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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Search for your favourite UK places and read memories of the local area in days gone by.
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Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:
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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
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
...and hundreds more!
Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.
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Displaying Memories 1601 - 1650 of 2029 in total
I remember Valence swimming pool from the late fifties. I lived in Bushgrove Road and went to Valence School and used to go early on a Saturday morning with my mates to be first in there before the crowds. I couldn't swim, but that didn't matter 'cos I had an old van tyre to keep me afloat (I've still got the damn valve marks in my ribs now). I remember jumping in and not being able to breathe for about a ...see more
Born 1943. I briefly attended Lonesome with Roger Watts. He lived in Eldertree Way and I lived in Eldertree Place. Then to Bordergate and Bond Road School in 1948. Met David Grayson, Dale Foster, Robin Theobold etc.. On Bordergate I played with Dereck Stevens, Alfie Sallis, Micheal Barnet and many others. We would hang around Stuart Place and the old rent office. We also roamed Mitcham far and wide. Fishing in the ...see more
It was the 118 bus Colin. It went from Clapham Common to Mitcham Cricket Green. I also remember well those wonderful Leo's ice lollies. After those awful slabs of lard between 2 wafers that went soggy they were magic - Walls's! My family moved from Northborough Road to Rosemead Avenue in March 1940 as all the Lcc schools were closed. My sister and I went to Pollards Hill School. Both of my brothers went there or to ...see more
I am told that once upon a time buses ran through Romford Market towards Gidea Park. Apparently I was happily standing in the queue with my mother and newly-born sister in a pram waiting for a 174. I held tight to Mum's coat so as not to lose her. Imagine my surprise to find that the coat in question belonged to a stranger, and my mother and sister had boarded the bus and were moving away! Luckily ...see more
I have just been reading the memories of a Ms Hamilton. I used to cross the bridge on the way to and from Goldsworth Junior School as I lived in Horsell. My sister and friends would stop and fish for newts or frogs - especially when tiny frogs appeared in the spring, which would make us late home - obviously we got told off for being late. I loved that bridge it has happy memories. I now live in ...see more
Wow! I was taught to swim in the Woking Pool by my mum. I could be in this very photo but preferred the quieter sessions. My sister or friends and I would cycle there and take a Thermos of Bovril to warm us up after our swim. There was a chalkboard at the turnstile entrance warning us of the water temperature! The changing room lockers were locked and unlocked by very sun-burnished attendants, and we had to poke ...see more
I was born at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey in 1971 the eldest of 3. We lived in Orchard Mains until I was 4 when we moved to Hook Hill Park. I have fantastic memories growing up. We made friends with all the children on our road and spent hours playing in the woods which backed on to our road. In the winter we went sledging down the steep slope of our road. I went to Greenfields School which again I have fond ...see more
The shop with the blind outside was built by my grandparents in 1932, they already had two shops in Milford High Street, opposite the Post Office, a confectioners and a grocery shop. Grandpa and Grandma decided to expand the grocery business to the new premises and the old shop became an off-licence. Cecil and May Knight lived in the flat above the new shop with my dad Frederick, and his first wife ...see more
I remember my first day at Willingham School. I was so daunted by Mrs Readers presence. She was so authoritative and strong of mind and confidence. She never demanded respect, she would never have to because she earned it. Mid-morning milk was not a favourite as it seems it was always necessary to put it next to a radiator, so it was always warm...yak. Dinner times involved a march up the road to the ...see more
In October 1958 I was sent to Yarrow for two weeks to recover from a complicated operation. I have a sense of dread about my time there; my arrival into the panelled and imposing hall as my dad disappeared down the long drive, still haunts me and none of the staff helped me to feel any better - they were unfriendly and at times very unkind. The atmosphere was heavy with lots of silence and I never ...see more
I was brought up on Broomfield Lane; wonderful memories of Wares Creamery which was a cafe and sold amazing ice cream, where Hale Grill is now. We used to play with dentist, Mr McKnight's daughter Amanda; they had a tortoise who lived in the garden...so exotic! Hours spent in the library and the reliable 'bobby' in the police station on the corner of Leigh Road. Such a lovely place to grow which we took so much for granted.
Jack & Unice Spencer were my grandparents, they owned the boats on Pickmere Lake. My life after the war was idillic when living with them, thousands flocked from Salford & Manchester to camp, fish and row my grandad's boats. We charged 2 bob an hour, 10p in to-days money. On a Saturday, before dark, I used to row across the lake putting eel lines out with my grandad, then on a Sunday, row ...see more
I was born in 1942 and brought up in Walthamstow in NE London. We were a working class family and Dad always provided us with 2 week's holiday, if possible 'by the sea'.
