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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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 35041 - 35120 of 36864 in total

Clara Pine was born in 1891 at Shute Farm in Lower Town, Malborough (see other photo). Aged 3 years she went with her Mum and older brother to America where she met her Dad for the first time in New York. Another brother was born but the young family returned to England a year later. Elizabeth Pine and the three children returned to Malborough to live in the cottage in the photo - on the ...see more
Florence Pansy Muggleton born in Grantchester 1920 can trace her family back to her great, great grandparents Joseph Muggleton and Mary Ann Boutle who married at Grantchester church on 17th January 1822.  Flo has many memories over the years of the village.  She moved from the village in 1945 but still kept in contact via her family.  If anyone has any queries about the village pre 1942 she will try and help you and can be contacted via her daughter Gill Casper at gillian.casper@ntlworld.com.
My forebears came from the village of Harpford. In the Tithe schedule of 1839 Joel Carter rented the small cottage in the centre of the photo and also the cottage on the far right (which had a workshop at the back.) Joel was born at Podbury's Cottage (then a farm) which I think is at the back of this photo - certainly Podbury's is the main subject of the other Harpford photo. In the 21st century all ...see more
My late father worked for the Pemberton Estate as a tractor driver from 1946 to around 1958. I offer below, in his memory, an extract from the tribute I composed for his funeral in March 2005. But, there was another love in your life, by the name of Allis-Chalmers. And you spent many hours alone in her company as she ploughed each field with furrows. As a child I’d sometimes ...see more
This picture evokes a strong memory of attending church with my brother when we would only have been 9 years and 8 years old. Walking together come wind, rain, or snow. One Sunday morning particularly stands out in my memory, which was when we were sent off, not adequately dressed, thick snow on the ground, both freezing cold, but looking after, and, looking out for each other.
My Mother was born in the flat above Mortlake Fire Station in 1899. Her Father W.O.Knight was the Officer in charge. I lived there until approx 4 years of age and can remember the two fire engines and many details. The building is still there but has been converted into offices.
I grew up in Mitcham, born in 1976 and left there in about 1997. I feel like I have two Mitchams in my head - the old and the new. I felt a link with the place because my dad had grown up there and my grandad had links with Morfax and ran his own engineering company in the town later. My dad shared lots of memories with me about his growing up in the town and so I had a real feeling of place and continuity. During ...see more
When I worked for Samuel Jones the boys in our office played cricket against a team in Cookham Dean and we girls went along as support. What a great place this is!  I remember a lovely village in lovely countryside - must be a nice place to live.  I didn't realise at that time the connection with Wind in the Willows but that just about sums it up.  I hope its stayed much the same.
The picture is taken from the footbridge and show the rail tour on about 3/9/61. There were two. This one is the one I travelled on hauled by GWR 2-6-0 5306. I rode on the footplate of the engine from here to Cirencester. The other one was hauled by 7808 Cookham Manor.
I attended Warnham Court when it was a school.  It remained a very good school right through to the 1990s when it was closed and revamped in a rather horrid way and sold off as individual flats.. some houses were built on what used to be our classrooms and others built along the beautiful drive that had a fantastic pinetum on either side of it.  It was surrounded by the beautiful deer ...see more
It rained. It truly rained absolutely all day. Although Whitethorn Morris were booked for three dance spots in the street plus an Arena show there was no chance whatever for either the dancers or musicians of the Whitethorn Band to perform as planned. We took shelter where we could, standing in doorways, shopping mall entrances and we finally took refuge at The ...see more
I remember visiting Trelawne House during the annual fete, in what I assume must have been the summer as it was warm and the sun was shining. There were copious amounts of cakes and cream teas with a never-ending supply of tea on tap, served in cups with handles through which you could never fit your finger! I seem to remember spending hours, well at least minutes, in trying to hook ducks out of a paddling pool. I was ...see more
This was my high school from 1960 to 1967. I particularly remember the school dinners and the extensive playing fields. Back then we had 3 hockey pitches, 3 hard tennis courts and 13 grass courts. Not to mention the air raid shelters. Since I have lived in Australia since graduating from uni I wonder what remains of those facilities now?
