Nostalgic memories of Durham's local history
Share your own memories of Durham 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 43 in total
The viaduct that strides across Durham City was completed in 1856 and was open initially to goods (freight traffic) in the August of that year, the line had failed a safety inspection with regards to the working of passenger trains and did not open to passengers until 1/4/1857. The route and the viaduct was designed by Thomas E. Harrison and was constructed by Richard Cail of Gateshead.
This photograph of 1929 is of special interest to me because of the long, white building in the top left-hand corner of the image.
This was the temporary chapel at the College and served in that capacity from 1925 until the building of the present permanent chapel in 1939. It had been a gift from the Diocese of Durham - perhaps a redundant building from elsewhere. It was licenced for ...see more
My dad went to the tin school and I’m looking for anyone who may have known him as my sisters and I would like to make a book of story’s from his time there for his 60th his name is jimmy Layfield and he had an older brother called Keven Layfield
I was at this school from 1949-57, when I lived in Longacres. I seem to remember a bronze plaque on the hall wall stating that it had been built in 1908. It had evidently been built as a temporary structure, but had managed to last until the early '80s. (I visited it in 1981, I think, when it was closed awaiting demolition, the door was open so I ventured in. The smell of the hall - sour milk bottle tops and chalk dust ...see more
I was born in Hallgarth Street in 1935 and christened in St. Oswalds Church along with my older sister Dorothy and all the Fox's. dads family were eight children all living in Hallgarth Street, Whinney Hill, New Elvet. James Henry Fox, Dads oldest brother I didn't meet. He died at the Somme on 1st July 1916 aged 19, no known grave. My Uncles' name is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, ...see more
As a little girl in the 50s I remember my grandad taking me to the fish shop which was owned by his family the Patterson's I'm sure they also had a stall on big meeting day were the sold pop and crisp which were something new in those days.
My Grandparents ran a boarding house at 51 Old Elvet opposite the Shire Hall I was born in 1943 my Father actually went to Durham school where he represented the school in Both Football and Rugby I have tremendous memories of Durham City and playing down near the baths at the end of the venal and up to the old Racecourse My Grandfather would stroll up to the Old Duncow pub about 9:30 each evening for a couple of tots all ...see more
Can anyone remember the church (methodist) you could go in from North Road or from Crossgate, across from St Margaret's Church! I remember the family living in the church house - the Parks (June/Madaline)?
Sorry - I got it wrong - the year of my memory of Rag Week was 1959. One of the other memories on this site related to Councillor Thurlow, who was Mayor of Durham in 1956. In that year - November - the Queen Mother came to Durham and visited us at St. Mary's College; Councillor Thurlow was there to greet her, and I have a photo of him with the Royal visitor.
The floats for the Rag Procession always lined up on Palace Green before setting out through Durham City and in 1956 - my final year - I went to see them as they were being judged. The 1st prize - a barrel of beer - was won by Bernard Gilpin Society on this occasion . The theme of the Rag was "TV or not TV" and their float had the name "Highway Control" (Patrol) the name of a TV programme of those days, and ...see more