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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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
Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:
...and hundreds more!
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Displaying Memories 19121 - 19200 of 36862 in total
I was an apprentice bookbinder at the Griffin Press on Osborne Road between 1969 and 1975. While there, I met my wife Gloria('nee Fowler') who worked in the stationers shop of Hughes and Son Ltd in the town. I remember Sheila Smith, who lived across the road from the Griffin. I remember watching the Riverside housing estate being built from the Griffin. I have very fond memories of my time on Osborne Road and Pontypool itself.
My Grandfather, Harvey Madgwick, was a broom squire,and he lived in a cottage down in the bowl (as my mother related to me). It was a hard life for these people, but my mother(being bought up by her grandparents) told us many times of the broom squires and their children who lived there.
Thanks for this photo. This was my family's home for a long time. Dan
My grandfather Jim Long, including my dad Les and brothers, plus helpers, walked the sheep from Westover Farm to Winkle Street to wash the sheep every year. It was a big event in the village - all the villagers and children. It was usual for one of the kids to fall in.
I was born in 1951 and lived with my parents Gladys and Bill Thompson at 39 Nansen Road until I married in 1970. The Queen Vic pub was my parents local and I remember the landlord at the time being an Irishman called Pat, who allowed me to sit inside as long as I was well behaved. I also remember clearly a small shop opposite the end of Nansen Road - Cox's - where I would spend my pocket money on sweets ...see more
My Grandad is Owen Jones! (I'm Elaine's daughter). Grace and Owen are still in Paignton. I'm seeing them tomorrow and have printed out your comments. Nana loves talking about the good old days!
Does anyone have any memories, information or better still any photos of the cycle shops in 1950's Welling? Two of them were Holmes of Welling on Wickham Lane/Welling Corner and A.F.Mills in the High St. There was another, I believe, in Station Rd called Harlows. Do any of these names prompt memories?
I was born in Tithe Barn Road in 1953. When I was about 9 and 12 some mates and me noticed this small building that looked like a small house. A pointed house with no windows, just a solid oak door with 3 bars at top of door, always very dark inside & nobody told us nothing - only it was a jail. As it had woodern beams we could see writing carved in the wood, so after a lot ...see more
I remember Dreamland because I used to hang out with Derek and Brian Brenner whose father manufactured and ran racing machines there. You would sit in front of a sloping board and roll balls through holes in order to advance your car towards the finish line, to win a prize. I was going to St Lawrence College in Ramsgate,and as my parents were in Sudan,North Aftrica, the Brenner family let me hang ...see more
1974-1975 I was a French assistant at Westlands School, Plainmoor in Torquay. I would often rent a cottage located in Woodleigh Road in Gara Bridge. This cottage belonged then to Mrs Wadstein who had a charming son named Charles.
This family was extremely friendly and generous to me and I had a wonderful time at their place. I remember that a weekend cost 5 pounds!
After living in Paris for 12 years and ...see more
From our home in Kent, we went every year on holiday to Babbacombe during the 1950's and early 1960's. We stayed with my 'Aunty Amy' and 'Uncle Matt' at their boarding house, 18 Perinville Road. It was the most magic time imaginable. I can't remember it ever raining! It must have done, of course, but it seems as if the sun was always shining. We would spend the morning on the beach - usually Redgate Beach (now ...see more
Looking for Jim Munday, born at the QE hospital, Sheriff Hill in 1950. I have family information for him re Robert Hall of Sheriff Hill.
Rob Hall, Katy, TEXAS
I was christened at St Giles in 1950 and lived in The Grove until I got married in 1972. I went to Breakspear Primary School and then Vyners. As a boy I was always playing in the woods by the river Pinn, building camps and rope swings across the river! No close parental supervision then. We were all able to play as "boys"and learn from our mistakes. We had no tTV until I was ten and I don't remember being ...see more
I was born in 44 Leazes St 1941. I remember playing in Burdon st with our gords and top and whips. My nana who lived in 36 Leazes St. used to send me to toddys beer shop for her jug of beer. I carried it back with a plate on top to stop it spilling, I used to have a sip of it - tasted horrible. When I was being a bad lad she would tell me Sandshoe Joe will come and get me. We moved to Bensham in the 50s. ...see more
Does anyone remember going to the pictures in the “Memo” run by Mr Jones?
