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 35121 - 35200 of 36864 in total

My dad got me a job as a trainee pattern weaver at Gaunts mill in the main street of Farsley. I was 16/17 at the time. I learned a lot in that 18 months or so and I also met a beautiful girl called Doreen Pankhurst, pity is I let her go... The smell of the mouse urine in the shed first thing in the morning made me feel SO sick, in the end I found another pattern weaving job and got my first ...see more
My brother Arthur 2 years my junior and my father Ernest Carter (dec'd 1963)all played for many years with Yeadon old prize band.  We practiced 2 times a week in the old British Legion hut up behind the Yeadon town hall.  Many's the time we ALL had to run to catch the West Yorkshire bus 10pm from Otley to get us to Ravenscliffe Avenue so we could sleep and not be too tired for school the next day.  My first ...see more
My Grandparents Arthur and Gladys Gossop lived at Willow Garth, opposite the White Horse Pub.  Grandad bought it with his Army money.  He built a workshop, and began a business which included Wheelwright, Joiner and Contractor.  He made coffins and walked in funeral processions with his best top hat on.  He put piped water, WCs and a bathroom into the house, and did the same in Dad's house in York.  He had a ...see more
My mother's ancestors all seemed to live in Abingdon and the surrounding villages of Launton, Kiddlington, Bicester, Charlbury etc. and I am collecting photographic records of these families and their activities for a family tree.  Photos are a good way of recording events.  There are many text genealogical websites, but few, if any where one can get photos of one's ancestors ...see more
John Hayward (1813) came from Loders in Dorset and settled in this area  of Wallingford, of Benson, Bradfield, Englefield and married local girl Mary Anne Kitchen.  His son Robert James eventually farmed Uxmore Farm at Ipsden, near Stoke Row in Berks/Oxon.  I am collecting a photographic record of the Hayward family in these areas for a family tree.
John (1813) moved to Berkshire.  Thomas (1787), Robert (1759) and John(1738) are all connected to Loders by being born, baptised, married and buried here, or in surrounding villages.  Their ancestral home one might say.  Still tracing them further via Dorset OPC and BT records.  Collecting any photos related to these ancestors of mine and where they lived.  Photos bring back happy memories and are good records of events.
I was born in Model Cottages,1934. in the Village at that time there was a bakers, (my father was one of the bakers he only had to cross the road to go to work), a grocery store next to the public house, post office, butchers, in a house down the hill past the church, a coal merchant Mr Partridge, and a sweet shop. During the war a land mine fell in a field, and it was placed in the village for all to see.  I ...see more
MY PATERNAL ANCESTORS CAME FROM TURTON AND QUARLTON, AS WELL AS SURROUNDING AREAS. JAMES GARTSIDE OF TURTON MARRIED JANE ISHERWOOD OF QUARLTON AT BOLTON PARISH CHURCH OF ST PETER IN 1730. THEY HAD AT LEAST 2 CHILDREN: ELIZABETH/BETTY WHO MARRIED ARTHUR KAY IN 1750 AT ST PETER'S. JOHN WHO MARRIED 1. AN ALICE (4 CHILDREN) AND 2. BETTY BROOKS (ABOUT 6 CHILDREN.) THE DESCENDANTS OF JAMES AND JANE WERE ALL FARMERS AND WEAVERS AROUND TURTON. CAROLYN WILSON. 11TH MAY, 2007
Our house is the second left and I was about 8 when this was taken. The field in front of the houses is now the site of the Methodist Chapel.
I well remember living in the village  from 1940 to 1944 being evacuated there as a 6 year old from the East End of London. I lived very close to the war memorial and attended school set up for evacuees in the cricket pavilion on the village green. My temporary parents were Mr & Mrs Bailey who looked after me very well and  their  upbringing has stood me well  during my lifetime.  One very strong memory I ...see more
I have wonderful memories of visting Compton Martin in the 1990s and a lunch at the Ring O' Bells. My strong interest in the village is because my grandfather Charles Stallard was born there in 1879, his father George in 1844 and his grandmother Martha Badman in 1811. My Stallard family lived at Compton Martin for many years having come from nearby Wrington. If there are any Stallards or Badmans still living ...see more
I was so excited to come here - the start of the rest of my life. The night time views over the valley - so many lights - were thrilling. I couldn't wait to get out and walk all round the area, the air was so clear I grew an inch! For the first time I had central heating in my room. So many memories, too many to tell, of new friends and good times and heartaches too! Good old College.
