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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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 28081 - 28160 of 36833 in total

My wife and I moved to Shrubland Park in 1950 after I had secured a job working in the glasshouses and market garden of this large estate. It was a wonderful place to live and enjoy the peace of the countryside. After a couple of years the head gardener left to become self employed. I was then given the chance to take charge of the market garden whilst the pleasure gardens were looked after by someone else. I had ...see more
My parents moved to Twycross from London in the early 1960s. We lived on Sheepy Road next door to Mr Charlie Brooks and Louie Jones. On the opposite side were Stan and Ilma Jones and Len Gibbs and his daughter Joan. I remember there being a family whose surname was Talbot in the big house opposite us, but they moved away and a family called Turner moved in. We went to school in Congerstone, followed by ...see more
I was born in the house that lays back just out of view in this photo. The house was built in 1954 and our family were the only people to live there up until my father's death in 2008. I was born in the house, as were both my sisters. At that time the house was a tied cottage to the farm called Sharvels that was at the bottom of Cock Hill. In later years the farm was sold to Crown Properties and then later still ...see more
My family lived in Stanmore, Middlesex and on a hot summer evening (yes there were some!) my dad would pile mum and I into his little 1932 Austin 7 and off we would go to the 'swimming bath' at London Colney. I loved it, occasionally dad would swim with me but most of the time he and mum would sit and watch me having the most glorious time. I remember there were horses in the field behind the ...see more
My great-great-great-grandfather Rhodes Green was born in Burnham and lived and worked in Church Street. On the 1851 census he is listed as a shoemaker (master) and employing 2 men. His sons are shoemakers and his daughters are shoe binders. My friend Jean's ancester is John Tilbury and he is on the same census, he is also living in Church Street as a shoemaker (master).
Mr Purvis the butcher, whose shop stood on the corner of Talke and Audley Roads, was my Saturday morning employer. He always wore a striped apron and a straw boater hat and sported a rather slick moustache. His manner with the ladies was, as I perceived, rather suggestive? I was paid 7s and 6p for my morning's work. I followed parental advice and put 5s straight into my savings at Mrs Robinson's Post Office across ...see more
I was born in this year, but do not have much to remember from then. About 1974 and I remember playing with a few children in the village. The Lister children really I rember. The Twiggs lived in the Abbey. I spent endless happy days there with the horses. The ghosts, mainly monks from the abbey. I lived in 3 Station Cottages. The Scotts in the bid house on the A318. Mr Webb at the Priory with his lovely horses. Colin ...see more
I was just reading 'Formative years in Kirn'. Yes they were good. I used to fish off Kirn pier for cat fish for Mrs Drovandi's cat and in exchange she would give me an ice cube. I remember Reggie Brooks and the boats - We used to live in Borland Park. Then moved up to Argyle Terrace. I remember Edith McPhail, Jeanette Rankin, Dorcas Branches. Playing jump rope - playing ball on the nursery wall that was at the end of Argyle ...see more
I recall paying one shilling for a session of swimming, with the changing rooms either side of the pool. We used to keep one eye on our swimming and the other on our changing cubicle where our cloths were. I attended my first dance at the pool, which was covered over for all to dance. I saw my first live showbiz star - who was Lulu - also at the Rawmarsh baths hall. I recall a lot of friends that I ...see more
I was born in April 1938 at l Eardley Road off Mitcham Lane with the London to Brighton Railway running along the far end of our garden. Opposite was Aldrington Road which then housed St Albans Church which I attended every Sunday. I loved Streatham and every day I walked along Aldrington Road to catch the 49 bus to my primary school, St Anselm's, at Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, and then later we walked every ...see more
Our grandparents live in Chipping Campden. When we lived in Worcester we would drive through Pershore on the way there. As a young child I used to acknowledge the little flags which were hung on string in between the buildings on either side of the high street.
