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 27681 - 27760 of 36957 in total

This is how I remember the Broadway from the eyes of a very small child walking around with my mum's gloved hand securely holding mine and my nan and my sister walking along with our dog Pepi. We would either be shopping or on the way to Rokesly School, the other very regular place we walked through the Broadway to was to visit Dr Campkin at her surgery on the corner of Tottenham Lane, I can also ...see more
The Medieval Treasure Bristol Gave Away. The Bristol Cross is one of the smaller architectural treasures of Britain - but it's one which Bristol's worthies were only too glad to give away. Today the Cross has pride of place at Stourhead, the world-famous 18th-century pleasure gardens which the banker Henry Hoare built near Mere in Wiltshire. This medieval masterpiece was set up in ...see more
This shows an early Victorian horse-drawn omnibus on the Park Street, Clifton, City Centre Bristol Zoo route. The fleet commenced with various horse trailers, totalling 109 with 678 horses. These were eventually replaced by electric cars which totalled 237. The last new batch was built in 1920 to the same basic open top design and style as those of twenty years before. With a few ...see more
Two of the cranes were purchased by 'City Dock Ventures' and two by the city council. All four were put into the museums care in 1989. Although the electricity supply to them was cut in 1974, one has been restored and another is in the process of being restored by a dedicated team of volunteers, led by Dave 'The Crane' Cole. One crane is now fully working and sometimes open for the public to go up to the ...see more
Cabot used only one ship with 18 crew, the Matthew, a small ship (50 tons), but fast and able. He departed on either May 2 or May 20, 1497 and sailed to Dursey Head, Ireland. His men were frightened by ice, but he forged on, landing somewhere, possibly on the coast of Newfoundland, possibly on the coast of Cape Breton Island, on June 24, 1497. As so little is known about this voyage, which landing-place to ...see more
Bristol's Cabot's Tower, and the penny pinching Council. Bristol's most prominent land mark, the Cabot Tower, was 100 years old in 1998. But the official opening was marked by a disastrous fire, a confidence trick and some rather clever council penny pinching. The foundation stone of the Cabot Tower was laid on Brandon Hill in 1897, the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's journey to the New World. It was ...see more
Back in 1965 we moved into 6 Tregaron Avenue, just off Crouch Hill. I was 3 years old and there were six of us, Mum and Dad, my sister Jill and our lovely Nan and Auntie Peggy. One of my earliest and fondest memories is of on Sunday nights you could look out of my nan's upstairs dining room and see the crucifix all lit up on the steeple of Christ Church. Such lovely happy memories of a wonderful childhood.
Clifton Zoo was founded in 1835 by a group of eminent local citizens and opened to the public in 1836. It is the fifth oldest in the world, and the oldest one that is not in a capital city. There were 220 shareholders who subscribed the capital to enable the land to be bought and the Zoo to be built. Some of the descendants of these original shareholders are still connected with the Zoo to this day, ...see more
Bristol's High Street scene of many strirring events in Bristol's history the heart of the city was destroyed and lost forever in 1940. As a city with docks and industry at its heart, Bristol was a natural target for German bombing during World War Two. The German Luftwaffe were able to trace a course up river from Avonmouth using reflected moonlight. This path brought them right into the ...see more
Back in 1980 I was a very young lorry driver at just 18 years old, and I would regularly deliver to a chain of shoe shops called Johnsons, one of which was situated in the parade of shops in this photo, and I believe it to be on the right near the bus stand. Twickenham was the first and also the last (1931 to 1962) place in London to have trolleybuses serving it, this began with the ...see more
