Recent 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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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 36401 - 36480 of 36914 in total
I remember Evesham Street in Redditch in the early sixties very well. I was 15, had just left school, and was working at Liptons the grocers which was about half way up on the left just past the department store. There was a small chapel just opposite and also other grocery stores: Farrands, George Masons, the Home & Colonial stores. The Kingfisher coffee bar was on the corner, half way down, and the ...see more
This is one of the picturehouses that we could choose from on a Saturday. Many a happy Saturday morning was spent here with lots of children, with not a lot of pocket money!
I attended the local school at the bottom of Gisbrough Bank - I have several school photographs of myself and classmates. I had a fight with a school friend as to whose turn it was to serve the school dinner that day. This was sorted by a teacher who said - You do it today - to my school friend and to me - You do it tomorrow. My tomorrow never came. That night I was told that Mr Pugh my foster parent was very ill ...see more
It was always a real pleasure to pop into this old fashioned shop for any supplies and talk to Mrs D!
When I was 5 yrs old I can vividly remeber getting lost in Beacon Park in a real pea souper with friends from the farm in the Sandford Street corner of the park and also remember digging old stone jars up from the brook that runs through the park!
Hi - My family history research finds that my mother Isobella Stephenson was born in Houghton in 1917. Her family may have been in the pub buisness, but her father Harry John Middleton worked for the railways. They eventually ended up in Barnsley where I was born. Any information on this family would be of help to me, Regards Allan Broadhead
When we first moved to "the estate" in the early fifties I would have to catch the bus into Reigate as I went to school in Holmesdale Road. The school I have forgotten about but what is memorable was the smell of the fresh baked bread coming from the bakery across the road from the bus stop. As kids we would go in and the lady (cannot remember her name) would give us nubbins of left-over dough that had ...see more
My Nan and Grandad often took myself and my twin sister to visit his mother and brother in Blackheath (Lamb Lane) and to their local shop. Wow, sweets galore! Lovely smelling cooked meats, it was great! I always remember the walk from the station near some playing fields, then walking into the shop and seeing my great grandmother standing there with her big smile and her pinny. I don't think it's there ...see more
My Father left Kent to go to Australia with the little brother movement in 1916. His name was Lenard Hurbert Jeffery, and I was wondering is there any way of tracing his home address?
Reading the post about catching sticklebacks in the Bridgewater brought memories flooding back. I lived in Clifton Street, off Stretford Road. At the weekend we used to get some butties off our Mum, a bottle of pop (if she could afford it), put it all in our ex-army shoulderbag and then make an epic journey up to Sale to a place called Jacksons Boat. It was a pub. We would spend the day in the swimming hole. Now ...see more
I can remember vividly walking from Trafford Road in Salford, all the way up Eccles new Rd with my new wife. Why did we walk? because we had nowt, as we said then. We walked all the way, talking and planning our future. When we got to Eccles we called into The Hare & Hound pub - still there. I had a glass of bitter she a glass of lemonade. We would make it last a hour, then we went to the 'chippy' bought a bag ...see more
I recall, as a young police constable, going for a trip on the MSC barge 'The Daniel Adamson'. This was from no 8 dock at Manchester, just by the Trafford swing bridge. The trip went though Mode Wheel locks, Latchford locks at Warrington and on up through Runcorn to Ellesmere Port. I also recall being sworn in at Ship Canal House in King Street off Deansgate Manchester. All that most of us could recall ...see more
Grandfather William Grey owned a number of shops in Wingate, Co. Durham one was at 47 North Road West, Wingate, it was a drapers shop. Grandfather died in 1962, his last remaining shop was closed by my mother Winnie England and made into a house. My family were once very prominant in Wingate, they consisted of the Greys, the Races and the Tarrens. In the 1800s Robert Tarren owned the Plough Inn in Hutton Henry. I would be very interested in any information about current family members.
I was 10 years old when I entered the pram race. Myself and two other neighbours entered as a junior team. I was dressed up as a baby and the two other lads were dressed as mom and dad. The race went round Wooton Wawen. It started at the top of the High Street in Henley, down to the traffic lights which we had to turn right, then left up Mayswood Road. At the end of Mayswood Road we turned left on to the Stratford ...see more
Lady on the left in the white apron is Miss Douch selling fish.
Names from left to right are Siah Longmade, Tommy Cloak, Bill Mills, Wilbur Hunkin, Harold Barber, Dick Nicholls, B. Over, Bill Joe Robbins, Jimmy Dunn and last Jim Bullen. Bill Hunkin is standing holding the little girls hand. By the wall, the man with the pipe is Willie Dyer and Cliff Nicholls is behind him.
