Recent 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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Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
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  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • 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 4721 - 4800 of 36925 in total

I was born at Clevehurst, St Georges Avenue Weybridge and I am looking for a photograph of the original building circa 1930s, Does anyone out there know of one? Eleanor.
Humberside was created from 1 April 1974 and lasted to 1 Apr 1996. Kingston-upon-Hull is Yorkshire and not Humberside. Note from the Editor: Many thanks for your comment. I do understand your frustration, however, unfortunately city and county lines and borders are constantly being redrawn, and researching the changes and altering our database of over 300,000 images has proved to be an expensive (and ...see more
For family history purposes we're trying to find any Neligan's or Sullivan's from Ballymullen and Tralee. My daughters ancestor is Honora Neligan born 1854, daughter of Maurice Neligan and Margaret Sullivan. She married an English soldier named Joseph Durden at Ballymullen barracks then moved to Northampton, UK.
For family history purposes we're trying to find any Neligan's or Sullivan's from Ballymullen and Tralee. My daughters ancestor is Honora Neligan born 1854, daughter of Maurice Neligan and Margaret Sullivan. She married an English soldier named Joseph Durden at Ballymullen barracks then moved to Northampton, UK.
I'm wondering if anyone knew any members of the Waiting and Kendall families who lived and worked in this area, Robert Kendall worked in the iron ore mines, as did many of the menfolk, also farmed. Many were married and buried in the local Church. Love to hear any history about them. My thanks!
My Mum and Dad bought a guest house in Dalby Square at the end of the war. It had 10 bedrooms and he built a chalet in the back garden for me and my brother & sister to sleep in to free up extra rooms for guests. I was 3 years at the time. We only lived there for about 5 years but it was great as the guests would take us down to the beach to play with their own kids. My brother was born in January 1947 during that ...see more
I am going back to the mid '70s here. I have found no reference to the lake anywhere, but it is not related to the Gurney Slade quarries. As a schoolboy, living in Shepton Mallet, I was keen on fishing. I mostly went to Emborough Pond, or the River Brue at Baltonsborough. A schoolmate, Steve Payne(?) told me about a gravel/clay quarry that had been filled in with water. I think it was on ...see more
I wanted to ask if anyone can recall the gravel pits that existed at Worms Heath near Chelsham, I’m sure that they were operated by a company named Hoveringham, they used orange Foden trucks. I lived in Selsdon during the 1970’s and went to school at Riddlesdown, some weekends a pal and I would cycle to Worms Heath where other boys rode there motorcycles, all quite illegal but completely out of harms ...see more
I attended Whitstone during the changeover from Secondary Modern to Comprehensive. It was quite a shock to me. I'd always been to small, private schools, & it seemed huge. I was also amazed & shocked by the bad language - 4 letter words were not what I was used to, & they were in constant use by the pupils. I was very well spoken, which got me tagged & bullied as 'posh', & as I had ...see more
Anyone remember the Cake shop opposite Champions Timber New Malden Surrey?. I used to work there after school and on a Saturday for Mrs Star, My Mum worked at the Iron Mongers opposite. My Dad was a fitter at Champions Timber. We used to sell cakes, Bread. and I used to waitress in the restaurant part. I sometimes used to waitress at Weddings. I had a fantastic childhood. God they were ...see more
I spent several years in the early '70's living at 198(?) Grand Drive. I think my aunt, Irene Nichols, had lived there since before WW2. She claimed to have seen a pre war cricketer break the clock at Lords. The house was like a time warp back to the war. Her ARP tin helmet was still there, as was a pre war car parked at the side of the house. The car was used to store old copies of the Telegraph newspaper. ...see more
Yes I remember Horace too. As a young girl I loved to ride on the cart, I remember the horses name was Rodney. We lived in Sylvia Avenue so were at the end of the round. I remember one Christmas Horace had had a few drinks and when he reached us he gave my Mum a great big kiss much to my fathers displeasure.
Does anyone remember the shops next to the bus station in Bexleyheath? There was a shop called "Smiths" which sold fireworks (bangers) all the year round. I remember buying them to use the gunpowder in my home made cannon which fired a ball bearing quite some distance - these days health and safety would have a field day!
