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 36161 - 36240 of 36925 in total

My father, Joseph Martin and Ruth, my mother, are buried at Ludgvan, together with his parents (Joseph and Sarah). The latter died in 1949/1950 and had lived at Castle Gate (Badgers Cross). My father attended school in Ludgvan and worked as a journalist pre-War and until 1952 on many local papers including The Cornishman, in Penzance, sometimes writing under the pen-name of John Penwith (Leaves from a ...see more
Just a quick message to say that the cottage on the left that comes down to the road in the photo is ours. It is now called the Quillett, we have restored it back to its former glory, and makes a wonderful home. Thank you for the wonderful photo from your collection. Regards, Graham Jinks.
Suzanne and I used to play truant from Sunday School... This is the exact spot where we got caught by my mother (What are YOU doing here??!)...There was Goldstein's deli, where we used to buy the most delcious sweet & sour cucumber straight from the barrel, wrap it in paper and eat it in the street. On Sunday's my dad used to get smoked salmon; went up the street a bit to buy fresh bagels at Ben Jacob's.... mmmmmmm (nee Kushner)
Saturday morning pics - mostly with Suzanne! Used to walk up and down Watford Way with Helene, our hair in bunches, bright pink lipstick, carrying paraffin cans (have no idea why!!). Jean Philip (Kushner)
That's where we lived - above the shops in Queens Mansions! I am sitting here bawling my eyes out from nostalgia!! Downstairs there was an optician and just a bit down the hill there was a hairdresser's shop where gorgeous David worked....On the left side, there was Woolworths and later on one of the first Wimpy Bars...Jean Philip (Kushner)
This School was in Love Lane but has now been pulled down and houses have been built on the site, this has only been done in the last 4 years or so. My brother Andy Brown went to this school before going up to the bigger one, the school then became part of the Thurrock Tec in the 1980's.
My mother and father worked for Mr Read between 1966 and 1987, most of the time around the Hall Road shop but later in the mid to late 1980's also up in the High Street shop, which has been pulled down and a new shop built. Mr Read died in the late 1990's and since then the shops have been sold - the High Street is not the same now.
This is the occupational therapy workshop of the Rehabilitation Centre in Farnham Park. It was operated by the Slough Estates Medical facility.
This is the Barleycorn on the green. This was a turnaround point for the 62 Thames Valley bus to Chalvey and Slough.
This pub was called The Swan, on the village green.
This post office was called Muttons. It was run by Dorothy Mutton. I used the store to buy crisps and sweets on my way to Westgate school.
While we were living in Colchester between 1955 and 1958, I was confirmed at this church at Lexden, Colchester. I had little memory of the church, but then while looking through the photos for Colchester I came across this photo much to my delight as this was where I was confirmed. Colchester Castle grounds was a beautiful place to walk through. Every year the Army Tattoo was displayed in the grounds too.
Paddock Wood, in particular Beltring, the home of the famous Whitebread Oasts, was the centre of the Hop Gardens of Kent. The Gardens were set out with rows of elevated wire tressles which were supported at intervals by poles. In the spring, from each hop plant, which was cut back to ground level every year, the shoots were trained up, known as "twiddling". A new hop twine which was tied to a metal hook in the ...see more
You can compare this image to an up to date photo at http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/hh/frith3.htm
The second building on the left is now the home of Horsham Museum. The bay window has been removed from the nearest building. The view is from the top of the Causeway looking towards St Mary's Church.
The drinking fountain to the right-hand side was erected in 1898 to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria. It became a traffic hazard and was placed into storage for many years before being re-erected then moved again. See the full story and a 2006 photograph of the fountain at http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/36/36.htm
It was built in 1897 and was designed in the Queen Anne style by the architect Frederick Wheeler FRIBA who had offices in Horsham. It is now the home of the NatWest bank. The bandstand has been moved slightly to the right. An engraving above the main door, now a cashpoint area, reads: Erected 1897 the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria. You can see an up to date version of this photo together with more history at http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/7/7.htm
The second shop on the left was Jury Cramp's jewellers, now occupied by H Samuel. Mr Cramp was a well-known figure around Horsham and operated an alcohol-free hotel in Market Square. The giant spectacles just visible in the photo now reside in the nearby Horsham Museum. See current photos of the shop front on http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/34/34.htm
The Parade, Southborogh, was where my mother, Ivy, did most of her shopping. At that time you could buy pretty well everything you would need in the Parade. Trips into Tunbridge Wells were only taken if there was a need for something very special or the "sales" were on!! Just round the corner in Pennington Road was an Off Licence called "Fisters" which is where we bought our rationed sweets - usually ...see more
This is before the road was made up. The main property to the right was three dwellings and is now one, known as Minstrells. A lamp post remains in the same position but the property is now tile hung.
