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.
Search for Local Memories
Search for your favourite UK places and read memories of the local area in days gone by.
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
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.
Subscribe
Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Displaying Memories 7921 - 8000 of 36833 in total
my grandparents and great grandparents married in this church and lived in the Stonebow and Pavement area.My great-grandfather and his father sold humbugs in the Shambles market:
I am trying to find out about a person who was evacuated to fovant in September 1941 or there about his name is Joe Williams , I don't no anything about him except when he went to fovant he stayed with a family called Target and they owned the butchers shop in fovant , he also joined the church choir . in1952 mydadRonald Braybrook bought the butchers shop from the Target's and my dad also played the organ in the church for ...see more
I lived in King St in the 1950s on the right as you go down the road almost opposite the classic cinema which closed in 1959.
Dimes place above a shop is where my mother and I lived.
From the other side of the world I came across this memory page of Smallfield. I worked at Smallfield Hospital 1966/67 attached to the nurses dining room. Loved working there and the people I met. Unfortunately, I have lost contact with all of them as time moves on. I lived on site and I remember my bedroom window looked out over the fields towards Gatwick Airport. And this bedroom was centrally heated with ...see more
I visited Maidstone Zoo as a child and I think it was during the 2nd world war. I remember the railway track along the side of the driveway but no trains were running. My most vivid memory, and I have never been sure if this is real or remembered from somewhere else and it is of standing on a bridge over a railway line and seeing a train loaded with what looked like bombs. Does anybody know if this ...see more
I remember visiting here with my mother in the early 1950s. My Grandparents Herbert and Nellie Chappell managed the Hotel from around 1913 I think. Does anyone have information that would give me some dates for them ??
I grew up in collyhurst flats 16 winterton road my mam was olive lyons my dad was george lyons I went to st james school then to st oswalds then to the albert memorial I had 2 brothers george stephen lovely memories of whit monday where we always walked dressed in our best dresses mams and dads in the pubs every one knew everyone such happy times
It was Eddie and Eve Rogers. The shop was what is now part of Tony Moss Motorcycles. The Rogers family lived behind the Decorating shop which is also now part of the motorcycle shop.Eve was a big smoker/drinker, I remember going to visit her in her flat at Roden Lodge in Wem in around 1979, just after Roden Lodge was built. She was good friends with my Mum who gave me this info today.
Hi, I was brought up in seaforth vale in the 50,s early 60,s...went to star an St Wilfred's played football for both...anyone in touch with anyone remembers them yrs
I was one of the last pupils that attended the school, before they made St. Catherines the new primary school. It was such an amazing school to go to. When you first went to school you were kept apart in the 1st class and had our meals and toilets completely separate from the main school.
When you moved up to the main school, we then mixed with the rest of the school. Although the boys had their own ...see more
I entered the CRX as a patient in March 1974, ostensibly for 6weeks treatment, but I didn't leave until December 1981. I was under the care of Dr Barbara Ansell and her rheumatology team who specialised in children with arthritis and I grew up in Ward 2 where both boys and girls shared a Nightingale ward until we turned 12 when we were split into single sex wards, ward 3 for the boys/men and ward 4 the ...see more
I am wondering of anybody can share with me any memories or stories about the old cinema and billiard hall at 244 Whalley Road (now Ribble Valley Recliners).
I am using the building for a project at uni and I want to know the local's stories of the building as there is not much information that I can find. I am interested in personal stories, what you remember ...see more
while hop picking with my parents at a farm in paddock wood in the early 1950s
i was badley burnt when a petrol stove exploded farm name not rememberd
spent 6 months in the burns unit at a hospital in east grinstead
i wonder if anybody remembers this event
roy furze
I remember this view like it was yesterday. It is looking east towards Wilsons Corner. On the right is the Arcade and on the left side of the Arcade is a shop called Sacks & Brendalls (might have been Sacks & Brendlaw..). Anyway, I bought a leather flying jacket in there during the late 1960's or early 1970's and guess what....I've still got it and still wear it....!! Well, they never go out of ...see more
i was born at 58 killingworth avenue castlepark backworth i loved it went potato picking with my mam and grandmar loved the ride on the lorry.loved the huge park my teacher was mrs carr she had a huge beehive hair do i was terrified of her .mr vaugne was my favorate. allways used to play in the old areiel shelters in the playing feilds susan fisher
My husband was born in Albert Road, Penarth 1943 and used to speak of loads of old tanks left to rot away in fields. Also some sort of tunnel that was later blocked off. He left there for the Midlands when he was 7 years old and had learned to count to 10 in Welsh. He came to the Black Country and could hardly understand a word of what people said.
