Compton memories
Here are memories of Compton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Compton or a Compton photo.
My Memories of Compton
My name is Mark Goddard, I lived in Compton for 18 years. I was born in 1966 and I am now 43 years old. All my childhood memories are of my time growing up in this fantastic village. I was lucky enough to attend Compton School, being taught by some very strict but fair teachers who shall stay in my memories for life, until its sad closure. I will always remember the last day of school, all the tears and sad goodbyes, saying goodbye to Mrs Mcalmont and Mrs Gardener. Looking back for the last time as I walked home up the little path towards Almsgate.
We lived in Fowlers Croft for many years, in a corner house looking over the fields up to Watts Cemetery. I'm not sure what the houses were originaly built for but they were pretty cold in the winter but it was home. Compton is surrounded by some of the best countryside, great for walking, as a child we used to go on great walks... Read more
Gamekeeper's Cottage
I do not know Compton but lived as a child next door to a lady who was daughter of the local gamekeeper. Her maiden name was Churchill, Hilda Churchill, with two sisters Mabel and Alice. I have a watercolour painting of her house at Compton done by H J Sage (a local artist) and would be happy to share this with anyone who may be interested. Also amongst her posessions was a Coronation mug for George V, 1911. She told me that one of these mugs was given to each child in the school and that after they were made, the mould was destroyed. I have this mug and it has her name written on its base.
I would love to know more about her family in such an idyllic house, standing in a field surrounded by a picket fence. I have known this painting for 60 years and have always admired it. I would also like to know if any more of the Coronation mugs exist.
Memories of Surrey
My Childhood Home
I was born in 1952 and lived in this village untill I was 22. My home was no3, the red brick semi in the centre of photo and later no5, the white house right hand side. These houses were called Kerrsland Cottages and were owed by Guildford Council. To the right of the road was a disused bargate stone quary. My father's family lived here for nearly 70 years. Just looking at this photo reminds me of only happy times.
The Dunn Family And The Hancock Family
My family moved to Hurtmore from Kent in 1959. From the first day I loved the place. We lived at no. 6 Quarry Road. Mr and Mrs Hancock lived a few houses away. I started school at Rodborough which was up Rodborough Hill on the Portsmouth road, an old army camp I believe. I was only there a few months as the new school opened in Milford. In the 1960s youth clubs were the "thing" and I attended quite a few, Shackleford being one, and Milford also. The bus sevice from Godalming was pretty good, I did however miss the last bus frequently which didn't bother me as I liked walking! The last part of the trip home was usually in pitch darkness as there were very few street lights. I knew the way so well and I was never frightened. It has been many years since I was in Hurtmore but I go there in spirit very often. My parents moved to Cornwall and I left for Canada. England... Read more
Chilhood in Farncombe
I grew up in Farncombe. My grandparents lived opposite the railway station and all my other relatives lived in the village. My grandmother had worked as housekeeper to the Phillips family whose son, 'Jack', was radio operator on the Titanic. I attended the local village school and remember the toilets had no doors, only sacking on nails, and the air raid shelters in the playground. My brother-in-law was a stoker on the steam trains and living close to the railway line I used to wait and wave. I attended the Sunday School where we quoted JOHN.3.16 and was baptised in St Johns church. My childhood was tinged with sadness as I was aged 4 when I lost my mother, followed by a family rift. I stilI remember the open fields with an abundance of clover and buttercups where I roamed with my butterfly net, and the stream where you could catch minnows in a jam jar. I was taught at an early age how... Read more
An Evacuee Remembers
A South Londoner, I was 12+ when WWII started in September 1939. I was evacuated with Wandsworth Central School to Farncombe, and remember sitting on the floor in a large hall waiting for someone to 'adopt' me. Eventually, I found myself with the Gorringe family who were the local Builders, Decorators, Undertakers etc, in Hare Lane. I have nothing but very happy memories of my time with them which lasted until 1942, when I returned to my parents back in Wandsworth. This was to a new home, for the old one had been destoyed by bombs. I have nothing left of my childhood except memories and one book. With the Gorringes, I was treated like the fourth son of the family - the junior of Bertram, Keith and Stanley, the three existing sons. In Farncombe, I saw apples growing on a tree, I went ice skating on Broadwater Lake and tobogganing on Bunkers Hill, all firsts in my life. I have many memories of Eddy Leroy, the son of the... Read more
Well, It's A Start
Disappointed by a lack of reminiscenses here I, only this evening, asked a man (who turns out to have lived in the white house in the top left of the picture since 1917) if he had any memories. I'm afraid all he came up with was the aggrieved memory that the timber merchant (situated where Jackson & Gocher is now) used to let his horse 'drop his guts' right outside his front door 'every (expletive deleted) day'.
It's a start anyway and I'll try again next time I bump into him!
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