Chavey Down memories
Here are memories of Chavey Down and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Chavey Down or a Chavey Down photo.
Where I Was Born.
I was born at my grandmother's house in Chavey Down Road. Her name was Mary-Ann Bye. I only knew her, as my grandfather had died many years before. My mum, Edith Ellen Bye was one of five children and we lived in Eastbourne on the South Coast. I didn't make many visits to Chavey Down, as my grandmother died in her sixties, but about ten years ago I did go with a friend to see the house I was born in. Fortunately I remembered it, as the name of Chavey Down Road had been changed. I can't remember to what, but it it some local councillor or other. My friend and I were fortunate to be invited in for a cup of tea by two very nice neighbours. They remembered my gran and the family. So, at least I know I had definitely got the right place! Unfortunately, my aunt and uncle, mum's sister and brother, have moved away,... Read more
Memories of Berkshire
Harmans Water?
Dunno if this is the same place, we called it Harmans Water, on the Ascot/Bracknell road. My Uncle Albert had a little demolition firm, my brother was the driver, they were the only regulars, I as a kid worked at weekends and holidays as did other relatives. First job was to pull down the Victorian Post Office for the Bracknell Dev Corp, it was on the main road (I think. Then we pulled down Lily Hill Farm (funny, my uncle's wife was Lily), then further into the forest (or so it seemed to me) lots of jerry built bungalows one at a time as the people were rehoused, I understand there was trouble about this, is it the same place?
High St (actually Brockenhurst Road...)
We recently moved to Ascot in 2010, our house is about half way down the left hand side of the photo - or rather it would be if the photo had been taken 3 years later (our house was built 1909).
The house on the right is more or less the same today and you can see the railway bridge in the distance. About as close as I can get to an old photo of our house!
Searl Street
Oh, what a joy to find this photograph. Between the Market Inn and the shop was a little unmade lane called Searl Street. I was born at number five, at my grandparents' house, in October 1945.
Over the years I returned to Bracknell on many occasions to visit relatives, the last time I visited was in the 1980s and I was shocked to find the lane had disappeared, along with the house I was born in.
If anyone out there remembers the Tomkins family please leave a post.
In The Choir
Chour Master was a Mr Faulkner, he had a great influence on me during my time in the church choir. He had a Morris Minor FRX83, green, I have never forgotten it. He used to pick me up for practice every week, and insisted that our cassock/surplice was always smart. To the right of the gates was where all new members got initiated, they were placed on the wall laying down, then rolled off onto the ground, we thought that was great, or we took them into the foyer and tried to get them to touch the light switch, telling them it was live. I can laugh now, but we all went through it. We got paid as well so we went to most services, I even got to pull the bells, now that was great. Colin
Bracknell
Hi Peter, if your dad was a bricklayer I believe I worked with him for Sergents of Bracknell. Let me know, I would love to talk to you about him. Kindest regards, Ron Ponsford.
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