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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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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Displaying Memories 1951 - 2000 of 2029 in total
From our home in Kent, we went every year on holiday to Babbacombe during the 1950's and early 1960's. We stayed with my 'Aunty Amy' and 'Uncle Matt' at their boarding house, 18 Perinville Road. It was the most magic time imaginable. I can't remember it ever raining! It must have done, of course, but it seems as if the sun was always shining. We would spend the morning on the beach - usually Redgate Beach (now ...see more
When I was young we would holiday in a caravan at a site near to Hollicombe in between Torquay and Brixham. As we lived in Walsall in the West Midlands this journey, by coach, was not to be undertaken lightly and a day was usually set aside to complete it. We left town early in the morning and didn't usually arrive in Torquay until late afternoon. One day we went to see Mayflower II under construction. I ...see more
Memories! I grew up on Merryfields Avenue and I can remember this like it was yesterday, only the shop fronts were different. Back in the 70's I used to have an evening paper round from the newsagents. I always recall on a Friday when I'd finished and dropped the paper sack back, I would always nip in the fish & chip shop, for a bag of chips & batter bits. I remember the butchers, one of my school ...see more
My Great Uncle and Great Aunt (Joe and Rose) both passed away recently, so I decided to share their memory here. I am their Great Niece's daughter.
As far as I am aware, they met about aged 17 or 18 on a "Beano" on Southend beach one year, about 60 years ago during the summer. Joe fell for Rose immediately, and wrote with a stick into the sand, "Joe loves Rose". They stayed together for the rest of their ...see more
I remember travelling to Southend with my family on a steam train from London. My sister and I use to put our heads out of the windows. More often than not when we sat down our faces would be black with soot from the smoke of the train and our mum would try to wipe us clean with her hanky. When we arrived at Southend it was off to the beach for a paddle and a play then a ride on the boats in the boating ...see more
It was around this time that the tram lines were taken up from Sunderland Road in Gateshead. The men stored the old lines in Somerset Street and Devonshire Street. As boys we would dig up the tar from around the streets and paste it on the road safety lamps when they were lit. It was great to see the watchy run around putting the fires out, or what he thought was a fire. We kept him fit. I too ...see more
I was seriously courting my first love and had been together for a couple of years despite pressure from her parents that I was not suitable. They did everything to stop the association. We were determined to marry and were unofficially engaged - the parents made it obvious that I was not welcome in the family. They took Joyce away to Niton in 1950 for a holiday so we arranged that I would take my motor cycle ...see more
Mam and Dad, Lizzie and Edwin Ridley, moved into Slaghill (the cottage on the right of the picture) in 1948 when I was 3 years old. Dad died there in December 1978 and Mam moved up to Chapel Cottages soon afterwards. There were 3 of us children living there originally - Margaret, Yvonne and myself. My 2 elder brothers Lloyd and Norman had already left for the Army. Maurice came along in 1950 by which time ...see more
After WW2 my father started a rabbit farm - for food and fur - at 'Four Gables' Crays Hill. I remember it was down a lane to the right from the main road, if you were going to Billericay. I went to the school for a couple of years. Dad took me there on the back of his bike, we had to cross the main road, I think. Four Gables was a tudor house and my parents later said it had been a ...see more
Old forgotten characters of Penge and Eden Park:
The Duke of Penge
Nell Horley the midwife
Winny of the Eden Park Trading Agency
The Lad who gave a prize-winning fighter a taste of what it felt like to be on the receiving end
William Younger was born in 1901 into an ordinary working-class family, his father being a coachman, a strict disciplinarian and ...see more
I remember my father taking me to see Dr Kellarhar as an emergency case; he always took a paper with him and leaving it on purpose, as a thankyou. His surgery was very dark and every thing seemed to be brown. The waiting room was like the most quiet place on earth, everyone spoke in whispers, and it had a reception just inside the door as you went in, and the lady greeted you as you entered.
I think I am right in saying that Olby's had a wire cable system of sending money in small canisters from their counters to the accounts office. They used to put it in the canister, screw it into a lid attached to the wire, then fire it across the room by pulling a chain. It gave me such a thrill, and I would hope that any shoping included going there to see these things wizzing around; and just maybe get a penny from my Mum to get me weighed by this huge machine in the corner.
