Nostalgic memories of Hoddesdon's local history
Share your own memories of Hoddesdon 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 - 18 of 18 in total
I had great times at the pub boatyard and the surrounding area. In the summer months I would work in the little shop in the boatyard selling fizzy drinks and hiring out the boats and canoes. In between jobs I would swim in the weir pool and do a bit of fishing, which in those days was simply awesome, I caught some huge Tench and Bream in the river by the boatyard and some whopping great Chub ...see more
My parents, had a plot of land on which they built a holiday chalet, and my older brothers and I had a wonderful childhood there. Fishing, swiming in the locks, walking throught the woods full of bluebells, and blackberry picking. As you say, we had water from an outside pump and the toilets were also outside. My father, was on the committee and he was the sanitary inspector, making sure that disposal was properly ...see more
Hi, I lived on Glen Faba in the 1960s from the age 5-10. I remember Stanley Hickin and his dad and their two big alsatian dogs. Fond memories of fishing in the River Lea, not knowing at the time near fields weir there was a island that was fenced off, you could fish into the weir pool, a man called Ted used to fish there for pike. One day I was fishing there and there was a young man fishing, he had a guitar with him and ...see more
I remember Glen Faba as a little girl, we lived in Stanstead Abbotts and owned a boat, and we used to always go to Glen Faba to more up every weekend. I remember going to the shop and buying sweets, and collecting water from the pump, I have a picture of me standing at the pump in my wellies. Cleareys boatyard had fond memories for my father who built his first boat there, and was friends with the Cleareys. I'll always ...see more
This is the first cinema I ever went to! I even went to see 'The Circus of Horrors' X-rated film here, I was smuggled in by my mum and her friend Long Lil (Lillian Smith), it's ok, I've had no real side effects from it, ha ha. I think I was between 6-8 years old. I remember I had to hide under Lil's coat (it had a flare type bottom) and Mum and Lil walked in from the ticket booth arm in arm, into the darkened cinema. ...see more
Oh what lovely memories come flooding back, my mum and I would walk the winding river towpath from Glen Faba, where we lived, to Dobbs Weir, fish and minnow watching as we went along our way. In the summer my mum would get a hire row boat out from the man in the Fish and Eels pub garden, oh it was always sooo exciting - being so careful not to fall in the water, as we climbed into the boat, and then we were off, taking ...see more
Hi there, I lived there from 1960 to 1968. I remember it well. I am still in touch with three of my friends who lived there as well. I went to Roydon School. I remember walking down that bumpy old road to catch the bus and walking up Low Hill when I missed the bus.
I had a great childhood there. My mate Alby Smith lived on the island and I lived in the old boat house for a while, I think I lived in about three or four different places. I would love to see some photos, that would be great.
Does anyone at all remember the small island called Glen Faba at Rye House which had dozens of old chalets, caravans and odd assortments of old bungalows near the river lea lock. There was also a provisions shop made out of wood selling sweets and other foods, I think it was called, or at least the lady was called Mrs Kew. The shop was very near the bridge crossing the weir. It was a holiday place ...see more