Nostalgic memories of Horncastle's local history

Share your own memories of Horncastle 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 11 - 17 of 17 in total

I lived at Holmeleigh children's home from August 1966 until it closed down in 1969 to become a college, an educational facility. We were transferred abruptly from another residential settling different village in Lincolnshire in August 1966. I was moved with a group of children. Other cottages homes started closing down around 1968. Home 9 closed down in December 1969 it was one of the last ...see more
Researching through census records I have found that my great grandfather George Toyne was born in Tetford in 1829. He married a Mary Richardson who came from somewhere called Gautby. The then lived at Old Bolingbroke for many years after this. If anyone has done any research and found the name Toyne in records of Tetford I would be pleased to hear of it as I am looking to see if I can go back to find his parents and any siblings.
I hope to recive word from a guy called Tony Savage, he lived in Tennson Gardens with his mum and older brother. I think I was at Holmleigh for about 8 years. If anyone knows of Tony's present address or whereabouts I would like to know, ring me on 01236-620935. I think his mum still lives in Horncastle.
This is the first swimming pool I ever saw and where I learned to swim. I went to the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and this is where we were taken, once a week, for our swimmimg lessons. I was placed into care when I was 11 years old and in my first year at senior school. The place of care was Holmeleigh Children's Home. I remember my first time here very clearly. I was very nervous, new school and a new home, ...see more
I was in this place, it was not the best of places to live but i am here to tell you of my time in the home. We were a family of 5, there were 3 sisters, me and my brother. I would like to know if Tony Savage is still alive, he was a good friend to me as well as Roger Low and Charles Rawling. I would like to hear from others who were in the home at the same time. I was in there until it closed down then I was sent to ...see more
Hi, I am trying to find anybody that would be interested in talking to me about my late mum, Pat Stones, who was in Holmeleigh children's home in the mid 1930s onwards. She was in the home with her sisters, Shiela, Ruby and brothers George and Rodney. Understandable though, it wasn't talked about as I was growing up but I would really like to find out my mum's background and the life she and her family lived. I would so ...see more
By Michael Savage A reunion of the Horncastle Homes children and the staff was held at the Town Hall (Drill Hall) July 20 1989. Almost 400 people attended the event. “The atmosphere was really great - everyone was talking about the good old days, although some had painful memories to share.” Generations of children were brought up in a group of houses, known as Holmeleigh, ...see more