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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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 26961 - 27040 of 36957 in total

My mum worked as a telephonist at the Davis Theatre, probably in the 1960s, and I used to go and meet her there. I remember watching 'Giselle' performed by Galina Ulonova and Nikelei Fediachev (sp?) of the Bolshoi Ballet. I think it was on stage but it could have been a movie. I also met Eileen Joyce the pianist and Mum came home one day with a signed copy of her book which I still have.
I was born in Beckenham Hospital - the one next to a park I believe. I grew up in Elmers End and attending Elmers End & Eden Park Preparatory School - my husband and I tried to find the school a few years back when we came over from Canada, where I've lived for the past 30+ years, for a visit...but I believe the Elmers End school is no longer there. I went to Marian Vian Secondary School which we did find and ...see more
Oh how wonderful to come across this site. I was born in Beckenham but worked in Croydon. My first job was receptionist at a solicitors office - Stuart Hunt & Co. - I met my first boyfriend there and there was a wonderful clerk who took me under his wing and he and his wife stayed in touch with my mum for a number of years. I also worked at Ellis Kensington in the Whitgift ...see more
We moved to Thistleboon, Mumbles from the East End of London in 1968 when I was 7 years old and I fell in love with the sea. A fond memory of those far off summers is my friends and I jumping from the Donkey Rock at Rotherslade at high tide. You had to time your launch just right to catch the crest of a wave as it rolled up the beach. Too soon and the water would be too shallow, many a scraped knee ...see more
I remember when three streets were demolished by a huge mysterious bomb just after eight in the evening. At the time my mother was out on fire patrol and I was fast asleep in bed whilst my three brothers and sister were downstairs listening to the wireless. The tremendous blast rocked our house in Milton Road causing severe damage to our ceilings but luckily not much else. I was carried, fireman style, ...see more
This was the year I took my 11+ exam. There was such deep snow that winter that it was very difficult to walk to school. Luckily I lived in Milton Road where St John's was then situated. On arriving at school we were all so cold that we had to warm ourselves in front of the stove in the corner of the classroom before we felt able to take our exam. St Johns CofE girls' school was tiny, only 2 classrooms. ...see more
The family name is DAVIES, they lived in Penygraig, Pontlottyn and Clarendon Row, Rhymney in 1940, after the death of the mother they were taken to the Pontypridd Cottage Children's Home. Five of the children went to the home. If anyone has any information it will be appreciated.
I remember gooing swimming and getting my elbow stuck in the bar that went round the edge of the pool
I remember getting conkers from the tree by the little sweet shop and cottages near the Methodist school and being chased by geese outside Bertha Deate's shop near the hills and mountains.
My father worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. His name was Ronald Clarke. He then worked for the post office engineering after the war as did my uncle. Jack Sundewall. My grandfather worked at the repeater station in Bletchley also. His name was John Sundewall.
This is were I grew up in Craigentinny in Edinburgh. I went to Christmas parties here when I was really young, I also went to big picnics from here because my Mum went to the guild here or went to play dominos and they held dances and& concerts. I will never forget one picnic we went to. I was 5 years old and I got some money for running a race. I put it in my mouth at the same time as I was eating a ...see more
This picture (e199012) must be mid-afternoon judging by the shadows but there is surprisingly little traffic. The bus stop on the right, with a shelter, is where the 17 and 104 would stop on their way north. The stop on the left is for the 102 in the direction of Golders Green. The Estate Agent is still there. Next to it is "Tudor 4000" which sold electrical goods and also a small ...see more
I read with interest Jude's recollections of Silvertrees farm. Could it be the same place that I used to visit as a child on holiday with my parents and friends of the family? Did Mr and Mrs Harris run a bed and Breakfast at Silvertrees? I'm sure it was an old rectory. My family the Beales family and the Harratt family used to stay there on holiday for many years. I remember it was a lovely old ...see more
Looking at this photo of the Square at Caerau brings back some happy memories of when the steam train would pass over the bridge in all its glory with the steam coming out of its funnel. The big billboard before the bridge was the only form of advertising in those days. The police station is still used today. Sadly the church in the picture is now empty and in need of repair. Just out of the picture on the right was ...see more
I can remember dancing round the maypole by the conker trees just down from the pond on May 1st with the Burgh Heath Methodist School, Head teacher Miss Mary Fletcher - and buying sherbert in the little shop nearby which was weighed out on an old set of scales - sherbert and humbugs kept in little glass jars on the shelf - can't remeber the name of the lady that owned the shop but knew her daughter ...see more
Ahh the memories. I was born at 22 Irish Quarter South,home of my Grandfather, Arthur Bamford, a house that stood at the top of the coal quay, pulled down in 1949, a garage stands there now. Caught many a mackeral off the end of the coal quay too. Haven`t been home since December 2000, maybe one day.