The photo of Station Hill reminds me of many happy days spent at my aunts house further down the hill ,she lodged in a lovely house with a balcony across the front owned by a couple Em and Bert who owned an enormous brown and white dog called Sport.I went to Benfleet from 1944 to the early sixties mostly for the summer holidays and freedom to wander were ever I wanted to.Trips by bus ...see more
I left England in 1956, the son of Bill Hubbard, the local blacksmith. I would love to track down Nicholas Campbell, the son of Winnie Campbell, my best friend at the time. Anyone could tell me how to contact him would be greatly appreciated, thanks, Anthony (Tony).
I was 2 ,1941 when we moved into 19 Brakespear road. My father was an engineer at Bristol Aircraft Co. We were bombed out of Bristol and my father was moved underground to Spring Quarry to build Centaurus engines for Beaufighters.I certainly remember the Americans being there as we would go to the Community centre to get little tins of sweets that, think were army rations.
They were good days, Weavern valley a great ...see more
Hello,
we are Alice Phoebe Hannah and Vilma students of the Central Saint Martins University College and we would like to receive any help from all of you that get memories of Rainham to join our exhibition experience will take place in Rainham Hall as soon. Please fell free to contact us at rainhamhallproject@gmail.com to share your memories with us, and we can get them alive in our project. Thanks Alice
Pretty sure that Butler's was the "approved" dealer for local school uniforms - certainly I got fitted out there for my Queen Mary's Grammar School uniform in 1959.
Barry Howard
I remember the Domestic Oil Stores in Barden Road. In the 1940's I lived in Norfolk Road.
They sold all manner of things and there were goods outside, brooms etc. I do remember that two sisters ran the shop and used to see them sweeping the pavement outside the shop. I loved the smell of oil whenever I went inside. Unfortunately that is all I can recall at present.
I attended Belmont School from Nursery right through to Senior. My name was Gill Stokes (now McQuaid), I was born in 1939 and lived at 43 Headcorn Road, Thornton Heath. I know the school has been closed for years but it is great to know that there is still someone out there who remembers it. I sort of remember some of the names of the other pupils, Valerie Stebbing, Ann Stevens (we called her Moggy, don't know why!) ...see more
In the years of early 1960 through the 1970's my mother Iris Beilby was the housekeeper and cook to the High Court Judges when they were in attendance at the courts in Bristol. She had for a number of years attended to their needs when the were on circuit travelling around the country. I spent many happy times helping her to create dishes for these eminent judges and their ...see more
My name is Rob Beilby and I grew up in Durham City from 1937 until 1966. I and my brothers Bryan and Jimmy lived in a pub called the "Angel Inn" at the top of Crossgate from 1937 until 1945 with our grandparents and mother, our dad was gone in the army to North Africa.
I remember Dimambros being in Claypath near the Big Jug public house and was a favorite stop off for the ...see more
Used to get the bus to Park North around the corner on the left.
I remember straight ahead of you there was a shop that sold Tobacco it had a statue outside.
We moved from London into a flat above the shops and when Baileys the newsagent opened I worked there. It was whilst I was working there that I met a guy called Allan Cole (who was the first Head Boy in Albury Manor School) and we have been married now for 53 years. So yes we have many, many great memories of Merstham.
