Nostalgic memories of Hanwell's local history
Share your own memories of Hanwell 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 51 in total
Xmas started Xmas eve. Everybody went to the pub at lunchtime and it was serious drinking. I worked in Turriff House on the Geat West Road and the pub was the Kings Arms by Brentford railway station. Around closing time we headed back to work and had a coffee before being told to go home. On Xmas day there was sometimes a party and I remember getting home around one oclock unable to eat Xmas ...see more
I wonder what happened to Terence White from number 72. He became a teacher I know and went to live in the midlands. Used to go to Saturday morning pictures in Ealing, ABC Minors.
I remember vividly the Silver Jubilee on Milton Road. In the thick of things was the wonderful Aunty Maureen, a constant source of light in W7, still to this day I hasten to add. They certainly don't make them like that anymore. At one time Hanwell was the jewel in West London, fully of friendly people and parks galore.
I attended Hobbayne when Mrs Stanley was headmistress and teachers such as MRs Stowe, Mrs Chester's, Mr Coleman and the caretaker Mr Holman with his three wheeler were omniscient. Sports day was always fund and kids who won races got prizes, not like today when everybody gets a prize.
I was quite naughty at school and my best friend was Ornel Downer and we used to get into plenty of trouble. ...see more
I was born in Hanwell in 1950 in my grandmother's house. I have only a few memories of the house itself, firstly the steep stairs, the back yard where mum used to put the clothes through the mangle on a Monday morning! and me aged 5 wandering up the cul-de-sac and into the school where my brother (10 years older than me) was absolutely mortified that he had to drag me back home again! Left there in 1956
I remember in the early fifties two coaches visited Studley Grange Road. The first was promoting KNORR SOUP. Children were allowed into the coach and given a cup of KNORR SOUP in a little plastic cup with the word KNORR on the outside in red. I had green pea soup, it tasted great and I went home to tell my mum. The result was that she bought some packets. Mushroom and Green Pea were my ...see more
I wonder if there are any old pupils of St Marks from Mr Mc Queens class in the fifties reading this. I remember Brian Dawes John Slatter and Robert Slatter who were twins. Brian Dawes. Hazel Cheshire. Headmistress Miss Johnson. Miss Pride and Miss Chadwin who where teachers
I often wonder about friends I knew in Studley Grange Road. Terence White at no 72. Peter Dawson whose mum and dad owned the shop and ran a mobile shop that used to serve Northolt. Christopher Barnes whose dad grew cactus in a greenhouse and had the large Mecano set in a wooden case. June Bride and Janet Pilkington from the bottom of the road. This was in the fifties. They all went to St Marks school.
Poor standard of education. Teachers going through the motions. No interest or comittment. These are the memories I have. Many old pupils recall the crushing corporal punishment. Cane administered on the hands, chalk thrown at you. One teacher actually chalked the cane so it would leave a mark on your trousers so he could cause maximum pain by hitting you in the same place. Ears pulled etc.
In the fifties a lorry used to come around selling ESSO BLUE PARAFFIN. This was for paraffin heaters that were popular around this period. Some of the heaters were made in Greenford in a building now occupied by Dunelm. They were called Aladdin Paraffin Heaters.