You are here:

Botesdale memories

Here are memories of Botesdale and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Botesdale or a Botesdale photo.

Butchers Shop Botesdale

The Village c1960
| More about this photo

The butcher's shop in Botesdale was my grandad's, his name was Last but my grandmother's maiden name was Grimes. My grandfather ran the buisness with his family for many years. My grandmother's family came from Hockwold and Methwold. My grandmother's family had a butcher's shop in Hockwold.

A memory of Botesdale, shared by Sharon Last.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

My Years Living Next to The Butchers

The Village c1960
| More about this photo

My dad Rowland Cook took over Lasts butchers in 1985. I grew up in The Maltings which was attached to the shop and is the house on the right hand side of the photo with the big bay window from the age of 11 until I left home when I was 20. My parents ran the shop for 10 years before it closed and they moved on. The shop has since been demolished and a nasty modern house has replaced it which looks totally out of place in the street scene. Although I have many fond memories of my years in Botesdale I was glad to move away to the town.

A memory of Botesdale, shared by Kevin Cook.

Add your own Memory Add/View 2 Comments Add to your Album

Living in A Pub

In 1954 I was assigned as a second Lieutenant United States Weather Forecaster to RAF Sheperds Grove. After a few months living on the base I moved to a Pub in Botesdale, but unfortunately i do not remember the name. Several rooms were available. Please let me know the name. L. I. Miller

A memory of Botesdale, shared by Larry Miller.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Memories of Norfolk

Rickinghall Chapel

Rickinghall Chapel

I came to a chapel on high ground,
The door of old English oak invited,
History was captured on the uneven white walls
And reflected on high stained windows,
And there was love
Such love,
She spoke of God as a family friend,
A guest for dinner, that would never attend,
Of times he would talk, but never speak,
Sometimes go, but never leave,
A friend that would always be there,
So clear the song,
The metaphor stayed,
And I
just sat there and prayed
And there was love,
Such love,
If this filled me with such emotion now,
How would I feel when I finally meet Him.

David Coe 2000

A memory of Rickinghall, shared by David Coe.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Greengrocers in Gislingham

I was wondering if anybody can remember the greengrocers in gislingham by the name of Harry Southgate who was apparently a master grocer.

A memory of Gislingham

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Greengrocers in Gislingham

I remember Southgate's shop, although as a general store rather than as a greengrocer. My grandparents (and great-grandparents before them) lived next door (Fred and Carrie Bridges) in Mill Street, and we used to visit every school holiday from when I was about 5 years old. Harry was dead by then, but his widow (Ivy) and daughter (June) were still there. The village pump was just outside the gate, and Fisk's coal and grain merchants were on the other side of my grandparents' cottage. My grandmother died in 1976, and I have been back only a couple of times since - very special childhood memories.

A memory of Gislingham

Add your own Memory Add/View 1 Comment Add to your Album

Greengrocers in Gislingham

I also remember Southgates shop, I was born in Potash Cottage and my grandparents lived in Chapel Cottage until about 1959 when my grandmother died and my grandfather moved across the road to Peartree Cottage which was only a couple of doors up from Southgates shop and Mr Fisk. Mr Fisk used to take us to Finningham railway station in his car which presumably he operated as a taxi. My aunt and uncle also lived in the village down Springfield lane and my Uncle Bob Moyes still lives in the village and has been active on the parish council over the years. I remember Mrs Scroggins, Sam Tuffs, Stefan Palmer who had a sort of scrap yard in the village, Charlie Kemp and others. I have really happy memories of long summers spent wandering around the fields outside the village. Nowadays I live in Western Australia, a long way from Gislingham, but I will be visiting again soon.

A memory of Gislingham, shared by Chris Durey.

Add your own Memory Add/View 1 Comment Add to your Album

School in Walsham

I atended primary school in Walsham from 1953 to 1955, my father was stationed at Shepards Grove. We lived in West House about a mile out of town toward Bury St Edmonds. I enjoyed my time in school there. My wife and I made a trip back to places I lived at and we went through Walsham and I remembered most of the places.
I remember catching sticklebacks in the stream by the school. Going to the crash site of one of the jets from the base. It was just past where the school is now.
The school had pictures of the archery class, I was in one of those pictures and I wonder if any one might have a copy of it.
I loved the time I spent there.

A memory of Walsham-Le-Willows, shared by Bernard Myer.

Add your own Memory Add a comment Add to your Album

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,829 memories of 5,943 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Places this week

Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.