Favourite Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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...and hundreds more!
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Displaying Memories 1551 - 1600 of 2029 in total
As a young child I can remember several holidays taken at the Warners holiday camp at Seaton.
The serious business of 'motoring down to Devon' was never taken lightly, lunch was prepared the night before to be eaten at Stonehenge, where one was free to sit upon the stones then, the Consul Mk2 was serviced or at least washed and polished, suitcases on the roof were wrapped in plastic, which made a noise all the way down! ...see more
In 1962 I was in Cledwyn Evan's class at the primary school. In the Summer terms Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother used to visit King Edward's School in Witley, and Mr. Evans led his class to the roundabout to see her go by. He was enthusiastically ragged about it by the other teachers! We all stood just by the walnut tree on the left of the picture. We waited, but not for long. The Rolls-Royce came whispering ...see more
My grandma's unmarried brother and sisters lived in Knott End. Me and my many cousins - all post-war boom babies - would spend many days there in summer. The biggest buzz of all was when the 'Wyresdale' was operating. How I loved that boat! With its double deck and hissing steam pipes (doomed to meet with a tragic end ..) it was to all of us just like another comment said -'Better than any cruise liner'. A ...see more
I was born at home in Hartley St in 1944. In our childhood we had fields and a bit of countryside to play in. Everywhere one looked there were textile mill chimneys. At one pm each working day, the workers were called back to work from thier dinners (not lunches in Morley) by hooters that sounded like air raid warnings. There was always the smell of wool in the air and the clattering of the weaving looms. It was a different ...see more
In the photo forground is a Morris Minor which my mother bought for my sister and me to lern to drive in, we allways parked it under the old wooden street lamp as we lived in White Hart Cottage just a little lower down on the other side of the street, which had no parking. The was Bings garage opposite just out of this picture on the left. Lots of fond memories as I was born at White Hart Cottage, which is an old ...see more
Born In Nairn, now living In New Zealand. Memories include: the putting green, picking rasps and brambles in the Links bushes, hot orange at Morganti's after Bible Class on a Sunday night, the wishing well in the "big valley" at the links, the rope swing in the "small valley" at the links, swinging on the old bridges up the river, playing and catching starfish at the rocks on the beach, jumping of the groynes, ...see more
My earliest memories are of East Harlsey where my father was an undergardener at the Hall. The owners were the Constantine family, whose business was something to do with shipping in the North East. We lived in a tied cottage one of four near the Hall and Church. Before I was old enough to go to school we used to go to Osmotherly, I think on a Tuesday, to the clinic and to get the orange juice which came ...see more
I was born in East Harlsey in 1946 and was educated in the village school which of course is now a private house, or is it two. I remember there being two classrooms and, if my memory is correct, the teacher was a Mrs Lyle?? I seem to remember we called her "jam pot". At that time the shop was run by a Mrs Topham, not sure of the spelling. My grandmother was the caretaker of the village hall as she was for about ...see more
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
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
Many a day I would walk into into York and would find time enough to walk along the Ouse River. I was approaching the railway bridge and saw four lads playing silly on a swing rope which was hanging but a few feet from the Banking side. Many times I had seen these lads or lads like them swing on the rope and get much pendulum where, when the rope with them on it was far enough high and out towards the center of ...see more
I was 4 years old when my parents moved to 17 New Road, Chatham. It was 1937 - my father had a Radio and Electrical Business (Wholesale) he had been a traveller previously and wanted to have a more settled existance - he was still delivering but locally around Kent, instead of all around the South of England! It was a grand house quite a museum with knockers on all the (7) bedroom doors - we had ...see more
We were one of the early families to have a caravan at Bovi. This was what the campers called it back then. Caravans were positioned randomly before terraces were excavated in the field over the fence from the green above Sandy Parlour (Bovisand's third beach).
There was a community of campers and Christmas parties each year were fabulous for us kids. A good present could be depended on.