The trade bicycle centre right of the photo belongs to Friars Bakery. The bakery is set back out of view where the bicycle is parked. It is now converted to a bungalow. The single storey building mid-left, was the Rifle Range. All buildings on the left hand side have now been replaced by housing except for the building with the advertising hoardings.
The lady walking down the right hand side of the street is Mrs Rose Allcock who lived in Uxbridge nearly all her life.
Ashby's was a grocery business started by Stephen Ashby in the 1920s. It was then run by his son Aubrey Ashby until the late 1950s when it was sold.
During WW2 the hut at the top of the building provided shelter from the weather for members of the Observer Corps later known as The Royal Observer Corps.
The policeman is PC Roy Brookman.
We believe the couple in the foreground are Mr and Mrs Starbuck. At about this time, Mr Starbuck was the Hoilday Camp manager.
The police office is PC69 Kenneth Edwards of the old Flintshire Force who is talking to Mr Cummins, a local landowner and the year is 1959.
The little girl sitting is Doreen Kate Stone, boy with the black hat is Sam Harris, the two boys arm in arm are Will Gard (blonde) and Willie McOwen, the boy with arms folded is Clifford Coutsoubos, the boy in bow of boat is Cyril Thomas - all Padstowians.
When my wife & I were courting I walked up and down Poverest Road many times. She lived at 1 Forest Way at the top of Poverest. I lived in St Pauls Cray. It was such a serious courtship that I was out in all weathers and at all times of the night. I knew that route house by house and stone by stone. In May this year we celebrated our 50th anniversary. We no longer walk Poverest Road as we live in ...see more
I was born to Victor Owen Colman Emmerson and Jean Florence Emmerson at the family home of Garden Cottage, Holmbury St Mary in September 1957. I have an older brother, John and a younger sister Diane who were also born there. My grandmother Catherine or 'Kit' was for many years housekeeper to Dorothea Flower who lived next door in Hurtwood Cottage. I have many memories of growing up in the village, attending ...see more
Better known today as The Cromwell Museum!!
My parents had a weekend cottage at Rotten End in the 1950s, and I remember walking a footpath to Shalford regularly. Can anybody tell me if this footpath still exists, or anything about it at all? many thanks Ros Stayne
I CAN REMEMBER THE FISHING AT WAGGONERS WELLS, THERE WAS 4 OF US MY BROTHER AND I AND TWO FRIENDS WE USED TO FISH THE THIRD LAKE SOMETIMES WE WOULD STAY OVERNIGHT ALTHOUGH I DONT THINK YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO. I CAN ALSO REMEMBER AN OLD GENTLEMAN IN A FLAT CAP NOT SURE WHO HE WAS OR WHAT HIS JOB WAS (BAILIFF PERHAPS ?) OR DID HE LIVE IN THE TEA SHOP PAST THE THIRD LAKE NOT SURE. I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AS I ...see more
I spent two wonderful summers in Pontllyfni in 1974 and 1976. I was a college student from the U.S., visiting Wales with a friend who had a cousin living there. The family owned a small inn just up the road from the beach. Visitors from out of country were somewhat rare in Pontllyfni at that time and we enjoyed the attentions of a number of cute young men. I remember the bridge and the "yucky, grotty pub" ...see more
In 1953 the village was chosen by Picture Post to feature in their Coronation special edition under the heading "A village celebrates". On the Sunday nearest the Coronation there was an open air inter-denomination Service held at the Cross; there were square dances in the Stables of Hinton House; a fete and handicraft show in the grounds; a revue starring most of the village which was written by Keith ...see more
I was born at the top of Gravel Hill, which was knocked down a long time ago, does anyone have photos of the top of Gravel Hill please?? I joined the army in 1960 and moved to Dover. My mum lived in Ludlow until a few years ago and passed away in a local home. My address all that time ago was 89 Gravel Hill.
