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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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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Displaying Memories 22801 - 22880 of 36892 in total
I was born in Great Bridge when it was a thriving centre. One could get absolutely anything there, from wet fish, tailored suits to model aeroplanes! I attended Tipton Grammar School, from 1962 to 67- which I hated. I remember a totally different Tipton from my youth - it always has been a poor area, but life was so much more pleasant in those days. Nowadays, all there seems to be are feral kids, takeaways and acres of one bedroomed flats. My best memories are of the people of the area.
Born in Windsor Road 1954 and lived at 99. Very good childhood memories of Werneth Oldham Chadderton and Royton.
I moved to Matching Green in 1944. My mother, Gladys Hoxley (nee Curry), ran the village store, called "the Stores" which had previously been run by my grandfather and grandmother, Ernest and Edith Curry. It was lovely with a large orchard full of fruit trees and a stream running through. My paternal grandfather (Henry Hoxley) helped my mother with the shop and I remember the farm workers coming in ...see more
I moved to Houghton Regis with my family in 1969 aged 6. Although my memories are not of Tithe Farm Road, I lived very close in Drury Lane from age 6 to 20, when I left for the Isle of Wight. My childhood there becomes more and more a fond memory, the older I get. What seemed to be nothing special at the time,now is a very special memory. I seem to have spent most of my time on the green playing football, cricket ...see more
My family lived in Stanner House, a lovely old house in Clara Vale from 1952 until 1964 - my parents moved there shortly after they got married in 1951. I was born in 1958 and can remember the house as if it was yesterday. In the 1800's it had been a farmhouse with fields surrounding it and there were no other houses for miles around. At some point the farm house was split into two houses and we lived in the bigger of the ...see more
My sister Pat and I went to Pendeen school - Miss Harris was the head teacher until Miss Boniface took over. Our grandparents lived in the house behind and above the National Provincial Bank on the corner of Hambledon Road. I was born in a house on the Hambledon Road just outside of Waterlooville. There was a large Municipal Restaurant behind the Curzon Cinema. One of my class mates was Hilary Goddard whose ...see more
Memories for Wrottesley Park...The glorious days of our lives
I was born in 1953, my parents came over after the Second World War. There was a little community of foreigners. Our family's name was Cozubovski, there was Dad, Mom, and the three children, Tom the eldest, Bob the middle one, and George the little one. We went to Christ Church school, on School Road. When I look back at my life ...see more
Very few people realise that there was a RAF Maintenance Camp in Woodcote during and after the Second World War years. There is a comprehensive history of this operational base with archive photos and local oral memories at :-
http://www.mycetes.co.uk/b/index.html
Have a look now before all the old tell tale signs are gone forever as nature reclaims the land back.
It was only two years or so, from 1959-61, aged 6-8, but it still seems as if the happiest period of my childhood in Latimer was one long, endless, glorious summer. My dad was in the army, in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, attached to the Joint Services Staff College there, now Latimer House, the conference centre. I don't know what my dad's job was, but his office, behind the married quarters and since ...see more
My first memory was of being taken to the air raid shelter on Tower Hill from Keith Lucas Road. I was held up as a babe in arms to see the "wee aeroplanes" that were bombing the R.A.E. I saw three "Flying Pencils" [it appears there were four]. After they had bombed the R.A.E. they flew away and attacked Deepcut. I would very much like to know the date of this raid. An earlier raid is documented [not well] but not this one.
I knew Eddie Arrow as a boy, he was a real character, also the pig man, Mr Lunn, and Artie Cook, who used to come round the estate with a horse and cart. I remember Mr.Grenham who had The Alma [now a carpark]. I first went in there aged 14 and asked for a pint. There wasn't a bar, or optics, the beer stood outside on a couple of trestles. He just used to go outside and pour the pint straight from the barrel. Can anyone remember my Grandfather Pop,"Pokey" Dyes?
My great great great grandmother Margaret Wellock was born in this village in 1811. She married Mathew Edward Bywell from Middleham and lived most of her life in West Witton. She later lived in Aysgarth were she died and is buried in the churchyard there. I wonder if there are any Wellocks still living in the village.