We spent all ...see more
My 2nd daughter Deborah was born in Frimley Hospital June 24, 1964 on a night when 6 babies were born (when normally only 1 would be born). The nurses were run off their feet. One came and asked me where my husband was because she said that he could have helped! Unfortunately,or fortunately for her, he had gone home. June 24 was Midsummers Day and the tradition was that strawberries and cream were served for tea; ...see more
I remember the rickety bridge over the River Mole here, when I was very small my mother used to take me over it to eat sandwiches by the 'splash' and go for a paddle. The bridge was really scary with wobbly planks and I was afraid of falling through where the missing one was. When I was old enough to go on my own I learned to swim in the river, hanging on to the water weeds and ...see more
I also remember the 'Splash'. We were told that some time in the past a Queen had crossed here with her ladies-in-waiting and that one of them had fallen in? Well, it's a good story. As a very horrible little boy, we used to catch minows in the pool, and then drag them across from one side of the river to the other, on the way across they would be followed by crayfish that we would shoot with our air ...see more
A South Londoner, I was 12+ when WWII started in September 1939. I was evacuated with Wandsworth Central School to Farncombe, and remember sitting on the floor in a large hall waiting for someone to 'adopt' me. Eventually, I found myself with the Gorringe family who were the local Builders, Decorators, Undertakers etc, in Hare Lane. I have nothing but very happy memories of my time with them which lasted ...see more
I used to live in Maultway North - the turning directly to the right of the Jolly Farmer - in the mid 1980's, so I have hazy memories of the pub as a customer. But I remember feeling the place to be cut off from the rest of the world - it was always a challenge crossing the London Road as the pub is smack bang in the middle of a busy roundabout. A million miles away from this tranquil image.
The legend of the ...see more
I was born in Bagshot but moved to Camberley in 1955 when I was 8. I attended York Town Primary School which was, and on checking the maps still appears to be, located on the other side of the London Road, a bit further down from what was once the Odeon cinema. Later on, like Gaynor Henderson (Smith), I went to France Hill School and in 1966 also married a soldier from the RMA. I moved to ...see more
To the left of the little girls in the photograph of Churt Post Office there is a large house that was called Threeways in the 50's and 60's, perhaps it was always called this, I do not know. After WWII my parents, Norman and Leila Middlehurst, lived there in a flat with my brother Robert. They moved to Lower Bourne sometime just before I was born in early 1953. A small barn can be seen in the ...see more
As a boy in the 1930s and 1940s I often visited Auchmountain Glen. It was a fascinating place with a pleasant walk and many plants and flowers together with statues and even some ships' figureheads. There was a clubhouse which was used by the Auchmountain Boys. These were the local men who created and looked after the glen as part of their leisure activity, especially during the depression of the 1930s. They ...see more
My family have been in Eastwood Road Bramley for almost 100 years and some are still there. I grew up in Eastwood road; most of my family have lived there. My Great Great Grandmother,my Great Grand Mother and my Grandmother and my two great Aunts lived in the house on the corner of the picture (73) and that is my two Great Aunts Hilda and Nelly in the picture with (I think) their friend May. ...see more
Because my father, and later on my mother and brother, shot at Bisley, every summer holiday was spent on the ranges. We would catch a train to Woking, then another to Brookwood and then board the "Bisley Bullet" which would take us to The Ranges. The last time the Bullet ran, we all put pennies on the line and the little engine ran over them and flattened them. At first we hired a caravan and then we bought a big ...see more
I remember going with my mum to visit some old aunt who lived over the Heath, and chasing the geese until they turned and chased me back! I was so frightened of them after that. Sometimes we would stop at the shop by the Pond to buy some sweets, which were a real treat back then. Mother told me to keep clear of the pond as there was a well in it, and some old gentleman who had drunk too much, waded out into the pond ...see more
I was born on Room's Lane in one of three cottages near to the train station. My father worked for Roland Humphry. We moved to St Bernard's not long after I was born, the house was the previous horseman's home, My dad worked with his horse most of the time and I would sit at the end of the field and wait for dad to finish, when I was able to have a ride home on her. St Bernards had two rows of houses ...see more
My Grandparents William Garside and Evelyn Bowden were married on 29th February 1896 in Cardiff and Grandad lived in Roath prior to his marriage. I imagine they may have also stood in this spot when courting, looking quite similar.