Our grandparents live in Chipping Campden. When we lived in Worcester we would always go through Evesham on the way to Chipping Campden. We always drove past Great Hampton churh for as long as I could remember. It always looked very nice - tucked in among the trees, with its blue clock face. How cleaned up the church has become since this photo. In time I became a bell ringer and rang my 4th peal at this ...see more
The Silver Lounge makes me remember summer holidays when my mum was working in Collins Cleaners near the traffic lights at Gravel Hill, and I was looked after by my elder brothers and sister. My sister and I would meet Mum outside the Silver Lounge in her lunch break and then we would be treated to spaghetti on toast and an ice-cream. The diner was all chrome and an American theme with knickerbocker glories. Mum ...see more
Born into a large family one of eventually, 8 children, I can remember helping to pick and shell peas in our very large rear garden, we grew a lot of vegetables then and I enjoyed swinging and climbing on our many apple trees; we kept pigeons and rabbits, and also one chicken called Sheila (named after my eldest brother's girlfriend). Eventually our garden was divided into two, ...see more
I was nursing at the hospital from December 1952, and the photo that is shown is of the old Nurses' Home, which you went into in your second year, or when on night duty in the part of the building at a right angle on the left. This meant that you had a single room instead of sharing. All the sisters also had rooms in this building as did Matron. The posts in the foreground are around the tennis courts, indicating that the ...see more
I was born in 1940 and lived at 27? (it might be another number) Hobmoor Croft. We lived next door to the Lewis family and the other side was the Bessie family. We lived there between 1940 and 1945 when we moved to Erdington. As I was so very young I don't have many memories of the place except that there was some sort of space at the back where they had huge tank shelters and where we kids used to play ...see more
Alan Newick owned a butcher shop and my father worked for him.
Doreen Goodchild my grandmother worked here as a nurse sometime between 1960-1975, before moving on to work at Chailey Heritage Hospital. I would be interested to hear from anyone who might know more about Cuckfield hospital and its history or if anyone remembers my grandmother Doreen Goodchild working there. Also my half sister Rachel was born at Cuckfield Hospital on 18th April 1973.
We lived in Salfords from about 1948-1952, at the top of Honeycrock lane. Yes Angela, you did pay in the cubicle in the butcher's and the baker's shop was Cakebread's - very appropriate. I went to the old school, Mr Mackay taught us in the top class but he left and Mr Hutchinson took over. I remember them reading Tom Sawyer to us - I can almost hear it now. We each had a drawing of a man with 10 ...see more
My great grandmother, Elizabeth Allaban (born around 1864) was a servant at Elton Villas in Spalding. Do you know where this would have been in Spalding? I am currently tracing my family tree so would be pleased to hear from anyone with that name. Elizabeth Allaban married Joseph Preddy in March 1891 at Spalding. Regards Jane Mitchell
It was about 1957 and before, when the Willows was a place to picnic on a Saturday and Sunday afternoons. It was a very popular place, with the Shuggy boats and the river to play in, and there were houseboats galore tied up on the bank side. Rumour has it that there was a brothel on one of these boats. In years gone by there were ice games on the pond there, but I can't recall this, but what I do ...see more
I used to live in 'The Close' at Portskewett. My grandmother, Ethel Davies (nee Hicks) used to own the village shop. My grandfather, Arthur Davies had large greenhouses behind the shop. He was also head gardener at Caldicot Castle for quite a few years. I would be interested to hear from anyone who remembers us.
My grandfather, Arthur Davies, was the head gardener at Caldicot Castle for many years. He was living there when he got married in 1925. At one point they lived in the gatehouse. Mr Cobb gave my grandfather a book relating to the castle which he gave to his nephew, Gordon Davies. I was born and lived in Portskewett until 1967.
Having been born and brought up in Buckhusrt Hill in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s and now living in Kent, it reminds me what a unique place it once was. My immediate memories are of Lords Bushes and living in Forest Edge, I was lucky enough to live opposite this lovely part of Epping Forest. I also remember attending Buckhurst Hill County Primary School in Princes Road and being part of its centenary ...see more
I was 6 years old and we lived close to Gladstone Park where we children would  play the year round. I remember the pond, the swimming pool and the tennis courts. Then there was the scary steep hill where we played hide and seek. Our neighbours to one side were Andrew and David Robertson and an old couple on the other side who didn't like children very much and we were three, two sisters and a ...see more
I have been looking up the old photos of places I have visited and came across Busk Crescent, Cove, Farnborough. Somebody wrote about the crescent. I knew John Mcbryde and his family who lived at no 27 in the 6190s. I visited John for a weekend when the Farnborough Airshow was on. I met John when I was at Butlins with my friends, what happy days. I have never been back to Farnborough but we often pass it on our journeys up the motorway, and I should go back and explore the town.
