Favourite Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
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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Tips & Ideas
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How the location features in your personal history?
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The memories this place inspires for you?
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Stories about the community, its history and people?
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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Displaying Memories 501 - 550 of 2029 in total
At the age of 14 my father began work as an apprentice pawnbroker for the firm W. Paines & Co. at their Strood branch on the corner of High Street, and Station Road. The firm had 3 branches. The apprenticeship lasted 5 years, followed by a period of ‘improving’. When dad had finished his 5 year apprenticeship (age 19) he went to work at the Grays shop. In 1929-1932 he was employed as an ‘improver’ for 3 years and then ...see more
Moved to Farncombe in 1942 from Datchet, but evacuated originally from Barking, London. I remember arriving at my new home at 1 Tudor Circle. My Step-father was a fireman in the AFS, who's own father, George Elliott, was employed as a Shepherd watching sheep in the top fields on the left before Binscombe. Shepherds in those days were well looked after by the farmer, as a ...see more
My mother, Maude Doyle was billeted at a farm in Outwell while stationed at searchlight battery at Sutton Bridge that served as RAF base. Fighter aircraft used the gun butts there to adjust their cone of fire I understand. The farmer's name was Wiles and he and his wife had a son and lived in a tiny cottage and I think they only had room available for one billet. While returning from a dance in Wisbech during the ...see more
My late father was born in Colwyn Bay and his father and some of his relatives resided in Grove Park. Every year my parents and my siblings had to visit the relatives, especially one we called Aunty Polly who I think was really called Mary but because she was always polishing and cleaning, my mother referred to her as 'Polly Panshine' and the nickname stuck. She had a huge bowl of false waxed fruit in her ...see more
My Mum, Dad and I moved to Pailton in 1960/61; we moved in to 10 Lutterworth Rd which had been a saddlers at some time. We had some builders in to renovate the place and I remember my mother saying they had to remove 72 hooks from the ceiling in the room which was to become the Post Office. There was a lot of fuss about it being on a busy road so we had to have a lay-by made at the front. I went to school ...see more
This picture looks as if it is looking down the street with the church on the right hand side. The Post Office in 1940 was opposite the entrance to the churchyard. Every Saturday morning I would run to the Post Office through the churchyard to receive my weekly packet of sweets and comics that my mother would send to me from London. I would then run back to the Severals and lie in the field opposite the ...see more
I was asked to read a lesson by my teacher at St Johns Church, Leytonstone for one of our school services. To my horror, she had me practice reading loudly in the school corridors and left me standing there, reading aloud, when all the other kids came back in from playtime. However, when it came to the event, no one mentioned I was to step up to the microphone (never saw one before) so I don't know if anyone heard me at all in the end.
Nearly every house had an outside brick coal shed, as this was the only method of heating and cooking.
Most houses had a short set of about 2-3 steps in the middle due to the slope of the land they were built on, therefore the front of the houses were about 3ft higher than the backs. Some houses had their own toilet (or Netty) as we called it, others shared a small block between several houses and ...see more
Shortly after the outbreak of war, my Father who had a pet shop in Wallasey, evacuated the family to Llanarmon. We consisted of Dad, Mum, my brother Ray and myself. We moved into Rose Cottage in the village, and my Aunt Ann and husband George moved into a cottage down the side of Beech Cottage which was next door to us. It was so peaceful and safe there. My father travelled to his ...see more
bill.haylor@btinternet.com Resident in and around Smallfield for 81 yrs. One of the first indications in the village relating to war was the erection of a telegraph pole, on the top of which was a platform and a circular metal object about the size of two buckets, called a siren, at each end was a circular slotted opening out of which came the creepy but familiar wailing sound. This siren ...see more
This would be about 1950. Radio was the in thing, me Nanna and Granda had one that was powered by an accumulator, this was a square glass jar with two elements inside connected to two terminals on the top which would fit and connect in the back of wireless. When the power ran down I would walk from Millfield to Newburn, Walkworth Crescent to be precise, where I would exchange this for a charged one (as you would do ...see more
Our family moved to New Haw when the new council houses were built at Heathervale. We lived at 26 Park Side. Everybody moved in about the same time so during the fifties there was great community spirit in our street. The residents even managed to build their own social club (Park Side Club). My father Basil Ponting was involved with this, but probably only on the drinking side. It's still possible for me ...see more
I can just remember the factory as it is in this picture I would have been 3 years old at the time. The lettering was in red on a white wall and the fountain was sprung straight from a natural source. By far the best thing about the factory was the smell for 100 meters or more in all directions. most of the time it was a sweet strawberry but my favourite was the days when the air was full of Cream soda.
