Nostalgic memories of East Grinstead's local history

Share your own memories of East Grinstead 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 17 in total

I was sick with Chickenpox that Saturday when the bomb fell on the cinema. I stood p to look out of the window to see the smoke.
I was at Aston House school 1943 to 1948 I started writng memoirs for my children Remembered the Miss Holts Anyone else who was there at that time/
In 1950, I started school at Chequer Mead. I had walked there from Copse Close, near Queen Victoria Hospital. We each had a desk and a slate to write on. My big sister was in the ‘big’ school, next door as she was fourteen. I used to stand and watch her play netball at playtimes. Miss Rowe was my favourite teacher and I cried for hours when I had to leave to go to the new Junior school at Blackwell. Lovely lady and great teacher.
As a five year old, and for the next six years, I walked up Blackwell Hollow to go to Chequer Mead school. Sometimes, I was accompanied, but quite often, I went on my own. I lived near Queen Victoria Hospital, so it was quite a walk for a little one. Unbelievable today, but of course, the roads were less busy, and life was much slower.
When I was 14 in the late 50’s, I got a job at Ye Olde Welcome tea chop. Washing up and polishing the many horse brasses! With my one pound wages, I saved up for two weeks and bought at top at Kerry’s shop in London road. Happy memories.
I have found an old cardboard box with a sticker of the above company on stating '2d Cocktail Drink with straw' there were 48 in a box (which is small) and I would love to know if anyone could enlighten me with what they were or anything about the company.
I remember many happy summer holidays in East Grinstead. My grandparents bought a cottage with a large garden in Hermitage Lane, and opened it as a market garden named Uplands Nursery in about 1950. My grandfather, Major Braga (he liked to use his war title) kept it until he died in 1966. It was then run for a short time by my Aunt, Muriel Braga, until she sold up and moved to a bungalow round the corner. She ...see more
I also remember seeing Del Shannon, Adam Faith, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and Jerry Lee Lewis and Poonah (not sure of real name) and of getting on stage shaking his hand. Met my husband there, now live in Sydney Australia.
Who remembers the Whitehalls near the traffic lights in the High Street? It was owned and managed by a guy called Mr. Heuser? A very popular venue in the mid sixties for dancing to live groups. One group I remember well was The Barnstormers, I should, I played bass with them for many years. From what I recall, one went in through a main door between some shops and then up a wide staircase. There was a bar ...see more
Must have been in the early 1970s when I allowed myself to be roped in as an instructor, along with Charles Sheldrick, of Charlwoods Road, and three others; to my shame, I can't properly remember their names. One was a plumber who lived in Charlwoods Road (first house on the left coming out of Kennedy Avenue); His surname may have been Westfield, or Westlake. Then there was an ...see more