He always stood in the foyer. After queuing outside, up the slope, through the glass doors and straight in front was the shop, 3d for some “woodies” (woodbine cigarettes). We always sat down stairs at the back for 9d. and two films.
I can also remember Mr Salisbury’s hardware shop which smelt wonderful.
Looking at the photographs it ...see more
I lived in the property behind the cross until the end of '59, there was no window top right at this time. Photograph (ref: H434002) most likely early 1960s.
My previous memories caused quite a bit of interest and several people who either knew me, or the area got in touch. I thought I would add a bit more to those memories. I mentioned how close we were to the bombing range which the RAF had fenced in. Some ten thousand acres were involved and after the war the RAF kept a small bomb disposal section to deal with unexploded bombs. They were based at ...see more
I was born in Glossop Terrace Hospital in 1962. Whilst growing up, I spent my days in Splott and Tremorfa known as Michelle Ursell. Going to Splott Park alot and around Splott Rd and Clifton S. Life was alot different then to what it is now, it was alot safer then. I lost alot of contact with loads of friends as they all grew up and moved on. It would be nice to know how all my friends are getting on now ...see more
My first memories of Salford are living at 40 Moorfield Rd - just down the road was Holy Angels Church. I went to the brownies there and remember doing the maypole on the green outside the church. I went to St Johns Primary School on KIng St and loved it - Miss. Palin, Mrs Izod, Mr Powell, Mrs Griffiths and Miss Pomphret !! We used to be sent to the saw mill next to the school to get sawdust and wood ...see more
I lived in Leeds from birth in 1958 to the time I left in 1977 to seek my fortune in London. Still here but as poor as when I left Leeds all those years ago.
Lewis's for me was the best shopping store in Leeds I used to go there when I played truant from school occasionally and loved going up and down the escalators from basement food hall to toy dept on the 4th floor.
I went back in 2010 after all those years ...see more
My family moved from Cwmfelinfach to 20 Millbrook Road, Pontllanfraith in 1948, a brand new house, with an indoor and outdoor toilet. Our next door neighbour was Mr and Mrs Tiley, who had two sons, Terry and Robert. My early schooling was spent in Pontllanfraith Infants, then the Juniors and Primary. Our play areas were down the mill, the field by the vicarage and Lovells, the stables. Across the common to ...see more
I lived in Union St flats, Amanda Ave. I will never forget my roots, and the best childhood you could wish for. There were 7 of us best friends, we played out all day and night without a worry in the world. Kick can, raillivo, marbles, british bulldog, hopscotch, you name it we played it. Best neighbours in the world, used to play on Mancunian Way, when they was building it - great time. Lived there from ...see more
I have wonderful memories of the Ponds, I would go stickleback fishing with my Dad armed with a jam jar and fishing net on the end of a bamboo stick. Bread for the ducks was always good too, half for me and half for them. I got married at the beautiful All Saints Church in 1983 and the picture (apart from the constant flow of traffic) doesn't really look any different, although the house in front ...see more
Hi All, Anybody have a link with the surname Edwards in the following villages, Acton Burnell Cound Coundmoor Frodesley Pitchford Cantlop Would love to here from you, Best wishes Pete Edwards,
I was born at no 3 Melville St in 1947 - which is long gone but not forgotten. The row of houses used to be opposite a butchers factory with a large store adjoining High St. My grandfather used to keep pigs in the garden across the road and every year or so used to kill one - and the whole row, no 3 to 12 were involved in this process - everyone used to get a share. There was a bus garage halfway ...see more
Childhood memories of Felmongers from 1953 to 1973. Playing in the woods, the park. attending Tanys Dell School annexe Mark Hall. Mark Hall Secondary Modern School, and friends that I am still in contact with from those days.