I remember once a year (c1961) a man used to ride on horseback from Rochdale to Norden dressed as John Wesley (or his brother?) and he used to go up to Bank House Farm where there was the original pulpit from when one of the Wesley brothers preached way back when. I am sure the pulpit will still be there and sure the building may be a listed Grade II, but no idea. I will bet though that this custom of the man riding into Norden has gone .
Anybody remember this? Jane Heywood
I remember making the journey back and forth from our home in northumberland to visit my grandmother who was housekeeper here in I think (late 60s). Florence humble a little lady with a blue rinse! I remember as a child of 10-11 the ropes outside and the wooden stair rails. But most of all I remember always walking around the lake before tea. Beautiful place.
I am not sure whether Baileys Pit Farm is the same as I remember a large old house just called Baileys Pit.
During the early 1980's, I worked for a company, H J Chapman based in Ledbury and the sales director (John Bailey) purchsed the house in Monmouth. It wasnt until his wife went into town to do the shopping that she noticed that there were postcards on sale in many of the newsagents showing her house as "the most haunted house in Monmouth".
when I was about 8 did stop in the wood at the keepers cottage was very dark
I remember working in the laundry in wey hill for many years when I left my home town of Birmingham, I have some great memories of my days there, starting in the wash room and getting to know everyone there. My Nan was the first of a number of my family to work there. I still remember my old boss Mr Bob Young who became a great friend of mine and we spent many good times in the Red Lion pub having a few ...see more
This garden belonged to the artist Oscar Prentice,who taught me to paint as a small child ,his house and studio can't be seen in this photo ,the gnomes all held fishing rods ,no vandalism in those days .
I remember the lovely fresh bread smell from Aldridges the bakery at the Triagle, the Grove Fish and Chip shop's marvellous rock salmon and chips cooked in beef dripping of course, Killips department store's dumb waiter, learning to dance at the Victor Sylvestor dance school above the Odeon cinema, attending 'Boy Meets Girl' dances at Wembley Town Hall on Saturday evenings, lining the street towards the Stadium at ...see more
I lived in Birstwith, not yet school age - 1952'ish - and have very clear memories of my short time there. My father's - Albert Wilkinson - job was to keep the mill water run free from weeds, our home was one of the two cottages on the road side and "tied" to his job. In the cottage joining ours lived Mr & Mrs Stott, he was a cobbler, she had a special tin of toffees in the sitting room cupboard ...see more
I lived in Selsdon as a kid from 1964 - its my earliest memory. We lived in Benhurst Gardens, up the top of Old Farleigh Road. We were lucky as kids to have 'the Rec' as we called it, and the Bird Sanctuary very near to go an play. We also went to the stables at the Selsdon Park Hotel to ride the horses. We could go in the back way in Old Farleigh Road. We (my brother, sister and I) all went to Selsdon Primary ...see more
I obviously don't remember the common in 1911, but I did live in Old Common Road number 15 from about 1943 until 1955. Where the children are sitting was The Common, and a herd of Fresion cows were often grazed there. Old Common Road ran parallel to the path running past what my mates and I called Cluggies pond, so called because the house behind the pond was owned by a Guy we think was German, and his name was something ...see more
I use to live along Epsom Lane North Known as the switchback to locals because of the dips up and down in the road, my father bought South Tadworth along there , where I grew up from 1940 to 1957 when I got married.
I worked in Tattenham Corner Restaurant as Manageress and The Shack as snack bar was called by locals.
164a Sutton bus crews use to stop for tea breaks there, also 406 bus crews from ...see more
The Hall was the closest Library to my family-home in Marlborough Rd. I used to spend hours there every week, researching school homework; and collecting Library Books for myself, - and for my Mother and my Aunt, from "lists of author-choices" they gave me!
The Hall has a particular connection for me because my Father went to school at Southchurch Hall School, and ...see more
My Mother was Maggie Dresser, Her mother Mabel ?? was an Embleton. My auntie was Jenny Waugh. ( Peter Waugh) corner shop - John St?
In the 1950's I went to Sacriston for holidays!! from South Yorkshire.
