Nostalgic memories of Braintree's local history
Share your own memories of Braintree 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 33 in total
1. with Hearts close knit in comradeship, your lusty voices tune to praise: And welcome him [& presumably her] with steadfast grip who speaks of school and happy days. 2. [in minor key] For whom shall every voice be still, in silent homage to the brave? For those who stormed the tyrant's hill, and gazed on victory through the grave. [This obviously refers to WW-1 when BCHS lost "many".] 3 With buoyant ...see more
Lived in East Street, Braintree and went to Chaple Hill School. I remember some of the teachers; . Miss Cliff, Mrs Clark, Miss Jackson, Miss Bacon, John Mews, Bing Clayton, David Coe, Peter Hoy, Ray Allum, Doug Kemp, Willie Watkins, Barry Wassell, Purle Haylock, Jenny Colston, Cyril Oakley, Mick Lewin, Neville Humpfreys, Peter & David Steadman, Sheila Benfield, Jeff Joslin, Terry Swan. After school some of us would play on the waste ground & bombed out houses in East St.
My grandmother Florence Hetty Fenton was a pupil teacher at the school until her marriage in 1904. Her father had to sign for her to become a pupil teacher and the paperwork was given to the museum by my mother and is on display. Hetty is on the large photo on the stairway in the museum together with her sister Elizabeth Fenton.
Sadly, I must report the funeral on this day of Howard Egglestone who left us on Feb 17, after several years struggle with Cancer. 'Eggle', as he was known, was a special friend of mine and he will be dearly missed. During his time with us he was a master bell-ringer and rose to the top of that very English art. He rang [and led] more peals than I should like to count and the bells ...see more
..Hello..I've just read messages about Braintree.
My uncle, Michael Stinson, worked at Critalls, my Auntie Doreen worked at Lakes', my mum worked at Frank Green in Manor St and my dad was one part of M & M...who ran coaches from Werthersfield to Lancaster Gate on Fridays and Sundays.
I sincerely apologise to the former owner of the sweet shop in Manor Street for bursting his soot bags behind Victoria Street...I was led astray by Percy Pegram...@'@
We moved to Braintree with our Dad, George Harkins, in 1966. He was an American, stationed at Wethersfield air force base, married to a young British girl, Eileen. We lived at 82 South Street for about 5 or 6 years, and me and my brother John attended Manor Street Primary school. After our time there we moved back to the US and left loads of great friends behind. We lived at the end of a lane, I recall ...see more
The Institute School, was opposite the White Hart Hotel, Upper Bradford Street, Braintree. I attended this school c.1950-51. Then Principal was Miss A Thompson; teachers remembered were Miss Firmin; Mrs Allen and the late Miss Howlett (Miss Howlett died of breast cancer c.1951-52?)
Can anyone confirm if the Institute School was modelled on the Steiner School or Montifore School ...see more
I attended Braintree County High School from 1944 to 1950. Nihil Nisi Optima I recall as the school motto, and the school song started with the words “With hearts close knit in comradeship …” When sung at morning Assembly, I remember some joker had changed the words to the last two lines of the first verse to “And, welcome him with half a brick; Who talks of school and arithmetic”. Giggling during ...see more
I am really trying to think where this Polly's Hill is in Braintree. I was born and grew up in Braintree in 1976 so not as long as many who might be viewing this site. Even so, I pretty much recognise or even remember in some cases, many of the old photographs shown in this collection. - But this one is not something that sounds or looks familiar. Does anyone else have any recollection of this Road / Street named "Polly's Hill"? It would be good to hear from you. Thanks.
I am related to the Whybrow/Wybrow/Whybrew/Whybra family of Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall. I know of two or three inter-related strains of this Bradwell family in the C19 but I have an Abraham (born 1811 in Bradwell) and Mary Whybrow living in Bradwell with a son Elijah born 1840/1 and I can't tie them in to one of the existing familes. Does anyone have any information which might help me?