Favourite Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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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Search for your favourite UK places and read memories of the local area in days gone by.
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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:
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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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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!
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Displaying Memories 751 - 800 of 2029 in total
My grandparents lived in Church Cottages, a stone's throw from the church. As a child I remember staying with my grandparents, the toilet in the garden, and having a bath, Nan used to pull down the tin tub, cleanest in first, the dirtest in last,. It was a small cottage 5 girls & 2 boys sharing 2 beds top & tail. We lived in Station Road and would walk to Nan's daily. I went to the village school, and Nan ...see more
One of my earliest memories was walking to the shops with my mother. We passed along a road called Kingstanding Road, there were a lot of men mending the road and I asked my mother about them as I had not seen them before, she hurried me past them and as we got further away from the workmen she said they were German POW's cleaning up the mess their bombers had made. Apparently they were billetted in Sutton Park for a ...see more
My earliest recollection was sitting waiting for Santa on the staircase in my granny's house watching the glistening Christmas tree. Also sledging down the bank from Tantobie Road ends down to Sleepy Valley with my friends from the same village; as well as building a bonfire and setting off fireworks on Guy Fawkes. People then were so close, kind and neighbourly and everybody knew everybody else with ...see more
I too, lived in the Triangle and have very lovely memories of Mr Sewter the milkman who sold the most delicious orange juice, which you were only allowed when ill. And don't forget the horse and cart, Mr Heather the farmer who always wore leather spats, Mr Bone the coalman who lived on Lindford Bridge just passed the shell house (what happened to the shell house?) and Mr Weaver who sold lovely lardy cakes. I ...see more
My mum grew up in Heath Street (5/275) and after marriage moved to South Sheffield.
I used to go and stay with my nan and granddad in Winson Green and have very fond memories of staying with them. I remember walking down the red brick yard, where the houses were back to back and my nan and granddad lived at the far end of the row. There was a wash house with a big boiler in it and a row of lavatories - one ...see more
My grandfather, John Arnett, was the teacher at the North Creake school for many years. Four of his sons came to Canada. When I was a little girl growing up in distant Saskatchewan the uncles would gather and tell marvellous tales of living in North Creake. I have a photo of the grandmother riding her tricycle, of the brothers in front of the school house during World War I. When my grandfather died ...see more
I was born at Orchard Bakery Cottages which is beyond the trees to the right of this photo. Many generations of my family attended the school. My great Aunt May (Skilton) in the early 1900s; various of my Uncles (Pat & Geoff Skilton) and all my brothers; my sister and myself and then my own children. It was a sad day when the school closed. The Hill itself was the scene of many bad traffic accidents in the ...see more
Hi, I bet anyone who lived on the Pear Tree from the 50's to the 80's knew the Hyson family on Coppice Road. What a wonderful life it was living on the Pear Tree. We never had much as kids coming from a family of 7, but we had lots of fun playing with all the miners kids from all over the estate. I knew just about everone on the Pear Tree. I went to the fab Pear Tree School with Mr Jackson as our ...see more
I was born in Hubert Terrace which ran off Bank Street and along to Cuthbert Street. Further down was School Street and Marian Street which ran along to Derwentwater Road, and on Derwentwater Road was Lady Vernon School which I attended. The boys' school was called St Cuthberts and the church we went to was St Cuthbert's Church and the minister was called the Reverend Burnip. He lived in the vicarage ...see more
Our family moved to Burnham from Wimbledon, Raynes Park, in late 1948, to 34 Lillian Road when I was 4. We came like pioneers of the west in the back of my father's employer's canvas covered Ford truck; mum & dad in the cab with the baby brother, two elder brothers and me in the back, with two cats. Being Londoners we were not too well liked by the locals, such was attitudes in those days, ...see more
Wide spread floods; the raised footpath to Countesthorpe, the canal freezing over, the bridal path to Blaby and playing in the ruins of Nabisco Freers biscuit factory after the fire. Great times eh? It makes you wonder how we survived, running down the Spion Cop hill to beat the train looping round to South Wigston station. I live in France now so it was grand to find this sit; the photographs brought back lots of happy memories, can't hink of any bad memories and the sun was out every day!
