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.
Search for Local Memories
Search for your favourite UK places and read memories of the local area in days gone by.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
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!
Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.
Subscribe
Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Displaying Memories 1601 - 1680 of 36950 in total
I left the School in the Summer of 1957 - does anyone remember Rosemary and Colin?
We went to see the Opera 'Madam Butterfly' in London. Carol Storey
I was there 1955 to 1997, apart from trips to Locking, and a final posting to the Shetlands, but RAF Sopley was brilliant.
I was a radar mechanic/fitter on the Radar Office consoles in the bunker.
When I first went in 1955 it had not been open very long, still had the old Type7 in the field, some Type 13s height finder and 14 for location, and still had a canberra aircraft for calibration.
I remember going to the 7 ...see more
The 164a bus used to go behind the war memorial on its return journey to Tattenham corner, and if you were sitting upstairs you could view the lovely house and garden behind the brick wall. On the way to Morden on the outward journey and on the opposite side corner stood a grocers shop and the bus always had to mount the curb to get round.
We then travelled on to the roundabout near Greenacres School and Banstead Downs. then on to Sutton.
For some time back in the late '70's/early '80's I used to ride my motorbike from Worcester to visit my then girlfriend, Judith, at Sawtry. She had a post as a teacher at the village school. Used to love the ride over there on a sunny, summer Friday afternoon, along the A & B roads.
As a small village can be nosey, we rarely visited the local pubs, more often going into Huntingdon. What the parents of her ...see more
My great aunt had some fine laburnum chairs made from wood chosen by one of her relations who was a forester based at Rossie Priory about 1800. His name was Thom (or Thoms). Does anyone one know anything about this man?
I left Boston when I was 2 or 3 back in 1945/46 but have been back several times mainly to visit St. Nicholas Church Fishtoft Road where, my mother Doreen Denis Deakin was married to Charles Eric Dann, I was baptized and my Gransfather, the late Dock and Harbour Master, Capt. Charles A. Deakin is buried with his wife Lillie (Booth) Deakin. I was born in a house called Romanica next door to my Grandparents home, ...see more
HI I am trying to track down a lady who had a baby here in 1953. The mothers name was Margaret Cook. I'm afraid I don't have much else to go on. She had a little girl in June 1953. The little girl was adopted in 1956 but I'm unsure whether she was with Margaret for this period or in foster care. The little girl was called Janet. I am looking on behalf of Janet's daughter,
Many thanks
Donna
Mr Wolfe owned the butchers shop in Huntingdon. I learnt years later that he spoke up for a member of our family when needed otherwise our lives may have been very different. He was such a generous man, I was about 8 when I would shop for my great Auntie and Mr Wolfe would give me some chocolate squares from a large bar that he kept under the counter and would send some sausages for my Great auntie some 50 ...see more
My Great Grandfather Thomas McAusland from Edinburgh, a printer compositor, came to live in Boston Street, Hyde around 1900 and stayed for about 5 years before returning to Edinburgh. Does anyone know if the houses in Boston Street date back to 1900 or has the street been rebuilt. Also would there have been printing works in Hyde, or would he have had to travel into the likes of Manchester for work?
Grateful for any reminiscences.
in 1961, I started full-time employment as a trainee motor fitter at 584 garage on kingsbury circle (15 years old, I had left claremont secondary school the previous week)
among the workshop staff were Frank unremembered surname), - the first mechanic i worked with, Ken Darvill, Sid Curtis Steve Jones, Percy Pershad, William (bill) Dennis and Richard Rust,( who aroused my interest in Volkswagons). ...see more
I remember the Portman. Very polite helpful staff. Used to pop over from Heathrow to open up bonds with very good interest. It all seems like a dream now!
Hi,
My name is Tony Johnson. I went to the C of E school in the 1950s. ! lived in Thompson Avenue, my dad drove Ribble buses, before he moved to working for Suttons of St Helens- on long distance lorries. Two more names for you. Mr Tinsley, who taught us football and cricket, and my class teacher, Mrs Ellis, if I remember right, who was a wonderful inspirational teacher. We learnt even at a young age about ancient ...see more
This is actually High St., Langley...my father's shop, R. Chilton, Watch Repairer and jeweller, is visible on the right hand side of the road. We left in 1972, and the house was demolished. A chapel now stands where it stood.
