Nostalgic memories of Wakefield's local history
Share your own memories of Wakefield 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
I was brought up on Rufford Street and most children in the surrounding area played in Sparrow Park at the top of the street next to Beaumont's Farm , who delivered our milk daily measured into our own jug. The Park only had swings and a ranty but there was usually a rope swing on a tree by the beck where those daring enough to swing and let go might, or often not, clear the water and land on the far side of the beck. ...see more
I 'lived' in Clarence Park for years when I was a kid. It became my magic Kingdom! I knew every bush and tree and secret trail through the bushes. I would lurk in the bushes and spy on people walking past. I had a favourite tree - a huge beech next to the bowling green. I would climb high in it and sit quietly watching them bowl, hidden by dense leaves. I'd whistle and call to them and put them off bowling, ...see more
The Roundabout use to be a popular place for me to go, it was a public house just a short distance from the Wakefield Jail. I was somewhat surprised on chatting to one man at the bar (I was somewhat interested where he lived) he smiled in such a way that I found it hard to believe when he told me that he lived in the biggest mansion within the whole of Wakefield which had hundreds of rooms and big gate. He was ...see more
I have just been back to Wakefield for a short break. I knew what to expect before I set off. But still don't know whose idea it was to do away with the old Bull Ring which I thought made it look more like a city. Why take away such a good market? It was one of the best, plus the indoor where I used to buy my records in the 1970s. But overall I thought the place looked clean and tidy when I visited recentley. ...see more
The 1960s, great memories of Clerance Park, it had everything. Do you remember cannon ball hill, the little steam train ,padling pool, fireworks and fun fair, picknicks with mum and sister ...too many fond memories. I used to stay in that park all day until the park keeper threw me out, he had an alsatian dog.
I loved our park and was there every spare minute. Apart from all the exploring, we had swings, slide, ranty, and paddling pool, tennis courts and a massive duck pond where I took my own children. When I was 9 years old I practically sliced my big toe off on a bottle and lost so much blood, it was stitched back on though at Clayton hospital. I'm so sad that our great market was demolished and I so love the large historical buildings.
I was born in Manygates hospital and lived at 13 Clarkson Street, Lawefield Lane with just a wall seperating my house from my school so I would jump over the wall at the last minute. The house is no longer there. I would roller skate all the way to the park and later when I got a bike I went all over on that. My grandparents lived at Lupset and when my brother was born when I was 9 we moved to Lupset and I went to ...see more
My grandad had a pie & pea shop in The Springs, evidently it was the front for a betting shop. My mum who is now 84 tells me she used to work in the shop and that my grandad Exley was quite a penny watcher and would not let her use hot water or soap to wash up. I would dearly love to find a photo of the shop and preferably with my grandad in it. Most of my relatives ...see more
I came to live in the town when I was awarded an Engineering Cadetship to train for a technical commision in the Armed Forces. About 70 of us were based at The Technical College. I and another Cadet were billeted first in Brotherton Avenue and then in Batley Road. Both landladies gave us a home-from-home.
I have many happy memories: playing rugby league against Sharlestone Colliery on Trinity's ground in ...see more