My family lived on the road approaching Monk Bar (behind photographer) from about 1950, through the 1980s and my Dad is still there, so this was our route into the City.  The shop facing on the Right was for many years Bulmers secondhand shop.  Behind that was a greengrocers, Wrightsons.  Opposite is a public house and behind that was Brooke's fishmonger's where Mum bought Halibut steak once a week - I used to love sucking the bone - very tasty fish!  It was fresh from Scarborough that morning.
Samuel Treglown worked as landlord at the Swan Hotel during the 1950s.  He is an ancestor of mine I am currently researching.  His photo has appeared in Wadebridge Memories by Peter Tutthill, but with no date.  He also was a great sportsman and boxer.  Would love info or photos.  He has a son called John who has an interest in wrestling and rugby.
I also remember the Valiant bomber crashing. We were in the playground and the plane went overhead. It was on fire and looked like something out of war movie. I remember the loud bang and flames as it hit the REC. I think also some of the parts landed on the railway line. I believe there was one survivor who parachuted out.
My grandfather William Keightley moved to Sheffield, Yorkshire in the 1890s. He was born in one of these cottages, as was my great grandfather Albert Keightley.   On the 1871 Census he is listed at no. 44 Cottage and on the 1881 Census he is listed at no. 31 cottage with the "White Hart" Inn as No. 32. I would love to hear from any family members still living at Caldecott.
41 years of their 50 years of married life, Mr & Mrs Joshua Turner of 1 Station Cottages, Hebden Bridge had more than 200 trains a day passing by their doorstep, the trains never caused them any trouble. Their home was just below the platform of Hebden Bridge Station. Mr & Mrs Turner were natives of Halifax. They had 13 children. Two of their daughters served in the Womens Land Army.
We lived in the village shop Virginia Stores owned by Peatling & Cawdron.  My dad won the Vernons Football Pools in 1955 - a great sum of  £505.6s -  my sister and I had new bikes and Mum and Dad went for a holiday to Blackpool (!) with her new fur coat.  We moved to Brancaster after that when they bought the pub there. I remember going to Sandringham with the school to sing carols at Christmas and ...see more
We lived in the village pub The Lifeboat Inn.  I remember being flooded and all the beer barrels floating in the cellar, mum cooking mussels given in lieu of beer, which were left in the bath and climbed up the wall and had to be knocked off with a shoe!  Fred from the Hall bringing pheasant and buckets of cream, the visiting circus in the village hall opposite, with a moth eaten toothless ...see more
My parents moved into Station Rd in 1963, as a newly married couple. There was a terrace of new houses built in Station Rd in 1962/63 & theirs was the furthest house down the road, the end of the terrace, I think No.28? I was born there in 1965. I used to go to playgroup at the old Scout Hut at the other end of the village & remember one very embarrassing event when I was about 4..... My mum was ...see more
My grandmother was one of Lloyd George and Lady Lloyd George's land army girls. My family were very close to them.
My family of four childen, my husband and I, moved into part of a large country house known as 'Ravenscourt', standing in 3 acres of land: we named our semi "Little Ravenscourt'. Within our back garden stood a beautiful large 'Indian Bean Tree' (catelpa), which the children loved to climb on: in the spring it was covered in small orchid-like scented flowers which attracted ...see more
I lived in Bolingey as a child, until 1959, and this picture has strong memories for me. My family had a cottage somewhere to the front and right of the chapel on the hill. The location was called "Crow Hill" and I think the cottages may still be there today. For some reason I was afraid of the large forbidding Methodist chapel! Years later I used to visit the Bolingey Inn and I'm glad to see that it is still there now. Haven't been there for 30 years though.
