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.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

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!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

Subscribe

Join the thousands who receive our regular doses of warming nostalgia! Have our latest blog posts and archive news delivered directly to your inbox. Absolutely free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Displaying Memories 18881 - 18960 of 36957 in total

I was born and brought up in Thingwall Drive, right on the boundary of Irby and opposite the entrance to the golf course. I went to Irby CP School, Coombe Road, and then onto Calday Grange Grammar School. My Granny lived just past the Anchor Inn, and stopping by to Miss Ellis shop for a treat after walking the dogs on the common was a regular indulgence. The far shop on the left was the post office, then coming ...see more
I was born in London in 1954 and loved visiting my grandparents who lived in Rose Walk. My first memory during the late 50's was the sight of Radlett Station, it was always well tended, with large painted tyres filled with flowers. The lady station mistress knew my sister and I, and would help us down from the train where we'd meet our lovely grandma. It was a long walk to the other end of Radlett, but ...see more
I remember Roding Avenue (No.33) with very fond memories. Those names you have mentioned are still floating about in my brain! I remember the Coronation celebration party well; I was dressed as a pilot. My mum and several other ladies sang on stage dressed as Zulu women - they sang "Dem Bones". I now live in Norfolk and several neighbours and myself are going to try and recreate those lovely memories this ...see more
My Father was cowman on this farm, we lived in the tythe cottage for about 6 years and I started school there. My teacher was Mrs War, her husband was the foreman of Velmead farm. We walked across the fields to school. It was a lovely idilic place to live as a child, we had so much freedom. I remember soldiers with thier wives walked past the house at weekends and talked to us children and give us ...see more
PMX739377 SIR!. Yes. I was stationed in the Grand Hotel during my training in the RN to become an Electrical Artificer,The song I remember most was "Underneath the spreading chestut tree" which was often played in the little cafe in the High Street where we spent a lot of our "shore leave". Our practical work was in a Government Training Centre at Redbridge Southampton, , So we had to be bussed there and back. I ...see more
My family and I lived in the post office and stores when this picture was taken. I am Christine Sheldon, one of the twins of the Sheldon family. We loved living there, my dad was the baker and the shop sold everything - and even had a tea room. My twin and I lit a fire in the attic once with straw and set fire to the roof. Coolham is a wonderful place and we were very sad to see that the shop had been ...see more
There are three attic rooms and I had a flat in the first one. This was around 1972. The windows on the other side gave a view of the Technical College, but you could see the sea (if the tide was in).
Although I lived in Barkingside, it was in the days when you were sent to the school of your choice if you passed the 11+. I was fortunate to attend the newly built West Hatch. It was through school that we went to Grange Farm to befriend a group of French students who were holidaying there. It was a great site with the added bonus of that beautiful lido and all in the surroundings of the quiet countryside - long before the noise of the M11 and M25. Now a fancy eatery - I prefer the former.
This was the year I first attended Balmaclellan School, the Headmaster was first Mr Walker, who went on to New Abbey, he was followed by Fred Simpson - a great experence from 1944 to 1950. I lived with grandfather William McQueen Biggar at his shop and post office - a wonderful time in the village, curling in the winter, bowls and badminton in the village hall and Sunday School and Church on Sundays. derekwbdickson@yahoo.co.uk
At 66 years of age I still keep in touch with most of my friends that belonged to the coal mine community. Living on Wombwell Main Pit Row we were a large family of nine. Our mother did her best to keep us clean and well fed. She was a wonderful mother, friend and neighbour. Mum never turned anybody away. My twin sister and I attended Hough Lane Methodist (Tin chapel). The Sunday school anniversaries ...see more
I think this Miss Jones was a lodger with my parents and I when we lived in Larkswood Road. I know she was a teacher and was away on holiday when a land mine landed behind the house in 1940. I would love to know if she remembers the Fayne family; Jim, Blanche (Girlie) and Jean - I would have been about 5 years old.
My first home as a young Airman at RAF Mildenhall and young mother....does anyone have a pic of the house from about 1986-1988. I know from my niece its a hotel/eatery now... Also anyone from RAF MIldenhall's post office?
My mum, Ann Diamond, was in St Mary's home for girls from about 1940- 1943, then went to stay with some foster parents. She has written some memoirs of her time there, and in the home. I would love to show her any more info or photos I can find of Cold Ash x.
