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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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

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!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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Displaying Memories 30241 - 30320 of 36832 in total

My very early childhood was spent in the childrens home, St Michaels, from 1940 - 1956. The home was run by a Miss D Dunn from 1940 - 1956. I would be happy to share memories with anyone who was there during that period.
I was born in Mayday Hospital, lived in Croydon in 1952 with my family and Aunty Cis (Bassett) in the Waldrons and I remember playing in the spinney opposite the house. I remember the house being very big but then I was young. The last time I visited my aunty there I think was around 1965 and I hid because I didn't want to go home, which then was Darlington, Co. Durham. My dad was Bill Eaton. I was very pleased to see the old photos of Croydon, my birth place. It is very special.
My dad attended this school in the 60's/70's does anyone else remember this school or go to it? I would love to find out more about this school as I am building my Family Tree and woud love to hear from anyone who may remember Graham Hurle or have any stories/photos of life at this school or about my dad. Does anyone know what the school is called now as I can not find it on the internet? I look forward to hearing from you.
I remember queuing outside the pool for what felt like hours on a hot summer's day. The price to get in went as low as 1d -  or am I mistaken? We used to climb up a drainpipe at the back of the pool to get in, not to save money but to beat the queue. I remember the wet slimy discarded paper tickets that were on the floor in the mens' changing area, also the safety pin with a small piece of material with a ...see more
I spent an enjoyable month in Spring 1988 working for Kettering Careers Office as part of my training during a post grad year for my Careers Guidance Diploma. I remember Tresham College, lovely shops, friendly people, a comfortable bed and breakfast for the month arranged for me by the college, and my journey each Sunday and Friday evening by train from my Watford home to Kettering via ...see more
I went to school in Queens Road in 1949, it was called Hazelhurst, I was there until 1953 then when to Pitmans in Russell Road. I lived in SW20  as it was then and married in 1960 in Morden registry office, happy memories of Wimbledon. I now live in Three Bridges in Sussex.
I was born in Old Argent Street 1945 (VJ Day), only one in Grays as my old mum used to tell everyone, she was so proud of that, living in a 2 up, 2 down, mum, dad, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, overcrowded, nah, we got by. We spent summers swimming when we could find some bottles to take back to The Castle pub to get in, if not from off the coal jetty up the beach, we played football and cricket on the field by the yacht ...see more
I am only 23, but I remember the shoe shop very well, as it belonged to my grandfather Alex Adams, and had been in the family for many years.  And I do believe the child being walked up the road is my mum Linda Bright, nee Adams, and her gran, my great-gran Emma Adams.  She would have been 2-3 years old.  
Was this previously John Haddow's Cloch House Hotel? My Great Great Grandfather was John Haddow and I am trying to follow up our family tree. There are many mentions of the Cloch House Hotel in the Greenock Advertiser which had been owned by John Haddow. Regards Richard Budniak
Hi I am looking for any family on my father's sideof the family, my dad's name was Alan Waring, he had brothers Gillie and Walter/Wally Waring and a sister called Dulcie, I think they lived in Bebington for a while before moving to Eastham. My father's mother's name was Dorothy Stocker, if anyone could help I would appreciate it, many thanks.
Hi i am trying to trace my family tree, I am looking for Kate Collins, her father was Edgar Collins and her mother Mary Collins. Kate was a maid in service to a Lord Cutlip/Cudlip and later married William James Gibs, if anyone can help please contact me, thanks.
hi i am trying to trace my family tree, the people i am looking for is kate collins, she was a maid in service to a lord cutlip/cudlip and later married a william james gibbs, i would be gratefull for any help, thanks
hi i am trying to trace my family tree, i am looking for a kate collins, she was a maid in service to a lord cutlip/cudlip, can anyone help. many thanks
Hi can anyone help, I am trying to trace my family tree, the lady I am looking for is Kate Collins, she was a maid in service to a Lord Cutlip/Cudlip?
