Nostalgic memories of Bracklesham Bay's local history

Share your own memories of Bracklesham Bay 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.

A couple at a laptop

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

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:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • 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!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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I worked in Pontins as a waitress, the best job I ever had. I remember going to the beach after work with jam n' yorkshire puddings and having a blast with the holidaymakers. Chalet parties....!! I remember the closeness of the staff, like family. Long John (say no more!) June and Linda, Diane from Nottingham, Dave from Bletchley - my first boyfriend! John Hatch and his mates, wot a laff!
I was 14 when our family spent a rather wet week at Gibsons Holiday Camp in the summer of 1966. However, despite the weather, there was much to do. We arrived on World Cup Final day, - the TV was in the bar, but my Dad was allowed to bring me in to watch the match. It was strictly 'men only' which rather annoyed my sister! I remember my parents entering me in the Junior Talent Show, - I played piano, ...see more
I well remember what seemed like an age, the summer holidays of the early 1950s. My brother and I would spend all day on the beach or after the harvest playing stage coaches with the bales of hay in the field in Stocks Lane. In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II had her coronation and all the village turned out to celebrate. My father was the man from the Pru at that time, but his part time job was a special constable and ...see more
I had a holiday job for 8 weeks at Pontin's in the summer of 1967 before going up to Oxford University. I worked in the staff canteen with Philipe, a young Frenchman; and then also part-time as a barman. The camp deputy manager (Mr. Brown?) was reputed to have been Prince Charles' protection officer until the cherry brandy incident led to his resignation. Some of the chalet maids came over each ...see more
I lived and worked in the area for 20 years from 1966 and this was a time of slow change starting for Bracklesham. The lane is now called Sea Lane, the flowing tamarisk bushes have gone and both side of the road are lined with housing or shops with a pay car park on the seafront. In the early days there was a Pontins holiday camp in Farm Road (now a large housing estate) and Gibson's ...see more
In the late 1950s we had a couple of holidays in Bracklesham bay, which was then a tiny, but growing village. I had never seen shops which were the equivalent of wooden shacks mounted on bricks. There were some modern bits; the post office/newsagent had recently opened, and new shops were being completed across the street. My Uncle George ran one of Henleys(?) shops; the one with the hardware and ...see more