It is indeed Hunshelf Bank, and the school was probably Stocksbridge County Primary, although there were a couple of church schools as well.
I spent my first 17 years on Unsliven Road, Stocksbridge. It wasn't until I was 11 and stepped off the 'Barnsley Bus' into the silence of Silkstone that I realised just how much 'Sammy Fox's' was part of my very existence. Home was in a beautiful wooded ...see more
I 'lived' in Clarence Park for years when I was a kid. It became my magic Kingdom! I knew every bush and tree and secret trail through the bushes. I would lurk in the bushes and spy on people walking past. I had a favourite tree - a huge beech next to the bowling green. I would climb high in it and sit quietly watching them bowl, hidden by dense leaves. I'd whistle and call to them and put them off ...see more
I have fond memories of Winchmore Hill where I was born in 1937. We lived in Hadley Way till about 1949, then moved to Slades Hill in Enfield. I went to St Pauls School (Mr Gayler) then Minchenden. I well remember The Intimate Theatre where a 'waitress' with white apron served tea from a trolley in the interval! Also The Capitol cinema and Palmers Green shops - especially Evans and Davies where your money went ...see more
I was evacuated to Compton, West Sussex, in September 1939. My brother Geff, was with me at the Manor house. Also there were the Gregory brothers; their mother had volunteed to help, and looked after us. The Manor was owned by the Langdale sisters. When we arrived at the village hall, we had to wait to be selected. The Vicar, acting for the Langdales, chose us - how lucky we were. Such a wonderful time in our ...see more
I and my family stayed at the Ferry House, next to the Boat House from 1965 to 1973. The house was then owned by the wife of my dad's boss and we used to be able to go for a fortnight each summer. We used to park our car, with permission, on the drive of a big house opposite Dylan Thomas's writing shed, and then everything - bedding, food and personal belongings - had to be carried along the cliff walk and ...see more
In 1957, having just completed my National Service I was living at home in Lindfield. Whilst looking for a permanent job, I had taken up a part time job at Haywards Heath Post Office. Each day for 6 days a week on reporting to H.H Post Office, I was driven out to Bolney Post Office with two others plus the mail. On arriving at Bolney we set about sorting the mail and delivering the same by bike. This was done ...see more
We lived over the Express Dairy (opposite the Odeon) My early school days started in 1937 when Bandon Hill Infants were at Milton Road - we moved to Milton Road in 1935. The 654 Trolley bus route was nearby and sometimes the conductor would take out a long pole from under the bus to relocate the overhead poles to the cables above. When our class went up to the Sandy Lane school the Second ...see more
Approximatly 1949 - 50 I well remember going into the bell tower with my father, who was one of the regular bell ringing team. The tower entrance was through the small door just to the right of the main church door and was then a long climb up a narrow stone circular stairway to the floor just below the clock level, which was where the bells were rung from. The bells were mounted on the floor above which I ...see more
Miss Cary was short and stout with grey hair in a bun. She always wore a cameo brooch on a white silk blouse, grey skirt and sensible shoes. She was kind and patient, she was also my first teacher. One day as the mothers picked up their children she announced, 'Tomorrow my class is going on a day trip, the children will need a packed lunch and two shillings', and that was that. The next morning we arrived ...see more
I was the manager in the 70's and had a wonderful few years at the pub.l still have a carved picture of the pub, which was carved by an American G I based at Chessington. The Gate was hung up so that the pedestrians could walk past without getting wet in the water splash, which at that time ran across the road. thats where the words come from -This Gate Hangs High and Hinders None,Refresh and Pay and Travel On. People whom have resided in Chessington are Petula Clarke and Enid Blyton.
Living in north Watford from 1952 to 78, I have fond memories of factories such as the British Moulded Hose. Not a nylon stockings factory as its title may sound, but an asbestos factory which I remember one day caught fire when I was in the playground of Park Gate School. Other well-known factories I remember were the (B.A.O) British American Optical company just a short distance away which made reading ...see more
My wife used to live in the house on the right, Number 5 Mill Close. When we were courting I would walk her home from our nights out and we use to sit on the bridge wall. This is where I had my first kiss from her, she was 17 and I was 19 years old. We have been married now for 46 years and have two children and 4 grandchildren. This is where it all started.
