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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Tips & Ideas
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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
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 13921 - 14000 of 36914 in total
I just read the coment by Jackie Payne, I would love to see the photo of her mum outside her shop. I often went in this shop when little with my mum and she talks of all the things I used to do, even playing on the dump, which I always believed belonged to me as it was next to my house. I used to live in Gloucester Circus, for all I know we may have played together. I must have lived on that dump. We ...see more
Does anyone out there have any photos of this old house which I believe dates back to the 1600. Iit was a welfare hospital for mothers to have their babies - much has been written but no photos. Would love some help on this.
Hi, I'm David Smith from USA. Was doing a geneology of my family and I have found that my family comes from Stanhope, dating back as far as 1587. I found this website and thought someone that comes here could help me, or even chat with me about Stanhope and to see if any of the family name still lives there. The last name was spelled 3 different ways when they came to the USA. The one we use most ...see more
I was born at 9 Mount Pleasant, Kingswinford, in 1948. It was a big house which used to be a pub, with four rooms down stairs and four rooms upstairs; the only lighting was down stairs and you had to go to bed using a candle. Four families lived there, my great grandparents (Downton), my grandparents (Churchman), Uncle Bert and his wife (Churchman) and my parents David and Doreen Churchman.
My great ...see more
I remember Church Road for the wonderful Holy Trinity Church (still there and a poignant link with old Bracknell). It also housed the old council offices where we paid our rates when we first moved to Bracknell from South London in 1954 and, I believe, a community hall where I once learned the rudiments of first aid with the Red Cross. Church Road was a very attractive road as the picture shows, with plenty of ...see more
I lived with my family at 19, Blackmans Close, Dartford in the late 1940's. As kids we spent a lot of time at Dartford Heath. After the war I remember seeing nissan huts for German prisoners of war at the Heath. I recall seeing paintings of cartoon characters on the walls. I have made a few enquiries, but no one seems to remember. I am living in Adelaide South Australia and would love to hear from someone out there. Bye for now, Barb.
I was born in a masonette in Beverley Gardens, Western Avenue, in the middle of an air raid in 1943.
Yes, I do rememebr buying an ice cream from Creamery Fare in Greenford.
My local shops were across the road in Medway Drive and included, Pearks the grocers, Edgars the greengrocers, Wymans the newsagents, Felts half shop the grocers where you could buy products on tick, Macs, another half shop ...see more
My father, Steve Storey, was the postman for East and West Harlsey in the 1960's and 70's. I used to walk up to the village with him in the late 60's to do the afternoon postal round in East Harlsey. I remember the post office and shop run by the Topham's, they would get anything you wanted and indeed, many of my Christmas presents came from there, my dad telling them what was needed and they duly ...see more
Yes I remember your wife, I used to live at number 9 Kenley Road with my mum and dad and sister Carol. My name is John Thomas. My dad was a lorry driver and worked for Wiggins and Sankeys, delivering bricks and stuff all over England until he got a job in Brentford Market. Sadly, Mum and Dad died years ago, Dad at an early age and my mum not long after. My sister lives in the West Midlands and I have been in ...see more
If this is the park north of Aston, I walked many times with my granddad. I was in Aston from the States, stayed on Old Road.
In the early years, when I worked for the N C B at Langley Park Pit, all the lads, myself included, looked up to the big coal hewers, Garforth, Calland, Gardner and Co, but there was another fella there that we would like to be a friend of but were too young. His name was Dennis James, he joined the army and when he came home on leave he brought with him a monkey. This monkey kept getting out into the streets. ...see more
I was a pupil at this School in approximately 1971-1972, when we lived in Windsor Road, Lindford. My dad was in the army and based at Longmore. Lovely, happy memories of this school! Anyone remember lovely Mrs. Marrack? She was a really unique woman. Seemed old at the time! I was one of the first pupils to move into the new School, and it was a big change to our old classroom (a building all on its own near ...see more
Around this time I lived on Falconer Crescent on New Parks, the last house before the farm, next to Barnados. It seems a recurring memory for all - the walled garden and orchard, I used to work there weekends. I swept the long drive of leaves in the autumn and remember creosoting the summer houses on warm summer days. To get from the walled garden (one bad memory - the gardener would hang dead birds and mice to ward ...see more
I did my apprenticeship at Woodward Bros electricians, High Street and had to do a lot of repairs at the Sterling Cinema. After the job was finished, Mr Hawkins, manager, used to give me a complementary pass. I shall always remember.