In 1951, Dad chose Dawlish Warren. I was 9 at the time and we probably travelled down by train from Paddington, changing at Exeter St Davids and getting a local train for Dawlish Warren but I have no recollection of that. ...see more
We used to live in Phrosso Road, off George Vth Avenue, and I used to be allowed to go to Marine Gardens on my own, or with my friend Katharine Green. We loved daring each other to jump over the long channel of the fishpond! Oh what simple pleasures! My sister used to work in the cafe, which I used to think was incredibly glamorous! Judy (Harrop) Hemery.
I remember this hospital with great affection and gratitude. I was there for nearly 4 years as a student and then staff nurse 1966-1970. It was never ever called 'Royal', its title was The Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital. I lived as a student nurse in the nurses homes, Hitcham House and then Hitchambury House in my final year. The training for nurses was outstanding and stood me in good ...see more
My father worked for Eagle Star Insurance and during the war the company was relocated from London to Cobham in a large house called Oakmead (?) and my mother joined him (they lived in Westcliff Essex). When Dad joined the RAF my mother stayed in Cobham, she enjoyed the dances at the village hall and cycled around the area. Is Oakmead still there and does anyone remember the Eagle Star? After the war my father still ...see more
It was 1971 and as a 7 year old I remember my dad Stanley Mason (1921-2002) taking me to "Brooklands' stadium to watch Romford FC. We always stood in the same place on the terrace. I worked as a 'Saturday boy' when I was 14 for the greengrocers LW Moore & Sons at number 38 High Street, Romford for about 2 years. I delivered fruit & veg around Romford to various locations on an old black bicycle with a basket on the front. Very happy memories.
I grew up in Farncombe. My grandparents lived opposite the railway station and all my other relatives lived in the village. My grandmother had worked as housekeeper to the Phillips family whose son, 'Jack', was radio operator on the Titanic. I attended the local village school and remember the toilets had no doors, only sacking on nails, and the air raid shelters in the playground. My brother-in-law was ...see more
In the 40's and early 50's the Goodland family lived in one of the pair; with their son Norman, and during the war a boy called, I think, John Hunt lived in the other. No relation to the Hunt family who ran the Post Office and shop, and had a son called Bruce (nic name Rooster). This bus stop was just far emough from Wherwell School (run by the fierce Miss Strugnel) to qualify for a school bus pass, though we often ...see more
My paternal grandparents, Wright and Bertha Veall, lived in Ewyas Harold for many years at their small farm named, 'Woodside' situated on a hill about a mile from the village centre and just off the road to Rowlstone. To reach it, you crossed the narrow bridge facing the Temple Bar Inn, passing the Spracklings' house on the right and the Dales' cottage on the left, the last in a small row ...see more
From around 1953 until 1961 I used to stay with my Grandma Hindley who lived just off Bentick Road and then later on in Plimsoll Terrace, Denman Street, Radford, Nottingham. I can vividly recall Plimsoll Terrace - a two up and two down terrace house with communal yard at the back door and outside loo. The stone cobbled streets and the numerous tiny shops on Denman Street were my playground. With ...see more
So many happy memories of Maesteg - where do I start? I was born in 1947 and lived at No 3, Plasnewydd Street until I was about 19. My best friend when I was young was Paul Spracklen (with whom I re-kindled our friendship a few years ago, and we now chat by phone most weeks). Friends also were; John Eley, Ian Davies, Andrew Davies and David Hodder. My sister, was and is Helen. I went to ...see more
I recall going to the fairground which was on the Common; there were some stalls of which one could either test your skill trying to throw a hoop over a prize in order to win it; of course there was a catch and that catch was to make sure the hoop would drop dead flat on the stalls table. There was a square cube of which when throwing the hoop over the prize; in this case a bottle of Pompagne vintage cider (the ...see more
I was born at 50 Nancy Road, Grimethorpe on the 12 December 1944. At this time this address was the White City police house and had the West Riding police crest attached to the front of the house. My dad, Robert Cox, had come down to Yorkshire in 1929 to join the police force from Durham where he had previously worked in the coal mines. He returned to Durham and married my mam Elsie and their first posting was ...see more
I accessed this print because it is a picture of my 'Aunt and Uncle's' shop which we stayed in on many happy occasions. My mother was cousin to Mrs Cooper but, as is often the case with village people, they were very close and spent time together rather like sisters; so we were and are treated as close family members. The shop for us was a special place as it was surrounded by a very large garden with a ...see more
The railway horses were stabled on the Dock. One of the handlers was a man called White, who was the landlord of the Royal Oak pub in High Street. They would pull the wagons along the line where they were needed. It was strenuous work for the horses, I've seen them fall on their knees, straining to get the fully loaded wagons to start to roll; once they started to roll, the handler would quickly unhook the chain. ...see more
I remember visiting the house with my mother (Phyllis) and father (Thomas) before we moved in in 1948 when I was 6 years old. There was myself, my twin sisters, another sister who had just been born and my half brother Tom (Biff). In the first year there my brother Jonathan was born. During the time there, my sisters and I went to school in the summer house on the ...see more
I visited Llangedwyn church graveyard on 24 August 2009 with my cousin Gillian Harrington, nee Phillips, in search of the grave of our great grandparents, David and Mary Jane Phillips, who died in 1935 and 1945 respectively, before either of us were born.
