You are here:
Godalming
Godalming maps
Historic maps of Godalming and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Godalming maps
Godalming area books
Displaying 1 of 22 books about Godalming and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Godalming
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Godalming.
There are 19 shared memories to read.
Add your memory of Godalming
or of a photo of Godalming.
Memories of Farncombe
73,Birch Road is where I lived from 1960 onwards. My family moved there in 1960 and I went to George Road School in 1962 during the coldest winter ever. The toilets used to freeze which was great as we would get time off as the toilets were outside. In 1964 I went to St Johns School and my teachers were; Mrs Ruddock, Mrs Want and Mr Sharp, the latter was my favourite. I used to go to Saturday morning pictures by train every week with Karen Carstairs. I spent most time with my grandparents at 66, Green Lane, they were Bill and Emily Gale. 1968 and after only 2 weeks at Broadwater School my families home was ruined in the '1968 floods' and we were moved to 73, Green Lane. By now I had 2 brothers; David and Andy, Geoff came along in 1970. In 1970 I had my first little job, an evening paper round delivering the London Evening News. I would go to Farncombe Station to pick up... Read more
'Down Yer 'Wey'.
Moved to Farncombe in 1942 from Datchet, but evacuated originally from Barking, London. I remember arriving at my new home at 1 Tudor Circle. My Step-father was a fireman in the AFS, who's own father, George Elliott, was employed as a Shepherd watching sheep in the top fields on the left before Binscombe. Shepherds in those days were well looked after by the farmer, as a good shepherd could save many a lamb at lambing time. George used to bring home a rabbit or two during the War as he was well practised with a catapult having much time on his hands when sheep watching. I remember 'Pop' Gibson, the Headmaster at the Junior school, who would award a 'George' medal for reciting a poem from memory - the medal being... Read more
The Licenced Victualler
My great-grandfather Walter Alfred BEARMAN was the 'pub manager' in 1908. He was married to Helen Mary Bearman and had been resident in Godalming for some time, the earliest I am aware of was 1899 when my grandfather's sister was born. Walter was originally the blacksmith in Godalming. There is a picture in the Frith gallery of two children standing on the streetside under the blacksmith sign. The two children are my grandfather Cyril Wallace George Bearman, and his elder sister Irene May. When Walter took a change of career I am not sure, sometime between 1903 and 1908. My great-grandmother divorced him in 1908, virtually unheard-of for a woman to do, and she cited violence, drunken ways, and the fact that he committed adultery 'frequently' with a local woman called Annie Simmonds, who bore him a child on 22 September 1908!
Godalming 1947-1965
My first memories relate to living opposite the Church of St Peter and St Paul. Cubs up Charterhouse Rd with Miss Alden and later with Mr Keen or Kean (who worked for Gochers) as Scout Master. Then, the choir at the age of seven. The Rev'd Oldham was the Vicar. WWL Baker the Organist. My introduction to Church music and appreciation of it, which has lasted ever since. The 'Bell School', Mr Heptinstall the headmaster and Mr Jenkins an important influence, and then Meadrow County Sec' which the future for those who had 'failed' wasn't inspiring. Luckily, several teachers did inspire, notably Mr Griffiths (French) and Mrs Vink (English). Playing in the Phillips and cricket next to the Phillips with a friend after school. Supporting Godalming United FC on a Saturday afternoon with Jimmy Pugmore speeding down the wing. Dennis Paine in defence (worked for Barclays Bank in town). The Aypa, a church youth club which consisted of teenagers from across the whole social spectrum in Godalming. A benefit to... Read more
Staying With my Aunty.
I stayed in Godalming in the late fifties with my aunty, her first name was Jennifer . I can't recall her last name, her mother was Eileen Phyllis. The home overlooked the church and I can still recall the fresh food. Coming over to the UK this year, would love to catch up with her family; I know she had a daughter. Anyone out there who knows such a person, please contact me.
Phillips Memorial
I worked at Smiths Industries and when it was nice weather some of the other girls and I would take our lunch and sit in by the fish pond. I often wonder what happened to the others when Smiths moved. It was previously Waymouth Gauges near Godalming Station.
The Park. (The Phillips Memorial )
I lived in Hurtmore for many years. I remember this 'Park' which is in fact 'The Phillip's Memorial', in memory of the wireless operator on the Titanic. He lived in Farncombe I believe. Anyway, this memorial has been lovingly restored. A good thing too ! It was sadly neglected back in the sixties. Nice to see the picture though, I never spotted it before so perhaps it has only recently been added...
Minister
My father was minister from 1961-1970. I spent many happy years growing up in Godalming - sad to see this is no longer a church.
