Nostalgic memories of Grays's local history

Share your own memories of Grays 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 1 - 10 of 42 in total

I was born in 1942 in Hathaway Rd at my Nan's. We moved to Milton road. When small I remember the house being damaged by the rocket that fell in the pit. Later playing on the bomb site in Cromwell Road. Went to Quarry Hill school, remember standing in London Road waving at Queen Mum who had visited the flood victims in Tilbury. When I married in 1967 we moved to Stanford le Hope.
David Greig was opposite the Queen's Hotel, next door was Boots the Chemist, then Sydney Greys the electrical and TVs etc. This is where I bought my first guitar. Just opposite was Pains, a little farther on was Bastiani's ice cream parlour, then M&S and Woolworths. The old railway crossing had a signal box, so when a train came, the signal man had a large wheel he had to turn to open and ...see more
any one remember david greig shop in the high st. or any of those who worked there in the late fiftys ;i i worked there ;mr. watson was the manager,daphne was head girl others were lorraine hull,pauline,gabrielle and the other boy lenard and me cyril chapman ; can anyone remember any more.if you are out there some where love to hear from you!!!
1970s juniors kiss chase with mandy Mayers mr fishers class wow life isn't fair
Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my father or my grandfather who were the proprietors of this shop. Geoff and Edgar Edwards. My memory is linked to the current interest in Windrush, as I spent many hours on a Sunday morning, sat on a pile of newspapers at Tilbury docks, watching the passengers arrive from the exotic East and West Indies. Sian Edwards
My parents lived in Rookwood Close from 1966 to 1972. I remember playing in the woods behind the houses and discovering what looked like a railway tunnel going under the hill. I was able to venture in 20 feet or so but the entrance was blocked by iron bars. Does anyone know what this tinnel was for? My father seems to think that before the houses were built there was a quarry there. Cheers Perce
I also lived in thurrock I was born in 1965 I have friends still live there, I loved my youth knocking around the chalk pits in the summer swimming in the lake where Ikea sits now, I still drive through thinking of the old days my uncle was killed at tunnel cement I remember the day when the police come round my nan's and telling her he had been killed, but most of all I'm proud of where I come from.
We moved to Derby Road in 1965 from West Thurrock after the farm closed and we could no longer live in a tied cottage. Next door to hatters garage. The house is no longer there as that area was demolished to build the new bridge. I remember there being a Salvation Army hut out the back of us and a big pit beside that with rope swings. Grays was a lovely place back then, we even had a bowling alley.
Have so many memories of the State and the post office but we are trying to remember what the shops were to the right hand side as you look at the State. From the 1930s to 1990s would help if anyone can remember. Thank you.
I was born at the Orsett Hospital in March 1951. First home was in Palmerston Road South Stifford. My first School was Stifford Primary at the top of Mill Lane, the walk up the hill seems to be awfully long now for a 5 year old. I do remember a Mrs Ridd as a teacher who used to produce the annual Christmas nativity, Mr Morgan was also a teacher and Mr Letherington who was head master and seemed like a giant. The weekly ...see more