We located the grave and also the grave of Ernest Phillips, who we think was also a family member. Our grandfather Walter Phillips, the son ...see more
I remember Sunshine Corner in Spring Lane, where I would go to on Sunday Mornings and make pom poms on milk bottle tops, and sit on brightly coloured chairs and of singing; "Sunshine Corner, oh it's very fine it's for children under ninty nine all are welcome, seats are given free sunnny sunshine corner is the place for me" And then off home in Hamilton Road to roast beef and yorkshire pudding, we always ...see more
The shop on the corner as pictured was called Rapley's Corner Shop owned by Mrs Rapley in the 1950's, and as a child I used to help Mrs Rapley serving and re-stacking shelves with stock after school and on Saturdays. I loved doing it and spending time talking to people as they came in for their groceries. In those days the sweets were in huge jars and were measured out by the ounce into brown paper bags! ...see more
As a very young child, probably aged about 3 or 4, my family rented one of the cottages close to the cliff side at Sea View Crescent on two consecutive years. I remember the drive down Ostend Road, where lots of the bungalows had model windmills in their gardens.
One night, probably in 1966 or 1967, there was a terrific storm. I remember vividly the sea foam on the windows and my brother saying to keep ...see more
I am almost certain this is the plane that I had my first flight in. It was during a family holiday and I was around 6 years old at the time. I still remember the experience vividly! My elder brother and uncle were squashed into the back seat which resembled a small bench seat. My father sat next to the pilot and I sat on my father's knee ! There was a leather ...see more
I always think of East Ham at Christmas, going to the Co-op to see Father Christmas, it seemed like magic how they did it. Then when older I remember my dad sat down our shed at 61 Stokes Road plucking chickens, he kept chickens in our small garden along with rabbits and canaries in an avairy. He would be all done up in scarf and big coat, with a lead going down garden with a light on the end, no health and safety ...see more
I remember as a young girl going to visit my grandparents house in Monega Road, Manor Park. They lived in a three-up, two-down with a funny type coal shed under the stairs! I can remember walking down the tree-lined street with my grandad, I must have been about 3 or 4 and he knew everyone he saw in the street. They lived a few doors away from the Monega Road School, which both my Mum and Uncle went ...see more
At the end of the 1972/1973 football season, and at the age of 17, I went for the first (and only) time to the annual Hammer of the Year dance at East Ham town Hall organised by West Ham United. I went with my friend Diane Legg.
There I was asked for a dance by a young man, which was a surprise to me as I never had much to do with boys. This time, for some reason I said yes to the dance.
I found out ...see more
I moved to Spencer Avenue, Hayes, when I was 5 and the war had just finished. My earliest recollections were of starting school at Yeading Lane and walking there through thick snow. Luckily we had school dinners so mum only had to make the journey twice a day. Down our street were what must have been young families as I recall lots of friends all the same age as me, amongst them Rita Stamford, ...see more
I remember the Coronation in 1937; my mother and father took us to party in the hall on the corner of Station Street and Tower Street, all the tables was full of all kinds of food. We were given a pencil pen, it was white with a gold crown, you twisted the bottom to bring the the lead out - also a mug. After, we went onto the Station Pad field where the kids had sack races; father said to me "put your feet well into the corners so you can run".