I was born in Springfield Road, Old Oxted in 1951.  I attended Beadles Lane School and Oxted County Secondary School.  I recall Old Oxted High Street when it was the main A25, before the by-pass, when the village shops consisted of Deans the shoe repairer, the post office that sold everything owned by Kath Cox, the butchers, greengrocers, general store, the dairy, Hilliers the bike shop and of course, four pubs and a ...see more
These pictures bring back delightful memories! We spent a week of our honeymoon in the 16th century mill at Lydia Bridge.  Across the lawn was a view of the brook and early spring flowers.  We stepped outside to the sound of the waterfall across the narrow, winding road.  From the bridge on closer inspection the waterfall was spectacular.  A path along the brook led to the ancient church where we wandered around ...see more
My great grandmother was born in Great Houghton in 1868. She married Charles Neville and moved to Swanscombe in Kent. She had four children at the time of the 1901 census, the eldest of whom was nine. All I know is that her name was Lizzie! I need to do some research to find her maiden name and to see if any relatives of "Lizzie" live in the area. I now live 20 miles from Great Houghton, having been born in Dartford, Kent. She and I have crossed paths!
I was born in 1950 and attended the convent as a boarder, leaving in 1958. I travelled by train with my mother from New Street station Birmingham to Paddington station London where the convent nuns met up with us and the other schoolchildren for the journey to Bridport station. We used to have long country walks during the summer and I can remember going to a place covered in long fern vegetation in ...see more
manor of Highnam by Tom Fenton
The woods behind South Entrance were our playground. I lived at 5 South Entrance and knew every nook and cranny, and in the spring I knew where every nest was. Names that come to mind are our neighbours Julian and Christopher Chilvers, Doreen, Christine Mattinson (or Matteson) then David Nettleingham, Cookie, Richard Green, Colin Thomas.  Our biggest secret was the old well, through the far end of the ...see more
The large house to the right of the picture is called Barclay House, it's also St Keverne garage.  We moved there in late 1979 and lived there for 3 years, having to leave it behind and move back to the north west due to family problems.  We bought the house from Pat Johnson who had lived there with her husband. Looking back now, it's heart breaking that we had to leave behind this idyllic, beautiful part of the ...see more
I lived on the border of Belvedere and Erith, just off Parsonage Manor Way and used to travel to Erith by bus.  I remember as a child of about 8-10 taking the 122a into Erith to go to the Odeon, Saturday Morning Pictures.  I seem to remember it was 6d downstairs and 9d upstairs.  I cannot recall what I saw now, but this was an important time for me as it began an interest in cinema which has lasted all ...see more
The Tower also had a bowling alley and the restaurant was a Chinese.  As a teenager I worked up enough courage to ask a girl for my first dance at the Tower's ballroom.  We used to park our motorbikes outside the "Bluebird Cafe" opposite and had the odd pint of scrumpy cider for Dutch courage.  I was very sad to see the Tower demolished as it had everything a teenager needed for a good night out.
I was born at 55 Pattinson Town about 20 yards from the chemical works which manufactured products from asbestos.  Most of my mother's side of the family worked at the factory and have since died of asbestos related diseases. I am surprised that no mention or photographs exist of this factory.  I used to pass through the village green going to Washington Glebe secondary school.  The school had terrible ...see more
My grandmother and all her children except my mother were evacuated to this area during and for some time after WWII.  I have a picture taken outside what I believe to be the post office.   I think perhaps it was on this street c1950.
Grange Farm was the place to go for all teens.   You could swim or just hang around with friends.  To get there we walked across the fields and over the bridge across the Roding.  Now of course this place is no more.  A great loss.
St John's Church, Loughton is a lovely church much loved in our town.  I was married there in 1963.
