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Gastard

Gastard photos (5 available)

Old photo of Gastard

Gastard maps (2 available)

Old map of Gastard

Gastard books (12 available)

Gastard memories

The Harp and Crown

Gastard, Village 1907

The pub in the picture is the original H&C which was burnt down only a few years after this picture was taken. The pub was then rebuilt further back from the road. There are still elderly people in the village who remember their parents and even their grandparents going to the local for their usual.
One old lady's husband used to go to the pub a lot. Mrs Liddle lived at the top of Velley Hill until the 1960s I think, when a lorry drove through her living room and she was relocated to The (then relatively new) Close at the bottom of the hill before the pub. Sadly, she's now passed away after years of giving sweets to the village ...read more here

Wiltshire memories

The Harp and Crown

Gastard, Village 1907

The pub in the picture is the original H&C which was burnt down only a few years after this picture was taken. The pub was then rebuilt further back from the road. There are still elderly people in the village who remember their parents and even their grandparents going to the local for their usual.
One old lady's husband used to go to the pub a lot. Mrs Liddle lived at the top of Velley Hill until the 1960s I think, when a lorry drove through her living room and she was relocated to The (then relatively new) Close at the bottom of the hill before the pub. Sadly, she's now passed away after years of giving sweets to the village ...read more here

Monks Lane Chapel

Corsham, the Chapel 1907

I don't really have a memory but went to visit due to family research. Monks Lane has a plaque inside referring to my gt grandad Arthur William Humphries that lived at Broad Stone Cottage with his wife and children. His wife's family being Jones lived in Monks Lane, the Vellys, also Lindley so Corsham is quite near my heart.

A memory of Corsham contributed by glynis jones

The old milk round

When I went to school in the High Street next to the Royal oak I can remember the milk man with his old horse and cart delivering milk all along the houses along the cobbled stone path. You had the cobbler's, it began with K I think, then opposite you had the dry cleaners, further on down you had Johnson's bakery with the fresh rolls just baked. What a treat in the morning for a small boy. I was born in Corsham in 1956 and left in 1977. I live in Bradford on Avon now but Corsham is still my home.
Things have changed a lot. I remember the  bus coming up the High Street.
Lord's toy shop, what a place ...read more here
A memory of Corsham contributed by terry donovan

Extracts From Gastard & Wiltshire books

Chippenham, the Maud Heath Causeway c1955

This is the bridge over the River Avon. The limestone monument, dated 1698 (right), records Maud Heath’s bequest to the local community. In the 19th century the pillar was moved three times as the trustees sought firmer and safer footings.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, the School c1960

We are looking past a mature oak tree and the caretaker’s lodge to the main buildings of the secondary modern school for boys, constructed in 1959.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, Secondary Modern School for Girls c1960

The main entrance into the girls’ school off Hardenhuish Lane.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, St Nicholas' Church, Hardenhuish c1960

The tomb of the economist David Ricardo (to the right of the church) was designed by William Pitts in the Greek style, with a canopy on four Doric columns. Under the canopy are four maidens.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, Hardenhuish, the Church c1960

The church is Georgian, and is built of faced ashlar in a plain but impressive style with Venetian-style windows and a small tower with an octagon top. The site on a hill makes the church visible from many miles away.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".