Nostalgic memories of St Helens's local history

Share your own memories of St Helens 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.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

Subscribe

Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.

I was curious to know if anyone remembered the school in the early 60s- I enjoyed my time at Rivington Road- remember the bluebells near the school and love them to this day. We had a trainee teacher who really inspired me - even now I remember making water clocks and dying fabric like they did in Roman times - I used onion skins and it turned the fabric yellow! We built Hadrian's wall in the ...see more
Haven of peace then..... but now a floodlit nightmare of sports pitches - pity the householders who have to live with the lights.
HI, Colin Smith.does anyone remember my mum and dad .Alice Mary and Teddy Smith.I remember the good old times in St,Helens going fishing in spoggy brook for stillte backs.and the old Taylor Park and Victoria park when you go stay out and play.We used to play out till all hours playing bung off.the base camp was a tall gas lamp just outside my house.and going to the chippy and having a split .the chippy was in ...see more
I remember that just opposite to this photo was the main Post Office, with wooden floors, which echoed when a customer walked on them. Further along where the white building is, if you went left, there was an old shop selling stamps, then going further there was the covered market, right through to Bridge St; on Beechams car park was an open market, that car park is now part of St Helens ...see more
I came on tonight to see the house I was living in when I left to come to America. I was amazed to see the Memories of St. Helens pictures etc. What a pleasure to see the pictures, and read some of the memories. I remember all the places. I am 85 years old, I left to join my husband in April 1946. I arrived in New York on the 27th.of April 1946. I travelled by train for 2 days and one night to get to ...see more
There used to be a museum in the park with a huge stuffed tiger, the first time I ever saw it I nearly jumped out of my skin with fright. What a great park before they removed the boundary wall. I used to go stickleback fishing with a worm on a piece of thread and catching newts, great days as a kid living in St Helens. I'm now nearly 60 this year and have lived in London since running away from home at ...see more
We lived just near Taylor Park, it was a great place to boat and fish. My brother Philip got badly sunburned there back in about 1966. Oh how I'd love to go back just for one day as he died in an accident when he was just 17, poor thing never did say goodbye. John Hayes
From 1964 I used to walk past this church every day on my way to and from Central Modern School. There used to be a joke shop opposite, we bought stink bombs and others tricks.
I used to attend the Notre Dame Convent School (or Grammar School, as it was sometimes called). I was from Warrington on an 11+ scholarship and had to travel in by bus every morning - then walk past the Town Hall and down Church Road to the convent. The headmistress was a nun called Sister Catherine. There was a History teacher called Miss Pierpont. Sometime in the early 1950s the ...see more
Hi there, just wondered if anyone knew any information or of any photos of a pub at 70 Church Street called The St. Von Tromp, which closed in December 1922? There would have also been a theatre/music hall in the area...? If anyone can help it would very much appreciated. stellabellatak@aol.com