Nostalgic memories of Wellingborough's local history
Share your own memories of Wellingborough 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 27 in total
I am now 87 years old. I lived in Wellingborough from 1936 until 1950 and spent many happy hours at Wilby Lido. There were fields where there are now houses and we would walk the fields and take a picnic, most week-ends.
Memories of happy days spent there so long go.
My family lived in Wellingborough in the 1960's. I went to Freeman's Endowed School and later to the Grammar School. We were regular attendees at All Hallows Church and I was a choirboy. At some time in the 60's (early - mid) we hosted an Italian refugee for a holiday. I think it was part of a local event. Does anyone else have any information on this?
I've enjoyed looking at the photos and memories here and hope to share some of my own soon!
I do remember the zoo as I visited it as young child. My memory is of a large parrot on a T stand in the entrance and also the chimps.
I'm pretty sure this photo is the Acorn School which I attended from the age of 3 in 1950 until 1956. I was Diane Weekley then. I have wonderful memories of the two women who ran the School. I think they were sisters. The gardens and grounds gave us endless nature rambles and backdrops for various dramatic productions. I was born in The Drive and lived in Wellingborough until I left for University in 1965. I also attended Croyland Junior School and Wellingborough High School.
I remember walking to the Lido from Earls Barton, with my sister May. We would take a picnic of cheese sandwiches and a bottle of water and stay there all day. As we got older it was the ideal place to eye up all the boys. Happy days!
Isabel Marchant (then Wilson)
I too, remember the High School Carol Services held here, especially singing 'Oh Come all Ye Faithful' at the top of my voice. The church seemed enormous then so I was surprised how much smaller it seemed when my daughter was married here in the '80s. Happy days!
This is a nostalgic picture for drivers of a certain age. The round ‘No Waiting’ road signs seen on the right hand side of the road in this photograph is a reminder of when and where you could park your car when you went shopping in the past. These signs were used during the ‘unilateral waiting’ period in the 1950s, when vehicles could wait on one side of the road on odd days of the month and on the ...see more
I have a dear friend who was born and raised in Wellingborough. I am Canadian and he moved here as an adult after teaching in Africa. Although I am not from Wellingborough, I have heard such wonderful stories about it. I would truly love to put some pictures and memories together for him of where he was raised. Any help? I know he speaks fondly of a place called, I think Anne's. It was a bakery where ...see more
I lived in Wellingborough from 1952 to 1971. My Father was J N Clark, and with my Mum owned and ran the General Store on Weavers Road until 1960. Mum and Dad took me to see my first film at the Silver Cinema on Silver Street sometime around the mid fifties. The film was 'Peter Pan'. I don't recall much about the inside of the cinema except that, looking back now, it ...see more
My name used to be Sue Dear and I was born in the Midland Hotel. My family had been there for 4 generations - my Grandma was Grace Cook and she was the licensee. My aunt Sybil ran a Driving School from there called The Midland Driving School.
I read Angela's account of living in Midland Road and I certainly remember the monkey puzzle tree in the front garden. Was your surname Tear - Angela? ...see more