Nostalgic memories of Darwen's local history

Share your own memories of Darwen 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.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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I am hoping to find someone who may know of the Miller family my mother Edith who is now passed on had a brother Alec who I visited in the 1970s their sister Maggie who also is no longer with us and there were brothers Tom Bob and sisters Alice who has also passed on. They were all born in Darwen and I am hoping some of the family is still around. I know they all had children so there must be some cousins. My mother spoke ...see more
qk
I can remember when the redundancy was declared by the Blackburn Diocese and the worshipping community moved into the 'new' St John's School at the top of Turncroft..... with the assurance of a new church to be built a few yards up from the school site. The land was drained, but it never happened. The old church of St John had a wonderful sanctuary and interior and as a school we used to have a ...see more
I also remember the lady in the market doorway selling shrimps and prawn I do not hink I have ever tasted such tasty sea food .In my earlier days my father Joseph Parson used to run Jepsons tripe stall needless to say I was brought up on tripe
I am amazed to read the memories of Holy Trinity church and school I attended the school; from about 5 years old which I think would have been 1951 the days were lovely to remember after lunch we all had small beds which we used to lie down and had blankets over us I dont think many of us slept but gigled all the time. I was taken to holy trinity church with my parents Joe and Maggie Parson ...see more
I worked on the markets in Darwen for G. & S. Whitaker and sons after school. We had two stalls, one selling bedding stuff, and the other shirts, and mens clothing etc. When I left Spring Bank School they offered me a full time job with them. When the market had all packed up and mostly gone, we used to run on the stalls and jump across from one stall to anouther, fun fun fun.
Hi - I don't think anyone will remember me. Jennifer Adcroft. I went to St John's School for a couple of years. I think I would have been four or five. My dad was the caretaker there and looked after St John's Church as well. One thing I remember about school was that I learnt how to lace and tie a shoe. That is as much as I can remember. We lived on Ratcliffe Street and had such fun. We use to dance ...see more
I spent all my young life in Darwen as part of Holy Trinity. I went to Holy Trinity school and went to the church as far back as I can remember. My grandparents were Joe and Pie Parson and were very involved in the church. They lived in Lelvin street and I remember vividly the after carol singing food and drinks which Grandma put on for the cold carol singers from the church. my sister and I sang ...see more
I remember the sound of the clogs at 6am as people came past 6 Hilton Street (second house from mill).
I attended St. John's Primary School from age late 8 to 11, we used to go to church on Monday morning where we would walk round from the school to Sough Road where the church was.