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 1851 - 1900 of 2029 in total
This is August 1953, I was 10. We were playing cricket on the clay field with some older lads, the stumps were iron and came from Spencers steel works which was nearby and stuff like this was easily got. Anyway I remember it was very hot and clammy, when out of nowhere came this bolt of lightning and knocked our stumps for six, followed by an almighty clatter of thunder but no rain. Then someone walking on ...see more
I lived at Ecclesfield and I remember being taken to Cliton Park as a yearly treat aged 7. It must have been a Bank Holiday because the pool was full of kids and lots of parents sat around the edge on the steps. With it being round it was easy to get disorientated, it was scary when you looked up and your parents were not where you thought they should be. It was difficult to ...see more
For a few years in the late 1940's (I was about 7/8 years old), my parents were avid campers in the primitive way. We had an Austin 7 and ventured out from east Lancs camping at weekends.
One venue became a regular weekend site - Skirwith Farm, Ingelton. It was tenanted by a family matriarch, Mrs Lambert, and was worked by her two sons, Thomas and Norman. There was also a daughter, Joan, who married the ...see more
Born in the North Mid like most people my age (1931), I lived my first 25 years at Tottenham Hale, at the end of Brograve Rd., facing the Station Green. The green had a nice fence around it before the war when hundreds of people crossed the green on their way to the Lebus Furniture factory that was on the other side of the railroad tracks. Ferry Lane started at the Hale and went east, through ...see more
One of your contributors mentioned about the Edmonton Lido, near Jubilee Park. I certainly do remember it, and I too spent most of my summer there, even if it was raining. There was a shop/cafe close to the sunbathing area but I seldom had any money to spend there. I loved their Puff Candy, which was chocolate covered honeycomb, and it was a wonderful treat if I did have enough for one of those. I think I would ...see more
I grew up in Park Avenue, Edmonton near Pymms Park. My gran and grandad Bert and Dolly Uff owned the "oil shop" at 247 Fore Street and my sister Ginny and I used to help out in the shop on Saturdays and in the school holidays. We would pump the parafin and stack the firewood and when grandad was busy he would ask us to measure out the wire netting on the pavement outside the shop, which could be quite ...see more
I have read an article by Sylvia Lock. I made me smile and bought back so many happy memories from my childhood in Edmonton. I to remember Pymms park and yes the dentist at the clinic in the center of the park. I was sent there by my mother on my own a young 11 year old and told it will not hurt - Wrong!!! I loved that park and also the Regal Saturday pictures for children. Some days entry was free if you took enough ...see more
It is strange to see one of the two portraits that hung in my grandparents' hallway, for sale on the web. Issac was born in 1837 in Berwick Bassett, Wiltshire. Taught himself to read and write while an agricultural labourer, and joined the Wilts Constabulary in 1874. During the winter of 1881/2 he was pensioned out of the police from injuries sustained in the line of duty. The family story is that he was ...see more
I was the youngest boy (8 years old) at the City of London School sharing Marlborough College as evacuees from London during the Second World War. I, together with a few other youngsters, had a 'camp' in Treacle Bolly. One high on the hill on the left-hand side in a tree root and one further in down by the river. At that age, and during a war, I can't say that they were the happiest days of ...see more
My husband and I were both born in Marlborough. My husband is Peter Long and I believe he went to Grammar School with Julian West whose family owned the tea rooms. We both remember the fire as it was the year we were married; and that afterwards the Mop Fairs held in October had to re-position itself to accommodate fire engine access should another fire happen. I worked in Rawlings and Phillips corn merchants ...see more
I was born in Consett at 11 Newmarket Street in June 1933, though my parents were living in Norfolk and later on in Middlesex. I was sent back to live with aunts when the Blitz really got going.
I went to the CofE Primary School at the back of the church which I also had to attend as a choir boy.
