Recent 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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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 321 - 400 of 36575 in total
No electricity, outside toilet, built in copper in the kitchen. All cooking was done on a coal fired oven that also heated the kitchen. The kitchen was the main room in the house, parlour (lounge) was only used at Xmas. My worst memories are of me running through the houses to the toilet, not very nice. The water was supplied by a tap outside by the front door freezing up in the ...see more
My late wife Sandra stayed at the home, with her sister Carol, for 6 weeks in the summer of 1957. Sandra was just turned 11 and Carol 9 and a half. About 20 years ago Sandra and I went back to Heswall and, as others have commented, the house is now private and the beach is overgrown. The railway line has long since been built over. However. the rhubarb field is still there!
The following is an account of her stay ...see more
I used to live in Debden from from the late 60s until 1989. I have been trying to find photos of the Debden /Loughton area (The Broadway,Debden station, Borders lane, the pavillion,The black Deer pub ect) anywhere around the area really from 1980 -1987 but can't find much from that time ,only a lot earlier or later. The area has changed so much since I lived there.
Pollard and Nancy Smith and their three sons emigrated to Australia in 1884. Their oldest son James went first and Robert (14) and Sidney (0-1) travelled separately with Nancy and Pollard.
They went to Liverpool, a small town to the SW of Sydney NSW. There was a wool wash and mill there and sheep farming. James married and took his wife to a farm in Queensland. Pollard, Nancy, Robert and Sidney ...see more
I was told that two brothers lived, one who owned a fish paste factory and the other who owned a honey factory. They joined forces and Honeylade Factory came into being. My aunt was a Supervisor and she got my mum a job there in 1932. My mother met my Dad through his sisters who also worked there. I cannot find any trace of this factory. Can anyone help?
Does anyone remember Robert and Margret Holder? Robert was a firefighter and Margret was a housewife. They had two children. I was looking for Jackie(Jacqueline)their daughter who went to Plashet School and then to Barking Colledge.
During a visit to Andersons Optician in Houghton-le-Spring, I was fascinated to see a full wall mural of this photograph. As I waited at the desk, I realised that the two little girls walking past the bank looked like my friend and I walking to the old junior school at the end of Newbottle Street.
I'm the one with the little short legs, round face and very blonde hair. I proudly carried a brown leather ...see more
When I was a child I often visited my Aunts who lived in Buckrells, the large house opposite the Volunteer Pub; one of the joys of these visits was escaping from the adults and exploring the village pond which was almost next door to the front garden. It was great fun paddling in the water and watching the ducks which were always there. I can remember being very sad when the pond water was drained ...see more
When my Mother died in 2000 we found a letter saying my mother nee Mary Kingston and her friend stayed at the hotel . The lake had frozen and they went skating on it at Christmas time . She would have been about 12 at the time making the date 1932 . Unsure if that would be correct but the letter was interesting to us as she was sent to school in the area but was brought up in South Wales .
I stayed at this so-called home in the 60s, the staff treated all the children like animals, it was run like an army camp, really nasty nurses and a matron , all the children were bullied and frightened of all the staff , I am trying to get some archive info about the place if anyone can help please
I worked at Hydestile Hospital when I first qualifies as an Enrolled nurse in 1982 when it was a geriatric hospital. I remember the open corridors to the wards and I loved it there.
I left a year later to work at RSCH in Guildford, and Hydestile closed shortly after. I was 22 years old and remember it fondly
Hi , we moved to Devon Close Perivale in the early to mid 60’s . I remember the names of some friends who lived at Devon Close -Neil & Jimmy Peterson , Diane & Stephen Dolphin, Pierre Barroso , Trevor Witney , . There were many others with just a few years in age between us. I attended Perivale Junior School my teacher was Miss Tunstall.
I remember siting the 11 plus and got accepted to Ealing ...see more
Teachers in the 1970s
Mr Pearson - an elderly man whose dentures moved around in his mouth when he spoke. He was great fun and shared his family cinefilms with us during the lessons. It was great fun when he played them backwards.
