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Brompton On Swale memories

Here are memories of Brompton On Swale and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Brompton On Swale or a Brompton On Swale photo.

The Grange

The Grange always brings back memories of our life growing up in the village. We are the Blackburn family and we lived at 11 Curtis Drive. We used to play in the field at the front of the big house as we called it but if 'madame la la" as we knew her caught us we got into big trouble. Many memories of the village and the people there. Coming up in the new year and always stop in the village to look around and to have a drink in the King Willie or the Sun Inn, sometimes go up to the Farmers Arms. Lovely days.

The Grange (the Hall)

Hello, in reply to your memory about the Hall which I know as The Grange, the present owner is now a Mr Valance who has lived there for over three years, before him it was a Mr John Meakin and his family, they lived there for a long time. The field next to the Hall is now a small housing estate. Do you know the name of your friend's sister and husband? As my dad was born in the village and he is now the grand age of 80 plus, he is called Stan Hugill and still lives next to the King William pub. Hoping to hear from you, Yours, Sally Hugill.

Madame Le Terrier?

Watching the Wainwright Walks programme this week, which covered the Swale valley part of the coast to coast route, I was reminded of Brompton on Swale. My best friend's sister and her husband went to Brompton on Swale in the 1950s to work at a local hall/big house for a lady named (what sounded to me at the time, like) Madame Le Terrier. They lived in a cottage nearby and grew their own vegetables etc. My friend and I were invited to stay with her sister and family at the cottage and we spent an idyllic week roaming around the local countryside. We came from Middlesbrough and although we lived in houses which had gardens, we did not have the beautiful countryside on our doorsteps and Brompton on Swale seemed like heaven. I would love to know whether the hall/big house is still standing and whether anybody remembers Madame Le Terrier and could tell me more about her and the family.

Memories of North Yorkshire

Living at Catterick Garrison in 1936/40

Camp, Vimy Lines c1955
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I was an Army 'brat. My father served with the Royal Tank Corps/Regiment after territorial service with the Green Howards. We lived on the Garrison[Cambrai Lines] in married quarters. Next door neighbours included a CSM with some sons, one of my age. 'Janker Wallahs' [defaulters] were used to assist in his garden. One of the lads asked if I liked radishes - a fruit/plant/veg that I did not know. We carefully pulled up 2 and found them delicious! A row was lifted, eaten, and then the foliage replaced. The CSM - assuming that his garden had not been watered by the assigned people - had a fit, then lifted one radish from the ground!!! We had always been trained to never lie - owned up and were given 15 minutes on the Kemmel Lines suare -'Jankers'. What our fathers did not realise was that drilling [with toy rifles] alongside the real defaulters was a great thrill!! Colonel Jerram was the Battalion C.O. - a true gentleman who ALWAYS remembered... Read more

The Old Games Room

The Games Room, Sandes Soldiers Home c1955
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I learned the game of snooker here as a young lad. My father was based in Catterick. I also learned to swim at the pool there.

Information on Marne Lines 1953 to 1955

Camp, Vimy Lines c1955
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I was posted to no 7 training unit number 9 troop 5th in February 1953, i did have a troop photo but with 5 house moves over the years they have been lost. If anyone out there has a photo of this group I would love to see it, also any photos of the OTW unit at Marne Lines, or if no photo any memories, as I would love to receve an email. I would like to find out about my best friend Brian Cook, any information would be gratefully received. Bob Brown

W.H.SmithsRichmond Road.

Richmond Road c1955
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I worked in W.H.Smiths in 1955. So I could have been in the shop when this photo was taken. The shop opposite on the corner of Shute Road was called Crasters (haberdashery) where I used to buy many a pair of nylons etc. It gives me a lovely feeling seeing that road again. I used to cycle up and down that road every day to work. I remember the tanks from 3 T.R Regiment rumbling down this road as they were moving out and going to Germany. It was sad not seeing the tanks again. Another memory was when I stood right next to our Queen Elizabeth II, as she and Prince Phillip got off the train at the camp centre. I was so excited, and thought she looked lovely all dressed in royal blue. (That memory was before 1956.) I must mention the dance halls. I used to go to St Oswald's and the top of Richmond road opposite St Oswald's church. Also the Naafi Club on Shute road. What great... Read more

SQUARE BASHING

Camp, Vimy Lines c1955
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I can remember this scene, had 13 weeks of this during training, although my time was earlier than this from Oct 15 1953 to Jan 1954. The soldier at front with arms swinging was just like me. I am over 6ft and always was the lead man during drills. Rifle Drill was the worst, as we had very sore shoulders with the Lee Enfields banging on them. Some of us put dusters as pads to stop the pain. We got a rolliking from our Drill Sergeant 'Presarge' when he found out. He was a great guy, strict but fair, not like some of the Drill Instructors, who seemed to delight in inflicting their Squads to a lot of grief. All in all I enjoyed my time at Vimy Lines once i got into the swing of things. I wonder if there are still any 'bods' left from my time there, I am now 76 but still remember NS with some affection!

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