Recent Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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Displaying Memories 36481 - 36560 of 36961 in total
Or it could be late 1930s. My mother Ivy Eaglestone, at the age of about 11, was evacuated from London with her brother Leslie to stay at The Black Horse with Mr and Mrs Hughes, Elizabeth and Joe. They had 4 children: Josephine, married to Eddie who sadly died, Bettie a sargeant in the ATS, Lloyd who taught my mother to tell the time, and Donald who she never met. My mother remembers her two and half ...see more
I remember starting school at the 'old' school and then after 3 years moving to the new school - it seemed huge and daunting and many of us got lost in the first few weeks. Pyrford was great to grow up in then - we had fields to roam in, there were farms that didn't care about kids wandering in and asking questions (guiness Dairy Farm in particular), we went out at 9 in the morning and came back when we were ...see more
Returning to Wickford after being in the USA for a few years I remember the Willow Cafe, Egans, Adrian's in a hut in Market Road, the livestock market where the Willowdale Centre is now. Dr. Rentons Georgian house in the High Street, Fish's, Stafford's Bakery in the Broadway, the Co-Op being opened by Dick Emery. Going to school at Wickford Country Junior School and Beauchamps....my husband was in the same schools and same year....33 years later we met and married!
In 2001 my husband Derek and I visited Assington. We had been researching Derek's family history, and had discovered that his great-great-grandfather John Crisell was the bailiff, in the middle of the 19th century, at Society Farm, Assington. We were unable to find the farm, but called at a farm shop in the middle of the village, and were told that this had been Society Farm, but had changed its name to Willow Tree ...see more
Is Limpsfield Manor House & Furzedown Auxiliary Hospital Limpsfield the same place?
I would like to remember all the members of the Anderson families in Stokenchurch. My mother was Bertha May Anderson, daughter of Abel and May Anderson. Abel's brother Harry had a chair factory in Stokenchurch called Harry Anderson and Son Ltd. This has now been demolished and in its place is an housing estate. My Anderson family originally came to Stokenchurch from Ashendon and ...see more
In 1954, as a 17 year old cashier bookkeeper, I started work for Mr Greenham, whose butcher's shop was near the top of Broad Street.
Some years later (in 1958), I went to work at Brewer's, the grocers, further down Broad Street. My boss there was a Mr Vaughn, who I think later returned to Torquay. I enjoyed my job at the grocers; at first I worked behind the counter, and when the ...see more
My paternal great grandmother Mary Annie Hutchinson was buried at St Michael's church on March 26th 1945. There is a reference to it in the church's Monthly Magazine for May 1945. Also referenced in the same magazine is an acknowledgement of donations to the churchyard fund in appreciation from her children, Mr C Hutchinson, Mr G Hutchinson and Mrs S Thirlwell. The last named was my grandmother, ...see more
In February 1949, my husband, Derek, travelled from London to start agricultural training at the YMCA Agricultural Training Centre at Ham Green, Pill, on a scheme known as 'British Boys for British Farms'. He arrived at Temple Meads Station, and caught a small train which in those days ran from Bristol to Portishead. Although born in London, he hated the idea of city life, so chose to ...see more
In the 1960s I took my parents to stay in a bungalow a short distance from the Warren House Inn. The bungalow was called The King's Oven, and we rented it for a week. It had been used as accomodation for the tin mine inspector when he visited the area. Sadly, it has since been demolished, but I can still discern where it used to be. While we were there, my father used to like to stroll up the road to the Warren House Inn for a drink.
I would like to visit Staindrop again sometime to see how much it has changed since 1943. I was serving with the R.Es and we were in a tented camp on the outskirts of the town and doing Army Exercises out on the Moors and using live ammunition. I remember the local Pub because all the "live" stuff was kept in the cellars and every morning we would go there to collect what we needed . I dont know what the Landlord ...see more
I found a delightful pair of sketches beautifully framed 16cm x 11cm - one of the subjects was a skillfully crafted sketch of the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone - almost identically as it appears in the above photo - it was a real place. The artist signed his/her name Judges. The second sketch is of a Dorset cottage in Cerne Abbas the year earlier. These sketches are a window to a place in a time long ago.
