Chiddingfold memories
Here are memories of Chiddingfold and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Chiddingfold or a Chiddingfold photo.
Family Origins
My mother has just reached 100 years of age. She was the grand-daughter of a Sarah Barker (née Ayling) who came out to Australia in her early 20's. Sarah had two brothers, David and Alfred Charles. Their parents were George and Betsy Ayling of Chiddingfold. The father had died and Betsy with daughter Sarah and son Alfred Charles migrated to Australia in 1882/3. Sarah married an Australian landowner, Henry Barker and settled in a tiny village called Yarra in New South Wales. Alfred also married. His wife died, and he returned to England, married again and became a manager (?) of one of royal farms (at least that is what my mother told me), wrote regularly to his sister, Sarah, and seemed to know personal details of the royal family. My great-grandmother (i.e., Sarah) had 'connections' also, but kept them secret. She died in the 1930's, very well respected in the district. I understand the other brother, David, had connections with diamond mines in South Africa. He was to die... Read more
Christmas 1945 Children's Christmas Party
My cousin Dennis Gill remembers the first Christmas after the war re the children of Chiddingford, the story was published in the Daily Mirror with pictures of the village children, can anyone remember this and maybe has a cutting from the Daily Mirror? If so can they email me vivsadler44@hotmail.com
Chiddingfold Memories
As a child living in Chidd during the war we had freedom to roam anywhere we wished, ie Sidenhurst lakes (where I caught my first carp), the brooks where we fished for tiddlers which we cooked over a camp fire, climbed trees and made camps. Girls and boys played and swam together down the Lagg's in water so muddy it was like treacle but we were never ill or caught any disease, there was no H&S rules in those days. I now live in the West Country but still visit Chidd 2/3 times a year. Bill MacDonald. Cornwall
1946-1971
GREW UP IN CHIDD IN THE 50-60'S. HAPPY MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD DAYS'
STILL "HOME" TO ME.. THOUGH NO LONGER LIVING THERE
The Blacksmiths on The Green
My Great Grandfather, James Bartlett, was a Blacksmith using the Smithy on the Green possibly in the 1880's or thereabouts. If there is anyone out there who may have photos or memories of this time I would much appreciate hearing about them. With thanks
Memories of Surrey
WORK
WORKED AT KING EDWARDS SCHOOL FOR TEN YEARS IN THE 1960'S
GREAT YEARS
I Lived Here
I lived in the second cottage in from about 1984-1990 when both my parents worked at King Edward's School, my mum as a nurse in the San and my dad as a plumber in the boiler houses. I had an idyllic childhood here and used to play in the woods opposite and climb trees in the fields behind. Is the school tuck shop still through the snicket behind the house? Is the pond my dad and brother dug still in the garden? Do you still get cob nuts and gooseberries from the trees in the back garden? I loved living here!
Across The Years!
My Grandmother, Grace Mary Enticknap (later Gravett) was born in Hambledon in 1906. I have just found this out researching my family history, and am so excited to find these old photographs of the village - and nearby Witley where she and her family also lived at one stage. Now I can imagine what life was like for her, her parents and siblings ... what a beautiful place to live! She and her husband later emigrated to South Africa, along with my mum and dad and me (as an infant). I grew up there but recently moved back to England in my old age! I do hope I can visit Hambledon soon. But if anyone knew the Enticknaps (her dad George was a blacksmith and mother Eliza a dressmaker) I would love to hear about it!
Growing up in Hambledon
There were only 25 children in our tiny school, which was a shock when we got to middle school! We used to play up the common and when the nuns from St. Domonic's rang the bell for 6pm we all knew it was time to go in. On Sundays Mrs Jackson's grandchildren would come up from Chiddingfold and she'd take us all for long walks stopping along the way to pick up more friends. My best friend was Tessa! We'd spend our days horse riding or playing on the track behind our houses getting under my dad's feet till he made us a fantastic rope swing from a tall tree. We used to spin each other round on it till we were green!!
There really wasn't much to do in Hambledon, there were only so many trees you could fall out of but now I have children of my own I'd love to be able to bring them up there.
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- Twechar, Lanarkshire
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- Stroud, Gloucestershire
- Rockfield, Gwent
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Dartford, Kent
- Thornley, County Durham
- Seaton Carew, Cleveland
- Borth, Dyfed
- Orpington, Kent
- Grantham, Lincolnshire
- Harrington, Cumbria
- Battersea, Greater London
- Frodsham, Cheshire
- Perivale, Middlesex
- South Merstham, Surrey
- Reigate, Surrey
- Braunton, Devon
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
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I Remember When...
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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.
