Nostalgic memories of Southbourne's local history

Share your own memories of Southbourne 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 6 Memories

That could be me scrambling down the sea wall onto the beach.......I spent my young years, into my early twenties, in our beach hut, on the beach and in the sea. I was born in Seabourne Nursing Home, just in from the cliff, a little further along (East) from where this photo was taken. Unfortunately there was no promenade/sea wall then and our house, on the Overcliff Drive, eventually fell into the sea! I still look at the space on the clifftop when I visit.....
Any body who knew my brother please contact me . He was at Mount Pleasant School Sept 1956 to July 1957. He drowned on southbourne beach near the school while playing ball with fellow pupils Michael Gordon Patterson and Benjamin Foxley. Anybody who knew these boys )and my brother please contact me. Also anybody who knows where Michael Patterson is or any friends or relatives of Ben Foxley. Thank you so much. I will post pics.
My grandparents lived in Stourwood Avenue near junction with Stourwood Rd. I visited most years (age 3 to 15). Some houses on the top of the were in danger of falling over the cliff & had to be taken down. Gordon Hotel at top of road ( occupied by military during war & demolished shortly after). Of course access to sands not possible during war barricades in sea, all piers blown up & anti-air ...see more
I was at Mount Pleasant School as a boarder for 6 years from 1946 to 1952. The school was in Dalmeny Road but apparently was taken down in 1965. I have been trying to find anyone who attended this school. Before going to school there I lived in Southern Road during the last 3 years of the war and remember all the American vehicles parked down our road probably preparing for D-day. I have been back many times ...see more
Year 1955 because it's central to the time we lived just a few doors down in a new bungalow (Khandala), from the Thorpe's café (it was west towards the roundabout, north side of the road) and one of my cherished memories as a child, is of walking down to the dliff steps (steep then) and standing halfway down in very thick mist (couldn't see the hand in front of your face), feeling almost totally ...see more
As a young schoolboy in Southbourne from 1954 to 1956 I loved to walk to and fro in Fisherman's Walk. There were red squirrels which were fairly tame and would take food from my hand if there were not too many people about. This was only a mile from my home in Petersfield Road and even nearer to Southbourne Junior School. This became a regular highlight to show our family visitors. Sadly red ...see more