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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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 29281 - 29360 of 36890 in total
Reading Carol's memories brings to mind a lot of happy times in the village, especially the bus shelter and phone box. We managed to make up a lot of our own entertainment, especially the 'village youth club', in a loft above Wilf Martin's butchery business. With a trap door, we could decide who could enter, once in there the music was provided by numerous transistor radios either ...see more
Beach House Park in Worthing used to be the home of the English Bowling Association and I first went there in 1983 to watch a tournament featuring the legendary David Bryant. It was and still is very popular with the locals and tourists to come and watch a few ends of bowls and to enjoy the wonderful floral displays. I now live within walking distance of the park and walk through there several times a week, sadly it is not as well maintained as it used to be due no doubt to cut backs.
In February 1963, when I was six and a half, my parents bought their first house, in Thorpe Road, East Ham. It was and had been a very cold winter, and when we moved in we had difficulty opening the back door, as there was so much snow. Across the road, on the corner, was a small supermarket called Foodtown, which later became Tesco. At first, our house had no central heating, no double glazing, and no ...see more
On the left is the Swan pub, on the right Barbara's Pantry. My grandmother Hilda Carter used to come up to Ruislip, to Bishop Winnington's on Saturdays from East Dean (near Eastbourne) to teach elocution to my sister and me and other local girls. After the class she would go to Barbara's Pantry for tea and cakes before going back home. Nearer than the Pantry was a row of very old cottages; a boy in my class ...see more
My mother, Heather Carter, her sister Roma and my sister Janet Davies were all married in St Martin's, which was very high church, the smell of incense is still strong in my mind. I remember, though I don't know quite when this was, old Queen Mary visiting the church. I and my sister and other kids lined up behind the chain barrier at the entrance; Queen Mary was very short with a pale grey long coat and toque hat with a veil. We all cheered, though I don't know why.
The shop on the right belonged to Mr and Mrs Hayley and was a toyshop. You stepped into the shop, which was very dark. Here were Dinkey cars and packets of fivestones and jacks. To the right you stepped down into a separate room which had tricycles and dolls prams. The Hayleys were very old, to my memory; Mr Haley with a white moustache, and a waistcoat, his wife wore a large flowered apron. Both had country ...see more
My great uncle, William Henry Fynn had the Black Dog Inn in the High Street from the late 19th century until about 1912. He was also a blacksmith. His wife was Rosanna and his daughter was Grace who was born about 1878. Does anyone have any knowledge or information about them?
During my schooldays I often visited Eastwood from Hucknall, my mate David Scrimshaw and I had many happy times there. We were travelling back to Hucknall one day on the bus, and two girls waved to us from a small park near hilltop. We got off and asked them for a date, they both accepted. My date's name was Irene and she lived on Nottingham Road, Eastwood, it was love at first sight. My mate begged me not to go ...see more
Hi, I have never been to this quaint town, but I share its name. The name Rake comes from the old English word Harca, meaning throat, and topographically means someone that lives near a cliff or a cleft in a hill. My Rake ancestors come from Marnhull, Dorset. I live in Coffs Harbour on the east coast of Australia in the state of New South Wales.
I don't claim to know Nash all that well, but I can't believe that not one person has written anything about about such a lovely village, with what I remember, it was full of friendly and very kind people - well, I would say that! Most of them were my in-laws (many years ago). As you can see my married name is Hogg - ring any bells? My husband died on 13th Dec 08, and I was relieved when Rev Derbyshire ...see more
I was at Warnham Court and in the young framers' club, leaving the school in 1968.
I have lived all over the world, call myself an Australian and I currently live in Prague. But I was born in Salford and lived there probably till I was about 7 years old. Then we moved to Middleton which was considered quite posh back then! I regularly visited my grandad who lived at 23 Harrietta Street in Higher Broughton. So it really wasn't a long time, but my memories of this period are amongst my ...see more
I lived for a while at 153 Upper Chorlton Road,with my wife Jean and children Stephen and Cheryl. I was attched to the 7th Manchester General Hospital RAMC at Kings Road. Happy Days. We have lived in New Zealand since 1970.
