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Combe Down
Combe Down maps
Historic maps of Combe Down and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Combe Down maps
Combe Down area books
Displaying 1 of 6 books about Combe Down and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Combe Down
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Combe Down.
Add your memory of Combe Down
or of a photo of Combe Down.
School
There was a man called Mr Cole that lived along North Road pass the Horseshoe, both his children went to Combe Down Junior School. The girl was called Rebecca, but I cannot remember the boy's name. The father always took pictures and I am sure he must have a collection of them somewhere, it would be great to see them. I did have some old postcards, but stupidly disposed of them. I love living in Combe Down.
Childhood Days
This picture of Combe Road brings back many memories, looking straight ahead and slightly to the right is Summer Lane where I attended infant school, the shop on the left was a tobacconist and sweet shop at this time.
On the right of the picture would be the King William pub, adjacent to the shop was a small lane that lead to the local garden allotments, my father had one of these.
Combe Down was, and still is a lovely village, albeit too many cars these days.
Summer Lane leads on to Monkton Combe another lovely old village with its renowned school, and nestling in a beautiful valley.
Avon memories
A 19th Century Marriage at Widcombe Church
James Cholmeley Russell, the barrister, financier, property developer and Welsh railway entrepreneur married Eleanor Catherine Broome at Widcombe parish church on April 26th 1893. She was the daughter of the late Rev Frederick Broome, formerly rector of Kenley, Shropshire and Catherine Elizabeth Broome. The ceremony was conducted by the Reverend Canon C H Cholmeley, rector of Beaconsfield church from 1885 until his death in 1895. Russell thus continued the tradition of being married by a cleric from his mother's side of the family
Russell was a key shareholder of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways company from which the Welsh Highland Railway Company ultimately emerged.
See more at http://jamescholmeleyrussell.blogspot.com
I Lived in Midford...
The family moved to Midford when I was 15 (1966)... We lived in The Laurels, as you go down Midford hill heading away from Bath our house was to your right over the valley.... I used to work in Bath (David Gregs) and rode a pushbike back and for.... When I was old enough I bought a motor bike which made lifa a lot easier... I also worked at Ryland Huntleys for a short while until getting a job at Clarkes shoe factory, rush hill.... I moved away in 69 when I joined the army... I now live in Melbourne, Australia....
Southstoke House
I was a patient at the Southstoke Hospital in approx 1950 and again in 1952/53. I recently visited the village and was sad to find that the beautiful house appears to be 'run down' and the hospital/convalescent home long since gone. I would be interested in any books, photos or memories of Southstoke House. As a small child I spent many years hospitalised in and around Bath. Two of those years I spent at Southstoke. I loved it there and without doubt, the staff, hospital and setting were idyllic for a long-term disabled and bedridden small girl. I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have similar memories.
Architectural Notes
As a former resident of Bath I recall that this building was not particularly liked. In 1959 the hotel was demolished and a block of 33 flats at 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor level with shops at the ground floor was built. The quality of building work and the amenities of the building was exceptional and included electric underfloor heating beneath parquet floors in the main living room and an air extractor system to bathrooms and kitchens without external windows. The two side wings of the property housed lifts serving the three floors and also included very convenient rubbish chutes. There was also an entryphone system - a relatively new concept in Britain at that time. The rooms in the flats were well proportioned with 9' ceilings and large sash windows.
Because of the underlying geology of the area it was necessary to construct a deep and strong platform several metres below street level over which were constructed vertically... Read more
Where Have The Trees Gone?
Does anyone know when the trees were felled? I have found a slightly later photo around the turn of the century and this has the trees still. Today there are none, although I think those on Laura Place are still there. If anyone knows about this, I'd love to hear from you: moretrees@live.co.uk
