Sep 27 2008
Wye Memories
Many of the long-term residents have expressed the view that since a number of posts elicit memories of living in Wye years ago. So we are trialing this page so that we capture the mood of fond nostalgia. We should all try to capture the Wye Memories of yesteryear. To start I am collecting the correspondence that has started between Keith Frances Eyles and Peggy Law, along with John Morris. I have found that these two old Wyevians most entertaining in their recollections. I would also urge everybody who can add to make comments. Below we have added a map of Wye from Hasted’s 1799 map of the Wye Hundred. Readers will be able to identify original buildings eg around The Green and in Church Street and this will add to the background against which our memory record can be viewed.
Left Click on thumbnails and you will be able to see a large scale image.
Wye circa 1799 (Hasted)
Wye 1921 OS
keith & frances eyles on 23 Sep 2008 at 6:51 am
Irrelevant to the theme,but how nice to see a picture of 13 to 19 Olantigh Rd., many years have passed since Charlie & Edie Hayward lived at no. 13 & Frances was born and spent all her single life residing there-interiors may have changed, but apart from the absence of 1 door,the exterior is the same as 70 years ago !
- Wye circa 1939
Nice to hear from you Keith and Frances whats the weather like in New Zealand?. Yes, I do remember Frances’s Dad Charlie telling us that this was once the family home. Did students also live in these houses then or were they all for College Staff? Perhaps you may remember names which will link to other Wye Village residents. I am told by Val Law who lived opposite, that where the 1960 labs stand now next to these cottages was a park. Do you have any memories of this?
Hello Frances and Keith, I’m sure you remember the Law tribe from no 32. We moved into that house from Bridge Street in 1946. What super days they were; we could play in the road after tea in the evening with no fear of a car coming along. I’m sure you remember Canterbury Gardens opposite us; if we were feeling reckless we would take a peep in them to see if anyone was about. I believe they were the Principle’s gardens and probably for the senior academic staff, the very high hedge put us off playing in there. I’m sure John Morris has memories of Olantigh Road and he will correct me if I get the following names wrong of the people who lived in our row as we were growing up -Tommy Dodd, Mrs. Everett and Grandma Allard, Mrs. Vane, Mr.and Mrs. Henry Lee and Edna, John’s family, Mrs. and Pop Rumley and David, the Laws and finally Mr. and Mrs. Goldup.The four families I remember from your row were yourselves, the Harris family, Sammy Garnham and the Kites. Happy memories , kind regards to you Peggy (Law)
Kind regards and to Brian
John Morris
PS Canterbury Gardens was the Principals tennis court.
Great to get replies from Ann & Peggy here are some more names to toss around—-Avis Cousins—-The Dog Kennels—-Brenchleys—-John Earl….
Spring is now upon us in the far south———-eat your hearts out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes – Mr and Mrs Goldup in the end house. Mrs Goldup cleaned A Block when I was a student, and was a wonderful source of gossip, in her distinctive accent but most importantly she provided B&B for my girlfriend when she came to Wye for Balls and Dances. There are many of that generation whose kindness and generosity to students was a real joy.
Francis
Hello John and Peggy good to hear from you. Oh dear, this seems like and episode from “This is Your Life”! My memories of Joyce Long are of her riding what appeared to be a very large horse and going up to the shop doors, knocking on the door with her riding crop and waiting for the shopkeeper to serve her whilst she remained on her horse.(Tom Brenchley at the bakers on the corner of Scotton Street and Olantigh Road and Mr Masters, the greengrocer, on the corner of High Street and Upper Bridge Street). Were either of you one of the children who used to go up to Miss Hudson’s farm at Hastingleigh to help with the harvest? Long days – hard work – very tiring, but most enjoyable camaraderie and we were paid!
Hello Keith and Frances. I don’t know if John went to help Miss Hudson, but my brother, Peter and his great friend David Lepper, were regular helpers. Whether they ever got paid is another question. I think the great draw was not the work but the old horse she had which she let them look after. They roamed all over this area with her, no tack just bare back. I do remember Miss Hudson knocking on our front door for Percy’s family to go up and help with the harvest, mainly stooking. She was a very strange lady indeed, but she did give all the village children a Coronation Gift of a spoon, have you still got yours? Do you remember Mr. Masters singing in the choir? His funny high, (you could only call it a squawk) voice and Hector Head pumping the organ and having a good mutter and swear whilst he did it. Gala Week, bonfire night, the missionary who used to put up his tent in a field in Oxenturn Road, the circus and fair in Cherry Garden Land fields. I must stop !!!!I was speaking to Enid Catt and she mentioned about her family living at Dog Kennels. I suppose there were two cottages over there not unless the Cousins moved in later. Perhaps Peter or Avis, who lives in Hastingleigh, will read this and be able to put me right if I am wrong.Peggy
Just to add to ADMINS plea, can anyone ex Wye throughout the World who reads the page please lets get some form of memory gathering going.If folks in Wye -or elsewhere – read this page can you encourage your kin to subscribe.You can’t buy memeories – they only come from past experiences past.
Errol Roberts on 28 Sep 2008 at 10:57 am
John and Colin, of course, are no longer with us and are still missed by all of us who knew them. John and his other interest in local history must still be remembered by the Historicak Society and the Essay Prize at school. Colin, who suffered greatly in his last years, has a special place in my heart for his sense of humour, as well as his captaincy and excellent sportsmanship.
Peggy, you mention Miss Hudson a person who I never met but wish I had, The things I have heard about her sound intrigueing. She was a member of the Hudson soap family and her brother was the Minister of Agriculture.
