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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Search for your favourite UK places and read memories of the local area in days gone by.
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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
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 17041 - 17120 of 36957 in total
Remember going to the cinema regularly and also to the Eccles Dramatic Society's shows from time to time in the early 60's.
I found a reference to the house while researching my ancestors. Without using too many great, great, great etc. He was my grandfather's grandfather !
My sister and I were sent to live at Bron-y-Garth, Dame Sybil's house which we believe had been made available as a home for children during the war. I was 6 months old, my sister 3 when we arrived, and were, we believe, the last to leave the home in 1945/6. We travelled with a nurse by train to London to meet our mother. My sister went to the little school nearby, and we remember ...see more
Looking for family of James Edgar who was my ggg grandfather, brother, John. Their father was also named James from Gallewards in the Dristrict of Dunscore. John was a Blacksmithin the village. derekwbdickson@yahoo.co.uk
I believe I was born in this house when it was an emergency hospital during the war. No idea what my mother was doing in Byfleet as she (a Canadian) had been evacuated from Malta en route to her home. Does anyone know if this house is still there and if so, exactly where it is on Highfield Road? Many thanks in advance.
I was a pupil at Clarendon from 1971-75, when I had to leave after the fire. I wasn't allowed to go to the new school in Bedford, it was too far away for my parents, I was very disappointed. It was a privilege to be a pupil there, even though at the time we didn't think so - I was homesick alot of the time. I have recently stayed in the Kimnel Manor pub in St Georges and went to see the building - so sad to ...see more
I was the born at the Green in Wallsend. I used to live in Holy Cross and I remember the burn, the old cemetery at the top of our road and shopping on Wallsend High Street. My dad was a supervisor at the Rising Sun Pit. We also lived in Longbenton on Chesters Ave, no 23 to be exact, I started school at Balliol. I remember taking the bus up to Four Lane Ends to do a bit of shopping with me mam. My grandparents, Leslie ...see more
Hello I have just read Steve Buck's article - you will remember me Steve, I was born in 1958 and we went to St Lukes at the same time. It was magic growing up in Weaste. As you know, there wasn't any money about but never the less we filled our time with football, making dens and getting into bombed out houses as we used to call them.
Although I went to Brookhouse C of E Secondary school, I was expelled in ...see more
I have vivid memories of Tolworth Broadway. As a child I was born in Tolworth (strictly Kingston Hospital in April 1948 just for my birth that is). Mum, my sister and I would go to the Broadway Co-op to shop and Woolworths and other shops. I used to play in the 'allotment' that now has Tolworth towers standing on it and climbed the lovely trees around it and played in the caravan ...see more
My grandparents, Annie and Charles Edwards, used to live in Merrafield Road where I would visit them during the middle 50's to early 60's. I mostly remember how their back garden sloped sharply downhill and this gave rise to a cellar with a sloping floor, accessible from the back of the house. The front of the house faced open meadows which sloped up to a line of trees. In the meadows were 2 or 3 large craters ...see more
Clare's Cigar shop is now my shop, The Hair Boutique!
I was born at West Middx. Hosp in 1940. Christened at St. Mary's Church, Osterley. I lived in Syon Park Gardens until I was 34.
I remember Thornbury Road and can remember some of the shops;- Post Office on the corner of the Great West Rd. A car sales place on the corner opposite. Travelling North towards Osterley Park on the right hand side was a bank, next to ...see more
I did not live in Cuckfield, but in Brighton. However, I did often visit and stay with my cousin, Eric Hardacre who in those early years lived in London Lane. He introduced me to mushrooming and looking for birds nests and rabbit warrens etc and a general appreciation and enjoyment of the surrounding countryside. Sadly Eric has died and I do miss him (he was 76 and I am now 79). I also remember one of his neighbours and friend Tim Peacock; I wonder where he is now?