This 1960s photograph of Bristol's Horsefair in Broadmead shows the two swish large department stores of Lewis's (far right of photo) and and its huge neighbour Jones. (Lewis's now John Lewis no connection and Jones now Debnhams) Bristol had watched the two giants take shape alongside each other on the Horsefair BS1 . . . the two swish department stores that would put Bristol back on the map as ...see more
This 1960s photograph shows Bristol's Fairfax Street in the Broadmead area. The large building on the left shows the former Fairfax House Department Store, later pulled down to build Bristol's Galleries Shopping Mall. The Co-op's Fairfax House was demolished and replaced by The Galleries car park. When it opened, as the Bristol Co-ops flagship department store, at 11am on Thursday March 29. ...see more
Frys former chocolate factory once stood in the Union Street/Pithay area (later moved production to Somerdale Keynsham). J.S. Fry & Sons Ltd merged their financial interests with Cadbury in 1919. The earliest records of J.S. Fry & Sons go back to 1728, when a Bristol apothecary called Walter Churchman started his business. Walter Churchman must have been one of the authorities on chocolate making ...see more
The old St James Barton area of the city was demolished in the late 1950s to make way for Bond Street and the bus station. The rebuilding of the city started almost as soon as the Second World War had ended. The blitz destroyed many historic buildings and St James Barton was changed forever. It is now a shadow of its former self. The city continued to expand after the war and much of the ...see more
While Bristol may be better known nowadays for being home to Wallace and Gromit than to a top-class university, its college has gained a reputation as a science leader, particularly in medicine and engineering. Founded in 1909, Bristol is a relatively new university by British standards, but it's among the most competitive. Only one in ten students is accepted. University College, Bristol, which opened in ...see more
There is no getting away from the fact that this is one the most attractive of all roads! in Bristol. In Victorian and Edwardian times, Queen' Road was home to a number of institutions. Here were the Museum and Reference Library, noted for its collection of natural history and geological exhibits, and a reference library containing over 50,000 volumes. The Art Gallery (1905) also housed a museum ...see more
Eastville Park is a large park with a small lake, just to the east of the M32. The lake at Eastville Park was instigated as part of a social scheme by Ernest Bevin (a well respected westcountryman) who later became Minister of Labour under Churchill in the coalition government of the Second World War and later Foreign Secretary in the Atlee Government from 1945 until his death. Eastville Park swimming pool was ...see more
This is one part of ancient Bristol that has survived, virtually unchanged apart from the signs but the city beyond is very different. At one time sailing ships moored at the bottom of these steps before the River Frome was covered over. There were three pubs on the steps, the White Horse at No 2 run by Ada Palmer, the Rainbow and Dove, run by the Hill family at No 3 (which also housed ...see more
Construction of the floating harbour: In the 18th century, the docks in Liverpool grew larger and so increased competition with Bristol for the tobacco trade. Coastal trade was also important, with the area called 'Welsh Back' concentrating on trows with cargoes from the slate industry in Wales, stone, timber and coal. The limitations of Bristol's docks were causing problems to business, so ...see more
St Mary Redcliffe Church. Bristol's loveliest church, St Mary Redcliffe, was described as 'the fairest, the goodliest and most famous parish church in England' by Queen Elizabeth I in 1574. Thanks to what Bristol's 1970's town planners presumably considered their finest hour, the church is surrounded by dual carriageways. Enter the church by the north portal, a magnificent structure ...see more
This photograph shows Redcliffe Bascule Bridge which can only be lifted by prior arrangements with the Harbour Master. Today the speed limit within the Floating Harbour is 6mph, and craft proceeding under the Prince Street, Redcliffe or Bristol Bridges should sound one prolonged blast on their horn before doing so.
