Nostalgic memories of Enfield's local history

Share your own memories of Enfield 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 41 - 50 of 53 in total

Growing up in Enfield, this pool was quite a fave spot, especially during my teens - the 1960s. They always displayed the current temperature, and the security in and out was way ahead of its time - like Fort Knox, I seem to remember. I can also recall feeling horribly self-conscious coming out of the dreadful change-closet efforts in a bikini, and having to walk what felt like miles trying to find a ...see more
The original Chase Side Secondary School shared premises with the Chase Side Primary, although we had separate play grounds. Next to the school was the Birkbeck Hygenic Laundry with a huge chimney and a steam siren that sounded the lunch break. The old Workhouse that eventually became a home for elderly women and later became abandoned. The War Memorial Hospital, where I had my tonsils out in 1952, which was later ...see more
While working in the Lake District as an hotel assistant manager I reached such a point of frustration that I up and quit my job and applied to emigrate to Canada. Five minutes later, after hearing of my decision, the head accountant gave his notice (we were good golf buddies). He had a wife who ran a sub post office/ newsagents/sweetshop in Edmonton, north London so we both, along with the gorgeous ex-model wife (who we ...see more
I can remember going to the Premier, you would buy your ticket at the kiosk then a young lady would tear your ticket in half and all the halves she collected were put in a bag. After the first film she would take the bag on stage, then someone would pick a ticket out of the bag, and the person with the other ticket half would win a prize.
Wonderful walks from Clay Hill, past the golf course and on over the bridge on the stream and up through the woods. Little children with their mothers clutching bags of bread to feed the ducks and swans on the lake. An adventure for any small child. One winter the lake froze over completely and we were able to skate on the lake and also feed the hungry ducks and swans. Unfortunately in the late ...see more
The area where the Rose and Crown public house is situated was initially known as the "Bridge Street" hamlet. It is one of the very old inns of Enfield situated at the hollow between Whitewebbs Park and Hilly Fields. The road running at the rear of the inn towards Whitewebbs House is or was called "Bullbeggars Hollow". The Rose and Crown has an interesting history as it was once owned by a Mr. Nott, who was Dick ...see more
Situated at the top of our road, as young children Hilly Fields was something quite magical. During winter time we would trek our home made sledges over to toboggan hill and hurtle down to the brook at the bottom of the hill at breakneck speeds. Summer time, climbing trees, fishing for stickle backs in the brook. The game known to us as "jumping dags" which entailed jumping over the brook without getting your feet wet, ...see more
Henry Waits the butchers, small shops that sold sweets from a jar and fireworks. Penny for the guy, small children waiting at bus stops with the 128, 231 and 144B to try and pry a penny towards fireworks. Girlfriend (Rose Gritty) down Drake Street. Rag and Bone merchant towards 'The Hop Poles' pub. Doing the weekly shopping on my bicycle and taking everything home in a couple of shopping bags hanging on the handlebars. ...see more
Burtons the Tailors. I remember going there to buy a suit but found nothing I liked. I then went to a tailors nearby and had my first made-to-measure suit made, barrelbacked and knuckle length in a sober grey Glen Check with a red line in it. Besides Burtons is the Rialto which was one of the many cinemas I went to at this time and later in both in Enfield and Waltham Cross. The Savoy for choice, the Rialto if I'd ...see more
This photo brought back memories of 'swimming' of which mostly was done under water. I had a bit of trouble co-ordinating arms and legs. The height of adventure was to use the slide (shown in the photo). Splash into the water and then a desperate sideways crawl back to the side of the pool. Blue lips and a shivering body was revived by a cup of Oxo and a slice of bread in the cafeteria.