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 32561 - 32640 of 36860 in total
Farley Croft was a beautiful house, in Westerham, converted for use as a Dr. Barnardo's Home when I was there in 1953/54. It was a wonderful place to be living. We junior Nursery Nurses were paid £4 a month while we trained. We mostly spent it on chocolate and sweets in the village on our off duty periods. I spent 10/- (50p) a month on riding lessons in nearby Limpsfield. We attended the church which was ...see more
The picture of is the new Stepgates Girls School, opened in September 1908. Very little had changed between 1908 and 1960, the road had been given a smoother surface and railings placed in front of the gate.
Although I used to take my two children to the pool from Stubbington when we lived there in the 1960s my memory is of the 1940s when it was an adult pool with a high diving board. A swimming gala was put on by the Navy and we sat on the bank facing the sea. At one point a uniformed Navy chap stood on the end of the diving board and made some sort of announcement. To my horror he suddenly pitched forward and fell ...see more
This picture is of the pond near the junction of Pound Pond Road and Abbey Road in Chertsey. As a child I would walk pass this area on my way to school, but the 'pond' was more like a muddy ditch!!
I was born in Somersham in 1940, in my grandmother's house, which was 1 West End. My own house was known then as 6 Trinity Terrace, since changed to 90 High Street. Until the mid 1950s a lot of the houses were quite primitive, no indoor sanitation, the Terrace had a pump for the 6 houses. The only heating was a fire in the living room, the bedrooms were always freezing. My memories are of a friendly ...see more
In order to accommodate an addition to the family, my parents decided to move into an upstairs flat in Parker Street, Byker. The flat consisted of 3 bedrooms, a sitting room and a small room with a sink and gas cooker which served as the kitchen. From the kitchen was an open wooden stair case, leading into the backyard which contained the outside toilet. Bath night for me and my sisters was Sunday night, taking ...see more
We lived in Innellan for about 3 years and I have very fond memories of being there. My husband was in the Navy stationed aboard the U.S.S. Hunley in Dunoon at the time and we found this lovely 2 storey house right on the River Clyde in Innellan to rent. We lived in the bottom half - I believe it was called "Briar Brae House" and I loved it there. I would put the 2 boys in the pram and away we would go to the ...see more
I have not had the pleasure to have seen Buckhurst Hill, Essex to date but my grandfather Robert Martin Taylor had a relation who lived there. His son Everard William Taylor was born Scotland 28th August 1885 and died Perth, Western Australia when I was seven, 10th Sept 1963. I will like to hear from anyone who may have known my relatives. My email: margaretgoode@hotmail.com Kind Regards and Hello to all Margaret From OZ.
I remember when I first moved to Tarpots that we had proper shops. We had a butchers, greengrocer, baker, newsagent, and post office. You could get all you wanted without having to catch a bus to another town. Now most of the shops have gone only to be replaced by fast food outlets. There is fish and chips, KFC, Wimpy, in fact any hot food outlet you can think of. I also learn that another shop at ...see more
In 1948 I was living in the Midland Hotel, owned by British Railways. My father was the manager. The highlight of that year was the triumphal tour of the Australian cricket team, The Invincibles, captained by Don Bradman. The team stayed at the hotel when they played Derbyshire and I met some of them. Of course, my father had the most contact and told some stories about their high jinks. At one ...see more
My father worked in the field that became Carters Park when Mr Carter gave it to the town. He was Cyril King and he was aged 13 at the time, having left school to work on the land. It is very moving as he died in 2003 and his ashes are now in the cemetery directly opposite the park. He eventually went on to farm down Crown Colony/Sluice Road Holbeach Marsh until his retirement.
I met my wife Dorothy in Northampton. She came from Cheadle. Incidentally I was born at Ryton-on-Tyne. One day Dorothy asked me if I would like to move to Cheadle so I got a map out and what caught my eye was a place called Upper Tean which was about 3 mile from Cheadle. Within 4 weeks we were living in Upper Tean and it's a beautiful place to live in. From the kitchen window to the horizon one can see many ...see more
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16. At the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service. While were running the old folks home as previously mentioned, a couple, Bill Atterton aged 72 and Doris Cox aged 67, who were both residents at the home got married here. Bill, a widower, had been married before, but ...see more
When I was working for Nat West Bank in the 70s I used to travel on the train from Kenley Station every day to go up to Caterham and back. The up line terminates there while the downline goes via Purley to East Croydon and London, and I have stood on both sides of this platform hundreds of times waiting for the train to arrive. When I returned to Kenley in 1998 I found that apart from a lick of paint, it had not changed very much and probably has not now.