This 1953 photo shows Bristol's Horsefair in Broadmead not long before the rebuilding of Broadmead after the blitz of theSecond World War. Broadmead runs between Union Street and Penn Street, and was a part of the regeneration of the city centre following the destruction of the Second World War. Broadmead emerged as the central area for shopping in post-war Bristol. In the late 1990s a large ...see more
These Clifton Tennis Courts alongside Bristol's Portway road were built just after the road was opened. The new built Portway from Bristol to Avonmouth a very modern road in its day. The wide A4 Portway trunk road passes along the south-west edge of Sea Mills and links central Bristol with its outport at Avonmouth. Running parallel to the serpentine path of the River Avon, the Portway was the most ...see more
I wonder just how many romances started after meeting under Bristol's old Tramways Clock, the time-piece once at the heart of George White's electric transport system? The mock Tudor facade to which it clings officially Nos 1-3 St Augustine is a familiar landmark on the Centre even today. It was the home of Bristol's tram and bus company and its enquiry office from 1896 until 1978 when the doors were ...see more
I remember Platts Farm. My gran lived in a bungalow (a wooden hut really) right at the far end of the field. There was a small pond and a little stream running through it. We went there every shcool holidays and I stayed there all through the summer holidays, getting the bus from what is now Chrolton Street Bus station, yes on my own, and then walking down that lane passed the Red Lion pub, the post office and then the ...see more
I spent nine months at this hospital from August Bank holiday 1954 till April 1955 after having a mass x-ray earlier that year. I was only 17 years of age at that time and the photo brings to life the time I spent there along with the memories, and not all bad by any means. I am now 72 years of age, worked a full manual life in the building industry, run marathons, and still play Badminton and ...see more
My father was farm manager at Orange Court Farm from 1964-1967. We lived in one of the cedar wood bungalows put up in Littleton, I suspect in the early 1960s, by the More-Molyneux family for estate workers - they also owned the Guildway building firm at Artington at that time, and the bungalows were variants on their standard designs. Other estate workers lived in unrestored 17th-century cottages in Littleton which, ...see more
i remember growing up on Sutton's housing estate, I lived with my grandparents, the Heatons, at no 20. I went to Sacred Heart School, with my friends Alan Overend, Peter Harney, from Trust Road. Palled around with Bill Cutts, Derick Armstrong, Stan and Malcome Denon - great lads. They were good years, it would be be good to hear from you guys, how about it? Peter Ellis.
We lived at 5 Tirrold Way on the Charlton Estate at Wantage just after I was born in 1949. My father George Nicholas worked at the Atomic Energy at Harwell and my parents were also the first occupants of these houses. My mother who is 83 years old feels sure that the Robinson family lived next door and that Susan and I played together and that she went on to become a nurse. If this is fact would love to hear from you!
My family lived in Tooting, London but my mum's brother Charlie Layland was married to Josie who lived in a house called 'Jonada' with sons John, Tony, Trevor,and Andrew in Small Dole. We used to cycle the 42 miles down to Small Dole and stay there. Josie was fantastic and used to take us to Steyning Market, up to Chanctonbury Ring etc etc all on our bikes. We were all skint ...see more
George James Norris and his wife Charlotte, nee Halliday, lived at Alders, Sholden with their 5 children in 1891. Miss Sarah Norrice who was living with her mother Ursula at Sholden in 1881 was George James's 2nd cousin as her father George Norris was the brother of George James's grandfather Thomas. In 1843 Sarah was christened Sarah Barwick Norris after her grandmother ...see more
I lived in The Red Lion Inn, Thursley (Bridle Cottage) from the day I was born for approximately 22 years. I was born in June 1961 and I am the oldest child of four. I lived with my parents and grandparents. My grandfather, Tom Briscoe, bought the old pub in 1959 (after it had been closed down, I do not know why the pub stopped trading?) - and he converted the place to a private house. I have such happy ...see more
I was married there in 1964, long before it was swamped by the town centre. My daughter was christened there. I then went to work at Van Moppes, can anyone remember it? I was living at Viables Farm, a working farm then, I believe it's a craft centre now. They were good days.
I worked in the pub, restaurant, whatever, after it had replaced the pub, what a crying shame that the pub had gone. Anyroad, there was a massive fire which started in the kitchens, and I had to go on site to try to watertight what was left of the roof after the fire, I actually have a load of photos of this.
