Inspiration

I was born and brought up in the village of Stanley but left many years ago not long after leaving school to join the Royal Navy . During that time  I was fortunate to sail the great oceans of the world  and visit many countries but Stanley, and the many characters from there had such a huge influence on my life that over 40 years after leaving there I decided to build the first  website for the village in 2005.  Now 20 years later in 2025 it’s been refreshed to make it compatible to view with tablets and smartphones.  Hard to believe they were not around then or even Facebook!

This unofficial website is dedicated to Stanley and the folk from there, past and present. Gordon Howie (Keel), an old school friend who also no longer lives in the village, said to me once it was an idyllic place to grow up in and looking back I wholeheartedly agree with him – although we probably didn’t appreciate it at the time!

Initially all there was to work with were some photos left by my late father as well as historical details he’d jotted down about the Lodge and the Bowling Club. It’s a pity he’s not around now to see – and most probably correct – some of the details now published! The other material I had to work with were the brilliant Stanley Poems penned by Exile which brought so many wonderful Stanley characters to life and he described them in a way all true Stanley folk could relate too. On a personal note I feel it’s important that our village heritage if you like is preserved for posterity and I hope your Stanley website will maybe do this through the poems, photos and stories contributed by you but we’re always looking for more.

I’m very conscious that younger folk may dismiss what is in here because some of the photos are black and white and the dates may look possibly archaic to them.  However, I’m sure if you take the time to look you will find something of interest.  For the new residents of the village this is an ideal opportunity to discover some of its past.

Jim Donaldson