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 36081 - 36160 of 36925 in total

Dad had lived at No 51 for many years. Myself and my two brothers grew up here, went to the local primary school, where Mr and Mrs Jupp were the heads. All three of us went onto Sackville Secondary in nearby East Grinstead, before going our seperate ways. Barry still lives in the village, but we all enjoy going back to our childhood home. Mum and Dad have since "gone south" to Uckfield!
These two shops in the High Street in Crowle were owned by my grandmother Rose Raper. They were handed down to my father and aunt. My dad Raymond Raper had the grocers shop at number 98 and we lived above the shop until I was ten years old in 1963. My dad continued to work in the shop until his retirement in 1984. The shop at 100 was owned by my aunt Winnie Underwood. She had a drapery shop and her husband ran the post office at the back of the premises.
Is this Joane, Stuart, Mandy and Claire in the sinky sand
Living not far from Aston Park we would often walk to the park to play and enjoy the fresh air. Aston Hall held a fascination for me and I was forever asking to go inside for a tour. I would go in when ever I could and I never tired of it. When I grew older and moved away I never forgot it and I have always kept happy memories of it in a special place in my heart. I suppose it is a nostalgic feeling, reminding me of ...see more
My ancestors were living in Middleton Tyas in the early 1800s any information would be very welcome.Alice Hudson married a William Brewster both were from Middleton Tyas.
My Grandmother Mrs E M Goliah had a general stores on Broadway I believe it was sold circa 1956 due to ill health, I believe it was an Elizabethan style property, and was next door to Cheadles, the 'clock' shop. The property no longer exists due to 'redevelopment'
My late father, Tom Jenkinson, was the village policeman in Repton from the early 50's until near his retirement in 1973. This photograph shows his car parked with others by the Arch. The old Ford Squire 60ARB.. I was very surprised to find it as I was working on the Frith jigsaw of this photograph!!
My father, Richard (Dick) Cherrington was the village policeman in Nether Wallop during World War 2 and I was born in the Police House in the village in August 1944. My first memories ever were of an apple tree in our garden which my brother could climb and I couldn't - I was not very happy about that! I recently went back to the village and met the former village blacksmith and his brother. They both ...see more
I remember as a child spending my Saturday pocket money buying Airfix kitsets at Woolworths. My last memories of England before emigrating to New Zealand in 1964 were of my childhood in New Malden and attending Scared Heart school in Burlington Road.
Medmenham was a beautiful posting and a happy place. I attended the local dance hall.... where I was in great demand having danced to Silver medal class beore joining the RAF. Dream on you say !!!!!! Yes indeed. I am still in touch with some old friends and attended a reunion about 10 years ago. Interesting to see how people change.!!! Now I understand the camp is completely gone, except for ONE of the large gate ...see more
My aunt Elizabeth Lloyd Griffiths Jones was born in Blaenau Ffestinog on Feb. 12, 1906. She is the daughter of the late William and Annie Griffiths. She came to America in around 1920. While living in Wales she lived with her maternal grandmother Elizabeth Jones (Husband was David Jones). As a young girl she came to America to join her parents, her brother William Cynwal and sister Anna Lloyd. She is a ...see more
My Grandparents stayed here in 1955, they had emigrated to Canada in 1951 and come "home" on Holiday. I have the original receipt for their stay! Greetings from Canada eh!
My Grandad was born in one of the cottages in this picture and it was lovely to come across this photo as the cottages are very rarely seen.
Saint Andrew's was built and completed in 1964.
We moved to nearby Kingshurst and the Post Office on the corner of Hurst Lane was the nearest for collecting the much needed Family Allowance. It was a good walk as the buses were not very frequent. When I was newly married 13 years later, our first house was in Hawthorne Road so this was my local shopping area. We moved away 33 years ago but having friends who live in Hurst Lane North we do visit the area ...see more
Me and my family would always come to Fairbourne for our summer holiday, staying for weeks at a time with friends. Friends of mine would ask what there was to 'do' there and I would answer 'nothing'. Fairbourne is so beautiful and coming from the inner city to a place like Fairbourne was the biggest thrill. We didn't need arcades and donkey rides, I could explore the beach and the sand dunes, slip down the ...see more
On the 27th of December 1956 my ex-husband KEITH GEORGE JEARY was born at 6 UPPER CLOSE where he lived with his parents until we were married at Holy Trinity Church on the 6th of November 1982 - both of my children Emily and Dominic were duly christened at Holy Trinity in 1984 and 1986 respectively as was their father in 1957.  My ex-parents-in-law Audrey and George Jeary settled in Forest Row in 1954 and on 2nd May 1990 ...see more
Travels brought me to my Auntie and Uncle's house above the Beauty Shop looking straight onto the photo. I loved them so much and their daughter, my cousin. I haven't seen them in years...don't know why.  But this was always my favorite spot in England. I loved the Chip Shop. I had a good friend named Colin who lived here, he wrote me a beautiful poem that was so sweet.