My ancestors The Bywells were originally from Wensley in the 1700's and then moved to Middleham and also west Witton. I wonder if any Bywells still live there
My ancestors The Bywells were from Middleham in the 1700's. I wonder if there are any Bywells still living there
My parents moved to Cranford in 1938, I was 3 years old. My dad was a pastrycook / baker and had got a job with a local firm in Cranford across from ‘The Berkeley Arms Hotel’ To the left of the hotel was a cherry orchard. A bakers shop and a hairdressing salon with a two bedroom flat had been built opposite, this was where we lived. The garden was huge, and had 26 fruit trees in the bottom half. My dad was to ...see more
I can remember walking up this lane to my older sister's house on many a freezing cold winter morning at 6 o'clock in the morning as myself and 2 other sisters had to ge the bus to school, but dear Mom had to be in work for 7o'clock, so we stayed at big sister's house. How come I can only remember the horrid mornings, rain, wind, and the horrid snowy days, and so dark as well.
My first visit to South Devon was in 1950 as a teenager. We lived in London but my parents had discovered Salcombe and a boarding house in Devon Road and that is where we spent several consecutive summer holidays. From there we explored the surrounding area including Hope Cove. I fell in love with the area and for a long time thought I would retire in the South Hams district of Devon but it was not to ...see more
Husband and I visiting from Battle Creek, MI USA. Cousin and wife living in Niton and took us all over the Isle. I took a picture in front of the 2 cottages with the church behind them. Your picture of the same site brings back great memories.
My great grandparents were William Davies and Sarah Price, and they married at Gelynos Chapel in 1863. Sarah's father's farm was called Tynmaes, and at Tyllosg and then in Dole House, now called Arosfa. I would love to find anyone to whom this means anything! William & Sarah still lived in Dole House in 1911. I live in New Zealand, but have visited the Town twice. Hopefully, Viv!
Have a cousin who took my husband and I to the Buddle Inn when we visited in 2005. Howard family ate there many times. When we visited again in 2006, cousin Bob had moved to Niton. He probably lives only a mile from the inn. Of course, we went there again and I just sat there, thinking of my relatives being there. I have a lovely picture of the inn to go with my memories.
My mother was one of 13, 2 died in infancy, all born at 28 Dartmoor Street. Have been to the house 3 times, but the street is no longer Dartmoor and I can't find out what the name is now! I took a picture I have of grandparents (Mary and John Howard) and my mother back in the 1920s and stood by their front fence and had my picture taken in the same spot. Awesome feeling!
My mother (Phyllis (Howard) Penn had a brother, Jim, who lived in Chelmsford with wife Phyllis and son Brian. Sadly, I never got to meet my Uncle Jim, as he died before my mother and I made this trip. I was 15 and our visit to his home was short, so never got to see the town.
My grandparents Mary (Westbrook) Howard and John Howard rest in the Hanwell cemetery, along with Mary's parents, buried in the row ahead. It took me one and a half hours to find them, as cousin Robert couldn't remember where they were. I was disappointed not to find the grave of my aunt Kathleen McManus. I came all the way from America to find them.
I was an apprentice in Mr Richard's tailor's shop, Barnstable, horse in window with a man in riding gear. Mr Diamond instructed me, a nice gent. I had to go back to Bradford before my apprenticeship was completed. I have happy memories, go for holidays now. I would like to have a photo of the shop.
I worked in British Home Stores way back from 1959 to 1966, in those days it was at the top of Church Street. I was a supervisor in the clothing department and our manager was Mr Denson, he employed a retired manager to work there for about three months to train me, his name was Mr Morse, he was very tough and precise but I certainly learnt a lot about underwear and clothing, how to work out and order from this ...see more
My great-great-grandmother was from the area, Edith Jackson, 1876. I have traced her family back a little bit further. Mary, Joseph, Agnes and Elizabeth. Edith married James Park and had a son Philip and daughters Mary and Ada.
I would really like to hear from anyone with regard to the above people as I would really like to know a lot more of my ancestors.