Does anyone know of someone who has knowledge of where the Mackay's from the Warren ended up? Or if anyone knew an Icelandic student who stayed with them in 1969? All information greatly appreciated!! Thank you ~Kris
I was seven when we moved to Wordsley and we lived at 3 Hope Street. I remember walking up to this stile many times, with my mum and brother, and later when I came up here to play in the woods on my own with friends. Many times when we came to the stile there would be a couple of old men sitting, smoking pipes staring across the road to the fields.
I'm trying to find out about Sculshaw Lodge, now Allostock Hall, where my great-grandfather worked in 1881. Does anyone have any information or photos? lesleydriveruk@yahoo.co.uk
Would anyone remember the above ? My Great Great Grandfather bought a plot of land in Jefferson Lane and obtained a Southern Railway carriage which he made into a holiday home calling it Belvedere after the place where the family lived. He also built a tiny bungalow on the same plot called Little Belvedere. After the deaths of all my family the carriage was given to one of the Railway Trust ...see more
To me the first eleven years of my life, growing up in Quarry Bank, was the most enjoyable. I was born Kenneth Graham Sewell, on the 26th January 1947, at 59 Saltwells Road, now renamed White City, and the whole country was in the grip of the worst snows for years. I can remember from when I was eight months old and can recall being held in my mother's arms, watching our new council house being built. Number 3 ...see more
Gilbert Evans was from Farrington Gurney.
The joy and pleasure of renewing our wedding vows in front of our family and the congregation of St Leonard's will never be forgotten.
I don't know when it opened as a nursing home nor when it closed and can find no information of that period but I was born there in September 1945 at a cost of 3 17s 6d (I still have the original invoice!) and proud to have been born in Llanfrechfa, where I was also confirmed and eventually married (for the first time) in August 1966 at All Saints' Church. And I used to visit the 'Gate Hangs ...see more
Does anyone know anything about my great-grand parents, they owned shops in Rhos, they were greengrocers, they had a horse and cart. They were George Ellis Hughes (Clifton)and Abigail Hughes (Clifton), they lived at Spring Bank, Hill Street. I lived wth my grandparents in School Street, they were Charlie Ellis Hughes (Clifton) and Lucy Mary Hughes (Clifton). I lived with my mum and dad and ...see more
No memories, BUT would like to connect with someone whose ancestors perhaps played in this band...it was connected with the Brentwood Railway Inn. My aunt and her husband were managers of the Inn..Henry and Florence Emily Proctor Pope. ANY info will be welcomed!!!
See http://forums.timesandstar.co.uk
I spent most of my childhood in Barkingside and I lived above Pithers Bakeries from 1960 (when I was born) until approx 1973, we moved to Fairlop Road when Sainsburys was built. I do remember fondly Marments the toy and bicycle shop and the original Rossi's, just a couple of doors down at that time. The Frith Photos do take me back and I remember the garage on the corner of Westminster Gardens. Seems ...see more
My great grandfather was Enoch Williams at one time Superintendent of the Fire Station at 1 High Street. He went to Bridgnorth from Gt Whitley in 1894. I have photos of the fire crew of that time - horses and carriage. Horses were kept in a field down Love Lane! Enoch and my grandmother Rebecca had many children and lived above the fire station. My grandfather ...see more
I remember Hever Road as my cousin Doreen Meddick used to live there in the early 1950s, but she now lives in Canada. I myself used to ride my pushbike around Brands Hatch in the early 1940s as it was a dirt track then. I came to Australia in 1949 and been here ever since.
We had been in Grantham in England prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. Mother and Father decided to go home to the 'Broch' believing it would be much safer for the family. The shuttle from Grantham to Peterborough was without incident, but joining the London-Aberdeen express we were crammed into carriages packed with soldiers as they were being re-distributed to many different places to defend the ...see more
Born in 1951 and living in Oldham all my life, I often wonder if the best and kindest teacher ever is still alive. Her name was Mrs Walker from St Hilda's junior school. Mr F J Howker was the headmaster at the time and was also a rugby referee. Good memories from almost fifty years ago.