Thank you for this information - I have forwarded your comments to our archivist to confirm and then update our archive. Ed.
I have read through all of the memories and no one has mentioned the dairy where for 6d you could buy a lovely ice-cream, not like the sickly ice-cream you buy today. The butchers shop was on the end then the grocers which became a supermarket and between that and the large wool shop was the dairy. I think it was called Williams the dairy. The other wool shop near to Bassnetts the newsagent had a bay window just like the ones you see on old fashioned looking Christmas cards
my grandmother was born in Chudliegh one of fourteen children her name was louie potter she died when I was very young a long time ago ,but my mother went to Chudliegh lots of times while we were holidaying in Torquay with my aunt and uncle my aunt was born in chudliegh her name was betsy potter. I loved going to visit relatives in Chudliegh . my grandmother came to wales as a young married woman to visit her ...see more
I was also born in Park Royal in 1948 and lived in 32 Crownhill Road Harlesden and went to the school in Crownhill Road so we must have met . Happy and poor times alghough it has changed a lot now I will never forget my roots .You can take the boy out if London .but never the London out of the boy Alan Collins
I was born in a little house adjoining the Ostrich Inn in Colnbrook in 1938 my Father was a pastry cook confectioner who worked at Gilsons bakery at the end of the high street was previously called Wellers. I arrived in the front room before the midwife arrived, next door was a small shoe shop. I went to the local village school until I was 12 then on a scholarship to Slough technical college. Our house was very old we had ...see more
Hi. I lived in Longley Road, Tooting opposite the bus station at the Tooting Junction end of Longley Road from 1950.
We lived in a flat above Cussons grocery store until the site was bought and demolished by the council, for houses in the 1970's.
As well as groceries they also had a meat counter. For many years they employed a grocer's boy with a black bike and large wicker basket to deliver ...see more
My dad grew up on Saxon road and went to school in southall his name was Tom Maguire anyone grow up around Southall at the same time or remember him? He use to do boxing I would like to find out the name of the boxing club around that time if anyone remembers it? Thank you :)
Givons Grove was owned between 1859 and 1865 by my great grand uncle by marriage Duncan Fletcher, He was born in Glen Orchy, Argyll, the son of a farmer. He was sent to Glasgow in to business from where he went to Hong Kong in the early days of the colony where he was in business. After retiring from Hong Kong he returned to Scotland and took on the tenancy of Glenaros Estate (also called Achadashenaig) ...see more
Does anybody have any info on George Holden Dance classes in Lewisham, after the war?
This is where my mum and dad met and I'd love to see if anyone can add anything to it?
Any pictures?
Even an address where they were held?
Was it live music, or records?
Which would've been 78s in those days
Many thanks
Rob
My dad (Brian Gray) moved us down form Manchester in Feb. 1964 to open a new pharmacy on the 'new' High Street.
We lived upstairs in flat 111 (I think!) and while mum (Margaret Gray) helped dad start the shop, my sister Rona (5 at that time) went to the C of E infant school (near Parish Church) and I being 3 was farmed out to a friend (Dot Large) in an old (and supposedly haunted) 17th century ...see more
My first job when I was 15 was in Silverthorn Telephone Exchange. I remember, when I went to the Telephone Managers Office for my interview. I had wanted to work in Directory Enquiries but was told that although I spoke well and passed the hearing and writing tests I had a regional accent and would not be able to get a position in central London. It’s not as if I spoke cockney and mum ...see more
Hi, I lived at No 5 Beverley Road from 1955 until 1973. I attended Clifton Road School from 1955 until 1958 when I then went to Featherstone Secondary Boys School until I left in 1963. I then worked as an apprentice at AEC from 1963 and studied for my HND/College Diploma at Southall Tech. Left AEC in 1973 when we got married and now live in Bedfordshire. Great time growing up in Southall and hope to catch up ...see more
Whatever happened to Mr Chips Chippy ?.