I well remember Bryn Gearge ,when we were younger he lived across the back lane from our house. He raced pigeons and often we had to go and look for my father at dinner time as he would be talking to Bryn about pigeon racing.
I know this house is where my great-great-grandfather Harvey Ayling was born (in 1834). The Aylings were in this house for many generations. I have a picture of this same house from the late 1800s with 2 horse wagons parked out front. Still, even today, the same house has the same Ayling family decendents living there. I even have a record of my g-g-g-g-grandpa John Ayling being a resident in Houghton dated from 1778. It could go back even more years than that.
Being Con's older brother, my memories go back a bit further, having started school about the day war was declared, going to the village school, with Miss Burling(?) - rumour had it that she changed the spelling of her name from Berlin (for obvious reasons). There are a lot of hazy wartime memories as well which would occupy a lot more space. I have memories of winding the church clock, back in the early ...see more
John and Freda I remember Mr Bobbit and all the other teachers you mention. The most memorable thing about Mr Bobbit was the fact that if you upset him he would grab your sideboards between his fingers and twist then until you almost screamed. If only the teachers were allowed to do that today!
Attending the Senior School, my memories are of the dinner dances that where held in the school hall to raise money to pay for the church and school, many of the events where organised by the local church organisations and the priests, particularily Canon Brennan, father Condon and Father Bailey, each played their own UNselfish part in the running of the parish before the other churches where ...see more
My sister remembers cycling to Gaunts Common just after my great-grandfather died, my great-grandmother stayed at a house there, there was an old railway carraige in the garden which was used as a caravan, and my grandmother stayed there for a while. The owners were probably Steele-Bartlett-Sweatland or Chalk, all family names. Also there was a photo of my great-great-grandfather Edward (Ned) Steele, a ...see more
My earliest memory of Emsworth was a sweet shop called The Chocolate Box in the Square, Emsworth (now Heidi's). It was owned by my grandfather Bertie Holland from 1924. It was later taken over by his daughter and son-in-law, Jim and Blanche Greer. When Bertie retired from the shop (which sometimes had a queue of people outside for the hand-made ice cream) he, and my grandmother Connie, moved to a house at 3 (now ...see more
I wonder if anyone could be of help. I am in the process of tracing my family tree and have discovered my great grandmother, Elizabth Allaban (or Allabon) (married in Spalding to Joseph Preddy in March 1891) was a servant in Elton Villas, Spalding. Does anyone know where this is or do you know of anyone with the name Allaban? Joseph Preddy was born in Nettleton. I would love to hear from anyone as I have become seriously addicted to genealogy. Thanks Jane Mitchell
To the bottom right of the picture looks like a butcher's shop, I started my career in the meat trade in the same high street but a few shops up in 1975 as a boy! I think that shop with the two butchers outside later became Muffetts wet fish shop.
My family lived in a prefab in Ashburnham Road. Dad worked for the Home Office, Mum stayed at home. Looking back, they were happy days - long summer days, adventure trips over to Ham pits, being yelled at by Jimmy Edwards whilst playing Polo - we used to collect polo balls. At the end of Ashburnham Road there was  Secrets Farm. I fell into Ham pond many times, we used to go there fishing for tabpoles. I ...see more
I was a pupil at Marton from 1965 to 1967 and have many memories and some pictures. I was in Stevenson House, run by Truck Taylor and the Grey House, run by Billy Doyle. We were always under control so visits to the town were always to church. I'd like to know whatever became of the school, is it a housing development now?
I remember living at No 12 Kingwood Estate and spending many evenings after school playing cricket on the village pitch.
