Recent 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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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!

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Displaying Memories 24721 - 24800 of 36925 in total

The sun always seemed to shine on our annual summer holiday to my grandmother's at Emmanuel Road. What excitement running down West hill to the town and the beach. There was always a ride on the boating lake, you could smell the petrol fumes from the little boats and a trip on the train! Money begged for continual "goes" on the laughing policeman machine and, of course, icecreams from Demarco (do not know how it was ...see more
The station was the take-off location for aircraft on a bombing raid to Germany. Squadron Leader Francis William Scott Turner departed 1843 on 22nd September 1943 and was shot down over Germany, missing and presumed killed on the same date. I am looking for any information about the aircraft, the squadron and above all that relating to my father, S/L (acting Wing Commander) FWS (Roscoe) Turner.
Please, could anyone help me find Cheryl Aldridge who lived in Grangetown and maybe in Llandough nurses flats, Penarth, around 1975 ? Cheryl will be around 55 years old now, and maybe married to "J.Jacobs". Thankyou for your help !
Responding to Judi Parry's memory of visiting Johnshaven and her mother's surname of Low, I hae a single census record (1901) of my great uncle David Low at the age of 19 being a blacksmith apprentice at the blacksmith's bothy, Benholm. He became a journeyman blacksmith based at Anstruther, Fife, for most of his life. I would be most interested in any information on this blacksmith's bothy or indeed of this branch of the Low family.
I was eight years old when I became a pupil at McLaren High School. The Rector was a fine gentleman who wore a tail coat and striped trousers. His name was Mr Leckie. We also had a janitor who wore a uniform and had an impressive row of WW1 medals. My time there was pleasant, I was not an outstanding pupil but I struggled along! Callander was a very pleasant town and the jumping off spot to The ...see more
I can remember the old St Andrews in Brook Road, which was demolished and the new church built in its place. Wonderful old building, tiny spiral stairs to the balcony level, beautiful. Shame I have no pictures.
Hi everyone! I live in Melbourne, Australia, but am trying to trace the Woodfine family, especially William (b 1827), and Thomas, his father (b 1811) but also any other details. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Michael Blake
 My aunt was the Manager of the Imperial Hotel which once stood on the bank of a river (whose name escapes me), in the 1940s. I spent several holidays with her which were great experiences for a young boy from a relatively sheltered existence in a schoolhouse in rural Scotland.   My Aunt May (Mrs Strongman), known to the staff in the hotel as "MADAM", was my mother's older sister. I had never stayed in a ...see more
I was born in Oban and still have all my mum's family there, does anyone know of the Sloss family, Davie and Ina and their large family - Davie, Peter, Malcome, Alex, Billy, Robert, Jessie, Ina, Irene and Elizebeth?
The family moved from Reay in Caithness to Sorbie in 1932 - I was 2 years old and had a sister who was 12 years old and a brother, 10 years old, so there was a huge difference in ages and I was brought up as a sort of "only child." My recollections begin when I was about four years old. My father was the Headmaster of the village school and he had two teachers under him. We lived in the ...see more
I was born in Portsmouth in 1933. My family and I lived first in Lyndhurst Road - about which I don't recall too much - then later in Merrivale Road. I remember very clearly where Merrivale joined Copnor Road. When you turned left, there was a military barracks on the left and, opposite it, a sports ground. At age 4, I was enrolled in a little privately-run pre-school not far away, I ...see more
I moved to Gainford when I was 7 years old. My dad was German and was called Felix. I attended Gainford School and Claude Cree was the headmaster and taught the top classes. My best friends were twins and I am sure lots of you will remember them, Kathleen and Maureen Rourke. I dont know where they are today as we moved to Darlington when I was 13 when my Dad remarried. I still like Gainford very much and have taken my sons ...see more
I lived at 4 Fairlands Avenue, Buckhurst Hill. My parents moved there just before the Second World War, and I was born in April 1939. I well remember W.C.French Ltd's yard next to Fairlands Avenue fronting the Eppping New Road. I went to Woodford Green Preparatory School, travelling by bus from the Bald Faced Stag (now a carvery!) on either the 10a or 38a bus route, paying a 1d fare! I remember ...see more
I have posted a memory under the other place about Whincroft. Please ring 01892654892 if you want to talk about Whincroft days!
