Nostalgic memories of Blackburn's local history

Share your own memories of Blackburn 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.

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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

Displaying all 5 Memories

It was a bad snow storm and the doctor almost didn't get there. My mum had been in dry labor for a week, or so she told me. I was stuck in the birth canal and the doc had to pull me out with forceps. I still have the scar by one eye. I was 9.5 LB, my mum's first child and she such a wee thing I almost killed her...but we both made it. My dad, Sgt Robert Fox, USA, got there ...see more
This is how the shopping centre looked when I was growing up in the 1970s. The Hind also had a pub that had no windows and smelt of stale beer. Next door was Mrs Gilchrist's paint shop, she had big ankles and always had her scottie dog with her. Next to that was a bakery where you wasted you dinner money on a big cream cake called a special. Then there was a menswear shop, I think it was called Tonys. Next ...see more
I used to go to the Centre every Saturday morning. The disco started at 11am. Many of my friends went, Shawsy Broon was the DJ, a pie was 5p (1/-), and myself and 3 other friends were the centre GO-GO dancers. It was the highlight of our week,and I have many happy memories. Mrs Anita Crowter (nee Hopkins)
My sister got married in the Hind in 1984 (where those big windows are above the shopping centre. A lot of my family went to the wedding. The centre has changed a lot as it is now an indoor centre. I do remember the centre looking like this. I was born in Blackburn and also knew the centre looking like this until a few years ago.
I left St Mary's Secondary to go to work in Riddochhill Pit. Wow!. Left the coal mine to work for Ritchie Brothers for a couple of years and headed to Lancaster to join my big sister, Veronica, in Lancaster.  I sold Life Insurance for The Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society for a year or so and then emigrated to BC, Canada.  Memories of kicking the can, "rounders", using the fireplace ...see more