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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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!
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Displaying Memories 1651 - 1700 of 2029 in total
Gunsite Farm was at the end of Limekiln Lane, which was a dirt track. On the left were a row of cottages, on the right, bigger semi detatched where the better off lived. The Alan Rutherford family, (loads of them), Brian Cummings, Steve Belcher and I went to Hardley School. My father was the first person to put a caravan on the land directly in front of the end of Lime Kiln Lane, the farmers name was (?), the land ...see more
Photograph No. 1. I was born in July l940 – Virginia Le Roux. The house on the left of the picture was where I lived until I was nearly 13 with my parents. The long narrow upstairs window was my bedroom. My mother’s mother and brother also lived in the house. My uncle - John Grover had a shop to the left of the porch, where he sold fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, some of which he grew himself. ...see more
I lived in Thurlstone from 1962 on Manchester Road and then to Penistone in 1963. I lived at 162 Green Road. My father worked at David Browns as was, and everyday I used to meet him at the gates at 4 oclock when he finished work. I remember possibly hundreds of men going out through those gates all dressed in their navy blue overalls. At the back of our house were some large steps leading down to the lane where all us ...see more
The Cambridge American Cemetry was built after the second war, during this time the odor of rotting bodies being buried at Madingley,caused my father to drive his taxi (photo) on the St Neot's Road or via Madingley Village depending on the wind direction. The sweet smell of death was often present during the construction. On another occasion my father, Ronald Newell, who owned the ...see more
My memories are a bit faded now but I have checked things with my older brothers and they can remember more than me. We were evacuated there during the war. I was born in 1943 and have just celebrated my 70th! My mother met her 2nd husband there and his name was William Henry Griffiths. He was an ex miner and suffered a serious chest condition and only had one lung. After the war we would visit Altofts for a ...see more
Like Marion DelFavero, I remember Trevor Hughes. He used to sit on the fountain steps in the middle of market square. My brother was in 'the Force' in those days and he used to say when the weather was really bad you could expect Trevor in for the night. Apparently a very clever man who fell on to hard times for the love of a woman...so rumour has it. Certainly a favourite character of the times, many photo's taken with him.
It had just been built and I was in the class of 1960. I struggle to recall the teacher's names but I'm pretty sure there was a Miss Lynn and there was definitely a Miss Kill. She was my first love at age five.
By a quirk of the internet I met online a 'girl' from my class, now in her 50's, who was still in touch with Miss Kill and I was able to get a message to her. Incredibly, some ...see more
All I ever wanted was to be a nurse but not having the exam results to do this our family Doctor suggested to my mother I go to a Children's Convalescence Unit in Woodhouse Eaves and work voluntary; at first I thought this was would be a great adventure. I arrived on a Sunday ready to start work on the Monday, I was given a uniform that looked as near as damn it, to a nurse's uniform. I woke on the Monday ...see more
I was born and brought up in Maresfield and have wonderful memories of a very happy carefree childhood. Along with my brother and sisters we lived with my mum and dad and my dear old Gran. Gran had lived in the same cottage since she had married my grandad and in that 2 up 2 down cottage she had raised 8 children (it would have been 9 but 1 son passed away after an accident), my mum being the ...see more
In the late 1950's I spent much time down here watching the shipping. First I would go to the Library in Culver Street to look at the Lloyds News sheet to see which boats were arriving or leaving. I would also look the ships up in Lloyds Register to find out the details of the ships.
