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 1921 - 2000 of 36828 in total

hello yes I went yo West norwood mr and Mrs Miller and hopgood are names i rember from there i live in a house with 3 or four others in the 1969s regards leon mitchaelovitz
Hi there... great to read these posts. Seems like most are from alumni who attended earlier than me but clearly some of those teachers had been there forever. I started in the second year in 1964, and immediately started a friendship with another girl who also had done her first year elsewhere...her name was Marian Langdale and we are still best friends to this day, despite living 6000 miles apart now. Then the ...see more
If this is the same house now known as Meadow Cottage in Little Comberton,, then I lived there as a very small child (about 2-3 years old) for a short time in 1955 or 1956. My father was in the RAF, stationed at Defford and he rented the Cottage for a short time before we moved on. I can remember my father going off over the back fence to play cricket for the village in the ...see more
Sold the most marvelous pasties. Boat shaped and therefore crimped across the top. We took them down onto Oddicombe beach and enjoyed them for our lunch. Delicious and filling.
While doing my family tree I discovered My grandfather Hugh Midlane worked At May and Bakers for 35 years as an industrial chemist. He was presented with an engraved pocket watch in 1948 which is now in the possession of my son. My uncle worked at the Ford Motor company and my mum went to a school(don’t know the name) which was over a railway bridge. They lived in Reade Road.
I am told that in the 1950's a number of families from Penrhiwceiber would come to Tarrington in Herefordshire to help with the hop picking. They would arrive at Stoke Edith Station (which was actually in Tarrington) and stay in a disused Mill just over the other side of the lane. The farmer's name was Newton Williams, a bit of a character from all accounts. My friend Bob, who was one of the Paget ...see more
I descend from the Twyford family of Tewkesbury Road. My nan and her brother are Annie & Walt, their parents were Mabel & Walter. Does anyone have any memories of the Twyfords? Or any photos of that area from 30's - 60's?
I was raised in Mountsorrel in the Soar valley near Leicester. It was a Norman village that lay alongside the river Soar under Castle Hill. The hill got its name from the mote and bailey type 12c castle built by the Beaumonts – Earls of Leicester who were given land by William the Conqueror. It is first mentioned in 1150 when its strategic position for a castle was first noticed. Some say the name of the ...see more
I used to live in Lechmere Road, the road opposite the library and went to Pound Lane Secondary Modern School. I had friends Mary Quilter, Jackie Mangan and others. Pamela Game and Peter Game. Have fond memories of Willesden and wonder whether anyone remembers me. My grandfather have an antique shop in Willesden High Road, which is no longer there, think it is maybe a clinic.
Does anyone remember the palmer family who lived in lechmere road from 1945 to 1966 when I left to get married.
William Ford was one of the many skilled horse collar and harness makers in the Frome area in the 1700s. Such equipment was vital in those days when horses were depended upon for farm work and transport. William began as an apprentice in 1755 when aged 13, and continued right through until his death in 1799. During that time he took on apprentices to help ensure the ...see more
1969 -72 I was a student at Coloma and have very happy memories of my 3 years there. My friends and I attended when it was still an all female college. Four of the friends I met there got together last year to celebrate 50 years since we first met at Coloma. We decided to visit the college to see what had changed. The hostels we stayed in for 2 years are now a care home. The old building which was ...see more
Ah yes, May & Baker... As a keen amateur photographer in the 1950s and 1960s, I remember using M&B chemicals all the time. Brown, black and white labels - right?? Or was that Johnson's? I remember one particularly impressive and effective advertisement in Amateur Photographer for an M&B fixer sold in small portion-sized plastic pouches (M-packs). The trade-name of the fixer was "Amfix". The ad ...see more
The Runnacleave hotel was a seasonal base camp for me from 1967 until 1970. I worked as a waiter, and had so much fun in working there. I remember the Thursday night dance with Anita and Al doing the Cha-cha-cha fab. I worked with almost every major nationality and it was a learning curve for me, sitting down for dinner after work and talking about life with all the other catering staff fab. It was ...see more