In 1949 when I was six, my two cousins and I were sent to Burnham Beeches for a holiday. We lived in the East End of London. We loved it there, it was summer and very hot, to play all day in the fields was such freedom. The family with whom we stayed were called Walters they lived in a converted Nissen hut . The eldest child was named David, also a younger girl. The father worked in a sweet factory which ...see more
This view of Courtenay Park is quite poignant for me.  It shows houses at the lower end of Devon Road and also the land on which Egremont Terrace was later built. My parents lived in no. 10 Egremont Terrace from the late 1930s until they moved to St Dunstan's Road in 1970. We had a splendid view over the estuary from the balcony of no. 10 and sitting out there in the summer was like having an extra room. ...see more
As someone who was born in Courtenay Street, Salcombe in 1941, I have a fairly good knowledge of local people. The man on the extreme left of the picture in waders is Larry Prinn or Prynn, the one on the extreme right would appear to be Ian Cooper. I recognise the central man in the group- I think he may have been ? Distin (Eric Distin's grandfather).
My late grandmother, Sheila Clifford (Bagge) Evans, grew up at Gaywood Hall. I was very close to her and she shared many stories of growing up in this area with me. I live in the U.S., specifically Arizona, but hope to someday travel to Norfolk. posted May 27, 2007 by: Cristi (Barraza) Watson
I was evacuated from Dagenham during the war with my sisters Joyce and Pat. They lived with the schoolmaster Mr Pearce, whilst I lived with Mr & Mrs Norris Tinylogs, Lily Lane. I remember working with Mr Frank Hazzard during my spare time, who was a wonderful man. Our time in Templecombe was made happy and memorable by the villagers who looked after us all.
Can anyone help me. A book was written on Barkingside about 2 years ago but I have not been able to get a copy can anyone help?
I have lived in Fullwell Avenue, Barkingside all my life. I was born in 1949. Who remembers where in the high road was W H Smith or Pollacks or where Sainsbury's was orginally? How about the garden centre that was opposite the old police station.  Mossford Garage was where Somerfield is now. What about Fance's the bakers? And Eastwells the greengrocers. How it has all changed but not for the better.
The tall young chap in the right-hand side of the photograph was my grandfather, Leonard John Yeoman. He also features in a photograph taken in Higher Town.
I grew up in Combpyne but I remember that we used to have a van that came up to the village from Musbury 2 or 3 times a week with everything any body might need from paraffin to bread.  I remember the man who owned the post office then was called John Fenner.  My Mum and Dad always had a friendly banter with him.  I recall my mum teasing him and calling him butter fingers because he was always dropping things. ...see more
The text to the Egham photographs calls Egham uninspiring.  What it may lack in architectural merit (although there are gems if you look closely, perhaps an architect would care to enlighten the readers) is more than made up for by its place in history as the location for the signing of the Magna Carta by King John in 1215.   This took place at Runnymede.  There was a major celebration in 1965.  This took place on the ...see more
We moved to Egham in about 1955.  My father had been born in Medlake Road in 1920.  We lived in Oak Avenue, Egham Hythe in a house built in the 1930s.  I attended Egham Hythe Infants and Primary and later Magna Carta (on both its sites - Egham Hythe and Manorcrofts - it is now just in the Hythe).   In those pre-M25 and M3 days Egham was a much quieter place.   The High Street was much as it had been in the early ...see more
I was born on the 23rd March 1947 in my grandparents' home, Hope Cottage to the right of the Sun Inn and next to Lloyds Bank.  Nurse Caines was in attendance.  To the left of the Sun Inn lived Lord King ex chairman of British Airways.  In front of the pub was a pond that was filled in when the village went onto main drainage.  The village boasted six shops, two petrol pumps, a bank, two pubs, a social club, village ...see more
After a day down the front we sat just around the corner of the Donkey just past where the cars are.  It was a great summer evening and we were just finishing the day with a drink.  I thought it was the right time to ask her dad if we could become engaged and he and my future mother-in-law agreed.  Another milestone in my life happening in Holland-on-Sea.
My first holiday with my future wife and her family.  We sat on the sands by the cafe as we didn't know how to hire a beach hut.  That was the start of an association with Holland-on-Sea for me that is still going strong.  I can't get down as much as I used to, but my daughter has a caravan on Valley Farm now so when my health lets me I do go down with her.
