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 36001 - 36080 of 36925 in total

I used to come down and up this road from the bus stop every day to and from school. One of the boys who grew up in this street (a house on the right as I remember) started playing for a very influential rock band called the herd. It was either Andy Bown or Peter Frampton - Andy Bown I think. They were at the forefront of psychedelic Bromley, and he was a pretty stylish resident. They are both still making great music.
My family moved here, to no. 57, just beyond the tree on the right, a year after the photo was taken.  At the time of the photo the houses were still being built (ours was probably not yet up), to the right (in the wedge with Pickhurst Lane) were a number of survivng wartime 'prefabs', and beyond was a stretch of farmland, almost as far as Bromley South.  Within, I would say, two years of the photo being taken, all that farmland had been built over.
Happy days in the paddling pool and on the swings, the old parkie taking your name for riding your bike in the park, what did he do with all the names? Remembrance Day in the park in 1963 as a cub, Mr Metcalf leading us. Church services in the little chapel, now a wood yard. Spring is coming, you can tell just looking at the large rookery in the park. Summer's here - listen to the band. Fond childhood memorys. P.S DON'T touch the Kenyons pump.
I was 11 years old and allowed to attend a pop concert at the Broadway. Top billing was The Kinks supported by Gene Pitney and Marrianne Faithfull. My memory tells me that it was The ABC; Broadway being the name of the main shopping street. Wonderful memory.
It was the summer of 2006 and it was the greatest summer for me, my life is not the same boring life. I want only one thing .... I want to return in England, one of the greatest countries in the world.
Just being dropped off at Hamoe School down on Westhorne Avenue, having Mr.Greytricks as our headmaster. Playing on the climbing frame in the play ground, then shifting myself to Eltham Hill School up on the hill. God, walking that hill in all kinds of weather done me in! Then becoming one of the faces of Eltham in 2000 and then drinking in the pubs up and down the High Street up until 2003. Then I moved away and ...see more
I remember going on our holiday in dad's car to Nan & Grandad's holiday bungalows, driving over the railway bridge and on to what I always knew as Gronant (The Warren). The first thing we would see would be the little wooden shops. My dad would carry me on his shoulders to buy a windmill and a bucket & spade and then on to the sandhills for a day of fun. The picture is just how I remember ...see more
We used to walk down to Red Wharf Bay on the first night at my aunt's who had a house in the village at the bottom of the steep hill called Journeys End. It was wonderful to go to the paddly bridge as we called it and gaze out at the bay, knowing this was the start of our six week holiday. We went here from about 1950 to 1963.
I lived in the cottage at the right hand end of this picture, from 1987 to 1999, it made us sad when we had to leave.
The four detached houses to the left of the picture are numbered 2, 4 ,6 and 8 Furzefield Crescent, built by my Gt grandfather, George Elsey. I lived at number four between 1960 and 1978 with my parents. The railings on the right of the picture surround an area of grass and trees, the railings were removed in the second world war.
The picture shows the alleyway that runs between Cockshot Hill and Smoke Lane, I used this cut through to take my children to school in the 1990's. Today (2006) the cottages shown are still there.
I lived in Mayfield Road, which is where the foreground bollards are situated, from 1961 -1979. The junction was a little bit treacherous when cycling in the wet as I found out to my cost. Although a Girls school, boys could attend in their primary years. At weekends and on many nights the footbridge over the station was closed (there must have been wierdos then too) so when I went to church (St.Augustines) I had to ...see more
I lived at 6 Eltham High Street, my dad ran the off licence there.  Every morning before school or the shop opened he would take me to the swimming baths. I went to Roper Street school until I was 10.  We moved to Canada in 1973, I still think about Eltham quite often.  I loved it there.
Unfortunately vague memories of my sister and I rowing on the lake at Danson park, that's really all I can recall at this stage.
I remember staying at my Nan and Grandpa's house in Woolwich, we could actually look out of our bedroom window and see the ferries going back and forth. Most times we stayed we were allowed to ride the ferries back and forth sometimes up to 4 or 5 times. It was an experience I will always remember. No-one worried about you then, there was virtually no violence and cases of children going missing and the like were ...see more
In the foreground of this photo (the road known as Normandy) some almshouse have been built. The church itself has developed a loved or loathed carbuncle on its left hand side - a nice building that does not blend with the church.
In the year this photo was taken the property was transferred from the Hurst family to the council. The building has had many notable owners since it was built in 1720 and remains a treasured property to this day. Current photos of this scene and the park side can be seen on http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/18/18.htm
In the year this photo was taken the property was transferred from the Hurst family to the council. The building has had many notable owners since it was built in 1720 and remains a treasured property to this day. A sensory garden now stands in the foreground of this view.