We moved to 1 Greenford Gardens in 1936 from Northolt; it was a great place to grow up. Spent most of the time in Ravenor Park playing football/cricket, went to Bethams then Costons Junior with Mr Blount the Headmaster who lived in a large house in Oldfield Lane, right next to the school. Next was Stanhope Senior where a Mr Robinson (rubber neck) was Head. Saw the devastation when a German plane let his bomb`s ...see more
My great grandfather, Corneby Austin, lived on this farm in the 1871 census. It must have belonged to the family, as my grandfather also lived there. My great great grandfather was John Austin and his wife was Sarah. (John's farther was John Austin and his wife was Mary. They also were farmers from Bodicote.) I know John Jnr was a farmer and miller. I am interested in finding any Austins that still live in the ...see more
Back in 1971, I joined a friend from London on a surfing trip to Polzeath. I'm from America, and was in the middle of a year-long jaunt around Europe and North Africa. I hadn't gone surfing in several months and was looking forward to the trip. My friend had a surfing buddy who was the chef at the Atlantic House Hotel and when we were at the beach he asked me if I wanted a job, since one of the dish ...see more
When I was at the Grammar School, I used to do my mothers shopping on this street; I bought my first pair of earrings from Woolworths, on the mid-left, for a shilling - 5p!! and my mum bought shoes from the shop near left. My French form teacher, Mr Paul Johnson and his wife and twin daughters lived in a flat on the left; he was a navigator on Wellingtom bombers during the war. Also on the left, just out of the photo, ...see more
If my memory serves me well (now that is a song from way back) I used to wait for the 197 bus outside the Town Hall, Croydon, to take me into Addiscombe where I attended Davidson Road Secondary School. With my friend Michelle Allen, we travelled from Shirley on the bus but can not remember the number of that particular bus, it waited on Shrublands Estate for people to board.
I met my husband of 41 years back in the 60's, I lived in Shirley, a very new housing estate then, called Shrublands. We used to ride around Croydon and Norbury on his scooter and often visited the Tarentella coffee bar near Pollards Hill on the main road through Thornton Heath to Norbury. My husband's mother worked part time in Miss Shears wool shop, on the main road. We also met friends in the Wimpey Bar, Norbury near the Norbury Hotel, my husband lived in Goston Gardens.
I was born in Northern Ireland and lived in Belfast. One night the German Lufwaffa bombed
Belfast - there were 1000 or more were killed that night. I and my brothers and sisters were evacuated to my home town in Lurgan in Co Armagh. I was brought over to Manchester and went to live with my aunt, Margaret Brown in Alfred St Harperhay. Then my father and I got a house in Teighnmouth St, Collyhurst. I was 13 and a half. ...see more
I lived at nine forge field with my Granddad and Grandma and went to school at the local primary school. When I was about eight or nine years of age, I befriended a local landowner from Coopers Farm, his name Mike Read. He had a Tiger Moth plane which he kept in a small hanger in a field, he took me for flights many times, inclusive of all aerobatics, had photo taken by the courier standing by the plane, great times and memories.
My Quantrill grandparents came with a young family to live near the, then busy, cattle market in the centre of what was a row of three dwellings (now a shop). On one side was the telephone exchange and on the other the Police Station/House. Sarah Ellen (known as Nellie) had been born in Adam's Hill, Clent in 1881 and was one of the children of William and Ellen Huxley, a long standing ...see more
I started my schooling at Dochgarroch in 1952. There were two teachers, Miss Melville who taught the 5 to 8 year olds and the Headmistress who taught from 8 years old until we left to go to Secondary School. The Headmistress was Miss Mary MacFadyen, better known as Fadgie, she was a good teacher but very, very strict and it wasn't unusual for a pupil to get his/her hair grabbed and the face shoved into the ...see more
When flower power came, it hit Salford Cross Lane market with a vengence. Every stall had cow bells with plastic flowers on, so not to be left out, I got one. I ended up getting in a massive row with my dad - he thought I was turning. But worse still, when I went out and met my mates, they all looked at me very strange, and they really had a go too. Luckily it didn't last long, it soon fell to bits, but ...see more
When the Beatles took off in the early sixties, me and my friends couldn't believe it in those dark rainy school days mornings, something to brighten them up, so we used to pretend to be the Beatles. I was John Lennon. Every morning before we went in school, West Liverpool St, we went on the reck, sat on the swings and used to sing Beatles songs, always making us late for school. For xmas that same ...see more
I love Binstead, met my first wife there Carole, who lived in Beatrice Close. We walked all around the village but the best walk was from the Church of the Holy Cross up to Ladies Walk, a truly beautiful place which I still enjoy at my age of 66yrs. In recent years parts of Binstead have been ruined by over development, too many houses and increase in traffic, but I still love it.