Mom was born in Swansea in 1924. She adopted a dog from our local Animal Care and Control in Michigan 1998 - she fell in love with her.  She named her Pennard after this place. She loved it here.
My Grandfather, who served in WWI, is buried in Skewen.  I have a picture of his tombstone, which is very pretty, but I don't know what Cemetary it is.  My Mom's Dad he was - he died when she was 3 years old form the Flu.  His name was Donald C. James (born 1894 - 1927).
This looks exactly like the picture I took to prove to Mom I had been on my way to Auntie Connies' house.  I took the train from Doncaster in England to Swansea - one of the train ticketers' kept bothering me, so I snuck past him when he got to Swansea and ran over to the Grand to book a room for the night.   I made my way to go to Auntiie Connie's in the morning, or ...see more
My Mom Robina James lived in Baynards during the war with Auntie Connie.  She often mentioned Hastings during my growing up years. I have visited here but it's been a long time now. Mom died Dec 05. I'm confused because she went on to go to Horsham School with her friend who now lives in Kent - I'm confused as to exactly where Horsham is.  I don't see any village by that name.  Was it in a city other than Horsham?   Anyone aware of Baynards?
Mom went to the country to live during the war.  She lived in a big field - the house and land were let by the Fulton Brick Works, I believe that was the name.  I have about 5 pictures of her home with my Auntie Connie.
Mom's school.  My mom was called Robina James. I am her daughter Susie - Mom came to USA after the war.
It seems there is ALWAYS a High Street in villages in England.  My mom, Robina James, was here often and took me there as a teenager in the mid-60's.
I have lived in the village all my life, all 29 years of it. I have lived in 3 different cottages, the 1st was opposite the village hall, I am 1 of 4 children and I have many happy memories of living there till just before my 10th birthday. My father then got offered a bigger house just up the road. That was a very special house a lovely big garden plus I had my own room!! I then left school at 16yrs and worked for ...see more
My father was born in Great Bedwyn, his name Arthur Maurice Hatter. When I was young in 1952 we were invited to stay with a member of his family in 47 High Street, I remember they had a wonderful garden, layered with full flower beds, also they had a summer house in the garden, today it may be called a conservatory, that is where we stayed. Almost opposite number 47 was a garage that looked like a wooden barn ...see more
Finchingfield to me, in my younger days, was a place that Dad would take Mum and me to on a Sunday afternoon drive. Never to stop for very long but it is a place that leaves a snapshot in your memory. Being an adopted child I did not realise at the time that Finchingfield would play a large part in a search that I have been on for nearly 15 years. Little did I know until I applied for and received my ...see more
I believe my grandparents worked at Warnham Court during this period. I have some photos of the staff and house etc. My grandfather's name was Arthur Butler.
