Nostalgic memories of Durham's local history
Share your own memories of Durham 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.
Add a Memory!
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
Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 43 in total
I recognize all the places you're talking about as I lived in Durham until 1970. I remember having piano lessons from Mrs Pratt, I was friends with Kenny.
I now live in Cyprus, happy in retirement .
I remember the traffic policeman very well. I lived at The Morlands (25) from c1945 to c1953. I went to Framwellgate Nursery School, and the to St. Hilds Demonstration School until the age of about 8yrs, when we moved to Nottingham. My mother, who is 106 years old, spent time working at the munitions factory at Newton Aycliffe during the war. My grandparents lived at ...see more
I was born in Durham 1943, I lived with my grandparents at 51 Old Elvet opposite the what was then the Shire Hall. My grandparents ran a boarding house where lots of business people would stay some from America and Canada etc..I had a very serious accident in Peelaw woods when I was about 9 years of age, I was unconcious for around 10 days. I was in the chlidren's hospital for about 3 weeks . My ...see more
My Uncle Gordon was the police man who used to sit in the police box at the top of the street in the market square directing traffic. This was around 1950s. I used to live in Meadowfield and came to Durham many, many times growing up. Great memories. I now live in Devon, but think of Durham always. I used to go to a fish and chip shop in the corner of the market place in the early 60s. MMMM they ...see more
In 1959 I was a poultry student at Durham school of agriculture (Houghall) on the out skirts of the city. I lived at the college for nearly a year. My memories of my time there and times spent around the city are still fresh in my mind. Places like the ice rink, all the old streets and shops,walking up Silver Street and the policeman contoling traffic in the square - that was a novelty. The coffee bar ...see more
My mum was born in Brandon in 1910, one of 14 children. She sailed to Australia on the Vedic in 1926 and sadly never returned to Brandon. My son and I visited Brandon in 2010 and were disappointed to find that the street where she was born, Sunderland Street and surrounds is gone, replaced by a new housing estate. I guess we should have gone sooner. However, we spent 3 days in Durham visiting the ...see more
Yes, I remember this street so well as a young boy, I lived up Crossgate at the Angel Inn then Claypath at The Wheatsheaf. I was Christened at St Margarets half way up Crossgate and went to school at The Blue Coat, then Wnney Hill Sec Mod ( Sadly I have just been informed it has been torn down for a housing estate... ). Silver Street was my center of gravity just after the war and I spent many ...see more
I was a pupil at the Tin School in Gilesgate Moor staring in 1954, leaving in 1961. It was at the crossroads of the road that now leads to Tesco, but opposite was the Durham District Services garage where my dad was a driver. I remember playing in the air raid shelters in the playing fields with the sausage factory out the back.
My mam was Mary Thurlow, and my uncle John (Jackie) Thurlow, Mayor ...see more
From the 40s until 1964, I used to live at 46 North Road next to the Station Hotel. Our house had a long garden with a stone-pillared gate and 4 steps from the street. I would walk every day up Atherton St, around the 'workhouse' to St Margaret's Primary School on Margery lane. Then from 1954 until 1960 up Redhills Lane to the Johnston School. My mother was a Court Dressmaker (trading as Madam Barbara) who designed and ...see more
My granddad and nana, Lydia and Alan Field, lived in the house under the arches to the Cathedral. He was the porter and I remember helping him ring the bell in the cathedral. His office or Lodge as we called it, was opposite the house. It was filled with stuffed animals. I also remember the Queen when she visited and presented my Granddad with Maundy money for his services to the Cathedral. I lived in Pity Me ...see more
