Nostalgic memories of Heckmondwike's local history

Share your own memories of Heckmondwike 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 - 14 of 14 in total

In winter time the fog and smog could last several days, and never clear. Coming from a seaside town, I found the first winter very depressing, but after 3 years I did not want to leave. The mills were very impressive, as were the number of churches around the town; and I recall the latter being well attended on Sundays. What about the tripe shop at the front of the Red Lion, facing the Market Place? When ...see more
The best stall in the market was Toffee Smith's sweet caravan, when it wasn't on the market it was parked up Oxford Road, Gomersal.
I remember the market so well, it was the heart of Heckmondwike. You could buy anything from it, including clothes, meat and veg. The pork pies sold there were beautiful, and the beef dripping. I remember buying a dress from Rothery's stall, she let me take it home to try on. It was the height of fashion for me then, in black and white and very short too. I loved it. So many memories oh Heckmondwike when I was growing up.
In the 1950s there were two cinemas, 'The Pavilion' and 'The Palace' and every Christmas there was the famous Heckmondwike Illuminations which ran for the full length of the town and attracted thousands of visitors from a wide area. For many years my grandfather George Arthur Fisher ran a greengrocer's stall on the market.