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 2561 - 2640 of 36575 in total
Went to see panto there...Dick Wittington in the late 40's. Never had such a wonderful time being just after the war.......magic. Cheers Jim Hawkins
Hi all......I attended Oakfield Seconday Modern School in Oakfield Road, Penge from 1952 until 57 and lived in Pleydell Avenue from the early 40's after we were bombed out of our house on Anerley Hill. I went to Anerley Primary School before Oakfield. I loved the Palace with all those bomb sites and just loads to do. We had a gang consisting of kids from Palace Square, Palace Road and ...see more
My family moved from Monks Kirby to the Kennels near Morgans farm, Newnham Paddox in 1958/59 dad John, mum Marjorie sister Margaret, brother Sean and me Paul. We walked to St Josephs RC School, about 3 miles each way, My dad was a security man at Bitterswell aerodrome. We had a brown and white mongrel dog called Panda. He was always bringing chickens back from the local farm. We had no running water, it ...see more
My family moved from Monks Kirby to the Kennels near Morgans farm, Newnham Paddox in 1958/59 dad John, mum Marjorie sister Margaret, brother Sean and me Paul. We walked to St Josephs RC School, about 3 miles each way, My dad was a security man at Bitterswell aerodrome. We had a brown and white mongrel dog called Panda. He was always bringing chickens back from the local farm. We had no running water, it ...see more
My late wife Susan Gardiner nee Sebesta used to live in Shalford and I wonder if anybody remembers any of her family ?
I think that the family moved to Weybridge around 1970.
Many thanks.
Paul Gardiner.
Are there any A B C minors from the Majestic fairgreen
I was born in 1945 in sunningdale ave, hanworth, started
infants national school in park road , then orial sec mod, then
Debrome in boundries road next to the girls school lafone
Hanworth has change quite a lot over the years
I remember at the top my road there was two shops job's dairy and Coombs bakery on each corner.
And opposite those shops was REX cinema which I use to go to on
Saturday ...see more
Great looking at the old photos of Dorking town . I remember many of the old shops and some pubs from when I was younger, think my favourite at that time was track and groove at the top end of west street and the chippy opposite. I remember the old Tesco and the market entrance ,there used to be a guy there preaching the bible cant remember his name, also going back way before my time does anyone know what was in the high street before boots was there?
Hi Michael
Are you still living in Chelmsford?
Last time we spoke you were running the endeavour pub are you still there?
While visiting friend in a local nursing home I was walking down the corridor admiring the prints of local interest, When a was drawn to a print of Lammas street and to the Willow Café which was owned by my Grandmother , while looking further around the print I was astonished to see my Father standing on the road outside deep in conversation with another gentleman. I lost my Dad when I was 16 and have very few ...see more
I was a patient from 1978 until 1989. I was mostly on Windly ward. Happily after I left I met my husband, had 2 children and have been well since. My Dr was Dr Elks. I am trying to obtain my medical records from then but no luck up to now.
I was born in 16 Dagmar Avenue. Then moved to 95 Oakington Manor Drive when I was 4. Our house at OMD backed onto the stadium and I remember I was in the garden when England scored the winning goal of the World Cup in 1966. I was terrified by the roar and ran in crying. We used to play in Sherins Farm. Never any fear in those days (1964-1973) we played football ...see more
Now living across the other side of the world, I recently surveyed my old haunts on Google Maps and it's so good to know that the old Swan is still standing - and looking better than ever, in fact. Much tidied-up, but still outwardly almost unchanged. Presumably now two decent sized houses? Hopefully not flats.
My wife and I worked for nearly two years as part time bar staff in the Swan ...see more
Foreshaw heath school does anyone remember it
My brother attended Cothill House 1973-1978 he was abused he died 2 years ago.
The Cothill Educational Trust was expanded from Cothill to 9 at its peak by Adrian Richardson now deceased.
I am asking any survivors,victims or whiteness’s of abusive behaviour to please contact me privately on
mharris01@netspace.net.au so we can make sure he does not get released ever again.