Consett was full of noise in those days especially outside No.11. Buses started their long climb up ...see more
I worked as a pre student nurse at the children's home. We took children from the West Yorkshire area suffering from Asthma and Eczema. Children from the age of 2 yrs until 12 yrs. A very strict Matron, scary in fact. We would take the children down to the beach, very large old fashioned prams. I was not allowed to continue my dancing lessons for exams, even when my Mother came to ask. We each ...see more
I have just come across your site and postcard of Newbigin Hornsea... The garage pictured on the left was owned by my grandad, Arther Sherwood (who was married to Doris). My dad, Peter Edwin Sherwood (their son) and his wife Pat took over the business in the 60's, I believe. My dad sold the business to Mr Presscott, a local builder, in 1973-74. We then, myself (Annette Jane Sherwood) daughter of Peter and Pat ...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
I think that the photograph was taken in 1965 as the photo shows me and my brother David Jones fishing from the bottom of the garden of 4 Nursery Lane. I was born in 1955 in Tamworth and we moved to Hopwas in April of 1961 when I was just 8 years old and my brother 5 years old. I think that I look about 12 in the photo? The bungalow was built in part of the house next door's garden which was owned by Len ...see more
My first job when I left school was with JC Beadles in Spital Street. During my lunch break I would often wander along Lowfield St and well remember the Fishing Tackle shop. I had bought one of their 2 piece Bamboo rods complete with bakelite reel a few years previously, which I used to catch minnows at Horton Kirby. I used to drool over the beautiful rods in the window which were beyond my means; Split Cane ...see more
1940 - I had joined the W.A.A.F in London and chose to be posted to Nottinghamshire; I was just 18 and my posting was firstly to Hucknall and then to Watnall when the Ops room was ready. 1940 was a dreadful winter but thanks to the snowfalls the whole area was transformed. Our huts, we were told by the locals, had been built on the site which had been the local village pond. The Royal Oak was our local pub, just a few ...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
I was born in 1945 in my aunty's cottage in Searle Street, which ran from the corner of the Station Hotel below the railway line embankment where we would wave at steam trains as they went past. There was a small shop on the other corner. Later on we would walk aunty's dog up past the station, along the lane near Ranleigh school, collecting conkers along the way. Uncle was the ...see more
Hi Peter,
I remember the Thompkins was it the baker or was that the Cheneys? Joe Smith was the newsagent who used to treat the kids to a summer outing by train every summer. We used to get a new florin and a bag of goodies and had a great day out in Bognor. We lived in Old Bracknell Farm, my mum and dad were bombed out of London and dad bought the farm. I can remember before Downshire Way was ...see more
Summer time, I had gone fishing on Royston Canal. The local fishing club had replenished the canal with fresh water trout for the anglers. These fish were so tame that all you need do was to hold out your hand with a few maggots and they'd come and feed from you; they were farmed trout. They knew nothing of predators and would calmly swim alongside Pike. Pike were soon to get so fat from feeding off the ...see more
I'm Not sure whether that was the actual date but as a child of five I recall my mother standing on the top step of our home where she would watch me go over the brow of the bridge on Midland Road on my way to school: as I got out of the door and began to walk on the causeway I noticed that there was a glinting on the Kerb and when I focused my eyes, I could see a whole line of pennies which were ...see more
My dad once made me what us Royston lads would call a Cadjie! It was a go-cart made from bits of waste wood and two sets of wheels from off an old pram or pushchair. One would control it by its front wheels which were attached to an articulated axle, it was also steered by the feet. Dad had taken five hours to make it up and was quite sturdy to say the least. Most Cadjies were made from big pram wheels but the ...see more
I was born in Royston in 1949, some four years after the war. The thing about me I have a very good memory of thing that had occurred within my childhood days, some of which, like everyone else would like to forget. I recall that when I was roughly three years of age, I was to go out of the front door and and amble my way into the fifty acre field, which was some half a mile walk from where I lived on ...see more
I grew up in Dundee Street in Darlington. I remember the shops on each end of Dundee Street and Montrose Street, and the alleys between, the alleys were made of blue tiles that always sparkled in rain and frost. I remember the rag and bone man on his cart pulled by a horse, calling "Rag and bone, rag and bone" as he trundled down the back alleys. We had a coal shute in our back yard that had an opening in the alley that ...see more
I was born at number 15 Swan Street before my parents moved next door, No.14. My family had people living all around the area, maternal in Swan Street/ Hargreave and paternal, from Model Place. We had a shop on virtually every corner and of every type within a couple minutes walk. Billy Ramsdales was next to us, a pleasant version of Arkwrights store; opposite was the Chippy and in the ...see more
My Dad's family, the Burnetts, live in Kingston Upon Hull. Most summers in the 60s and 70s we stayed at grans for a week. Grandad worked on the Boating lake he was the one you paid your fare to; my sister and I always remember him shouting "Come in number -", whatever number your boat was. He always wore his flatcap,and grew lovely roses in his front garden. Auntie Alice was amazing she was ...see more
The shop in the middle of the picture with the two awnings (now the Nationwide building society) used to belong to my great grandmother Eva Cadel and was a wool and toy shop. My Grandmother and Great Aunt ran it until 1971. My grandmother Joan ran the toy side and my Great Aunt Mary ran the wool. Many people still today tell me that their first pram/doll/train set came from the Cadel shop. Pictures such as these are very special and are a treasure.
