Nostalgic memories of Thundersley's local history
Share your own memories of Thundersley 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 12 in total
I would like to share information with anybody who has, or wants, information about Badger Hall in Thundersley. I have historical information on the family that owned the estate after 1913. I would like to know who owned it before 1913.
In the years leading up to World War 2, I recall visiting my Father's parents who lived in what I remember was a rather splendid house named Willowbrook, on the Rayleigh Road.
I would have been about nine in 1938 and I have many pleasant memories of playing in the Orchard and woodland surrounding the house. I have recently been researching my ancestry connections with my Grandparents Mr and Mrs ...see more
Does anyone remember the annual parties for Dr. Barnabas' collectors? There was a party at the Weir hotel and the cardboard cottages were collected with little presents for the best collectors. We managed a threepenny piece every week even in those hard days!
Did anyone live on or near Eversley Rd in the 70's
When I was 4 years old I lived on an ex troop carrier which we named the Rembrant (its name was originally the Martello, I think). There was a storm and the moorings gave way and we were adrift at the mercy of rough waters and towering over the smaller houseboats. Mum had to throw my baby sister Heather down into the arms of someone in a dinghy, while we children were standing on the gangplank. A ...see more
Does anyone remember the coffee shop that used to be at the top of Rayleigh High Street, opposite the old Barclays bank, this would be in the early 60's. I would love to know what it was called and who took it over or what became of it.
I used to be the foreman in the garage, I am Maltese, so anybody about my age (67) will probably remember me repairing cars there. The service station was owned by Mr Willetts who lived on the corner of Kenneth Road with Hart Road, in a house painted white with black wood. I had lots of nice customers from around the garage. I used to love the fish and chips from Kempi (that's what we used to call the ...see more
My Great Uncle and Aunt, Archibald “Arch” and Clara Meade, owned Badger Hall, Thundersley, around the turn of the 19th to 20th century. It was then described as having 22 acres of parkland and holding house parties and balls and being a centre of culture, in particular music and Greek. Unfortunately Arch kicked Aunt Clara out and she had to take up residence with her less well off mother ...see more
I remember a beautiful old, I think thatched, cottage situated opposite the entrance to the caravan site in Hart Road, Thundersley, opposite the phone box. It had brightly painted plaster figurines wearing very old costume (pargetry?), under the eaves and an inscription that read: 'Built before the battle of (either Trafalgar or Waterloo)', I can't be sure now exactly which, and a date. It ...see more
My family lived at Bracken Lodge on the Little Common in the late 1950's Is Bracken Lodge still a little smallholding ? Bracken Lodge was rather spooky. We had many strange experiences while living there. In short - it was haunted!! Are the reservoirs still there? I must come back someday. Regards, Michael Cockerill.