Miss Davies(later Mrs Paskell). I think she married a soldier as she moved away to Shipton Bellinger. She had 1960s/70s hairstyle - blonde hair with back combing ...see more
Teachers. - Mrs Boyle, Mrs Clover, Mrs Parrott.
Head teacher - Mrs Bingham - she had the library books, stamp and cards in her office upstairs.
Playground surrounded the building and constructed of tarmac. That’s where we had outside PE and sure hurt when you fell over on it whilst running. The theatre area now, was where we had indoor gym - climbing bars, ropes and balancing beams. It also doubled up as the dinner hall.
The Roughs- behind Oak Farm on the Bordon to Oakhanger Road
Cranes - land around Oak Farm - named, it’s believed, as a family called Cranes worked/owned the land
Monkey Island - an area of land on the common in the centre of Oakhanger - it once had a cottage on it.
Bakers Corner - where the houses are situated on the road from Oakhanger to Green Street
Slab Common - opposite Oak Farm on the road from Bordon to Oakhanger
Latchfords - farm land opposite Pond Cottage Oakhanger (Blackmore end)
My husband Vic moved into the brand new council estate in 1968 with his parents and sister - Champney Close. His house backed onto the common and MOD training land. He’d stand up on the embankment watching the trains pass on the line below. Vic remembers watching The Marty Feldman show being filmed in Whitehill and a group of friends climbed on the show’s double decker bus. The bus was a prop. A golf ...see more
In the long hot summer, and drought, of 1976 I remember being able to walk across the pond floor. It was just a mass of dried, cracked earth. That summer was so, so hot
When I was 12 years old my family came to Mundesley for the first time. We stayed in the Manor Hotel. It was me, my brother, mother and father and my lovely grannie. I remember loving my stay here, the food was excellent, the people so friendly and being kissed in the swimming pool by a boy who was older than me called Robert. (Maybe that's what brought me back many many years later to live ...see more
My grandparents always considered that Burgh Heath was the best village to live in. At one time, it had two swimming pools, two tea rooms and pubs for locals to meet. One pub had a projection room and offered children a free Saturday morning silent film to watch. My great grandfather was Joseph Ward who was the manager of Surrey Tennis on the Reigate Road, Burgh Heath. He provided a mobile racket string service at ...see more
My most vivid memories was the time i lived in Deepcut. I was born there. I lived there until i was 10. And left when i was 15. Later on i worked there for the mod. I grew up with fond memories and loved being an Army brat
Date is.. Dec.16.th.2022.... I added memories ages ago (2015 ?), & they all seem to have been erased !! Shame.
Name is Doug Parrott.. & lived in Crownhill Road for a happy 20 x years, including WW/2. Am now aged 90, in case anyone is left who may have known us.
Just to add that my dear wife, Margaret, died last December, after a 2 x year battle with dementia, & little help from the ...see more
Right into the 1990's two fortune tellers adorned the Castle walk near Portnhapple. I had mine read about 40 years by Madam Anadine who also read tea leaves. She gave accurate predictions on career and living beyond the seas. She also predicted a major tragedy, which sadly, came true .
Now the huts have just a foundation as a memory.
Question, will others ever return?
Hi I used to work for Monks and Sons in the 1970's, it was a very nice place to work. There was Dennis Monk and Jack Monk who used to run the business. They repaired Fords steel pallets and made 14ft dia by 400ft long steel chimney stacks for oil refineries for other countries. They were made in 50ft sections for transport. In the 1960's they made barges and launched them from the yard. The two square buildings were ...see more
From 1959 to 1963 I went to school at Whyteleafe County Primary, Maple Road, whence the older boys and girls were taken by (very old) coaches to Reedham's pool for swimming lessons. It was a bit odd, because we never saw any of the pupils or staff actually attending that school. It was all very mysterious, and although I lived only a mile away from it, all my friends and I only knew that children were sent ...see more
Was the owner of the hardware shop called Hooker! I always remember it as H J Looker.
My dad was born in Shotton, and lived at 1 Wesleyan Chapel Row.
Looking for any family from the area 1921 onwards. Dad went on to serve in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in WW2. Grandparents were Tennant surname also.
