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Erlestoke
Erlestoke maps
Historic maps of Erlestoke and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Erlestoke maps
Erlestoke area books
Displaying 1 of 12 books about Erlestoke and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Erlestoke
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Wiltshire memories
Personal Reflections
I was born in Sandleaze, Worton in 1957. I was brought up at 1 Mill Road near the Marston boundary. I remember many things about the village especially the Rose and Crown Pub and the Mill. I remember with pride the war memorial which stood outside the library hall proudly dispalying the name of my uncle Raymond Glen Whitton Henly who died during WWII. The church was quaint if I recall correctly with an archway gate of iron. I remember once my brother returning home on leave one late summers evening and walked home past the church following the brook and weir. On passing the church he swore to his dying day he saw a lady in Victorian costume laying flowers on a grave near a wall when he said good evening to her she disappeared and when he looked there were no flowers on the grave either. The same brother left his mark on the local school too he once kicked a... Read more
To Market in The Pony Cart in The 1950s
If it was Tuesday and school holiday my sister Carolyn and I would go with Grampy Smith the village blacksmith to Trowbridge market. Having helped harness the pony, Peggy, to the old milk float, we'd climb in to Grampy's command "Jumpy up, then". A quick stop to check with Granny that the shopping list was correct, then as the church clock struck nine we'd set off. There was always a nip in the air and if it rained we would sit on the floor of the cart under a taupoline. On the way to town we would call at this farm or that to collect a calf or two or maybe hens or eggs which Grampy would hand to the auctioneers to be sold for the farmer. How well I remember the sweet smell of those calves! Next stop would be Sainsbury's (not the grocers) for bags of foodstuffs for the various farms. Then it was time to park up. Peggy was taken from the shafts and rested beside the cart and... Read more
War Memorial
I remember as a young boy sitting on the war memorial with my grandparents Elwin (Jim) Andrews and Mable (Olive) Andrews, watching the gliders from Keevil and talking to passersby on long sunny evenings. People would stop and talk for ages and it was fascinating to hear the village gossip. I remember in particular Mrs Scarborough would often stop for a chat.
Prison Buildings by Side of Canal
Hello,
My name is John Ryan and I can remember Devizes when I was evacuated there in 1940 from Tilbury Essex. I was 11 years old.
I can remember where we all assembled in what I think was the Catholic school, which I believe was St Joseph's. There was about 40 of us and I happened to be the last to be picked for accommodation with a local family.
I remember the lady, her name was Phyllis Hillier and she was very kind to me as the rest of the family were. I remember going down a big hill towards the canal and crossing a small bridge and turning left down into the building which was originally a prison but it was converted into flats. It was a ground floor flat which was very nice and comfortable. After settling into my new home, I remember starting school where we had to walk along the canal or back up the hill to the town where the school was... Read more
Notes From The Frith Files.
During WW2 the hut at the top of the building provided shelter from the weather for members of the Observer Corps later known as The Royal Observer Corps.
Quaker's Walk
I was employed to fell the elm trees lining the walk during the Dutch Elm disease crisis that cleared so many beautiful trees from a lovely area. My only consolation was the glorious view up to Oliver's Castle which is now sadly blocked by housing estates.
The Browns
First saw this house and street when I was a baby. Noads House was Mr and Mrs Browns house. It is still there in 2006 looking just the same!
