Nostalgic memories of Wantage's local history

Share your own memories of Wantage 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 all 7 Memories

Millers Yard was in Grove Street opposite the Old Oxford Bus Company. Millers yard was founded by Mr Edward R Miller given its name of E.R. Miller until the late 40s / Early Fifty’s when sold to Mr Ivor P James, later taking on Partner Mr Len L Strong. The name of the company was then founded as E. R. Miller (Wantage) Ltd, Haulage Proprietors IP James & LL Strong. Mr Edward Miller in early stages ran it ...see more
well sorry to say i dont come from Wantage but my mum did so ive had the pleasure of coming to see for myself what Wantage is like but i must say i could move here my mum was at Garston lane school way back in the 30s and also saint Marys my oldest sister was born in the cottage hospital in 1947 my mum was a Harris / Rolls ive now been calling in to Wantage for some time stopping at chain hill cemetery to vist ...see more
My mate John Lavois (known as Johnny Dustman) had a BSA Super Rocket and frequented the square. Also memories of the late Wilbur Wallace on his Manx Norton and "Flash" on his BSA Gold Flash, Chris Embling (Douglas Dragonfly), Ray Gibbs (Ariel Arrow), Mervyn Joyce (Norman B4), the Wiltshre brothers (Triumph 500s), Me (350 Matchless) and loads of great British bikes.
I moved to Wantage with my parents Ted and Phyllis Willey and my brother Ken and sister Susan. At Garston Lane school one of my first friends was John Campbell who lived in Courtenay Road. We were aged 8. Another friend was Jim "Limmy" Lynch who became well known as guitarist in local bands. We still keep in touch and he still plays guitar at local gigs after 50 years! As a teenager and in my 20's my best ...see more
Being of a young age by this time, twelve years old, I remember the market square being filled with motorbikes, with each the bike riders wearing leather jackets topped with a cut-off denim with this being decorated with many a metal stud, either coloured brass or silver, and sometimes framing what was a stencilled picture of perhaps an evil looking face or else something of another bizarre description. This ...see more
We lived at 5 Tirrold Way on the Charlton Estate at Wantage just after I was born in 1949. My father George Nicholas worked at the Atomic Energy at Harwell and my parents were also the first occupants of these houses. My mother who is 83 years old feels sure that the Robinson family lived next door and that Susan and I played together and that she went on to become a nurse. If this is fact would love to hear from you!
My parents lived in the house on the right, the end semi-detached house, I can just be seen in the photograph as the light coloured blob in the front garden. Normally I would have been at Garston Lane School, but in the late spring of 1955 I had to have my tonsils removed at Wantage Cottage Hospital, so I had extra time off school. My parents were the first occupants of the house in 1949, we moved to a bigger house on ...see more