Nostalgic memories of Exmouth's local history
Share your own memories of Exmouth 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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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
Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 16 in total
June 1940 our primary school The London Oratory was evacuated en masse to Exmouth. I remember arriving at the railway station when we were all put on a coach and went to the Pavilion on the sea front. We then lined up on the stage and local people chose who they would take in to their house. More memories to follow.
Maureen Hall (maiden name O Reilly)
Worked there in 1970 including night of the terrible fire!
My great great Granddad started the Exmouth to Starcross steam ferry in the 1880's - His name was Freddy Gronberg! My name is Janet Peniston - my Mother's maiden name was Eva Gisela Gronberg!
I was born in Pencarwick Nursing Home Exmouth on 7 December 1940. The Principal was Mrs M.E.Hodges
My mother left London sometime beforehand with my two elder brothers aged 2 and 6.
She left London to avoid the bombing.
I understand my mother lived at 2 Marpool Grove.
I was christened in All Saint Church on 18 January 1941.
I have been to Exmouth and seen Pencarwick House which is now a block of ...see more
Jimmy Fields & I use to go to the Exmouth baths most every weekday evening (after school) to swim in the swimming pool until it was closed around 7.30pm whereby we then went to the river exe (right across from the swimming pool) for another hour of swimming! Great memories of the swimming club and Alan Searle was my competitor at regular school "swim meets". Fond memories of this ...see more
From about 1930 to 1939 my family had a shack/bungalow on the Warren. Every summer we loaded the car at our home in Exeter, drove to Exmouth, and were ferried to our shack by a boatman, Bill Hocking. My brother John became an accomplished dinghy sailor and raced at the Exmouth club - sometimes with me as crew. (Later in life he became a boat designer, notably of the 505). We were at the Warren in 1939 facing two threats. ...see more
This view of A La Ronde is little changed from 2013 - perhaps less greenery growing up the walls and better formal flower bed planting near the entrance. What made the visit special for me was being encouraged to play their grand piano. Its an unusual one made around 1870 by the Gebruder Knake workshop of Munster, Germany. The room stewards at this National Trust property are friendly and helpful and when they ...see more
My dad, Alan Wakley, was the swimming pool manager and my mum worked in the ticket office. I can remember the Saturday galas with races followed by water polo matches. I learnt to swim here and worked in the little cafe next door during the summer. Fond memories of emptying the pool at the end of each season and finding all sorts of treasure.
From 1948 until about 1960 the docks were my playground. My father was a member of the EXE Sailing Club (as was I, in my teens), and my grandmother lived in Mamhead View. I often stayed with my grandmother for extended periods. I got to know the sailors on the small freighters from the northern European countries delivering pine wood and coal; and would explore the timber yards of Uncle Winter (Winter Sharp of Sharp ...see more
My distant relative Arthur Darke, was the manager of this bank in 1901, he lived above the 'shop' on the Strand. His son Hugh appears on the War Memorial in the gardens opposite the bank.