We all knew that we had an uncle Hans. (my mother's uncle that is.) I know very little about him other than that he was a churchgoer
I had a conversation with someone who I think was uncle Hans. At that time ...see more
My roots in Kendal go very deep indeed, my Great Grandfather was James Dawson Garnett who was born there in 1851 on Lake Road and married Elizabeth Sherrin a local girl in 1871. Their son James Langhorn Garnett was my Grandfather who moved to Middlesborough then South Shields and retired there as a local policeman. He then moved to Durham City and ran several pubs there called the Angel Inn in Crossgate ...see more
I stayed here for a couple of years in the ruin that;s marked on the OS Landranger maps. It's a lonely spot and not the easiest place in Scotland to get to.
I don't know when the issue was first posted. However, I grew up in Barking and remember both the old Regent cinema in Ripple Road (just) and when in became Regent's Market. Killwicks was in East Street and the furniture store in Ripple Road was Winch's (or Winch-es). My mum used to say that the Regent cinema was the worst in town!
Pontefract a place I call home, my early years were spent Carleton Home's, it would be 58 years before
I saw my real Mum Minne Martin from Castleford. from off the West wood Est. in Cutsyke.
I was adopted by the Scorgie Family in 1949, & from the age of six I grew up in Cromwell Crescent up Baghill, at around 7-30 from my Bed-Room Window every morning I would see the Girls going ...see more
I was born in Croydon in 1954 and lived in Addiscombe all my life. I went to Woodside School and also Ashburton Secondary Modern in Shirley Road. Both Addiscombe and Croydon have changed so much. I remember Kennards, C&A and Debenhams and when buses ran through Croydon town centre.
I am David Bailey's wife and he was born in October 1944 at gate burton hall. His mother was evacuated there and she had David and his twin brother Ray. We hope to visit Lincolnshire in 2015.
Haelfryn Thomas Lewis, 1901-1979
Some of Nelson’s ‘older’ residents will remember Haelfryn Thomas Lewis, the highly-respected teacher and then head-teacher of Llancaiach Primary School in Nelson between 1917 and 1966, and faithful member and elder of Ebenezer (Heol Fawr) Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Some of Mr Lewis’s extended family still live in Nelson: Dwynwen Jones , his niece who ...see more
My childhood was spent living in Cross Lane back in the days when it was rare to visit town, each community was virtually self sufficient with shops, at the bottom of cross lane, on the topside of the Baptist Chapel was Kilburns, bakers, where I had a Saturday job helping with deliveries of bread and cake orders, my pay was an armful of unsold buns and cakes from the shop, below the Chapel stood the hardware shop of ...see more
Back in the 1950s I lived in Primrose Hill, my father was a plumber / electrician working for Joe Ellam in Lockwood, my mother a millworker at Brooks Mill, Armitage Bridge, before I was of school age I can remember having to go to a house in Berry Brow to await my mother finishing work when she would call it to collect me then go back home, at the time Berry Brow was a very large community, all its ...see more
The Armstrong family moved to Horsforth from Armley in 1938. I was only 1yr old so cannot remember the move. Mum and Dad bought a house at no 15 Charles Street.
My earliest memories must have been in March 1941, the nights that Leeds and Kirkstall Forge were bombed. The houses in Charles Street do not have cellars, but I do remember hearing the air raid warning and going down the cellars in Rose ...see more
I always remember we used to walk to the village and stop and look at the horses als when we had are danc nights and the Dave Clarke five singing bits and pieces I made friends with a girl called pat who lived in Norris green would love to see a picture of the home .
The St. John Ambulance Brigade of Grays Thurrock had three wooden first aid posts that they manned over bank holidays and summer weekends which were along what was the main road from East End of London running through to Southend-on-Sea.
They were painted white and when manned and flew the brigade flag on a small mast attached to the huts. The windows were protected by wooden shutters which ...see more
i started work in bates yard 1955 till 1984 i saw lot of changes
The family moved to Horsforth from Armley in 1938. I was only 1yr old so cannot remember the move. Mum and Dad bought a house at no 15 Charles Street.