To reply to Sandra, the 3 skulls have now been replaced behind a safer glass case. I live in Goldthorpe but my husband's family share some links with Hickleton from the family branch of his mother's side. His grandmother had some relations from Hickleton, I think the family name was Ball. My mother-in-law too in her 20s delivered some products to the Hickleton Hall, residence of Lord Halifax then, on a bicycle, as her ...see more
I have a will dated 1865 for Robert Rood "of the Grape Vine Inn known by the ancient name of Brakeland". He bequeathed the property to his wife Mary Rood and it suggests the property was owned and bequeathed to him by his father Thomas Rood. His wife also had a property at Stileway beaqueathed to her.
I can remember my father having a bump in his car in the High Street and a lady took me into the Catholic church and told me not to worry as all I did was cry and I wanted to know how my daddy was, back in the early 1960s.
Myself and my friends were only 21 when we stayed at The Hollies. We had a great holiday and used to go into The Ship, The Harbour L|ights, and The Fountain for drinks and food. I remember we had nice weather, but we were young and it didn't really matter. We went out on a fishing boat called 'The Venus' and its skipper was called John. He lived in a cottage on the quayside and was a 'ladies man'. I wonder if he is ...see more
Martins Gate, a quaint cottage on the old Colchester road, is where my mum was born. There was no water, electricity, no inside toilet. I spent many happy hours there with my grandparents, playing in the fields at the back of the house. I was bathed in a tin bath in front of a roaring fire, the water was from a water butt and heated up on the Aga. The toilet was a shed at the bottom of the garden. I spent many hours ...see more
I went on holiday with my nan and grandad and auntie and it was the most beautiful exciting place I had ever been to in my life. The amusement arcade was just across the road from our tiny chalet in Meadow Way, Nan gave me lots of pennies she had saved for me to have on holiday. She would walk up to the Las Vegas amusment arcade and get her seat to play bingo, my mum and aunt would join her and ...see more
I have fond memories of Alaw School, this is a photo of the nursery and infants. My earliest memory is of sleeping on the little cot beds in the nursery every afternoon.
I remember Eastville as a child growing up, we used to visit and stay with my nan (Linda Howard) every bank holiday. It was very quiet and peaceful. We had some lovely times, Grandad (John Howard) was the local smithy. Most times some of us would walk what dad called the 5 mile walk from the corner by the pub (the Wheatsheaf), and I remember the nights when the chip shop opened, it was heaven, ...see more
My memories are of Earl Shilton and similar to those of Eric Johnson. I started at Earl Shilton Infant School in 1959 and the headmistress was called Mrs Cloe. When I was in her class she would read Brer Rabbit books to us at the end of each day and if the boys were naughty they had their legs slapped. It was a little school which my grandmother and mother also went to and as Eric stated is now a supermarket. I ...see more
Wickford is nice.
lovely sunny cold famly who one land lovley
Yes I remember the Chocolate Box sweet shop. I went to the Infants School and my mum worked at the wood yard part time. My grandparents lived at 1 Tottenham Road and I used to go there after school. Sometimes I enviously watched the tap dancing across the road at a community hall. We lived at Binscombe Cresent and Long Gore. There was a bakery as well below the train station.