Our family have owned Glevering since 1936, firstly my Grandfathers cousin, W.H and then during the war, the Royal Tank Regiment commendeered the Hall and Parkland and also some of the soldiers were stationed here before the D-Day landings. After the war, my Grand father, C.W.H bought the Hall and 500 acres and it's been our family seat ever since! In 1951 CW decided to convert tthe Hall into a grain store as ...see more
I am trying to find my wife's Great Grandad who lived in Kilburn in the same road as the school in Netherwood Street He was a Lamp street Lighter worked for the G.L.C in 1911 name was Albert William Farrant he lived in Kilburn up till 1928 when he died
I was delighted to find this site which brought back many memories for me. I was born in 1942 and lived in Landseer Road until I left to get married in 1961. I then moved to Motspur Park and in 1969 moved to Maidenhead, Berkshire. I attended Malden Manor Primary School and then went on to New Malden East (Burlington Girls' School) in Burlington Road. I was very happy there and when I left ...see more
dear helen, searching for info on the bromyard avenue school i came across your piece about goodhall street. everyone who lived in stephenson street, goodhall street, and old oak lane cottages, as they were called, had a connection with the railway. my dad was a signalman in the box at willesden junction situated at the end of the cattle dock, opposite the station. just down the road was the tobaccanist shop, ...see more
1960s down the washbrook by the old bridge catching sticklebacks and bullheads. Paddling under the two arches. Playing football on the ice when the brook used to flood into the field next to the brook in winter. Walking the old black pipe that used to cross the brook. Reading the old graffiti etched into the bridge from years ago. Treasured memories. Eddie Farber Road.
George Fletcher was Coachman to Risborough Hall in the late 1800's early 1900's he was married to Eliza who was housemaid to the Hall they lived in the tied cottage just inside the Gates of the Hall. Their daughter Mary was Nursery maid to the Children. In the 1901 Census a Mr Thomas Harrison lived at the Hall with his wife Mary who was born and brought up in Paris France. They had 5 children. Percy Gloyne ...see more
I spent the first 25 years of my life from 1943 to 1968 growing up in Kings Avenue New Malden. I went to Burlington Road School and at one stage was taught by Mr. Cook. His discipline was renown for the use of the board rubber and pulling the offender to the front of the class by a few hairs. However I learnt well from him. I can remember his teaching of perspective. He made sure I knew how to spell "necessary" I had to ...see more
I was born 67 east Surrey grove I had 11 brothers and sisters we went to Gloucester grove school does any one remember me from 1960 to 1966
Hi this is Tubby Laird, I was at Barwick house from 13 -16 I ran away twice and started a riot then got expelled. I remember getting the cane on each hand on the arse put in the cooler and cells at 2-3 times a week. Looking back how we got treated was very wrong. Has anybody managed to take legal action and actually got anywhere with it?
I used to go to Bishop Simpson School in Carlton Road in the 60's. I used to hang around with Rosemary Harrington and Jacqueline Grimble ( does that ring a bell to anyone?) My sir name then was Case!. I used to go to the baths, shall never forget those with the changing rooms round the edge of the pool (showed your feet and her head!!) Used to hide behind the bus shelter in front of the town hall until all the teachers were ...see more
My name is William Tingey and I reside in Canada. My direct Ancestor Henry Tingey was , I believe, born in Biggleswade in 1492 and became the Bailiff in Tempsford. He died in 1545. His spouse was Alys Edwards. He had four siblings Anna, Thomas, Roger, Richard and one child Thomas Henry, Jr. He comes from a long line of the Tingey Family whom we know arrived in England with William the Conquerer. His father was ...see more
I have many happy memories of Broom Green. My grandfather and uncle were tenant farmers there and our very large family would descend on the farm for the occasional holiday. I can’t remember the name of the farm but it was just across the road from the chapel. My grandads name was William Smith and my uncle was Stanley Smith. The farm was owned by Sir Thomas Cooke I remember. On Sunday we went to the ...see more
No. 43 High Street was my grand-fathers shop but was closed when I was very young. It is quite a surprise to find it now I live thousands of kilometres away in Australia.