We can only do this by ...see more
Yes I remember this market well. I bought my hamster and terrapin from the pet shop there. My Nan and grandad didn’t have a bath so used to go every Friday night to the baths, with towel under arm.
I was at The Old Ride when I was seven and the school was in Little Horwood, Nr Bletchly Bucks. It had to be the worse time of my life. After 2 weeks, I was caught talking after lights out, and had to go to Reverend's study for a beating of six of the best with a horse whip. The school was run completely by his rules and archaic regulations. . Because I found the food unpalatable, I would ...see more
I have fond memories of sledging in chapel field. In winter, at the first snow, all the children would congregate to make a great track for our sledges. The speeds we could achieve down the hill!! And not a word of complaint from Alec Buckley the farmer -can you see that happening today? I remember 1963 when it snowed on New Year's Eve and the snow stayed till March! Happy days!
I lived down fern lane at number 86, we moved there from cotingham in East Yorkshire when I was five, I went to norwood green infants and then junior school failed the 11plus and went to Heston secondary where I had the best five years of my life, not just at school but out of school with my pals, at the swimming baths and at the gravel pits as well.
The Tatling end is one of four locations that I seldom last three hours without thinking about. Nothing impresses me more than a community that keeps it's aesthetic more or less as it was fifteen years ago. Especially in an age of the increasing population, the increasing epidemic of corporations that are causing the generic aesthetic of the England that our ancestors, kings, queens of old and heritage are ...see more
Joyce Sutcliffe lived in Halifax and worked at Simpsons around 1941. She was called up to the Royal Army Signals in 1942 aged 21. Also Robert Bell worked there and went into the Navy. Other people were Frank Southwell, Owen Southwell, Grace Priestly,Ronniie Gethin. If you know of these people I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
My mother, Gladys Fordham, was born in Linton in 1903. Her father, Herbert, was a local butcher. As a child in the 1950s, summer holidays would always mean a trip to Linton and I would visit my grandfather at his home behind the shop in the High St. with my aunt, Olive Sadler (nee Fordham).. The family lived at various times at the Dock and Duck Inn and at Church Cottage. My aunt used to take my cousins ...see more
My name is Robert Read I would like to know if anyone remembers NorthBrook Reform school in Breakon lane Whipton Exeter. I was there from 1957 -1958.Head master at that time was Mr Thompson Deputey head was Swanson and Mr Frawley. My friends were Harris clark Lomacks Harris Vally and the cook House boys were cockrel and Biglestare. The building is not there any more think it got demolished in the late 90s. Be so grateful if you could reply to this memories of my past.
Lived in Welling for over 20 years and remember the shops of 50/60s very well. Does anyone remember when the Circus came to Danson Park and they had a parade from what I think was Albany Park station to the park. Also they used to have a carnival parade down Bellegrove Road with floats and bands. Does anyone have a photos of these.
I, Ray Murphy, came across your site, re Shaw Mills, Yorkshire, U.K., as I was looking into events of my past life, for the benefit of my son’s Australian family, at the time of my 84th birthday, 19/9/35.
I am the Patriarch of the family that, over time, owned/operated both the Upper & Lower Mills; plus, owned/occupied various residential properties within the village. Hence, can add a few more details.
My ...see more
Hi - does anyone have a copy of the photo taken of the 9 sets of twins at Langdown Infant school from 1961/1962? I’m one half of a set of twins and would love to have a copy.
The school is no longer there (now houses).
Regards
Sue (nee Peckham)
Hello David, I went to the convent and also knew Sister Bernadette. I think this must have been in the late fifties, as when she took us girls for sewing, I wanted to make a swirly 'jive' skirt with circles resembling singles records around the hem. Sister Bernadette was very helpful with this but I was a lazy student with no discipline at home and never did my 'homework' on the skirt; this, one awful day, ...see more
If I'm not mistaken this is a picture of Lydney secondary modern school , I attended there in 1962 until I was 13 .
