Nostalgic memories of Alnwick's local history
Share your own memories of Alnwick 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.
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Displaying all 9 Memories
I spent my national service 1955/1956 in nearby RAF BOULMER and though many years have passed since i still recall very happy memories of days and nights in Alnwick and of the people there who were some of the nicest friendly people i have ever met before or since.My most vivid memories, seeing i was only 18years old at the time,were of the numerous amount of pubs that could be frequented and i can also bring to mind ...see more
Hi, I used to travel via the great north road in the 1960s to near Durham, I can remember going through the arch above lots of times it was very narrow and you had to watch your car you could not speed then. Alnwick is a nice place and relatives of mine come from nearby lesbury, it definately made the difference when the by-pass was built it must have been a relief for the place.
The above picture was from 1948, I can tell this by the types of cars here, especially the light coloured one half hidden in the background, which actually is the most modern for this year.
Great-Uncle John Percy Norfolk married Hilda Sanderson Campain and she had family connections in Alnwick. They had no children and I have thus inherited a fascinating assortment of their old sepia photographs of Alnwick and their family there, taken in about 1915.
Yes Pete, those were the days. You will remember my brother John Anderson and also Eric Richards who have both been asking if I had heard anything of you as Johnny lives in France and Eric in Germany but they are both on facebook if you want to contact them. I loved the Bird Cage - Alnwick's first real club - many a good night was had. It then became The Duke's Club. Val (Anderson) Thompson.
Hi Pete, we still have, in our family, a much loved painting of Dunstanburgh Castle which we bought from you for 7 pounds one night in the Birdcage ! You won't remember me but I married David from the Nags Head! Found this site when looking for paintings by you. Missed one at auction recently. The Dunstanburgh one has always been treasured. Happy days !!! Sue
How great was the Great North Road when it squeezed through these ancient gates until the early 1970s? Traffic built up on both sides waiting to get through. For a child this was the spot that marked where our holidays began, as it would only be another 15 miles or so to the cottage on the coast. It felt as if we were driving through a tunnel, like stepping through the cupboard in the Narnia Books ...
I think it was 1972, when I was hitchhiking north to Scotland and stranded in Alnwick late in the evening. I sat with my girlfrend at the well on a kind of marketplace thinking 'bout a place to sleep. Later a nice guy with a dog came around and talked with us. He fortunately invited us to stay at his home for the night. His home was above the birdcage club and his name is Peter McDermott. Regards Andreas Hille Those days living at Hamburg Germany
I am interested in anyone having memories of the Bird Cage Club in Alnwick. I ran the club in partnership with Stuart Manly (now owner of Barter Books in Alnwick). I would be interested if you have any photographs taken inside the club. I only have two photographs. I would be interested to know if you saw any bands, singers, attended any interesting nights etc etc. Regards, Peter Mc Dermott