Favourite Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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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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:
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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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Displaying Memories 1851 - 1900 of 2029 in total
It is strange to see one of the two portraits that hung in my grandparents' hallway, for sale on the web. Issac was born in 1837 in Berwick Bassett, Wiltshire. Taught himself to read and write while an agricultural labourer, and joined the Wilts Constabulary in 1874. During the winter of 1881/2 he was pensioned out of the police from injuries sustained in the line of duty. The family story is that he was set ...see more
I was the youngest boy (8 years old) at the City of London School sharing Marlborough College as evacuees from London during the Second World War. I, together with a few other youngsters, had a 'camp' in Treacle Bolly. One high on the hill on the left-hand side in a tree root and one further in down by the river. At that age, and during a war, I can't say that they were the happiest days of my ...see more
My husband and I were both born in Marlborough. My husband is Peter Long and I believe he went to Grammar School with Julian West whose family owned the tea rooms. We both remember the fire as it was the year we were married; and that afterwards the Mop Fairs held in October had to re-position itself to accommodate fire engine access should another fire happen. I worked in Rawlings and Phillips corn merchants on ...see more
I was born in Consett at 11 Newmarket Street in June 1933, though my parents were living in Norfolk and later on in Middlesex. I was sent back to live with aunts when the Blitz really got going.
I went to the CofE Primary School at the back of the church which I also had to attend as a choir boy.
Consett was full of noise in those days especially outside No.11. Buses started their long climb up from ...see more
I worked as a pre student nurse at the children's home. We took children from the West Yorkshire area suffering from Asthma and Eczema. Children from the age of 2 yrs until 12 yrs. A very strict Matron, scary in fact. We would take the children down to the beach, very large old fashioned prams. I was not allowed to continue my dancing lessons for exams, even when my Mother came to ask. We each had a ...see more
I have just come across your site and postcard of Newbigin Hornsea... The garage pictured on the left was owned by my grandad, Arther Sherwood (who was married to Doris). My dad, Peter Edwin Sherwood (their son) and his wife Pat took over the business in the 60's, I believe. My dad sold the business to Mr Presscott, a local builder, in 1973-74. We then, myself (Annette Jane Sherwood) daughter of Peter and Pat ...see more
We moved to Southampton in early 1950 just after the trams had stopped running - some of the rails were still there. Above Bar along with much of the town had been badly bombed in the war and there were many bomb sites on both sides of the road. Woolworths was a large wooden hut reached by a bridge across a crater. Gradually during the 1950s new buildings sprang up amid the bomb sites until the scene was as ...see more
I lived just outside Hexthorpe Flats, next to the shop called the Dell Chocolate Box. I remember that sometimes on a Sunday they had a talent show in the Dell. All those who had entered were taken into the bandstand to wait for their turn to go 'on stage'. The weather always seemed to be sunny and warm and everyone enjoyed the flowers in the Dell. We were allowed to sit on the grass over the little bit of ...see more
I can recall many happy times as a trolley bus driver in Doncaster , I started work with DCT as a conductor in the mid 1950s and passed a trolley bus driving test on the Wheatley Hills route by the late 1950s; in those days the bus service was the main form of transport. The first trolley bus left the depot at Grayfriars just after 4:35am to start service at 4:45am on the Balby route, others came onto the ...see more
Summer time, I had gone fishing on Royston Canal. The local fishing club had replenished the canal with fresh water trout for the anglers. These fish were so tame that all you need do was to hold out your hand with a few maggots and they'd come and feed from you; they were farmed trout. They knew nothing of predators and would calmly swim alongside Pike. Pike were soon to get so fat from feeding off the trout ...see more
I'm Not sure whether that was the actual date but as a child of five I recall my mother standing on the top step of our home where she would watch me go over the brow of the bridge on Midland Road on my way to school: as I got out of the door and began to walk on the causeway I noticed that there was a glinting on the Kerb and when I focused my eyes, I could see a whole line of pennies which were ...see more
My dad once made me what us Royston lads would call a Cadjie! It was a go-cart made from bits of waste wood and two sets of wheels from off an old pram or pushchair. One would control it by its front wheels which were attached to an articulated axle, it was also steered by the feet. Dad had taken five hours to make it up and was quite sturdy to say the least. Most Cadjies were made from big pram wheels but the ...see more
I was born in Royston in 1949, some four years after the war. The thing about me I have a very good memory of thing that had occurred within my childhood days, some of which, like everyone else would like to forget. I recall that when I was roughly three years of age, I was to go out of the front door and and amble my way into the fifty acre field, which was some half a mile walk from where I lived on ...see more
My Dad's family, the Burnetts, live in Kingston Upon Hull. Most summers in the 60s and 70s we stayed at grans for a week. Grandad worked on the Boating lake he was the one you paid your fare to; my sister and I always remember him shouting "Come in number -", whatever number your boat was. He always wore his flatcap,and grew lovely roses in his front garden. Auntie Alice was amazing she was always ...see more
The shop in the middle of the picture with the two awnings (now the Nationwide building society) used to belong to my great grandmother Eva Cadel and was a wool and toy shop. My Grandmother and Great Aunt ran it until 1971. My grandmother Joan ran the toy side and my Great Aunt Mary ran the wool. Many people still today tell me that their first pram/doll/train set came from the Cadel shop. Pictures such as these are very special and are a treasure.
