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 15761 - 15840 of 36893 in total

We moved from Southampton to Trefriw on 5th November 1973. Mum & Dad bought the house 'Llys Llewelyn' opposite the village hall, Mrs Williams' Hair Salon (Harold Gas' wife) and the dreaded entrance to the coal yard. They stripped out the house and turned it into a B&B until we moved to Glan Conwy in Sept 1978. During renos of Llys Llewelyn they found a beautiful kitchen range that you could stand up in and ...see more
As kids, we use to go swimming here. Locally known as the stepping stones. Great times.
Thankyou to you all for sharing your memories, I have really enjoyed reading them. I know this is not a memory, but I would really appreciate some help in tracing my dad's past/relatives and maybe even his place of birth. My dad, Sydney Watson, has just passed away aged 96. He was a typical Geordie collier; he worked down Silverwood pit, Rotherham, South Yorks, from the age of 14 till he ...see more
This, I believe, was originally a coach house situated on The Strand. My mother worked here and I wonder if anyone remembers her? I cannot remember the actual dates but I know that she was definitely there in 1962 since a young man who also worked there decorated my wedding cake for me. Mum's name was Winifred Cook (Win or Winnie).
I remember Eileen Rowan well, my cousin Patricia Cassidy and I used to play dressing up with Eileen and her sister Roberta. This was in Balbeddie Avenue, Lochore, we had alot of fun and I have warm memories of Eileen and her lovely family. Morag Hanka nee Connelly.
As a child I spent many Saturdays at Helions Bumpstead visiting my Great Aunt Eva (Moore). My grandmother, Blanche, was her sister. There was a family of 12 Moore children but by the 1950's when I spent time there, most were scattered far and wide with children and grandchildren of their own. I was fortunate enough to meet my great grandparents, Newman and Sarah, who lived in a thatched ...see more
Went to live in Crook: Rosedean, West Road, in 1937. Everybody spoke a foreign language even though I came from only a few miles away, Northallerton. Or maybe I was the one who spoke a strange tongue. Many happy memories of playing on the farm over our back wall. At school my teacher, Mr. Gibb, caned me a lot although the other teachers were quite nice to me. Anybody remember him? After a year or so we moved up to Osborne ...see more
Hi, does anyone remember going to this school between 1940s and 50s, my father in law went, his name is Leslie Thompson his sister is June-
George Robert Brown was my Grandfather. He was manager (or whatever the title was) in the Rose and Crown from 1950/51 until 1953/54. I lived there as a baby, born 1st March 1953. Although some years younger I feel an affinity with Pink Floyd and in particular, David Gilmour who lived in the village and of course, a track from their album, Ummagumma, Grantchester Meadows is a favourite because I fished there as a ...see more
i remember going there with my mum years ago and i enjoyed it as i walked round the gardens and inside the gallery the place was nice back in the day i would like to go again and see if anything has changed.
I was an office boy at Franklin Barns. One of my jobs on a Wednesday was to go the cattle market and collect messages that where left in desks of the back room of The Market Tavern.It was a wonderful place; farmers, drovers, sheep dogs all doing business (not the dogs!) I can remember taking Cyril Franklis tea every morning at 10.30 in his office where he had a model of the new Franklin Barns building to ...see more
l was born in the Rookery, Ebbw Vale, lived in 19 Second Row, Newtown until l was eight. We then moved to a new housing estate called Garnlydan where I grew up before we moved to Newport. I worked at LLanwern steel works - and retired from there. I am now living in south west lreland. l have very fond memories of Newtown, Ebbw Vale.
I was born in Battersea 1950, son of Mr & Mrs Redpath (Wally & Edith) I had two other brothers Terry & Garry. Fond memories of Battersea Park and of spending many days in and around the park with other kids from Elcho Street; Roger Hockham and Alan Flower. Many times waiting for the buses terminating in our street for the bus driver & conductor to go off for their break, whilst we searched the ...see more
I was known as Katie Baker, I lived at No.4 Park View. Looking back life was simple, enjoying the changes of the seasons knowing you would be snowed in in winter, and flooded out in the spring. Watching the boar come up the Severn. I remember playing on the sandbanks when the river was low, the strong community spirit and singing in the choir.