It does not look like the Causeway to me. At the time of the photos, 1898, this road was fully populated with the exception of the Vicarage Garden. The photo shows open field so is perhaps one of the lanes leading up to Denne Park, beyond the Causeway or Denne Road.
This is the Fish Pond at Holden Corner, Southborough. This was one of the two accessible and popular places for boys to go fishing in Southborough - the other was the Great Bounds Lake, near Bidborough. As a boy in the 1940s and early 50s my dad, Jack, bought me a fishing rod and my dad and I would go down to the pond to go fishing. As I recall there was very little change from when the photo was taken. For a time ...see more
The Parade Cafe & Amusement Arcade is on the left in your picture, My Father bought it for 5000.00 in 1956. It stayed in the family until my brother-in-law Billy Burrows sold it in the mid 1980's. Business-wise it was a goldmine, in those days it was one of the safest beaches on the coastline for 7 miles in each direction. They were still finding land mines all along the East Coast from World War ...see more
I have found over the past few weeks that nearly all my relatives from my fathers side began in Polesworth. There was James Scarratt Clifford 1780 married Sarah Bullows in 1803, my ggg grandmother was Caroline Clifford who gave birth in Poleswoth to John Ordish Clifford (he saddled me with the second name Ordish, this I am trying to find out why?) who was a policeman (inspector retired) in 1850 in ...see more
The year this picture was taken I lived in a flat above the Rendevous Cafe in the building directly behind the statue.  Owned by Pat and John Harvey, this was home to a newly arrived American family, and this town has lived in the hearts of my sister and me ever since. I love to return whenever I can and am happy to feel right at home again each time!
I played for the first Sudbrook Cricket Club football team. We came second in the East Gwent 2nd Division and got promoted. I played with: Dave Clements, Mike Keogh, Paul Little, Ivor Baker, Tony Cochrane, Bobby Noade, Darren Noade, Phil James, Terry Bryant, Phil Smith, Carl Evans, Mark Stocker. If anyone can add to the list or would like to contact me on the above address. We had some great times as we built up the ...see more
While I was growing up in Sandhurst, the grounds of the College was open to the public and we could walk from the village of Sandhurst through to Camberley. This building with parade ground in front is famous for the white horse which always entered the building up the steps when the passing out parades had finished. In front of this building are beautiful grounds with a big lake which was ...see more
I arrived in Gravesend in 1958 on the back of my boyfriend's motorbike, we had travelled from Colchester in Essex. My father, who was in the army, had been posted to Gravesend so we all had to move. We crossed the river Thames on the Tilbury to Gravesend Ferry and so landed and rode off the ferry and up the High Street to find the house where my parents had moved into.
My great grandparents, John and Margaret Williams, lived at Llansadwrn and they and my grandparents are buried in the Church Yard at Talley. My grandparents, Evan and Florence (Dolly) Williams lived at Dan y Graig. Many happy days spent there with them in the 60's. My grandmother worked very hard to make ends meet as unfortunately my grandfather, who had seen active service in the trenches during the first ...see more
It was built in 1897 and was designed in the Queen Anne style by the architect Frederick Wheeler FRIBA who had offices in Horsham. It is now the home of the Nat West bank. The bandstand has been moved slightly to the right. An engraving above the main door, now a cash point area, reads: Erected 1897 the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria. You can see an up to date version of this photo together with more history at http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/7/7.htm
This is the view from Denne Park above Horsham. The outlook will have changed but much of the green land remains to this day
The building shown has since been replaced but fell into a state of disrepair in the 1970s. It was converted to offices in the 1990s and remains as such today. You can see some 2006 photos here: http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/3/3.htm
Most of the church was demolished to make way for Royal & Sun Alliance to put up their offices. The church was 'relocated' to a site further out of town near Holbrook Primary School. This is the view from the Carfax.
