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

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

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

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Displaying Memories 33841 - 33920 of 36892 in total

Too many childhood memories to list. Too many childhood friends to list. I moved away with my family in 1960. And "WWW" has reunited so many of us in the last few years. We are all over the world now but can take a walk down "CYBER MEMORY LANE".
MY MUM USED TO BIKE OVER FROM NORTH BOARHUNT TO SOBERTON EVERY THURSDAY WHEN I WAS SMALL. She had a small seat fixed at the back so that she could take me too,i had to sit on a blanket as it was hard.It use to take a while and i use to sit back there and sing my heart out,as i was so small people could not see me until we had gone pass,and i am sure they thought it was my mum singing.We use to go to the end of trampers lane ...see more
Work brought me to Scotland in 1975 and I needed to live within commuting distance of the Bank of England branch in Glasgow. Elizabeth and I looked around the south side of the City and fell in love with a beautifully restored eighteenth century style weavers cottage in Calderwood, East Kilbride. A new town is a lovely place to live when you are young and we loved it. Our son was born ...see more
Elizabeth and I married in 1971 and moved into our first home which we bought together at 21 Robyns Way. From our house we could walk round Pontoise Close and along a path at the edge of a sandpit, past a ramshackle village hall and into this church which we attended frequently. We lived in Riverhead for more than four years and loved the town of Sevenoaks, the local Scout Troop and Cub ...see more
My granparents and uncle live in soulby, I have many happy memories of spending my school holidays at Row End farm helping with hay time, milking and feeding the cows. I still love visiting soulby going to the stepping stones and a wander round the village
My Paternal Grandfather was a police constable for a short while in Dukestown whilst stationed at Tredeger,does anyone have any memory of him at all,he was quite a devil by all accounts.Please e-mail me if you can provide information
I arrived in St.Columb Minor a lonely five year old after travelling all day by train from Wood Green which is in north london. I was lucky to be placed with a lovely lady named Mrs Burden whos husband was away in the army. There were two daughters Von and Barbara . Our neighbours were Mrs Webber husband and son Dennis to the other side was the local provision store Tribilcocks across the road ...see more
my g.g.g. grandparents the Nixons had a sweet shop at 26 Petty Cury in the 1850s to early 1880s. Anybody ant news or pics?
I was born in White Roding in 1961. In 1968 my family and I went to live in Bishops Stortford. While we were there my father worked as a grave digger and landscape gardener in the local area. I fondly remember going to some of the church yards with him and playing while he worked. The church at Little Hallingbury  was one of those churches. We emmigrated to Australia in 1969 and although I went home several times ...see more
Further to Mr. Mike Taylor's story about being taken to see HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother passing through Milford on her way to King Edward's School at Witley. I was a pupil at King Edward's during the time of her visit, and whereas Mr. Taylor's story implies there may have been a number of visits by Her Majesty, I only recall the one, which I believe to have been in 1956. Mr. Gordon Humphries MA was the ...see more
My dads family the "Boltons" lived on a farm called Pear Tree Farm. I thought from memory they owned it but now after research I think they just lived there as workers? I remember walking down a country lane not far from there and buying some wonderful flavoured ice creams such as "Tutty Frutie". I have alot of fond memories of Hernbay....
My husband's grandfather Eustace Egbert George Duffill was born in 1869 at the Bromsgrove Institue in the High Street. Please can anyone tell me whether the Institute building features in any of the photographs of the High Street. I believe his father was librarian there.