I remember being at Hutton residential in 1950/60 I have to say it was the happiest time of my childhood and I absolutely loved it playing sports swimming in the pool there an above all else gov Riley who was like a father to me and my brothers, I attended St martins Technical school. Peter
Hi all, I was there about 1961, I think it was late summer, I'd just got out of Myrtle Street Hospital in Liverpool, and instead of going home to terrible accommodation in Liverpool 8, they (whoever "they" were) sent me to Heswall to convalesce, from a gut operation which they recognized much later as Crohns. To convalesce is not a word used much now. I'ts now almost unused completely. I landed in the Florence ...see more
This was a pub in Winchester near the train station. I used to go there around 1966 to 1972 ish. Wondering if anyone else remembers the place. I was at sea and spent many hours there whilst on leave. Philip duncombe.
I stayed in Denhead and used to play down the den almost every day. We used to go to school via the gap either next to Ciff Bells house or the gap next to smiths shop. We used to go along the cliffs behind the scrappiest then straight along all the Cawsway back gardens holding on the the wire fences at the top of the cliffs which must have been 30 metres up. The only time we went down a bit by the post office on the ...see more
I lived in ferndale rd ,next to the swimming pool from 1942 to 1959 ,went to Clarendon rd , woodthorpe rd and stanwell rd school. It was great living across the road from the park and the stream, trees to climb, fish ,tadpoles and newts to catch and take home only to be told to tip them back into the stream! Although living along side the pool I never learnt to swim and to this day I'm still scared of water ...see more
I attended St Andrew's School in Polworth Road, Streatham, from 1951 to c. 1957. I can't say I enjoyed my time there. My mom told me that on my first day at the school I bawled my eyes out and couldn't be consoled. The teacher was a Ms Walters. I hasten to say that I don't think she could be blamed for my tears. The school toilets were disgustingly filthy and had to be ...see more
Caerau...Nantyfyllon My Grandmother Annie Amos/ Townley married William Winn Bateson and we are trying to trace his family for the family tree....do you have any knowledge of him? When they married he was living in Station Road, Nantyfyllon and moved to Caerau. My Grandmother eventually married Will Evans and they are buried in Maesteg.
The picture of Church Road where it ran parallel with The Crescent with all those familiar shops brings memories flooding back. I started life at 33 Glebe Road in 1944 and spent 5 happy years there before moving to Madrid Road. My mother would occasionally give me ration coupons to buy real sweets at Mr Brown’s shop at the end of the parade – a large jovial Irishman with a charming welsh wife. I was a ...see more
I lived in farnborough for first 28 years of my life, got married and had 4 children there. Grew up on the Sinehurst Estate then moved to Grange then Hawley estates. Went to Farnborough Grange Schools when they were still terrapin huts. Remember ballet lessons at the Jubilee Hall, the Tumble Down Dick when it was full of hippies. When I was young we used to walk to Frimley, it was then a lovely quiet ...see more
Yep I agree with what I have read. The school should had been shut down years before be I left. Was there 1975 to 1985. Special schools should be shut down. Sadly residential special school leads to being detained in psychiatric hospitals. Parents never believe pupils. Out of sight out of mind.
I lived in Penn, at 39 Ashley Drive between 1957 and 1959; between the ages of 6 and 8. Lovely memories of the area. Ashley drive was part of a new development and building work was still in progress at that time. My mother would send me to the shops in the old village (across the common) for various items; perfectly safe at that tender age. Great sense of community.
Hi John I went to Kingsley from 1954 - 1958. I remember your name, Flora Ryan , Tony and Val Kight, June Thorn, Rita Bird who was Head Girl. I lived on Cremorne Estate until I married in 1963. My name was Geraldine Inett in those days. I took part in many of the School Plays along with Tony Knight, Haydn Cocks, Iveen Milner, Tony Tobias and many others. Remember all the teachers you have mentioned all of whom ...see more
I was born in 1947 and as a baby lived for a short time with my parents at Leyswood Lodge south of the village. My family on my mother's side had lived in Groombridge for many, many years and I was the first of the fifth generation of the family to live there. In 1948 we moved into a brand new council house in Gromenfield. Many children lived in Gromenfield in those days, mainly the ...see more
Does anyone have any memories of Rudolf Steel or his son of Westways, Woodcote Road by any chance? There in the late 50s/60s.
