Nostalgic memories of Ripon's local history

Share your own memories of Ripon and read what others have said

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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Displaying all 8 Memories

Does anyone remember allhallowgate in the early 1950s. We the Edwards lived in central court before the flats were built. Our neighbours were Mrs remmer who then became Mrs styan, Madge and Joe sawyer and our friend Pauline, wilf and Nellie Richardson, Mrs rathmell, Mr harbisher and Mr and Mrs Collinson and their daughter Eileen. I remember Eileen ran away when she was about sixteen with an older boyfriend. I'd love to ...see more
I wonder how many people are still around who went to Ripon girls high school in the 1950s. I was sad to see its decline and wonder who now owns the former school. I remember Marlene Blackburn,Jean Abbott,Christine hardcastle,veronica Coates,Janet Nicholson,Janet Thompson,Pamela Julian and many others in that year,Jean millican,Ann duffey,Christine woodhead,Linda walker. What is planned for the building? ...see more
Our family talked about an ancestor who owned Lickley Street and who drank himself to death along with his butler. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?
Does anyone remember Ethel Marsden nee Storey and Herbert Storey who lived at 2 and 3 Whitehouses, Barefoot Street, Ripon before their homes were demolished to make way for the flats in the 1960s. As a girl, Ethel Storey lived in Todds Court, Ripon, with her four siblings and parents, James and Louisa Storey, next door to the Bendelows and the Flowers. Ethel was my grandmother and I would love to know more. Does any one know anything about her husband Arthur Marsden and where he is buried?
No memory really but lived in 15 North Road with older brother Paul and older sister Sylvia. My mother was Edna Elizabeth Foster and lived with her mother and stepfather, Charles Barker. My brother seems to remember the boy next door called Malcolm but he was only 5 or 6 when my mother married and we moved to Penny Pot Lane and then to Germany - but I would love to hear from anyone who has memories of North Road at this time or even knows of Malcolm who was the boy next door.
I remember going to Ripon Girls High School with all the other girls in uniform, my dad had the Ripon Confectionary Company, a sweet shop in Ripon, my friends loved it when I brought sweets to school. The store was right next to Woolworths. I remember the bridge well although it has been many many years since I have been there. Wonder if anyone remembers Marion Clayton?
Many Saturdays would find my friends and I catching a bus for the 11 miles journey to Ripon.  It was the nearest swimming place for us and how we enjoyed the day out. If we had a few coppers left we would buy beans on toast at a local cafe and think ourselves very grown up.  Now I live in far away Australia, but still love to visit the town every year or so, as our daughter and family made it their home.
My grandparents lived in the large house that you can mainly see on the bridge (with the three windows on the second floor) throughout the 1950,s and 60's. I was told that Mary Queen of Scotts made her way through the basement of the house to find refuge in the house of sanctuary which was at that time situated behind the property. An original door which she passed through was still present at the time of my ...see more