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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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 8241 - 8320 of 36957 in total
Can I post a few memories of Wimbledon's 4 cinemas. I was born at the Nelson in 1943, and lived locally in Woodside until my early twenties. Just after the war the town had four cinemas. The Odeon in Worple Road was the largest and best, but there was also the Regal at the further end of the Broadway, opposite the junction with Stanley Road, which was another large and imposing building. Opposite was the much ...see more
I was at the vindi deck from November 55.a cold bleak place .always cold and hungry but the friendships made then were binding although I have not met any of them again.the memory is still there .and I would go through it all again.i.houghton R645315.
can anyone help me please its driving me round the bend .years ago my father told us of the actress daughter of the vicar of cwmtillery can anyone remember her name many thanks
I got Marred there on 24th March 1965. It was a beautiful hot day for the time of the year, I was born in 1946 in Dudley Drive and went to school at Hatfield. I used to love playing in the woods, climbing trees and paddling in the stream. I remember listening to the band with my mum and dad on a Sunday (we wold take a picnic with us). I have lots of memories. When I got married I moved to Streatham and the the following year to Swindon.
I played here in the 1940/50s for many hours. Damming up the stream to make a large deep pool to paddle in. Under that tree we would hide special pebbles pretending they were jewels. One little friend fell in the stream everytime she went to play. I could also climb that tree, which was not the easiest. Other times I would try to walk all the way up the stream without going onto the grass. I was also lucky ...see more
The year must have been approximately nineteen forty nine and I was twelve years old, I was attending Broseley Church of England school which I disliked immensely;[or is that a boys natural dislike] I must admit I did like going when Mrs Briscoe was taking the class as she was my very very favorite, A very motherly teacher which I think I have previously mentioned,
...see more
I was born in Queen St 1942, at No 19 ,opposite the Engine Hotel. I can still see the horse & drays lining up from the top of Queen St all the way down getting loaded up with goods & parcels from the railway yard, and me & my Mam going out with a bucket and spade,after they had gone on their round's, collecting what was left by the horse's for the garden !. Going into the chippy on the corner of ...see more
I can help you big time with this. I have family Tree for Luke Jr (might also have been know asn John) and Alice Gilliland. find me on Facebook or message me here
I started work for J R Ashall Ltd. in April 2nd1956 Easter was early that year and it was snowing as I reported their offices.I waited outside in the snow I was wearing hand me downs that was all except my under ware, I had not top coat I was cold and suddenly an apprentice bricklayer didn't seem such a goo national service lads doing their 13 weeks training. The job was replacing the wooded piers supporting the huts ...see more
We lived from the late forties until 1957 in the Council houses at Crookhayes, The fields behind our houses were numerous and we used to enjoy watching the cows gadding about. The hedges surrounding the fields were great for the children to play in camps hollowed out of the hedgerows. In the summer a labourer came to cut the long grass behind our houses with his scythe. It all seems so idyllic now ...see more
hi there,
my parents allso lived in collyhurst,
were they owned there house and coalyard,
there names were loretta and charles wood,
they sold the house and bought a house in blacley(13 old road)
but my dad drove daily back to the coal yard,
my elder brother tony got burnt and died at a very younge age,1964
and then approx 8 months after this,my farther died 1965,
i have no clue about my farthers side and ...see more
My mother and father were married in St Andrews garrison church in 1944
Mum was a cook in the NAFFI and my dad was stationed on the camp after coming back from France following Dunkirk with damage to his legs
I moved to Plaistow from Leytonstone with my parents and sister. I went to Napier Road School for a short time then as we lived on the other side of Plaistow I was sent to Portway School which had just been built. From there I went to Holbrook Road Secondary School until leaving in 1957. I lived in Milton Road which was off of Stratford Road and near Pelly Road.