Hi, I'm am trying to trace Judith Jones or James, she married Samuel Reed then they moved to Heath Farm, Childerthornton. I believe she came from Storeton, but there is nothing registered on this site for Storeton, if anyone can help, I would love to hear from you
Hi, I'm trying to trace the family of Judith Jones or James that married a Samuel Reed, they then lived at Heath Farm, Childerthornton, can anyone help? I was told Judith was born in Storeton, but no such match has come up on this site.
Hi, can anyone tell me if they went to school with any of the following names, firstly my dad, Alan Maxwell Waring, Gillie Waring, Walter/Wally Waring, Dulcie Waring. They lived at Rose Cottage, Eastham. I would  love to hear from anyone who knew them or any stories they could tell me. All my father's side of the family including the Stockers came from either Eastham or Bromborough and my grandfather lived ...see more
There were two pleasure boats operating from the west beach, 'The Prince of Wales' and another, whose name eludes me at the moment.  I think it may have been 'The Queen Mary', but will have to confirm this later.  Up until recently, when they were deemed to be a risk, the manual winches were rusting on the top of the beach near the Uncle Tom's Cabin entrance from between the beach huts.  I moved ...see more
Arnage Castle belonged to Donald Charles Stewart from the early 1930s until it went out of the Stewart family at the end of the 1980s. D C Stewart as he was known was the largest privately owned housebuilder in the north east of Scotland.  One of six brothers, all but one were involved in the building firm. Arnage played host to stars of film and theatre from around the world.  A Jay Gatsby of his day, D C ...see more
Hi, I have a First World War medal, (Great War for civilization) from 1914-1918. When I was a little girl I used to collect all sorts of things. The medal I have was earned by a gentleman called Private ETHERIDGE, Manchester Regiment.  If anyone knows any whereabouts of this family or a member of the family I would love to give this medal back. If anyone can help me with my search or knows this family please get in touch with me.
I recently discovered whilst researching my family tree that Grandad George James Candy was not only born in St Helier, Jersey, but by the time he was 13 years old he and his brother Charles Henry (10 years) were living in the Seamans orphanage at 6 Hill Lane. I would love to know if anyone can remember the orphanage or has any knowledge of its history.
My grandad's family came from here, his name was Clarence Magson Hilton, he was born around 1900. I am trying to find anyone related, he married Elizabeth Howard and lived in Hull.
My wife  and I moved here in 1983. We lived in the far cottage of the terrace of 3 (1,Church Cottages), in the foreground of this photograph. Our first daughter arrived whilst we were here. However, the imminent arrival of the second meant that we had to move to a larger property. We had four very happy years here. Unfortunately, the Christmas after we moved a major fire severely damaged this terrace and it ...see more
I have just seen a website comment from M Hayward, I remember the shop well. I lived in Graig Terrace, and often used the shop to buy magic Orange Maid lollipops, I would like to hear more from people who used to live in Abercwmbo in the 1950s and 1960s. Regards, Ann Griffiths
The following is a transcription of a newspaper article written about my grandparents Annie & Arthur Hopgood. May 1952. They took over the Carpenters Arms Rhoose in 1941. (now called the Highwayman) ‘Leader of the Band’ Many friends and customers called at the Carpenters Arms to celebrate the Golden Wedding of “Mine Hosts” Mr & Mrs A J Hopgood on Friday. As recorded in our last issue Mr & Mrs ...see more
Hi, I still live in the area but Forge has the best memories, epecially of my grandad and those summer walks with Ebony, his black labrador, we used to sit in the long grass above the dam watching George Cunningham doing his drawings and paintings and George used say "Here lad, do you want one?". Well you have guessed it, I said "I am not bothered", oh well. It was the best place ever during those summer days, let's hope for them this year. Regards Terry
I remember riding on an old wooden rollercoaster inside the pavilion on the Grand Pier in 1962 or 1963 called The Figure of Eight. I was around about 6 years old and the next time I went to Weston, probably the following year, the ride was gone. Now I can't find out anything about the ride and it is as if it never existed. What happened to it and why no photos or info now?
Happy memories of Warnham Court. I remember Bill & David Dundridge, Eric Cook, Margaret Hardy. I was in Mr Mackley's class, in the Cedar dorm and Bodium was my house. Would like to hear from anybody that was there during my time and remembers me.
