Nostalgic memories of Redditch's local history
Share your own memories of Redditch and read what others have said
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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Displaying Memories 31 - 38 of 38 in total
I was 11 years old in 1957 and during that year I transferred from St Stephen's Junior Mixed School to Lodge Farm County Secondary. I lived at number 12 Wellington Street, which has been virtually destroyed by the new town development. I have many memories of Alcester Street through the 1950s and early 1960s. There never seemed to be much traffic and the shops catered for a variety of needs. My aunt would give me a ...see more
I left school in 1949 having been a happy (if not good) student since 1946. Memorably I was school athletics champion in 1949 and had been Worccestershire Schools High Jump Champion in the same year. I was also Left Half for the schools 1st Eleven football team. I well remember staff: Miss Beake, 'Soapy Watson', Jimmy Moral, Miss Moore, Mr Andrews, Miss Oliver, Miss Lericheux (?), Colonel Scothern. Pupils I ...see more
Does anyone remember being in the school choir when we recorded 'And The Glory of the Lord' in St Stephens Church? Harvey M played the organ [complete with deliberate mistake] and we were recorded on an enormous wax disc. We could buy the record for about 9 shillings I think. I was so proud of mine but it disappeared many years ago, and I do wish I still had it. No one believes I could sing! Happy days. Ann [Spencer]
The policeman in this photograph, much to my amazement, is me! I joined the Worcestershire Constabulary in 1961 and worked at Redditch from 1961 to 1965, when I then went to be a 'village bobby' at Oldswinford in Stourbridge. We had no radios or much transport in those days and most eight-hour shifts would be spent walking the streets. To see if we were wanted we either passed the end of Church Street and looked ...see more
Who remembers being compared to Robbie Burns's "wee sleekit cowring timrous beastie" as we first crept into that hallowed school? Then how we quickly got used to all the pranks and fun that could be had, despite the rather formidable presence of Jimmy Morrall, "Goofy "Stranz and Miss Lericheux. Boys and girls had to wear their hats to and from school, and faced detention if seen without one. "Harty" the maths ...see more
This was the year that I was christained there. My grand parents and great grand parents attended the chapel. As a child I also went to Sunday school there. It was a beautiful church and should have been given a heritage listing, what a shameful waste when it was burnt down, probably arson. All the nice buildings have been pulled down and the town of Redditch has been destroyed completely by the 1960,s ...see more
I remember Evesham Street in Redditch in the early sixties very well. I was 15, had just left school, and was working at Liptons the grocers which was about half way up on the left just past the department store. There was a small chapel just opposite and also other grocery stores: Farrands, George Masons, the Home & Colonial stores. The Kingfisher coffee bar was on the corner, half way down, and the ...see more
The elderly man on left is my grandfather Mr James Bishop. He had probably popped in to the Post Office to get tobacco for his pipe. He was born in Worcester in 1883, his father was a master builder and from an early age he used to help carry bricks. He then delivered meat on horseback and went on to manage Redditch Meat Company butcher's shop on Church Green. Then he worked at 'Terry Springs' in the warehouse for ...see more
