Boyhood Memories of Peperharrow Road.
It was the summer of 1946 and we used to go swimming in the river at a spot called "The Ginny" which was up the road a little (towards the camera) on the opposite side of the road to these houses. This part of the river was used as a swimming pool by Charterhouse school. We, that is children from Busbridge School aged 10 to 11 years, were about to start at Meadrow Secondary School at the end of the holiday.
Sadly , my friend Billy Ranger drowned whilst swimming here, we had planned to start the new school together (for mutual support). Billy was a lovely character and lived
in one of Tuesley Cottages between Quarter Mile Road and Minster road. He had two older brothers , one a plumber and the other, a well known blacksmith.
The dental technician I was with , as an apprentice , lived in one of those tall houses pictured on the left of the photo.
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RE: RE: Boyhood Memories of Peperharrow Road.
My brother Mike (Marshall) and I also used to swim in the 'Ginny' in the 1940s and 1950s. We lived at the top of Peperharow Road in the cottages which were originally built to house the workmen who built Charterhouse when it moved from London to Godalming. Sadly I remember the day when the young lad drowned in the river. Because we had swum there for several years, we knew which parts of the river were dangerous and how the currents flowed. We thought that perhaps he had got out of his depth and the current had pulled him under. What sticks in my mind about that day is seeing the Ambulance men carry the lad on a stretcher up to the road and my mum's tears when we told her what had happened. There were a good many children living in Peperharow Road after the war and as we all played together, we always looked out for one another whilst swimming in the 'Ginny'. They were happy days.
Comment from Pauline Baldwin on Friday, 14th January 2011.
RE: RE: Boyhood Memories of Peperharrow Road.
I was born and lived in Peperharrow Road from 1973, down towards the river end. The woods at this end were my childhood playground. I remember so much about the other kids and the games we played growing up on that road. You mention The Ginny, which now I know to be the L-shaped part of the river. It still has the metal diving board fixture in the ground and the concreted areas running around. I've learnt the the tank traps were used in children's games and there were changing huts along the bank. It is all overgrown now. But I'm really intrigued in knowing more and would love to see any photos that may be around. Any details would be great and thank you for sharing what you already have.
Comment from Darren Jones on Sunday, 23rd January 2011.