I started work at this farm in 1946 my first job at 14 yearts old. On the left hand side if the house was a garage the farm was owned by Mr Suthered and his son-in-law Sid Dibbin had the garage. Sid had one other man working there a chap called Perce Quinnell with me as the grease monkey. There use to be a man come from London and stay in a sort of caravan out in the farm yard one of my jobs were to carry him ...see more
Hi Everyone what a lovely photo of the reservoir. My family lived at the reservoir for many years. My father and his father were born there with his sisters. He was Henry Marshall born 1923. He was the 3rd Henry Marshall...me I'm the 4th and my son is the 5th. A family member has traced the family of marshalls back to 16oo's in Lincolnshire. My dad used to work for the Water Authority and found out when ...see more
I was known as David Armitage not William I have so many happy memories of Chaigley Mr Goynes was headmaster. I would love to hear from any old boys who remember me especialy Bob Price from Scunthorpe.
good old days
dear sandra , I have just been looking through my notes about the street family and the George you mention is my granny sarah ann's brother , and was my dads cousin.I can remember my dad talking about his cousin playing cricket and being as good as W C Grace!! a famous cricketer . William and Mary Street were my grans parents . I have managed to trace the Streets back to 1841 ,when a George Street was a ...see more
From early 1960s onwards:  At school in London we had 2 summer holidays at Min-y-Don. The first time we travelled by coach, we got lost and arrived in the dark.  The following year we came by train from Paddington.  We had to change at Gobowen and Ruabon, arriving late in the afternoon.  My pals and I spent all our time exploring the area, on one excursion we were dropped off at Abergwynolwyn and had to make our way back over ...see more
I grew up in Heaton Mersey from age 6 to age 26 and left in 1955. This parade of shops included 2 Grocers- the Co-Op and John Williams- Fitchett's the butchers, a barber's and Edgar Barker the local Pharmacist who encouraged me and made it possible for me to fulfill my career hopes and dreams. There was another parade of shops further down the hill past one of the two doctor's surgeries in the village before you ...see more
For Kelly Bingham 28th Generation Bingham
Wow, nice to see this picture of my Grandfather, Will Appleby in his rowing boat "Cynthia". He used this boat to take passengers from the beach and did so until he was 77 years old. The boat was licensed to carry 7 passengers, and fares were a shilling for adults and sixpence for children for a 30minute ride!
www.bbcholidays.co.uk Hi...We are just about to move into The Old Post Office in Fen Road, East Kirkby, Lincs and am trying to find out anything about it. If you've got ANY info - I'd love to hear about it. Please contact me on janet.humphrey1@virgin.net Thank You
I remember going to school, 1st. St. Barucs, then Romilly school, and then high street. We my sister and had a little group of friends, Diane Williams, Gillian Dennis, Janet Dunkley we did lots of things together. On Sundays we used to go to All Saints Church as a family. My father george John, Marjorie and Granny, grandpa used to read the lessons and my father was a sides-man.
I remember going to see granny and grandpa every evening with my father george John. She lived in Barry in south wales. My grandpa was a lay reader. I am doing my family history, and my granny was born in Coity her father and mother used to have a chemist shop in Caroline st . Can anyone help.
remembering walking through the main gates and your feet dont touch the floor
Mixbury Everyone has a trampoline and their all loaded Best fetes ever x
I love this place, I grew up around here and all my family are littered all over the place. I used to get my old dead dog macky to drag me up to the top and then I'd drag him back up. I'd always get stuck in the mud and i'd fall out of my wellies. Oh I miss being a child and running round here and watching all my uncles and grandads getting drunk in the club. :) x
You are the only decent village in the whole of England except for Frogmore I miss the large fields with the llamas I miss trying to rollerblade on the road and falling over I miss the first time I did everything in my house there First steps First kiss First words First shit evem, it was the best, because it was there ;(
Ben lives in the Reindeer now
1) Highest known amount of people infected with chlamadia in one place. 2) Most teenage pregnancies in all of Britain 3) EVERYONE here is on some kind of drugs, usually pills 4) This includes is right now, and we are primary school children 5) No1 cn spel 6) If you go into town there are an obscene amount of little scene kids, they wander around blocking up entrances to the precinct and sharing cigarettes 7) ...see more
it was quite fun. :) Then police came and i sat under a table with a woman in a rasta wig and some guy and had a spliff.
