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
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 11921 - 12000 of 36960 in total
Not so much a memory - more an update! Since Mrs Barkway sold the hotel business, the property was split into dwellings and 6 years ago my husband and I bought Swan House, the building on the far left with the flat roof. It now has a pitched roof and looks very different. In March 2012 we opened as a Bed and Breakfast called Swan House. Just one bedroom but very lovely and we welcome ...see more
Wealdstone High Street was usually a vibrant place and this photo, taken early on a Sunday morning, with no cars and few people, shows how times change! The shops on the left show Len Evans fruiterer shop, then John Collier, the men's tailor, next to Mence Smith (which became Timothy White). Woolworth was on every High Street until their closure of all branches by 2009. Next to Woolworth's was The ...see more
I have very fond memories of Crayford particularly going to St Paulinus School down Iron Mill Lane. I was just a little boy but my father's work took us all over England at the time, and unfortunately we only stayed in a town for a few months but we lived in Crayford for about 3 years. In that time I made some wonderful friends but lost contact with them when we moved from Crayford. I ...see more
The Cabin in Graham Road was a school boy's (and girl's) dream! At the front of the shop, behind the counter, was an array of jars of sweets, sold by the quarter (lb) and every other piece of confectionary or chocolate you could name: Black Jacks, Fruit Salad, Shrimps, Flying Saucers, Sherbert Fountains, Palm Toffee (banana flavour the best), Flags of the World bubble gum, liquorice sticks, etc. In the summer, the ...see more
I lived in Caversham Avenue in the 1960's near Janet, Heather, Pauline and Lorraine. I used to go to Cheam Park Farm Infants School and also Cheam Park Farm Juniors. Each Saturday morning my sister Frances and I would walk up to the Granada cinema via the sweet shop in London Road. We would get about sixpence worth of penny chews and then we would go to the Saturday Morning Pictures. It cost sixpence ...see more
I worked at Birkheads in Church street around 1967/8 in the TV department. Great old fashioned store that used to deal with the stars from St George's Hills. They would close the store and open in the evening just for The Beatles or Tom Jones. Amazing days. I remember Linda (I think) who ran the record department and Mr Connell the manager who was a great character. We sold the early colour ...see more
I worked at Shepperton Electrics just across the road from the Bull in around 1968/9. Used to lunch at Bull and had a girlfriend at the time, Anne Sink, from Acacia Avenue. Shepperton Electrics opened a 2nd store in the High Street and I moved on to work in London. Good days and memories.
I moved to the Avana cake shop on Clarence Street when I was 9 years old from The Wern, Old Furnace, Nr Pontypool. My mother became the manageress of the cake shop. My father loved the iced jam cream slices! I went to Park Terrace School where Mr Griffiths was headmaster. After school I used to go to the park and play. I remember fishing for minnows with a jam jar in the stream in the park and walking ...see more
I remember being one of the first families to move into Broad Parade (No.5) in 1955. My dad, Jim Weller, was the manager of Greens Stores, the grocers... the Wests, were our next door neighbours, with Al Milby and family at Galleon Wine Stores on the end. At the other end were a delightfully eccentric couple, Eve, the hairdresser and her "hubby" Ronnie Childs, a wholesale greengrocer. I also remember ...see more
Rosequeen 1956
I was born in St Aubyns Ave, my maiden name was Cowan. I went to Cromwell Road Primary School in the 40's. My memories include playing on Hounslow Heath at the end of our road. I went on to the Bulstrode Girls School, the boys were at the back then and we had separate play grounds. I went on to be a hairdresser in the high st, Maison Dor'e was over Lipptons grocery shop and next to a jewellery shop. I left ...see more
I remember coming back from watching United in the semi final at Villa Park and we went to Brinny Sec to watch the Hollies in the school hall. We saw them many times after that at the Kingfisher and Stockport town hall.
