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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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?
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  • 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 26321 - 26400 of 36925 in total

This is where I live in a road called Windsor Close, built around 1995. Views are amazing but it could do with more countryside as it was in past times, as shown here.
Like Gloria Friend, I spent a happy childhood in Hornchurch, attending Suttons Primary School where my mother (Mrs Wilton) was deputy head and Mr Occomore our headmaster. We were carefully drilled in our tables, phonics and acceptable social behaviour like never dropping litter nor biting our nails and keeping our bikes in good working order. My favourite teacher (not counting my mum!) was Mr Moore who loved ...see more
Seeing this photograph made me feel as if I'd walked down this street only yesterday, when in fact the last time was well over 30 years ago now! I attended Broadwater School form 1970 - 1975, and walked home to the top of Frith Hill every day. At the time I had the hots for one of the guys that worked in Gocher's as an electrician, and I always hoped he'd drive pat me in his little blue van and give me a ride home!!! Those were the days!
I can remember the shop well, both my grandparants had caravans on Mr Wakley's old site (the first gate on the left past the windmill). If the Greenaways shop (that was an old bus parked by the windmill) was shut it meant walking the extra bit to the caravan shop. I still have a photo taken by Selsey Photographic, Millfield Road (phone SELSEY 2604) of myself aged 13 with a shopping bag walking to the shop taken in ...see more
Members of my family were owners of the tea rooms at Cleeve Hill and had connections with the golf club there too. We may have some family connections. I have been to visit the area for family history research but could not find the tea rooms / house. I think it was opposite the Cleeve Hill Hotel. Do you have any more info about the tea rooms that might help?
I was born next door to the Monson Arms at 43 Green Lane, Redhill, my father built the house - we were the Brunt family. I used to go and get my bottle of pop and I swallowed a threepenny bit in the off-licence which was at the front of the pub. The owners used to own a dog called Gus - he was a Boxer - and they had two children called Howard and Beverly Stanley. I used to also swim at Redhill pool and was a member of ...see more
I was a pupil at Michael Faraday at Westmorland Road, London SE17, at about 1953 when we went on the 'school journey'. I will add to this my first holiday away from home. One evening at just before bedtime after a few nights there in the dormitary one of the boys was very irritable and kicked another, which resulted in him crying followed by most of the rest of us because boy, were we suddenly homesick. The teachers must have been used to it I suppose... more to come.
My nana was Toppy Dixon (nee Gossop) and lived in the white house mentioned by Julia - actually the house was called Woodlands. My grandad was Bert Dixon, he worked in the signal box at Staddlethorpe Station. I spent most of my pre-school years and many school holidays at Woodlands with my grandparents. I can remember learning to ride my 2-wheeler bike down the bridge in Sandholme Road, and playing at ...see more
I lived in Nether Wallop with my father and mother from 1952 -1961. My father was a teacher at the primary school. Magic times.
Does anyone recall elephants arriving by train at Fencehouses Railway Station in the 1950s and walking to Houghton-le-Spring for a circus? No one I have spoken to can recall such an event. Did I dream it?
My parents were one of the first to move to New Addington onto the Boots estate from Peckham before I was born. I have very fond memories of growing up there attending Wolsey infants and junior schools, moving onto Fairchildes secondary modern school, (didn't pass the 11 plus) opting out of evening classes to go to the Hilltoppers club. I loved every minute of it. One of my sisters was involved in the Carnival ...see more
My name is Mary Bradley and I attended this school with Linda Thonpson and Nicolette Martindale. I remember Mr Crossland I don't know the other teacher's name but she came to the school with a lovely dog. I attended that school from 1962. Who remembers Miss Newsome in the reception class? My classmates were Gary Mattinson, Steven Horseman, David Barnet.
A wonderful picture of Overstrand High Street from 1965. I have very happy memories from this era in the picture. I would have been 10 years of age. It looks to me like they could be Girl Guides at the newsagent's shop, there would be Guide camps at the bottom of Tolls Hill every summer (us boys would know that).
