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 18961 - 19040 of 36829 in total

Wondering if this shop was run by the Kent family?
My Grandparents - David C. Davidson and Isabel Cunningham were from Slamanan and came to the U.S. in 1906. David was a coal miner alongside of George Cunningham who came to the U.S. with David; my Grandmother and their first two children - Alec and David - crossed 6 months later. They settled in Linton, Indiana where they continued to mine coal. David lost his leg in a mining accident shortly ...see more
I lived in Mount Felix for nearly 20 years, first at No. 1 and then at Flat 4. It was a magical place for children to play and so near to the river, which when I was older, I was able to go for walks and fish in the river plus enjoying many picnics. During the 2nd World War, many residents used the vast cellars for shelter, but some of us stayed put above ground. The only damage done was windows shattered in ...see more
Sept 1971, and Ventnor became the place of our honeymoon. We had a fabulous week, the weather was good, a lovely hotel just up the hill from the beach. At the end of it, we were very brave and returned to the mainland by hovercraft - a really new form of transport.The large one's now in Ryde, well ours would have looked like a dinky toy next to them - six people and the captain filled the craft. Since then, we ...see more
My parents ran Ye Old Herefordshire (a pub) in 1963 for three months. It was a rough old place and the police would come in at closing time to make sure there was no trouble. Next door was the Kai Nam restaurant. I was at boarding school in Cardiff, and I remember being called 'chinky lover' because I would eat with the owner and his family at weekends. It is a restaurant now, next to Tescos - that land ...see more
I think this must have become St Gildas Convent in Stile Lane,but it was much altered.
Can anyone help my daughter who currently lives in Mill St. Farington and has always wondered why there is a gap in the terraced houses in this road. Rumour is that there was an explosion ...gas?... sometime in the last 75 years. We know there was a weaving mill at Railway End, and have read that Farington Hotel had a path through to the mill in Victorian days. Love to know more please. Was the gap made to build the bungalows?
This building looks like it might have been quite a bit altered, to become St Gildas Convent School in Stile Lane possibly?
Used to go with my dad, he loved to swim.
We lived at Tump Farm, Bettws Newydd around 1949, and it was while my father was employed by Mr Trevor Jones, who farmed the Thornbury Farm in that village. My brothers and I attended the small village school situated opposite the house, where the Phillips family lived. Our school friends were: Kenneth Jones, Billy Taylor, Donald Powell, Lavinia Coyle, Tony and Melba Evans, David Morgan, Charlie and Yvonne Murray, ...see more
I was born in Mill End, Rickmansworth in 1950 and have no idea what church this is a photo of. I went to infant school in Shepherds' Lane, Mill End opposite St. Peters' and it isn't that. I then went to Ricky Grammar School in 1961, in Croxley Green and opposite was All Saints' and it isn't that. Is it at the back of Our Lady Helper of Christians, near the Fortune Green at the bottom of Scots' Hill?
I am researching my family and was wondering if anyone knew of the School Road Nursery at Yardley Wood. I have recently been given an old family photo which was sent to Mrs A Horton, at that address. I think the photo dates back to around 1930-1932, and was wondering if anyone knew of any Horton family who lived in the area. I live in Perth, Western Australia and hope to hear from you. Regards Mrs Lesley Rutter. Email lrutter2@optusnet.com.au
The Hall family lived scattered about Devon since the late 1600's, from what I can gather. In the 1850's to the 1890's they seemed to settle around Galmpton and Dittisham, later into Torquay and beyond. My GGG Grandfather William Hall, lived in Galmpton as did most of his family. His son, Captain William Hall, master mariner, and his uncle (also William) plied the Dart in a series of small sailing ships, ...see more
My family (Hall) took the lease out on Greenway Farm in the 1850's. I visited this, and Galmpton (3/4 of a mile away) which were Hall "haunts" for many years until the 1890's, when the family seems to have headed to 'all parts'. I would love to know why they left such a lovely area - was farming terrible during those years? I visited in March 2011 and found the area still was 'in the time period' - ...see more
There was an almost Regal feeling as we walked past the Alhambra, up the steps past the memorial, by the Queen Victoria statue and into the fabulous little Chester Street bus station. The buses in there were uniquely designed with attention to detail and with quality features.
