Nostalgic memories of Cranford's local history
Share your own memories of Cranford 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 - 19 of 19 in total
My parents moved to Cranford in 1938, I was 3 years old. My dad was a pastrycook / baker and had got a job with a local firm in Cranford across from ‘The Berkeley Arms Hotel’ To the left of the hotel was a cherry orchard. A bakers shop and a hairdressing salon with a two bedroom flat had been built opposite, this was where we lived. The garden was huge, and had 26 fruit trees in the bottom half. My dad was to ...see more
Starting from Tesco Express: This used to be a block of about 2 or 3 shops which included a building society and a travel agent. Next to this was Barclays Bank which closed down in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It remained derelict for many years with a firework shop and a clothes shop briefly opening before Tesco took over the whole plot around 2006-07.
Around the corner was Gees dry cleaners/Amazon ...see more
Hallo
My husband Ken lived in Berkeley Avenue from about 1936 to 1960, with a couple of years off doing National Service. He tells me he cannot remember there being anything but a petrol station at the end of the road, but with the old type pumps, and a thatched roof! Can you imagine that nowadays, with health and safety!
He lived at 68, and his aunt lived at 134. At the back of her house were fields stretching ...see more
My sister, Elizabeth, and I used to be sent to Mrs Morgan (I think her first name was Muriel). a very eccentric piano teacher, for lessons once a week. I think she had a son called Rodney but I never saw or knew if there was a Mr Morgan. She lived in Firs Drive and had long frizzy grey hair which was always loose, giving her a bit of a wild look. She used to wear long floaty dresses with a ...see more
I used to live in Cranford from birth (1953) to 1968. We lived at 703 Bath Road and my dad, Peter Wilson, owned the local butchers over the other side of the road, Wilson & Sons. He used to make his own sausages, rissoles & dripping. At Christmas time, he used to try and get me and my sister, Elizabeth, to help pluck the turkeys but it used to make my fingers too sore! His favourite trick was ...see more
In 1961 I got my first job after leaving school at S & R Smiths Garage on the Great South West Road. The owners were brothers Sydney and Raymond Smith. We called them Mr Ray and Mr Sid. I started in the stores department. It was a Ford dealers and sometimes I would be sent out on my bicycle to fetch parts from main Ford dealers. This could mean going as far as Staines or Twickenham. The stores manager was Pat, an ...see more
Hello. I used to live on Berkeley Ave. I remember the parade of shops. There was a row of Co-op shops, baker, butcher, mini market and I think a green grocer. After the shops was an alley where there was a milk company, I think that was Co-op too. Then there was radio rentals, the TV hire shop. Can't remember after that. Then somewhere in between was an opticians. After the Berkeley Heritage building there was the ...see more
Attended St. Anslems R.C. School, Southall, which is situated next to the Manor House. Always remember the long walk to the school building. The little church attached to the school and having to go to church twice on Thursdays. I made my 1st communion there, my younger brothers were baptised there too.
I lived in Cranford in the late 60's early 70's. It was a great place to live. We moved into our grandparents house. I loved the old village style buildings near the Berkeley Arms and was sad to see a new hotel in its place. There used to be a small farm where my brothers got my cat from. I moved to Australia in 1972 but have returned 3 times only to find it's lost the charm.