I have no personal memories of Kirkstead, but it was an important place in the history of my family. My great grandfather, William Gilbert West, and his wife Rebecca farmed somewhere in the Kirkstead area during the 1870s. From census entries we know that their 9th, 10th and 11th children, all girls, were born there, the first of these being in 1874. The three girls were Gertrude (my ...see more
I remember you all living in the Ferguson's house ... Cindy brought us candy from the base and we would all congregate on the playing field. Robert was such a lovely guy - I still keep a picture of him in my kitchen, and have a t-shirt that he wrote on - it was such a loss when he died ... His sister Le'anne is still around, his brother Reuben still lives in Hilgay - and named his son after ...see more
My grandparents, Fred and Rose Organ, lived at 67 West Way. My mother, Betty Eileen, and I came from the United States to visit on holiday in 1955. I was 6 years old at the time. I went to Heston School for a short time. Pop worked for the London Transport as a bus driver. I would ride my bike to Hounslow to meet him at the bus garage. I had a friend across the street whose name was Janet. Her ...see more
Having just visited the Lambourne parish town in June, 2009, we were anxious to connect with any persons with Lambourn surname. Not having found any, we would appreciate any advice for finding the histories of such who lived in or around the region (Berkshire on south to the coast). Our specific line of the clan left from Chievely around 1856 or so to London, then on to St Louis in the USA. They ...see more
Does anyone remember the 'Valet' shop that used to be near the High Street entrance to the Village Park? It was sort of a haberdashers but the lady also used to take in dry cleaning and shoe mending. It was a portakabin type building and there was one lady who used to run it. I wish we'd taken a photo. We moved to Brampton around 1965 and I remember it being around for a while after that.
My first real memory of Belvedere was that of starting school at St Augustines Primary around 1954. I can recall a wind up gramaphone which the teacher would frantically wind up to keep the music playing, even a funny sight to a five year old. Eventually, I graduated to Picardy School For Boys in 1960, which as I recall was a nightmare place to be, with many sadistic teachers and some fellow pupils ...see more
Mr Thurston, music master. Mr Meager, Major Meager's father, also music teacher, remember him as a very old man, another master, Mr Pepper, I believe at the end of term whilst going home had a car accident, collided into a bus in thick fog. Do you remember Wells pupil, also John Luston. Jeffrey Watts, Pen A Pen B. Morris I can remember at Chicherly Hall, when they were making good on a new tuck shop, just ...see more
If anyone were to ask me when I was most happy, I would have to go back some considerable time to those years spent in Wheatley Hill, more especially the late 1940s all of the 1950s and early 1960s. Truly magical times, as I'm sure a lot of those my age will agree. It always seemed to snow at Christmas time and the 6-week summer school holidays were always fine and sunny, at least I think they were! ...see more
Once I had started school, I had to pay regular visits to the clinic housed within Victoria House which is sited within the park bearing the same name. This building had been the Town Hall for the township of Swinton prior to its being united with Pendlebury to form a new Borough in 1934. I had to attend the clinic for eye tests and on the completion of the visits to the ...see more
I was born Patricia Ann Storey in Lindfield, Haywards Heath in Sussex in January 1949 and was first brought to Kibblesworth in February 1951 aged 2 after I was adopted by Thomas and Margaret Thurgood who lived in Gardiner Square. I was to live there for 25 of the most wonderful years of my life until I married in August 1976. When I was 6 years old, my adopted mam (Maggie) died and I ...see more
hairdressing at richard henry .still go back.i was given name simon.thanks girls .it stuck all the way to worcester .grest at xmas
I started work at Henry Cardin's hairdressing in Lord Street. Lovely girls, Pam and Vanessa, where are you? I live in Malvern now, I did very well and am now retired. Arthur.
the doctors more potty.too much booze
Circa date: 'The British Oak' Public House. My Uncle Neville and Aunty Joan kept this Pub for some time when I was a young child. Uncle Neville died whilst licensee and Aunty took over. It was a family pub, always seemed to be full. This is where my erngagement party was held in 1968. (Many years later, with 2nd husband George, Aunty Joan (with one other pub in between ) moved to The Samson & Lion further down the road - last time I saw that it was a fish and chip shop.
Having been living away from England for some years it was just so lovely to back at Oak House. I hadn't been here since a school days trip. It was like stepping back in time. and though I realised the furniture wasn't the original it still held my interest. I have happy memories of visits here and photos to keep. Long may it stand!
Date is circa: I remember the old man inside the old market entrance selling newspapers, he was always there it seemed. I seem to remember an old lady there too, perhaps selling flowers from a huge basket. Am I correct or is my mind playing tricks? The Dance Studio over Burtons Tailors - this is where I went to dancing lessons with Mr Patterson the dance instructor. This was in the early 1960s. Happy memories.
