Freefolk memories
Here are memories of Freefolk and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Freefolk or a Freefolk photo.
Freefolk Priors
I have fond memories of Freefolk. I stayed at Freefolk Priors with my Aunt Babs and her three boys around about 1963. We would go down there for the duration of the school holidays and stay in her little house which overlooked the River Test. She didn't have a fridge back in those days but instead had a cold room which had the most heavenly smells when you stepped inside. The house was very small with low beamed ceilings and small windows but I thought it was grand! Just along from her house was an old-fashioned Post Office/sweet shop. This was in a thatched house an it was so picturesque. I would look forward to going in there to buy 2 ounces of sweets or just to post a letter in the little post box outside. I seem to remember there was a well in the front garden, it was quite big too. Everything tasted so much better when I used to stay in Freefolk for my hols!
Long Ago
Hi to all in Freefolk,
I was just looking over some old records about my house in Surrey, when I came across the following -
" Mrs. Harriett Emmeline Ella Ling born 1859 in Freefolk, married to Mr. Arthur Robert Ling born 1862 in Surrey" they had 3 daughters Gertrude, Evelyn & Margaret.
I thought I would post this info in case anyone is searching lost relatives.
Memories of Hampshire
Runaway Train
The day of my nan's funeral, a goods train from Newbury's brakes failed, and the signalman switched the train to another track, thus averting a major disaster as a passenger train that was nearly full was heading into Whitchurch from Eastleigh on the same track. I remember seeing the massive black engine rolled on its side fown the embankment. I believe the signalman received a medal for his quick thinking which must have saved a very bad accident from occurring. I think it was in September 1955, I was staying at my nan's bungalow with my mothr for a few weeks while Mum looked after Nan. The bungalow was, and I expect still is, about 100 yards from the station. I remember I got quite friendly with the then station master's daughter, Caroline, and we spent quite a lot of time together.
VE Day Celebrations
I remember when I was seven years old Overton had a special carnival. I would love to see any old photos of this event. I was lucky enough to be one of the special attendants. We received ribbon for saches and extra clothing allowance coupons for the dresses. I remember sitting on a vehicle in Winchester street and meeting some famous star whose name might have been ? Murrey. Can anyone help enlarge this memory for me? Thanks Nancy(Baker) Englefield
Village Life
We first lived in White Cottages, when I was about 2, my dad Des Brown worked as a dairyman on the farm, and my mother Audrey cleaned for a Mrs Henshaw. When I was 4/5 we moved up the road to 3 Wheatley Close, next door to Mrs Bond and Mrs Ayres, and went to the village school, the head was Mrs Tanner, she had a dog called Lucky. My teacher was Mrs Haycock, she would pick me up from my gate and take me to school, as I didn't want to go, I preferred playing in the fields, or helping my dad on the farm. I remember coming back from a Christmas party one evening, and Teddy Ayres said that there were big holes under the tunnel (they were puddles really) and I wouldn't go under, my dad had to carry me, the tunnel was pitch black in those days.
Scene of High Street, St. Mary Bourne, Hampshire
This photograph shows the thatched house of Mr and Mrs Hansford on the right, on the opposite side of the road to the village stores owned by Roy and Ruth Wells. In the centre of the picture, in the background, are the village almshouses. At the time this phograph was taken I was aged 4 and lived next door to Mr and Mrs Hansford with my parents Jack and Doris Howard and my sister Jeanette.
High Street St. Mary Bourne
On the right is the thatched house occupied at this time by Jack and Doris Howard with their daughters Stephanie and Jeanette. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor lived next door with there son Quiller. Opposite is the village Post Office stores.
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