Do you have a memory of Cottingham or Middleton? We’d love to hear it. This is a growing collection of memories, stories and recollections about our villages. Please email us at jane@cottinghamhistory.co.uk
Click on the photos below to read villagers’ memories.
This section includes details of new pages that have been added to the website and we’re also in the process of adding letters, emails and memories that have been sent in to us over the years. This is going to take some time, so please bear with us! You can reply to an existing memory if you have something to add or correct. While we’re building this section up, you can download and view additional correspondence from 2003–2007, captured from the old Cottingham History website here.
- Business and Industry
In days gone by, Cottingham and Middleton has been home to a whole host of tradespeople, local services, retail outlets, farms and dairies, serving villagers’ every need and providing employment…. - Memories – Belinda Key (nee Drury)
Belinda lived in Middleton from 1968 to 1978. She remembers the Co-Op on Main Street, going to Irene Beadsworth’s to get her hair cut and Barbie Granger working at the Post Office in Cottingham. - New: Cottingham & Middleton Infant School Journal (1871-1901)
This journal, given to us by Sue Hall, provides a fascinating insight into the day-to-day life of the school, from the day it opened in 1871 through to 1901… - New page: The Royal George
In eager anticipation of The Royal George pub re-opening, we’ve created this new page with some history and fabulous old photos of the pub, going back to the 1930s… - New page: Methodist Band and Cottingham Feast
Find out about the Cottingham Methodist Brass Band and the annual Cottingham Feast, where the band led the Sunday School children around the villages in farm wagons… - New section – Schools
Welcome! This is the first section that’s been completed for the new Cottingham History website. View section: Schools Comments are enabled on the main schools page and all the sub… - Memories – Tom WilkinsonTom’s dad Maurice Wilkinson grew up with his family in The Nook off Corby Road. His Uncle Ken married Silv Derry.
- Woolpack and Middleton Chapel – Peter HaynesPeter was born at The Woolpack Inn in 1958 and was christened at the Congregational Chapel on Main street, Middleton. His parents ran The Woolpack in the 1950s and 60s.
- Chamberlain’s Yard – David LawsonDavid and his family lived in the Old Granary at the top of what used to be called Chamberlain’s Yard, off Church Street. The yard was once home to a granary, bakehouse, an Ostler’s house and a mill, servicing the coaching inn (The King’s Head) opposite…
- Old Bakehouses – Joan BirkaJoan’s father, Fred Holmes was a baker in Cottingham from 1928–1944, first on Corby Road, then on Church Street…
- Coles family – Helen NormanHelen’s Great Grandfather John Coles was the last landlord of the Three Horseshoes Pub on High Street before it closed around 1910…
- Cannam family – Sylvia CannamThe Cannam family can be traced back to the 13th Century in the villages and gives its name to Cannam House and Cannam Close in Middleton…
- Wash day in Dag Lane – Rob Jolley
My name is Rob Jolley. I came across a picture on your website entitled ‘Jolley Family Wash Day’ and I was wondering if you had any information on the names of the people in the picture… - Old Shoe Factory – Victoria SimmondsVictoria lives on the ground floor at the old shoe factory on Rockingham Road
- Memories – Vanda Culpepper, TexasGeneral memories of living in Cottingham. Vanda is one of the Ashby twins.
- Davenport family – Jim DavenportJim’s father was born in Cottingham in 1911 but the family moved away in 1925 after the sad death of his grandmother, Harriett Davenport, from TB…
- Corby Road cottages – Mike WilliamsMike and his family came to the village during World War II.
- Chamberlain’s Store – Margaret BanningMargaret has sent us a fascinating retirement certificate, given to her by her neighbour in Ealing, Lilian Sturman, younger daughter of Mr & Mrs John Chamberlain
- Chambers family – Graham ChambersGraham is descended from the Chambers and Beadsworth families
- No.9 High Street – George RobertsonGeorge moved into No.9 High Street in 1978 and has gathered memories from Vere and Dorothy Coles, who ran a shop from the property.
- 1930s & 40s – Geoff GoughGeoff is descended from the Coles family. He recalls hearing war declared in the front room of the Old Three Horseshoes pub on 3 September 1939
- Coles family – Jenny Webster (nee Coles)Jenny is the great niece of Vere and Doss Coles, and her great grandparents ran the Three Horseshoes pub. She has also shared memories of the old bakehouses from Vere’s niece Margaret Clarke (nee Patrick).
- Cannam Family – Daphne JoinerDaphne was the last person in Cottingham to have the surname Cannam
- Corby Road cottages – Tim DaviesTim was brought up in the village in the 60s. He recalls George Smith running an upholstery business from a small cottage on Corby Road
- Memories – Annie Johnson (nee Bradshaw)Annie Johnson is the daughter of John Charles Bradshaw, late of Crossbank House, Corby Road. She has sent us a fascinating letter from her grandfather Alfred Bradshaw, sent at the end of the First World War.