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 30481 - 30560 of 36892 in total
We moved into School House in 1941 when my dad, Mr Halfpenny, took over as Headmaster. I was 3 and my sister Sheila 7. I loved living on the school premises and would creep into the infants class with my gas mask when the teacher, Mrs Carbine, wasn't looking so I could dive under a desk when they practised sheltering from an air raid. My younger sister, Christine, was born in School House in 1945 and ...see more
My husband and I used to work in the restaurant on the front at Coney Beach, it was a seasonal job. It had a self service, a silver service, and we did functions. Mr Williams and Mr Evans were managers then. We had all meals when we were at work. I think it was owned by Sir Leslie Joseph then who also owned fair rides. We had good times there and were looked after as long as we did our work. One day an American asked me ...see more
My parents (Mr C and Mrs P Gosling) used to own a fish and chip shop for 6 years. I have a fantastic memory growing up with my 6 brothers and sisters in that big house (please see photo). It had 14 rooms (including the cellar). The house was haunted and it didn't bother me and my family at all. We all loved this house so much that we didn't want to leave. We were very upset and very sad that ...see more
From 1961 to 1967 I attended Woodlands School in Oaklands Way, off Postmans Lane, Little Baddow. It was a tiny girls school run single handedly by the late Dorothy Bromley, the classrooms being two white wooden sheds in the garden. There was no playground but there was a grass tennis court that we the pupils had to maintain. There were times when our court was not up to the job, then we would go and play ...see more
This is not actually a memory, I was born at 26 BARUGH LANE, BARUGH, DARTON in 1942. I only have one vague memory, that is of a flat face bus. We moved to Wales about 1946, I have written to the above address but the letter was returned 'no such address', although seeing a map of Barugh Lane the street does exist. My name is Sanders, my parents were friendly with a family called Woodhall, if anybody can throw any light on any of my queries I would very grateful. Graham
I Was born in a house down Winchester Road in 1934. Then my parents moved when I was 3 years old to Lyndhurst Road and except for the war years did not move from there until I married at the age of 21 years. I would like to contact fellow pupils from Sydney Burnell School where I went from the age of 11 years to 15 years as I believe the school's name has now been changed so I cannot look it up on the internet. ...see more
In my young days the greater part of the Prom was crowded with fishing boats. My grandfather, Ted Smith, often purchased the whole of a boatmens' catch. An entry in his old ledger [sadly destroyed in the war] had 'a cran of herrings' for a shilling - a 'cran' was a thousand fish. These were filletted and smoked, at the rear of his premises at 3 Alfred Square, or hawked in the town and around Sandwich.
I used to live in Eversham Road and to catch the trolley bus on the corner of Birchinton Avenue and Bolckow road was an every day event. I was just 10 years old when this picture was taken, the car probably belonged to Mr Linclater, the cycle shop owner. Next door to him was the chippy, Blackburns, if I remember well, then there was Lightfoots the newsagents, the butcher's shop, and the Yorkshire ...see more
My gt-uncle, Thomas Higgs was a Footman here in 1911, although how the heck he got here from Spratton, Northants, where he was born is anybody's guess! I'd love to know.
I was born in Bolton Road, Aspull. I started at St Elizabeth's School when I was four and a half. Didn't have far to travel - just cross the road (no cars then) and walk 10 yards and I was there. First day was with my gas-mask slung across my chest in its little cardboard box. Mr Hesketh was the Headmaster who lived in the School House attached to the School. I was in Miss Heaton's reception class. When I was five ...see more
The post office is now a pub named The Last Post and the cinema building is now a newer row of shops, but apart from that the buildings are almost the same, right down to the chimney posts!