Miss Hudson once owned our house and shop in Bridge Street having bought the property from Thomas Wyndham Rains of 147 Bridge Street in 1945. (Does anyone know anything about Mr Rains?) It says on our deeds that her name was Violet Francesca Rosalind Hudson. She also owned a farm in Wiltshire as well as Big Coombe Farm in Hastingleigh. Manor Farm, Manningford Bohune Peusey Wiltshire is actually given as her address.
We bought our house and shop from the retired Wye village policeman Norman Harry Pope Spearman who had bought the property from Miss Hudson for his reitement in 1966. It was at the time in a derilict state with no roof and ivy growing out of it. Before it became derilict Miss Hudson had an Irish family lodging in our house. She would come down in the mornings dressed in farm labourers clothes and leave her milk and cream in our shop for sale . She would also leave a tin where people could leave the money. (No staffing costs in those days!) Miss Hudson would come down at the end of the day dressed very much the lady to collect her money. ( How times have changed) At one time Miss Hudson applied to have our house which was two farm labourers cottages (one up, one down with earth floors.) turned into a sixties bungalow. The Council turned her down on the grounds that it wasn’t within keeping of the villaqe. Her answer was to come down from the hills one day and have her farm workers smash into the roof removing it! This is how the property came to be derilict.
‘Get on with that’ she was heard to say. Quite an eccentric lady by all accounts.
Mr Spearman also told us that once she came out of her farm gate in her truck at the same time as a neighbouring farmer came out of his. Both being of a stubborn nature, they sat it out all day. Neither was going to give way to the other. Mr Spearman was called to sort the problem out.
Surprised no one else has come on yet to this new initiative.
Come on everyone how many times have I heard in Wye, conversations of ‘I remember when’.
Various Wye ladies I have talked to over the years have always delighted in relaying their memories of working in the College Orchards. It was a job in those days where a Mother could take her children. (Health and Safety would have something to say about it now,) Everyone seemed to have such fun picking the fruit, chatting, picnicing and earning a crust.
Blanche Bland who used to work in our shop for a while in the early eighties spoke of sunny days in the orchards and also working in the ‘pick your own fields’ The College provided so much for both students and community alike.
Can anyone add to these happy times?
Just in case you thought the New Zealand conection had dried up-be patient, there is a lot more to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would any of the Wye historians be able to answer these questions? I had a Great Aunt and Uncle , Bill and Mary Hayward, who we used to visit in Blackwall Road at a house called “Spiders Castle”. How did this name originate? How did the name “Dog Kennels” originate? Ann – your shop, in a slightly different configuration, used to be where we took our shoes to be repaired. The smell of leather in that shop is still with me. I can’t remember the name of the shoemaker. Perhaps John can help me out here. Frances.
Admin: I have obtained a 1947 OS section of Wye and there, in Naccolt, is printed Spiders Castle.
Wye 1947 OS section
Spiders Castle, Wye (circa 1906?)
Ann Sutherland on 01 Oct 2008 at 2:40 pm
Yes Frances, our shop was a shoe repairers. I was only talking to Val Law about this the other day. She said she can remember as a child going down to school and as she passed by the shop there was an incredible smell of leather.
Although we didn’t live here then we are told that the shoe repairers name was Quentin Fry. The door was at the side of the shop and he would sit in the window at the front with a mouthful of tacks repairing the shoes.
The Bridge Street Cobblers - Quinnn Fryer
Mr Spearman who be bought the shop from told us that he found a lot of metal shoe blocks in the roof space of the shop.
I am sure John will be able to help you out with the rest both he and Joan having grown up here have such vivid memories of Wye. They have talked about playing at Spiders Castle when they were children.
John Morris on 04 Oct 2008 at 10:12 pm
All
Futher quick memories.
Sorry Ann – his name was Quinn Fryer. Another family at Dog Kennels was Mike Finney and parents-not sure of any more kin there. The family who lived in the Kites house previously was the Rich family,they also lived at The Avro in Scotton Street. Their son’s -Alan – claim to fame was to set light to the yew hedge round the Pricipal’s tennis court in the Canterbury Gardens-not at all popular for a time!
Francis . I remember doing a bread round at Brenchly’s on Saturdays with Alan Vane. Your Mum always gave me a bag of end cuts of the “fancycakes”. I can still see her kneading the dough.
My wife – Joan Hicks’- Mum worked at Stongate with Mary Hayward (her name was Margery Stone). She says that she remembers Jack Hayward living at Spiders Castle, he was in the Hong Kong Police. Her Uncle, Sonny Hicks, also lived at Spiders Castle with his wife Ruth Divers. I don’t know the origin of the name Spiders Castle or Dog Kennels but I will ask Avis or Peter when I see them.
Did your Great Uncle Bill have a green ex-military lorry that stood in front of your house in Olantigh Road? If so I managed to ride my bike into it!!!!
Grandpa Allard used to sweep the chimneys-smoking his pipe upside down.
The Vanes had the first TV that I saw, it was 9″ square. We all crowded in to see the Coronation a great event. Michael Young who lived in Bramble Lane rode a horse right behind the Coronaton Coach.
All for now until another instalment
John M
Errol Robertson 05 Oct 2008 at 11:05 am
Perhaps for the rest of us you old-timers could state where Spiders Castle and Rat Run are then we could build up a map of old Wye as the locals knew it.
John Morrison 05 Oct 2008 at 4:18 pm
Errol
Thank you young man!
