Nostalgic memories of Downderry's local history

Share your own memories of Downderry 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 13 in total

I lived in Downderry until I was 27. I was friends with Helen Blake whose family ran the PO when we were children, sadly after the loss of her mother we lost touch. I would love to contact her again. My family (Hill) were potato merchants and owned the Eddystone Country Club. Apparently my great uncle Fred Mitchell was a coal merchant there. I have no info about him, but remember Auntie Hilda Mitchell who lived ...see more
Does anyone in Downderry remember the village postman Tom Neal. Tom was born in West Bromwich in 1874, moved to Downderry during WW1 and I believe died in 1955 aged 81. He used to ride on his donkey (Jenny) & trap, delivering the mail. Ask your parents or your grandparents. He used to live in a small cottage in Bottlegate / Buddle Gate. This is the little ...see more
My Grandfather, a former Police Sergeant, lived in Downderry and we lived there for periods in my childhood. I believe I recall Carolyn Blake, who writes one of the memories on this site. I certainly recall a Carolyn whose father, I think, was post master. I, too, was one of the boys who spent many hours out 'lobstering' with Billy Hocking or out 'drifting' on his boat, the Ella. Billy has an enormous influence ...see more
I, Helen Blake and my sister Carolyn moved with our parents Eileen and Arthur Blake to South Hill Cottages, next door to what was then the Post Office in Downderry run by Mrs Harris. Mrs Harris retired and the post office moved to our front room and my mother became the post mistress. My aunt, Kitty Sims was the post lady for many years having served an apprenticeship as the petrol pump lady at the garage that ...see more
In about 1965 I hitchiked from Yorkshire with a friend down to Plymouth, we went on a small ferry then along a coast road and ended up in Seaton. We camped there for about a week and met two girls. We used to go to cafe on the beach. The girl I was with lived up Brenton Road, she had some brothers and sisters, I think the brothers worked in the building trade. My friend and I was about 16 years old, the ...see more
I was born in a house called Threeways in the centre of the village. I think it used to be an Offficer's mess during the war and then became a Country Club long after we moved out. The building no longer exists and has been replaced by a small cul-de-sac (also called Threeways). The local shop was run by the Toms family and the Chemist's by Mr Wenmouth. Butcher Ward had a shop opposite the Working Men's Club (now the ...see more
I used to live in the little cottage you can see there, It was a very beautiful place.
Uncle Tim owned the left side of Tremmor Cottage, next to St Nicolas Church, as a holiday home. He would let it out privately to friends and family. Subsequently he changed his holiday venue to the house next door - Firside Cottage. Unfortunately he took up permanent residence there a few years ago. Thus my last family holiday in Downderry was six years ago. However, some of us did visit Downderry for a day ...see more
I first visited Downderry fifty years ago on my honeymoon. My husband's (Bill Polwin Baxter) father William Henry Polwin had been coastguard there towards the end of the 19th century - my mother-in-law was born at the coastguard house in St Mawes. It was a beautiful day and we swam in the sea at the bottom of the garden. I am a Shetlander used to colder waters and found it very surprising that the sand beneath ...see more
I have many happy, if rather boozy, memories of Downderry! I first went there in 1983 until my final visit in 1996, where I had 12 fantastic holidays there, most of the time in glorious sunshine. I went with my parents each year (apart from one) and I  was amazed by the beauty of the place. That stunning sea view as you take that sharp hairpin bend on the road from Torpoint is just purely magical, and is something ...see more