My earliest memories must have been in March 1941, the nights that Leeds and Kirkstall Forge were bombed. The houses in Charles Street do not have celars, but I do remember hearing the air raid warning and going down the cellars in Rose Ave, and I still remember ...see more
Opposite the shops was Galloway road. during the snowy winter months I used to sledge downhill away from Galloway road,. and once crashed into a pile of wood that was covered in snow,I winded myself.
Just around the corner in Mansell crescent was the local police station. One evening when departing from the dance that was held in the "JP Hall house", I was on weekend leave from the army and was walking home, ...see more
My Nan and Grandad (Mabel & Dave Nairn) owned the sweet shop on the left of this picture. The vehicle on the left would be in front of it. I remember the milk machine that stood outside and the grid that the milk machine users would accidently drop their loose change down. I used to do down into the cellar to collect it! As a small boy, I remember waiting for the Salopia coach to take us to the sea side, usually ...see more
i lived in ferrers ave in 1960 to 1978 great times with wren fish @chip van and the vegy cart which came on satursday morning and giving the horse call gipsie and apple and going on milk round with bob maze great time im eric matzk we had a big family mum was edey dad was bert love to here from any one who knows us
My first girlfriend in the early 60s, Daphne, lived in the Chequers pub. I wonder whatever happened to her?
My grandad was Tom and Nan was Doris. They lived at 29 Fore Street. Grandad died in 1979. nan died 2000.grandad was a milkman and nan worked in the laundry. They had four children, Rosemary,Dereck,Peter and Margaret. Both Derek and peter died aged32. Lovely men and my mother rosemary died in 1995 aged 61. aunty Margaret is the only surviving sibling who now lives in Spain with her husband les. I have lovely ...see more
Trying to contact people from Hawthorn and Boxfields.
I remember as far back when i was 6 years old . I lived in the little house that used to be by the black iron bridge in gadebridge lane . I was born in the little house called the threepenny bit house . I remember playing in the park with my mums sisters there sir name was black. My grandfather used to look after the rivergade and keep in clean . We used to sail down the river in a old tin ...see more
My Gran +Grandad Lived at Hetton Mother was born at Fairy Street Kathleen(Katy) Kemp,I was born at Shaws Row,Gran was Jane Grandad Tommy,There was no flush toilet and i was scared to use the ash middens,i remember helping my dad to take the glass jars to the end of the street to sell them 1p for large +1/2p for small,Mrs Hills lived next door Mrs Tate at the end house,I loved going to the salvation army,They ...see more
I play bowls at Ulverston Cons the wall and the house behind have never changed think the bowling green was opened in 1911 before that it was a market garden the dividing wall is still there and a house is on the other side of the dividing wall.
My Grandmother lived at Hanger Hill House immediately prior to the Second World War. She worked as a housekeeper for a family with connections to the oil industry. I believe she lived in the Surrey area for most of her life but after the war did not reside at Hanger Hill House. Would anyone have records of the area from the late 1940's onwards that may be able to help me trace more information about my Grandmother?
I remember very well the journey from our house in Eastcote to Granmas in Holders Green! We would get the Met from Eastcote Station to Fincley Road then catch the bus to Golders Green High Road. My brother and me would race all the way from the start of Leaside Cresent to number 63 my wonderful Grandparents.
Ena and Charles Baker who had lived in the house since they were married in ...see more
We lived at Cherrycroft just on the left of the road as it heads to Malton, the house is here. It has recently been demolished and was connected to Church Farm across the road.
The butchers shop is still there and a grocery shop is now the village fish and chip shop.
My parents, Charles and Agnes, were there when I was born and my little brother was born in the house.
Tim Owston
This area looks a lot different now as the 'Airy' houses on the right of Woodlands Road and to the left have been clad in bricks.
