Nostalgic memories of Thornton Heath's local history
Share your own memories of Thornton Heath 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.
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
Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 38 in total
Hi, my name is Julie King and l am 51 now. I lived in the greengrocers with my dad, Fred King, and my mum, Pat King, with sisters Maxine, Sharon and brother Terry. The shop was opposite Whitehorse Lane along the High Street. It was next door to Hilders the haberdashery shop and Mitchells the tv shop. There was a watch menders and a pet food shop along the same row of shops. It was a ...see more
My family lived in Marion Road and it was one of the houses destroyed by a V1. That was number 11. We lodged with friends and then moved into a 'prefab' number 9 but still had our old back garden plus that of old number 9 and half of number 13. After 9 years we moved to the larger type prefab at The Lawns while Marion Road was rebuilt, moving back again to flat number 11b. ...see more
My father and mother ran the Horseshoe pub opposite the Bank at 745, London Road from 1961 till 1967. Next door was an abandoned barbershop which was left fully equipped, until knocked down to make way for a car park for the pub. A little further down was a small cafe where the motor bikers would meet up. Across the road was the music shop run by the trombone player from the Billy Cotton Band. From our living room we overlooked the pond. Happy days.
Anyone with knowledge of Acotts there in late 40's or early 50's. Possible schoolmates would be in their 60's now. Might have known parents Gordon Albert Acott, and Dora Lilian Acott.
We lived as a family in Gonville Road with St Judes Church on the corner of Thornton Road, to the left of this picture. I remember the Pond when it was full of rubbish so this garden was an improvement when it was filled in. My first job was at the National Provincial Bank, and from the window of the staff room (it looks as though that is where this photo was taken from) I remember the cherry trees ...see more
When I went to School in Beaulah Road and I do not have any photos. If any one has any photos of me when I was little, email me, I would be very grateful.
Contributor Mr Sosgez remembers basket weaving in Thornton Heath. This was almost certainly Tom Mason Ltd in Norbury Road. It was run by Mr George Newton and occupied premises that had been a United Dairies depot and stables. The shop front was in Norbury Road next to Mr Cowell's newsagents and barbers shop, with the works stretching quite a long way back with a side entrance letting out onto ...see more
I did not know my father, I only remember him in the early part of my life but I knew he worked for the coal yard in Thornton Heath, he had a large Shire horse and the last I know of him was standing at the horse's head with a rosette on the reins, ribbons on the mane and tail, and there were three children sitting on the cart, I think one of them was me but I have no photo to check this.
I am now searching the ...see more
I used to visit my aunt & uncle who lived in this - as it was known to me - the posh area of Thornton Heath: it was even pronounced differently - where I lived we invariably but a "mate" on the end of everything. Anyway - this was a favourite place for me - for frog and newt hunting - and in the winter - ice skating: I even fell through the ice one year. It was - as I remember a terminus for one of the ...see more
I can remember the suppliers of food and the taxi rank on the island at the Clock Tower - their pies were particularly nice and the taxi drivers very friendly. At the same place the freshly loaded coal wagons used to park whilst there drivers bought a pie - their horses were enormous - at least to me as a little boy. Thinking about it I think there was also a drinking fountain for us kids etc and a trough for ...see more