Favourite Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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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Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:
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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
...and hundreds more!
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Displaying Memories 601 - 650 of 2029 in total
We lived at 'Pantiles', Penhurst Rd, Bedhampton from approx the mid fifties until the mid sixties. I went first to the Priory school on Hayling Island, when Miss Rapley was Head teacher, until a Mr Neilsen-Carrigan took over for a short while until it closed, as he was a very strange man. I went on to Havant High School near Langston before completing my education with a Dress design course at Portsmouth ...see more
Way back in the late 1930s and early 1940s I lived in Westgate Crescent and used to walk the length of Bower Way every day to Cippenham school, carrying my gas mask in a cardboard box. I used to be friends with Tony Rimmer who lived in that street. There used to be a passage way to a large Dry Cleaning company on the right at the school end of Bower Way. I left the area just after WW11 but I remember the rationing, ...see more
I was born in 1949 to Nellie and Ashford DISNEY. We lived at 15 Albert Road, and my father worked in the Post Office at BATH'S on the Weston Road. Mr. William Bath was my father's uncle. Before Mummy and Daddy got married, Mummy used to work in the Post Office as well. - that's how they met. Our neighbours were called Mary and Joseph Packer and every Christmas we had a card from Mary and Joseph. As a ...see more
My history predates yours by about 20 years. I went to the infants school first and then to the junior school where I passed the scholarship to Slough Grammar in 1944/5. I remember Mr Santer who caned me on the hand twice. Once for breaking a window of the dining room with a tennis ball during the first dinner sitting. My friend and I had been throwing the ball against the wall when one of us, I ...see more
To me there is nowhere like Skares was, and anyone who came from there will say the same. Everybody knew everybody else and they were always ready to help anyone that needed it. You could go out and leave your door open without worrying about anything being pinched. In the summer we used to all go on a picnic doon the blackwater when it was nice, and we'd go for walks roon the pluck. My mother sometimes took us up to ...see more
I was evacuated to Bedford during the second "Blitz" of WW II. This was the time when London was being attacked by the notorious V weapons, the Buzz Bomb and the rockets. My aunt lived in what is now Melbourne Street, but I think it was called something different then. It was down from Ampthill Street where it crossed the line to the Midland station.
I remember going to the Granada Saturday morning picture ...see more
Back in the good old days, I remember mother polishing this big open fire range. To me at that time it look like a monster, but she polished it till you could see your face in it; she were very proud of the fire place. On each side of the fire place there were two shelves. On one side was a large cast iron pan where she would put Quaker oats in breakfast for me before I go to school, and the rest of the ...see more
1940 - I had joined the W.A.A.F in London and chose to be posted to Nottinghamshire; I was just 18 and my posting was firstly to Hucknall and then to Watnall when the Ops room was ready. 1940 was a dreadful winter but thanks to the snowfalls the whole area was transformed. Our huts, we were told by the locals, had been built on the site which had been the local village pond. The Royal Oak was our local pub, just a few ...see more
I was a boy 8 years of age when my family fled the bombing of Belfast to the small community of Cardy which is approx. 3 miles from Carrowdore on the road to Ballywalter. The year was 1940 and times were tough with worries of the war and little enough food to feed 11 hungry kids to feed. Mum with 3 sisters and 1 sister-in-law with 11 kids were all crammed into a small 2-room thatched cottage without running ...see more
Between 1938-1949 I lived in Llanarth Road then at Bryn Road 1949-1959. There was no Springfield Estate (only Springfield Villas, about 6 houses). Tradespeople at that time were Davies the bakers with door to door delivery by horse and cart, the horse was named Boulter and his driver was Oliver Tovey, W.A.Ford greengrocer, Starks grocers shop opposite Pont. Low Level Station and Richards, ...see more
We moved to Langwith in 1952 and lived on Devonshire Drive - number 97 I think. I was only 3 at the time and we were only there for a year but my mother had a fish and chip shop in the front room. A man called grandad Carling used to help my mother by peeling potatoes for the chips. I think it was only open Thursdays and Fridays. Can anyone remember?
I remember the village in the 1940s to 1970s. I went to school at the centre of the village till 1951 then went to Sturminster S.M school. On the walk home from school we used to go into the forge run by Alfred Wolfery (known as Bogey as he was as dirty and sooty as the bogey man!) Across the road from the forge and Post office was Mr Fox's bakery. He would give us wonderful hot bread and iced ...see more
I was born in 1940 at the shop at the top of Shillingstone Rd, the Corner Stores owned by my father Guy Moon.
