Nostalgic memories of Hayes's local history
Share your own memories of Hayes 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 11 in total
I was nerina lowther b1942 left school no exams 1958 but aged 50 got two hons degrees. Home flat above dry cleaners 29a coldharbour lane. Used to play in extensive bombed buildings. Recall early lessons in air raid shelter. Toilets open air near entrance. Actually remember dairy farm in coldhsrbour lane en route school. Miss Marriott infant teacher. Sec mod friend Hazel. Whole town worked ...see more
I was born in Hayes at 3, Botwell Lane which was a big old house (now grade 2 listed) divided into three flats. As a young child it was a creepy old place and said to be haunted. I believe nuns lived there at one point and during the war the kitchen ceiling fell in due to bomb damage. I attended Dr Tripletts School which holds good memories, the head teacher then was Mr Runnicles. We had to walk through the park to ...see more
For about 2 years around 1815 John Greenfield aged about 16, before he was married was a hired hand for a farmer In Hayes called Tom or Thomas Smith.
Later John Greenfield and his wife Sarah lived in Hayes, near West Wickham, in 1826 with their son John aged 4, after married at Croydon Surrey nearby. John died in 1828 aged about 30, so he would have been born about 1800.
A 1834 will of a another ...see more
I was born in West Common Road in an old cottage next door to my grandfathers' shop in 1940,Sadly the shop was bombed in the war and was then moved to Hayes Lane. It was Hayes Stores, which my father took over when my granddad retired.I went to Baston School with my sister and we lived firstly in Sandiland Crescent and then Ridgeway, I still visit Hayes from time to time and
have such happy memories,
Gill Moreton nee Tidbury
I lived in Hayes and went to Baston School for Girls and trained as a nurse at Bromley Hospital. Later when I was married and had a daughter I visited Hayes and took her to Hayes Common every day.
When I was five I took ballet classes at a studio below a bakery in the High Street on the left hand side. I think it might be where the dairy is located now but when I was last in UK no-one remembered it. Can anyone help me?
I lived over the toyshop in Coldharbour Lane from 1942 to 1954. I went to Townfield Infant School and then to the Juniors, but passed the 11+ and went on to Ealing County Grammar School in 1948.
Our toilets were open to the sky and the boys would compete to see who could pee over the wall! My friends in school were Peter Cooper and Kenny Phipps who had a twin sister. They moved away quite young. I used to walk to ...see more
Just a test run from John Mc Ateer. My brothers Patrick and George are still with us, Pat is still in the UK and George and I are very happy here in Australia. Best wishes to all old friends who share WW2 memories with us. Hayes is now a happy haze!
I lived in Coney Hall from 1955 to 1970. I well remember coming out of Hayes Station and seeing the New Inn still a bomb site across the road. Part of it on the right hand side was still standing but the rest was rubble and twisted girders. I think they rebuilt in the early to mid 1960's. A really nice area to grow up in.
I lives in Bourne Avenue from1954-1972 and loved it with my parents and 2 sister Sandra and Pauline, our maiden name is HOWE.
We used to go to Harlington Secondary School. I have so many memories of living in Hayes, going to Sainsburys when there was sawdust on the floor, walking to the shops at the end of the road, the houses, and the people. I went back a few years ago, the monkey tree that used to ...see more
What a great picture of Hayes High Street - brings back so many memories. I lived in nearby Coney Hall from 1953 to 1976. As a child it was 3d to get to Hayes Station on the 138 bus. I recall Woolworths (bottom right) had one of those big red weighing machines outside that dispensed a picture card ( a series on steam engines I think) with your weight printed on it. My mum bought me the first yoghurts I ever ...see more