Spiders Castle was in Naccolt.Turn right on the Naccolt road at South View (Hughie Strovers house) continue about 200-300 yds. , on the right there is a large heap of soil etc. this is the sight of Spiders Castle.Demolition Date unknown , but certainly at leasst 50 years.
Rat Run I dont know – maybe you are referring to the Rats Hole.At the top of Occupation Road the bridle path crosses the Little Olantigh Road the track continues up the track toward the wood and enters through the gate you are at the Rats Hole.
Perhaps you may be interested in Brook Treacle Mines in another episode.
Peggy Davis on 05 Oct 2008 at 4:20 pm
Errol. Rats Hole is the footpath that runs up through the field leading up into the woods towards the Crown. Spiders Castle is near Naccolt. I’m sure John and Joan will be able to explain exactly where it is. As children we all thought the site was haunted but it didn’t deter us playing over there. Other favourite names for us are: Back Part of Town ( that is where John lives), New Road, Churchfield Way, Top Road, Little Olantigh, Swing Bridge Field (bridge no longer swings!), Olantigh Road near Olantigh Park, where the soldiers were stationed during the war. Not difficult to work out where I mean. Other topics which may like to be aired are the old school canteen which was housed in what is now Swan House; the Toc H hut was behind the house; the old fire stationin Bridge St. anyone seemed to be able to jump on and help the firemen put out the fire. One name comes to mind, Shirley Fagg. Societies no longer active in Wye- The Red Cross run by Mrs Cottrell from Boughton Aluph, the Guides run by Miss Duffield, come on Daphne where are your memories. Dorothy Coulter and I counted up the number of shops which have closed over the years, 14 at our last count. I’m sure there are plenty of old timers who remember most of them.Peggy
Silver Jubillee Celebration Wye 1977
Kettle's Newsagent, Lower Bridge Street
Robert Sharpe’s comments on the 19th May 2009 that mentions Bretchley’s Bakery and Mr John Coulter’s carriage for weddings gives me an opportunity to post the following pictures made available by Miss Dorothy Coulter.
John Coulter with Rory driving Sir james and Lady Russell and Sir Edward Hardy and Mr Skilbeck in Golden Square. Note the bakery in the background,
Wye Wedding circa 1952 John Coulter and Rory
Wye Wedding Smiles All Round
While we are in Church Street I thought readers of WyeWeb would like to see the church end of the street before Churchfield Way was built.
The top of Church Street pre-Churchfield Way
Posted by Errol Roberts 20th January 2010, from email correspoindence with Chris Mills.
We have been contacted by Chris Mills with some notes and reflections on his family connections with Wye. Once Wye gets into the bloodstream it is impossible to get rid of it. Many of us give more than a passing thought to the beauty of the river bank and the bracing winds across Wye Downs. But we are indebted to a long line of villagers and the work they have done in serving others and, indeed, the nation. Thanks Chris and please send us some more comments and, if possible , photographs.
Thank you for the information. My mother, Mrs Dorothy Mills was working in the Vicarage when this picture was taken, in 1945. On the back of the picture, which was taken from the drawing room window, she has written
“ The vicar at this time was Reverend Metcalf”
I think that the then garden is now the car park at the back of the Wye Library, or The Wife of Bath.
We have more memories of Wye from an early age, – Ben Coulter, Miss Hudson, The Old Race Course, on the edge of the Downs, Longs at Wye Court.
My wife also has memories from an early age when her grandmother, Mrs Margaret Reynolds, lived in 67 Bridge Street and her father went to school right opposite it.
You will know of my wife’s brother, Geoff Reynolds, as he has written several pieces on your site, which has prompted me to send this and other information at a later date.
Best regards
Chris Mills
- Wye Vicarage 1945 (donated by Chris Mills)
- “Further to my message to you last week I have spoken to my mother who tells me that The Vicarage is now the Library and that “The Wife of Bath” was the home of Dr.Murry-Jones (or Merry-Jones). He was Wye’s doctor at that time and held his surgery in a room just across the road from “The Wife of Bath” through a door in the wall.
I remember Ben Coulter when he used come to Hampton Lane, where I lived in my childhood, with an old green livestock cart to collect pigs from Mr. Conway at Byways Farm to go to Ashford Market. He always had a white horse (Editor Was that Rory?) pulling the cart. I also remember seeing him in the market unloading sheep at other times as we always went to the market with my dad to take eggs & chicken to Checkfield’s weekly auction. I was about 4 or 5 at the time (early Fifties).”- Best Regards
- Chris Mills
- (Editor: Chris has really given our memories a wonderful addition and promises more!)
- 27th January 2010
- I have two further memories of Wye both concerning farming matters. As a child I lived at Elm Tree Farm, Hampton Lane ,which is about 3 miles from the village. But, in the Fifties and Sixties it was part of Wye Parish. As I remember, my parents had to travel to the polling station in Bridge Street to vote and not to Brook which was much closer.
- I wrote the above introduction to link the following two memories of Wye:
- 1. My Grandfather used to grow grass seed (Kent Wild White Clover and Kent Perenial Ryegrass). After the crop was harvested we used to have Kent
(Romney) sheep belonging to Jack Long, from Wye Court, to graze the aftermaths. The sheep were always transported in an ex-army lorry, it was a green Bedford with a square cab and a four wheel-drive. I think it was a Q.L. model and it stood out from the norm! - 2. Violet Hudson, who other contributers have mentioned, used to have a small farm (of about 50 acres) next door to our farm in Hampton Lane. To reach this farm you entered the Green Lane at Three-ways Corner, Brook heading towards Hampton Lane, you then turned left into the fields to a house and barn next to the wood. At this time a family lived in this house and in about 1960 they moved out and it fell into disrepair. The land was sold later to the Brabourne Estate who demolished the house, barn and grubbed the wood. It is now part of one large arable field.Next week I will tell you about my memories of Walter Wheeler and Mr. Pemberry.
