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Blackford
Blackford maps
Historic maps of Blackford and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Blackford maps
Blackford photos
We have no photos of Blackford, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Charlton Horethorne| Sparkford| Wincanton| Templecombe| Queen Camel| Castle Cary| Milborne Port| Yenston| Bruton| Sherborne| Cucklington| Mudford
Blackford area books
Displaying 1 of 11 books about Blackford and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Blackford
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Somerset memories
The Big Question
Upon leaving the primary school in North Cadbury, we were asked the big question. Well, the big question for an 11 year old.
"What do you want to be doing when you are older?"
My answer to this, was that I would like to be writing books and making films, and I would make a film in the village.
It is now 26 years later, and I am preparing to return to the village to make a film.
This means a lot, as it was here that I learnt to write, and where I first wrote my short stories.
Harvester Inn
My grandfather ran the Harvester Inn from 1940 (I think it was called the New Inn then) to the mid sixties
His name was Maurice Herman and he ran it with his wife Elsie.
I would go there in the summer holidays from about the age of four - 1958, as we lived in Oxfordshire, it seemed a long way to go in those days.
I remember the inside (upstairs, I was not allowed in the bar) with steps leading to different levels.
I think my grandfather also ran an agricultural machinery hire business at the rear and side of the pub. My brother and I used to play on the combine harvesters and tractors.
When he retired, he built the New house next door to the pub. I think it was called Harvester House.
His wife died in 1971 and he followed her in a tragic way in 1976.
Conversion to Faith
I have great memories of the Church of St Luke and St Teresa. After instruction I was received into the church by Fr. Paul O' Sullivan, I had my confirmation there the following year. My husband and I were married at St Luke and St Teresa over 50 years ago, sad to say he passed away in 2005. Our eldest daughter was baptised in this church 1961, she was born at Templecombe that year. We came to live in Co. Clare, Ireland in 1971 but often visit Wincanton. On one such visit we were sad to find that the Carmelite Order had left the area. My first time to go into St Luke's was in 1955, when a friend, since deceased, brought me to Mass, being in Latin at that time it was difficult to understand. We now have 10 grandchildren carrying on the faith that I received at the Church of St Luke and St Teresa all those years ago.
My Childhood
I was born in Templecombe Hospital in April 1943. My mother was Lilian Game (nee Atkins) and was staying with my grandfather, Ernest Atkins at 13 Silver Street, opposite the church (sadly now the site of a garage). My mother was married there in 1939 and was able to walk to the church because it was so close by. I was christened in St. Peter & Paul in May 1943. I have many happy memories of Wincanton, having stayed with my Gramp many times up until the beginning of the 1960's. They were happy days!
Good Old Days
I met my late husband whilst working at the Cow & Gate in 1955. Although neither of us worked there for very long, we'd some good memories. We married in August 1957, at that time I was working at Verrington Hospital as a nursing assistant, or as we were then called, a nursing auxillary.
Many years have passed,since those days. We came to live in Ireland in 1971 with our three children, all of whom are now married with families. We have been back to visit Wincanton and other places around over the years, and have seen many changes, but nothing can take away those memories of the Cow & Gate in the good old days.
Those Younger Days
I remember Wincanton when my grandparents ran the grocery shop in North Street. I often stayed and poped next door to the wonderful cake shop then onto my great uncles who ran Parsons Dairies. I went out with my grandfather when he delivered the many boxes of groceries and I usually fell asleep in the soft leather seats of his car. The shop was sold when my grandparents moved to Somerton but I never forget those times in Wincanton and I have visited again when researching the family tree. Many of my ancesters can be found in the cemetery of Wincanton Parish Church and I also called into the church to learn more of that history. Recently I discovered that the King who was patron of the Medical Association had also visited Parson Dairies!!
Auntie June Cother
Auntie June, my dad's sister, turned 90 July 2, 2010. We had a wonderful party for her, at the Red Cross hall. The food was prepared by a group of ladies who certainly know how to put on a great spread. Auntie enjoyed her day. This year she will be 91, I will be with her once again to share her special day. Wincanton is one of the friendliest towns I have ever visited. I look forward each year to returning there and wish if circumstances were different I could live there. Leaning over the brick wall on the High Street, in Spring falls blossom, I think from apple tress...so pretty. One tends to wander around the streets looking up at the old architecture. I hate to see empty shops and empty pubs, there is a life, if only the locals would support their town. Of course parking is the biggest problem this town has. The roads are narrow through town.