My name is Peter Warner. I spent many holidays at Upper Dean in the 1930s. My uncle was a farmer at Top Farm. I was also evacuated to Dean during the Second World War and attended Dean school. It remains to this day my favourite place with all its happy memories. In searching my family history I find that my ancestors all originate from Upper Dean. They were the Allen family and reach back to the 1600s. I intend to add much more of my times there at a later date. Peter Warner
Great memories singing in the Co-op choir. Putting on a show for the locals who bought a ticket and were given a bag of food and a drink to eat during the interval. Also going to Corstorphine for the choir competition and Scottish country dancing. Lots of great memories going to the Co-op Xmas and New Year dances. The Locarno, The Dreadnought (Birdcage), Flannigans, Smiths, great night life as a teenager.
Recall using a machine on the platform at Christchurch Railway Station. It punched letters onto a aluminium nameplate strip of metal for 6d. I still have one of them. Film of the Trolley Bus circular turning table can be seen on the youtube site, plus black & white footage of trolley buses' final parade journey round Bournemouth.
One of my fondest memories is of the big Christmas tree at Moreton Cross all lit up, you could see it way up Pasture Road in the dark and to a small child it was magic. I also loved the great hot summers and the very interesting shops in Moreton at that time, much better then than today, happy days at the shore, lots to do and see, spent hours there with my family, that's all most people could afford then, a day at the shore, but we loved it. Regards, Margery Hall
My mum lived in Lamb Street, the bottom half, she lived with her mother Harriet Prescott, sister Gertie and brother Billy. When Mum was born she was given the same name as her mother. They were bombed out of Lamb Street during the war, there do not seem to be any photos in books on the website of Lamb Street. Mum had many happy memories of Lamb Street and remembers Father Winder, although mum was C of ...see more
Any imformation or photographs would be very welcome please to ReidFS@aol.com.
When I was 14 and a half, I took an evening and Saturday morning job at the Woolworths in Varley Parade.  I was still there five years later, when my A levels came to an end.  I still see supervisor Dot from time to time, still living in the flat above the old shop.  Back then there were many Woolworths that started to disappear, long before the 2009 collapse. There was one in Hendon, up the Watford Way, ...see more
I grew up in the area and often visited as a child. One particular memory is of ordering a pot of tea for four - it was so big my Dad couldn't lift it and the cheese on the sandwiches was about an inch thick - delicious! Since moving away to London, I try and visit every time I come home and ALWAYS order an iced slice - the best cakes in the world & I live in fear of the day they're gone! See you soon Auntie Vi!
Our grandad George Boultby was a miner at Cotgrave. Because we didn't have a car, we had to go on the old type Barton buses. We would walk from the bus stop to our grandparents' house. They used to live in two different locations, the first I am not sure of the street/road name but it's from the main shopping area, through the garages at the back and across the road. It was a nice house with a hot kitchen and a ...see more
I was born in Colindale in 1937 living in Sheaveshill Ave. We had an Anderson shelter in the back garden in which I would sleep all night when bombing was bad, it was easier than getting me up when the sirens started at which time I would be joined by the rest of the household. I went to Colindale school, the headmaster was Mr Grassam, I can recall the names of all the teachers who taught me there. The ...see more
Friends of mine, Glenys Thomas (nee Burrows), Haydn Burrows and their family lived off Newcastle Hill at "The Graig". Much of Newcastle Hill remains unchanged today with the bottom of the hill closed to through traffic. I used to use the hill as my link to school friends then living in nearby West Road.
I can remember when I was in my teens, myself and a group of friends would hire the boats from the boat house and row all afternoon on Sundays, we had loads of fun up and down the canal, seems like another life time now, 40 year's or so have gone by, the old canal has seen some changes, there was no M25 then, life was much quieter.