Thanks
Andy
I was a pupil at this school in the mid late 50s and l remember leaving bread and milk for the ghost at night. Some of the staff used to laugh at me. I have been told that only the tower was left standing when it was pulled down don't know if that was true.
My Dad, Thomas Brisland lived at the BGC for 9 years from around 1924. He was housed in Natal Cottage with 34 other boys and they were cared for by a matron and a house mother. The matron was Mrs. Woollard and Dad described her as strict but fair. Her favourite saying was “The Lord helps those who help themselves, but God help them if I catch them!”
Dad’s entire education at ...see more
When we were children during WWII, my brothers Rob and Wilf and myself often visited Weston Green. At Weston Green there were two churches and two ponds called Marneys and Milburns. My brothers Rob, Wilf and I used to catch newts and skate on Marneys pond when it was frozen. There were also four pubs: The Albion, The Lamb and Star, The Cricketers and the Greyhound. The ...see more
I was at Angus house garden city woodford Essex. in the 60s I used love going on holidays to yarmouth we used put our mattresses in the back of a van and go to the church hall it was great every day uncle that was mr and mrs Collins used to give pocket money to do what we like with I went straight to the joke shop. Other memories go kart racing down the hill .boxing and playing football. Love the swimming the ...see more
Hello to my fellow Fedsden inmates, whoever and wherever you are now! So nice to find things like this online these days ... I was a boarder at Parndon Hall between about 58 and 61 - stupid gangly blond kid, with my younger sister Heather, and our mum, who was some kind of house mistress before moving on to Kingsmoor.
I can hardly remember any names, except Regina (very tiny) and Adolphus (very funny) and the ...see more
Does anyone know anything about Hookstead School? My mother's aunts ran it in the 1930s and my mother and her brother spent Christmasses and summer holidays there as children. I'd love to know the history of the place!
My wife and I married here on the 17th Feb 1977 and we've not regretted a day since. It poured with rain going in but the sun shone coming out. That has just about summed things up for us. The Rev Wood and Rev Carr were both at the service.
It was the start of 18 years in Cornwall making friends and picking up with old friends a period of our lives we will never forget.
Since then both this ...see more
I worked at Heswall childrens hospital from 1966 untill it sadly closed in 1984.My maiden name was Hession.I wander if anyone remembers it.
I lived in the house at the back of the picture in the 1950s. The small upstairs window at the front was my bedroom. In the winter my mum sent me across to Mr. Davey the greengrocer (next to the post office) for wooden orange boxes I chopped up for firewood. The old allotments next door is where my mates and I had our camp. On Saturdays we would cycle into Slough and had been known to let off stink bombs in Woolworths. It was all good clean, harmless fun.
I remember going here with my mother and grandmother in the 50's. When all the roses were in bloom the smell was magnificent, and we would sit and just enjoy it. To a small child it felt a huge and magical place.
happy holidays at eastwood grange national temperance summer school in 1970s trips to matlock and walk to ogston resovoir
I'm always alone on these sunny hills.
In this dream, it's always sunny and bright.
There only huts on the hills stone huts but they're so small.
And I've got my own big green house as well that is full of a few plants... Not a lot.
I've got my very own home. It's the perfect size not too big not too small.
It reminds me of teletubbies... A children's show I used to watch when I was very young... ...see more
The large house in the background to this photo was originally the village rectory and was bought by Pentland Hick, the owner and founder of the zoo, and it became his family home for several years, later to becomes offices for the zoo. The proceeds from the sale went towards building a new rectory near the war memorial.
I worked as a zoo keeper at flamingo Land in the 60's and 70's and this photo brings back memories of some of the misguided practices of the era.
Mixing bears from different back grounds was not a good idea, although all the bears where introduced as youngsters, as they matured conflicts occurred.
Eventually the polar bears moved on to there own enclosure.