My Dad, Sid Brooks was the rural village police constable (P.c.200) for Cropwell Butler, Cropwell Bishop and Tythby We, Mum (Dorothy) and my younger brother Mick lived in the Police House on Radcliffe Road, There was an old fashioned stem type phone connected to the manual exchange. Dad’s means of transport for work was a sit up and beg style Raleigh pedal cycle. See also 'Police House ...see more
The Police House was located on Radcliffe Road, Cropwell Butler. (now called 'The Old Police House').  On the front wall it bore a sign bearing the words 'County Police'.   From 1939 to 1945 it was occupied by the Village Constable, P.c.200 Sidney Brooks, his wife Dorothy and sons Peter, born 1936 (the writer, now living in OZ) and Michael, born 1939  (now living at Whatton).  There was an old fashioned ...see more
I am researching family history and have established that the wife of my 2nd Great-Grand Uncle lived at Haccombe House in 1881. His name was James Richard Whyte, he married Janet Bogle in 1874. she was his second wife, his first wife died in 1870. He was aged 71 when he died in 1880. On the 1881 census there are only 4 people shown as having lived there at the time, Janet Whyte (nee Bogle), a cook, a servant and ...see more
I was born in 1949 in Victoria Road, Madeley and have many memories of life as it was in the 1950's onwards. I remember Jones' buses, Pooles the cobblers, Carters, Stodd's the Drapers, Shums the chemist, and most memorable of all, Nellie Oakes' shop in Park Avenue. It was always a delight to visit there to purchase four chews for a penny and sherbert and liquorice. The small shedlike store was packed ...see more
i was born on the 11 april at cresswell maternity hospital my maiden name is shields i lived at 15 knowehead road i started school in 1957 mr john young was the headmaster and mrs dickson was the secretary my memory of locharbriggs is when i started school
My friends mum ran the deck chair place just to the right of the picture in the 1960's
I spent many a Saturday, walking the woods of the tower, beating sticks and making noise. After a good 8 hours trudging up and down slopes and in the mud, they feed us a bowl of bad stew and beer. There was always a joke about who got the only piece of meat. I was the lucky recipient once, had to eat it quick tho. I remember all the shooters in the next room having a meal and trying to catch a glimpse of the ...see more
I've seen this photo in several places and it's always captioned as being 1965 - it's got to be before that because I lived in Channel View from 1960 to 63 just below those garages on the right of the photo - and in this photo the building hasn't even started. I can remember playing behind those garages - even creating a little "graveyard" there for my deceased pet white mice. There's a path up to the canal from behind ...see more
My name is Monica Sekulka, I lived at Oaken Royd, Triangle, on the Norland side of the valley. Our house was one of 8, back to back - which the local council decided to demolish in their haste for modernity sometime in the 70s. We moved to Dodge Royd Farm, just a couple of hundred yards from Oaken Royd in the 60s. I remember walking to Triangle primary school over the old bridge by Rough Hey Woods ...see more
Great to see the old school again,I remember harvest festivals and punch and judy shows in the hall behind,house martins building nests in the eaves.School sports,egg & spoon,sack and wheelbarrow races.Wet clothes drying on the radiators in the winter,Happy days.Lived at 29 Peak road,my father worked at Mercury navy station,now living in Auckland New Zealand.Any more photos of the school or the village please post them.
How wonderful to have my memory jogged by the lovely pictures of Clapham Common. After school, most days we (my brother Lance) and my mother would have such fun. We would play spot the park keeper, (always nicely turned out in their brown suits) now sorely missed ! But the playground picture with the 'umberella' in the background(did anybody else call it that ) where you would sit on the ringed seat and ...see more
I am currently researching my family history and my gt gt gt gt grandfather is registered as the publican keeping this pub. his name was William Kerby and his wife`s name was Mary. The year was 1841. does anyone have any further information regarding this.
