Parkstone memories
Here are memories of Parkstone and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Parkstone or a Parkstone photo.
Parkstone in The Early 60s
I remember as a very young child of up to 11 years old going to stay in my father's aunt's house in Mentone Road. Every summer we would go there. The early memories I have, is going on my scooter (which I was very proud of) around the roads nearby. I can recall a bakers shop nearby. My mother used to often buy Millers Pies, which she said were the best. My father who loved steam trains, was always intrigued hearing the uphill noise steam climbing the gradientnearby at the end of Mentone Road, going I think onto Swanage. I also have happy memories of going to Kimmeridge Bay, it was so peaceful there up on the cliff top, looking out to sea. My grandmother, I remember but not sure where it was, used to work in a munitions factory maybe on the way to Wareham. Am not quite sure, but I do remember there were a lot of rhodedendrons surrounding the area.
My First Job
My memory - in 1964 I left Henry Harbin Secondary School, aged fifteen, the world was my oyster, well that was the theory. I spent two weeks laying on the sand at Sandbanks, until my father took me to Bluebird Caravans and I ended up in the cabinet shop. After a week my dad's words came flooding back - 'Your best days are at school'. I hate to admit it, he was right. Well I met some really nice guys, they became good work mates. After about 18 months I left and managed to get employment at the new Magnet Bowling Alley at Branksome, where I stayed until made redundant. Those were good days, Parkstone was a good place, Pete's Grill, the Regal etc, and where has it all gone, who knows. Cheers Bob Burton, late of 13 Farcroft Road, born and bred, thanks.
My Father Worked at Millers
My father worked in quality control at Millers for a couple of years in the early 1960s. He loved singing and one of my earliest memories is of him singing in what must have been the loading/packing bay. It had good acoustics! I was two or three years of age.
Millers Pies
Millers Pies, are they still made in Sterte, Poole?
I'm wondering if anyone has a photo of the house called "Torvaine" which was situated on St Peter's Road in Parkstone. It stood in grounds and gardens of about 1 acre. It had wonderful memories for my late grandmother, Dorothy Davenport and therefore it would be wonderful to be able to see a photo of her home before she left England forever to go overseas. It belonged to my great-aunt Cecilia Davenport from approx 1907 until 1922 following her death. It was also the home of Rev John Metcalf Davenport of St Clement's Church, Bournemouth after his resignation from the ministry due to ill health and before his death in 1913. I believe it was also an annexe at one time for Ashley Girls' Grammar School. I will be so grateful if anyone can help me - thankyou.
Parkstone
I was born in a flat on Ashley Road above Selbys Garage, they used to sell petrol with a pump that used to swing out across the pavement and fill the cars on the road. I used to go to the Regal cinema on Saturday mornings and afterwards spend some money buying marshmallows in Woolworths or getting chips or scraps from a chipshop off Albert Road. We moved to Wallisdown and I went to Saint Aldhelm's School and moved to a brand new school at Alderney and finally went to Kemp Welch until 1963 when I started work. Parkstone has some great memories and I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or any of my family.
Peter Bennett.
Memories of Dorset
Living on A Houseboat in Poole Harbour
My mother Elizabeth and my father, Graham Thomson, lived on a houseboat in Poole harbour during 1950 and 1951. I was a baby and they had to move to dry land when I became a toddler! My mother used to tell me how she used to hang nappies from the sail masts on deck. I don't remember much, apart from the clinking of sail masts which I still find very soothing. My mother and father used to go to have a bath at the public baths. They used to take me in a carry cot. I don't think the baths are there anymore. My father used to take people on boat trips around Brownsea Island. He was very lively and made everyone laugh. My mother used to say that he had a lovely speaking voice rather like John Mills. They used to go the The Shiprights Arms on a little rowing boat which sounded like great fun. What a shame it's no longer there. My father died... Read more
Poole Lifting Bridge
For anyone who has lived in and around Poole the Hamworthy Lifting bridge provokes memories. In 1991 I met my first wife who was from "The other side" of the bridge and this necessitated regular trips to Hamworthy. The bridge lifts every hour, on the hour to let various boats through. The lift generally lasts about 15 minutes, although it can take longer. Therefore I would regularly find myself cursing my luck as I sat in a large traffic jam (particularly in Summer).
ASHLEYCROSS SCHOOL
THIS GRAND ENTRANCE, USED TO BE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO ASHLEYCROSS GIRLS SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL. WE USED TO WEAR RED BERETS, RED JUMPERS AND RED STOCKINGS. THE WINDOW ON THE LOWER LEFT, WAS THE HEAD MISTRESSES ROOM (MISS ASHHURST) AT THE TIME WHEN I WENT. IF WE DID NOT WEAR OUR BERETS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL THEN IT WAS TO THAT ROOM WE WERE SENT. THE ROOM ABOVE IS WHERE WE DID NEEDLEWORK, WE LIKED THAT ROOM AS WE COULD SEE THE WORLD GOING BY OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. IT WAS A GOOD SCHOOL AND I ENJOYED MY TIME THERE. WE PLAYED NETBALL AND WE HAD TO WALK TO A SPORTS FIELD IN NORTH RD TO PLAY HOCKEY AND OTHER GAMES. INSIDE THE SCHOOL HALL WE HAD OUR MORNING ASSEMBLY AND INDOOR GAMES, CLIMBING ROPES AND FRAMES ETC AROUND THE HALL, JUMPING HORSES, PLAYING PIRATES WHERE YOU WERE CHASED AND WHEN CAUGHT WERE OUT, NOT MY FAVOURITE THING. THE MAIN SCHOOL WAS DEMOLISHED AND HOUSES ARE NOW IN IT'S PLACE, BUT THE... Read more
Parkstone Girls' Grammar School
This was the entrance to Parkstone Girls' Grammar school where I went from 1956, with Miss Allen as headmistress, until we moved to the present site in Sopers Lane in, I think, 1960 or 61, when these buildings were taken over by Ashley Cross Secondary School. The carved doors in the centre of the front were featured on the cover of the school magazine. Behind the little door to the right, which I don't remember being open, was a cloakroom, and the big window to the right of the main doors I think was the staff room. By the side of the wall in shadow on the left was an alleyway which I remember had the cookery room to its right.
The school was a maze of passageways and stairs. It also incorporated in its grounds two old houses, The Oaks, which mostly housed the fifth form, and The Lawns where the sixth form had their common room.
At the top of St Peter's Rd, behind the... Read more
I Live Here!
This is not the Park Keeper's Lodge but home to my family! I'm not sure if it was the Park Keeper's house in the past but my family have lived there for the past 25 years. My Dad closes off the park every morning at around 6am to stop people parking there but it's not his job, just a part of living here! I was 14 when this picture was taken and loved living here. I went to Poole High and walked there every day. Being so close to town and the park was great growing up and I have many happy memories playing in the garden with my sisters.
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