I too remember Jackson's Boat. Living off Derbyshire Lane in Stretford, we would make the mammoth walk down the canal to Jackson's Boat on a Sunday and have a drink sat outside, then walk all the way back. At Platt Fields, now the M60!!, we would 'fish' for newts and frogs and carry them home carefully, put them in a tank and looked after them in the garden. My sister and I used to have newt 'races', and ...see more
When my husband and I married in March 1958, he bought the cottage nearest the camera on the left; no electricity, no bathroom......it cost the  princely sum of £300! The building at the end of the street is the pub, and behind the trees on the right is the church and graveyard.  The trees have been felled now.   In the other photo showing an oddly painted phonebox, the building just behind it was the shop and post ...see more
I was brought up in the white cottage mid-left, by the roadside, by my grandparents. The Crown Inn at the middle of the picture in the distance was run by Jim and Winnie Tuer, and I was friends with their daughter Ruth. The white cottage on the right was the shop, and later also became the post office.  The original one was in the white cottage to the left and was run by Mrs Rowlands until her death. I ...see more
Hello all, my name is Terry McHugh Junior, as I am apparently the first to hit this site I will share with you my early childhood memories of that lovely village in Yorkshire, Eppleby. We moved into Eppleby in 1963, my Dad (Terry McHugh senior) was in the Army at the time, serving in Catterick, my Mum's name was Edna. We moved in to Archway cottages and lived in the furthest cottage away from Reeks ...see more
Seeing the photograph of the old Ritz cinema reminded me of the time when I was a member of the Ritz Minors Club from approx. 1947 until 1952. We all paid 6 old pence to have a morning at the "pictures" watching films like Flash Gordon, Tarzan and many others. As time went on and I reached, what I thought was a ripe old age, the building on the other corner the "Coach and Horses" pub was one of the places where on a ...see more
My gran lived on Harry Street in the 1960's and early 70's. I remember playing near the Trafford swing bridge and the excitement when it was opened.  Old terraced houses slums by then. Corner shops and the horrible smell from the canal. When Man Utd were at home people would park all over the place!! Burtons ice cream (tasted like brylcream), going up to the shops on Trafford Rd - busy busy.  My dad lived at Sunnyside ...see more
Hi there I remember the day that this engine arrived in the rec. It was a source of great entertainment for us youngsters particulary, as originally everything was accessible. I remember climbing up on the footplate and seeing a little lad emerging from the firebox. It was rumoured that it was possible to get into the boiler and exit up the funnel but I never saw it done! It was great for playing hide and seek - I ...see more
Mom Robina James my moms school and then Horsham
In my days in the village I recall the upstairs room of the Guildhall having a snooker table where the men used to gather, this would be shortly after the war. Of more interest to me was the Library that was situated downstairs.  As a very small child I was able to borrow and read books of all kinds which stimulated a life-long interest and love of books.  The Guildhall had a gateway from the churchyard to the road ...see more
This is the park where Sam and I had our first kiss! xx
I have a picture of a double fronted butchers shop in the corn market. Over the door it says L.Pugh, outside is the butcher and his wife and probably their daughter Marie.  A family story was that a lad from the family when asked who he was replied "Jack Pugh, Leominster, kill sheep"  I assume there was an abbatoir behind the shop. The picture is in an album of my parents around the 1920's. Any information please email me at bpmann@ntlworld.com Thank you.
As a trainee aircrew member of the RAF I was posted to Bridgnorth in 1943. I don't recall the exact location of the ITW (Initial training wing), but there we learned radio and morse code procedures, aircraft recognition and gunnery during an eight week course before going on to active training. My most vivid memories are of the huge number of pubs, both in low town and high town - in those days filled with service man and women from all branches of the services. Nev Robinson
I was evacuated to Balcombe in 1940 along with the Stanley Technical College pupils from south London. At first, 3 of us were billited at Monks, a large and beautiful home some 3 km out of the village. At that time the Johnston family owned the house. This was a fantastic experience. We were taught at the village school and the log-cabin scout hut was adapted for our engineering workshop practice. Later, I was billeted at a ...see more
My Grandparents lived in Oakbank Road, My Aunt lived in Laurel Road. I can remember going to work with my Nan in the evenings. She used to be a cleaner for Knaptons Bookies and Malizias Bookies (Bridge Road). My Aunt worked at the Home & Colonial along Victoria Road, my Grandfather, Uncle & Brother worked in Thornies, and another Uncle worked in the Fruit & Veg shop two doors away from Claspers toy ...see more
My earliest memories of Broadstone stem from about 1937 when I was five years old. We lived in Southbourne at the time and frequently went to Broadstone at weekends to visit my "aunt Flo" and her family who lived at Lower Blandford Road. She was my mother's sister and their children Roy and Rex Cannings were about my age (Roy and I were born six days apart and Rex was a bit younger), also my Dad's brother ...see more
Researching my family history I have found the sale papers for the Bricklayers Arms. It was sold by my Great Grandmother, her husband was Frederick Easom Robinson. It was sold on Friday 8th august 1890. The sale was for Brewhouse Blacksmiths & Wheelwright shops, two Brick Built & Slated Tenements, an orchard, and 4 acres of land intersected by the railway, formerly the Brick Yard.
The building behind the church is where I went to school from 1955 1961. It was called Central Preparatory School and the headmistress was Miss Caulfield.
