I was born in Derby in 1935 so my Derby is the one of war years,the 40s and 50s, grammar schools and Derby Tech. The Derwent Hotel, the Cheshire Cheese, the Nottingham Castle and the Plaza. Also frequented the Bell and Jimmies and the Severn Stars with the rowing and cycling clubs. The Severn Stars was home brewed in
those days - so was the Nottinham Castle.

I lived in the Ashbourne Road/Uttoxeter Old Road area so knew Friargate well - locospotting at Friargate station and at the Midland.

I met my wife in the Derwent Hotel on her 18th birthday. We had our wedding reception at the Friary Hotel.

A lot of what I knew has gone - the West End, Siddals Road area and many shops - Midland Drapery, Ranbys, Ratcliffe's toy shop, the Central Educational book store.

You know, Derby is a very interesting place and ever changing. When I lived there I suppose I took it for granted. I think that the city of Derby is lucky to have people like you who take the time to showcase its'
assets.
The greatest asset is the people who live there. I don't know how well you know Richard Felix but I have known him for about 30 years. I first got to know him when I used to buy records from the family stall in the market hall in about 1970. I think he is around my age. I joined the army in 1972 and have spent a lot of time since then away from home.
Richard has done so much make people aware of the rich history of the city and over the years I have followed his progress. What you are doing fits perfectly with what Richard is trying to achieve.
I am sure that there are many photographs you have yet to take, and many memories for me to relive.
I will keep checking back with you.
Keep up the great work.

What a great website, I feel as I've no need to look anywhere else well maybe the auction sites.
I was thinking of putting on a website with photos of Derby but now no need but when I get a round to it, can I put on a link to your page?

I'm in Derby and have a great interest in Derby old and new.

I found your page when browsing the Evening Telegraph site not sure which section tho'.

Thank you for a wonderful experience on your website, I'm now going back to look again.

What a great website! I was born in 1957, lived in Littleover, went to College Primary School on Uttoxteter New Road and then Bemrose Grammar School. My house was on St. Albans Road and it backed onto Rykneld Rec....I remember sledging down that steep hill in the winter too!
Moved to Los Angeles in 1981

Like to find out more on Aston on trent

Trade etc., and 20 in other pursuits. The numbers of inhabited houses and the population rose to a peak in 1851, when they reached 150 and 191 respectively, after which they declined, though somewhat more slowly than they had risen. In 1911 the population was only 493 but in 1931 a dramatic 645 was recorded presumably Aston on Trent was already becoming a commuter village. However, it took 20 years for the population to rise by a comparable number to 796 in 1951. At the last census, Aston on Trent had over a thousand (1067) inhabitants for the first time in its history. Now housing developed along the roads out of Aston on Trent to provide for the increased population, whilst old cottages were demolished in 1967, to make a green space in the centre

I too remember the rag and bone men, didn't they sometimes give kids a goldfish that always died. I remember so many things, Markeaton park , boating on the lake in the old fashioned row boats and falling in the lake. Ryknald reck , I used to go there a lot. The River gardens, for some reason I always felt afraid when I went there. remember the open market that used to be next to the River gardens. do you have more memories to share

happy memories indeed. I have to say when I danced at the pictures not to many kids were happy to see this tap dancing fool, I sometimes had a friend with me and I think her name was June Lowe. did you ever row on Markeaton lake in the old fashioned row boats, I fell in once. did you ever go to Markeaton culvert, I did and yet it always frightened me. I was a very quiet child and so that's possibly why nobody remembers me. does anyone remember having to go to the Skegness childrens home, I had to go due to being very nervous but it was a horrible experiance and only made me worse than I was before I went. I still do consider my childhood as the good old days

I used to play saxophone at the Ritz and the Rialto ballrooms in 1954.There was a young lsdy whose maiden name was Hand. given name Gwendoline.I have often wondered over the years what became of her.I have lived in Canada for 58 years but have many happy memories of the old days.

Hi does anyone have pictures of Abbey st girls school. I left there in 1958 and try as I might I can find no photo's of the place, I left to live in the USA in 1968 and now reside in Oregon.

I love history and I love Derby as its my birth place. This is a fantastic website. Loved the people from derby too. Thanks

I am researching my family tree and would like to locate a photo or painting of 2 cottages situated on Swarkeston Bridge opposite Ingleby Lane I have seen a painting in the past but I do not know of its current location

Im: looking for old photos of green grocers from 1930 -1979

Raised in Derby on St. Albans Road from 1961 until 1981 when I left for Los Angeles in the U.S. Even after 32 years away there are times when I yearn for the "good old days"...I always visit my old "stomping grounds" when i come back to visit family. Thanks for the great site

i was 15 years old am now 80 but before i ran away from home and joined the hospital for 17 years i worked at the rex ,coliseum and broadway cinemas as a rewind girl and general dogs body ,i can remeber all the staff names like yesterday it was the best time of my life you have made an old man very happy thank you for all your effort and work

Looking for photo's of Christmas parties taken at Parker Foundry, also Mach fishing local photo's. 1950 to 1980

Thanks for sharing, this was a real trip down memory lane, I grew up in Derby (1950-1968). Passing the link to other members of my family, I’m sure they will enjoy it too. I lived in Shelton Lock and then off Duffield Road. I went to SL Infants and Juniors then Homelands then Derby Art College Kedlaston Road campus) before going off to Brighton. I only returned for brief spells to visit family after that - I live in Cambridge now.I have fond teenage memories of the Boccaccio coffee bar Market Place, the Locarno Babington Lane, Clouds London Road, Rialto Osmaston Road. Then the Coop cafe and dentist (yuck) in Albert St and Midland Drapery, Thurman And Malin. A great-aunt had a tobacco kiosk in the parade where the GPO was in Victoria St - some time before WW2 her husband was manager of the ABC cinema in East Street. My father worked for Rolls-Royce all his life, his grandfather had a provisions shop in Uttoxeter Old Road and also one in Peartree somewhere but that was before I was born

Very interesting to read about the old Cinemas in Derby. Remember the Coliseum, was it demolished for part of the inner Ring Road? The Gaumont, did it become the Odeon when the one in St. Peters St. closed

Researching my wifes family tree for Derby the Lowe family. William I believe owned a silk mill called Willow Mill, think in 1930''s. Would love to see any pics or have any info anyone may have of the Lowe family history. One of the Lowes may also have been a councillor? message me if you have any info/pics. My father in law Robert Lowe now has severe dementia and cannot give us accurate info. Roberts dad had ran the pub in St Peters St that is now a Wetherspoons (has a Bonnie Prince Charlie plaque outside) again any info re the pub when he ran it appreciated look forward to hearing from you

My grandparents lived in Camp St. Chester Green. I was born in 1939. I thought I could remember, as a youngster in the early 40s that their water supply was by a hand pump from a well under the house.Are my recollections correct?

I'm currently researching my family history. Seeing the area my ancestors lived as it was then is lovely. Brilliant website