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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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 27201 - 27280 of 36864 in total
I am looking for a photo of a street party celebrating the end of the war 1919 It was in WILLIAM BLACK STREET, JARROW (Catherine Cookson lived there once). My family are in this photo, and we would love a copy of it, can anyone help?
The family name is Weir, and they lived a few doors away from Catherine Cookson when she was a child. This photo was on show in the library when they did a 'reconstuction' of Cathrine Cookson's life. Thank you.
I spent my childhood in Lower Broadheath. I used to live in Church Lane. It was nice living there because there were so many other children. We would be in and out of each others' houses, and we would often play in the Vicarage Garden and the Vicarage Paddock, adjoining the Vicarage. In the summer of 1959 we all used to ride our scooters and bicycles up and down the Lane and ...see more
The brother of my 5xgt grandfather William Maxwell, was Thomas Maxwell, born in Harting in 1754. Thomas and Elizabeth's son Henry Maxwell, born 1807 in Harting, was by the census of 1841 living in Selborne with his wife Jane and two sons, Henry Thomas Maxwell and George Alfred Maxwell and daughter Emma Jane. Henry was listed as a Grocer and Draper and this business continued into the 1900s, run by his son ...see more
I remember the rickety bridge over the River Mole here, when I was very small my mother used to take me over it to eat sandwiches by the 'splash' and go for a paddle. The bridge was really scary with wobbly planks and I was afraid of falling through where the missing one was. When I was old enough to go on my own I learned to swim in the river, hanging on to the water weeds and ...see more
My husband's family were conned into selling their grandfather's cottage, he was the local molecatcher, John Henry Scott.(I wonder if he was born on the wrong side of the blanket! - as the name of the local gentry was also Scott.) The solicitor was also a Scott, Malcolm from Leyburn. They were told the cottage was uninhabitable and would need to be demolished, a man called Gregg offered 50 and they said yes. When they went back 2 years later, it was a holiday cottage!
My great-grandfather, grandfather and uncle all at one point in their lives worked at Boston Dock. My great-grandfather was injured badly on the dock in 1932 and died soon after, his workmate dropped a work tool on his head from a great height. My granddad also worked at the dock for a number of years, as did my late uncle. Does anyone remember the Palmers?
This shot brings back a hell of a lot of memories. We used to play on the canal bank here and fish for sticklebacks in the shallow bit under the bridge. I even had had my first real snog in the graveyard (nice!) over the bridge on the left. You can just see the Prince of Wales pub through the arch. The gate in the hedge on the left was the back gate to my garden.
I lived in Mostyn Road from 1954 to 1968. I remember Arthur and his horse-drawn milk cart, my dad used to go and collect the horse manure for his roses.
This is where my mother and I lived with my Nan during WWII. We lived at number 234. I remember the Morrison shelter under the window, and that I used to climb up on top of it, switch the radio on and use it as a stage and dance and sing along with the music from programmes like Family Favourites and Workers Playtime. My mother went to work and my father was in the RAF so most of the time it was just me and my Nan. ...see more
This great pub has things happening every day - super food and fine beer. The website for the Bugle Inn is www.thebugleinnbotley.co.uk
I remember as kids we used to watch the trains go past Nottage Halt, to look at the old track now it is hard to imagine anything other than a tractor using it. One day we walked through the railway tunnel that used to go under Nottage, it's probably still there, though blocked off at each end.
We lived on Red Hill from 1964 for 21 years. Both our daughters attended the school illustrated. Our house is now a busy doctors' surgery. Many of the houses in the village were taken down for the building of a large Sainsbury's store. The trees that lined the road were removed in order to widen the main road.
I remember going to Johnas bank and rolling Easter eggs down, also the big swing in the dean, it was called the witches swing. There was a hut at the dean entrance where the old men used to go and play dominoes and cards. There used to be overhead grabs full of coal leading from Walbottle pit to Throckley where the brickyard is now. Then there was the nudist camp up by the fell road, I don't know if it is still there ...see more
I was born in Meantwrog on 1 July 1942 at 2 Fron Goch. My father was Cadwalader Jones Owens and my mother was Mary Bridget. Dad was born, I believe, at Tyn Fedw (it has now changed its name but I cannot remember what to) which was just up from Cae Glas farm in Gellilydan. My gran was Kate Owens, I never met Granddad, he died when Dad was quite young.