My mum is from Eltham, Ann Diamond, born 1935. Her dad, Frank Diamond was one of 11 and his mum, my great nan, lived till she was nearly 100, in the same house I believe. I was the 89th grand-child, so no doubt there are a lot of decendents. My mum went to Eltham Secondary briefly. Before that she was in a childrens home in Newbury. I will try and show her some of these great pics. She moved to Portsmouth when she was 17.
I remember the old school which was opposite the kirk and also Tortilano's ice cream shop. I started school in 1951/52 I think it was, and Capt Gracie was the Headmaster who ruled as though he was still in the army. I lived in Hawthorn Drive, or was it Crescent, before moving to Balure Crescent. I also remember the big fire at the end of Balure Crescent where there were someone killed. I also have a sister, ...see more
My grandparents lived in the Lantern House. Granddad, William Gardner, was a shepherd; Granny Mary Eleanor was a midwife and nurse for the area. She used to ride with the Doctor in a horse and trap to visit their patients. Granny brought over 1,000 babies into the world. They had 8 children who survived: 4 boys, Esmy, Jesse, George, William (my Dad); 5 girls: Hilda, Emma, Nelly, Eva, and Molly. ...see more
I started work at Seal and Turners in 1960, on my first day I met my best friend Ann Head who was to be my friend for the rest of my life. When I was 58 I moved to Spain, and who should have moved there one month before but Ann and Ray miller my two best friends!
I remember severe winters growing up in Birdsedge, they were beautiful and exciting but harsh. My little sister was born in Jauary 1963. My parents were the caretakers of the primary school in the village. I remember my dad in his coat and scarf coming to get me out of the infant class to take me home, I looked up at him and asked where we were going and he told me I had a baby sister and I could choose her name - the ...see more
I remember when I was leaving Kirkby for Australia it was very cold, it was like escaping from the artic. I remember Vicki Pierpoint from Spinny Woods, hi Vicky if you're still there. Mazza
I lived in Woodthorpe when I was a child, we lived at no 20 Woodthorpe Rd, the bungalow across from where Mr Hodgkinson's farm was, my dad built the house in 1967.
My mother's family mostly lived in the Askern area in the 1960s. I am trying to find any family still living there - the family name was Rosbottom.
During the 1960's I lived next door to Jennetts Restaurant, in the Bricklayers Arms pub. Mr Hargreaves was the owner/manager and employed a number of very exotic Italian and Spanish waiters. "Jim" the gardener (the restaurant had very lovely and extensive grounds) was an inveterate gambler and in the days when televisions were scarce used to spend his afternoons watching our television when the racing was on.
I lived in Lower Shott from my birth in 1968 until I got married in 1994, my parents Pam and Tony Read lived here until 2010 when they moved down to Felpham. My Mum was born in Bookham and lived down Keswick Road, my parents moved to 25 Lower Shott in 1966, she saw and remembers the many changes of the village. I remember Tony's (T Cox) the newsagent shop, the greengrocers, the grocers store cannot remember the ...see more
Lanes has got to be the best ice cream ever. I had Asian flu followed by bronchitis in 1957/58 and my brothers would cycle up and get a thermos flask of ice cream - I honestly think I owe my survival to them (my brothers and Lanes). I have never tasted ice cream as good,
This photo does bring back memories. At the start of the war in 1939 at the age of 8, I was sent off to Welwyn Garden City from Hastings. The family was split, the start of that unwanted feeling. For some reason I was again moved, this time to Chertsey and the school of Handicraft a place of no compassion and bullies, I feel that cattle had better treatment. I can understand the stress of those war years. but I could not ...see more
I loved the shops that were around - J&BS Hodgsons, Wilkinsons and many more. Dewsbury had plenty of shoe shops. I started working at Freeman Hardy Willis - my first job after leaving school in 1969. I enjoyed a weekly treat in Caddys - I can see it now. Having left Dewsbury in 1985 and only going back on rare occasions to visit family and for funerals and weddings, I was saddened to see how it had gone down in the ...see more
My Mother returned from a visit with her Mother to the Odeon Cinema in Petts Wood at 11 pm on Wednesday 16th April 1941, to find my father extinguishing, with sand from a bucket, an incendiary bomb behind our semi-bungalow at 154 Pickhurst Lane, Hayes. They heard more bombs falling and lay down with buckets over their heads. A 500-kg landmine came down though the head of my bed upstairs (decapitating me if I had been ...see more
I wonder if any older people remember my gt uncle, Fred Gazey. He used to live at Keeper's Cottage at the top of Primrose Hill. He was killed in the late 1960's when an unknown well in the house collapsed and he drowned. I spent many happy hours up at the small holding in 1950's and 60's and adored my uncle. His wife, Ethel, died in 1951 and as they had married late in life had no children of their own. He only ever ...see more
We lived at 24 Midfield Way from 1940 until 1950, when we moved to Sidcup. When I was a boy we used to catch great crested newts in the pond at Greys Farm, and scrump apples around the back, from the orchard. I watched the country getting dug up and built on. I lost the raspberry patch I used to visit in the summertime. It had been neglected after the war. I went to the Cray Valley School before Greys Farm School was built. I still have lots of wartime and after, memories.