I was married in St Mary's Church (now demolished) in 1957 and left Plaistow to live in Wivenhoe near Colchester.
i would love to hear from anybody that might remember Arthur George Heal he lived in victoria cottages in terrace road Binfield unfortunatly he passed away in 1959 any body that has any help to give me as he was my Step Father we spent some time together with my Mother but as time goes too quick any photos would be a help to my memories..I would like to add that my mother then Mrs Edna Heal passed away in June 2005 Thank you for any help Tony Whitlock..
IWAS BORN PATRICIA ANN MACHON IN HOVE SUSSEX IN 1943 BUT CAME TO LIVE IN MAESTEGLOVED MY STAY IN MAESTEG AND MADE A FEW FRIENDS THERE, I WENT TO PLASNEWYD IN 1948 AND MET A FEW GOOD FRIEND THEN WENT ON TO LLYNDERW SCHOOL I THINK I KNEW SANDRA SHE IS AROUND MY AGE,, I ALSO HAVE RELATIVES BY THE NAME OF STONE AND I BELEAVE THEY LIVED IN MAESTEG I STARTED MY NURSE TRAINING IN 1961 IN A LOVELY LITTLE COTTAGE HOSPITAL, LOVED ...see more
On the right opposite Dixons Cameras was C&A. I think Henry Cooper's greengrocers shop was somewhere here too - does anybody remember? Used to see him in the shop Saturday mornings.
Can anyone recall the Herbert Ingram memorial statue being vandalised ? possibly about 1968 or there abouts, possibly an council or or a retired worker will recall this occasion and provide more information to the writer.
Please reply to briangolland@gmail.com
Posted to JSSC Latimer in 1962. One of the first RAF cooks to arrive and to take over the OR's Mess from the Army. It was my first time on a multi service camp, but not the last. I remember that there were very few buses into Chesham and no transport to the tube station in Little Chalfont. The co op hall in Chesham for the dances 4 times a week and have a few beers in the Lamb over the road, it was a proper 4 ale and spit ...see more
I also lived in Northdown Road from 1950-1967 . I then moved away but when my Dad died in 2006 I moved back to my old house in Northdown. The range of shops is not so good now ,but I wouldn't live anywhere else .Like a friend I also remember the Twisted Wheel,but can't remember exactly where it was,any ideas? I went to Fosters School,does anybody remember the Maypole?
I lived at Felstead, the house which is in the foreground of the Anchor pub from 1947 until about 1957 with my sister and mum and dad.
My cousin lived in the bungalow seen before Felstead.
Wonderful memories of living there!!
I was in curtis house and fattys first night the whole Curtis had a riot and smashed all the windows, Mr Farrel got us out of bed next morning and made us all stand outside in just are underpants. best 5 years of my life
I was born in Andrews Close in 1969 and wondered if anyone remembered the Lorelei cafe at the top of Queens Road opposite the Pink Clock Boutique which was owned by the daughter of someone famous. My Mum and Dad owned Gingers in the 70's on Princes Road.
like you my sister was born at Semen's, in May 1944 with our family living in Bradford at the time. I was born in 1942, but on Killinghall Road Bradford and like you we have often wondered why Mum went to Ilkley for the birth of her second baby.
Ilkley became a place with lots of happy memories, Cow & Calf Rocks, Ilkley Lido, the riverside and in later years the shops and cafes.
Pauline nee Coomber
Does anyone remember the Cochran family, Frankie , Kathleen and children Kath, Michael Colin and I think there was another girl Terecia.
I would love to make contact with them they were my auntie and uncle and cousins.
Thank you for reading this.