My husband David and I were married in this old church on 19th September 1970. We moved to Australia in 1973. On hearing of its demolition we were saddened, ee had such a happy wedding day here. My dad asked the Vicar for a receipt for me. We laughed so much throughout the ceremony and following photographs (by B & B Studios from Paradise Street, West Brom), comments were made about our wedding being one of the ...see more
I was born at Crookhill, just outside Ryton and went to Hookergate Grammar School in 1956. When the Ferndene pool was opened we were taken by bus from school to the pool where we were given swimming lessons. My memory is of having to jump from the HIGH diving board and being absolutely terrified as it was just so high. Looking at the photo now I can see that it must have been that I was just so small. Very interesting photo and I am very pleased to relive my memories.
The year I started Blaencwm Infants. I still remember it. I remember the smell of the classrooms, the teachers Miss Davies Headteacher, Mrs Davies who played the piano. There was one teacher, whose name I can't recall, had a nervous breakdown one day in class. A couple of the children ran across to Morse's shop for Mr Morse the shop owner and he seemed to know what to do. I loved that we could go out at breakfast ...see more
I was delighted to find this photo. My great-great-great-grandfather had this pub and it's lovely to see it for the first time.
I thought I would leave a message here also, I was a child at Ivybank Children's Home in Nightingale Lane. Sadly though I don't think it is there any longer. We were an all-girls children's home, with a range of ages from 5 years to 16 years. The home was run by Auntie Bonnie. Ivybank had a massive green front door, and lots of grounds, which ran down literally to the fence by the railway line into ...see more
Does anyone remember the mobile library that was parked near the parade of shops? I think there is a house on the land where it used to park.
I have memories of hanging my beret up on my named peg; my double-breasted dark blue rain coat two times bigger then me; the boys trying to pull me over the yellow line to the boys playground; the huge black spider webs in the outside toilets; the hopscotch on the floor of the ...see more
My mother used to tell me about my grandad richard field he was a footballer in hes younger days and he used to play for norwich city football club He was allso the head foreman in doxford s shipyards in pallion But my mother told me that on a new years eve when the clock was going to chime 12 to see the new year in the men would race alone farcett street to get from one end of the street before chimes finished ...see more
I remember some of the teachers from your time. Mr Clarke was still deputy head with Mr Bates in English, Mr Petit was science and mr Peppit in metalwork.John Moody taught sports and it was a great school to go to if you were into sport. It must have been rotten if not. We became mixed in 1975 wth Hollingwood Girls and the rather rough edged school was calmed to some extent. The building itself is not missed, it ...see more
The Rock Inn will alway have a special place in my heart. As a small boy I would spend as many holidays as I could staying at my uncle and aunt's pub The Rock Inn. In 1959/60 I would have only been five years old but I am blessed with a very good memory of my uncle, called James Pile, and his wife Florence, better known to the locals as Jim and Curly, and their ever faithfull black labrador ...see more
It sits opposite Roberttown community centre and it used to be a school but it's been renovated now to an apartment block. Luckily, it still resembles my old infants school - I live in America now but I have such fond memories of my childhood growing up in Roberttown. This was before Roberttown Grange was built too, I think that was built around 1974?
My memory of Glangrwyney is of the paper mill there where so many friends worked. Daff Edwards was the stoker there and my father worked there for 35 years till it closed in 1951. The Mussons lived in Mill House. He was the manager there. We used to go to the village shop for our snacks while we worked. It was a very happy place.
1958 was the year I passed my motorcycle test and became a boy messenger, or telegram boy, working out of the the GPO head office in the high street, riding the iconic red BSA Bantam motorbikes. It was good at the time, and the experience only gets better with the passing of the years. Golden days.
