Nostalgic memories of Colindale's local history
Share your own memories of Colindale 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 11 - 20 of 26 in total
Reading this site has bought some lovely memories back. I was born at 99 Lynton Aveuue and lived there happily with my mum and dad, Tom and Alice, and my brother and sisters Mandy, Annette and Richard (Richard and my dad have sadly passed away). I visited Colindale last month and was shocked and saddened to see how the area has changed. Where is everthing? My favourite memories are of Rushgrove Park, the paddling ...see more
I came to live in Colindale in 1967 aged 1.5 years, first in Lynton Avenue, then in 1968 the family moved to The Loning where I still am to this day. I have very special memories of the area, White Bridge, Rushgrove Park and 'the pipe', hanging around 'the barriers' with my Mod mates in the 1980s, etc etc. The area has changed over the years, but there is still some of the charm left. I remember as a 10-12 year old ...see more
I was just going through the stories on this site, of my old childhood days, in Edgware, Burnt Oak, Colindale and Kingsbury area, and I remembered those cold days where we almost turned blue at the Kingsbury swimming pool (a great training ground for my short stint in the Royal Marines), then something I had totally forgotten about of the past 60 years popped into my mind. The 3rd Kingsury Cubs/Scouts! I was ...see more
My late father was a police officer with the Royal Malaysian Police between 1953 and 1982 inclusive. In the early years of his career he served under several British officers and was sent to the thick jungle of Malaya to fight against the communist terrorists which were putting up an armed struggle to take control of the country after the surrender of the Japanese in August 1945. I know ...see more
Life in Sheaveshill Avenue in the early to middle 1950's still seemed to me to be quite rural and as I recall we still had gas lit street lamps - or at least electric lamps using the old standards. The milk was delivered by the Express Dairy horse-drawn milk floats and even the 'rag & bone' man used a horse-drawn cart for his scrap metal and other unwanted items. Colindale Park was of course our ...see more
I was born after the war and lived in Sheaveshill Avenue until I was married in 1971. I lived in a house that which had the dubious distinction of being directly opposite to the Titanine paint factory on the other side of the road. This occasionally provided some excitement and entertainment if there was a minor fire as the local brigade, from the Burroughs, usually arrived within five minutes, but there ...see more
I was born in the house on the corner of Woodfield Avenue and New Way Road in 1944 and lived there until the end of the 1970s. My birth was in fact on Friday the 13th of October, which coincided with the dropping of a V2 bomb in Colindale which hit a lamp post on the way down for extra effect. But I survived it, perhaps a bit deafened, to enjoy Colindale in the following years when it was at its best. ...see more
My step Dad Alf Baker owned the hairdressers opposite Wakemans Hill. It used to be called Rosalind, named after his first wife who lived above the shop. It was changed to Craig's in 1959. His car is parked outside in this picture, a Green Vauxhall Velox, in front of the bulilding sticking out on the right hand side, (is that the 'new' church). Sometimes I would have to spend Saturdays in the shop, as my mother, ...see more
When I was 14 and a half, I took an evening and Saturday morning job at the Woolworths in Varley Parade. I was still there five years later, when my A levels came to an end. I still see supervisor Dot from time to time, still living in the flat above the old shop. Back then there were many Woolworths that started to disappear, long before the 2009 collapse. There was one in Hendon, up the Watford Way, one ...see more
I was born in Colindale in 1937 living in Sheaveshill Ave. We had an Anderson shelter in the back garden in which I would sleep all night when bombing was bad, it was easier than getting me up when the sirens started at which time I would be joined by the rest of the household. I went to Colindale school, the headmaster was Mr Grassam, I can recall the names of all the teachers who taught me there. The area ...see more