I was born in Annes Cafe, Boroughbridge in 1940 (we were lodging there). Dad used to have a few beers in the Crown and the Three Greyhounds during WW2. Mum and Dad told me they used to go "skinny dipping" in the "fish ladders?" We moved from Boroughbridge to Merseyside sometime between 1940 and 1945 I will have to research exactly when. Does anyone where the "fish ladders" are or were?
The Titterton family started in this area.
The Whiskin family lived in Belper until 1903. (William Whiskin-Jane Sharp)
This about the time my mother, Lysbeth Nielsen, was born in Caernarvon.
William Titterton and his son had a Butcher Shop on this street. He was a pork butcher.
I am researching my family tree and I have learned that my ancestor George Worsfold born around 1799 ran Coneyhurst Farm in Ewhurst in the mid to late 1800s. He had 7 children and a lot of other relatives also in Ewhurst and Cranleigh. I am hoping to discover more and perhaps visit Ewhurst soon.
The farthest shop on the left was owned by my grandparents and I lived there until I was 3 with my parents, Ivan and Betty Robinson. They sold prams and baby goods. My mother Evelyn Betty McTurk did her hairdressing apprenticeship in the hairdressers next door, Maison Drayton, and continued working there for some years. I remember the parade of shops as being a very busy lively place.
I believe the girl walking in the photo with the shopping bag is myself at the age of 16 - 17 judging by my hair style at that time. I recognise the skirt as one I had made myself and my walk also. I also remember the cardigan I was wearing and of course I recognise myself. I had just walked past a cake shop where my sister worked at the time, and I am looking in a jeweller's window. I would have ...see more
In 1861 my great grandmother's (Jane Chapman, nee Loveland) parents were living at the Manor House as servants. John Loveland, 65 was a gardener and his wife Charlotte 58 a domestic servant. Also living in the household at that time were a Richard (42) and Hannah (37) Kimber. He is described in the 1861 census as an agricultural labourer. There was also their 12 year-old son Edward.
As I read out the memorable words from a guide book about the low bridge in Potter Heigham, and thus to be extra careful, I was greeted with the words "Too late" as we rammed the bridge. Thirty years after this photo and we were still causing havoc!
My great granduncle and aunt managed the Bush Hotel - certainly in 1901. He was James Price, born in Ifton (Ilton?) Monmouthshire c. 1862 and his wife, Mary Pearce born in the same place C 1865.
I don't have memories of Derwent Reservoir but my Great Grandfather was a Navvy who worked on the building of the Howden and Derwent Reservoirs and Dams. He lived with his family in the purpose built village of Birchinlee in hut number 80. Derwent Valley Water Board did their workers proud by providing them with excellent accommodation and facilities. I am really proud that one of my ancestors played a part in the construction of such a magnificent structure.
I know I was doing my bit for my country at the time, but Medmenham will always be in my memory because of the great friends I made at the RAF station. It was also a beautiful part of the country to be doing my service. I got to meet some of the locals who worked on site at the time and found them very friendly towards this Bermondsey, London lad. At weekends when I was off duty some of the lads I was doing ...see more
I spent, as a boy, four years from 1970 to 1974 at this magnificent house, as it was a boys' boarding school. It was a fantastic place to be as a 10 year old, to study and grow up.
I yearn to return and see its splendid huge wooden staircase we use to slide down, its hamstone turret stairscases, and the japanese garden that we spent many hours tending due to detention!!!!
I ...see more
Just like to say I have many happy memories of rollerskating down past the green and went to school just by the church in the photograph and remember the stocks on the green. Are they still there by the big oak tree?