I was there for two terms in 1954. I remember headmaster Mr Rees and his wife, and teachers Mr Bellis, Mr Jarman, Mr Horwell, Mr. Stevenson, Mr Allen and housemothers Miss Rempy and Miss Harwood. The houses were Orchard, Gardens and Woodlands. We watched the Farnborough Air Show from the grounds one time. After living in Shepherds Bush, it was like another world to be there. My best mate was Terry Mulligan (Mugsy)
I can remember pupils attending: Malcolm Airey, Clive/Bill Needham, Christopher Strother, Antony Meager, Pinkerton, Baxter, Kimberley, George Wallace, Ward, Philip Lacey, my brothers Stephen and Mark Pink. I am John Pink. Staff I can remember are Major Meager, Mr Rhodes, Mr Smith, Mr Burr, Mr Thurston, Mr Ryan, Major Hyde-Upward. The Matrons Mrs Smith, Miss Brooks. Mr Smith, master. Philip Sproughton, Mr and ...see more
It is so nice to see my family-run shop from before the time I was even born. I spent much time visiting my grandparents there, and then grew up there. The shop has now been in retirement since the end of 2007.
I was a teenager at the time of the photo. I remember cycling through the Bull Ring at a heck of a pace having picked up speed coming down Deansgate Bridge, then having to brake hard to negotiate the chicane into Victoria Street. You can clearly see centre right the top of the underground toilets which I believe are still there. If instead of going into Victoria Street you turned left, on the right was the ...see more
I went to Arley Castle as a boarder in 1943/44. It made a lasting impression on me. The Arboretum was my favourite place and we had names for many of the trees which we would climb from time to time. Miss Kell and Miss Whitehouse were the two Headmistresses. Rules were strict and if we were naughty (talking after lights out etc) we could be given the task of peeling onions or pulling up stinging ...see more
When I was about 4 or 5 I moved from Water Eaton to Fenny. We lived with my gran, Mrs Gibson, in Church Street. We - my two brothers and myself, used to go to the Salvation Army Sunday School, we were only few doors away, and felt grown up walking the few yards away. I used to play the tambourine there (well, I used to rattle it about a bit). It was always nice and clean looking and felt homely. Next door was a ...see more
I grew up on Antony Road in Torpoint and before there were 3 ferries and a queuing system I can remember the ferry queue stretching past our house and up the hill almost out of the town. Opposite our house was the 'Regal' cinema (now a gym and swimming pool) which was very convenient for us children - we just crossed the road and watched whatever they were showing every Saturday afternoon - it was noisy, messy and cheap!
I am Heather Johnson. I am 57 years old. My grandmother's name was Laura Frith, born in 1915 (sometime referred to as Swales Friths) from Stoney Middleton. I had other relatives in Eyam and Grindleford, other family name Outram. My grandmother moved to Greenfield Saddleworth as a young woman and married an Ashworth, a local wheelwright and farrier. Time marches on and I would be pleased to hear of ...see more
Does anyone else remember old Mr Brown who lived up the lane from St Anne's Church? He couldn't read or write. He had a cow that followed him about. He'd never been to Southampton even though it was only 7 miles away. He used to sit outside his front gate in the sunshine and wave his walking stick at passing traffic. He told me he wanted to be "an old rooster, who sits where he likes". I loved that old man, but I never really knew him.
Does anyone have any information regarding Robert Horace Chilton or Nora Gwendoline Ashlee who lived at Lone Cottage in 1953. They had a young daughter (Linda) and a baby ( Robin). Robin was later adopted. We only lived there a very short time. I am trying to research my family tree. Please help. You are so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country
I was at the Convent when this picture was taken. In the foreground you can see the tennis courts. Our dormitories were on the 'Top Landing', the windows you can see on the second floor. The Convent was run by the order of St Clotilde and was started by Mere Fontaine in Paris to look after the orphaned children of the revolution. At this time the Reverend Mother was Sister Marie-Dominique, who sadly died ...see more
I came across this by chance - I was at school with you, Fraser. I remember coming to an amazing birthday party at your house where your mum had put on an incredible spread, including a plate of Kit Kats which seemed like such a huge treat! Your mum did an amazing show in the kitchen with an emu puppet which helped make a cake appear by magic out the oven. I am returning to Shandon this summer after stints ...see more
came across this by chance - i was at school with you Fraser ... i remember coming to an amazing birthday party at your house where your mum had put on an incredible spread including a plate of kit kats which seemed like such a huge treat ! your mum did an amazing show in the kitchen with an emu puppet which helped make a cake appear by magic out the oven. I am returning to Shandon this summer after ...see more
Now living in Australia and having revisited Yealmpton in recent times, the changes are amazing. Where there used to be fields in which I played with mates, sadly houses now stand. The old bridge, church, Mother Hubbard's Cottage and pubs are still much as I remember them, but the old charm seems to be missing. In 'my days' I could name just about everyone living in the village, now - ...see more
I was also a pupil at St Catherine's; 1954 to 1962 were my years. I remember Mr Thunder, art and geography teacher, Mr Smith, Deputy head; later married someone from the Bristol Old Vic, Mr Sydey, ex Royal Navy Captain but unable to recall his subjects. Mr Ross, art and woodwork. We used to go camping at Fowey in Cornwall every summer which is where I probably picked up my love for the place. My sisters Gillian and ...see more
This is the church where my Uncle Michael George Sinnott is buried.