I have no memories of West Ashling but somewhen before 1860 my G/G/Grandfather James Hare started the watercress beds there. It was not untill quite recently we found out what we know about this family. My G/Grandfather George was not infact registered as a Hare he had his mothers name which was Mayhew. All his children from his first marriage were all registered as Mayhew's and were all born in the East End of ...see more
I first came to Lower Swell as a 16 year old boy; that would have been 1967. I had attended Wilsons Grammar School in Camberwell London. Austen Nichols had worked at the school teaching metal work. He told me that he lived in Lower Swell and had a forge there. He and I got on really well. He was a good teacher and became a good friend. When he left Wilsons he invited me to visit him and that summer I did. I had ...see more
I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with the exact address of the Small Arms Corps (I believe this is the Camp featured), that existed during the Second World War? My father was a weapons instructor stationed in Netheravon between 1941 and 1945, and I'd like to take him on a trip down memory lane in February. I believe the Military no longer exist in Netheravon, but if anyone has any ...see more
Upon passing frogmore recently the other day, I, Fred Whatmore, saw a small sign directing me to what I would later come to call Frogmore; home; the land of my dreams The luscious green fields spread before my eyes, and fromore mausoleum doors wide open welcomed me in. . . ? I sat for a while with Willy the keeper of the Mausoleum grounds, we ate Frogmore stew and discussed the ...see more
It has now been little more than three moons since glorious Frederick Francis, arrived home; eyes shining; hair wild (per usual), to tell me of a small village he had encountered. The spirit of the place had completely encaptured him, I too felt a rush of desire as tales of green fields as far as the eye could see, & wild men. I LOVE FROGMORE TO BE CONTINUED
I lived in Barkingside from 1937 - 1950. I was 5 whan we moved to Merlin Grove from Forest Gate. There were fields and woods within a few minutes walk, sadly built over now. The library was a shop on the opposite side from Sainsburys, another small shop in those days. The library and swimming pool shown in photos didn't exist. Trolley buses plied to & fro along the High Street. There was a ...see more
I stayed at Crossways (a beautiful 1920/30s? bungalow) on a family holiday for 2 weeks in 1961 with my parents, sister, grandparents, great-aunt and a family friend when I was 6. I remember it as one of the best & happiest family holidays I ever had - despite my sister (then 2) having sunstroke after a boat trip around Brownsea Island and going hysterical over a grain of sand on the car rug! We also met family ...see more
This Oxfordshire village has a fine brewery and one summer's day they organised an open day, tours of the brewery, ale sampling and entertainment. I was part of that entertainment playing my accordian with the Whitethorn Band. The acoustics were absolutely fabulous as we sat on the kegs of beer and provided music for Whitethorn Morris and their repertoire of clog dances. When we had finshed both our tour ...see more
I was born at Dixon Street, Blackfyne, Blackhill, County Durham. My memories are from when I started school in 1943 at the Tin Mill School, Derwent Street, Blackhill, as far as I remmember I did not like it. Blackhill was shadowed by Consett Iron Company as it was then known (later known as Consett Steel Works), most of the men worked there. It made Blackhill a dirty place to live in because of the red ...see more
This is May Cottages and the home of my gt.grandparents James and Jane Childs.  James was a shepherd on the Adhust Estate for John Bonham Carter and Jane looked after the sick and the poor here for 36 years.  She also raised 6 of her own children including my grandfather William Childs.
I used to have my hair cut in the barber shop on Bridge St usually before going to Saturday morning cinema. I also did a paper round for the newsagent on the bridge, the round was in Caversham Heights where I lived in Albert Road. School was at Caversham Secondary Modern, I really enjoyed school great time. Left there in 1959. any one remember the school plays and ballroom dancing?
