Nostalgic memories of Preston's local history
Share your own memories of Preston 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 22 in total
This was almost certainly a bandstand. There is a bandstand of the right shape marked near the bowling greens on the 1932 25" OS map, surveyed in 1929; this was not marked on the 1912 edition, surveyed 1910. A similar bandstand was built in Centre Vale Park, Todmorden in 1914, which is now listed, see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1467822 as the only known surviving example of this design. ...see more
During WW2 as a young lad I lived in Ribblesdale Place and Avenham Colonnade and remember that the timber bridge decking was almost completely removed apart from a narrow walkway to hinder invading troop vehicles, After the war we used to visit a little timber shack next to the playing fields at the southern end of the bridge where Stanley Worden sold soft drinks and snacks. Seventy years on I still remember hot Vimto for 2d.!
In my father's diary for 1952 - I have all his diaries here in Frankfurt, Germany, where I have lived since 1973 - there is an entry : Stanley Watson, Governor of the Harris Orphanage, was sent for trial. Unfortunately he did not say why! Does anyone know this and can tell me?
We lived in Oak Villa, opposite the Orphanage, and used to see the childen leaving after attending school there. Once, in ...see more
As a child (b1940) I lived at 3 Avenham Colonnade from 1946 until I married in 1964. The late Georgian terrace (built abt 1836) comprises 6 houses built on the slope alongside Avenham Walks ("The Top Walks") . The terrace survives virtually unchanged today, save for the early demolition of the eponymous single storey "Colonnade" in front of the houses which was demolished in the19th century to ...see more
My mother was a midwife sister during the 1940s and early 1950s at the old PRI. She must have delivered lots of babies from the area during this time. There was once a photo of her in the LEP with 3 babies born on Christmas Day.
She was also in charge of the Premature Baby Unit there. She went on to nurse at Mount Street Hospital. Her name was Nurse/Staff/Sister Savage.
My own son was born ...see more
It was a great market gaff to stand on, what a buzz. I had the time of my life there. The majority of the stallholders were legend and the locals were spot on. Times were good then and so were markets, unfortunately times and business change, not all for the best, and markets have suffered. Preston Market is the best market I've ever stood at. R.I.P. Frank Councell and Mr Henshaw, and all the best to all past and ...see more
I have happy memories of the Harris orphanage. My two brothers and I spent 18 months there. We livd in no 7 and our foster parents were Mr and Mrs Perkins, who was a first rate cook. The govenor was a retired police Superintendany by the name of Mr Howarth, ably assisted by his wife whom we called Matron. The teacher in my class (11 to 15 year olds)was a Mr Bridge(a very kind man)who was also ...see more
I knew and worked with P.C. McGinty (P.C 100) in Preston Borough Police from 1965 to 1968, when I worked there as an Inspector, before moving again on promotion. By that time P.C. McGinty had, very sensibly, got himself a job in Headquarters (except during North End home matches (where he was a tower of strength in every way). If Mac is still with us - Hello!
It would be great to hear from him - and,indeed any other ex-member of 'The Borough'.
Bob Dale.
On Prestonblog there is a harrowing post by 'Marie' about this place, of which she has only bad memories. It was run by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy who were clearly misnamed. They had another orphanage in Pantasaph where children also endured cruelty (BBC Wales website refers). Did anyone else suffer at St Joseph's?
My oldest brother Jack, and my older sister Dorothy and myself all attended Harris Orphanage School in the 1940s. We lived in Greyfriars Crescent, Fulwood, and although our nearest school was at Cadley Causeway, because the war was on and because Cadley Causeway school was already full, we were sent to the Harris Orphanage School. I remember the teachers, the first class I was in was taught by ...see more