I would like to say my first memories of Waterloo was we lived in one of my grandmother's houses, it was called as I remember The Big White House. It was a very large house, I think it actually had 2 houses as we lived in the bottom house and my auntie and uncle lived in the top house, anyway there was plenty of space to play in as it had quite a large area of land with it. I lived there with ...see more
This picture brings back happy memories, I was born in Oadby when it was a village like this picture shows, it was a wonderful time. The picture shows the large building on the corner which was "Allens" Chemist, further down the shops was "Rawsons" which sold bicycles, TV`s, radios and electrical goods, it later became "Dexters" where I worked in in my teens as an apprentice electrician. At the end of the small ...see more
I am trying to find out more information about this school, does it still exist? My grandma, May Handyside, finished here 17th July 1936.
I have many happy memories of this school, I went there when it first opened, we were so lucky, the school had all modern equipment and really nice classrooms, and a brilliant Headmaster, Mr Phillips, he was very strict but fair, as were most of the teachers, Miss Leadbetter, Mr Flowerdew,Mr Powell, Miss Smith, Mrs Tilbrook, Mr Priest - these are the names that I can remember. I became a Prefect in my final ...see more
My father Francis Coppard worked here as long as I can remember until his death in 1957, he delivered the meat as well as slaughtering the cattle. I always remember his job on Saturday morning was to make sausages for the owners and staff and Saturday night supper was these fantastic tasting sausages, they do not taste like that today.
My memories are of my year training at the equestrian centre when it was run by Victor Carter as a riding school and renowned BHS exam school. I trained for my BHSAI there, under Mr Carter, along with head instructor Pamela Green/Swain and John Mithcell - who's family ran/run the local RDA from their home. I was joined by Claire, Melanie De La Haye, Carol and Gill Smith during my time there. It ...see more
Nearly all my holidays were spent in Kingston Winslow, in the 1950s. I was brought up in London, but would have loved to have lived in K. Winslow. permanently. My family were the Becketts, and lived in a small terraced thatched cottage. My mother used to take me there, or I went with my grandmother, Ada. Sometimes my London cousins would come as well. By the time I was born, my ...see more
We have just acquired a silver teapot with the following inscription:- Presented to Mr L A Drake by the EMPLOYEES of the Great Horton Industrial Society Ltd February 7th 1899. It is a beautiful antique teapot with a highly decorative surround to the central inscription. Have you any other information on this event or person ? We are Roy & Jeanette Walker 19, Glenstrae Road Christchurch 8081 New Zealand Email royal@xtra.co.nz
I grew up in Caerhowel Hall, Montgomery. My parents lived at Caerhowel Hall from the 1950s until my mother died in 1999. I have lots of lovely memories of the great parties we had. My father researched the history of the house and I learnt that after we sold the house in 1999 that subsequent owners claimed that it was connected to the Earls of Shrewsbury which was wrong. My family donated lots of historical ...see more
Does anyone remember the racing stables in Childrey? We lived there for a short while. I cannot remember the name of the road or much about the place except I believe that someone committed suicide in the bathroom we had, spooky memories, but I also remember going to school in Wantage and riding my bike to the local outdoor swimming baths, no wonder I am still not a keen swimmer. Any information I would be glad to receive, thank you. Jean
I remember going to school with Gillian Barsby and her brother, a miner called Mr Griffiths, he had a daughter Pat and lived in a house by the railway crossing. My step father was head lad for Bob Ward. After Bob Ward ceased training we moved to Berkshire. I have fond memories of the old race track on the Hednesford Hills and walking to senior school across the hills to Littlewood school. Never have been able to contact Gill Barsby or family, any info would be appreciated.