My father bought the mill in the 1960s and we moved in 1976 to South Africa. During the years living at the mill we all have plenty of memories spent living there. The most memorable was the first time we encounted the ghost of the mill. My mother called my two brothers and sister and myself into the hallway and demanded to know who had been playing the grand piano in the main lounge. We were not allowed in ...see more
I lived in the mill from 1978 to 1982 with my parents, brother and sister. I was only five when I left but I have memories of seeing a lady and man both dressed in very old fashioned clothes around the mill pond. and nobody ever saw them except me. I'm sure they were looking after me and making sure I didn't fall in the water. It was a very creepy house and I remember our dog Polly would go mad in the hall at ...see more
Joyce and I were devoted to each other, trouble was her mother and father had taken a dislike to me feeling I was beneath their status and made it clear that I wasn't wanted. We were both 19 and in no financial condition to elope though we did intend to marry sometime - we were unofficially engaged. Her parents took her away for a fortnight's holiday to Niton and we arranged that I would come over on the ferry ...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
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 born at 16 Roding Avene, the prefabs right next to the River Roding. Across the main London Road was Delayneys, also the Masters Match factory with its tall chimmney. I remember seeing the chimney being knocked down, the man at the top looked like an ant. I have many memories of Barking.
I went to St Margarets C of E School [played the recorder in Mr Gray's Orchestra] then Park Modern Secondary. I danced at ...see more
I think that we must have moved to Cheadle around 1938, because I was born in Newcastle under Lyme, but my younger sister was born in Cheadle in 1939. At that time we lived on Leek Road. We had various airmen and sailors billeted with us when they were on training courses at the top secret Cheadle Hall, an outstation from Bletchley Park. These included a sailor who had served on HMS ...see more
My grandmother, Kate Elizabeth Wicks, was born in Hythe on 16 June 1887. She was a Roman Catholic and attended the school run by The Austin Friars Church, in Hythe. They lived in Eltham. She married my grandfather on 18 August 1913 and the service was officiated by Father Richard A O'Gorman OSA. She lived with her aunt, Mrs Lilian Crawford, at 26 Fort Road. This was run as a guest house for ...see more
I stayed at the Grand when I was 8 years old. I remember they kept pigs in the grounds at the back. I also remember staying in a huge room with my parents, they had cats and dogs roaming in the hotel and grounds and I have photos of myself with these animals. I have just returned from a week at the Grand and sad to say nothing seemed remotely like it did. I know it was 50 years ago and it would have changed beyond all recognition, but it's still a lovely hotel .
My mother, Josephine Miles, worked with Mrs Thorne who owned the Antiques shop in Church Street, near the Castle. It was called 'Nell Gwynn's'. It was said that it had a secret tunnel that was built by King Charles II for his mistress, Nell Gwynn. It ran from the cellar of what was her home, and came out in the King's bedroom fireplace. Whether this is true or just rumour, I cannot say.
While ...see more
I was going from Slough to our favorite pub (The Victoria Arms) on the bus in the 60's not knowing it was Ladies Day at Ascot. The bus ground to a halt at the bottom of Castle Hill, the clippie (young people will have to Google that!) yelled "It's Lizzie!" and everybody jumped off to watch the Queen, Queen's mum, Margaret and Snowden go into the Theatre Royal.
