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

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • 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 33361 - 33440 of 36864 in total

At last, Brent Street as I remembered it all those years ago. I would have been 7 years old when this picture was taken. I was born in New Brent Street and shortly moved to Bellvue Road. I went to Bell Lane Infant School. I would go shopping with my mum along Brent Street. I remember 'Rossins' the bakers, where mum would buy me a tiny hovis loaf, then there was 'Home & Colonials' that smelled of ...see more
I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A THATCHED COTTAGE THAT EXISTED IN ELSHAM FOR MORE 200 YRS. HOW DO I ADD IT TO THE MEMORIES OF ELSHAM?
In September 2007 my partner Alan and I moved into a first floor flat on Tideswell Road directly opposite the church. The fact that the lounge windows overlook the church was the clincher for me when I was viewing the flat for rental. I love the fact that we are not overlooked by other properties which is very unusual for a town centre property. The church itself is a very attractive building and a great ...see more
As a child during the 1970s I used to live in Burgess Hill (10 miles away) with my parents and younger brother David. I remember being very small and my mother taking us to Brighton on the stagecoach bus with our next door neighbours. Both women loved to shop and us four children had to go along for the ride. As we passed Preston Park we always counted the 'pudding trees' (because they were shaped like christmas ...see more
This is where Alan asked me to marry him on a beautiful moonlit evening in January. The weather was mild and the moonlight was shining on the sea making it all silvery. There weren't many people around, just the odd jogger and dog walker as it was a Monday night. I guessed what was happening as he was so nervous, but due to some advice from my friend Simone I kept quiet for once. He took my hands in his and gave a ...see more
1792, My great great great grandparents were married at Hackness Church. William Henry PHIBBS and Jane HORNSEY. Jane was the granddaughter of Marmaduke LANGDALE. She was also a niece to Richard Vanden Bempde JOHNSTONE's wife. Can anyone help with more info please. Also which church was built at this time 1792, Thankyou one and all. Kathryn from Australia.
In January 1949, my parents moved into Houghbridge Hall - on the winding country lane  mid way between Stones Green and the church at Gt. Oakley. I remained there until called up for National Service in November 1952, and last saw it on my Christmas leave that year during which we attended Christmas Day service in the church. Houghbridge Hall was a huge dwelling on about an acre of land, part of ...see more
The Eastman Family lived in Gt. Bedwyn from 1735. My Grandad lived in Brook Street then later at Railway Terrace, until his death in 1934. My Grandad had died several years before I was born, but I have vivid memories of my Grandma Carrie; she died in 1951. She was a tiny woman about 5ft 2ins - I was taller than her when I was 10 years old. She had very long hair which she put up in a bun on the top of her ...see more
Guy Fawkes Night could be quite hazardous, although I remember no one ever been seriously hurt, it was certainly a close run thing. Keith Bradley although not from farming parents had many relations whom were involved in farming and so had ready access to certain farming apparatus, binder twine and the like. One particular Bon Fire Night in the late 50's early 60's he had got hold of a long string of small ...see more
I lived on Seal High Street (pretty well opposite the half timbered building & the horse trough in the photograph) from 1939 to 1951. My father was in the fire brigade. In those days you auditioned to become a choirboy. The Church music was very elaborate & mostly we enjoyed it - although we were discreetly naughty, especially during the vicar's deadly boring sermons. Wide knicker elastic & tiny black throat ...see more
Whenever I heard the words "The Mumbles" as a child, it conjured up a very romantic image in my mind. According to family history, my Great-grandfather Thomas Stokes proposed to my Great-grandmother Matilda Thomas there. I can just imagine them enjoying the lovely view and sea air and planning their future. They left Wales for America in 1908, never to return to their special place. So it was especially sweet ...see more
This is not actually a memory, but after finding this photograph I just had to write and say that in the little ferry going across the River Wear is either my great grandad or great granduncle, if that is the right terminology.  I am an ancestor of James Curry who along with his brother were the ferry men on that ferry.  When the bridge was built James became the bridge keeper.  One of James's sons Reginald drowned ...see more