In the year this photo was taken the property was transferred from the Hurst family to the council. The building has had many notable owners since it was built in 1720 and remains a treasured property to this day.
Although the car park has been tarmacced, very little else has changed. Much has been extended and developed around this building. See current photos of this same image on http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/39/39.htm
Although no longer a grammer school this does remain an educational establishment, effectively a sixth form college for Horsham. It goes by the name of The College of Richard Collyer, in honour of the man who left money in his will to set up a school for '60 boys'. Originally set up on the site of the current St Mary's C of E Primary School in Normandy, Horsham.
I was baptised in this church in 1927.
I was at St Joseph's Home from November 1947 to july 1953, and had many happy times.
This picture is of some houses in Methven, Perthshire now demolished. The village of Drumtochty was a made up name by a Perthshire author on or about 1880. It was based on a Perthshire village. This has nothing to do with Drumtochty Glen, Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire. Please remove the mention of Aberdeenshire in connection with this picture. Eddie Cairns
I was born at Corner House, at the bottom of Aerodrome Rd, Hawkinge on 31st August 1936. My parents were the local newsagents in Canterbury Rd, backing onto the famous airfield.  I have vivid childhood memories of the war years and especially the Battle of Britain, the year I was 4.    The photographs and nostalgic comments from your contributors 'ring bells' for me;  as a teenager I often travelled by ...see more
I remember the old school on Wigan Road, it was called Ormskirk Cross Hall High School. It has now been demolished and replaced with a newer building.
The island in the middle of Market Place had a unique feature. Between the two zebra crossings on the island each Saturday was a man with a barrel organ. The music could be heard all over the town centre. You had to walk past it when you wanted to cross the road. This lended itself to the man with the organ collecting money for charities. I used to like listening to the music and was fasinated with the organ. The ...see more
This picture reminds me of the time when a petrol tanker careered down Wakefield Road and crashed into the side entrance of the town hall. This road (pictured) was closed off for a day while the fire brigade dealt with the crash. I can remember the fire brigade telling me off for standing at the bottom, looking up at the crash as there was petrol running down the road into the town centre. I will post other memories later. Keep looking! Richard Hagger
Living in Boundary Walk, my grandmother and I used to walk up the hill to the Coop butchers, which I seem to remember was at the far end of the row, nearest the pit entrance.  The building at this end was a cinema but the name escapes me.
The garage, owned if memory serves by the Harrison family, was always a magnet for a small boy, because in addition to selling petrol and repairing cars it also sold Meccano and Dinky toys. I also remember my grandmother buying me the Sunny Stories magazine from the newsagents to the right of the picture. I was born and lived at that time in Boundary Walk and following my family's move to Peterborough. I used to ...see more
.... as a little girl, I always remember going here with my Mum, my Aunt Edith and my cousin Dick. Mum would say we are going to 'Burnham Beeches today'.  I could never quite understand when we got there, where the sand and sea was ... and I realise now that 'Beeches' meant 'trees' .. and not the 'seaside'!
I used to go to Innellan when I was young to stay with my grandparents and what great memories I have, I used to get the bus from the pier and get off at West Church Lane where they lived. On Sundays we walked up to the church and my Grandfather sang in the choir. I also liked to walk up to the village and sometimes go to the icecream shop call the LIDO I can still see the big round steps up to shop. I can also ...see more
I lived in a caravan park in Hullbridge 60-64. My memories are of bats that swooped after dark and the year it snowed so bad that the gas froze in the bottles. It started Boxing Day and went on until Easter and we had to leave the van and live with family.
My great grandfather Henry Braun owned the Vale of Health Hotel (shown in the right of this photo) overlooking the lake, from 1877 until the early 1900's. The hotel was used as an Anglo German club called the Athenaeum and by 1908 had 1200 members - 500 English, 700 German, including many political radicals. The hotel became a factory during World War I and then remained derelict for some years. The hotel ...see more
I can clearly remember pushing my doll's pram up to the shops with my mother from our home in South Mossley, Hill Road.  I was always fascinated by the overhead cash delivery system in the Co-op shops.  The very end shop was the Co-op selling haberdashery and shoes, I think that was where my love for shoes was born! A cake shop called Wallers was next door, another favourite place of mine! The Co-op food shop ...see more
Born on Mersea island- what a haven we school children had to live and grow in. Endless poppy fields and bluebell woods, golden beaches and primrose banks flanked the leafy lanes. Greedy land grabbers have spoilt its original charm, but thankfully its still possible to take a walk down The Lane by the coast to step back in time. Sit on the beach, take in the salty breeze from the marshes,and ...see more
 Please someone anyone join in .There must be a telephone operator out there somewhere                                                 I started as a telephonist in Tunbridge wells Sept. 8 1948. ended up at relief exchange opposite bus depot until the 60's. My married name is Russell now divorced.  I have many photos of us girls. We were a handful, we went on lots of outings .   We hired a man to drive ...see more
My mum and dad bought this house in the 70's I remember the large door on this picture, it was some sort of mill. They gutted the place (helped by brother and me on cement making duty) and made it a family home. The large door is now the garage door. The sheds have long gone in the garden (before they bought it) but mum wanted this picture and so I have bought it for her Christmas 2007 (well the one with the crossroads and church in). Happy Christmas mum!