Hi, I have been researching my wife's family history. She was an Ennos, and I have found that there were a number of families with the name Ennos in Little Waltham during the 1800's. Are any of them still around? I'd love to make contact. Ancestors were Ernest Ennos, William Ennos, James Ennos. Thanks John
My cousin and her brother were evacuated to Kirdford for the duration of the Second World War. They lived in a property rented by their parents which was called Clark's Farm. When I tried to trace the house a few years back I was told it was no longer in existence.  My cousin will be 70 in 2010 and I have a friend willing to do a painting for me - is there anyone who might have a photograph of Clark's Farm which we could use as a base for the picture? Juliet Baxter
The public telephone in this picture of Tredegar Street was outside my father's butcher shop. There were only two buttons to press: button A and button B, but people were terrified of pressing the wrong one. My father, Gomer Mumford, used to do the phoning for lots of people. Sometimes coins would jam in the mechanism so he would release them using a butcher's knife and pocket the money! Next door, to the butcher shop ...see more
I grew up in Northolt. Dad was a school caretaker at Woodend School, Witton Avenue in the 1960s. The secondary school is no longer there as it's been demolished but the junior and infants still remains. The big field at the back of the school just used to be fields but now there is a housing estate. Oh how times change. I would love to hear from any one who knows anything about it.
I lived and went to school in Ogbourne St Andrew, I think the headmistress was a Miss Platt and very authoritarian. I always remember school dinners because we were not allowed to leave anything it all had to be eaten. Fried tomato was my nemesis. We rented the house next to the shop, I remember from a very early age, 8-ish, spending time in the pub (it was the Wheatsheaf then) playing darts with the men, it was ...see more
I was born in Horden in 1946 (Elizabeth Lumley) and my father (George Lumley) (and his father before him) ran Lumley's grocery store which was on the bank top (21 Beech Terrace - now a house but the United bus stop is still callled Lumley's) just after you enter Horden from Blackhall. We moved from Horden in 1954 when my father's health broke down but I was a bridesmaid at this church circa 1951. Sadly both of my ...see more
I spent a lot of time in this public house during the 1970s from Grove Park Youth Club to Chinbrook Public House.
I was nursing at Bretby from about 1951 for a couple of years.  Does anyone have any news of Jim Ruddock and Marie?  I lost touch a long time ago.  I believe they went to Canada. We used to have concerts in the Hall, we also had dances in one of the large rooms and there was a tennis court. So, a busy social life, but we had to work very hard too! Joyce
I moved to Hengoed when I was 6 years old. I lived in Hawthorn Avenue when the houses were first built. The first winter there was very bad, I have not seen a winter like it since, not in Hengoed anyway. It was a close-knit community there, 24 steel houses and policeman always lived in No 24. Everybody knew everybody and for a small community we had a lot of tragedies, always involving small children. Two ...see more
This picture does not show either of Boscastle's churches. There is one at Forrabury and one at Minster but this is not either
I lived next door to your last writer, Denise.  Her father was my cousin. I was married in 1964 at St Lawrence Church where my parents were also married. I had my wedding reception at my home in Marlin Square. Denise's parents had all the wedding gifts on show at their house as there was no more room in ours. I had another cousin, Mary, who lived next door to them and we put everyone's coats at her house. It ...see more
I have just came across a letter about my father (Matthew Fury) who was killed at St Columb during the Second World War, my father was with his regiment  219/46Light A.A Battery. R.A. The letter was sent to my grandmother in 1941 by my dad's Commanding Officer  (Major A. W. Smyllie) who was billleted at The Red Lion Hotel in 1941. My dad was an Ack-Ack Gunner, when the German aircraft came over dropping their ...see more
Yes! every Sunday for years during the summer holidays this is where you would find me, my mam, dad, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins, nanny and grandad. We would park the car what seemed like miles away and we would trek over the sand dunes to the 'beach' - I use the term loosely as when we used to go in the 1960s ,we would have to dodge oil slicks, broken glass, burnt mattress springs and then the ...see more
