Mar 07 2010

More Spiders Castle Memories – from Mrs Sally North

Published by Errol Roberts at 8:46 pm under About Wye,Our Heritage,Wye Memories

Hi!  I’m trying to find out some more information about Spiders Castle in Naccolt and after reading your recollections on this website wondered if you could help me.

My Dad, Reginald James Francis Hayward, lived at Spiders Castle as a child. He had a twin sister called Hermione and brothers Keith and Rodney. My Dad’s parents were Reginald James (otherwise known as Jim) and Irene Hayward.

I read on your website that someone remembers playing with Jack Hayward at Spiders Castle. Jack was my Grandad’s brother and they were born and brought up on a farm in Brook.

I’m not sure who Mary and William Hayward are and wonder whether they are any relation?

I believe my Dad and his family came to live at Spiders Castle during the war after moving there from Worthing where he was born. The family then moved to another house in Wye nearer the College as my Granddad was employed at the College to look after the chickens.

Sadly, my Dad died suddenly a few years ago and I would love it if anyone has any memories of him or the family that they could share with me. I have seen what’s left of Spiders Castle, which sadly isn’t much.

I think I have got what little I know right but I think I will need to speak to my Aunty in the meantime to fill in some of the gaps.

Thanks, Sally

Editor: If anyone can add to Sally’s recollections she and we would be pleased since our community is made from individuals each with their own contribution to our lives in common.


7 responses so far

7 Responses to “More Spiders Castle Memories – from Mrs Sally North”

  1. # Daphne Yeomanson 08 Mar 2010 at 11:56 am

    Hi Sally,
    If it is any help, in 1840 a Mary Hayward occupied Pickersdane House in Brook also Newgate Farm where I now live. Both places owned by Thomas Franklyn. I am sure someone in Wye knows more about Spiders Castle than I do, although I have lived in Brook all my life, first at Pickersdane and now at Newgate.
    If I can find any more information I will call again. Daphne Yeomans.

  2. # Sally Northon 09 Mar 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Hi Daphne,
    Thanks for posting a reply to my email.

    I believe that Mary and William Hayward could be my great grandparents and its interesting that you said you live at Newgate Farm.

    About a year after my Dad died, which would have made it 2005, my Aunty took me and my mum and brothers and sisters on a little tour of Wye and Brook to show us where my Grandad was born and where my Dad lived etc. She took us to a farm in Brook and got us invited in, much to our embarrassment. If I remember correctly she even looked up the chimney ! I wonder if you was the unsuspecting homeowner?

    It would be great if you find out anymore information. I shall keep checking the website.

    Sally

  3. # Chris Millson 09 Mar 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Hi Sally,
    My dad was born at Hinxhill (next parish to Brook and Wye). He went to the Ashford Grammer School in the early 1930′s with a Fred Hayward who came from a farm at Brook.
    I remember in later life Fred had a farm at Kingsnorth,next to Homelands football ground. He made hurdle gates and fence spiles which we used to buy for our farm.
    I hope this may be of use to you.
    Chris

  4. # Frances Eyleson 10 Mar 2010 at 4:01 am

    Hi Chris and Sally,
    Fred Hayward from Kingsnorth was my Dad’s cousin.

    Hi Daphne (my former Guide / Brownie leader),
    Could you help me identify Cuckles Coomb? In the 1880′s one of my ancesters lived there and had 20 acres. I can’t quite place the area.

    Frances Eyles (nee Hayward)

  5. # Jack Woodfordon 10 Mar 2010 at 9:16 am

    Frances,
    Cuckolds Coombe is just 1/4 mile past Newlands, on the right going to Stowting and opposite Fishponds Farm. When I bought my place, which is down a track besides it, the owners were the Hancocks, although it was just Peter living there. Audrey, his sister, lived at Pickersdane. An old chap, Ward, used to farm my place from 1910 until 1954 – mostly fruit, damsons, apples and pears. He constantly argued with Peter’s father, who was called Thomas, over the rights of way over the various land boundaries between their two farms! I do not have any record of who was around these farms in the 1880′s, but the land boundaries have apparently not changed much from Medieval times in this part of Wye/Brook. Most of the land belonged to the Hampton Manor, itself now just a indentation in the fields.

  6. # Daphne Yeomanson 10 Mar 2010 at 11:53 am

    Frances,
    This also refers to Jack who has got a wrong name, Newgate not Newlands. you remember where we used to have week-end Guide camps on ground up the hill from Pickersdane, Wye/Brabourne road. Newgate on the right going towards Brabourne then Cuckolds Coombs where before Handcock a family called Else lived and Alan handcock (Thomas)!! married an Else then in time took over the farm.

    I will try and find more info. re Cuckolds Coombe but the man who is reseachihg Brook families is away for a time. Daphne

  7. # Sally Northon 10 Mar 2010 at 9:15 pm

    Hi Chris and Frances

    I’m not sure who Fred Hayward is I’ve just asked my Mum and she doesn’t recall anyone in my Dads family being of that name.

    I guess we are probably all related some how its too much of a coincidence especially as Frances and my Dad appear to share a cousin. I’ll just have to keep digging!!

    Sally