Nostalgic memories of Hanwell's local history
Share your own memories of Hanwell 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 51 in total
I was at Bordeston from 1948 to 1953. I remember being one of a large class where only the six top students could do the new GCE Ordinary Level exam. I was the only one to take Biology which I got and went on to do Advanced Level subjects in evening classes after leaving school, enabling me to get into The Royal Veterinary College in Camden Town, from where I graduated in 1967 and become a veterinary ...see more
On the corner of Oaklands Road and Boston Road was Platts store. All grocery items could be purchased and at the back was a post office. Hanwell had two post offices the other being in the Broadway.
I remember the Matador Garage. There was a neon Matador who flicked his cape at night. They sold Renaults and I remember the Dauphines lined up. The son of the owner used to give us cards that they gave away with petrol for us kids to clear off. They sold Cleveland petrol. When I got a motor bike (BSA Bantam) I pulled in one day to fill up who should come out to serve me, but an old school ...see more
Where Elthorne Park extension now is there were allotments. I used to go there with my dad and sometimes my mum. She used to go in the evening if he was working mainly to water. I remember planting onions potatoes etc, to a small boy it was an adventure. Does anyone remember these allotments?
Ancestors are listed on RG12/1030 Page 2, of the 1891 census, but I can't find any trace of Felix Road West, apart from just Felix Road.
The area immediately west of Felix Road is a cemetery which predates Felix Road. There is a very small area, a new area currently called Squirrel Mews at the junction of Felix Road and Ecclestone Road, but whether this was formerly Felix Road West I can ...see more
I remember this on the way to the Bunny Park. Never went in there much. I remember one after noon there was a storm and I waited for it to pass in the shelter with my mum. It made a big impression on me, the sound of the rain and the low light. There were no jets there in the fifties. Opposite there were a couple of shops, one being a sweet shop. Does anyone remember it?
I remember the Slatter twins who were in my class at St Marks (Robert and John). The Davis shop in the road. Watching my mother buy bacon and seeing it sliced as Mr or Mrs Davis turned the handle on the machine. As you went in the door there was a big fridge on the right and rows of sweet bottles on the left. The laundry opposite where the Slatters dad worked. At the bottom was a large off licence. ...see more
I remember David who used to live in St Marks Road. We went cycling together in the late fifties. Guildford, Box Hill were all destinations. The greatest ride we undertook was Worthing. When we arrived around 1230 we realised we had to cycle back. He had a Raleigh with a black frame and red mudguards. I had a Humber Beeston Tourist. I wonder where David is now?
I cannot remember the year but the club went on an Easter Ramble. We got a diesel train from Marylebone to Great Missenden. Leaving the station we turned left and up a hill. Then we turned left down a footpath though some woods. We stopped at a pub for lunch. Thats all I remember. John Benett organised it. I was with Graham Trotter most of the time. Ruth Hamant may have been ...see more
I used to hate snowball fights in Elthorne Park. Why? Because often pieces of broken glass were put inside the snow balls. So 1950,s.