Nostalgic memories of Hythe's local history
Share your own memories of Hythe 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 17 in total
My husband and I bought 178 Langdown Road in September 1965, and moved in with 2 boys, Nick and Paul and a 3 day old daughter,Rebecca, she was supposed to be born in our new house, but couldn't wait long enough. It is the second house on the left in the photo. We purchased the house from Mr and Mrs Tovey. We were there on and off for 13 years, and then moved to Dibden Purlieu. Our neighbours were Mr and Mrs ...see more
Hi - does anyone have a copy of the photo taken of the 9 sets of twins at Langdown Infant school from 1961/1962? I’m one half of a set of twins and would love to have a copy.
The school is no longer there (now houses).
Regards
Sue (nee Peckham)
As a young irish lad I worked in matchwood power station in 1965 and I lived in digs in south street next door to the malt and hops pub the landlady name was Margaret a great landlady.
There was a big black lady called big rose who used to sing in the anchor and hope.
Hythe was a lovely place and I enjoyed living and working all around that area for a about 5 years. Many fond memories.
Seeing this beautiful liner reminds me that my father used to work on both. These ships would cross the Atlantic within 3 miles of each other. He took a photo of the Queen Mary as they were in the height of a severe storm. The bridge of The Mary was under water, the props exposed.
This is a picture of 'The Lodge', the gate house for the Westcliffe estate. In 1966 it was home to Mr & Mrs Reg Black, he was a painter and decorator at the hall, I worked for him as a trainee. In the summer we did the outside and in the winter the inside jobs; everything from complete re-paint of rooms to replacing tap washers and mending leaking roofs. One job was painting the word "HOTEL" on the ...see more
I used the ferry to get to school in Southampton from 1961 to 1966.I well remember the shoals of Mullet which would gather at the stern of the Hotspur ferry when the boat was awaiting passengers. The river was so clear that the fish were a spectacle. I also remember the smells and sounds and warmth of the engine-room which the captain communicated with through a speaking tube. The seats outside, as I remember, comprised ...see more
In about 1961 my family moved from Langdown Rd in Hythe to live in The Lodge, West St Hythe.
I was 18. My dad had a building maintenance business and was soon contracted to take over the maintenance of the WestCliff Hall Hotel which at the time was managed by a Mr. Piggot.
At that time, the building was somewhat run down and dad put a lot of effort into returning it to it's former glory. I ...see more
From 1954-60 I travelled from Blackfield to the Gregg School in Winn Road. It was a 'long and winding' road by bus, so it became an adventure to travel by the Hythe Ferry. A walk or run up the pier, or a fun ride in the electric train started a journey across the water to the Royal Pier which varied day by day. This was the time of the great liners - not the floating box hotels of today. The sight of ...see more
I remember the Anchor & hope very well, it was back in about 1973 when Dallas Bullen's father was the landlord, me and some mate's had been drinking in the public bar, and i left a brand new cardigan, that my mother had taken week's to knit,behind. Several week's went by before i remembered where i had left it, so i went back to the pub to ask if anyone had put it behind the bar for me, to my amazement, there ...see more
In the 60's, from 1965, I spent holidays (summer and Christmas ) at Langdown Rd with Mrs Spell and at Win and Bert Taylor's. I am French, I was 22 - 23 years old. Richard Spell and Ronnie Taylor were musicians and played in a group. A good friend, Tony Lowe, lived in Hythe (the Mead, Mullins estate) and played trumpet in the group. We kept exchanging letters until 1968; the last time we met I was engaged ...see more