My father worked in the gardens at Plas ...see more
My great-great-great-grandfather JOSEPH FLETCHER Esq lived at Kay Moss Farm (as it was called then), now known as Key Moss. He is buried along with 3 of his children who died young and 1 daughter Ellen at St Paul's church. he had 4 living children:
John - corn miller/merchant(Liverpool)
Nicholas Richard - mathematics instructor, Royal Naval College(London). Nicholas's son Reginald becomes Lord ...see more
Fantastic picture. This isn't a memory, more of a request.
19 King Street is listed on the 1891 census with MARY FLETCHER, her occupation is lady's outfitter and fancy goods dealer(dress). Is that in this picture? Or which side of this road would it have been on?
Others in the road at the same time:
11, tobacconist - Isabella Ellenbech
13, confectioners - Sarah E Stalker
17, grocers - John Stones
19, ...see more
I was born at no 24 Miller Street, Glassford in the year 1938 and lived there till 1948.
I have very happy memories of my childhood there. Dad was a miner and was transferred to the east coast when I was 10 years old. I am the youngest in the family.
I emigrated to New Zealand in 1958, got married and settled in Dunedin. I loved the freedom we had living in the countryside. I have been home on ...see more
My first sight of South Harrow was when my dad ran a fish stall in the railway market in South Harrow, he worked there for about 10 to 12 years after which he bought a shop of his own in Alexandra Avenue.
Coming from Bermondsey in London, South Harrow was a very green and pleasent area with its tree-lined roads and tidy front gardens. As kids we had gangs who went to St Paul's church and played on ...see more
I lived in Barrow upon Soar. I left school in about July 1966 and in September 1966 I turned 15 and started work at Lawson and Wards. My grandma Violet Smith also worked there. My grandma and grandad, Violet and Wilf (Kip) Smith, lived up Wellbrook Avenue. There were also a few people I knew at school who started at Lawsons at the same time as me, some I remember were myself Linda Clarke, Jennifer ...see more
My father talks of growing up in the Red Lion Pub near Saltwood - would this be correct or have I got the pub's name wrong? His surname is Casey.
A mine in Mow Lane, Gillow Heath collapsed.
The old pub in Gillow Heath (The Staffordshire Knot) was once a workhouse.
During the war my brother, my three cousins and myself stayed on a farm, I think it was in Roadwater or Watchett, it was called Stamborough or something like that. My Great Aunt and Uncle Tom and Cassie Carpenter lived in a cottage further down 'the line'. Is there anybody there now who would know where I mean?
Can anybody help with information, memories or photos of a former children's home in Epping New Road, in Buckhurst Hill?
I spent part of my childhood in a children's home on Epping New Road (number 8?) in Buckhurst Hill. My name is Michael O'Brien, also known at one time as Reginald Downham. I am desperately trying to track down any photos, memories ...see more
My parents Evelyn & Tom Williams purchased a home on Carberry Avenue in 1977.
My parents Evelyn and Tom Williams purchased a house on Thistlebarrow Road just after WW2 upon moving from Birmingham.
My parents Evelyn and Tom Williams purchased a Guest House on Woodland Avenue around 1946-7 while I was just a toddler.
My parents Evelyn and Tom Williams rented this flat from the owners on the ground floor from 1961-1962. It was a lovely place with a marvelous view of the cliff top.
My parents Evelyn and Tom Williams leased this home from the owners (Clarks) from 1959-1961 - it was a big house surrounded by high laurel hedges with a walnut tree in the back garden.
My parents Evelyn & Tom Williams purchased this house brand new in 1956, and we lived there for two years.
My parents lived here in 1938 when my sister Diane was born on 21 Nov 1938.
My father, William Thomas 'Tom' Williams, was born at 9 Parmerston Drive on 23 Mar 1902 to Catherine Miriam Johnstone/Johnson and John Williams.
My parents Evelyn Pratt and Tom Williams were married at the Parish Church, Hall Green on 15 Sep 1934
During WW2, my twin brother and I were born at this house on 2 Nov 1943 to Evelyn and Tom Williams. Dad built an Anderson bomb shelter in the back garden during the early years of the war, and was used by mother and children while dad was away with the Fire Department during bombing raids - we have several photos of our young family playing in the back garden. As soon as the war was over, our family moved ...see more
I remember my first concert there. It was fantastic - Adam and the Ants. I was 14! It was a long time ago. My mum still lives in St. Austell but I live in Plymouth. Wonderful memories from my younger days as I'm now 44. My name back then was Maria Searle and I went to Poltair, I wonder if anyone knows me?
My mother was born at 13 High Street on 8 Feb 1909, just over a hundred years ago.