Would like to get in touch with anyone related to or having known Charles Alan Foster's family. He was born in 1906 - married to Edith E Cooper and went to Australia in 1950. I believe this to be my father and know his last address was 51 St Clements Road. He also had a business in John Street (he was a plumber). If anyone knows anything or anyone who may be able to help me put the pieces ...see more
No memory really but lived in 15 North Road with older brother Paul and older sister Sylvia. My mother was Edna Elizabeth Foster and lived with her mother and stepfather, Charles Barker. My brother seems to remember the boy next door called Malcolm but he was only 5 or 6 when my mother married and we moved to Penny Pot Lane and then to Germany - but I would love to hear from anyone who has memories of North Road at this time or even knows of Malcolm who was the boy next door.
As a young 18 year old, and very excited, I was joining the RAF. My excitement died a little as I went through basic training - all that drill, wow, anyhow I got through it and considered it all very worth while. My first leave, in that blue uniform, I looked very smart and was proud to have served.
I was told by my mum, still here at 88 this week, that my grandad on my dad's side also lived in the old hall with his sister who ran a soup kitchen. His name was Herbert Walter Dawson, the same as my dad. They were both in the police. My dad, after the war, being in the Chesers in Egypt, went into Lever's then into the police. He reached the rank of Sergeant. My other grandad's farther was an interpreter to John Laird.
When I was born in 1939 we lived at 97 Shelvers Way, but my very first memory happened in 1944. It was a lovely sunny day and my mother, Doris Parker, was going to feed the chickens at the bottom of the garden. I was playing outside when mother called out to tell me to go inside and into the shelter as there was a "funny" thing in the sky. I never did get to the shelter, only the dining-room and the next thing I ...see more
I too remember the days when when I and my friends would get the bus to Wheatley Hill and go to the Embassy Ball Room looking for romance. Of course we would also go to other nieghbouring villages but the Hill was always my favourite, the girls were much prettier and friendlier and besides it was the shortest walk. Ralph Hughes.
I remember Spring Grove Central as a pretty good school. Assistant headmaster Chalklen taught me alot and I saw him as a mentor. Classmate Mike Hampshire got eleven O-levels. Not too shabby. Spring Grove Central a dump? I think not.
I, along with two others at any one time, was posted to the RAF fixer station on Herscha Hill. We stayed with Miss Bella Scott at a house called Noranside, halfway up Kintore Street. I was there from 2 Feb 1954 to mid-November 1955. Played football in the Summer Football League where Bob Gauld (local blacksmith) refereed all the home matches. (We sometimes won.) The RAF lads were always made very welcome to join ...see more
The premises are not actually the town hall but actually the council house of Heston and Isleworth borough council. Note from the editor: On the British Listed Buildings website it says 'Former Town Hall. Built as the 'Council House' for the Heston and Isleworth Urban District Council.' Can anyone shed further light?
Does anyone remember the tobacconists owned by my Uncle Alec Basnett...opposite the Co-op??Johanna Webster.