I was born in Tooting Police Stn or nic as Dad called it. He was a home beat officer there for years. I spent most of my younger days down in the horse stables grooming or mucking out. We lived in flat no 1 and it was a great place to live in the sixties - my dad was nicknamed Paddy due to his Irish heritage - all the flats are now offices as far as I know.
This is not so much a memory as a request for information. The Pine Apple Beer Shop, Mountnessing Village, has cropped up in my family history research and I would like to know more about it. I cannot find any reference to this shop anywhere and wonder if anyone can help. Many thanks.
This was where the market was held, we used to buy ice creams and sit in the gardens at the side of the church on a sunny day.
My grandmother ran the candy store on Prestongate for many years. Many happy memories. There was Audreys next door and Pillings TV rental on the corner.
The Swan Hotel used to have very glamourous dinner and dances back then. The name Swan is made up from the roads from the hotel, Stapenhill, Winshill, Ashby and Newton. My dad used to ride his bike up and down the hill to Winshill all his working life and I remember climbing the hill if we missed the last bus home.
This photo is in reverse!
Editor: Thank you for this info - we will have this corrected in a day or two.
I remember walking from the bridge onto the ox hay as a teenager, there was a fete and barbeque during the day and a dance at night under a big marquee, complete with a wooden floor. A liitle further along the bridge were the public baths and swimming baths, we used to go along there for a bath before we had a bathroom of our own.
I remember walking the bridge from Stapenhill grounds to get to school in Bond Street, it was the Technical High School then, but was the Burton Grammar School when my brother went in the 50s. The bridge was for pedestrians only and wow betide you if you rode your bike as it was a 10 shilling fine if you were caught. I remember walking across the bridge one bad winter, it was very icy and I slipped ...see more
I was born in Scotland and came to Old Thornaby in the mid 60s. I lived in Cobden St, 2 up 2 down. We had absolutley nothing, but neither did anybody else, no hot water or heating but we all managed. I had lots of friends and we played games like elastics and skips. Every road had a shop on it, like Jackie Lanes and in some shops you could get tick, then when your mam got your dad's wages she would go and ...see more
My granddad, Ron Beeson, was the manager of David Greig shop in Egham High Street from around 1956 until he died. My grandparents, Dad and uncle lived above the shop and my parents met when my mum went to work there. I spent a lot of time at the shop and flat when I was very young and they are some of my earliest memories. To get to the shop from the flat you had to come through the stock room full of boxes and ...see more
I remember the old swimming baths, just round the corner, and have pleasant childhood memories. The building was made of red sandstone and us kids used to grind red dust out of the walls with our 1d coins whilst queueing to get in. The police used to set those old speed traps there so us kids used to go round the corner and warn oncoming traffic. After a while the Police used to walk around wondering why they had not caught anybody and gave chase, but of course they were no match for us kids.
We all remember those days Robin, I still am in contact with Dave G and Terry G, mainly through Facebook as I am in Oz now. You would also remember the Orchid Rooms and the Quality Inn. I don't know if you have been back to Cliftonville lately but it hasn't fared well over time. Those were the days.
During WW11 my mother, brothers and I lived in Wellbank in a house belonging to my maternal grandmother. It was a carefree time for us, as children we did not understand War. The school was one room with three grades all taught by one teacher.
I see by some photos it has changed immensly. I am now in my 80's and live in Oregon.