My family moved to Ashbourne in 1942 when I was 6. I went to school at what must have been the last of the old "Dame" schools run by an elderly lady called Ethel Hunter. The school was at the top of a big house in Church Street, owned by a dentist: Mr. Bligh. It was a small school, not more than a dozen children and we were all in the one classroom. We used to have Wednesday afternoons off school, ...see more
Hey, do you remember Spaggetie, a small dumpy Italian who used to shout all the time. But what a place, all me mates would meet there, you didn't need money, he would give you a cup of coffee. Now, let's see if I can get them all! Dougie Hood, Larry Shirely, Hickie, Dinga Harding, Moggs, Frank Blackman, Willy Gill, Manfred, Patty Cope, Barry Thorne, Ian Packwood, Steven Packwood, John Gunston, Zipper, ...see more
My family moved to Ashbourne in 1942 when I was 6. My father was the engineer at the Nestle factory in the town and we lived in a big company house on the rising ground to the North of the town. There were two houses - mock Tudor - they are still there though more houses have been built on what were extensive gardens. There were two girls in the other house a little older than me and we went to the same ...see more
I came to Heswall Hospital in early 1970, I can remember an aeroplane and a Wendy House. One person I would love to find is a girl called Maria Toy as we became good friends. My stay there is with fondest memories, the staff were lovely.
Hi, does anyone have any information on a grocer's shop or a draper's shop which was situated at numbers 2, 4 and 6 Sparth Road? I've recently discovered that my great-great-great-grandparents owned these properties, any info would be appreciated, thanks. Jackie
I moved with my family to 1 Fountain Cottages, High Ham when I was 2 years old. I have wonderful memories of playing and exploring the village in the hot summers and harsh winters. I remember the only visits we had to the local pub "The Kings Head" were to see the doctor who had a room there that he used as his surgery once a week. I also remember my Dad coming home from a night at the Kings Head with a ...see more
Born in 1939 and living in Banstead Road during the war, I have many memories of Purley, Croydon and Coulsdon. An alleyway ran from the High Street to the station, where I used to meet my father in the evenings from the London train. Beside Morgan's was a little grocer`s which had a system of overhead wires and brass containers taking money to the cash desk. Sawdust covered the floor! Next to the cinema, ...see more
My late father Cyril Cook was a Nurse and sometime during the Second World War was posted to Bray Court, which I believe was a Naval Training School. If any one has any information about Bray Court during the Second World War, I would be most interested. Ken Cook
We - my parents and their five sons - lived at Beaconsmount, a house formerly owned by the Maules and before them, the Staggs. We moved to Ivy Hatch (opposite the 68 bus stop at the Sevenoaks end of the village) in 1956 and left in 1975. All of us loved the village and its people and I made lots of friends. The bus-stop itself was called Maule's Corner all through our time. We used to ...see more
I was born in Knatts Valley, in a bungalow belonging to George and Elsie Lines of Lynwood, friends of my mother and father. George became my Godfather, and one of my names is also George. I was supposed to have been born at Lavendale but it was not yet fully built. My Grandparents, Tom and Kate Griffiths lived next door at The Camp. I was Christened at the little parish church at Woodlands, and ...see more
We moved to Fawley in 1954 and I spent my last 2 years of Secondary School at Hardley. My brothers John and Trev also went there. I have vivid memories of lying in bed on a clear frosty night and seeing the reflection of the flare bouncing off next door's wall and of the constant roar of the refinery. Visitors complained they couldn't sleep for the flickering light and /or the noise - I couldn't sleep without ...see more
I first was introduced Plas Y Nant by The Rev. Ken D Beardsley who took a large group of us youngsters from the Methodist church in Menston Yorkshire in 1966. We were there introduced to the the formidable, affectionately known As Aunty Lena. She was not really formidable at all and was dearly loved by all. Here I was lead with others up the the 'PYG' track to the the Snowdon summit by John Cantrill, hope I spelt ...see more
During the war my grandparents moved from Great Yarmouth to Leicester, my grandmother worked at Freres biscuit factory in Woodgate, my father went to Slater Street School and they lived in Henry Street. It was a cul-de-sac leading on to Central Street Railway Station. Can anybody tell me just out of interest if any of these places are still there today? I also remember my grandfather telling there was a pub called the Ship. It led into Warrington Street.