It was 1947 and I had just started school at Newburn infants, I was only four and a half, I can still remember me Ma crying when she left me, she should have been clapping her hands. There I was in a lovely knitted jumper - me Ma was a great knitter and my job was sitting in front of the coal fire holding a hank of wool, arms in rhythm with me Ma winding it into a ball. Bah, some of them hanks went on for ever. We also ...see more
Having lived in the general area for 67 years, today my wife and I visited the hidden village of Tyneham for the first time, and what a wonderful suprise. The village nestles between the hills above Worbarrow Bay and is so peaceful and beautiful. It was just like stepping back into bygone days, or straight into a Thomas Hardy novel, the entire experience was amazing. The pretty little church and the ...see more
Sadly, Langleybury School is no more. I had the good fortune to work for the school starting in 1989 and I continued until its closure many years later when it was merged with Francis Combe School in nearby Garston. My role was to provide careers guidance to students from the age of 14 upwards and this included tracking many of the youngsters as they had their first taste of employment on work experience in ...see more
The history of Exmouth Harbour and marina has altered beyond recognition in the last few years. In 1998 I went there as a complete novice deck hand and worked for the summer on the 55-foot trawler GY165 'Pacemaker'. We fished out in the channel and often landed our catch on the harbour, to the interest of the town's visitors. I lived on board the boat for the first 6 weeks which was quite an experience, you felt very ...see more
Each day my journey either was via the cinder track (there was the old reservoir running alongside and the iron railway bridge stood in those days, the railway was still operating I think or in the stages of being dismantled) or we walked over a somewhat ricketty wooden bridge at the bottom of Castle Hill, there were a few hens scratting round just before the bridge. The hill was so steep when you ...see more
We came to Bolt Head in 1950, my father having joined the Coastguard service after being in the Royal Navy for 40 years. I found it quite a way to cycle to work, I worked in the post office in Malborough. I used to go rabbiting with ferrets and the dog with my brother-in-law, we got quite a few on the air field, that was before the RAF came back on the camp. My sisters and I went down to Soar Mill Cove to walk ...see more
Hi, I am writing to see if anyone remembers the history of 'Cows Lane', Little Sutton. Many years ago a land-owner called Benich owned the lane, it was originally called Benich Lane, does anyone have any memories of this or old maps confirming this? My uncle has contacted the local council to have the lane named correctly. The council has agreed if he can find any proof they will re-name it. Can anyone help or advise me on this? Many thanks, Linda.
My maternal grandmother and mother were both born in Lymington, my mother attending the grammar school in Brockenhurst (I remember as a small boy her pointing it out to me from the train) In 1944, when the V1 'doodlebugs' started falling, it was decided that my mother, my sister and I should leave our home in London to join my grandmother in Lymington. It was a turbulent time in southern England, ...see more
1969, I visited my great aunt Vi and great uncle Frank at the Smithy House. His anvil is in the center of town. Frank Topley, the last village blacksmith.
It was about 1956. John Sample had started to change with the times and bought himself a pick up truck, him, 'Auld Jimmy' and me went to the horse sales at Gateshead just over the bridge, and I cannot for the life of me remember if it was the High Level or the Redheugh. They went to buy a horse, which they did, and it was my job to bring him home, they bought this poor sad horse showing its bones and saddle sores, it had ...see more
My paternal grandparents, Wright and Bertha Veall, lived in Ewyas Harold for many years at their small farm named, 'Woodside' situated on a hill about a mile from the village centre and just off the road to Rowlstone. To reach it, you crossed the narrow bridge facing the Temple Bar Inn, passing the Spracklings' house on the right and the Dales' cottage on the left, the last in a small row of ...see more
My God! I remember the baker shop fondly as it was opposite the Ealing Studios, and we used to hang outside Ealing Studios loads of times as kids, hoping to see someone famous - and we did. I've said "Hello" to Hattie Jaques, she was so lovely and warm, I remember her just walking over to my sister to say hello and ask why were we there, we explained we lived in Northolt but our nan and grandad lived in ...see more
I was born in Hulton Street, Ordsal, and lived all my life in the same house my mother was born into, no. 56 on the corner of Oxford Street. We were 3 girls and 2 boys, I was the middle one. My dad Jack Neilan was an Irish man who worked on Salford docks for 45 years. Everyone knew my mother and father as her dad and brother also lived in Hulton Street. When I wasn't in school (St Joseph's) I was in the ...see more
We actually lived in Northolt Grange but our cousins, the Barltetts, lived in Stanhope Road, Greenford (does anyone remember them?). I worked from the age of 8 or 9 for Ron and Stella Valente who owned Toni Milk Bar (very near the police station end). What at fantastic couple they were, they named me 'Corporal', I was like their son (they had not children) and I was there till I left ...see more
When I was about 5 years old I remember my mum picking me up from Smallfield school on her bike, I was in the back on a little seat when a doodlebug roared overhead, and the engine switched off ... My mum panicked, and pushed me off the bike behind a wall, we heard the bang towards Gatwick airport. We then continued the journey home. My dad later said the doodlebug went over our farm - Triddles Farm - and it went over ...see more
I still hear all the tales of those days from my father,who spent his holidays at Number 37 with the Offer family and was sent there during the Second World War as a child, he also knew your father Reginald . As a child I spent my holidays in Compton Bassett, staying either on Barnetts Farm or the White Horse pub field in our caravan or in a tent at the back of 36 or in the orchard of 37, even in the 1970s and 1980s it was fun, there is something still special about the place now.