Ok, on Halloween night 2007 some friends and myself wanted to do something different for our Halloween night, so where better to do it than at the old Bodmin prison. So off we set at 9 o'clock taking track to the prison. It was a great evening. We spent some hours in the darkest depths of the prison and we are convinced we did see a ghost of a man in the Naval Wing, and we did some filming and we got some pictures ...see more
I used to spend all my summer school holidays with Mr and Mrs Curtis who used to live in the school house in Ickham. He used to play the organ in Wickhambreux church. I was adopted in London, and Mr Curtis was a good friend of my birth mother(I will leave it at that). I always remember the awful day that I was put on the coach outside the pub to go back to London (a place I have always disliked). I used to dread ...see more
This hill holds many memories for me, I have walked up and down this hill many times since I was a child. I was born in the village of Port Isaac and as a child I would run, walk and skip up and down Church Hill. I have a picture of my granny holding me in her arms outside the house on the left, and we used to sit on the step for a break before climbing up the very steep hill to the hotel at the top of the ...see more
My parents, Rene and Freddie Gook moved to Abridge in the mid fifties. They were eastenders who belonged to a cycling club and used to visit Abridge at weekends - their destination was Brighty's cafe. They were captivated by the village's charm, and bought one of the new bungalows, we lived at 5 Alderwood Drive. My Mum had a job in the city and would commute to work on the no 10a bus, my Dad was an ...see more
Heresay says my boat was built in the 1880s for the then-owner of the Red House at Cantley, and was called "Lama" or possibly "Llama". Does anyone have any information on owners/landlords, or boating pictures of that period? Thanks
How funny! We now own and live in this house. It has barely changed since this photograph, although it is no longer a guest house and its name is different. There are some barns and a coach house in the background which have been partly demolished; a small conservatory has been added to the left of the porch. We believe the people who ran it as a guest house were called Haywood, his first name being Cecil. He had ...see more
Went to Llanddona as a baby and still going. Every year we went in the October holiday and stayed for a week. When I was 1year old a cat had attached herself to us and as we left she jumped in the car so home she came. She passed away when I was 21, what an age. The big rock on the beach we always called Grandad's rock. now my kids call it Grandad rock. We spent many an hour sat on top. We always made a swing over the ...see more
A very short distance from Stonehouse is the tiny hamlet of Standish. Both these places have an unusual connection to my family. Firstly from my great grandparents' time in the early 1800s to the later part of the nineteenth century. My mother's maiden name was Agg, her mother's maiden name was Denman. It was Mr and Mrs Denman who lived for some years in a well built two storey house in ...see more
St Marys Church was my special place. I would go there whenever I needed to think or just find inner peace. It helped me through a sometimes difficult transition to adulthood. Although I now live 56 miles away, it is still my place of hope, and I go back there every chance I get. It's so beautiful, my very own stairway to heaven.
My memories as a child in 1955 - we moved from Horley to the new council house in Mead Avenue. It was a lovely little place, all the  liittle shops along the bus route to Horley, and the old church which since has gone.  And I loved to go into the butcher when Mr Kennedy owned it, he was always willing to help.  My father, Mr Swan, used to work at the Monotye. I also worked there ...see more
The low house was run by a lovely couple named Paul and Janet Parsons. The had a son Zach (Zacky Bongo) and a daughter, Tabitha. What a pleasant atmosphere they always maintained. Friends like the Parsons are rare and sadly I do not know where they are now. We were only a stones throw away in St. Mary's cottage. The only seperation from the pub was a very small garden and an equally small garage. I hope all is well with my long lost friends from Laxfield.
My grandmother, widowed, lived during the 20s and 30s at 1, High Street (next to The Dolphin), and was glad of family visits to assist in her invalid-style of life.  That usually meant our family, and my mother took a number of 'Busman's Holidays' each year to help her mother, my Gran.   We children became familiar over the years with the village, especially the Upper Middleton part.  My grandfather had been ...see more
I have happy memories of dancing at Sale town hall to Bert Clegg's band.  I wonder if any other surfers remember those evenings.