I lived in 50 Cwmnyscoy with my grandparents at the early part of the war years. I went to Blaendare Road School with my sister, Pamela, who was three years older. We had come from Cardiff and as we lived near the aerodrome we had nightly air raids, so we went to live with our grandparents, James and Jane Ann Jones. I have such good memories of plum pudding field, long walks with my grandfather where we picked berries in ...see more
I have lived in Lindenhill Road, Priestwood since March 1954, when my parents moved from Southwark, South London. My dad helped build the new town - initially by travelling down from London on the 'milk train' with his brother and brother in law, and then securing a Bracknell Development Corporation house. He worked on many of the houses in Priestwood 1 and 2 and also Wick Hill School (now Garth Hill ...see more
The newsagent was called l.B.Corne and Mr Corne doubled as Father Christmas at Meadowvale School when I was a youngster. His relatives also managed the post office based in the shop. My late mother attended the opening of the shop in the '50's and came back with balloons and paper hats for me and my brothers. A lovely shop then, with model railways running in the shop windows at christmas - lovely childhood ...see more
I remember our lovely old co-op with it's bank, cafe and range of good quality food and other goods. Kiddies Corner was a magical shop for youngsters to indulge their pocket money - I used to buy toy soldiers and model aircraft kits with mine! Another favourite was Hollingsworth's in the old High Street with the café at the back and some wonderful books for sale.
I remember Mrs Murphy who ran the shop next to the Market Inn - she was a no nonsense Liverpudlian (who knew all about Bessie Braddock & Cilla Black!) but was a very kindly lady. The shop was very handy if you had to get something before getting on the train, as she stocked a good range of goods. Her son sometimes served in the shop.
I was 2 years old when my family moved to Stair House. My father was Ted Miller and was contracted by the government to collect scrap metal during the war years. We moved in 1948 but I have strong memories of the village.
What sweets were available from Mrs Fuller-Waters shop, the first haircut at the barber's, going up the hill, the golf course with a small stream running at the back of Stair House, and ...see more
Whilst studying at Stowmarket Grammar School from 1967-1972, I worked at Woolworths in Stowmarket. Living in Bacton, this meant that I had to cycle to the bus stop about two miles at the other end of the village and then get the bus in to Stowmarket. My reward for this Saturday's work was the equivalent now of about 90p! I worked at the front of the store on the biscuit counter; yes, people ...see more
I remember walking through the old Castle Gardens on my first ever day at work at the old GPO office, 13-14 Wind Street in October 1976 - it was very pretty, unlike the concrete version that exists today.
Yes, I recall George Armstrong. Billy Bennison also lived in the Square. His father worked at Tribley Farm. It was a great surprise to me when once I came home on leave to find no square there!! I have had no luck in finding a photograph of it as it was. There was a 1960's pop singer called Susan Maughan. Her father used to drink in the 'Travellers'. I think that he lived Craghead way.
My nana & grandad lived in Pont St, we used to shop at Walter Wilkins, for best butter, cut in a slab.
I live in Australia, but my heart, is still in that corner were I used to walk up to the bait box (fish & chip shop) where Nana used to work.
Happy days, happy days.
My brother Don Quarterman sent me to this web site.
What an amazing collection of photographs! So I have to talk about two that show the house we grew up in, Mulberry Cottage. The earlier one shows it still with thatch and no dormer windows, the way it had probably been since it was built in maybe 1700 or earlier. The later one (probably a couple of years more recent) shows it ...see more
The Miss Georges were relatives of my husband, Allen George. We believe they died in the 1970's when they were in their eighties. Allen remembers them in the 1950's, they lived in the cottages, St Mary's Cottage and St Martha's Cottage on Great Hales Street. He remembers there were bill boards at the Railway Station, by the cinema and on Phoenix Bank where the Ladies used to stick their ...see more
My grandmother worked in Killips in Wembley. I used to walk up the alley from Harrowdene Road besides the railroad tracks up to Killips to visit with my grandmother. I too thought the tube that collected the money was fascinating. I loved visiting Wembley from North Wembley, most especially on FA Cup Final days. My mum and I would go up to Wembley High Road and wait to wave at Queen Elizabeth as she rode by to attend the FA Cup Final.