- Regards
- Chris Mills
May I also remind readers that by clicking on the thumbnail image you can see the full scale picture in your browser.
While hunting some information on some old maps which will, in turn appear here, I found evidence that Spiders Castle was in use in 1769 – even before Peggy Davis’ memory!
Spider's Castle 1769
48 Responses to “Wye Memories”
Just in case you thought the New Zealand conection had dried up-be patient, there is a lot more to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would any of the Wye historians be able to answer these questions? I had a Great Aunt and Uncle , Bill and Mary Hayward, who we used to visit in Blackwall Road at a house called “Spiders Castle”. How did this name originate? How did the name “Dog Kennels” originate? Ann – your shop, in a slightly different configuration, used to be where we took our shoes to be repaired. The smell of leather in that shop is still with me. I can’t remember the name of the shoemaker. Perhaps John can help me out here. Frances.
Yes Frances, our shop was a shoe repairers. I was only talking to Val Law about this the other day. She said she can remember as a child going down to school and as she passed by the shop there was an incredible smell of leather.
Although we didn’t live here then we are told that the shoe repairers name was Quentin Fry. The door was at the side of the shop and he would sit in the window at the front with a mouthful of tacks repairing the shoes.
Mr Spearman who be bought the shop from told us that he found a lot of metal shoe blocks in the roof space of the shop.
I am sure John will be able to help you out with the rest both he and Joan having grown up here have such vivid memories of Wye. They have talked about playing at Spiders Castle when they were children.
All
Futher quick memories.
Sorry Ann – his name was Quinn Fryer. Another family at Dog Kennels was Mike Finney and parents-not sure of any more kin there. The family who lived in the Kites house previously was the Rich family,they also lived at The Avro in Scotton Street. Their son’s -Alan – claim to fame was to set light to the yew hedge round the Pricipal’s tennis court in the Canterbury Gardens-not at all popular for a time!
Francis . I remember doing a bread round at Brenchly’s on Saturdays with Alan Vane. Your Mum always gave me a bag of end cuts of the “fancycakes”. I can still see her kneading the dough.
My wife – Joan Hicks’- Mum worked at Stongate with Mary Hayward (her name was Margery Stone). She says that she remembers Jack Hayward living at Spiders Castle, he was in the Hong Kong Police. Her Uncle, Sonny Hicks, also lived at Spiders Castle with his wife Ruth Divers. I don’t know the origin of the name Spiders Castle or Dog Kennels but I will ask Avis or Peter when I see them.
Did your Great Uncle Bill have a green ex-military lorry that stood in front of your house in Olantigh Road? If so I managed to ride my bike into it!!!!
Grandpa Allard used to sweep the chimneys-smoking his pipe upside down.
The Vanes had the first TV that I saw, it was 9″ square. We all crowded in to see the Coronation a great event. Michael Young who lived in Bramble Lane rode a horse right behind the Coronaton Coach.
All for now until another instalment
John M
Perhaps for the rest of us you old-timers could state where Spiders Castle and Rat Run are then we could build up a map of old Wye.
Errol
Thank you young man!
Spiders Castle was in Naccolt.Turn right on the Naccolt road at South View (Hughie Strovers house) continue about 200-300 yds. , on the right there is a large heap of soil etc. this is the sight of Spiders Castle.Demolition Date unknown , but certainly at leasst 50 years.
Rat Run I dont know – maybe you are referring to the Rats Hole.At the top of Occupation Road the bridle path crosses the Little Olantigh Road the track continues up the track toward the wood and enters through the gate you are at the Rats Hole.
Perhaps you may be interested in Brook Treacle Mines in another episode.
Errol. Rats Hole is the footpath that runs up through the field leading up into the woods towards the Crown. Spiders Castle is near Naccolt. I’m sure John and Joan will be able to explain exactly where it is. As children we all thought the site was haunted but it didn’t deter us playing over there. Other favourite names for us are: Back Part of Town ( that is where John lives), New Road, Churchfield Way, Top Road, Little Olantigh, Swing Bridge Field (bridge no longer swings!), Olantigh Road near Olantigh Park, where the soldiers were stationed during the war. Not difficult to work out where I mean. Other topics which may like to be aired are the old school canteen which was housed in what is now Swan House; the Toc H hut was behind the house; the old fire stationin Bridge St. anyone seemed to be able to jump on and help the firemen put out the fire. One name comes to mind, Shirley Fagg. Societies no longer active in Wye- The Red Cross run by Mrs Cottrell from Boughton Aluph, the Guides run by Miss Duffield, come on Daphne where are your memories. Dorothy Coulter and I counted up the number of shops which have closed over the years, 14 at our last count. I’m sure there are plenty of old timers who remember most of them.Peggy
This is getting really interesting. Well done everyone do keep it up, it is painting such a picture and is bringing Wye of yesteryear alive! Ann
Does anybody recall where the ‘old race course’was? Way before my time I hasten to add! My uncle Peter Law and Mum will no doubt know where I mean and that in no way implies their age catergory !!!