I have bought Joan the Wad Cornish pickles at the Abbey and caught a trout in the river that runs in front of it. I was evacuated to the village in the war to Church Town Farm with Mr and Mrs Greenway and there was a large monkey puzzle tree in the front garden. Only this week I was given one of my own. It also gave me a love of the countryside. I worked on a farm down there when I left school and we all come to ...see more
Or it could be late 1930s. My mother Ivy Eaglestone, at the age of about 11, was evacuated from London with her brother Leslie to stay at The Black Horse with Mr and Mrs Hughes, Elizabeth and Joe. They had 4 children: Josephine, married to Eddie who sadly died, Bettie a sargeant in the ATS, Lloyd who taught my mother to tell the time, and Donald who she never met. My mother remembers her two and half ...see more
I remember starting school at the 'old' school and then after 3 years moving to the new school - it seemed huge and daunting and many of us got lost in the first few weeks. Pyrford was great to grow up in then - we had fields to roam in, there were farms that didn't care about kids wandering in and asking questions (guiness Dairy Farm in particular), we went out at 9 in the morning and came back when we were ...see more
Returning to Wickford after being in the USA for a few years I remember the Willow Cafe, Egans, Adrian's in a hut in Market Road, the livestock market where the Willowdale Centre is now. Dr. Rentons Georgian house in the High Street, Fish's, Stafford's Bakery in the Broadway, the Co-Op being opened by Dick Emery. Going to school at Wickford Country Junior School and Beauchamps....my husband was in the same schools and same year....33 years later we met and married!
In 2001 my husband Derek and I visited Assington. We had been researching Derek's family history, and had discovered that his great-great-grandfather John Crisell was the bailiff, in the middle of the 19th century, at Society Farm, Assington. We were unable to find the farm, but called at a farm shop in the middle of the village, and were told that this had been Society Farm, but had changed its name to Willow Tree ...see more
Is Limpsfield Manor House & Furzedown Auxiliary Hospital Limpsfield the same place?
I would like to remember all the members of the Anderson families in Stokenchurch. My mother was Bertha May Anderson, daughter of Abel and May Anderson. Abel's brother Harry had a chair factory in Stokenchurch called Harry Anderson and Son Ltd. This has now been demolished and in its place is an housing estate. My Anderson family originally came to Stokenchurch from Ashendon and ...see more
In 1954, as a 17 year old cashier bookkeeper, I started work for Mr Greenham, whose butcher's shop was near the top of Broad Street.
Some years later (in 1958), I went to work at Brewer's, the grocers, further down Broad Street. My boss there was a Mr Vaughn, who I think later returned to Torquay. I enjoyed my job at the grocers; at first I worked behind the counter, and when the ...see more
My paternal great grandmother Mary Annie Hutchinson was buried at St Michael's church on March 26th 1945. There is a reference to it in the church's Monthly Magazine for May 1945. Also referenced in the same magazine is an acknowledgement of donations to the churchyard fund in appreciation from her children, Mr C Hutchinson, Mr G Hutchinson and Mrs S Thirlwell. The last named was my grandmother, ...see more
In February 1949, my husband, Derek, travelled from London to start agricultural training at the YMCA Agricultural Training Centre at Ham Green, Pill, on a scheme known as 'British Boys for British Farms'. He arrived at Temple Meads Station, and caught a small train which in those days ran from Bristol to Portishead. Although born in London, he hated the idea of city life, so chose to ...see more
In the 1960s I took my parents to stay in a bungalow a short distance from the Warren House Inn. The bungalow was called The King's Oven, and we rented it for a week. It had been used as accomodation for the tin mine inspector when he visited the area. Sadly, it has since been demolished, but I can still discern where it used to be. While we were there, my father used to like to stroll up the road to the Warren House Inn for a drink.
I would like to visit Staindrop again sometime to see how much it has changed since 1943. I was serving with the R.Es and we were in a tented camp on the outskirts of the town and doing Army Exercises out on the Moors and using live ammunition. I remember the local Pub because all the "live" stuff was kept in the cellars and every morning we would go there to collect what we needed . I dont know what the Landlord ...see more
I found a delightful pair of sketches beautifully framed 16cm x 11cm - one of the subjects was a skillfully crafted sketch of the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone - almost identically as it appears in the above photo - it was a real place. The artist signed his/her name Judges. The second sketch is of a Dorset cottage in Cerne Abbas the year earlier. These sketches are a window to a place in a time long ago.
I was born in Annes Cafe, Boroughbridge in 1940 (we were lodging there). Dad used to have a few beers in the Crown and the Three Greyhounds during WW2. Mum and Dad told me they used to go "skinny dipping" in the "fish ladders?" We moved from Boroughbridge to Merseyside sometime between 1940 and 1945 I will have to research exactly when. Does anyone where the "fish ladders" are or were?
The Titterton family started in this area.
The Whiskin family lived in Belper until 1903. (William Whiskin-Jane Sharp)
This about the time my mother, Lysbeth Nielsen, was born in Caernarvon.