Hello Former RAF Bletchley 'inmates,' I spent a couple of happy years at RAF Bletchley which I would describe as just a dormitory station where we ate, slept and relaxed during off-duty hours from our work at RAF Stanbridge, just outside Leighton Buzzard -- 24 hour shifts round the clock at this very busy station. My time there was made very enjoyable by the fact that I met my wife there, she worked in ...see more
I am the great-granddaughter of Henry Wilder. I think in this photo the boats are in front of the boathouse which belonged to my family. Henry died about 1910 so it passed on to the childrem, Henry, Charlotte and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was my grandmother.
I was a pupil here 1951 to 1959.Has anyone got any photos, info, shared memories?
We came to live at 12 Hewley Crescent in 1950. My gran, Mrs Knight, lived on Newburn Road, at that time she only had gas lighting and cooking. She had electricity installed in 1955 for the FA Cup on TV, she had a house-full that day. I can also remember when they built the Centurion public house 1954/5. There a large gang of us who lived in Hewley Crescent at that time, the crescent was used for ...see more
I remember well the school, the huge playing field and the long walk there and back, sometimes having to wait for the cows to get out of the way. I still have a school photo of the pupils and the teachers. I lived in a cottage not far from the well which is not used any more, the thatched cottage I lived in with my mum and two brothers was burned down and in its place a modern-type house has been ...see more
Does anyone have any information about Parham House. I believe that it was a residential school in the 60's - 70's run by a Mrs Russell. I wonder if there are any records surviving from this period? Regards Hilary Player
Does anyone have any memories about the 1953 floods? My aunt Phyliss Papworth and her daughters Suzanne, Jennifer and Patricia who lived in South Beach Road all drowned, but her other daughter Janet was at a birthday party at a house near where Manor Park caravans are now, and was safe from the floods. I wasn't born until 1958 so I only know what my mother told me about her sister Phyliss. My mum died in 1990 ...see more
I too rememeber Rev Milner and his wife also going carol singing down Knatts valley before the war. Does anyone remember Mr Rudd who looked after the greens at Woodlands golf course, a little short chap he was? Also any memories of Mr Booker who use to cut the grass etc in the valley and surrounds? I was back in the UK 6 years ago and found the graves of Milner and the Jupps, also some others I knew as a boy ...see more
I was born in Durham in 1969 and grew up in Thornley until I left in 1985 and moved to South Africa. I have been back a few times over the years and have seen many changes my father still lives in Thornley and will never leave the place now. I still have great memories of the place and a lot of my school friends still live there.
The postman was our great grandad, don't know his first name (I'll find out), but he was of the Fisher family. I believe the small girl is the mother of a friend of ours, Mary Rogers- will have to ask her maiden name. Rachel Anstis
As a boy I used to cycle or walk through Badby Woods (then lovely-now wrecked) into Fawsley Park and fish all day in two of the Lakes. The Hall was deralict in those days and supposedly haunted by the "White Lady". Later the Hall was taken over by a Timber Company. Nobody bothered us kids fishing. I joined the RAF in 1955 and when I returned to the area 30 years later Fawsley Hall was a Hotel, ...see more
I have just discovered that my great grandmother, Sarah Selwood, lived at 4 Lower Westford with her husband, Frederick John Selwood. I wonder if there are still relatives that I don't know living there.
1963 ish....My early morning dip - each morning we donned shorts and pumps to run around the Tarn where we jumped down a large hole, then our sadistic instructors released a gush of freezing stream water, soaking every inch. After circling 3 times we ran back to our dorm for a welcome hot shower. Long hikes in the fells, a 4 day mountain expedition and the solo over-night desaster, they all have thier tales to ...see more
My recollection of  a dance that was arranged in the sports hall made me and another lad George Bishop decide to abstain from the proceedings as I think at the time, in fact I am sure about myself that I was very self concious about contact with the opposite sex in those days. We  both decided to hide away in the toilets until after the event. However there was an informer in our midst and we ...see more
Worked here in the cocktail bar summer of 1964. Served Ian Fleming's wife.
As I was living in Rumwell,I attended the Bishops Hull school, about 2.5 miles away, We Walked there and back every school day. My local friendS were called Graeme Baker, David Rollinson, Marigold Swain. We got to know all about the war from some Italian POWs who were placed in a couple of houses in the village and worked on the local farms, they were very kind to us kids. We often saw German bombers ...see more
My paternal Grandmother, Amelia Bedford, married Paul Tennant of 1 Wesleyan Chapel Row in 1915 after her first husband died. I can't find Wesleyan Chapel Row on a map of Shotton Colliery; does it still exist?