Peter, If you look on the 1947 OS map of Wye you will see the Race Course just off Harville Road. I remember travelling to Wye Races with my father in the 1950′s and walking from the station across the fields. However, as you will read in one of the ghost stories from the King’s Head, there was a race course in the valley behind the Crown before the Harville Road site. There may even be some old photographs or drawings from that time. Incidentally there is ticket from Wye Races displayed on the web – I will try and download it for the site.
Peter, the old race course was in the Franscomb Valley. You may remember walking down from behind the crown onto a narrow road. If you turn left and walk down the road you come to the top road that leads left to Occupation Road and right to Little Olantigh. If you were to turn right this leads you up to Marriage Farm. Looking straight ahead of you however with the Crown behind you, you look directly down onto the Franscomb Valley where standing in the silence, you can almost conjour up the sounds of horses hooves thundering through this beautiful spot!
thank you very much for the help i will have a look many thanks again to you both
Peter
You must have been sledging down the slope behind the Crown – if you went fast enough you would have gone through the gate at the bottom – thats where the start of the Franscombe Valley is.I dont know where the races started.
My Aunt Betty recentlly told how Her Aunt Mrs. Lusted -whose family ran the coal merchants from Bridge Street – got her with her sister to carry a small tin bath full of crocks from her home to Franscombe Valley to sell teas and then would have to carry it back again.Quite a feat as they were young children.
There is a photo of people sitting round the bank on the far side of the valley.
Lets hope with these questions and answers memories and reminicences will be jogged to share this information with others.
Perhaps at a later stage it might be possible to draw it all together in a booklet – you never know!
John M
I was just doing a little research and came across the name Mr J Bond Wye Gardeners 1953. He appeared in the Gardeners Chronicle. I found this little snippet by googleing, there is a picture of Mr Bond who looks to be elderly in 1953. (Unfortunately the photograph is copyright)
Out of interest can anyone tell us about Mr Bond and was the Chronicle referred to, Wye Gardeners own publication?
Johnny Bond was the head gardener at Olantigh Towers as Olantigh used to be known – at the walled kitchen garden at Little Olantigh where Mike and Pat had their business.His under gardener was Frank Hopkins who used to bike to the New Flying Horse every night for refreshment.I believe he used to sleep in the bothy.
John M
Hi Peggy and also John, Many thanks for your memories. John, I think it could have been my mother, Edie, who Joan’s mother worked with at Stonegates. Mary Hayward of Spiders Castle lived there during the war. She was John Hayward’s grandmother.
I also remember Johnny Bond at Olantigh and also the Twymans. Wasn’t there some “domestic dispute” there involving a gun?
Peggy you mention 14 shops that have closed, could you list them. I may be able to add to the list.
When the Wye races were on we used to walk over the fields and cross the railway line and watch the races from the back of the course .
Re: Dog Kennels. According to the 1901 census of Wye there were 4 cottages there. I only remember 2. A pity we haven’t had any other comments about this. Frances.
Hello Frances, the next time I see Dorotyhy I will ask her to write down all the shops which have closed. My mother worked at the Hortic. Dept. for many years from the 1950,s. Daddy Lewis was in charge but I suspect Mummy Lewis had a lot to do with the day to day running of the dept. as well, Bill Knight was the foreman and Peter Proctor had the unenviable job of trying to keep the “gang of women” working! At that time there were melons, raspberry and strawberries, red and blackcurrants, many varieties of apples, pears , plums and damsons, during the very busy times we children used to go on a Sunday to earn some money by picking strawberries and raspberries, our aim was to earn one pound a day, very hard work and it didn,t help when we kept eating them!.. The fruit would be transported up to Covent Garden by lorry and one name I remember on the boxes was T.J. Poupart but I have forgotten other firms who took the famous Wye College Produce. The situation changed when Daddy retired and eventually Bernard Sparkes brought in Nick-Pick your Own, I think he was on a losing battle as there were too many entrances and exits to man, especially when the 1980 students were around to take their share, I have this on good authority from a relative who was a student at that time. Bernard moved on and it all went downhill from there. The 1950,s gang were: Grace Lepper, Sylvia Lowe, Stella Woodcock, May Waters, Daisy Barnard, Gladys Law , Hilda Jones joined later by Patsy Allard and Mrs. Jock, Spitfire, Jones, others followed to help with the all round the year work at the Hortic. very hard work but I,m sure rewarding in one way or another! Peggy
Frances and Keith and all
Next instalment:-
First a correction.In conversation with Peter Cosens today he put me right on Mike Finney.He didn’t live at Dog Kennels but in the gate house toOlantigh.His father was thebutleer,who incidently when he left he became butler to the Oppenheimer
family of de Beers fame.
Peter also told me that there were four Dog Kennel cottages which were occupied by George Catt and family and Bill Hann and family. Two of the cottages were demolished when these two families moved into the then new council houses in Bramble Lane. I dont know when the two remaining cottages in which Peter and his family and his neighbours the Norwoods lived were taken down.The norwood family consisted of Mr.&Mrs Norwood and sons David and Terry.
Peter has also news of other Wye people.Ken Phillery who lived in Church Street,Roy Punyer whose father kept the George Inn in Bridge Street (now George House) and also John Nelson who spent his working life in the RAF. Also John Earl.
Going onto your Mum , Joan says that is correct and when Mary Hayward lived at Spiders Castle Sonny Hicks (Joans Uncle )also lived their.
You are quite correct in theTwyman problem , but we wont go there as the people involved still live in the village.
Peggy the other firm that dealt with Hortic Dept was Hazell and Streadman.Fred Turrel was the driver who took the goods to Covent Garden.
