Southwold memories
Here are memories of Southwold and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Southwold or a Southwold photo.
The Grand Hotel & Other Locations
I remember The Grand Hotel in the mid to late 1950s. My cousins lived in Marlborough Road, the end of which ran past the rear of the 'Grand'. I can't remember whether it still had a roof, but I do remember that it was possible to get inside the place if you knew how. We did play in it, but did not get hurt or told off for being in there. I suppose it could have been dangerous, but when you are in your mid teens, you laugh at danger! I remember that there were always lots of really nice flowers still blooming during the summer. Other memories of Southwold from that time, include playing the penny fruit machines (remember those cranes that dropped the item just before it reached the chute?), in the pier arcade and playing snooker in the Sailors Reading Room. I have been to Southwold many times since those teenage years and it is always a pleasure, unfortunately, some of the pubs and shops have changed but... Read more
A Life Re-Lived
My great great grand father - William Parkington - was master miller at the mill on Southwold Common in 1890. Imagine my delight at being able to see the actual building he used to work in all those years ago
Born Sailor
I thought the picture of me as a toddler in a wooden paddle boat was taken at Southwold, and now 60 years on it was Southwold. We only went there from Norwich for the odd trip but I am pleased to find this c1955 picture in the Frith pictures.
The Grand Hotel
I was born in Southwold but left there many years ago. This view shows the Grand Hotel which was demolished in the late 1950's. It was derelict for many years, this being the only way I remember it. As a child it was very daring to venture into it - undoubtedly potentially dangerous in view of the state of it and something which could never happen today. I particularly remember the peonies which grew in the abandoned grounds, which seemed to me at the time very exotic.
Southwold Pier
This shows the original, full length pier in all it's glory before gradual destruction. Now recently restored it is nevertheless much shorter. The photo must have been taken from the old Grand Hotel.
Memories of Suffolk
The Home of Abby Beare & Family
I used to play with Rosalind Morris whose family lived here. My mother did housework and also worked in the greenhouses. I remember a toy room with many very exciting toys, including a scale model of the Coronation.
Walking With Bob
Walking with Bob my border collie through the salt marshes and dunes. Listening to the birds in the marshes and trying not to get lost! Keeping Bob away from people as he's a very cautious rescued border collie. The sense of peace whenever I have returned here. Now sadly without my dearest brave Bob but always remembered.
Wilfred Albert Parsk
I think my Grandfather was born on this street! He was called Wilfred Albert Parsk and fought in the Somme at about 16 years of age He never spoke much about the war but I know he lost a lot of his friends. He died in the 1980s but his memory is still cherished!
My Home as A Child
I was born in the house on the right and spent my childhood here. It's nice to see a photo of the crossroads with the Town Hall with the spire.
The Ghost at The Ship
My parents owned and ran The Ship Inn from 1960 to 1975. My father a retired soldier and wartime paratrooper had taken early retirement to buy the business, then called The Barne Arms Hotel after the estate. The new Inn sign was based on the Blue Peter logo from the BBC Children's programme (from whom he'd got permission to use a similar but not identical design). As boys, my brother and I shared an attic room. Shortly after I had left to go to the Army in about 1969/70 my brother had experienced a ghost in the attic room. Waking, he'd found what he described as a woman sitting beside his bed, grey in colour. As he woke, she'd risen, turned and seemed to walk through the wall beside him. Of course no-one believed him. Years later, in about 1998, my wife and I stayed with the owner, Annie Marshlain, at The Ship. She'd been a friend of my parents, having come over several years with friends to work... Read more
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Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Grantham, Lincolnshire
- Dartford, Kent
- Marchwood, Hampshire
- Bishopsteignton, Devon
- Aldershot, Hampshire
- North Broomhill, Northumberland
- Croydon, Surrey
- Penrhiwceiber, Mid Glamorgan
- Orpington, Kent
- Portsmouth, Hampshire
- Ealing, Greater London
- South Merstham, Surrey
- Netley Abbey, Hampshire
- Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
- Virginia Water, Surrey
- Ramsey St Marys, Cambridgeshire
- Bacton, Norfolk
- Harrow On The Hill, Greater London
- Kingsdown, Wiltshire
- Osterley, Greater London
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
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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.