Not a very happy time for me , I was a very nervous boy and didn't fit in very well. We moved later to Yate nr Bristol.
The standard of education I found out later was low and my new school put me into a lower stream.
I went to school here, 1958-1964 there exist photos of the school but so far none with the Frith Collection. The school was opposite Central Station in Vale Road and resembled a large shoebox with small extensions at either end with a forecourt (playground) before it and this behind a substantial brick wall and blue double gates for vehicular access and a side gate for ...see more
I was born in Cowgate Road, Greenford in 1938. About 1950 we moved to Ruislip Road.
I remember playing in the park at the end of the road and visiting the river Brent nearby which of course was out of bounds to us little ones. During the war, 1939 to 1945 we had to sleep in our air-raid shelter at night because of the bombing. I do remember seeing a V1 or doodlebug as wecalled them which was a very scary sight and the ...see more
Christmas with chestboard cakes that yellow and chocolate cake was always part of my Christmas as a child
My nan joyce bamford worked in the one in purley
I live in Australia now . I grew up on Alan Avenue [off Lord Lane] . I was the eldest of 5 children [the Martins] . We had a great life there. I have countless memories of those days in the early 1960s. Walking to Stansfield Road school. Playing football in Brookdale Park. Bonfire nights on the fields at the back of our house. Looking at the trains going into Manchester over Medlock Vale. One highlight was being on the ...see more
I went to a school called Fedsden Hall, in Roydon in Essex, in 1950-53. It was a wonderful place run by Mrs. Katherine Clare. Mrs. Clare lived in a big, beautiful Georgian house on the property, with her husband, who I believe was a stockbroker or lawyer and commuted to London daily, and her five children. I’m sure she had five, although I can only remember the names of four of them – Tony, Roddy, Hazel ...see more
We used to visit my Gran and Grandad, Florence Daisy and George Humberstone every summer. They lived at The Bungalow, Front Street (Main Street?) This was on the same side and just past the bus depot heading towards The Axe & Cleaver and opposite what is now the Somercotes Academy. My Mum, Ida Millicent had 2 sisters Hilda and Sylvia. Mum married and moved to Sussex and every holiday ...see more
Our family moved here from Plymouth in the mid fifties
Have fond memories of days spent on the beach when we were children.
We lived in Armada Road and in a rented property near the Old Ship Inn.
Things I remember were having to walk to Millbrook every Sunday morning to go to church.
The 2 hour Bus and Ferry ride then another bus to get to school in Plymouth every day.
We moved to London later but I returned ...see more
my brothers and I were sent to homeleigh in 1958 after our father was demobbed from the RAF and our mother became ill . Iremember arriving at the recieving home under the watchful eye of the Vardy's and after a few days moving to home 4 which was being run by MR&MRS Blades who were very nice.Iremember being invited into their living room whenever RUSS CONWAY was on there tv (I think she had a thing for him) ...see more
I'm currently looking at my mum's family history - and have found out that her Grandad - Henry John Walters lived at 9 Croxteth Avenue from around 1900 to around 1930. He was a Baker and Confectioner and I think he may have had a shop nearby? Henry had 4 daughters - Ada, Nancy (maybe Annie), Cissie (maybe Sarah?) and my nan who was Margaret Christian, known as Chris. Ada apparently ...see more
My name is Bernard Hagon I was born 1933 in city Road maternity home which had a direct hit during the war everybody killed . My parents had the British Empire in Barking Road Plaistow a Taylor Walker’s house just down past the abbey arms I come from a long line of publicans my grandmother and grandfather owned the Albert house pub in Stratford near Moerland point. My early memories of Barking Road ...see more
Never went to the school but my late father purchased a goat from there. It had a pedigree as long as your arm. A number of years later someone who worked at the school turned up on our doorstep (over 100 miles away) to check how the goat was getting on!