Tilshead was the place where I was born and have lived in for a long time.  It is a quiet village of around 400 or so people.  There was and still is a post office.  There was a pub called The Bell but is now a private thatched house.  There are still two other pubs, The Rose and Crown, and The Black Horse. There were three shops but now only one.  There was and still is a petrol station - which has ...see more
At the age of 5yrs I started my education at Scarning School, I lived at Woodhill [see memory of Dereham] which meant about a 2 mile walk to school with my 10 yr old sister usually stopping to play in the stream at Podmore on the way. School dinners! There was no such thing, it was sandwiches which, regardless of weather, had to be eaten in the playground. I can still remember that the Headmistress was Mrs Grand ...see more
I was born in 1965, the year the photo was taken and at the time my dad was a gardener at Parc Howard. I remember going to visit him almost every day, in the summer months, with either my grandmother or mother. This was a very familiar view taken from the band stand. After what felt like hours of playing I would be taken to the cafe and bought sweets from a large select behind a glass cabinet. Often ...see more
a few years after this photo was taken WH Smiths which was located to the bottom left of this photo completely collapsed following a prolonged spell of wet weather. This happened very early one saturday morning in the run up to christmas, prior to staff arriving for work. I don't think anyone was injured - a few hours later and the store would have been crowded with christmas shoppers!
He's got exactly the same photo, and I remember standing watching him take it as the sun shone through the ruins and thinking to myself I'm not sure which I love more, him or the Abbeys we visit together. Tintern will always feel like our special place.
The old town hall in the centre has changed little although at the time this photo was taken the town hall was in the building to the left known then as the Anchor Hotel, now Bar Vin. The fine building to the right has gone to be replaced by a plainer building housing Rymans. The post box is no longer on the left but has moved to behind where the car is parked on the right hand side. You can see current pictures ...see more
My grandparents lived in the large house that you can mainly see on the bridge (with the three windows on the second floor) throughout the 1950,s and 60's. I was told that Mary Queen of Scotts made her way through the basement of the house to find refuge in the house of sanctuary which was at that time situated behind the property. An original door which she passed through was still present at the time of my ...see more
 DOES ANYONE EVER ANSWER TO OUR MEMORIES?. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE  COME ON JOIN IN   I joined Tunbridge Wells telephone exchange September 1948.  I remember so well the evening the man would come to George St. to tell us we started picking next day.  "Äll to work." "pull no more bines". all wonderful memories. We picked at Larges farm top of Quarry Hill I have contacted Ann ...see more
The old school bus in the photo was used to take me and other children of the village to school it was affectionately known as "kemps cronk"as it was owned by Tony Kemp and his brother who owned the local garage. The fox and hounds was  where I first started drinking at "18" !!!!!!!?????? I played in the dart and domino club at the pub.
This is were I sung in the church choir,I started in the choir then progressed to what was then known as a server helping the vicar with holy communion.After church on sunday mornings it was over to the sweet shop for our free milky way chocolate bar.