We used to go on holidays almost every year to Littlehampton, so far as I can remember. We took the train there. Then we walked - lugging our suitcases. There was a butcher's shop on the way and it had a little statue of a pig outside. We always looked out for "Wally Pig" as we called it. We stayed at a boarding house - Mrs Wyatt's at 34 Pier Road. So far as I can remember I shared a bed with one of my sisters. ...see more
I remember gong to Littlehampton on coach outings each year from about 1950. There would be about 40 charabancs full of children from London and Greater London descending on Littlehampton, from memory the children were aged from 7 years up. The trips started some time after the war. They would have packed lunches for us in boxes and envelopes with tickets for rides and 1 shilling each. We would have a ball at the ...see more
My great grandfather, Christopher, owned Bridge House next to the bridge when this photo was taken, having moved there from Spennithorne where he had been the landlord of the Old Horn Inn.
We believe the cart driver was my great Uncle Herbert who had a cart business in the Dale - his sisters the 'Miss Hauxwells' ran a fish business from their home.
Herbert was killed, following a fall from the cart on his way ...see more
I lived on Long Street in Topcliffe 1958-1972 - opposite the old school, which is now a post office, and therefore on the other side of the road from this photo. I was excited by the fair, horses trotting along the road, smells, sights and sounds different from usual, lots of people, including photographers who wanted to take pictures from our upstairs windows and the occasional visitor who would ask to use our loo. ...see more
My family lived at No 3 (the top flat), Corner House, at the top end of Broad Street, first on the left looking at the photo (but just out of the picture) for many years from 1947 or so. I was eleven when we moved to Alresford from Bournemouth. Butcher, chemist and flower shops occupied below at street level. John Sergeant's TV program showing at the moment has led me to ...see more
I remember being a regular visitor to this shop in the 1940's and 50's with my grandmother buying material, ribbons and clothes. Like all the other children I was fascinated by the pneumatic tube system for conveying the paperwork and money to and from the office, in later years my school uniform was bought here. Nearby in Marsh and Baxter's big shop there was another system for conyeying the money in little ...see more
My memories are of the hairdressing salon in Clare Road. It had only been open for a short while. All the shops were new. I went to work there as a hairdresser's apprentice in April 1959. My first job after leaving school. The salon was called Joan Basten. Joan Basten was the owner and she and her husband, Dennis, had a lovely flat upstairs, really 1950s modern. I worked at the salon till 1962. It was very busy; we had ...see more
I was born in Preston Hospital, North Shields.in 1943. My first recollections as a child were of living on Rosehill Road known as Parker Terrace at No7. An old lady called Mrs Roper lived next door. Another family called Spencer lived in the big house close to us. In 1947 my dad, Jim Surtees, bought a haulage business from Bill Snowdon who was emigrating to South Africa. Rosehill Haulage was my dad's. He was also the ...see more
Just opposite the Buddle School,
There stands paper shop,
Throughout my youth I as a rule,
Would almost daily stop.
From Nineteen seventy seven,
Until the Eighties took their bow.
This shop was ran by Tommy,
Sadly no longer with us now.
He looked like a young James Coburn,
With his smile and year round tan.
We all thought the world of Tommy,
Such a charismatic man!