I was born in Holmfield in 1934. I went to Moorside School and later Princess Mary High School in Parkinson Lane. I was married in St.Mary's Church, Illingworth in 1954 and lived for a short time back at the home of my birth in Holmfield. My husband and I and 2 of our children emigrated to Australia in 1959 and I have lived in Australia for 54 years. I have one Australian born child. My eldest daughter is taking ...see more
I lived in the square with my mam and dad, Alan and Betty Armstrong. Linda Strong was my friend, we went to school together. I remember Mrs King and of course Arthur Strong. My grandad George had the garage at Hett Hills. I have many happy memories of living there, we moved to Shelly Gardens when I was 5, I went to Pelton Roseberry. Friends included Tina Walker, Sylvia Syson, also knew a few from the villa who then moved to Sacriston.
I too remember going to Duke Street School which later became Gaythorn (named after the gasworks I think). My name then was Mulvanny. Mr Beasley used to make us stand on our seats until we got the answers right. Mr Davies was a dab hand at throwing the board rubber! Always on target. Mrs Holmes was formidable and took no nonsense. Mr Jacks often had a boy or two awaiting their fate (the ...see more
Harry Vaughan (grandad), Jenny Vaughan (grandma) and mum, sister, brother and I lived here. I learned to cycle where the car is. Grandad had a Ford Anglia - remember them? His was a deluxe, you'd have thought he'd won the pools. We had an alsation cross and he got into the farmers chickens. His name was Rex. One winter, on the way to school, the bus got stuck in the snow and we had to walk all the way back home..ahh happy days...
I was born in Factory Road in 1947. I lived there with my mum, dad, brother and 2 sisters until I was 16 and moved away because of the redevelopement. We lived at number 33, my nan lived at number 26 and my aunt and 2 cousins lived at number 12. Myself and my siblings all went to Ardleigh Green Primary School, then my brothers to Highlands and me and my sisters to Heathpark for girls. My childhood was very happy ...see more
Does anyone have any memories or old photos of a grocers at 2 Park Street, Patricroft). As I believe my relatives may have ran a shop there, the owner would have been a Mr Benjamin Powell?
I went to St Johns from the age of 5 until we left Colchester in 1975, I remember a very strict teacher called Miss Keeble. I remember the walk to school from my dad Cyril's grocery shop on Alexandra Road. I can remember the military tatoo in Castle Park and the fireworks display. I can also remember spending Saturday mornings at the ABC cinema and my dancing classes at Mrs White's dancing school near ...see more
My gran used to live in old folks home as well. I think it was called Queens Court. The junior school was just behind it. Also the shops are on left of picture.
My father worked on the site building Westbury Shopping Centre. I remember there being a full size model of a dalek in the dry cleaners that used to be on one end of block. Used to be able to get inside it and pretend to be a dalek, which was great fun for an 8 year old.
My grandma, Mary Bowers, worked at Parkside Hospital in the 60's & was there the day Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon in 1969. Mum talks of Grandma & how she found it so funny as the patients were all sat round to see the 'The first man walk on the moon'. One patient, my grandma told mum, said 'I don't want to sit here' and she replied to her 'but you're going to see the first man walk on ...see more
The school I attended when I was 11/12 yrs old in 1962/63.
In 1959 and in 1962/3 I was at a childrens home in Botley Rd, Romsey called Palmerstone House. Has anyone go a picture of the home, as the house has now been pulled down and rebuilt into an old persons accommodation. I need a photo of the area. Thank-you. Rita
The view of Post House, Wynd, circa 1965 reminds me of my school days when every school day of the year for seven years I walked up here having bussed from Haughton. Then it was up Duke Street to the grammar school. There was a shop called Northern Surgical Supplies and we used to snigger at the advertisement for Durex in the window. I remember a chocolate shop on the same side as The Dun Cow, which later in life I ...see more
I remember the traffic policeman very well. I lived at The Morlands (25) from c1945 to c1953. I went to Framwellgate Nursery School, and the to St. Hilds Demonstration School until the age of about 8yrs, when we moved to Nottingham. My mother, who is 106 years old, spent time working at the munitions factory at Newton Aycliffe during the war. My grandparents lived at ...see more
My mum went to South Park in the early 30s and I attended from 1962 to 1969. Recently, I have come across some memorabilia - would anyone be interested?