My memories of Great Bedwyn are spending my holidays with my gran and grandad William and Beatrice Alderman in Castle Rd and my uncle Dennis.  My uncle and grandad were both signalmen at Great Bedwyn and I used to go down to take their tea. It was lovely to watch the steam trains go by. My gran took me on lovely walks up through the forest where we would sit and I would make daisy chains with my cousin ...see more
MANY HAPPY SUMMERS WERE SPENT AT LEPE. i WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A GRANDPARENT THAT LIVED IN TH ECOAST GUARD COTTAGES FROM THE 60'S TO THE 80'S. THERE WAS A RAFT NEAR THE BOAT HOUSE WHICH WAS GREAT FUN. NO CONCRETE, FREE PARKING ON THE GREEN. FISHING FOR MACKEREL WITH JO, MUSHROOM PICKING IN THE LOCAL FIELDS, PLENTY OF COCKLES, WINKLES COULD BE FOUND. LEPE IS A PLACE DEAR TO MY HEART AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
Having just stumbled across this website and viewed the photographs, I immediately went into nostalgia mode. I was born in Alrewas in 1938 in one of the small cottages in Main Street just down from Mansell's bridge, and then moved to The Old School House in Park Road the following year, where I spent the next 12 years. I have many memories of the village as it was in the 1940's and early 1950's, ranging from place names , ...see more
James and Emma were the parents of my maternal grandmother, Lydia Cooper, who was born in Lydbrook. If you have any information in regards to them, or my grandmother, please contact me at pjj4cjs@msn.com. Thank you
Coming to Brixham from just outside of London as an 11 year-old was a real culture shock. New smells (fish!) new sounds (seagulls) and new faces (the inhabitants of the south west certainly have distinct facial features...to say nothing of the accent). The total freedom of the countryside was something new and exciting also. Long walks around Mansands, totally unspoilt cliff walks all the way to Kingswear. In the winter ...see more
Since 1962 I have always been to Abersoch at least once a year if not two three or four times!! In the early years we always stopped in a flat over the cowsheds at Tyn y Mur farm. ( These have now been beautifully converted - in our day there was no bath room and an outside loo!!)It was farmed by Mr and Mrs Olwyn Jones. Mr Jones was a lay preacher as well as a farmer and Mrs Jones was a nurse at the ...see more
Ah, remember playing here as a kid in the 60's
The house on the left, when I was a child in the 60's was Stephensons Shop. We called there for sweets on our way down to Water End to visit relatives.
As far back that I can remember, it was the summer of 1934 when I first started school at St Mary's Roman Catholic School in Calcutta Road. I sat next to a friend that I had made (John Toole) Who later in life emigrated to Canada and was killed on a railway crossing in the early 50's. I recall the first bell that was sounded at school and we both thought it was time to go home which we did. However some 30 minutes or so ...see more
My dad worked on the Forth Railway bridge since I was little girl and I can always remember him going to work six days a week in all weathers, I wonder does any one remember him, his name was David Wotherspoon Scott and was married to Dorothy Scott. I also wonder does any one actually think about what it was like to be a painter or rigger on the bridge?
I was born in Tonbridge in 1957. I went to Sussex Road primary school and Hillview for girls. I remember the most is the flood we had and the carnivals when I was younger. I still come back to visit my sister who stills lives there. A lot has changed - I prefer the old Tonbridge.
I lived in Rhosneigr from the age of 6 to 12 and I absolutely loved it. I have some wonderful memories of some great people that I would love to hear from. I now live just outside Wrexham so if you want to get in touch with me email me here and I'll get back to you.
My father was in the Norwegian forces during the war - and my mum and myself - then 2 years old were lucky enough to serve and live at Orsett Hall with Ellis and John Whitmore . We lived there till August 1945 when the war was over and we could go back to Norway safely . Have been to Orsett three times since then but see no familiar faces .
I was born in Hornsey in 1923, and spent the first 10 years of my life living with my parents in the top flat at 257 Wightman Road. The ground floor was occupied by Mr and Mrs Dan Costigan. Mr Costigan was a bus driver, and they had one child, a daughter, who was greatly prized. In 1928 I was enrolled at the school which occupies the space between Mattison and Pemberton Roads. Very happy memories of that ...see more
My parents bought Wyatts Stores in about 1936 and moved from West Ham, E.London., with my two sisters. Dad kept about 300 chickens in the back field. I was born on Coronation Day at Wyatts Stores . We lived there fore 3 years before my fathers work took him to St Albans where we moved in 1940. We often visited Doddinghurst and spent many happy holidays there, being only too ...see more
I was born at #9 station rd in Warnham in 1925. Ilived there (apart from Royal Navy time in ww2)until 1954 at which time I joined the Canadian military and emmigrated to Canada. I have many fond memories of Warnham and still have relatives there. Prior to my Navy time I worked at H&E Lintotts and after the war at the Brickworks. My name is Gerry Burtenshaw and some of you may remember my siblings Roy ...see more
I lived in Motspur Park from 1968 till 1989, everyone I knew friendly place, the local pub was clean and friendly, used to go courting there with my late husband. Been back a few times and have noticed a dramatic decline - the row of shops down Seaforth Ave have become dirty and an eyesore. The traffic calming measures down West Barnes Lane on the whole good measure look out of place. The corner shop ...see more
In the 1960's we as a family nearly every year went for a day out getting the train from Hartlepool to the nearest station to Roseberry topping then there would be the climb to the top where we would have our picnic, we have photos of our picnics. Anne Young
As a small child and a grown woman with children of my own I remember waiting for the Wakefield bus after a visit to my grandparents. Some times it would be the West Riding bus, at other times it was the United one. Until his death in 1973 Grandad, whenever possible, would walk us down to the bus stop and wait with us until the bus came. By Jean Johnson (nee Aston)
Just down the road from the Shoulder of Mutton pub was Ackroyds coffee bar. In the 60s we young ones would meet, listen to the juke box, drinking frothy coffee. The horse and cart outside the pub belonged to Herman Wood the local milkman. The cart was a daily sight outside the pub.