The heart of our community,
Is where all ...see more
Born in the Green Maternity Hosp 1954, lived in Windsor Drive, Howden, Sandown Gardens, Howden and Prospect Ave. I remember being taken to the Masons Arms at Bigges Main in a pushchair, parked outside the corrugated iron lean to off-license in the rain with a bottle of pop and a straw. I remember joining the 8th Wallsend (St Johns) scouts at 6 years old after being rejected by the 7th wallsend troop for not being ...see more
I was born in 1934 at Weybridge in Surrey, close to where the River Wey joins the Thames, thus offering the dual attraction of open countryside and water - a totally irresistible combination to young boys set free from the heavy-handed restraining influence of fathers by the advent of the Second World Ware!
For a few miles before joining the Thames, the Way comprised the original Wey Navigation, ...see more
I remember this picture very well. Just down the road from Woolworths by the white car, was a Launderette (maybe it's still there). This Launderette was the first one ever introduced to the UK from America in 1959. As we had no washing machine or dryer, this place certainly changed our lives. I can remember one day I was with my brother Bernard waiting for the washing and as usual went to look for some mischief ...see more
The 'modern' building in the middle of the picture is the telephone exchange not blending in with the rest of the scenery! The bus stop was for Weybridge's only 'red' bus route the 219 from Kingston Bus Garage to Weybridge Station or during working hours extended to Vickers Aircraft factory, then British Aircraft Corporation now defunct. Not visible in the picture, but to the right of the cars is the ...see more
This is a view looking toward the High Street - what looks like two brick memorials (on the left) is the entrance to the cottage hospital. On the opposite side of the road is the bus stop where I use to catch the bus to visit my grandparents in Ottershaw, about 5 miles away. About the time of this photograph or shortly after, behind the bus stop, is where the 'new' library was built replacing the old one ...see more
We lived in Penton Road and my brother and I went to Hygeia House School, sadly gone now. We used to walk down the tow path to the Lock. Once my brother (4 years older than me) dared me to walk across the wall below the weir! I still have nightmares - I couldn't swim, but somehow I waded across without slipping to my death! My brother also worked during the summer holidays helping the lock keeper, running to open and close the sluice gates.
My fond memory is of my father's furniture shop in Thames Street, S & E Oliver Ltd. Every morning dad and I would display furniture on the shop forecourt and I would do deliveries and window displays. My dad, Mr Barry, was a courteous gentleman who gave the best customer service ever and he taught me his skills which I still use to this day. Does anyone remember him?
1954-1959, say?? Perhaps earlier too. This section of the River looks v. close to the area off the top of Thames or Bridge Street (?) known as The Staines "Lammas". A number of pools and play areas, with a swimming pool set into the River itself. Such a trek by 'bus to get there. I don't think anyone would do it today. But we did and we thought it a wonderful treat.
Although there were many hardships for most ...see more
I was born in Blackhall in 1940 and lived in 11th Street and went to school at Henry Smiths - hated it, so I borrowed a fiver off my granda, signed my parents name on the form, and left when I was 15 (in those days when you went to Grammer School you had to sign to say you would stay till at least 16, or pay a fiver to leave at 15). By the time my mam and dad found out it was too late to stop ...see more
My grandparents spent nearly all of their married life in Blackhall and my grandad still lives there today. I'm 37 now and live on the other side of the world. I have lots of great memories. I used to spend a lot of time at the swings in the park next to the cricket and bowling ground with my sisters. I'd take walks along the beach banks with my Nan, sisters or on my own with their dog. I ...see more
I have so many happy memories of growing up in Weaverham. My young friends and I making our way through the woods off Northwich Road near Walnut Avenue. I think it was known as Beech Wood or Hazelwood. We would follow the path and the stream that ran through the wood, in those days the water was crystal clear, all day paddling and splashing, sitting on the embankment and enjoying our picnic. We could spend all ...see more
This photo stirs memories of West Somerton, my 1940's and 1950's childhood home. We kids trying to fish with bamboo stakes, string and worms, sitting beside serious fishermen on these banks. Then there was the time the river froze, we investigated and my sister went through the thin ice. We were wary of the river, since few of us could swim. In summer we bathed in Somerton Broad, just up the river on the ...see more
The school was converted for use as the campus for The United States International University in Europe. I was fortunate to be working as a Careers Advisor in nearby Watford whilst it was operating as a university and so I had wonderful opportunities to go inside. I can recall the Dean showing me around and encouraging me to play the organ in the chapel! The old school housed a university library and student ...see more
The view is looking over Holborn Hill towards Black Combe. Holborn Hill is old Millom, the new part of Millom was built when iron ore was discovered in 1855 at Hodbarrow and the iron works was built and Hodbarrow mines opened. It then became a prosperous town with a population rising to 10,000 people. My memory is of Holborn Hill and a five year old girl who was evacuated there at the beginning of the war. She ...see more
The Thames-side Miniature Railway opened in about 1946 and closed in 1954. The station, which had a single platform, stood at the Caversham end of the line. To the east of the station was the engine shed and, beyond that, a turntable. At the western end of the railway was another turntable and a passing loop that enabled the locomotive, once turned, to return to the front of the train. The railway was ...see more
The Blitz started with the Sirens wailing in the early evenings, to warn of the approach of enemy planes. Then complete silence for quite a long time as we waited with mounting apprehension in the passage way, mother, myself, Dennis and David with father watching at the front door, John would not get out of bed for anything.