Hello my name is Derek Harrington. My Aunt was Nellie Combes who was the cook at Fingringhoe Hall and my mother was Doris Harrington who cleaned the rooms at The Hall. We had just returned to England from South Africa in 1944. I went to the stone school next door to St Andrews Church. We were taught in one large room by a lady and some of the older pupils. I was nine at the time. I was a ...see more
My name is Helena née Rich I used to love living in Leytonstone until my brother Harry died a tragic death when he was only 13. He went to Norlington School. I went to Newport Junior. We lived in Hainault Road. I can still remember the United Dairy - we lived opposite. Up the road was where the the 236 buses used to park. We had family living in Bulwer Road but after Harry died we moved around a bit. I ...see more
The shop on the corner as pictured was called Rapley's Corner Shop owned by Mrs Rapley in the 1950's, and as a child I used to help Mrs Rapley serving and re-stacking shelves with stock after school and on Saturdays. I loved doing it and spending time talking to people as they came in for their groceries. In those days the sweets were in huge jars and were measured out by the ounce into brown paper bags! I ...see more
I went to Downshall School in 1957 after moving from Downshall Juniors. The big tree on the right covers St John the Evangelist Church and Downshall Junior School. To the back of the shops on the right used to be the 2nd Seven Kings scout hall and Sunday school. On the left 50 metres on from the 105E Anglia were a group of shops that were suppliers of goods to the local community.
I can remember waiting at Ashley Down Station for the steam train; towels,swim suits and picnic in big beach bags. The journey was an adventure every time, the smell of the smoke and the old carriages. Pushing your head out of the window with a a leather strap to keep it open. Feeling the wind in your hair, mum nagging about getting things in your eyes! The excitement as the train pulls into the station the ...see more
I lived at 72 Farndale Avenue and went to Winchmore Hill School. We used to spend all our summers at the swimming pool in Barrowell Green , My surname was Hall.
My Parents used to run one of the shops in the village ( Mr and Mrs Wenham). It was Pankhurst Stores before - I understand it is now two houses. I havent been to Flimwell for a very long time I expect things have changed alot.
I am researching for the local museum and I would be interested to hear from anyone with memories of old Lymington food shops, pubs, farms, and sea fishing. Do you have any recollections or connections with any of these aspects of local life? I am particularly interested in Lymington food shops/cafes/restaurants and pubs - as far back as you can remember. Thanks.
I remember Feltham Avenue very well, I grew up there with my younger brothers. I remember playing on the avenue with the other children that lived there, my brother and his friend "borrowing" garden gnomes from elderly residents . The miners strike, we all went to each others houses to tell spooky tales by candle light, the flooded River Thames just reaching the end of the road, parties, pet shows to raise money for the Puffin Club, drama group and Mr Bexham dressing up as Father Christmas.
This is actually my father's memory, told to me as I am researching our family history. My father, Douglas March, grew up in Plumpton Green from 1931 - 1944. He lived with his parents and sister, at a house called Hilltop, at the top of the main road until about 1941-42, when a parachute bomb damaged the house. The family moved further back down into the village to a house called Fir Croft, ...see more
My husband, Edward Hoggett, remembers a Liberator crashing on the school road close to Claremont Hall, there were no survivors. He was a very young boy at that time but we don't seem to be able to find any information on this, just wondered if anyone out there could help, Mrs B Hoggett.
In Kelly's directory, 1923, it shows a Joseph Parkinson as a confectioner, living at 123 Caerau Road, Caerau. I think this may be my Grandad who previously lived in Swansea where my father and aunt were born. Joseph was then a builder but by the time my parents were married he is listed as a baker and confectioner. Does anyone have memory of Joseph, or his wife Agnes Jane? Or indeed of my father, Norman and his sister Annie? My parents died young and I have no idea about Dad's background.
