Nostalgic memories of Kidlington's local history

Share your own memories of Kidlington 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 all 8 Memories

Kidlington 1948 1962

Oh my, I love all those photographs...so many memories...The new school baffled me as I wasn't sure which one it was. I went to the infants school in Blenheim Rd, the the New Junior School Oxford Rd (Near Garden City) the Gosford Hill Secondary Modern (just pre comp.) It was built but not ready for us to use...which meant we would have to travel through Oxford to Littlemore everyday on city buses...we were not ...see more

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Added 15 September 2016

Childhood.

I spent all my childhood in Kidlington, from nought to twenty-five years, when parents moved to Woodstock. We swam at the Whyte bridge even though we could not swim. We went to the clinic at the forester's hall to get weighted, and see a Doctor, to buy national dried milk, cod liver oil and orange juice, the Mum's chatted and drank tea, we ate small current buns while they talked. Our polio vaccinations were ...see more

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Added 04 March 2014

Sterlin Cinema

I did my apprenticeship at Woodward Bros electricians, High Street and had to do a lot of repairs at the Sterling Cinema. After the job was finished, Mr Hawkins, manager, used to give me a complementary pass. I shall always remember.

Kidlington, High Street and Sterling Cinema c1950

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Added 05 April 2013

Kidlington

Everyone knew each other with the men waiting at the Co-op corner by the monkey tree all waiting for the Red Lion pub to open. We got our groceries from the co-op, mum got her divi from her shopping, also when we got short of coal I had to collect the coal in a pram. My grampy kept pigs and when Mr Teal came to kill one we had to go in doors so we didn't see, then we was giving the pigs bladder to play with - the only ...see more

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Added 02 December 2012

I Used To Live Along There

I moved to 274, Oxford Road with my family in 1959. I lived there until marrying in 1978. The school bus collected me from outside my house and took me to Begbroke. At age 14 I moved to a school in Oxford City and caught the public bus thereafter.

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Added 30 July 2011

Grove Farm

in the late 1960s we moved to 32 Yarnton Road. My dad and grandad worked the land of Grove Farm before the housing development took place. During 1970s an archaeological excavation took place in the area surrounding Moat Cottage. I did my fair share of trench digging. We found a few walls, some pottery and that was about it! Hats off to Time Team, they do it in 3 days, we had months...

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Added 26 April 2010

Get Them In Quick

My mother Pamela Gaskins has often spoken of her days working at the sterling cinema. She was cashier there and has told me she could get a full house in within half-hour, the cheapest being 9 old pennies, the most expensive 3 shillings. Giving change and no automative calculators, quite a feat of mental agility.