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 34721 - 34800 of 36890 in total

Myself and my 3 sisters Ginine, Chantelle and Michaela all used to go down to the Porthily Beach regularly with our mum and dad. We have wonderful memories there.  Our dad brought home a tractor inner tube from a tyre and pumped it up for us and we played for hours on it.  Porthily is very safe, it doesn't get too deep when the tide is in.  Nowadays myself and my sisters all go down to the beach with our children.  We ...see more
The mill bridge shown in the photograph was washed away in a flood in the 1960's. Unfortunately the mill pond was a favourite place for some children to swim in then. We lost one of the children on the hospital estate by drowning there in the pond, whose name was Billy Johnson, whose parents worked as nurses at St Augustine's in 1963. He is buried in Chartham cemetery.
Sarah Clayden Rudd nee Wacey and her daughters lived in Wickhambreux.  They were listed there at the time of the 1891 census as living 'the green' and in 1901 she and her daughters, Sarah and Rebecca, are living there and recorded as 'lodging house keeper'. Sarah the mother lived there until she died in 1916. They are distant relatives of mine.
I used to live at 5 School Road nearly 20 years ago.  My mum used to work at Dianes florists on Donny Road and my Dad managed the Corner Pocket snooker club.  I still visit there now as my stepmum lives on Donny Road and my Dad, I'm very sad to say, is buried at Langold cemetery. Langold has so many memories for me from when I was little and I will always cherish them forever.  I would love to visit my old house on School Road.
I remember I hadn't had my 5th birthday, and my mum said that tomorrow I was going to start school. School, I thought, whats that!. The next day I was dressed up and at about 8.30 a small van with seats arrived outside my house, mum took me outside and kissed me and said I was to behave myself and to enjoy the day.  "Ok mum, bye." The van stopped outside a house, or that's what it looked like to ...see more
I was born in the master bedroom on the main floor to the existing owners of Anstie. During our 3 years there we converted it to suites and modernised it considerably. On the day that I was born there were construction workers in the house and one of them cried when he heard the sound of a newborn baby, I was told many times. My parents split in 1956 and my mother sold it and moved to Canada. She regretted ...see more
I came upon the website by accident and although I don't live far away now I started to remember my childhood days there.  Born and brought up in Goldthorpe by my parents who both went to the Salvation Army I have many happy memories of playing on the market stalls.  They could be anything in our imaginations, house, bus, pirate ship, whatever we wanted tham to be.  We never thought of damaging them or ...see more
My family moved to Watford in 1953 to a large house in Rosslyn Road, a side road within a few yards of the Rickmansworth Road right opposite the Town Hall concert hall entrance. I spent virtually all my childhood there plus the teen years and left when I was 20 to live in Dorset. My enduring memories of Watford include the wonderful Mocha Bar on the Parade where we could buy real Italian Espresso Coffee.  The ...see more
Since about the 1960s, Child Okeford became a totally different community from the one I first got to know in the early 1930's. The Watts (Harry and Dorothy) had farmed out of Laurel Farm for many decades and Jo(sephine), the daughter, was my cousin by marriage. Laurel Farm, as it is today in the late 1900s, is shown to the left of this memory. Sadly, the main characteristics - with the ...see more
I grew up within a few minutes walk of this our local shopping centre.  The photo was taken outside the Fifty Shilling Tailors looking towards Dagenham Heathway Station.  Some of the shops I remember were Day's the newsagents, Meyer's the greengrocers, Gillings the fishmongers run by a pair of identical twins and Jenners which was a general store selling all manner of household equipment, linens, clothing and toys. ...see more
This photograph was taken from outside the Grange Cinema. There were three cinemas in Dagenham and The Grange was the smallest. We patronised all three in turn for the Saturday Morning pictures which cost I believe 6d (2 1/2 p.). The parade of shops contained the only bank in the borough and a very busy barbers shop called Viney. My Dad used to work at the Ford Motor Works and when he was on night shift would ...see more
My grandparents Isabella and Jack Lymer and my Uncle Victor Lymer lived above the cafe until my nan's death in 1968. When I was young it was the flat to the left as you look at the picture. It is now the hairdressers.  My mum tells me that when she married my dad (1943) they lived in the flat to the right of the picture over looking the bay. I have many happy memories of holidays visiting them and playing on ...see more
I was at St Michael's from 1943 to 1950. The school had just moved from Uxbridge because of the war. Old gilded pictures, suits of armour stored.  We weren't suppose to go there. Great friends with Barry and Copp. We were known as the three musketeers. Hill, Ireland. Would love to have any contact. We played in the woods, on the terraces. Cecil Cook was our headmaster but died. It was quite a good life ...see more
The house on the right of the photo was my childhood home. My family lived there until 1991.