My memories of the Wake Arms pub are, travelling from Harold Hill every Friday night, me, my mates and girlfriends too, to the heavy metal disco they held at the Wake Arms, drinking more than I should have then driving home, but what a brilliant night, never no aggro. A great memory.
I lived across the field from Easby and as a child spent many Sundays down on the river bank at Easby with my parents and siblings picnicing. My aunts and cousins used to visit from Northumberland and we had fishing nets and jam jars on strings in which we collected our 'tiddlers'. We paddled in the river and in the 1950s many afternoons after school we cycled to Easby to play by the River Swale. Both my parents are buried at Easby.
It was in the summer of 1975 when I first travelled up to Stirling from Oxford, to spend a gloriously happy and memorable Open University summer school week at Stirling University - studying mathematics. I was expecting a series of colleges, like Oxford and Cambridge, but was thrilled to see that the beautiful, albeit modern, campus was on one site, superbly ...see more
I was fostered to stay with a Mrs Collins who lived at 47 Spencer avenue, Hayes in Middlesex. I remember that she had a daughter called Mavis who was married at Easter, believe it was 27th April, 1953? I was her bridesmaid and we had terrible snow that Easter Saturday and I got out of the wedding car in a lacy pink dress (which was all the fashion at the time), together with a pair of large ...see more
Throckley Fish Shop was situated next to the Post Office. It was owned by the Humble family who were really nice people and made delicious fish and chips. Eddie and I think it was his son Freddy  who worked there and kept the kids like myself hanging around in place. I'm sure I got a clip behind the ear hole a few times off Freddie, no doubt I would have deserved it. This would of been in the early 1960s, my ...see more
In Studdall Street, Little Mongeham in 1881-91, Henry Pittock a wagonner lived with his wife & daughter both called Frances. Henry was born about 1856 in Kingsdown, Kent, the son of Henry Stephen Pittock & Margaret Rattray Goldsack. Mrs Frances was christened Frances Beaney Maria Wraight at St Margarets at Cliff in 1861 by her parents William Wraight & Sarah Curling Baker. Her unmarried brother William was living with them in Little Mongeham in 1881.
Leonard Wraight, a Farmer & carrier, his wife Elizabeth and their son of 16, Walter Wraight lived in Great Mongeham in 1901. Leonard was the son of Richard Wraight & Ann Holmes and was born in 1842 at St Margarets At Cliffe a few miles away. There, he married Elizabeth Brown Bailey in 1867. The Publican at the Horse Shoe Inn in 1901 Great Mongeham was William Wraight, his ...see more
I would have been three years old back then, living, as we did, at 77 High Street with my grandparents (the Dentons). Harry (my grandfather) used to keep bees and was regularly praised for his beautiful floral front garden. I, my brother (Desmond) and our parents later moved to Frilsham Street. The village is still my most favourite place in the entire world as it encapsulates all ...see more
I was a pupil at this school from 1954 to 1961. I was in Miss Staddart's class. She used to take us to pictures on Saturdays, some of the films which I saw were 'Ben NUr', and Norman Wisdom's films. My friends I remember were Clive Wood, Peter Adams, Maurice Fountain. I can also remember trying to go swimming at nights, and also used to raid the food cellar. We used to play in the trees at the back of the school huts. All ...see more
This is about Christmas Day 57 years ago, and how things have changed. Even though we had nowt it was still a very exciting time, as it is now, but money was tight and we could only have the presents that each family could afford. What I mean by this is, there wasn't such a thing as credit like today when you, 'buy now, pay later'. We always had our stockings on the end of the bed, filled with nowt fancy, just a handful of ...see more
My father was a police constable in Camberwell from 1945-1960s. I used to be very worried when I saw him in the centre of this huge crossroads, with doubledecker buses and belching great lorries streaming past him on all sides, this was 'Point Duty' directing the traffic before traffic lights were erected. He didn't worry about his own safety standing in the middle of all that traffic, as he had been a Police Warden in the ...see more
