The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Middlestown memories

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

Evacuee

I was an evacuee in Middlestown in WWII, from East London. The first time was with my Mother and we were billeted in a small cottage which backed on to a barn belonging to a farm run by Mr and Mrs Cowan. We were there for approximately a year and my memories of that first year are rather blurred. We came back to London for a short time where our house was destroyed by a land mine and I was returned to Middlestown once again with a friend 'Kenneth Turbot'. We spent a happy year there this time living in the farmhouse with Mr and Mrs Cowan and their two daughters. We helped out with the farm work out of school hours whilst Mr Cowan was working in a coal mine. The farm was situated next to a large dairy farm as far as I can remember. I made many friends but the only name I can recall is 'Ginger' a lad who lived in the cottages along the road... Read more

Memories of West Yorkshire

Tops

It was great sliding down the Tops on pieces of cardboard or a washer top, we went so fast hoping not to hit a car on the low road. When I used to go to school in the morning on the way to pick up my friend I would get a twig from the privets, bend it and start collecting spider webs with dew on them, by the time we got to school we had a beautiful pattern, it became a ritual in the cold mornings on the way to school. This was in Thornhill. We were never afraid of exploring the countryside around the area as it was quite safe then used to go out and get tar balls from the freshly tarred roads and chew on them, we thought that this was the greatest thing. If you have any memories please post. Jean Bremner (nee Brown)

The Cluntergate Man

This old bloke used to haul this massive horse-wagon up Cluntergate, on a regular basis. I mean Cluntergate was this hill... 1 in 12 about... and this bloke used to haul this massive horse-drawn wagon up to the top and beyond. I never knew where he went, or where he came from. He wasn't very big, only a small, scrawny feller, but he never ceased to amaze me.

When I think I'm not getting a fair deal, I remember him... he was inspirational.

The House of Mercy - Horbury

My mother in law was sent from Herefordshire to the House of Mercy (later the Convent of St. Peter) in about 1925 (aged 12/13). She left in 1927 and was put into service in London. I have traced some documents in the Wakefield Archives but I am unable to understand the reason why she was sent to Horbury from Hereford. Her name was Bessie Eileen Jones. Her grandmother surname was Prosser. Could she have been sent to be near members of the family? Could her estranged father (William John Jones (Jack)) have lived in Horbury. I would be grateful for any information. Jennifer

My Youth

I was born at Springend near Horbury in 1948, lived at 40 Northfield Lane, Horbury emigrated to Australia in 1961. I remember the Library, spent hours there reading the famous five books and secret seven, still do. Whites fish and chip shop opposite the church where I can still remember the incense, yuk, bought a bag of bits for 2 pence, went to the Church of England school, Brownies and Guides, roamed down around Horbury Junction, train spotting, went to Horbury Secondary Modern School, played in the large field before it became the modern school, went to school lunches in the town hall, yummy, saw the coronation on this funny little TV screen in the town hall. Played in the park, went down the avenues to play, so many memories and loved the Littles sweet shop, sticks of liquorice for 1/2 penny and sherbert, then there was another little weeny shop full of magic opposite the bus stop, St Marys Church, the chapel at Horbury Junction, memories, memories, can... Read more

Devils Pond

To all the young 'ens of that era or anyone else - who remembers walking down and up the self beaten footpath behind the long established fish & chip shop opposite the old Heppinstall's general store (long since gone), to the Devils Pond to catch what we thought were Terrapines! Or catching frogs etc, and making home made carts to pull up 3 Boy Hill at the top of Ouzelwell or Pit Lane at the top of King Edward Street then free wheel down, usually out of control!

Memorybank total

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

You've shared 26,169 memories of 5,731 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 > Middlestown > Memories of Middlestown

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