The two were certainly there until 1939. They were small and in typical Victorian dress with 'chokers' etc. To me as a child they seemed about 80 but obviously that may be wrong. The shop was full of sweets in glass jars etc and the counter was on the right-hand side. I do not know if they lived behind the shop. As you went in the door immediately in front of you was a tall (4 foot high?) black cylinder with a ...see more
Does anyone know anything about the Bowra family or Raven family? They lived in Longley Road in the late 1800s and 1900s until 1957. The family consisted of Henrietta Bowra, Leonard, Herbert, Sydney and Kate. Kate had a daughter called Marjorie. Does this mean anything to anyone? There were two or three houses built in Longley Road by the Ravens; one was called 'Blakemore' and the other 'Raven Cottage'. Also we ...see more
My great-great-grandfather was called John Price, and his wife was Caroline Bamford Escott. They had two boys, Leslie and Edward, known as Ted. They lived in the Old Court House, Turkey Street, this is now owned by Marion Petty, I do believe, who used to own the little sweet shop in the main street. John was a stone masion who made the styles over the cliffs which are still used today, and my ...see more
My family moved to Bridgend, as my father had a job with British Rail and could not cope with the shift work and travel to and from Chippenham. We moved to number eight Garfield Avenue and next door to Mrs O'Connell and her daughter and grandaughter, Jane Evans. We loved it as children. We went to the beach every weekend, and Sunday School, and there were sheep and ponies in our front garden eating mum's plants when ...see more
I live in Eastersheardale Cottages and I have done for a year now. I was wondering if anyone has any photos or memories of the cottages, who stayed in them, and were there any more houses around the area. I would be most grateful for information. Caroline Savoy
I was born in Norton East Road and left Staffordshire in 1969 to live with my family in Cambridgeshire. I visit Norton often to see aunts and uncles living in Norton Canes and Heath Hayes. I am in contact with Ann Jones (now Ann Armishaw) and June Anderson (now June Smith) who were my friends from school. I have photos in my home of St James Church where my great grandfather sang in the choir and the Methodist Chapel at the top of Norton East Road. SUCH HAPPY MEMORIES.
I've been doing a history project and have recently disovered that some of my family once owned a place called Cosy Corner Tea Lawns. If anyone knows anything else about this place could they please share it with me. Thank you.
Driving through Sidlesham , I noticed the village football club had floodlights. My son Steven was looking for a ground for a Charity Football Match, as we were staying at our chalet at Church Farm Holiday Village. I suggested that we should look at the ground, having ruled out Selsey in the meantime. Being impressed at what we saw, we asked if the chairman was at the match. It turned ...see more
Does anybody remember a family called Farrell from Hemsworth? My father was from there and had a big family of 13, so I think there must be some still family members around?
I have so many amazing memories of Dunning Glen as a child. We used to go there every time we got a bit of nice weather, build fires, cook wee willie winkies, jump in and of the water, catch minnows and play in our dinghy. We also used to occassionally pitch a tent and camp there. It's not quite the same now, although alot people still go there, it's quite spoilt with rubbish like beer cans etc. It's always ...see more
I remember arriving at RAF Greatworth in the back of the camps truck/transport in mid 1962, I had been collected from the railway station in Banbury fresh from training at RAF Locking. The RAF camp was a short walk from the village via a back gate that still exsists today as a stile on the corner of Helmdon Road, a much frequented route as next to the gate were the married quarters. In the village were 'The Inn' ...see more
I loved the Friday markets. The crowded stalls transformed the drab square. The cries of the stall holders, the bustle of shoppers, the baskets laden with fruit and veg. My favourite stall was the toy stall and I spent all of my weekly pocket money here - fake cigarettes with their puff of 'smoke', fake flies that looked so incredibly real to an 8 year old - I would hide them in a slice of bread or cup of tea to scare ...see more
This is not about my memory, this is about my family history, that dates back to 1827. My father has been working on his background for 40 years now, he has so much information about his family in Cudlipptown, it feels like I have been there. My dad is 83 this year, he's not well, he would like me to take a trip to see some of our family that still lives there. My father's name is George Rufus Cudlipp who lives in ...see more
I was taken to the ruin of the hall which was almost completely overgrown. Shortly afterwards a newspaper article appeared about Lord Gatacre abandoning the property earlier in the century. I recall a tree growing up through an old car but there was still a lot of furnishings in the building. In 1964 I acquired one of the nameplates from the GWR steam locomotive Gatacre Hall which I had for nearly 20 years. I also ...see more
I am trying to find anything about my family the Atkinsons who once lived at The Rookery Middleton Tyas. Thomas Henry Atkinson was married to Jane Hall Wester and they had two children that i know of Leonard Henry and Rollo Edward. Thomas was a Timber importer and my family of Atkinsons came from the Newcastle area. My great aunt Elsie Primrose Atkinson never married and moved to the Richmond ...see more
I remember my dad taking a photo of me and my two sisters at the foot of the statue back in 1962. It looks so much smaller now. What fond memories we had! I enjoyed feeding the swans as well as the little ducks. I am coming back one day. Even though I am an American, England has always been a big part of me.