Sadly, I believe St Michael's Church is little more now than a ruin of it's former self, nothing like it was in the 1940's when it seemed to stand proudly on the hill watching over and protecting the small village below as it had done since Norman times: even then the inscriptions on some of the tombstones weathered and worn away so that one could only make out perhaps a name or date and ...see more
I am just hoping that somebody has got some memories of Redbridge, near Eastleigh? I am hoping that somebody might remember if there were any children's homes or foster homes in this area in the 1930s. Also I have been given the name F Pearce of a man who was a market gardener in the Redbridge/Millbrook area. Does anybody remember him? I would appreciate any help in this matter. Many thanks. Diana White, Somerset
What memories this picture brings back to life again!! I had just been discharged from the Fever Hospital having spent six weeks there with Scarlet Fever. Nothing was going to stop me from taking part in the Victory Parade especially as I had been picked as one of the colour party carrying the Guide Flag. It was a beautiful hot sunny day, perfect for the occasion. The Parade had started ...see more
We stayed in a ramshackle bungalow on the Warren and Miss Doyle, the owner, stayed in an outhouse while she rented the place to us for the week! We had the most wonderful times there and went every year for a long time. Sunny days, sandy beaches and happy times! We used to stroll up to the Gronant Arms with our mum and dad and sit in a whitewashed shed and have crisps (with the little bag of salt in) and a bottle ...see more
As a child aged 7 in 1955, I used to holiday with the Shaftesbury Society at a camp, just round the corner. The camp had several dormitories, each accommodating about 10 children. The fortnight I'd be there would be soley for disabled children and we'd have a ball, leaving our families, who meant well but the freedom was wonderful! We'd be taken to this post office by 'helpers' and buy fizzy ...see more
The building nearest the camera on the right is (was) Graham and Fishers - founded by my great-grandfather Tom. His sons Alg (my grandfather) and Spencer worked in the business all their lives, and my father Douglas worked there until 1966. His cousin Richard also spent some time in 'the Shop' before setting up his own business further along the High Street.
The scene in the photo is actually very much as I ...see more
I think it was possibly 1957 when I was at the Clock Tower seeing the New Year in! Lots of fun and no trouble as I remember.
My family's house, just off the Kingston Bypass (now known as the A3) in Tolworth, was damaged as the result of enemy action in September 1940 and my parents and I stayed for a while with my grandmother in Surbiton. Her flat was on the first floor at the far corner above the shops on the left of the photo, just before the Odeon Cinema which lay slightly back from the building line. One of my ...see more
This is where I was born in 1950. I remember being pushed in my pram into Witley to the Post Office. Although I was only a baby I remember the peace of the area. It was a wonderful place to be born.
I remember going into all these shops when I was a toddler. I loved watching the sugar and flour being taken from bags stood on the floor or counter. Everything was in sacks or bags and on display. It was so interesting going shopping back then taking our time in each shop catching up on the village news. What a lovely time to grow up in!
I remember learning to swim in this pool. Once a week we would be taken from school. After our lessons we always had some sandwiches which our mothers sent with us. I always had lettuce and marmite sandwiches. To this day when I have the same sandwiches I can see and smell the swimming pool!
My grandparents George and Elsie Wood lived on Landells Road for most of their married lives. They had two daughters, my mum Elsie and my auntie Bibby (Vivian). When my parents and I moved to Derby around 1965 (when I was about three) I only saw my Grandparent perhaps once a year so when in 1967 my mum took us to London to stay with my grandparents it was the cause of great excitement. It was one of the memories ...see more
First time on web page, co-incidently was at site yesterday 20 Aug 2006. I used to play all around the area as a young child 1970+ when the area was allotments, the current site has lost about 10ft in height due to 20 years of erosion, filling in etc. If you look to the left of the centre pillar and to the root overhang, there is about 2ft of sandstone left visible and then you are at root level to ...see more
I have fond memories of Walberton and the wonderful family that I believed I would be marrying into, but sometimes life doesn't work out as you plan. I was to be married in this church. I still miss them and their lovely village. My heart is still with them. I often walked behind the church with my dog Blue and spent many a happy hour in the peaceful and tranquil setting. Walberton Church has special memories of love, weddings, christenings. Bless you all.
