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 24241 - 24320 of 36828 in total

I went to Wraysbury School and one day came late. Everyone was gathered in the canteen for morning assembly, and when I got there, everyone clapped and I was pushed up to receive a large brown envelope. Going back to my place, I asked the girl next to me what they were clapping about, and she said, "You've passed the scholarship". I was so vague, I don't know how I did it. One day I had walked out of the gate ...see more
I remember this shop very well, there was still sweet rationing then. Georgeous smells. Mr Parker called on Wednesday to take the order and delivered them on Friday even after we moved to Wainscott. What price Tesco Home Delivery!
I was allowed into the pub with my grandfather, Clarence Batchelor, as long as I sat in the corner and kept quiet! I was eventually taught to play darts.
I was born at the maternity hospital in 1951, we lived at 3 St Oswalds Crescent and my granny and grandad lived close by on Park Road. I attended St Oswalds C of E School - I had a lady head teacher whose name escapes me before moving up to Parkside Juniors - Mr Lawton was Headmaster. We used to play Shrovetide at school but it was banned for beeing too exuberant. Joined the Church Choir - C Daly Atkinson - organist ...see more
I am looking into the history of King Street in Castle Douglas and have been told there was a church, where exactly I am unsure, but if anyone could help with names or pictures I would very much appreciate it. I have heard that it was situated near what is now a convenience store.
Delighted to find this photo. I was born in Grimsbury Castle in 1946. I came to America at age three and know very little about the history of the Castle and surrounding area. I did visit the Castle in 1971. The appearance was much the same as it is in your 1955 photo. There were in fact adders close by even then. At the time I thought it would be lovely to see the inside of the structure. So I knocked ...see more
Hi, can anyone out there in Hull remember the Webster family from Cumberland Street? The dad was a bargee, there were quite a lot of kids. Please answer via this site, I would love to know more about them.
I was born in Glyncornel Hospitla in 1948. I lived in Tonypandy till I was 14. I remember a faggot and peas shop next to Hathaways chip shop, it was called Maceys. It sold freshly cooked meats too. The lovely St George's Park. The mid where schools had their sports day, where we used to play after school (climbing over gate to get in). Tonypandy has changed for the worst.
I am a collector of Wattons history. I have been collecting postcards, photos, in fact anything to do with Watton. I have old blacksmiths tools made by the blacksmith in 1910, over 600 postcards, stories and memories and a great deal more. I have been on TV with my collection. and done exhibitions, talks, village walks and talks. I travel all over the country to see ex Watton residents, seeking more ...see more
Does anyone remember the camp where women and children stayed when they lost their home or were abused by husbands? Mr Hughes was the man in charge, he wasn't very nice. It was a great place for little ones who didn't know what was going on. I went to the girls' school in Barry. We were taunted on the bus as if we were trash, it wasn't the kids' fault they were there, or my mother's as it happens. We moved to a ...see more
In my Family History endeavours concerning a Shewan family , I have learned that the parents died at a relatively young age . The fate of the orphaned children has been difficult to ascertain. However , at least one of them can be traced to an orphanage , as evidenced by the 1901 Scotland Census , reproduced below : Name: Isabella Shewan Age: 16 Estimated birth year: abt 1885 ...see more
My genealogical journey has brought me to Banchory Ternan Parish of yesteryear ... Two of my Shewan-surnamed folk were born there : William Shewan in 1883 , and one of his sisters Isabella Shewan , in about 1885. Two of my New Zealand - born Shewan relatives made the nostalgic journey to Banchory just a few years back ie about 2006. There at the local library , they learned that lots of Shewans still live in the area ...
I remember well the tennis courts . We were a secondary modern and our tennis courts were very secondary. Holes and gravel with a perimeter fence that had so many holes in it that about 20% of the balls sailed through it only to be punted down the road by a passing car. Whereas the girls' grammer school next to it had new ashphalt, legible lines and a fence strong enough to keep the boys at bay. We had great ...see more
I was born in Brightlingsea and spent most of my childhood growing up there, my grandfather was Fred Scales, who ran the Boating Lake for a number of years and looked after the chalets and caravans, he was also a coal merchant and lived in Colne Road. Jennifer Dance, nee Collins, nee Scales PS. Grandfather is the man in the picture.