BBC showed a clip on Spotlight re what seems to be a goat show at St Gorran. They don't have details of where it was filmed but you can see it on the link below. ...see more
My parents thatched cottage in Haywards Lane when they purchased it in 1950, had over 27 acres of land and previous to them owning it and starting to farm the land it was owned by a Miss Wadlow and her sisters, they were quite a well off family, having a car and people working for them. The land had been used by them as a Golf Course - often we would find golf balls about the land. The Cottage has now been demolished, ...see more
As a child I lived at no 52, opposite the “Conker “ tree, next to the stink pipe and transformer. Lovely memories of roller skates, bikes and school at nork primary.
I have just stumbled across this wonderful site and how the memories have come flooding back! My name was Jackie Coppin and I lived at 7 Farrar Road in Birchington until I was 15. My mum worked at the Economic Stores in The Square and when we left Farrar Road, Mum and Dad ran the Fish and Chip shop next to the Smugglers Restaurant. I have been reading other members memories of Birchington and all the place names are ...see more
1970s juniors kiss chase with mandy Mayers mr fishers class wow life isn't fair
My grt grandmother, Annie Murdoch nee Young, spent the last 40 or so years at Plantation Cottage (now Murdoch Cottage), Wamphray. I only met her once in 1954 and she is my first memory. Born on 8th August 1862, Crosshill Village, Ayrshire she met my grt grandfather at Gordiestone Farm, Glencairn in 1891 and married in 1893. They had five sons, James, Quintin, Thomas and Hamilton. George lived and worked at ...see more
My name is Philip Hitchcock. I attended Amersham College 1956 to 1958. It was owned by Mr Holland (Boss). Another teacher was Mr Fuchs (Fred) an Austrian. Fred taught German, Maths, Science, and took charge of us at cricket. However I am not sure he knew the rules of the game! Boss attempted to teach the rest of the subjects. My preference was for Fred as he got me interested in Science, and I went on to ...see more
I lived in Seymour avenue from 1943-1966. I went to Morden Farm secondary school. 1954-1959.
A few of us meet in a reunion once a year. Anybody is welcome from the school. Just get in touch with me.
Also I would like to get in touch with Peter Pritchett or Pritchard ? he always called his friends "Ned" and in particular Alan Lewell. From Colin Pike
Hi I stayed in 150 ladyloan Ave Drumchapel would love to find old pals name is Jane Rae but my name then was Jane cairns I lived with my grandparents I stayed there 1970s to 1980s
I remember when Hatfield Mead was just a field, we could see it from our garden in Chalgrove Avenue. Mum was not very pleased when it was built over!
I remember staying at the Waverley hotel year after year, i must have been around 8 years old and the highlight for me was to see the Aqua show, many years later i performed at the winter gardens Theater in Snow White and the seven Dwarfs on ice. I returned to Morcambe about 5 years ago, what a state the Theater is in now, i do hope it can be saved,how Morcambe has changed, but i still have the memories.
Michael (Jason) Nobbs..
As a young irish lad I worked in matchwood power station in 1965 and I lived in digs in south street next door to the malt and hops pub the landlady name was Margaret a great landlady.
There was a big black lady called big rose who used to sing in the anchor and hope.
Hythe was a lovely place and I enjoyed living and working all around that area for a about 5 years. Many fond memories.
I well remember travelling on this train from the Danson Road end along the lake to the engine shed. This was during the 1950's. The fare was 3d one way and 6d return. The gentleman who ran the service lived in the house in Danson Road next to the park gate. Often you could see him working on his locomotives in his from garden..