I was born in 1975 and spent nearly every birthday until I was 16 years old at Thame Cottage, Portmellon with my Mum, Dad, younger Brother, Uncle, Auntie and 3 cousins. One day, when I have my own children, I hope to take them there so that they too can have the special memories that I hold so dear.
Memories of Thame Cottage; The electric meter running out, the cold shower room beyond the kitchen with ...see more
My Grandfather John Collier served onboard, 6 different occasions between 1874 and 1886.
It started when my mother was dying, when we asked her about the family history, and she gave us names and dates. Her family came from France in late 1500. They were Hugenots and they were Puritans, and were chased out of France because of their beliefs. They went to live in Gloucester, where they helped to rebuild the church in Taynton St Lawrence. We went to visit the church and it was the most exciting ...see more
My mother and her family are from Stiffkey. I was christened in the Stiffkey church in September of 1965. My grandparents lived at Camping Hill and I was always visiting them. I have lovely memories of their beautiful garden and allotment, and the many walks down to the marsh to swim in the tide pools and collect the heather. My beloved grandparents passed away in 1987, but I still visit ...see more
To the right of the photograph is a driveway into the interior of the original castle that was the entrance to Castle Farm operated by F.Elms & Sons and in particular my uncle Harry Elms. He bought the Farm in about 1930 having moved down from Bexley/Eltham area where the family farmed an area from Sidcup to Dansen Park. My main memory was of being able to boast to my school classmates that we "owned a ...see more
My memories of the heath are from 1980 when my mother - Kathleen (Topsy) Whybrow and father bought me and my brother to the heath in the summer of 1980 for five months. My parents had emigrated to NZ and gave myself and my brother a choice - a swiming pool or a trip to the UK. I was only 8 and plumped for the pool but my older wiser brother convinced me my mother needed to see her family. And so it was to the ...see more
The view is of Cowgate looking south. The white building in the background is the Green Dragon Inn - once a haunt of Dick Turpin. The beck, mill dam and church are just to the left. Welton once had 3 water mills - the last of which was working into the 1950s
I am surprised that no one has added any memories to this page.
When I was a child the village was small and everyone knew everyone else, now it has changed out of all recognition, apart perhaps from the very centre by the tree.
Fair Oak Primary School: The headmistress was Miss Elizabeth Ayers (she married late in life and became Mrs Treasure), and who remembers Mrs. Dowse who taught in infants ...see more
This photo shows my first school where I went from 1945. My father worked in the bakery, which was also a grocers shop.
I was born at 1 Woodville Road, Cwm on the 15th November 1940. My Grandfarther was a Miner at the Marine Colliery. His fellow miners called him "Stonejar Morgan" because he took a stonejar full of water to work each day.He was a rescue worker during the "Six Bells" disaster.
I was a student at Allhallows in the early 1970's... I have many memories of this unique school, Rousdon and Lyme Regis as well as photos of this wonderful estate, for both its architectural beauty as well as its contribution to the local community... I would love to find out how it is today... I did visit Allhallows with my wife about 15 years ago and found that they had fallen into hard times... this is a ...see more
My family lived in Woodhouse Eaves for a short while - it was a beautiful town and although I have few memories now, I do remember a local Doctor - Dr. Wykes, who taught me to ride a horse. I often wonder what happened to him - I live in the States now but have never forgotten him or his family. I am not sure of the correct dates but am sure it was either 1951 or 1952. My father was with the RAF at that ...see more
In 1953, the 400th anniversary of the school, the Queen Mother "opened" the entrance with newly erected boars' heads on each pillar. I have a photograph of this ceremony before the assembled school.