Can anyone remember a Walter and Matilda Cole, who lived at 84 Cowick Road from 1937-1959? Matilda sometimes called herself Lilian Cole. Matilda died in 1959 in Balham Hospital, and then it looks like Walter Cole went into The Blind Home at 78 Swaffield Road. Walter died there in 1962. Walter's will mentions a Mrs Rose Simpson of 5 Chasefield Road, Tooting, and also a Mrs Irene Phillips of 21 Jean House, ...see more
The original site of the School of Musketry is no more, having been demolished to make way for a modern supermarket, but I remember using the nearby army firing ranges. My first encounter was with 39 Signal Regiment in the late 1960's for our annual "Range Day", and the routine was to shoot the old 762 self loading rifle at 300 yards. Then, the drill was to advance to target and shoot a further clip ...see more
I remember Rumbelows shop on the same side as Waitrose. The Golden Egg restaurant ? Opposite that was a bakers (Geo-ort, I think?) and a photo shop (Dormans, I think?) and Martins newsagents.
1942 was the year that my mother, Ethel Tyreman (nee Davidson) and sister Iris and brothers Harry, Fred, Frank and myself Eric, moved to Grosmont when our Whitby home was hit by German bombs. My dad, Fred, was a P.O.W in Germany. As a family of six, we lived in a one down, two up house in Waterloo Cottages. The house had no running water or electricity, and the toilet was a cinder closet around the ...see more
My grandfather, Herbert Fletcher, was one of the signalmen at Hayfield for many years until he was compulsorily retired in the mid 1950's. All his children and grandchildren visited "the box" many times, taking him his dinner. Last visit to Hayfield was about 20 years ago, and was amazed to see the "bypass" cutting the village in two. Good to see that Kate Lows shop was still going under the proprietorship of Eddie Rangely's son.
I am recently led to believe, that my house in North Bersted, may have a ghost or some sort of spiritual activity. The house was built in 1929 and is close to the "Toad Hall" site where the Esso Petrol Station now stands. Does anyone have any information as to anything that might have happened at this site, prior to the house being built?
I have recently purchased a token,1halfd, and on the other side, it states: Arthur Wilson Leverington. I have spoken to the Wisbech Museum, and they said it might be a fruit picker token. I would like to know who was Arthur Wilson, and what was his business, landlord, blacksmith, etc? If anyone can help it would be great, thanks. Brian.
Had my parents stayed in Hitchin in 1938, l would have attended the Grammar School in 1944-1945! So feel sad as I moved to Warlingham, Surrey and attended Oxted County Grammar School 1945-1950 and Redhill Secretarial College 1950-1951. Often feel I would have done much better at the all girls' school, rather than co-educational - but too late now! We lived in Blackhorse Lane, Hitchin for some 2-3 ...see more
I believe from birth records that my Grandfather, Leonard Lambert, was born in the Bonesgate in 1890's, I have always wondered if that is my Great Grandfather, Joseph (Joey) Lambert, standing in the door?
On Easter Monday 1924 my grandmother was drowned on Lough Beg and I would like to know if anyone knows any information about it. Her name was Kate O'donnell and there were others also drowned.