A friend of mine told me a tale of a small farm, or small holding, that existed in Beckett Street in Bilston. The man who ran it delivered milk from a pony and trap and sold it from a milk urn. Does anyone remember this, or was it a tale?
I was known as Beryl Pooley. I lived in Copley House from 1942 til 1954 or 1956, I can't quite remember. I remember Sutton Park where we went on Saturdays, wooding. The wood was for the fireplace. I remember being cold and used to sit close to the fireplace but wound up with chilblains... if anyone knows what they were, ha ha. Anyway the memories were good. Had to walk a long way to school. Boldmere ...see more
Who can remember going to the Saturday morning pictures? We would see films like 'Annie Get your Gun' and 'An American in Paris' , followed by the wonderful 'Captain Marvel' etc. My friends and I would often act out bits from the movies, singing and dancing on the pier head, which gave us a wonderfully natural stage on which to perform. What a strange piece of architecture it is. I'm glad that it's ...see more
My name is Alan Brogan, though I changed my name many years ago. I was in the Castle School from 1963 to 1969/70. My six years there were an unrimitting trial of severe punishment, all for a bag of sweets and refusing to totally obey orders when in the children's homes. I am having more spinal surgery now as a result of injuries I recieved there from beatings and a walking stick broken across my back by the then ...see more
I spent my early years (1951 - 1960) camping by the Derwent between Huttons Ambo and Kirkham Abbey. They were wonderful years and very rich in memories. I have wonderful memories of the swing bridge and as a child being frightened to cross it, my father always seemed to make it 'move' when we were about half way across. I remember boating down to Cherry Island on the Malton side of the railway viaduct, ...see more
We used to use both Dudley cinemas a lot when we were students from 1967-70. The trouble was that we had to be back at our hall of residence by 10 o'clock, and nearly always missed the ends of the films. I catch up with them on the TV now!
I used to use this bank when I was a student at Dudley Colege from 1967-1970.
My dad, who was a lighting engineer designed the lights in the pools in the water gardens
We used to buy our Latton Bush uniforms from Bernards which was on the ground floor of the building which can be seen behind the steps, facing into the market square. The shop was owned by the Cocklins whose daughter went to Latton Bush. She left to go to stage school, and became known as Cheryl St Clair, and married Michael Barrymore!!!
This was the year we moved to Harlow from Tottenham. The market was much nicer then than it has been since, especially since the council put up those awful permanent stalls. At the corner of the market nearest the clock on the wall was a second hand clothes stall. This was where my mum bought me a pair of jodhpurs when I went to riding lessons in Waterhouse Moor stables. There was also a man selling china. He used to ...see more
Hello, If you know about this place please add your history, I live in Beech Drive which is in the grounds of old Park House, A30, we understand it had tennis courts and a drive from the A30, its boundery is with the Frogmore Park estate and a large house at the corner of A30-Rosemary Lane, more later.
My grandfather was the head master at Dunbeg School, he lived in the school house. Does anyone have any photos or stories? I would love to hear anything please.
Hi, my grandfather William James Thomas was born 9th Feb 1920 at 30 Ccommercial Street, Abergwynfi. His father was called James Thomas, he was a collier/hewer, William's mother was Sarah Thomas. I am trying to research the family, but am stuck on James and Sarah, would anybody remember them? James would have died quite early on in William's life, not sure when, William was also known as ...see more
Hi, long time ago when time had more meaning the teachers were pleasant and we used to have stars put on the work for good standard ,and smaller classes than today, as at the time I lived in Penhill Drive, my headmaster was a Mr R West used to drive a Morris 1000, at the time the ice cream van used to have such friendly tone and kids used to line up for the treats, where have these days gone as next month I I ...see more
I was christened in St John's church in 1935. I was born in Harvey Road, and have been back so many times visiting my old school Davis Lane, the old Red LIon was at the end of our street and on the other side was Walls Ice cream, I remember the three wheeled trike and the box in front and them selling the ice creams and the lovely orange ice lollies. My mum worked at Whips Cross Hospital, also the ...see more
I remember going to my nana's house in Roddymoor, it was only a bungalow but I was so small I thought it was massive, haha. I remember jumping the little ditch near her house. I remember taking pictures of the horses.
