Nostalgic memories of Southend-on-Sea's local history

Share your own memories of Southend-on-Sea 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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Add Your Memory for Southend-on-Sea

Displaying Memories 31 - 40 of 62 in total

Churchill Gardens

'The gardens were officially opened on 4th May 1966 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Sir John Ruggles-Brise Bt, CB, OBE, TD, JP. who unveiled a bust of Churchill in the centre of the gardens.' (quoted from the Southend Time Line). My young sons and I often walked through the gardens on our way home from primary school. First we would sit on the grass to enjoy iced buns and a drink of lemonade.

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Added 27 July 2011

Airport 1950s

My father was a steward on the planes. Usually Daks Viscounts and Vikings. He flew with Crewsair, Channel Airways (I think) and BKS. He worked for Freddie Laker finally on admin. The names I remember are Keegan and Freddie Fox. Have still got his flying log. They travelled a lot back then. Even to Africa, Dubai etc.

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Added 19 June 2011

Boating Lake

I lived in Southend from 1944 to 1945 in Cheltenham Avenue off York Road. The boating lake (now Adventure Land) was always an attraction to us, we sailed boats before they open the lake for rowing boats. I first began to row here.due to my friend hoping off and pushing off the boat and leaving me to row back to collect him. When the motor boats came about we spent many a time driving these boats around the ...see more

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Added 31 May 2011

Southend Beach And Boating Lakes

We moved to Southend during 1944 and stayed there for about a year till May 1945. A group of boys who lived in Cheltenham Avenue, off York Road and myself decided to take a boat to the boating lake where Adventure Land is now As we were walking along the front prom when we were approached by a photographer who asked us to play on the newly opened beach, this was in April 44. We played leap ...see more

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Added 27 May 2011

Sausage And Mash Shop

Can anyone recall the sausage and mash shop on Pier Hill, a great favourite of mine as a young boy. I always remember the decor of a black and white tiled interior and long tables. If anyone can remember the shop's name, please reply.

Southend-on-Sea, the Golden Hind and Pier c1950

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Added 04 May 2011

Priory Park

This is the walled garden in Priory Park. There was a notice at the bottom of the flight of steps saying 'No unaccompanied children' which made it doubly exciting. You could enter from the museum and cloisters, always the smell of clipped lavender, a fig tree on the wall and goldfish in the channel that led to the pond. As children we used to jump over the channel which was probably not more than two feet across ...see more

Southend-on-Sea, Old World Gardens c1960

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Added 19 April 2011

Tholthorpe

Please let Guy Jefferson have anything about Tholthorpe.

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Added 13 December 2010

Southend (Chalkwell) Beach

On a recent visit (Sept 2010) to Southend, I walked along that section of the beach,which brought back childhood memories of seeing Punch and Judy shows at the Minstrel Stage in the years prior to WW II. The stage was removed in 1940 and rebuilt in 1945 (SouthendTimeline.com) and can be seen in the photo as the white structure on the beach. On the same section of beach, I also recall seeing Life ...see more