Nostalgic memories of Riddlesdown's local history
Share your own memories of Riddlesdown and read what others have said
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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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total
I was born in 1955 and grew up in Ingleboro Drive. Our house, number 12, backed on to the woods, and my brother Robert and I would play out there at every opportunity. Of course, as we grew, we climbed the trees, and I still have a visual memory of perching high up in the top branches of an oak that grew on the edge of the woods, looking directly down onto the roof of our house, and gazing out across ...see more
I grew in Riddlesdown from the end of 1959 (when I was 3) until 1976, my parents leaving in 1980. As kids, we had so much freedom, especially as group of 4 or 5, with me, aged 9, as the boss. I remember my new red tricycle being stolen on Riddlesdown (the Downs, as we called it), when going to the ice cream hut for a few mins. The grass had been too long to push the trike any further. It'll get stolen, I told ...see more
Mr Humphreys did indeed marry Miss Graham and he was the art teacher. Mr Mackay used to start every sentence with "ah zumm, boys and girls". I can also recall putting the RI teachers (Mr Hay) bike up on the roof of the office block once. Does anyone remember Mr Parker or Mrs Grimson?
We were born and grew up in Riddlesdown which, thanks to the Green Belt, has not changed much since my parents bought a house in Derwent Drive in 1939. Went to Roke which was pretty rubbish and then to Riddlesdown which was pretty good for me at least. The French teacher was Miss Graham who married another teacher, Mr. Humphries. Mr. Hay was an eccentric but I remember him waving the first ...see more
I walked to school up the track and back through the wood to catch the 234 back to Selsdon, I lived in Abbey Road.
I can remember playing with my friends on this viaduct as a 10 year old. We used to run along the two walkways running under the track and, if we were feeling really brave/crazy, we would race across the viaduct at track level, hoping that a train wasn't on its way!
I went to the school from 1976-81, my brother from 71-76. Mr Hay was still there as Head of Humanities, I'm afraid he wasn't given the respect he deserved. I still remember his lesson about the three legged stool representing God. I'm no believer but that has stuck with me.
I attended Riddlesdown Secondary School from 1960 - 1965. I remember the Headmaster was a Mr Mackay and our History and Religious Instruction teacher was a Mr Hay. I used to cycle to school from our home in Famet Avenue (halfway up St. James Road). I think there was a Mr Turnbull and our French Teacher was Scottish!! However I don't remember her name. Is there anyone else with memories from this period?
We lived in Brancaster Lane - we often played and walked our dogs on the Downs. We lived in the area from the early 1960s to the early 1970s.
We moved in the year of a really heavy snowfall - when the snowplough went through the piled snow was car roof high along the sides of the road. Not that there were nearly as many cars on the road then as now!
It was such a surprise to see comments and pictures from Riddlesdown. I lived in Coombe Wood Hill, from 18mths old till I married in 1955. With my siblings I roamed on the Golf course and on the Downs for many a happy time. Went to Mr Halls, for Newspapers, sweets and ice cream, handing over our precious "coupons" during World War 11. Went sledding on the Downs in the winter. Rode our bikes all ...see more