Padstow memories
Here are memories of Padstow and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Padstow or a Padstow photo.
The Girl Maureen
She was launched as a rowing lifeboat, Docea Chapman, and came to Padstow as a relief boat. She was only on station for nine moths then laid up. I am the girl Maureen. Father bought her in 1952 and converted her into a fishing boat, giving her my name. I spent many hours at sea with him hauling pots and catching mackerel. He retired in 1982 but continued to fish skippering other people's boats until his death in 1996. Many happy memories of days at sea, warm flasks of tea and kitkats. The boat was sold to the Lynton and Lynmouth Preservation Society in 1982, restored to her lifeboat colours and shape and renamed Louisa II. She was deemed too old to haul over Porlock Hill on the 100th anniversary of the Overland Launch but is still on public display in Lynmouth. Maureen Tatlow (The Girl Maureen)
The Janie
The Schooner in the foreground is the Janie 62682 built by Stribley of Padstow in 1870 and employed in coastal trading. My husband's grandfather Charlie Derry sailed on her in 1913 according to her ship's log. We have a portrait photograph taken from the other side of the quay with no other boats moored alongside. Maureen Tatlow
The Padstow I Remember
I was too young to walk in this picture but would certainly have been pushed around this quayside (barely 1/4 mile from my home) many times in the year of photo 1938.
As I grew up in the 1940s-1950s this view remained remarkably unchanged, what a tranquil scene so unspoilt by the mass of cars that now envelope the town.
Every house in the town was occupied 365 days of the year!!
Only a small number of discerning tourists came to Padstow in those days but the ones who did invariably returned year after year.
I left the town in mid 50s to go away and learn and earn my living and sadly don't get back too often these days.
I miss the Padstow I knew very much but don't think I could live now in the modern tourist hotspot of Padstein.
Lynmouth Lifeboat, Louisa
This boat belonged to a local legend, Tommy Morrissey. I've fond memories of getting up at 5am to go fishing with him during the mid 70's. In 1982, after Tommy went to the big fishpond upstairs, his boat Girl Maureen was bought by the Lynmouth lifeboat society and restored as a replica of its sistership the Louisa, Lynmouth's famous lifeboat. It's on display in Lynmouth and used when the towns people re-enact the 1899 launching.
Same Name
My name is Louise Brown and I live in Australia. I went to England in 2007, had a wonderful time. I spent some time in Padstow because I lived in Padstow in Sydney Australia. I had heard so much about Padstow in England, especially Rick Stein's restaurants. Padstow is a beautiful place, it holds many great memories. I live on the south coast of Sydney now, right opposite the beach, just like Padstow in England. I would love to visit again in the future.
Notes From The Frith Files
The little girl sitting is Doreen Kate Stone, boy with the black hat is Sam Harris, the two boys arm in arm are Will Gard (blonde) and Willie McOwen, the boy with arms folded is Clifford Coutsoubos, the boy in bow of boat is Cyril Thomas - all Padstowians.
Searching Info
I visit Padstow annually, staying often in Trebethwick. It is a favourite destination of my family and I. I am currently writing a book and would be grateful if any farmers or Lifeboatmen could e-mail me. I am particularly keen to gather pre-Second World War information of what life was like then with these occupations.
Kind regards.
Cornish Splits
2 posters rang bells with me.
1. I too came to Australia, but in the late 70's. My first purchase was a lovely unit up above the bowls course on Clovelly Head, just up from the Clovelly sea baths. All so named because of its likeness to Clovelly in Cornwall.
2. Padstow past and present...yes, sadly it seems tourism and modern carnivals with little to commend them except for 'moneyspinning', have seen the end of the quiet fishing village and potter's haven of the 50's and even into the 60's. Gone also seem to be the marvellous local 'Cornish Splits'....in favour of the ubiquitous poor survivor 'the Devonshire Tea'
Memories of Cornwall
Wonderful Trevone
This is one of the most beautiful places in England, the rock beach is my favourite, good for walking, swimming & looking in rock pools. I started visiting when my mother took me 62 years ago (my father was born in Padstow ) & it hasn't changed. I look forward to visiting each year.
Paradise
Trevone is one of the most beautiful places in England. It has two beaches one sandy & one rocky, I prefer the rocky. My mother first took me to Trevone 62 years ago & it hasn't changed, my father was born in Padstow. What a place to live, you lucky people.
My Favourite Place in The World!
I was fortunate enough to live at Trevone and then Padstow from 1951 - 1964, living at Craig-y-Mor which is the white house with the big balcony right down on the bay. I have very happy memories of my childhood there, looking in the rock pools at Rocky Beach and walking to Harlyn Bay with a picnic ... Watching the visitors on the beach all run for cover if there was a shower of rain ... Collecting car numbers from the car park during the summer holidays ...
Having spent my adult life in Hampshire I retired (early) back to Cornwall with my partner and am now living in St Columb Major.
Trevone still has the same attraction for me as it did all those years ago ... sadly Padstow does not!!
Hotel?
My Mum and Dad and myself lived in a bungalow in the grounds of a hotel (?) for about a year. My Dad was in the navy, H.M.C.S Drake. I went to school in Padstow. Of course I was only seven so my memory a little off in some areas. I danced around the Maypole! Dad and others had to disarm a landmine that had landed on the beach. I also remember going to Sunday School and making an altar on the beach, decorated with wild flowers. In Padstow, I remember going aboard a German submarine that had been captured, I presume. All in all, as you can imagine, a magical childhood! Our home was actually in Hornchurch. We came to Canada in 1946. I now live on Vancouver Island, but memories of my colourful childhood are still extremely strong.
Craig-Y-Mor
Since the 1970's I have been going to Craig-y-Mor as often as possibe. My husband's family owns it now and we try to get there for a vacation from the states whenever we can. My husband's brothers and sisters go more often, being in the UK. It is a magical place. The first time I went, there were baby sheep jumping around out front.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,893 memories of 5,952 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
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.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Langley Park, County Durham
- Ashtead, Surrey
- Blaenllechau, Mid Glamorgan
- Finchley, Greater London
- Nazeing, Essex
- Worcester, Worcestershire
- Crook, County Durham
- Raby, Merseyside
- Parkgate, Merseyside
- Bexleyheath, Kent
- Nant Ffrancon, Gwynedd
- Knockentiber, Ayrshire
- Godstone, Surrey
- Newcastle, County Down
- Bootle, Merseyside
- Pant, Shropshire
- Ealing, Greater London
- Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Kempsey, Worcestershire
- Conicavel, Morayshire
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
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.
