Buntingford memories
Here are memories of Buntingford and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Buntingford or a Buntingford photo.
Memories of Saint Peters Church
Saint Peters Church is situated near the River Rib close to Chapel End alongside the main A10 London Road and was reputedly one of the first brick built church structures to be constructed in Great Britain sometime during the 1600s. It is primarily a Chapel Of Ease whose purpose was to solve the problem of many townsfolk trying to reach Layston Church Situated some three quarters of a mile on a hill at the outskirts of town which was often unreachable during times when the river rib was swollen due to heavy rain downpour making any crossing somewhat impossible. During my school years I became a choir boy at this church for a period of time, for which some of us had evening practice once or twice a week which was run back then by one of the junior school teachers, a Miss Davies (or Davis) and would attend the usual Sunday Services and on occasions sing at the odd wedding ceremony (for which we got paid extra money). Although sometimes the main... Read more
Messing About In The River
During my Pre-Teen Years of growing up in the outskirts of the town I spent many a happy hour wading, wearing wellingtons, along a great percentage of the river bed when the flow was often reduced to a trickle or gentle stream, as well as at times wearing sandles or shoes whilst using the small rocks on the river bed as stepping stones and frequently slipping which resulted in a wet foot or "wettie" as we kids termed it. The bridge shown in the pic is the one at the bottom of Church Street (or Great Lane as it was sometimes known) next to River Green and leads up to Layston Church, in my youth the underneath of this structure was heavily braced by a series of Railway Sleepers criss crossing each side but leaving the centre clear for any foreign objects being swept downstream during high water to pass through (such as broken tree boughs etc) and became a haven for many of us to walk around below. Many Amphibians,... Read more
Fond Memories Of Layston Church
To give it the correct title, Saint Bartholomews Church, Layston is better known locally simply as Layston Church. It is thought this structure was constructed sometime during the 12th-13th Century AD and soon after it was realized, during heavy rains and flooding, it was difficult if not most times impossible to reach by folk residing on the wrong side of the river so to speak, so sometime during the 1600s the current Chapel Of Ease of Saint Peters was built to solve this problem within the town of Buntingford. Many of us as youngsters spent lots of happy hours exploring the areas around Layston Church during the 1940s & 50s (as had many others past). The structure around this time was beginning to look neglected and the worse for wear, although still being used for the purpose it was intended. A few years later it was the victim of a series of arson attacks by persons living within the vicinity and the last attempt resulting in severe weakening of the roof... Read more
66 High Street,
The far left of this photograph, just shows the Tudor house where I lived from 1950 to 1960. Two doors down is Mrs Castle's sweet shop/tobacconist, and beyond that (with the blind) is Borsberry's ironmongers. The High Street was packed with shops of every kind and Buntingford was a thriving community. Amazing to think, that our front door was just four feet from the main A10 London Road! I agree with Lindsay Doel that Buntingford was a great place in which to grow up. Every day I walked to the Primary School up the Causeway, and on the way, could usually walk over the ford across the River Rib on the Wyddial Road. The river was a great place of interest for us schoolchildren, especially when it flooded, which it did quite often before the dam/sluice was removed (some time after 1960). We often did the lovely walk up the Causeway, past the school, up to Layston Church, and this walk is still as good today (2011), through unspoilt... Read more
85 High Street And Mark Doel Butchers
The house on the right was and still is (2009) a butchers shop. My dad Mark Doel bought it from the Ward Lewises who had bought from Sid Howlett in the 1970s. I can remember there used to be stalls and stables behind the shop where animals were kept, as it was also a slaughter house. On one of my first visits to the shop before the family moved there the land where the Health Centre stands was wooded area and I think I can remember a small pond - I was very young! Twice vehicles came through the wall into the living room. Once when we lived there in the 1980s and another time in the 1950s we were told. I loved growing up in Buntingford.
Looking After Mungo Walker at Wyddial Hall
My mother - Peggy Barker - looked after Mungo Walker, the grandson of the Heaton-Ellises when he returned from Kenya as a 7 year old in the late 1930s. This was only for a few months until he went to boarding school. She was supposed to be teaching him Maths but I think from the sound of it, they just had a lovely time going on walks and generally acclimatising him to life in England. She is nearing 90 years old now but remembers her time at the Hall very clearly. Mungo was apparently a very sweet little boy.
