Farthingstone, Northamptonshire

The Shop

Church Street, at the end of this my parent's shop, home until dad decided to retire to Badby. Next door the Roman Catholic church. Anyone else remember the processions down Church Street when it was Remembrance Sunday or the Church Fete with Rose Queen on the trailer surrounded by attendants. Running for the bus along there too, especially if you needed to get to Northampton in time for school as I did. Further up the street the cobbler's shop and Mr Gates coal merchants. Can you imagine we had 4 shops all in that one street in the 1950's, most villages are lucky to have one now!

Vine Cottage

Visited the place my grandmother was bought up in, Vine Cottage - now Meadow Cottage - next to The Nuttery. My grandmother was Fanny Alice Spencer, her father was Joseph. She met my grandfather, James Hudson McKellow, who was a New Zealand soldier in the First World War in London where she was working as housekeeper to Prince Bibisco (Bibesco). They married in 1918 and moved to Christchurch, NZ. They had 4 children, James Joseph, Harry William, Robert and Nancy McKellow. I am the eldest daughter of James.
It was lovely to see the cottage and the kind owner showed us (my sister and I) around the garden.
I remember that my great-grandfather had cows and provided milk for the village but he was a stableman at the local big house.
My grandmother's brother "Hadge" - Harry Spencer - was killed in the First World War and there is a memorial at the village church to him and others.
I would love to hear from anyone who knows anything about the area or remembers the Spencers of Newnham - were they there forever or just a generation or two?
Cheers, Mary Molloy (nee McKellow)

On the Grn

Iremember when Ry and Tania took over the Roma and we had the Maltsters at Badby.
And I remember when the takings went missing from the 'music on the green' charity event last Sat, June 2008. [Well, someone has to leave a comment.]

St John's School

I remember the Sunday March to Tiffield Church from St John's School and return. I remember masters there - Betteridge, Faid, Wooley and the young lads 'lusting' after Headmaster's daughter!! The good teaching received there.
My 'friends' and our adventures on our 'Day Out', Sinnott jumping into the canal to give us an excuse for returning late to school ... whatever happened to them all??? 'Ricky' Richardson, 'Wiggy' Roberts and many others!! The friendly villagers. The 1st Tiffield Scout Troop at St Johns. My becoming Troop Leader. The trips to cinema in Towcester, Northampton. Cricket, football, played at school playing fields.  Memories I have carried through my life.  Returning from a 'Task' with RAF in late 1980s, I saw St John's empty, looking forlorn. No doubt a factory or housing estate now in 2008. What is Tiffield like now? Are there any persons 'Out There' who have similar memories?

I enjoyed my stay there, 1948/51. Then National Service called just as I returned home to Bristol. The 'Lads' came from far away to St Johns - Sussex, London, Oxford, S Wales. And Gibbs was later to live in Tetbury,  Gloucestershire. Did he settle there?? If so I pass through regularly to visit my daughter in Cirencester. He should be around 70 now, older perhaps. Where are you all now?  Some may not have 'happy' memories of Tiffield. I have happy ones, but is this through passing time?  Anyone r emember Tiffield and St John's - I am sure you do!