Nostalgic memories of Ham's local history
Share your own memories of Ham 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 all 9 Memories
My Family moved into the newly built Prefabs in Woodville Road when they were first opened up for occupancy.
I can't remember what year it was. Does anybody know what the date was? The Prefabs were kitted out with a Fridge which was unheard of at that time, which really impressed us kids. My brother John and I played in the street and on the Square with all the other children. Football in the Winter and ...see more
I had the best days of my life in Ham. I moved there from Tooting when i was 4 or 5. I first lived in Back Lane although i cant remember over which shop ? Then we moved to New Rd and i lived next door to the man who was the night guard at Ham House. He used to tell my lots of stories about ghosts in the house. Then on to Ham Street where my aunty had her shop ( ...see more
I spent my first eleven years in the above address. The houses were all council houses. There was an Anderson shelter in the back garden from the second world war.
The houses were quite ordinary but Ham was a very special place. We were totally free to come and go without parents and I played with friends along the Thames especially at Teddington, running along the locks and often went swimming ...see more
my grandparents lived in Ham ,& before that Petersham .Many happy days were spent with them on Ham common playing rounders football etc ,the pond fishing for tadpoles, Richmond park the polo fields seeing Jimmy Edwards, having picnics my grandad was gardner at Ham House & my nan used to help at the church [flowers etc] st Andrews where my parents married in the late forties & when I married & had ...see more
I moved to Ham in 1959 from Kew and left in 1984 after coming back from a short spell of living abroad with work. I went to St. Andrew's school (now St. Matthias' church) then, St Richards with St Andrews on Ashburnham Rd. We lived in Mowbray Rd. My mother, Florence Thompson, had lived in Sheridan Rd. previously. I remember the prefabs on Ashburnham Rd. Then the blocks of flats that were built at the same time as the ...see more
Oh yes, the memories flood back. My mate Peter Leonard worked at Elsons. Mr Cox was the manager at the CO-OP with Mrs Budd (had a crush on her daughter Kathleen). Also THE BENCH which led to Jessops in BACK LANE. Don't forget the Pits and the concrete barges, apple island and the firing range. I remember them building Riverside Drive, Mr Brooker of Stretton Rd worked as a labourer. Remember the Mulberry tree ...see more
I lived in Ham Close prefabs, I moved to Ham from Richmond when I was 6yrs old and went to The Orchard School. I used to go through the hedge to watch polo - Prince Philip used to play there a lot then. The polo club was right next to the Orchard. Ham and Petersham was a great place to live - the pits and Ham pond - there used to be a big bonfire guy fawkes day by the pond. My Idol, Tommy Steele, moved into Montrose ...see more
My family lived in a prefab in Ashburnham Road. Dad worked for the Home Office, Mum stayed at home. Looking back, they were happy days - long summer days, adventure trips over to Ham pits, being yelled at by Jimmy Edwards whilst playing Polo - we used to collect polo balls. At the end of Ashburnham Road there was Secrets Farm. I fell into Ham pond many times, we used to go there fishing for ...see more
My mother and father lived in Evelyn Road - the cul-de-sac opposite the large white house in the distance - mother still there - lived in two of the houses for all her eighty years - married the boy next door (well.. at the top of the cul- de- sac!). I'm 53 and it is how I remember itn into the early 1960s - Elson the grocer on the right, the shop on the right became the Co-Op, the central shop was Frank Birch the Butcher ...see more