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for taking the time to email your memories,yes that was us my parents were profoundly Deaf and sign language users, unfortunately I don't remember you :-( but it's nice to hear from someone who remembers us ,do you rember the family surname Rodgers that lived in Anton Drive?we had a good family life there ,did you know any body that worked in canterbury Side-cars coner of Avontar and Arisdale ...see more
I was there in the convent along with my 2 sisters from 1955 to 1959. I truly sympathise with the children who experienced the terrible suffering as we did whilst placed there. My auntie was a friend of the nuns and instrumental in having us sent there when my mother was unable to cope. Josie (my older sister) was 9 years old when we arrived and fiercely protective of us. I was aged 6 years and my ...see more
my name then was healey,i remember going to school in the village and going to church three times on a sunday,my brother also Terry was evacuated just in the next village,Friday at school was that we could take any toy..i remember swimming in the pool and falling from a tree ,my baby brother also was evacuated during the later war years with mr and mrs rideout ,I have a picture of shillingstone station on my wall oh I remember lots
rodney firth ...well ....yes Les taylor had his camera with him all the time he must have had 100s of photos ,kind regards Selwyn Harris .Sheffield UK
My father was a Dental Surgeon with his practice at 2A Ashton Lane on the first floor over the William and Glyns Bank on the corner of Washway Road and Ashton Lane. This is directly opposite the Bulls Head Inn. My father worked from 1938 until 1972 when he retired.
i would like to hear from anyone who lived in amies st or went to lavender hill school, I was born there
in 1946 and moved on in 1966, marion Shakespeare.
Wingate is ok to live but the people are odd,,when you move here the people want to find everything about you,,this is unusual and very weird,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Hi My Grand-father John Ralph Cantell started his Royal Navy career on board this ship. 22nd May -4th June 1886. He served until 1908, had a few years off! and then was called up for WW1, and served from 1914-1919.
I lived right opposite the Theatre Royal in the 60s and remember going to see the panto Aladin with Salway Road school it was wonderful. I just loved wandering around Boardmans store in Angel Lane and going into the little bungalow furnished with all mod cons. The hat department upstairs and walking around the balcony and looking over and watching the customers below. They had such beautiful clothes etc. we had to go ...see more
My father, Joseph Spielmann, served with the US Army Air Force attached to the Signal Corps during WWII. He often spoke fondly of his time in Cottesmore. His unit was housed in a manor house which belonged to the widow of an RAF officer who was shot down over France. She opened up her residence to the American troops and they were there until an outbreak of measles at which time they were moved to another ...see more
12th of may 1959, not a warm day, and it was a Monday...strange day to get married? cant remember why now.
Lived in digs in Tannsfeld Rd. for a while, moved away for a few years..... then lived at 26 & 28 Venner rd, before they were demolished, so sad... they were strong solid houses.
Sydenham always seemed to pull me back, but I am now settled in Sevenoaks in sheltered housing.
My maiden name was Duckworth...ring any bells for any of you oldens ?.
I was posted to Burniston Barracks as a newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Pioneer Corps in 1958. Our task was to clear the Fylingdale Moors of unexploded munitions. Unfortunately we experienced the deaths of several soldiers on the Moors on the day I arrived. In no time we had ambulancies on site as well as helicopters on stand by. It was a satisfying job which had to stop each time the fog ...see more
Anybody remember the head master we called wee bud. His name was Mr Niell I think.
I lived with my parents and older brother and sister at 68 Cambridge Road from 1964-1968--some of the best years of my life. My best friends were Ann and Alan Massey.who lived down the street and right across the street were my parent's best friends, Roy and Judy Lethbridge. I remember visiting a little sweet shop every week ran by a man and his daughter. They were very kind and always put an extra sweet or two ...see more
Came across this place by accident - glad I did.
I spent the first 11 years of life down Hawson Street, before moving to Aldham House Estate. I can still remember the "old gas works" the other side of the canal, and the glass works not too far away. Getting on the steam train at Wombwell West for the annual Station Lane WMC day trips to Cleethorpes. Playing cricket & football in ...see more
my name is Richard sargent,I was at Pinehurst in1961/2.
had a happy time there as oldest boy,left when I finished school at 15.
I think there where about 15 boys there in my time,I remember the grounds
which where large with chickens and a large veggy patch,and the lawn was
big enough for cricket and football,also enjoyed playing and cycling in sandhurst.
