Nostalgic memories of Runcorn's local history

Share your own memories of Runcorn 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 35 in total

I think this picture is of hillside avenue, I lived at number five with my mum and dad Mr & Mrs Wood. The memories of years passed still make me smile of the fun we had on little hill and big hill as it was called then. Catching rabbits on the hill, making fires in happy valley and cooking them with spuds that we had dug from the farmers fields ( I think was Toffs R Gregory's). Scratching are names and date's ...see more
When I went to Holy Trinity School in the 1950.s the school class was49 children 1 teacher. when we had a different subject we just changed books. one of the highlights of school was going to ferry hut where we had a drawing lesson drawing the church opersite in Widnes.which was in Lancashire in them days and then on to a new school the grange.the down side is we left school at 14 years old and then started ...see more
i was born in 1946 off Latham avenue I can remember the big pond as we called it being drained at the bottom Latham avenue, and old wooden boats exposed and burnt...to build spur road ? My dad worked at old quay offices in Mersey road and he used to play hell if I swam near ferry hut In sixties it was new inn then into the scala... Good times Went to Victoria road primary... Don't know anyone in Runcorn now... Moved out when new town moved in .
I lived in Runcorn until I was 8 (1960s) and I remember going into town on the bus with my mother. We would always stop at "Le Rendezvous" (which as a child I remember thinking was a very strange word) and she would get a "frothy coffee" (we didn't call it cappuccino back then). It was served in a pyrex cup and saucer. I would usually have Horlicks (made in a specially branded Horlicks whisk machine).
My grandfather helped to build that magnificent "water road" for ships heading inland with their wealth of cargo. I remember as a girl watching with awe as these (what seemed back then) mighty vessels passing by as I stood on the banks looking out across the Mersey. I recall seeing a whale in the river one time, and gazing across to the daffodils on the banks of Hale. I have travelled far since then. I now live in Texas; but Weston Point will always have a special place in my heart.
I was born at 46 Caster Avenue in 1951, my name was then Sue Riley. My mother was Lilly, my grandparents were Jack and Maud Clare who lived at 17 Caster Avenue. I have happy memories of playing on the bloody field and the reck attending ballroom classes, fetes and one year it fell on my birthday, July 5th, with the banner over the large white gates. I also presented the bouquet to the mayoress and in 1953 was voted ...see more
I remember the Rose Queen Fete well; I played cornet in the Widnes Borough Band who led the procession Circa 1961, I have a black & white photo of the head of the procession which I think was taken by a Weekly News photographer but I don't know if I can upload to this site or not, only just joined.
I lived in Albert Street only 300-400 yards from the Runcorn entrance to the bridge. I vividly remember watching the construction, fascinated by the huge trucks and pieces of steel being taken on to the bridge to be joined to the rest. My friends and I used to play on the construction site and took great pleasure in escaping from the site guards in the evenings (until we were actually caught and taken to to our parents to receive appropriate admonishment).
The main thing I remember about the rec is that I saw my first rock band "Gingham" on stage there.
I lived in Southbank Terrace when the bridge was under construction. Daily we would watch each new piece of steel be erected, always wondering what tomorrow would bring. The biggest disappointment we had was when the bridge opened, we were on holiday and missed it. I have a lovely print of the three bridges in my hall and although we moved to London you can take the girl out of Runcorn but not Runcorn out of the girl. ...see more