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 11 - 17 of 17 in total

In the 1950s as a young Scout, our Troop regularly did a day hike to The Cloud - getting the NorthWestern bus from Crewe to Congleton, then walking to Cloud End as we called it. there we played 'wide games', and brewed up on primus stoves - happy memories.
We used to come over from Conisbrough near Doncaster with my mam and dad, Raymond Dawson, who came from Buglawton, William Street if I remember, and every year we would watch the carnival and also walk up The Cloud. Does anyone remember my late father, Raymond Dawson, he was a keen cyclist, he joined the RAF and ended up at Binbrook and Famagusta. He married a Margaret Turner from South Yorkshire, and went to live over ...see more
My great grandfather - Charles Dale was living at Moreton Old Hall when this photograph was taken. His family, the Dales, had become tenant farmers for Moreton Old Hall in the 1860s and the Hall was the farmhouse that was provided. Thomas and Ann Dale had 15 children - Charles was the youngest, so the size of the Hall would have been greatly appreciated. I remember being told about secret doors and invisible ...see more
My Great, Great, Grand parents William & Jane Kay came from Congleton Cheshire. They were married 20-February 1865 in St Peters Church Congleton (marriage certificate) Witnesses were John Frost and Ann Braithwaite, Married by John Hughes if I have read the spelling correct. William was born in 1820 Leigh, Lancashire and Jane Kay nee Astle was born 1844 Aston Derby. They had 7 children. William B ...see more
I too have very fond memories of the open air swimming baths in Congleton in the late fifties and the sixties. I can even remember Alec Coles. Happy days. The water was freezing and it was always best to run and dive in to get it over with! For me it was a cup of warm orange squash and a bag of Smiths crisps (with salt in a twisted blue wrapper) at the snack hut. Alec has really said it all but I recall ...see more
Congleton Open Air Baths during the 50/60s. It had the entrance of a theatre, 2 steps up with an overhanging portico and glass doors that opened up to a foyer. It was well painted in the colours of the day, council green and white. You could see the pool from inside the entrance and it looked so nice with the calm water. At the point of payment there was a turnstile that was painted council silver. There was a ...see more
In my early teens I spent the war years living in this hotel, when my grandfather was the licensee. I believe he held the licence from 1874 to 1943 - a time record I suspect but I cannot confirm this. He was well known in his time for being an alderman for, I gather, some 40 years. He died still Chairman of the Council's Finance Committee. But he was never mayor as he believed that a licensed victualler ...see more