I was born and brought up in East Loftus. My family name was Morris. We lived in Tees Street, East Loftus. We attended All Saints Church, Easington where my Aunty was organist and my Uncle was Choirmaster. My Dad was also in the choir. My brother and I went to Loftus County Modern School (later Rosecroft School). David and I used to play in the street outside our house - we played Rounders, ...see more
My family lived in East Loftus - our family name was Morris. My Dad was in the choir at All Saints Church, Easington and my brother David and I attended Sunday school there every Sunday. Our parents joined us later and we all attended Eucharist together. My Aunty (Mrs Taylor) was organist at the church and my Uncle Jim (Mr Taylor) was Choirmaster. Aunty and Uncle used to run Old Time ...see more
I was born on the Trope Colony Estate in 1956. In 1959 we moved into Colington House, Collyhurst Flats, these flats we called London Flats ands what a shame when they started to sink in the mid 1960s, the reason being that the foundations were weak from the coal shafts at Bradford Pit which ran direct under the flats. Every winter the fellas from the council came round and filled all the huge gaps ...see more
I also remember the Grange Hotel mentioned on Little Bookham memories. In the late 1950s or early 1960s it must have been, I recall Sandy who worked behnd the bar. Leslie the boss used to get a bit miffed with some of us youngsters who used other pubs in the village (Great Bookham) in the early evenings and then when they closed at 10.30pm would all arrive at the Grange en masse for the later closing time ...see more
I was born and brought up in Sutton until we moved when I was 8. I remember going to swimming club on Friday evening in the old swimming pool and visiting the library when it was in an old house through the park. I am particularly interested in any memories people may have of the old brass plaque in the entrance to the swimming pool stating that the pool was built by Humphries the builder, as he was my ...see more
In the late 1950s my mum and dad moved to the Fortune of War and ran it for a few years. Bob and Betty worked for the brewery and this was the first house since Bob had left the navy. I went to Laindon Hill primary school and had the time of my life growing up in the vast rooms and yard of the pub with my older brouther Steve.
I met my husband in Chiswick, London in 1967, he had come down from Paisley to find work. I loved Paisley, I wanted to move up there but he loved Chiswick. But we went up there whenever we could. I found the people very friendly and my husband's family were very close and made me one of the family. Sadly I lost my husband last month, how I am writeing this I don't know. I have been told I am welcome ...see more
I have so many memories of this place. I was born in Martley Drive, 1947, my grandparents originally bought the house back in the 1920s when they moved from Bethnal Green. It was a good place to live, I went to Gearies School all the way through from Infants, Juniors to secondary. It was just a short walk. Sadly the secondary school part appears to be an adult education centre now. I wonder if ...see more
Like several others on this memory page, I attended many a show at the Gaumont, especially Saturday Morning Pictures, which I suppose were especially for kids, but what also intrigues me about this picture is the Swan's Travel Agency, just next to the Gaumont, because this was where my parents booked our passage (me, my parents and two of my brothers) on a Transatlantic ship for us to emigrate to ...see more
I was born in Consett at 11 Newmarket Street in June 1933, though my parents were living in Norfolk and later on in Middlesex. I was sent back to live with aunts when the Blitz really got going. I went to the CofE Primary School at the back of the church which I also had to attend as a choir boy. Consett was full of noise in those days especially outside No.11. Buses started their long climb up ...see more
Born in 1947 to Ted & Cred Fowles, I lived in 3 Park Road until 1955 when I moved down the hill to Southsea. I started Tanyfron primary school in 1951 and went on to Penygelli Secondary school, Coedpoeth, in 1958. When I started at Tanyfron the Head teacher was Mr Jackson, quite a strict and serious man if I remember rightly. Soon after him was Mr Emlyn Davies, totally opposite, a very jovial man. ...see more
If it was Tuesday and school holiday my sister Carolyn and I would go with Grampy Smith the village blacksmith to Trowbridge market. Having helped harness the pony, Peggy, to the old milk float, we'd climb in to Grampy's command "Jumpy up, then". A quick stop to check with Granny that the shopping list was correct, then as the church clock struck nine we'd set off. There was always a ...see more