TO Dave Read, I am one of Mr. Hodge's three sons (there were also two daughters who attended the school later on) and you seem to have been bracketed chronologically by Alan and Robin; I was in the 54-59 era. Best memory is that Dad, as art teacher, was asked to design the school badge (he also did Bridley Moor and Lodge). He asked the latin teacher (Mr. Agate)for "Nothing but the best" and was told "Nihil ...see more
My great-grandfather and his father were agricultural workers in Chipping Warden. I would like to find out about the area and the Timms family.
Adding to someone else's comment the gentleman leaning over the wall - it is indeed Mr Farthing, he was my form teacher at Twyford Boys' School. I was born a few yards further along in one of the cottages next to the school. The cottages were demolished as they became unsafe and made way for a service road down to the canteen and the playground at the bottom of the school. Mr Farthing retired from teaching around the ...see more
Seeing this photo brings back many happy memories, on the left of the photo are two black gates and the first cottage next to them is where I was born back in 1955. Shortly afterwards they were demolished and a service road was put in that led down to the school canteen and the playground of the boys school. The bakery across the road was owned by Uncle George and many a time on a cold winter's morning I would ...see more
Michelle, try Hawarden (Flintshire Archive), and good luck! You could also go to the BBC Wales website for the names of people who would be around your uncle's age; then check if they are on the social networking sites.
Anne, did you know that the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy also had an orphanage in Preston - St Joseph's - which would appear to have been even worse than St Clare's?  And there's an exceedingly boring book about this order - "We agreed to be different" - which is published online and contains a photo of the Pantasaph orphans with the Reverend Mother. She looks stern and ugly, while all the kiddies ...see more
I was at the OBMS in May of 1953. I particularly remember this time as it was when Hillary climbed Everest with Ten-zing. We had been sent on a three day expedition and on the second day I developed an infection in my right heel and was forced to return to base. At the time Edmond Hillary's son was staying in the house. I think he may have been bored at the time and invited me if I would like to explore ...see more
My friend & I used to make camps in the top room of the old mill - health & safety didn't seem to exist then! Groups of us also spent days swimming in the river, having first collected egg sandwiches from the Swan.  We even once made our own raft (or the boys did) on which we were subsequently photographed by George Garland, a noted local photographer.
So long ago. We (the family, Mum, Alun, Rob & me) must have left Colliers Wood just a few years after the war had ended. We moved into a Nissan hut, one of which seemed to me in a small suburb of huts, but no streets, just rough ground. It was near the railway line and there was a derelict two storey house that was both fascinating and scary, I suppose it was war damaged. Not far away, behind a fence made of ...see more
My family members named Grossmith  lived in Bletchingly for over two hundred years from circ 1600 to 1800.  Their are named on the church records.  I would be delighted to know if any Grossmith's  still live in the area Carol Anne Slater
I was born in Wellington in 1936 and grew up there for the first 10 years,living in No 3 Rumwell Cottages in the centre of the village. I remember just before D-Day all of the American troops passing our house on the way to Weymouth to sail to Normandy. They used to throw many kinds of candy and sweets to my sister Betty and myself as we waved to them. The Crown Inn was owned by a Mr Marker who used to give ...see more
Is there anyone going by these names who remembers me - Brian Robinson,David Simmonds, Dave McWilliams, the Gifford family or anybody living in the Morland Avenue area, West Hill, Dartford or were West Hill schoolkids at that time? Hoping, Clive J
In December 1995 the Harrow Arts Cuncil organised a festival of dancing at Hatch End High School and invited a dozen or more dance groups and schools to come along and provide a showcase of talent. It was fascinating to see so much talent and a surprising amount of this was from young people and, in particular, groups of Asian dancers with magnificent costumes. The only participats to represent a truly ...see more
I have many memories of a day out for us lads, we were stationed at Elgin with the Royal Scots and did many trips to command workshops REME at Grantown, they were some fine trips as we went back via Rothes just to make the day last. I expect it has changed a lot since then. Thanks for the photos rejogging some old memories. Howard ex REME
I am researching the crew of a RAF Halifax bomber that crashed opposite Colony farm, near Welney 25/4/44. My uncle Sgt N M Harrison was among the crew killed. I would very much like to hear from anyone who remember this, or has any further information. Details of the crews last operation can be seen on the website below. www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/raf1944/dibbins.html Many thanks, Mike Harrison Nottingham
We used to go to the baths from Thurcroft School. A great bus ride and then the pool. It seemed that it was always cold or rainy. I always had 4 pence and bought beef and onion crisps.
