The Francis Frith Collection.
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Bruton, Somerset

Bruton photos

Displaying 3 of 8 old photos of Bruton.   View all Bruton photos

Bruton, King Alfred's Tower c1955 photo

Bruton, King Alfred's Tower c1955

Bruton, Patwell Street c1955 photo

Bruton, Patwell Street c1955

Bruton, High Street c1965 photo

Bruton, High Street c1965

Bruton photos
View all 8 Bruton photos

Bruton maps

Historic maps of Bruton and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Bruton maps

Bruton map

Historic map of Bruton

Somerset map

Illustrated Victorian map of Somerset

Bruton map

Historic Map of any Bruton postcode

Bruton maps
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Bruton books

Displaying 1 of 2 books about Bruton and the local area.   View all Bruton books

On Sale! 70 off

Glastonbury Photographic Memories
Paperback
rrp £7.99  £2.40

On Sale! 70 off

Wells - A History and Celebration
Hardback
rrp £14.99  £4.50

Bruton books
View all 2 Bruton and Somerset books

Memories of Bruton

Bruton memories
Read and share Bruton memories

Displaying a selection of personal memories of Bruton .
Add your memory of Bruton or of a photo of Bruton.

War Years

I was born in a village near Bruton in 1939. My early memories of walking to school with my gas mask in a bag over the shoulder (never had to use it). There was an army camp down the road from our cottage, so there was lots of activity around. I used to watch the searchlight, thought at that time it was very exciting. We used to wait for the convoys of American soldiers to pass the bottom of our lane, they use to throw strips of chewing gum to us, which was a treat as we hadn't seen it before. I attended Bruton County School from 1944-1954. I go back to Somerset as often as I can and visit family and friends, but never seem to meet any of the past pupils of my old school. I am many miles away from Bruton now, but have memories that I will cherish forever.
Audrey O'Halloran - nee Hutchings.

Shared on 27 March 2008 by Audrey O'halloran.

Somerset memories

Mobby House

I have lived at Mobby House, Wyke Champflower for 25 years and was interested to read that Audrey O'Halloran was born there. The name of the house has always been a talking point, perhaps Audrey could shed some light on the matter! Look forward to hearing more memories from Wyke Champflower and perhaps Mobby House!

Shared on 21 May 2009 by Emma Crew.

Early Days

I was born at Mobby House, Wyke Champflower, in 1939, my father was a farm hand. We moved to Hill House Farm, when I was 6years old, so that my mother could work in the dairy, where the cheese making was done. We moved from the farm when I was 12years old to Hill House Cottage, as the farmhouse was needed for the farming family. My years at Wyke Champflower are very memorable, I count myself very lucky to have grown up in such a lovely village (hamlet). It has changed due to progress over the years, as have most places of my childhood, most of the generation before me has passed on, including my own parents, but some of their families are still there. I have memories of the Christmas parties at the farmer's house for all the employees and their families, also the parties and whist drives at the Manor House where the villagers gathered (real community spirit).

Shared on 15 January 2009 by Audrey O'halloran.

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.

Shared on 04 April 2009 by Audrey O'halloran.

Extracts From Bruton & Somerset books

Displaying a selection of extracts from Frith books about Bruton, inspired by Frith photos.

Frome Photographic Memories

The church lies behind a huddle of dilapidated cottages lining the Nunney Brook; here, wool was washed during the busy years of the cloth trade. Today the cottages are all restored. They have small gardens overlooking the brook, which is home to many ducks.

This is an extract from Frome Photographic Memories.
Read more and see photos from this book.

Frome Photographic Memories

This gabled thatched cottage is very typical of the area. Thatch was used before tile and slate. This cottage might be a local store, as the bottom sign is advertising Typhoo Tea. The street remains much the same today.

This is an extract from Frome Photographic Memories.
Read more and see photos from this book.

Frome Photographic Memories

These cottages lie on the road down from the school, one of the first church schools in Somerset. The thatch looks so picturesque today. The signpost beyond directs the driver to Frome on the right and Coleford to the left. The ‘halt’ sign looks less strident than those we are used to today.

This is an extract from Frome Photographic Memories.
Read more and see photos from this book.