I remember watching Brinny play home and away with my cousin Ronnie. We used to get a lift off Ken Dean, the manager (and local barber). The team was the best Sunday league side in Stockport; Reg Adie in goal, Roy Stockton, Brian Bowers, Joey Jones, Billy Appleyard, Bernard Leggat and Colin (Farrel, I think - sorry his second name evades me for now), he was a great player who went on to play for the ...see more
We lived in Somerset Road but then moved around the corner onto Irby Road and could see across the fields to the Welsh hills. Late evenings in spring we would hear the sound of the Gypsies coming along Irby Road and turn into Fishers Lane. They would let the horses into the wheat field and make clothes pegs from the hawthorn bushes. They would then go from door to door trying to sell them. We also went to Greenbank ...see more
Just a few of my very fond memories:
Village shops – Turner’s, Vicarage Hill; Top Post Office; Mrs Jones, opposite the Swan; Mrs Jones from her front room at the end of Blacky Row; Humphreys Newsagent from their front room in Church Street; The Co-op, Trinity Street, Goodwins, High Street, the shop on the corner of Trinity Street and Ruabon Road, which had many uses, the veranda did ...see more
I played with the Midlanders Combo, it was a bit later in their career though. When I joined its line up was Geordie Quinton (my cousin) vocals, Wullie Mitchell - lead guitar, Tam Fraser - guitar, John McMononagle - bass, and me on drums. We played every weekend and during the week, I was only about 15 years old at the time so it was very exciting for me playing away in Northern England and the ...see more
My aunt, Elizabeth Stanford (nee Burns), died in 1942 in her late 30's, reputedly knocked down and killed by a motorcycle outside this pub. She lived for a while with her parents, Peter and Letitia Burns, in Wesham and later moved with them to Fleetwood. She was married in 1923 but the family have no photographs of her.
Great memories of my years as a student at Reading University in the 1950's. At that time there was only one campus, and on entering through the covered London Road entrance (on the left of the photo) the cloister-bordered campus seemed so green and peaceful, with the library and clock tower at the centre. I boarded at St. Patrick's Hall (on Northcourt Avenue), many of the students then had ...see more
My nanny passed away two days ago and she went to Parkhurst School. I was wondering if there was anyone who knew the name of the prayer that school kids memorised at Parkhurst School and would recite in class. It would mean a lot to my family if we were able to recite this at her funeral, none of us can remember any of the words of the prayer.
If anyone can assist in this please email me redhotrobot@gmail.com
My elderly mother has been telling me how her first house was in a row of cottages she thinks was called Halfway Cottages, on the corner of Terling Road and Witham Road on the way to Terling. This was her first home when she married. It had no running water and the water would be brought to them. The toilet was at the bottom of the garden. These cottages no longer exist but it would be so ...see more
The photo clearly shows the Baby Shop in the late 40's; my dad bought the large baby doll that sat in the window displaying baby clothes. It was given to me for Christmas. My mother was a very proficient knitter and it was probably the best dressed doll within miles.
A young US airman from Burtonwood died in a road accident on the bend near Barton airport. His funeral was held at Christchurch and the immediate area was choc-o-block with his comrades; even the locals turned out. This was about 1956.
Lived just to left in photo; No.97 - great days, went to Millfield.
I too, lived down Bakehouse Lane in the 50's and 60's we had so much more freedom than today's children... we had a great childhood. I have so many great memories.
I was reading on one of your pages, someone was asking about a shoe repairer, opposite 'The Red Lion' in the Bouet. His name was Len Purdy snr, I worked in Purdy's shoe shop in the pollet , from 1960 to 1965, leaving when I had my daughter. Len Purdy jnr was the manager, with his uncle who lived above the shop coming down and driving us girls mad. I worked with Elaine, Thelma, and Josie and at the back of the ...see more
Growing up in West Hanney in the 1960's, a regular port of call for youngsters was the off licence counter of the Lamb. Access was gained through a single door side door, and once inside (it was often locked) one waited for the landlady, Peggy Nash, to serve us with crisps, bottles of pop or Lyons Maid ice cream. Peggy Nash always seemed cheerful, whether serving us or just out and about walking with her Airedale ...see more
From 1950 to 1952 I attended Shrewsbury College as a Agriculture Engineering student, and was boarded at Nearwell Hostel sited on the left of the picture (the tall trees on the left were part of the garden). I believe it has since been replaced by the Library and ambulance Station? At the time I was there the hostel was run by one of the College teachers - a Mr Spurr and his wife.
