Nostalgic memories of Alton's local history

Share your own memories of Alton 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 7 Memories

Hi everyone ..So sorry that I don't have any photographs to show you all at this stage. But, I was born on Kingsley Holt on the 19th of December 1942. My dad was Frank Rainsford and my mother, Marion Rainsford (nee James) My dad used to work at Boltons as a turner on a capstain lathe at Froghall.. My grandad ,James, built and lived in the Mount at the top left of Whiston Bank. My short term memory is now ...see more
I was born in Alton in 1945 went to St Johns Catholic School from 1950-61 and was taught by the nuns - I remember Sister Marie Theresa and Sister Peter. My dad's name was Fred and mum was Beattie. We use to shop at Byatts, bottom of high street and Co-op opposite, where my cousin Mary Watts worked. Just up from there was a shop ran by Miss Merley with the Police house opposite,Sergeant Gillman was ...see more
This was always a special landmark to me. It fascinated me and I was very curious abou it and longed to look inside. I must have passed it most days whilst living in the village. The houses nearby were on the edge of an old quarry and I believe their back doors opened onto the quarry.
As soon as we moved to the village we became members of St. Peter's church and attended most Sundays. Mr. Powell was the vicar. I remember seeing the 8 bells outside the church before they were hoisted into the tower. After Mr. Powell left my dad used to read one of the lessons most Sundays when the lay reader Peter Fisher took the services. Mr. Vincent became vicar after Mr. Powell.
Mrs Worthington ran the shop and cafe. She sold some interesting bits and pieces besides sweets and ice cream. In the background is the pub run by the Parringtons. We often walked from home down to the cafe and treated ourselves to an ice cream in the summer. There were lots of walks around the area and so the cafe was popular with visitors.
We moved to Alton from Somerset in November 1958. The primary school was closed for refurbishment. Mr. and Mrs. Carnwell who owned the garage and cafe played host to the village school, it all seemed quite strange to this 7 year old. There are many good memories. Rushing out at play time to wave to the steam train drivers after they left the station and Mrs Carnwell mothering us all. We played in the ...see more
A quite recent memory but I visited in 2003 thanks to the kindness of my relative Josephine Dixon [dec.]. We are both related to the Byatt and Collis families from Alton. It was great to see where our family lived and worked, including the White Hart Inn [owned by George Collis and Susannah Clewley mid 1800s] and a shop with the Byatt name still above the door, now selling kitchen tiles as well as ...see more