Shildon memories
Here are memories of Shildon and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Shildon or a Shildon photo.
Shildon Operatic Society
From 1976 to 1981 I was a member of Shildon Operatic Society. How I loved to be part of this talented, enthusiastic team. I started as a dancer and enjoyed taking part in "Carousel" and "The King and I" then small speaking parts in "The Pajama Game" and various pantomimes. We played in the Civic Theatre, Darlington in those days. What a thrill! I left only because I moved from the area. It was a great pity to learn that the society had to close its doors. A sad loss to the people of Shildon and surrounding areas. Oh well, happy memories. Is there anyone out there who were members of the Society, with happy memories?
A Long Time Ago
My Godmother Ruth Pallister came from Shildon. Her father and mother owned a shop there, and she would recount the story of a bull or steer that escaped from the local slaughter house, and pushed its head through the shops front window. I am not too sure of the date, but shortly afterwards they moved to Ryhope and started a business there. I think this would be just before the start of the First World War, but as nearly all my relatives are now dead, getting exact information is almost impossible. I have lived in the south west of France for many years and in September am making a nostalgic trip back to Blighty. Shildon is on my "must visit" list.
1914
My father and grandmother were born in Shildon and later moved to Darlington, and my father then to Hull. As a child I remember visiting some friends of theirs, Lizzie and Charlie Bowser in Kilburn Street, Shildon. Does anyone have any memories of this couple going back to the 1950s?
Douglas Hall
I was the vice captain of the Timothy Hackworth Junior School football team when we won the cup and league. I think we won every game of the season. I was in love with Pauline Baker when I was 5 and lived in South St.
Church Street Shildon
This street had changed little until the mid seventies. Today the street is still recogonisible with several of the buildings still looking the same style, but under new ownership.
Plane Crash
25/01/1946, Mosquito VI, TA502, 13OTU. Hit high ground near Shildon, Co. Durham while flying through cloud. I found this info while looking for something else on the net, hope it helps.
Aircraft Crash 2nd World War
I believe that in 1946 an RAF plane crashed in Shildon. Does anyone have any information about it? If so, please can you contact my email address via this website.
Memories of County Durham
Going For A Walk
There was my mam Norma Keller, my dad John William Keller, sister Mandy Jane Keller, other sister Tracy Joanne Keller and of course myself, Claire Margaret Keller. We lived a small 2 bed terrace house in Eldon Lane. it was like any other morning, except my mam had gone into hospital, I can't recall why but I missed her. Dad was looking after us for a few days. Dad said we were going for a little walk that day, we were excited, we put on our wellies and coats, hats and gloves and away we went. We came to a field. Dad said "See that white house?". "Yeh" we replied. "H'way then"... and away we went. We walked through cow fields, horse fields,mud, the whole lot. It seemed like a lifetime to get there but we did. I looked down at the village, it was beautiful, so peaceful, only the sound of the birds singing and our laughter broke the silence. After a while we made our descent down the... Read more
The Street
I was born in 1957 in South Church in the street out the back of the club next to the hole in the wall. At one end of the street was the beck, the other end was a corner shop next to the billbords. We moved to Acklet Close because of a demolition order on the houses. Good memories.
Childhood Memories
I was born at Auckland Park 1949 and moved to Durham in 1952 when my dad joined the prison service as an officer. Both of my nanas lived in Auckland Park, Henrietta Luke lived 1 Gurnney Valley, and Matilda Young lived 68 William Street. I had fantastic summer holidays spent between both my nanas' homes, we used to go to the 'rec every day. I loved the ocean wave, when the bigger kids got on they climbed up high and you had to hang on tight cause they made it go very fast. I always called at a friend of my Nana Young's on the way back for a drink of pop and a biscuit. We used to walk down to Eldon Lane picture house and get a bag of chips on the way back. I liked to go to Sunday school at the Methodist chapel just round the corner from the top of Thomas Street. We used to take Nana's dog Nell, for walks up the Lonon, a public path... Read more
Tindale Warriors
I remember going down the field when there was swings, a roundabout and a slide just by the little woods and further up the pit heaps were the so-called big woods. We used to all go up to the little woods and play foxes and hounds and some of the games we had were memories that stay with me even now. I ran away from a childrens' home in 1990 and my mates from Tindale kitted out a shed in an empty house opposite the chippy and converted it into my own little bedroom. Eight months I was in that shed and even had a hand in building the little wall that runs by the West Auckland bus stop next to the club. Aah, to be kids again...
Grocery Stores
My grandfather Thomas Edwin Mantle had a grocery and creamery in Newgate Street. He died before I was born but strangely my father Herbert Clayton eventually had his own store in Newgate Street, it was called H Clayton esquire, family grocer. I was two years old when we moved to Redcar in Yorshire. So I have no memories of my birthplace.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,900 memories of 5,954 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:
- Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
- Hawley, Hampshire
- Strood, Kent
- Nazeing, Essex
- Severn Stoke, Worcestershire
- The Green, Cumbria
- Kempsey, Worcestershire
- Pyrford, Surrey
- Carlisle, Cumbria
- Greystoke, Cumbria
- Fleetwood, Lancashire
- Wrexham, Clwyd
- Boston, Lincolnshire
- Collyhurst, Lancashire
- Neath, West Glamorgan
- Finchley, Greater London
- Romford, Essex
- Aveley, Essex
- Langley Park, County Durham
- New Malden, Surrey
- ... 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.