I remember Bedford Williams before it became part of Beatties. I think there was a rocking horse which children could ride (?near the stairs). I went with my granny and wanted to go on the horse, but she told me to wait because another child was first - it turned out to be a child dummy modelling childrens clothes!!
I lived at Thornton Road from 1960 when I was born and left home in 1985.
I spent the first 7 years of my life living in the entire bottom half of Holmby House on Sanderstead Road. It was owned by the garage below it (which I now understand is a Skoda dealership) and my Dad rented it as a flat. The door number of 143 is still on the brickwork outside in white paint. Painted by my Dad when we lived there. We had two neighbours upstairs, Pam and Terry Hazlett (I think) and ...see more
Lemington Dance was held in a prefabricated building at the bottom of Woodburn Street, we used to go there on a Saturday and Sunday night, in fact I met my husband there. We would dance to all the 60s' music, great times. I think theres a housing estate there now. I worked at the local hairdressers (Rosemarys) on Rokeby Street further up the street from my old school. Happy days. My dad worked at the glassworks ...see more
Starting from Tesco Express: This used to be a block of about 2 or 3 shops which included a building society and a travel agent. Next to this was Barclays Bank which closed down in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It remained derelict for many years with a firework shop and a clothes shop briefly opening before Tesco took over the whole plot around 2006-07. Around the corner was Gees dry cleaners/Amazon ...see more
I am trying to find out more about The Folly in Radlett. My great grandfather, Charles Piper, lived there from 1902 - 1924 with his family, running a garden nursery. When he died in 1924, he is buried at the 'parish church, I am not sure whether the family stayed in Radlett. Any information welcome
I was born in the nursing home in Colliers Wood, the home was called Woodlands. My mother and father moved to Glebe Court Mitcham when i was six years old and I lived there untill I got married. I too remember going to the pictures in Mitcham and feeding the ducks at Three Kings Pond. I also remember the cockle and whelk stall which stood on the Fair ...see more
I remember my holidays spent in the village from an early age, they were happy times. I stayed with my Gran & Grampy Cannings who lived at Model Cottage, my cousins lived in the house next door. My brother and I spent our holidays playing, we would go for long walks. My Grampy Cannings worked for Lomax who kept race horses, also my Uncle Roy worked at the same farm. My mum Sonia Cannings and her 2 brothers attended ...see more
I remember my father going quite often to Bennions timber yard, the smell of sawn timber, also in the yard was a blacksmith, who when I was child was in his 90s, I remember the horses coming in the be shod, and I was allowed to pump up the coals, and watch. Also just a few doors down was Irwins, a family friend Gerry Thomas was the manager of the shop, he and his wife Eve lived in the huge flat above the shop.
My g g uncle George and Aunt Louisa had the Travellers Rest from about 1881, he is still there in 1901, they raised 7 children there, all who at one time or another worked for their parents. He left there and went to the Bowling Green public house in Chester. If anyone has a photo of him I would love to have a copy.
Joseph Ritson was my great-grandfather, he started the shop in the 1900s and the shop was still there in the1980s. I'm researching my family tree, does anyone have any information or photos? I would be very grateful.
My name is Judy. During the early 1950s I lived in the National Children's Home in Harpenden. Every year a lovely family used to have me for a holiday, I would so much like to find them. I remember they lived in Gravesend in the High Street, they had a little shop. Their name was Mitchel and they had one daughter, her name was Celia Mitchel, she would be about 68 years now. I would love to know if anyones knows them. Thank you.
