Branston, the Church c1955

Life in Branston

I was born in Branston in 1948. I grew up there until I was 16 when we moved to Lincoln. There was a waterwheel down one of the country lanes which was very unusual, in as much as that it was horizontal rather than vertical. I believe it is still there today.
My family were quite extensive in the village and everyone knew everyone else. They were alway ready to help each other and were all very friendly.
I could play in the streets with complete safety and without fear.
We would have "Rummage Sales" in the Village Hall on a regular basis and the 1st May was always a treat with dancing round the Maypole and bands.
School sports days were always held on a Saturday and were quite a big affair.
We had a field that we named "The Hills and Hollows" that was great fun to play in. As its name suggests it was very hilly and we would roll down the hills (taking care to dodge the cow pats of course).
Children's games were Stick and Hoop, Hopscotch, Marbles, Tig and the usual Cowboys and Indians and Cops and Robbers. The last 2 played round the streets.
I have many memories of the village and enjoyed life there very much.

The Green Dragon Inn

Memories of my husband and I as managers of The Dragon in the early70s,  our staff were Mary Lambert, Val Lovely (I think she has changed her name)and Pam Verges, and the lovely football players from Lincoln City, especially the Percy Freeman one, if you're all still out there I would love to hear from any old customers and friends.
Ann Browning

Sleeping inside Lincoln Castle

My Grandfather, Harry Westwood, was custodian at the Castle for many years, retiring in 1966.  He passed the position to his son Tom Westwood, my uncle.  Tom retired in 1986. As a child I would sleep inside the castle gatehouse at weekends, but since Tom Westwood retired in 1986, I believe that the castle is now managed by Lincolnshire County Council without having a resident custodian living on ther premises.  
Tony Hill  ( Ex:  Sincil Bank secondary school)

Monks abbey

I used to play in the abbey in the war time as then it had an air bomb shelter, we used to think that there was a tunnel under the abbey to the cathedral.

METHERINGHAM FEAST

My family used to visit Metheringham regularly to vist my mother's aunt. Her name was Nellie Garrick and she lived in Lime Tree Avenue (I think that is the right name). She was married to Jack Garrick. We used to go on a Friday night. Dad would go to the pub and we would stay at Great Aunty Nellie's house. We would always have fish and chips.
Each year we would visit Metheringham Feast. I used to love the atmosphere of the Fair Ground...the Candy Floss, Toffee Apples, the rides and side shows. I learnt later that Mum and Dad had met at the Feast. The dinner set we always used at Christmas with 12 settings of everything was bought at the Feast...so Mum told me.
We would drive to Metheringham in our little car and Dad would be a bit worst for wear on the drive home. Mum says she often had to grab the steering wheel. Luckily the cars didn't travel so fast in those days and there were less cars on the roads. We always made it home. Being the youngest I would have to sit on Mum's knee for the trip. I always pretended to fall asleep before we got to the end of the street. I did fall asleep on the way home but even if awake I would pretend when we got home so that I would be carried up to bed.
I don't have many memories of Metheringham itself but did visit there in 2005 and had lunch at the pub (can't remember which one). So if any of the Garrick family read this I would love you to add any memories to remind me.

Gillian... NSW Australia