The drone of approaching bombers heralded the beginning of the air raid. Then the thunder of ...see more
I was in Heswall Hospital a number of times in the late forties, suffering from Bronchiectasis. I always went into Hugh Owen Thomas ward. It was a long ward seperated by sliding doors, the girls one end, and the boys the other. I remember sleeping out on the verandah every night unless it was raining or foggy! On fine days the nurses would pull our beds out onto the lawn. Every other night ...see more
I remember when a very young kid, walking down Banks Road with my mother to the slipway and buying fresh shrimps from the Evans boys.
The shrimps were caught in the Dee and cooked on board the boats on the way back to the slip. The fishing was a thriving industry in those days.
Yes I remember spending most of our (my brother John and I) summer holidays playing on Runcorn Hills. Both parents worked and so most mornings, weather permitting, we would head off to the hills from our home in Weston Village, armed with a bottle of water and usually a jam butty and an apple. We would spend the day there, often meeting up with other kids who were on a similar day out. One very powerful memory that ...see more
When I look at this photo it brings back happy memories of when the club was a hive of activity of bowling greens, tennis courts, football pitches (middle of photo). As a young girl growing up in Weston Point I always looked forward to the Annual Rose Fete Shows, that were laid on by ICI. Every Thursday evening we would attend the ICI Club and Mr Dunning and our next door neighbour Mrs Rees would take ...see more
I was sat in my classroom at the parish school in church street and I had just put away my plastic counters after a hard maths lesson ,I was only 5 ( and 1+1 was very hard)my teachers name was mrs oats she was lovely and as I sat gazing out of the window I noticed this huge construction being built in the distance ,I asked my dad when I got home that evening what it was , now , as we traveled on the transporter ...see more
Annual Outing to Walton on the Naze from Upshire in Essex. In the early days we travelled by train from Waltham Cross, one train picking children up from stations along the line and taking us all out for the day to Walton. In the later years it would a coach or double-decker bus from the Princesfield Estate at the top of the lane leading to the Gospel Hall. The outing was the highlight ...see more
When I first came here the NHS hadn't begun, I think my mum was asked to pay 7/6d per week! Visiting was 2hrs on the 1st Sunday of the month only. Just as well really because my parents had to travel from 3 miles south of Dorking. I laid flat on my back for most of the 3 years with my left hip in plaster, a strap across my chest, and weights out of the end of the bed holding my left leg still. In fact when I came out of ...see more
Hi all old inmates of LMTH.
I was in Connaught Ward block 3 (boys), at the tender mercy of Sister Smith, from about end 1951 aged 6 until December 1954. I had neglected TB in the knees and (then unknown) lungs. I remember Wilfred, who carried us about either in that grey wooden handcart or the electric trolley and who made wooden toys for those of us who had little or no visitors at Christmas. Mrs Caravan (I think) was ...see more
I was a student nurse at Lord Mayor Treloars from January 1962 until January 1964. Those two years orthopaedics were affiliated with other hospitals which allowed us to start training before 18 which was the minimum age for General Nursing commencement, when the students moved on the 3 year general training was reduced to two years.
The hospital was a very happy place because many of the patients were long stay, ...see more
I spent several months in Treloar with Polio. I was five years old and from what I have been told, at deaths door. Can't say that I remember much except the nurses smiles and the pictures of Micky Mouse on the windows. I would like to thank the staff for whatever they did to save my life, as from being paralyzed from my left arm across my body to my right leg, I went on to have a fantastic life seeing the world and having children and grandchildren. Thank you.