I was born in Dover, but my mum was Welsh and we moved back to her home town when I was small. However, every year we would visit my dad's relatives in Kent (mainly Ashford). My Auntie Nell ran a flower shop here and I remember the smell of flowers and pickles. I loved my visits there. Ashford was beautiful to me and I loved the market there. I have since discovered that they were my grand aunts and uncles - it ...see more
I am trying to find more information about an ancester who I think is my great grandfather. He was a shoemaker, John Jones who lived at Nwrog? St. He was married to Mary Jones and they had a daughter, Jane in 1845.
Worked at J P Jacksons Butchers as a messenger boy.
Good old days, great town and still is.
I first went to Plas with my parents in 1955. From 1958 till 1966, it became my second home, first holidaying - summer, Christmas, Easter, Whit - and from 1962, as one of that select band, a Plas leader. I have continued to visit on and off up to Plas closing its doors in 2007. The memories remain fresh today and the friendships are life long. In 1997, Auntie Lena died, aged 92 and I had the privilege of ...see more
Hello, I was born in Crewe in 1947 and lived in Lockett St with my mother and father and 3 brothers. When I was about 3 or 4 we moved to the village of Weston about 3 miles from Crewe. We lived in Weston till 1963, after which we all moved to Australia. I remember catching the bus at the square before they built the bus station and going to the movies at the Odeon. We also spent a lot of time at ...see more
My memories are actually too recent to be of interest but what may be is the research of my Routledge ancestors. They can be found in the Brampton and the Farlam Parish Registers from the early 1700's and they lived at Moss Row, Milton where they conducted a tailoring business in a house known as Birch Heads. Whilst the extended family remained in the area, two of them moved away with the advent of ...see more
I lived in Broughton for 26 years from 1954 to 1980. Here are a few words that may bring back some happy memories for readers!
The shops: On the corner of Broughton Hall Road (opposite the current car sales) was Francis' Chip Shop, run by Mr and Mrs Francis. It also was also a general shop, too, and I remember at one point Mr Francis had a small cafe area inside. I can remember it having ...see more
My name is Jean - maiden name being Hamy and I had a wonderful childhood living in Stanford Close. I have a brother and sister - Janet and Michael. I remember going to the pond - catching small fish and newts - taking them home. I was always playing in Ashton Playing fields pre M11 enjoying the school holidays outside. At that time my friends were Gillian Smith and Margaret Turner. I ...see more
This mill on the river Stour was known locally not as the "Old Mill" but as the "Corn Mill".
I was born in Salford in 1954, except for a brief spell of 4 years in Newton Heath in the late fifties, I have lived there ever since. When I was 11 years old my friend and I were playing digging on the old nursery croft on Brighouse Street when we thought we discovered an old 2nd world war bomb. Most of it was buried, just the nose end showing, so out of exitment we thought we had better tell our dads. On the ...see more
In the '50s and '60s we lived at the 'bottom' end of Hanworth Road, near the Crematorium, so most of our shopping was done either in Feltham, or more locally "up at the Mount". (The shops by the Rex cinema).
When it came to clothes shopping though, especially shoes, we always went to Hounslow.
Every other shop in Hounslow was a shoe shop (literally!).
After Saturday morning pictures Mum used to drag us up one side of the ...see more
My family are all from Walker, the Viggor family, and I was wondering if anyone had pics of the Walker dwellings and Headey Ter, and Walker Park from the 40s till early 60s, thanks.
My gran (Doreen Smith) grew up in Richmond and took my mum there for lots of holidays. When I was old enough she took me to visit my great uncle, John Smith, there as well. I am interested in any information anybody has about my gran's family. Her mother was Lily Ripley and her father, Cornelius Harrison. Her sisters were Betty, Nancy and Lily and her brothers are Albert and John.