One of my first memories is a tank pushing out the corner of the shop wall, and of the G.I's giving us chewing gum, also oranges which at that time we had never seen.
We had lots of evacuees in the village, some of which never went back to their homes and married and live in the village now, a favourite ...see more
I was a farrier in Letcombe Bassett from 1964 till 1986. We had three grand national winners;
Well To Do - 1972, Ben Nevis -1980 and Last Suspect in 1985. We all had a great time when the horses came back, the whole village turned out. We put bunting in the street and free drinks. In the evening the party kept going in the Yew Tree Inn - landlord Mr Len Abraham. Our village was ...see more
It must have been in the late 1960s, I was on duty in the old watch house and, as was my habit, I was hooking out whiting out of the Harbour, fish that at the time had no commercial value at market and the fishermen threw them back in.
I was so engrossed in my angling when a voice behind said "What's all this then, what are you up to?". I turned and there was a policeman standing there, so I replied, ...see more
I lived in Rothwell from the age of 5 leaving to come to Australia in 1969 at the age of 16. I think regularly now of how the village would have changed so much since I left. I remember being a bridesmaid at the Trinity church and still have photos of coming down the path through the gate. I drew a picture at school of the church; we had to do this in charcoal and wish I had kept it. ...see more
I was born and grew up in the little village of Llanfairpwll. Mine was a happy childhood, free of drugs, vandalism and graffiti. Everyone knew everyone in the village, which in those days, over 60 years ago, was predominantly Welsh. We were taught in Welsh at the Infants School. Until one sunny afternoon, the excited English voices of evacuees from the English cities of the North were heard. Each ...see more
I can remember this colonnade with a huge statue of one of the Dukes of Sutherland at one end, and by which doors led in the late 50's early 60's into an amusement arcade with flip ball machines, pinball machines etc...a great place if it was wet or cold to spend an hour or two.
My mother Elizabeth and my father, Graham Thomson, lived on a houseboat in Poole harbour during 1950 and 1951. I was a baby and they had to move to dry land when I became a toddler! My mother used to tell me how she used to hang nappies from the sail masts on deck. I don't remember much, apart from the clinking of sail masts which I still find very soothing.
My mother and father used to ...see more
The Anson family arrived at Strensall in 1957. My father was at the camp as a 'skill at arms' instructor until 1959 attached to the K.O.Y.L.I. I can remember the first day at school in Strensall village.I caught the bus which cost 3d and had 3d to spend at the sweet shop near the school. I bought fruit salads, black jacks and a twist of fairy drops. I came into the playground entering via the bottom gate. In the ...see more
I was born at Lintzford in the 1940's. A lovely safe place to live for everyone there. The neighbours were always available to help each other out, our life was safe and secure. I always remember going up to 'Table Rock' where my dad (Jimmy Sullivan) would teach us how to swim.........not me, I sank like a brick. We would take a picnic up, a bottle of water and jam sandwiches, and have a great time. We also ...see more
My grandparents, George and Clarinda Meakin lived in Vernon Avenue, I visited regularly. Grandad put up a ladder at their back wall so I could climb over into the park. My mum was their eldest daughter; she had two brothers and a sister Linda, who went to Australia. My grandad was a miner and chimney sweep, he did lots of things to support his family. He had two allotments and several greenhouses, I was ...see more
I was at the Junior School on School Street, Hillmorton, Rugby (it was 'lovingly' known as 'The Old Dump'). I haven't been able to find any pictures of it. I've been telling my husband and children about the building. It had outside toilets at the other side of the playground, which froze throughout the winter and an oil heater in every classroom! We didn't have a field or any grass at all, just a playground. If ...see more
In the years of rationing, my mum used to remove the sweet coupons from her ration book so that we didn't spend all our pocket money on sweets.