I was born in Gaynes Hill Road in 1941. Was the shop you are writing about John Bankils (or similar spelling) oposite Gaynes Hill Road. I can remember going to the shop for my Dad many times, I can almost remember the men that worked there, always in brown coats. One I remember had lots of curly hair, I think he lived in one of the roads off of Gaynes Hill. The shop always smelt of parafin. We last lived in Woodford Bridge in 1982
Hi I personally do not have a memory of Banstead Asylum - but I am looking for any details that anyone can give me of it in the 1950's. I am trying to trace anyone who worked there, or relatives of anyone who worked there. My gran died there in 1956, unfortunately my father was adopted at birth, so never knew his mother. I am trying to build up a picture of her life with the very ...see more
This is a photo of Henry Kitchen, my mother's grandfather, who was also one of Stanhope Forbes' favourite models. He was painted sitting in the rowing boat in Forbes' painting 'The Lighthouse', which now hangs in Manchester Art Gallery, and I have also read an account of a diary which he kept, when taken to London to be presented to Queen Victoria, on designing a new type of trammell net. According to my mother ...see more
We as a family stayed in what we called 'the shack', it was situated next to the Amroth Arms. The shack was on a large piece of land. A stream ran through the grounds, it went under the road into the sea, and often when the tide was high it would come over the road into the garden. The shack was owned by a very nice family who lived 2 houses up from the Amroth Arms, there was Ruth, her husband and son, Ian. Sadly Ian died, ...see more
Morley was a funny old chap, he ran a top bakery but was rather miffed when 'these 'ere new fangled electric vehicles' started being used for home deliveries ... his response was as the previous poster related - to pull his wooden delivery carts to the top of the steep Central Road hill behind his car and let his delivery men continue through the higher streets pulling their vehicles behind them. It was a ...see more
I remember swimming in Coate Water aged about 8 - 10 and nearly drowning in the open air swimming pool. My cousin fell into the lake when he was about three but was rescued by my uncle who leapt in to get him out. The diving board in the picture seemed enormous to me and I was impressed by the people who dived from the top. I love Richard Jeffries books and have several which I treasure. I am now aged 73. I went to Holy ...see more
Hi, I used to lived in Tynewydd Road as a small child. My name is Hook. I then moved to number 28 Station Road, I lived next door to Mr and Mrs Gazzi who ran the coffee bar in Pontnewydd. My father's name was Brinley Charles Hook(deceased) and my mother's name is Alice. My grandparents were Betty and William Charles Hook, my grandfather was known as Charlie (both deceased). My brother's name is Nigel, he still lives in ...see more
Sometime during the 1950s, as a child, I spent six weeks at the Margaret Bevan Home. It was located nr. the coast. It was a large detached house with a conservatory with wicker furniture. Other girls and myself were often taken on walks on the pebbly beach by one of our carers whom I adored. She was tall and elegant with long blond hair. We were taken to church every Sunday wearing matching coats and berets. I would love to hear from anyone who has photos or information about this house.
This most likely stood in my family's New Pond Brickyard. The family firm was W Brown and Sons. The New Pond yard existed from 1813 to about 1938.
I came across these old photographs of Pontypool while researching my family history. I am specifically looking for information relating to George Burdock who resided at 19 George Street in 1901 and his wife Hannah Maria Morris residing at Granville Terr on Osborn Rd 1901...this being the year they married at St Cadocs Church Trevethin...is Granville Terr still there?? ...see more
Was this camp called the 'Constitutional Holiday Camp'? If so I remember being sent there for a week's holiday by the British Legion Orphans Committee - it felt like I was going to the other end of the world from Cambridge. I had a great time even though I was very homesick for a few days. I remember having to queue up in the mornings with a very large enamelled jug to get hot water from a stand pipe tap! and the food ... well, the less said about that the better eh!