I was born in our house in Central Avenue in 1954. I went to Aveley Infants and Junior Schools and Aveley Secondary School in Love Lane. Many a time my sister Maggie and I have struggled home with bags of shopping we carried from the village stores. Everyone knew you and your parents. The Harmans!! It was a different world then, much nicer although we didn't realise it at that time. We loved it when the fair came ...see more
As a small boy in the 1950s I would be taken to see the aircraft at Blackbushe, then London's second airport. Blackbushe was London Heathrow's main fog diversion as it always has been one of the most fog free airports in the UK. So what was to be seen in the 50s? It was the home of the US Navy, Europe, and the spawning ground for many independent airlines, Dan Air, Eagle, Silver ...see more
Around this time I Tina Corrall lived in Longford House (the Tudor house) and have many happy memories of it. I went to school nearby and every year we had a medieval fancy dress party where all the village were involved. Anyone remember. My close friend from the village was Avril Bailey.
There was a fish shop named Tommy Cockers' I think and old Tommy used to come out and chase us with a wet, slimy fish.
Lived on a wonderful farm. The Welsh farmer living there still to this day runs this farm which has been in his family for generations. Would love to go back there again. Very fond memories of hay making, feeding cattle and horses. A Welsh neighbour up the lane, at 87 still worked his farm and spoke very little english. A wonderful old chap!  Although I do not know if he remains there.
This was a lovely quiet village when I first came here. Unfortunately, it is becoming run down and untidy. Pity, really. We seem to be having all the throw outs from other places. When the army goes (if they go), this will be a dumping ground for all types of undesireables.
My grandfather was stationed on the island "During the War"and was very friendly with a family from Arreton called Hendy. The mother's name was Lil and the father was affectionally called"Tit" (because he was quite small). After the war, my gramps and all the family visited Aunt Lil and Uncle Tit quite frequently. Tit grew his own veg in a back garden, I remember picking pea swads for him when ...see more
Seeing this photograph reminded me of the name by which we used to know this site, namely 'The Hut Grounds'. Nowadays it is mostly referred to as 'Bradda Glen Cafe', but in my childhood it was 'The Hut Grounds'! In the height of the tourist boom in the late 1950s, through to the late 60s and perhaps just into the 70s, this was a popular destination for visitors to walk to and sit outside at tables sheltered from ...see more
See memories in my album
In 1959, my father, Cecil Archibald, was employed for the summer season as attendant at the swimming pool at Spaldrick, Port Erin. You could enter the swimming pool by paying a fee, for a day; for a week; for two weeks; for a month; or for the season. This arrangement accommodated locals and visitors admirably. With dad working there, I got in for free! It was a very popular site, as it was something of a sun-trap ...see more
I believe the date of the photograph B173043 is wrong in saying it is c1955. From this perspective the Odeon should be clearly visible on the corner and its absence leads me to believe that this photograph is prior to 1931, when the Odeon was built
Janet Walker gave birth to Jeanie in 1913 at 17 Bridgend Rows
I used to live in Fobbing Road and can remember the old fire station before its makeover, does anyone have any pictures of this?
I would just like to add my memories of the Manning family. As a child growing up on the Edgeside estate in Waterfoot I remember Michael Manning from the bakers, he was a lovely man always smiling, and his sister Maria ran the chip shop on Edgeside estate where we used to go quite often. I have fond memories of Edgeside Piercy School and the park, and my old mate Steven Crew - if anyone knows where he is these ...see more
Thurnscoe was where I was born, back in 1941, and I attended the Hill secondary school, these are some of my fondest memories.
