Nostalgic memories of Hackbridge's local history

Share your own memories of Hackbridge 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 Memories 11 - 19 of 19 in total

I remember well the Post Office on the corner where the bus parked. This shop also sold groceries with fresh ham and bacon hanging up behind the counter. Next door was a Wavy Line, a newsagents, the oil shop run by the Harris's, Stanards the greengrocers, a chemist and a Lloyds bank branch. The opposite parade of shops were a tile shop, a bakers, a hairdressers, the Buffet cafe run by John and Beryl Harris, ...see more
Today, all the shops have changed. On the right there's an Indian resturant, a shop, a cafe, a tile shop and a salon. Directly ahead, there are 3 shops; one is also a post office. There is also a betting shop, a funeral parlour, but I think it's a hairdressers now, a kebab shop, a chip shop and an Indian take-away shop. The bus stop you see on the left have been moved back a bit. And the little garden-like thing you ...see more
My husband & I are researching our family trees and I cannot find anything beyond my Mother & Father. I lived in Milner Place, High Street from birth till my Nan (Sheila Reed) passed away. I was never again to see the house I lived in nor Bill (William Reed) who helped raise me. In my head I can go to the house, parks, playground, allotments, schools and shops but can't remember the names ...see more
I lived in Seymour Road, Beddington Corner from 1940 until my parents moved to Carshalton in 1957. As a child I first attended Hackbridge infants school followed by the junior school and finally on to the dizzy heights of Elmwood County Secondary, having failed the 11 plus which was rigged in those days so that the bulk of the 10\% who passed came from a private prep school called Collingwood paid ...see more
Where is Gillian England that went to Elmwood school? I have been informed that her name was Gillian England not Gillian English. I still wonder what happened to her? Ronshelleyis@gmail.com USA
I was checking the street views on Google Earth and for fun eventually found myself checking out HACKBRIDGE for which I have very mixed feelings. Like another of your writers I used to wait by the factory gates of Mullards for my mother Jean (Emma Jane). She had worked there since post war and moved to Pascalls sweets (Mitcham) around 1956. Having passed my 13+ with flying colours...mostly A's and ...see more
I went to school at Elmwood 1949-51. I remember a beautiful girl there named Gillian English - I always wondered what became her. The Grange - the boating lake - and Beddington Park were my favourite haunts. Ron Shelley ronshelleyis@gmail.com USA
I lived in Orchard Avenue, number 4, when the whole road was mock Tudor exteriors. I had quite a shock to revisit a few years ago to see them all plastered over and looking very tired.  In the l950s and early 1960s when I lived here we had a red phone box and blue police box at the top of the road.  The church was over the road and the rec was at the bottom of Orchard Avenue.  Mullards was the factory whose outside ...see more
I was born in Hackbridge in 1944. I lived there until 1953 when my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins put me on a plane on May 2 to join my father who had emigrated to Canada the year before. My mother, who had lived in Hackbridge at 39 London Rd. before her marriage, with her parents, Frances and Nick McRae, had died of TB c. 1948. My earliest memories are of living at 44 Longfield Rd. Next door, at 46, ...see more