Laurie, I remember vividly those days as if they were yesterday, strange to see the Jan mentioned which dad bought from the Faircloughs which was moored at Widnes Docks.Do you remember our trip down the ship canal to the boat festival? Our boat at the time was the gorgeous 32ft 'CORAL', Thornicroft powered, I have a photo of the 'CORAL' at Chester with your mum and dad, Roger, my mum and dad and ...see more
I was born at 40 Priory Street, Birkenhead in 1947 . I have lost track of all my family. But most important was the memories of a young ladie who was supposed to follow me to Canada in 1966, she was a beautiful Welsh nurse who worked at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. I stillremember our late nights trying to get back into the nurses' residence too late for curfew . I worked in Formby Lighthouse restaurant, ...see more
This parade of shops is in my memory for ever - my family moved to Orchard Close - which starts just beside the post office on the right of the picture - in 1946. My brother was five and I was six months old. We were there for twenty years. Every day, until a supermarket appeared in Leatherhead in the early sixties and we got a fridge, my mother would walk down our road and buy the food for ...see more
I was a Girl Guide here from 1969 to 1975. We used to meet every Friday. Guide captain was Mrs Pamela Ferries. I enjoyed many camping trips to Kent/Sussex (travelling in the back of a removal lorry), what fun!
Jennifer and I started our married life in South Wales in a little village called Caio, at that time all Welsh speaking. You may have gathered from my writings I was recalled back into the army for the campaign that was called The Suez Crisis which meant losing my job so when I got out I had to find a job to help keep my new wife in a state she was accustomed. I realized very much earlier that she was having to come ...see more
This is the first swimming pool I ever saw and where I learned to swim. I went to the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and this is where we were taken, once a week, for our swimmimg lessons. I was placed into care when I was 11 years old and in my first year at senior school. The place of care was Holmeleigh Children's Home. I remember my first time here very clearly. I was very nervous, new school and a new home, ...see more
This is a last=ditch effort to find the birthplace of my mother Ivy Lilian Wyatt/Brizell whose birth certificate tells us she was born in 1916 at No.10 Sherwood Road Keynsham. Having searched for years and visited the road in question - nobody can tell me where No.10 is - I am told it never existed ( there seems to be an Old peoples home on the site now- but where in 1916 was No.10) She was born on 28th ...see more
I was born in Mayday but brought up in Lansdowne Road for the first two and a half years. I remember the fountain being in the grounds of the water works where Tesco is now situated. When I was nearly 3 we moved to above the old gas showroom in the High Street, Purley. The cinema that is there now used to be called the Astoria and I can remember as a very small child having tea in the restaurant. My ...see more
Yes, I have been to Southport! Sadly I saw this lovely town once only when I went there to see Southport FC play at their home ground in Haig Avenue. The occasion was a Monday night in March 1969 and the visiting team were Watford, the team I had been supporting since childhood. I had been studying and working for a couple of years in Manchester so for me it was quite an easy task to get ...see more
This church is where my grandparents and parents are all buried and opposite my aunt and uncle live. It brings back many family weddings and also when we were home from Africa the services we used to attend here. My father John was a choir boy here and so were my aunt and my grandfather Vic. I can also remember attending the local school just down the road where also many members of my family have ...see more
If I own the title 'Lord of the Manor of Swinford', how can I relate myself to the Swinford Manor? I would be pleased to get a reply or acknowledgement from you. Regards Nelson Brunton
The three windows in Canonball House was my classroom at Castle Hill School.
This view was from our flat at 25 Grassmarket. A memory that lives with me and tugs at my heart whenever I see it. I lived there from 1949 to 1953. Although the area was poor I treasure the time there.