I have lived nearby for 10 years and this place eluded me for a while. Tancreds Ford is still a ford but the bridge is the modern equivalent. The reason I am posting this is because it was on the old smugglers route! Contraband was smuggled up from the south coast across the vast expanses of woodland and heathland by packhorse under cover of night. Several places along the way would give shelter for a share of the ...see more
I am an American and from 1959 to 1965 my family of seven lived on '9 The Drive', in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. We were there with my father who was a U.S. Airforce Seargent stationed in England. My fondest memories were of that quaint little town and all the wonderful places we frequented. The zoo and the park were my favorite places to go as a youngster. I am now 55 ...see more
I have an identical picture taken during the Second World War when we were evacuated from Ashford in Middlesex to stay with my mother's friends, the only difference is that a man and lady are standing to the left and my mother and I are standing on the bridge. I would have been about 5 years old. I could not believe that the picture is the same and it was a nice surprise as I sent it to some friends ...see more
Wartime Memories of Hay: Part Three. (Continued) Apart from Ration Books and the coupon implications for restricted purchase of food and clothing, my own recollections of life in Hay during World War Two hinge on evacuees along with hazy memories of particular events some of which have been outlined in previous two parts. At home there were at different times at least two sets of ...see more
Memories of Hay during the Second World War: Part Two. (Continued from Part One) Thoughts of 'Dad's Army' remind me that the local Home Guard occasionally used Forest Road for some kind of exercise. I've dim recollections of one or two coming into the garden of 'Wayside' with their rifles and taking up whatever position was thought advantageous. Soldiers marching through the town was not an ...see more
I bought my first motorbike from Comerfords in Thames Ditton (would have been at top right of this picture) in October 1973 - a Yamaha FS1e moped in 'Blackcurrant' metallic. But for up to two years earlier I would have cycled here from Hersham maybe 3 times a week to walk up and down the long isles of bikes or press my nose up against the window if on a Sunday. Across the road was also a little shop ...see more
Memories of Hay during the Second World War. When I was still quite young, I recall that there were three phrases used by my father over and over again in conversation. The first, tellingly, were those remarks, usually making contrasts of some kind, beginning "Of course, before the war". And then post-1945 there was the obvious "During the war". And finally there was, ...see more
I was the very first pupil at Ashley Manor School, and hold some very fond memories of my time there. Atherington was a very important time of my life, I enjoyed the shop, park and the wonderful church, I got my jubilee cup at the village fete. I would love to visit the area again.