Move to 31 Playford Gardens when they were built in 1955 as a kid. I remember the steam rollers still laying the main road, the new doctors at the bottom of Mancroft Ave, with Doctor Page and the open fields at the back where the M5 runs now. Good times and some great friends made there.
The shop at the top of the steps was the fish and chip shop. When I was a kid, used to get fish and chips there for 1 shilling and six pence (71/2p) on the way back from the cinema - both are long gone... good days.
I have wonderful memories of the camp when I was young. I remember my father, Jack Quant, and a Mr Gardner had something to do with the clubhouse like one of the memories I have just read. It was nice to sit outside and have a bottle of pop as children were not allowed in the club. Mr Gardner had a daughter called Beatrice and we played for many happy hours together on the beach ...see more
I was born in Northend Close and lived there till 1969. Was good friends with John Hobbs, I went to village school when I was 5 years old. My dad used to run the scouts with Bob Henly who lived in Church Street. I was also friends with Anne Ewers who lived in the close. We moved to Poole in Dorset in 1969 and I still live there now.
My dad's family lived in the Collyhurst dwellings around 1910 - 1940 not sure exact dates; their name was Hill and there were 12 in all, 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Does anyone remember any of the Hills? If so, it would be nice to hear from you. Michael's daughter, Angela.
Hi, my name was Elizabeth Yeomans, I was in the same class as Zoe, Bernadette Parkes, Caroline(who was my best friend), Dawn , Kate, Laura and Angela. Would love to hear from anyone who was also there during this time. I was 6 in 1966 when I joined the junior school, and left at the end of year five in the high school, as we moved to Suffolk.
My mum was born in Rock Street in 1921, her parents were Fred and Nellie Ashton. Although I was born in Oldham in 1946 we moved down south when I was about 2 or 3 because my Dad, a Wiltshire man, didn't want to live in Oldham. We used to visit my grandparents a couple of times a year until they passed away in the '60s and the whole environment was a complete contrast to my country life! I always say I had the best of ...see more
I well remember my wedding reception at Collinsons in April 1963. The pianist and violinist played "This is My Lovely Day" as my wife and I entered and proceeded to an upstairs room for the reception. Always a wonderful aroma of coffee near Collinsons Café alas like many Bradford landmarks; Phillip Smiths and Seabrook Fisheries... gone into the mists of time.
The photograph is of Garden Village Post Office which was then in Cambrian Ave. The couple standing together are my parents, Stan & Mary Watts, I believe the man standing on pavement is a neighbour Bob Davies. My mother was the Post Mistress here from 1942, having begun work in about 1921 in the old office at top of High St. The Garden Village office was moved to its present location, top of ...see more
I was10 years old and as I got out of the removal van I cried, I wanted to go back to London. My parents showed me our house it was the first time I had my own bedroom. We lived in Dagnam Park Drive right near Gooshays roundabout. There were no shops or schools and I had to go to Maenry Road Junior School by coach. I later went to St Edwards in Romford. I can remember I used to go by bus to Harold Wood ...see more
I remember living at No.7 Kynance Road from the age of 4 or 5 and my siblings (4 sisters and 2 brothers) we used to play children's games skipping. Then I remember going to Croxteth Junior School then Senior School.
A lot has been posted about Wandle Park but what about Duppas Hill? I well remember the gun emplacement at the top of Duppas Hill and I remember the noise they made when they were firing, I lived not a stones throw away in Abbey Road. Another thing I remember about Duppas Hill was the fact that it was indeed a hill and during the winters we had some good toboggan runs down these slopes. Oh such happy times! ...see more
I started work here when I left school in July 1974 and worked here till it closed in Feb 1975.