I moved to Silverdale from Bradford in 1945/6 at the end of the war, with my father, Leslie Waddington, and my grandmother Mary Waddington. We bought Swiss Cottages down Townsfield from Tommy Taylor the joiner for £1100, with three quarters of an acre of land and the sufferance footpath which still connects Townsfield to St John's Church. I left Silverdale in November 1949 to join the Fleet Air ...see more
Perhaps someone will correct me on the year. It was the year when Billy Graham was doing the crusade within the Ipswich football stadium. Many times I'd pass my time away at the docks. I would fish for eels or any fish that would take a bite. One day, a man with his two sons and one daughter came to do some fishing - although they had fishing gear they had no idea on how to tackle up. I was to help them ...see more
We Davies` lived at 406 Penn Road. My mother Sarah used to be caretaker at Penn Congregational Church and worked also for Miss Dorothy Tweedie whose house `The Crest ` was on the corner of Pennhouse Avenue and is still there. We lived in the cottages, 2 up 2 down, with an outside lav down the garden. This lay back off the road between the post office, run by Miss Roden, and the second row of ...see more
I lived with my parents in Southborough until I was 17 years old. My Gran also lived quite near to us. My dad and all his brothers and sisters went to St. Peters School on the common. So did my older brother and two young sisters. I can well remember my first long walk there, all the way down Manor Road, past Holden Pond, where we often used to take our jam jars to try to colect tadpoles, (Mrs. Petty used ...see more
I arrived in Halton in 1957 age 6 .My memories are the shops and pubs in Halton. Harold fish shop was the most popular fish shop in Halton. There was Halton Institute where I went to dancing class, Miss Fraser ran it - she produced shows. It kept me out of mischief and being a shy child it helped alot. The three pubs were known as top ole, middle ole and bottom ole - otherwise the Woodman, Travellers (and at ...see more
My grandparents lived in Kings Place, Bukhurst Hill, Florence and William Street. I stayed a lot with them and always remember the toy shop at the bottom of Queens Road, its name I can't recall. There used to be a full train set in the window. There was a slot in the doorway where you put a penny in and the train used to go round. It was just magic and everytime I went with Nan to the shops she generously gave me a penny.
When I used to come down to Shelsley I used to stay with my Nan at New Mill Bridge until she sold the shop and moved to Birmingham where she stayed with her eldest daughter May Bennet and her family. Later, she came to stay with my mom and dad, After she left Shelsley I used to cycle down and stay with my cousin Marjorie Anderson [She was Auntie May Bennet's eldest child}. Whilst the City school holidays never ...see more
I was born at the Louise Margaret Hospital at Aldershot while my father was RSM at Longmoor, then of course the home of the well known Longmoor Military Railway. I was christened at the St Martin's Garrison Church. Last time I visited Longmoor the site of the church was just grass but with the trees still standing that were around it, it may have changed again since. Dad was RSM there from 1950 to ...see more
I was born in Salford, one of six children to Edith Casey and Ken Casey, their other children consisted of Linda, Alan, Barry, Ken, Paul and of course myself. We lived at number 50 Bury Street which was off Ellor Street. My dad worked at Greengate and Irwell. In those days I can remember playing in the streets, making boogies out of a plank of wood and four pram wheels and a bit of rope to stear it. In those ...see more
Every Easter and Spring Bank Holiday Monday (Whitsun as we used to call it) our youth club from Hatch End's St Anselms Church organised a ramble. In 1963 we had a splendid hike starting from Chalfont and Latimer station with our first stop just up the road at the Sugar Loaf Inn! These were popular activities for many years and I fondly remember so many ...see more
Yes I used to walk from the Lump, with Micky, Idris, Arthur Cartwright, Brian Merredith, Neville Shone and more. One of us would pay and some of us try to crawl past the little pay window and get in for free. Great memories.
I lived in the detached house as you go up the Oven Hill. My days in Birch Vale were care free and a great place to grow up. We left when I was18 to live in Romiley, nr Stockport. I then thought it was the end of the world to leave my beloved Birch Vale. I will always have great memories, as all my cousins and auntys lived around the area. It was the best childhood anyone could wish for. I miss it very much. Some day I may go back - who knows?
I understand that the Inn is due to reopen tonight after an extensive refit.
I am glad Mr Johnson has happy memories of Carter's Cafe. My father and mother, ran this for many years and I remember Mrs Johnson well. My father, and three more Carter generations were all Bradford market people. The other three generations being in the wholesale at St James's market. Somewhere, I have one old photo of some of the St James's tenants of around 1914, if anybody is interested. It was a shame that ...see more
In 1955, my mother was hired as a housekeeper for Mrs Pam Spanogh, a polio victim in a wheelchair. It was for me, a five year old, the most idyllic time of my life and my memories of this part of my life is as clear as if yesterday. I started school at Miss Knapps in a little row house down near the pond. People called Daniels had the store at the junction of all the roads. ...see more
I have lived in the parish of Warmfield-cum-Heath practically all my life,and attended the now very 'dilapidated' local school. I still live in the parish, and have very fond memories of Warmfield. Much has changed! I used to play in Crowthers barn with Kathleen, and watch the cows being milked and cooled, although the guard dog always scary. Miss Kappes, was the head of the school and Mrs Wilby the ...see more
My grandad, Christopher Jeffrey had the donkeys on the Greensward by Clacton Bowling Club and I remember in 1951 when I was nine years old being given a ride on his donkeys.This postcard brings back happy memories of that long ago visit to my fathers parents. My grandfather had quite a few brothers and sisters, and my dad Ted Jeffrey, often told me stories about them .