I was born in coronation year 1953 at the Annie McCaul Hospital in Jeffreys Road, Clapham. I grew up at 20 Plato Road, just off the Acre Lane in Brixton in the 50s and early 60s. What a fantastic time it was. I fondly remember it with great affection as the golden era when Brixton was Brixton. My cousin also lived in Plato Road, further down the street, how we looked forward to Saturday morning. We ...see more
This photograph was obviously taken when the road bridge was nearing completion in 1961. My husband grew up nearby, and tells some gruesome stories about the plague of rats they experienced when the undergrowth was being cleared in the early days of construction. The family cat would bring home several rats each day, and local gardens were over-run with them. Worse still, they got into outhouses and sheds, under floorboards and even into houses.
Opposite the Majestic Cinema, you can just see the Tudor brickwork of the Bucks Head Inn, on the London Road corner. It was very rare that my Dad would go in, but we would be sent there at certain times of the year. A seafood stall, parked beside the pub on a Sunday, would sell cockles, whelks, winkles, mussels, shrimp and jellied eels. My Dad would give my sister and I , or my brother Robert, some ...see more
I was also a pupil at Friar Park from 1955 to 1962. I have nothing but wonderful memories of this amazing school. As a little girl the endless drive with rhododendron bushes eventually opening into this huge circle where an Edwardian Gothic mansion stood, will always be etched in my memory. The incredible sweep of the lawns on the West Terrace leading down to carefully contrived pools and bridges which ...see more
My Nana Simpson (nee Brunton) was a fisherwoman who used to sell fish on the front from a creel on her back years before I was born. My Grandad contracted Polio in his 50's and Nana had to work hard long hours to bring up her extensive family. She progressed in the pre-war years to owning two shops in Jesmond, we used to call them the top and bottom shops, the one on Acorn Road being uppermost in my ...see more
Just a few years after this photograph was taken they moved the war memorial to the junction of Theobald Street and Shenley Road; almost to the spot where this photographer was standing. I was a cub scout with our meeting room in Station Road opposite, and spent many an evening kicking the gravel around the memorial. For some unknown reason my grandmother always refered to 'Tibble Street'.
In 1953 my father worked as a builder contractor and was persuaded to allow the new vicar, the Rev .Lawrence, to hold Sunday school in a temporary bricklayer's hut. So every Sunday we picked our reluctant way through the mud and scaffolding to spend an hour listening to stories. Eventually, St. Michaels and All Angels was built and I remember standing in my scout's uniform waving a union jack when it was opened by Princess Margaret.
My name is Julie and my Mum and Dad are Joan and Tom Street (Mum has passed away). I have wonderful memories of Cuffley and lived there from the age of 5 to 19 years in Homewood Avenue; we moved there in 1963. My Mum loved to tread the boards and I remember going to see her in plays at the old Cabin before the hall was built. I remember my Dad helping to paint and build the sets outside on a Sunday morning. I ...see more
I will cherish forever my memories of Brookfield, I was 11 when I started at Brookfield in 1980. For the first year I hated every muniute of every day, but purseverance from my mum paid off. I can honestly say the remaining years were the best years of my life. I feel very privileged to have been able to do so many things; rock climbing, fell walking, pot holeing ,wind surfing, skiing...the list is endless. To ...see more
When I was ten years old this old tree was a delight. Ancient and hollow inside, we children were able to crawl inside while mother did her shopping. We watched people pass on their way to and from the blacksmith, the grocer or the butcher, firmly believing they had no idea we were there. If we were lucky we would have been bought an ice lolly or a sweet to eat in the tree. It was often thought by visitors ...see more
Although I moved from Prestbury to Gloucester in 1966 when I got married, then to Somerset in 1967. Prestbury has always held a special place in my heart, I always call it my home. I lived in a small cottage in Bowbridge Lane which had a stream at the bottom of the garden, with my parents, Len White and Nancy White and brother Brian. We moved to New Barn Close in 1948, when I was five. My ...see more
Dad recalled that when the USAF were based there, probably around 1955, maybe earlier, he'd decided to take a drive up the road that skirted the base to see if he could spot the new fighter which he had heard about.
So, having left my mum chatting with her sisters, he donned his black leather riding gear and rode his motorcycle up to the gates, got out his binoculars ...see more
My grandfather owned the Old Bell and Steelyard through WWII until the mid 50's. Unfortunately he died before I was born, but I've been visiting Woodbridge to see relatives who still live there, for my entire life.
If you visit the Old Bell, which is, I believe one of the oldest pubs in Britain, look at the far left window ground floor. This used to be a shop with a ...see more