Anyone who knows or went to Widdiecombe Home, can you get in touch, do you have some photos, or memories. I went there as a young boy 6 years old, hope to hear from someone, hoping to visit all around south Devon shortly. I remember goingto the beach, and seeing the lighthouse as it always shone in the home.
My grandparents lived in a cottage fronting the River Humber where the Humber Bridge is now. My grandfather worked in the whitening mill near what was then called LITTLE SWITZERLAND. It is now, I believe, a country park. Their name was DIXON and they were my late mother's parents. We used to spend our holidays there every year, including the war years, and I can remember the light ship nearly opposite the ...see more
Not the silly little ginger kid no more! I'm great blonde n beautiful n proud of my family. Are any of you alive!? I'm fandabbydozee. Get in touch n if not I will see you in the ablutions! ha ha.xx
I remember our annual holiday to Kingsgate in the 1960s. We stayed in various guest houses in Percy Avenue and often walked down to Kingsgate Bay for a day on the beach. In 1965 I was aged 7 and remember the pub just like this. During a two week holiday we visited perhaps once or twice for a drink as a special occasion. There was a large green area in the front, as pictured, and another further ...see more
Groes village, my earliest memories. My first school, my lovely memories of chapel and also my very happy memories of time spent with my older sisters up Brombil Farm, where we used to call for Mrs. Maddocks to go to Sunday School. Picnics we used to have amongst the Rhodedendrons. So many happy days spent here in this village. SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DEMOLISH. SO SAD.
I was in the forces that year, my memories are not that good any more. What I did see of the village was good, I remember Marlborough Square cobbled, I think it was also Sir Gordon Rochards who used to train his horses therem that's all I can recollect, when was it all demolished?
I have just found out that my grandad was born in Upper Broughton in 1876. If anyone can help me with any information I would be extremely grateful.
I can't believe nobody has posted a memory from Aberfeldy. I'm over in Victoria, BC now but who can forget during the war, the stern Mrs. Walker and her husband "policing," the Birks Cinema on a Saturday night when all we "country folk," invaded Aberfeldy. I can still see her at the interval with an ice cream tray strapped around her waist standing under the screen. She was one tough lady, and ran the theater ...see more
My dad sold his flowers outside the Fortune of War hotel. He had a plot of ground opposite our bungalow in Florence Road, Langdon Hills (now Florence Way). He picked them, put them in boxes at the front and back of his bicycle, then cycled down Laindon High Road each night in the summer months. He sold them to the people on the coaches going to and coming from Southend, sometimes I would go with him and sell blackberries or mushrooms I had picked.
I did not know my father, I only remember him in the early part of my life but I knew he worked for the coal yard in Thornton Heath, he had a large Shire horse and the last I know of him was standing at the horse's head with a rosette on the reins, ribbons on the mane and tail, and there were three children sitting on the cart, I think one of them was me but I have no photo to check this. I am now searching the ...see more
Since the 1970's I have been going to Craig-y-Mor as often as possibe. My husband's family owns it now and we try to get there for a vacation from the states whenever we can. My husband's brothers and sisters go more often, being in the UK. It is a magical place. The first time I went, there were baby sheep jumping around out front.
I left school in Dec 1951 and started work with Olby's in Jan 1952. Opposite to the Police Station in Green Lane was a children's outfitters, then Macks Photography Shop, then Bryce Grants then Art Wallpapers then K&B Radio, then Edgingtons Furniture Shop, then across Cottingham Road, Edgingtons again then there were several other shops ending with a bank. Opposite was the Odeon Cinema then the ...see more
My memory of Rugeley was going to town and having fish and chips from Florie's chipshop in Brook Street, they were the best I have ever tasted. Wrapped in newspaper with fish bits in there too, those were the days.