I went to primary school in Beacoonsfield Street from 1952-1959. I have a very hazy memory of a street party in the street for the coronation. I remember white cups and saucers, a large teapot with an extra handle on the front, sandwiches and cakes. I remember tables down the street and me sitting on a bench at the table. I remember bunting in the windows. Does anyone else remember this? My best friend was Jean ...see more
I was born in Hereford County Hospital in 1945 and together with my twin sister was bought back to Broad View, Llangrove where I lived with my Mum and Dad and older brother from 1945 until I got married in 1965. My Dad had lived in and around Llangrove all his life my parents were married at Welsh Newton. My twin sister and I attended Llangrove Primary School which were happy days spent learning and playing. ...see more
My gran was born on this street, she lived here till she married then moved to Huthwaite village where we grew up. I loved exploring Derbyshire. Most of my ancestors were born here including Sir Richard Arkwright (Inventor of the cotton mill)..Great memories...
I was born in 1952 and lived in Dacre Banks until I was 20. When I was young I can remember watching the once weekly goods train shunting at Dacre. Sadly my father (D J R Wilson) who lived there died 4th Aug 2009 so from going there every Sunday to see him, I have very little reason to go, so not only did I lose my father but I lost what I consider to be my home.
Although I moved away from Easington Colliery over forty years ago I still regard it as where I belong. Born in Glebe Terrace, I spent my early schooling attending the infant and junior departments in the colliery. I had to walk to school, no school run back then, and that also provides me with a sad memory of those days. Aged about seven years, the first tune I learnt to whistle was Chopin’s “Funeral ...see more
Most of my relatives in Swansea got married in St Mary's. I have traced my Trick ancestors to Hartland in Devon. My great uncle Thomas Gilbert R Trick was down on the Swansea 1911 census as being an ice skating instructor , I have asked my father if he knew of a rink in Swansea and he cannot remember one in his time 1930 onwards. He also doesn't remember his Gran Gwen Trick having a brother. Does anyone remember a rink or have a link with him ?
My grandfather Thomas Edwin Mantle had a grocery and creamery in Newgate Street. He died before I was born but strangely my father Herbert Clayton eventually had his own store in Newgate Street, it was called H Clayton esquire, family grocer. I was two years old when we moved to Redcar in Yorshire. So I have no memories of my birthplace.
Hi, I hope someone can help me with some information on my grandad James Lewis, all I know is he was born in Bangor in or around 1852, his father was Henry and mother was Susan. He came to New Zealand but I don't know what date. He married a New Zealander in 1897, his dad was a fisherman, that is all I have to go on. Please can someone help? Cheers, Collene, New Zealand
I remember living on Charles Street in Cheadle, used to walk to Blaggson and Masefield every day and on Saturday mornings. My best friend was Julie Bryant, we loved dancing at the guild hall. My father had a stall in the indoor market and then a small shop on Charles Street. I have many many fond memories of my years in Cheadle. Wonder if anyone remembers Marion Clayton?
I remember going to Ripon Girls High School with all the other girls in uniform, my dad had the Ripon Confectionary Company, a sweet shop in Ripon, my friends loved it when I brought sweets to school. The store was right next to Woolworths. I remember the bridge well although it has been many many years since I have been there. Wonder if anyone remembers Marion Clayton?
I took my father back here in the 1980s as he said he use to work on the fields around this area draining the lands. He is in his eighties now and recently we went through some of his old photos and came across Quernmore. I have old sepia photo' he had taken of this area and of the small church to the left of this picture halfway down the road on the right hand side. This was his job in 1948 to dig and drain the ...see more
Head, Humphery Waite, Peter the P, etc.
Tina Peacock, I knew all those years ago we went out once or twice in those days to a pub, Evelyn Sherwin, Steven Sherwin, Diane Little, Steven Little, Tina Murphy, Linda Platt, Christine Bunn, Jane Moore, Christine Bramley, Marina, Alan Talbot, Colin Cubitt, the two Raymonds who ended working in the butchers after leaving school near the old Barking Library, Simons ...see more
I was born 1954 in St Mary's Road, Barking and use to go to Saturday morning pictures with my friends and the Barking Park Lido. The town has changed a lot over the years, you might recognize some bits and a lot of the pubs have since closed, I used to go to Eastbury Comprehensive and left in 1969.