I too had an aunt who lived there.  In its time, it has had a house on top of the tower and a house on the wall attached to the left.  The house on top by then had disappeared. Through the archway was a line of small cottages with large front gardens.  This was known as Adam and Eve's Gardens.  I used to go through here to get to Friars Lane where my grandmother lived. Further to my previous statement, this ...see more
I was born in Hornchurch in 1934, but my mother, father and myself were the first residents of 121 Warren Drive, Elm Park.  My brother was born in the house at 121, in 1945.  This is the last view I had of the street, as we left in a taxi, to sail to Canada in 1946.  Made a brief visit to Warren Drive in 1956.  I remember queuing up outside Meyers Greengrocers with my Mother to try and get a few oranges in 1940.  I also ...see more
Dear Paul, I feel I should know either you or your brother but don't.  However, the Youth Club was originally Little Sutton library and prior to that the reading room.  I remember going there to choose my books from a very young age.   I participated in decorating it when it was gutted and became a Youth Club.  It was very busy on its opening and I had to serve behind the "bar" i.e. coke, orange etc.  As I ...see more
My parents Arthur and Hilary Cork bought their house in Towncourt Crescent in 1927 from Mr Coleman for £1000. Twice a day I would walk to the station to go to school at St Dunstan's in Catford. In those days there was the Daylight Inn and only two shops, Willet's cafe and Nelson's newsagent on this side of the station. The walk along Towncourt Crescent was always difficult in winter because of the huge ...see more
My 4th Gt grandfather was Michael Breckinridge--he died in a storm at sea c 1808.  He and his son, Michael (married to Elizabeth Shrewsbury---her father and husband both shipwrights), were both Chief, Cinque Ports. Some of the (then) cousins, surname Hiller, were born IN the North Foreland Light.  My 3rd Gt. grandfather, Edward William Breckinridge, who married Mary Ann Adkins of Ramsgate, Kent, sailed to ...see more
I was stationed at Bushy Park with the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960 and I have many memories of Hampton Wick, most good but some not so good. I never ever thought I would forget the name of our favorite pub and taxi service but alas I did. We would walk down town and congregate there at the pub. If I needed to get from point A to point B, all I had to do was call for my car. It was ...see more
This street had changed little until the mid seventies. Today the street is still recogonisible with several of the buildings still looking the same style, but under new ownership.
My memories of Kessingland was us catching the coach from outside the bakers in Stotfold (my home town), travelling down via Newmarket, passing the site where a young gypsy boy had been killed many moons ago.  We would then get to Lowestoft bus depot where a minibus would then take us into Kessingland.  We would get to the pub on the top of the hill where you could look down and see the sea and an old boy ...see more
Pridgeons Ltd, in Garden Road, Abbots Langley was our family business from the 1940s until it was sold in 1972.  My grandfather Cyril Pridgeon and my grandmother Dorothy Pridgeon started the business. Then my father and mother Peter and Dorothy Pridgeon took over.  It was a grocers.  I used to help my parents during the school holidays and really enjoyed the experience. Once ...see more
My mother Doris Saxby attended this school.
I was a cadet on HMS Worcester 1957-1959.
My great grandmother, Mary Ann Shuker came to Manchester from Chirbury in service as a maid.  She married my great grandfather, Ernest Edward Chorlton and they must have returned to Chirbury to be married because the family bible states they married at Chirbury Church on 22nd December 1888.  I always thought she came from Wem - but this is quite a way away (for those days).  I would love to find out more about her ...see more
I lived in Cranborne for two years from November 1963. My father owned the shops at the far end of the terrace in this picture and the building immediately facing, although it was derelict at that time. My sister and I were enrolled in the local secondary school that had opened two months earlier.