I was married to Colin at this church in 1971.  My maiden name was Sadler.  We had our reception at the Otter Hotel in Ottershaw.  
Year 1955 because it's central to the time we lived just a few doors down in a new bungalow (Khandala), from the Thorpe's café (it was west towards the roundabout, north side of the road) and one of my cherished memories as a child, is of walking down to the dliff steps (steep then) and standing halfway down in very thick mist (couldn't see the hand in front of your face), feeling almost totally ...see more
childhoood
I was born 1953 and lived in No 94 Main Street until 1966, which is one of the small cottages on the right of the photo.  The big house at the bottom of the road was known as "General Jack's", he being a veteran of the Boar and First World Wars.  This road was great in the winter of 62-63 when, because of lack of traffic, we could sledge all the way down.  As you can see there were not many cars, only a total of 5 car owners in the whole of Main Street.
My dad, Maurice Marsden, started work at the age of 14 in Lynns shop in 1937, after serving in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm during the war.  He returned to the shop to work and finished up as manager.  The shop closed in the 70s.
We first went to Guernsey in June 1979. The first thing we noticed as we drove off the ferry was that the pace of life was a lot calmer then here in England - mainly because of the speed limit of 30 mph. My husband spent 30 years in the Metropolitan Police Force - a very stressful job and has always said that Guernsey is the only place where he can totally "switch off". We stayed at a holiday apartment in ...see more
I lived in Quainton in the 1950s, on the corner of The Green and Lower St.  My family had the drapers shop.  I remember bonfire night on the green, rolling down Mill Hill, Christmas carols, ballet lessons in the church hall and sitting  the 11+ exams at school and of being sent to the Sportsmans Inn for a packet of Woods or Weights cigarettes for my father. With my parents Ray and Sylvia Wheatley, my ...see more
I purchased this picture for my mum for Mother's Day.  She and her sister (who now has sadly died) used to play at Danson Park when they were young - my mum has a good memory of her sister swimming the lake.
WE LIVED IN FARM LANE FULHAM SW6, IN A LOVELY O'L PREFAB. OUR LOCAL CHURCH WAS ST JOHN'S.
We moved to Hatfield "new town' from the east end.  Went to Howe Dell School and lived on Meadow Dell, off Cavendish Way.  It was still a small country town then.  Happy Memories.  Sue
When I moved with my family from North Boarhunt we came here to Portchester.  Little was I to know, but I would be getting married in the beautiful church in the castle grounds.  It was a lovely setting, with the lych gate and castle as a back drop.  My husband-to-be had been in the choir a few years before and so when we came out married, the choir held up their prayer books to make an arch.  I have moved on since then and now live in Southampton but Portchester is still in my heart.
I had family who lived in Droxford, that was my Uncle Peter, Aunty Dot and my cousins Susan, Christine and John Miles.  Sorry John if you are reading this, it's your five mins of fame.  I loved going over there and was always made welcome.  I went to Droxford school with Mr Bark? and his wife.  She was ok but he in my eyes was not, but I am sure I wasn't the only one who thought that.  All kids think their head teachers ...see more
My mother and father moved to 1 Birch Hill Cottages when I was in arms.  I went to the tiny school in Newtown by mini bus which was really a Bedford van with seats in the back.  I played in the field with the swings and on some Saturdays watched the football played there.  My Uncle David used to play for Wickham, those were the days when shorts were below the knees!  I played with the other ...see more
I was a boarder at St Michael's from late 1947 to 1953. The church was bordered by the Golden Valley on one side and woodlands on the other. I remember sketching Tawstock Church and getting a commendation for my efforts. We used to be taken to the church about once a month and added our treble voices to the congregation's praise. If one had to be away from home, the school did offer a different life; but only ...see more
My home town was Willenhall. Every Saturday my mom and us would go to Willenhall market to do our shopping. We used to love it because we could choose a treat, like a tube of Smarties or a packet of Polo. Even though I have travelled to Oxford, Harrow, Wembley and now living in Spain, Willenhall is always in my heart.  If anyone mentions it to me it gives me a great joy that I was born and bred there.