William Titterton and his son had a Butcher Shop on this street. He was a pork butcher.
I am researching my family tree and I have learned that my ancestor George Worsfold born around 1799 ran Coneyhurst Farm in Ewhurst in the mid to late 1800s. He had 7 children and a lot of other relatives also in Ewhurst and Cranleigh. I am hoping to discover more and perhaps visit Ewhurst soon.
The farthest shop on the left was owned by my grandparents and I lived there until I was 3 with my parents, Ivan and Betty Robinson. They sold prams and baby goods. My mother Evelyn Betty McTurk did her hairdressing apprenticeship in the hairdressers next door, Maison Drayton, and continued working there for some years. I remember the parade of shops as being a very busy lively place.
I believe the girl walking in the photo with the shopping bag is myself at the age of 16 - 17 judging by my hair style at that time. I recognise the skirt as one I had made myself and my walk also. I also remember the cardigan I was wearing and of course I recognise myself. I had just walked past a cake shop where my sister worked at the time, and I am looking in a jeweller's window. I would have ...see more
In 1861 my great grandmother's (Jane Chapman, nee Loveland) parents were living at the Manor House as servants. John Loveland, 65 was a gardener and his wife Charlotte 58 a domestic servant. Also living in the household at that time were a Richard (42) and Hannah (37) Kimber. He is described in the 1861 census as an agricultural labourer. There was also their 12 year-old son Edward.
As I read out the memorable words from a guide book about the low bridge in Potter Heigham, and thus to be extra careful, I was greeted with the words "Too late" as we rammed the bridge. Thirty years after this photo and we were still causing havoc!
My great granduncle and aunt managed the Bush Hotel - certainly in 1901. He was James Price, born in Ifton (Ilton?) Monmouthshire c. 1862 and his wife, Mary Pearce born in the same place C 1865.
I don't have memories of Derwent Reservoir but my Great Grandfather was a Navvy who worked on the building of the Howden and Derwent Reservoirs and Dams. He lived with his family in the purpose built village of Birchinlee in hut number 80. Derwent Valley Water Board did their workers proud by providing them with excellent accommodation and facilities. I am really proud that one of my ancestors played a part in the construction of such a magnificent structure.
I know I was doing my bit for my country at the time, but Medmenham will always be in my memory because of the great friends I made at the RAF station. It was also a beautiful part of the country to be doing my service. I got to meet some of the locals who worked on site at the time and found them very friendly towards this Bermondsey, London lad. At weekends when I was off duty some of the lads I was doing ...see more
I spent, as a boy, four years from 1970 to 1974 at this magnificent house, as it was a boys' boarding school. It was a fantastic place to be as a 10 year old, to study and grow up.
I yearn to return and see its splendid huge wooden staircase we use to slide down, its hamstone turret stairscases, and the japanese garden that we spent many hours tending due to detention!!!!
I ...see more
Just like to say I have many happy memories of rollerskating down past the green and went to school just by the church in the photograph and remember the stocks on the green. Are they still there by the big oak tree?
Sadly, I believe St Michael's Church is little more now than a ruin of it's former self, nothing like it was in the 1940's when it seemed to stand proudly on the hill watching over and protecting the small village below as it had done since Norman times: even then the inscriptions on some of the tombstones weathered and worn away so that one could only make out perhaps a name or date and ...see more
I am just hoping that somebody has got some memories of Redbridge, near Eastleigh? I am hoping that somebody might remember if there were any children's homes or foster homes in this area in the 1930s. Also I have been given the name F Pearce of a man who was a market gardener in the Redbridge/Millbrook area. Does anybody remember him? I would appreciate any help in this matter. Many thanks. Diana White, Somerset
What memories this picture brings back to life again!! I had just been discharged from the Fever Hospital having spent six weeks there with Scarlet Fever. Nothing was going to stop me from taking part in the Victory Parade especially as I had been picked as one of the colour party carrying the Guide Flag. It was a beautiful hot sunny day, perfect for the occasion. The Parade had started ...see more
We stayed in a ramshackle bungalow on the Warren and Miss Doyle, the owner, stayed in an outhouse while she rented the place to us for the week! We had the most wonderful times there and went every year for a long time. Sunny days, sandy beaches and happy times! We used to stroll up to the Gronant Arms with our mum and dad and sit in a whitewashed shed and have crisps (with the little bag of salt in) and a bottle ...see more
As a child aged 7 in 1955, I used to holiday with the Shaftesbury Society at a camp, just round the corner. The camp had several dormitories, each accommodating about 10 children. The fortnight I'd be there would be soley for disabled children and we'd have a ball, leaving our families, who meant well but the freedom was wonderful! We'd be taken to this post office by 'helpers' and buy fizzy ...see more
The building nearest the camera on the right is (was) Graham and Fishers - founded by my great-grandfather Tom. His sons Alg (my grandfather) and Spencer worked in the business all their lives, and my father Douglas worked there until 1966. His cousin Richard also spent some time in 'the Shop' before setting up his own business further along the High Street.