All I remember when I was a child was going for Saturday ice cream at Mr Spinelli's shop. Oooh those were the days!
I was born in 1928 at Woodhill, Gressenhall and moved to Dereham at the age of 6yrs and left when I married some 20 years later. It was a happy childhood in spite of the war years, in fact it added to the excitement of those years, dashing out to crashed planes, collecting shrapnel, army badges etc and of course the generous handouts from the American troops of chocolate, gum, cigs plus the grub when we went on to the ...see more
This photograph was obviously taken when the road bridge was nearing completion in 1961. My husband grew up nearby, and tells some gruesome stories about the plague of rats they experienced when the undergrowth was being cleared in the early days of construction. The family cat would bring home several rats each day, and local gardens were over-run with them. Worse still, they got into outhouses and sheds, under floorboards and even into houses.
The white building on the far right of the photo is the Royal Albert Bridge Inn, at Saltash Passage on the Devon side on the river. A relative was born there in 1920 when his father John Augustin R. Stoneman was the landlord. Prior to that the landlord was John Watts Stoneman, father of JARS. His other grandfather was William John Bronte, who told his grandson that he had been told by his mother that she held him in her arms as a baby, standing on the bridge at the official opening in 1859.
This photo is actually taken from the Devon side of the River Tamar, in St Budeaux, looking towards Saltash on the Cornwall side. In photos taken after the road bridge opened in 1961, you can tell which side is which, as from the Devon side the rail bridge is on the left. Before then, it depends on the angle of the photo i.e. if the railway line comes into view from your left and curves to the left in the ...see more
Hi there, I was married in The Church of The Holy Cross on November 1st 1958. It was a very cold day as you would imagine, being Winter time, but it was a lovely sunny day. I remember walking up to the big doors on my father's arm and feeling so happy. There were loads of friends and other people on each side. My father owned The "Danetre Fancy Bakery". He was "Simply the Best". He made and iced my beautiful wedding ...see more
I am not entirely sure of the year, but I am told that one of my great grandfather's brothers owned this Inn at one time. I would love to hear from anyone that can shed more light on this.
I have drunk at The Bell in Woodham Walter all my life, nearly 70 years. I have seen many things from the ghost sitting in the corner by the side of the fire to the changes of managment running it, and it unfortunately being sold to the wrong person, who has no interest in the place whatsoever. My friends and I used to meet there every night, we used to have a really good laugh either sitting inside by ...see more
I was born in Lumley, so was my mum, so I was very happy growing up there. My grandad worked at the pit, his name was Thomas Moore and he lived at 26 Lumbley Terrace, my grandmother was Bettrix Basey [Moore] and my mum Marjorie Vera Ward. If anyone in the village knew them, it would be lovely to hear from you.
I attended Storrington Primary School in Spierbridge Road, and we all looked forward to our last year at the school, because during the summer seniors were taken to Church Street as part of a local history lesson. Of course, we all thought it would be a great excuse to lark about and pop into the sweet shop which used to be on the corner of Church Street going into the High Street. How disappointed we were when we ...see more
THis was the village newsagent. We lived to the right as you look at the photo, and traded as Premier Garage.
Well actually it is any dates up to & beyond 1960.  Born in 1951, I recognise the view of how the avenue looked before all the bungalows were built on the west side.  We used to walk to Cleveleys through the 'paddy fields', full of buttercups & mayflowers.  When we reached Rowlands Farm (Rowlands Lane now) we'd risk our lives cimbing in the tumbledown farmhouse & make dens. Great days.
I used to spend happy holidays with my aunt and uncle and cousin Barry who have all now sadly died. They used to own the bakers shop, and I can remember the delicious smell of baked bread and being able to have sweets and pop while watching the TV at night.
I was 14 years old when I spent holidays with my cousins Tony and Ivy Webster, they have now both died and I remember them with much love.
I have fond memories of my granny who is buried in the churchyard.
I have fond memories of Dunstable from when I was 9 years old, going to the market on a Friday with my mum and Aunt Nellie. The market was held to the right of the picture.
The lady in the picture is probably Dorothy Emery. She lived on Devonshire Drive with her parents, Reginald and Edith Florence (nee Bishop) Emery, and her older sister Elsie.
First saw this house and street when I was a baby. Noads House was Mr and Mrs Browns house. It is still there in 2006 looking just the same!