My Grandmother was sent to Woodhurst Hospital, Peas Pottage, to convalesce following suffering from Bronchial Pneumonia. At the time we were living in Stockwell, South London, and for a small child it seemed to be a long way from London and in very different surroundings than our city centre flat! Far more imposing and very peaceful, just what you’d hope for when recovering from a serious illness, I ...see more
Does anybody remember Tam Ritchie and his band of merry men ? They were the council workers based at Dunivard Place always good for a laugh ! Tam lived in an old caravan which I think Marco Galli has rotting away in his yard at Glencairn Terrace .He drove the old steamroller when the were doing maintenance on the roads.If I remember when they disbanded the Garelochhead crew he moved to the wee road at the bottom ...see more
I was born in Barnet in 1942, but the Germans bombed our house and killed my dad a few months later. I was sent to Wales to avoid the Blitz. (BlitzKrieg - Lightening strikes) after 5 years I found myself in Millway Gardens in Northolt in a small maisonette with my twin brother and my mother and grand mother. We went to Islip Manor Prinmary school which had just been built then in 1948. It was so bright and ...see more
Hi all..I’ve just come across this site whilst looking for information on pallotti hall.now and again I try to find this place and then forget what it’s called..I’m quite sure it is now called thornycroft hall off pexhill rd in siddington.(if I’m wrong then please correct me).
It had changed from an orphanage to a childrens care home and I stayed there for 9 mths in 1979 and have some great memories of the ...see more
Porthywaen born and bred, lived at the Gate House for nearly 30 years with Mum Dad and 2 Brothers, Dad lived there most of his life he was born next door at Yew Tree Cottage in 1940 his father worked in the quarries and some very interesting stories have been passed down. Went to porthywaen school between 1975 and 1981.... no central heating in there just a big roaring coal fire either end of the classroom, can ...see more
The first School I ever went to was Duncton Primary, I loved this school. Our Headmaster was Mr Salsbury who we nicknamed Mr Strawberry due to a strawberry shaped wort he had on the back of his head. He was an ex military veteran - or I was later told this - and was quite scary. He gave me the slipper for something i had done and my mum insisted on it and was there on the day. My first ...see more
I worked for Boeing and spent from 1979-1981 living in Camberley, but our office was just around the corner in 21 Kingswick House. A trip to the Three Jays for lunch (Ploughman's lunch or Shepherd's pie) was a regular stop
I was 4 years old when I was taken from Liverpool to this Hospital. It was a very frightening experience because I was the first child in the family and they say I was there for 6 weeks. I have never found out why I was sent there. There was always secrecy about this and some in the family said I should never have been sent there. There were no family visits but I remember once being taken out ...see more
I am the boy in the foreground on a bike and in the background on a bike is my friend Tony.
We were worried about the man staring at us, he had a big box and I guess a tripod. When we got home we said about it to our dads and later were told it was a man taking photos, others had also asked.
Our family lived in Church Road from 1953 for, I believe, around 27 years.
Does Ludgershall still have a "Ludgershall Lads" football team. As a teenager I played for them, that was in 1951 to 1953 or thereabouts. The manager's name was Sid though I've forgotten his surname and one year Ted Bates, Southampton's manager, visited us to give us tips. The first year we played we were a disaster losing 22 to nothing on the odd occasion but we must have improved because in my 3rd year we ...see more
I went to Helmshore primary school in the early 60s. A great time in my life. Mr Jenkinson was the headmaster at the time. I would like to find some of my school friends. I’m Peter Metcalf and have brothers Andy and Raymond. Thanks Pete Metcalf.
My family lived in Osborne Road so my brothers and I went to Beulah Infant and Junior Schools. I think Mrs Colby was head of Infznts and Mrs Grumberg head of Juniors. Mrs Bird was my favourite teacher. I loved having stories outside in the garden in the summer. There was a swing and a large fallen tree that we could play on. My friends were Jenny Gray and Catherine Holloway. Jenny lived in ...see more
My brothers and I lived in Osborne Road in the mid 60s - 72 and we used to climb in to the nursery in Beulah Crescent just to look at the pond! I believe it was in an old horse water trough but I might be wrong. We were fascinated by it. We never did any damage though. Was sad to see flats in its place when I last looked. Also… does anyone remember the blue police box ? It was either by Beulah Road shops ...see more
i was born in Hednesford Road, followed by my sisters in 1958 and 1960. We enjoyed a fantastic childhood - we lived in a three up, three down, with an outside toilet and a tin bath. I remember our toilet freezing over in the winter and walking to school with snow up to our thighs in our wellygogs.