I lived in Halfway House, Common Road, Great Wakering (near Potton Island), from 1957 to 1963. I lived there with my parents, two sisters and three bothers, all older than me. The primary school was a small red brick building in the middle of the village and the County Secondary school was where the current primary school is now (near the post office).  As we had no lights or brakes on our cycles (not legal) ...see more
Going to the Eccles market in the morning putting lights up for the stall holders for two bob, that was after doing the shopping for my mum and sister for half a crown.  That was more than enough for the ABC Broadway ticket, or your mate could go in and open the emergengy door at the back.  They put on at least 7 films, some cliff hangers, and lollipop sticks went flying through the air.  The place was packed every Saturday.
I remember the strange triangular shaped building where my Mum and I used to walk down the back, down the cobbled road to Fishy Moores. We used to have to join the queue outside until the lady on the door called us in when there was a table free. There was a section up on raised platform inside, and I used to think only important people were allowed to eat their fish and chips up there! Happy days.
This was the Red Funnel ship Noris Castle an ex tank landing craft.
Just by the road bridge on the Yarmouth side was a pub with a long grass garden which went down to the river, on the bank was a post with a notice on it which read "Don't disturb the water otter" and tied to the post was a rusty chain. Now the road to the bridge was like a grandstand overlooking the garden and people in the garden would encourage a friend to pull the chain and the people on the bridge, who ...see more
I grew up in Driglington late 50s/ 60s and remember going to watch Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy, now that was another lifetime ago. As I got a bit older lots of us drig lads used to visit a coffee shop in the main street - cannot remember its name, and met lots of Birstall girls there.  I also remember the first 3d movie I saw there, it was the House of Wax, we had to wear those red and green glasses.
There was an ironmonger's shop on Patricroft Bridge ( the Eccles side) owned by a man called Richmond, whose daughter May attended Eccles Grammar School - though she was too nice a girl to have anything to do with a yob like me!   Over the other side of the bridge was the Majestic Cinema (later the "Talk of the North" club).  St. Joseph's Home was not always the happy place your correspondent remembers - my ...see more
The year I was born at Ashford Hospital my mother and father were tenants at the Hope public inn.  June and John Nicholson and June's mother Beatrice Porter lived there and brought me up.   Mrs Porter had once lived at Cheltham Villas, then the Hope pub.  After 9 years here they moved to 130a Hithermoor Road for 10 years and then 19 Benen-stock Road for 10 years which is where I ...see more
I was born in Northallerton in 1952. My father was a cousin of the Smirthwaites and therefore worked in the garage that was once where Argos now stands. My mothers family were Atkinson's and they lived in South Parade. There were 6 children in the family (2 girls and 4 boys). They lived there during WW11 and my mother has fond memories of the time she spent in that house.  Her parents were McCabes and lived in ...see more
The cottage nearest to the telegraph pole was my grandmother's.  My uncles Ted and Bob lived there with her until they moved to Woodbine Farm,  Langtoft.  After they left, gran moved in with my family at the other end of the village, Meadow View, and Uncle Cliff and his family moved in until they in turn moved to the farm at the bottom of the village.  We think that the cottage at the forefront of the photo ...see more
I was born in wigton in 1951.  We lived at 19 Brackenlands, a friendly housing estate where everyone knew everyone.  My early years were spent at Saint Cuthberts school and at the age of eleven attended the secondary modern or affectionately called the whitewashed cow shed.  The school has been replaced by houses now.  On leaving school I went to work for Ike Wilkinson as an apprentice carpenter on Market Hill the ...see more