Teignmouth Folk Festival attracted crowds who filled the sunny promenade and town centre streets to watch the many Morris Teams at this 2009 event. Musicians and dancers formed a procession at the East Cliff Cafe to parade along the Den and the promenade towards the Triangle where each "side" gave a display for for the Mayor and civic dignitaries. I played my piano accordian ...see more
As a young boy I recall having some great times on Bedfont Green, picking up acorns and every year going to the fair with dad. I would love to see how it looks today, maybe someone could contact me and send me a photo for me to see? You can't post photos onto this website.
Can anyone help me with information for my family tree? My ancestors are William John Jones born 1851 in Cwmavon, Wales, he married Mary Bowen born 1853 in Wales. They left for Australia around 1874. William's parents were William Jones and Alice Jenkins (I think) born about 1820.
I am looking for Brian Hermitige who was in the army with me in Hong Kong 1953. I am Brian Bellingham PLEASE HELP.
We visited Gipping in 2003 to try to get a sense of the place our ancestors left in 1859 to start a new life in New Zealand. The flatness of the area was a significant contrast to the rugged coastal lands they farmed on their arrival in Little Akaloa, Canterbury. William Henry Elliss and his wife Sophia Rebecca Davey were resident in Gipping in 1858 when they married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Stowmarket. ...see more
Does anyone know of anything about the KEW family that lived at 13, North Plantation Row? Thomas and Margaret (Thubburn) are my great-grandparents. Any info would be great. Thanks, Doug Kew.
I'm wondering if anyone remembers this couple? Joan is my dad's cousin but I can't remember her married name. I'm trying to trace back the KEW side of my family and Joan's mam was Molly (nee Kew). If Joan is still around I would like to ask her some stuff. Anyone....help! Thanks, Doug Kew.
My Aunt Emma was born Emma Blood, she had two sisters Ivy and Lily all born in Middleton by Wirksworth. Emma was born circa 1903. In the 1920s she was a domestic at what she called the 'big house at Ashbourne'. She started courting Thomas Gould, he was born Wirksworth and every night he would walk from Wirksworth to Ashbourne, leaving home as clean as a button but by the time he got back home he ...see more
When my family moved to Sutton Courtenay in the 1960s this was the only shop left in the old part of the village. It was a fabulous place with big glass jars of sweets behind the counter, I used to visit here as soon as I received my pocket money! It was run by the Mussells, I think (pronounced 'Muzz-ells'). My sister got a job there on Saturdays. Unfortunately it eventually closed in the early 1980s.
Although I wasn't born in the Borough I spent quite a lot of time in the district. I also attended St Anne's Convent, Little Ealing Lane, from the age of 5 to 16 and from there went on to Pitmans College in Ealing Broadway. My much older sister was married in the beautiful Church of England church there in 1951. I remember Saturday morning shopping which included a necessity to queue for lovely ...see more
Does anyone have any imformation as to how to make contact with Alan Melville Cooper, the principle's son? I would very much like to contact him, as we were good chums at school. Many thanks.
