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Enham Alamein memories

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Childhood Escapism

My aunt and uncle, Jan and Keith Harman, lived in Enham after their marriage in 1965, initially in Dunham Lane, I think it was called - a development of prefabs that backed onto the woods. I spent school holidays loving the freedom of the woods at the end of the garden and long walks to Smannel, cadging lifts off my aunt's friend Margaret McCrill who lived round the corner from me in Andover but worked at the Enham Industries. I remember being dropped off outside the factory and walking through the early morning mists to Dunham Lane.

Memories of Hampshire

Memories of my Two Years

High Street c1960
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We spent two years in Andover, two of the children went to Eastfield School and one daughter was born there. If I remember right, I had to get the baby milk from a pub. I have been back a few times and my goodness what a change has taken place, hardly could find my way around. I remember the really pretty villages, all the thatch roofs, lovely memories.

My Time NearAndover

High Street c1960
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WE were married in July 1966. As I was stationed at Middle Wallop, after our honeymoon in London we caught the train to Andover and stayed for 2 nights at the White Hart (is that the name? Opposite the old bus station near the canal and post office). We hired a flat on Weyhill Road and decided we must have a washing machine, so with great reluctance bought one on HP - sinful in those days) at a place opposite Squire's electrical shop near the post office.
After a while we moved to rotten old Married Quarters in Middle Wallop and had our first child, Julian there. (He was born at the War Memorial Hospital in Andover - I would go there each evening and stop for a pint at The Railway Tavern near the station.)
Most Saturdays we would do our shopping in Andover - a right fuss that was too as going back we had multiple shopping bags, a baby and a fold-up pram to take on the... Read more

Winchester Street Quaker Burial Ground

Winchester Street 1904
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This picture brings back childhood memories of the 1940s. Behind the wall on the left was a Quaker burial ground, a small grassy area on which one was free to stand upon.Opposite the wall were thatched cottages which were destroyed by fire later in the same decade I believe. A friend of both me and my sister was living in one of the cottages at the time.

The Old Andover Grammar School

Grammar School, Church Close 1906
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This building, now a museum was in the 1940s the home of a famous old Andover gentleman Mr A C Bennett. He wrote a book about Andover St Mary's Church and played the organ in the church. He was also my piano teacher at 2 shillings a lesson(10p) and I don't think anyone tried his great patience more than I did.
I remember well as a lad of 11 years walking up to that, what seemed, huge door and banging on it and hearing him shuffling down the stairs to let me in. He must have felt the cold at his age as he always wore several layers of overcoats.
In hindsight I wish I had practiced more instead of regarding it as a chore at the time which kept me from my pals. He was a very nice man and a true Andoverian.

Saturday Afternoon Shopping

High Street c1960
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I do remember Andover about this time. We lived in Tidworth at the time and my father had a car with petrol allowance as he was a Barrack officer. We went to Andover, mum, myself and him every Saturday afternon and had to park centrally. It had all gone when we last went - just modern car parks now. He did a truly nineteen forties thing and sat in the car whilst we shopped. What a lovely childhood I did have there.


Joan Battershill (nee Norman)

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