My name is John Lines. I will always consider Barnes to be my home. I was born in 1951 in Railway Street which had allotments and even Jack Sedgewick's Pigs between the end of the road and the railway line. The Old Barnes Primary School was converted into a builders yard by a firm called Ashley Brandon which is where my Mum went to school. I went to Westfields where Mrs Arundel (or was it Miss ?) was Headmistress Happy to communicate with anyone wanting to share memories.
My great grandfather, Alfred Barber owned Great Nelmes House from about 1900-1935 until his death. My late mother loved the house and was extremely upset when she heard it had been illegally demolished in 1967. As a child I remember being taken there to visit the elderly owners - I must have been about 10 I think. I remember walking through the unkempt kitchen garden and past a beautiful cedar of Lebanon near the ...see more
I was born in Mottingham in 1951 .but from the age of 9 years I caught the 161 bus to Eltham on a weekend ,duffel bag on my back and went to Green Gate Stables which was at the back of shops at the top end of the high st...run by Bill Muttit..he had a lovely variety of old horses and ponies from Shetlands (Jock & Little Jim)to a feathered piebald cart horse called.Stella....There were a few of us keen youngsters ...see more
The two houses shown here are 100 (Holmes family and 102 (Russell family. I lived at 106 (Evans). I have the picture in my old family album
Hi all I went to Kingsley from 1954 - 1958. My name before marriage was Geraldine Inett. I was in Elgar House and my last teacher was Mrs Harvey. I remember Rita Bird was Head Girl. Can't remember too many names of my class mates other than Pam Fryer, Val Knight and her brother Tony Knight, Iveen Milner, Haydon Cocks and Tony Tobias. Also remember Peter Grainer. Tony T, Tony K, Iveen, Peter, Haydon and myself ...see more
We moved there in 1949,from Yorkshire. My father was at Westcott mod, I went to Tring road infants, then to to the Grange when it opened in '54. I was made head prefect in my last year there in 1957/8. The headmaster was Percy Jones and headmistress was Miss Head, she was previously at Tring road when I was there..The deputy head was Mr Nelson a great guy, he moved to Wendover I believe John Colet school, in ...see more
I fondly remember the time I spent in Billinghay as the science teacher at The Lafford School, one of three new schools built at the same time in the 1960's. I also ran some adult evening classes and one evening was offered a hive of bees from a couple of people with the same name as their offer, Mr and Mrs Bee! I collected the bees on a trolley and, one Saturday morning, wheeled the bees ...see more
Hi there I used to work for Baughans at their manufacturing plant in Braintree and also in their shops in the area. If anybody remembers me or even worked for Baughans it would be nice to chat. I now live in Norwich.
My dad was born in East street Prittlewell in 1918.
I may be wrong but the entrance on the right looks like the entrance into the Doctor’s Surgery. My Doctor was Doctor Summers, an elderly gentleman (well to me). I can remember him once telling my Mum that Australia needed young people like me ( I think I was 8 or 9 at the time) and wouldn’t it be a good idea to send me! I like to think he was joking but who knows.
My name is Jim O'Hanlon. I am 66 years old. I have just discovered this site and have seen a couple of places written about which provoke many nice memories from my childhood and early teens. I remember Wembley well. It was a bustling town then (1960s). Two cinemas, the Odeon near Copeland School. I used to go and see the double feature on Saturday morning. The comedian,Norman Wisdom ...see more
I lived in Hoar Cross from about 1952 to about 1957. First in Park House and then behind the Estate Office on the main Road. My dad and brother worked for the Meynell Estate. I attended the village school when the headmaster was Mr Bernard Lakin. Happy childhood memories.