My dad used to live in the end cottage up until the early 1950s (the one next to the car). Both my grandparents lived there until about 1965. The cottage was very small, with no running water and an old earth closet toilet. The water had to be collected in pails from standpipes every day. These were dotted around the village next to the older cottages that did not have any internal running water, ...see more
After the war, on April 14th 1946, flying training ceased, and Lulsgate Bottom was abandoned by the RAF in October. The airfield was used by Bristol Gliding Club during the next ten years, but the accommodation became a refugee camp for Poles, whose children went to Catholic schools in Bristol.
In 1948 and 1949 motor race meetings were organised by the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light Car Club ...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, ...see more
Tring hosts a lovely Christmas shopping evening each year when the High Street is decorated, the shop windows have illuminated Christmas displays and stay open late and the place is transformed into a fairyland of old-fashioned entertainment and street traders. There are hot chestnut vendors, roundabouts, fairground organs, traction engines, musicians and dancers. The ...see more
Howden School opened on a cold and snowy January day, I think it was the 17th. Before leaving our old schools we were each given a number and on arrival at the school we had to line up behind cardboard boxes with this number displayed. It turned out to be our houseroom number.
Everywhere smelt so -- new. After attending a small village school this school seemed so big - would we ever find our way around? Amazingly, we ...see more
The Rivera!! Once a week after school in 1964- 65, a group of us (mostly 6th-formers from the Grammar School, which was co-ed by that time) used to gather upstairs in the Rivera Restaurant (on the right in the photo) and order tea and buttered teacakes - all we could afford - and we'd make them last an hour or more. I'm sure we were often noisy, and took up a lot of room, much to the ...see more
I spent many very happy holidays at my uncle's house, number 8 Beach Street directly behind the pub in the photo. It was an old house with very steep stairs with large ropes instead of handrails. It had no electricity although gas was fitted later. The large building to the right of the photo was bombed in the 2nd world war, it stayed a ruin until it was pulled down and made into gardens, later to become a crazy golf ...see more
My friend and I, still best buddies to this day, used to go to The Mayfair every Saturday night. We loved Motown and Northern soul and still do. Then we progressed to The Femina, at the back of The George. The name implied to my Mother that it was for girls only! Oh no. We had some good times there. Then, outgrowing Walsall, we were avid visitors to Top of the World, Stafford. We used to book our ...see more
I left Walsall at the age of fifteen, at the time of the date of this picture. I loved the trolley buses and watching the trolley conductor change the rails. I remember the Bridge well, as shown in this picture. It was my task on a Saturday to collect and return my younger nephew every Saturday morning from my older sister, taking him home to Mom for the day so my sister could work in one of the shops on the Bridge. On ...see more
I read the letter from someone who remembers the policeman in the top floor of a shop overlooking the Bridge at Christmas. Well that policeman was Gordon (Sandy) Lewis - a cheeky chappie, who gave everyone a smile when they crossed the road. Sandy died a few years ago. I was a policewoman at this time in Walsall Borough Police, and many times I did 5 ways point duty on the Bridge, at the bottom of Park ...see more
I was a pupil here and Miss Dickie ('The Bird' as we called her) was our headmistress and much respected and revered. I believe she retired a while after. It was an excellent school though we did take it all for granted sometimes. We were always looking forward to when we could raise the funds for the swimming hall, which did happen eventually. The school's reputation was very good. The setting on the edge of Nonsuch ...see more
As a young child, I lived at number 5 Mill Terrace. It was my grandparents' house. Their names were Stanley and Alice Timberlake and they were able to rent the house because my grandad had worked for a local landowner by the name of Fitzhugh. My mother, Jeanette, was born in that house. We moved to the midlands when I was 5 years old but continued to visit until the mid-70s when Nan and Grandad moved to nearby ...see more