I was born on Sutton Flats (now demolished) Pendleton in 1941. My first vague memory was sitting under a table with a blanket draped over it and a lit candle (must have been an air-raid on at the time). My first real memory was a party in the square, which I learnt later was to celebrate VE Day. My first school was St Thomas (also demolished), but the Church is still there. Then my mother moved me to Halton ...see more
I lived at 61 Eastcote Ave from 1942 when I was born. I went to Welldon Park primary school and helped Mr Goodhead count the dinner money each day. I also joined Mr Locks woodwork group after school, this was special as you had to be chosen. I failed my 11plus, my mother arranged for me to go to St Thomas's school in Stanmore. When not at school, me and my friends would spend time in Roxeth Park, later going ...see more
I was somwhere around 1 when we moved to Luddenden Foot, we lived in a place called Albion Terrace above the railway lines. I attended Blackwood Hall School at the age of four because for me I couldn't get to school quick enough. We then moved to a place called Bilk Bank Building Street a house over some shops, either of which had an indoor bathroom not to mention toilet. We finally ...see more
My two brothers, my sister and I were all born in Minster in what is now called Turner Cottage but was then "The Swifts". My granddad was a village postman and my best friend's granddad was also a postman and we used to race to school perched on the baskets on the front of their bikes! At Watchester Farm we fed the ducks and loved seeing the piglets with the sows. We bought fishing nets in the ...see more
I just stumbled over this site. I was 10 years old when we left Heston to emigrate to Australia. My mother was a hair stylist in The Crossways Shops (# 136) and I remember my first day of school at Springwell Infants. I later went to Hounslow College Preparatory School and was a choir boy at St Leonards circa 1954 -55. I distinctly remember that the bus fare to Hounslow was "three happence" and a kids ...see more
At leas,t for as long as I can remember - there's always been a chip shop on the Parade at Crayford. Just like there's always been on the corner of Station Road - a little way further through the town - if you can call Crayford a town. There was another that we used to call Greasy Lils - only ever went there once and for good reason. But it was many a time I went into the chip shop on the Parade ...see more
I have the fondest memories of sheltering under a old brolly with my Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister as we watched a storm roll in from the sea. We were the only ones on the beach all huddled together.........years later I go every year back to that beach and it makes me smile thinking of that happy little family soaking wet but huddled together and very very happy! I always think of this area as my spiritual home, where my heart really belongs. A truly magical, wonderful place....
My father Leon Lalonde was Mechanical Engineer for W&C French from 1928 to 1947. He was responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Mechanical Equipment and Heavy Machinery. The large yard was located between Fairlands Close and The Reindeer Pub on Epping New Road. The yard housed every different kind of machine and piece of equipment a construction company might need. It also had a ...see more
I arrived in Brockhall hospital in 1970 from Mauritius to become a 'Subnormal Nurse' as it was known then. I am still baffled how I managed to reach Brockhall with so little knowledge at the tender age of 19 years. I am not sure whether I was amongst the youngest Mauritian. I was very scared, but very excited to be accepted to train to be a nurse. I was taken to my room in the Nurses' Home. It was such ...see more
I was born and grew up in a happy, peaceful village where everyone knew everyone else. My memories are of long walks in a beautiful countryside which could have been a million miles from London instead of an hour on a greenline bus. Of thick fogs in November when traffic crawled at walking pace; indeed, one night my grandfather was leading the crocodile of vehicles and they all followed him up his ...see more
Whilst I lived at Mattishall near Dereham in the early 1960's I became a regular visitor to the area in Summer and Winter, having use of a small boat at Burnham Overy Staithe. Fishing and full days out at Scolt Head became a regular feature for me, my mates and our girlfriends. We looked for a local pub to drink at and the Victoria at Holkham (Public Bar!) became just that. There were ...see more
I was a London lad, sent to the boarding school just off the Danbury road, called Sandon House School. I had some wonderful days there (and some bad ones), but that whole area of Sandon, Danbury, Great Baddow, and Chelmsford will hold sweet memories for me 'til the day I die.
