Bath memories
Here are memories of Bath and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Bath or a Bath photo.
St Swithin's Parish Church, Walcot, Bath
This is the parish church of my ancestor, William Ennever, who was baptised here on July 28, 1793. William was a carman and moved to London in 1816 where he married Elizabeth Wade in 1839. William's brother Joseph was involved in a forgery gang from Birmingham and was captured in 1807 whilst trying to pass off forged £1 notes at a shop in Bath. He was tried and executed at Ilchester on April 22 , 1807 and is buried at an unknown spot at Weston Church. William himself was involved in crime in 1850 where he was convicted of theft at a London address and sentenced to 7 years at Dartmoor. There is another Ennever family living at Charlcombe around 1820 who ran the now lost pub, The Manage Horse on Croft Street. A Joseph Ennever sold some land to William Beckford around this time and left a large amount of money to his daughter Cecelia in 1833. Any information on Ennevers living in Bath at this time would be... Read more
Southgate Hotel
My Great Great Grandparents were William and Elizabeth Pratt.
In the 1880s William and his family had lived and worked on the Longleat Estate, William was the Head Gardener at that time.
In 1891 they moved to Bath, and sadly William died there in 1892, and on his death certificate it stated that he died at 24 Southgate Street.
Further sadness followed when son Arthur Reginald also died, he was only 14.
Thanks to the Bath Post Office Directories of 1895 I was able to establish that the address was the Southgate Hotel and the Proprietor is stated as William's wife Elizabeth.
The Southgate Hotel can be seen on photo ref 52994 on the right hand side looking up Southgate Street, the first building is the public house The Full Moon, then Dorchester St intersects, the next building is no 26, in 1895 was named Bright William & Son Chemist ,followed by no 25 The Refreshment Rooms, and next door is no 24, Southgate Hotel. The hotel is identifiable if... Read more
Where Have The Trees Gone?
Does anyone know when the trees were felled? I have found a slightly later photo around the turn of the century and this has the trees still. Today there are none, although I think those on Laura Place are still there. If anyone knows about this, I'd love to hear from you: moretrees@live.co.uk
Architectural Notes
As a former resident of Bath I recall that this building was not particularly liked. In 1959 the hotel was demolished and a block of 33 flats at 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor level with shops at the ground floor was built. The quality of building work and the amenities of the building was exceptional and included electric underfloor heating beneath parquet floors in the main living room and an air extractor system to bathrooms and kitchens without external windows. The two side wings of the property housed lifts serving the three floors and also included very convenient rubbish chutes. There was also an entryphone system - a relatively new concept in Britain at that time. The rooms in the flats were well proportioned with 9' ceilings and large sash windows.
Because of the underlying geology of the area it was necessary to construct a deep and strong platform several metres below street level over which were constructed vertically... Read more
Memories of Avon
A 19th Century Marriage at Widcombe Church
James Cholmeley Russell, the barrister, financier, property developer and Welsh railway entrepreneur married Eleanor Catherine Broome at Widcombe parish church on April 26th 1893. She was the daughter of the late Rev Frederick Broome, formerly rector of Kenley, Shropshire and Catherine Elizabeth Broome. The ceremony was conducted by the Reverend Canon C H Cholmeley, rector of Beaconsfield church from 1885 until his death in 1895. Russell thus continued the tradition of being married by a cleric from his mother's side of the family
Russell was a key shareholder of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways company from which the Welsh Highland Railway Company ultimately emerged.
See more at http://jamescholmeleyrussell.blogspot.com
Childhood Days
This picture of Combe Road brings back many memories, looking straight ahead and slightly to the right is Summer Lane where I attended infant school, the shop on the left was a tobacconist and sweet shop at this time.
On the right of the picture would be the King William pub, adjacent to the shop was a small lane that lead to the local garden allotments, my father had one of these.
Combe Down was, and still is a lovely village, albeit too many cars these days.
Summer Lane leads on to Monkton Combe another lovely old village with its renowned school, and nestling in a beautiful valley.
School
There was a man called Mr Cole that lived along North Road pass the Horseshoe, both his children went to Combe Down Junior School. The girl was called Rebecca, but I cannot remember the boy's name. The father always took pictures and I am sure he must have a collection of them somewhere, it would be great to see them. I did have some old postcards, but stupidly disposed of them. I love living in Combe Down.
Ancesters
My great-grandmother is burried in the church and owned the George Inn in 1881.
Southstoke House
I was a patient at the Southstoke Hospital in approx 1950 and again in 1952/53. I recently visited the village and was sad to find that the beautiful house appears to be 'run down' and the hospital/convalescent home long since gone. I would be interested in any books, photos or memories of Southstoke House. As a small child I spent many years hospitalised in and around Bath. Two of those years I spent at Southstoke. I loved it there and without doubt, the staff, hospital and setting were idyllic for a long-term disabled and bedridden small girl. I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have similar memories.
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