I was fourteen in this year and I had been at Walbottle School about a year. I had teamed up with two mates, one was Tony Grey from Lemington who dressed like me and we were into the same music. One of the sayings at that time was "Cool" that's the category we liked to think we fell into, the other lad from Newburn was my mate 'Ginger Broon', or Derek Brown, he was a big fella with bright ginger hair, his face ...see more
Mrs Sarah Norris, born Berwick, died in 1852 at Great Mongeham. Although she was a pauper, she had lived to a grand old age of 85 and was kept out of the workhouse by her daughter Mary, who cared for her and did the village's washing. In 1851 her grandaughter Mary lived next door with her husband Stephen Lawrence and their baby son William. Sarah's father William Berwick was born in the village in ...see more
I lived in Mafeking Cottages for a short time in 1939 as an evacuee. We arrived in Cherryhinton from London and after a long day trying to get billeted in Cambridge my twin sister and I were taken to Church End and left sitting on a grass verge outside the cottages. Just a few of us were left to be settled and the social workers knocked all of the doors in Church End. The elderley occupants of the cottages (I ...see more
My oldest brother Jack, and my older sister Dorothy and myself all attended Harris Orphanage School in the 1940s. We lived in Greyfriars Crescent, Fulwood, and although our nearest school was at Cadley Causeway, because the war was on and because Cadley Causeway school was already full, we were sent to the Harris Orphanage School. I remember the teachers, the first class I was in was taught by ...see more
Me and my Mrs bought the ground floor to this building shown here 3 years ago.
I remember the Sunday concerts at the Tivoli during wartime. These were produced in a very professional manner and were a wonderful morale booster for the local people during some very dark days. One Sunday the same concert was being performed at the Tivoli and The Empire on the same night and the artists were running between the two cinemas all evening. A trip to the cinema followed by a cup of tea and a bun at Sally Lowe's Cafe under the clock was quite a night out, how times have changed!
In 1841 John & Mary Wraight's son William married Sarah Curling Baker the daughter of Thomas Baker & Eleanor Hunt from St Margarets at Cliffe. Her stepsister, Eleanor Hunt's daughter by her first marriage to William Marsh, Mrs Eleanor Raynor lived at Frith Farm Guston in 1851 with her husband, baliff Henry Rayner from Shepherdswell, she looked after their baby boy George, whilst their older ...see more
For over 36 years from 1844 to after 1881, Sarah Susannah Jell born in Ringwould about 1804 lived in Finglesham as the wife or widow of Thomas Norris, agricultural labourer. He was the son of John Norris & Sarah Berwick of Great Mongeham, brother of Mrs Eliza Tyler of Deal, and Miss Mary Norris of Great mongeham, brother-in-law of Mrs Ursula Marsh of Sholden.             ...see more
I can remember meeting my 'first boyfriend' David Harding when I was 14, and him buying me my first Welsh doll. And having lovely walks up the 'Grieg' and being able to watch the wild horses, and actually sitting on the back of a huge white wild horse my cousin managed to catch. And collecting blackberries, and picking holly up near Bedwelty church, and being scared to death when taking a short cut through the churchyard, and going to the 'Tin Shed' for bread for my mum.
Over the few years I lived in Blandford, John and I would take his parents for a drink at the Crown Hotel, lovely relaxing evenings, great atmosphere, good company, what more could you ask for. On my first Christmas in Blandford, the hospital held its Christmas dinner at the Crown Hotel, food and service were faultless and it was a great evening.
I moved to Blandford to take up a new position, at the time the extension of the hospital was near completion. The hospital was very much a community orientated place where local people were employed and cared for local members of the community. Through a hospital function, I met my current husband John, so I not only have very special work-related memories, but also have happy personal memories, thanks to the hospital.