I remember the smalles of petrol being unloaded and the slightly obnoxious smell from the works on the quayside, making Fire ...see more
In 1939 on the out break of the Second World War my father was sent to London aerodrome, from Cornwall, to repair bombers and fighter planes. I was born in Cornwall, 12 Dec 1940, and my mother wanting to be with her husband took me to Send, where father had managed to get a shared accommodation with another family, called the Gaigens, spelling may be wrong, together in a bungalow in Tannery Lane. I think the bungalow ...see more
This photo' reminded me of those carefree summer days when we would cycle from Myland to the pool, leave our bikes, unlocked, in a heap outside, pay our 6d and go to the dank, cold, changing room under the bridge. The girls had to cross the end of the pool by a boardwalk to their changing room on the other side. There were high diving boards so the pool was about ten feet deep at the deep end. We ...see more
I was an 'inmate' of Roecliffe Manor Convalescent Home around 1958/9. I had an operation on my tonsils and went to Roecliffe to recuperate. I think I was supposed to spend about two weeks there but I lasted around five days! I hated the place. You were not allowed your own clothes, you had to wear uniform which for the girls was a bright green long-sleeved woollen dress (very scratchy) with some sort of ...see more
My name is Pauline Stanhope (nee Young). I was born on the Syon Estate, 1944. Growing up there was very carefree. The local park (rec) was right opposite our house. I spent many happy hours playing there with the local children. In the summer Rossi's, the ice cream van, used to come around and all the children used to run home for their 3d for an ice cream. Barbara's mention of the Queen's cinema brings back memories. ...see more
My father’s family moved to Rhyl in 1891 and my mother’s family in 1925. My parents fell in love on Rhyl Golf Links. Even though they settled in Portsmouth after their wedding, family bonds held fast and we spent every summer and chunks of other time in Rhyl in the family homes of my mother in Highfield Park and my father in Conwy Street. I was born in 1935 and even though I do not remember much of pre WW2 ...see more
As village 'Bobby' in the late 1960's early 70's, we, my wife and two daughters, lived in the Police House in Furnace Lane. Sometime about 1970 I called into the village shop (I think it was Fuller's) and the lady there asked me if I would take a gun off her! She said that they had recently gone into the roof space when having a clear out and found a pearl handled revolver with belt and holster. She went on to ...see more
I went to Devonshire Hill School from 1940 - 1946 then to St. Katherines College. Always done my mum's shopping when I was little as I lived in Rowland Hill Avenue. We shopped at the nearest which was in Cambridge Road and White Hart Lane. Jarvis was the sweet shop, and during the war he would always let us have 2 ounces off of next months coupons. Loved Sams the fish shop and I remember Sheppys the I went past ...see more
I attended this camp about 6 times when I was at St John Fisher School, Gateshead in the early 60's. A school from Middlesboro would also have been at the camp. I have only fond memories of this place; £1 for 2 weeks all in, plus 2 week's off school, it was a no brainer. We went out on trips to the Kielder Forest, walked along the Roman wall, visited Blanchland Abbey, a tour of Hexham Abbey and we visited a ...see more
I was interested to read the memories of those who attended this school during the war years because the headmaster, whose name was mentioned, was my father, Bill Scott. At that time, the school was operated by Newcastle upon Tyne Education Committee. My father, arrived there with the first evacuated children in May 1940, and he remained in charge until the end of 1944, when it was closed down for an ...see more
I remember going to school, at Gad's Hill Place (Dickens House). It was for girls only and the class was ten of us, not like now! In the gardens they grew veg and fruit, the school had their own gardener who as I remember was quite grumpy - but no wonder with all us girlies!
My family moved to Rochester during the war ( a naval family). We lived in Union Street until it was demolished for the new police station. We had a small gang, four strong and we roamed far and wide during the long summer holidays...mostly up to mischief! The area was mostly in its war time state, anti tank blocks etc.. had been moved to most road sides or removed. I remember the water tanks and air ...see more
I was born in 1957 in Victoria Crescent, just off St Anns Road. I also remember the sweet shop that made their own sweets. My brother, sister & I used to stand outside watching the man stretch large pieces of toffee and mint on a marble slab. I went to Seven Sisters Infant and Junior School. I remember the corner sweet shop by the school where we used to buy frozen Jublee's. My brother and I used to ...see more
We were a dyed in the wool London family, some time before World War 11, 1939, we moved from Earlsmead Road to Breamar Road off West Green Road and lived there at number 73 untill 1951, when we moved out into the country to Waltham Cross.