As a young girl my nan, Eveline Edwards, nee Elliott, lived with her family in one of the pair of cottages (the one furthest from the main road) that is now The Dogs Trust property. Later on she used to take me to visit her sister and husband, Great-Aunty Ess and Great-Uncle Joe, who were still living in the cottage. I also visited them with my mum and dad. The main thing I remember is that there was a ...see more
I am helping research for a project making a model of Hemyock Dairy. Does anyone remember details of the Dairy Loading under the Canopy, or the Station Extension which was made of some kind of block work. Was this blockwork Concrete? Please email kimrailway@outlook.com with any information. Thanks!
Hi all, was wanting to know more about North Seaton as my beautiful mum was born there. She was born in 1919 and passed away 2 years ago. She was the only child of Robert and Margaret Johnson who migrated to Australia when she was 5. I am touring Europe in June 2014 and want to visit to see where my mother came from. Can anyone remember anything about my grandparents or mother and where is a good place to stay. This means so much to me.
Started by the Moon family; anyone know the reason for the "Aberdeen"? The steam whistle blew at 8am amd again at 5pm. They had a couple of (old fashioned then) Albion lorries. My father used to wear the old fashioned stiff white collars (collar stud front and back) which used to be sent to the laundry every week. The workers used to regularly use Turners fish and chip shop in Station Road run by Everett and Mrs ...see more
Back to Mr Ottaway. One day he got fed up with returning the tennis ball, he took out his penknife and cut it up into little pieces! Just up the road a bit, towards the church was a little shop, "Puckeys" where you could buy sweets. Mrs Puckey (the old lady) was an aunt to me (great aunt), her son Ronald lived there also with his wife Winnie. My old aunt had a Pekingese dog called "Carlo". Memories! Anyone ...see more
My first paid job was working at the Boating Pool in 1956 or 1957 for the three weeks of the spring school holiday. There were two adults, the boss whose name I've long forgotten and an older man as his deputy whose name I've never forgotten - Mr Press, who at some time had been a press photographer. I managed to fall into the lake every week I worked there, get soaked to me neck despite the water being ...see more
When I attended the school, the headmaster was Mr. G.J. Lomer (George). He lived at Lamb Park in Par.Other masters were Messrs. Lydiatt, Bassett, Ritchie. Mr. Ritchie's punishment was a slap on the calves. There were three classrooms then with the playground at the rear, toilets at the end of the playground and a school garden behind that. Heating back then was the coke fuelled old tortoise stoves which ...see more
I was wondering if anyone had information around the year 1924 October? My Dad was born in Dunstable on October 7th 1924, but he and his parents and sister moved to Canada when my Dad was 3 years old. Any information/photos would be very much appreciated of that time. Thank you
I was evacuated during World War 2., and stayed with a Major & Mrs Hayward in North Perrott. I returned in 1957 and met Mrs Hayward again, very briefly. Once again, about five years ago, my husband and I visited the village and met Maurice Lane and his wife. We had lunch at the local pub. I remember the School House. Also remember the Major's house. Cannot remember the year I was evacuated. Would love to see photographs of that period.
I am amazed no one has posted any memories of Euxton as it is a wonderful place with a rich history. I have only lived here for 25 years but even in that short time realise it has been a close knit community with lots of characters, who remembers Eli Heaton? Come on Euxton, rack your brains.
My mum, dad, 2 brothers and 2 sisters lived at the bottom of Vauxhall Avenue - it was about 1963/64. It was a great place to live as kids, not so easy for my parents. We kids would collect water from the standpipe at the alleyway a few houses up and carry it back in enormous water containers - 2 jugs normally to last all day. There was no running water in the bungalow. no electricity, no toilet or bathroom. ...see more
I was christened, married and my daughter was also christened in this church. It has fond memories for me.
Will the guy who was in this home in the early 1940's please get back in touch with me regarding the photographs he said he had as I lost contact details. Thanks in anticipation.