In 1950 my parents moved to Hospital Farm between Gislingam and Mellis. I lived there until 1959, my parents remained there until 1962. I went to the old village school from 1953, Mrs Chilvers was the Headmistress. I attended Sunday school at the chapel and can remember the anniversaries there. Then we had the Sunday school outings to the seaside. The village hall was built by people buying a brick at ...see more
Hi.
Can anyone please tell me when the terraced houses in Bowling Green Crescent, Ciren, were demolished? My Gran's house was the end of the terrace, I believe the gate number was 48? I took my wife there for her first time in the Cotswolds and was greeted by a line of newish semi detached houses with smaller front gardens? My Gran's house, as the others did, had very long gardens, and a bit steep too? Thank you to anyone who can help?
This is a Memory Without Evidence.
In 1984 I visited my childhood home, "Ivy Cottage" no 58 Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. The cottage, in poor condition, was still being lived in. The contractors yard was also still being used, along with the workshops. However, the Company became French/ Kier and the yard was soon sold off to developers.
MY QUESTION is does anyone out there know how, or ...see more
I lived in the CPA or Calico Printers Association mill for about 12 years, where my dad was a foreman who worked in the batiks for many years. We had a huge flat which was knocked down many years ago. We lived next door to a family by the name of Kenyon who I believe had two sons. I went to St John’s Godley School up on Fountain Road; the teachers were Mr Pitty (headmaster) Mrs Simpson ...see more
Great site, brings back a number of memories. I went to Bond Road School in 1962ish with my twin brother Robert. We left at about 1970 and went Alphea in Merton before going on to Pollards Hill High School. Mitcham has changed so much, who would believe that you can now buy a cup of tea out of the old toilets at Micham Fair Green.
I can remember going to Galdstone Road Mission in Gladstone road before they pulled it down ...see more
There is a new group open on facebook, come and meet up on there too. the Castle School, Stanhope.
A lot of cover ups were made, there is a 75 year closure on files from Stanhope, no lads will get to see their files for 75 years.
Lets have another reunion, get more lads there.
I and my brothers were there 1957 and 1964. I have many happy memories some good some bad. My first love Valerie Tucker r you still around.
Wow, what memories of Sandwich Road of the "50s & "60s era. Just reading the memories already written just brought everything flooding back to me. I lived in Sandwich Road from when I was born in 1947 until I got married in1969, at one time I could name everyone who lived in Sandwich Road, but I expect that has all changed through the generations passing away. The photos of the garage run by Doug and Len ...see more
My wife and I had an holiday in Falmouth, a flat overlooking the docks area. We would travel all around the area, we thought it was a beautiful place. We visited the Brewis family. Peter Brewis was the site agent on a site I worked on in the Midlands. I often wonder how the family is now, well I hope.
I also have many happy memories of life in Cookham. We moved here from Maidenhead and brought up our children in this lovely area. The pubs of Cookham and the Dean were great and we walked for miles enjoying the scenery. We earned money by working at Copas farm throughout the season, I particularly remember turkey plucking and potato picking. We swam in Odney's water and my children and grandchildrem enjoyed messing ...see more
Hello
I have just started to trace my family tree and found out that my great grandparents had a shop at 50 Pierrepont Street, Sneinton, Nottingham. It was a sweet shop my great grandmother ran and her husband Herbert was a Blacksmith. They both were born around 1876-1877. Herbert came from Gainsborough and Alice, Nottingham Sherwood then it was called. They had 4 children, 3 died, 1 ...see more
I went to a brand new primary school called Park Farm, so then going to Elmwwod was like going back in time. I just caught the end of Stacey walking around like something out of Harry Potter. My brother had told me about the morning assembly where Reg Evans played the violin & I think it was Nellie Perman played the piano. It was horrible as they never seemed to be playing the same tune. They still had the ...see more
Hi, Just looking at some old family photos of us fishing by the Swans Neck at Birlingham back in the early 60s when I was about 12. I come from Birmingham and the place my father worked was Mitchells and Butlers brewery who rented the stretch of water from Eckington bridge down to Birlingham for many years. I have so many memories of getting there at the crack of dawn and a great days fishing, then you would ...see more
As a young schoolboy I lived in Wandle House off Garrett Lane which was owned by Peabody estates at that time. So, taking a walk from there, I can remember the rag and bone carts passing on their way home to the other end of Twilley Street passing by as I walked out from the gate at Wandle House, turning right to Garrett Lane to the corner where DER television rental was sited on the opposite corner. We ...see more
My ancestor, Matthew Millichip was the Game Keeper for Cound Hall in the 1851 and 1861 censuses. Would love to see any photos of the staff of the Hall in those days.