I remember Arlesey with great affection where I lived in Hospital Road from 1941 to 1950. I attended the village school next to the Three Tuns pub, leaving at 14 to become a trainee lab. assistant in the path. lab. of the local Fairfield Hospital and gained the nick name, "professor" from my old school mates. Entertainment was the Cosy cinema, a corrugated iron building at the end of Hospital Road. Across the railway ...see more
I was posted to Dumfries in december 1951 to do 8 weeks training in the RAF Regiment. Although it was winter and rather rigorous, I did enjoy my time there and liked the town and remember looking around in Robert Burns house. I was 18 then, I am now 78... ( 2012) and will be 79 in June. These memories have always remained in my mind ...... I am relieved to say ! John Starley. (20th september 2014 ) I am ...see more
My family moved to WGC when I was 3, which means as I was born in 1955 made it 1958. I remember living in Howlands,Thistle Grove and Haldens, but one of my most vivid memories as a child (probably about 6 or 8 years old) was visiting my grandad on the Panshanger building site. He was a brick layer and my dad was there also, he was a crane driver. My friends and I would spend time also playing in a ...see more
I remember so well every Saturday going with my Mum down Lower Broughton Rd to do the shopping. We used to live on Elton Street which was across from Lower Broughton Road at one end. My Grandparents lived on Edward Street. There was a theatre , I think it was called the Victoria and I think it was on Sussex street, I went to see Ken Dodd there in a panto. I used to go to St Anns school first, which was on Silk ...see more
Living in Princes Street, Widnes - loved that era in my life.
My father was transferred from a North East Mining Community,to a beautiful place called Biddulph.While he worked hard in the pits,we enjoyed many long days playing in some of the most wonderful places of beauty; Biddulph Old Hall and The Chinese Gardens. The surrounding countryside was well explored by myself and two sisters and three brothers. We would walk for miles and take advantage of ...see more
I worked as a pre student nurse at the children's home. We took children from the West Yorkshire area suffering from Asthma and Eczema. Children from the age of 2 yrs until 12 yrs. A very strict Matron, scary in fact. We would take the children down to the beach, very large old fashioned prams. I was not allowed to continue my dancing lessons for exams, even when my Mother came to ask. We each ...see more
Someone mentioned the outdoor pool. We used to go there all the time in summer. I was up by Purley airport. I can remember also there was a scare about polio and my Mom wouldn't let us go there at that time.
My father was a Aircraft Engineer for K.L.M. He started as an apprentice at Croydon Airport in 1934. After the second world war, Croydon was getting too small for the larger aircraft coming along, so K.L.M. moved to the then new London Airport and we moved with them. In 1948 we moved into 31 Byron Avenue, my step mother and my half sister, my half brother Neil was born there in 1950. I ...see more
When I was 18 years old, back in that horrible winter of 1963, I used to live for a while with my aunt and uncle, Norah and Pat Kelly, who ran The Weymouth Arms in Warminster. At that time they were also involved in the running of another pub in Warminster called The Globe or Old Globe. I used to walk there every day, open the pub up, set the coal fire going, do any cellar work required etc and serve all of ...see more
I used to ride my bike round this pond: there was a steep 45 degree drop path in the SW corner of the "bowl" which was the highlight of the fun as a kid. Very evocative photo.