I attended the University from 1970 - 1973 studying Surveying and Mathematics with Messrs Carmody and Newton. I lived in Havelock Hall for two years, and was involved with the JRC committee that ran the social side of Hall life. Mr Calvert was the Hall Warden. During my term as JCR President, the band Wings with Paul McCartney came one night to give a performance as the start of his comeback after ...see more
I attended Salford for two years 1963-1965, studying Civil Engineering. I suffered from undiagnosed mono and fought fatigue and sleepiness, so much so that I could not keep up with my studies and had to withdraw. I did not enjoy my time there and went through the motions of being a student.
I spent eight years of my school life as a Day-boy at Brockenhurst between 1955 to 1963. Being a somewhat shy individual at that time, my presence at the school was hardly recognized. I was known as 'Twink' until my younger brother David came to the school and purloined my nickname. I did not excel academically, nor did anything of note on the sports field, but just about achieved a basic education ...see more
My brothers Roger and David and I were pulled out of Rope Hill School in Boldre (near Lymington), tried and failed to get into St Peter's School, and then were accepted and started as day pupils at Homefield School in Tuckton/Southbourne starting in the summer of 1955. We were bussed-in from Barton-on-Sea. My twin and I quickly departed to Brockenhurst Grammar School that Fall, but my ...see more
In the early 1950s, my brothers and I attended this private school to be taught discipline and to cultivate the finer things in life. We were there from 1951 to 1955 and that school holds memories both good and bad. Being boarders there, our movements were highly controlled, with no escape until half term, or end of term holidays. Mr Heaton was the Head Master to start with, followed ...see more
The Evans sisters, their donkeys, and their Kindergarten School are a substantial part of my childhood memories. We lived around the corner from them, and we were sometimes boarded there when our parents needed a break, or just babysat while the parents worked. The donkeys were taken down to Barton beach in the summer to give visitors donkey rides along the beach. They had a brother Tom I ...see more
My parents moved from Bournemouth to Barton-on-Sea around 1947, and purchased a business at 18 Whitefield Road, New Milton, and a home at 24 Barton Court Avenue which was our childhood home for ten years - that house holds most of our childhood memories. My three siblings and I were rambunctious and very active. The Wynn sisters lived next door at No.26, and they never complained in ten ...see more
My parents moved to the Bournemouth area at the end of WW2, and purchased the Clock Cafe property at 18 Whitefield Road, New Milton. There was a big clock mounted on a pole in the front yard. The Hants & Dorset buses used to treat the bus stop across the road as a terminus, and frequented the cafe for tea and sandwiches between runs. My parents ran the cafe for a while before leasing it to others, but while they ...see more
I was a paper boy at Frank Connely's newsagents at the corner of Cleveland Street and Cathcart Street, if you think it's cold now, that winter had to be the worst. My name is Dibber Hayes, it would be interesting if any one remembers me or Davey Dunn or Frannk Connelly's shop.
Tree climbing was good fun in very large trees till it was banned when David Nash fell and hurt his back for a couple of days. Alarge tree opposite the headmaster's office had iron rungs to a top platform used for spotting approaching German planes in the Second World War. The platform had gone by 1951 and the iron rungs were disappearing into the expanding tree. There was a parrot at Chaigley early on for a short time, it might have been the post office parrot.
My memories of bath times goes back to when Mum would once a week fill the copper again, in the corner of the scullery. The copper was built of bricks if I remember, with a tin liner, below was an opening, where you would light a fire which would heat the water, the copper would also be used for mum's washing, which there was a lot of, having seven boys and four girls.
Mum would start to bath us all one at a time, ...see more
As a young boy of 9 or so, living in Barton on Sea, sometime around 1952, I remember a ship washing up in a storm on the beach at Hordle Cliff. During the time before it was re-floated, the local youth had the opportunity to clamber all over the wreck. I remember examining the engine room and was quite taken with all the pipework down there. I have not found any references to date about this wreck/grounding on the net. The year could be out by a couple of years.
I have many childhood memories of Mevagissey. My parents bought a cottage in Cliff Street, Mevagissey during the late 1950s. We used it as a holiday home until 1965 when my father retired from designing Colt Houses (all timber construction that became very popular after the Second World War). He bought a plot of land and had a house built in Portmellon, which now is part of Mevagissey but at the time was very ...see more
The war years I spent in Rodney Soke from 1940 until I married in in 1962. My great-grand father was Silvester, and my father took his name of Silvester and I have it as a second name. My grandfather Rowland was the landlord of the Rodey Stoke Inn, my sister Sheila lived there all her life until Grandad's death in 1958. St Leonard's church never had electricity and I used to pump the organ for Mrs ...see more
My son's grandparents are proving to be a little elusive for the family tree! Cecillia Edith Lambert, married Grenville Redmond Weaver in Suffolk about 1949. Cecillia I remember talked about living with her Aunt Connie in Melton.