I was born in Cuthbert Road, West Croydon, next to Pitlake Bridge, and have a vivid memory of when the manholes on the bridge exploded. Wandle Park was our playground, and a fairground or circus had its winter storage next to the park. I was christened in St Edmund's Church which was also next to Wandle Park, but I think must have been demolished. On the two corners of Westfield Road, where it met Cuthbert, were two ...see more
Before becoming the home of George Harrison of the Beatles, Friar Park was run as a school by sisters of the St. John Bosco order. This was my first school and I remember having to walk all the way to the main door along the winding drive each morning, passing by the huge rhododendron bushes which lined each side.  As I approached the large arched entrance door, shown in the photograph above, I could see the ...see more
I was born in Wisbech in 1937 in Ramnoth Road, we moved to Napier Terrace on the canal until after the war when we moved to Wales. I have fond memories of living in Napier Terrace, we lived in the last house, No 37. My father was in ARP when a bomb fell on the cinema. A lasting memory was when I learned to ride a bike, I fell into the canal. We had an allotment and I remember a Mr Peachey who had only one leg, and ...see more
Tommy's chippy in Manchester Old Road had the best fish and chips in the country. Tommy and Joan always had a smile and a nice word for  everybody, and the staff were the best.
My memory of Budleigh Salterton is spending a couple of months or so at a childrens convalescent home in the spring/early summer of 1955. I revisited the town a few years back to find that the old childrens home building is now a hotel and named Tidwell Manor. I was 6 years old, recovering from meningitis and to find myself in such a wonderous and tranquil part of the world was quite truly ...see more
St, Ives born and bred, my family had lived in a couple of houses upalong before moving to 22 The Digey ( the middle door ) sometime in 1967. I remember having my 6th birthday there.  At the time there was a credit squeeze on and my parents could only afford a tiny downalong cottage even though they had sold a large house in Alexandra Road.  Back then the cheapest properties were around the harbour and my ...see more
Fond memories of Parham makes me write this, remembering the peacefulness. Surfing the Web, here I  am posting a question all the way from he USA. It was early summer 1954 and I was a Dutch farm exchange student staying with the family Kotarski on the so called "White House farm" just outside Parham village. The farmer was of Polish decent, Genec, who had limited use of one arm, the result of a war ...see more
My grandfather (A E Rahr)  donated a silver cup for competition on the Crown Green Tyldesley recreation club.  This was competed for in the 1930s and the winners were:  1933  J Baker,  1934  J Hodson,  1935 E Lythgoe and J Crook,   1938 T Farnworth,  1939  W Putter. I have just donated this cup to the Wigan Museum / History Shop and hopefully it will be preserved.  I will see if I can upload a photo of it. Peter Rahr
I visited this beautiful town while on vacation. The day before they were still filming 'Stardust'. There was a sale happening in a hall. I met a wonderful woman who was selling watercolor and needlework pictures. She was helping to support her sick husband. She signed my picture, it's at home but I think her name was Ann. I also had a wonderfull dinner at the pub. Can't wait to come back some day soon. Love the ...see more
That's the Odeon, taken from outside Hounslow West station. Great fun on Saturday mornings, when they had a childrens' matinee.
My grandmother was widowed in 1920, her husband having stayed in the Army to tend the graves in France where he succumbed to influenza. Grandmother was left to bring up 6 children on her own with little money. She was given a brand new council house (Dunain Road I think) but could not afford the rent and had to move into a 2 room flat in Balnain House. How on earth she managed I will never ...see more
I was a pupil at Ystrad Hall and would just like to say that in my time there I have some of the best memories of this lovely little town. I often wonder what became of Ystrad and many of my friends and of course staff members, many of whom were local. The Horseshoe Pass, the castle, fishing in the Dee, the Copper Kettle, I could go on. This is a really nice web site and I will be visiting it lots. Hope I hear from someone I know. All the best . Billy Crawford.
Further to my memory yesterday - I have now been contacted by Sandra. So the system works! I can now share memories of family in and around Little Sutton with Sandra. Thank you
As a child I spent many happy holidays in Denton. My Grandparents lived in the right-hand side of the gatehouse; their names were James and Jane Howell. He was a gardener at the Hall. I remember at the age of about five years old, rushing out to open the big gates for horses or vehicles to come through on their way to the Hall. When my Grandfather retired, they went to live in one of the houses that were set back from the ...see more
I remember the prefabs. I lived at Learigg Terrace from 1948 till about 1957 when we moved to the new houses in Livingston Drive. I can also remember Mortons Farm before the new houses were built, I think it was where the shops are now. My first school was Whiterigg.