We moved to Southampton in early 1950 just after the trams had stopped running - some of the rails were still there. Above Bar along with much of the town had been badly bombed in the war and there were many bomb sites on both sides of the road. Woolworths was a large wooden hut reached by a bridge across a crater. Gradually during the 1950s new buildings sprang up amid the bomb sites until the scene was ...see more
I lived in the Northwood Hills area until 1968. My father was a postman at Northwood Post Office in the 1950's (now a restaurant). My grandfather was caretaker of the Oaklands Gate Methodist Church during the late 50's and 60's (William Gilbert). He and my grandmother lived in the flat that was provided with the job. He was hard working and was a stickler to detail and was always ensuring that the church rules ...see more
I was a chain lad when the M1 was being constructed. I was working for Amy's, the asphalt company. Amongst other things I was to make cups of tea and also collect thousands of pounds in wages for the work force. My boss who's name I canot recall, told me of some special people coming and that I had to get the china tea-set out and simply make tea and pour it out. When they arrived; some twenty management, I was ...see more
I was to live in Blackpool for a short while and would work on a farm; I lived with my sister and brother in law in Delphine Avenue. Lawrence my brother in law leant me his Honda fifty motorbike, I pulled into a petrol station some 15 miles away and proceeded to ask the pump attendant for a gallon of two stroke petrol. He informed me that as far as he was aware this type of bike was a four stroke engine and that ...see more
My email address is: ngairegarland@gmail.com
Does anyone know of Jean Laverick and her two sisters (Margaret and Anne) who lived in Holystone, Whitley Bay in the late 1940s? We were the NZ family who lived down the road and we played and went to Sunday School together. I would love to have contact with Jean and any member of her family after all these years. I shall be in Northumberland in June this year (2012) and it would be wonderful to meet up again. Ngaire (Atkinson)
We used to hang around the street but mostly the cafe. There was Pete Lea, Jim Peason, Dennis Buckley and some stunning girls - Jannis, Orial and a few more whos names escape me. We sat in there for hours listening to the jukebox and the songs of the period - Brenda Lea, Conny Frances, the Everly Brothers - when we weren't in the cafe we were in the Red Lion or in the Windmill, listening to blind Freddy play the ...see more
I was born and brought up in Chadderton Street near Greengate and Irwell, which we called the rubber works. My mam and dad both worked there. I used to play on mark addie waiting for my dad coming home from work, whose name is Ernie Heywood. There was a sweet shop on the corner of Derwent Street called Doris's. Nearly all my relatives lived around there, the Willoughbys, Vincents, Heywoods and Brackens.
My father built most of the houses on Blaen-y-Pant, including our house, Bryn Dene. Initially there were houses built in 1937 on the Avenue, the Place and the Crescent. It was a private development of good quality homes. Interestingly, some families bought a few houses and a close knit community developed. I was born in our house, and had a very happy childhood there. We had the Malpas Brook and the ...see more
Does anyone remember Wyleboro Farm in Havering atte Bower, owned by my grandmother Mrs Maggie Saward? She also owned the riding school near the Green with her sons John, Tom and my mother Nancy,and I remember as a child in the early 1950's seeing the stocks on the village green. We had horses at the farm, but when my grandmother, Maggie Saward, grew old and could not cope with the ...see more
I remember going to the ABC cafe every Saturday with my Mum - it was great to eat out even if it was only a snack.
My Hues family lived, worked and died in Horningsham. My great great grandfather Robert Hues died in the far end cottage in the early 1800's.
Not really a memory of my own, but my father remembers going out with a young lady from South Kirby called Violet Shaw who lived on Clockrow Grove. Does anyone know of her and what she did with her life? I think he says she went to be a nurse. Also, a grt-grandfather on my mother's side, Cuthbert Dunbar, died as a result of an accident at the pit in 1902. His name is on the memorial. I took my dad ...see more
I have studied this photograph and shown it to numerous friends but nobody can identify the location. Can anybody help me with this.
My Mum and Gran worked at Brookfeild Maden - Name Sally Hill, Grans Name Fanny Hill.
My Family lived here in 1955.- Dad worked in Army Police, Mum was a Housewife. I remember riding on the back of my Mum"s bike - playing near the woods with my sister (prohibited!) - travelling on the last steam train to Wallingford, and having to walk 1/2 mile to school every day along Park Road (past the famous Tin Peas Factory). But the Best memory was buying my 1st 7 inch ...see more
I too, was born in Argent Street, No 85, next door to Potters Shop. Only the alleyway divided our house from them, and two doors away from The Castle. I have fond memories of growing up in the early sixties, and my adventures included playing in Bruces Wharf timber yard, the Old High Street, West Street, the back garden of The Theobalds Arms . I beliveve 'Bangor' used to run it then, and playing rounders with ...see more
My grandfather, Peter Heywood was head gardener and sexton at the cemetery till his later retirement. If anybody knows of any of the men there during the 50s' onwards, please let me know. He lived at Springwater Cottage in the valley below Lily Hill Street.