Each summer we would set off, my mam and dad and I and the dog, Raq, in our 1938 Morris 8 to travel from Hartlepool to Rickmansworth to stay with Uncle Charlie and Aunt Sally Charters who had the grocery shop in Norfolk Road (number 55, I think it was). It was a huge adventure every year, setting off at 6 a.m. and travelling down the A1, stopping for tea on the cobbles at Biggleswade, just beneath the house martins' ...see more
I was born in July 1942 at 2 Church Road ,the youngest of eight children,the time I remember best is around 1952,being a kid in the Beach then was brilliant,so many things to do, Boating Lake,Minature Railway,Swimming Pool,Funfair and all the normal things,the highlight of our week was the visit to the Galvanised Gaumont picture house,it would cost 6d on a Wednesday & Saturday and was situated at the back of ...see more
I have been a piano accordian player with Whitethorn Morris for almost 30 years and sometimes I need help in getting repairs done! In the summer of 2004 I managed to snap the leather straps of my accordian - not through any accident, just simply the wear and tear of many years music!  I found a local man to help me: the replacement straps were made by a local ...see more
I am researching my husbands family tree. His great grandad was Samuel Wright who was a coal hauler in Grimsby in 1883, on looking at the census further I found he came from Sudbourne in Suffolk. Terry [my husband] had no idea that his Wright family had originated from there. Does anyone know of any of Sam Wrights family still around there or have any knowledge of the Wrights. Is Sudbourne a small place? What is it like now? We intend to visit one day. Many thanks Chris Wright
I remember walking in deep snow in Watford in January 1982. I had to carry my son David Norfolk on my back through the snow to reach Field Infants School. When we got there I discovered that the school had tried to close for the day by phoning parents to warn them. The message failed to reach our family as we had very recently moved into Oxhey Village from Northwood so our David (coming up for his fifth ...see more
Our great-grandfather, Somerton grocer and corn factor George Frederick Hatcher, was born in Somerton. George and Emma Peddle married and with their two boys - great-uncle William and our grandfather Frances- they came to Canada in the early 1900's. That branch of the Hatchers spread throughout Western Canada, currently in Winnnipeg and Vancouver area. A couple of us have been to the UK a few times but not ...see more
welcome to u all from brisbane australia.I have lived here for 38 years,am very happy but chiseldon will always be in my heart.Confirmed ,married and our 4 girls were baptised in chiseldon church.We injoyed the washpool and walking over the fields to coate water,,,happy days.My first dance was like many of us at the british legion hall with david hicks and his band.My special friends were ,nancy ...see more
It's very early 1947. My father has accepted a position as Mechanical Engineer with JRichard Costain. We purchased a new Costain home at number 90 Windermere Ave, Elm Park. It was a bitterly cold late winter period. Water in the systern in the attic froze, as did the pipes in the bathroom, we had no water for days, what a welcome. The quality of the house left a lot to be desired, but we had bought it so we ...see more
What did they put in the water at Stockcross?   I am just wondering as my great-grandad George Allen was born at Stockcross in 1831. He was a gardener but astonishingly he married three times and even more amazing he celebrated his golden wedding with his third wife. The family story is that he didn't like children yet he fathered an awful lot!  This has been told to me by my aunt Doris Lacey who ...see more
I have just read the memory of the fishing trips and the use of the jeep to tow the fishing boat down the beach to launch it into the sea at Downderry. I also remember that jeep as if it were yesterday. My Grandmother, Marjorie Buckley, was the Headmistress of Hessenford School in the 40's and 50's (maybe into the 60's before she finally retired) and I spent alot of my youth living with her and on family ...see more
My grandfather Kennedy Larbey and his family came and lived in Southwick in 1896 where he was a blacksmith. My grandmother sold fresh fish at her kitchen door. My father Victor was born there in 1897 and done most of his schooling there untill they came back to Fernhurst in 1910.