My memories of Stafford relate to my younger childhood. My grandparents lived in Bedford Avenue and as youngsters my sister and I would go and stay with my nana and grandad in the school holidays. We used to go shopping and visted the market over the years where we would spend our pennies. After trawling round the various stalls my nana would stop at the cake shop next door, before heading home. I can also remember ...see more
Returning to England for a visit after being in Canada for seventeen years, I was anxious to find old friends and retrace steps I had taken years before when I called this my home. I arranged to meet up with my mother who had been visiting England for a few months before I got there. Together we took public transport to Otterbourne to visit the part owners of the lovely old-world resturant The Old Forge. ...see more
I remember my school days and the games played on this green, the trees forming goal posts, and wickets for cricket. My uncle Ernie's business ('KNIGHTS FOR FISH & CHIPS') was sited for all the villagers, as were the many shops and public houses surrounding. A penn'orth of chips had to be earned by picking up the papers and keeping the green tidy. It was in the 1930s and our lovely old ...see more
I started my secondary school education at what is now Rope Lane School when it first opened in approximately 1956. I have great memories of my time there and made some great freinds. The teachers were also great and some that I remember are: Mr Williams, Mrs Stone, Mr Hesketh, Mr Griffiths, Miss Scott, Miss Dixon, and Mr Sadler. Although I lived in Shavington for a few years I can't remember a graveyard there. Can anyone help?
I too saw this photograph in a cafe in Goldhurst Terrace. I recognised Finchley Road and Frognal Station as I was born in a flat closeby in 1967. My parents moved into the flat in 1966 and I was so glad to track down the photo and order a copy for my father. I remember my parents telling me how Finchley Road used to be lined with trees and wide pavements and now I can see that for myself!
I was born at 52 The Glade in 1960 and can remember a happy childhood, although my mum was a single mother (unusual then) and we struggled with money. I remember the parade of shops near me up the hill and especially the sweet shop with Mr Newby as owner. I went to school at Keston and loved it there. It had a swimming pool and that can't be usual for that time. We used to have a maypole at the summer fair ...see more
I remember the working man's club very well, and going in with my grandad when I was young. The reason I'm writing this is that my grandfather died in 1993, January 22nd. His name was Raymond Smith, known as Ray. He was tall, with blue eyes and dark hair, who loved his ale in his silver tankard in the WMC and was a heavy smoker. He was 56 when he died and lived his life in the Green Lane WMC. He lived in a flat over the ...see more
I remember the Open Air Lido very well. It was managed by Sid and Minnie Armstrong. They looked after their customers well and once they got to know you they let you stay over your time and sometimes never charged you for the basket which you put your clothes in. It was a good and cheap source of entertainment plus all your mates came also, they were happy days.
Just wondered if anyone remembers 'Harrisons Newsagents' based at 92 The Stow. My father opened this shop in December 1953, and it was for many years run by a manager - Mr Wood (Bert). The shop was sold in November 1980 and I believe that it now operates as a bridal wear shop. Any memories would be much appreciated. John Harrison
As I told you, in Millfield there was only one shop, 'Jacksons', and two houses, Sewells and Gribbles, both in Victoria Terace where they turned their front parlour into shops. Sewells was run by Anne Veitche's mother, a nice lady, who lived straight opposite in Albert Terrace. All main shoppping was done in Newburn. There were two shops on Warkworth Crescent, Coffees and Lewins who I believe were related. I can't ...see more
My mother-in-law has just passed away and we found this in her papers. My years at Stanford-le-Hope Laundry. I lived in a village where my mum and family had lived for generations. A signpost at the top of our lane said '24 miles to London'. Our house was in the last road on one side of the village before farm land, and almost a mile from the River Thames. It was the last week of our school holidays ...see more
When the searchlights came... During the Second World War, Uttoxeter hardly knew that the war was on, although our young men and women kept leaving, and rationing was severe. One change to us all, on the park side of the town, was the opening of the bypass in 1939. The war stopped operations, and of the dual carriageway (a source of wonder to me) only one lane was open, the nearside side, facing ...see more
