Elmstead memories
Here are memories of Elmstead and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Elmstead or a Elmstead photo.
The Bowling Green, Elmstead Market
My great grandfather William Henry Parkins ran The Bowling Green from the 1920s until his death in 1953. I am aware that the Pub has now closed and the last time I visited (6-7 years ago) it was being converted into a private home. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my great grandfather or any other members of the Parkins family.
Memories of Essex
Cook Family
As a child I visited my grandmother at Ivy Cottage where my mother was born 100 years ago. The Cook family and the Faircloths were the backbone of the village. Granny Cook lived in the house next door to Ivy Cottage for which my grandfather paid 21 guineas (or it may have been 20 guineas as I believe he lost one in the garden!) It was an exciting event when gran had a water pump fitted in the kitchen which was noisy after being primed. My mother, Kathleen Cook, is still with us and has an excellent memory of Crockleford and its little school.
Thorrington as A Boy
I spent many happy years as a boy living at 2 Fratting Road, Thorrington, enjoying country life, lots of friends and lovely people who resided there. I did attend school at Brightlingsea Secondary Modern School. I have returned on many occasions to see old school friends.
My Year at Fingringhoe 1944 Till1945
Hello my name is Derek Harrington. My Aunt was Nellie Combes who was the cook at Fingringhoe Hall and my mother was Doris Harrington who cleaned the rooms at The Hall. We had just returned to England from South Africa in 1944. I went to the stone school next door to St Andrews Church. We were taught in one large room by a lady and some of the older pupils. I was nine at the time. I was a member of the church choir and was given six-pence (old money). My friend at school was a girl called Shirley Simpson who lived with her mum and dad and brother, John, in a cottage at the rear of the church. Her dads name was George Simpson and he did gardening at the Hall. The Hall was owned by Major Feaurneux and Mrs Feaurneux who ran the farm. Mr Sturgeon was the man who looked after the cows and the large bull named "Plonkey". I helped find the... Read more
Happy Summer Days at The Pool
This photo' reminded me of those carefree summer days when we would cycle from Myland to the pool, leave our bikes, unlocked, in a heap outside, pay our 6d and go to the dank, cold, changing room under the bridge.
The girls had to cross the end of the pool by a boardwalk to their changing room on the other side.
There were high diving boards so the pool was about ten feet deep at the deep end. We discovered that there was a hole in the underwater wire netting beneath the boardwalk where we could dive down to come up under the boardwalk to bang on the boards as the girls walked over,
We spent many hours sunbathing and swimming, later to retrieve our bikes, intact, from beneath the pile.
Sadly, the pool is now closed. I'm sure the modern pools are nowhere near as much fun as that outdoor pool at Colnebank.
Peter Gant.
Colchester
While we were living in Colchester between 1955 and 1958, I was confirmed at this church at Lexden, Colchester. I had little memory of the church, but then while looking through the photos for Colchester I came across this photo much to my delight as this was where I was confirmed. Colchester Castle grounds was a beautiful place to walk through. Every year the Army Tattoo was displayed in the grounds too.
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