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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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
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
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Displaying Memories 1551 - 1600 of 2029 in total
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
I was called up under the Bevin Scheme in April, 1944, and after a rather indifferent training at Annfield Plain Training Centre, was sent to the Hobson, as I was staying at the time in lodgings in Burnopfield with a Mrs. Crisp, husband Tommy and her two sons, Stan and Robert.
There were 2 other Bevin Boys occupying the house as well, so sleeping arrangements were cramped, to say the least!
I finished up ...see more
I attended Rosary Priory from September 1960 until July 1967 and was known as Shirley Hayward. I now use my full Christian name and have done for many years which is Shirley-Anne. I loved every minute (except for the Maths lessons - I was hopeless but Geometry was a doddle - strange that!) I didn't want to leave. My class spent the first couple of years in the huts while the new school was being built. ...see more
My maternal grandparents lived in Palmers Green - firstly in Elmdale Road close to what is now the North Circular and then moving to Wentworth Gardens off Hedge Lane. I have many childhood memories of visiting my grandparents and looking around the shops on a Saturday afternoon in the 1970's. We used to cut through the small park at the end of Wentworth Gardens along Hazelwood Lane onto ...see more
I remember the boating lake with very fond memories. We used to holiday with my great aunt and uncle who lived in Reydon every year. My parents, with my brother and I would arrive in late July and they would return home a fortnight later. I would remain for a further 4 weeks and my aunt would then take me home.This was the pattern for a number of years. My uncle (Frederick Valentine Ladd) was a former Lowestoft ...see more
If you look at the Coastguard Cottages in the background you will see a small wash house in front of the cottages on the lower garden. In the back left hand corner of the wash house was an old large copper where my grandmother Kate Knight used to boil all of her white washing. The sheets hanging on the washing line was visible to all the traffic coming down the hill from Trevarion. My grandmother was always being complemented on how white her washing was.
"Hold his hand and, don't let him fall in", were my dear old mum's famous last words. As an 8 year old when this photo was taken, keeping an eye on an accident prone 6 year old brother was no easy task. Off we went on the old steam train all the way from London to stay with our grandfather in Pier Plain, and I remember little brother Billy literally running down the road with his brand new yacht under his ...see more
I lived at Reighton Gap from early 1948 to 1951. The picture of the shop brings back many memories as I worked in it aged 11 during the summer school holidays. My jobs were to handle the dirty jobs, handling of potatoes, paraffin, and fetch the soft drinks from the back of the store. It was a very busy cafe in summer so I had to also wash up and dry the dishes, my reward was 2 meals a day and 7/6 per week ...see more
I remember S C Cummins quite well, their factory was close to the corner of (I believe) William Street. My grandparents lived at 55 Martin Street for many years and my aunty lived on Earle Street. My uncle lived on William Street and indeed he worked for Cummins on a part-time basis delivering the vans. Crewe makes up a large part of my life, I was born there in 1955 and left there in 57 to move to Scunthorpe, but the ...see more
It was nice to read of some familiar names that lived in Seaton at the same time as me, Jon Sandy for one. I often think of Jane Sandy and where she is now.
I came to live in Seaton when I was 2 years old in 1954; my parents, Jane and Harold Wood, at the time lived in the house 'Trenance' which was Mrs Pearce's property at that time. Seaton holds fond memories as a child growing up. I ...see more
As a young lad we visited the Constitutional Holiday Camp for a number of years, as far as I can remember I went with my parents from about 1949 to 1955. At that time my parents were living in East London which even by then was still suffering from the results of the wartime bombing, and to visit Hopton was of course a breath of fresh air (in more ways than one). I can always remember the chalets ...see more
One of my friends was Ivor Usher, and he had this unusual place of residence - Prudhoe Castle. Together we were able to run around the castle walls with our bows and arrows, catapults, etc... We didn't need much imagination to see ourselves as soldiers defending the castle from the attacking Scots. Ivor must have been quite brave, as I believe that one day he scaled the ruined central tower. Apparently when ...see more
Prudhoe Castle has always been a part of my life since I was born in 1938. My mother moved to Prudhoe Castle, where she was employed as a maid, to be nearer to my father who lived in Castle Dene. They eventually married and produced my brother Don in 1934, then me in 1938. After the war ended in 1945, various residents came to the Castle, one of them being Senor Hosea Paniego, who was ...see more
Hello, my name is Mick Turnbull. I was born in 1957 and lived at 1, Cairns Avenue. My parents were Robert Davison Turnbull and Jean Turnbull. My mother's parents were Adam and Nellie Chirnside and had lived in the same house of which the ownership went back to the Smith family who, it seems , was the Manager of the mine leading up to the closure of the Colliery. Robert Chirnside had moved south from ...see more