Hello, I am trying to trace my grandfather who is called Joseph F Hulley born 1930 in Hawarden. His mother was noted as main name of Hulley on his birth cert so it may have been an iligitimate birth, which I believe was quite common in those days! My dad has never met his dad and is keen to do so before its too late, but I am completely stuck at where to look now can anyone help me with info of Hulleys in the ...see more
I really can call Mablethorpe my second home. I have lovely memories of the place - I learnt to walk there - I am 46 years old now. My mum and dad took us every year. When my children came along I took them there with my parents. I have lots to share about Mablethorpe and today my mum and I went to Mablethorpe, as we do every year, to look at all the changes. Golden Sands Camp has changed a lot, but ...see more
The Great Life in Waltham Cross
Life in Waltham Cross started for me in 1936, I was six years old and my father had just completed 25 years of service with the Royal Navy, we actually stayed with my father’s sister who lived in Forest Road Cheshunt for a few weeks, how she coped I do not know as I also had three sisters - it must have been a bit crowded.
In a few weeks we moved into a brand ...see more
I was born in Holback, but moved to Farnley in 1959. I went to Lower Wortley School, as I remember there were prefabs for us little uns down at the bottom, next to the ringroad, then on to Silverroyd. I spent many a happy time on the rec. As I got older, I had my first drink in the William pub as my friend's dad, Harry Furness, looked after it when Weaber went on holiday. I also used to go to a youth club at the toch, the church on Branch Road.
My birth certificate states I was born 1940 in Byfleet in an Emergency Hospital. Does anyone know where that would have been. Have no idea why I was there except my mother (a Canadian) was returning home to Canada but was unable to do so because of the war. Perhaps she was stranded here or perhaps her husband had family in the area. Any help appreciated tracking down the exact place where this hospital would have been. Many thanks.
The shop with the blind outside was built by my grandparents in 1932, they already had two shops in Milford High Street, opposite the Post Office, a confectioners and a grocery shop. Grandpa and Grandma decided to expand the grocery business to the new premises and the old shop became an off-licence. Cecil and May Knight lived in the flat above the new shop with my dad Frederick, and his first wife Marjorie ...see more
I was born here in Feb 1947, in the corner bungalow (shown here in the photo as a house) and lived with my parents and my older brother until the summer of 1964 when I left school and moved away to start work. I remember playing in the front garden and climbing onto the smaller corner pillar, on the right in the photo, and being told off by my father! The large house shown in ...see more
I was at Fircroft from 1946 to 1951. Miss Lewis was headteacher and also taught a group of us to make and play bamboo pipes. Mr Nicholls was the teacher in the top form and I have happy memories of playing 'four court dodge ball'. I wonder if Carol Wallis, Alison Chandler, John Goody, Royston Clark, Rodney White, Janet Webb and many others, can remember these days. They were happy days. If so would love to hear from you. ...see more
I was born in 1947, and can remember at 5 years old going on the horse rides with me sister, we got photos too.
It is my 'auld maw' that used to stay in Townhill, her maiden name was Lessells, my gran & di were Catherine & John, my mum was born in 1930, she too is Catherine (cath). There are older & younger siblings, Agnes, Bill, Jock, Nettie, Rita, George, sadly Nell was very young when she died. I would appreciate if there is any memories about them. The family moved from Townhill to Robertson Rd at the bottom of the hill. You can pm me at wendymcgeary@yahoo.co.uk thank you.