Our Auntie Mary lived in School Road, and our Auntie Doll (Barratt) lived down the road in Railway ...see more
When I was 9 we lived in a new block of flats (at that time) opposite the Pier and just across the road from the baths. I used to walk to Stanwell Rd School through the Park which was always beautiful. I actually never ever paid to go onto the pier or baths as the people who ran these places knew I only lived across the road. I must have gone to the pier nearly every day and I remember making friends ...see more
This was one of the routes I took in the early 70s when riding my beautiful horse out. We would go up West Balgrochan Road, turn in to Acre Valley Road and go up the hill where the woods are and down to the other side, sometimes going on the narrow bridle path past Ferrymill. It was a lovely scenic ride!
I have received details of my father's RAF service (actually some years ago) to find he was stationed at RAF Bletchley.
But I know nothing at all about the place and I have found it difficult to find a good resource.
Sadly, my father died in 1977 long before I was even more than slightly aware of his service.
I did know he was a signalman (as far as I remember) and finding out today that the ...see more
My parents farmed in Hertford Heath, only a short drive from my Uncles home in Roydon, as did my Grandfather from Nazeing. An uncle and aunt lived in Ashridge Park in Hemel Hempstead so rather further away from Roydon than us. My favourite uncle lived at Didgemere Hall, Roydon and every year our families would descend on Uncle Angus’s home for an evening of Eightsome Reels, Highland Flings and ...see more
Are there any Waltonians who remember the this school before it was pulled down? Or who have any knowledge of the previous school it replaced in 1936 known as the Central School.
Next to it was an Infants and Junior School and next to that was the « Tuck Shop » or so we called it among other names mainly because of the grumpy couple that ran it…but we must’ve been indeed were a cheeky band!
I used to live in 10 U Block. I was born in 1935 and now at 87, I live in Katsuura, Japan. When the war broke out in 1939 I was evacuated to Dukes Wood Boarding School in Hexham. An excellent school where I received an excellent primary education. So different to Walker and I remember the Sunday walk to services at beautiful and historic Hexham Abbey
Towards the end of the war I was returned to 10 U Block - ...see more
John Tolley was my Great Grandad, my nan was born in Dog Lane. The houses at the end of Dog Lane are now called Tolley Corner after Great Grandad, he was a haulier. Love this photo. My Auntie first found it at Bewdley museum, so we've got a postcard.
Hello, I'm dave from bostock I'm seeing if anybody has memories of the lions at stanthorne mill in the 70s
I was evacuated to this village in the war. I have lots of nice memories.
I was born and grew up in 10 North Street and I remember this as the dairy at the end of the street.It was owned and run by a lovely old spinster and her deaf brother. My Mum and Nan were friends with her ( I can't remember her name ),and I have fond memories of her giving me a bottle of orange juice often when I was playing out.
My name is Peter Seager-Thomas. The shop on the corner (LHS) was Shewells the Chemist. Mr Shewell and my father had studied together and whilst our future home was being built, in Upper Brighton Road, Mr Shewell put the family up in late 1954 and early 1955.
My elder brother and I had the room on the second storey, the window of which can be seen in the picture. That winter I remember laying on the ...see more
I spent my childhood living in one of these cottages on the waterworks gated property in Purley. I walked to school under the railway bridge that crossed the road to the left as I walked out the gate. We called them "The Purley Gates" due to their location and as a reference to the biblical "Peary Gates". I remember a nursing sister who walked under the bridge going in the opposite direction on her ...see more
I went to Burcot Grange School in Mere Green. From 1961-1964 or there about. Mrs Keates was the Headmistress and her husband was the vicar. Mrs Shinner was deputy head.
I got told off for dangling my legs out of the top floor window with my friends watching from the ground! ( wooden bars were erected across the window as a result!)