My brother, George Machin, used to go on these boats. He was in the building trade and they used to wear heavy donkey jackets etc. Him and his mates broke up for the holidays from work with their holiday pay packets in their pockets and decided to go for a row on the river in these boats. Well of course they sank and their money got wet; my mum had to peel the notes carefuly and put them on the fire top to dry.
I was born in Perivale Hospital in 1942 and lived in Bilton Road at 157 until 1964 when I moved to Ramsgate. My name in those days was Margaret Weller. Good times in those days, we all used to hang out in the rec in Horsenden Lane.
I think the shop you mean was a greengrocers run by two brothers called Macdonalds.
I was a part timer here - it was an old Currys store. I ran the record department, largely in the evenings after school. Amazing musicians used to come & go, the shop was 'home' to Tony Knights Chessmen, who were resident at the Flamingo in Soho. I fell deeply for one Susan Morgan, who I still remember with fondness(!) I moved on into music promotion and City expanded into eventual receivership, as far ...see more
Hi everyone ..So sorry that I don't have any photographs to show you all at this stage. But, I was born on Kingsley Holt on the 19th of December 1942. My dad was Frank Rainsford and my mother, Marion Rainsford (nee James) My dad used to work at Boltons as a turner on a capstain lathe at Froghall.. My grandad ,James, built and lived in the Mount at the top left of Whiston Bank. My short term memory is now ...see more
My fist home from 1953 to 1959 was in Welldon Crescent and my Primary School was Greenhill Primary. We went to Harrow Baptist and my father was the first baby to be Christened in the "new" Church, now demolished. My grandparents bought the house in Welldon Crescent when it was new and it was advertised as for the "professional classes". Opposite the school was a sweet shop - now why was that such an important memory?! We left when I was six to move to Bucks.
I was evacuated with my mother and siblings to Thorpe Abbots during the war from London, and have many happy memories from that time even though there was a war on. The generosity of the Americans always comes to mind. To me, they were men but now, in my 76th year, I realize that they were not much more than boys themselves at the time.
I have recently moved to Suffolk, all those times and memories are ...see more
I lived in Roydon Street in the late 40's and early 50's. The names I remember are the Kirbys, the Mulhollands and Vicky Robbins who was the same age as me. Both my parents were born in Battersea, my dad's family from the Sheepcote Lane area. There was a house which had been bombed in Roydon Street and we called it the Debry and used to play on it! I remember the doctor at the top of the road and the chemist with ...see more
I've grown up and lived in Murdishaw, all my life. I've a lot of happy memories here, so many good friends during my life. I still live here an still enjoy the area, I have lovely neighbours. I now have 2 boys growing up here, also having great times.
I moved to Hoyland in 1960 when I was 7 yrs old. Our family George, Lyn ,Jean and Elizabeth lived in a house named Kirk Farm House. It was a lovely old farmhouse that stood behind St Andrews Church, Market Street, almost opposite the post office. I went to Market Street Junior school and had 1 year at Kirk Balk before moving to Sheffield. My name was Heskey and my mother was a nurse but ...see more
I just read letters from long past ancestors that state they grew up in wonderful times in Horbury. Joseph Drake Lockwood, brother, Thomas, sister, Nancy and sister Elizabeth. Elizabeth and husband, Joseph Fisher, moved to America to start a Woollen Clothing Company. She brought her daughter Francis with her. The letters are very interesting. From the years 1868, 71, 81, 85 and 91. They were ...see more
I was a toddler in 1947 when we moved to Brants Walk in Hanwell. We were living in Shepherds Bush. When I think back to the 3 bedroom flat we had, I feel we were very lucky. It was nice and I was very happy there. I went to Brentside Infants in 1951 and then to Brentside Junior Girls School. I failed the 11 plus so ended up at St Annes. At 15 I left school and got a job at Curry's Head Office in Ealing. I ...see more
I now live in this building which was converted into a house in the 70's, I think. I have been here for over 12 years. If anyone has any postcards etc I would be interested. I have quite a few, but not this one. Symonds Yat is still a fabulous place and I am very lucky to live here.