I remember so much about Earl Shilton, it wasn't just my home but my playground. The Rec. with its swings, slide and round-a-bout - so exciting then, back in the early 40s.
Gigley Wrights burned out factory, where we played for hours, the 'frog' pond, Watery Gate, and sometimes the visiting 'travellers' brightly painted wagons close by. Conquering the 'great' Croft Hill, the Brockey where we fished for ...see more
My father, who is still alive, was born in Trealaw in 1917. He remembers the miner's strike and his father digging into the slag heaps to get coal. He remembers going to the soup kitchen and the strikers walking to London and coming back disheartened. His best friend was killed down the pit the first week he started, so he became a baker.
I am trying to find the name of the photography shop that was in Pen-y Craig for many years. Does anybody know the name of it?
Does any remember the name of the funny little man who did gardening and maintenance. I think it was Ivan but not sure. 1958-1962
I moved to Mitcham in 1941 as a 3 year old having been "bombed out" elsewhere. Many of the memories in these pages are similar to mine. But perhaps not this. As a ten year old my mate Tony Burls and I lived near the Swan Inn. We went for a swim in the Seven Islands one fine day. We hid our clothes and towels in some bushes and had our swim, more of a paddle really. Unfortunately someone stole our clothes and ...see more
My great, great, grandparents were bakers and shoe makers called Kitchen and lived on High Street.
I'm doing my family tree and I have come across my great great great grandfather, William Sayer, living at Ley's Farm Village, Marsh Baldon. Could anyone help me with any information on this farm or village it would be greatly appreciated.
His son John Smith was a blacksmith in Bensington in 1844.
Regards Sylvia.
I worked in Caerphilly in the 70s - self employed taxi driver with Bee Line Taxis, if anyone can remember them. I have good memories of the people I met there, I worked there for 6 months and then started my own firm. I now live in Bridgend.
My mum & dad, Pam & Stan Waterfall had the greengrocers shop between 1964 to, I think about 1971. We lived above the shop in a small 2 bedroom place; my sister Sue & I shared a bedroom. There was a hardware store next door. The man in there taught me how to cross my eyes lol! There was a sweet shop on the corner, a hairdressers the other end. We walked to Corringham School down an ...see more
1968' the year we were married, I got a job working for Quayles chemist opposite the pig farm, now St Mary's College. The smell from the pig farm was awful. I remember having to sweep outside the shop every morning, holding my nose from the smell! Next door was Joynson's market gardener and every Saturday they used to open the doors of the barn (now Hardman's double glazing) to sell their produce; the queue ...see more
My friend Vanessa had lovely times with our children down at the chalets, we used to rent them during the holidays, two weeks in her name and then two weeks in mine, you could only rent for two weeks. Some had an oven in as well as two gas rings to heat up beans on toast for lunches, they had deck chairs too. The children played safely under the watchful eyes of us and other parents. The summers were hotter then, we would leave for home before dark to return the next day, such happy days.
Currently researching the history of the building which now houses First Light Photographic & Dawn Branigan Photography at 3 & 3A High Street. Have traced it back as far as 1836, when Leigh's Bakery was founded by one John Leigh. His son, Samuel George Leigh carried the tradition on well into the 20th Century. Does anyone know when Leigh's closed and the Danetre Fancy Bakery was opened? According to the ...see more
After the War, after the Royal Air Force had vacated the property, Zeals House became home to Stroud School. A history of the school written by the Headmaster can be found on the following website: http://www.porterj.com/Stroud/stroud2.html. I would be very interested to hear from any of the ex-pupils.