Kate Maria Webb christened St Peters in the East 21 Sep 1860 (12 years of age), Abode - 85 High Street Oxford, Parents - George Webb & Elizabeth, Trade - Gunmaker. (copy of parish registrar entry held by contributor) George Webb & Elizabeth Sugar of 85 High Street later 36 Iffley Rd (1881 Census) died 16 Feb 1892 (89 Iffley Rd) - buried St Peters in the East (no headstones standing today) (copy of Death ...see more
I was born in 1972 and lived with my Parents and younger Brother on Pagham Beach where my Father Chris Dodd was the local Pagham Fisherman...he is still fishing with his mate Don and my father is now 62 years in 2006. Lots of the train carriages which my parents still live in, although they have added a pitched roof to it, have now been demolished and brick built buildings have replaced the traditional carriages. ...see more
I was born at Reeds Hill Farm in 1942. I started school at a two room school in Chardstock, we walked to school which for me was a long way and I usually got my older sisters who had to walk from the farm past my school to catch the bus to the senior school in Axminster.  I remember the school getting big cases of food from Canada which was shared out to us to take home.  There were all sorts of things ...see more
Since this photo was taken the top of the large tree in the background has been hit by lightning. Around four or five feet of bare wood sticks out at the top of the tree. I don’t know when this happened.
I was born at The Mount Maternity Hospital in Northallerton on 21st September 1960 we were living at Pickhill village at the time, we later moved to Hewitson Hill farm and moved from the area in 1962
Rickinghall Chapel I came to a chapel on high ground, The door of old English oak invited, History was captured on the uneven white walls And reflected on high stained windows, And there was love Such love, She spoke of God as a family friend, A guest for dinner, that would never attend, Of times he would talk, but never speak, Sometimes go, but never leave, A friend that would always be there, ...see more
At the time of this picture in 1960 the church could only be reached by travelling along an attractive, tree-lined, unsurfaced crescent called Westfield Park. Beyond the church on the left of the picture is the vestry where Sunday School and confirmation classes were held. I was confirmed at St Anselms around 1959 and would attend services here regularly along with many of my friends in the St ...see more
This view shows a branch of Smiths on the corner of Uxbridge Road and Grimsdyke Road on the left of the picture. It was a haven for schoolchildren buying ink for fountain pens and stamp album leaves! I loved to buy bottles of exotic coloured ink for writing my homework. I also bought the Watford Observer to read the football reports on the games at Vicarage Road. On the opposite side of the main road was ...see more
My bus to school, Pinner Grammar, went from this stop in Uxbridge Road in the centre of the picture. It was a red London Transport double-decker route 209 that took us all the way to Cannon Lane between Pinner and Rayners Lane. If we missed it then the 98b would take us towards Eastcote which was most of the way and we would jump off at East or West Towers and run the last ...see more
I moved into West Park Road ( seen in the photo off to the left ) in 1955 at the age of 7. The house was a glorious Victorian residence with 1881 as the year of build noted on the front. Childhood was bliss here, particularly living in a lovely, wide horse chestnut tree lined road. This location was pretty much on the borders of the London Borough of Greenwich and the Borough of Bromley in Kent. Mottingham was a ...see more
Wimbledon had an 'Arcade' very close to Wimbledon Theatre, here you could purchase many items, from cottons to wet fish, but best of all cheap 45rpm. records ex-juke box versions ,many of which you had to add a 'spider 'to the centre.Does any else remember purchaseing records here.
There's alot to be said about Jersey Marine,it will always be home to me. I come from a well known family "Huxtable" and most of them are still there today. I've very fond memories of growing up there, climbing the many mountains, getting dirty from swimming in the canal, getting into trouble from my mother for going up to Stan Gorvett's stables (too far out of the village about 500yards ...see more