The scene in the photo is actually very much as I ...see more
I think it was possibly 1957 when I was at the Clock Tower seeing the New Year in! Lots of fun and no trouble as I remember.
My family's house, just off the Kingston Bypass (now known as the A3) in Tolworth, was damaged as the result of enemy action in September 1940 and my parents and I stayed for a while with my grandmother in Surbiton. Her flat was on the first floor at the far corner above the shops on the left of the photo, just before the Odeon Cinema which lay slightly back from the building line. One of my ...see more
This is where I was born in 1950. I remember being pushed in my pram into Witley to the Post Office. Although I was only a baby I remember the peace of the area. It was a wonderful place to be born.
I remember going into all these shops when I was a toddler. I loved watching the sugar and flour being taken from bags stood on the floor or counter. Everything was in sacks or bags and on display. It was so interesting going shopping back then taking our time in each shop catching up on the village news. What a lovely time to grow up in!
I remember learning to swim in this pool. Once a week we would be taken from school. After our lessons we always had some sandwiches which our mothers sent with us. I always had lettuce and marmite sandwiches. To this day when I have the same sandwiches I can see and smell the swimming pool!
My grandparents George and Elsie Wood lived on Landells Road for most of their married lives. They had two daughters, my mum Elsie and my auntie Bibby (Vivian). When my parents and I moved to Derby around 1965 (when I was about three) I only saw my Grandparent perhaps once a year so when in 1967 my mum took us to London to stay with my grandparents it was the cause of great excitement. It was one of the memories ...see more
First time on web page, co-incidently was at site yesterday 20 Aug 2006. I used to play all around the area as a young child 1970+ when the area was allotments, the current site has lost about 10ft in height due to 20 years of erosion, filling in etc. If you look to the left of the centre pillar and to the root overhang, there is about 2ft of sandstone left visible and then you are at root level to ...see more
I have fond memories of Walberton and the wonderful family that I believed I would be marrying into, but sometimes life doesn't work out as you plan. I was to be married in this church. I still miss them and their lovely village. My heart is still with them. I often walked behind the church with my dog Blue and spent many a happy hour in the peaceful and tranquil setting. Walberton Church has special memories of love, weddings, christenings. Bless you all.
I was born in 1975 and spent nearly every birthday until I was 16 years old at Thame Cottage, Portmellon with my Mum, Dad, younger Brother, Uncle, Auntie and 3 cousins. One day, when I have my own children, I hope to take them there so that they too can have the special memories that I hold so dear.
Memories of Thame Cottage; The electric meter running out, the cold shower room beyond the kitchen with ...see more
My Grandfather John Collier served onboard, 6 different occasions between 1874 and 1886.
It started when my mother was dying, when we asked her about the family history, and she gave us names and dates. Her family came from France in late 1500. They were Hugenots and they were Puritans, and were chased out of France because of their beliefs. They went to live in Gloucester, where they helped to rebuild the church in Taynton St Lawrence. We went to visit the church and it was the most exciting ...see more
My mother and her family are from Stiffkey. I was christened in the Stiffkey church in September of 1965. My grandparents lived at Camping Hill and I was always visiting them. I have lovely memories of their beautiful garden and allotment, and the many walks down to the marsh to swim in the tide pools and collect the heather. My beloved grandparents passed away in 1987, but I still visit ...see more
To the right of the photograph is a driveway into the interior of the original castle that was the entrance to Castle Farm operated by F.Elms & Sons and in particular my uncle Harry Elms. He bought the Farm in about 1930 having moved down from Bexley/Eltham area where the family farmed an area from Sidcup to Dansen Park. My main memory was of being able to boast to my school classmates that we "owned a ...see more
My memories of the heath are from 1980 when my mother - Kathleen (Topsy) Whybrow and father bought me and my brother to the heath in the summer of 1980 for five months. My parents had emigrated to NZ and gave myself and my brother a choice - a swiming pool or a trip to the UK. I was only 8 and plumped for the pool but my older wiser brother convinced me my mother needed to see her family. And so it was to the ...see more