My brother and were put in the Orphanage, I think, in 1943-4, despite the fact that both parents were alive. We remained there until, I think,1946. I am unclear as to the exact dates as I am now 67 years of age. I have had no contact with any of the boys who shared those days. Some names I do recall are, Flynn's, Suttons,Grey, Mcnamara and Chapman.I remember going for walks with the ...see more
My grandparents lived at 42 Elm Grove from the 1920s until the late 1970s, Mr & Mrs Whiffen. My father was brought up there, only leaving when the Second World War broke out. My paternal great grandmother also lived close by, Mrs Beauchamp. I lived in Catford but often visited and stayed on my own with my grandparents. I remember the corner sweetshop/general store run by Mrs Trevener. The fish shop was always a great ...see more
I will never forget as a child playing around the ruins of Eggesford House. My imagination ran wild and still to this day, the house inspires me. It amazes me how such a beautiful house could fall to such ruin. As a child I imagined my self as a baron of a secret society and Eggesford House was my headquarters. Funny! I used to sneak up there alot for my "secret meetings". Don't tell anyone but it ...see more
I was born in Park Royal Hospital in Dec 1948. I remember Woolworths in Wembley town had an exit on a corner of the high street and there were trolley buses all round. We used to shop for toys and games in George Arthur's which seemed huge to me at the time. Cinemas always had a nylon sort of smell about them. My school was Oakington Manor - infants and juniors. Yes, we had small bottles of milk each day and the big brass ...see more
This is my Uncle and Aunt and cousin Arthur, outside their cottage no. 32 North Hill in Clovelly village. They lived there for many years and took in many many people for B&B, people from all over the world came back time after time to stay with them. I remember at Christmas time they would recieve hundreds of greetings cards, and not having the room to display them ...see more
That was a wonderful write-up by Carol about Sunbury Road and it brought back so many memories of my childhood. I was born in Fulham in 1932 and in 1934 I moved with my lovely parents to Feltham where we first lived over the back of Sunbury Road on the Grescot Estate for about two years. There was a Club Room and they had dancing on a Saturday night and my dad played the drums with the band. My parents then ...see more
The huge image of a beautiful woman's face comes to mind when I remember Tooting Broadway "Chelsea Girl". I used to love looking at all the lovely clothes and getting ideas so that I could walk down to "Huma Fashions" and get my mum to buy something similar at a 1/4 of the price! I used to cut through Tooting Market every morning on my route to school, from Sellincourt Road to Broadwater ...see more
I attended Zeals C of E Primary school between 1958 and 1963. We actually lived over the border in Bourton (next to the White Lion pub) but the school was nearer than Bourton school. "Pop" Winter and his wife were the full time teachers and Miss Milne was the infants teacher. The walk to school involved coming over the hill on the back lane down to the main road then past the shop run by Mr Arnold and up to The ...see more
From John Moloney; john@moloney.com I was moved to Oldham as an evacuee from Stretford in 1941 to live at 395 Featherstall Road North. The house was occupied by my great-great aunt, Ellen Farrow, and her son Fred and his wife Maggie. When I arrived I was full of impetigo (at least that's what I was told). I was literally scrubbed from head to toe, then bandaged, over an ointment on the ...see more
I am looking for anybody named James and Turner as second names. My nan was Barbarah James, she lived and worked at the Oggmore in service.
I was born in Chesterfield but my parents, Reg and Joan Leadbeater, owned and ran the shop in the archive picture with "Players" above the shop front during the 1950's. It was predominantly a tobacconist/sweet and toy shop. I was brought up there and went to Camm's Junior School. My contemporaries were Andrew Hardwick, Andrew Tatlow (his father was the local optician, and had the shop opposite), Robert Round, ...see more
I worked there in the early 1970s. I lived on Overdale Road near the Spreadeagle pub. I got married in St Chad's.
We used to live up a close on Glen Avenue. Great Memories. Hanging clothes out in the back line, taking the train to Woodhall. My dad's name is Tommy Coulson and he was married to Kitty Scanlan. We emigrated to Canada in 1965. Would love to get in contact with any family or friends that remember us. Christine and Linda Coulson.
