Nostalgic memories of Ruislip's local history

Share your own memories of Ruislip 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 all 8 Memories

Looking at all the photo's of Ruislip it makes you want to go back in time. If only for a day or two. Simpler times, less people, less traffic and less gadgets. Going to Ruislip with mum. To Williams Brothers where there were no loyalty cards, just bonus tin money, which you collected to get money off goods. Watch the blacksmith, feed the ducks. Then have to walk home because you couldn't get on the bus because ...see more
Back in the 1950's, on the way home from the Sacred Heart School, we sometimes used to come down the High Street and go to the blacksmiths. They were located between the duck pond and the bowling green. We used to stand at the doorway and watched as horses were shod, wheels repaired, gates and ornamental fences made from steel. The roar of the furnace, the bellows going, the smell of the hot shoes being ...see more
In 1969/1970 I was a copywriter and art director in the Kodak A&P Dept, working on the international Kodak Calendar and the quarterly magazine, 'Kodak View' (later, just 'View') . The building is seen in the photograph. The department moved there from the Harrow/Wealdstone buildings in the '60s. Coincidentally, living close to us in our Pinner house were two other (unrelated) people who ...see more
Lived in Ruislip most of my life. I also knew the Stockdales; last saw him at the Lido in the 70's. The picture of the village also shows Haileys toy shop as well as The Village sweet shop. Next to Barbara's Pantry was a shop called the Priory. My father used to be a coppersmith and after the war sold many of his copper wares to the shop. Just past the Police Station was a shoe repairers called Lear & Gristwood. ...see more
On the left is the Swan pub, on the right Barbara's Pantry. My grandmother Hilda Carter used to come up to Ruislip, to Bishop Winnington's on Saturdays from East Dean (near Eastbourne) to teach elocution to my sister and me and other local girls. After the class she would go to Barbara's Pantry for tea and cakes before going back home.   Nearer than the Pantry was a row of very old cottages; a boy in my class at ...see more
My mother, Heather Carter, her sister Roma and my sister Janet Davies were all married in St Martin's, which was very high church, the smell of incense is still strong in my mind. I remember, though I don't know quite when this was, old Queen Mary visiting the church. I and my sister and other kids lined up behind the chain barrier at the entrance; Queen Mary was very short with a pale grey long coat and toque hat with a veil. We all cheered, though I don't know why.
The shop on the right belonged to Mr and Mrs Hayley and was a toyshop. You stepped into the shop, which was very dark. Here were Dinkey cars and packets of fivestones and jacks. To the right you stepped down into a separate room which had tricycles and dolls prams. The Hayleys were very old, to my memory; Mr Haley with a white moustache, and a waistcoat, his wife wore a large flowered apron.  Both had country ...see more
The George Hotel was newly decorated and it re-opened with a special day around 1985. The horse drawn Whitbread Brewery dray arrived and the newly painted pub sign was unveiled by the mayor. Everything looked great and a good day out was ensured by a dazzling display from the dancers and musicians of Whitethorn Morris - a team of clog wearing morris dancers from nearby Harrow. They looked fine in their ...see more