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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Displaying Memories 51 - 60 of 62 in total
We moved from Kent to Eastwood near Leigh-on-Sea when I was 11 which was in 1960. Every Sunday we would get the bus (dad didn't drive then) to Leigh. We'd walk from where the cockle sheds were (dad always had some or whelks maybe but I wouldn't try them!) along the front to Southend Pier. We'd walk down the pier then ride back on the train - thankfully! We always had an icecream cone and sometimes used to eat at a ...see more
My mum visited Southend-on-Sea during her childhood years. She was born in 1917. Her family made a day trip there once per year, on public transport. They could only afford one visit per year because they were poor. I was more fortunate and visited there regularly with my parents throughout my childhood, sometimes with other relatives in tow, my aunts and uncles and young cousins. I was ...see more
My father lived in Tunbridge Road and was employed as a landscape gardener by Ian G Walker Ltd of South Godstone, Surrey from May 1946 until July 1959. Churchill Gardens was one of the Gardens he was involved with, it was started by Mr and Mrs Sherboom, who lived in a house adjacent to the old sand pit. The Sherboom land was called Havengore, and my father worked closely with the Sherbooms ...see more
I remember exactly when I first went to Southend. It was October 1957 and I can be so sure as I remember seeing newspapers on sale with the fantastic news about the successful launch of the Sputnik Russian satellite. It was exciting news to round off an interesting day as my family took my on the outing of my choice to celebrate my twelfth birthday. I recall the green and cream ...see more
This scene has little changed although there has of course been the cliff landslip.The white railings on the right hand side of the picture enclose the dinghy maintainance/storage area of the Alexader Yacht Club. Perhaps a more accurate title for the picture would be to call it the WESTERN ESPLANADE. We were married in 1960. I was then in the Navy and we were facing a separation of fifteen months as I had been ...see more
I can remember during the 50's and 60's every weekend during the summer coaches lined up all the way from Gasworks Bridge right up to the pier.
When we were at Shoebury on holiday Mum and Dad always took me on the pier. We went out by train and usually walked back providing the weather was good. I can still remember the platforms either end and the green trains with the seats with backs that could be moved. The red mine at the end of the pier and then the lifeboat station on the left. We would also go to Margate from there as well. Either by the Royal Daffodil or Royal Sovereign.
I remember this little track so well, it's just at the foot of the pier and has been there for as long as I can remember. My parents often took me to Southend for a day's outing, we had family friends at Thorpe Bay and quite often my dad and uncle and I would leave my mum and auntie to catch up on their gossip and chatter and we'd head off to Southend. After a time at the Kersaal ...see more
I worked for British Air Ferries in the early seventies as a post room assistant and remember so vividly the sight and sounds of those lumbering great Carvairs and the clouds of bluish smoke and coughing engines. I was also an Air Cadet with the 1812 squadron. I remember marching up the road behind Aviation Traders and sitting on the grass near the end of the runway, listening to the Sky Larks in between ...see more
I remember travelling to Southend with my family on a steam train from London. My sister and I use to put our heads out of the windows. More often than not when we sat down our faces would be black with soot from the smoke of the train and our mum would try to wipe us clean with her hanky. When we arrived at Southend it was off to the beach for a paddle and a play then a ride on the boats in the boating ...see more