Quite a number of years ago I visited your village and stumbled accross a large warehouse that sold all kinds of materials from the roll, and then which I used for a while. Can anyone tell me if it is still there please? Kind regards, Iris
I was born in Portaferry in 1943 but moved to England, aged just 5 years, when my mother remarried. My mother's family were Mcbrides and were well known in the town, my mother was one of 13 children although some of them did not reach adulthood, quite common in those days. My grandmother, Sarah McBride, was widowed when just 43 years old, times were hard and she took in washing, mending and cleaning to make ends ...see more
We are trying to track down our family and we have records that a Thomas Anthony Clarke lived at Lyndhurst, Buxton Road, Chinley and was a Agricultural Hardware Merchant. If anyone has any information that would help us trace a long lost Great Grandfather you would not imagine how grateful we would be! His father was Neville and his mother Florence Thank you Louise Clarke( Kent)
We moved to the old Fox and Goose (next to the tiny shop and just up the road from the Blue Bell pub) in 1962. I was 8 and my brother 3. We stayed for around 2 years. My Dad worked for Alne Brick Co. My Mum cleaned houses. Our long narrow back garden was knee deep in daffodils - I have loved them ever since. There was a cellar beneath the old pub that was now our home and an air raid shelter out the back. I ...see more
My grandparents, William and Rose Broadway ran the Post Office stores in the late 60's and 70's. I can vividly remember jars of sweets, Grandad boiling his own ham, getting up at 5am to give papers to the paperboy Stephen. I remember Milly and then Jean who worked there too and a customer called Doris. When the shop was closed on a Sunday afternoon I would play shops in the real shop! I ...see more
I lived at 86 St. Saviour's Road - early 50's. I've so many memories of the area - the small garage halfway along the road, the local Greengrocer's (Pacitis), the shops on Queen's Road - including the Fish Shop as well as Jacobs' Sweet Shop in Queen's Road and so on.
Hello, one and all. This may be a tad queer, however, I have acquired my biological dad's Second World War records, James Paul Shelly (1917-1984,RIP), who was attached to the 6th South Wales Borderers, near the end of the Second World War he sailed to India (ship?), then Burma, then Sumatra, and Singapore. My question is why was STRENSALL listed? It seems a bit strange to me. His Army number was 983852. Sincerely. Seamus P J Fogarty, in Maryland, USA.
To add to the latest entry, I was born in Sheriff Hill, born on Windy Nook Road, and my grand-parents lived in Hewson Street, and my grand-mother lived on Windy Nook Road. My memories are a little earlier than the last entry. South of Hewson Street was bankies, and I remeber the 'new' houses being built. As kids, we'd sit with the night watchman (mainly to keep warm because he always had a coke fire going). ...see more
I have many memories about the old St Mary's Church. Until I started thinking of them I realised that I have not got one involving a rainy day apart from when my Grandad was buried in the churchyard. He was laid to rest with his younger brother who died in the First World War and my late Grandmother. I still visit the grave from time to time. Both I and my brother were baptised at the old St ...see more
I grew up near South Petherton and have fond memories, i lived in South Petherton as did my parents in the 1990's. My grandfather Frank White was born in South Petherton in 1895 as was his father Amos and his grandfather Amos. Our family go back quite a few generations in South Petherton. I am researching my White family tree, and would love to hear from anyone with a connection to the Whites of South Petherton.
I grew up in Huttons Ambo and my mum still lives there today. What a wonderful carefree childhood. We lived in Low Hutton for a few years, my mum (Eileen Routledge, brother Simon and sister Sarah), and then moved to High Hutton and lived next door to my Gran and Grandad Gibson. We used to play down by the river and the swing bridge and loved standing in the middle making it swing, on school summer ...see more
I was evacuated to Oldham in the early 1940s when London was getting blitzed and was taken in by Sarah and Levi Allen of 8 Bell Street, what a lovely couple. Just a one up one down on the corner of Blanche Street so they had the top and I had the bottom, and there was a beautiful Golden Retriever as well, we all got along famously. The outhouse was around the corner to Blanche Street,under the arch which led to the rear of 8 ...see more
My father was in the RCAF, stationed at the former RAF base. We lived in the village from 1952 to 1954. The picture on this site was where we lived at the time. The village shop was next door and was operated by Mr and Mrs Gale and they had a son named Blyth. Our family consisted of my mother and father, myself and my 2 younger sisters.We kids all went to the village school and I sang in the Church ...see more
Does any one know what the old white building on the banks of Felling was?