I met my wife Lorna on Broadway while she was shopping there with a couple of friends in January 1950. Seeing the picture of Broadway brought back many memories. Our first date we went to the cinema near the Clock Tower and saw 'The Captain and Mrs Muir'. We were married in Dartford in December 1953 and sailed for the USA a few days later and have lived here for the past 58 years. She used to live on The ...see more
I lived with my family, the Widdowsons, at 6 Beck Road South from 1938 to the late 50s. Dad, Douglas, was the Branch Manager at the Co-op at Register Square in town.
I remember playing cricket on Crane Hill with our friends. Because we were not 'professionals' the ball was given a swipe and inevitably ended up in the Beck - all the time. We had an old bucket on a piece of string to fish it out. ...see more
I was born in 1953, my parents came over after the Second World War there was a little community of foreigners. Our family's name was Cozubovski, there was Dad, Mom, and the three children, Tom the eldest, Bob the middle one, and George the little one. We went to Christ Church school, on School Road. When I look back at my life then, it was glorious, I loved it so much. My name is Bob. My, how ...see more
Alice Skelton (3 August 1817 -13 January 1872) born in Snainton, Yorkshire christened at Brompton By Sawdon, York, England. Visited her GGG Grandfather's castle. I would like to join the Skelton family association prior to my visit to the Castle.
My late father, Clement Leslie Chandler, was born at Pontybodkin in 1896. The family home was No 1 The Nant (the house was still standing when I visited in 1996).
Oh my .... my old school, I remember the lane at the side of the school, and remember one day my sister and I decided to walk home (WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD). Our mom was waiting for the bus at other end and you can imagine how worried she was, well you can imagine the reception we got when we arrived in tow with a policeman, what a memory.
Oh my goody god, I lived in Erie Camp and I remember the view in this photo so well, those were the good days without a doubt. We left there in 1959 to live in Birmingham, but I have the best memories of Bordon, the primrose patch, blackberry picking, the old haunted house or mansion as it was known, I remember White Hill, Frencham Pond...
Not Arreton, Sandown, my ex husband who lives there I visited 4 times, lovely place. Does anyone know of him - Tommy Burgoyne?
My ex husband lives in Fort Mews, Sandown, Thomas Aexander Burgoyne. I have 2 children with him and went to visit 4 times, it is a lovely place, does anyone know him?
These were great times, hard up maybe, but we were happy kids, lots of snow in winter yet we still went 3 miles in the bus to Gretna High School. My first job was in Carlisle, 8 miles away, in Woolworths, I loved it, also John Watts coffee merchants in Carlisle selling loose coffee and sugar, then Teesdales sweet factory for short term and Morton sun down sewing blankets and ironing, I ended up at Carlisle and ...see more
Miss Wade was the head mistress of the infants and the girls school. Miss Snell and Miss Jolly were the infant teachers, both out of retirement. In the boys juior school the teachers were Miss James, a new teacher she made the subjects interesting. Next Mrs Parsons, also out of retirement, a rather large women who had problems keeping her shoe laces tied, always looking for a boy to tie them up. Next Mr Bird ...see more
Hi, once again I am trying to locate anyone who attended Westhill School or knew of someone who did during the early 1940s, it would be great to exchange some memories during those Second World war years, here's hoping.
Clive Jeffrey, Cloverdale, BC, Canada
I was put into care at Violet Ayres Lodge in 1958 with my two brothers, John and Peter. When we first went there the houseparents were Tom and Iona Leslie. Some of the names I remember were George Howe, Michael Hill, Johnny White (known as Pud). When Uncle Tom and Auntie Iona retired, Uncle Chris and Auntie Lena took over. Some of the kids who were there then were John, Steve and Rosie Claxton, June and Roy ...see more
While living in Helensburgh, Scotland, I met and married a handsome blue eyed gentle man from Invergarry. Shortly after we moved there to live in a council house with his two children from a previous marriage. Soon we were a family of six, having the first twins born in the village in forty years, cause for celebration. Do you remember Invergarry when we had a gathering at New Year's, spilling from house ...see more
I went to Kettlesing School from 1951-1957. Miss Cloak, then Mrs Bundred & sons William & James.
