Nostalgic memories of Reigate's local history
Share your own memories of Reigate 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 1 - 10 of 44 in total
My grandfather worked as a chauffeur and then a gardener for a family called Edwards who lived at this house in the 1930s and 1940s. My grandfather had a cottage in the grounds. When we visited and the Edwards were not at home, we were allowed to play on the lawn at the back of the house.
My great grandparents lived at Birdhurst House - now demolished - and although I have family images from the garden, I have never seen a photo or painting of the house itself. Does anyone know where I might find one?
My grandfather, Cecil Carter and wife Winnifred Carter were owners of a fish and game shop during the second world war. I would like to know the street name and the name of the shop. The shop was located in Reigate. The fish was loaded onto trains and brought to Reigate and then delivered on carts to the shop. Does anyone out there have photos of the shop? If someone can help me, I would greatly appreciate the assistance.
I was born at 4 ruby road thornaby. My mother and father frank and Mary Greenwell brought up 10 children in that house so many great memories. There 10 kids are Doreen,Frankey,Eric,Robert Marjory,Francis,Mavis,Ann and the twins Christine and Carol. I met my husband David Smith his mam and dad lived on Bassleton lane and sold cold drinks for anyone going up Bassy lane to the fox cover. I’m Christine and married David and now living in California so many memories
used to love La Trobe's...remember the smell and wooden display cabinets. Wondering if there's a photo of Cullen's bakery in Bell Street or The Old Wheel. The former used to make lovely meringue ducks!
Julia Baxter
I love this photo of London Road Reigate. There was a sweet shop just after Yorke road on the left - leading on to a chemists. I'd love to see a photo of them. Maybe folk didn't realise it was the shops that would be of interest, rather than the road. Is there a photo anywhere of the old swimming baths which was along from the town hall?
kind regards
Julia Baxter
My granddad, Frank White (and later, my dad, Roy White) had a shoe repair shop for about 40 years, until the late 60s, on Western Parade. It is just visible in the centre of the photo with the light and dark fascia board above the shop window. It was actually one shop split in two, with Parrs the mens' hairdressers in the other half (beneath the darker fascia).
We lived in the top flat (number 10B) above ...see more
My very first holiday away from mum and dad as a 17 year old on my way to Polperro from Morden in Surrey.
My father saw me off on the train in London with instructions to change at Liskeard then catch the next train to Looe.
On the Looe bound train late in the evening I boarded a near empty carriage with another lad also on his way to Polperro who informed me that I would miss the last bus into ...see more
In the 1950s I lived in Broadhurst Gardens and every day walked with friends through this twitten to get to North Bank School in Smoke Lane. The lane was dark and overgrown on one side and on the other side backed onto the Crusader Insurance land. This side was fenced but there were gaps that we could peep through to see bright sunlight and the glorious view to the south of Reigate. In winter we would meet the lamp lighter ...see more
My first job after leaving school in 1968 was at the original Frith & Co. in Raglan Road, Reigate. The company was based in a large Victorian mansion and in many ways the working methods probably hadn't changed much since the early 1950s.
The nostalgia market was in its infancy in 1968 and the company had no idea about the potential value of the historic collection held in its negative library. The ...see more