Nostalgic memories of Cowplain's local history
Share your own memories of Cowplain 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 11 - 20 of 22 in total
I've lived in Cowplain since 6 yrs old in 1968. To an earlier post above, on the corner of Durley Avenue and the main London Road, Cowplain, was a toy shop on one half - and was a radio & TV shop in the other half (a Grundig & ITT agent I recall!)....and was called CWJ Tumber - Charlie Tumber if I remember right (very unusual surname which is why it sticks in the ...see more
My nan lived in Crestland Close. We shopped on the main street and bought lardy cake from the bakers/cafe next to the Post Office on King's Road. My grandfather had a Pyrenean Mountain Dog which used to go shopping along this street and went for a pint with him in 'The Spotted Cow' and 'The Crow's Nest' in the 1970s.
I went to Padnell Junior School and have very fond memories of the 'Rec' and 'Joey's ...see more
We were the first family to move into the newly built Padnell Avenue Council Estate, moving there in around 1947, our house was one of a pair on the corner of Winscombe Avenue. Where the Council flats are now situated was prefabs and I can name most of the occupants who lived there at that time. I lived there until I married my wife Maureen at St Wilfred's Church, Padnell Road in 1971. I have many fond ...see more
I remember going to a nursery school when I was 4 years old, it was run from a house, I think, in Springvale Road in Cowplain and the teacher was a Mrs Gartner or Gardener, I'm not sure. If anyone went to that nursery school could they let me know. Then I went to Padnell Road infants school when I was 5. I now live in Australia so I am keen to get some information from someone else from that era. My name is Deborah Pavy
My first school around 1969, 5 years old. I still remember there being railway sleepers in the play ground, and we each had a hook to hang coats and PE bags on, mine was a rabbit. Lucky for me my nan lived very close so I used to go there for dinner and didn't have to eat school dinners. A good friend Andrew Gent started school with me, we were in the same class all through infant and junior school and also went to Hartplain senior together, I have not seen or heard of him since can anyone help?
We used to meet outside the old tram shed where Waitrose is now, Can anyone remember the company who owned it?
My grandmother lived in Idsworth Road. When I was a small boy we used to drive down from Scotland for summer and Christmas holidays. Seeing the pub sign was a cause of great excitement for a 4 year old because it meant we were nearly there. At that time Idsworth Road was not tarmacced and the surface was very rough. My dad used to sit me on his knees and let me steer the car round the potholes.
Like David, I remember Carters' Sweet Shop. I was a regular customer in the early to mid 1970s, when I attended Padnell Infants and then Padnell Junior School. Mr Carter handed it over to his daughter, who I think was called Alison, but the shop eventually closed in the early 1980s. I also remember the fishmongers van which used to park once a week on the corner of Kings Road in front of what I think was then the ...see more
I lived as a toddler in Kings Road, Cowplain, between 1958 and 1963, in the days when it was a cul-de-sac. These photographs really bring back memories. If I'm not mistaken, the small building on the right of the Spotted Cow was a doctor's or dentist's surgery - I remember trembling there waiting to get injections as a 5 year old. One shop on the main road I remember was a sweet shop near the ...see more
I lived in Cowplain until 1963 and have just written a book set in Cowplain in 1958. Although it's an adventure story for young readers it is set accurately in the village at that time and will appeal to older readers who remember the village as it used to be. I would love to share memories of the village since I am writing another book, also set in the village at that time. See 'The Padnell Prowler' at Lulu.com