I was born in 1945 and had two older brothers Bill and Brian some 7 and 9 years older than me. Even though I was only 6 when we moved away I have some vivid memories of ...see more
I don't suppose my old Scout group in Brentford still exists? Back in the middle 50's I belonged to the 4th Brentford Scout group based at St Faiths Church in Windmill Road. Our Scout leaders were Alan De Jong and brothers, Wally and Richard Brown. Such enjoyable days with hikes around the Denham area, weekend camping at Chalfont and summer camp at Naish Farm near Highcliffe in Hampshire. And of course the annual Gang ...see more
Can anyone tell me when the Black Bull and the Cross Keys got pulled down to make way for the Roundabout and junctions of Kendry, Ardsley, Wombwell and Lundwood. It was at the Cross Keys where my wife and I, had our reception, where we'd also spend a few hours within the Black Bull. Just a few yards from there was Wombwell Lane, of which we were living within a guest house. It was whilst living there within ...see more
I spent the academic year 1987/88 in Kent training to become a Careers Adviser on a post-graduate course run by Kent College for the Careers Service. During my course I had to visit businesses, universities, schools and colleges all around the county (and beyond) but the visit that sticks in my memory more than any other is the day I visited the National Sea Training College at ...see more
I too, was a resident at St Mary's. I went there from St Anne's, Brighton when I was about 6 in 1949 and I left in 1956/57. At that time I was known as Michael Murray. I remember playing in the Shed, it was very cold in winter, or going up to the Squares to play. The long Borstal Walks with Father Baker, god help you if you got behind him, he whacked you with his walking stick. Remember actually ...see more
I was born in London in 1954 and loved visiting my grandparents who lived in Rose Walk. My first memory during the late 50's was the sight of Radlett Station, it was always well tended, with large painted tyres filled with flowers. The lady station mistress knew my sister and I, and would help us down from the train where we'd meet our lovely grandma. It was a long walk to the other end of Radlett, but ...see more
I lived at 33 Craigweil Ave from the 1955 to 1973 when I moved to Canada. Best friends were Jonathan Matthews who lived next door and Chris Allum who lived around the block on Newberries Ave. I went to Fair Field School at the corner of Watford Road and New Road, then St Columba's College in St Albans. Does anyone remember the big old estate at the corner of The Ave and Shenley Hill, owned by Mr Rose (of Roses ...see more
On the lead up to the Edinburgh & Glasgow holidays, my friends and I used to prepare by building our own 'bogeys' out of some pram wheels, then on the Saturday`we would arrive at the train station and wait for the train to come from Newcastle with the Scots, we would ask the passengers as they came out of the station where they were going to stay and offer to take them and their luggage 'on the ...see more
I remember the Town Hall at Cowbridge. In those days there was no one way system around it like today. The school boy interest was the Merryweather Fire Engine that was kept in a garage at the side of the Town Hall. Great fun to see it being driven out bell clanging and the firemen in their then shiny helmets hanging on. A local resident and Fireman was a Mr. Bond who fought fires in the air raid on Cardiff in ...see more
As the daughter of a Tilbury docker who married a girl from Gravesend, the ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend forms one of my earliest and strongest childhood memories. Every Saturday my sister and I would make the journey with my mum across the Thames to visit her mother (my Nanna Smith).
I can still recall the pontoon, how the level changed with the tide and my fear of the murky water that lurked below. ...see more
Evacuation - September 3rd 1939
The government decided that mothers and children should be moved to the countryside away from areas at risk from bombing. On the 3rd, parents and children all gathered at their local schools; we went to Saint Joseph’s Primary School. Some parents didn’t accompany their children and they were with teachers. We were all given labels with our name on them, tin mugs ...see more
I remember breaking and entering on a Friday night in February. Mr Doyle the local policeman rounds us up on Saturday a.m. in his house that doubled as a police station. Father went crazy and ripped up Wales-Australia tickets and threw them on the fire! My family went on holiday in the summer and left me behind with a neighbour. All for a few .22 bullets. I shall not name my co-defendants. This aint my ...see more
As a child I swam in the sea next to the Sandwell Gate and the ruins of The Freemasons Arms which was an old pub that was on the Fish Sands.