This was my first school, back in 1965. I think we had maroon blazers. I did well to start with, my older brothers had taught me to read & write - but I was the last person in the class to be able to tie my own shoelaces! I remember winning a couple of 'Biggles' books for being top in the class in my first year. A teacher had found me reading one during a lunch break in the school library. Later ...see more
After a family breakup, my mother & I moved to Shepton Mallet in the late '60's, on the Hillmead Estate. I went to Ivey House Preparatory School, as it was called. It was a funny little place in Princes Road. Mrs Jacobs was the Head. Most of the teachers were OK, although looking back on it I wonder how many were qualified. I remember Mrs Snelgrove, who used to cycle in everyday, Mrs Massey, who lived at ...see more
I remember Great Hollands around 1973. I used to go to Bracknell via Virginia Water. A friend of mine from the sixties moved there. His name was GRAHAM TROTTER he married a girl called SHIRLEY from Townholme Crescent Hanwell. We used to go to Bordeston school Hanwell. If any one knows him please tell him about this post.
Dear John. I too was born in Kingsbury at the Honey Pot Lane Maternity Annex in 1953. We lived opposite Brampton Road in the flats on the High Road. My uncle and aunt lived at 1 Brampton Road this being a house tied to his job with Eastern Electricity whilst my auntie worked on the caravan sales site at the swimming pool end of the High Road. To this day I remember our flat number; 463B. It was the top floor ...see more
I also lived at 23 Henderson street. I think we moved there in 1965. My name then was Magdalene McLeod. Mum and dad were Alf and Joice
l was born 18-08-55, that makes me 62yrs of age, to a lot of people who write there memo- ries on this blog l suppose l'm "nowt but a pup"as l got called when l 1st started work at 15yrs old, my dad got me a job as a apprent- ice motor mechanic,(in them days thats what dads did, it was a case of who u knew not what u knew, & my dad knew a lot of people). Anyway l was working at a good garage, its ...see more
this is labelled redruth road - but as far as i have always known it was Chapel hill for obvious reason the chapel was midway up the hill
this looks like a view from my old house - Meadow Lea , when my parents brought on chicken and turkeys for my grand uncle - Tom mitchell at mellanoweth in the village - in the foreground is the house owned i believe by mr hayward of the pickles fame
In the background beside the chapel was the house i grew up in,called, Meadow Lea which obviously had a large meadow as the main area in front of the bungalow before my mother sold a plot of land for a bungalow below ( which was not built in this photo ) lots has changed in the years since then but lots of is still as was albeit modernised - such as post office row which my great grandfather built many moons ago
Went there when Miss Bevan was Headmistress and Mr Whyte was English teacher...not a happy time there lol,but now living in Germany---Stephen Pashley.wonder if i´m remembered lol
I lived at number 38 , approx from 1949 to 1956/7 don't know if they still there, I remember the joys and the cannings , I went to Gainsborough infants then Pretoria road school, my friend lived near the memorial fields we both moved to Dagenham after that
I was born in Easington Coliery in December 1940. Grew up in Canada In Dene Avenue. My dad worked At the pit as a wagonwayman in the Hutton Seam. Grandparents were from Cornwall Stret, East.I had a tha best childhood ever. Hawthorne Dene, Boaties Bay. The white steps at the railway to the Beach Banks , the viaduct, , Ariel flight , gorgeous scenery . Wonderful schools , great people, Seaside Lane, Timothy ...see more
I went to forneathy in the eighties I remember light out at night not been able to chat I remember getting caught talking they put me in the library to face fire place which they told us that the two ladie that Owen the house had died and were buried in the fire place . Also during meals you weren't allowed to talk I did one day I remember we had visitors after visitors left I was lifted up agains a wail ...see more
I was born in Queen Charlotte's hospital in 1957 and lived at 139 Estcourt Road for the first 11 years of my life. We lived upstairs and my grandparents Harry and 'Flo Francis lived downstairs. I went to Sherbrooke Road school and so did my mum. We both had the same teacher Miss Peers who was a huge character!! I went to Saturday morning pictures, swam in Fulham Bathes pool and played on "the old bombsites" without ...see more
Use to skate every Sunday morning. My mum and dads beach hut was in the bottom left corner still bowl there to this day. I can remember Vic macbride as well use to play with his daughter.
I remember attending this school. I remember the Polish children who came to school in their national dress. I also remember attending church Sunday School every Sunday. Also the 'mere' which would ice over in a bad winter when it would ice over and we kids would slide on the ice. I remember falling through and getting very wet and cold although I don't think it was very deep. We lived in an ICI tied house on an estate.
