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Ashill

Ashill maps

Historic maps of Ashill and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Ashill maps

Ashill area books

Displaying 1 of 11 books about Ashill and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Ashill

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Somerset memories

The Five Dials

I used to live at the Dials in the 1970s. I remember the Steers and the Layzell names, went across the road to school and later to the 'new' school at Broadway. The A303 was right on our doorstep! I remember going to Langs Corner to watch milk tankers going through the flood waters.

The Village Stores

The Village c1960
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Our family, that is father Stan, mother Eve and five of we children moved in 1952 to this shop from our farm in North Devon. We were a general store, delivering papers and general goods to the surrounding area. After helping Dad for a year in the shop I was fortunate in securing a apprenticeship as a compositor on The Somerset County Gazette newspaper in Taunton. I think we sold the shop in about 1956 to resettle in Taunton. Would like to hear from people who remember the Webbers here? I believe the premises are now totally residential.

Possible SLADE Family in Photo - Taken at Hatch Beauchamp? Can You Identify People?

My family roots are in Hatch Beauchamp from Samuel born c.1827 and Elizabeth [nee Pearce] SLADE. During their lives they lived in Hatch Beauchamp, North Curry, West Hatch and Stewley, Beer Crowcombe. He was a Gardener/Domestic servant. This photo has been in the possession of my Auntie Stella [nee Slade] for many years but nobody seems to be sure who the people in the photo are. Do you recognise anyone? Or maybe the house looks familiar? On the back of the photo it says 'taken Christmas time 1905' if that helps? Please paste this web address into your browswer http://www.art4artssake.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mystery-pic-c-1905-3.jpg Thanks.

Evacuee From London

My name was Angela Saunders when, in about August 1940, aged 5, I was evacuated from Kingsbury, North London to Crossways Farm, Curland Crossroads during the Second World War. I lived with the lovely Cottey family - friends of a colleague of my father's. There were two Cottey children - Jean 5, and George 3. Mr and Mrs Cottey (Leslie and Minnie) also had other evacuees, Albert, David and Josephine Timothy from Newington Butts, South London. They were between about 12 and 4 years old at time. We all went to the village school at Staple Fitzpaine where I think there were two classes, Under lls and Over lls! I stayed for about a year and only left because my parents missed me - I was an only child. My dad was at home as he worked as an Aircraft Engineer at de Havilands and, anyway, he was too old to fight as he was 60 when I was born! I was very happy and very well looked after... Read more

Living in Curry Mallet

I was born in Curry Mallet with my two sisters, Pat and Margaret. We were all born in Yew Tree Cottage. I went to Curry Mallet school. My grandad worked for Glides Farm until he passed away, then we moved to Taunton. I used to go to the Bell Inn a lot, it was then run by Tommy Middelton, he had a son named Roger, I always remember him as he gave me a tennis racket. I was only 4 and a half when I left Curry Mallet but I remember walking down the lane to school over the fields, past the old sheep dip. Another memory of my time in Curry Mallet was a very big yew tree in our garden, wow, it used to scare me, and the thing I remember most is the churchyard where my grandad is, his name was Jimmy Stodgell, I am not too sure where abouts in the churchyard he is but I come back a lot... Read more

Ilminster Grammar School


I started at the school in 1961 as a day boy. The school also had boarders who lived at what had been the original school building off Court Barton which was also the girls school in my day. Looking at the photographs in this collection, the school was very much the same when I was there. Now it is a first school called Greenfylde. the school was founded in 1549 so it was a very old institution indeed. When I look back I am glad I was able to go to the school.

York Parade

Anyone remember York Parade, where my wife was born in 1938? I have also posted more info on Dagenham comments page. Please contact me before she falls off the perch,,,,Thanks Ian and Yvette

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