Nostalgic memories of Dovercourt's local history
Share your own memories of Dovercourt 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 18 in total
Does anyone remember a Marion from the Convent? I have just found out that my 85 year old mum, Mary, exchanged letters with a nine year old Marion 60 years ago. The letters stopped abruptly after the last letter in February 1954. She has kept every letter but always wondered why the letters stopped. It would be fantastic to reunite them or at least find out what happened to little Marion. We think 12/2/44 is likely to be Marion's date of birth. Can anyone help?
I was born in 1946 in Dovercourt. I went to Sir Anthony Dean school, I think I was there the first day it was opened. My family name is Oldroyd, and I lived in Oaklands Road. As far as I know I'm the only person from that time who has made a career in music. I have great memories of my childhood in Dovercourt and it would be great to hear from anybody who knew me at that time. One of my first stage appearances ...see more
I was also at the convent in Dovercourt and think I remember Rita and Mary Kelly. I remember the flood and the statues in the chapel looking very freaky as the water had washed the plaster away leaving spiky metal fingers showing.
After the flood I was sent to Sandrock Hall in Hastings where I was beyond miserable.
My maiden name was Godfrey,
I was brought up at 14, Ingestre Street and always consider myself a Bathside boy. I was very lucky to have my school opposite my front door. Just up the street was Mr.Barneys shop where you could buy 4 black jacks for a halfpenny. There were sherbert flying saucers, rainbow drops - lots of sweets to keep kids happy. One end of Bathside was the railway bridge where, if you heard a train coming, you'd run to the ...see more
I have just been reading on the times of the floods in Dovercourt. My sister Rita and myself, known as (Rita and Mary Kelly), were brought up by the Salesian Sisters at the convent from babies until the time of the floods. The convent had to close, and we were then moved to another convent in Hastings called Sandrock Hall.I believe sixteen children made this move. It was ...see more
Looking back at old photographs Harwich & Dovercourt has certainly changed, the Phoenix Hotel is no longer, it has been replaced by luxury flats, the train ferry service has closed, the High Street seems like a ghost town at times, a lot of our pubs aave now closed. Even the ports have seen better times... What's going on? We have a wonderful seaside with so much to offer. I know a lot comes down to ...see more
My first flat was 28 Cliff Road.
I remember walking to school one morning in a 'crocodile' with the girls from the convent in Dovercourt. We were stopped at the Police Station and told we could go no further. I could see the water lapping not far from the the police Staition. When the water receeded we walked into Harwich to see the damage, there was a boat in the school playground. The school and the catholic church were never used again and later demolished. There is a garage now where the school and church once stood.
I remember walking along the promenade to the Pavilion. To continue our walk we had to go through the Pavilion. If my memory is correct it had a glass roof and front window and there were some palms and what seemed to a six-year-old huge greenhouse plants. I thought it was a most glamorous place. I remember the words Palm Court. Was it ever called Palm Court? Ruth Wright (nee Ashman)
I went to Dovercourt Convent in 1953, I can remember it very clearly my first day there. My dad took me and I was very sad when he left. There was a very big tree in the garden and a wall we used to run up to have a look over the wall to see what was on the other side. When we went back to England in 1979 we managed to find the convent and the wall was not very high at all. I wish I could remember the name of ...see more