The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Codicote memories

Here are memories of Codicote and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Codicote or a Codicote photo.

 

There are no Memories posted yet for Codicote - why not be the first!

 

Memories of Hertfordshire

The Silk Farm

Ayot House c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

A delightful place to work if only for six months. We would lunch at the Brocket Arms or take a picnic into the grounds by the swimming pool. We did work as well; caring for the silk worms in the mornings and showing visitors around in the afternoons. My favourite task would be to walk the grounds collecting flowers and foliage for the arrangement in the hall. The downside was the 5 mile bike ride each way in all weathers.

Ayot St Lawrence

I was born in Hitchin Hospital in 1948 & we lived in Abbotshay Cottage , before moving to The Home Farm Delaport in Wheathampstead , when I was 11.
The post office was run by an elderly lady whose name I feel was Miss Lythe. The milk was delivered daily by Mrs Tucker . The Brocket Arms was very popular , Sunday School was held in one of the bars. The vicar at the time was Rev. Davies, he always sucked polo mints!!
Prior to the silk farm the property was owned by the ex king & queen Michael of Romania.
My sister & I went to The Grange School in Welwyn & my brother was a boarder at Aldwickbury near Harpenden. My father worked for De Havillands.
Went back some years ago & stayed at the Brocket Arms , so good to relive all those happy childhood memories.

The Place I Was Born

I was born in Ayot St Peter - March 22nd 1932. My father was farm bailiff at the Frith estate. My mother told me she would take me for walks in my pram and would ofter meet George Bernard Shaw out for his walk, and they would chat for a minute or two. I am proud to have the name of Ayot St Peter on my birth certificate and my passport, it has created many interesting conversations.
I now live in Florida and have done so for the last 28 years.
Richard G Gaunt.

How Things Don't Change!

High Street c1961
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Oh my goodness.  I was bought up in Wheathampstead and I can still see it now, the newsagents on the High Street and the then "Old fashioned" chemist called Busbys at the end!

Wheathampstead

We moved to Delaport Farm , on the edge of the golf course, in or around 1958 til 1965 to move to a larger farm in Somerset. At that time my mother would fill her car up with 4 gallons of petrol for £1.00. Simons was the butcher, Auld was the baker & Titmuus had a grain depot in the village, Mr. Amos had the shoe shop. The Maltings was a diners club run by Betty & Mac. Such good memories.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 26,185 memories of 5,732 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

I Remember When

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the 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.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Codicote > Memories of Codicote

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.