This where I lived wih my parent's Anita and Les Franklin. We lived in, what was Dawes the breakdown people's shop, where the shop used to be (i think). That was my parent's bed-room, as far as I can remember.
I used to go to Sacred Heart in Gorton.
We lived at No 2 Barton Avenue, our back yard backed directly onto the beer garden of the Vale Cottage. I can still remember the smell of the empty pale-ale bottles.
My sister Kathleen also went to sacred heart.
My mum and Dad, Margaret and Arthur, used to get a couple of bottles of beer on a Saturday night and we would get a bag of crisps with the blue bag. What a treat that was. ...see more
I joined Kettering Tyres in Newton Road in the late sixties, as assistant to the late Cedric "Tiny" Guilford - "Tiny" was a larger than life character in every way - twenty-odd stone and with a personality to match.
The Socialist Minister for Transport , Barbara Castle, had just introduced a new law requiring tyres to have a minimum depth of tread - our problem then was not selling tyres but being able to get ...see more
My old school, unchanged when I was there in the mid/ late 70s. I returned for visit in 2007 old building unchanged then as well. Memories of wooden school rooms, chalk and those cranky mobiles from NE8 onwards.
Hi,
I was born in Old Lane at the bottom of the road in 'Oakdean', as it was called then. I had many happy times running round the village in the many woods and fields. I had 2 sisters and 1 brother - our surname is Moss. I had friends with whom we used to make go-carts and sledges in the winter. We used to make tree houses in the woods and it was just a childs playing paradise in those days, and looking back I ...see more
I remember going to the Gaumont Saturday morning pictures. My mum also worked as an usherette in the evenings sometimes.
Born in 1947, I grew up on Babington Road, Streatham. I remember the Home Guard a few houses up and Robin Hanson and I would play on the search lights left over from the war when we were four or five. There were three bombed houses on our road all at the top near Ambleside Ave where we would play. I went to St Leonard’s primary school. Mr. Sopper was the Headmaster and then Charles ...see more
I was a pre nursing student in1962 at the South London Hospital for Women. As part of our course I was sent to work at Woodhurst for 6 months, prior to beginning my S.R.N training.
Woodhurst was the convalescent home linked to the Sooth london hosp. Ladies were sent there for a couple of weeks to recover from surgery. They had excellent care from the nursing staff & the local GP called regularly to ...see more
I was born here on 14th January, 1958. The midwife was called Rosemary, which is my second name.
This photo shows the shop where I was born in the 1950's - my mum's name is on the sign above the shop, June Veronica Hicks. The photo must be after 1964 as it was my dad's,John Hicks's Newsagents shop & that was the year he died. There was also a shop just showing on the left behind the black & white buliding which was a baker where the bread was baked on site & that was run by Frank Hicks who was my ...see more
I remember attending the weddng of Christine and Tony Cutland. It was a fantastic affair as most of the guests were from a construction company called Turriff . I would love to see Chris and Tony again. I do know they had a daughter named Holly & I do know Christine came from Burntwood and they live in Lichfield now. Chris and I used to drive down to a place called Wing near Leighton Buzzard every ...see more
My family bought property between Colliers End & High Cross - about 5 acres. My dad used to stop there for tea after having biked from London to Cambridge and stopped on his way back to London. The acreage comprised a lovely two-storey house, a poultry farm, barn and woodland, restaurant with gazebos & other buildings for teas and dinners. The house stood on its own down in a dell. You ...see more
My Mum and Dad owned the Orange Cafe on the Staines Road West but when I came along, they moved to Green Lane. My brother and I had many happy days down on the Island in Lower Sunbury, both using the pool or swimming in the Thames. How the Cross has changed over the years. I remember when you had to drive round the old Clock Tower in the centre of the road. Also taking the 90 bus to Staines or the ...see more
I went to live in Huddersfield in 1964, having been in Poolsbrook fom being born in 1944. I went to school with Ann West, Mavis Bannister, Margo Frost and Barbara Budworth. We had happy times. Doing all the things that girls do.
