Nostalgic memories of Congleton's local history
Share your own memories of Congleton 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 17 in total
The Lion & Swan Hotel Congleton
Story has it that The Lion & Swan in Congleton was made from ancient timbers, even today there are some solid twelve inch by twelve inch supports on display but who knows where they came from. Cheshire is renowned for its black and white buildings, however, no one has said where the timbers are from. I can’t think that it was from Delamere or surrounding areas, ...see more
During the 1960's and 70's l would walk down the old back lane from Buglawton to Havannah village. with my sisters and friend Caroline Beard. we would go to the house at the far end on this photo, where an old lady had a few groceries for sale, along with some sweeties. At this end of the photo there is abridge over the Dane and a wood at the side. We would walk along the woods and cross over the river Dane to get ...see more
US army military police stationed on bridge during WW2
I have lovely memories of playing in the park during summer and winter, the big high slide was like no other, I remember picking blue bells in the woods, there were hundreds of them, and in winter we used to slide down the bank on 'Hankies' field in the deep snow, I think there was also a little pond in the park with goldfish in. Happy Days!!
My brother, George Machin, used to go on these boats. He was in the building trade and they used to wear heavy donkey jackets etc. Him and his mates broke up for the holidays from work with their holiday pay packets in their pockets and decided to go for a row on the river in these boats. Well of course they sank and their money got wet; my mum had to peel the notes carefuly and put them on the fire top to dry.
Just to the right of where this photo has been taken was the village smithy, it was built in 1947 by my grandfather Harold Cottrell and my father Reg Cottrell. They continued the business started by my Gt Gd Father Fred Cottrell who had a smithy at Dane in Shaw. Unfortunately the smithy closed on my father's death in 1981.
This was a good time to live in the village, the Silver Springs factory you can see in ...see more
I was born at the Congleton War Memorial Hosipital and was christened at St Stephen's Church; just above the wall which borders Hankinson's field to the right of the River Dane in this picture. My Dad played rugby for the Congleton Rugby Union Footall Club which was then based very close to the old Berisfords Mill. Our family attended every Sunday morning rugby match and when the ball was kicked ...see more
My great-great-great-grandfather lived there and he owned The Railway which is next door, he changed the name from The Navigation to The Railway, his name was James Worth.
In memories on another photo I mention as a youngster spending much time in the Congleton Park. I would imagine I will have rowed all of the boats shown in the photograph. When I first went on the river I would have been under 10 years old, and for someone so young and small I was a pretty good rower! :) Kelvin Fagan
I remember being taken to Congleton Park and going on the big slide. I liked it most when it was so slippy, you fell off at the bottom. Now with Health & Safety the slide has disappeared, although there is a play area for children with more up-to-date equipment, there is nothing there like the big slide.