The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Gilston memories

Here are memories of Gilston and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Gilston or a Gilston photo.

 

There are no Memories posted yet for Gilston - why not be the first!

 

Memories of Essex

Messing About on The River

River Stort c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

With my sisters, catching tiddlers on warm summer days. We would have picnics beside the river. We loved helping to change the lock for the boats that came through. Later, when a little older we would swim and for a while joined the canoe club. After my marriage and when I had children myself, my husband and I would take them for picnics. He would fish while they played and caught their own tiddlers. As they got older they too would fish or swim. On a trip back to England in 2005, my husband and I walked again along the riverbank and it was just as magical to us then as it was before. I have so many happy memories of growing up in Harlow.

Where I Grew up With my Sister Christine & Dog Judy

This picture is the view from the main road of Harlow lock, Old Mill Resturant and weir and the towpath where the rowing boats and canoes were moored when I lived there. They were moored both sides of the bridge at various times, next to the swimming pool and then by the boat house that was built late 50s. I spent many a long hour fishing on that towpath, rowing the boats and paddling the canoes. They were all wood in those days, beautiful boats then kayaks came in.  They built a rowing club shed where they kept the boats. Big long rowing boats.  

THIS IS WHAT OLD HARLOW MILL LOCK LOOKED 47 YEARS BEFORE MY FAMILY LIVED IN THE LOCK COTTAGE

MY FAMILY MOVED HERE IN 1950 TILL 1961 MY DAD WAS THE LOCK KEEPER 1950 - 1961
SEE OTHER PHOTOS OF HOW IT LOOKED IN 1955  

THE BOATS WE LOOKED AFTER

River Stort c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

While my family lived in the lock house 1950 - 1961, my father rented  the rowing boats out and also the fishing permits. This is only one place where they were moored. At various times they were both sides of the bridge and on both banks. On the left bank of this picture there was the swimming pool and on the right they built a boating club in the late 50s with kayaks & racing rowing boats from 1 to eight people.  Most of my childhood was spent either in the canoes, rowing boats or I was fishing, with my sister or mates .Finish this story later

THIS IS HOW THE LOCK LOOKED LIKE WHEN MY FAMILY LIVED IN LOCK COTTAGE 1950 - 1961

This is where I spent my life from 2 years old till I was 13 years old. Fishing, rowing boats, paddling canoes and riding Kitty the horse in the field behind our cottage that my dad looked after and stabled at night for the owner who lived in the big house in Old Road. See the picture at top of Old Road - that's where we took Kitty and the grey horse we later looked after to be shod.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,872 memories of 5,950 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

I Remember When

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Gilston > Memories of Gilston

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.