I have been tracing my maternal grandmother's family for some time now. My grandmother was born in Shoreditch in 1908, and my mother was born there too in 1929. My nan was born in New North Road, and I found out that her g grandparents William and Jane Mitchell lived in the same street in the 1851 Census. Of course Shoreditch, and the rest of the East End is a very different place now. I don't think ...see more
Does anyone know where Lower Street was in Llanfyllin?
My father Leonard Alfred Passfield was born in South Ockendon, in 1916 to Fred Passfield and Emily Jane who lived in North Street. Many are the stories he told me of his early life in South Ockendon. He had three brothers, Ken, Ernie and Fred who had a club foot.
My father joined 'The First Battalion the Essex Regiment' at Warley Barracks when he was 17 years old and was in for around 12 years.
My ...see more
I remember this so well. We went nearly every day in the school holidays. I can even remember the fence which was quite new and smelt of creosote!
I think that could be me on the far left of this photograph. I was very excited to see this picture!
Aerco was started by my grandfather, Thomas Ricketts after the war. He was an engineer and Aerco sold and repaired early radios and the first TVs, hence the name Addlestone Electrical Radio Company! I believe there were two locations for the shop before it moved to Chertsey Road in Woking. Whilst in Addlestone, I believe it was in Station Road, nearer the High Street end. There was a flat above.
My mother as a young ...see more
My aunt lived in Church Cottages for many years in the 1950s and for a couple years my family also lived at Church Cottages. When we left I still used to return and stay with my aunt during school holidays. This house had been 3 cottages that were knocked into one. It had (and still does I believe) white snowcemmed walls and a thatched roof. At one time it had two large commercial greenhouses and a ...see more
Fashion shows with a cup of tea and a biscuit in the Copop on a Saturday. When I was younger the Co-op ran a sports day and we all got a goody box with cream cakes cakes and a suprise of fruit. We shopped at Parrs at the top of the Dukes Head crossroads, I can still remember the smell of the cured bacon. Our order was delivered by a man on a bike. Burges the bakers delivered our bread. We had our shoes ...see more
My name is Natasha Buckley, my mother was at Port Regis Convent as a child, as she had severe asthma as a young child. I think she was there from 1954 to 1961. She told me that it was a horrible place and that the irish nuns there were cruel and evil. She hated the place. Her name was Carol Ann Millott.
Just wondering if a anybody has any memory or knowledge of this shop - it was either in Peelgree, Patricroft or Eccles. I have a pic.
My Nan Katherine Walters used to live in Sodom with her children Aunty Violet, Billy (my dad) and Aunty Betty. My Grandad Thomas Walters was killed in the Pit at a young age and she was left to bring up the children on her own.
I Tanya Walters was born in 1951, we used to live in King Street, Pontlottyn and I remember walking from Pontlottyn past the cinder tip to my Nan's in Sodom. The cinder tip used to scare me because ...see more
The bike shop in Moor Street next to the central chip shop was Wilkinson's, also sold guns and fishing gear, got my maggots there for fishing in the nine locks, Pat Collins fair on the bank by Brierley Hill alliance football ground opposite the baths before they were built,I remember the baths being built also the flats in Hill St and New St, my younger life was spent in 54 Hill St, the Rock Tavern run by my ...see more
Hello from London, Canada...
I am the descendent of John and Grace Clemo who owned a horse-drawn bus line between Camborne, Redruth, Truro and Penzance. I have a photo of a "square" where one of the Clemo Buses is parked. I always thought it was taken in Camborne but, upon looking at your photos, it is Victoria Square in Truro (where my dad was from - he married Annie Clemo). I can even see the letters VIC on the wall of ...see more
My grandmother lived at 50 Old Park Road, opposite Bloomfield Park, and I went to school at Franklin House School in Palmerston Road from 1955 to 1960, then the Winchmore Hill Collegiate School from 1960 to 1962.