If you stand outside Toymaster (in the Carfax) and look towards Boots this is about where this photo was taken. The big building to the right remains; King & Chasemore but the buildings to the left were demolished in the 1940s to make way for Sterling Buildings which now houses Toymaster, Burger King etc.
This is the view from near the iron railway bridge (built c1859) looking back towards the town. The pyramid shaped roof was in place up until the end of WWII. Between then and now it has been removed but I do not know why! Have a look at www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/9/9.htm to see how it looks today. The site is occupied by Sussex Blinds.
Although naturally I do not have any recollection of the event, I was christened in this church in 1950. Though I lived away from Wallasey for many years, I now live in the Village once again.
Facing the viewer is the George Public House, which I believe still exists; behind is Wanstead underground station and an open area of grassland leading to Redbridge Lane and my then school, Wanstead County High. The High Street is facing us and leads to Snaresbrook, also with its underground station and also a magistrates court!
The library was adjacent to the swimming baths where I swam regularly. I understand that the glass in the library "beacon" needed to be replaced in favour of heat-deterring glass. But before that happened it could get stifflingly hot!
I used to live in Montreal Road, off Perth Road, and remember the bus-stop outside Smiths stationers. There was also a real butchers, greengrocers, shoe shop, Woolworths, banks, a small dress shop and later a Jewish delicatessen/bakers and a kosher restaurant. The photographer is standing with his back to the Gants Hill tube station on the Central line, and behind him to his right there used to be a ...see more
This view brings back many childhood memories, I was born in the cottage on the right hand edge of the picture, in 1947, growing up on the farm there, and have lived within three miles of the area for the majority of my life.
I remember going to the Wimpy bar and having wimpy and chips and strawberry milkshake with my friend Vera.
Many many many, great holidays here. A very nice village. Sadly this place has now been knocked down and replaced with houses.
Always remember my grandfather (Bryn George) stating all through my child hood that he had worked in st johns for 44 and a half years
This is where I lived between 1966-1984,above the Read Brothers newsagent in Hall Road,there is only two shops there now,one is still the newsagent and the other is closed at the moment,the rest of the six shops are now flats for the disabled.
This is where I now live,backing onto the Rec,all the toys for the childen have now gone but new ones been put up over by the old tenns courts which is now an carpark. I have lived at Hall Avenue since 1989
My Dad, Eric Smith, opened a Greengrocer's shop at number 21 Lordship Lane in 1962. At that time there was a traditional butchers shop one side and a grocery shop the other side. Opposite was a piano shop, and that's about all I can remember. This photo is of the other end of the road, and on the right hand side was a motorcycle shop, which is sadly now flats. The pub on the left ...see more
My Mum's family lived on Barpool road (Nan and Gramps still do) and she often tells us how the kids in the street played together with giant skipping ropes made from the washing line that went across the street. Also about the mischief the gang of kids got up to (all innocent). My mum's family are the Reays, my mum is one of the twins (Shelagh). Do you have any memories to share about this time? Thanks.
In the early 60's the Old School House was used as the school art room. The sign on the right of the photograph belongs to a cafe known to pupils as "The Hags". When we had pocket money it was a treat to go to the Hags for hot buttered toast.
I remember being very happy growing up as a child in Paisley. One of my happiest memories was being given a golliwog outfit from the Robertson's jam factory. A certain amount was given out every year at Halloween by the factory. I used to enjoy the Library and Museum which I visited each week, and as I got older the visits became more frequent. I remember thinking how vast Coat's Mill was and how lovely the river that ran past it looked - sadly the mill has now been renovated into flats.
We got married at this stunning venue last year. I will always remember the children playing football on the grounds, and the Romeo & Juliet photograph; my husband on one knee, with an outstretched arm, whilst I'm standing at the balcony above!
It was a common site to see John Adshead cycling to work from Gawsworth New Hall to the Lonsdale & Adshead brewery on Park Green Macclesfield. There was a driver and car available at the house, but it was usually the bike that got John to work. The dogs ! No they were not running alongside the cycle, they were tucked into John's coat. The brewery was sold in 1950, about 10 years before this picture was taken.
