 and I never had the opportunity to return to Lincoln until 2004, with my husband, Mike Cucullu. We visited the street address of my birth and discovered the current owners of the ...see more
I loved this school. The first time I set foot inside the grounds I knew I had found the place I was supposed to be. Passing the 11 plus was unheard of in my family, I knew it was my means of escape from drudgery and the school itself exemplified this. Did I already see the beauty of correct proportions as an orphan aged eleven? Of course I did! And I was allowed to go every day. I loved that big oak and it's deep ...see more
I used to live on Bury Road and was a keen swimmer. Well I remember if the swimming baths were busy, I used to hop on the Norden bus and go to the outdoor pool at Norden known as the riviera, boy was that water cod, but what great fun was had.
Does anyone know of any Pearce families living in Kintbury Holt around 1936?