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Abberley, Cricket Field c1955
Abberley, Cricket Field c1955 Ref: a255032
Memories of Abberley, Cricket Field
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Abberley & local memories
Read and share memories of Abberley and Worcestershire inspired by Frith photos
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 to mention, who actually lived at Shelsley Kings, is Cicely Lamb. She died in her nineties but was never old.
Shared on 02 January 2010
Great Witley, the Village School c1960
Ref: G143011
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 we remained at the farm untill 1969, you cannot begin to know what a wonderful time we all had there,money could not buy it either.
So for me Great Witley...Fantastic.
Geoff Francis
Shared on 28 January 2008
Great Witley, Witley Court Church Interior c1965
Ref: G143002
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 were young and I am still alive to relate the tale.
I have 8mm cine film of the event,now it is on DVD and if anyone is interested,I would be more than happy to show them the footage.
I can be contacted by email .. francis-g@hotmail.co.uk
In 1970 I married a local girl Jan Cartwright at Witley Court Church, the Rev Lockwood who was the village vicar during the 1960's, then residing at Hanley Swan, aggreed to marry us, and Mr Wyton kindly played the organ for us, another truly memorable event.
Shared on 27 January 2008
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.
Shared on 19 September 2006
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.
Four blessings from heaven…in Bryan…Allison…Ricky and Roy,
Who proved to be loyal childhood friends…as the years passed by.
Collecting the hens eggs…feeding the animals and in times of play,
Remain wonderful memories for me to treasure…that will never fade away
A special tribute reserved for a special couple…now in their twilight years,
Who deserve all the blessings our Lord bestows…devoid of heartfelt tears.
May our Lord keep you both safe from harm…and bless you one hundred fold,
For all the happiness and joy you gave me…through your hearts of gold.
(Sue Marcuslee 2009)
Shared on 01 September 2009