Prussia Cove is a place I walked to in 2007 and have come away knowing that I have todo my family tree as I am related to both Captain Harry Carter and his brother John Carter (The King of Prussia) who were local smugglers. My brother has been named John Carter Read and it is from my mother's side of the family Thelma Carter from Par. My mother is now deceased but I shall be happy to go back to ...see more
As a child I lived in neighbouring Coulsdon, and Woodmansterne was a favourite cycle ride. Armed with jam sandwiches and bottle of pop, my sister and I would ride down Hatch Lane (even though you weren't supposed to), feeding the horses in the adjoining field. Then go on to Woodmansterne's park where there were playground equipment, and a huge fallen hollow tree. There was a shop in the village that opened on a ...see more
I was born in Dec. 1941, in the house, 241(?) directly across from the butcher shop (where the lorry is parked) , only my mother and a 15 yr old aunt were present. Nurse Chalk, on her trusty bike, showed up a little later. My father was serving in Hornchurch Aerodrome and one of my earliest memories were spending nights in the air-raid shelter in our backyard. That street ...see more
I moved to West Herrington village in 1953 as a baby, along with my older sister and parents into a new house in St Cuthberts Road and this was to stay the family home until my mother died in March 2007. My brother was born here in 1954 and my youngest sister in 1959. Although this was a 2-bedroomed house, we managed. The village was the most fantastic place to grow up: it was a close-knit ...see more
I was born in the King Street Nursing Home in Watford and spent the first few years of my life with my parents and Grandparents in Radlett on Gills Hill Lane.  I went to the Infant School and then the Girl's School at the bottom of Loom Lane.  When I was 4, we moved to some prefabs in Phillimore Place (which is now apartment blocks).  The family name is Ward.  I remember what fun I had swimming up at Aldenham ...see more
my grandparents used to live in church walk in purton , my father and his brothers and sisters grew up there and every summer we used to go to stay there for our holidays. they had feather beds and gas lighting and we used to go to bed with a candle. the milkman used to come and fill up the pewter milk jug each morning. we all got up early in the morning and went looking for mushrooms over the fields then go home and cook up ...see more
My father died the year after I was born and his employer Burton's, provided for myself and my three brothers to attend private schools, which is how I came from London to the Convent at the age of 4. I followed my brother Colin who had been boarded there for a number of years. Even today I still have nightmares about the place and the horrible way the nuns treated the children. We were required to remain in our seats ...see more
In 2006 I visited Millbrook with my family with the aim of trying to research my ancestors who lived in West street between 1840 to 1870. alas, We unsuccessfully search the cemeteries an parish church, but I still had the feeling of belonging. Unfortunately we did not have much time in millbrook, and I hope to revisit in the not to distant future. In the meantime if there any Bryants still living there I would love to make contact.
I lived in Ysceifiog and used to travel by bike to the dances at the  village hall in Brynford.  I used to meet my friend Betty Davies and her sister Sheila, who lived in Brynford. They had two brothers Gerald and Leonard.  At these dances we had a band and an MC.  It was where I learnt the Gay Gordons and Quickstep and Waltz.  In those days my name was Wyn Parrington.   I met my first husband Frank Hansom from Holywell ...see more
we bougt my wedding ring in shop here
i married gordon blake dec.2nd 1944.we are still together after 63years
I was born in Thetford in 1953 and lived there until I was 19 .I have extremely fond memories of my time as a chorister at St.Cuthberts Church and used to love the river.I remember my grandparents Ethel and Bert Wiseman telling me that they first met on Hailing Path in site of the Town Bridge.I used to canoe along that stretch towards the Mill pond and the 'Iron Bridges'.There ...see more
i've always as far as i can remember holidayed down in trebanws/pontardawe.went 2 trebanos primary and 1st year clydach.but even though i was only in the welsh skools 4 years i loved it.when i moved bak to glasgow i hated it i classed myself as welsh but now i am scottish[glasweigan]a weegie and proud of it but wales will always b in my heart
Many happy childhood yrs spent here remember Mrs Pike who used to lIve next door and then my Auntie bought her cottage to make it into one. So many happy years in summer and yes can still see the jeep scars! Auntie has gone recently so no more chill out zone but will never forget Always in my heart Liz Love Jo
thi8s is dawn downey from brisbane australia,have been living here for 38 years and still treasure memories of my school days in wroughton .My sister virginia still lives there.If anyone sees this ,let ginny know...Remember the old school by the moat,miss morgan was our teacher,,,happy days,,we then moved to chiseldon