Early Memories
I remember the swan, we lived in Burton from 1953-1957 then moved to Hampshire. I remember the gardens at Stapenhill, crossing the bridge into town, the steam trains and level crossings in the middle of town, the river and the bath house near the bridge. I also recall the whole town waiting on the bridge to see the queen go by en route to Repton School. We lived on Scapcliffe Road near the top of the hill and the water tower. I would wander off to the fields and farm alongside the water tower, aged three... to visit the cows.There was a post box, near where we lived, across the road and I would take a stool to stand on, to post the mail. My dad was a lecturer at the college and I used to go into work with him, on Saturday mornings, on his bike. He made a saddle for me to sit on his racing bike. When the queen vistited Burton I remember being on the bridge with my dad and his students.My youngest brother was born in Burton and was known as a "marmite" baby. I still remember the smell of hops brewing in town. One of my earliest memories is of sitting in the swan and I recall there was water in the base. Seeing this picture has helped me realise what the swan was. Up to now I had always thought the swan was something I had recalled from a fairground ride!
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RE: RE: Early Memories
Happy days! I too remember when there was water around the Swan in Stapenhill Grounds (as we called it in those days). One winter the water iced over and I remember testing it and going through! Perhaps I wasn't the only one to do that because they put soil and plants instead of water some time later. When the Queen came to Burton I had started at The Girls High School and we were all told to bring a large clean white handkerchief to school that day. We were made to line up along the railings and as she passed by in her car we were told to shout, 'Hurrah, Hurrah!' not Hooray! because the teachers thought that would be 'common'. I don't know how they'd feel nowadays! It was nice to read about the water tower as well, because on some Sunday mornings my dad would take me 'up the clump' as it was known, for a walk and we would come down the hill towards Stapenhill Road afterwards and sit in the garden of 'The Elms' pub and have a sneaky drink. Me with my Vimto and crisps (Smith's with salt in a bit of blue paper screwed up tight) and dad with his bitter or whatever it was, before going home for Sunday dinner. It really is so nice to be able to read similar memories to my own on this great website, so thank you very much.
Comment from Carol Eyden on Sunday, 29th April 2012.