I was born in Westhoughton, I lived in 53 Townsfield Road when I was born, then moved to 8 Allenby Grove until I left at the age of 23 and came to Australia. In primary school I went to Sacred Heart School and then in high school I attended the Senior Girls' School on Park Road. I remember at Easter climbing Rivington Pike. I am married now with one daughter and two grandchildren and I have lived in ...see more
I have many memories of the wartime years spent in Corsham. My father was in the Ordnance Corps and served under Colonel Cripps at the Central Ammunition Depot. Up to about 1943 we were billeted at a farm but after that with a Mrs Harvey in Bences Lane and this is where my memories begin. I recall being in a queue for our meat rations and it starting to rain and feeling very secure and dry as there was an overhang that ...see more
I didn't go to the school but my great-great-auntie did. I have a letter of hers that I have been transcribing. She says.. "I went to a one roomed school on Coven Heath. I was 3. A young lady was the teacher who called for each of the children on the way, thre was only 8 of us. I got on well and at 6 years old was able to go to Byshbury school 2 miles walk along the high hedged lanes." This ...see more
I was born in 1951. My parents owned the W Websters store in Barmoor Lane. I believe the old premises is now known as Orchard Cottage. I remember the sandshoes for sale dangling from the rafters and the butter was weighed out. My older sister helped serve sometimes after school. Dad set up a train set for Christmas for village folk to look at through the front window. Being also a wine and spirit ...see more
Hi, I am researching my family tree and am interested in finding anyone with the surnames Wells, Sheasby and Southam in the Harbury/Ladbroke area. Any information would be much appreciated. patbutler10@btinternet.com
My family and I moved from London in 1955 to Maldon, following a visit the year before with our Sunday School outing, and we moved near to the Prom. We had such happy times living there and as children my friends and I used to roam the Prom, the nearby sea-wall, fields, woods, and country lanes, in fact everywhere, in safety. What freedom we had then. We spent many hours in the cinema watching the latest ...see more
I was born and lived in Betws until I was nine. I remember attending the Chapel behind the Oddfellows pub and enjoying the Christmas parties we had held in the hall next door. Mrs Perry's shop was always a ritual every day from school, my mother did her weekly shop there and had an account which she settled at the end of the each week. We moved from shut up to Pen Parcae and then Dewi sant where I had many ...see more
I was at Pitreavie when it was a signals station for the Royal Navy and the RAF. We were like moles underground most of the time. The best thing about it was the warmth and the peace. We had a great crew down there, RAF and WRAF together. One of my best memories was the wedding of LAC Triggs and Corporal Sutton, WRAF. From here I was posted to RAF North Point in Hong Kong. Happy days.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I was just punching in Haymill Secondary School and pictures of Cippenham popped up!  I lived just around the corner from Everetts corner on Washington Drive.  It seemed like every day when I was young, my mum and I walked up to the mini mart there doing the daily groceries and stopping to speak to everyone she knew; going to the post office and Horshams or something paper shop. ...see more
I grew up in Monifieth and for the first 17 years of my life this is where I called home. I remember attending Invertay Annexe for 2 years. As it turned out both my sister and I were taught by the same teachers that had taught my father. My grandfather was the janitor at Invertay Primary School and my grandmother was a dinner lady. My aunts sister-in-law was Head Mistress. I only managed 6 months at Invertay before ...see more
My father bought a horse and gypsy caravan in the summer of 1946.He borrowed another horse from his brother and was able to take the caravan to Shoebury Hall camp site. He painted 'Happy Days' on the caravan door. We had the caravan there for about six to eight years - 1946-1945? We had a bell tent beside the caravan for adults and the caravan was for me, my brother and my sister. We let the caravan and tent for 4 ...see more
I remember the Japanese Gardens on Mount Park Road on the hill. I have pictures of what was till 1967 Ingleby Court, today it is Ingleby Drive, Harrow on the Hill. Pauline Coles I think would be interested in this once great old place, I have some images. You can't post images onto this website, but they can be seen on my face book: King R E West Sussex along with many more, on album called Assos.
