Nostalgic memories of Hemel Hempstead's local history
Share your own memories of Hemel Hempstead 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 17 in total
I don’t know exactly how old I was when we moved to Hemel from Willesden London N.W.10.. My first memories were from about the age of 4.. We lived in a flat in Underacres Close near Mayland’s Wood.. I remember getting lost in the wood and a nice man helped me by lifting me over his back garden fence and putting me back in Briery Road so I knew were I was again.
I remember going to the ...see more
When I got married we lived in Boxmoor but regularly shopped in the town until we moved 4 years later. Great to see this photo which brings back some happy memories....
My name is Derek and we moved to boxted road from London when I was 2 years old.looking at the old photos of Hemel has stirred so many very happy memories.i used to love going to see Santa in the grotto upstairs in the co- op. And in the winter sitting in the co- op cafe drinking a bottle of coke ,eating a ham sandwich and watching the ducks trying to land on the frozen water of the water gardens.
Don't recognise the place now thank goodness the pics are still around.
We moved in to a maisonette on Galley Hill when I was one year old and then moved to a semi detached house in Manscroft Road a year later. I have very fond memories of my childhood spent playing war games in the woods, playing cricket and football and fishing for minnow in the Gade and Gudgeon in the Grand Union Canal. As I walk around the parkland and streets of Gadebridge I go down memory lane ...see more
When I was about nine years old, the family doctor discovered a very bad case of tonsillitis. "Better have them removed as soon as possible." he tersely told my mother. With a brand new National Health in place, I was placed into Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. After a 24 hours of being spoiled by nurses, I was told that I would be taken to a hospital in Hemelhempstead.
We lined up on the pavement outside ...see more
I was born at St. Pauls Hospital in 1959 and grew up in Hemel Hempstead. We lived in Gadebridge and used to play in the ruins of the old Gadebridge House in the 1960s. We also used to fish with nets in the River Gade in summer and I remember the old 'round house' which was demolished for the widening of the Leighton Buzzard road. Another memory was Saturday morning pictures at the Odeon and dancing up on the stage at the end!
I remember as far back when i was 6 years old . I lived in the little house that used to be by the black iron bridge in gadebridge lane . I was born in the little house called the threepenny bit house . I remember playing in the park with my mums sisters there sir name was black. My grandfather used to look after the rivergade and keep in clean . We used to sail down the river in a old tin bath ...see more
My name is WILFRIED and I live in Germany. In 1968 I was on school exchange in Hemel Hempstead for four weeks. I was there with a group of 40 boys and girls all at the age of 16 or 17 supported by two teachers. We were all living in different families in Hemel Hempstead. At that time I was very interested in popular music, especially the classic rock stuff and psychedelic music. One day I read a review about a ...see more
Readers may be interested to view the documentary I made about paper making at DRG, Nash Mills in Hemel Hempstead in 1983. It's now free to view on my YouTube channel at www.JonDanzig.com: http://youtu.be/VLVqsO7ry0Y My film was also discussed on a recent BBC radio interview about my life and career as a local photo-journalist and film maker: http://youtu.be/RFHTrYHcSd0
Like Steve, I've only just found your site - another year later - and would also like to know how the book is going. I haven't lived in the area since 1980 but have happy memories of my teen years. I used to go to the Pavilion often during the mid 70s and to St Albans' City Hall (as it was called then) with my school mates. I recall seeing: Thin Lizzy, Van der Graaf Generator, Richard Hell & the ...see more