This is a photo of the Derringham Branch of the Hull Savings Bank where I started as a junior bank clerk at the age of 16 on 31st August 1965, probably around the time when this photo was taken. It certainly looks right. This was my first job after leaving Riley High School, just down the road from the bank. The heating in the building was powered by a big coal fired boiler in the cellar ...see more
Anyone interested in West Craven, including Barnoldswick, should do a Google search for the term oneguyfrombarlick. You will soon find the largest local history website in the UK which contains masses of information about the area and its history. The site is free, non-profit making and is a locally owned and run facility dedicated totally to exploring the history of the area.
My Great, Great Great Grandfather, William Booth, used to push a cart up and down the streets of Clayton le Moors with his son John Booth, selling shellfish. He was known as 'Muscle Bill' and his son, 'Oyster Jack'. (This is actually a memory passed down from my ancestors to my 3rd cousin.)
They lived at 'Old Sparth House' from around 1895 onwards. William died in 1900 age 79. Most of the family married ...see more
My father's family moved to Harwich in the early 1900's to cottages below Upper Dovercourt Church and lived there for many years. I was born in 1950 when my parents lived in Ramsey then we moved to Valley Road. I still have family in the Harwich/Dovercourt area. I come down to the area for holidays and stay at one of the caravan sites. Since I moved I have come back on holiday and seen some big changes: the road from ...see more
The building behind the Market Cross with the arched windows is the Manor Court House, a grade II listed building. It is owned by the Epworth Mechanics' Institute Library, which still operates from the upper floor. The Library was formed in 1837 by William Read, who owned a business based at Albion House on Albion Hill. The Manor Court House is not the original, being built in 1803, but retains the character of ...see more
My family lived adjacent to the fields which were designated for the Hixon Aerodrome. I remember well standing against the garden fence seeing the location being prepared for the runways, and watching the workmen erecting the hangars. My mum would make the workmen billy-cans of tea. My age was 7 years. It became necessary for our house to come under the hammer due to the hazardous location. My family and ...see more
My memories of Thaxted are very dear to me. My parents, unfortunately now deceased, were Queenie and Denzil Roberts. Denzil was a Pharmacist and purchased the property known as the Chemist Shop and refurbished the property so we could all live above the shop. We lived in Thaxted for a few years and made many friends. I was able to participate in many of the May Day festivities and was an avid fan of the Morris ...see more
This is actually the chapel in the Ruabon Road cemetery used until about 1995 for burial services.
I remember this beautiful church standing opposite the Majestic cinema with the church hall to the right & St Marks steeple behind. Tragically torn down to make way for an ugly row of concrete shops! Typical Wrexham!
My memories of our familý's involvement in Sanderstead Church is only from the late 1940's and early 50's. I was a pageboy at the age of about 8 or 9 yrs old at my sister's wedding. Then, one of my older brothers was a choir boy during the early to mid 50's, he gave it up because I teased him about wearing a white dress. Two of my brothers were in the boy's brigade there and another brother married a local ...see more
THE LIFE & TIMES OF DONALD CHARLES WILLIAMS
Personal recollections from Don Williams from Hailsham who lived in Saltdean from 1937 to 1952 - Many thanks for these wonderful stories & photo's of Saltdean in the Past.
Mum had answered an advert for a butcher's bookkeeper at Rottingdean, working for a Mr W.R. Dean who had three shops, Barcombe, Rottingdean and Saltdean. He apparently ...see more
During the last war my father served in the Merchant Navy and saw Aberdaron from the sea, that was to be the beginning of many trips and a life-long love of the village.
I started going to Aberdaron at about the age of six and have been going each year since then. My parents, now both sadly deceased, loved it as I do. I cannot imagine a year going by without a visit whether for a short or longer one.
The village ...see more
In the last two months (year 2006) I found out that I had a Great Uncle that lived in Cuddesdon in the 1881 census. This was a surprise to me as I lived in Cuddesdon in Parkside Cuddesdon for 5 years under my ex married name(1995 to 2001) and never new I had famliy there beforehand. This was David King who married a Ann Gunn, who was born in Cuddesdon, her father John Gunn was also born in Cuddesdon. (I am not related to the Gunns, only by marriage.)
