Nostalgic memories of Clapham's local history

Share your own memories of Clapham 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 29 in total

Hi I was at a school in Balham for 1 year before we moved into the brand new MT School. The first year at Balham school was horrible we had a very strict teacher called Miss Smart. She used to hit my friend's hand across her knuckles because she didn't write well with the ink and pen tip which was so hard to use. I left MT in fifth year on 1965 after doing 2 years doing ...see more
Roger Sailes . Henry thornton school fire
I remember delivering evening papers the night Henry Cooper fought Cassias Clay. An elderly couple living in number 86 I believe, won a competition to see the fight. Many folks came out to see them off.
Hello all, My name is Emily and I am currently writing up the memoirs of my grandmother, who would have been known as Cynthia Davies or Miss Davies at the time. She says she was a teacher for the first years, and taught a class of forty girls at the annexe in Balham, where the infants were in 1960-61. She also got married and then became Mrs Birkett. Any information or memories you have would be greatly ...see more
im looking for any one that lived in Stonehouse Street in the 1960
I lived in Livingstone road in the forties. what a great time that .playing on the debris.I remember the super palace… and the Granada used to go there sat morning would like to find photo s of them days I don't have any …remember the trams and trolley buses ?
When we got bombed out of Bassingham Road SW18, My mum and I moved to my Grans house in Hackford Road, it was at the cul de sac end near to Oliver Drings sausage factory, Mum had a job at Littlewoods in Brixton, she was a buyer for various things. I see no mention of the Empress cinema and my favourite tea shop Williamsons which was on the corner of Electric avenue. The markets were a sheer ...see more
I started life in St Lukes Avenue, just off Clapham High St, then we moved to Belmont Road near Stonehouse Street, as kids our adventure playground was the allotment in Grafton Square and the bombed out church next to the Sun public house Old Town, I went to Clapham Manor School in Stonehouse Street i also spent a short time in the Boys Brigade ( Mum made me join because you got a ...see more
Hi, just found this site. My family lived in Harbut Road; I was born in Lambeth in 1954,we then moved to Bollingbroke Grove in 1962. Best snowman I ever made that winter - it lasted till Easter.
My husband seems to remember an exhibition of war planes on Clapham Common sometime after WW2 finished, but I can't find any record of them. Is there anybody who remembers this please?