Pity there is no pics of the 73(?) pubs in Boro ...see more
I cannot be specific as to the date of the Queen's visit because I was very young at the time. On the left hand side of the road you can see what was at one time the post office but which later became a carpet shop. On the right hand side of the road (slightly obscured) was Harold Jones's coal merchants yard and next door to it was the green grocers shop which was run by his wife. Everyone was very ...see more
St. George's Presbyterian Church stands in the forefront of this photograph between what was the Co-operative shop and Tommy Jones the fishmongers shop. How long the Presbyterian Church has stood on this site I don't know but the Church itself was established in Little Sutton in 1838. Legend has it that that two travellers passing through Little Sutton were stoned by the local youths and ...see more
Ah yes, The Rec! Scene of many a battle and many a cup final, in later years there was romance! You could get through the hedge and down onto the railway line to put halfpennies on the line that got flattened by trains as they ran over them. At the End of Heath Lane, or more accurately at the junction with New Chester Road, a bobby did point duty at busy times. I can remember one day going to school and making a ...see more
I was one year old when we moved to Kirkdale, that was 1956, we moved to 82 Brasenose Road from Huyton with Roby so all my childhood memories were about growing up in Kirkdale. We had nothing but we were happy. There was six of us, we all slept in one bed, top and tail, but everyone in our road was the same. We never had a bathroom, just an outside toilet that looked like a shrine becuase we had that many ...see more
I grew up in Bodley Street (L4) from 1960-1970. There was a Welsh church at the top of the street and on the walls of said church we played '2 balls'! I would love to have the name of the church, should anyone remember it. My nan and grandad, Albert and Elizabeth Coy, shared the wall and every Sunday were blessed with the sounds of the Welsh congregation singing their hearts out. So we annoyed them by playing with ...see more
Our family emigrated to Canada on the Empress of England in 1959. We left Liverpool on May 29th and arrived in Montreal June 6th or 7th. I was a month short of my 12th birthday and I remember thinking on the first day onboard how smooth it was. That impression lasted until we reached the western side of Ireland after which I was seasick for 6 days. Our cabin was forward and we could feel the bow ...see more
My Great Uncle Elijah pulled the Blackpool Wheel down. The Company was probably Ward Bros. He had souvenirs made, in the shape of a coin
Ed
My father, John Miller, of Sheffield learned to glide here with his friend Peter Bowen in the late 1950's. He says the closest glider is an Olympia and the next one a trainer. The man standing next to the Olympia's right wing is actually standing on the downside wing to stop the plane blowing over. Dad would spend all Sunday there doing odd jobs and manual labour waiting ...see more
I was a chain lad when the M1 was being constructed. I was working for Amy's, the asphalt company. Amongst other things I was to make cups of tea and also collect thousands of pounds in wages for the work force. My boss who's name I canot recall, told me of some special people coming and that I had to get the china tea-set out and simply make tea and pour it out. When they arrived; some twenty management, I was ...see more
This view shows Customs Quay and out of sight on the right is the Customs House. Mrs Florrie Gasson and her husband lived in the building and she would make a great show to the visitors of feeding the swans. A flock of 20 or so would swim in the water looking for her and she called each one by a different name. I can remember sitting here with my friend Michael H when film-makers arrived to shoot a washing ...see more
I remember Gosforth High Street as a being a fun place with all the great shops; the Toy Cupboard now Robinsons, the photography shop, there was Maynards the sweet shop, Boydelles the toy shop, and Moods which was a gift shop. I remember in the 1960's they would use the old war sirens if there was a fire anyway, to warn people they were releasing the fire engines. There was a supermarket called Robson and ...see more
I particularly remember the Mourne Mountains, stone walls and beautiful countryside my memories of my time there and my grandad are priceless.
I remember Chez Jene, a boutique owned by the mother of presenter of radio and tv David Jacobs. I had never been in the shop, it was close to the 137 bus route in Leighamcourt Road, and whilst waiting for the bus l would look in the window at all the finery and jewellery, but never went in as it was expensive for those days. However in 1964 when expecting our first child, my mother handed me a gift, it was 'something ...see more
At the time of this photo I was just 8 years old, and I have a lasting impression of three things from around this time. The first is kind of hazy - animated Red Indian cutouts in the park opposite the prom. Next, the windmill itself, which was not overly attractive, being in a red-brown canvas - tho the sails at least did rotate, and although the gardens themselves were well laid-out they were obstacles to walk ...see more
I lived in Alderley Edge as a child between 1947 and 1955. I remember going for walks on the Edge, and being told about a legend that Merlin and King Arthur and his knights were sleeping inside a cave there, waiting to be summoned to help if England needed them. There were some sand hills, on the top of the Edge I think, perhaps a result of mining there, and I remember sliding down them. My grandparents ...see more
I remember being sent to Selmes the Butchers to buy my Mother Mrs Dora Maynard, cuts of meat. The floor was covered in sawdust and there was a little cashiers office at the end of the counter. It always had a very friendly atmosphere although I used to cry when I saw the animals being unloaded from the lorries into the slaughteryard. Once or twice I saw them escape.