I remember sunny days, swimming and picnics with sand in my sandwiches with my friends. One day my friends noticed that when I walked back up the beach after a swim I left 'red' footprints. I had unknowingly stepped on a piece of broken ...see more
My memory of the Baths was getting up at 6.30am to get there for the First Session at 7am. I would swim until 8am then either ride on my bike or walk along the Seafront and Mainsforth Terrace, past the Coal Staithes to Middleton where I was an Office Boy at Richardsons Westgarth. It was great on a fine morning but not so good when it rained. Being only 15 at the time I used to do some silly things, one ...see more
I was born in Tean and in about 1957, when I was 8 yrs old, I was allowed to travel to Cheadle alone on the PMT service buses. I was 8yrs old. My gran would meet me at the cinema stop on Butlers Hill. She would always be standing outside the cinema steps. Sometimes I would walk along the High St with her to do some shopping. We always visited on these occasions the market. At the time, the ...see more
The journey up to and across London to King's Cross Station in 1944 for a 4-year old boy was exciting enough, but our adventure had only just begun. Holding my mother's hand tightly, we searched carriage after carriage for our seats on the packed but magnificent steam engine that was to take us at breakneck speed to Newcastle and the safety of my nana's house in Stanhope ...see more
I was sent to Southborough from London in September 1939 and was billeted with a lovely couple, Mr and Mrs Brown who lived at Holden Corner. I was with another girl evacuee named Audrey and she and l just loved the chickens and fishing (with jam jars) in the pond. We went to the village school, bought Tizer and ice-cream from the shop, and I seem to remember going to the church there, ...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 of ...see more
The post from 2009 by (name unknown) reflects on my childhood spent in Talacre, because my father worked for Dora Williams as the baker. His bread and pies were awesome! I also, at the age of 7 or 8, had a job from the bakery, which was also a dairy. I had a pony and cart that I used to drive to a farm down near the main Chester road, where I would collect a big churn of milk and bring it back to the ...see more
Many, many, happy memories of holidays in a cottage on the Warren located next door to old Tynans (sorry if not spelt right) bakery. Waking up to the smell of pies and bread, while being sent to the stand pipe on the old dusty main road for the water. Waiting for the call of the calor gas truck, the excitement of the weeeeooooop from the loud speaker on its roof then CALLLLLOR GAS CALLLING....CALLORRRR GAS ...see more
There were four Italian shops in the town when that nation joined Hitler. Tazioli, Vincenti and Rinaldi had ice cream/sweetie shops. Moscadini had a fish and chip shop, a thriving business. The first three kept very quiet but silly old Moscadini would go down the pub and tell all the lads about what cowards the English were and how brave the Italians were and often had a black eye to prove it! However his fish and ...see more
We didn't need a gym, we got our fresh air and exercise outdoors. Couldn't wait to catch up with friends after school, John, Kevin and myself went to Saint Cuthberts Catholic School, the only Catholic family living there at the time. Church every Sunday, back home, out of or good clothes and off we went. It didn't mater what religion you were, we were all mates. I remember going with Linda, my best friend, ...see more
I was stationed in Morfa Camp in Towyn between Jan 66 and Dec 68. We were more or less regulars at the pub, especially on Saturdays in the winter. The landlord at that time was an Englishman named Len or Les. He was an authority on the history of the British Army. My fondest memory is of winter evenings sitting by the log fire and listening to the 'choir' that regularly entertained. They were led by a ...see more
The Army
My call up papers came with a railway warrant for Gloucester, where I and another group of lucky lads, were picked up by army lorry and taken to the barracks of the Gloucester Regiment for our six weeks basic training. Unloaded at the barrack square, we were marched (shambled) to our huts, then to the QM stores for uniform and kit.
The Army does not give you your kit, it is yours “for the use of” during your ...see more
The Seagoing Years.
I must have left the Army sometime in August or September of 1949, and went back to C.J.King & son, tug owners, to carry on with my job as deck boy. This was not to my liking, as I was now twenty, and scrubbing floors for 3 quid a week all hours of the day and night was beneath my dignity, even though I was only getting 26 Shillings in the Army, but that was ...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 using a ...see more
It is ironic that these massive buildings that dominate the ridge at Ashley Down were known for generations as the Muller Homes. Their founder, German immigrant George Muller, was insistent on the title 'The New Orphan House' as he did not want his name to be prominent, for he considered himself merely an instrument in the venture. In fact, in his youth he must have seemed an unlikely candidate for such benevolent ...see more