My father came to Townsend Farm as the tenant in Sept 1940. The farmhouse is shown on the left in the picture titled Townsend. At that time I was only 15 months. My earliest memories are of the later war years. We had evacuees from Bristol living in part of the house. I also remember sitting on the garden wall which was alongside the main road and being thrown chewing gum by the American soldiers billeted at the ...see more
I remember going to School in the village when I was 7 - not much has changed here since then - amazing - except that the tardis on the right hand side is no longer there! The School is still in existence and I have many fond memories of those days, and with days from my twenties when I frequented "The Dog" as we called the greyhound pub. Rumour had it that George Harrison had a house there, as did Ronnie Corbett I believe.
My grandparents live just off shot, and have lived there for as long as I can remember! My grandad has sadly passed away but is still nearby, he is buried in the church yard! I remember when I first met my husband, and we went to the "fenick" for a drink while my grannie got dinner ready - my grandad was a real character!  I used to go mushroom picking in the fields, and walking across the fields to the river, I don't ...see more
This was taken the year my son Kevin was born. His brother Stephen was 2yrs old and we spent many happy days walking to the sweet and paper shop with my mum and dad,  Bill and Joan Harris and also my brother Paul.
I lived in this house until I was 21. My father had already bought the property when this photo was taken and I was also born in 1955. My parents had no hot water, low ceilings, no bathroom or electricity when they moved in. He did all the renovating himself...yet we had a wonderful, rich childhood. There used to be a picnic area across the road by the river...now there is a noisy dual carriageway there.  When ...see more
I was 9 years old when this was taken and I was friends with Susan Day who lived in the white house on the right known as Days Motors.
We left England that year for Australia. It was April, I was 12. All my friends left behind, playing in the park near the River Crouch. I don't remember names, it was long ago. I can see myself walking to different places, I wish I had more memories.
I have lived in the pretty village of Cartmel all my life and I love the quiet, calming atmosphere we have here. Once a friend and myself used to walk through the village with a nanny goat called Nancy and her 2 kids, we'd arrive in the square and rest at the market cross with the goats playing on the "fish slabs" which caused a lot of amusement to the visitors, who in turn must have thought we were slightly mad! Near by is ...see more
The building to the right hand side has gone but the long wall remains. The church spire in the distance is all that remains of St Marks Church near to the Carfax. The rest of the church was demolished to make way for the new Royal & Sun Alliance offices that form a bridge over the inner ring road. This development took place between 1975 and 1991.
Some 99 years later and little has changed. The lodge house which is behind the photographer to the right is currently up for sale (Oct 2006). The property at the end of the drive, Denne House, has been divided into apartments which fetch in excess of £300,000 when they come onto the market. Catherine Howard stayed at Denne House in her late teens in 1536.
This scene has changed little in the intervening years - apart from the double yellow lines on the road. I think the man has gone too! You can compare this with today's view at http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/hh/frith3.htm some 99 years later.
Leonard John Yeoman (my grandfather) always claimed that he was the young chap carrying the buckets in this photograph. He spent his whole life living around the Malborough/ Hope Cove area. Therefore, it's quite plausible that it is indeed him in this photograph. He went on to serve in the RAF in Malta, Egypt and Palestine during World War II. From his childhood up until his last few years he was a central member of the local church choir. A real character.
My 2nd G/Grandfather, Robert Milner (1794-1870), married Mary Ann Norton on 25th April 1821 in St. Peters Church, Middle Rasen, winessed by Thomas Miller, Nicholas Danby and Frances Popple.  They had ten children, all born in Middle Rasen, and the family remained there until my grandfather Christopher Miller (1865-1937), grandson of Robert Milner, moved to Grimsby and later became ...see more
In 1942 I was 9 years old and lived in Long Eaton during the war having previously lived in the West Riding.  We had no radio and in those days no television and I was either at the outdoor swimming pool or in the library with my nose in a book. When I visited the library I took out the maximum number allowed until I had read the entire childrens' section. At this point the librairian said I could choose from the adult ...see more
I lived in Morden somewhere around 1952, but don't remember much about it. I went to a school called The Willows. My only memory is walking down London Road, (?) crossing a footbridge and getting to the area of the school, full of beautiful Willow Trees. Jean Philip (Kushner)
I was born in 1945 in High Wycombe (which I don't remember!) in a nursing home called The Shrubbery... Has anyone heard of the place, know where it was, have any pics?