Nostalgic memories of Bedford's local history
Share your own memories of Bedford 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 11 - 20 of 21 in total
When this picture was taken my mum and dad used to live here.
Just want to collect a few pictures of where I was born. Don't have any memories of Bedford as my parents moved to Wellingborough in 1962 when I was one year old!
My mother worked for Bedford Plating in Bedford in 1955. If anyone remembers this business and what street or even the address of it, would be greatly appreciated. The purpose for this, is my God-parents lived very near Bedford Plating and owned a small retail store on the corner of one of the streets. Any help would be appreciated. Thankyou in advance.
I suppose, years ago, there was a Bedford market without old Ben. Can’t have been much of a market though. Anyway, as long as I, or everybody else I've asked can remember, old Ben has been down the market on Saturdays. Maybe he worked on the stalls as a young chap, but for the last twenty or thirty years he's been down the market just being old Ben. His favourite stalls are the fruit and veg. You might catch him ...see more
I am now in the process of establishing Samuel and Florence DAYS, then address with the Records Office at Bedfordshire County Council. Apparently Sandy Lane and Cardington Lane were mentioned many years ago as well as the 'Sandy' area. Was there ever ?......a small isolation Hospital (wooden Barrack Type Huts) in and or in the vicinity of Sandy Lane or Sandy. I believe however that the ...see more
HAPPY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. In the summer of 1952 (I was 7 years old) my grandmother took me on a 'Farm Holiday' in Bedford to stay with friends. At this time I lived as a child in 'industrial Newcastle upon Tyne'. We alighted from a steam train at a small station in Bedford, I think it had crossing gates, where I met 'Uncle Sam'. He arrived in a red coloured lorry with 'pig bins' on the back (he used to ...see more
I worked at the Granada cinema from the age of 15 and it was the best time I had, the building was unbelievable with many secret or forgotten doorways... Does anyone have any photos before it was demolished? I can't understand why it was allowed to happen. I visit Bedford occasionally and I still can't believe the building has gone, such a shame. I have the best memories of working there. The new complex just ...see more
I don't actually remember this event, but according to my birth certificate I was born in No. 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford in February 1940. I can only presume that my mother was expecting me but was evacuated to Bedford from London. Her address is on my birth certificate as 11 Highfield Crscent, Ridgmont, Bedford. Does anyone know whether the Kimbolton Road address was a hospital at the time? It may be possible that ...see more
I was a summer season driver of these boats during my college holidays in the early 1960s. We operated four boats, Silver Foam, Silver Stream, Silver Crest and my own boat, Silver Dawn, which I believe came from the Norfolk Broads. The mornings were spent at Fenlake cleaning and polishing to the high standards demanded by Mr Smith (`The Guvnor`). We then came up through Bedford Lock for an afternoon of trips. We ...see more
I worked there for a few years with Stan Hunt at the Picturedrome, and the Plaza which was nearly opposite across the river was owned by a man called Mr Cheetam. I also worked at the Plaza as a relief projectionist and also another cinema in Ampthill owned by Mr Cheetam. They were great days and I now live in Leicester but now see that all four cinemas in Bedford are gone, what is left? I ...see more