Hello people of old Goose Green, I was born at the Half-way House on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton. In 1954 we moved and came into a brand new council house in Walpole Ave at the far end of St.Paul's Ave and church. What I am trying to find out is; does anyone know the name of an old church and graveyard which used to be situated at the crossroad between Warrington Road and Clapgate Lane? There ...see more
I was a student nurse at Warlingham Park Hospital from 1964 till 1967 and stayed on as a Staff Nurse for a further 18 months. Some of my happiest times were spent there. A great hospital with good progressive ideas and treatment programs for its time. I felt that the patients there received the highest quality of care. A great community of people all interested in caring for and about each other - ...see more
I love Devonport and it has changed immensely. I am part of the Beyond The Walls Project and we are trying to collate as much of that change as possible. I grew up in the 1970's and 1980's. I love old photographs as they tell me so much about where I come from. The Frith Collection is a wonderful image bank. I am also capturing images of my own. Please email my project at beyondthewalls@outlook.com for more information.
Devonport Column has recently been reopened. This early view was taken before the Workman's Dwellings were built in James Street.
My father was stationed there until the unit was moved to France. I was born on the base in 1954 and got to travel back to England in 2008 with my son and saw the place for the first time. Thanks to a very lovely lady, Liz Tyler, we were allowed to enter the base and tour it, meant the world to me. I am trying to find old pictures of the base as well as pictures of the F86 Sabre jet that was there.
Learnt to swim there... well, pushed in - bloody cold! I have now swam all over the world and scuba dived. I have swam over to the other side of the Haven from just under the pool, then got a thick ear for doing it... grounded for a month. Still swim when I can - now do a lot of shooting.
I used to fish from the fishmeal wall when it was working, caught my first mullet there and lots of smelt to eat. When the tide was out I made a spear to fish in the stream that was left, and fish for flat fish to eat. I used to live at 93 Combes Drive... them where the days.
I grew up in the 1950s/60s in this area and well remember the local picture houses and Saturday matinees - watched 'Sink the Bismark ' when it first showed. Mum used to take me round the market then the big stores and for tea and biscuits in Lyons Cafe on the High St. Used to love going in the Co-op behind the town hall, loved the lifts and the funny old money machine they used; mum went for her ...see more
I used to play piano in The Goat on Saturday nights, I was only 15, but don't tell anyone! Wally Reid was the Governor, and his son Norman used to play drums too! We lived in Russell Road, number 69, and opposite our house was a gravel pit. We could see the backs of the houses in St. George's Road across the pit, which was quite a playground for us kids.
I worked at a large boarding & quarantine kennel for a year or two back in the late 60's or early 70's, in the Croydon area and I wondered if anyone remembers the name or even location - or anyone that might have worked there. I always thought it was owned by Spratt's but I don't know if I'm mistaken - I loved working there and don't even remember why I left.
RE: Holmeleigh Horncastle Childrens Homes and School Years
I was in the "Homleigh" from 1939 to 1949. For anyone there at that time I was always known as 'Bunny'. Someone mentioned about two boys getting to London; well, I was one of the boys and we did not go for any particular reason but the Lincolnshire Echo picked up on it and said we tried to get to the Palace to plead for Mr Vardy who was about to loose his ...see more
Myself and my brother were brought up in 50's by our grandparents as mum had died around Xmas '53. School was Camms, we joined the church choir and blessed with a decent voice I became head chorister singing various solos. Cubs and Scouts followed, Rev Branson being in charge with his sister with the cubs. Would like to get info on my mum's death, her maiden name was Morton and we all lived ...see more
My father’s family moved to Rhyl in 1891 and my mother’s family in 1925. My parents fell in love on Rhyl Golf Links. Even though they settled in Portsmouth after their wedding, family bonds held fast and we spent every summer and chunks of other time in Rhyl in the family homes of my mother in Highfield Park and my father in Conwy Street. I was born in 1935 and even though I do not remember much of pre WW2 ...see more
Looking for any photos and write ups on Coldharbour Lane, Batford schools and the Folly Fields, Wheathampstead.