We used to go on holidays almost every year to Littlehampton, so far as I can remember. We took the train there. Then we walked - lugging our suitcases. There was a butcher's shop on the way and it had a little statue of a pig outside. We always looked out for "Wally Pig" as we called it. We stayed at a boarding house - Mrs Wyatt's at 34 Pier Road. So far as I can remember I shared a bed with one of my ...see more
I remember gong to Littlehampton on coach outings each year from about 1950. There would be about 40 charabancs full of children from London and Greater London descending on Littlehampton, from memory the children were aged from 7 years up. The trips started some time after the war. They would have packed lunches for us in boxes and envelopes with tickets for rides and 1 shilling each. We would have a ball at ...see more
My great grandfather, Christopher, owned Bridge House next to the bridge when this photo was taken, having moved there from Spennithorne where he had been the landlord of the Old Horn Inn.
We believe the cart driver was my great Uncle Herbert who had a cart business in the Dale - his sisters the 'Miss Hauxwells' ran a fish business from their home.
Herbert was killed, following a fall from the cart on his ...see more
I lived on Long Street in Topcliffe 1958-1972 - opposite the old school, which is now a post office, and therefore on the other side of the road from this photo. I was excited by the fair, horses trotting along the road, smells, sights and sounds different from usual, lots of people, including photographers who wanted to take pictures from our upstairs windows and the occasional visitor who would ask to use our ...see more
My grandparents, Maud and Albert Benham, lived at Rose Cottage, 1 Warbrook Lane and I have lovely memories of many happy times visiting them during WW2. I lived with my parents, Jack (Albert) and Irene, in Camberley and while my father was in the Navy I would visit my nan (grandad having died when I was quite small) on many occasions. When they first moved to Eversley from London, my ...see more
My family lived at No 3 (the top flat), Corner House, at the top end of Broad Street, first on the left looking at the photo (but just out of the picture) for many years from 1947 or so. I was eleven when we moved to Alresford from Bournemouth. Butcher, chemist and flower shops occupied below at street level. John Sergeant's TV program showing at the moment has led me to ...see more
My father was a teacher at Pyrford School when Len Cowie was the headmaster. I remember Mrs Jones and Mrs Bugler and Miss Mcdermot and Mr Stevens, who lived by the old school in Engliff Lane. I remember being privileged to sometimes miss class and go swimmimg in the pool when my dad was taking his class for a swimming lesson (he helped build the pool), and once when swimming the Beatles came on the radio with 'I ...see more
How lovely to find some photographs of The Flying G, but I am surprised that there are no other comments when so many people went there. I went there twice, once in 1966 and again in 1967. The first time I was studying at St Godric's in London and Maureen Smith was going there in the holidays. She was a very focused and enthusiastic person. My friend Bev Chapman and I decided to go with her for a ...see more
I remember being a regular visitor to this shop in the 1940's and 50's with my grandmother buying material, ribbons and clothes. Like all the other children I was fascinated by the pneumatic tube system for conveying the paperwork and money to and from the office, in later years my school uniform was bought here. Nearby in Marsh and Baxter's big shop there was another system for conyeying the money in ...see more
My memories are of the hairdressing salon in Clare Road. It had only been open for a short while. All the shops were new. I went to work there as a hairdresser's apprentice in April 1959. My first job after leaving school. The salon was called Joan Basten. Joan Basten was the owner and she and her husband, Dennis, had a lovely flat upstairs, really 1950s modern. I worked at the salon till 1962. It was very busy; we ...see more
I was born in Preston Hospital, North Shields.in 1943. My first recollections as a child were of living on Rosehill Road known as Parker Terrace at No7. An old lady called Mrs Roper lived next door. Another family called Spencer lived in the big house close to us. In 1947 my dad, Jim Surtees, bought a haulage business from Bill Snowdon who was emigrating to South Africa. Rosehill Haulage was my dad's. He was also ...see more
Just opposite the Buddle School,
There stands paper shop,
Throughout my youth I as a rule,
Would almost daily stop.
