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Abberley
Abberley maps
Historic maps of Abberley and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Abberley maps
Abberley area books
Displaying 1 of 12 books about Abberley and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Abberley
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Abberley.
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Mr Maude
Please let me know if you remember Mr Maude who lived at the Elms for many years. I was told at the time he had been twice Lord Mayor of London. Many thanks in anticipation of a reply. Jayne
Worcestershire memories
Winter of 1963
I moved to Great Witley in 1954 with my family,we lived at the Engine House,which used to pump the water for Witley Court. I attended Witley school from 1954 to 1960, the headmaster was Mr Wyton,a memorable time for me, living on the farm enjoying the freedom that modern society cannot provide.
The winter of 1963 was a long one,and now at the age of 14 I enjoyed sledging and snowball fights with my two brothers Philip and Michael.
One of the greatest memories of that winter was the frozen pool above Witley Court,called the Washing Pool,a popular fishing haunt for midlanders. My father owned an ex army Willy's Jeep and decided that the ice on the pool would support its weight easily,which it did,and almost on a daily basis we all drove the jeep on the pool spinning and sliding around,Philip and I also took our old motorcycles on the ice, spending more time off the bike than on,but fantastic fun,looking back I realise how dangerous it was,but we... Read more
My School Days Begin
Great Witley school is where it all began,we lived at Ockeridge some 5 miles from Great Witley,but soon after my parents moved to the Engine House,situated down witley court drive, and opposite the Hundred pool.
So i left for school that day from Ockeridge and walked to my new home after school,it was a lovely summers day and i was filled with excitement at the new and adventurous time ahead.
I was not disappointed, what a great place to grow up in,a super school,and a whole 360 acres of playground when i got home each day.
It was part of the witley court estate,and it was covered in huge tree's,oaks,beech,horse chestnut,and sweet chestnut, most of these would have to be felled to make way for the farm land to be cropped.
We had sheep,pigs and cows,chickens,turkeys,not to mention the pet cats and scottie dog, father had a working sheepdog, life did not get much better than this.
I left the school at the age of 11,to attend Stourport high school,but... Read more
Childhood
I was born in Worcester and brought up in G Witley until I left in 1976. I remember the days at the school, cricket and football; the Easter Monday Red Marley Hill climb; walks in the hills and visits to the court; days in the sun; cycle rides, fishing on the court pools; then the return off leave and the nights at the 100 house. What fun, what a care free existence. Visits are filled with happy memories and the occassional sight of an old familar face.
Too Much For One go
Mum and Dad bought the Post Office in 1944 and I grew up in Great Witley. I lived there from the age of 7 to 36. Boys had catapaults, and the police (there were 3 of them) took them off us, so we made new ones from nut sticks, the rubber from innertubes and the leather from the tongue of a shoe. Step out of line, ie shooting the cups off telegraph poles or the occassional window - the route was, police to father, and this was daunting! Later there was the Young Farmers, after a meeting, usually into the pub, BUT, the younger of the group behaved with reasonable decorum or they answered to the senior ones. Later the Post Office, Doreen, bless her! We fought like cat and dog but she was wonderful. Jan Francis is taking after her but we never worked together as she is far too young. I could mention so many names and events but the one I would like... Read more
Growing up in No 3 Eardiston View
My name is Derek Hall, the brother to Martin Hall & Pamela Hall, we used to live at No 3 Eardiston View in Menith Wood in the 1960s with our mom Velta Hall. I am now 58 years old living in London with four grown up children from two mariages, I commute to Southampton where I work on Esso Refinery. I was wondering what happened to all of the village children that would now be around my age:- The Fumerollers, Nick-Tine I know Frank who was the best man at my first wedding in Lichfield was killed in a road accident in Stourport in the 1970s, Michael Edwards, Francis & Janet Holt, Jacki Bradley then there was Jimmy Birch, Colin Bentley, Jimmy Sherif (Sheko). I have been out of the UK in Africa most of my life since leaving the security and happiness of childhood, I do really miss the life in Menithwood. I am remembering the good and not so many bad times, swimming in the Team at Eardiston,... Read more
The Milk Bar, Tenbury Road, Clows Top
The Oxleys.
Deep in the Worcestershire countryside…at the foot of Clows Top hill,
Lies the house called the Oxleys…a once sweet antidote to life’s bitter pill.
The family home of the Keegan’s…where visitors ambled from afar,
Holidaymaker’s or day-trippers en-route …on coaches…motorcycle or in a car.
Long gone is the catering van…selling breakfasts and cream teas,
Well-manicured lawns…and the fruit bearing trees.
No more antique farm carts…painted lovingly every year,
Time and tide has sadly taken its toll…releasing a heartfelt tear.
Past memories of better days…and long warm summers spent,
Camping in their fields with my family…will never relent.
Getting to know the Keegan’s…Terry…Mary…Bryan…Allison…Ricky and Roy,
Was a blessing from heaven…bestowed on everyone who stopped by.
Terry was a Guinness Rep…whose second love was the history of the heavy horse,
And Mary was the brains behind the catering van…and the farms driving force.
Terry was a horse brass aficionado…with a huge interest in tractor seats,
Mary was the perfect hostess and loyal friend…to everyone she meets.
