Nostalgic memories of Watford's local history
Share your own memories of Watford 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 11 - 20 of 45 in total
Hello, my name is Rhonda. This isn't a memory but I'm looking for someone very special that my mum lost contact with back in 1981; his name was Merrick (I think surname was something like Dowel). Merrick is a very rare name and he was meant to have worked in a pub or something like that. If anyone has any information please could someone email me on rhondabrown1982@outlook.com I would really appreciate the help. Thank you to anyone who has taken time to read this.
Rhonda
I well remember my school days at Watford Chater Junior School from 1957 to 1964, getting sick from drinking to much school milk, as class milk monitor with my friend Victor Oliver. Getting a splinter in my bottom, and having to wait for Miss James to come and remove it in the shelter sheds, after everybody had gone home. The lunch time acted out wars in the playground, some children had large Union ...see more
I was born in Watford in 1934 and went to school at Callow Land and Alexandra Secondary Modern. We lived through the war years in Elm Grove. I used to work in Trewins all day Saturday then go to the market and buy mum a bunch of violets. I loved the markets hustle and bustle. My parents moved to New Zealand in 1952 because they were sick of the rationing. In 1991 my husband and I moved to Australia. My fondest ...see more
Living in north Watford from 1952 to 78, I have fond memories of factories such as the British Moulded Hose. Not a nylon stockings factory as its title may sound, but an asbestos factory which I remember one day caught fire when I was in the playground of Park Gate School. Other well-known factories I remember were the (B.A.O) British American Optical company just a short distance away which made reading ...see more
Living in Watford from the early 1950's, I well remember the Town Hall roundabout before they moved it. Can't recollect whether it was nearer or further away. I can recollect, not far from a pub called the OBH, or almost opposite the Royal British Legion Club, was the bus stop for the 346 travelling towards the Herebreaks. I also recollect looking towards the roundabout to the left watching to see when the bus ...see more
I can remember very vividly going to Top Rank on a Saturday morning with my friends. We all went to Francis Coombe Secondary School. We all had so much fun dancing on these Saturday mornings... loved it...The memories of this and all memories of Watford are all so good to me. The 60's was such a great time to grow up in England. I just adored the Beatles; I can remember buying 'I wanna hold your hand' single record from the ...see more
Such a very small house, this semi of theirs,
So very squashed-up in between
Two others the same, but it gave itself airs
With the front door in Dark Cabbage Green.
Why on earth I was there, in this very small house,
Quite simply, I just didn’t know;
Though second thoughts tell me I probably did -
It was all eighty long years ago:
The funny small man who had married my aunt
I was made to call ‘Uncle’, ...see more
In 1959 I started school at Holyrood school. Often after school my parents would take me and my two sisters into the High Street to do some shopping. I would always have to run and see the pigs just off Market Street - the Thoroughfare. It was always so fasinating but normal to see lots of pigs penned up.
I must admit the penny didn't drop till I was grown, the connection between the penned up pigs and Keens sausage ...see more
When I was about 6, we moved to Ricky Rd. The Cassiobury Park gates were over the road to us, slightly to the left. Me and my two sisters were crossed across a very quiet road by our mum, with a packed lunch. We just played all day till we got hungry again.
Our house backed in to West Herts playing fields, so that kept us busy, watching all the sport.
The house we lived in was Floreston Guest House at No.21, ...see more
I lived in Bushey and then in Oxhey Village for all of my childhood, first in Aldenham Road, and then in Oxhey Avenue, and later in Villiers Road. In the early 70's I was living in Oxhey Avenue and my friend Annette lived in Woodwaye off Eastbury Road. When she came round on her bike I used to either walk or ride my bike to the other side of the railway bridge at the top of our road, when she went home. We would ...see more