This town doesn't change from decade to decade
Streets look no bigger or wider now than they did in '66, when I left for Canada
Still the same as when I left in '66
Hadn't changed when I lived there in '63, or when I went back in 2003.
Lived here during that time and it's nice to see the old photos as I remembered them.
What a lovely site, it hasn't changed much since I left in 1966
First place I got off the bus in 2003 after 37 years away. It hadn't changed much to me.
We used to live on East Hill estate, the bottom end number 69 Peter Head House. My mum Bobby, my 2 brothers, graham and Steven, me (Lorraine), and my sister Michelle - we had great fun there playing in the playground at the back of our block. We used to go to the sweet shop on the corner to get our black jacks and fruit salad chews, traffic light lollys; and if we crossed over the road and cut through the other block ...see more
Many trips through here to go into town or the Adelphi.
Had all my business training on the Trading estate 1960-'66
Walked through this park many times to town
Raised many a pint in here.
Spent many a Saturday night in this theatre while dating in the '60's
A lot less congested than today.
Alot of these shops are gone, but the town really hasn't changed much as I still see it as it was.
Saw this daily as I went to the Slough College of Further Education (now a University).
A great job transforming this old lady into a viable and attractive entrance to Windsor from the Slough station, where tourists arrive from all parts of the country. An improvement from the dirty, smoke stained facade that it was when I was in nursery school a few doors away.
Too bad these old post boxes have been removed from most towns now - the red ones were such a cheery sight.
These are the old terrace houses across from where my Dad was born. Shame they can't be revived for housing.
When I left there was a high fortress wall around the castle which has ben taken down so that visitors can sit on it.
Hasn't changed a bit in the 37 years I've been away.
Nothing has changed since my most recent visit 2005. Always a pleasure walking down beside the river.
Three years after returning I was still getting used to Slough. Now in 2012, this road is closed to traffic and two big shopping centres have been built on left side halfway down.
I just wondered if anyone knew my grandad, Leslie Morris? He was born in 1927 and died in 1979. He lost an eye while working in the pit, and lived in Hall Green. I am trying to find out which pit he was working in when he lost his eye. Many thanks, Maxine
My father Jim Blayney, worked for Sir Lesley Joseph and was general manger of Trecco Bay and also Works Manager of Coney Beach. My brother and I had a very happy childhood playing around the fairground, it was in those days a very safe place to be. We lived in a company house on Rhych Point, our neighbours were the Palmers, Nelly and Noah and their sons and their wives, Basil and Margaret and Noah and ...see more
My Gt Grandfather John Godfrey had Park House, Carlton, built for his family in the early 1900's. The house was on the corner of Main Street and Burton Road. After John died in 1921 my Gt Grandmother lived there for a few years before moving to a smaller house. Park House eventually became a Clinic and in more recent years it was knocked down and a new Health Centre stands in its place. The ...see more
We didn't have modern technology, it wasn't invented then anyway when arriving at our village school to learn our lessons each day. We didn't need endless classrooms with miles of corridor to walk, just a desk facing the teacher, a blackboard and some chalk. Each morning we'd chant the times tables and have a spelling test. There was art and nature study, science, history and the rest. Being ...see more
My nana, Marian Morris (then Thomas), was from Aberfan and was born in 1930. Her father also lived in May Road, Aberfan his name was William T Morris his sister was Hilda, their mum and dad Archer and Mary Jane Morris. If anyone has any info on them, I'd love it. Thank you, Lisa York
Does anybody have pictures of the old white building which was Bristol Street Motors, Bromley please? I have the clock movement and would like pictures of how the front of the building looked so I can build a new dial that looks like it. It was12 blue stones / jewels lit up, with hands that lit up as well. regards Gordon
I was also at the convent in Dovercourt and think I remember Rita and Mary Kelly. I remember the flood and the statues in the chapel looking very freaky as the water had washed the plaster away leaving spiky metal fingers showing. After the flood I was sent to Sandrock Hall in Hastings where I was beyond miserable. My maiden name was Godfrey,
Was Sgt Barraclough an instructor in the teleprinter and tape-relay sections - who lived just across the road in the married quarters? (name rings bell ) but it was a long time ago - 1957
Yes. Compton Bassett = great memories I was stationed a the RAF base there - No. 3 School of Radio Training- had many a walk over the hill to the chalk white horse - about half a mile from the camp in the spring/summer of 1957. The camp was located just off the main Rd - and at the beginning of the lane that goes further down to the village - (I have quite a few photos of it) - it covered a large area, it has now reverted back to farm land. A beautiful and magical part of England.