To the left of the crossroads is the Woodlands Grove area and to the right Woodlands Avenue. My parents left 6 woodlands Avenue to move across the village but came back in 1966 to live at no. 5. Like Ian (my second cousin) I was related to many people who lived on the Woodlands Estate.
Tim Owston
I came to whitstable at the age of 11years old from the east end of London I was sent to St Vincent's school in castle road l was there for 3 yrs in 1967 and
was sent back home to London must say l fell in love with whitstable we were allowed every Saturday. For 4 hours and a bit of spending money our freedom to go into town in them days St Vincent was an approve school hope to retire there and see the ...see more
This is a long shot, but I believe my mum worked at LMT Hospital in the 1950's/60's, she was Edna Pitt although she married in 1961 and became Boettcher. She was an auxiliary nurse I think. Does anyone remember her at all?
i went to the Town School my father Alf owned an upholstery shop on Osbourne road I was brought up with him as mother left home when I was two, can any one remember Alf Browne my name is Mike .
The building on the left of this photo was my home for the first 21 years of my life. In fact the last few letters of our surname can just be seen - ACLE.
This was the general grocery shop known as Barnacle's, owned by my parents from 1939 to 1960, mostly managed by my mother Win. My dad Ken was employed by Fox's Glacier Mints in Leicester but would help staff the shop during holidays and weekends, consequently I ...see more
I went to live in Churchdown as a small child at no, 9 Grove road,I went to the primary school in the village and from there to the Cheltenham Grammar school.Living in the village as a child was magic and plenty of mischief to get into! I met my 1st boyfriend and my best friend there ah sweet memories, I got married in St, Johns church in 1958 and still with the same man,Some day I ...see more
I'm working on a Heritage Lottery funded project to find out what it used to be like to live, work, go out and grow up in the Ardwick Green area of Manchester in the 1930s - 1960s. If you have stories or photos to share then you are welcome to attend one of our tea parties at the St Thomas Centre (formally St Thomas Church), Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ. The tea parties are on Tue 13th ...see more
My friends and I went to the Silver Blades on Fridays to skate & see the groups in the 1960's. After skating wenwould then go upstairs to the Bali Hai for our one vodka and lime. Once we became involved with Freddy Starr & The Midnighters. I was with the lead guitarist for the evening - his name was Dave Carden, and for a while he was the love of my life. I wonder if he remembers me, Alison!
Our Grandmother lived at 7 Wessington Avenue and my sister, my cousin and I stayed with her during many school holidays. She was a member of the Blackford family who owned the building works on the left of the photo and Tudor House next door. We loved visiting, sometimes on the Royal Blue Coach. We attended the Church opposite when we were staying and used to play 'church services' with Grandma's hymn book and ...see more
My Mum would always take me to Harrow with her to shop. I always remember this building as it was so big in my little eyes, and was next to the car park where my mum would alway park. We would take a visit to the shops oppositve especially Sopas now Debenhams, as that was always my mums favourite shop. I always used to wonder who used to work in those buildings, I never have been in this ...see more
I left Ireland with my Family in 1953 and left part of my heart there. My Grandparents lived in Portavogie right by the seaside, they had a farm and a General store. Granny always had a pot of soup on her stove in the winter, and many people would have a bowl of soup to warm them. She always said, "always put an extra potato in the pot for the man from over the hill" I always wondered who the man from over the hill was. ...see more
This area was quit well known to me as I lived in Portsmouth until just after leaving St Lukes school,about half a mile away,although I returned around 1968 .The black square on left of photo was a pub ,and outside most days stood Mrs Harding, she was a nice lady , she stood there selling newspapers, they may have had a shop also,to my right not in the photo(4 o clock) position was the coffee shop,called Verechias ...see more
Myself and my sister recall our father visiting Beverley many, many years ago. We guess that this would have been before he was married in 1935. We are trying to find the reason why he went from his home in Goodmayes, Essex all the way to Beverley, which would have been a long journey.
He was William George Depledge born on 21st February 1905 recorded at Romford Essex,, and died in May 1974 registered at Barnstaple ...see more