My name is Marilyn Allen I was brought up in Somerton with my dear Grandmother Mrs Phear whose husband was killed at Somerton Milk Factory which was called Cow and Gate he had been transfered from Wincanton to work there. On the morning of September 29th 1942 a bomb was dropped on the factory. My Grandfather's name was Charles John Phear and together with other people that lost their lives on that day his name ...see more
My name is Bob Thompson I grew up in colindale I went to colindale school then I went up to Brent moden west Henson I started work at tilly lamps and then brothers on edgeware road I left London about 50 years ago have been living in oxfordshire ever since I am now 80 years old desouter brothers
I remember the Matador Garage. There was a neon Matador who flicked his cape at night. They sold Renaults and I remember the Dauphines lined up. The son of the owner used to give us cards that they gave away with petrol for us kids to clear off. They sold Cleveland petrol. When I got a motor bike (BSA Bantam) I pulled in one day to fill up who should come out to serve me, but an old school ...see more
Looking through some of these memories has brought back some happy times. I left Caversham Sec' Mod' in 1958 and within 3 weeks I was in the navy. There were many happy times at school though, especially those ballroom sessions at lunchtimes. There were the periods with Nagger Nash doing maths ( not very enjoyable). Unfortunately time has moved on all to quickly I should think the school is no longer there but ...see more
My great-grandfather, James Webster, took out a lease and came to Inveramsay in 1852 with his wife, Barbara Neil Webster to farm the property. They subsequently had 2-sons and 5-daughters, including my grandfather, also James, who migrated to Hawaii in 1893. My grandmother, Mary Ann Patterson also, from the Abderdeenshire area, followed him later and they married in Hawaii. James became a ...see more
I remember old Folie (his real name was Skillen) at his house at The Crescent. I can remember he was fond of the company of young folk and would be free with his drink as he told their fortunes.
His adopted son Tommy suffered a very sad end.
Folie aka Skillen was brought-up as a Catholic but the Church took a dim view of his snake-oil selling, fortune-telling, and adherence to Aleister Crowley's teaching. ...see more
1955 - I was sent to the hotel with my mother to recuperate after a month in Nottingham isolation hospital with measles. We spent 6 blissful weeks here.
My memories are of a very high ceiling in the dining room and the smell of the food cooking for lunch and dinner. My mother and I were on our own all week and father came down from London to Bexhill Station I think on a Friday night and mum would go and pick him up. I ...see more
My grandparents George and Phyllis Milton lived at 4 Falmouth house I remember as a kid looking down to the back of a butcher's also remember Maurice Mansell who lived on the top floor very large family the dad was killed on the railway myself went to Spencer Park School my grandparents were the last to leave the block they refused to be moved to to the Arndale block flats so they relocated them in ...see more
My mother was 19 when I was born. We were living above The Wool Shop in Swalecliffe, on the corner, opposite the railway bridge I actually have an uncanny memory of that time. I must have been under 2 years old, as we moved to London then. Apparently, I was an 'escaper'. I had climbed out of my pram and crawled (or toddled) out of our garden, and crossed the busy main road (on quite a sharp corner), and ...see more
Hello
My name is Joanne.
I am the Granddaughter of Amy and James, (Jimmy), Sole.
My lovely Mother Terry will be 80 years-young next year and I am starting the process of putting together some memories for her.
Terry has two siblings, Colin and Lyn.
Amy ran the Bull in sometime during the 50's and very early 70's. My Mother Terry worked for her mother in the Bull. I was born in 1970 and lived in the Bull until ...see more
My Aunt and Uncle i do believe had a habadashery shop in Dalton in Furness.
I am going back to the 50s or 60s. Their names were Ann and Kenneth Jennings. My cousins Anne and Peter i have been trying to locate. They would most probably be approx. 70ish i would think. I have been living in Australia for the last 50 years and wondered if anyone knew of them or their whereabouts.
Hazel Jennings
As a kid in the 50's, my friends and I used to cycle from Hanwell, around Horseden Hill and on to Wembley, specifically to see Henry Cooper. It took us ages to get there but once we got there, we used to ask Henry for some fruit because we were so hungry and he would throw 3 or 4 apples at us and then tell us to "Clear Off". We'd went nearly every Saturday and he was always kind to us local kids - although pretended ...see more
Our family the Portways lived in Boreham from 1926 when our dad Alf moved with his family from Howe street Great Waltham. Our parents met in the RAF and married in 1945.
