Nostalgic memories of Market Drayton's local history
Share your own memories of Market Drayton 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 21 - 30 of 44 in total
For two years of my three year RAF service 1953 to 1956 as 41255i8 LAC, I was batman to RAF Stoke Heath C/O, Grp Capt (name omitted). His was the largest house on the OMQ (of course), the rear garden of which backed down a slope almost onto the winding road which led around the lake and passes the handsome old building; I have only recently learned that this was called Buntingsdale ...see more
I was posted to the Hall after RAF basic training at West Kirby, where an Air Vice Marshall saw a mural illustrated map, another conscript (John Young) and I created, in the Education Hut. His intention was for Peter Melrose (a National Service aircraftsman, who was a scenic artist from Gainsborough Film Studios) and I (an artist from an advertising agency), to work on ...see more
Childhood memories The 'flowerpot men', 'weed', Amos and Andy, Big Ted, little Ted, Loopy Lou, Andy Pandy, Woodentops, spotty dog, gently 'supervised' by 'ma and pa', Jack and Jill, Miss Moffet, 'twinkle,twinkle little star', 'Listen with mother' - "Are you comfortably sat?" Rag, Tag and Bobtail, Rupert and Felix the cat, Toytown, Sooty and Sweep, Muffin the mule, George Formby films where he played ...see more
Drayton Jottings. Auntie Alice, in Kings Avenue, regularly seen, out on her front doorstep, she kept it clean, the 'raddled' red stone was buffed to a shine, 'Old fashioned traditions', here continued,so fine. one day, from school I returned, 'extra curricular activities' were learned, 'Edge cutting hedge' - never seen before, laughter unlimited and chuckles galore, but our Mr Edge (the local deliverer ...see more
I literally stumbled upon this website and have been interested to read the memories of people who lived in Betton, a place well known to me. I lived there as a wartime evacuee in the 1940s, and Marc Chrysanthou's recollections were of particular interest as I know well the black and white cottage where his mother, whose name I forget, and his Uncle Michael lived as children. I also remember his ...see more
I joined up for National Service in July 1954 and after trade training at RAF Yatesbury, I was posted to RAF Buntingsdale Hall - HQ 22 Group Comm Flight - in June 1955 as an Air Wireless Fitter - Junior Technician - and remained there until I was demobbed on July 21st 1956. Each morning we were driven from the Hall to RAF Ternhill - by a civilian driver 'Busty' - where the Comm ...see more
I lived in Market Drayton during the war and went to school there, ending at the Grammar School. It was wonderful to see therefore what we called the Big Bridge with a glimpse of the side of our house to the left of the full fronted one. I enjoyed a full varied childhood in the town especially on Market days, playing football and sledging down Salisbury Hill and even chasing girls! I have detailed ...see more
My father Leonard Barlow was born in the house on the left in 1921. He lived there with his mother Florence and family until he was conscripted into the Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War. I have traced members of the Barlow family living in the house for nearly a hundred years, going back to William Barlow and his wife Elizabeth in the 1870s. The house was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a road widening scheme.
I remember this pool well, all the boys running around trying to look good for the girls, and all the girls sat around the fountain pretending not to watch, and the PE teacher throwing us in so we would learn to swim. Halycon days. I never did learn to swim but will never forget the times we had. We moved away in 1966 and I never got back till my own children were teenagers. I often wonder how all the ...see more
Our PE teacher used to throw boys in if they didn't swim - being a dainty soul, I used to hide underneath the slide, quivering with anxiety! I didn't learn to swim till many years later (INDOORS at Shewsbury baths). We used to go down when it was raining - the theory being that the water would be warmer! I think the lowest temp was about 50 degrees and the highest 74. The fountain was great ...see more