Had many an enjoyable meal from there 37 years ago when I worked in Knutsford. It was a very good chip shop.
How time flies.
I loved the walk into Crayford High Street at the walk at back way - it was so nice as a child, not built on. Went back years later, sorry to say ruined, but I do have a memory of the swan getting shot, it was a big shock to all. Not much has changed really. I remember what we called the flea house - only place in Crayford, my aunt used to, in old times, work at this place, and yelling when the film broke lol. I used to ...see more
I was born into a family called Burns, Mother's name Dorothy, Father's name Leslie. They was a hard working family with two daughters Margaret and Patricia then there was three boys, Robert, Stephen and . for me it was a place that we could play hide and seek in safety the Ickenham sign board was the boundary at ether end of the village the days we would ride our bikes as fast as we can down through cockwood just to ...see more
This photo is looking towards the 1890 view of the snuff mills and the end of Bridges Lane. The footpath on the right connected to Beddington Lane and was our route to the park as children. The wall on the right was pock marked with scoured out dents created by twisting pennies or half pennies into the old brickwork something that could be seen all the way to the park particularly in the Tudor wall around Carew ...see more
If you wanted to have your name in the Chingford guardian you would brave a visit to Larkswood pool on the first day of the season, which was usually early May. My friend Julia Bruns and myself got our names in the paper that way but boy was it cold.I remember we used to buy a hot drink from the cafe which consisted of an oxo cube in hot water, anyone else remember that drink? To think of it now makes me feel sick ...see more
Our Barge King Edward V11, was moored at The Lock Waltham Abbey C 1954 I was 14 years old. I loved the mooring and used to go often to the Cinema's in Waltham x. I became a member of the Drama Group in the Abbey. One Sunday I saw a beautiful girl standing on the steps of the cinema in Waltham Cross, with her friend. I walked up the steps, took her in my arms and kissed her on the lips. I then turned away and walked ...see more
Interesting to read Moira’s memory of Newton Aycliffe. I recognised your name straight away as my mother often talked about her McCormick nephews and nieces. I too spent a lot of time with Aunty Celia and Uncle Fred but I am Terence’s cousin not his son! My mother was Milly.
Robin Lenaghan
MRS BROWN'S SCHOOL WAS LIKE A DAME SCHOOL: YOUNG CHILDREN USED TO GO TO DAME SCHOOLS FOR CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION BEFORE GOING TO SCHOOL BECAME COMPULSORY IN THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY. MRS. BROWN WAS LIKE A KIND VICTORIAN GOVERNESS
I was at Mrs. Brown's School in South Rise Carshalton from 1962 to 1965. I was there between the ages of five years and eight years old. ...see more
I have family who lived in a house called Wembley at Marchwood during the war and the family surname was Churchill the family story goes that the daughter called Lizzy was aledged to be a bit simple was left in charge by her mother Kate of younger siblings because the children were bored Lizzy gave the children a box of matches to play with and the thatch caught fire and the house burnt down any truthful information on these events would be gratefully received
The shop on the left corner is L Gardners -- newsagent and sweet shop. I marked up the morning paper rounds in 1965 and 66, then did my own round to finish about 8am. I got an extra 5 shillings for doing the extra round - making 15 bob a week. Great shop though, got my Wizard, Hotspur and Victor there -- they even had War Picture Library.
But I did nick the occasional coconut macaroon when I came out from behind the ...see more
I was born in 1938 and my maternal grandparents lived in a tiny shop on Havant Road, Cosham. I remember I used to write to them occasionally which is how I remember the address. I can't ,though, recall the number. Their name was Owen. I know that when my mother and I travelled on the No. 31 bus from Fishbourne to visit them my mother always gave the destination as "The Red Lion" and I do recall that the ...see more
My parents and I moved to Swindon in 1961 from Edmonton, London to a brand new three bedroom house ( think). My father worked at Pressed Steel were they made car body panels for Austin, and Morris, and I used to cycle halfway to the factory to meet him from work. I can well remember the bad winter of 1962/63, with snow till March. My mother was stuck in Princess Margarets Hospital, ( I think it was), having given birth ...see more
I was born in Louis Margaret’s Hospital in 1963. My dad was in 3 para, James Bruton nickname BUTCH. I had a serious burn on my hand whilst living in Macadam Square, not sure of number. I think at the time of my accident, my dad might of been abroad, I think another soldiers wife helped my mum Marlene get me to hospital, I believe her name was Sheila Gordon. Wondered if anyone new her or if she had children. Be good to thank someone related to Sheila after all this time. My name is Lee Bruton
My husband's uncle was Robert Affleck and we believe he was headmaster of the school. Is there anyone who remembers him, please?