I lived in Crossgates and my first school was also Mossgreen. The headmaster was Mr Burgess and the teachers were Miss Taylor, Miss Curry and Miss Mitchell. My brothers and I have many happy memories of Crossgates, exploring the Taft and the Bulwark.
As a school boy at the Old Harlow College, I used to catch the 393 bus to Sedge Green Roydon after school every day at the bus stop outside the Post Office. Six old pence each way.
During the Second World War they put up families in the almshouses, at the end of the war they had a street party for the children almost next to the almshouses, myself and the Willis brothers were there.
I was born in Croydon (St Mary's Hospital I think) in 1948. We lived in St Saviours Road until I was aged approximately 5 or 6 when we moved to the West Midlands. We would always go back though and spend some of our summer holidays there with my Aunty Gwen (Wood) who was my mum's (Eileen Partridge) sister.
Throughout the course of the First World War many local organizations raised money to send parcels to local soldiers. This was particularly relevant at Christmas and the presents included shirts, socks, cake, cigarettes, chocolates, handkerchiefs and stationery. Penknives and periscopes were much requested items along with copies of the local newspaper. The NT Red Cross Society ...see more
Netherthong War Memorial My full history of Netherthong can be seen on http://historyofnetherthong.co.uk 'We shall never forget.' M. Hirst, who lived at 33 Outlane, compiled a large book full of newspaper cuttings and other ephemera about the young men of the parish who had fought and died in the First World War. This book is kept permanently in the parish church and a lot of ...see more
My mum was evacuated to here during the Second World War, she remembers a place called Eastwick. I am driving her up for a visit this Friday 30/04/10 to see the village and see what she remembers of the place.
in the late 1960s we moved to 32 Yarnton Road. My dad and grandad worked the land of Grove Farm before the housing development took place. During 1970s an archaeological excavation took place in the area surrounding Moat Cottage. I did my fair share of trench digging. We found a few walls, some pottery and that was about it! Hats off to Time Team, they do it in 3 days, we had months...
My family, the Whitehouses, moved to Mole Road, Fetcham c1956 and as children my sister and our friends spent many happy hours playing 'down the river'. I remember the rickety bridge, frequently with more than one plank missing, swimming, and riding bareback through (sometimes jumping) The Splash to the blacksmith at Prewitts Farm (the older brother working the bellows with his elbow & spitting into the ...see more
I first came to Pagham in 1965, we used to holiday at Church Farm Caravan Site and in those days it was run by John and Shirley Romaine. I have fond memories of Buster and Cocker from my Church Farm Days and I remember old Tom the gas man and the Jack, the guy who used to hire out the Social Cycles! My parents brought a train carriage in Well Road, Pagham around 1971 and we moved down from Mitcham, in ...see more
I came upon it whilst walking through Chopwell woods, one of the best diversions I've ever taken.
It made me sad seeing this photo, as my mum is buried at Hinton park. How I smiled when we left the park, and turned onto the main road. What faced me was the Cat and Fiddle. When I was a child, we would call there after spending the day in Christchurch. So many happy memories, they used to serve a good meal there. Being but a child it was great to enjoy a few hours taking in the adult world.
I lived in a prefab in Spencer Park. There is a secret garden in the middle of Spencer Park, the iron gate entrance is just off Windmill Road. We used climb into this garden to go scrumping soft fruit. We were often chased out by the wealthy residents. We used to play football in the 'frying pan', this was a dis-used water lake built by the railway that the windmill pumped water in for the locals.
We lived at Troutback for the summer with the Wells family, a lovely experience.
Hello Anne I was at the Margaret Beavan Memorial Home twice during the 1960s. I too remember going to church. We wore red berrets and blazers. The home has now been turned into a residential house. My husband and I went to find it about two or three years ago. I took a photo, will send it to you if you would like to see it. Do you remember the building at the back where we used to sing and dance? ...see more
I remember meeting a girl at the 'stute', a dance hall in Kirkintilloch, falling in love with her, then breaking up, then finding her 2 years later then breaking up, but having a wonderful time walking up the Crow Road on Sundays, going to the pictures on Saturdays, the 'stute' on Tuesdays, it was a great time in my life. Hope you are well Kathleen O'Rourke, thanks for the wonderful memories. Wullie.