Sad to say I cant remember any of the other boys ...see more
In reply to Jean Shaw....I also lived in Robert Hall Street, I think we were neighbours. Was your mum named Georgina, if so, I remember going into your house as a child many times and seeing your big dolls on the sofa. Also, if I am right, you loved Doris Day and had all her records. I loved going in your house, your mum used to let me look at the dolls, but not hold them....they were the old fashioned breakable dolls. I also went to Mount Carmel school, from 1951.
I lived in Coalville in 1940. My father was a Police Inspector and we lived at the Vaughan Street Police station. There were two flats, the other was occupied by Dad's Sergeant. The Court used to sit upstairs in another part of the building. I went to Bridge Road School, starting as an infant. I remember that there was a non-performing fair that was marooned in Coalville at that time - the fair's heavy vehicles had ...see more
iwas born in holmfirth valley hospital in july 1944. my name is judith rowley and i had a sister jean.my mother mavis and my father jim.we lived in south lane,then moved to a lovely house called cliftonville but cant remember the road name.when i was about 7yrs i went to wooldale primary school. i would love to hear through this sight if anyone remembers us.
Hello, my name is Dave. I lived in the Pastures until the age of eleven from 1950 to 1961 and attended Upper Broughton infant school. I'm finding it difficult to obtain any information about the Pastures or the school and would like to hear from anyone who either lived in, or has information or memories of this area. Thank you
i remember walking from st.leonards church to school.
ilived miles a
way in tulse hill. Tony metcalfe.
I lived in Church Road from 1956 til 1970..and my parents continued to live there til 2000 . I remember going to the zoo and crying at the caged lion..can't believe the animals lived in such small cages . The town is so different now...we used to have our groceries delivered in a little red van from a shop called Wallis's on Victoria Road on a Friday night ...it was owned by 2 sisters .There was a butchers on ...see more
Hullo Folks from Richard Starling here in N Devon
Born in Victoria Street, Hemsworth in 1948, I must thank folk from my birthplace for my community and working values. I'm able to enjoy a prosperous retirement thanks to the work ethic which was the bedrock of the community.
Equally, my 6 siblings have prospered.
I'm hoping that this memory Is seen by other folk who may remember, or have heard ...see more
Does anyone remember Gower's the florist 148 Queens rd
I lived there from 1946 to 1954 it was a family business my
father carried on from his parents. My best friend was Patsy Woodcock.
Does anyone remember.
Norma Gower Mechaly
During the 1950's my grandparents Mary and Jack Holder lived in the railway cottages at Griseburn. My grandfather worked in the signal box and I spent summer holidays with them. One had to leave the road, go down a cart track to Horn's farm, leave your vehicle, cross a stile and walk the path past the signal box to the cottages. The other cottage was occupied by a man called Milner. There was no ...see more
I remember visiting Milton Court many times in the late 60`s and early 70`s as a young employee of National Employers Life, UNUMs predecessors. There were many mysterious stories about Milton Court, partly, I believe, as a result of it being owned at one time by the author Denis Wheatley.
The names of many of my colleagues at the time come flooding back, Jack Shaljean, Arthur Hounsome, Gordon Webster, John Burton, Derek ...see more
The ice cream parlour was at the back of The Princess Of Wales Precinct in Dewsbury, it is now a car park, what a complete waste of a lovely business, but the problem was the family refused to sell the recipe to anyone else, what a shame it was the best ice cream you ever tasted, bring back Caddies. Sunday's were never the same. SuSan
I believe the cottage in the bottom right hand corner could be near my birthplace? If it is, it is one of two cottages on the hill leading up to the church from the village and just below the cemetary? The house belonged to my Aunt , Kate Scutt, whose husband was a tailor, by trade. The field to the bottom left I think was called "The Scouts field" and the curved stone wall ...see more
I remember Bordon we lived in 10 Island Quarters with our twin baby boys before going to Malta.