I went to school at Haughton Hall around the time I was 8 or 9. It was for a few years because our school had been burnt down in Madeley, St Marys .. what a spooky cold gloomy place! If ever I went to a haunted building this was it, I loved the place and got up to complete mischief with my mate Jolene - pure fun. I'm glad its a hotel now, at least it didnt go to waste, but what a grand old house. And I ...see more
I am tracing my family history on both my mother and father's sides and have discovered that most of my relatives seem to come from the Lewisham area, Peckham, Camberwell, Bellingham and then Bromley. I live in Bournemouth and am not familiar with the areas but would love to know if anyone knew any of my family. The surnames on my father's side are Harbour and Weeks and my mother's, Margerum and Roots.
....it was lined with mirrors and was opposite the Odeon Cinema in Romford, has anyone the right spelling and better still, any pics?
I left Rubery when I was eight years old, about forty years ago, to relocate in Wales. I distinctly remember this street though, with the Fine Fare Supermarket, Colliers, and I think it was Kays shoe shop. Further on down the road was a cafe and a butchers and the Rose and Crown pub. My mum and dad bought a garden bench from there when they were closing, I think to become the Rose and Crown, and they still have ...see more
My name is Maureen Gaffney (nee Golightly) and the happiest years of my life were spent in my youth in Easington Colliery.
I was born in 1935 at 5 Raby Avenue and moved as a young child to Baldwin Street. My best friend was Patsy Wilson and she lived next door but one. I went to Easington Junior School and then on to St Anthony's Grammar School in Sunderland. I worked in the office at Sherburn Hill ...see more
I was born Susan Scott at home on Ollersett Ave on the new estate In 1950. Before I went to school I remember helping the local farmer deliver milk around the estate in his horse and cart, getting a bottle or orange juice as a reward. I went to school age 4 and my first school was Springbank Primary. The teachers were very strict and I remember getting the ruler on my wrists for getting my sums wrong!! My ...see more
My great great great grandfather, William Thomas, born 29th June 1765, Carmarthen, was a Unitarian minister and succeeded Rev.Gilbert Boyce at the old General Baptist church at Coningsby in 1800. His son, my great great grandfather Thomas Felix Thomas was born Chapel House, Coningsby on 8th June 1802, he also became a minister. Eventually William moved to Horncastle. I have been searching for a long time for ...see more
My great grandmother, Margaret Whyatt nee Roberts, was a Cook General (whatever that was) at Toft Hall. She was there around 1895 onwards. I haven't alot of information regarding her as she died long before I came along. I would love to find out more about her job and duties. I don't have any other information as to her duties there but would really like to know about the history of life below stairs in her time.
This is such a clear photo of where I lived! I used to stand on the balcony right under that big clock! x
Does anyone remember the Rock in the 60s? I used to work there on and off from 1962-70. I lived in Higher Croft. There was some good times there, I work for landlord Fred Chapman till he retired, then others after. Some of my old drinking mates Tommy Parker and family, Danny Higgingbotham, Fred Cooper, where are you now?
If anyone remembers me, love to here from you.
Hi Roy, remember you well, remember seeing you first at Williams Garment Club, Salford, singing and playing guitar. Then Talk of the North. Did you have the Swinging Bridge at Trafford? My brother and I was only talking about you last weekend wondering where you were now days. I came from Higher Croft in Barton, used to go to the Lyndale then the Broadway, then to most of the clubs in Salford etc.
Thanks for reminding me of old times, Ken Walker.
My grandfather, Jospeh Thomas Biggs and later my father, Horace Leonard Biggs, from 1936 operated a building company and undertakers from Kinver High street in the 1930s. The company built many houses in Kinver, Wollaston, Stourbridge & Kidderminster. The houses were mainly detached and nearly all had distinctive roof scroll finials on the ends of the ridges. Can any one help with the ...see more
We moved to 108 Lady Margaret Road in 1969. I went to St. Anselms RC school in the Green and then later Southall Grammar (Villiers); my brothers William and Martin went to St. Marks (Hounslow) and Ealing Green then to Dormers. Mum and Dad (John and Kathleen Gray) sold the house in 1994 and moved back to Ireland - I begged them not to sell it - Southall is a special place and we had THE BEST neighbours; Mary ...see more