Nostalgic memories of Victoria Garesfield's local history
Share your own memories of Victoria Garesfield 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying all 9 Memories
My husband is Billy Thompson (born 1942) grew up in Victoria Garesfield - he lived in the bottom Duckets - and worked at the pit there until it closed down. We have just created a website to record his memories of Victoria Garesfield - for anyone interested the site is: victoriagaresfield.weebly.com Comments and/or additional information can be left via the site - we would love to hear from anyone who wants to share their memories of the place.
Yes, I remember all those great times at Victoria Garesfield down the River Dewent swimming all day, couple of spuds for dinner and not a care in the world. Bonfire night lasted a whole week with all the railway sleepers we used to get from the colliery free. Television was only Hilda Ridley, all us kids would go to watch children's TV for cost of 1 old penny happy days. Would love to hear from anybody from those years. Johncollins65@hotmail.co.uk
My dad was a driver for the Venture Bus Company, we lived in Greenside not far away and in 1962 I went to Hebburn Technical College to do a two-year secretarial course. At this time, living in a pit village, girls leaving school at 15 (who had failed the 11 plus), were factory or shop fodder - this was my chance for something better. There I met Maureen French, Vera Gardener, Joan Tiplady and Mary ...see more
My mum, Esther Scott, lived at the above address and remembers; Jean Gardner, Anne French, Jack, Audray, Ronald & Colin Ripley. Ronald & Colin are on one of her wedding photos! She moved to South Yorkshire where she still lives today. Her cousins; Bill, Sid, Ruby, Peggy & John Scott lived at Prospect House. John now lives at Highfield.
We bought 8 Alexandra Street in November 1957, four months before we were married. In November 1959 our daughter Alison was born. People were friendly, our neighbours were kind and always on hand to help. Alison had a wonderful life exploring the surrounding area and playing with all the children - they all looked after one another. Our door was never locked, we would just pop into peoples homes uninvited, ...see more
I remember playing "houses" in the wood with the twins Jean and Betty. Also great friends with Anne French, Jean Gardener and also Eileen Wolfington who sadly passed away many years ago. We lived in View Terrace (the ducketts) and my brother Tom Lee still lives in the area at Chopwell. My grandad and grandma Matt and Jessie Lee lived in Victoria Terrace along with Aunty Audrey, Uncle ...see more
I was born at my Grandad & Grandma's house in Prospect House and lived there until 1951 when I moved to Highfield, I remember walking down the railway line to school at Highfield with my friend's Maureen French and Vera Gardener. I also remember my uncle Sid bringing the pit ponies out of the drift mine and letting us wash them. My mum was Ruby Scott one of five children my Grandma had only my uncle ...see more
Mam was born in Victoria Garesfield, the houses I can remember have now been demolished. In later years they lived in School Houses where there were about four converted bungalows. My grandad worked in nearly all the local pits, his name was Robert Atkinson, I believe he was born in the village. My gran was called Phobe May (Ward), Mam was called Jeam May, her twin is called Betty. John was their ...see more