Chiseldon memories
Here are memories of Chiseldon and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Chiseldon or a Chiseldon photo.
Sybil Shillabeer
Some years ago I bought an old book at Greenwich Market. The book carries an inscription to "Sybil Shillabeer from the Chisledon Wesleyan Sunday School May 1931".
It is a childrens book entitled The Golden Cushion Story Book by Blackie & Son
If this is of particular interest to anyone I would be delighted to hear from you.
WARTIME BOYHOOD
i grew up in Chiseldon in the Second World War. In those days, Chiseldon was spelt Chisledon. I lived in Hodson Road and attended the then primary school opposite the Patriots Arms. The two teachers were Mrs. Bullock and Mrs. Cox. It was the era of wartime evacuees, blackouts, air raid wardens, land girls, the Home Guard and food and petrol rationing. Rotation of troops at Chisledon camp included the Tommies, Americans and Australians. Hospital trains arrived at Chisledon station and convoys of ambulances made their way down Hodson Road to the military hospital at Wroughton. After Chisledon primary I attended the old Swindon High School and caught the steam train each morning. Much excitement in winter when the snow plough had to be attached. Following air raids, sometimes the train contained a guarded carriage containing Luftwaff air crew shot down overnight. Went to the Chisledon Church most Sundays, and taught at the Sunday school in the ancient thatched cottages opposite the church. Walked down through the Washpool to get... Read more
Birth
I was born at USAF, Hospital, Burderdop Park, Chiseldon Highworth, Wiltshire, UK. I don't have any memories, but I do have a desire to find all I can. I wish to know as I have no memories. I have dreamed of going there, but cannot afford to. I currently live in Denver,Colorado, the place of my parents'birth. I would love to hear more about Chiseldon as it is my home town in my heart.
Son of Sgt Bruce KRRC.
My father was stationed at Chisledon Camp from 1939 to 1942. Living in Littlehampton on the south coast, threatened with invasion, my mother rented the end thatched cottage of the row of cottages which face the railway line just north of the station railway bridge. This was much safer and we were able to be with my father who was in the camp just up the road. I was 7 years old, and my brother was 9. Our father's job was to teach the recruits how to drive, bren gun carriers, motor bikes, etc. My brother and I went to the school which was just behind the cottage, accessed though a hole in the hedge at the bottom of the garden (a short school run in those days). A retired shepherd had a caravan, like a gypsy caravan, parked up against the side wall of the cottage, on a bit of waste ground there. He was always in there and talked with us often. Next door were two girls the... Read more
Growing up in Chis
welcome to u all from brisbane australia.I have lived here for 38 years,am very happy but chiseldon will always be in my heart.Confirmed ,married and our 4 girls were baptised in chiseldon church.We injoyed the washpool and walking over the fields to coate water,,,happy days.My first dance was like many of us at the british legion hall with david hicks and his band.My special friends were ,nancy angela,wink,josieand shirlry. I have been back many times and enjoy people from my youth.Many of you will remember my mum Anastasia also my sister stacy and virginia who still lives in wroughton.Thanks to wink who introduced me to this site.
Memories of Wiltshire
Lament on A London Landing
.
When I was a gusty young airman
So many seesaw sunny days
Were spent with blue girls on Marlborough Downs
Our only access, a path both straight and narrow,
Thinnest and steepest in its final assent.
Emotions of young lovers floated like kites
O'er pastoral scenes of sheep and suckling fields
Rare Wroughton landings and take-offs
Were sights to be seen but not heard.
Coy and demure tiny Burderop
You hid thy shy self
Under thicket and tumble of trees.
Old, Old-Town of Swindon:
Station – Spires – Steeples
Faint shadows through summer’s sultry breeze.
Ground and grass were closer to me then.
Lying in milk and fallow fields
And struck drunk by the silent sail-by:
Of fluff flotillas commanding cerulean seas
We’d tease and toy our differences
of language, culture and sex.
Now I am that airman no more, no more,
Yet... Read more
Draycott Road.
I was born in Draycott Road, Chiseldon, short walk away from the camp. My early memories are of the Sunday morning church parades of the different regiments who were stationed there. The troops, in full military dress, along with the regimental band would march from the camp to the village church a mile or so away. Most of us village kids would run behind enjoying the music. Chiseldon was a very busy village in those days, with a railway station. Many troop trains passed through to the Camp halt, and we would often be asked to post letters for the soldiers - we earned a few pennies that way.
Village children were often asked to parties, especially at Christmas times, where we were very well fed and all went home with chocolate and fruit. Once a week or so we were invited, along with parents, to a film show in the gym - that was great!
Chiseldon camp had many famous people there, some in the forces and some just... Read more
Many Fond Memories 1955 - 56
Hi, I remember with fondness Chiseldon, being at the camp in 1955 and early 1956. My best memories are of Ma's cafe which we all visited throughout the week and the many times we visited the Saturday night dances at the British Legion hut. Relaxing times were also spent at the Patriots Arms. I also remember a nice young lady who came into Ma's cafe on many occasions with a little dog, I think her name was Wendy. I also remember walking a nurse back to Wroughton hospital and on reaching the hospital boundary found the time was 11:30pm, and I had to run like mad the full mile to Chiseldon camp to arrive on time or be marked as absent without leave. We were then shipped out to Libya and finished up in Malta and Cyprus. My very best wishes to Chiseldon. From Allan Reid, ex Duke of Wellingtons Regt.
Fish And Chip Shop High Street (1965-1971)
My parents (Mr C and Mrs P Gosling) used to own a fish and chip shop for 6 years. I have a fantastic memory growing up with my 6 brothers and sisters in that big house (please see photo). It had 14 rooms (including the cellar). The house was haunted and it didn't bother me and my family at all. We all loved this house so much that we didn't want to leave. We were very upset and very sad that we had to leave the house which my parents sold the house and a shop to Mr Haddock from Highworth. My parents bought a restaurant/cafe in Gloucester from (1971 -1980). The house was very special to me. I am wondering what does the house look like inside today? Is there a book for information about the house I can buy?
Old Dick's Bakery
We were brought up in Wroughton and my dad worked at Burderop hospital as a nurse in the 1970s to the very early 1980s. We had a staff house in the grounds of the hospital. I have so many happy childhood memories of being brought up there and going to school in the village. One of the most vivid and enjoyable was that I used to love going down the hill with Dad in the car to get our bread from Old Dick's bakery, the smell of the shop, the shelves with his just-baked goods on it and the rustle of the tissue paper as the bread was wrapped up and most of all sitting with it still warm and fresh from the oven on my knee going back home in the car, being told not to pick at it (impossible not to, and I still love fresh baked bread to this day, it has to be crusty though just like Old Dick's!). I remember going to the infant... Read more
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