Nostalgic memories of Enfield's local history
Share your own memories of Enfield 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 53 in total
When I was about ten years old or so I remember going to Liverpool St. station lots of times on the steam train with my dad. We would leave Enfield town about 4 a.m. to do the buying at Spitalfields and Covent Garden markets for our greengrocery shop. On the days we took the train the produce would be delivered to our shop by lorry later that morning. The huge steam engine would chug and puff out big steam clouds across the platform.
My family had our greengrocer's stall in the front of the Saturday market facing Pearson's department shop. We were there for years, first my granddad, dad and uncle and then my brother, Thompson's greengrocery. Brings back memories of loading and unloading the horse and cart and later the lorry. come rain or shine. Rita Thompson Marston
I remember one day I was with my mother just walking to the station to get the train to Bush Hill Park where we lived and hearing the loud Putt Putt noise of a doodle bug.We and all the people around looked up and watched it fly over us to the vicinity of Enfield Highway descending rapidly,then the silence as the engine stopped,everyone waiting for the bang. I heard that it dropped on a school but I cannot be sure.
I used to go to The Court School Of Dancing in 1961, 1962 ,1963. This was above Burton's in the market square at the centre of Enfield. It used to be open 7days a week. The evening started with a lesson,and then practise of all the ballroom dances for the rest of the evening. I made many great friends there,and am still in touch with one called Roy Hills.I would love to hear from anyone else who went ...see more
My dad was born in Hoe Lane, in one of the Williams Cottages, in 1918. He remembered the orchards and farms that were in Hoe Lane then. I would love to hear from anyone who has photos of that time, taken either in Hoe Lane (Hertford Road End), or of The Bell pub.
My mum had a sweet shop on the Hertford Rd and we lived above the shop. Our neighbours were the Silverman family and I remember Philip Silverman well - I think I had a crush on him. Another neighbour (the Barber) killed himself, it was awful. I cannot remember the poor man's name.
I went to Enfield Highway School as did my two younger brothers. I still have the reference my teacher gave me when I left, handwritten in pencil!
We lived at the bottom of Lavender Hill and went to St Michael's School. Hilly Fields, Whitewebbs, Stapleton's farm, Tinky Tops, Flash Lane; they were all our stamping ground. My brother Bob also used to run along the tops of the 14 arches. We were forbidden to go there but of course we did! I thought that my sisters and I were the only people who could remember jumping dags. What a lot of memories this website has conjured up! We were terrified of Ted Slarke, poor chap.
I started work in the plant room as one of the engineers in the centre in 1967 with the rest of the staff and the direction of Ken Farraway,Chief Engineer and Bob Finch, assistant Chief Engnineer.
After a time Bob Finch left the civic and the council ofered me the position of assistant Chief Engineer, I remained Ken's assistant up to 1992. I enjoyed working with Ken all those years till 92 but then ...see more
If my memory is correct there was a rather elaborate drinking fountain behind where the woman is standing in the photo. As a small boy, living up Windmill Hill in Glebe Avenue, this spot was out of bounds to me. However, one warm day when exploring on my own I stopped at the fountain for a drink, and as small boys do, I got my finger stuck in a ring that at one time may have held a metal cup on a chain. I was ...see more
This is where I learnt to swim in about 1956 as a 7 year old. The wooden changing cubicles were pretty primitive, looking back. I remember the cafe/shop which sold hot bovril. There was also a Brylcream machine at 1p a shot. I remember when I was about 10, Cliff Richard being at the pool and him being mobbed, leaving me in an empty pool. I got my cubs swimming badge here, or was it the Bronze Life Saving badge?
