Nostalgic memories of Irby's local history
Share your own memories of Irby 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 Memories 11 - 19 of 19 in total
My goodness this brings back memories! I grew up in Irby and we lived in Oaklea Road from the late 40’s to the late 60’s – I’m now a true blue Aussie having lived in Queensland since the mid 70’s but about to revisit Irby in September this year – guess I’ll notice a few changes! I remember – Constantines the grocers with personal service and food wrapped for you in brown paper bags - I think their son was ...see more
I moved to Irby in 1957 and remember the sandstone cottage that was there before the library. I think a lovely girl called Prudence Cottrell lived there and she had a strawberry roan pony that was always in the garden. Mrs Matthews had the corner shop at the top of the road into the village and the hardware store was owned by the Carter family, The Oak Tub was definitely right and next to the hardware shop was a little cafe place ...see more
Irby for me was the place that led to walks and holding hands along the coast at Thustaston. I found the village to be a quaint quite place in the 1970s that had an almost magical feel in the spring when the flowers started to bloom. I now live in Minnesota, USA but I often times remember the sounds and smells of that spring time in Irby and Thurstaston. I hope the area has retained its enjoyable character over the years.
I was born in Irby 1940, and well remember the village, what a lot of changes have taken place. I too remember the cottage which preceded the library, and went to school with the young girl (very pretty) who lived there. I worked at Dawpool Farm, and would be interested to find any photos of the farm, or of anyone who had worked there, as I am trying to put my memories down in writing. Who remembers sledging down ...see more
The butchers shop indeed was Simisters, it was run and owned by Bob Simister, a good friend of my dad. Bob on retiring from being a butcher ran a taxi service from his home on Irby Road, I used him frequently when I was home on leave from the army to run me to Lime Street. There was also a fruit and veg shop called Millwards in the village and Miss Thompson had the haberdashery where if I recall correctly you could get spare parts for your bicycle also.
I remember the paper shop opposite Mathews' that was Steeles and I delivered papers from there when it was taken over by Ernie Jones and his wife. Mathews' shop has been converted into flats. How times have changed. My dad Tom Hardy is still a member of Irby Club and has been for over 55yrs. I also recall the old sandstone farm house which was derelict when I was a child standing opposite the Anchor Pub, now where the ...see more
The Anchor Inn was one of my Mum and Dad's favourite haunt. When my husband and I were courting in 1984 we went in one evening and there was a gentleman (quite inebriated) perched on a stool, cigarette in one hand and a whisky in the other. He fell backwards, stool and all, and landed with cigarette and glass of whisky still intact clutched in his hands.
We moved to Irby from Selsdon, Surrey, in 1957 and I can remember Mathews' paper shop and the hardware shop owned, I think, by the Carters. I also remember that beautiful cottage that was demolished to make way for that dreadful library building. The name Cortrell rings a bell and the young girl that lived there had a lovely piebald pony. There was also a butcher's shop called Siminster's. How much of that have I remembered correctly?
Having grown up in Irby and now living in Chicago. It was great to see some excellent picture of the old Irby village. The white sided building in this picture on the left is the Irby Club. My Grandfather Percy Hayward was the first steward at the club and my Mother lived at the club until my grandfather retired from his position. I joined the Irby Club as a member and later became the membership ...see more