My friends were Jayne Wills, Susan and Elizabeth Glasbey, Diana Weisburg.
I ...see more
I have always lived in Somerton. As a child I lived in New Street in and as an adult I now live at the other end of Somerton.
I have fond childhood memories of attending Mrs Potts' playgroup, the Infant school in Etsome Terrace and Monteclefe School. My mum used to take me to school on a child seat on the back.of her bike when I was very young, and later when I went to Monteclefe it was only a short walk ...see more
I wonder if any remember the Bull and Bush 1960's Recall Steve Barr , Johnny Page Waldemar Hasko Trevor Deacon , Barmaids Carmel and Duffy . Also Girls Sandra who married Graham, Gaynor ,Jette and others.
Would particularly like to hear from Carmel and , Sandra as I have news re Steve and Val. Also danish girl Jette from Denmark who was an au pair in Finchley. Cherished memories
I used the post office many times as a child and teenager. I started my first savings account in 1963 at Upton Lea post office and still have the original book with about 3 pounds 15 shillings on it. I recall it was quite a useful shop as well as a post office and I brought a number of Xmas presents for my family from there, being too young to go into Slough high street on my ...see more
Can anyone help with the location of the coastguard station in Pitts Deep around 1904. My mother was born there - her father was the coastguard.
My father lived here many years ago, and I would love to see a photograph of Jews Row, showing the original houses. Can anyone help with that?
Thank you
I lived in Headley in 1969……
There was a riding stables and a few houses opposite with a telephone box…..I can’t remember the name of the road….
There was one small youth club in the village and a small shop….
I remember Fran who’s dad was a farmer…
And Steve who also went to the youth club….
Also Ian who lived I think in Leatherhead and would drive over to Headley in his red van….we went greyhound ...see more
My brothers, sister and I all attended Dobb Primary school in the late 40s/50s. I remember it as being a very happy school with Miss Kenworthy/Mrs Shaw being the headmistress.
That's my Mum pushing my younger sister, Rosie, into the newsagents. We lived in Northwood Avenue from when the house was built in 1958 until the early 80s - although I still drive through Purley on a regular basis. A couple of doors away from the newsagents was a fish and chip shop which was an occasional treat for us. The photo may be a black and white but her skirt was orange, yellow and white paired with a white ...see more
This was my Dad's shop where he started his butchering business in the 1930's till, he closed in 1973. Both my brother Tom and I worked there. Tom from 1955 till it closed and I began in 1962 and left in 1966, for Australia. In those days we had our own slaughterhouse. as most other butchers in Guisborough did. It was a pain to push the barrow with the hind and forequarter of a bullock across the busy road on a ...see more
My parents and I spent several vacations at Higworth farm caravan camp in the early/ mid 50's. I remember my Father having to get out of the coach, along with others, to lighten the load to cross the bridge.
On the way to the beach we passed a dairy ice cream stand which had the best strawberry ice cream ever.
My Father and I would go on the rides while my Mother added to our every day china set by winning at Bingo.
I was born Nov 5, 1939 at 81 Star Lane, the home of my maternal grandparents, James and Anne Maria Bullock. My mother, Annie Grace Bullock, was the youngest of six children. She married my father, Henry George Hooper, in 1935 at Trinity Church at the junction of Barking Road and Hermit Road.
My father, always known as Harry, was born in 1909 in Poplar, but the family moved to 35 Star Lane, where my grandfather, ...see more
I have such good memories of Much Hadham. My grandparents, Mr & Mrs Morris lived in a lordship cottages just outside of Much Hadham village - the house went with my grandfather's job which was a gardener for Doctor & Mrs Wilson. I lived in Kent with my parents & brother but loved our little holidays there, going to Bishop Stortford where at one time my mother's sister & her husband run a post ...see more
Hi, This is not Kait Bey mosque, it is Al Emam Alrefaei mosque and the one next to it is Alsultan Hassan mosque.
Kait Bey is a different one in another area in Cairo.
I was born and lived in this area. We still live there.
Thank you for letting us know our error - now corrected. Ed.