When we were living in Church Road, Kenley where the church is situated, we lived right next door at No 16, at the time a Reverend Edwards was the vicar and I used to be a cross bearer for Sunday Service. The steps in this picture are in Kenley Lane and are the back entrance to the churchyard. Where the two boys in the picture are was parallel with our back garden and there was many a time when my brother and I ran up and down these same steps.
We lived here as a family from 1972 until 1985, where my parents ran an Old Folks Home, in Church Road.
In 1998 I took a flat in Valley Road, Kenley for two years after the breakup of my marriage, before in 2000 following my parents down to Worthing where I live now.
Kenley was a very nice place to live, and as my first job was in Caterham Valley, I used to get the train every morning from Kenley Station.
John Eaton (1832-1914), my great great grandfather, is buried in St. Helen's churchyard along with his wife Jane (Siddall). The memorial stone was originally near the gate and surrounded by iron railings, which were most likely removed during WW II as part of the 'war effort', and is now located near the right hand boundry of the church yard. There is a stained glass window in the church dedicated to John & Jane ...see more
When we lived in Wallington from 1965 to 1972, I remember going into Mantles the newsagent/sweetshop and buying sweets for my little brother and I. The town hall and library are situated behind here and looking down the high street which has not changed a great deal to this day were all the shops and the railway station. Fond memories indeed of our years in Wallington.
When I attended Collingwood School for boys aged 7 to 11 we used to play football and cricket at Mellows Park, and I clearly remember going into the tea rooms many times to get a bun and a bottle of pop after practice.The Headmaster John Richardson was the best head I had throughout my entire schooling, very fair but firm.
We moved from Coulsdon to Wallington in 1966 where I attended Collingwood School from 1965-1967, I then spent 3 years away at Boarding School in Caterham, before returning in 1970-1972 to attend Wallington Independent School for boys, which was has since been demolished.
My first girlfriend Carol Anscomb who lived opposite at number 35 used to attend the Wallington Grammar School for Girls, and I used to run out ...see more
These memories relate to about 1963-1966/7. My dad was a car salesman for more years than I care to remember, and worked at the car sales place in Bedfont. We knew a lot of people in the area (none, alas, on this site so far), but I can remember the glass/pottery shop next door, the toyshop that I spent hours looking round, the sweetshop on the corner next to that. Gerry who had the furniture shop across the ...see more
The house behind the telephone pole is number 73, my grandparents, Jim and Annie McQuillan lived there from the 30s until the late 60s or early 70s. I used to spend all summer there travelling from Middlesbrough on the bus via Warrington, on my own from age 6. Can you imagine the reaction these days to such an adventure? The shop on the left was Dicky Dones newsagents - the local bookie before betting shops were legalised. ...see more
Hello, My name is John Ryan and I can remember Devizes when I was evacuated there in 1940 from Tilbury Essex. I was 11 years old. I can remember where we all assembled in what I think was the Catholic school, which I believe was St Joseph's. There was about 40 of us and I happened to be the last to be picked for accommodation with a local family. I remember the lady, her name was Phyllis Hillier ...see more
This picture is taken from the junction of Kinver Street and is looking up towards Church Street on the top left. At the bottom right is the Rose and Crown pub (Davenports house) next to which was a shop that sold everything and I think belonged to the Randalls. After that was the Hall (like a village hall) and then the church land started. On the left and out of shot was a butchers, a bank, a chemist (window ...see more
Behind this picture were the tennis courts and behind that were the football changing rooms and the pitches. I played in goal there for several teams over the years, the last being the Wordsley Labour Club. I had started with Stuart Crystal and over the years gained nicknames like the Crab or the Bear. There would also be some I cannot put here. Getting married and moving to Cradley put an end to the football ...see more
I believe this photo is not of the square. I think this photo is further up, maybe the old co-op? I have being doing a lot of family research on my ancestors from the area which is why I think that this is not the square. My great grandfather used to own the bakery, and my great great grandfather built the building next door to the bakery that later on was owned by the Carpanini family. There is only 1 first floor window on the Carpanini buliding. Just an observation, but I think I'm right.
I lived on Clee Hill as a child and they were the best years of my life, the freedom and fun we had riding our bikes, it was so safe, I could see 7 counties from my bedroom window.