I lived in Mounts Road for the first eleven years of my life and spent most of my days exploring during the summer holidays, espcially the cows field at the rear of our house as there was a tunnel in middle of field where the old railway used to run.  We were told stories of how the tunnel caved in and the train was buried.  One day my friend and myself went down to explore and there sticking out were the ...see more
In this aerial view the early stages of Swan Walk's construction are visible, along with Albion Way that is near completion and which was opened the following year by the Queen. Between the late 60s and early 70s a large area just north of the town centre was cleared; this land once had a gas works and some other industrial buildings including properties owned by the town brewer 'King and ...see more
I was born into the Silver family at Palmer Cottage, 25 North St in 1928 and attended the Council School and then Manor House School Havant in the mid 40s until joining the Grenadier Guards in 1946.  I was the Drum Major of the local Army Cadet Force serving with "Crusher" Crosby, Phil Collins (Westbourn), Ray Tribe (Bear Hotel Havant). Old council School pals: Nobby Wooden, Fred Heath, ...see more
My wife Joan's grandfather Thomas Ledsham Wilkinson owned various fish and poultry shops in Chester on and around Eastgate Street and Watergate Street.  We recently visited Chester to try and trace the one shop we thought he had owned to discover that he actually owned several in the area and an ice factory.  We were also able to find his grave from an old photograph of his first wife Elizabeth's ...see more
I always remember the Cricket Green as the lazy hazy days of summer.  My father played cricket here, I don't remember the name of his team, but we had to sit and watch him.  I liked it when the crocuses poked their heads out of the ground at the beginning of the season.  They would appear in glorious colour in all the corners of the green, with the cricket pitch in the middle.  We were never ...see more
My parents, Rose Marston and Roy Sopp were married in this church! I have the wedding photo of them standing in the side entrance.
I would be particularly interested in any photos depicting Delphine Cafe or Espresso Cafe on the beachfront whatever the year but particularly 1974-78 as I worked there for many years and have lost all photos.
My childhood years were fantastic. I loved the hot summer months, especially the walks to the beach, just being free.  The smell of the sea air, and the fresh air.  I spent most of my time outside playing. I loved going to school and learning Welsh.  I miss Llanddona.  I am now in Manchester and have two grown up sons, but I promise one day, I will return, to enjoy the smell of LLanddona. If anyone reads this ...see more
Sometime in 1961/1962 I was courting David who was a chef in Newcastle upon Tyne.  I was a student nurse aged 16 he was I think 17.  He left his apprenticeship to work in a Wimpy bar to earn money to buy a ring.  He did buy me a ring and gave it to me on the seat at Greys monument.  We decided to elope but made the mistake of going to his parents pub The Red Lion at Arkengarthdale.  Unbeknown to us they ...see more
I moved into the first house on the right in the photo with the bay window in February of 1960 with my parents and 3 brothers. We were only the second tenants of that house. I stayed there with my parents until I got married in 1974.  My father still lives there 47 years after we moved in. I have very fond memories of that house and surrounding neighbours. Mr Cory our next door neighbour at the ...see more
The house in the foreground is known as Seedhill Cottage.  My family lived there from the mid sixties to late seventies. My father was the gamekeeper for the local shoot and water baliff for Whitewell area. My mother was the school cook at Dunsop Bridge. My sister and brother attended school in Dunsop. The family moved to Hellifield when the shoot closed in 1979. I've been back a number of times and it is still a beautiful place.
In the distance you can see Ye Olde Greene Manne pub on Batchworth Heath. My Dad and I sat in the pub garden and drank beer one hot summer's day in 1965 and my mum took a photo of us together which I treasure as a lovely memory. Can you believe we were wearing tweed sports jackets, coloured shirts and ties on a hot day! I suppose that was fashionable then. I just wish the old ...see more
A commemorative brass plaque in the church of St Andrew and St Mary, Langham was erected in memory of these men of 489 Torpedo Bomber Squadron RNZAF (and their comrades in other Coastal Command Squadrons) who were killed in action whilst based at Langham The No 489 Squadron personnel were: 20 April 1944 – Den Helder  152293 Fg. Off.  Robert Lawrence WHITE RAFVR  123025 Fg. Off. ...see more
I lived at 10 Whitfield Road, Fulwood, and went to Birkdale Prep School. Used to spend hours playing around Forge Dam, and renting a rowboat if I got an allowance. When winter came we would toboggan down the hills in the area. I now live near Knoxville, Tennessee, but I often think of the old home town.
