Nostalgic memories of Chessington's local history

Share your own memories of Chessington 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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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total

I do not remember which year that I used to be a choir boy at St Mary about 1952-1956,there used to be myself buddy MacAlpin and michael MacAlpin and Colin Watson,both my parents are buried in the church yard along with my Grand mother .
The land opposite the shops in the picture was used by a visiting fair in the summer,because it was so boggy the used railway sleepers to put under their rides, in the winter the land used to flood and my brother and I used to punt the sleepers over the water,only about a foot at the deepest point, great fun.
This area played a large part in my early life in the late 40s - early 50s. I lived nearby till I was 10yrs old and then I still walked by to go to Moor Lane Junior mixed school and to Brownies on a Friday evening. We would meet Brown Owl from the station and walk passed these shops, then the open ground where there were lots of hawthorn bushes and a woodyard. Here Dad would buy timber and the rope and hooks for my ...see more
My dad's cousin had a butchers shop here which he ran with his wife and son - H.W. Chandler and Son
My grandfather is buried here and the ashes of my grandmother, aunt and her husband are also here. My aunt and her husband got married here in 1941
I used to attend the school at the very top of this road, Lovelace Infants and Juniors. A long walk as I lived close to North Parade. As you walked up this road towards the school, on the left hand side there was a large RAF base (medical I believe)
We was known as the Thomas family & lived within walking distance from this church. wonderful & happy memories there, my sister got married in this church too.
I was the manager in the 70's and had a wonderful few years at the pub.l still have a carved picture of the pub, which was carved by an American G I based at Chessington. The Gate was hung up so that the pedestrians could walk past without getting wet in the water splash, which at that time ran across the road. thats where the words come from -This Gate Hangs High and Hinders None,Refresh and Pay and Travel On. People whom have resided in Chessington are Petula Clarke and Enid Blyton.
I believe from birth records that my Grandfather, Leonard Lambert, was born in the Bonesgate in 1890's, I have always wondered if that is my Great Grandfather, Joseph (Joey) Lambert, standing in the door?
I remember getting stuck up the top of one of these slides when I was about 4 years old! My big brother, who is 16 years my senior, took me out for the day with his girlfriend, to Chessington Zoo. I went up the steps of one of these slides and found it was so high I was too scared to come down, despite his encouragement from the ground. He had to climb the steps and, as children followed him up, had bring me down ...see more