Colwell Bay memories
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Memories of Isle of Wight
Totland Tea Gardens
My late father and mother-in-law used to love their holidays on the Isle of Wight and particularly enjoyed their times at what they called Totland Tea Gardens.
Would anyone have any recollection of this place? I would be especially interested in photos and/or the location as we are staying in Totland for a week in June and would love to know where this place was (is?). Thank you.
Hook Hill
In 1960, when I was 6, we moved into Longhalves, a detached house on the left of Hook Hill going up, and just on the brow of the hill. The road then was narrow and dangerous, and in about 1964 they took 3 - 4 yards off our front garden to widen the road and make a footpath. Opposite the main gate to Longhalves was Asher's field. Mr Asher kept cows on there, and we used to walk through the field across the marsh and the old railway line (closed even then), and onto Afton Road. The railway station was derelict when we moved in, but within a few years became a spring factory. Next to Longhalves on the uphill side set back, the builder, George Weeks, built a bungalow to live in. Our garden went back quite a way right up to a row of firs boardering Weeks' yard. My father dug that garden out over the years and uncovered yards of flag paths, with some square rose gardens... Read more
Mountfield Caravan Park
My great uncle Frank and his wife Fan Sampson and their partner Chip Wright owned this park then. My grandfather Bert Sampson helped out there too. We used to come for family holidays from our home in London. I loved it. The Island was magical. I never wanted to go home. We visited all our family and had great holidays. There was a big house there where the family lived. I think it is still there. There was a little shop full of groceries and holiday must-haves. My first place to go. There was a playground and a sandpit too. I never understood why I loved the Island so much, then I traced my family tree in later years and found we came from there, mystery solved.
Growing up at Alum Bay
I grew up at Alum Bay, as my parents, John & Irene Groves were managers at the Needles Hotel from 1948 - 1954. My brother Neil is 2 years older than me and we have some wonderful memories of playing in the grounds, which were very different to how they are today. There was a cafe, a bazaar, (where you could fill up your sand phials), a restaurant and a bar. The hotel was non residential, but my parents worked long hours and because of the danger of coaches and traffic, we spent a lot of time in Freshwater with our grandparents. My uncle Harold used to be a West Wight coach driver and my grandad would be the driver who would collect the bread and cakes from the baker in Freshwater and would often take us with him. Doughnuts were our particular favourite and he would promise us one each if we were good, which was not always. At the top of the Chine, before the chair lift arrived, there... Read more
Brambles Holiday Camp
When I was about ten (1967), we went on holiday from London to the Isle of Wight with my mum and dad and brother. We stayed at Brambles Holiday Camp, which I think was in Freshwater Bay? It was one of those old fashioned British places like on 'Hi di Hi', where they woke you in the morning with loudspeaker announcements, and told you of the itinerary for the day. It seemed like everybody got involved with endless events all day long, including obstacle races, nature trails, whist tours, horse riding, and rollerskating, amongst many others. I remember the weather was beautiful and sunny, and the location was wild and pretty. In the evenings, they would have a show in the clubhouse for the adults, and there was a patrol of the chalets by staff to listen out for the children crying. I have a photo of me, with my mum and dad, at a table in the clubhouse one night. I'm wearing a stick-on moustache and striped boating hat... Read more
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