Nostalgic memories of Balham's local history

Share your own memories of Balham 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 11 - 20 of 42 in total

My great grandparents had a fishmongers at 9 Bedford Hill,Balham some time after WW1 so 1918 ish. When bought it was in name of E S Churchly but they were called George Henry and Edith Annie Smith. Unfortunately they went out of business with introduction of Macfisheries and life took very bad turn. Seems it is still a fishmongers today. Longshot but wondered if anyone has handed down stories or pics ( I have one of time from my mum's cousin) Sue Nicholls
I Rembrandt going to Saturday morning flicks I went to fircroft school 1950s my name was Christine Jenkins good old days
My name was Ann Lawrance I lived in a prefab in Calbourne Road from 1945 till about 1956 I went to Hernvile Primary School then Honeywell Secondary school in the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building which I loved I remember Michel Sinate next door and he had a sister Elaine there were many small stores including a fish ...see more
I was born in Balham, 1945, was Christened at Broomwood Rd, Methodist Church. Went to Hearnville Rd School 1950 then on to Honeywell Rd School untill Garret Green Girls School was built. Left there in 1961. Married in 1964 at Broomwood Rd Church, had two children, then we moved down to Kent. I originally lived in Endlesham Rd, with my father. My name then was Christine Yarham now Cox.
MY NAME IS michael and i used to work as a porter at wandsworth common station from 1957 to 1960 if you used it and can rember a girl ANN JAMES or can remember a michael brian or a terry pleaes tex 07591 200972 and thank you
I lived on Balham Grove between 1954 and 1964. Looking for my best friend Rosemary Cunningham also lived on Balham Grove in a 2-storey house on the opposite side of the road. We had a lot of fun playing together with Lynn Frame and Robert Jacobs mostly in the street. We all use to go together to the Odean Cinema Saturday mornings. I neglected keeping in touch with Rosemary when I left England for Jamaica. ...see more
I lived in Balham from the year I was born until 1963 when my family moved. I went to Henry Cavendish School and remember the swimming pool being built after a lot of fund raising. Mr Bassett was the music teacher and wrote many musicals performed by pupils. I lived in Rossiter Road, my maternal grandparents lived in Cavendish Road and my paternal grandparents in Kate Street. I used to go to the swings on Tooting Bec common ...see more
I lived in Balham during 1963 & 1969 at 1 Tantallon road. Still visit every time I return to the U.K. Attended first Alderbrook primary then Holy Ghost school always had happy memories.
trying to find out about my dads family who lived in alderbrook road no72 charles leonard rogers would like to find any family or relatives. d rogers
my mum and nan lived at 39 castor road until it was hit by a bomb.they then moved accross the road to no42 there name was Scarbrough dose any body rember them as iam trying to trace my fathers family