I was 10 when Featherstone Rovers beat Wigan and Leigh in getting to the Wembley final.  We lived in the school house immediately opposite the entrance on Post Office Road.  What a wonderful period in history of the town. I was born on Vicarage Lane and schooled at Regent Street and then George Street Junior School.  Eventually Normanton Grammer school. I have wonderful memories of the ...see more
I lived in Cranford in the late 60's early 70's. It was a great place to live. We moved into our grandparents house. I loved the old village style buildings near the Berkeley Arms and was sad to see a new hotel in its place. There used to be a small farm where my brothers got my cat from. I moved to Australia in 1972 but have returned 3 times only to find it's lost the charm.
My first job when I left school was in the town hall. I moved to Australia in 1972 so found the photos of Hounslow interesting. I was upset to see these buildings knocked down and replaced by a shopping centre when I returned in 2006.
ON 22ND OF MARCH 1945 MY FATHER HERBERT NORMAN STUBBS WAS THE FIREMAN ON AN AMMUNITION TRAIN.  A WAGON FULL OF DEPTH CHARGES CAUGHT FIRE, SO MY FATHER UNHOOKED IT AND PUT DETONATORS ON THE LINE TO WARN A TROOP TRAIN, WHICH WAS DUE.  THE DEPTH CHARGES EXPLODED AND HE WAS THROWN THROUGH THE AIR.  UNFORTUNATELY THE DRIVER HAROLD GOODHALL WAS KILLED.  MY FATHER WAS AWARDED THE GEORGE MEDAL AND THE ...see more
On the left of this picture are three doorways marked by stone porches. I live in the third of the three away from the camera. The second remains as it is shown but the first doorway has now been blocked up. The house has been knocked through to form a double sized property with the 'second' door now the main entrance. Church Street remains much as in the picture although the high wall on the right has been ...see more
For those who have never been to our village called Kibworth, it is worth noting locals call it "Kibbuth". You live in either "Top Kibbuth"- Kibworth Harcourt or "Bottom Kibbuth"- Kibworth Beauchamp. I myself personally, have lived in both and almost on the boundary of both parishes. For almost the past 40 years (man & boy), I have spent many a happy hour living, playing and working here. Some of ...see more
Around 1706, my Ancestors are said to have originated from the walls of Thurland Castle. gillentineje@yahoo.com if you would like to contact me.
I have very fond memories of Scole because I spent an awful lot of my childhood and adult years visiting and staying with my Great Uncle & Aunt Tom & Florrie Clark who lived in High House.  They initially had an antique shop at the front of the house, stables at the back and two orchards one at the side of the house and another down a lane nearby.  My sisters and myself loved picking the apples from the ...see more
At the bottom of the hill on the right I believe that tall building belonged to the local bakers. The low building next to it - this side of the bakers - is a thatched cottage where my grandmother lived. My mother grew up here. The cottage housed around 3/4 families but it has now been made into one home. Over the years the thatched cottage has also been a restaurant. I visited my grandparents many times at this cottage.
When I moved to thetford  I met loads of friends and I enjoyed my school years at Rosemary Musker High.   I enjoyed working at the market and I loved going out to the old mill at the weekends.  As I now live in Scotland, Thetford will always be a special place in my heart.
As young lads we (the gang) used to climb up onto the roof of the old betting office over the road from Davys, look over the top and with our pea shooters we would shoot at everyone who came out of Davys with dried peas.  We always got a good laugh, but not from our targets.
its a great place
For some reason my dad Ernest Carter around 1952/53 got all us Carter kids joined into the Hammond Sauce Works Brass band in SHIPLEY....DAD was a member of the BRADFORD City brass band.  We'd go for practice Tuesday and Thursdays each week, we did this for many years till about 1963 when we kids got sick of the running around, me 20 yo by then and playing for THE DUNEDIN PLAYERS all around BRADFORD. ...see more