I believe the Mini Van parked by the clock tower belonged to my auntie, Masie Hockaday, who owned the Thicket Cottage Riding Stables in Houghton. She bought one of the first Minis off the production line. It was pale green and used to attract attention where ever it went. I remember going to Wicksteed Park in it when I was about 10. It was very cramped in the back and the highlight of my day ...see more
I was born on this road in 1957 at number 21 and well remember it looking like this for years as my friends and I grew up here. There were no hedges, or very few then, and I still remember the concrete posts with two strands of galvanised wire strung between them to mark boundaries of gardens and paths. The scene depicted here has changed so much that there is not enough space to tell of all of them, most of the houses ...see more
Every Tuesday lunch time I went to the market held in the Market Place. At that time animals, with the exception of fully grown cattle, were sold in the Market Place. I remember, on a hot summer day, seeing several escaped pigs being chased straight through the Westminister Bank and onto Minister Street. It was common to see men with sticks trying to knock chickens, which had escaped from cages, out of the ...see more
Not sure if the year is right, could be earlier, but I took part in the Go as you Please competitions held in Letham Glen, and won nearly every time, my prize - a free ticket into the Troxy Cinema, it was great!! The pianist at the time was Ella Lowe, she played for all the artists, I think her married name was Taylor, her husband had something to do with Leven Toon Council. They had two sons, I think one was Morris ...see more
My parents moved to Bognor in 1961 when I was 14. I remember when half of the pier was washed away after a terrible winter storm. The beach was piled with wood from it and it all disappeared in a day! Bognor was left with just a pier head and a short jetty that led nowhere. I don't think they've ever rebuilt it.
Our precious daughter was born here February 13, 1975. This hospital and the entire staff of the NICU were responsible for her survival. She was born weighing three and a half pounds. Only due to their skilled and continued perseverance at her birth did she survive. Today she has become a surgeon, and is giving back for all that was given to her. We, as parents, will always hold this hospital, and the undying ...see more
Hello Mellissa How lovely to receive your message and memories of Country Riding stables. It would just be amazing to meet up with people who rode with us. I too have been back to visit the property and it broke my heart when I could not find it. I think it is now under the new dual carriage way to Bordan. I have a lovely photo album of most of the ponies we had and so many fantastic memories. unfortunately I do not ...see more
Yup well recall Smiffy treated us boys of St Helena on the skive.... with considerable contempt..... recall his "floating" marathoons spread eagled in the deep end.