Does anyone have any details about a John Austin, born in Chelmsford early in 1916 to a mother with the surname Gigney? My wife is trying to research her family history and as a Gigney believes this lady may have been a relation, making Mr Austin possibly a relative. John Wells.
I lived in Morden after my parents moved there after the war until 1961 first St Helier Ave then Easby Cres, where my 93 yr old parents still live, and went to Canterbury Primary then Willow High School from 1954,I used to attend the jazz club at the Crown as a young teen, worked for a while at Disc Records and watched the old Crown demolished, then in 1965 before emigrating at worked Hudson Brothers in the new office block ...see more
In the year 1492 William Gildersleeve and in 1544 Thomas Robert Gildersleeve were born in Witnesham, Suffolk, England. Gildersleeves first found in Norfolk area where they were anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. If anyone knows any Gildersleeves (Spelling variations of the family name includes Gildersleeve, Gildersleve, Gilderslieve, Gildensleeve, Gildensleve, Sildsleeve, Gildsleve, Guildersly).
My mum moved here when she was about 7 years old in 1959. Her mum and dad Mr and Mrs Claus owned the fish shop third closest to the camera. Her neighbour Mrs Sansby lived in the middle house. The house nearest to the camera is where my mum lived. She lived here until 1963 she was eleven when she moved. She had to move as the houses were about to be pulled down. So she moved up to Church Close where she lived until she ...see more
Hi I am Derek Hyde. I with my sister arrived in Eastcombe late afternoon on the day war was declared, Sept 3d 1939. We had been evacuated from Birmingam, we were to live with our grandparents for the duration of the war, we were the lucky ones to be with them, many others who came later did not know who they were to live with. We were related to the well known Bond family. I only ever remember very fond ...see more
My sister and I arrived at Kerne Bridge station very late one evening as evacuees. We ended up living with Mr Calkin, a retired head master, and his charming wife. They were absolutely wonderful to us for the time we were with them, this probably being two years. Our mother and sisters also moved out of London and found accommodation, my mother lived with an old lady called Mrs Lewis in a very small cottage also up ...see more
My aunt is 95 years old and now lives in San Francisco but she talks a lot about St Johns Chapel. She was born there and went to school there. Her grandfather (John Slater Freeman) was headmaster of the school for a number of years. She was born in a large house there and the tradition was that all first borns had to be born in the house. Evidently the house is now flats. My aunt's name was Olive Freeman. ...see more
My memories relate to the 1940s and 50s - my Grandmother [Laura Reeves] and Grandfather [William Reeves] lived at 106 New Haw Road. My gran ran a little shop in the front room and I can still remember the smell of cheese, bacon and tobacco together with sundry sweets she sold from huge jars on the shelves. Two aunts and uncles and their families lived across the road at numbers 125 and 127 ...see more
It is quite possible that the the little boy to the right in this picture is me at age six. My family used to stay at a friend's caravan in the park above the cliffs. During the summers of 1954 through 1958 we stayed there most weekends in the summer and even a few in the spring and autumn. St. Mary's Well Bay was not a good beach, a lot of rock and bladderwrack seaweed, which does give a satisfying ...see more
My aunt Dylis used to have a fruit and veg shop on this street and I can remember going with my gran to the shop and helping to make wreathes for funerals. My gran used to live in Beatrice Street, opposite the train station. I seem to remember that the access to this was via a footbridge on which I used to stand to wait for the steam trains to pass underneath. At the back of the station was the beginning of a walk which I used ...see more
The area where the Rose and Crown public house is situated was initially known as the "Bridge Street" hamlet. It is one of the very old inns of Enfield situated at the hollow between Whitewebbs Park and Hilly Fields. The road running at the rear of the inn towards Whitewebbs House is or was called "Bullbeggars Hollow". The Rose and Crown has an interesting history as it was once owned by a Mr. Nott, who was Dick ...see more
Having discovered this site only recently many memories came flooding back, as reminded by the photo of Hale Lane where I helped out in the Kosher Deli as a kid. I lived in Lynford Gardens then in Glendale Avenue over a period of about 10 years from the age of nine until 19 when I left to live overseas. Looking back today I feel very fortunate to have grown up here having moved from Kensington out to the 'Green Belt' ...see more
My name is John O'Connor of the Dublin O'Connor/Kelly family. Saturday morning could not come quick enough for our family, myself and brother Marty would walk 5 miles to the morning show with a shilling between us. Looking forward to cartoons with Mickey Mouse, on-going serials with the Lone Ranger or Flash Gordon where the end finished with the hero about to come to a nasty end that you had to come back next ...see more
My memory is of the Cove Cafe in 1991, my name is Chris Broadbent and I now live in North Cheam in Surrey. I spent a glorious summer in Hayle and made friends with Ben Bailey who runs the cafe. I sold ice creams on the beach during the summer season and then spent all the profits on drink in The Bluff pub along the coastline. I was going throuigh a particular lost period in my life and this summer season ...see more
I enjoyed this 2008 Wimborne Folk Festival and consider it one of the best of the many I have performed at with Whitethorn Morris over the last 20 plus years. The Saturday procession was packed with spectators enjoying both the performers and the glorious weather - there must have been hundreds watching from the Minster Green alone! The Festival camp site at the QE School ...see more
Disappointed by a lack of reminiscenses here I, only this evening, asked a man (who turns out to have lived in the white house in the top left of the picture since 1917) if he had any memories. I'm afraid all he came up with was the aggrieved memory that the timber merchant (situated where Jackson & Gocher is now) used to let his horse 'drop his guts' right outside his front door 'every (expletive deleted) day'. It's a start anyway and I'll try again next time I bump into him!
