Nostalgic memories of Southend-on-Sea's local history

Share your own memories of Southend-on-Sea 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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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

Add Your Memory for Southend-on-Sea

Displaying Memories 41 - 50 of 62 in total

Cliffs Pavilion

Does anyone remember when this was a huge hole in the ground? It used to be called Shorefields I think.

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Added 27 October 2010

Westcliff Baths

I learned to swim here in the 1950s. The water was freezing, every day there was a notice showing the supposed water temperature, taken with a warmed thermometer I think! We used to queue up at the beginning of the swimming season to aquire a season ticket. My brothers always managed to have enough swims to get their money back by July. There was a Water Ballet show in the summer, every time I hear the music 'Sleepy Lagoon' I think of the Westcliff Baths.

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Added 27 October 2010

Walks And Study

College days in S.O.S were fun with Bi-Pak and Maplin providing components for the electronics I was studing, and the endless others forms of fun along the sea front. But the best memory was on the Pier. I was walking my little daughter Penny in her pushchair and stopped to chat with a gent. Penny at this age could not walk (so I thought). After a few minutes Penny got out of the chair and rushed headlong ...see more

Southend-on-Sea, the Boating Lake and Pier Hill c1950

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Added 09 May 2010

1950 52 And 55 57 Boating Lake

Hi all, My father worked on the boating lake between the years 1950-52 and then again after his national service 1955-57. He has fond memories of those boats and the lake. Does anyone remember the name of the boats by any chance? We were talking about them the other day but he couldn't remember.

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Added 17 April 2010

Robsons Corset Shop

Did anyone use or work in the Robson's Corset Shop? I need you to contact me I am producing a book on Foundation Wear and peoples relationship with foundations, corselettes / girdles etc any info no matter how small is required. If this information is not put down now it will be lost for ever. Please contact me either via the site or via corsetiere@corset.ndo.co.uk Yours Geoffrey

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Added 07 April 2010

Priory Park Museum

I think this photo is of Priory Park Museum - does anyone know what happened to the Hoy Collection of birds?

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Added 01 April 2010

Motor Boats

I loved these little motor boats, I can still remember the smell of the exhaust fumes and hear their engines. The late 50's/early 60's were great in Southend, until the developers came! Anyone have any memories of St Erkenwalds?

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Added 01 April 2010

Southchurch Hall

I remember Southchurch Hall - it was my library when I was a child. I lived in York Road, a few years from Southchurch Hall. I can still remember the smell of beeswax polish and the squeaky wooden floor. The library had a good junior section & I loved going there.

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Added 01 April 2010

Airport Characters

Does anyone remember Clive and Terry Wren ladi marmol(ads aerial), the great Freddy Laker, Jack Jones. Mike Abbot to name a very few? We had some great times then, flying was fun and a lot less restricted than it is now.