Nostalgic memories of Brown Lees's local history

Share your own memories of Brown Lees 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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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

Displaying all 3 Memories

I have a great sense of belonging to Brown Lees. In the 1920s/30s my great grandfather, Wilfrid "Bluey" Bailey, was under manager at Victoria, and subsequently his son Lloyd Bailey built the houses and bungalows in Brown Lees Road in the early 30s. My father Gary Bailey was born in the large house (halfway down Brown Lees Rd ) "The Brampton". As a 5 year ...see more
l was born in Sandyford. l spent hours of my childhood in Brook Street, Brown Lees. My grandad, Harry Booth, worked down the Victoria Pit. l remember seeing the miners on their way home with faces blackened by coal dust. l remember meadows of wild flowers, in spring there were bluebells. l remember Biddulph Old Hall and The Chinese Gardens. Dad to take us for walk up the Mow Cop Castle on a sunny Sunday, took a picnic ...see more
I was born in Brook Street, Brown Lees, within the civil parish of Biddulph. The village is situated about half a mile north of the site of the former Biddulph Valley Ironworks and the Brown Lees and Victoria Collieries, where many of the residents would have worked in the past. The Ironworks ceased in the 1920s and coal mining finished in 1982. I went to school in 1938 at Knypersley, walking through the ...see more