Reading John Culberts memories, I was reminded of my own time at Hugh Bell from 1947 to 52. I believe Hugh Bell to have had the most significant influence on my future career together with the Southfield Road Baptist Scouts. It made me try to think back to the teachers. They were in my opinion all sound and decent men. Anyway this is how I remember them. I would appreciate any corrections or additions if ...see more
There is no corn square in Great Malvern. Have checked the corn market in Worcester and this 'photo is not of that either. Any thoughts?
I am trying to follow my family history and I am trying to find out more about  John Alfred Atkinson and Minnie. I was told that they might have owned or rented a shop, and they had a few children, one who was my grandad Alan. If anyone has any pitcures or even information I would love to hear about it . Thank you for your time.
Morecambe Bay Holiday Camp, aka Heysham Towers, in the early sixties as a teenager. The Towers were owned by the Holdens, I especially remember Derek and Jean. We were roused by the 'phantom buglar' and didn't have a minute to spare until 'Goodnight Campers'. We danced to Norman Robinson's band, and Jack Winston playing the organ. The activities were organised by Reg Kerr and Jimmy MacHugh. We had some good times in ...see more
1946, I was stationed at RAF Middle Wallop and remember the village with watercress beds. Rationing was of the vogue but next to the aerodrome was a bungalow that always supplied eggs and chips to ever hungry airmen. If anyone remembers me please get in touch. Jack Lawford.
Not only do I remember Martin Green, his brothers and his parents but I was one of the Assistant Scoutmasters under Mr. Green having been a Senior Scout with the Byfleet Group after leaving school.
I also remember Mr. Hill as I used to catch the bus every Saturday morning from West Weybridge station, where I lived, to collect the Sunday joint (of meat!!) that my mother had previously ordered by telephone. Mr. Hill had a brother (who looked just like him) who took over when his brother went on holiday and, I believe, ran the shop when Mr. Hill died.
I used to live by West Weybridge station (now Byfleet & New Haw) and presently live in Woodham, near the lock. I have many memories of the New Haw/West Byfleet/Byfleet area especially of the Youth Club at West Byfleet in the 1950's and early 1960's.
Hope someone out there can help. My Great Grandparents were called Elizabeth and Thomas Jackson. They are buried in St. Pauls, Hooton. They had 4 children, Thomas (my grandfather) John William Jackson (killed on 20/7/1916 at Delville Woods on the Somme - he served in the South African regiment); Mary Josephine Jackson; and Hilda Jackson - they all lived in Heath Lane, Childer Thornton ...see more
I was born in St Peters St, Islington, 1935, bombed out late 1943, with nowhere to go, had a makeshift home in Aloysius College for a time until we were given a place in 4 Montague Road, Honsey, N8, that's where I knew what it was like to be hungry. I remember to this day with my three sisters & mother given different colour tickets to show at the YMCA to prove we were homeless, waiting all night to have a nice ...see more
Born in 1944 at no 2, Waterworks Cottages (later 123, Slough Road) on the corner of Castle Avenue. I have vivid memories of the floods, though only three at the time: Mother, Father, Sister and Self were confined to the (very small) upstairs for many weeks, as when the water subsided, downstairs was of course thick with mud and assorted unsavoury objects! (no main drainage in those days). Mother had only a single gas ...see more
It was such a delight to find our house so clearly captured by the photographer in this composition! The barns pictured to the right of the church were bought by my husband and I in 1998. Originally they were grain storage barns, and in later years the village barn-dances were held there. They were converted to residential in 1983 by the previous owners, and run as a guest house.  We have shared 10 happy years here in ...see more
Interesting to see this picture though I don't think that by the 1960s Ightham was ever this free of traffic except early in the morning. The building in the centre of the picture was a petrol station and provider of all sorts of bits and pieces. Was it run by Mr Arthur? My father would drive down there (with me in tow) to find whatever he needed to keep the lawnmower and other garden equipment going as well as ...see more
Good to see DeMontfort Hall as it used to be. It was a great venue to see bands there. Once the small blues clubs had ran their course bands needed larger venues to ply their trade, De Montfort was one of the first, I saw Rory Gallagher, John Hiseman's Collesseum,Yes, Sutherland Brothers/Quiver and never to be forgotten Free (when they reformed briefly) the last band I ever saw before the modernisation of the ...see more
Born in November 1942 I was christened, confirmed and married in St Mary's. My father cleaned, stoked the boiler, wound the clock, and cut the grass. I in turn sang in the choir, served at the altar and rang the bells and stoked the boiler when dad was at work on night shift, a spooky experience in the dead of winter for a young lad. I married in 1966 and moved away, visiting until mum and dad moved to Oakham.
