The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Sopley memories

Here are memories of Sopley and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Sopley or a Sopley photo.

Fire

I too was at RAF Sopley and I remember having a call out to a fire at married quarters which was some distance from the camp. Up we roared in our little flat lorry towing a fire pump at 16 MPH flat out only to find when we arrived that the Bournemouth Fire Brigade had arrived before us from 12 miles away and put out the fire. But at least we got a good cheer.

R.A.F. Sopley

RAF Sopley was very special. My station from July 1957 Till June of 1959. The post office in Bransgore was aspecial place for all airmen. The cat and fiddle, as well as the crown were special meeting places. My vist in September to the Station inasmuch with permission from Sue, I walked the site many of the old buildings in place. A wreck from its former days. I hope and pray it will not be developed for commercial or residential. Should be turned back to Farmland as it was prior to RAF Sopley. With a large memorial for all to see from the main entrance in memory of all who served in the defence of freedom. Tony Taylor and Ted Newton served the same years i was at Sopley. Please contact me . To the folks at Bransgore you were the best in support of us. God Bless everyone.

Memories of Dorset

Parcels

The Post Office c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

The Post Office brings back many happy memories. In 1954 to 1957 I served in the RAF at Sopley. Some of us would walk to the Post Office to send letters home & meet friends we had made in the village. If anyone remembers the good times we had...
Thankyou. - B Haywood

Visits With my Auntie Joan

The Post Office c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I loved this charming village, I remember the 'fishmonger' and the 'greengrocer' bringing their wares from door to door with their 'horsedrawn' carts (yes, even in 1956). I used to walk her dog with auntie Joan to this very post office to mail letters and get 'bits and pieces". Auntie Joan always loved the small country places, she lived in many places like this because of her husband's work.
I had the privelage of visiting all her 'little hidaways' throughout England and Scotland.

Days Out in Christchurch

Cat And Fiddle 1900
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

It made me sad seeing this photo, as my mum is buried at Hinton park. How I smiled when we left the park, and turned onto the main road. What faced me was the Cat and Fiddle. When I was a child, we would call there after spending the day in Christchurch. So many happy memories, they used to serve a good meal there. Being but a child it was great to enjoy a few hours taking in the adult world.

Flying G Western Riding Ranch

Town Centre c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

How lovely to find some photographs of The Flying G, but I am surprised that there are no other comments when so many people went there. I went there twice, once in 1966 and again in 1967. The first time I was studying at St Godric's in London and Maureen Smith was going there in the holidays. She was a very focused and enthusiastic person. My friend Bev Chapman and I decided to go with her for a laught too. Bev's parents drove us there the first time. It was wonderful. Bev fell in love with cowboy Pete, who Carrie (a cowgirl working there) was also in love with, but we didn't find that out until the next time. I fell in love with Dave who was engaged to Sheilagh, but at 17 (and in those days) that's what crushes and growing up was about. It was a safe and nurturing environment to grow in. Better still it fulfilled dreams - it was like living in a Western movie. The... Read more

Ringwood High Street

Town Centre c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I rember walking up to the High Street as a small child, there was a shop, I think it was a hardware or ironmongers, at Christmas time the shop was always lit with lovely fairy lights. There was also a supermarket called Pricerights and another shop called Coxs and Hicks which sold a full range of clothes and soft furnishings, wool, material, all that kind of stuff.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 26,136 memories of 5,728 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

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.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

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.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Sopley > Memories of Sopley

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.