Nostalgic memories of Bude's local history
Share your own memories of Bude 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.
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
Displaying all 9 Memories
I was born in Flexbury Park Nursing Home, Bude in Nov 1942. My parents lived at the time in Breakwater Road.
Does anyone know where this nursing home was ?
It appears that when my father returned on leave from the RAF they asked St Michael and All Angels to Baptize me on a Wednesday.When this request was denied my mother informed the vicar that there was a war on ! I was duly baptized on Wednesday 17 Dec 1942 !
G Thompson
To all it may interest:
I have discovered among the effects of my late father, Roger B Vincent, of White Lodge, Hingham, Norwich, Norfolk, a letter dated March 8, 1947 from the manager of the Grenville Hotel, Bude. Mr R Williamson, replying to an inquiry from my father about reserving a room for his honeymoon following his marriage to my mother, H Joan Harrison, of Scarning, Norfolk, It reads: ...see more
I remember reading about The Welsh Collier Llandaff in about 1898 trying for the safe haven of Summerleaze Beach being wrecked on the reef at the back of The Breakwater a year ago she was saved from a similar fate at in another location but the reef rocks are very sharp here which possibly was the result of Her not being able to be saved.
I remember the primary school and the little banks behind it which seemed huge to us then! We used to go mussel picking on the rocks and walk along the downs with buttercups and daisies, sadly now much reduced due to soil erosion. The cottages were old and tumble-down the further out you got. There was an old cobbler called George Bickles on the edge of the canal. He was there for years in his little shop, just ...see more
At the age of 13 we lived in Lloyds Bank, my mum and dad where the caretakers there. Bude Strand was our play area in 1955, many a new pair of shoes was practised walking to and fro on that pavement. My dad also worked for the County Council and repaved it in later years, no one way system then, cars travelled both ways. Fond Memories.
Does anybody in the Bude , Marhamchurch area remember Daisy ( my mum ) who lived in Bude / Marhamchurch area, 1940 to 1947. Daisy worked at the Clairmont hotel in Bude, which I think now is a outdoor activity centre.
I have been looking at my parents wedding book dated 1953 and I have found an entry on the guest list for Mrs C Barker from the Efford Down Hotel. My father was Jack Barker and I know he had a cousin Joan from Bude. I just wondered if anybody might have know Mrs C Barker from the Hotel.
My paternal ancestors (Box) owned the iron foundry down by the Bude canal in Marhamchurch until the coming of the railway in the mid 1800s. Many are buried in the churchyard.
My maternal grandparents (Nichols) lived in Marhamchurch in the late 1900s and their daughter Phyllis married a farmer (Charles Routley) who farmed at Cann Orchard. I spent much of the war years on this farm.
My darling Aunty Phyllis died on Saturday March 5th aged 90.
My gt gt grand mother, Mary Cornish was born in Coombe Valley c 1814 She was married to Henry Harris in the parish church of St Morwenna & John the Baptist on 26th December 1839 The presiding incumbent was Robert Stephen Hawker.