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Drayton memories

Here are memories of Drayton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Drayton or a Drayton photo.

Summer Holidays

or thereabouts. Blackcurrant picking somewhere in the Drayton area, the smell of them today knocks 60 years off my age. Used to go fruit-picking during the Summer holidays with Janet Basham who lived on Highland Road, Taverham. A full day of picking for possibly ?2/- , hot, dusty and tired but after a wash and tea it would be down to the Red Lion to hang around eyeing up the older lads or, on a Saturday, to the Village/Church Hall dance. Swimming seems to be my main memory of those years, Hellesdon Mill, The Low road between there and Drayton, under the railway bridge by the Marlpit Public House jumping and slipping off the concrete that had been dumped in bags years before -- did it ever rain, was it always warm? The miles we used to cycle, to Waxham, to one or other of the Broads with hand-knitted swimsuit,(or worse one made from parachute silk- totally transparent when wet), paper-bag with provisions, puncture repair kit and instructions to be back before dark.... Read more

Memories of Norfolk

A Bungalow Called Lynwood, at Costessey

My father bought this bungalow around 1926 - it was the place I was born. He was forced to sell it in 1929 when the place he worked at -J arrolds Publishing - went on strike and he lost his job. With my mother and two other children we had to leave and return to Kidderminster, to the home of my mother's parents. I do not know the address of the bugalow except it was next to a house owned by a Mr Arnold - who had something to do with the vegetable trade. I remember there were fields at the back of the house and I think we were somewhere near a park or woods. The bungalow had no water and we were subsequently buying water from a barrel at 6 pence a time. Our return to Kidderminster was a last desperate act . My father was out of work  during the great depression of the 1930s for most of the time until the start of the Second World... Read more

Childhood Memories of Horsford

During the period 1943-44 my family moved to Horsford, I cannot tell you the address as I was only about 5 years old at the time. All I can remember is that the house was opposite the infant school, which I attended together with my cousin Russell. It was situated almost at the end of a small road, and at the top of the road if you turned right was a small shop come post office. My memories of Horsford are all happy ones, but we were only there for a very short time, possibly just over a year. I think the farmhouse we lived in was rented, as our home in Great Yarmouth was destroyed by German bombs. I would love to find out where the farmhouse we lived in and the school was located.

Nursery School

Looking at the picture I think you turned left and my nursery school was on the right hand side, was it St Christopher's? I can remember seeing the fighters at St Faiths, must have been swifts, hawks, hunters, this must have been about the 1950s.

Smiths Crisps

Back Street c1960
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My sister and I would be given 3p and it was a treat to run down the hill to the shop and buy a packet of Smiths Crisps with the little blue salt bag, happy days. My Nanny lived at this end of Back Street in Abbey Road.

Loves First Kiss

Castle Gardens 1891
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This is the park where Sam and I had our first kiss! xx

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