Born in Avonmouth in 1931 my earliest memories are living in Hallen and collecting firewood at a pub being demolished in the village, there was a military camp nearby protecting a substantial underground fuel tank storage site. Next we moved to Ison Hill where several other family members had neighbouring council houses, on warning of air raids my parents would drive the family in an Austin 7 to Blaise castle and join ...see more
Sat Mar 20th 2021, at 3:22 pm
Peter Tuthill commented:
Yes, thanks for the photo of Smuggler's Cottage. It was criminal,wanton destruction to demolish it and throw up those totally characterless boxes. How planning permission was ever granted will be for ever questionable.
I am am sorry Christopher Rollins, your parents did not sell up Smuggler's Cottage as it was not theirs to sell. They were friends of ...see more
My entry is not really a memory but a current experience and I would love to know anything about the History of Turbary Common other than the very little that is available on Bournemouth Council information sites.
I discovered Turbary Common/Park during the second Covid restriction period of 2019. It is a wonderful place and surprising to discover a SSSI in the middle of such built up areas. Thank goodness ...see more
Hello I have a photo of a shop called Creek Road Trading Post in Creek Road in the late 1980s it sold jewellery, beers wines and spirits, it looks like there is a garage and petrol station next door. I cant find it on the google maps does anybody know where it was please?
Thank you
Mike
Does anyone remember the gown shop Anne Forsyths” on the high street in the 50,s ? I used to work there. There was an opticians on the opposite of the road and also Swinton Woods the photographers.
Loved going to the Toddle Inn.
My great grandparents lived in Yardlrys Entry, Horsefair, Rugeley. I know this as it is on my grandfather's birth certificate - Alfred Johnson. In 1919 he was a Corporal in the i/6 north staffs regiment 240380. He had been in France but must have had some leave spring 1918 as Arthur was born Jan 1919! He had been a coal miner. Once home they had a few more - making 13! I think he was very lucky to have come through it ...see more
In my book I write about my experience with the cold, harsh nuns. Not a nice place for me and many others.
This view from Plough Lane bridge was a daily sight for me and my 2 brothers and sister as we walked or later cycled home to Beddington from Highview school. [Another of Friths postcard shots]. The primary school was beyond the secondary school in the that shot. At the Beddington end of Plough Lane after hurriedly passing the cemetery --always haunted in our imaginations, was The Broadway [subject of yet more ...see more
I was with a group of 8 friends who walked the Cleveland Way some years ago in June. Unfortunately, it was the wettest June for years! The plan that day was to walk from Runswick Bay to Whitby, some 8 miles. We had booked to stay at the Youth Hostel in Whitby for the night.
We walked in the pouring rain down onto the beach at Runswick Bay, only to encounter several deep channels of water, which ran from ...see more
When I was 10 or eleven I had a paper round and my first paper had to be delivered to the post office shown by
6:00 am. to catch the mail.
The news agent was just opposite the recreation ground where Chobham Football club played. My brother and I both played for the club.
I was married in St Lawrence Church in 1962.
Happy memories
Dave Hewson
I have one lasting memory of that lovely village. In or around 1967, as an 18 yr old, I worked for a shopfitting company from Southend, Essex, The had the contract to fit out the entire chemists shop in Church St (I think) At the Factory in Hockley, where I worked, the units were made to specification and I was chosen to come out and assist with the fitting of them.