Having fish & chips from the Vesta Cafe on the New Road, they were the best. Playing the puggy at Favali's in the New Road. Playing down at the Newton Shore.  Skating at Ayr Ice Rink. Climbing the fence and getting into the dog track from Elmbank Street on Sunday morning to pick up anything of value the drunks had dropped the night before at the races, usually money. Working for Cowan the Butcher as a delivery boy and ...see more
My mother was born in Gilfach Goch, No 3 Fountain Row, family name was  Lewis and Blodwen Williams.    I have been trying to find out where Fountain Row was as I've been up there and it's not there and I can't find it on any map. Help is required please.
I went to school at St. Helen's School which was situated on the corner of North Side and Valley Road between 1955 - 1961. I actually lived in NORBURY and have some memories of Norbury when you open up a site for it. I hope you do.
My dad had the grocers shop opposite the gift shop, there was a shoe shop a childrens clothes shop, a launderette, a wool shop, Mrs Tinnion with her small Pekinese dogs, Bobby Askews the hardware shop who sold absolutely everything anyone ever needed. The huge ugly car park was built and some smaller houses were pulled down. Robinsons fish and chip shop, the best in Cumberland.  On the occasions I drive through ...see more
I lived at Lane End, Bramley no 6 in the circle.  The white cottage in the picture use to have an apple orchard next to it.   Me and my cousins used to try and get apples before the old lady got out of her house but she always caught us and told my gran .    the house where the car is ,is where my cousins lived the woolfords.               sheila                              
I can remember my early childhood days.  We lived in The Avenue.  All the fields at the back of us were open fields.  It is all houses of course these days.(Elton Crescent, Miller Road etc). Early school days were having to walk to school at  the infants school to be taught by Miss Flood or Miss Wren.  Later on I attended primary school in Church Road. I used to work as a kid for Ted Turner and John ...see more
I did get the privilege to revisit Mitcham again this year. The fair green has changed little, there is now a main road running striaght to Tooting Broadway opposite the fair green, where the Bucks Head pub was there is a paved off area and the Old Majestic still stands but is now a cinema.  Can't remember name, I am sure it was once a bingo hall too.  My aunts used to live in Tynemouth Road and living in Swindon, ...see more
The gentleman pushing a cart in the foreground of this picture is my grandfather, Ernest Pearce (1895-1970). The cart was used to transport bundles of sticks that he cut for sale as firewood. They were sold for 4d a bundle. This was used to supplement his wages when he was a miner and later, as in the photo, during his retirement. The history of wood cutting in the family goes back to his father, James ...see more
This shows the original, full length pier in all it's glory before gradual destruction. Now recently restored it is nevertheless much shorter. The photo must have been taken from the old Grand Hotel.
I was born in Southwold but left there many years ago. This view shows the Grand Hotel which was demolished in the late 1950's. It was derelict for many years, this being the only way I remember it. As a child it was very daring to venture into it - undoubtedly potentially dangerous in view of the state of it and something which could never happen today. I particularly remember the peonies which grew in the abandoned grounds, which seemed to me at the time very exotic.