Peggy you told me that Dorothy Coulter was conpiling a list of “late ” shops so perhaps you could put these up on the web?
See you next time
JM
John and Frances, Dorothy Coulter has compiled a very long list of shops and business from 1930, I am going to try and put it in street order to make it easier to read, it does make very interesting reading, I will do my best to get down to it sooner rather then later! Peggy.
Looking forward to the list of businesses of the past from Dorothy Coulter and Peggy for offering to put it on Wye Memories.Admin has asked that any entries should carry a circa date for others to see the era.
Peggy and many others will remember the arrival of the old steam roller and the gritting over the tar.You then suffered from puctures in your bike for weeks and if the weather was very hot the tar sticking to your tyres and shoes as he makeup of tar was
not compatable with the weather.My Dad would send me out to sweep up grit for the chicken to harden the egg shells.
The roller and its trailer was parked over night in Occupation Road near to the new library.!940-say 1950-60.
Hi, I have found this site and see that you have mentioned my late father Les Vane and his brothers Len and Alan a few times. I have managed to trace the Vane family tree back to around 1720 and the family mainly centres around Ashford and Wye. Any other recollections and memories anyone has would be gratefully received. Andrew Vane.
Re John Morris comment 20 Oct 08
My mum Joan Hann was born in Crundle 1927 and lived in Dog Kennel Cottages, they then moved to Bramble Villas where I spent many holidays with my Nan and Grandad (Nora and William). I also used to visit Mrs Catt next door, there were always chickens running free in the garden and my grandad had a big vegetable plot in the huge back garden. I have photo when the river flooded and they could not get out of their garden. My cousins Pat and Mike ran Olantigh Nursery, my Uncle Charlie ran Olantigh Farm until he died and Margaret then went to live in the village. I went to her funeral last year and met up with the family which was lovely. My mum Joan died 4 years ago but she was very close to her family and always went back to her “home” Wye.
Would any one know if some one has made a list of all the headstones in the church of St Gregory & St Martins in Wye please.
I am looking for someone buried in 1839.
LM
Lesley
Try this website as it lists monument inscriptions in churchyards in Kent.
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIslist.htm
I was a student of Lady Joanna Thornhill School in 1989 and was in class three. I stayed in Wye only for 9 months. My dad was a post doctoral fellow in wye collage.
I miss my school and Wye very much. Miss my teacher Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Mary Rose Billson, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Young a lot. I don’t know whether they are still alive or not (Some of them were very old). I don’t have any contact with my friends because i am far away from England. I am from Bangladesh.
Wye is a beautiful place to me always. Such a calm place to stay and live. Though i was only 8 years old in that time, but still remember the street Church field way, COPE, Cold Harbour and of course Wye Station. My home was close to the church…played a lot with my frnd christpher who was my neighbor.
I am 28 years old now but still sometimes become nostalgic thinking of Wye life. Sometime i go back to my place, to my house and school which i left 20 years ago….still can see all those faces i knew…i will never ever find those faces i know but emotion never dies. The feelings of a 8 year old boy willnever die…i promise…!!!
Nadeem (From Bangladesh)
Peggy talking about the Canterbury Gardens-we have recently been looking through some old photos and came across one of the gardens taken from 28 Olantigh where we lived .Will let Admin reproduce it soon.
When you talk about Grandpa Allard, did he live at 3 The Green?
No , Granpa Allard lived in Olantigh Road.Alf Allard lived at 3 The Green-Grandfather of Sue Austen who works in Leppers Home and Garden.
He was also mine and Jane’s Grandfather. We were all born at 3 The Green, as were my mum and brothers – Jean, Alf, Bill and Clive. Unfortunately all now deceased. We were all brought up on Eastwell Park until my father, Fred Austen, was made redundant. This was when we moved to 42 Abbots Walk and my grandparents were living at no 77. We all went to Lady Joanna Thornhill school. Mr Cornell was the headmaster when I was there. I was friends with Sharon Blackmore who lived in Olanteigh Road. As far as I know her mother, Dot, is still there. Dot was one of our dinner ladies at school.
I went to my Uncle Tony’s funeral the other day and bumped into Fred Rye who lived around the corner to us. He looked very well and very pleased to see us. I used to go to school with his son Andrew.
I can remember my uncles talking about going to the horse racing in Wye and remember where it was. I also went to the Queens Silver Jubilee in Church Street.
Lovely to read all these memories- lots of familiar names here.
I was born in what we called the front room at 60 Abbots Walk where I lived with my mum Anne, dad Ken and brother Brendan who lives there now!
My dad,s claim to fame was that he rode his motorbike up the steps into the bar of the George – stupid really!
Also my mum ran the guides for some years when i belonged too and she also organised regular whist drives to fund raise.
I remember the carnivals always a good turn out of floats considering the size of the village.
Abbots Walk from the bungalow (66) down when i was a child was :
66 – Mrs Phillips (my friend Sue’s gran)
65 – Mr and Mrs Rumney
64 – Mark and Jean Bodiam – Sylvia
63 – Reg and Win Read (he was a postman)
62 – George and Doris Harrison – Phyllis and David
61 – Les and Nell Bishop – Barbara and Bobby
60 – Anne and Ken Pierce – Brendan and Elizabeth (me)
59 – Jack and Doris Hughes – Johnny,Jeannette, Heather,
Peter ,Melanie,Kevin and Mark
58 – Gert and ?? Paine – Terry
57 – Mr and Mrs Cheeseman (who used to keep any balls that
went in their garden)
56 – Peggy and Jim Phillips – Wendy and Susan
55 – Anna and Peter Turner
54 – Mr Leeds
53 – Mrs Burch (who babysat us)
and on down into the cul de sac where there was the Munts, the Betts, The Jones, the Kays,Reg and his family
Along the Forstal were the Harris family (3 sons) Luckhursts, Swains, and at the corner my second mum and dad Barbara and Alan Lewis with Michael, Ian and Nigel then Partridges – oh i will never stop at this rate!!