The job was a two ...see more
My great friend Mr Vernon Blyth passed away in 2017 (Vernon Frederick Raymond Blyth 15/02/28- 31/01/17). In the year prior to Vernon’s death, I made a short video with him. In this he relates being evacuated from London to Braughing to stay with his ‘Aunt Madge (who I believe was married to Henry Clarke) during the Second World War. As an evacuee Vernon worked on a farm (Cox’s Orange ...see more
In 1962-3 I rented a bed-sit in Hughenden Road Clifton for my final year at Bristol Uni. Shared with another chap, also a student. The winter was the year when snow seemed to fall over many nights, the pavements were very slippery with much ice, but the roads were kept fairly clear so that buses and other traffic could travel. The house was large and probably of the Victorian era. Fortunately the water pipes inside ...see more
Hello All,
I am researching my ancestry on my late fathers side.
I have very little information to go on but do know he did at some point live in the area,he was buried in Lewes but to my knowledge only lived there for a few years before passing away in 2014.
I believe he may have had some connection to the area before this time. Any time between 1950’s and 2014
If anyone should recognise his name ...see more
Loved the Saturday market,lived at Burtonwood in the 60s.my brother lived in Earlstown when first married.I bought a wedding outfit from a smal! boutique there. Nice people and nice shops.
Does anyone remember Mario's restaurant in Cranbrook Road. Opposite Valentine's? park
I lived in Elm Park Avenue and was brought up there with my two older sisters. In the 1950's you knew everyone along the street my end. We spent a lot of time in Harrow Lodge Park, jumping across streams and climbing the sewage pipes making sure we never fell into the stinging nettles or swamp. I went to Benhurst Primary School and do not have good memories of it as I got older. Often i was I was slapped on ...see more
I was born in Banstead in 1940. My mum took us on the 80 bus to Burgh Heath pond, where we tried to reach the island . As a teenager I had a girl friend in Somerfield Close. It wasn't Heather. We went swimming at the Galleon and Sugar Bowl. Her family owned the caravan park at Box hill where there was another swimming pool. Sometimes we caught the Green Line bus 711 as a special treat because it was ...see more
I do not have any memories of Royston, I have been doing my family tree and find I have a few relatives from there, In 1871 my Great Great Great grandfather Whitaker lived there his son my great Great Grandfather married into another family named Proctor.
I have been trying to find out things about them , burials, whereabouts they lived , what they did and a history of what Royston was like back then .
I do have ...see more
I am writing here to add a kind of memory, but also to ask for any information about a certain family connection to Askett.
In January 1941 in Fulham, London, my mum's mother Ivy Shaw, died as a result of falling down the stairs during the blackout. My mum Jill Shaw, was only 16 months old at the time and was almost immediately given into the care of Miss Woods of Forbear House, Askett, Princes Risborough by her ...see more
Was posted to camp in 1954 and demobbed in 1957.Was called up for National service but the CO persuaded you to sign on as a regular and you got 28 days leave.Probably nowadays they would be Court Marshalled for suggesting that.
Vividly remember the daily trips to Cambridge to work at the A vehicle depot which was to supply the Army with all types of vehicles and it was freezing cold laying on the floor of the ...see more
My Grandparents Wilfred and Dinah Newton ran the Black Lion pub in the 1960s, I believe, although I do not remember going there. But what I do remember as a 3 or 4 year old is going for a walk with my grandfather and him showing me the water running down a hidden stream in the street. He lifted up a round wooden lid and there was the water rushing by. This probably no longer exists and is ...see more
Lampton park was my playground up to age 9. In late spring I raided the crab apple trees and kept an eye open for Shorty the park keeper. Also raided the pond for newts.
I was born,educated in Sutton.Born in Bold Road, attended Sutton National School and Herbert Street Independent Methodist Chapel.Maiden name Sankey.I had 2 brothers and 2 sisters but none of us live in Sutton now.Good childhood memories.
