Nostalgic memories of Cove's local history

Share your own memories of Cove 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.

A couple at a laptop

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.

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I was brought up on Minley Estate on Twelve Acre Crescent. My dad worked at the RAE as I would think did many. Just read memories of Cove. Munday's the sweet shop.The butcher's was Harris and Webb. I remember the sawdust and the lady cashier behind an ornate cash register. There was Elite Fisheries chip shop further down. Going to The Rex cinema. Went to Cove Junior and then FGS. Remember Charley's sweet shop well. Was he a ...see more
My Grandfather and Grandmother, Mary and Charles Warner lived at a house called 'Old Trunk' in Cove, until 1925. I am not sure if this was 'Old Trunk Farm' as it was just a house, with no outbuildings as far as I can see from the one photo I have. Their children had to go under a bridge to get to school, so the story goes. The bridge sometimes flooded. I believe the house belonged to the Army - Charles was an ...see more
I lived in 16 Portal Road from 1947 until 1953. I remember many things about Tower Hill, including the outside toilets and the air raid shelter we were not supposed to play on. Annie Searle nee Davies
This alley had the vicarage on its other side. You had to go under or beside a no-cycling bar to get through - there was one at the other end too, and they were brilliant for hanging upside down on. The alley was our route, every day, to and from Tower Hill school, through the prefab estate originally and later the flats. Mums used to wait and chat either at the top end of the alley or ...see more
Next to Mundays (sweets, stationery and newspapers) was a butcher with sawdust on the floor, a separate paydesk in a kiosk (much more hygienic than today) and tubes which swept away the money.  On the other side was Yeoman's, a grocer shop.  Thorntons, which sold wool, haberdashery and clothes, was run by a very pretty lady (Miss Thornton before she married) who ...see more
I used to live at 1 Minley Road (Laural Cottage). Opposite were the Days (Alan and Michael), next to them was Rosemary Cooper. I had such a wonderful childhood. Anyone remember the headmaster at Cove Primary, Mr Grieg? Also Mr Edwards? I remember one of the girls, Dorothy Pilbean, and the large field behind the air raid shelters where we played British Bull Dog. Am now 70 and enjoy finding these websites to recall. ...see more
I was born in Cove in 1961 in a house called Ermington in Fleet Road. My parents cannot remember the house having a street number and apparently now the name on the house is gone. I am soon to make a nostalgic trip back to my birth place after 50 years away as my family emigrated to Australia in 1964. I would like to find this house but am unsure which house it is now. Can anyone help to determine which house in Fleet Road, Cove was Ermington.
Can anyone help and let me know the exact location of Basingbourne House? I lived at St Antoine (no. 57) for 30 years and believe it formed part of that estate but cannot find any evidence, apart from an old photo showing some trees that were in our garden that looked like those in the photo.
I remember going to Our Lady of Lourdes church behind Cove Green with my older brother and younger sister, we were dropped off by our grandpop only to spend the collection money we were given by our parents at Charlie's sweet shop, returning back to wait outside the church until Grandpop picked us up again. I don't remember much about the church but I still suffer from bad teeth!
I was not born for another 30 years, but I still recognise this picture. The road surface is interesting to me, it is hard packed earth. I used to play on the old water wagon at the depot in High View Road. This must have been used to wet the road, which was then rolled by a steam roller.