Around the late 50's/early 60's I was at Pilgrims Wood with my two sisters, Patricia and Mary. It is and will always be a lasting memory of both our arrival and our departure. We came from a loving but dysfunctional family that grew in size each year with additional children. We had never known structure and order within our lives and found even the smallest thing so very daunting and frightening. ...see more
I was born at 1 Donaldson Road. My dad was John White a marvelous singer, he worked at Haigs Distillery, Cameron Bridge for 46 years. My elder brother was Ron White. I played in the Methillhill Pipe Band in 1946, with Pipe Major Jock Stewart at the helm we won the Daily Record shield. The Methill Museum (great place) has a photo of the band just after the win. The picture was taken outside the Toll Bar Hotel beside ...see more
I recall well, nights out at the Plough and Harrow pub and the Oak too. Lots of great times there. My father was a HGV driver for a haulage company called A M garage, it was based down the end of Elliot Road, right at the back of Selly Oak hospital. I worked there briefly too making packing crates for shock absorbers that the company delivered around the UK car factories. I think it was work for Burmans or was ...see more
I was born in 1943 at number 9 Dukes Crescent, Edlington. In 1953 my family moved to 33 Clark Avenue, Hill Top. This was the year I was 11 yrs old and I went to Hill Top School for girls. Most of my mother's siblings also lived at Hill Top; 2 of her sisters lived at numbers 38 and 40 Tait Avenue, my maternal grandparents lived at 15 Dukes Crescent. I loved school and I have many happy memories of my years ...see more
My gran, DOROTHY AYRES lived in Byfield for alot of years till recently, due to ill health. My memories of stopping there in summer holidays are great. Boddington Road was a funny road, busy but not busy. I remember the person who had the budgies at the top of the road, used to spend ages watching them.
My Memory is of the Kerry Arms Hotel between 1972 to 1979. My parents were the Manager and Manageress and I was the oldest of 4. I was 6 when we moved there. My Sister Gail and I went to a little school around the corner called St Peters. It was an all girls school and I loved it. We were all certain that the hotel was haunted by a ghost (who we named Percy) we would hear lots of strange tales of things that occurred. Passed ...see more
Although very young at the time, about three, I spent several years during the war in Great Oxendon, living at The Cot which was owned by a Mrs Bland, opposite the village school where my aunt, Miss M Pressley was one of the two school teachers. She was also the housekeeper to Mrs Bland, an elderly lady with two sons, one of whom was in the RAF. I went to school every day and was in the class for the young children, ...see more
My memories of Beeford follow those of Ms Smith, as my husband and I were owners of Beeford Village Stores from 1986 to 1992. We had to replace the roof due to woodworm. We had only lived there a few weeks when Beeford was cut off by a severe snow storm, and snowploughs came to clear the roads. Another event I remember was an auction of furnishings from the Ship Inn, which had been purchased as a private home. In ...see more
I think it was Colin who remembered that the 118 bus went from Clapham Common to the Cricketers. Well, Colin (or whoever it was), it went all the way to Raynes Park. I lived in Meopham Road, Mitcham, the upper part of which ran alongside the grounds of the South London Crematorium and cemetery. We always caught the 118 outside the florist shop at the top of the road and on various occasions, I have travelled both to Clapham Common and to Raynes Park. Douglas F. Tunbridge (Revd.)
I recall Hides Department Store and a box of soft toy rabbits for sale. Jacksons Stores (the supermarket) and poking a bag of rice causing the whole stack to collapse to the floor accidentally as a child. The pub 'The Rose' perhaps is /was its name which had a wooden barrel outside which my father reminded me to kick each time we passed, as I had done first. Going to the cinema with my auntie Sesie, ...see more
As children we spent hours fishing for sticklebacks in these lakes. Armed with a jam jar with a bit of string for a handle and a fishing net made from a bamboo stick with a loop of wire and one of mum's old stockings, we had a great time. There was a little island in one of the lakes which provided the setting for many adventures.
I married Timothy Sharp in this church on 28th November 1964. Robin Fielder was our Best Man and Lynda Gurton was bridesmaid.
'Uncle' Dougie Campbell was the baker at the Co op in the square, and 'Aunt' Agnes was a waitress in the restuarant. My mum and dad, Neil and Etta Barr, my sister Ann and I spent many holidays and weekends up from Glasgow visiting with them. We would arrive and go straight down to the basement bakery to see Dougie. There was a strong smell of dough and flour was ...see more
I was put in St Marys along with my two sisters, Betty & Maureen Killin. Our mum & dad separated so our mum put all my brothers away & an older sister; she was put elsewhere, none of us saw our older sister until she was 60 years old. Me & my other two sisters never really knew our brothers. I was 6 months old when I was put in there. Some of the nuns were nice, but most of them were evil, ...see more
Does anyone have any info on what ever happened to Little Oakleigh Cottages, as there was meant to be two?? I live in Oakleigh Farm House now, and also wondered if anyone has any info on Mr Charles Lake. We have photos whch I can upload later!