I lived and went to Biddick Junior School, very close to here. I believed at the time, it was Brady Square (not Brady's) but learned later that it was named Brady's Square because the newsagent's shop there was originally 'Brady's'.
Born in 1943 and living in 'Washington Station' (now Columbia). I remember watching horses being shod here many times, when I was a child. I still remember the fierce heat from the furnace, with the Blacksmith and the horses wringing wet with sweat.
I remember the Chelsea Palace with great memories. My dad, used to work the spotlight on the stars - like Max Miller, Max Wall and Ann Shelton. I was so proud to think that it was my dad shining the light on the star of the show - great times!
I grew up in Leytonstone. Lost our home in Dyson Road from the bombing, and then moved to Forest Glade. Played in the Forest (and climbed the 'King and Queen tree' often) and rode my bike around Hollow Ponds - they were fun times. Went to Canterbury Primary School and then on to Connaught School for Girls. Does anyone have any photos of us at Copnnaught around 1953 - 1954? Miss Threadgold was my Form ...see more
My grandfather, and his family came from Odiham. They lived at Bury Cottage until at least 1908. I am connected to the Peskett, Clark, Champion, Pink, Lee and Windiate families of Odiham. Regards, Andrew.
I remember catching the charabanc from Brighton seafront on a Sunday afternoon with my Nanna and invarably choosing the Wannock Tea Gardens coach outing. I used to love going there, it was a real treat for me as a youngster. We came for a good few years in the 50's and early 60's. Being a pensioner myself now, I have the privilege of living in Polegate. but sad that the Wannock Tea Gardens are no more.
I don't suppose there are many of us left now! I was an evacuee, and attended the County School. I was there for four years. How I remember the photographs of Maengwyn Street, Penrallt Street and the town clock - where the farmers used to congregate on Saturday afternoon and evening. The wooden benches at the front of the Powys cinema which cost 6d (when we had the money). Running to school (always late), ...see more
I moved to Harrow in 1969, and started DJ'ing in October 1969. I had a residency at The Shaftesbury every Thursday, Friday, Sunday lunchtime and then later in the evening (pubs closed at 3pm in those days). It was very busy there, so the brewery came along and said they'd build a Birds Nest Disco - and within months it was up! They asked me to run the DJ's but offered me silly money, so I refused, ...see more
I was brought up in Rose Street - I was born in 1969. I used to drink in the Queens. Walk down Rose Street now, hardly know anyone. I moved from Widnes in 2000 to Southport.
My earliest memory, is going to look at The Green, on the High Street in Fowlmere. It was in a poor state and the ceiling in the kitchen had collapsed. My father, had built a house in the village called Mere Place on Rectory Lane, so decided to take on the mammoth task of restoring this amazing house. One of his discoveries was the inglenook fireplace, which had been bricked in. The cellars were a no-go area, my mother ...see more
I used to live in the Coach House (now park offices) of Tilgate Mansion, when I was a very little boy. I went to school at Desmond Anderson. The Coach House and courtyard made up four dwellings. The groundsman lived in one, his name was Francis, with his wife and little boy - they later moved to Holmbury St Mary in Surrey. In those days, the lake was almost surrounded by rhododendrons. Mr Francis used to take us ...see more
My mother, May Mallarkey was housekeeper at the farm around 1935/36. The owners, were the Hay family. A particular memory of that period was the big tree, (at least it looked big to me as I was only three or four years old) which was outside the front of the house. Another memory, was the weekly visit of the van with groceries, bread etc..After we moved to Dunnydeer Farm at Insch, my half-brother, Fred Mallarkey completed his schooling. The day he left Insch school, he went back to Templand.