I would like to be able to contact them, but don't have their married names !!
My Grandmother rented a cottage (Era Goch) during the war and I went to live with her as a sort of evacuee. I used to attend the one room school in Dwyran. I played with my friends on the beach. I don't know how we did not drown as we would go to Newboroug Warren as it was called then and played in the gullies when the tide was out. I remember Quirt Farm where I was chased by a mother pig. A dairy farm at the bottom of ...see more
We moved from Northumberland to Collyhurst after the war. My Dad worked at Victoria Station and my Mum got a job at Phillips Soles and Heels. We lived on Knoll Street which was next to the railway and had the gas works at the bottom of the street. At the top of the street was an old man who had a wood shack with a fence round who we called Chippy, he sold firewood. In those days we all had open fires. I ...see more
I have many fond memories of the Legion in Grendon Road Polesworth. It was demolished sometime in the 1980s, does anyone have any pictures of it or its members and committee, Many thanks, Neville
I was born in Penygraig in the 40's. I remember Churchill's garage, somewhere near the labour club.
Does anyone remember George St, where Milwall's shop used to be? Also a chip shop was nearby.
The best 2 week camp I attended - great training area. Also off duty time spent in Tavistock, lovely little market town. One night attended a dance in the townhall (upstais if I remember), met a local girl there her name was (is) Sylvia, happy days.
Happy days as a boy and a man, we were a big family of 8 boys and 1 girl - always noise and lots of people in our home. Our parents were the best, many memories.
My nan, Beatrice Wareham used to live at Dovas cottages and we used to come and spend our summer holidays with her. My Aunt Jane and Uncle Mickey Hevele lived at The Borough and my cousin Elizabeth used to work for Mr Birch. My Aunt Jane still lives in the village. I can remember going to the shops with my nan and passing the bootmaker. I seem to remember my mum (Rhoda McGonigle) nee Wareham ...see more
Santa Lucia Hotel was owned and run by Marion Olive Barkway, better known as Miss Bee. Marion was my grandmother and we used to visit every Sunday afternoon to help out with evening meals. When I was small I remember standing on the sun terrace fishing and gazing out onto the river. As I grew, I got into canoeing and used to keep my canoe there climbing over the wall to get to the river. Marion had a succession ...see more
I was an R.A.F. Police cpl. from 1948 - 1950. Met many good friends, also my wife who was in the W.R.A.F. signals. Would be very interested to hear from anyone who remembers Bill (Don) or Toni. We would like to hear from George (Bob )Brockwell in particular, his wife Peggy, or his daughter Carol. My wife and I have been married 61years had three sons and now live in Melbourne Australia.
Aged from 5 to 10yrs old I lived in Cunningham Road. I attended Beachfield Boys School walking the kilometre or so, through the back alleys and home again, this was all right in the warmer weather but quite a task in the winter snow and ice. I remember the gas lamp lighter coming round each evening to switch the lamposts on. After school the children in the area used to play marbles in the street and ...see more
I have fond memories of Ebbesbourne Wake. During 1957/8 I lived with a friend in a cottage on Mrs Hiscock's Hillside Farm where I milked cows. I socialized with other teens from the Bowerchalke Baptist Church and we often led Sunday services in chapels in the Chalke Valley. Without a car we accessed the cottage late at night by clambering up the footpath that leads almost directly from the centre of the ...see more
Can anyone remember Meeting Street in Ramsgate? I was born there and would love to see an old photo of the street.
It's been years since I have seen this photo. I can remember a market there, also a cafe where in them days of the 1960's was where people would listen to music and drink coffee. Anyone remember?
