Downend, Isle Of Wight

Grandad's war days and our family hols

My grandfather was stationed on the island "During the War"and was very friendly with a family from Arreton called Hendy. The mother's name was Lil and the father was affectionally called"Tit" (because he was quite small). After the war, my gramps and all the family visited Aunt Lil and Uncle Tit quite frequently. Tit grew his own veg in a back... [more]

An Arreton childhood

I lived in Arreton from birth until my marriage.  My family consisted of Dad and Mum, my sister Gill, my paternal grandparents and a retired infant teacher Miss Muskett. She taught me at home before I began school at the village CE school where I remained from 1936-1942.  Headmaster was Mr White known to us all as Skipper White. At school... [more]

The Londoner rickt@pdq.net

I wonder if any one remembers the cockney kid Fred, who moved into "The Elms" back in 55 at the wonderful age of 15, went to school in Sandown for almost a year until graduation, ended up with the Royal Mail until I eventually returned to London went on to Manchester and then the rest of the world in the oil... [more]

Lydia and Wendy

I worked in the big hotel in Sandown, and a couple of hotels on the very seafront with two girls from Binstead, what fun we had, laughter and tears went together. I've lost touch with them but would love to hear what they are up to now and where they live. I remember Browns boating lake in Sandown, and one of... [more]

Youthful Pranks (in Binstead)! 1958 - 1962

I am a 67 year old British citizen and have lived for over 40 years as a rock musician in Germany. I went to Ryde School in the 60s. After I left I was lonely living in London and used come back to the island most weekends - to my friends in - wait for it! of COURSE....in Binstead. I used... [more]

Life in Newport

I lived in Newport with my Mom Gladys, Father Jock and sisters Tina, Trisha and Jacky. We lived in Prospect Road for many years. My fondest memories are of meeting the gang in The Town Square outside "Mary Lambs" wearing our "Teddy Suits" and showing off to the girls and people staring at us from the buses waiting for passengers. We... [more]

An underground train on the Isle of Wight

I went on a youth hostelling trip to the Isle of Wight in 1969 with my young brother Geoff and indulged our interest in trains by walking along the railway track of disused old steam train routes.

However one memory that sticks out is the strange but true experience of riding on old London Transport tube trains which had... [more]

Summer Holidays

Many of my childhood summer holidays were spent at Sandown.  We usually stayed at Mrs. Woodnutt's hotel in Carter Street.  Mr. Woodnutt hired out the deck chairs on Sandown Beach.  He also kept ferrets and I was allowed to go and help him look after them.  One of our family's favourite places was the miniature golf course pictured.  It was called... [more]