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An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

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Nostalgic memories of Southend-on-Sea's local history

Share your own memories of Southend-on-Sea and read what others have said

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.

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

Add Your Memory for Southend-on-Sea

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 62 in total

Southend Technical College
I remember the many years, 1964 - 1975 attending “night school”, and also working at Southend Tech, Engineering Dept. All gone now, first the original College building which used to be where the Odeon cinema is now, then later the London Road, Engineering Dept building, which is now a Students accommodation site. Carnarvon Road building now converted into Flats etc. Such fun it was sitting at the ...see more
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Added 17 September 2022

Going To Gran & Grandfathers Southend And Tottenham
My Nan and Grandfather lived in Southend on sea at the car park opposite the Kersal. All the coaches used to go there to park, there was always a crowd of people. I can remember Gran serving teas and people wanting to go to the toilet and costing 1 penny which I can remember collecting when we were there. Grandfather would look after the coaches while people went to the ...see more
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Added 08 December 2020

Walker, Newcastle Upon Tyne
I was born in Moorland Crescent in the 1950’s. This council housing estate was built a few decades earlier and has a variety of different style good quality houses. Most people had nice gardens with flowers etc and we had vegetables and fruit bushes in the back garden. On summer nights it was not uncommon for the streets to be full of kids playing as most people had big families. Also there was ...see more
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Added 13 November 2020

Mothers Memory,S
My mother lived in Beaufort street 1913 - 1915, Mother passed away 1997 and at some time had written these memory s. Her next door neighbours were the Keys family related to Bishop Heddle who had a drapers shop in Southchurch Road (peculiar peoples bishop) She remembered being taken to a protest when the people from the local sweet shop were taken for internment during the war the Pamphillion family ...see more
Southend-on-Sea, the Promenade c1960
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Added 13 May 2020

Growing Up In The 50s
I went to Southchurch High School for Boys after failing my eleven plus in 1948. Tbe headmaster was Mr Haxall a frighteniing person to an eleven year old. A great teacher of history and bookbinding was Mr Bull. The paddlesteamers were still coming into the pier to take the holuiday makers across to Herne Bay and further round the Kent coast. The pier was an exciting place for a boy. You could go down ...see more
Southend-on-Sea, the Pier 1898
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Added 17 May 2019

Westcliffe Swimming Pool
As a student at Southend High School for Girls in the 1960's, I remember our swimming lessons at the Westcliffe Swimming Pool - and I hated them! Unlike today, the water was cold and our instructors showed little empathy to those of us who were frightened of the water. Luckily, I learned to swim as an adult which has stood me in good stead for my life in Australia!
Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff Pool c1955
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Added 07 February 2019

The Golden Hind
My family have come from Southend on Sea since the early 1800s, there name is Cass, one of my 7 auntie's Ivy Cass was the cashier on the Golden Hind it was open 364 days a year and only closed on Christmas day. From 1945 until 1955 when I was 14, we came from Hayes Middx to Southend for Christmas and stayed at my grand parents who lived at 10 Quebec Avenue a 5 minute walk from the train station, one of my ...see more
Southend-on-Sea, the Golden Hind c1955
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Added 02 May 2018

Westcliff Swimming Pool
I spent most of my childhood here, taught myself to swim and then to dive as I stood on the steps and gradually got higher and higher until I was able to stand on the side to dive , then onto the springboard. I had a season ticket which used to run from May to September and you were able to go twice a day on this and sometimes I used to go in the evening too which cost 1/-, the only problem was I only ...see more
Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff Pool c1955
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Added 02 December 2016

Maxwells Boating Lake
I think that I must have been employed for the shortest time on this boating lake as it was very prestigious to get a job on the lake Unfortunately on my first day of work I fell in three times and it was suggested that I found myself a job on dry land Mike Dias
1950-52 and 55-57 boating lake
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Added 10 September 2015

This Is Not 1945. The Nearer Boat Was Not Launched Until Spring, 1947!
The nearer "pleasure boat" is the “New Princess Maud” , launched Spring, 1947, designed by Dallimore of Burham, and built of Columbian pine planking on alternate grown and bent timbers; by Walter Cook & Son of the Hythe, Maldon in their “outside” boatshed. As a “War Loss Replacement [Dunkirk]” for Albert Brand and "Bill" Wilson, Joint-owners and ...see more
Southend-on-Sea, the Beach c1949
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Added 22 April 2015