For Roy Bryant whose message I recently read on Millbrook Memories. I too had Bryant relatives living on West Street Millbrook in 1840s. I believe your Richard Bryant is the brother of my Gt Grandfather Thomas Bryant. Their father William certainly died at 37 West Street on 18th Sept. 1870 and his death certificate states that the registrar was informed by one Richard Bryant present at death. Have much more ...see more
Does anybody remember a Jack Bailey, turf accountant? I am trying to trace Jack or John Bailey and his son Clifford. The address was 141 Creamer House, St Mary's Road or Street, any info would be appreciated. The shop was there in the 1960s but from when I don't know.
I was born in Cherrywood Road back in 1956. I was the youngest in the family that originally moved into the road in 1952. My brother still lives there, being a total of 57 years now. Places I remember in the road are the Why Not Inn, Gypsie's Tent (later known as Typsy Gent), Doreen's corner shop, Queenie's shop, Colmore Depot, Diamond screw, Forward Radiator, Ward's corner shop, Ted Rogers the bookmakers, ...see more
I was born in 1942 and brought up in Walthamstow in NE London. We were a working class family and Dad always provided us with 2 week's holiday, if possible 'by the sea'. In 1951, Dad chose Dawlish Warren. I was 9 at the time and we probably travelled down by train from Paddington, changing at Exeter St Davids and getting a local train for Dawlish Warren but I have no recollection of that. ...see more
I was born in 1942 and brought up in Walthamstow in NE London. We were a working class family and Dad always managed to provide us with 2 weeks' holiday somewhere. How we came to holiday in Wroxall is still a bit of a mystery. Neither Mum nor Dad had ever been to the Isle of Wight before. In August 1952 we had the first of three annual fortnights holidays on the Island. The first year,1952, we stayed ...see more
I was born in 1942 and and spent my childhood in Walthamstow, which up to the time I left in 1967 was predominantly a white working class area in north-east London; I went to Chapel End Infants and Junior Schools and then to William Morris Technical School. My wife Sandra was similarly born and brought up in Walthamstow and we married at St John's Church in October 1965. My earliest memories and ...see more
On my previous comment I said that Sandy Hole lane was opposite the Bell pub, sorry this of course should have been the Phipps Arms pub. Bob Porter
We used to do our fishing further down the Avon, behind the old Oxo factory where the workers used to throw lumps of Oxo across the river to us to eat.
You werent dreaming Patricia! - they were there and they are still there from Easter to the end of September. They are on the beach walking from Cawsand to Kingsand and then on for half a mile or so towards Plymouth. They are as loved now as they ever were. Best Wishes Gillian
I was the Chief Projectionist at the Lyric from approx 1957 until 1963 when I was appointed as Co Chief/Lighting Engineer at the new ABC Blackpool. The Manager at the Lyric was Mr Ron Crabb and when he moved to another ABC Cinema, Mr Ken Porter took his place. Ron Crabb and myself were featured on an edition of Down Your Way, the popular BBC Radio programme of the time. The cinema had a small but lovely ...see more
On Friday two days before the Second World War broke out on the 3rd of September 1939 I was evacuated to Yarm. I was six years old and along with my sister Doreen and cousin Audrey we, with nearly all of the pupils at our school, (Alexandra Road in Gateshead) walked down to Bensham station and boarded a special train to Yarm. On arrival we all paraded in the town centre square to find out who we were to be looked after by, ...see more
In 1978 my sister-in-law Diane Plaskitt worked in the kitchens at the pub. During her time there along with another member of staff they came across 'the Blacksmith Ghost'. They caught site of an image of a man walking from the kitchen door into the hall and then down into the men's toilet at the bottom of the hall. One of the staff decided to go into the toilets to see who it was......and when ...see more
I used to live a few doors from auld Jimmy Sample and his wife Carrie, his son John was married to June and they lived in Francis Terrace. They had their rag and bone yard down the Winnin, anyway I would spend summer nights, weekends and holidays down there. Early morning before school I would be up knocking at Jimmy's door, out he would come with Gyp the fawn greyhound that went on the cart with him. I once saw this ...see more