My Great Grand Parents Wedding
My great-grand parents - Charles and Sarah Roblett - married at Layston. Their daughter Dorothy Roblett married Christopher McHugh, of Archers in Buntingford. The wedding here took place some time between 1920-1940, the church was open air and they married on Christmas Eve. Chris and Dorothy had three children, Christopher, Bernadette (my mother) and John. They passed away over 20 years ago now.
The Bell Hotel, Hare Street, Buntingford
I have recently discovered that my Great Grandfather John Main originally from Devon (a shoe maker) and then in Brixton, London as a Dairy Manager owned the Bell Hotel in Hare Street around 1905.
My Grandmother lived there as a little girl and would often tell us stories as children about how it was haunted and about secret panels etc and of an old huntsman who would sit on the garden wall!
I have several old postcards of it and the Street. He was still there in 1916 when my Grandmother married and I think on into the 1920s.
I just wondered if The Bell was still there?
My Home.
I was born in Church Street in 1940, next to the Fox & Duck public house. I went to Layston School, Mrs Skipp was head teacher. I played for the Fords in the early 60s. Mrs Mayes kept the shop opposite. The butcher shops in those days were the co-op, Wally Joiners, Piggots and Howletts. Days ran the newsagents. I forgot Jacksons the butchers, Scrivner the cobblers, Moses the grocers, Miles the barbers, Mrs Ants telephone exchange, Mr Stokes dentist, T.O Smith cafe, Easterns the bakers, W.H. Smiths, garage and Totties sweetshop. Yes a wonderful place to grow up.
Memories of Hertfordshire
My Memories of Wyddial
My father's people were from Wyddial, their name was Pinner. I was baptized at St. Giles, along with my sister. (My parents felt I should be old enough to remember this event). The dish in the font was cracked. I later stayed with my cousin Angela, she lived in Buntingford, her parents were from Aspenden. For the six weeks I was with her I worked for Mr Hodge, of Hodges Farm, Wyddial. My dad had worked for the same farm as a boy. I worked at the duck farm.
Scool Days
I went to a scool in Ardley just out of Cottred. We moved to Cumblow Green, Borlaces Farm, living in a first war army hut left over. It had an iron stove in the middle of just a large room, it used to get red hot on top, burning coke. My sister, Flo, married Tom Skipp a well known family in Cottred. They had a bunglow at the end of Brook Lane, my nephew should still be round there, Lou Skipp. I would have been about 11 or 12 years old.
Evacuees
I was evacuated to Bury Farm, to a lovely family, the Oakleys. It was one of the happiest times of my life and I still visit, although most of the family have moved away some still remain. The village has changed after all this time but still has so many happy memoriers for me that I will always love it. I am now in my seventy seventh year and recently went to a 90 birthday party of Doris Tott who is the eldest daughter of the lady & gent I stayed with (Dollie & Charlie Oakley). Another girl was evacuated with me, Dorothy Perry, nee Coney, and we met up again at the party. We both recognised each other. I cannot thank the Oakley family enough for all they did for me and my family. I shall continue to visit Braughing for as long as I am able and look forward to the trip . My mother and father Alice & Jim Fletcher also loved Braughing and visited many times during their lifetimes. I just... Read more
The Welch Family
My great great grandparents were born and married in Barkway before coming to the US in 1854. I am wondering if there are any relatives of John and Sarah (Butler) Welch in Barkway. I will definitely have to visit some day.
Memories of The Bentley Family
This photo, along with the other 4, attracted my attention because the thatched cottage on the left is where my father, Arthur Sidney Bentley, was born in 1926. He lived all his life in Barkway until his death in 2005. Married to Pamela Mary Sharp of nearby Therfield, he had 3 children, one of them myself, Jeffrey born in 1952. Linda Bentley was born next in 1953 and Ronald in 1956.
The school also brings back fond memories with Mrs Dellow teaching me in the first formative years, she has only just died, so she lived a long life. Mrs Cranwell of nearby Chrishall also lived a long life and she taught me Corn Dolly making and was fantastic with History. She used to arrive in her messerscmidt car!!
Long Live Barkway!!
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