To be honest this isn't a memory, more like a discovery whilst compiling our family tree with a new-found family member Jim (also James) Sadler. My G.G.G.Grandad was James Sadler, born 1815, father of 5, Lock Keeper from 1845-1885 or thereabouts. When he died in 1885 his son Thomas William Sadler took over. Maybe if Thomas had any sons then the Lock Keeping may have stayed in the family? As ...see more
My husbands family were from Bascote. His ancestor Edwin Markham moved there as an ag labourer in the 1870s. His wife Maria died shortly after, and he married again. He had very many children, and used to drink at the Fox and Hen pub - the landlords were witnesses at his wedding! Sadly his cottage, by the pub, has been demolished, but his children all stayed local to Bascote when they grew up; one of his sons died in the Great War, and is named on the Bascote Heath memorial.
In 1918 my great gran's father Samson Roberts, a horse dealer, was injured during a horse race on the 'Golden Mile' near Aberkenfig. He died of his injuries at home in Dunraven St, Aberkenfig. His wife, Mary Ann, was a tiny lady and they had 11 children. Samson and Mary Ann's daughter Celia Attewell lived on the same street and her husband was killed in WW1 in 1918, in the same year Samson' and Mary Ann's ...see more
I grew up in Cuddesdon and spent many happy hours playing in the surrounding fields. My family moved up to Parkside (No. 15) from The Park houses in '56 when I was 2. I don't remember living there although a trip with mates down Redman's Lane, turn right and pass the crab-apple tree, then on towards the river was a regular summer jaunt. The water from the spring was so refreshing - much more pleasant ...see more
During the thirties in Elsham, keeping healthy was very important. Yhe health service didnt exsist, all we had was orange juice and cod liver oil. Our cottage was very damp, one of my sisters died from pneumonia when she was just 4 yrs old. Many old residents also died from pneumonia, it was known as the old mans friend. The Elsham people were extremely poor. Everybody grew their own vegetables, that was the ...see more
I was born on the 28th March 1947, into an existing family of 5 siblings in a one-up one-down decaying terraced house of 12 Russell Street, Teams, Gateshead, just off Upton Street, near to the coke works, the gas works, the rope works and every other kind of filthy polluting business on the banks of the Tyne. We ended up as a family of 8 children by the 1950s. My father was Leslie George Bull and my mother - ...see more
I have an old, undated photograph labeled "Roman Bridge and Aqueduct, Cefn Mawr WH316". In the background the bridge looks like the one in the Francis Frith picture. In the forefront is a lower stone bridge with water flowing under it. Are both structures standing to-day? Lois Wilson Ontario, Canada
My mother, Phyllis Hughes, was born at 10 Well Street in September 1906. I wonder what is there now? She was brought to Ontario, Canada as an infant by her parents, Charlotte (Jones) and Edward William Hughes. They were hired as farmers and remained in Canada for the remainder of their lives.
I am old enough to remember this fantastic view from Greenwich over the Thames. it was a GLC 'protected view' ...until they decided to build Canary Wharf. Now it is very different . Shame !
This was always the Maritime Museum to us as children and still is today. I was fascinated by this museum, especially what were called Nelson's Relics. It was his pigtail I always wanted to see. It was displayed in a case with other Nelson memorabilia. When did they cut it off? Who did it? Why is it there? Why did he have a pigtail anyway if he was a man?  I am sure there were much more educational exhibits ...but that was my favourite !!