From Nineteen seventy seven,
Until the Eighties took their bow.
This shop was ran by Tommy,
Sadly no longer with us now.
He looked like a young James Coburn,
With his smile and year round tan.
We all thought the world of Tommy,
Such a charismatic man!
The heart of our community,
Is where all ...see more
Born in the Green Maternity Hosp 1954, lived in Windsor Drive, Howden, Sandown Gardens, Howden and Prospect Ave. I remember being taken to the Masons Arms at Bigges Main in a pushchair, parked outside the corrugated iron lean to off-license in the rain with a bottle of pop and a straw. I remember joining the 8th Wallsend (St Johns) scouts at 6 years old after being rejected by the 7th wallsend troop for not ...see more
I was born in 1934 at Weybridge in Surrey, close to where the River Wey joins the Thames, thus offering the dual attraction of open countryside and water - a totally irresistible combination to young boys set free from the heavy-handed restraining influence of fathers by the advent of the Second World Ware!
For a few miles before joining the Thames, the Way comprised the original Wey ...see more
I remember this picture very well. Just down the road from Woolworths by the white car, was a Launderette (maybe it's still there). This Launderette was the first one ever introduced to the UK from America in 1959. As we had no washing machine or dryer, this place certainly changed our lives. I can remember one day I was with my brother Bernard waiting for the washing and as usual went to look for some mischief ...see more
The 'modern' building in the middle of the picture is the telephone exchange not blending in with the rest of the scenery! The bus stop was for Weybridge's only 'red' bus route the 219 from Kingston Bus Garage to Weybridge Station or during working hours extended to Vickers Aircraft factory, then British Aircraft Corporation now defunct. Not visible in the picture, but to the right of the cars is ...see more
This is a view looking toward the High Street - what looks like two brick memorials (on the left) is the entrance to the cottage hospital. On the opposite side of the road is the bus stop where I use to catch the bus to visit my grandparents in Ottershaw, about 5 miles away. About the time of this photograph or shortly after, behind the bus stop, is where the 'new' library was built replacing the old ...see more
We lived in Penton Road and my brother and I went to Hygeia House School, sadly gone now. We used to walk down the tow path to the Lock. Once my brother (4 years older than me) dared me to walk across the wall below the weir! I still have nightmares - I couldn't swim, but somehow I waded across without slipping to my death! My brother also worked during the summer holidays helping the lock keeper, running to open and close the sluice gates.
My fond memory is of my father's furniture shop in Thames Street, S & E Oliver Ltd. Every morning dad and I would display furniture on the shop forecourt and I would do deliveries and window displays. My dad, Mr Barry, was a courteous gentleman who gave the best customer service ever and he taught me his skills which I still use to this day. Does anyone remember him?
1954-1959, say?? Perhaps earlier too. This section of the River looks v. close to the area off the top of Thames or Bridge Street (?) known as The Staines "Lammas". A number of pools and play areas, with a swimming pool set into the River itself. Such a trek by 'bus to get there. I don't think anyone would do it today. But we did and we thought it a wonderful treat.
Although there were many hardships for most ...see more
I was born in Blackhall in 1940 and lived in 11th Street and went to school at Henry Smiths - hated it, so I borrowed a fiver off my granda, signed my parents name on the form, and left when I was 15 (in those days when you went to Grammer School you had to sign to say you would stay till at least 16, or pay a fiver to leave at 15). By the time my mam and dad found out it was too late to ...see more
My grandparents spent nearly all of their married life in Blackhall and my grandad still lives there today. I'm 37 now and live on the other side of the world. I have lots of great memories. I used to spend a lot of time at the swings in the park next to the cricket and bowling ground with my sisters. I'd take walks along the beach banks with my Nan, sisters or on my own with their ...see more