My father was stationed at Chisledon Camp from 1939 to 1942. Living in Littlehampton on the south coast, threatened with invasion, my mother rented the end thatched cottage of the row of cottages which face the railway line just north of the station railway bridge. This was much safer and we were able to be with my father who was in the camp just up the road. I was 7 years old, and my brother was 9. Our ...see more
I remember Heswell as a patient - Sylivia was my best friend and she had asthma - we were on the HOT ward. Get in touch Sylvia, if you remember too. What did HOT stand for? I remember being very frightened and not understadning why I was there, away from my family. Some of the nurses were horrrible. There was a lovely Indian doctor towards the end (he smelled of curry and it was so comforting) - I ...see more
The photograph shows on the left where my gran lived, in the centre is where my granddad lived, and out of sight is the house where I was born. I fell in the river many times, once when it was at full flood an old man pulled me out with his walking stick.
Yes, I remember the Club House - I seem to recall we went there after the Primary school and before the Junior School but I could be wrong! I remember the playground there and going home from school across the old golf course which still had the hillocks and sandy bits! I lived in Chaucer Green so not far to walk! I went back to the Junior/Primary school on summer fete day 4 years ago and it looked ...see more
I was born at Copthorne Lane. I spent many happy times in Fawley, my friend and I used to cycle all over. I loved times spent sailing on the Solent. I worked for Ken Wheller as a paper girl, spent many hours in his company, what a nice guy. Sadly he passed away a few years ago. I still have contact with Fawley and visit often, but did'nt go back for many years. Now the old farm at the top of Copthorne Lane ...see more
I too remember market day. I came from the city of Liverpool and my dad's mum and dad's nannie and grandad Mullins lived in North Hill, each year we came for our holidays and we loved it, farmers' day was a real treat. I loved Fareham and always wished we could live there.
I remember walking past here every day to school from 1950 to 1956 and then I went to Freshwater secondary modern school and still walked by it to catch the bus until I left the village in 1959. I remember the path on the left had a stile and footpath that came out by the pub, where that path joins New Road opposite was the mill stream with a wooden bridge and we used to play pooh sticks along the river bank and try to ...see more
I don't personally remember this but my mom used to tell me a funny 'story' about the pin on the pin on the top - she used to tell me that one day it fell off, rolled down the road and knocked 10 people over! She said it thought they were pins! She was joking of course! I used to go shopping with my dad there in the 1970s when it was Presto supermarket!
I remember my gran taking for walks along Bottle Alley in the summer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I also remember her taking me on the last trolley bus to run. At the time she lived at 106 Bohemia Road, those houses have long since gone. I lived in Crowhurst at the time, I used to catch the train from Crowhust to Warrior Square, I can still 'smell' the station. Sometimes a load of us Crowhurst boys would ...see more
We lived on Fishers Lane, Pensby then moved to Barleyfield Road where my little sister was born in the front bedroom of no 1. We walked down to Greenbank Junior School every day, three little kids holding hands through fields of barley that towered over our heads! Then the builders came. Before we knew it we were walking home through little streets like Bennet Walk. The houses went up so fast that I got lost walking home ...see more
As I have lived all my life in Childer Thornton I have so many memories. I would just like to record some from my childhood. The village was a wonderful place to grow up in. There was no traffic to disturb our street play (only occassionaly the rare car). We had the village to ourselves. There were always the seasonal games. Who decided it was time to play something else we didn't know, it just happened. We ...see more
I lived in Saffron Walden as a small child, I moved away when I was aged 10 but still think of it as home. There used to be a fishmongers in King Street which I think is a butchers now and we lived in the flat above it. I went to R.A. Butler School and spent many happy hours playing on the common. I remember clearly the night that the Rose and Crown Hotel burnt down as we could see it from our windows. My mum worked ...see more
Yes, I remember the Carbis family but didn't know them very well.