I was stationed at Queen Elizabeth Women’s Royal army corps in 1957 I remember we all were guards of honour ,when Her Majesty The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh Opened the Cathedral.I wonder if anyone else remember s this .lovely place
My grandparent's on mother's side lived in top flat of Otterburn, Stroncarraig Brae, Rhubaan and my first visit was in August 1938 on a three weeks holiday from my home in Penarth, South Wales. My grandfather had a small open motor boat together with a dinghy. Wakened each morning around 6 or 6.30 I spent an hour or so rowing among the many yachts, getting soaked in a thunderstorm on one occasion. Grandpa Smith took ...see more
I was a Staff Nurse on this ward. We were in a prefabricated building, and had to push patients to theatre with a waterproof covering over them, to protect from the weather. Quite a lot of our patients came from a local home for thalidomide children. Darling resilient tots, who wizzed around on specially made walkers when they were recovering from what ever they were admitted with. I was ...see more
I lived in Victoria Road from 1958 until 1970, going to Bond Road and then Western Road Secondary Girls’ School. Fond memories.
I am with my Dad, peter Brandon, who was also evacuated to the area during the war with his 2 brothers and sister and parents. They were in a terrace of cottages, Dinnaton Cottages south od Swimbridge. he went to Swimbridge school, probably aged 7 in 1940? His broithers were Syd and Jack, and his sister was Wyn. His dad worked in the tannery.
Well, I would like to bring a little history of our wonderful school in St Leonards back to life with the real colour and warmth of the time when I was there in the early sixties. First I would like to acknowledge the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Redfarn who owned the school at that time, and their lovely adult daughter, who was a matron there, she ...see more
I started the schools in 1948/,aged 3 1/2 at the site on a west Hill.For a couple of years we also used the Dartford Heath site and I loved the grass area opposite that was our playground I left after the 11+ to go to the Girls Grammar A very difficult choice to make I have wonderful.memories of my days there that have stayed with me all my life I have 2 dear friends and we have kept in close touch for over ...see more
Having only this week come across your website, with so many writing about their memories of Wembley, I felt inspired to add my memories too. I was born in Pettsgrove Avenue in 1941 and lived there until 1965 when I married a lovely man from the Western Isles. My name then was Sheila Razzall. I attended Sudbury Primary School, taking the short cut through Vale Farm, past the outdoor swimming pool on to ...see more
Seasalter - A place name from the past for 2 reasons. No.1 - in the 1960s my paternal grandmother and grandfather had retired from Tooting, Sarf London to Bapchild, Sittingbourne and had acquired a beach hut close by the boating lake. Dad could only afford summer holidays for me, mum and sister by staying with his mum and dad and driving down to the beach hut each day. Yes, winkles from the sea boiled ...see more
I lived in Oakwood, then Enfield West, from 1937 till 1946. My father had the Chemists Shop in the Parade, his name was George Reid, and we lived above the shop. Opposite was Victor Sasoon’s Estate, where I think Prisoner of War Officers were imprisoned, during the War. Also in the Parade was a greengrocer, with a Mrs. Crick who had a dog called Sadie.There was also a fish shop, grocers shop and a dairy, ...see more
My family lived here in 1830s and were called Betts. I wonder if anyone was aware about a lady who married a George Betts my 3rd Gt Grandfather, her name was Catharina Nicholson and was from Italy I believe but was born in Greece. If anyone has information i would be very grateful. I know that she is buried in the local churchyard in 1885.
A row of terrace houses leads up to the old parish church of Walmer. The church where the Duke of Wellington worshipped whilst staying at Walmer Castle as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Some of the dwellings in this terrace were the home of various members of the family of bricklayer John Baker, the brother of My Great Great Great Grandfather. What is now Malvern House, contained ...see more
We have purchased Harbour Sails, Overgang. In the picture you can see that once upon a time there was rather large house sitting in front,which is no longer there, (where the boats are in corner of quay, there’s 2 masts that point to the old house). What happened to it?