When I was a child I went to a Sunday School here in this school. Wonder if anyone can remember the Sunday School or even went there?
I went to this school when it opened in 1965 and was very new. I remember doing gardening and cooking using new cookers. Our uniforms were brown and white or lemon. I was thinking about it recently when Davy Jones died as we were all Monkee fans. My father was in the army and we lived in the village for 6 years. I sang in the church choir and went to brownies and guides. I left towards the end on 1967.
January 1977.
The rain was almost horizontal that day, ice cold too, as I walked towards the hut at the delivery wharf of the Ford River Plant in Dagenham, Essex, I thought to myself that it really could not be any worse than this.
It is odd, the human brain, well, mine is anyway. That moment is an indelible memory locked in my particular timeline, the nineteen year old apprentice, almost ...see more
The miniature railway was built by a Mr Dove and his family and I know this as they
stayed at my parents hotel, The Fairhaven, and we had parts of the trains in the garage.
Mr Dove and his family came from the Derbyshire area.
My mother Gwen Clayden worked at the Ritz cinema during the war years, and spent many evenings on the roof doing fire watch. As a teenager in the mid sixties I remember many shops along Darkes Lane including Woolworths opening (in the late 50's I think) Delmars Record Shop and the Embassy Club. Boddies Sweet Shop, Baldwins Bike Shop and a very old fashion chemist on the corner of Manor Road. Thurleys Toy Shop, Singer ...see more
I would like to point out that the old school ,both Infant and Junior, are still standing, as yet .They are both in a sad state of repair. I too, have some real vivid memories, some happy and some, not so. I attended Eustace Street School from 56 - 61. I remember my first day at the school too.
I was born at 81 Cowbridge Rd, Pontyclun. Parents, George and Gwen Edwards were in rooms with Tom and Bertha Anstey. In 1936 went to Pontyclun School, lots of friends there, Ray Wigley ,Don Summers, Norman Ellis and Percy Edwards. Was in Air Cadets, also played rugby for Pontyclun with my cousin Brandon Edwards and the likes of Brian Evans, Mog Watkins and Noel Alleyn. Only one season, think it was 1958/9 ...see more
Every year I look forward to the Wimborne Folk Festival in June. After two days of busy performances I try to find time on the Sunday afternoon, of my return home, to do some local sightseeing and one of my favourite places to see is Badbury Rings. Now in the care of the National Trust it is well preserved and the size of the circular ditches is amazing - maybe some 40 feet or so. Just ...see more
The Speyside Steam Railway is a Heritage Railway which runs from Aviemore to Boat of Garten. I visited in May 2010 with my wife Elizabeth and sister-in-law Margaret on an organised railway touring holiday of Scotland. I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail given to the way in which the station platforms had been "dressed" at Boat of Garten. There was a "sit up and ...see more
Just found out my great great grandparants, John and Hannah Kyte lived there. John's occupation was horse carter. Hannah's maiden name was Huberd.
Anyone remember the trolly buses that went up Eastwood Boulevard and along by the Albany Laundry?
MY first memory of"LLan"was driving down the hill from Swffryyd, to my new home at No.6 High Street. My father Thomas Hughes, with my mother Eileen, had purchased Barttlets Grocery Store,a long held wish of my fathers to own his own grocery business..after early years as a grocers 'lad' and enforced war years, ensconed in the centre of birmingham as a tool maker turning out precision parts for the ...see more
When I was a small child, I remember the remains of an old ducking stool by the large pond which was at the Queen Street side of the park.
I used to live with my dad in the mid 70's at 210 b Ripple Rd. Ii used to be terrified of a fair haired girl who seemed to wait for me on the landing just below the top flat where we lived, she wore victorian clothes, I felt her often in my bedroom too! Francine Hodges, nee Solomons.
Further to my other memories. I have just found a picture of My Father & I having just returned from Brick Lane. Everyone knows Petticoat Lane by Aldgate East Station.
