Nostalgic memories of Hatch End's local history
Share your own memories of Hatch End 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 28 in total
I lived in Derwent Ave and went Grimsdyke School .I remember Mrs Swan im sure she was a Dinner lady had a son called Nigel .Im trying to remember the head teacher she was a lady was in Miss Forsyth??I should remember i was outside her office often enough🤣🤣 I was rather naughty whilst living in Hatch End.I remember the Launderette used to sit in there alot as teens as it was nice and warm .I remember Dels, go in ...see more
When I was young, my mother used to take me to the field at the top of Altham Road. In those days (the 50's) it was a large field before the houses were built. A lady named Gilder would bring her horse to the field to give the kids a ride round the large circular patch by the pylon.
I was born in1947, I went to the kindergarten on Uxbridge Road where a doctors surgery or medical centre is now I think. From there I attended Woodridings school until about 1955 then on to St John's school in Paines Lane.. Fond memories.
John Walker.
Came across this site whilst looking up about Soman Sports. I was doing some sorting out and came across an old paper bag with their name on it. I was a paper boy for Smiths for many years as were my siblings and delivered papers to most of the roads in Hatch End during my 5-6 years there.
I attended Grimsdyke school before going to what was then Blackwell Secondary School. I remember many of the shops ...see more
As I’ve only just stumbled on this web page so offer excuses if it’s past its sell by date.
I lived in Sylvia Ave Hatch End from 1951 (as a babe in arms) until I married and moved away in 1976.
My recollections may now be a bit vague after 50+ years but here goes. At the top of the High St there was the Post Office, entered by a side alleyway, next door was Barclays Bank. There may be some gaps where ...see more
Yes I remember Horace too. As a young girl I loved to ride on the cart, I remember the horses name was Rodney. We lived in Sylvia Avenue so were at the end of the round. I remember one Christmas Horace had had a few drinks and when he reached us he gave my Mum a great big kiss much to my fathers displeasure.
Most people though it was just a spelling mistake that then stuck as an oddity, unless anyone knows better. Great set of pictures.
\yes remember this so well, I live in Pinner now and the modern picture would be full of cars of a day and especially in the evening of people eating out, this must have the most concentrated restaurants in the UK.
The only original shop still going is Halls Chemist but there is still a sweet shop a few doors up and the sweet shop cum post office further down.
I attended Grimsdyke Primary School up to 1959 and ...see more
While my father was having his house built in Thornton Grove he rented rooms from Mrs Parry who lived at "Marden", a vast rambling Victorian pile at the end of Westfield Park, not far from the church. She had a gardner called Mr Hedges; how appropriate! Next door there was a family with a son a similar age to myself. One day I was invited to join the family on an outing. I recall nothing of the ...see more
On the right, between the first and second trees there was AJC Motors, apart from Cornwall Garage, the local garage and filling station. The premises comprised an office on the street with an arch at the side leading to the workshop.
Standing on the pavement, but hard against the office wall, was the petrol pump. It had a huge boom which was swung out across the pavement so as to serve petrol to cars drawn up on ...see more