My first memories of Durham is being taken be my aunty Audrey and uncle Alan. They had instructions to buy my sister and I a tartan skirt from the market. I remember having a boat ride on the river Wear. Durham is my 'Tara', the place where I need to return to to get my inner peace restored.
I have many memories of my time at Holmwood School. I joined as a day boy in 1968, when the Headmaster was David Glass and I left around 1973 when the Headmaster was Johnny Clegg. I remember the trips we had in the old school bus to Formby sands and Freshfield woods to see the red squirrels. My days at Holmwood were happy times in the late 60's, with friends and teachers that are now all but distant memories. ...see more
My grandparents (Alan and Doris Hartley) used to have a bungalow on Boat Cliffe Road, this shop was at the bottom of the road.  We used to go to Reighton Gap every school holiday and had some fantastic times there.  I think I recall a couple of ladies owning the shop and they had a black and white sheepdog called Meg. It is great to see the photo of the shop and some old photos of the bungalows and surrounding area. ...see more
William Tasker and Margaret Webster were married November 24, 1846 in the Parish Church, Stillingfleet, York. William and Margaret are my Great Great Grandparents. They emmigrated to Tilbury, East Ontario, Canada. They are both buried in Victoria Cemetary on Tasker Road in Baddertown, Ontario Canada.
The picture titled "Uplyme Mill 1892" is incorrect.  The location is Lyme Regis and is called Higher Mill along the banks of the River Lym in an area known as "Monkeys Rough" locally, opposite the original "Jericho" and "Paradise Fields".  The waterfall is still there and is at the base of what is now known as Woodmead Road.
I went to school at Felsted from 1960 to 1963. We had to do physical exercise every afternoon and because I was no good at sports I usually had to go for a run. This mill was a favourite destination. It took about 15 minutes to run here from the school. We would lean on the fence on the right of the photograph for a few minutes before going back.
This property is known as Flagstone and is at the foot of the Causeway, next to St Mary's Church. It is dated 1615 on the centre gable, this is thought to relate only to that part of the buidling. The main building may be up to 200 years older. In around 2000 the building was extensively renovated but retains its extenal apprearance and internal character. See more on www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk
The 1881 census shows my grandfather (John Smart) and his family living in this house.  He was the Landscape Gardener of the park.
My grandfather, John Wilson, is entered as being Captain of Steam Boat Ferry in the 1901 census of Fleetwood.  Although the ferry boat pictured does not appear to be steam, this sight must have been very familiar to him and his family who lived in nearby Pharos Street.
Ilford Town Hall is on the corner of Oakfield Road where I lived throughout WW2. The public Air Raid Shelter we used to sleep in was opposite the Town Hall in Oakfield Road. A very large department store called Moultons was opposite, in the High Street. I remember when Moultons was on fire one night & flames were pouring from its windows, the firemen looked so small on their ladders as they fought (successfully) ...see more
Hello. I lived in Kingsbury from 1943 until 1962 when I moved to Canada. I lived off Old Church Lane. We walked to the pool with our sixpence and had to stand in line for what seemed hours - as they only would allow a certain number of people in the pool area. We had to wait until someone came out, before someone could go in. Were all PE teachers the same? She would also stand warmly dressed and ...see more
I was born in Market Street in 1939. Later, because of the war, my mum left me in Millom for my grandad and grandma Kirby to look after me. Mum went back to be with my dad in heavily bombed Manchester. I spent the war years here and they were very happy years. After the war I went back to Manchester, but came back to Millom for all my school holidays. Wellington Street was a nice shopping street and I used to go to the ...see more
This was the first home I ever knew and remains, to this day, the one I hold as the true definition of 'home'. Waterloo House was where I was brought as a newborn in June 1974, and where I lived so happily until 1980 when we were, sadly, forced to sell up and leave. I have countless memories, from toboganning down the fields in the deepest snow ever (which sometimes blocked the doors and entirely covered the ...see more
St Michael's Church, where I was christened in 1940, I was married there in June 1960. A beautiful church set in the countryside just out of the village.