Anyway i could go on but i guess the list gets boring but i have to mention Georgina Vane and Margot Wenzel who also went to guides with me and the Broomfields and the Triggs who had pigeons which flew all round the estate every evening
I’m stopping now but i will return!!
Was the funeral recently held for Tony Austen be for the Tony Austen who lived along The Green with sisters Frances and Marie? If so our condolences to all. Keith played football for Wye with a Tony Austen in the 1950′s.
Thank you John for your answers to all the questions posted on memories. You obviously have a great knowledge of the past. We find these memories very interesting. Wish others would contribute.
Keith & Frances.Yes it was Tony Austen from the Green. Francis Austens or Beardwell her married name, son is married to my daughter(Kevin)
Olantigh Road.Doyou recall the Ricks who moved from the Avro in Scotton Street to the house later occupied by the Kite family?
Alan the son I recall managed to set the yew hedge round the Principals garden alight!
Elizabeth.No 58 Gert and Bert Payne and another son Stuart.
Bert workedat the Naccolt brickworks on the digger that excavated the clay for the brick making.
Elizabeth Pearce!
Just to add to your list. Our Family lived at 58 Abbots walk from approximately 1960 until my father died in 1996, the family were Olive, Les, Valerie, Yvonne and myself.
As far as the race course at Harville is concerned, I have many happy memories of “working” there after race days with my Grandad picking up the rubbish.. although most of the time I spent just exploring the stands. One of my Dad’s part time jobs was painting there….everything was green or white, including the mile long railiings!
Mike simmons
of course i remember your family well when you moved into 58 – in fact your dad helped my mum a lot when my dad died before she moved up here to norfolk to end her days with me and my family
some of my other memories of home :-
the george – when madge clarke and her husband were licencees – i used to walk their dog whiskers
the kings head – guy ruddle – not quite sure what to say but i did work for him cleaning etc when i was still at school
wye hill cafe – the miss kilns and frank (he was such a nice man) – i worked there from about 14 years of age to 18
the shop that was Holdstocks – i worked there too when Quentin?? took over
Seems that i worked a lot when i was at school !!
Also i did the football pools round with Tony Austen who has been mentioned a l ot here
I have a great photo of a school play “The Princess and the Swineherd” if i can work out how to submit it i will but i’m not too good at the technology!!
My primary school teachers were :-
Miss Hope
Mrs Nichols
Mrs Ireland (lived on Scotton Street)- my favourite
Mrs Daniels (lived at Kennington)
Mr Hammond-lovely man daughter Susan at Ashford Grammar with me
Mr Cornell – nice chap
and Mrs Riley from Chilham way
Peggy, I have just fallen across this forum for wye-ites. I was at Lady J Thornhill school from 1944-1950,round about your era I suspect. George and Marguerite Goldup were relatives of mine.George was my mum’s cousin. Great to reminisce over all the old names. I hope to visit Wye in Sept. Wouldlove to catch up with more news.Regards Bob
Bob, did you live in Bramble Lane? I was also at Lady J. Thornhill school from 1941-1946. Mr Cheeseman was headmaster and Mrs Chamberlain was in the middle room. Frances (Hayward).
John, I don’t remember the Ricks. I do remember Mr and Mrs Rumley lived next but one to us. They were followed by the Grahams in that house.
Frances, quite correct.I lived in a bungalow up on the right hand side. I do remember a lot of the surnames ,yours included, but I left soon after starting at the Grammar School in Ashford and only returned very infrequently to visit the family there. Even less so when I joined the Royal Navy. Sadly older brother Tony died last year in Perth W.A. I am finding reading all the info on the Village is testing my memory to its limits as it is now nearly 60 years ago. Bob
Hello Robert. Good to hear about you. I thought that you had joined the R.A.F. completely forgetting that you joined the Navy with Tony, sorry to hear about him. I’m sure you used to come to the Methodist Sunday School. Do you remember the Miss Daveys and Mr. Tiffin who ran the Sunday school and the Sunday School Outings? When you visit Wye we will have to try to organise a small reunion. My brother, Peter, still lives in Bramble Lane; I expect you will have heard that the old petrol dump has been built on. Peggy
Hello again Peggy, I think that this is going to be like family history trying to recollect everything. Yes I was at the Methodist Chapel and bumped into the ladies on one return visit some years ago. All my Wye connections have either now moved away or are resident in the churchyard. Reading through all the comments has certainly stirred up a lot of my early childhood memories. Before the churchfield estate was built there was a footpath that ran across towards the church,on the left was a Royal Observer Corps dug out which was manned by George Goldup and others during the war as part of the early warning system for incoming enemy aircraft, it moved to a site en route to Naccolt later but was still active as part of the nuclear set up.
I too went to the races by walking the field between the river and raiway line and crossing to an unmanned gate. This was part of Longs Farm, the old racecourse was indeed at the back of the Crown. Some of my ancestors lived at Downs Farm, and later Bramble Farm. Surname was SHRUBSHALL.I do recall most of the names in Bramble road, we lived next to the Youngs ,Michael mentioned in a previous entry. I noticed on the virtual earth website the new houses on the old petrol dump.