This scene of the old fishermen's beach huts shows my family's beach hut on the left.  The lady just about to enter the beach hut was my grandmother, I am playing on the beach and my sister is in the pushchair next to the lady.  Families had all the necessary facilities in the beach huts and almost every day of the summer holidays was spent down there.  My grandfather belonged to the Angling Society and ...see more
The second building down on the right was Bowdens Cafe (now Fox Tor Cafe).....My Grandparents, George and Clare Moss had the cafe from 1946 and my parents took over in 1958 Eric and Clare Cragg....My Grandparents then moved to Duchy House and started a B&B. I remember a great childhood growing up in Princetown, playing by the leet and riding the ponies. I now live in Australia and have been here since 1963. Thank you for the lovely memories and photos of Princetown
I used to live opposite these shops and I can honestly say the place is just the same today as when this photo was taken.
This is actually a memory of my father, who is listed in the census of Wales for 1901 as being a quarryman, lodging at Cidwyn View, Betws Garmon aged 21. I hope to visit the village (?) this Sept. and also the quarry. I would love to know if this house still stands.
Looking back from this photo is the site of the original Jones Balers factory. I have many fond memories of my early working life with a wonderful bunch of collegues at the factory. I often visited Herbie Ellis' shop which later was to be in one of the houses in this pond photo, also the Red Lion pub nearby. David Jones (Young Dai)
I am looking for information on my grandmother who is listed as being at Princess Mary Village in Addlestone in the 1901 census. We have been able to ascertain she left there in March 1908. Does anyone have a list of the names of the girls in this particular image.
Contrary to other "memories" this was (and is) the boys' Grammar school in Guildford. I was there between 1974 and 1981 - least said soonest mended! The new school building on the opposite side of the High Street was added in the 1960s.
The large 3-storey building to the right of centre, was the village grocery store at 91 Lane Head Road. My father purchased it in 1961 from Frank Armitage. He sold it in 1984 when he retired. At the rear were stables, groceries used to be delivered by horse drawn cart, but my father used a Ford Thames van, until in 1966 when he got a Ford Cortina estate car from H. W. Gill.  To the right of our shop was Copleys bakery.
The building to the right of centre of this photo was Dyson's Fish & Chip Shop in the 1960s and 1970s. The caption says Main Road, but this road the A629 had several names. one was Penistone Road, but at this point it was known as Abbey Road South, before becoming Lane Head Road.
This photo could have been taken from my bedroom window. I lived in Shepley from 1961 to 1983. On the left is The Black Bull pub, on the right is the Conservative club, which became the youth club.
I was born at Danbury Palace in Danbury and lived at Marks Farm bungalow in Rettendon. I remember getting frightened of the storms on the way home from Rettendon School. I remember walking home from school up Chalk Street. My Grandmother used to live in Chalk Street but her and Auntie Ruth emigrated to New Zealand during the war we think. We are not sure yet as we want to find out the year and the boat they went ...see more
I remember, the day was cold and wet but the air was fresh on my face as we walked on the coblestones .I remember.
This is the year when the school finally closed.  It was worn out but much loved.  The roof leaked, the knots in the floorboards stood high while the wood was highly polished with years of wear.  The teachers had large baby boomer classes.  Many pupils were bussed in from Higham Wood.  We sang "Now the day has ended" at the end of every school day before putting the chairs on the tables to help the cleaners. ...see more
The mill you refer to in the text was about 100 yards up the road from St. Bartholomews, on the opposite side of the road. It was owned by William Bower (not Bowen), and was the last of several Bower cotton mills in Wilmslow, closing in the late 1840's. William lived in a house next to the church, and his will was certified by, among anothers, Mr. Torkington, then owner of the George and Dragon pub (still standing).