I used to have sausage and chips in the ABC at the Trianagle and often frequented Bloomfield Park and played football there with my school.
Happy memories indeed of Bloomfield House and looking ...see more
I recall arriving a Cheeseburn Grange with my mother. Sister Stanislaus met us. I would have been about 6 years old. I remember the large dormitory, the lady civilian Miss Bogie had a room adjoining the end. I remember McNammara, three Buzzio brothers. Sister Stanislaus in particular - the sister tutor - Sister Angela (very tall nun), old Sister Gabrial who died at Cheeseburn - did the laundry. Once we ...see more
How brilliant to find this website. I am a Widnesian born and bred and loved this photo of the baths. I lived across the road in Princes Street and used to go every night after school, I went to Kingsway School.
I was born in the pub in 1939 and when I was eight months old my parents sold the pub to the Workington Brewery and we moved to the Qeens Head at Distington.
I was partly raised in Birchington during the 1950's, my Nan & Grandad and Aunts & Uncles also lived there, I would spend all my summer holidays there at my Nan's house in Park Avenue ...happy days, I still think about them even today we would spend much time in Minnis Bay, Beresford etc, Birchington was a lovely place & still sometimes visit it
I grew up in Hornsey - Westfield Road to be exact. They tore down a lot of the houses in the late 1960s and built a new estate in its place. I still remember going to Priory Park, the swimming pool on Park Road - ahhh happy days.
We moved to Portchester because of my father's job (He worked on Portsdown Hill) and in 1967 I married my husband at St Mary's church in Portchester. I have fond memorys of the church as I was confirmed in it and spent my teenage years attending the Youth Club. I can remember one occasion when Acker Bilk and his jazzman played in the Village? Hall, & this was well attended. I don't think we had many well known ...see more
I was born in Berry Lane Langdon Hills in 1948. I went to the primary school in the High Road and later to Laindon High Road Secondary School. I rmember so much about the town of Laindon - the shop names - Jack Lagdon the butcher, Tommy Cole the Fishmonger, Cisters corner for fruit and veg, Careys the builders, Morrisses the outfitters with the mmoney thing that went all round the store, Parkinsons the ...see more
My memories of the Coronation-2nd June 1953 While I was studying at the Bridgend Preparatory and Commercial School two events happened which changed the course of history for Great Britain. In February 1952 King George 6th died suddenly in his sleep. He had been ill for some time but when the end came it was shock to the nation. Princess Elizabeth (heir to the throne) was on a state ...see more
I do so appreciate these lovely pictures and this site is wonderful. I do not have any memories of this place. I was born in1956 and raised in America, Southern California, actually. However, I wanted to say thank you. Since I do not know much about my ancestry, just seeing the photos is fun to imagine one of my great great grandparents living around there. I know my father, Frederick Henry Pilley, who passed ...see more
Our family moved from Churchill Road, Willesden to the country right out to Dudden Hill, in Normanby Road. The entrance to the park was just down the end of the road near the old iron bridge. There was a rather short tree to the right of the entrance that for some reason I would continuously climb as if it was my passport to the glorious Gladstone Park.
There were three paths one straight up to the ...see more
I was 10 years old, and had lived at 62, Esp Lane, but now live at 5 Sackville Street. I loved life, school, elderly neighbours, friends that lived on Colne Road, Cavendish Street, and Sackville Street. I remember Kathleen Earnshaw, Howard Dixon and I used to go for walks up Folly Lane, there were meadows on each side back then, and lots of conker trees. I remember we saw a calf being ...see more
After my training as a Fireman I was posted to Hendon Blue Watch who were a great bunch of guys but notorious for their practical jokes! We had many a pint in the Greyhound and the Chequers, after work.
Bye for now,
Jim Rabbitts.
