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Coleshill
Coleshill maps
Historic maps of Coleshill and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Coleshill maps
Coleshill area books
Displaying 1 of 7 books about Coleshill and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Coleshill
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memories of Coleshill.
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Whitethorn Morris Dance at The Red Lion Coleshill
For many years morris sides danced in the road in front of the pub garden of the Red Lion. This has been a popular venue to celebrate May Day morning at dawn. Whitethorn Morris and their Whitethorn Band made this a really exciting way to kick off the "dancing season" in the dark pre-dawn, with a slowly growing crowd of sleepy Coleshill villagers emerging from their cottages to come and watch.
I played my accordian and sometimes had to shelter under an umbrella to keep my keyboard dry! The jolly landlord came out and passed around a hipflask of strong liquor to encourage both the musicians and the dancers! As dawn broke the music and dancing became more vigorous - helped by the drink no doubt.
Our dancing companions from Grand Union Morris and our Whitethorn Band and Whitethorn Morris Dancers then go into the Red Lion along with scores of villagers for a traditional English cooked breakfast! I don't know how the landlord and... Read more
Buckinghamshire memories
The Sound of The Siren.
I can remember walking along Sycamore Road with my mother. It seemed to me that the siren on the corner always sounded when we walked past the Regent Cinema. It was the old air-raid siren, but, by this time, it was used to call out the fire brigade. I can recall walking underneath the two trees in this picture. When they were finally felled, they were found to be rotten to the core. The church and the small tin hall were demolished, I believe. There is a modern church on this same site today. The Regent is a supermarket. My aunties were cinema usherettes.
We're All Grown up Now
Amersham - we had such a wonderful time with you, my sister, my two cousins and I. We were young, so we played, we swam, we chatted. We're all grown up now, with children of our own - I wonder if we could get back to you - would we be young again? 1958 - the year my sister was born. My parents were in Amersham that year. They're gone now, but you're still here. I'm very glad.
UPDATE:Mystery Solved!!
To Whom It May Concern:
I am an American living in the state of Maryland. I've had a picture in my office for quite some time now, that I recently took a better look at. Originally, I was told that this picture was of the city of Rockville, in Maryland, during the late 19th century. Upon closer inspection though, the picture has a pub by the name of 'The Hand 'n' Hand Wellers' and below that the sign reads, 'Amersham Ales'. That made me do some research and I'm now writing to this web site to find the answers to my questions concerning this picture. What year was it taken? Is that really St. Mary's in the background? Finally, was the pub a business that was owned by the same group or family that owns a lot of different Weller businesses and other establishments now?
I've viewed several pictures on this site and I believe the St. Mary's Church picture, circa 1955 is the biggest clue... Read more
Street Fair.
I used to be so excited about the street fair every September. It ran the entire length of Old Amersham High Street. I still have a precious photo of me, along with two little monkeys, which was taken at the fair. Possibly in about 1961.
My parents were married at St Mary's church in 1940, the same year my grandfather died. He was buried in the churchyard. My grandmother is also buried there, as is my dear mother.
Does anyone remember the doctor's surgery at the bottom of Gore Hill? Also, the old bus garage, which was more or less opposite?
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Anyone out there who was a pupil or teacher at this School 1966 through 1971?
I was, for my sins, Head of Music during these years and have memories of such staff names as Andy Thompson (history), Denis Holman (Head), Neil Bibby, Steve Hennig, Bill Prickett (caretaker), Austin Matthews (crafts), Graham Hoare (Maths), Betty Perfect (School Secretary).
I am still in touch with George Bell and his wife Sue every Christmas - it would be great to hear from anyone else who may remember me!!
Whitethorn Morris Dance at Merlin''s Cave Pub
The lovely village green and pond at Chalfont St Giles are next to a splendid pub called Merlin's Cave. This is a very popular summer evening venue for morris dancing and the dancers and musicians can soon draw a crowd of onlookers from both villagers and passing motorists.
For many summers one of the local morris sides which dances here is Whitethorn Morris - often performing as guests of other dance sides including Grand Union Morris and Lord Paget's. I played my piano accordian as leader of the Whitethorn Band and on occasion had nine or ten musicians which at times outnumbered the usual team of eight dancers!
Our morris band included drums, accordians, melodeons, whistles, and even a musical crowbar! The red, white and blue dresses of the Whitethorn Morris dancers made a colourful and energetic spectacle. The band played toe-tapping dance tunes in jig and polka tempos and a good time was enjoyed by all!
These summer evenings were great fun... Read more