I believe I am in this picture, pushing my son Martin in his pram in 1967.
I was born in the Cottage Hospital in St George's Road Aldershot and so were both of my children. I was married in St Michael's Church and I still live in the town.
Susan Lightfoot/Harris
My first memory is when I was a toddler playing in the paddling pool with all the moms sitting chattering on the benches.
When I was about seven (about 1972) I was allowed in the big pool but I could only just stand in the shallow end with my nose and chin sticking out of the water.
There was a big fountain as you paid your 5p and went through the turnstile. A café sold drinks and ices and beyond that was a ...see more
We stayed in a caravan at the camp in the 1950s
Had to scramble down a very steep dirt track to the beach
I learned to swim in the Baths late 1940s
and In early 1950 went dancing every Saturday night at the Spa
I used to go horse riding from the stables near the station
The Houses with their "victorian" balconies are distinctive, and the Halfway House building can be identified in the middle of the picture. A lovely walk on a windless summers day - absolutely deserted during the winter bad weather save for a few hardy, masochistic souls.
During the summers, 1946 to 1953 I used to cycle along here heading ...see more
A great view of another of the old Tram Stations, which had become Bus Shelters, and places for sunseekers to enjoy the view out of any wind.
I see from Google Earth that the structure has been greatly modified, and has now in 2014 become a Beach Café.
No doubt at all about this location.
The Facility was renovated after the neglect of 5 years of war, but was never very popular. One had to pay to use the swimming pool, but the paddling pool adjacent on the Elizabeth Rd. side was free.
The dark line across the shore, with the dried-out boats beyond it - is the concrete protection to the Lifstan Way ...see more
In 2014, across the road there are tennis courts, and from Google Earth it looks like a thriving Sports Centre.
If there were tennis courts on that site in 1963, hardly anyone was using them then, - my memory remains of an "under-used area" originally intended for the luxury houses along Thorpe bay Gardens, behind to the North. Tennis tournaments ...see more
In 2014, across the road there are tennis courts, and from Google Earth it looks like a thriving Sports Centre.
If there were tennis courts on that site in 1963, hardly anyone was using them then, - my memory remains of an "under-used area" originally intended for the luxury houses along Thorpe bay Gardens, behind to the North. Tennis tournaments ...see more
Location clue - the glazed, cream-painted passenger shelter atop the sea wall, originally built as the Terminus Station for the Esplanade Trams, then taken over by the trolley Buses and bus services later, when the tramlines were lifted around 1938, and the Corporation extended it's public transport services all the way to Shoeburyness.
Location clue - the passenger shelter originally built as the Terminus Station for the Esplanade Trams, then taken over by the trolley Buses and bus services later, when the tramlines were lifted around 1938, and the Corporation extended it's public transport services all the way to Shoeburyness.
The sign to the Car Park is the main location clue, - along with the blocky concrete structure alongside the Shelter, the sloping timber launching ramp for boats, and the beginning of the drainage-outfall's concrete protection just visible in the sand. I used to swim from here quite a lot in the late 1940's, early 1950's, as did a lot of other just pre-teen schoolchildren. There was a convenient Bus ...see more
From the location of the semi-circular bastion which is situated halfway between the Lynton Rd. and Burges Terrace junctions with the Esplanade, - and the width of the beach, - even at this small scale I'd say this was taken looking Westwards, from a spot somewhere close to the Junction of Thorpe Hall Avenue with the Esplanade.
I remember the coffee smell as one wandered up the high street. Someone on this memory board has asked what was it called. It was called: Coffee Importers, because that was what they did. You could buy beans or have them ground there and then, or buy the packets ready ground, or even have your own preferred blends. A favourite blend of a friend of mine was Moccha & Mysore. I thought it the height of chic!