My auntie Mary used to run the donkeys on the beach. I spent each school holiday in Minehead Swimming Pool and remember the Juke Box in the cafeteria area very well. When I first moved to Minehead in 1953 I lived in the old Gasworks Cottage right on the front down past the harbour. I would be very interested if anyone has a photo of the Old Gasworks before it was demolished in the late fifties early sixties ...see more
This was the year my wife and I took a big gamble. Looking for a DIY challenge and a move into the countryside from Basingstoke we decided to buy the Old School House in Clyffe Pypard. The Victorinan house, dating back to 1854, needed total renovation, inside and out, but what potential! It had a magnificent hall with beatutiful beams, attached to the headmaster's living accommodation - a two ...see more
After joining as aircrew in 1950 and being re-mustered as motor mechanic in 1951, I was posted to RAF Medmenham and attached to the motor pool. It was a wonderful posting with fond memories of walking along the river banks, drinks at the Dog and Badger as well as trying to visit every pub in Marlow and drinking half a pint. I failed! I was demobilised in September 1952 and was on a boat heading for Australia ...see more
My Gt Gt Grandfather and his family were living here, and he was shown as the innkeeper on 1871 Census. My Gt Grandmother Agnes Freeman was born here in 1868, but the family returned to Wimbledon after the death of my Gt Gt Grandfather in 1873 at the age of 37.
Situated at the top of our road, as young children Hilly Fields was something quite magical. During winter time we would trek our home made sledges over to toboggan hill and hurtle down to the brook at the bottom of the hill at breakneck speeds. Summer time, climbing trees, fishing for stickle backs in the brook. The game known to us as "jumping dags" which entailed jumping over the brook without getting your feet wet, ...see more
A nice picture of the Whire Bear, but not quite reality - where is the mill behind it and Stansfield's plumbers next door?
My most fondest memories maybe seem weird, but was great to be with new friends that I made that day, and some that lasted through Secondary School. Byfleet Primary School will aways be in my thoughts, it is a shame a picture could not be posted. I also remember playing in the woods that surrounded Vickers which we all played in, things seemed so simple then. Living on Daswon Rd was also great, it seemed like ...see more
Yes, I remember Tommy Cocker, I was born in Patricroft in 1941 and lived in Mellor Street. After school I used to go to Tommy's shop to do odd jobs for spending money. One of the jobs I did was to pluck chickens, he used to keep them live in his cellar, he would take me down there where the chickens were running around, he would then screw their necks and give them to me to pluck whilst they were still warm, apart ...see more
Hi All. Den from St. Helens. Summer in Anglesey, first car, first boat, first meetings with young ladies of Llangefni. It could have been 1969, I'm not sure now, a group of mates from St Helens set out on holiday in a Triumph Courier Van in grey, Reg No 837 EDM. On top was a polystyrene white boat and inside a top of the range tent, all belonging to Prescot Camping. The weather then was always ...see more
I am originally from St. Helens, Lancashire, and met my husband, Roy, at Burtonwood AFB where I worked. He was stationed at Wethersfield but came on occasion to Burtonwood. When I moved south to be married, I had to live in the neighbourhood for three weeks for the bans to be called out, and my husband's NCOIC was friendly with a lady who lived in the houses directly across from the church. Her name was Ada ...see more
The first time I went to Marston my boyfriend was taking me to visit his parents. I was 15 and he was 17. We caught a train from Bedford St John's and got off at Milbrook Halt. His family lived in a Brickyard home in "Jubilee Cottages". It wasn't as modern as my parents' council house as it had no hot water and an outside non-flush toilet. He thought that I was posh because we had two flushing ...see more
I lived in Mossgreen, Crossgates in the 60s. My first school was in Mossgreen, it had only 3 classrooms and 1 of the classes was taken by the headmaster Mr Suttie. Mr and Mrs Suttie lived in the headmaster's house next to the school and Mrs Suttie was a teacher at Crossgates Primary.