Response to the posting. "I would love to hear from anyone else who lived there, such as Sam Wallace, David Franklin and people in Gretna. Thank you, Francess Jones (I was Francess Daugherty then) I am Derek Sharpe the Sharpe family lived at The Green Mossband and went to Gretna High School. Recall many of the names you mention. Would love to chat, should you wish.
My grandparents William Joseph Hughes and Edith May Hughes nee Moore are both deceased now - they grew up in Llanbradach . I have a wedding photograph of them aged 18 getting married in the late 1920s in the church in Llanbradach Edith's mother was my great grandmother Hannah Jane Moore - she later lived in Nantgarw Rd in Caerphilly. William ( Bill ) started off as a coal miner. They eventually ...see more
Apologies in advance this is not a Watford specific question but if anyone had any information on the building that is currently Falconer School in Bushey, I would love to know. I am aware it was previously the junior Masonic School, the secondary being based on The Avenue, but have heard rumours of it being a hospital, possibly for TB patients? Just curious to hear more if possible!
I remember a air sea rescue helicopter crashing into a corn field but cannot find any records of this
I trained and qualified as an SRN in 1963 at Chelmsford and Essex Hospital. It was 3 years of hard work and fun. I wonder what has happened to the building.
My parents moved to Woodside School Lane in about about 1956 and I spent a few happy years there. We lived opposite the playing fields. I believe houses are now there. We had Saturday dances in the hall which were great fun. Before I started my nurse training I worked in a care home in Dudbrook,which if I remember rightly was for elderly people from East London. My 3 nephews attended the Primary school in the village.
Having spent 3 very happy years at Sandon House and after reading Alan,s memories of those wonderful times it reminded me of my own time at this wonderful school. I may have written his memories myself, we seem to have completed a similar life a decade apart. Fishing by the weir, trying to find Gracie in the early hours of the morning, or just running through the wonderful feilds alround the school. FANTASTIC. Than you for the memory jogger Alan.
Just after the war had finished I was a patient there with Scarlet Fever.What I do remember is an Apple Orchard between the wards, my age then would have been about 8 or 9 this would have been about 1945/46. Can anyone confirm that the Smallfield Hospital had an Infectious disease section ? Cheers Patrick. Australia
I Remember as a 6-7 year old child my self and my brother spending time here our family was quite large 12 children in all so I think my mother sent us off to this hospital so she could have some respite, I remember some nuns picking us up from Liverpool and taking us here I still remember being absolutely terrified and scared so much so I can still remember them putting a red plastic cover on my bed every night because i used ...see more
I was in Overstone home I was there from age 6 till I was 9 and a bit I was the only girl there at that time but loved being there I've been and had a look what it's like now it took me years but found it and it's now an art gallery
I lived in Elgar Avenue, Tolworth from abt 1940 until 1944. We left when I was about 6 having rented a house here as our house in London had been bombed. I have such happy memories. I went to a school in Grand Avenue and the number of children in class was so small compared to the bigger classes I had to go back to. Can anyone help me with a memory I have [maybe incorrectly] of a RC church in Elgar Avenue. ...see more
A really great Golders Green former establishment is (or was) the Prince Albert pub (later a Harvester Restaurant) which was situated at 290 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 9PY. It was a great jazz pub where people would meet and make friends. Now that has long gone, even though very buzzing and thriving in the Harvester guise. I was last there in 1993 to eat and drink where there ...see more
I was born in 1948. Went to Garth Primary school and then Mitcham County Grammar. I remember truanting from school and spending the day in Ravensbury park on occasions. Does anybody have any pictures circa 1950 - 1965 of the playground area in the park?
My parents had a summer bungalow in Camber Close in the 40s. My parents never used the name Coast Road because at that time it was quite unmade, full of deep pot-holes that were full of water throughout the winter. May father's car had to weave from one side of the track to the other side for almost the whole distance from Holman's on the main road to the kiosk near Devonshire Drive because of the bad surface.
I've found the only usable photo I have but can't get it onto the site; how can I do that, please? Note from the Editor: Unfortunately, it is not possible at the moment for users to add photographs to our website. However, this is something that we are working toward and hope to have available in the not too distant future!