I was 13 when I went there in 1966, and I stayed 'til the summer of 1970. To be honest, I wish I could have stayed there, and have ...see more
As a child, up to the age of about twelve, we visited our grandparents at Godfrey Road during the summer holidays. This was probably between 1952 and 1960. My father, Ernest William Smith, was born in Godfrey Road but had moved to London in the 1930's. My strongest memories were of an allotment at the back of the house. I can remember the maroon bus pulling up towards Upper Cwbran ...see more
I was born in Leeds Yorkshire, but my maternal grandmother and other relatives lived in Skelmanthorpe. My earliest memories are of being the first grandchild and visiting grandma every Christmas to celebrate. Then in 1940 I was evacuated briefly to Skelmanthorpe to live with my grandmother and attend school there. When I knew her she always had a home on Station Road shared by ...see more
My earliest memories are living in no 6 Greystone Cottages. We had no inside loo and had to go to the end of the terrace for the loo. We moved to Hillary Close, Salterbeck for a while to allow modernisation to take place. First school was Harrington infants best memory was coming out of school in pairs and walking to the top of Mountain View to wait for the Queen coming past celebrating her ...see more
My family lived in the magistrates court between 1957 to 1964; my father was Frank Wood and he was the court keeper. My sister and I had a wonderful childhood there, there was lots of places to race around when the courts had closed. Many times Mr Green, the judge at the time, would find a teddy sat on his chair where me and my sister had been playing court cases. Our friends loved to ...see more
I was born in Northwich in 1966, however I moved here to Lancashire in 1980 but I still consider time in Northwich as being the best days of my life. I moved here when I was 14, I lived in Greenhall Road and my best friend Tracey lived on Victoria Road. We were great friends then and still remain friends now even though we both moved away from the area. Most of my best memories were boys boys boys... probably ...see more
I am Keith, grandson to Walter & Gertrude Sumner of Attorney Garth and cousin to Andrew Shepard, son of Betty (Elizabeth) Sumner. Many happy days my brother (Ray) & I spent with my grandparents. Many times we would walk to Penruddock station to see station master Sid Wriggley and many times Sid would ask a steam train driver to take us for a few miles ride up the track & back! That ...see more
When I was younger, my mum, nan and grandad used to take us to Somerset for our summer holidays and we always visited my nan's (Ethel Sedman) old house where she grew up. The house I'm relating to is the cottage always pictured with the pack horse bridge. I have many fond memories and can't wait to take my own kids there to show them where their roots are.
Pathways were made up of compressed dirt, West Street (facing West Rainton), Back Row (facing the Meadow’s Pit), Lewis Street running parallel with Back Row) and Cross Street running parallel with West Street). Krone House faced East Rainton end, there were more streets but I can’t name them.
Middle Rainton was partially demolished in 1939 leaving about 30% of the village still in use. The remainder ...see more
MEMORIES OF A LOST VILLAGE
Middle Rainton
Introduction
My name is John Harvey and this is an account of my memories of being brought up in Middle Rainton between the years 1940 to 1958. As this is based mostly on my memory, total accuracy cannot be guaranteed but I will do my best. Please feel free to pass this on to any interested parties.
Family
I was born in 1940 at my ...see more
Hi I'm Mike Foster and I was born in Chalfont St Peter in Feb 1936. My mother who had two children; me and my sister, had no where to live. She was offered by some charitable source a two up two down home on the main road between Hamiltons the chip shop and the Rose and Crown pub. It was part of a block of 4 terraced cottages with a communal back yard. The house was wet, cold and infested with every living ...see more
The old school was still in the village - the toilets seem to be well remembered - how I hated those. The old school for me smelled of those tablets of paint which were used in art class, for dabbling. That smell mingled with warm heated milk in winter - when the little bottles were brought in to thaw.
I recall a top and bottom playground - there was some demarcation which I don't any longer ...see more
I attended Radlett Prep between 1958 and 1965. It was located in a converted three floored Edwardian house on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Aldenham Grove, and has since been converted back to a private residence. Aldenham Grove was close to the nearby Aldenham Lodge mansion which was located at the top end of The Drive near what is now Lodge End. Aldenham Lodge had become a hotel which advertised all post-war ...see more
Wolverton brings back fond memories of my British Railways apprenticeship. I spent about 12 great months in the carriage works when I was 20 years old during 1961. In those days it was quite a journey travelling from Harrow via Euston to Wolverton. It was also quite a shock when I arrived at Wolverton station, probably for both me and the locals. In Harrow we hadn't long dropped the Teddy Boy clothes and ...see more
Hi,my name is Margaret Mcdonagh (nee ward) a proud Collyhurst girl. I was born in 72 Thornton St North. My parents were Elizabeth and John Ward, my brothers John, Billy, Harry, Mike and my little brother Phil. My sisters names Jean, Ann and last but not least, Lynn. I have so many wonderful memories of Collyhurst. My friends, Lynn Beaumont, Susan Beard, Eileen Coates and many more. I also went to Abbot St ...see more
Ivy Myers.