About halfway down Castle Hill, on the left, was Dukes shop. All I was interested in were the sweets, though he also sold tea, sugar and a variety of other less interesting items. I used always follow an adult into the shop, who would ...see more
Hello, I have just been reading people's memories of Gilfach Goch and I must say it brought tears to my eyes. I have now moved to County Durham and love it here. I've moved from one mining village to another. Wherever I go I will never forget living in Gilfach as a child in Blandy Terrace, my grandparents Betty and Mansel Pope lived in 12 Blandy Terrace and myself and my mam and dad Ron and Linda lived in no 2. I ...see more
I was christened in this church in 1952. We lived in Crystal Palace Park Road, and I was a Cub Scout there as well, 4th Sydenham. I remember one year we entered a 'Soap Box' go-cart in the soap box derby that was held in Brighton along the sea front. I thought ours was going to win because it went so fast in the test we did, so we called it the 'Barts Bomber', well it bombed out but we had a great day out. I ...see more
My name is Carol, I was born in the village in the same house as my father, Albert Wilson, was and my brother Colin; we lived there for many years with my mother, Mary. I remember the teachers Miss Fox and a Mrs Shaw who used to live in the village and hold Halloween parties for the school children. We had blood soup (tomato), apple bobbing, scary stories and really enjoyed ourselves. She also took some of us up into ...see more
My mother lived in Dunmow from 1932 until 1946 when she left to live in Edinburgh. My mother's name was Rosalind Frecknall and she and her family lived at The Close initially, then The Downs.
Her father, Claud Frecknall, taught woodwork at the local school and was an air raid warden during the war. My mother remembers being in the cinema and when she came out she heard the planes overhead; often they were on ...see more
My name is Marina Lord (nee Jones). I lived with my mam, dad, 3 sisters and one brother at 100 Sherwood Street, Collyhurst. I have happy memories growing up there. My mam was called Ethel and my dad, William, my elder sister was Ethel, then it was me, then the twins, Margaret and Ellen, and last but not least, Raymond. We all went to St Oswalds School with fond memorries of Miss Appleby and Mr Mather in particular, ...see more
I remember Salts very well. I worked in the office from 1966 to 1969 - there were 2 separate sites on the Woolworth side of the High St; the drapery, fancy goods, babywear, womenswear, hosiery on one site and the menswear and footwear on the other site. Over the other side of the street, almost opposite the old Woolworths was the hardware, ironmongery, furniture, etc. Managers were; Reg Jones, Chris Evans, ...see more
I was eleven when we moved into the new council estate, Aelybryn, in Esgairgeiliog. My mother had been born in Esgairgeiliog, and her mother was the local, unofficial, midwife of the village at the beginning of the 20th century. As a child of twelve my mother had been a maid in Plas Rhiwgwreiddyn and I remember a story she told of being alone in the house, very late at night, waiting for her ...see more
I was born in 1928 at 20, Cotsford Crescent, the third son of a miner William Holmes. All his brothers were miners and myself and my brothers worked underground. I remember Lumleys shop as it was not far away and Mr. Lumley refused to sell me a penny box of matchs that my dad had sent me for as I was only six years old. It was about that time when a Scottish Regiment marched by to the sound of the bagpipes, they ...see more
Hi to anyone looking at this photo, I lived just up the road at Valley Cottages and used to play by the bridge, we all sat on the bridge wall and had our photograph taken. I am on the right with wellington boots on, and my sister Jean is on the far left. The girl beside her is Ursula Edwards and the boy beside me is Colin Hutchings. I remember a Mr Handcock living in the cottage on the right and a ...see more
I apparently spent my early years during WW1 in the Mumbles where my mother came from. She had moved to London before the war to find work and married a Londoner. Our holidays when I was a child (in the late 40's and 50's) were 2 weeks on the Gower; we stayed initially in a wooden chalet in Owens Field and then Holts Field where my parents eventually purchased a wooden chalet.
Initially ...see more
I lived in Abbotsham from birth in 1947 until we moved away in 1967. I attended the village school from 1952 until 1959. Started in the infants class with Mrs Attenborough then on to the Junior class with the Headmistress, Mrs Cotton. In the Juniors we used to listen to the Schools Radio programmes where we learnt much about History and Geography. Also twice a week were music programmes - Music and ...see more
As I recall, the 2nd house on the left was a sweet shop run by two old ladies. You were served over a half door, so you didn't need to enter the shop. I walked, with my elder brother, to this shop the day sugar rationing ended. I could not understand how we could get sweets without our ration books. I was afraid we would get arrested!
1967 to 1970 were my three training years at the Pastures Hospital. That seems a long time ago, however that training was the foundation of a nursing career that in a year or so will come to an end (retirement). My memories of those three years were of friendship with my fellow students, the support from the staff and the memorable nursing esperience when caring for patients with long ...see more
I was born at 87 Victoria Street in 1945. My father was a miner and worked all his life in Caerau colliery. My mother came from London with her brothers and sisters, they were evacuated to Caerau after their house in Stepney, London, was bombed in the Second World War. At the age of 3 we moved from Victoria Street to Bryn Terrace with a lovely view of Caerau and the Llynfi valley.