I recentlty went into the Burtesett Village hall, had a cuppa, with my three sisters, and looked at the memorbilla and photos around the room. We had a great time. Spent some 45-60 minutes reminising. My father was in the army on the tank ranges near brampton, training in the tank core for various operations envisaged in europe after d day. I and my sister born 45 lived with mum in 3 prospect ...see more
My dad Arthur Rutherford was the headmaster in the late 1960's until 1972 when we moved to Poole in Dorset. I recall my time at the school with my dad as headmaster and my mum for some time as my teacher. I didn't enjoy that! I did enjoy living in Tidworth for the 7 years we lived their. Playing on the downs with my friends David Yelf his dad was the village police officer and David Powell his dad was a ...see more
Ernie Kidd always wanted me to run cross country for my house Balmoral but at the same time I was boxing for Malmesbury. When I told him I had to box that evening and could do the cross country. He said ok but you had better win your boxing. He was a good teacher.Eric lewis
I was born in 1932 at 36,Priory Ave. & went to Crofton Lane School & ST Dunstans Prep,run by Mr & Major Cole. After attending various schools around the country during the war I ended up at Alleyns in Dulwich which I attended from 1943 -49. Going from Petts Wood Stn. to Herne Hill via Bromley South throughout the V1 & V2 bombing threats.MY various friends at the time were Mike ...see more
Does anyone remember Farm Road, Tranmere and the family Clifford who lived at No 7?
Does anyone remember the Greek restaurant ( Think it was on the High Street), in the early 1960s?
I also remember staying at northaw for a few months ,don't remember much of names only one a girl called Edwina vestafelt if that's how it was spelt I remember as it was an unusual name she was in a small room past the snooker room where some of us would sit at night before bed.i also remember a pool at the back not sure if it was finished then.i remember having meals i a large hall and often had to help with ...see more
Hi, just read your post. Very interesting. Was one of your brothers called Ray.? If so I was at school with him. Re Park Lane Motors, yes remember them well. I was friends with Jeff Smith who used to own and drive big American cars. Did you know where the name Park Lane Motors came From? It was where they used to live in Aveley. My dad, who also worked at Murex used to do a bit of private hire with a firm called ...see more
I was born in Nelson Hospital in March 1960 and taken home to Burley Road, where I was for my first year, then the family moved to Lancaster Road, nextdoor to the painter: Olaf Barnett. My early memories were of open spaces and for some reason, glorious Summers days spent around Rushmere pond. This pond was a big part of my early years as I then had to walk past it on my way to Old Central infants school in ...see more
I was at the home in 1950 I was a baby taken there from my birth I believe my sister Hilda Boswell was there as well. We came from Gainsborough. I have only recently discovered this and am trying to.get any info out there Comment please if you remember either Hilda or John Does anyone know where Wragby home was I had a sister there.
I knew Thornton Heath very well, from the early 1950’s through to the end of the 1960’s. Shopping with my parents at Woolworths (opposite the clocktower) and then round the corner into the high street for the smaller shops. The children’s library next to the fire station in Brigstock Road and then across the road to Trumble Gardens. In my early ...see more
Further to my previous memory of Basingstoke,and a reader mentioning Odys groceries shop, I too remember it well, also Yerburys hairdressers in Winton Sq and Giffords store.As well as that there was a tea shop on London Rd, The Good Hostess and on Hackwood Rd I remember Nancy Noyes bookshop. My grandparents had their golden wedding at the Venture in 1961.I also have fond memories of mapledurwell where a friend of my ...see more
Dad was brought up in graveley. He has told me of his childhood growing up their and the war years his father died when he was eleven years old. We would go has a family for tea on Sunday's to grans I have lots of memories to share SallyStubbs nee PIcking
When I went to Leysdown in the 1960's there was a wonderful farm, we walked through the farm to get to the beach. It was lovely, for someone who lived in London, it was great. I saw cows up close, sheep up close, then we saw little chicks in the toilet block. I loved it back then. Went back to see the area a while ago, couldn't believe how run down it was. It was a mess! Such a pity!
My father and my uncle had their shops on South Road. I used to visit on a Saturday morning. There was a small cafe a few doors away where a variety of drinks was served and where my father used to enjoy a Bovril- I expect that I had one of the favourite drinks of the day, a Horlicks as I tasted the Bovril once and did not like it! The National Provincial Bank was located at the junction with The Broadway, next to ...see more
I vividly remember my first day at the old school. I was taken by my granny (my mother had just died). We had to hold hands in dancing. I also remember an unfortunate girl (called Heather?) who had awful excema, and being the only one who would hold her hand!
When my parents moved to Ayton in 1954 they were, unusually for then, strict vegetarians. Cockerills reacted to the request for whole foods and fresh produce by my mother, and this then became their standard stock. Happy memories browsing all the tempting foodstuffs!
