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.
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?
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.
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!!
The Walkern Weir
Last year, as part of a two month trip from New Zealand, in mid September, my wife and I made a pilgrimage to Walkern, the place of my paternal ancestors. During the war I was taken by my mother and grandfather to Clay End, near Walkern where we stayed for a few days to avoid the bombing in London. I don't remember but I was told by my mother that I fell into a weir and had to be rescued by my grandfather. We stayed the night at the White Lion hotel and asked where there was a weir. After a bit of thinking a local pointed us to one hidden in bushes near the church. A sort of path disappeared into the bushes and leaving my wife looking at the church, a grabbed a camera and pushed through the bushes to find a path. About 50 yards in I saw the water. I can't understand why, but I drew back in fear of an old concrete weir in front... Read more
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 26,169 memories of 5,731 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire
- Alton, Hampshire
- Bodfari, Clwyd
- Burnt Oak, Middlesex
- Bromley, Kent
- Diss, Norfolk
- Worksop, Nottinghamshire
- Wickford, Essex
- Edlington, South Yorkshire
- North Broomhill, Northumberland
- Berwick, East Sussex
- Litherland, Merseyside
- Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
- Marchwood, Hampshire
- Wimbledon, Greater London
- Royston, South Yorkshire
- Aldershot, Hampshire
- Battersea, Greater London
- Raf Honington, Suffolk
- Walsall, West Midlands
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