This is not so much a memory, more of a request. Does anyone remember the Jenkins family from the 1950s - I believe the Rev Jenkins was vicar at St Peter's, Church Knowle at the time. I am trying to trace his son David who was a mechanic in the RAF back then. He was very good friends with my parents. If anyone can help me I would be very grateful. My email address is bayntonpower@sky.com
I first used to cycle to this school - which was split between Newport Priory Boys' Secondary Modern School and Carisbrooke Grammar School - in 1961. The long, low building to the left of the picture was the Priory Boys' School, the taller building to the right was the Grammar. Every day I cycled from my home in Clatterford Road, round the back of St Mary's Church, past Fletcher's Pond, and then down the track ...see more
I used to cycle down to Dwyer's, the newsagents, with my brother to buy tins of coke, caps for our toy guns and comics (and half-penny chews). Dwyer's was in Brooklyn Parade, which is shown in this photo, I think it was two shops to the right of what was, until recently, Churchill Estate Agents. I think there was a Sketchley's dry cleaners there as well. I remember mum driving us down there one winter's ...see more
My mum lived at 156 High Street. Her dad was Joe Pothecary. Her name is Annie. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
I lived at Hall Farm during the war years and along with my sister attended the Village School where Bill Haining was headmaster. My father farmed 300 acres in and around Eastham and kept a dairy herd of about 50 cows. The farm was bombed just a few days before Christmas in 1941, the farm buildings skirting the roadside were demolished and the bull and six cows were killed. Fortunately the farmhouse survived ...see more
Having started to work with a company in Fleet I needed to find somewhere to live that was commutable both to work and our home in Devon. Having spent a whole weekend looking at various properties in the surrounding area without any luck we had one more left on the list to look at before heading home again.  To our delight it was just what we needed, plenty of space, peace and quiet and the ...see more
I don't know much about Worcester Park really, my dad's family (Prowses) lived in Washington Road, he was the eldest of 14 so a lot of people crammed into quite a small house. I remember him talking about an ice cream parlour and a few other places.
I'm still living here today, a few streets have now disappeared, Wood Street and a lot of Bridgend Road as well as some local landmarks like the Ambulance Hall (The rink) and more recently the Ffaldau Hotel; but it's strange trying to imagine how life must have been back then. Much more community spirit then, the good old days when the front door was never locked and everyone looked out for each other. The times have obviously changed; Not necessarily for the better.
We were billeted in Woodmancote, but went to a temporary school that was at a tea rooms in Bishops Cleeve. I recall many huts. There was also a funfair type of thing  there but that was out of bounds. I well remember the bakery that was there, the doughnuts were to die for - huge round ones with jam and cream inside.
My best memories of Moygashel was learning to sew in the factory, while my dad worked in the mill. We travelled to work from Benburb together. I remember making samples for all over the world.
As a 9-year-old I remember after being bombed out from Birmingham and going to stay with a great-aunt in Heath Hayes (Aunt Polly Ingram) and going to a hall in Cannock and being kitted out with a set of clothes, and being given a doll. I am 78 now.
My father was born in Frimley and lived at No 8 The Grove till he married and moved to Dartford, then Wastwater and finally emigrated to South Africa after the Second World War. I visited my late grandparents, Mr H H Finch and Mrs B E Finch, in the early 1970s and had a really good time, visited the White Hart with my grandad, and the local hospital to see my grandmother.   I have very fond memories of The Grove and Frimley village, and it was great finding a picture of it on the internet. Jane
I spent a few summer holidays with my auntie who lived in Bromborough. I used to go to Raby Mere with my cousins, Gerrard and Chris. I remember  some swing boats there, we used to love going on them.