Growing up and the family - Part 1
My grandfather William Morgan Cockram (son of Lewis Cockram) and grandmother (Mary Cockram) (granny and grandpa Cockram) took over the ironmongers after the death of John Richards. They were living behind the shop when I was growing up. I remember the shop very well. It was not a very busy shop – I remember my grandmother in the living room at the back of the shop ...see more
Parc Slip Exposion – 26th August 1892 and-My memories of home life and school
On the morning of Friday the 26th August 1892 an explosion occurred at Parc Slip Colliery, The Fountain, Aberkenfig, near Bridgend in which my (Catherine Delahay’s) great grandfather Lewis Cockram aged 28 was killed together with his three brothers, George, John & Thomas Cockram. They were the ...see more
My paternal grandfather John Routledge was from little Bampton. He had a horse called Tam o' Shanter which was a sulky trotter named after the local pub. I would love to find out more about him.
My grandad lived in Sharnford as a young boy and young man before he married my grandma. I know nothing about him or the family or where he lived. Can anyone help.
Arthur and Sarah Chamberlain lived in this village in the 1900 to at least 1940. They had 9 children, maybe more. My mother, Olive Eunice Chamberlain, was the youngest. She died when I was seven so I have no memories or information about her, her past or my grandparents and thier family. There are no photgraphs that I know of, so if there is anyone out there that can help me I would be really grateful.
I've just recently started to build my family tree and my family on my maternal side comes from Garnant, South Wales. My mother's name was Olive Nora Dicks, she was born in Garnant in 1924, she had one sister and one brother, their names were Sarah Mona and David Victor. Her mother's family name was Davies and her parents were David and Sarah Davies. David Davies was a shopkeeper and ...see more
It was one of the greatest years ever. The area is beautiful and the school grounds are spectacular. I've located many former classmates...mostly everyone except for Jerrilynn Rhoades. Jerri, if you see this please contact me. Many of us are on Facebook.
Our Fuller family has its origins in Methwold and Methwold Hythe, back as far as records go and up until the 1930s. Many other good old Methwold names like Wortley, Dusgate, Riches, Rolfe, Royal and Simons cross into the line through marriage.
Please take a look at our website,if you have a connection or are just interested.
https://sites.google.com/site/methwoldhythe/
You are welcome to leave ...see more
I now live in Lincolnshire but my father and family are native to Weston Rhyn and many family members still live in the area.
I spent many happy holidays in Weston Rhyn as a schoolboy, I stayed at my aunt's house in Rhoswiel just by the canal and would pop across to the local shop run by Mrs Slaughter for sweets etc, or sometimes I stayed at my gran's house (Mrs Williams) at Station Cottages ( They used ...see more
We too lived on this street, half-way down on the left in fact. I remember the Spicers, I used to babysit Christopher.
Whether it was 1965 or a year or two later, I'm not sure. Again all of us used to swim here in the summer holidays, when the college was closed. It was near sunset and we'd dried and changed in the orangery to the rear. We were sitting on the steps watching a film crew setting up where the cameraman of this photo was standing. Intrigued, we hung around waiting to see what happened. Eventually several actors were ...see more
Ah this rear 3/4 view of the big house stirs some memories. We (the estate children) would often congregate on the lawn here mainly during long heady summer evenings. It was actually an old tennis court, the lines then still being visible. Below we believed were the "dungeons" where German pow's were housed during the Second World War. It was here I had my first (or maybe second) spooky experience. I shall reveal that in my Trent Park memoirs elsewhere.
I lived in No 2 Shabden Cottages with my mother and grandfather. Our name then was Wood. I was 6 years old in 1952 and this is my memory. The shops on the left of the road were: the newsagent/sweet shop run by Mr & Mrs Butcher. They had a daughter, Shirley. Mr Bradshaw's shop was originally back further, together with Mr Chiverton's shoemenders shed. On the far end, where there are now houses, were the hardware ...see more
Lowfield Heath School. 21 pupils. Head Teacher, Miss Ryde, and assistant Miss Ivy Walder. Miss Walder later married Bob Riley. Where are some other pupils now? I remember Margaret Dudman, David Slaughter, Barbara Banks, Brenda Cheal. Later on the Old Tyme dances at the W.I. hut. Has anyone got old photos of those?
Further south on the A23 the Ventura Cafe, and of course the Blue Pencil Cafe.
I could ...see more