This photo is exactly as I remember the place from the 1960s and 1970s. On the horizon is the rail station with it's level crossing. Used to ride to the station from the other (Cleadon) side after school as a kid and collect the numbers of trains hurtling through the station. Always excited by the fast express trains which did not stop of course as they were heading from London to ...see more
In about 1960 this spot was a hang out for the local teenagers - myself being one! Out of the pic and to the left was a youth centre run by the church (the local vicar lived next door to that) and after doing whatever we did there (chatting up girls mostly!) we would congregate at the village pond, the railings of which are seen at left of the pic. I remember the local Mr. Plod on his bike would often come and chase us ...see more
The shoe shop at number 44 was Thomas Alderton and Son, shown on the 1871 census as the family living there, presumably above the shop, it was still there in 1985 with the original street frontage, is it there now?
I remember in the 1960s going to Heathfield with Mum on the bus (we lived at Corner Farm, Swife Lane). We would go shopping and often would go into the Bluebird. Seeing that name in this picture brought all those memories back. I remember once saving up for a blue linen dress from a shop at one end of Heathfield High Street, but I'm unable to remember the name of the shop. I saved for ...see more
In the 1891 and 1901 one of my ancestors, George Mott, was a miller at Felstead Mill. He had 3 daughters and 1 son. His wife Althea died in 1898. Perhaps she played the piano, and is the ghost!! George later married Naomi Boreham, who had been a cook at the mill.
My husband was stationed at the RAF hospital and we lived in married quarters. I taught at the local Primary School, St Audrey's. A friend worked in the little hardware shop on the left. I belonged to the CAT theatre group. We staged musicals in the secondary school. I still have friends living there in Chiefs Street and the Vineyards. We used to go to the Red White and Blue pub. Also held after show parties in the function room at ...see more
I went to Chester College as a mature student. Did a teaching course. Lived out at Hawarden and had to catch a bus into Bridge Street. From there I had to deposit my 2/3 yr old daughter at a private nursery near a church on the riverside, to then walk a mile up to the college past the Cathedral. Loved the rows. Spent hours studying in the Library by the clock. Studied Divinity and Music on the teacher training course. ...see more
Had a lovely meal in this place courtesy of a disabled aquaintance residing there. First time I had seen oysters ordered and eaten. Also cocktails shaken by the barman. I remember not knowing that the pot containing ginger was meant to be sprinkled on the half melon.
I am trying to trace the Hill family from Chesham. William Hill and wife Maria lived at 90 Severalls Avenue, Chesham in the 1919 census, and their son. I do know Ernest Hill was living in Lye Green in 1911 and he was a fishmonger. It would be great if anyone has any info for me. Many thanks.
I lived here on the RAF camp in a Nissen hut married quarters. I had my first baby in Worksop Hospital. I used to walk from the camp down to the village to collect my weekly RAF wife's allowance further along the road and then pushing the pram would park it outside of the bakers on the small parade of shops on the right. Opposite was the church where my son was christened.
The white building on the right used to be called Chiesmans. Trams used to run along the street. In the 1950s in thick smog I had to wait for hours for a bus to eventually arrive to take me as far as Well Hall, where I had to walk from there to home. I was in a train travelling from Cannon Street down to Falconwood on one line when everything stopped because a train from Holborn became derailed on the Lewisham viaduct. Never ...see more
Used to take a trip across to the other side as a teenager, just for the thrill of seeing the steam engines working. Went on it again a couple of years back to find no foot passengers now.
Somewhere on the right there was an ice cream parlour. When my classmates and I left Bexleyheath Technical School in Townley Rd, we celebrated by congregating in this parlour to indulge in eating knickerboker glories.
Hinds was on the right. I had those reels of self taken photos in a booth taken there.
Trolleybus route. During the war my dad and I were physically blasted across this street by a landmine falling on a house in Yorkland Avenue. We were about to cross the street to a shelter.
Used to have trolley buses. Further along was the Embassy Dance place.
There used to be a tram running down this roadd. One of my family owned a shop and flat above on the right.
That must be a No 132 bus pulling away from the bustop. Used that frequently. Corner shop used to be an Express Dairy where you could have a cup of tea.
Hinds on the right, my mother used to shop there for material. Next door was Hinds Jewelllery shop where my wedding ring was purchased for the princely sum of 9 guineas. Opposite was the Coop department store where you walked down steps to wander around open counters.
