The Spotted Cow c1965, Cowplain
The Spotted Cow c1965, Cowplain Ref: C576025
Memories of The Spotted Cow c1965, Cowplain
Past Owner
My great grandfather, Henry Waight bought this pub when he retired from the Royal Navy. He ran it until he died in 1927. Two of his sons, Sid and Frank helped out behind the bar. He also owned three shops opposite. I'd love to see any older photos of it.
Cowplain in 1958
I lived in Cowplain until 1963 and have just written a book set in Cowplain in 1958. Although it's an adventure story for young readers it is set accurately in the village at that time and will appeal to older readers who remember the village as it used to be. I would love to share memories of the village since I am writing another book, also set in the village at that time. See 'The Padnell Prowler' at Lulu.com
Cowplain in The Early 1960's
I lived as a toddler in Kings Road, Cowplain, between 1958 and 1963, in the days when it was a cul-de-sac. These photographs really bring back memories. If I'm not mistaken, the small building on the right of the Spotted Cow was a doctor's or dentist's surgery - I remember trembling there waiting to get injections as a 5 year old.
One shop on the main road I remember was a sweet shop near the corner of Durley Avenue (?) - I believe the owner was a Mr Carter and the shop may have been named after him.
One memory of Kings Road was the ice cream van that came around every afternoon. A small cone cost 4d, a large cone was 7d and on special days you could get a 99 cone for 9d. Between 2p and 4p in today's money! I used to walk to school to Cowplain Infants School on Hartplain Avenue, along with most other kids, in a stream that... Read more
SPOTTED COW
My grandmother lived in Idsworth Road. When I was a small boy we used to drive down from Scotland for summer and Christmas holidays. Seeing the pub sign was a cause of great excitement for a 4 year old because it meant we were nearly there.
At that time Idsworth Road was not tarmacced and the surface was very rough. My dad used to sit me on his knees and let me steer the car round the potholes.
The Tram Shed Cowplain 1960
We used to meet outside the old tram shed where Waitrose is now, Can anyone remember the company who owned it?
Padnell Avenue Etc.
We were the first family to move into the newly built Padnell Avenue Council Estate, moving there in around 1947, our house was one of a pair on the corner of Winscombe Avenue. Where the Council flats are now situated was prefabs and I can name most of the occupants who lived there at that time. I lived there until I married my wife Maureen at St Wilfred's Church, Padnell Road in 1971. I have many fond memories of the entire area and I'm sure people of Cowplain will share my memories of Padnell Recreation Ground, 'The Swamps' - 'The Humps & Bumps' - going to the 'Bob-Bon' at the top of Padnell for sweets - 'Joey's Field' - the 'Lily Pond' the 'Boat Pond' - the 'Tanks' in the Queens Enclosure and then there was the 'Farm Pond' at Padnell Farm where we would spend hours fishing for 'Sticklebacks'. There was Bert Steer's Transport Cafe at the top of Latchmore Forest Grove and the Cowplain Boys Club up towards... Read more
Cowplain & local memories
Read and share memories of Cowplain and Hampshire inspired by Frith photos.
Teachers
I started at padnell infant school in 1968 I think. I had Mrs Ison (? spelling) in the second year and Mrs Griffin in the third year. Was it Mrs Johnson in the first year? I then went to Cowplain Junior School for the next four years. I will have to disentangle my infant school memories from my junior school ones.
Recalled re Earlier Post: Corner of Durley Avenue Cowplain!
I've lived in Cowplain since 6 yrs old in 1968. To an earlier post above, on the corner of Durley Avenue and the main London Road, Cowplain, was a toy shop on one half - and was a radio & TV shop in the other half (a Grundig & ITT agent I recall!)....and was called CWJ Tumber - Charlie Tumber if I remember right (very unusual surname which is why it sticks in the mind!). He did the Radio/TV /electrical things and his wife & daughter dealt with the toys. In the early 70s I was a very regular customer for Dinky/Corgi Toys!....
Cowplain 1960s/1970s
My nan lived in Crestland Close. We shopped on the main street and bought lardy cake from the bakers/cafe next to the Post Office on King's Road. My grandfather had a Pyrenean Mountain Dog which used to go shopping along this street and went for a pint with him in 'The Spotted Cow' and 'The Crow's Nest' in the 1970s. I went to Padnell Junior School and have very fond memories of the 'Rec' and 'Joey's Field'. As Guides we explored the Queen's Enclosure and the woods surrounding Waterlooville Golf Club. Halcyon days of youth :-) If anyone reads this who remembers Rebecca/Becky Taylor I'd love to hear from you.
1st School
My first school around 1969, 5 years old.
I still remember there being railway sleepers in the play ground, and we each had a hook to hang coats and PE bags on, mine was a rabbit.
Lucky for me my nan lived very close so I used to go there for dinner and didn't have to eat school dinners.
A good friend Andrew Gent started school with me, we were in the same class all through infant and junior school and also went to Hartplain senior together, I have not seen or heard of him since can anyone help?
Cowplain Shops
Like David, I remember Carters' Sweet Shop. I was a regular customer in the early to mid 1970s, when I attended Padnell Infants and then Padnell Junior School. Mr Carter handed it over to his daughter, who I think was called Alison, but the shop eventually closed in the early 1980s.
I also remember the fishmongers van which used to park once a week on the corner of Kings Road in front of what I think was then the Post Office.
And there was a toy/model shop, which later became Coxons Gift Shop, a couple of shops to the left of Pinks in the photo. My brother used to buy his football stickers in there (in the days when they weren't even sticky; you had to glue them in!). And was there a toy shop on the corner of Durley Avenue (near Carters) at some point?
Like Robert I cannot remember there ever being plants in the plant pots. They much have gone by the early 1970s.
Phone Box
I was born in Kings Road in 1964, and have fond memories of Cowplain.
My parents still live there but I have moved to the other side of the world (New Zealand).
The phone box in the picture was used to phone would be girlfriends, as the home phone was not very private, many a 2p coin was lost in there.
I don't remember the concrete plant pots having plants in they were filled with concrete at some stage.
I do remember Martins newsagents just past Pinks in the photo and then a Bank on the corner of Kings Road.
Its great to see the photos, I wish I could jump in and revisit good OLD Cowplain.
Nursery School in Cowplain
I remember going to a nursery school when I was 4 years old, it was run from a house, I think, in Springvale Road in Cowplain and the teacher was a Mrs Gartner or Gardener, I'm not sure. If anyone went to that nursery school could they let me know. Then I went to Padnell Road infants school when I was 5. I now live in Australia so I am keen to get some information from someone else from that era. My name is Deborah Pavy