I remember going on holiday quite regular to a caravan on Kinkell Braes in St Andrews somtimes with my parents and sometimes my grandparents.  The owner of the caravan was our milkman Bill Byres.  We had some great times and a lot of fond memories. At the site there was a path down the side of the cliff which took you right to the beach.   At night our treat was to go down to the small harbour to sit with a ...see more
MY BROTHER AND I WERE EVACUATED TO LAMPETER IN JULY OF 1944 COMING FROM LONDON AS OUR HOUSE WAS BOMBED. WE WERE TAKEN IN BY MARY AND JOHN POWELL IN "BARLEY MOW".  EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE TRYING TIMES FOR OUR PARENTS, IT WAS THE HAPPIEST TIME OF MY CHILDHOOD. AUDREY [LATTER] VOELKER
Shortly after the outbreak of war, my Father who had a pet shop in Wallasey, evacuated the family to Llanarmon.  We consisted of Dad, Mum, my brother Ray and myself. We moved into Rose Cottage in the village, and my Aunt Ann and husband George moved into a cottage down the side of Beech Cottage which was next door to us. It was so peaceful and safe there.  My father travelled to his ...see more
Walking with Bob my border collie through the salt marshes and dunes. Listening to the birds in the marshes and trying not to get lost! Keeping Bob away from people as he's a very cautious rescued border collie. The sense of peace whenever I have returned here. Now sadly without my dearest brave Bob but always remembered.
My memory relates to 1977 because it was then that I first heard of William of Occam (from Ockham early 14th Century). I would think he should be the village's most famous son. It seems sad that there appears to be no memorial to him there. Although a Franciscan friar, he was also in trouble with the Papal Court for heresy, so perhaps Henry VIII would have had some sympathy for him. Occam's Razor is a major ...see more
My parents David & Valerie, and younger brother Roger Angus lived at 'Rosevine' opposite the Rectory. The then vicar, Christopher Leach lived in the Rectory with his wife and children Godfrey and Hilary. Additionally, they charitably fostered many children, having a minimum of four guests at any given time if my memory serves me correctly, hence using many of the available bedrooms. When the vicar moved to ...see more
I have a photograph of this cottage in an old album - it was known as Ruffels Wood then and and was owned by my family! Is it still there today? Sue Thick (nee Garle)
My Mum's cousin Ken bought Leasowe Castle and we were all very excited for him especially my Mum! We lived down near London but went to visit as much as my Dad could get time off work. Ken and his lovely wife Jean worked so hard to make this castle as beautiful as you see it today and my brother and I have such happy memories of the time we spent there with the family before our mum died far too young in 1985.
It's not a memory of mine but, she was my great grandmother and I am not sure of her first name although I know her surname was Powell.  She was a mother to grandad, who's life so tragically ended, she died in a fire, a caravan fire, in Hengoed.  I would like to know about her, and would like even to know her name and where she is buried. I believe that everyone should be remembered and I think that I am the only one who wants to remember.
I am a niece of former Landlords Jack and Peggy Robinson and remember with great affection the happy holidays I spent with them, helping out occasionally behind the bar and chatting with the locals. Everyone was so friendly and it was everybody's local to catch up with the latest news. We did visit again some 20 years ago and this lovely hostelry will always be in my thoughts.
This photo is fairly unique since it shows the Camp at Bryngolau, Trawsfynydd, where the Royal Artillery Summer Camp was located for 2 years from 1903 before establishing a more permanent camp 2 miles south at Bronaber in 1905, where it remained until about 1958.
This was of course taken long before Burnt House Cottage was built.  This was where my grandmother Ruth Hare lived.  The cottage is now to the right of the road.  In the background are accommodation blocks at Carver Barracks (Debden Aerodrome). Burnt House Farm is to the left of the picture where the Boutwood family lived in the 70's.
My father Leon Lalonde was Mechanical Engineer for W&C French from 1928 to 1947. He was responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Mechanical Equipment and Heavy Machinery. The large yard was located between Fairlands Close and The Reindeer Pub on Epping New Road. The yard housed every different kind of machine and piece of equipment a construction company might need. It also had a ...see more
I was married in St. Peter's Parish Church, Swinton on September 7th, 1957 - one of the happiest days of my life.  It was a lovely sunny day and my best friend May Timperley was my bridesmaid.  My husband and I had a honeymoon in St. Ann's on Sea and travelled there by train from Moorside Station. I was christened at St. Peter's in 1935 and attended Sunday School from age 4.  When I was confirmed there by the then ...see more
I have a photo of my glamorous mother in front of the First and Last House when three lines once sprawled across its roof— F I R S T  &  L A S T H O U S E   I N E  N  G  L  A  N  D .She stands poised upon a rock ‘fore the plain structure amid stark sky. Land’s End winds forever blow her hair— The concept of a first and last house first captured my mind when I was a child. It will remain with me until my last breath.