I have been told Grenville was born in India. I just wondered if any of the family were still there, and what happened to the past family, was Gren's ...see more
The Ship Inn can be seen to the left of the photograph; just beyond the wall. My great-great-grandparents, John and Mary Real (born in Axmouth in 1821 and 1824 respectively) were licensees of The Ship Inn, Axmouth, at the time the 1851 census was taken. They had five children, with my great-grandfather, William George Real being their youngest. John Real was a shoemaker, like his father and grandfather before ...see more
I remember going to a nursery school when I was 4 years old, it was run from a house, I think, in Springvale Road in Cowplain and the teacher was a Mrs Gartner or Gardener, I'm not sure. If anyone went to that nursery school could they let me know. Then I went to Padnell Road infants school when I was 5. I now live in Australia so I am keen to get some information from someone else from that era. My name is Deborah Pavy
I used to fly my control line model planes in the car park shown in the photo. My mother and I lived in Highbridge from 1957 until 1960 when we moved to Burnham. I went to the school in Highbridge and remember the Queen being driven past the school on her way to see the flood damage in Devon. We all waved flags as she sped past! On her earlier Coronation I and the kids at the school all got commemorative medalions courtesy of the owner of the big hardware store at the town clock. Good days.
My maternal grandfather, Allan Henry Ball, had a bicycle shop in Pill prior to the Second World War. My mother had a photo of herself as a child outside the shop (in the 1920s). I believe that both my grandfather and his wife were born and bred in the area of Pill and Nailsea The window had whitewash advertisedments stating new bicycles at 10/6p. Unfortunately all the family photos disappeared on my mother's death. ...see more
My dad Harry Moore, known as Sarge would ride his motorbike in all weathers to get to work ,which was at Ferryhouse, to get there he would go and return on the ferry. I would go with him sometimes at the weekend if there was any problems for him to fix. Years later I would go on a bike ride with my elder sister Hilary, I found the ferry a very enjoyable experience, the noise of the ...see more
When I was young I played in the clock gardens for many hours along with my elder sister Hilary, we made dens and played house. Mum knew where we were as we lived at Sunnybank House in Princes Road. Later on I worked in Kendal as a hairdresser, so after work I would get off the bus and see Baddeley clock and know I was nearly home. I now live in Barnsley, but on my visits back I'll drive past Baddeley clock and I feel all is well.
I have fond memories of making butter at Bill Walker's farm at the top of Wessex Drive and then going to play in the playing field next door. I also remember speeding down 'Spibey's Hill' on my way to play at the brook in Shipbrook Road. We didn't like the farmer there - he was a grouch!
Bread cost 9d a loaf at Birtwistle's Newsagents and, if you were up early enough, you could go up to Roberts Bakery ...see more
My sister, Joy, elder brother, Richard and myself, John Keeling, were evacuated to Llanharan in June 1940. After a short time Richard and myself were placed with a lovely old lady at 12 Seymour Avenue, Mrs Surridge. I do believe that Joy was billeted with the local Fish and Chip shop.
Since then I have visited twice, the first time with my family, wife and two sons, but for some reason or other I just ...see more
Our family moved to Northolt (Mildred Avenue) around 1956 from Harlesden and I left in 1978. I have great memories of Wood End infants/junior school. Playing near Northolt Park Station and anoying the station master who we lovingly called 'Beetroot'. Cricket/Football on the racecourse with my brother and friends. 2nd Northolt Cubs was fun, as was a walk up the parade to do some shopping. I still have a fishing rod ...see more
I am trying to trace anyone who has knowledge of Harold Bulter or his family who lived in Morley around 1957. I believe he could have lived on Albert Terrace although I cannot find this street when I visited recently. I can find a Albert Road. Harold worked at that time for the West Yorkshire Road Car Co and was around 41 in 1957. Previous to that he worked in the tannery industry. He was married with 3 ...see more
My mother Mildred was born in Aberfan in 1910. She had an older brother and sister, Myra (born 1906) and Harry (born 1908), their surname was Watts. Their mother was called Emily Roberts and Emily's mother was the local midwife who lived at 10 Bridge Street. Mildred was born at 6 Barrington Street and Myra and Harry were born in Moy Road, they all attended Pantglas school. Their father was Bill Watts who ...see more
Dear Readers, This is a brief extract from a book I have written called 'The Old Time' about West Wycombe and High Wycombe between 1947 and 1961 describing a day when we went over to Hell Bottom woods picking blackberries. I was in West Wycombe primary school then, in my last year or thereabouts. It was the best school day I ever had. Mrs Robertson had brought some huge aluminium cooking ...see more
I lived in Higham for 2 years before moving to Canada. I had 4 children who attended a school in Vancouver BC named Charles Dickens School. After 6 years I took a trip back to the UK with my wife and kids. I went to Higham and we were kindly invited to Gashill Place where of course Charles Dickens did most of his writing. We found it quite enjoyable. Thanks for the memory, Higham.
