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Chipstead
Chipstead maps
Historic maps of Chipstead and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Chipstead maps
Chipstead area books
Displaying 1 of 16 books about Chipstead and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Chipstead
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Chipstead.
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Church Parade At St Margaret's Church in Hooley
During the period we lived in the Fruit Shop in Hooley (see Hooley pages) I belonged in the Girl Guides and my Sister Moira was in the Brownies. (Actually, when we moved into the Fruit Shop I was still a brownie, but sadly got stripped of my 'Sixer' status I'd had in North Harrow Brownies, as the Hooley Brownies' complement of Sixers was complete.) Once a month we had Church Parade at St Margaret's Church. I remember the very big flag standing in a corner of my bedroom once, as I'd taken it home to polish the trefoil on the top of it. Services at St Margaret's were nice as it is a lovely old church.
High Road Shops
I lived in No 2 Shabden Cottages with my mother and grandfather. Our name then was Wood. I was 6 years old in 1952 and this is my memory. The shops on the left of the road were: the newsagent/sweet shop run by Mr & Mrs Butcher. They had a daughter, Shirley. Mr Bradshaw's shop was originally back further, together with Mr Chiverton's shoemenders shed. On the far end, where there are now houses, were the hardware store and petrol pump, run by Mr & Mrs Barnard. That shop was a treasure trove. You could buy anything from a lawn mower to a single nail. The general store on the right was then run by Mr Hirst, a broad Yorkshire man, and included the local Post Office. I can still remember going into the shops with our ration books!
Shops
A memory jogger: The Post Office first on the left, was run by the Murphy's, later by Mr Tye (spelling may be wrong), next on the left was the greengrocer - Mr Bradshaw, nice chap with grey hair and black horn rimmed glasses I think - reminded me of Johnny Morris, the shop on the right I recall was a grocers ? run by Mr Richmond.
It all looks very quaint by todays standards, like its come right out of a black and white Ealing production, difficult to believe I was part of that now. The Triumph Herald in the picture might even have been my old Mum's (lol, now that would be funny), she spent loads of time doing nothing really but pottering around to the shops and passing away the time. We lived in How Green then , think that was off How Lane - can't remember where that is exactly now.
H. Grimes - Grocer Shop
I have very fond memories of my Grandparents, known as Harry and Nancy Grimes who owned the Grocer's shop shown - No 22. Also as a child growing up in Chipstead, just around the corner from the shops and times when it was safe for children to be out on their own.
I remember crossing the road to wander up to the woods picking bluebells and primroses, would not be allowed today! and in the winter tobogganing down the slopes.
Family Links
My family (Garle) lived in Chipstead back in the late 1800's early 1900's. I believe an uncle Henry Garle with a son of the same name lived in Frith Hall. I am interested to know if the hall still exists?
Are you able to help please?
Sincerely - Sue Thick (nee Garle)
Enquiry
I have a photograph of this cottage in an old album - it was known as Ruffels Wood then and and was owned by my family!
Is it still there today?
Sue Thick (nee Garle)
The Cottage
My Grandmother used to live opposite The Cottage in The Cot - she used to "do" for the people who lived there - it brought back such memories - I last saw it when I was on embarkation leave during the war.
Our Childhood Above The Shop
We moved into the parade of shops in 1938.
Our father opened a green grocery and florist shop at No16 I think? I recall that although the war years were devestating to many people I recall many fond memories growing up in Chipsted with my older sister Valerie. Our father was serving in the national fire brigade and managed to come home from time to time to help our mother run the shop and raise me and my new sister Elizabeth.
During this period we were taken to Merthyr Tydfil in Wales along with many children. I also recall that one of the first V1 rockets crashed opposite the shops to which all of us children ran over to look at the wreck and quickly got chased away by the Home Guard. Colin Grimes was one of our good friends, his father ran the Grocery store which was the second from the top. We recall that during these hectic times we spent many hours in the Morris shelter that our... Read more
