Nostalgic memories of Hilgay's local history

Share your own memories of Hilgay 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 all 7 Memories

I was born in 1937 and lived in Hilgay until 1949. I think I had an idyllic early childhood living in Hilgay. So many memories of swimming in the river in summer. Shopping for a new dress at "Auntie" Barbara Dent's little shop to wear on a school trip--it was a deep pink! Piano lessons at Mrs. Kisby's at Manby House. Walking down to Uncle Algy' Palmer's Fish and Chip shop. Mrs. Simonds teaching Sunday school at the ...see more
I attended Downham Market Grammar School between 1953 and 1956, when I left to start work. I lived at Fincham, but was a friend of Cedric Peto (whom we nickmamed Pedro). His parents kept the village shop and I used to visit them regularly as a friend of their son. The Petos had a radiogram - the first one I ever came across. Being the 1950s it was the start of the Rock-and-Roll era ,Cedric and I were great fans ...see more
I worked for Dents Transport from September 1986 until late May1998 almost the end of the company. Sad to see it go. I must have enjoyed working for them to have stayed so long, so many stayed much longer. The trouble is there are no photos to commemorate the length of time that Dents ran. A lot of villagers worked for the company.
I remember you all living in the Ferguson's house ... Cindy brought us candy from the base and we would all congregate on the playing field. Robert was such a lovely guy - I still keep a picture of him in my kitchen, and have a t-shirt that he wrote on - it was such a loss when he died ... His sister Le'anne is still around, his brother Reuben still lives in Hilgay - and named his son after ...see more
Hi, we have bought a property 75 yards from Ali Dent's the butcher, a little red-brick house in 'The Yard' belonging to a Mr Howlett. I wonder if you remember the cottage? If you're interested I can send you some pictures of the cottage and the area, we find it lovely and rent the cottage to holiday-makers. Have you any pictures? Regards, Shelagh.
I was stationed in the USAF at RAF Lakenheath. I resided at Church View, Church Road with my wife, 3 daughters, and our 3 Shelties. My oldest daughter Cindy learned to ring bells at the church and was sweet on a local boy, Robert Pepper, who was killed early in life on a motorcycle. My den turned into a local gathering place for the teens in the village and I thoroughly enjoyed my tour, the people in the town ...see more
Hi, My father was in the airforce and we stayed at Hilgay for about 12 months.. I don`t remember much about the stay but I remember we lived next door to Dents, it was a transport company, I also remember going to school, and I have some photos somewhere of a sports day at the school..Sorry I can`t help with more memories. I now live in Western Australia and happened to find this site while looking around places I ...see more