Figheldean, Wiltshire

Figheldean Manor

In 1945, just before VJ day, I moved from Scotland with my mother, to Figheldean Manor, to join my father who was then based at RAF Netheravon. I had never seen houses with flint walls and thatched roofs before, moreover, I had never experienced the type of food that was then available. My first experience of asparagus, watercress, fresh trout and... [more]

The Mill Pool

I lived at Netheravon from 1968 - 1972 (my father was in the RAF based at Old Sarum) and went to school at St Michaels Figheldean.
I remember we used to go swimming in the mill pool by the weir. I remember nearly drowning there, showing off in deep water under the big tree (still there) near the weir. I... [more]

Post Office

The post Office was run by a Mrs Titt in the 1950s and the post lady was to be, in later life, my aunty.

Addition to Con's entry

Being Con's older brother, my memories go back a bit further, having started school about the day war was declared, going to the village school, with Miss Burling(?) - rumour had it that she changed the spelling of her name from Berlin (for obvious reasons). There are a lot of hazy wartime memories as well which would occupy a lot more... [more]

Born and Bred

Born in Ablington just after the war we moved to Avon Banks, where I lived until married in 1970. My mother's father, mother and brothers (Fenners) all lived in Figheldean. Having read other peoples memories it brought back probably the most enjoyable part of my youth.

Wiltshire Churches Photographic Memories

St Michael's is a large flint and rubble church serving a tiny parish and a very small village. The tower is late Norman, except for the top; the arcades are Early English, and the aisle wall and windows, the clerestory, and the north chapel are Perpendicular. The tower top dates to 1851, and the tower may have been re-set. In the porch are two... [more]

Salisbury Pocket Album

The importance of Salisbury to the military establishment after the war can be seen in this picture of Fish Row, just behind the Guildhall. A Pickfords lorry is fighting its way along the narrow street, possibly heading for the Military Tailors in the left foreground, or to the Servicemen's Hostel next door.

Salisbury Pocket Album

The Cathedral viewed from the south has been a favourite subject for artists—including, of course, Constable. This particular view is from the Old Mill at Harnham, and shows the Mill itself, the river and the water meadows as well as the Cathedral. Harnham Mill is a very old building, dating from around 1500. Like the first photograph in this book, the timeless beauty of this scene... [more]