I remember being at Nethergrange with Jean Newbigin, and remember when she met her husband to be, and the building of their boat. In fact later , when we moved to Ravenslaw in Alnwich (in our third year) Jean and I shared a room as I was also a student at Alnwick Teacher Training College, living at Nethergrange in Alnmouth for our first two years. Like Jean I also met my husband to be in the village. He lived at ...see more
Hi i've just found out that my family originate from Great Waltham...the name is 'Hornsby'...I found this out through the ancestry website and looking at old census records...i'm hoping to come along and visit Great Waltham with my father who is a 'Hornsby' and discover where they used to live on..'Broads Green'
Born at Peniarth Isaf, attended primary school where the first headmaster was Mr. E.L.Jones, followed by Mr. Bamborough. Local life was centered around Bethania Chapel and events at the Village Hall. In those days, the 2 shops were owned by Mr. Llew Roberts and Mr. G.J. Owen. The Railway Inn was run by the Astley family. Best memories would have been home life, heavily involved in farm work ...see more
You were born on this day c1955,is't it amazing how people and the world around you change,but a bet you can still remember the good old days.Well there's one thing that will never change so I will tell you now ,just to make sure you hear me,that you will always be The Best Mother In The World. Happy Birthday Mum My Love always LEIGHxxxx
All our family holidays when I was a child were taken at Scarborough, where my parents and I stayed with two spinsters who were old family friends, in Whin Bank. I suppose I first went in the early 1960s, and my last visit was 1973. I loved those holidays, whether taken during the summer, or occasionally at Easter: roaming along the cliff top birdwatching, or with a bucket-and-spade on the beach and ice ...see more
My brother and I had holidays in the chalets on the top of the cliffs along with my parents and maternal grandmother.  It always seemed hot and sunny and the whole two weeks was spent climbing along the cliffs, digging in the sand and swimming.  In the evenings we played board games or took a walk to California Sands.  Dad took us into Great Yarmouth on the Wednesday of each of our two weeks.  It may seem very quiet and ...see more
I had a wonderful week's holiday based at the Bay Hotel in the first week of August 1968, when I was eleven, with my godfather and his wife. Got slightly tiddly one night on shandy: played Rummy for the first time: roamed all over Anglesey - or so it seemed! - birdwatching, which was then my new hobby, and has remained a faithful friend ever since. Waders and terns galore, and my first Great Crested Grebe....I was ...see more
My ancestor, the Atkinson family lived in this house on the 1901 census, other family members controlled a lock in Leeds
As a pupil at Launde School it was compulsory that we were taught to swim at Oadby Swimming baths, for those of you who know Oadby today it wasn't the newly built baths on Brabazon Road, the baths were in the centre of the village, it looked like an old theatre or cinema on first glance. The boys changing rooms were on the side of the baths themselves the girls were upstairs and across a balcony. The bath was ...see more
Right on the end of this barn, hidden from view was a small irregular building with it's own door. It had been a small butchers shop some time before my Mum and Dad bought it as a hairdressing salon for my mum to use as a little business. It had no heating, just two yellow sinks and chairs, a couple of work stations and a telephone table where the phone, appointment book and till sat. ...see more
This is Sacred Heart RC Church, in Accrington.  It has now been demolished.  I have many great memories and some not so great from this sacred place.  I felt like I had to share this info, with you when I saw this picture.  When the church was being knocked down there was a last service mass held and it was a ticket only event.  I couldn't go on that evening and therefore missed it. The church holds many ...see more
My Great Great Grandfather was born William Honey Cann.   Born: March 12, 1845 in Topsham, England son of John Cann and Jane (Hill) Cann.  (William Married - Ann Pidgeon, from England also!).  Looking for more information on Cemeteries in this area.  John Cann was the son of Samuel Cann & Charity (Arscott) Cann.  Looking for information on location of where they lived in Topsham, or worked.