My Dad avoided it because he thought it sold mostly tat. We would always go further on to where all the Debris around Brick Lane were situated. On these ex bomb sites were 100s of stalls selling everything from China-plates (seeing those ...see more
This is the Pinner village scene as I remember it from my schooldays. The photographer is standing close to the junction of Chapel Lane and Bridge Street looking up the hill towards the Langham Cinema. Chapel Lane on the photographer's left leads under the Metropolitan Railway Line Bridge and to the entrance to Pinner Memorial Park where I fed the ducks by the pond both as a child myself and later ...see more
My email address is brettgavin54@gmail.com, I am two years younger than you, but went Chandos St Boys School, we must of seen each other. Did you have a page boy hair cut,(blonde) when 10 or 11? I'm not sure this site comment is genuine, anyway, if it is real please reply.
My mum worked at the Prompt Corner Coffee Bar for many years and my sister and I used to go in for our tea most days. We knew many of the regulars, but as I was pretty young most of the names escape me now.
Mum also worked as an usherette at the Regal, and we went to the cinema regularly. She also worked in the greengrocers near to the Importers Coffee Shop (not a cafe) but what it was called I don't ...see more
I first came to stay in the area when I was about 4 yrs old, I was born in 1951. We stayed in a tent on a farm just outside Llanrhaeadr on the Pistyll Falls lane. The farm was owned by a man called John Jones, his wife and they had a daughter called Della May. We used to call Mr Jones "John Willy Ice Cakes". I do not know why but we did. I was chased by his huge Gander down the field. I remember their ...see more
I remember when I was about ten or eleven, we used to camp out in the back field behind the flats in Rockford Avenue, four or five of us in a two-man tent. After a rough nights sleep we would get up early in the morning and send one of my younger cousins and his mates to pinch some milk, eggs, and bread from the doorsteps after the milkman and the bread man had delivered them. Then we would cook a big ...see more
This is a faked photo! Stone 56 is upright only because it has been drawn in on the negative - the clue is that Stones 21, 22 and their lintel 121 had collapsed before stone 56 was straightened in 1901. (If you are not a Stonehenge geek that probably was too much information!)
The original photograph was also used as a postcard, but I guess that when stone 56 was straightened in a welter of publicity they ...see more
Hi, my dad went to Scottow School, he was born in 1938 and lived in 8 Scottow Row. Was just wondering if anybody had memories or photos of the school and the class. I now know my dads old house has been made into one big house. Thank you for your time, Melanie Faulkes.
I remember St Alkelda's, such a lovely church
I was priviledged to be given a guided tour of the Bank of England Printing Works at Debden. I had just started work at the Bank in the City in 1963 and my tour formed part of the induction process for all new staff. Our group of a dozen new staff were given directions to take a Central Line tube train from the Bank station in the City out to Essex where the Bank's Printing works had been ...see more
St Patricks Open Air School Hayling Island. I went there to get strong enough to have an op' to remove my lung. Didn't like it at all ! The girls were great and had good friends, but it was quite harsh and I found it very strict, almost to the point of unbearable, but it certainly toughened me up ! I can remember Sisters, Bertha, Dorethy, Raymond, John Joseph, & Paul, not ...see more
I remember going with my mother to the cafe after visiting Outpatients at St Andrew's Hospital, after a stay there for an operation on a 'trigger thumb' - I was only 6, but I recall that the cafe did a lovely ham sandwich & glass of milk. Many years later, I visited the same building, which by then had become the Polash Indian Restaurant - the food was different, but just as enjoyable !
Not long after we moved to be near my new job in Glasgow, I took a few days off work so that Elizabeth and I could go sightseeing towards Oban. We took the train from Glasgow, Queen Street to Taynuilt for nostalgic reasons as Elizabeth had spent many childhoold holidays there in the 1950's. It was early December 1975 and my Glasgow colleagues tried to talk me out of making the trip as ...see more