As a very young child I lived at Jacktrees Rd. Every year the fair came to the market square on Cleator Moor. I can't remeber how long it came for, but I can remember on a couple of occasions the night after it finished going with my parents to watch a jiving competition. All the dodgen cars would be stored away and the dancing would take place before the rest was dismantled. I used to love all the brightly ...see more
We are in year 1955 and I'm sure you older ones from around here will remember what Duffers were, this was a task game where all the gang joined in. We had different modes which would take our fancy, pole vaulting was where we would cut a length of tree, dress it up and use it for a number of duffers, like down the burn we would pole vault in different widths of the burn without falling in, well not on all occasions. Then we ...see more
I have a lot of memories, some good some not so good. I arrived in Torrington employed as a fireman by British Rail, this was a year or two before the demise of steam and indeed the Torrington /Barnstable branch line. I lodged in New Street for a week or two, eventually moving to more comfortable digs. I met and married a local girl (alas we later parted), but never the less, it was a great time in my ...see more
Being born in 1957 I attended Dogdyke County Primary school from 1962 whilst living with parents in Witham Drive, Chapel Hill. We used to walk or cycle to school in those days. Shortly after then we moved to Tattershall bridge and my parents ran the corner shop only a few hundred yards up the road from the school. Living by the river Witham we saw lots of boats and anglers and I specifically remember us ...see more
I was born in Norwood Green in 1939. I also went to Clifton Road school. We were bombed regularly as the anti aircraft guns were in Osterly Park behind our house which was also opposite St Marys Church. Two Italian prisoners of war visited our house quite a lot and sat by the fire with me in their lap. I think they fancied my sister, we called one Calabria but I think that was the name of the area he came from - ...see more
I was born in 1929 in my parent's house at 40 Medora Road, adjacent to the old football ground. Any time I hear the Sousa march - 'Liberty Bell' - I am reminded of Saturday there. It was played at the close of every match to get the people to leave in an orderly manner. My father worked at the Labour Exchange on North Street. In the first days/nights of the air raids we slept in the employees' air raid ...see more
My family came to live in Ottershaw in 1952 when I was 5 years old. My father, Charles Coulson, had moved us from the North of England owing to lack of work since his de-mob from the RAF. He was employed as a chauffeur/gardener by Mr W King of 'Tudor Cottage', Coach Road. We lived in 'Oak Cottage', Coach Road, owned by Mr King. That came with the job. As a young boy having just moved from the side of the ...see more
I was at the school just down the road at Hullbridge County Primary at the time. We had a fund raising event to build a swimming pool (when I last looked a few years back it was still there) and we all put 6 old pence in for tickets which were called bricks. We all went into the playground for the grand draw and I won. I got a 2/6 voucher to spend in the shop and straight after school I went to do ...see more
I was evacuated to Torrington in 1940 during the Blitz. My two elder siblings, brother and sister, went to a farm somewhere in Devon. My mother, her new baby (my younger brother) and I went to Torrington. Mum and the baby lived nearby but I was billeted with an old couple whose house was right in the main street. As I recall, the brige across the Torridge was just down the road. My place was on ...see more
There seemed to be a lot of eccentric characters around in those days. Old blokes with strange shaped polished bald heads (these were the days when it was the older generation that were bald, just the opposite to today). In the congregation at St James Church, and also upstairs in Lyons tea house (next door to Kennards?) where they would sit all day playing chess. I used to think that when I grew ...see more
My birth certificate 1938 says Roseneath; father was a gardner on the estate and have photos of the estate cottage. Also pictures of reputedly oldest trees in Scotland called Adam and Eve, probably long chopped down as castle. Prince of Wales used to visit with lady friends sailing in on his yacht, the goings on scandalized locals who worked at the castle. Mother remembers a rowing boat ferry which they caught to ...see more
I was 19 years old and loved cycling. My aim was to cycle from Blackpool, where I lived, to Barley Youth Hostel on Pendle Hill. Unfortunately, I calculated too little time to reach my destination and found myself at the bottom of Pendle Hill, Padiham, I think, at 5.pm. in December. It was pitch black and the battery on my front light was low. I was scared because the hill was steep and I had to push ...see more
I was born and bred in Washington, in fact one of my claims to fame is I was born behind Woolworths, well No.3 House Terrace. My Dad lived in Washington for almost all of his life and when he past away (2002) he left a hole in my life which can never be filled. One strange thing is how he appeared in this postcard wearing a black suit in front of a telegraph pole. It has brought back so many memories not just of my ...see more
I bought this photo a few years ago, as this is the village my mum grew up in. On opening the photo when I gave it to her, she recognised herself and her sister, plus a friend from the village. I had no idea this was my mum when I bought it for her. Made the gift extra special
As I look at this picture of the Letchworth swimming pool and notice the date is c1950… it would be only a few years later (mid 60’s) that my friends and I would cycle there with our towels and trunks fastened to the backs of our bikes (no expensive designer sports bags for us!). We’d padlock/chain our bikes outside the pool and hope that the worst that could ...see more
So glad I stumbled upon this site. I used to live at 10 Dabbs Hill Lane - probably from the late 60's.