I stayed here in the 1950s but i dont know why i was there
I moved to this village in 1967 aged 14. The main building in the centre of the picture is a bank, I think it was the National which later became the National and Westminster Bank. Beyond the bank and to the right on the corner was a Post Office. Hidden by the bank in the same row as the Post Office was a fish and chip shop, the owner used to give us free bags of "bits" from the fryers, usually bits of batter. ...see more
I loved Valence swimming pool, I used to have swimming lessons there with Grafton junior school and still remember how cold that water was first thing in the mornings. My father used to buy me a season ticket which cost 7shillings & 6pence  (37p) which allowed me to go swimming when ever I wanted. I was very sad when they closed it, the then new Dagenham swimming pool was never the same. A few years ago ...see more
I have just discovered that my great great great grandparents came from Rye so could anyone tell me if a place called Fishers House still exists, and also what a farm baliff was expected to do, or what kind of job did a fly catcher do? Are any family called Wenham still living in Rye?
Would anyone remember the name and exact location of a hairdressers/barbers shop in Kettering Regent Street area? Looking at late 1920's onwards.
I was bought up in Dagenham and went to Valence swimming pool regularly with my school. If you had signed up to go swimming at the start of the school year you had to go  - whatever the weather!! I always had a cup of Oxo afterwards to warm me up!!  When Dagenham indoor pool was built in the early 70's it seemed like sheer luxury!! What a shame it has become so run-down now.............
The George Hotel was newly decorated and it re-opened with a special day around 1985. The horse drawn Whitbread Brewery dray arrived and the newly painted pub sign was unveiled by the mayor. Everything looked great and a good day out was ensured by a dazzling display from the dancers and musicians of Whitethorn Morris - a team of clog wearing morris dancers from nearby Harrow. They looked fine in their ...see more
Hi there.  My father-in-law was born in Gilfach Goch but left when he was a child.  It was not long ago me and my husband took him back and he was quite shocked to see how much the place has changed. The address he used to live at is no longer there, not even a road.  Anyway before we left Mr Raymond Cook (my father-in-law) wanted to know what Gilfach Goch is in English as he cannot remember.  Please help.  Thanks.
Richard, I am one of the current owners of the rectory (now The Old Rectory) where you came to visit and review the house you had lived in as a child and pointed out which room had been your bedroom.  Strangely though, the 27 rooms that you remember seem to have shrunk to a present day 12 (plus 2 loos and a bathroom)! Combpyne has remained a "working village" though, unlike many of the surrounding ones, with many ...see more
Hi - I have a couple of photos of my great-grandmother taken by Wragg, a photographer in Wigan and Leyton Arcade, Southport. I'd like to hear from anyone who can help me date the pictures by comparing the frames. The pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicdafis/468472134 http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicdafis/468483717 Many thanks.
There doesn't seem to be many memories of the Trevethans - anyone help?
This is the road my mum lived in in Gilfach-she is Cynthia Purnell
My Grandparents, Harry and Hannah Young lived in the first cottage on the left as you enter the village. I spent most of my school holidays there with them and my Mother and I were evacuated to live with them during W.W.2 for a period of time. I attended Stebbing school for about 3 weeks, then was moved from there to a small village or church hall in the road behind the now Bowls club (my great ...see more
The lady with the white coat and shopping basket on the right hand side of the photo is my grandmother - Clara Billington - and lovely to see her in print!
Where we first met
September 22nd 1984
The building on the extreme right of the photograph used to be the Ring o' Bells Public House, owned by my great grandfather, Jesse Laver Difford. It was initially called The Grapevine Inn, or was called that when my grandmother was born there, in 1880 and its name changed to the Ring o' Bells at some time later.
I moved into this cottage in 1953 with my parents and older sister. I remember very clearly looking out of the large window in the centre of the cottage wishing I was old enough to go to school with my sister. I was also very envious as she came home from school with a Coronation mug of the Queen and Prince Philip. When we first moved in, there was no inside bathroom or toilet and we got our water from a pump in the ...see more
In the 1840's Magors and Menadues migrated from Mithian to South Australia, and I am the product of the marriages between the families. If anyone would like to correspond with me on this page I have more details and would love to learn new ones. I live in Adelaide South Australia and am visiting Mithian in May 2007 to learn what I can. Thankyou Ruth Gates nee MAGOR   My father's mother was a MENADUE