I grew up on the estate near Kirkby pit known to locals as Little Wigan. It was a great place to live where everyone knew each other and I know peaple say you didn't have to lock your door in days gone by, but down Little Wigan you realy didn't. Virtually all my family worked at the pit, either down it or on the pit top this is where me and my mates spent most of our spare time and, I've got to say, ...see more
We moved into Roydon in 1939 as a temporary measure and stayed. I lived in Halls Green until the Parkfields estate was built in 1947. I have happy memories of our walk to school, road in winter, footpath in summer. I was notorious for tree climbing but many of those have now been felled. I was a member of St. Peter's church choir and a server until I married and moved away from the village completely. I recall ...see more
I lived at the top of Valence Avenue, which was 1.1/4 miles long. I was nearly into Chadwell Heath, but my address was Dagenham (and proud of it!) . I used to go to Lymington Road School and we went to Valence Swimming Baths for lessons, even though it was freezing cold and had to jump in! We went back recently and what a shock it was! The Advance Laundry has gone! (I lived next door to it.) The ...see more
I was born in Dublin, Ireland. My mother was born in Six Bells. Her name was Olwen Roche, nee Griffiths. In 1959 my mother took myself and my brother to stay with my grandparents who lived at no 9 Griffin Street. I will never forget the wonderful times I had, having great fun with the boys who lived on the street. We used go up on the mountain and catch hold of the coal buckets on the cable line and get a ride and ...see more
A group of us children would often after church on a Sunday go for a walk home 'the long way'. Yes, walking then was just wonderful. Our trek often took us along the river to the farm, before Ho- moor. We would look at the pigs in the stys and then make our way to the woods of Ho-moor, often detouring through the woods and down by the Ferney's pond. I should mention the stop at ...see more
Hi, if anyone remembers me I am Christopher Potts and I was in Sr Catherine's flat from around 1963 till I left in 1973. I have been reading some of the messages and have really happy memries of my time there. Like the time me and Derek Owens sneaked into the tractor garage and I fell over and cut my knee and still have the scar to prove it LOL. I remember Anthony Williams as well also Linda and Claire in the nursary school and Miss Swarbrick
Does anyone please have any photos or memories from the Victorian era? I work in a local primary school and would love to have any photos of New Malden or Kingston in the Victorian era. Thank you very much...................
An elderly friend of mine would dearly like to know what became of her good friend, Mr. Tony O'Hara Nelson whose family lived in Gunnislake in the 1940's. I believe Tony was an actor in a touring company during the war.
Does anybody remeber the hand bag factory or Wendy Charlton who lived on Cock Lane?
We stayed in the vicarage across from the pub and I went to Rodbourne School aged 3.
I, too, remember playing in the sand at Ferry Hut, probably around 1948. I remember the "tide" coming in when a ship went past. I cut my toe on some hidden glass and there was blood everywhere. There really was a Ferry Hut, and I've seen pictures of it on the internet. It was before the Ship Canal was built. The ferry was immortalised in the monologue "Tuppence per Person per Trip".
My great-grandfather, by the name of Turner, owned a shop in Langton Green in the 1890s.
I left school in 1962, I went to Norlington Boys. I remember the snow that year when the roads were blocked, the only way the milkman got in was by sledge, I have got a photo somewhere. I started working for my dad, Albert Brennan, the local plumber, we had a lock up in Elm Road, next to the Kellys' house on the corner, great days.
I lived at no 5, neighbours were George Sharples, Peter Humphries, Charlie Chedell. I went to Winsor Road School. We used to play on the railway sidings, and donkey bridge. In the winters we would go over to Peel Park and slide down the bank, we would also play along the cut - the canal, that's what we called it.I had a cousin called Linda Brennan, does anyone remember us?
I remember as a lad cycling from Bishop's Stortford to the old Stansted airport. In those days there were just a few buildings with a very small terminal building. You used to be able to approach the airport via a lane and there was nothing more than a set of lights at the end of the runway to stop you crossing when planes were taking off or landing. Naturally as boys, we crossed ...see more