Hi Terrence I remember when you were born I have fond memories of living with your gran and grandad your mum took me to school on my first day I Ali remember your cousin David and auntie Alma I’m sure you may have photos when you were a baby I am probably in some of them I hope you are well I visited your gran years ago and your mum told me you were married and had a family Brenda Omullane (moss)
We moved to Eastry when I was 2...now 60 years ago ....We lived in the house on the Premiere Garage High Street which was over the road from the newsagents called Bickers. As kids we played in the wood of Boystown behind the garage. Premiere garage was a weird set-up. In the forecourt there were 2 petrol pumps.Behind then was a big building .The first part of the building was like a parts and accessories shop with a ...see more
I spent my national service 1955/1956 in nearby RAF BOULMER and though many years have passed since i still recall very happy memories of days and nights in Alnwick and of the people there who were some of the nicest friendly people i have ever met before or since.My most vivid memories, seeing i was only 18years old at the time,were of the numerous amount of pubs that could be frequented and i can also bring to mind ...see more
I lived in Langdale Gardens. From 1950 to 1963 then got married and moved away, went to Ayloff school then to Sutton’s secondary. As teenagers we used to drink at Hornchurch pub and a disco round the corner. Sometimes me and my next door neighbour Kenneth Walker used to go up Soho London to the two eyes and Heaven and hell bars.
Lots of fun them days growing up in the 60s...
Mike cole
I have many memorys of lingfield from walking home through jenners field in deep snow from school to falling in the pond !!!! Shame the school has gone now though .. would cut through the graveyard down the steps across the road up the twitten in to jenners then walk on to cold harbour and common road ...home !!!!happy days
As a young lad, living in Shepton Mallet, I used to eagerly await my older brother's visits at weekends. Saturdays would often involve a walk to Wells & a matinee at the Regal. If there wasn't a film on we wanted - or I was old enough to see - we'd usually go for a long walk.
I was tremendously excited to hear we were going to see a real castle!
At my young age I imagined something like the medieval ones ...see more
I was sick with Chickenpox that Saturday when the bomb fell on the cinema.
I stood p to look out of the window to see the smoke.
I was at Aston House school 1943 to 1948
I started writng memoirs for my children
Remembered the Miss Holts
Anyone else who was there at that time/
The first twenty five years of my life were lived in Bakerdale Road, but during the war years when toys were hard to come by, my mother would buy me Dinky toys from Harry Rutherfords on Burton Road when he managed to obtain some My father worked with Douglas Godfrey and used to garage his van at Aileen Godfrey's stables. When I married, I moved into Park Ave (a neighbour of Alan Broadhurst) ...see more
I rember all the boys and paul hastings lived in Lindsey road until 1968
We moved here in 1976 and it was known as the Rochester Estate although some people still referred to them as ''THE DWELLINGS'' .I think they had been recently updated and they were trying to change the image. Consequently the block letters had been changed to place names which were all towns in Kent. For example Block D became Dartford House, Block G Gillingham House etc.
We lived in number 1 which was a one ...see more
I lived in Lindsey road and went to the school 1950 till 1963 I rember going to show at the winding way social barking and dagenham lidos
I lived in Lindsey road in the 50s and 60s
I started at Stanhope infants in 1950, continued through the juniors and left the fifth year of the senior school in 1961. Is there anybody out there who was at Stanhope the same years as me ??
Eddy Davis.
Hi all, I attended the convent from 1956 to 1959 and my Christian name then was Joseph. How well I remember Strs Annunciata, Bonaventure, Ignatius, and Claire. Annunciata (the 'farter' as we called her behind her back) was a little too strict for the boys liking as she was in charge of the boys' section. Strs Ignatius, Claire, and Bonaventure were very warm loving characters. Str. Bonaventure and I had one thing ...see more
The one at the very end, on the right in the photo is where we used to stay
Hi don’t know if anyone remembers me but I was in long house in the late 70s early 80s.
I remeber staff called Bruce and bev.
Nicola Hulbert
My father was born here and I have many relatives buried in the graveyard at Capel Ifan. I like to visit and spend time remembering, imaging them.
As a child we visited every year staying with family. Jack Henry's small shop with its goody bags, Emlyn's Emporium where he sold clothes. The British Legion (the old cinema where my aunt had worked) was where I quite likely supped my first beer - now a CKs supermarket.
My ...see more