I remember The Cabin, A treasure trove of sweet delights - sherbet fountains, rhubarb and custards, sweet cigarettes (don't think they are around any more. I was friends with the Johns - Debbie and Joanne (the twins) who lived at The Heights and Gary and Dean, their gorgeous brothers. I remember Carol Groves, June ...see more
I believe everyone who lived in Crouch End (also Muswell Hill) during the period 1941-71 were very lucky as the area offered virtually everything one would ever wish for. In fact, although I now live in Norfolk I retain very happy memories of good ol' Crouch End. My first memory of living there was playing on a carpet in my grandparent's back garden and watching a doodlebug roaring overhead, then being rushed ...see more
Rod Swift remarked (in a previous memory) about falling in the pond - well I was one of these. Rod must be my cousin's son, as my aunt and uncle lived in the house referred to. Around 1953 on an icy cold day in winter, a crowd of us were going home after school. On passing the pond we knew there was thick ice so decided to skate on the ice. We did not take into account that it was beginning to thaw and around ...see more
The lady on the left is Mrs Bowen; I am the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Bowen, and mum and dad owned the shop until about 1961, I think. I have many memories of the square as it was known, here the Hunt would meet up sometime before Christmas, the hounds mingling with the horses and their riders rigged out in crimson...made an awful din. I also remember walking up the High Street in the winter with snow ...see more
I was born in 1942 and and spent my childhood in Walthamstow, which up to the time I left in 1967 was predominantly a white working class area in north-east London; I went to Chapel End Infants and Junior Schools and then to William Morris Technical School. My wife Sandra was similarly born and brought up in Walthamstow and we married at St John's Church in October 1965.
My earliest memories and ...see more
I fondly remember Maindy. I was born in Mynachdy Road which is just down the road from Maindy. I worked in the big Wonderloaf bakery on Maindy Road, it was a great bakery I made some great friends there. My sister used to live in Minister Street not far from the bakery. There was another bakery at the bottom of Maindy road called the Golden Crust and Wonderloaf bought this bakery.I used to drink in the Maindy Hotel ...see more
My parents moved to Wickham Bishops in 1948 to help friends run the village Post Office Stores which sold everything - stamps, paraffin (you brought your own can and it was filled from a barrel at the back), vinegar (as for the parafin, it came from a barrel out back), cheese portions cut from huge cheeses wrapped in linen, and loose flour and pulses which even as a five year old I was allowed to put ...see more
I lived at 11 Church Lane with my sister Anne and parents, John and Barbara Mawson, until 1978. It was my grandfather's house (William Henry Cazaly) that he bought in the 1950's and had sold it to my parents in 1965. Our house was next door to the churchyard. I remember the huge horse chestnut trees that over hung the high wall surrounding the graveyard. They were filled with cooing wood pigeons and ...see more
My mum, dad, 2 brothers and 2 sisters lived at the bottom of Vauxhall Avenue - it was about 1963/64. It was a great place to live as kids, not so easy for my parents. We kids would collect water from the standpipe at the alleyway a few houses up and carry it back in enormous water containers - 2 jugs normally to last all day. There was no running water in the bungalow. no electricity, no toilet or bathroom. Lights ...see more
Our barge, Hambrook, was moored at Hoo in the early 1950s. There were quite a number of fully rigged barges there at the time, but ours had had the rigging removed and converted into a houseboat. Most of the barges were used as residences, and there were quite a lot of children living on them. My mother, brother and I were on board the night of the 1953 flood. I was woken up by the sound of things crashing, and realised the ...see more
Hi, I've been trying to chat to people about the Wood St walk, my dad ran in it for quite a few years until he and my uncle were disqualified for catching a bus! It was a big occasion back then and I have no idea why or what time of year it was run. I also remember a children's fancy dress parade, I must have been about 6 - that would have been 1957. I have a photo of us all in the playground at the side of the ...see more
My name is Carole McCarthy (nee MALONE) I was born in December 1951 in a maternity unit on Rochdale Road near to the Embassy Club. I lived in Copper Street in Collyhurst which had Barney's at the bottom of the street and the Osbourne House at the top of the street on the other side of Rochdale Road. There was a herbalist on my side of the road and I thought I was very grown up when my friends ...see more
Now I can't say 100% that it was Marden but it just sticks in my mind. Although I am only 31 now I went hopping a couple of times with my family who were originally from Silvertown.