Wondering if anyone knows of Hayward family, buried in the churchyard surrounds, that farmed in the Loders area back to at least 1750 or further back.  Any info for family tree welcome.
Mary Dodge married Thomas Hayward 1808 in Sherborne.  Trying to find residential address at that time.  Might be Long Street. Thomas Hayward, son of Robert, said to have farmed in nearby Loders and had business in Sherborne as well.  Any info/photos welcome for family tree.
I grew up in Gants Hill and would like to share my memories of shops in the area... The Toy Shop in Cranbrook Road (now Burtons Newsagent). This was a double fronted blue painted shop with a newsagent on the left and a toyshop on the right. It was run by an elderly couple and I always found the lady a bit frightening... Tailor Shop/Shoe Repairers (now United Sports). I used to stand looking in the shop ...see more
RAF Medmenham, National Service 1956, arrived, spent the first night in the guardroom, nobody knew I was coming, thought I might be a member of the IRA. First week spent on the rubbish cart, Christmas Day armoury guard, good times though at the Red Lion in Marlow, and the Dog and Badger in Medmenham. Left in 1957 to join the RAF Physical Training Team based at RAF Halton, Happy Days.   MERVYN JONES
BORN IN THE FRONT ROOM OF 49 SPEARING ROAD ON 16/02/53.  I MUST HAVE BEEN LUCKY, THAT WAS WHEN CASTLEFIELD WAS POSH, WHEN THE TALLY MAN WAS UNARMED.  ALL OUR SCHOOL UNIFORMS WERE ON TICK, BUT THE COMPANY GOT PAID.  I CAN REMEMBER GOING SWIMMING ON THE RYE WITH MY WOOLLEN TRUNKS THAT GOT BIGGER THE LONGER YOU WERE IN THE POOL.  I CAN REMEMBER THE COFFEE, TEA, SOUP, AND CHOCOLATE ALL TASTED THE SAME FROM THE ...see more
Spent many, many years visiting grandparents in Caste Craig then in West Mains with my parents John and Pam Watson.   My father John was the only child of Hugh and Maggie Watson, whom we went to visit each year.  We spent time visiting relatives in Biggar, Largs, Sea Mill, infact we spent time travelling all over the Border area, and always going to Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street.  The photograph of the ...see more
I have put 1947 but infact it is from earlier than that to 1954. I think this was a great place for us as kids as we had freedom and not much parental control, I think mainly due to our parents who had just survived the war years, and thinking how lucky we were all to be alive and not under Hitler. One of my memories was being lifted from the tin bath to watch Spitfires chase 'doodle-bugs' over the village. ...see more
Ledsham Station, on the Chester - Woodside line, was originally called Little Sutton before the Hooton - Helsby line was built. The son of the station master, Williams I think, went to Berwick Road school. The station closed about 1963. The original 4 tracks were reduced to 2 tracks and the road was subsequently realigned. Some of the original brick walls still remain.
As a young girl I spent many a happy holiday in a bungalow on Jaywick sea front. I used to go with my grandparents, my mum and dad, my younger sister and a family friend. Pocket money and holiday money was used to buy all sorts of goodies from 'Silvers' which I remember as being a typical seaside gift shop. Most evenings we would go to a family friendly club but I can't remember the name of it. I can remember my nan ...see more
I was brought up in Mossley and have lots of happy memories. My sister Dot still lives there, she fills me in on what is going on.  I now live in Florida but will always be a part of Mossley which I took so much for granted while living there.  I have travelled to a lot of places and countries since I left there but believe me there is nowhere quite like Mossley, it is a lovely place to see.  I show people over here ...see more
My father was working on Templemeads Station around the time it was bombed, I have the feeling it was a Saturday night in the summer of 1942.  I was about four years old and we were lodging in a house by the Avon with a cellar and several storeys as my mother had decided that Bristol was safer than London.  Unfortunately the raids started almost as soon as we arrived.  We had to  spend our nights in the ...see more
I remember nothing of the school except the day a German plane flew low over the playground. The teachers quickly got us under cover but I could see my mother standing out in a field in a yellow rain hat.  I did not know at the time that my father had seen the plane coming in low to strafe us and had run to an anti-aircraft gun (a bren gun?) in a vain attempt to shoot it down. He was at Longmoor Camp.  Does anyone ...see more
I was born in the cottage behind the school (Woodlands Cottage).  I attended the school in 1958 untill going to secondary school at Battle in 1964.