If the cannon was still there in the 1950's, then it can't have been melted down to help the war effort in the 1940's. Can anyone be sure they saw the cannon there in the fifties - and what do they think happened to it? I'd like Bridgnorth to get its cannon back - Ludlow still have theirs, and they've got railings around their church as well!!
I was born at 38 James Street, Barking on Christmas day 1965 (25/12/65.) My father was called Barrie Cook, and my mother Maggie Cook (Neè: Coe). I am very interested in finding photos of James Street at around that time, or speaking with anyone who may have known my parents. I am also very interested in finding a street plan that will show me the longitude and latitude of 38 James Street, as the houses are now ...see more
I remember this place well, we were taken here, whatever the weather, by school to have swimming lessons. The big event was to swim a mile, I did this and received a seasons pass to swim for free, which I was very proud of. My name then was Folley. When we went in a group of friends, the highlight was the hot drink of bovril and slice of bread and jam. Whenever there was a polio case about, I wasn't allowed to swim ...see more
Although I didn't live in Mitcham, I do remember a girl who lived above the chemist in Fair Green . She and her friends were top modernists, very smart with handmade shoes, I think her name was Germaine and I think she had a friend called Bunny or Bonnie. They were often at the Wimbledon Palais ,they were top girls. Modernist pre dated mods - we wore handmade suits and shoes made at Gorgios in Southfields.We thought we were the business.
Every year the children in the Sunday School at St. Leonards Church at Dinnington would be taken to Roche Abbey for a picnic. They originally used a horse and dray to take us, and we used to take sandwiches and pop, and run about all day. We also used to climb on the gatehouse roof and think we were very brave. The boys used to climb up the steep slope behind, but they wouldn't let girls do it. The horse ...see more
I was born in Stockwell London, but I often visited 'Uncle Jack' who was the retired farm manager of Beagles Farm. He lived with his wife in Church Road opposite the stores. My parents, my sister and I visited regularly and when the grown ups wanted to chat, I was given money to buy sweets at Kings Stores. My ancestors came from this area, including Nimrod Bridger who was, unfortunately run down and killed in one of the ...see more
I looked at this and thought, 'I've seen that somewhere before!' I have a very similar photograph taken in May 2009. Building seems as if it has been locked in time looking at this photo. Wonderful!
Does anyone remember the Cooper family who lived in Bickley Street from the early forties until the early sixties, or the Wharfe family that lived in Hereward Road? Or any memories you have of the Tooting Granada from the late forties to the late fifties.
The shop next to the pub. By the time we arrived in Bracknell in the sixties, and certainly until I left for Uni in the seventies, was a newsagents and I am pretty sure it was run by Mrs Murphy. We had regular magazines ordered there (it was easy for father commuting to London from the station just to the left of this picture) and I seem to recall these were all kept in a shopping basked suspended from the ceiling! ...see more
Memories fade, but I walked down here often and think that on one of these corners was the delightful "Kiddies Korner". Board games stacked high, Action Man and associated bits, Corgi cars, Major Matt Mason Mattell's Man in Space (fantastic allitteration!). Bliss it was to be alive in that time, but to be young, was very heaven!
I remember spending many happy times at Martins Grove Swimming Pool.The hot summer days, the park packed with children and parents. The high jumping board, the slide and fountain. I lived in Bramar Avenue. My Grandparents lived in Pinnacle Hill, I have happy memories of living in Bexleyheath.
My memory of Compton Bassett is not extensive - to say the least - as I spent roughly a year in married quarters before my husband was posted to Bordon in Hampshire. He was in the REME and worked at Lyneham. My immediate memory is of greeness and drizzle! And being without friends - I don't think being a member of the khaki set helped! (Compton Bassett was ...see more
Purchased by the current residents in 1978. Sadly, decline in the village population resulted in closure of the Old Post Office in 1980 and a change in name to Is y llan. Aside from renovation the property remains unchanged.