My Great Grandfather, William Grundy, was a gamekeeper at Peover Hall from c 1880 to c 1900
I moved into this house after purchasing it 2 months ago, looks a bit different now but still very recognisable. So happy to find this photo. Thanks
I remember going to Littlehampton for a days outing with the Sunday school in teh late 1950's. I remember there were rides and also in particular a bingo place where I won 6 water glasses with coloured frosting around the edges. Now I wonder if it was Butlins. I didn't know Butlins had a camp there?
Towards the end of WW2, I was evacuated to Bodmin. On arrival, we were taken by coach to a large hall. I suppose there must have been more than a hundred of us. At first, we noisily filled the hall, each with a single suitcase. At the far end, a number of posh looking ladies sat at a long trestle table. Then the locals came in through a side door and surveyed us before picking out someone to take home with them. My ...see more
My name is Jeffrey Turner and I have lived in the Holme Valley all my life. I was born in a little cottage up Goose Green in 1927. Later we moved into a Council house at Cinderhills. I lived there until I was called up into the forces in 1947 and after I came out of the army I came to live in Hepworth where I still live. My memories of life in the Holme Valley are many and I have written three books ...see more
In the late 1950s I remember delivering Christmas parcels to the Royal Crescent. In one particular house in the crescent lived The Dowager Lady Noble. She was the last granddaughter of Brunel ! Frank Mizen (Ex CBBS )
Hi I lived in Hammond Street Cheshunt in the 1960-1970,s.My brother and I both went to Flamstead End Junior School.The Headmaster was Mr.Cave,,and my teacher was Mrs.Sibley.I have wonderful memories of living there and school.My brother and I walked to and from school up DigDag Hill does anyone remember on the left hand side an old cottage/house whose front room was a little shop that sold sweets,it was dark and dusty and ...see more
Hello, I hope this is the right place for posting this I am researching my late fathers ancestry/history and hope you can help. I have very recently found out he went to Smallwood school,Tooting. I guess this would be from 1946-1957. His name was Travis. (Trevor) If anyone should have any information on the school or past pupils that would be great. Even better photos, I would love to find a ...see more
I am 75yrs and writing a book about myself I am not so sure but was not old Bute a place for small children .early 1940 + yrs I think i stayed there until i was 5yrs the house had driveway looks familiar it had a sort of side building where you can enter and then the side door to enter there were 2 steps to get in the main building and as you cross the road down the side street there was a bakery on a corner ...see more
My parents decided to move to Bramhall and the estate just off Bramhall Lane was brand new and we moved into Lucerne Road. I was in Heaven even as a child I loved history there was the Park, Bramhall hall the woods I could sit for hours dreaming. Adswood wasnt connected in those days. my school was a bus and train ride away and I looked forward to coming home, That dream never left me. I was about 14 I think and I ...see more
I was born in Chagford in 1940 at Moorlands Hotel which my Grandfather owned. I do visit from time to time but am rather a long way away in Australia. I have many memories of Chagford and Dartmoor and even now I often tell my Wife about things that happened in the years that I lived there. One thing that I have no knowledge of and that is who built Moorlands Hotel and when. If there is anyone who may read this ...see more
I and my twin brother were born at Cuckfield Hospital in 1965. I went back there today for the first time in at least 30 years with my 13 year old son. It brought a tear to my eyes. The area seems very different from what I remember. Does anyone know when it stopped being a hospital and it was converted to flats and offices? Giles
Lived in Saxon road then moved to Tensing road on the havelock estate. Had great time riding motorbikes in batcherlors field with friends. Fishing in grand union canal also tried our home made raft. Went to george tomblinsons school then to feartherstone. Started work and done apprenticeship at Mascot engineering at at top of townsend road. Used to go fishing at Osterley park. Worked with Kieth Leeson at Mascots.
I did my apprenticeship in Kay’s ,I was 15 years 3 months when I started in 1965, so there is a very good chance I was working there when the South Street photo was taken. My boss was Mr Roy Collins who became Mayor of Dorchester. His mother in law used to have one of the barrows in South Street. On Monday evenings it was Model night when some poor person had their hair done by an apprentice. While they were ...see more