I first visited Chaldon in the summer of 1946. My parents and I lived in Colindale, NW London in a rented house, at the end of the war the owners, who had lived downstairs, moved to Chaldon, and lived in the small bungalow named 'Valley View' at the end of Leazes Avenue. In 1946 my parents and I visited for the first time and in subsequent years would enjoy a summer holiday 'In the country'. We would ...see more
My name is Maggie Wilkinson. My mum Elizabeth Pilkington lived at Copthorne Convent, then it was called Bank Farm House, she was married from there on 6th June 1942. My parents were married at St John's church. Mum's stepfather owned the house, his name was Sydney Levett. Mum has many memories of Copthorne and Surrey, I have many photos of the house and the gardens which my grandmother created. I managed to ...see more
My uncle Stan Bowen lived in No 1 The Crescent, Ebbw Vale, Mon. If I can remember, there were about six steps to go down to the back door. Uncle Stan's sister and brother also lived there. We used to go down on a Sunday from Newtown before the war to visit them. Regards, Idris Bowen
I don't actually remember this event, but according to my birth certificate I was born in No. 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford in February 1940. I can only presume that my mother was expecting me but was evacuated to Bedford from London. Her address is on my birth certificate as 11 Highfield Crscent, Ridgmont, Bedford. Does anyone know whether the Kimbolton Road address was a hospital at the time? It may be possible that ...see more
My late husband Jim played the pipe organ in this church. Our eldest son, Mark, aged about 5 at the time, used to go with him and insisted on sitting on the console with him. Although we lived in the area during the troubles, we were sufficiently removed from it to be able to feel fairly secure.
I lived in Kington up until the age of 18 years. My late father, Geoff Taylor, was a keen bowler and known as 'The Firer'. The picture of the cross brings back memories of my father on a Saturday morning catching up with his fellow bowling mates who owned shops in the town. I can also recall the carol singing held under the town clock, as well as walking with my sister Tracy to the local junior school and ...see more
My father was born in Blaenau, and he and I would travel there every summer to visit his mother/my nain. One of the things we would do is catch the train from Blaenau Festiniog (sic) Central to (Llan) Festiniog and walk round to Hugh Lloyd's pulpit. It's sad, but I wouldn't know how to get there now. I expect it's signposted. But I do remember the spectacular views across the Vale ...see more
I apparently spent sometime during WW2 in a Mount Grace Hospital in Potters Bar. Has anyone any details or photographs of this building please? Thank you.
I have no personal memories of the Heacham, High House but I'm researching my Rolfe Family. I live in America and I am pretty sure the photo posted of the Heacham, High House c 1955 is actually Heacham Hall, the Family home of the Rolfe Family. I have found, on the internet, that Heacham Hall was destroyed by fire in 1941. Is this true? I am hoping that it is still extant and would like to visit ...see more
I was placed in Denham Court on 20th February 1953 at the age of 12 years (just five days before my thirteenth birthday, which I recall was not even acknowledged by anyone) when it was a Children's Home. The Matron and her husband were Mr. and Mrs David Hill. They had a daughter called Susan and I believe she was about the same age as me. The home was populated by approximately 35 boys and only 5 girls! We used to ...see more
During the early years after the Second World War my mother would take me to Woolwich as a special treat. I was about 8 year old then. We would catch the 696 trolleybus from Dartford market and arrive at the Woolwich Arsenal around lunch time. Our first stop was Manzie's Pie and Eel shop - absolutely delicious after the wartime food. From there we would walk past Woolwich Empire on our way to the ferry. On the ...see more
I learned to ride at Pednor stables, run by Hilary with help from her husband. They had a motley but extremely well cared-for string of horses, which grew all the time. My favourite was a 4-yr-old exmoore called Kerry, who was sold and kept on ther in livery. Bubbles was cream with wall eyes...anyone remember the others? Hilary has always been an inspiration and although I have not followed in her footsetps, latish in life I have begun to work with horses