My ancestor was John Horsnell, he was born in 1812 in Brentwood, Essex. I am looking for any relatives of John Horsnell. His parents may have been William and Mary. His father was connected with wine importing and retailing. Wiliam was also a rent collector for several years for the High Sheriff of Essex. John Horsnell emigrated to South Australia aboard the Lysander in 1839 with his wife (name unknown). ...see more
My great-grandparents were William Gordon Stuart and Sarah Anne (Miller) Stuart. They moved to Tininver House, Dufftown in 1887. William was in the British military for over 37 years and had just retired. He was stationed in Ireland where my grandfather, Charles Gordon Stuart, was born in 1880. This William was born in Glenlivet area in 1835 and had a twin sister Jane. Jane married David Scott of Hillock of Echt, ...see more
I worked here when I was about 14-15, with Shelley (who is now my sister in law), Chris (can't remember his surname) and Tish (Letitia Orlandi). This was when The White Hart was owned by Giovanni Brandani or 'Johnny', as he was known. It may have been my age, but it has to be said, I had the best time!
I was born in East Holywell in 1946 and lived at 24 North Row. By then there were only 2 rows of houses left. We lived with my grandmother, Eva Barnfather, who had been there since the turn of the century. Like my mother and aunt and uncle before me, I went to East Holywell school where the teachers were Miss Turner and Mrs Turner. When I was 6 we moved to Earsdon but my grandmother lived there ...see more
I still vaguely remember the smell of the slaughterhouse as I held on to my mum's hand as she dragged me through town. The oppressive red stone factory still features in my nightmares...
My husband and I had our wedding reception here! My mum found the receipt - £75. It was absolutely wonderful. It's still lovely, though not quite as 'individual' as it was back then.
Does any one have old photos of the Apprentices Strike?
In 1959 I was a poultry student at Durham school of agriculture (Houghall) on the out skirts of the city. I lived at the college for nearly a year. My memories of my time there and times spent around the city are still fresh in my mind. Places like the ice rink, all the old streets and shops,walking up Silver Street and the policeman contoling traffic in the square - that was a novelty. The coffee bar opposite ...see more
Now isn't this WEST HILL, we used to live at the top and I walked that stretch for years going to and from school.
Thank you for the correction - Editor.
My memories are about being forced to take piano lessons from a lovely lady with beautiful teeth. Her name was Beatrice Allsopp, she lived in Nanty as we called it.
My cousins Les and Connie White and their son Wayne White lived on Picton St. I remember the pub at the top of Picton Street can't remember the name but I had my hen party there in 1969.
My brother in law and sister in law, Mary and Clive Philip, ...see more
I lived in Eastham, and I was about 10 years old when the war ended and a cruise up the Manchester Ship Canal was organised, possibly on board the "Royal Daffodil" which I see is still doing the cruises. Could it be the same ship I wonder? I think we boarded at a place called "Job's Ferry" in Eastham, and sailed along towards Manchester, and a popular song at the time was "Cruising down the river on a ...see more
I was born in Kingston in 1946 and moved with my parents to Bookham in 1961. My family connections to Kingston go back centuries and I am having great fun tracking them back. I am sure many people will remember my father who was Percy Parslow. He worked in the Jewellers and Siversmiths in the High Street from the age of 15 until we moved. He was well known among the market stallholders and also as being the ...see more
I lived in Skelmersdale very briefly in 1966, during which time I attended both Barnes Road School as well as Brookfield (although memory fails me as to why I was moved from one to the other, or even which came first for that matter). The one thing I do remember about Brookfield however, was that part of the curriculum was that once or twice a week (I don't recall which) was 'showers', which involved that we had to take ...see more
About 1963 I used to visit the Odeon and was allowed to play the Compton Organ. I became friendly with Don Galloway (the second projectionist) who also played the organ. He emigrated to South Africa in around 1965, and we lost touch. I remember he played for the cinema shows occasionally. Another friend of mine, Ron Rogers of High Wycombe, was resident organist at one time.