Looking back, ...see more
When I turned 13 my family moved from Warrington to Hartford, and although I only lived there for a little over four years, these four years provide some of the happiest times of my early life. 13 must be one of the worst times to start a new school in a new town, that I can think of. I attended Hartford Boys School (I believe that the name changed shortly after I left the area) However, I was befriended and ...see more
I can remember walking to a garage down (or up) the street with an accumulator, to get it filled. I knew a girl who lived just passed the garage, and she had a collection of birds eggs. She kept them in the oven of an old unused kitchen cooker which was on the porch. I don't remember her name, but I do remember her collection of eggs. Her dad helped her with the collection, and she even had an ostrich egg. She lived ...see more
I was born in Pelham Road on August the 18th 1940. We lived with my grandparents. My grandad used to play the piano in the Pelham Arms for free beer and one of my earliest memories is seeing him playing and having three or four pints of beer stacked up on the end of the piano! We lived down on the left hand side with the railway line at the bottom of the garden. I can remember my uncle, who must have been about ...see more
Since my birth coincided exactly with the outbreak of World War II in the September of 1939, my mum must have felt that childbirth was synonymous with calamity; I was Mum's 'war effort'. Home was a semi-detached two-storey house in Melrose Gardens, a cul-de-sac of thirty-two identical semis in Edgware, Middlesex. Dad was a printer by trade, and during the war years Mum worked at de Havilland's aircraft ...see more
From being born on Fountain Terrace, Bacup in January 1950, to leaving in the summer of 1957 to go and live up Gladstone Street. I remember myself and my two sisters living in a mid-terrace house with no electricity and no central heating - just a back stove. The house had stone steps that were well-worn, and we used to have a bath once a week in a big zinc tub that ...see more
My first job as a Saturday girl (1974) was working at a newsagents called Jarman's on the right of this photo on the corner of the road which led to the police station and infants school Darley Dene. I remember having to weigh snuff and having to use an old-fashioned till where you had to add up the items and press down the correct keys to show the total in the top window. I worked for a lady called Molly - she was still there in the 1980's. I think I earned about 60p for a Saturday afternoon.
I was born in Dowlans Road, opposite to Dawnay Road. The grocers which is referred to was where my mum used to shop. Next to the grocers my best friend Nigel lived, as did Dave Hill before him. The waste ground to the left in the photo was a bit of a dumping ground. We, Dave and me, found some old paint tins one day and we took them into the rec and painted the swings, white. You can imagine our mums and dads when they found out. We were only about 6 years old at the time.
Are there any pupils out there who went to Canada Road Primary School. Walmer, Deal. Kent, U.K. in the War years of 1941 to '45? The Headmaster's name was Mr Morris, and his favourite saying was: 'Open your books to page 43, and I don't want to hear another word out of you'. He then promptly nodded off to sleep, whilst we threw out 'nibbed' pens into the wooden ceiling, or tried dipping the hair of the ...see more
I have just discovered this wonderful website today and oh what memories come flooding back. I was born in Lower Shott in 1954 and lived there until I was about 23. I remember these shops so well. Being sent by my mum to get some cheese, I think it was from Mr Absaloms, and bursting into tears because everyone ignored me as they were waiting for my mum to come in and didn't realise that I had been ...see more
We arrived from Sorbie on a cold and wet November afternoon in 1937. The house was empty as our furniture had not yet arrived. However within the hour the lorry (truck) that contained our belongings arrived from Sorbie with my brother as well, who had gone along as a helper. My mother was horrified at the condition of the house and was near to tears, but the truck was ...see more
Around about l956/57 we would all go to dances or parties in Southampton and of course, from memory, the last bus home to Hythe/Holbury/Fawley/Calshot was about 10.30p.m. Inevitably we girls missed it so there was a mad dash through Southampton to the docks to get the last ferry home which went about 10.45 p.m. I think. The skipper had always cast off but the harbour police who were nearby used to yell ...see more
My father believes the man in the carpenter's apron in photographs 60995 and 60995x may be Francis New. The carpentry business he is standing in front of was eventually taken over my grandfather, John Bray, and his brother William. In the directories they were listed as wheelwrights but they undertook a much larger range of buiding work some of which is still on view today, e.g. the ...see more