I came to work in Sulgrave in the 1980s. I worked for Major George Coombs who lives at Stonecourt on the Hedom Road. My first thoughts of the village were that it was very quiet and that the people were all very friendly. I visited Sulgrave Manor and learnt a lot about the history of the manor. I live and worked in Sulgrave for four years and those I met were all nice people. Christopher Henn ...see more
I have this framed print displayed on my landing wall. When I pass by and stop to look at it, I remember the swimming bath just below the church where I used to go dancing in the 1950s.
Used to be know as Well Hall. 132 bus stopped outside. Spent many happy hours there.
Born in 1933, I have documents stating I was christened in this church. Attended evening service as a late teenager.
15 mins walk from my home. Used to play tennis on the courts below this building. Public toilets nearby, as was a circular seating gazebo like benches where my friends and I would gather to talk, laugh and often scratch our names on the wooden seats. Also between the tennis courts and the building was a putting green.
Opposite this parade of shops was the Station Hotel where my wedding reception was held. I got married in Days Lane Baptist Church . Have used that bus stop many times on the way home from dancing classes .
I remember a shop on this parade where you could take a broken dolly to be repaired in a ' hospital. I lived in Blackfen, so only a short walk down to the Oval. Or you could ride on a single decker bus.
I do believe I had to walk down this lane to the bottom where there was a small department store on the right, and the Abbots Fireside on the left to attend the village school located in the local community hall. We lived in a row of cottages at the top of the lane, Prospect Terrace. Was on holiday at the time when war broke out, so stayed for a year before returning to London. In the village lived ...see more
My father was the village policeman in the late 30s. My first memories was the police house next door to the garage, and the sweet shop with a lot of steps, (is it still there) the bridge sticks in my mind. The time dad chopped his leg badly and we were shipped off to Grandma's and we had a car accident we made the papers that day (would love a copy of that). My first school teacher Miss Negus, and going to ...see more
On March 21st this year it will be 50 years since my mum and dad, Christine Hole and Islwyn (Eddie) Griffiths, got married at this lovely country village church. This is not a personal memory, but I have seen photos of the day back in 1959. They are still very much together and love each other to bits! My own personal memories are a little sadder, the last being the burial of my paternal grandmother (Nana) in the churchyard where she joined my grandfather (Papa) in eternal rest.
As a young teenager with fond memories of Evesham and surrounding areas, I enjoyed with two of my male friends, camping at Weir Camping Meadow, which was located by the River Avon down in the lower part of the town. The camping meadow could be viewed from the bridge spanning the river. The camping equipment we had was very basic indeed, a sleeping bag 2 blankets and groundsheet plus one tent barely large enough to ...see more
My mother Christine Evans I believe lived in George St Caerau and left for Australia with her new RAAF husband Vince Murphy just after the War around 1945. She was followed out to Australia by her parents Christmas and Kathleen Evans. Anyone know anything of these people. I believe Kathleen Evans was a Mumford before she married Christmas or 'Taffy' Evans and her father was a master baker in Caerau. Taffy, my ...see more
For Jane, No I'm not Susan Weeks, although the name rings a bell. Looks like we had the same playground, Hesketh Park was great for skating in and Central Park was another great place to run riot in. Regards Susan PS I think the pub in Dartford Town Centre was "The Bull". Please tell me if Im wrong!
I remember as a small child living in a flat at Spencer Road, Acton. My cousin lived with his parents in the flat above. We always enjoyed our trip to the corner tuck shop where we could buy brill ice cream and drinks. I remember Acton as a clean, lovely place to live with its tall well-kept buildings and people were very friendly, we moved in the late 1950s but we often went back for a visit until my cousin moved too.
My father was in the USAF and at the age of 7 I was living in Hemingford Abbotts and stayed there for 3 years. I enjoyed the three years there. We lived in a bungaloo and in back of the bungaloo was a trailer park. We went to the base school which was the pathfinder in Alconbury. I would love to see the village again as to the changes or things that have remained the same.