My grandmother Ellen & her 2nd husband lived in Humphrey Street from about 1913/4 until 1954 approx. I remember walking across the meadows around there with Pa as a very small child. Have no photos.
I was living in Keighley. I was attending Eastwood School at the age of 7 years, I don't know what age I started this school, but I have a lot of memmories and would like to hear from somone that could have gone to this school also. My name at the time was Sylvia Rooke, I think I lved on Cravenrow but am not too sure about the name. If anyone out there can help with this school at all that would be ...see more
This is my memory of living in Ynysddu. We used to live at no 1 Station Avenue, I had 6 brothers and two sisters. We used to go up the mountain with a packed lunch of bread and jam sandwishes and play cowboys and indians in the long ferns with the Davies kids, and then we would go to the boys' pond for a swim. It was just great, but the best memory of Ynysddu was when I met my husband Brin Bush, I only ...see more
I was a boy at Burrow Hill School. I remember the head master's name was Mr Tangy, my house was Orchard, I was there for about a year. Some of the boys I remember were, Macmanus, King, Clark and one boy who always wore a bow tie but I can't recall his name, I think it was Webb, we never used Christian names. Most of the boys I knew were from the London area as the school was run by the Greater London ...see more
If anyone wants to share any memories or info about the family that would be great. All I know is Charlie and Mabel Hole lived in Poling. Charlie farmed turkeys!
My friends and I loved Rye Lane, it had more shoe shops than Oxford Street. On Saturdays we would meet in Manzes Pie and Mash in Peckham Hill Street, then make our way up one side of Rye Lane, shopping if we could afford to, window shopping if not. We would navigate all through the arcade, and carry on to Choumert Road market, there used to be a lovely pub at the top, where my sister was engaged to a fellow called ...see more
My memories of Coytrahen go back to the 1930s and 1940s. I was born in 1931 at The Old Mill, home of my Grandparents and spent many summers visiting there. The Old Mill was rather off the beaten track ,getting there from the village of Coytrahen involved a walk through the woods beside a watercourse, over a style and across the railway tracks, then down into the dell. The accommodation lacked running ...see more
On Sunday 21st Feb 2010 my mother, family and I visited Hinton Charterhouse to look for information on the Wiltshire family who lived in the High Street. We found the bow window house that was a butchers shop and where they lived. In the graveyard are the grave of Charles and Louise, my great grandfather's parents, and the 2 graves of the Foxcroft family for whom my great-grandfather worked as a ...see more
I lived in Mossband and went to Gretna Township School, later known as Gretna High. Times were hard but we enjoed our time there and kept ourselves occupied potato picking in Rockliffe and Todhills, rose hip collecting, and I remember the troops going to the Suez was a sad time. We had lots of friends in Gretna and Mossband. I went back few year ago, everything gone. Gretna is the same except for the shopping ...see more
I am seeking any information which related to my late mother Evelyn Joan Laurie. Born in 1922 in Stibbington and attended Stibbington School. My mother lived on Elton Road along with 8 siblings. Any information would be most welcome.
Like my sister Jayne, I also remember many happy times at the Lodge and the farm. My brother, sister and I would spend hours looking for and playing with all the stray cats and kittens on the farm, sitting in warm barns on bales of hay. lovely! I can almost smell the warm summer farm smells when I think of it! Why were summers always long and hot when you were young? We played with two girls of about our ...see more
My dad was from the area and my brother was brought up in the village by my gran. I remember playing in the shallows of the river by the bridge on a hot sunny summers day. I have lost touch with my brother and would love to find him.
I moved there when I was six, to number 56, right at the end, the last house in the road.I left there in 1982 after 14 very happy years. I can still remember most of the familes who lived there at the time, I have great childhood memories.
My grandfather Edward Dridge was apparently a fisherman of some note (3 boats), who passed in 1938. My father Earl,b. 1908-d.1981 was born in the home on Seaview Terrace. We have family pictures showing the home but I cannot locate any mention of that street(?) via the usual routes. Possibly someone on this site could clarify. Thanking you in advance . Earl
Would like to find the family and whereabouts of Elsie May Jones, local address 'Broadwoodbunge'. If you can help, please contact mjroffey@yahoo.co.uk Subjet EMJ. February 2010