Helen Swabey (Formerly Maynard)
My wife was living in Northhumberland Avenue when a V1 doodlebug passed by very low, to land unexploded at the top end of the avenue. She lived at number 208. The house number it landed at was about 220 to 230. It was on a Sunday afternoon. The man living there was in the kitchen having his lunch, and walked along the V1 to turn off his gas and water! My wife remembers quite clearly the V1 coming up the street, ...see more
My family moved into Darenth Road in 1960 - we were the first in our street and watched the rest of the houses being built around us. There was nothing but mud, wheelbarrows and workmen. My dad's family moved into Dryden Road in the late 30's, so our connection with Welliing and East Wickham ended when my Mum died in 2011 and when our Uncle Bon died in 2012. Our connection ...see more
On August 13, 1961 I took up residence as a student nurse in Lindsay Smith House across from the hospital. It was the day the Berlin wall went up, and, as I recall, the day before the grouse shooting season began.
I was 19 years old.
Miss Goodyear was the Matron. Miss Lemon was Assistant Matron; Miss Mitzi Tauber was Assistant Matron (rumoured to be the cousin of Richard Tauber the singer); Miss ...see more
My father was born in St Mawes in 1910. On his fourth birthday (so family legend has it) he was given a pair of Dutch wooden clogs. Being a canny child of seafarers, he knew that hollow wooden vessels floated. So when the tide was in, he set off from the steps in the bottom left corner of this picture, planning to walk/float across the water to the steps below the Ship and Castle hotel, seen opposite. The voyage was not, apparently, a complete success.
1964: While working here we would go to two different pubs in Southgate, one at each end of the high street, it was in these pubs we met a local group of lads and lasses who were from very wealthy backgrounds, and they all took a shine to us. We were from totally different backgrounds and we must have seemed like a couple of aliens who had landed in their midst with a language very hard to understand. The main lad called ...see more
This is about 1951 and Millfield Lane was opposite the allotments and the clay field. On the dark nights we would tie thread to the door knockers and lead it across the road and up the bank to a grassy hollow where we could see but not be seen from the houses, then a sharp tug on the thread would bring a puzzled face to the door, a couple of knocks on the same door would have us in hysterics. Then we came up ...see more
It was about 1957 and before, when the Willows was a place to picnic on a Saturday and Sunday afternoons. It was a very popular place, with the Shuggy boats and the river to play in, and there were houseboats galore tied up on the bank side. Rumour has it that there was a brothel on one of these boats.
In years gone by there were ice games on the pond there, but I can't recall this, but what I ...see more
This is the year I started on the building sites in 1963, I got a job on J. T. Bell's site in Whickam, the site hadn't been running long then as it was in the first stage. All the lads were mainly from Newburn, Lemington, and Throckley. If you needed a job more than likely you would go to the Union Jack Club on Hexham Road, Throckley where the McDonna brothers had their foothold and big Hughie was the main man for a job ...see more
YEAR 1953 The steam train was known as the Dilly, it would haul trucks with shale etc from Throckley to Lemington on a single track to where the pit heap was, the trucks would go into a shed one at a time and a huge barrel type thing would lock on to it turning the truck 360 degrees until the contents were tipped out. This is where the two tubs would be filled and hauled up the pit heap as I mentioned earlier. When ...see more
I used to live a few doors from auld Jimmy Sample and his wife Carrie, his son John was married to June and they lived in Francis Terrace. They had their rag and bone yard down the Winnin, anyway I would spend summer nights, weekends and holidays down there. Early morning before school I would be up knocking at Jimmy's door, out he would come with Gyp the fawn greyhound that went on the cart with him. I once saw this ...see more
We used to live in the stables part of the old house, when it was used as council homes. The old house was still there when we moved in. I remember it being vacant and briefly owned by a 'famous' footballer, although I don't remember his name. It was a magical time for my brother and I. We played badminton in the washing lines and used to climb over the fence into the park. Everything was ...see more
