Axminster memories
Here are memories of Axminster and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Axminster or a Axminster photo.
Dukes And Hawkins. My Two Favourite Sweet Shops.
In the years of rationing, my mum used to remove the sweet coupons from her ration book so that we didn't spend all our pocket money on sweets. About halfway down Castle Hill, on the left, was Dukes shop. All I was interested in were the sweets, though he also sold tea, sugar and a variety of other less interesting items. I used always follow an adult into the shop, who would invariably take pity on me when Mr Duke told me there were no sweet coupons in the ration book I had offered him (I knew that really). A voice would pipe up and say "It's ok Mr Duke, I think I may have one or two coupons in my book that I won't use". And so, off I would go with my tuppence worth of aniseed balls, after gratefully thanking the kind adult. Mrs Hawkins's shop was about a third of the way down Castle Hill on the right hand side. It always smelt of potatoes and cabbages, but she... Read more
Aminster Secondary Modern School
I have some rather bad memories of school years spent at this school, because I was a rather shy and insecure child so I tended to be the victim of the school bullies. One I remember very vividly was a Maureen Ashby, I also remember a Miss Wallis as the domestic science teacher, who used to make me feel very nervous and clumsy because I was left handed. I work in a school now and love all the kids to bits, even the very shy ones who can come across as disruptive, but only need understanding, something old-fashioned teachers never gave. My maiden name was Darke, and I had older families, 2 brothers + 2 sisters, that attended this school before me. Mr Tolchard was only head for my first year, he was then followed by a Mr White. The one teacher I do remember as being so kind was a man whose name I cannot remember but he taught English, he would help me through many a difficult term, especially after I... Read more
The Cosy Cafe
My family owned the Cosy Cafe on Lyme Road in the 1950s. I did not start working their until 1957 as I was still at school until then, but I still remember a lot of the customers who use to come in for their cups of tea. John Goddard the school caretaker, Charlie Pengelly, who owned the ironmonger's opposite, Wyndham Welsh the local character, who used to raise thousands of pounds for charity, Johnny Betts and many more too numerous to name. The really busy time was Carnival night, when Mum use to make at least a 100 pasties that invariably use to go before the night was over. Opposite was a car park that Herberts Fun Fair use to use during the week, and when all the festivities were over each night the men from the fair came over to the cafe for free cups of tea, which enabled myself and my brother Brian to have unlimited rides on the Dodgems, oh happy days.
Axminster Secondary Modern School in The 1950s
I was born in Axminster and having failed my eleven-plus exam (fortunately) I went to the secondary modern school where Mr Tolchard was headmaster (known affectionately as Herby). My favourite teacher was Mr Hayman, our maths teacher, who was brilliant at flicking chalk at anyone whispering during his classes - the chalk always found its mark. He was better known to me and my fellow musicians as the music teacher and conductor of our little school orchestra. His violin playing left a lot to be desired, but we would have played standing on our heads if he thought it would improve the sound of the orchestra. We all enjoyed every minute of our orchestral sessions with him, and not because we would be missing out on a boring history lesson either. My other favourites were Miss Champion, the art teacher, and Miss Barclay, our sewing teacher - both let us chatter while we worked, as long as we were not too loud. I liked Miss Biggs too, even though she... Read more
Memories of Devon
Bonners Drive Friend
I lived in Millwey Avenue and had a good friend, Christine Taylor, who lived in Bonners Close off Bonners Drive. We worked for a short while together at Boots the chemist in Trinity Square before I left to make a life in London (from which I never came home), we have kept in touch (mainly at Christmas) and have both sadly seen the loss of our parents. The times I do return to Millwey now it is like going into a time warp as the area rarely changes, the only thing is that the adults I meet now are children of the kids I grew up with, which seems very strange. I still have family living in Millwey, sister Carol Long, nee Darke, and sister Norma Johnson, nee Darke. I do not return to Millwey very often, mainly for weddings and funerals, and as I get older it seems to be more of the latter.
Bonners Drive Post 1963
I have lived in Bonners Drive since March 1963, it has changed a lot, all the hedges on the left side of photo have been removed, there is also another 4 houses which have been built on that side as well, built in 2010, our house is out of sight in this photo, as there are 6 semi detached houses round the corner on the right. Millwey has changed a lot since 1960. There are about 420 dwellings here now, plus an industrial site on the Chard side of Millwey. Lots of bungalows have also been built.
The Post Office
I grew up in Combpyne but I remember that we used to have a van that came up to the village from Musbury 2 or 3 times a week with everything any body might need from paraffin to bread. I remember the man who owned the post office then was called John Fenner. My Mum and Dad always had a friendly banter with him. I recall my mum teasing him and calling him butter fingers because he was always dropping things. Nobody was more distressed than Mum when he came and said he was giving up the round because he had M.S. But they remained friends until John and his family moved.
Tracing my Family
I have no memories of Hawkchurch. But I am trying to trace my family history, and so far have got nowhere. And I am hoping that someone might remember hearing about them. According to the 1911 census they lived at Berry Cottage, and he worked on Berry farm. They were my grandparents, and their names were Thomas Dimond, his wife Ethel and they had at that time 2 children, a son Thomas Henry 1 year old and my mother Gertrude May aged 2 months. They had more children later. I have no idea of how long they lived there, because Thomas was born at Broadclyst and Ethel at SIlverton but their children were born there. Does anyoneone happen to know who owned Berry farm about then?The present owners are unable to help me, and there are no records for them at the church. I will be pleased of any help or imformation you can give me.
School Days
My first school was at Uplyme. I started when I was 4 which was nearly 54 years ago now. I remember the headmaster was a Mr Denham and he lived in a house on the top of the hill opposite the Church. I remember being quite scared of him. The teacher who I also remember with great fondness was a Mrs Hurst, she was a very kind and caring lady. I also remember that at Christmas we always held the Nativity Play inside the church.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 26,165 memories of 5,731 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Ealing, Greater London
- Aberbargoed, Mid Glamorgan
- Farnham Common, Berkshire
- Orpington, Kent
- Gawber, South Yorkshire
- Padgate, Cheshire
- Frizington, Cumbria
- Raf Honington, Suffolk
- Barking, Essex
- Daccombe, Devon
- Wickford, Essex
- Chadwell Heath, Essex
- Frimley Green, Surrey
- Rockfield, Gwent
- Gravesend, Kent
- Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey
- Eastleigh, Hampshire
- Virginia Water, Surrey
- Greenock, Renfrewshire
- Loughor, West Glamorgan
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
