Nostalgic memories of Cranleigh's local history
Share your own memories of Cranleigh 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 all 10 Memories
The Cricketfield Stores traded until about 1985 and then became 'Hot Ice' take away?
The old Railway Hotel previously occupied the adjacent timber-clad building to the south west of the Cranley Hotel before it closed its doors in 1910. It was then converted into 2 dwellings and a laundry in an adjoining barn. It is now 3 dwellings known as 1 (Oaklea), 2 and 3 Laundry Cottages.
Early this century it transferred to the present red-brick building with'Dutch' gables. The name of the Railway ...see more
My brother, Tim, was a paper boy at Kagans newsagents in mid 1960's. I was 7 or 8 at the time. I helped my brother do his round one day just for the fun of it. When we got back to Kagans news agent my brother picked up his pay. Mr Kagan, not wanting to leave me out, got my brother to buy me a bar of chocolate for helping him. If I remember correctly it was a Mars bar.
My father was part of the family business, H Freemantle and Sons, who were coal merchants for many years in Cranleigh. During the 1950's and 60's we had our office in the Old Bank House at the entrance to the railway station. I believe it was knocked down to build Stocklands in later years. This building was quite quaint, with its heavy timber door and beautiful, highly polished timber counter. ...see more
I can remember the New Post Office being built in the late 50's, the old Post Office being on the corner of Knowle Lane; the Greyhound Pub stood on this site before being demolished in the 50's.
The shop in the foreground is Kagans Newsagents & Tobbaconist; I did a paper round for them in the 50's for 7/6 pence a week. The Obelisk can be seen in the background.
My father worked at Cranleigh Gas Works, and had been painting the gas holder, (it was painted by hand in those days), and he'd just come home for a cup of tea at breakfast time, when the doodlebug struck the holder that he'd been painting. Evidently, according to my mother, I was in my highchair having my porridge when I, and of course the porridge was suddenly covered in soot from the chimney, from the ...see more
Hi
I am researching the Cranleigh Hotel in Cranleigh (presently called the Cranley Hotel). It has also in the past been The Railway Hotel.
I have also been told that the hotel was previously in a different place (where the Old Laundry Cottages are now) but I am not sure if this information is correct.
Can anyone help me with the history of this hotel?
Many thanks for reading this.
Regards,
LINDA
The low building to the right was the shop of George Mercer - Bootmaker, the building on it's right with the large chimney was the home of my Great Grandfather Henry Mercer who expanded into 2 then 3 of the cottages as his family grew ( 10 children). Henry worked on the opposite side of the common at the woodyard. The man in foreground with the horse is probably Mr Stemp, groundsman for both Cranleigh School and ...see more
Cranleigh (Junior) School was hit by a V1 rocket at 9 am on a Sunday morning during the Second World War. The following day we started using the Village Hall for lessons. I remember sitting cross-legged on the floor as there was insufficient seating. Had the rocket fallen 24 hours later, the death toll would have been very high indeed.