Now known at St Lukes hospital, I worked there from 1965-1977. It has seen many changes.
My grandparents, Stanley Lvingstone Allen & May Winefred Allen lived at Ty Rhewyn on the mountain near the gamekeepers lodge. Any pictures of the old house please? You had to walk up three fields to get to the old house (now a load of stones). They moved to Penycae in the 60's to live in Afoneitha. We used to walk to the well for the water and had to carry all the goods up two fields from the lower road, ...see more
I lived in this part of Woodingdean from 1955 until 1960 and the general area was known as Warren Farm, presumably after a farm which had once existed here. The main road was thus Warren Road. Woodingdean was a strange place for a youngster like myself - I was 11 years old in 1955. The town, and actually it was hardly that, was a relatively isolated suburb of Brighton, and only really came to life after the enormous development of South Woodingdean began in the 1960's.
I've just read John Holmes' account of the early days in West Gorton. I went to St Marks from 1955 to 1960. I remember Mr Platt in the same way as most. I remember being smacked across the head for passing my 11 plus. I must admit it was a surprise to me as well. There are two names I remember of people who were in my class, a girl called Susan Yarwood, I think she lived on Margaret Street and Peter Frost who lived on ...see more
This was a brilliant hospital to work in. I remember Sister Davis (home sister) then ward sisters were Sister Bungay Mens ward called Perkins. Rudolph ward was post ops. Beatrix was childrens I think. Can`t recall the name of the women's ward at the top of the ramp, where I think Sister Lemon was in charge, and there was also another smaller womens ward with an older very efficient sister. The theatre was run under a ...see more
Southend carnivals were always a wonderful attraction and Mrs Olley, then 22 years old, remembers boarding HMS HOOD on it's visit to the town in 1932.
Adams had a poultry farm in Duck Pond Lane (left hand side of Sainsburys). They lived in a big grand house at the bottom of Woodchurch Lane; it fronted onto Prenton Road West. There was a plaque on the outhouse door relating to Whartons the butchers (no relation to me). Reg and Freda Hinton went to lodge there for a while, ironic, as Reg Hinton was also a butcher with his shop in Grange Road ...see more
Fond memories of the George, Saturday night meeting place when we would frequent the Palm Court Lounge with mirrored walls and a Grand piano at the end of the room with a man named 'Tinkler' ... believe it or not!!!! playing tunes of the day. As you entered the hotel there were glass cases displaying jewellery and fashion items. The basement was a 'men only' bar that us ladies always wondered what they did down ...see more
I took part in a Salford Pageant, part of a dancing troop performing D' ye ken John Peel. I also remember the Black Americans being garrisoned on the same Race course and I couldn't understand why, they were very polite and kind. Spending Scool holidays queuing for onions and anything else in short supply. Chasing cotton balls up the road and collecting Shrapnel .What would todays techno kids think of that?
I remember so much of my childhood in Brentford, mostly from the early 50s to mid-60s. Alfie Winkworth mentions the Pottery Arms pub where the landlords were sisters Wyn and Cissie and the Harry Matheson he mentions was actually married to one of the sisters. The shop mentioned on one of the corners of Harnage Road was a kind of grocery store that sold almost anything, from radio accumulators to ...see more
My grandparents lived on the top of the hill near to the pylon. Granddad was away fighting the war with the Royal Navy, and my Gran and mum, Valerie, toughed out the war here (Coniston Road). The air raid shelter later turned into an ornamental pond. There were antiaircraft guns at the end of their garden, on the banks; later, after the war, flats were built there (being replaced back in the 80’s I think). Bursted ...see more