My family moved to Dagenham from Northampton in December 1953. My first real memory of the borough was being lost on the day we moved in, after being sent to get some milk and sugar from the local shops, which would have been in Oxlow Lane. After our new neighbours gave me directions, I somehow ended up in Reede Road, managed to get the milk and sugar, and then spent the next hour or so getting back to my new ...see more
My Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Evans was the original owner of The Plough. While doing some research into my family tree I discovered in the 1861 Wales Census that he was listed as a farmer(owner of 10 acres of land) and publican of the Plough Inn. He lived there with his wife Jane and son Robert and twins Edward and Eliza. Edward is my Great Grandfather. His son George immigrated to Canada but ...see more
I went to this School from 1968 to 1970 and have such happy memories! I remember lots of school friends and teachers too...especially a Canadian teacher we used to have.....
Hi! Does anybody remember Ramalies Park in North Camp, early 70s and Army property?
I was born in Siddington at Blake House Farm in 1943. I left in 1964 when I got married. I have so many memories. I went to Siddington school and attended the Siddington Methodist Chapel with my parents, 3 times a day on aSunday! I would love to hear from anyone and to swop memories of which there are very, very many. I was known as Marion Kennerley in those days. I go by my first name Elizabeth ...see more
Like many young folks of the 1960s who grew up in Cheshunt churchgate area, when the time came to marry you almost always chose St Mary's as the place to have your wedding. It is a lovely old church. I also have happy memories of going to church on Wednesday mornings as I was a student, or pupil as we were called back in those days, at St Mary's School which was (and still is for a little ...see more
My mother and I evacuated from Glasgow to Auldgirth in 1941 to escape the bombing immediately following the Clydebank bombing. We stayed with a wonderful family called Collins who were friends of my father's family. Mr Collins in peacetime was a gardener on the Kennedy Estate called I remember "The Big House" and the Collin's cottage was adjacent. I was only 4 years old but remember it fondly, ...see more
I remember fishing for endless hours just about the spot shown in the photograph. There were many perch there and on one occasion I caught a fair sized pike. Just upstream from this location was a sort of peninsular accessed by climbing down steps set in the wall of Turvey Bridge. This was called Sam's Island for some reason. Brings back many happy memories of over half a century ago!!
Although I was only a boy. Me and my two brothers went Percy Street School. Mrs Evans was the teacher I remember very well. We lived on Davids Square. We had many happy hours at the Vernon picture house, the old flea pit. Also on Billy Bacon's Field, Vernon Park and watching old Basford United, and making a lot of a nuisance to older people. I remember some families, the Walkers, Coopers, Browns, Bolshaws, Jordons. I ...see more
1860, and before - where the Worgan family first came from.
My parents -- Glyndwr and Georgina Jones -- both grew up in South Wales. After marrying they moved to Manchester and I was born soon after in 1950. In 1955 my mother became pregnant with my brother Glynne, and I was sent to live with my Nana and Dadcu -- Gwenllian and Dau Jones -- in Peniel Green for the duration. My Nana's sister, my (great) Auntie Sal, owned and ran Llansamlet's ...see more
Riceman's fire was Sunday 6th October 1963. I am researching a book on Deal's shops and have been given the local newspaper for that week. The front page banner headline is "Deal store destroyed by fire." And the introduction reads "Within 90 minutes of first being spotted, fire reduced Deal's largest departmental store, Riceman's, to a jungle of twisted steel girders late on Sunday afternoon ..." A few weeks ago the ...see more
I arrived at the Infants School aged 6, fresh from a tiny village school in rural Somerset. My abiding memory was of the outside communal toilets with a trough at the base of a wall which used to back on to the pavement of Aldborough Rd. We would compete to see who could reach the highest up the wall (if you know what I mean) and attempt to score a bullseye by actually aiming right over the wall onto the pavement. ...see more
Mum and Dad bought The Coach House and Walled Garden when the estate was split up after Lord Doverdale died - we were there 1952 - 61. As a lad I used to help furnish the show flats in the big house by moving the furniture from one to another as they were sold! For 2/6d. I seem to remember the gorgeous ballroom with a magnificent ceiling being split into 2 flats. The garden was full of every fruit & variety ...see more
Hi, I am trying to research my family tree, family name is Sipthorp. I have obtained various birth certificates for my father and uncle. They were born in these pretty little cottages, the family consisted of mum, dad and 5 children, my, what a squash! My grandfather worked at the powder mills which I can only assume to be The Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock. If anyone out there ...see more
My Great Great Grandfather was a farmer and the owner of Leawood Pitts from around 1848 to 1892. His name was John Clemson and he farmed about 46 acres. He had a wife, Mary, and seven children. I have a photograph of the farmhouse taken sometime during that period, and also some historical information. I thought this might get the Memories of High Offley page started.