This is the street where I was born in 1940, our house is just out of sight, but when I left school in 1955 I worked for a short while in the shop adjoining the post office. Sadly my father, who was in the Army, was posted to Colchester, Essex and so we left Sandhurst in June 1955. But it was a lovely place to grow up in and will always be home to me. I still have family living in the area.
My family and I lived at 157 Wilmslow Road, it had just been built so all of us who lived on the road moved in around the same time, and it was a wonderful. My parents George and Thelma Goddard, had the three of us then, Georgina, Elizabeth, Felicity and on Dec 31st 1955, my brother Roderick. Rod was born in the upstairs bedroom at 157 and I can remember Dr. Bailey coming to deliver him. Mum had a shop in the ...see more
This is where I live, it is no longer a village post office. It was built in 1680, and we are returning it to a residential property.
Amazed I've found this. My great great grandad Samuel Jeffery served on this ship as a Ward R steward (1871 Census). Seeing this ship really helps to bring history to life.
This hotel was owned by my mother Patricia Woods till around 1959. Newnham was a busy place then. H G Zeal had a thermometer factory in the High Street. Above the hotel was a dairy farm run by A.Jones (Dean Forest farm). As a matter of interest, the name Unlawater translates to River of Sorrows and was from a time back in history when Lady Padget lived there and a member of the family drowned in the river. Best wishes, Rai Woods. (Captain)
I remember being sent to Selmes the Butchers to buy my Mother Mrs Dora Maynard, cuts of meat. The floor was covered in sawdust and there was a little cashiers office at the end of the counter. It always had a very friendly atmosphere although I used to cry when I saw the animals being unloaded from the lorries into the slaughteryard. Once or twice I saw them escape. Helen Swabey (Formerly Maynard)
My memories of Wilton are very fond and still are as my grandparents owned Levers the Butchers in North Street. Finding this site was a real pleasure as I can remember some of the later photographs from when I was a child. I would be really pleased if you had any photographs or history of the Levers as my grandparents are now dead and so is my father and aunt. I often visit Wilton just for nostalgia! If you ...see more
My Grandad William Geraint Rees was born in Brynamman in the year 1915 :o).
I will always remember nights sat outside the Black Bull with my parents and 2 sisters. Although it was August, the weather was chilly. There was a juke box out back on a sort of covered terrace and every time I hear 'Johnny Remember Me' by John Leyton, I am transported back to Barmston. We stayed in a tiny caravan on what is now the huge Barmston Beach Haven site and there was just one tiny shop.We had to walk into the ...see more
I used to help clean up the market on Saturday nights when I was a small boy, the church bells used to toll and one night sounded for hours. One stall holder was very small and when he drove his truck he had wooden blocks fitted to the peddles and could only see through the steering wheel.
Having left Australia on an open-ended working holiday to England in January, 1974 with my girlfriend, it was hard to imagine that within six weeks of arriving in London we'd be living on a leaky old narrow boat in Braunston near Rugby, and that six months later - still living on the boat - we'd be calling Leighton Buzzard home for nearly two years. The boat was called SADLERS WELLS, and in the ...see more
Hello! I am Arnold Chapman, my father was the minister of the little chapel (now a private house). I used to play with a lad called I think Ronald Babcock?? who lived in a farm nearly opposite. I think one time the barn caught fire. I recall going to the little school, sometimes getting a ride in a local farm cart!! No cars to worry about in those days. Another person I recall is Mrs Salmon who had bad ...see more
The photo shows the public house 'The Three Horseshoes'. It was one of three pubs in Great Ouseburn, the other two been 'The Bay Horse' & 'The Crown Inn', the latter is the only one remaining as a public house.  
The large stone in the photograph was used as part of the millennium seat, which is now situated on the village green. The building to the left of the picture is 'The Forge' - the Swann family have lived here for over 80 years.
Our Dad used to take us for a walk up to Mow Cop Castle on a sunny Sunday. We would set off from Talke with our bottle of pop and a jam butty and walk along the canal for a while then through the lanes in Scholar Green past the Three Horseshoes then up the steepest hill to the Castle. We would sit inside the round window at the front and try to see our house in Talke on the other side of the valley. We could see so ...see more