Other thoughts: swimming in the river, scrumping apples from the orchard to the rear of the school playing field, a teacher Mrs Woodworth (husband taught geography at AGS) but most abiding memory was being picked up at school by Mr.Brenchley the baker with his horse and covered cart, delivering bread and being transported home. I can still smell that freshly baked bread. Also the COULTERS massive horses fully dressed up for various ceremonial occasions and weddings, turning out in the area at the bottom of scotton street. More later Bob
Keith and Frances, I am back to the site following a family wedding. If you had a brother John and lived in the first house along Olantigh Road next to the college footpath I used to spent a great deal of the school holidays in your house. Other schoolmates were George Cook (Bramble Road), John Lawrence (bridge st.) his father was M&S manager in Ashford, Trevor Stevens, his dad ran the college pig farm, we met up again in Cornwall, then he joined the RAF and Robert Perkins who emigrated to OZ with his family in the 1940′s.
Peggy Yes I would like to meet up again, we expect to be in the area Sept 7,8 and 9th. Have no fixed itinerary yet so would be able to fit a small get together in sometime. I am doing a round of reunions and family history visits including Wye. I am sure there will be other people who would like to reminisce- where are you all? there must also be some interesting stories, let’s have some, Bob
Robert. Yes right house, but my brother’s name is Brian. John was our cousin and lived in Scotton Street. I certainly remember you and your brother spending a lot time with Mr and Mrs Goldup. I vaguely remember a Josephine Cook. Frances.
Hello, it;s nice to have found this site and i’ve enjoyed reading the comments. My father Edward Charles Henwood Reynolds was born in Bridge Street Wye in 1901 and my mother was born in Scotten Street , maiden name Bloomfield, in 1901. Granny Reynolds lived in the houses right up against the pavement in the lower part of Bridge Street and the house number was either in the sixties or seventies. In the first world war she had some Canadian soldiers billeted with them and when they left they gave my gran two little spoons they had made out of halfpennies as a thankyou present and i still have them today. There were two families of Reynolds in Wye at the time but i remember my father telling me that they were not related. My other gran was also born in Wye and her maiden name was Scott and when she was two, her and her father Richard and her mother Rose moved in with her grandad Sutton Scott in the workers houses at Naccolt Brickworks. My dad had a broken nose like a boxers and he got it when he was playing cricket at the back of the school and the cricket ball hit him smack on the nose, it knocked him out so the other lads carried him home on a sheep fence for my nan to sort out They were a lot harder in those days. When my dad started work at i think aged 14 he started as a gardener for the Long family who i think owned the old Race Course but he started on the railway when he was 15, more money. It was about that time that he told me he swam the river from Wye to what is now Batchelors at Ashford and then back. I must take after my dad cause in the summer theres nothing i like better than popping over for a nice pint of bitter in one of the pubs, his was The George in Bridge Street and i often used to take him back ther for a pint.
Regards Geoff
Frances & Keith
Ref 19 May your entry,I’m sorry but I meant Rich not Ricks.Dick Rich was the father.
Robert Sharpe-I lived in Olantigh Road nex5t door to Dave Rumley next The Laws (Pegys name) next door to the Goldups.
I remember meeting you in Valletta(Malta) when you were in the Navy.I saw this big black beard coming down Kingsway and thought I recognised it -sure enough it was yourself.Lots of water passed under the bridge since then,good to know you are still with us.
Geoff Reynolds . Did any of your relations liveat Old Naccolt along the road to Brabourne?
Regards to all
John Morris
Hello Frances, I haven,t been keeping up to date with the news and so missed, until today, your mention of Josie Cook, she sadly died , very young about 16 I think of Polio during the last epidemic in the 1950s I think it was, she had a brother George and younger sister Peggy, they lived in the old Amos farmhouse in Bramble Lane, a few years ago I met up with Peggy at evening classes, during the Polio outbreak we all had to go to the old Doctors surgery to be innoculated and I swear the Doctor, Dr. Ana did mine, used the bluntest needle she could find! Josie was a great favourite of the Misses Davey,s, Mary, the fierce sister and Gertrude, the gentle one who ran the Meth. Sunday School, they lived in Oxenturn Road, I think they took over from Mr. Tiffin and his family who ran the Meth Church for some years. Hope you are well Peggy
Hello John,
All i know is that when my gran was two she lived with her brothers and sisters and her father Richard and her mother Rose with her grandad Sutton Scott in the brickworks houses at Naccolt, it must have been very crowded. In the last few days i have been informed that great great grandad Sutton Scotts wifes maiden name was Divers and next to the brickworks was a farm owned by a family named Divers and even today there is a field called Divers field there. I dont know if any of my fathers side lived that way but his best mate Dick Catt lived in the white houses that are there. Also where is Old Naccolt, is it at the top of the hill by the turn off for Brook. I am often out that way on my pushbike so it would be nice to know.
Best Regards,
Geoff
Having trouble replying
Geoff
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Geoff
are you still having trouble replying?
John
Editor: John perhaps you could check your email address. It doesn’t look correct. Shouldn’t it be tiscali.co.uk
Hello John, no everything seems to be ok now, must have been me. My brother in law Chris Mills has told me where the brickworks were at Old Naccolt so that could have been where my Grans family lived or it could have been in Naccolt itself, i just dont know. My Granny Scott was born in 1878 and she and her family are listed as living with her Grandfather in the brickworks houses when she was two.
Regards Geoff