Our mum Pat lived on Boreham airfield then my sister was born in St Johns in 1947. She moved to Gibcracks farm Bicknacre where I (Jacqui) was born. Then our mum and dad got a council
house in the chase Boreham where our sister Wendy was born in ...see more
Hi I was at Grange Sec Modern Girls School Ealing from 1958 went back there the other day on the 7th Sept 2019 with my friend Beryl Homer who was in my class it had changed so much
My great great Grandfather died here in 1880, called John Thomas and he is buried in the
Churchyard by the castle .... I am looking up my Ancestors !
Joanna Smith nee (Thomas)
I rember walking home from Keaton school to my home in Nash.
In the winter I remember the gas lamp lighter lighting up Nash Lane.
I went to school here 1955 until 1959. I remember Mr and Mrs Cooper and their son Melville. I was in the same class as Melville.
Lived here for the first 28 years of my life. Great memories of the old primaryschool with Mr J Waterson as headmaster. Remember lots of sweet shops, no wonder my teeth needed some fillings. Every used to know everyone then. The town cinema was msrvellous, shame it is no more.
Went back a few weeks ago it has lost it's character now . Shame
I was born in 1940 in Blackthorn and went to school there and lived in Northern Terrace,Blackthorn.
It was a lovely place to grow up in. Ellis Wilkins
Time spent when a child over somewhere we called the castle. Wasteland oppersit Dagenham east under grand.had some of the best time of my Life I'm now 47
Live at Raymond rd and all ways wanted 2no the history of that land. So if any one can help me find out more about the land I would love to no. I do no that in the 1970s British rail owned it. I want 2no wot the castle was, wot it done. My dad's bin round ...see more
I recall the post office very well. When I was about twelve, I lived just the other side of the A6 cross roads, so my visits were frequent as this was very much nearer than Maulden post office. I think I’m right in saying that the two ladies who managed the shop were a Ms Vernon and Ms Graham. I was also very friendly with the family who lived in Ivy House opposite the post office, and, despite many ...see more
My Parents owned a caravan on Howisons up to 1966. We lived in Wolverhampton and traveled there most Saturdays for the weekend. As a young lad I used to enjoy a bit of train spotting from the bridge or hiring a bike on site for hour or so. I recall also the amusement arcade that was near the entrace to the site and the British Rail Touring Office that used to call on the site to sell Rail excursions to ...see more
My mother was evacuated from Liverpool because of the May blitz of 1941. She was 7. We have just been over for the 80th commemorative ceremony and exhibition in Penmairmayr with her and my 2 sisters...it was very sad and at the same time great to be able to take her back. We visited the house where she stayed and the area. It was a memorable 2 days
This was my grandparents house, I have so many wonderful memories of spending holidays there, paying with my cousins and stealing cakes from the bake house!
This photograph is not of Lavenham Road but is actually the Park Tavern in Merton Road, London, SW18.
It stands at the junction with West Hill Road.
Most of the buildings shown still exist today.
My family lived in a house nearby from 1947 to 2018.
Hugh L.
Thank you for this information. Our archivist will update our records. Editor
My mother was evacuated to Gasgoine farm during the war and I was born here on 1st November 1940
Graham Wilson
I started school at Park Lane 1949 aged 5 yrs.and remember Miss Reece. I am now writing this post 4/9/19.
c.Phillips
I would love to know if this cottage still exists and if it does, exactly where it is.
I have a watercolour of it from 1950s (or earlier), showing this exact view. I also have several old family photos of it from the 1950s and 60s. I suspect it is, or was, situated in Watery Lane and I vaguely remember it from all those years ago, passing it on the way to the ...see more
I claimed the walls in this picture in 1955 I was 10 years old two of us did it myself and best friend Goef Eastwood now deceased, sorry to say, we claimed it so far and we was so scared , we could not turn back so we had to go on and finish the climb, I still shake when I think what we did, great days, we went on to climb many more dangerous buildings.including the old Methodist church that was in Horse Fair,
