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.
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Displaying Memories 31 - 40 of 43 in total
This beautiful photo of the splendid Norman Cathedral was taken just before I started studying at the University, and brings back pleasant memories. In the foreground is Palace Green, a dignified lawn, and on the right can be seen the low Students' Union building and the building of the University Library, both of which I knew well..
While at University my daily walk led me up Dun Cow Lane, on the left of this photo. In 1956 the railings in front of the houses had all disappeared. The ancient church of St.Mary-le-Bow was built of sandstone, and as it stood on a rather draughty and exposed corner, the soft stone suffered badly from wind erosion - I can remember the big holes which eventually formed in the ashlars. Later it was closed because ...see more
This was one of the streets I walked along when going to the lecture rooms on Palace Green. On the left is No.1, the large house belonging to St.John's Theological College, and on the right is the arched entrance to the Cathedral close.
While I was at Durham University I attended St. Mary's College, on the opposite side of the River Wear from the City centre, and every day I had to walk across this bridge over the river, which was strictly a footbridge. The only car allowed to cross it was the ancient one owned by the Chancellor Sir James Duff. Through the central arch can be seen an old mill, which was turned into an archaeology department while I was at the University.
The market place is at the very centre of Durham City, and on the left of the picture can be seen the City Hall, where we not only had the Saturday night "hop", but also took exams. On the right is Doggatts Store where if I remember right, we had to buy our gowns, college blazers and scarves and squares ("mortarboards").
This the view one saw when arriving in Durham by train from Kings Cross, but nowadays most of the little houses between the station and the city have vanished. The heart of the city lies in a horseshoe-shaped bend in the River Wear, and on the left in the picture is the Castle, and on the right the Norman Cathedral, both of which were part of my life when I attended Durham University from 1956-1959. In those days ...see more
I am descended from Robert Lovegreen, a shoemaker in Framwellgate. The Lovegreen family, and subsequently the Loftus family (Martin Loftus having married Margaret Lovegreen) ran the rowing boat ferry across the river wear from Framwellgate to the Sands. This ferry ceased around the second world war. Is there anyone out there who remembers the families or the ferry? I have tried without ...see more
I lived near Durham from 1955 to 1972 when I went off to university. My mother lived in Belmont nearby until her death in 1994. I remember well the funny little traffic control booth and Doggarts in the background. We always shopped in Doggarts and I was always fascinated by the way the money shot round the store in 'capsules' around the ceilings when you made a purchase. I went to the Grammar School up the road and in ...see more
JAMES THURLOW WAS MY GT GT GT GT GRANDFATHER, BORN 1752 .HE DIED 1820 AND WAS BURIED IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY THE LESS WITH HIS FIRST WIFE MARY WHO DIED 1803, AND SARAH , HIS DAUGHTER BY HIS SECOND WIFE MARGARET THIS CHURCHYARD WAS RESERVED FOR TRADESPEOPLE AND NOTABLES, AND JAMES WAS AN INNKEEPER, AT "THE HORNS" MILLBURNGATE, WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED BEFORE THE NEW SHOPPING CENTRE WAS BUILT
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER LIVED AT 9 SILVER ST.HIS DAUGHTER ELIZABETH WAS BORN THERE IN 1846. 5 YEARS AGO I VISITED THE SHOP WHICH STANDS THERE NOW AND THEY TOOK ME ROUND THE PREMISES AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE FAMILY WOULD LIVE BACK THEN. THE ORIGINAL POLISHED WOOD STAIR BANISTER WAS STILL THERE, AND I RAN MY HAND OVER THE PLACE WHERE MY ANCESTORS RAN THEIR HANDS, AND IT WAS VERY MOVING FOR ME.I WAS SO GLAD THE HOUSE ...see more