I was born in the village in 1965 and lived in St. Osyth Bakery, Spring Road for 20 years with my family.  I can remember going to Bretts hardware and sweet shop with my 5p to get some sweets.  I can remember Mr and Mrs Ayers who ran the vegetable and toy shop in Spring Road.  We used to take part in the village carnivals every year with the WI. We were christened and my sister was married in the village ...see more
I remember Valence swimming pool from the late fifties. I lived in Bushgrove Road and went to Valence School and used to go early on a Saturday morning with my mates to be first in there before the crowds. I couldn't swim, but that didn't matter 'cos I had an old van tyre to keep me afloat (I've still got the damn valve marks in my ribs now). I remember jumping in and not being able to breathe for about a ...see more
HOLIDAY TO I.O.M. WITH MUM,DAD & ANN.
My GGG Grandfather was a shipbuider in Kippford.  His name was John Cumming.
The smell of molasses from the so called John Peel Brewery as the train from Carlisle approached Workington Main Station.
I was born in Farnborough and lived in Pinehurst Cottages until the age of six. My father, Charles Dunbar was an engineer at The Royal Aircraft Establishment. Later we moved to 166 Keith Lucas Road and later to 16 Fowler Road in Cove. I went to Fernhill school. I remember the air show each September and the crashes that happened when the pilots were testing breaking the sound barrier. Once I was the first ...see more
Today (10th Aug 07) I walked the Cleveland Way from Skinningrove to Saltburn, this is the first time I've visited Skinningrove and what an amazing little village it is, apart from the foot path from the car park (Marine Terrace) to the beach, this foot path is used as a dogs toilet, why do locals and visitors put up it.
With the help of Brian Faulkner of newspaperdetectives, I have been able to identify the building on the left as the old Red Lion Inn. The Inn fronts on High Street, and Market, formerly Red Lion Gate, is the one running away from the camera. My ggg-grandfather, William Charles Graygoose, was the proprietor till he sold the inn in 1872 and moved to Lambeth. Brian Faulkner has uncovered some interesting articles ...see more
I would dearly love to be able to show the photos I have of mount carmel school,from 1952 onwards,the whit walks,the class photos etc................. Mr.Glynn Miss Grey etc........................can anyone tell me how to do it please ?
LIKE JOHN FISHER SAID WE PLAYED IN THE WOODS AND EXPLORED ALL THE SURROUNDING FARMLAND, SCARED OF BEING CAUGHT BY SQUIRE LONG AND LATER MISS ALDOUS.  AS FOR THE OLD WELL UP CHURCH HILL, I CAN REMEMBER DROPPING ROCKS DOWN IT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND A FLASH WHICH MADE US DISAPPEAR QUICKLY FROM THE SCENE.  I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT IT HAD BEEN.  CERTAINLY TAKES YOU BACK READING THESE MEMORIES.
My father, Edward Wyatt, spent every spare moment he could flying his glider at Denham airfield. We lived in Higher Denham and used to get taken to the airfield many a Sunday. I was 6 in 1953, and I recall the taste of the soup that was served in the canteen, and of course, the flights themselves. My brother, sister, and I were strapped into the back seat of the glider and off we would go, my father ...see more
Wow, this brings back some memories! My friends and myself used to love to roller skate around the Pavillion and take a rest by the clock tower as kids, 24 years ago!, now I feel old!!!
The pavillion burned down some years ago, can't exactly remember when. I seem to recall it was vandalism.