I started work for Mr and Mrs Judge at Nordham as a groom for Ballymore, a racehorse who had broken his leg. I spent a happy year riding this wonderful horse, many miles all over the East Riding. I also had a chestnut horse to exercise. At that time, Ruby was a cook in the big house. I lived in lodgings, with Mr and Mrs Mann. Also joined the youth club and started old time dancing with John ...see more
Can anyone remember Peglers Stores or Evans the grocer - with his horse and cart?
We moved here in November 1949 - Mother was horrified, I thought it the most wonderful, exciting place to be. The corner room upstairs was used by the previous tenants for pigeons, racing I think. A good scrub was needed before Mum considered it clean enough to hang the washing. My brother and I shared the large billiard room, as a combined bedroom and playroom. We had two dogs, Patricia ...see more
I remember the old buildings that were once part of Wattisham Airfield in Crowcroft Road. This area was occupied by the 4th Strategic Air Depot USAAF during the second world war. In the 60's Mrs Gant was the shopkeeper, and Mr Mowles from Whatfield would deliver groceries. My grandparents Leonard and Clara Pryke lived in Crowcroft Road from 1939- 1971.
Hi, to everyone who reads this and I hope some of you can help. My Mum, met my Dad, in the Empire Cinema Neath, 60 years ago this year. She used to work there with her father (my Grandfather). Over the years she has so many stories to tell, and as I was growing up I heard the stories over and over. For example, the Neath born actor Ray Milland's father used to go there to watch his son's films and always had a ...see more
Ewen Kerr opened a secondhand bookshop in New Sambles, sometime during the early years of World War II. I remember selling him some of my children's books (I now much regret that I did not keep them; I was only 17 at the time) and buying a splendidly, decoratively bound copy of Agness Zimmermann's edition of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas. It cost, I think, 2s.6d. (c.12.5 p.) and I still have it. Later Ewen's son took the business over & moved to another Kendal location, then to Cartmel.
My husband, Mike Kirton, lived in the second house on the right as a small boy with his parents and younger brother. A number of his family also lived on this stretch of the Parade. I moved to Sleaford in 1963, but lived further up the Parade at No 90. Even then it looked the same.
The building on the right was a cafe and had a jukebox where, the local teenages used to go and listen to the latest releases. Of course, in those days, we were not supposed to go there, but times they were a changing.
When the cinema opened, the local school children were walked up Sea Lane to see the first film. It was Cockleshell Heros....
I lived in the prefab you can see on the right of this photograph, 4 Windsor Crescent, and moved there when I was one years old. I loved living there and have many happy memories. Already the council houses were being built behind.. and the one you can see, the Barkers lived in..... He was a builder and the three children were Ian and twins, Barry and Barbara. The Pimpertons were the owners of the post office ...see more
This is the pathway to the cottage, my grandparents - the Wilsons, and aunt and uncle lived in. It used to be a farmhouse, but was split into two attached dwellings. On the left, there was a snack bar, and I spent many an hour helping my aunt plate up' full english breakfasts' in the late 50's early 60's. There was a field at the side, where I used to drive my two cousins around in my father´s car. I ...see more
I used to live at the Talbot Inn. In fact, it was the one and only time I have ever had a ghostly experience, I loved the place. My Dad, was the Landlord. I cried when I found out they had demolished it in 2009. So many happy memories xxxxx
The place you are referring to is, Ash Hall Ystradowen. I know this as my parents were there in '64/'65 doing exactly same job. The house was owned by the Charnauds, who owned The Pencil Factory. I lived there for a while with my two brothers, it was a lovely house and grounds, very much a hunting family. Mum had to clean all their gear, and cook and make afternoon tea - all very posh.We used to get snowed in and use a ...see more