Four Alls, Shropshire

School Days

I went to school here in the early 1950's. I have fond memories of the suroundings,
the buildings, the gardens, the landscape and of Market Drayton where some of my relatives lived and some still do. Since this learning academy was a live in school / college I remember that we always had good food. Some of the teachers and students... [more]

Family connections.

My grandfather, William Simpson Bruchshaw, is the man coming out of the greenhouse with the plant in his hand.  He was head gardener to Mr Munro Walker until Mr Walker died.  My grandfather's youngest brother, Henry, was farm manager on the estate.  While at Pell Wall, my grandfather experimented in growing tomatoes on potatoes in about 1908 I think.  We still... [more]

National Service at RAF Buntingsdale Hall

I joined up for National Service in July 1954 and after trade training at RAF Yatesbury, I was posted to RAF Buntingsdale Hall - HQ 22 Group Comm Flight - in June 1955 as an Air Wireless Fitter - Junior Technician - and remained there until I was demobbed on July 21st 1956. Each morning we were driven from the Hall... [more]

A Childhood Remembered

I lived in Market Drayton during the war and went to school there, ending at the Grammar School.
It was wonderful to see therefore what we called the Big Bridge with a glimpse of the side of our house to the left of the full fronted one.
I enjoyed a full varied childhood in the town especially on Market days, playing... [more]

Family Home

My father Leonard Barlow was born in the house on the left in 1921. He lived there with his mother Florence and family until he was conscripted into the Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War. I have traced members of the Barlow family living in the house for nearly a hundred years, going back to William Barlow... [more]

The Swimming Pool

I remember this pool well, all the boys running around trying to look good for the girls, and all the girls sat around the fountain pretending not to watch, and the PE teacher throwing us in so we would learn to swim. Halycon days. I never did learn to swim but will never forget the times we had. We moved away... [more]

Market Drayton swimming baths

Our PE teacher used to throw boys in if they didn't swim - being a dainty soul, I used to hide underneath the slide, quivering with anxiety! I didn't learn to swim till many years later (INDOORS at Shewsbury baths). We used to go down when it was raining - the theory being that the water would be warmer! I think... [more]