Best Holiday Ever

A Memory of Allendale Town.

When I saw this photo, and read the memory by Jill Graham, I have to admit that tears filled my eyes. I stayed at Ashleigh with my parents and sister in the 60s. It was the first time that my parents had ever booked a holiday - before that they usually just set off in the car to an area and looked for places to stay. I was 12 when we first went there, and I can honestly say that my memories of that stay are forever fixed in my head as being gloriously happy. I remember the first time we walked in, late one afternoon - we had travelled from Hampshire, a long way for my dad to drive as he did not like driving! - and were given afternoon tea in the dining room. I still remember Mrs Carruthers' gentle smiling face, and Mr Carruthers too - I believe he had been a fireman at some stage. Indeed Mrs Carruthers is one of those people who you never forget, and who have been a good influence on your life, just because she was so kind. I think my parents used to send Christmas cards to them afterwards.

I remember that there was a fire going in the sitting room, although it was August. I remember the "quiet room" on the left (I think it was called that?) with the piano, which I played. I remember that staircase and the gong!! Sometimes I got to ring it! Ever since then I've thought I'd love to have a gong.

There was another family staying there with a girl my age and we used to play in the lovely gardens. I think, as Jill says, that they were from South Shields. I remember the Italian Garden - forever fixed in my memories! And bats flying overhead in the evenings when we were out playing. The first year that we stayed we did not have lunch, but went out all day. We came back the following year (first time we'd ever done that, too, so it must have been good!) and that year we had lunch, which was even better for me as it meant we didn't go out all day but stayed at the hotel - more time spent in the grounds! And the peacocks - I had one of their feathers for years.

I could go on!!! To Andy Welch, the grandson - what wonderful grandparents you had!!