I wonder how many people from Chalfont remember the "Rose and Crown", a Benskins pub. My father owned it from 1946 until 1950. There was also the “Kings Head” which was on the corner of Joiners Lane. Of course if you look for them now you won't find them, the area is covered by the dual carriage-way and round-a-bout. At this time the village had hardly any cars going through it. My ...see more
It's the 5th February 1953 in the front upstairs bedroom of 15 Elm Street, and Abercwmboi welcomes a new resident - me! The house belonged to my grandparents, William Joseph and Claudia Morris. I was to remain a resident there for three years until my father, Michael John Wale finished his national service and returned to move my mother Jean and me, Martin, to our very own home. Not too much of an upheaval ...see more
My grandfather Robert Shaw and then my uncle also Robert Shaw farmed Tomnarroch Farm at Glenferness from the 1930s to 1960s. I spent many many happy times at Tomnarroch. Used to cycle there most weekends from Nairn. Remember cutting peat on the moor on the Grantown Road near Glenferness, helping with the hay and the combine harvester. My uncle used horses until he bought a tractor in the early ...see more
I spent a very happy childhood - my father was a licensed victualler of Ye Olde Bulls Head on the bridge until he retired in 1949. I went to the local school - my teachers were Miss Pratt & Mrs Jefferies- the Headmaster was "Boss Cook" followed by Mr Muncaster. Each week we attended Sunday School with Rev Turner, and Miss Hunt played the organ at services (having parked her "sit up and ...see more
I was born at 4 Back, 34 Colville Road in January 1950. These back houses were very small with a shared outside toilet. We had all manner of creatures that lived there too, massive spiders, blackbats and beetles that lived in the coal cupboard which was in the kitchen. Bed bugs...the smell of which, I will never forget. My elder sister, Pat, and I went to Conway Road Girls Secondary School. We did have ...see more
I was but a young lad of 13 when I were to stay in a small village called Oare with my brother-in-law and sister within a cottage of which was named the China Cottages. The cottages originally had ceilings as low as five feet high. They had been designed for some dwarf family but were to be bought outright by some people who were of a normal size. The floors were lowered by at least three feet deep to ...see more
As a 'floor walker', or trainee Woolworth's manager, one was expected to work quite a lot of unpaid overtime especially over the Christmas period. For the anticipated Christmas rush much larger amounts of stock were ordered, resulting in huge piles of unpacked cartons. I remember working throughout the night to reduce one of these mountains and at two o'clock in the morning was well ahead of schedule when disaster ...see more
Well nobody actually said "lunch", It was "dinner" then. No families that I knew of ate a cooked evening meal so "dinner" was the main meal of the day. The school had no kitchen or dining facilities and so every day, come rain or snow, we were herded in double file down Cowley Road to the old school house that served as a canteen and that stood on bottom corner of Vine Street. Who you chose as ...see more
I loved working at Woolies, I was on the sweet counter. Sometimes we would swap some choc for a few biscuits..naughty but nice. Mr Lee was the manager, bit of a tarter at times, but I liked him. I remember stock-taking as I almost missed my bus home to Studley a few times. We used to take these baskets on wheels up in the lift to get stock. Good job no health and safety then as we used to climb up the metal shelving to ...see more
Here are just a few of my childhood memories of my youth in North Bitchburn. My name is Ian Pinkney, I lived at No 10 Constantine Road, along with my father Raymond, he was in charge of the Royal Mail sorting office in Crook until he retired, my mother, Florence, who was a university graduate and became a school teacher, even teaching for a short time at Howden le Wear ...see more
I was born in Lower Cwmtwrch in the 1930s, but my memory of those days is not all that good, well a bit sparse! I was born in Brynderi Bungalow, they tell now that a new school has been built there on the old colliery site. I attended Gurnos School, as did my brother, Keith. I won't say that I liked school, because I did not. The "Whipper In" was a man who's name was Mr Joseph, he had a bike, and he ...see more