A ...see more
My grandfather William Howard Tomkins-Russell was the Rector of Thrapston, and died of pneumonia in The Rectory in 1941. My uncle Anthony was born there in Feb 1931. My father Hugh grew up there, along with his elder brother John and elder sisters Margaret and Helen. Naturally, the family left The Rectory after the death of my grandfather.
As the classic 18ft long local dayboat classes became more expensive to build and maintain, there was an explosion of smaller, cheaper racing dinghy classes all round the UK, postWW2. Though the local Thames Estuar-y and Essex- One Designs continued to race from the Alexandra Yacht Club, younger members were racing the new dinghy classes, Enterprises, Fireflies, ...see more
This Picture was taken by someone on the Pier, above the roadway. The shops to the right were known then as Palmyra Terrace, IIRC, and the little sunken amusement park to the Left had been renamed by then from "The Shrubbery" to "Peter Pan's Playground".
IIRC, the "Westcliffe Belle" was a conversion by Johnson & Jago, Boatbuilders of leigh-on-Sea, of one of the big sailing yawls or ketches that had worked off the Foreshore pre-WW2, giving excursions out into the Estuary to see the very busy Shipping.
I remember this motorboat working from the first Beach Pitch to the West of the Pier, from the ...see more
This picture shows the beach and the Eastern Esplanade at the Thorpe Hall Boulevard Junction. The elaborate shelter was built as the Thorpe Bay Terminus Waiting Room for the Southend Corporation Tramways before the Esplanade Line was linked with the Bournes Green Southchurch Rd. Line by a double track running between the two points, along what is now the green-way centre of the Boulevard past the Thorpe Bay Golf Club. ...see more
I remember a black smith in Barkingside which used to be next door or near the police station.
We used to watch the old smithy shoeing horses etc. Does any body else remember the old smithy?
David Trasler
On the right of this photo, opposite the Town Hall is the ABC Forum cinema, where I and my brother and sister along with lots of young children used to go on Saturday mornings to see a cartoon, a western, a Superman or Flash Gordon serial or a comedy. For the grand sum of 6d (2.5p in today's money) we were entertained on a Saturday morning, to get us out of our parents' way for an hour or two. We would sing the ABC minors ...see more
I was born at Green Roof Chase Lane and then moved to Sutherland Road as a 2 year old. The council houses had just been built. I have happy memories of attending Tittensor primary school which is now Old School Wines. Mrs Beech used to see us safely across the A34 which was a single carriage road at the time. My Gran lived at Rockside Cottage and I remember many happy times walking along the Green Drive in Tittensor. I now live ...see more
Spent many days on summer hols with cousins at gran and grandad hills at croftswood the broadway walthem road mum was josephine had a brother james and sister babs if i get it right across the meadow the norrigtons farmed further up broadway mounts as in
peggy the actress had a farm
I went to Dearneside school,then worked at Bolton Hall. I loved to go jiving at Wath upon Dearne
every week end. Yes the good old days.
Who else remembers 1959 with fond memorys.
Mary Handyside
Yes, I remember this view very well. My father worked for the Eastern Electricity Board, which is pictured on the right of the picture. I was 15 at the time. I would like to know if the EEB is still there and does anyone else remember this picture around this time?
My parents operated a shop and a stall in Surrey Street from just after WW2 until my dad's untimely death in 1960. My mother kept the stall until 1962.
They sold yard-goods and drapery fabric but during Summer when ladies were out of the house more and not sewing as much they sold ladies cotton shift-dresses and in December when people were busy with the holidays they sold Xmas items, slippers and chocolate-covered ...see more
This photo shows a view from the 'top' of Surrey Street market and my father was a trader there from just after WW2 until his untimely death in 1960.
He operated a fabric (yard-goods and drapery) shop and during the good times had a stall outside too, then in leaner times just a stall.
The crowd seen in this photo is gathered around a stall operated by Charlie Robery, he sold many and varied items from the pitch, ...see more