I used to work in a greengrocer's shop on Rosemount in Oxton. The shop was owned by Mr Samuel Wharton. He had a sister (I can't remember her name) and her husband owned the butcher's shop which was also in Oxton, although I can't remember which road it was on. It may have been Christchurch. When I first started working there, I was very nervous of the customers because they all seemed so posh to me, a Tranmere girl, but ...see more
The helter-skelter was not only an icon of Frodsham but also a symbol of youthful exuberance and fun. I was born and bred just 200 metres from it. I shudder to think how much skin it must have claimed from me in pursuit of a rapid descent! I was frequently accompanied by our dog, a large Alsatian who ascended the interior steps with as much gusto as myself. She descended on her own mat behind me and often ...see more
I moved to Deal when I was 3. We lived in a house owned by the railway in the station approach. My father was linesman on the railway. I went to the parochial school on London Road. The Headmaster was Mr Scholl and my teacher, Mr Rose. My father's name was Ernest Turner and my mother's was Lily. Her maiden name was Skinner. I had a brother called Brian. On leaving school I worked in Riceman's and also the sweet ...see more
My name is Clifford Halfyard. I was born in 1926 at 13 Carmen Street, Caerau. I worked in Caerau and St John's Colliery before moving to England with my wife Joan. My wife's family name is Bailey and they were from Caerau. My grandfather and grandmother lived in 12 Carmen Street.
Lived in Surfleet Reservoir until joining he Royal Navy in 1949. Now writing a book and am seeking more information regarding the localle
My family and I lived in part of this house for 11 years and were fortunate to learn much of its history. First built in 1086, this house has been remodeled countless times to suit the fashion of the day and been used for numerous purposes. During the times of Henry VIII this house was used as a monastery and within the central quad the typical monastic cloisters can still be seen. In an ...see more
In 1973 having just left school that summer, I started my State Registered Nurse training with tutor Miss Wilmot at this Southernhay Hospital. Being a 'young lady' from Bristol my new colleagues and I were expected to live in the Nurses Home with a larger than life home matron Miss Hermitage. The Nurses Home was behind the hospital between Wynards Lane and Southernhay Gardens where there was an ...see more
I moved to Ecclefechan in 1977, I attended the old school for 3 months. I was in p3 at the time. It was overwelming at the time as I had moved from a school with only 18 pupils in total. I remember having Mcferson at the time. I moved to the new school in p4 where I had Mrs Wilson. It was an exciting time for both the pupils and teachers to have a brand new school to go into. I remember Miss Brodie in p5/6 and Mrs ...see more
This used to be the entrance to Brooklands and we used to run up and down the batter (sic) during some of the races. Foolish bravuro. Our family name was Griffiths and this was our way to the West Weybridge station, I went to the Woking County School for Girls from 1939-1943. I've lost touch with almost everybody. Perhaps there are some Balchins left? I've lived in Texas for many years. It would be wonderful to get emails from Byfleet folk. Bye. Audrey
Most of my working life, to this day I have walked daily down Market Hill. In the 1960s I worked at Wrights chemist. I remember Guest's provisions shop, very classy, wonderful smells of fresh coffee. I remember Goodworth's bread shop, where you could buy real, 'proper bread.' It was difficult to get the bread all the way home, it smelt so good. I remember the market stalls on the left hand ...see more
In 1945, just before VJ day, I moved from Scotland with my mother, to Figheldean Manor, to join my father who was then based at RAF Netheravon. I had never seen houses with flint walls and thatched roofs before, moreover, I had never experienced the type of food that was then available. My first experience of asparagus, watercress, fresh trout and partridge, all food provided to or by residents at the Manor, to ...see more
I'm not too sure of what years to mention apart from some happy memorys of the Ovaltine as a young lad with my mum and dad. David my dad was the village postman for many years and mum Annie was a local florist in the village. Ernie and Edna Edwards lived on the Ovaltine for many years in the main farmhouse, many years of fun and good times with me being found in the paddock with one of the ...see more
My best memories of Porthcawl are when my gran (Mrs Gwen Ware) was alive, she lived at Elm Cottage, in New Road. I was very young in the early 1970s to the very early 1980s. Grampy used to take me to the park and Coney Beach, and every Christmas there used to be a Christmas tree in the centre of the New Road roundabout. Used to go out in their car up along the prom and to Rest Bay. Gran's friend nearby was Thelma ...see more
We lived almost opposite the pub and my sister and I would sell ice cream on cricket match days from the little side room off the front car park. My father donated a set of Matchbox yesteryear models which adorned a display case in the back bar which is where we held my farewell party when I left home at 16 to join the R.A.F.  If memory serves, the publicans at the time were Joan and Jim. I played ...see more