Born in Teddington in 1945. Lived in Clarence Road until 1958, then moved to the "Con Club" in Stanley Road. My brother and I were both in St. Albans Choir along with another pair of brothers, Ian and Cliff Williams, who both now live in Australia. My brother and I live in the USA, Colin in Dallas, Texas and me in Indianapolis, Indiana. Remember Father Simmons and choir master, Norris Marshall. A grand building.
I remember the man who used to paint lead soldiers, he lived in that tiny little 'bungalow in Irvon Hill! A couple of years ago it got burnt down and now there's a new home been built there? Do you remember the Nursery opposite whereby there was an old man who would often give us kids loads of tomatoes on our way out of school? He had many big greenhouses there? and there was a muddy 'mound that we used to climb up and down (actually in Irvon Hill) ? It would be great to hear from you!
Does anybody remember The Blue Lagoon at Battlesbridge? it was a nightclub/disco back in around 1970, it was round the back of the pub that is an eatery, I can't remember its name but it's still there (2009). The so-called nightclub was a kind of prefab building and I believe back in the early 1960s was once an outdoor swimming pool? I was just wondering if anybody had any information on it, or used to go there? I would be most grateful if you could let me know - thankyou.
I was born in a newly built house in Laurel Avenue - and was told whilst being built my mum and dad had gotten to choose which one they wanted! The midwife who delivered me was Miss Reece, who I believe lived in Wickford until she passed away. I have so many great memories, it's hard to know where to begin. London Road - I remember Billy Foyle had a lion in a huge cage, halfway up the London Road, and when I was ...see more
I arrived in Totnes January 1944 and lived up at Dartington until a day before the invasion at Normandy. Totnes became our "hometown." I returned for the fiftieth anniversary and honored for being the first American to come back. Bill Bennett arranged for us to be given the "keys to the city." Back then at age 19 it was a grand experience and my wife was with me on two more trips to Totnes and Dartington Hall. ...see more
This is one of the bus stops that used to have lots of kids awaiting the Bus to take them up the Southend Road to Beauchamps School - although there were also a couple of 'elite' who mounted this bus to take them to Rayleigh Swaine, the Grammar School at Rayleigh! Just opposite this bus stop was a very old Public House called The Castle, which was pulled down around late 1980's - much to the publics disgust!!
This is Deirdre Avenue - one of the roads I endeavoured to deliver newspapers on frosty cold mornings at the age of 12 years, I had to get up at 06.00am, rush straight out without a cup of tea, pop into Andrew's Newsagent, and get my sack. My other road I delivered to was Louvaine Avenue.
This is the corner of Wickford High Street/London Road, so called due to the well known family known by the name as Halls, they were shopholders, and supplied pet foods and some farm produce. They also had another shop in the High Street which was an Ironmonges, which was an old house converted into a shop, and i remember as a child having to walk up a few steps to enter, Mum used to buy things like string and washing line pegs etc.
