Nostalgic memories of Harrogate's local history
Share your own memories of Harrogate 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 28 in total
Having gained my Air Gunners wing in Egypt I was posted to the Air Crew holding unit in Harrogate where I stayed for about three weeks early on 1945, and again a few months later. I remember the dance held in a marque in the Valley Gardens in August on VJ night (what a night that was!) I was billeted in the Grand Hotel. The CO of this unit was the English wicket keeper Les Ames On parade one morning in the forecourt ...see more
My father's family lived in Harrogate. The first I knew of this was when I was 30 years old. According to my father, my parents were never married - my mother's name was Ruth Caroline Elizabeth Stone (she died in 1998). My mother changed her name to Ruth Black after my brother Charles Patrick Norman Black (known as Charlie) and myself, Caroline Ruth Black (known as Carol) were ...see more
I really do remember Baines Bros bike shop - good memories. I bought my BSA there and met all the boys on our bikes at seven thirty every night there - then we looked at the bikes and went to the grotto at Knaresbrough, then on to Wetherby or anywhere there were any more bikes. I loved those days, Peter Dunning (mechanic ex Rowland Winn) still messing with bikes (they are called classics now) in my shed now in Milton Keynes.....
In the early 1960's Bob Simpson and I opened the Harrogate Jazz Club at the Beechwood Court Hotel on Cold Bath Road. We booked the best bands from London and Birmingham; Ken Collier, London City Stompers, Second City Jazzmen etc.. Every Saturday night full houses of 500 plus. I left Harrogate and now live in Spain. Fond memories and loads of parties at my house, 64 West End Avenue - any friends left?
In 1885 a Tom Gascoigne was baptised in Christchurch in Harrogate. His parents were Thomas John Gascoigne and Florence Nightingale (nee King). The address given on the baptisal certificate is Clarendon Hotel, Harrogate. Thomas is recorded as 'hotelkeeper'. By 1901 he has died and the census shows that Florence is a 'hotel proprietor & publican', so presumably still owns/runs the Clarendon. Florence remarries a ...see more
Is there anybody out there who attended West End and who remembers having playtimes
on the oval, the purpley/blue uniform with those horizontal block coloured ties,
lessons on etiquette and table manners? If so please contact me......were the school records and pupil reports archived and if so, can copies be obtained?
I remember the pianist who played for a week at the St James, I had forgotten what he was called until I saw your entry. A few years later I worked at the St James as a projectionist with a Mr Bell; there was a Miss Greenan who was secretary & in the box office. I can also remember one of the usherettes, a very tall girl who stayed there for a long time & also worked in the box office, I think (her name ...see more
Remember it well, no photos, do you remember the old pump room? Think it was Hales Bar, you could get half a cider, it would last all night, happy days. We used to meet up with guys from police training college from Pannal.
Does anyone remember the Saturday dances at the Grand Hotel? I loved the Jazz dances, especially Acker Bilk, The Temperance Seven and others. The dance floor moved and we hopped jived. What a lovely memory!
Would like to get in touch with anyone related to or having known Charles Alan Foster's family. He was born in 1906 - married to Edith E Cooper and went to Australia in 1950. I believe this to be my father and know his last address was 51 St Clements Road. He also had a business in John Street (he was a plumber). If anyone knows anything or anyone who may be able to help me put the pieces ...see more