Clive Jeffrey
Mr and Mrs Smith lived in the first small house on the left as you go up the hill. When I was about 4 years of age I used to toddle over from Kenwyn which was on the other side of the road to visit them. There was an unusual small round window in the lounge room. They would often give me an apple saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".
If you look at the Coastguard Cottages in the background you will see a small wash house in front of the cottages on the lower garden. In the back left hand corner of the wash house was an old large copper where my grandmother Kate Knight used to boil all of her white washing. The sheets hanging on the washing line was visible to all the traffic coming down the hill from Trevarion. My grandmother was always being complemented on how white her washing was.
Martin, I believe I remember you, and I also remember Phillip Sproughton. I would like to hear from you. What happened to Major Meager, and Miss Brooks?
John Pink
This memory is about the 1960s. Eastbourne was always my favourite seaside resort and I never wanted to go home to Croydon at the end of the day. I told my mum that I lived there a long time ago. Of course I got told "Don't be silly". It was only when I was doing my family history in the 1990s that I found that my ancestors came from the old town in Eastbourne. In fact I had a famous one, the artist John Hamilton ...see more
My parents and I came to Colerne in late 1939, having left London shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, and lived at Ford, a few miles from Colerne, for a few months. That winter, of 1939-40, was a hard one, as I remember. My father worked for a building contractor on the airfield at Colerne, and I remember him coming home one day with a piece of telephone wire coated about an inch ...see more
Teresa Clarke's memory reminded me of the flooding of Jan. 1953. I was 9 years old and living in Gwynne Road with my folks. We were boarding at No 44, owned by Mr and Mrs. Carr. They played Crib and he polished the brass in the house every Saturday morning. (A memory from a 9 year old - I also remember having baths in a tin bath in front of the coal range in the kitchen, filled with hot water in a kettle from the ...see more
Hi
I am going to take photographs around Hurstpierpoint for a small book. What are your memories? Can anyone recommend places in Hurst that will be good for pictures?
Thanks for your time.
We stayed in a chalet near the tuck shop behind the dunes. Me, my brothers and sisters. I recall one year we were sitting on the roof of the chalet and some Navy fighter planes flew just over our heads nearly knocking us off. We spent hours in the dunes searching for spent bullet shells and struggling back up the lane to the chalet with a big 20 gallon drum of water from the tap. The three wheel bikes and ...see more
My husband's great-great-grandmother & grandfather started off married life at Hold House. They are shown to live there having been married one year on the 1911 census. Their names are Joseph and Whilemina Burrell. More info if you are doing this family tree.
I have a Sarah Lewis wed to William Reynolds in 1726 in Bishops Itchington. I have not been able to locate the birth of her - can anyone help?
As I read and reread the memories that are posted on this site, Mitcham and my childhood there become more and more vivid. I can almost smell the grass on the cricket green, just after it was cut. When I was young, Mitcham was a place that people from the surrounding areas would come to. Now it's a place you have pass through going somewhere else. I sat and thought for a while, what was it they came for? ...see more
I have read a memory on this website of someone who was sent to Warnham Court as a child but does not really know why. I was sent there under identical circumstances. So like this other contributor I would be very interested to know the actual reason for children being sent there and what role Warnham Court played. I know there were three houses known as Arundel, Bodium and Lewes. I can't ...see more
We were married in 1961 and had our reception and evening "do" in the Bear and Billet which is still remembered by all.
My uncle Geoff Morris lived down at the Gannell with his wife Lillian. He used to take the tourists out in his boat shark fishing from Newquay Harbour in the summer. We also had the greasy pole sports event at the harbour every summer. You and your opponent would sit facing one another on the pole with a filled sack each to hit one another. I remember doing this event with Terry Warne. He won the event. It is also the ...see more
We used to own the Katherine holiday flats on the front at Fleetwood. We had a lovely time living there and we still go back to visit. Unfortunately the Pier was burnt to the ground in 2008 and there is now nothing left of it. Sad really. Fleetwood had and still has a lot going for it, but the council wouldn't put any money into the facilities to encourage visitors.