Bicester memories
Here are memories of Bicester and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Bicester or a Bicester photo.
Wonderful Scones And Coffee
My Mum and I would call in to Mary's Cafe on a Friday morning to have scones and coffee. A wonderful experience in beautiful surroundings. Such a shame it no longer exists.
Nicester International Stores
My first job was at Bicester International Stores in August 1966. I was an apprentice grocer. My wages five pound ten shillings a week and I worked an extra half a day most weeks for thirty-seven and a half pence extra. I lived near Middle Claydon and used to cycle to Steeple Claydon railway station, leave my bike there (without locking it) and catch the train to Bicester. My first job was defrosting a Birdseye freezer, it was thick with frost. The town had a Tesco which we looked down on as we thought we were a cut above. When the area supervisor visited, if any part of the shop was untidy he told us off and said it looked like a Tesco (how times have changed). I have very happy memories of Bicester. My first girlfriend, my first job, my first wages, exciting times. Does anybody remember me? If so, please get in touch. Franzel.
Happy Times
I remember living at 12 Church Street when I married my first husband, and taking my baby James home there. This street remains as it has been for decades.
Getting Married
I remember marrying my first husband at The Garth on 10th July 1982, now a registrar's office. The grounds are not as well kept now, but it is still a lovely park.
Only Yesterday
Only yesterday or so it seems, this lovely 12th century church and surroundings have not changed in decades, well worth a visit.
Memories of Oxfordshire
Happy
My late husband & I moved into Stoke Lyne early 1981, and bought our beautiful bungalow next door to the "Peyton Arms", what a beautiful village, we were extremely happy there for some nineteen years wonderful neighbours, and beautiful surroundings. Lots of water has passed under the bridge since the year 2000 when we moved, now living in Australia. I shall always have fond memories of Stoke Lyne & Oxfordshire.
Ron & Pat Shelton 1977 to 1981
In 1977, my late husband, Ron. and I moved from Melbourne, Australia into 28 Stoke Lyne at the end of the village. It was very dilapidated, consisting originally 2 workman's cottages. They had been converted to one house, without water, or a well that didn't work. Ron dug a water line to Sheepwash across the neighbouring farm lands, so that we could have running water. We paid the owner for the rights to do that. A HUGE job! We were Australian Ballroom Dance champions and were teaching in Bicester, while looking for a pub to buy. During the renovations, Ron had a sudden fatal heart attack in 1978 and passed away at aged 46. I was devastated, but continued with the renovations. They turned 28 Stoke Lyne into a lovely stone cottage, very much bigger than originally. I met and 3 years later married Cliff Astley, a widower in the village with 3 sons, whose mother, Clarice, had died 7 years earlier. They lived at the Forge, which I bought from... Read more
Missing Homes
I'm sorry this village where I lived changed so much during the 80's and 90's but is still an attractive no through village.
Poundon House Secret Training Centre
I hope I am not giving away any military secrets but this seems so long ago now: in the 1960s I was serving in the 39th Signal Regiment and Poundon House was used as a remote countryside hideaway where we could train for our signals work. I spent many visits here grappling with 'OTLP' codes and seeing precious little of the surrounding glorious countryside as I was cooped up in the locked 'Comcens' (communication centres).
Tommy Wiggins
Tommy Wiggins was a small-built man, he had round John Lennon NHS glasses, and had the Corner Farm in Fencott. He was a great friend of my grandfather, Charlie Hayes, and once every 2 weeks my grandfather peddled all the way from Kidlington to Uncle Tommy's to have his hair cut. I remember sitting in the chicken house whilst my grandad had his hair cut, the chickens pecking around and an old tin bath for Nell the spaniel to lay in, stuffed full of straw. I remember the big Clydesdale carthorse, and the fact that Sunday was the horse's day of rest, he was massive but a real gentle giant. I can recall when Uncle Tommy took me and my grandad into the cowshed and the cow -called, yes you have guessed it, Daisy - was in there, the second she saw Uncle Tommy she lifted her back leg and waited for him to scratch her between her udder and back leg. He was a gentle kind man who was... Read more
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Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Dagenham, Essex
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- Oldham, Lancashire
- North Coates, Lincolnshire
- Godstone, Surrey
- Winchmore Hill, Greater London
- Tredington, Warwickshire
- Heswall, Merseyside
- Croydon, Surrey
- Beeston Castle, Cheshire
- Knypersley, Staffordshire
- Kirkandrews-On-Eden, Cumbria
- Banstead, Surrey
- Luton, Bedfordshire
- Walsall, West Midlands
- Penruddock, Cumbria
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
- Fyfield, Essex
- Nant Ffrancon, Gwynedd
- Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
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I Remember When...
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