The last time I went was in the early to mid 1980s when everything was packing up.
The things I remember about hopping was the huge cook house which had several fireplaces in along with a few old sofas and mattresses where we ...see more
I was born in Thorpe Coombe Hospital in 1941 and grew up in Erskine Road Walthamstow which led on to Walthamstow Market. My brother Barry and I would be given a threepenny bit piece by our granddad who lived with our nan five doors away. We would spend it in 'Tony's' Ice-cream Parlour which was near the Chequers Pub. There was a lot of bomb-damaged buildings, and I can remember a building on the left ...see more
I was born in 1919 at Bifrons Lower Lodge Gate, which at that time comprised two dwellings. The part we lived in had been a school provided by the Marquis of Conyngham for estate children. It was shaped like a letter T. The lower room was almost circular and just before our time, the tenant of the lodge was expected to open the gates to let the Marquis through.
My earliest memory is waking up in the big ...see more
My Gt Grandfather John Godfrey had Park House, Carlton, built for his family in the early 1900's. The house was on the corner of Main Street and Burton Road. After John died in 1921 my Gt Grandmother lived there for a few years before moving to a smaller house. Park House eventually became a Clinic and in more recent years it was knocked down and a new Health Centre stands in its place. The ...see more
These are the memories of my childhood week-ends and holidays, spent with my Uncle Harold and Aunt Lucy Mogridge at Fontmell Parva.
My maternal grandmother Annie Farwell lived at Fontmell Parva for 50 years, in the coachman’s cottage. Lewis Spencer Mogridge, my grandfather, was the coachman at the big house. Lewis and Annie had five children: Harry (1899), Alice (1898), Harold (1906), Bert (1902) and ...see more
Wayne Carter My father is Frederick Carter born in London, and mother was Loraine Carter nee Chadwick was born Cyfarthfa Street Roath; mum sadly passed away in 1998. I have a younger sister Jane Carter nee Dunscombe, and younger brother Paul Carter. I was born in St David’s hospital; until I was nearly 2 I lived in Claude Road, Roath. I was just over 2 years old when my family and I moved to 39 ...see more
ODE TO WALLSEND
I was born at Wallsend Village green in the heart of Wallsend Town,
I spent my childhood in an era great to be around,
We all grew up together and played in our back lanes,
My cousins and my neighbours in the shadows of the cranes.
At the top of each old terraced street there stood a corner shop,
I often spent my pennies there on Black Jack chews and pop.
The last sweet shop to ply its trade ...see more
Betty and I were brought up in Davidson Street, Sneinton just before the Second World War. It was a small back-to-back terraced house with an outside toilet. One of my first recollections was being bathed in the small kitchen sink and the woman who lived next door talking to Mum. It was snowing. Later they made a snowman and put a pipe in his mouth. It was great fun.
When war broke out we moved to 3 Hoten ...see more
I've just read John Holmes' account of the early days in West Gorton. I went to St Marks from 1955 to 1960. I remember Mr Platt in the same way as most. I remember being smacked across the head for passing my 11 plus. I must admit it was a surprise to me as well. There are two names I remember of people who were in my class, a girl called Susan Yarwood, I think she lived on Margaret Street and Peter Frost who lived on ...see more
I attended in the late 1950's. I understood it to be mainly for children whose parents were abroad.
There were 2 teachers - one I cannot remember the name of and the other was Miss KR who always wore corduroy trousers and had an Alsation or German Shepherd dog. She often hit me with a ruler for the most minor thing. The school was made up of mostly boarders and a few day pupils, of which I was ...see more
I have just discovered this thanks to my son-in-law who lives in Pennsylvania USA.
I lived in Byfield from 1952 to 1965. My father, Eric, was the landlord of the New Inn which later became the Cross Tree. He retired in 1965 and we moved to Leicester where I still live.
As with other contributors I can well remember the bakehouse - everyone taking their joints there on a Sunday morning to be roasted as the ovens ...see more
My family moved to Ashbourne in 1942 when I was 6. I went to school at what must have been the last of the old "Dame" schools run by an elderly lady called Ethel Hunter. The school was at the top of a big house in Church Street, owned by a dentist: Mr. Bligh. It was a small school, not more than a dozen children and we were all in the one classroom. We used to have Wednesday afternoons off school, ...see more