Henry Waits the butchers, small shops that sold sweets from a jar and fireworks. Penny for the guy, small children waiting at bus stops with the 128, 231 and 144B to try and pry a penny towards fireworks. Girlfriend (Rose Gritty) down Drake Street. Rag and Bone merchant towards 'The Hop Poles' pub. Doing the weekly shopping on my bicycle and taking everything home in a couple of shopping bags hanging on the handlebars. ...see more
My first visit to the village of Llanferres was in the mid 1970s visiting relatives. Walking to 'Fairy Glen' and surrounding fields, hills, woods and farmland, I was in heaven and still am after 30+ years living in the beautiful little village with its pub 'The Druid Inn', perfect to sit out with a drink and take in the view or sample their excelent food. Not too far are 'The Miners Arms', Maeshafon, 'Loggerheads' ...see more
Welcome to all. Most of my life was spent in Leadgate where I enjoyed living. I moved to a beautiful village called Milborne Port near a nice town called Sherborne in Dorset. I am married to a beautiful women called Caroline who came from Farmborough. I have worked for a construction firm in Yeovil for 25 years. I did make a lot of friends in Leadgate, I was still a member of Leadgate Club until a few years ago, I ...see more
Hi, I was the landlord at the Cross Guns for 10 years from 1976 till 1986.
Looking at the photo of the row of houses from the top of Fen Street, the house nearest the camera was owned by my grandparents, Betty and Hans Claus and my mother Ann who at that time was about 8 years old (1959). The 3rd house along was also theirs which they had as the fish and chip shop. The house at the bottom of the road was the doctor's. They soon moved from here as the houses were to be demolished and ...see more
I lived in Worcester Park from when I was born (1939) until early 1956 when I joined the RAF as an apprentice. The lad in the picture (W455012) could so easily have been me (it isn't) because I was often there looking in the model shop window, as he is. Memories of Keil Kraft and Jetex and balsa wood and plastic cement..... The picture is actually taken from the lower slopes of the ramp leading ...see more
and died in 1883, Emma had a son, Thomas Leonard Smith, and he was brought up as one of the children and became a butler in North Wales and died in 1915, he left a widow and 2 daughters but never knew Emma was his mother. His only grandson was killed during the 2nd World War and I was the only granddaughter, but I have 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. I found a request for the ...see more
My grandad was a Mr Charles Robert Dodd who taught woodwork up till 1967 at the school from about 1948 till he died in 1967, can anyone remember him?
Hello people, my time at Kings Worthy as a young girl - remembering dancing at our local social club where the locals made us welcome. A beautiful place, I remember the park where I made lots of friends. Girls of St Margarets that I can recall, I often wonder what became of them: Angie from Hawley, Hants. Dawn with a hamster. Sonia who dedicated time to the handicapped home along with myself for a while, and Debs from Aldershot. Hope you see this girlies. x
Hi anyone remember "Little Nellie" (husband Joe) and their daughter Annie and grand daughter Margaret, from Sultan Street in Accrington. We used to travel down on the same bus with them every Friday night. In those days, we got the bus from the bottom of Water Street/Melbourne Street (now Eastgate). They had a caravan on Thornfield for years and years. When you passed the shop and turned onto the site, their caravan ...see more
Wrottesley Park 92 Wrottesley Park, it was a nice address, a suggestion of elegance perhaps, a hint of grandeur even. However there was nothing grand about the place we lived in even though it was part of the Wrottesley Estate. Home for me as a child in the fifties was part of a Nissen hut in a converted army camp but despite its lowly status I consider myself most ...see more
"Oh Happy Days". My first view of Staining was the 9th June 1960. I remember it well. I seem to remember the Staining bus did NOT go into the village, but stopped across from the old Plough pub. My gran had bought a caravan there, just up Chain Lane, on Mrs Smiths caravan site. Mr and Mrs Smith lived in the farmhouse, their 4 daughters lived nearby in the two red brick semis which Nana Smith had had built. (Auntie ...see more
My father, Maurice Arthur (1902-1982), was the son of the GP, W. B. Arthur, in Wingate. He kept a daily diary from 1917 to 1982. There are many entries regarding Hartlepool, WW1 and the Durham Minefields. However, in 1918 he states (040218) "Hartlepool Tank gets £803,421". Then on 090218 he states, "Tank No 130, total to 4 pm. £2,200,000". And there are other references. These refer to a lot of money in those days. ...see more
I'm pretty sure my great grandfather Hubert John Cavell, was brought here after becoming wounded in Ypres, in Belgium. He died on 22/04/1917. Does anybody have any information? I know that the Queen Alexandra nurses trained there.
