Hesters Way & Princess Elizabeth Way
We moved to Hesters Way in 1954 as my father was transfered to work at Oakley. I was about 7 years old and we moved into no 19 Hesters Way Road. There were fields at the rear of the house and the first part of Princess Elizabeth Way up to Coronation Square had just been completed. We used to explore when they started to build the flats. It was pure heaven during the summer hols wandering the fields and lanes. We even found what looked like a Second World War fighter plane in a spinney along Fiddlers Green. My sister went to Rowanfield School. I used to have to catch a bus to St James's Station and walk a short way to the C of E school in Devonshire Street, I think. My classroom when I moved over to the other part of the school used to overlook the turntable in the shunting yard near the station and I would watch the carriages etc being moved around until i was rudely interrupted by our teacher. Cheltenham was a very different place back then, but even with the changes that have occurred it is still a very lovely place.
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RE: RE: Hesters Way & Princess Elizabeth Way
I am interested in other Hester's Way residents after reading Roger Clarke's comments. I lived at number 40 Hester's Way Road from 1953 to 1966, attended St Gregory's Catholic School and worked at Benhall Government offices. The Royal Insurance until I went to live in Swindon Wilts .
We were from Middlesex and Dad was transfered to Benhall and also worked in Oakley at a later time. I do remember the beautiful countryside and we wandered far and wide exploring, getting introuble with the Horse Stables owner Mr Street! who was quite scary and my sister and I would muck out the stables for a free ride ! Mr Street made us jump a huge fence and we hung on for dear life. We would go up to a farm at the top of Hester's Way Rd to look for the Ghost of Hester ! it was a time of freedom and endless summer days. Remembered so well now. Does anyone else remember this part of Cheltenham ? The photo of St Gregory's RC church brought back so many memories of childhood and not always fondly !!
Comment from Jacqueline Timms on Sunday, 30th January 2011.
RE: RE: Hesters Way & Princess Elizabeth Way
I lived at 120 Orchard Avenue from the mid 1950s and went to Rowanfield Junior School. I remember the 'humpty dumps' above the flats at the top of our road and the freely accessible countryside that surrounded us. I later went to the Cheltenham Grammar School and remember the rugby and cricket grounds we had to travel to where the Grammar School is now. There were also the George VI (?) playing fields where we would toboggan down the slopes in winter. I've been an Australian since 1961, but my childhood spent around Arle and Hesters Way I shall always treasure. Was anyone else there then?
Comment from James Stokes on Wednesday, 9th February 2011.
RE: RE: Hesters Way & Princess Elizabeth Way
I remember clearly Mr Street and his horse stables and riding school, we used to live in Arle Village Road in one of the old farm cottages on the left hand side of the road going towards The Cross Hands, I'm referring to the old establishment, which at that time was run by a Mr Sid Pash (I'm not too sure as to the spelling of his name). I also remember the whole area prior to Hester's Way being built and well before Arle School, all that land where Arle School now stands was orchards, when all the fruit trees were cleared that land was then used for potato crops for many years, run by an Irish man called, strangely enough, "Paddy". At the top of Arle Village Road where Mr & Mrs Street used to live, and well before the retired people's home was ever built, used to stand with huge pine trees a grand mansion, with its own gate house, which was manned by a dear old lady called Mrs Yiend and also along that side of the road we used to throw sticks at the conker tree to fell the conkers. I also remember milk being delivered by a man with a white coat in a horse and buggy. Sorry, I'm getting carried away here, once one starts to remember, the memories come flooding back. St Gregory's School was the school we all attended during the 1950s and early 1960s, I remember the long walk to and from school no matter what the weather was like, and then going to Mass every Sunday at St Gregory's was a test of stamina for sure!
Comment from John Cunneen on Saturday, 21st May 2011.
RE: RE: Hesters Way & Princess Elizabeth Way
I would like to hear from any old St Greg's scholars or prisoners! I attended St Gregory's the Great from aged 5 years to 15 years and loathed every minute of it! I could not wait to leave and start work - and still love to go to work actually. However if you have memories to share I would love to hear it. Mr Lee and Mr Tar, Mrs Titcombe Ms Lishman to name but a few of our tormentors and, horrors or horrors, MR GLEESON! Sister Eucharia and the other penquins, gosh, what a time. My children are horrified at my stories of school and don't relate at all. Cheers Jacqui (Eynon) Timms Adelaide, South Australia.
Comment from Jacqueline Timms on Sunday, 7th August 2011.