Gainford, County Durham

Matchbox and Dinky toys

I grew up at Barforth Hall and left when I was 18. I used to spend my pocket money on toy cars with Mrs Brown in this dark and evocative shop, the memory has never left me. I would also go to buy my parents' Christmas present here every year. My parents still have a cottage on the green and... [more]

The Corner Shop

The corner shop was owned by my Aunt May. My sister Betty used to help out at holiday times. I used to spend a lot of summer times in Gainford and I still have an affectionate feeling for it. I have memories of the Andersons,who used to live next to St Peter's School (I think I have that name right), who... [more]

Gainford - the post office and Miss Browns

Reading the memories prompts me to contribute to the nostalgia - My grandfather "Bob Allan" was the Postmaster and his parents before him. My aunt took over from him in the late 1960s and in all the business was in the family for three generations.

The family have as is evident been involved in the village for many tens of... [more]

Gainford Primary school

I was sorry to leave the village, some of my best memories of my childhood relate to Gainford and its residents.
I lived in what was known locally as 'knobs row' or High Row, no.13.
One of my best friends was a boy whose surname was Absolom, and he lived in the row of houses next to this shop.
I went... [more]

visiting this shop

I started Gainford School in 1954 & remember Miss Browns little shop crammed full with habberdashery, stockings (nylons) hankies, knitting-wool, etc., everything you could possibly want - an oasis in this small village. She was kind to us children, softly-spoken & had her hair tied up in a bun. We used to run up the steps on the... [more]

May Brown

My Great Aunt May Brown ran this shop for many years in Gainford. She was housekeeper to the local Catholic priests prior to this.

County Durham Photographic Memories

Gainford is noted for its 13th-century church, Georgian houses, narrow streets and one of the finest village greens in the southern part of the county. Customers at the corner shop in c1955 would have paid 4d for a 14oz loaf, 1s 3d for a 3lb bag of flour, and 2s 6d for 1lb of butter.

Durham Photographic Memories

This wonderful photograph shows a beautiful convertible car, probably belonging to one of the landed gentry; the two delivery men enjoy a break whilst their horses tuck into their nosebags; and the little boy watches the cameraman at work. The spire of St Nicholas's dominates the Market Place. In 1857 this Victorian church replaced an earlier church of St Nicholas, which dated from the... [more]

Durham Photographic Memories

Once a vital part of the city's defences, the river in recent times has been used for more pleasurable purposes. Boating is a popular pastime, and the river is used by a variety of pleasure and competitive craft. In the foreground we see a couple of moored rowing boats that would be used to take lady friends for a gentle meander along the river on a... [more]