I went up the Tower sometime in the '50s I think. I paid all of sixpence at the little kiosk just inside the entrance. A lift whisked us up to the top. I am so glad now that I did as I have a wonderful memory of the view from the top. It was a beautiful day so you could see for miles. What an attraction it would be today.
I can't remember when Pier Hotel ceased to be an hotel but in 1965 it was already a Residential Care Home run by Hampshire social Services. When we moved from Stubbington to Lee in 1977 I went to work in Pier House and stayed for 20 years retiring in 1997. The site hasn't changed much although it had many alterations to the inside over the 20 years I worked there.
I was born in Lee-on-the-Solent and so was quite young when I first went to the cinema. I loved going down the sloping floor to the auditorium. It was almost underground, although we went up steps at the end of the slope. Every Saturday afternoon saw us queuing to get in. The only film I can remember seeing though was a war film after the V E Day street party. My eldest brother was so disgusted (he was all of ...see more
I have such happy memories of Brent Knoll Farm which we "accidentally" stayed at. We live in Lancashire and, think it was c1989. We had been to Weston super Mare for our holidays, staying in a lovely flat. The flat was very small but had a wonderful sea view. With 5 young kids, we hadn't found it easy finding somewhere to stay. It was a lovely area to be in, just slightly out of the centre ...see more
We lived at number 11 Mill Lane and later moved to number 7. My late father, Joe Clarke was the chemist at the Mill. I remember my early childhood lived in Rochford so very fondly. We were very happy carefree children with a wonderful countryside to play in. My sister, Samantha, narrowly escaped drowning when (at the age of 3) she fell off the wharf into the creek at high tide. She was pulled out by her arm by one of ...see more
As a school girl from St. Bernadette's, I remember learning how to swim in the very cold water. We had no choice but to jump in the icy water. It was really freezing when we changed out of our cold wet bathing suits back into our school clothes. Also, I remember walking to Kingsbury Swimming Pool with my cousins. We carried our towels, lunch and money to buy "a bottle of orange juice." I can still taste ...see more
Mine is not a personal memory but Uphall Station was the birthplace of my mother. Mum was born on the 29th of April 1924. Her parents were Hugh and Annie Campbell ( nee Mooney ). My grandparents and Mum immigrated to New Zealand in 1925. I am intending to visit Scotland in the next couple of years and will be visiting Uphall Station. As an only child Mum and I were very close and sadly she passed away 5 ...see more
I started at St Peter's in South Weald at the age of four in 1955. This was in the old school which is no longer there. Our teacher was Mrs Fox and we were taught to write on slates. When we became proficient we were allowed to use thick black pencils on paper. I will always remember the carbolic soap in the sinks and the outside toilets with spiders and shiny Izal toilet paper. Mrs Waite's ...see more
I also went to the church school from 1954 to 1960. Miss Kinread was still Headmistress. The Chapel near the church was also used as a class room. Teachers I remember are Miss Heaton, Miss Williams and Mr Edge. It was a lovely time and I would love to hear from any class mates from that time.
I wish to communicate with anyone who may remember a children's home that used to be located on a large field in Shenfield. The individual wood and brick 2 floored (Swiss styled I think) homes were dotted around the perimeter and of different names. One I know was called 'Thames.' Children from the London Borough of Hackney were housed there. I believe there was an Infant or Primary ...see more
When a was a small girl my parents used to take me to visit my Grandparents, in Kensington where they lived at No. 29 Kelso Place. As the underground trains pass deep under the houses there, I was often to be found in their sitting room laying on the floor with an ear pressed against the carpet listening for the deep rumbling noise! I also remember my parents taking me into one of the large Department ...see more