Born in Wrens Ave, Ashford we moved to Lauser Road Stanwell in 1959 I attended Town Farm School but spent a year at the old village school Lord Knyvett's which had shelters in the playground and other kids used to say their were dead pigs inside, why? Like many here I used to watch the horses being shod at the blacksmiths next to the village hall. I used to go to the twin rivers to fish for sticklebacks and one of my ...see more
Lived at number 11 till 1960.. Went to Elmwood infants then juniors then Tavistock secondary modern. My mum was the lollipop lady at Elmwood for many years .... Every Saturday morning off the the Granada . Happy days
Saw Bill Haley with an old girlfriend Kay. Great show ..the place was jumping 🎸🎸
Remember Evans dairy ?
Happy days spent here back in the late fifties, I remember playing in that rectangular sandpit and on those swings Along the fence at in the background of this picture was a small ditch we we used to go hunting for newts.
My name is Jacqueline Billingsley. I was sent here in the 1950's from hospital due to kidney problems. I remember the Matron who would take her small dog for walks every morning in the woods. Being very fond of dogs even at a young age but the Matron would never let any of us pet or even play with her dog. I had a best friend there called Pat whom I recall had been burnt over most of her body. Visiting day ...see more
My very first holiday away from mum and dad as a 17 year old on my way to Polperro from Morden in Surrey. My father saw me off on the train in London with instructions to change at Liskeard then catch the next train to Looe. On the Looe bound train late in the evening I boarded a near empty carriage with another lad also on his way to Polperro who informed me that I would miss the last bus into ...see more
i went to lanfranc school in 1958 -1962 i too lost all my friends my best friend was colin smith my mother could not affordto let me go on that trip but i went with the army cadet force camp in fingerinhoe colchester while at camp on manouvers had an accident ended up in colchester millitary hospital where i read the news of the plane crash fate or what
I remember a shop that sold cheap jewellery. The thing was that decimel money had been in for several years but they had all the prices still in £sd.
My name is Brian Efford, I was evacuated to Bolter End in 1940. I went to St Davids College from 1946 to 1956. I used to catch the 37 Thames Valley bus to High Wycombe station and walk across Amersham Hill road to St Davids.I now live in Adelaide Australia, I would love to hear from anyone who was at St Davids with me.
My father Harold Lock was manager there from about 1935 until early 1960s. He was also in charge of food distribution for Wickford during the war . Is there any information about the shop etc., available?
Hi Paul I first encountered the Priory in 1965 when i became friends with a boy who lived there and was invited to the annual summer fancy dress party( all Priory parties were fancy dress back then) Residents of the household were Mrs Dorothy Kemp senior mother of the five sons of the house, Douglas(deceased) Alfred, married and living in Chester,his twin Max married to Dorothy and after a large part of land had been sold ...see more
My grandfather, William Buttler own a tobacconist/confectionary in Leytonstone during 1920s to 1930s. Does anyone have any memories of this, also where about in Leytonstone was it.
Im currently researching my family heritage. My father and grandfather were both born in Hetton Le Spring.Would anyone remember Robert and Hilda Lloyd and their children Robert (my father), Joseph, Hilda, John and Lawrence. My grandfather was employed as a "Hewer" at a local coal mine in the area, I just don't know if there was one or many back the, or where it was ...see more
I just got 3 old (1900-15?) postcards of "French's estate," by the river Maidenhead. Do you know where this was located?
I remember Court Lodge very well and Knockholt as I wS in the children's home in 1964 I was 4 years old I can remember the couple who looked after us we had to call them mum n dad monrolly I think that's the name had a dark blue van I remember the van pulling at the house in Homefeilds Rise Orpington and me crying clinging on to a neighbour I knew wot was going on I rember having to help with the babies ...see more
I used to go to Parish Church School by the Church in Croydon then it moved to Duppas Hill. I went onto St Andrews. I have fond memories of Wilsons coffee shop & Bakers in George Street. Also Kennards Arcade my sister used to supply the baby rabbits to the Pet Shop. The donkey rides and of course Father Christmas. The huddle and bustle of Surrey Street and looking down on it from Grants Self Service ...see more
I was a pupil here from 1949-1952/3 I knew Quentin Royston I believe his father was Russian and the family lived on the outskirts of Lymington. There were also two sisters call Tatiania and ?
Anybody got any old maps of pelsall plz