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Drayton

Drayton photos

Displaying the first of 3 old photos of Drayton.   View all Drayton photos

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Drayton maps

Historic maps of Drayton and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Drayton maps

Drayton area books

Displaying 1 of 11 books about Drayton and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Drayton

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Somerset memories

Wonderful Visit!

We had the priviledge of staying in Muchelney during December 2007! What a discovery! We stayed in a beautiful cottage, had lovely hosts. As visitors from Africa, we experienced our first real heavy frost. The pools of water looked as if were covered in glass! One morning we went for a walk in the village and stepped onto these "glass pools", which of course cracked under out feet, breaking it into fragments of glass. A visit to the Muchelney Church building proved to be very interesting, and the inside of the church is quite informative and beautiful. Opposite the church a cottage was being rethatched. It was the first time we visited Somerset, and Muchelney of course, and were pleasantly surprised. We loved the quaintness of the village, and felt quite at home. Being December, it was very cold, and the area had quite a lot of rain. At one stage we... Read more

The Old School House

The Old School House was the village school, which opened in 1868 and closed in 1960. The school was built by the landowner using the local blue lias stone. The windows were reclaimed from the Abbey, as were corbals and other pieces of stonework and are a definite feature of the property. The school took all ages until the early 1870's when it was split into infants and juniors. At its height there were 52 children on the register and two teachers. The school was overseen by a management committee and the record book of the meetings of the committee, from the day it was opened to when it was closed, is still in the possession of a family in the village. The teacher lived in accommodation attached to the school rooms. This comprised a sitting room, kitchen and upstairs bedroom.

The property was converted into residential accommodation when it was closed in the 1960's and further, sympathetic conversion and restoration, has made it into a comfortable home.... Read more

Fivehead Parish, Somerset

My wife and I visited your lovely church in July 1982 where we discovered that our family bible was used on the pulpit every Sunday.

The Bible was donated by my ancestor, Mary Corpe in approx. 1854.

We were told Mary Corpe handed out sixpences on the front door step on her 100th birthday. We also have a stained glass window which was donated in her memory in the window of the church.

I would be interested in having family history from the back of the bible (births, deaths & marriages etc) sent to me if possible. Would somebody be able to help?

Many thanks for a wonderful visit.

Regards
Bob Corpe
rcorpe@bigpond.com

Fivehead Baptist Church

One Sunday in August 1998 my husband and I were privileged to attend a Sunday morning service in the Fivehead Baptist Church. It was an emotional time to sit there and read the marble plaque on the wall for my great grand father Joshua Corpe. Joshua's son William Wescombe came to New Zealand in 1858 and since then many of his descendants have visited both the Baptist Church and St Martin's. I have researched the Corpe family very thoroughly and am happy to have contact with any members. Catherine Birch - nee Corpe

Friends

i have many a happy memories that i shared with tracey atkins/mittchell who lives in long sutton knightlands lane i came from wolverhampton every year for many years if any one knows them now send them my love

Descendents of ...

Our great-grandfather, Somerton grocer and corn factor George Frederick Hatcher, was born in Somerton. George and Emma Peddle married and with their two boys - great-uncle William and our grandfather Frances- they came to Canada in the early 1900's. That branch of the Hatchers spread throughout Western Canada, currently in Winnnipeg and Vancouver area. A couple of us have been to the UK a few times but not yet to Somerton though a plan to do so is imminent. If anyone has any photos of the street (I think Broad Street) where Hatcher's Grocer was - even a photo of the shop itself - it would make our day. And if anyone can trace themselves anywhere near us that would tickle us as well.

Peace to all. Jeffrey Hatcher, 2nd generation Canadian. Don, get back to work - those things don't mix themselves.

Happy Childhood Memories

I moved with my family to 1 Fountain Cottages, High Ham when I was 2 years old. I have wonderful memories of playing and exploring the village in the hot summers and harsh winters. I remember the only visits we had to the local pub "The Kings Head" were to see the doctor who had a room there that he used as his surgery once a week. I also remember my Dad coming home from a night at the Kings Head with a hesian sac containing a piglet that he had bought that night proving that in this village it was as if time had stood still. The school also gave me fond memories but this was very sadly knocked down and rebuilt in the late 80's. I think myself very fortunate to have spent part of my childhood in such a fantastic place. Sandra (nee Wall)

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