Staines memories
Here are memories of Staines and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Staines or a Staines photo.
Near ''The Lammas
1954-1959, say?? Perhaps earlier too. This section of the River looks v. close to the area off the top of Thames or Bridge Street (?) known as The Staines "Lammas". A number of pools and play areas, with a swimming pool set into the River itself. Such a trek by 'bus to get there. I don't think anyone would do it today. But we did and we thought it a wonderful treat. Although there were many hardships for most families, at least Mother wasn't a slave to technology or guilt. Part of her 'work' was to take us out and about. To enjoy life with us wherever possible. A 'takeaway' was occasional Fish and Chips or a 'bag' of hot chips. More likely an ice lolly! String bags with refreshments, swim tyres ready inflated around our waists! Mother quite resigned, even cheerful about our 'big day out'. Planning where would be best to 'bags' a spot for the day. Excited to get there in the cool morning... Read more
Not 1960?
The four pinnacles on the tower were removed after WW2 because a bomb dropped in Wraysbury Road made them unsafe. I was born in '45 (and baptised in St. Mary's) and was still living in Wraysbury Road in 1960. I do not remember the pinnacles being demolished so this photo must have been taken much earlier as they would have been removed in my early childhood.
Picnics at Knowle Green
We had some very happy family picnics on Knowle Green. There was a small stream in which we used to play with our fishing nets and catch small fish and other water creatures. There were also plenty of wild flowers on the edge of the stream and dragon flies. There was also on the Green a herd of dairy cows brought down from their farm daily to graze, Knowle Green was then common land, and in the early evening they were rounded up to take back to their farm to be milked. I have no idea where the farm was.
There was also on Knowle Green a blacksmith's forge and we children used to stand and watch the furnace and the horses being shoed. This was situated by the other stream on Knowle Green on the other side of the linoleum factory.
There were also about six mature, beautiful horse chestnut trees at the entrance to Knowle Green by Kingston Road, wonderfully bountiful for the conker season and to play... Read more
The Weir
See my comments under photo S175052 - Penton Hook Lock - about the wooden weir you can just see in the middle of this image.
Johnson & Clarks
Does anyone remember Johnson & Clarks department store? It used to be the place to go for school uniforms. It was like Grace Brother's department store from the comedy TV show "Are you being served?". I tried to find some old photos, but to no avail. Before it was demolished, it sat on the opposite corner from where Debenhams still sits. Strangely, this is one of my oldest memories of Staines along with the big old cinema watching Star Wars, ET etc... The legendary queues to get into the cinema almost wrapped right around the building.
Remember Me?
My name is Michael Smith, I lived on Cherry Tree Avenue in Staines in the 1960s and have lots of memories, I went to M.A. school. Anyone remember me? email me @ m5976@quickclic.net
Edgell And Beehive Roads Staines
I am in the process of trying to find information for a friend of mine who has recently moved into Beehive Road. We know the property was built in 1890 but there is nothing shown on the 1891 Census. 4 properties are shown on the 1901 Census. I would be grateful if any one has any information however small.
many thanks
Tony Ardis
Shropshire
Memories of Middlesex
Penton Camp Club
The Penton Camp Club started in about 1903. Its members included the Manager of Martin's Bank, London, the manager of the Drury Lane Theatre and many other rich men. They would come by train to Staines, the old station at the entrance to Two Rivers Shopping Centre, walk to the bridge and be taken from there by the owner of the large hotel that stood on the left bank opposite the Swan to the weir - the right bank opposite Penton Hook Lock Island.
One weekend there was a disaster, the camp was flooded and the local residents came to the aid of the stranded campers. In July 1903 it was suggested by the campers that a local association was formed, which stretched from the Fishing Temple to the camp. This club lasted for many years. Each year there would be a magnificent ball in London and in the summer a regatta at Silver Sands including punting and diving. The last regatta was advertised for 1914 but had to... Read more
The Weir
Not exactly sure of date, but as a child growing up in the 60s, a few houses upstream of Penton Hook Lock, I recall walking "round the Island" on many weekends. The most memorable bit, looking back, was the wooden weir crossing. You crossed the lock gates - and I can remember them being the large wooden sort - then walked towards the Island over this remarkable wooden structure. It had a roof, which made it so distinctive, and I could just about look over the sides at the water rushing over the weir. I distinctly recall the scary but exhilarating feeling I got when I looked through the FLOOR (between the wooden slats) at the fast-flowing water below. The wooden weir was demolished - I can't recall when - but it was one of those things that I really missed when it went, and this was well before I had any sense of "heritage". At least the Island is still there, and still something of a haven of peace,... Read more
Magna Carta Island
I have several photographs of the house on Magna Carta Island taken during the 1910s and early 1920s. The house was owned by my grandfather during this period, John Francis Mc Gregor (a stockbroker) who was married to my grandmother, Maidie Scott (her 'stage name', she was a music hall performer).
The photos are of my grandmother and my mother with her twin brother playing in the garden. They were born whilst my grandparents owned the house. My grandparents divorced in 1924 and my grandfather sold the house in 1927. My grandmother emigrated to South Africa and I and my siblings were all born here. I have visited the house once in 1996.
Chris Robinson
Laleham Abbey School
I was a pupil for two years at Laleham Abbey. My maiden name being, Elsa-Marie Burberry - Elsa. I was friends with Phyllis Baker who I remember as having beautiful auburn-red hair and who I think came from Totteridge. Other friends were Tania Morley, who was the best ballet dancer. And Caroline Hood, who I think was blonde. There was a pupil named Louis who seemed to see visions of Our Lord quite a lot. Sister Marianna played and taught piano. The common room was called Caina. We used to get our nightly 'tuck' from a hatch in the other Common Room. The Abbey was such a lovely place. In the gardens a Tulip tree, Yew and Cyprus trees. The dormitories and the classrooms were round the cloisters. Then sadly, the school closed down and we were all moved on, I was almost twelve. We used to picnic at Virginia Water. The Riding Stables were some distance away and owned by a Miss Feegan. The english teacher was a Miss Waghorn. ... Read more
Laleham Abbey Convent School
Is there anyone out there who was at Laleham Abbey Convent School around 1953?
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:
- Dulverton, Somerset
- Cononley, West Yorkshire
- Lumphinnans, Fife
- Horbury, West Yorkshire
- Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
- Bexley, Kent
- Thurstaston, Merseyside
- Burnopfield, Tyne and Wear
- Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire
- Helsby, Cheshire
- Winchmore Hill, Greater London
- Great Holland, Essex
- Billacombe, Devon
- Halton East, North Yorkshire
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
- Ansdell, Lancashire
- The Green, Cumbria
- Salford, Lancashire
- Godstone, Surrey
- Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex
- ... 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.