My father tells me that there was an airfield at Watchford and that the Paras used it as a drop zone in the 1950's. Taking off from Abindon, they would drop at Watchfield. My Father did his night drop here and said that the staff on the ground would leave the hanger doors open with the lights on so that the young paras could just see enough to assess how much the wind was making them drift. Does ...see more
My mother was taken from Tamworth to Rolleston by her Grannie (nee Maria Pegg) for a holiday in a cottage. My mother remembers that the man in the cottage was a brewery worker. He used to bring black stuff like sweets for them to eat. Mum would have been 7 or 8 as she wrote a letter to her mum. We don't know who this man was but could have been a brother.
I was born in 1922 in Mundford where my Father was the village policeman. We had no motor car, indeed in those days there were not many people who could afford this luxury. The village was small, however it was self-contained and provided all the necessities of life, including a village doctor, blacksmith, carpenter and general store. When other needs arose we hired a taxi or cycled to Brandon where there was a train ...see more
Bury market was famous and its modern version, though not as interesting, still is. We used to go to the market and buy one of Thompson's black puddings, piping hot in a grease-proof paper, The man would split it and put plenty of mustard on. There was the roast potato man, vegetable stalls, fish stalls and the famous Cheap Jack. He used to gather crowds round his stall with his patter and his household ...see more
Walmersley Road Recreation ground was later renamed Clarence Park. This is the bandstand where on summer Sunday afternoons there would be a band concert and deck chairs (strictly for the older generation of course). The house in the distance was the park keeper's residence, and woe betide any child who was caught walking on the flower beds. There was a large rock near the park entrance which carried a metal plaque. The ...see more
Kay Gardens was the terminus for all bus services from surrounding districts and towns. On this photograph, the large building at the back of the picture was the Co-op, which was at that time a department store, but also housed a restaurant on the first floor, widely used by office workers at lunch times, and of course for funeral parties. At the far right of the picture is the dome for the old indoor market. Kay Gardens ...see more
The awnings on the left of this picture show the location of Woolworths, whilst Marks and Spencers was a little further up on the right hand side. The building immediately before Woolworths was a bank and over the top was Joseph, Thompson and Marsdens Acountants.
By the 1940s the Grammar School had been rebuilt in Tenterden Street. The building in the photograph became The Wylde Clinic which was the centre for mothers and babies and of course housed the 'dreaded' school dentist. My younger brother went to the Wylde Clinic for 'sunray treatment' where all the children had to wear goggles to protect their eyes. The Wylde Clinic was still operating in the 1960s for mothers and babies, ante-natal care and school health referrals.
This is a photo of The Duchy Hotel. This later became Dartmoor Prisons' "Prison Officers Mess". It has now become The Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre. My dad was an officer or "screw" at Dartmoor Prison for many years and we used to have our Sunday lunch here. The kitchen and waiting staff were all convicts!
I remember my mother taking me to see Annie Get Your Gun about 1950/1 at the Savoy Cinema in Sale. I was ten years old and we had walked from Button Lane. I was only ten years old.
Moving from Lewisham in London to Three Bridges in 1953 was wonderful. I was only 9 and we were, I believe, the first family in the Birches. We had the river mole with rainbow trout, horses, rabbits, all manner of wildlife and forests to play in with hectic construction going on all around. It was just amazing - great memories.
I would like to add a memory of Boxford, no, wonderful memories that I have of Boxford 65 years ago.
As a child of four, I was evacuated with my grandmother Mary Jane Farthing, nee Carpenter, to Boxford to stay with her parents, my great Grandmother Mary and Grandfather Charles Carpenter at Tinywent Corner - a little cottage with a well and a toilet way up the end of the garden.
The start of this ...see more
We stayed as a family at the Crown Inn many times. We loved the pub and the village and local people. Hope to re-visit. I believe that Ruth lives next door.
