Nostalgic memories of Chelmsford's local history
Share your own memories of Chelmsford 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 Memories 31 - 40 of 61 in total
This may well have been called the Infirmary, so its use didn't change a great deal for many people lots of decades later. It then became the London Road Hospital, and the A. & E. section were accessed down the extreme right of the building. This was to come to an end much later when Broomfield Hospital was first constructed. This same building still stands to-day, being used differently, and can ...see more
This is the view looking to-wards the stone bridge and the High Street. The buildings on the left hand side are now the C0-op or Quadrant Stores. On the right hand side there used to be a greengrocers shop, now I think it's a hairdressers. Next to it used to be butchers, later a fish shop, now I think it's some kind of fast food outlet. The old Regal Cinema used to be a bit further up, ...see more
Looking up the High Street, at the very top you can just make out Shire Hall. The building to the right, which used to be J. G. Bonds, is now the Debenhams store. The building just beyond the lamp post, sticking out, is actually on an ismall island; and is where a branch of Lloyds Bank still stands to this day.
Through all the trees, you can see in the background the spans and arches that make up the railway viaduct. The footpath exists still today although in some what different surroundings. Where the little girl is seated at a boating stage, well, this went many years ago.
In the foreground can be seen the lake which is situated alongside the railway line, with the viaduct in the distance with its spans and arches. The lake itself was actually created when extra soil had to be found to raise the level of land high enough for the viaducts to be created. Remove the soil, fill it with water and you have a lake where fishermen have sat on its banks for many a year.
This shows the view looking up Tindal Street from the London Road end. In the centre of the photo you can see a sign sticking out. This you can just make out is the Spotted Dog public house which was there until that side of the road was developed. Just beyond the cars you can make out a large building on the left, this is the one shot where you can see the Corn Exchange. This as mentioned ...see more
The public house which can be seen on the right, still stands to-day, except that it is now called the Railway Arms. The lampost that can be seen on the left would be standing outside the present day railway station. Where the trees are on the right, would be the site of the of the old Quaker Building which was used from about 1823 until the 1950s. It was named after Anne Knight who was originally ...see more
This is a view taken from the bottom of London Road, near to the High Street. It has now changed beyond all recognition. However there is one building which has not changed in appeareance one bit, and still exists to this day. If you follow the buildings on the right side of the road, literally the last one you can make out has its apex roof towards the road. Well, this is the Chelmsford ...see more
This building I remember all too well. I had started working for a firm of demolition contractors, and they had the contract to pull it down. I was not very experienced but you soon picked things up as you went along. You had to learn quickly and safely, because there was not a lot in the way of health and safety aspects then. I remember only too well when we had to get onto the roof of this ...see more
This is the view looking down the High Street, and you can see four cars parked on the left hand side of the road outside a large store. You can just make out the name, Bonds. This was in fact J. G. Bonds which has long since gone and is now the site for the Debenhams present-day store.
