Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire

The Vicarage Boys

My two brothers, my sister and I were evacuated from London to Great Bedwyn at the begining of the Second World War.We were billeted in the vicarage opposite St Mary's Church, the vicar's name was Mr Phillips. My sister Joan was later billeted with Mrs Downton who lived next door to Police Sergeant Stokes. I have so many happy memories of... [more]

My Gt. Bedwyn Family.

The Eastman Family lived in Gt. Bedwyn from 1735. My Grandad lived in Brook Street then later at Railway Terrace, until his death in 1934. My Grandad had died several years before I was born, but I have vivid memories of my Grandma Carrie; she died in 1951. She was a tiny woman about 5ft 2ins - I was taller than... [more]

my childhood days

My memories of Great Bedwyn are spending my holidays with my gran and grandad William and Beatrice Alderman in Castle Rd and my uncle Dennis.  My uncle and grandad were both signalmen at Great Bedwyn and I used to go down to take their tea. It was lovely to watch the steam trains go by. My gran took me on lovely... [more]

When I was a child.

My father was born in Great Bedwyn, his name Arthur Maurice Hatter. When I was young in 1952 we were invited to stay with a member of his family in 47 High Street, I remember they had a wonderful garden, layered with full flower beds, also they had a summer house in the garden, today it may be called a conservatory,... [more]

Marlborough Photographic Memories

In the foreground is a chained area enclosing the Jubilee Memorial lamp standard. It was erected on the site of the old market hall, which was demolished in c1860. Behind the telegraph pole in the middle of the picture is a listed cast iron telephone kiosk of a type designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

Marlborough Photographic Memories

This is a typical lodge house of the Ailesbury Estate variety; it bears Gothic features such as the ornate barge-boards and detailing to the eaves. This lodge has fish-scale tiles that were popular in the later 19th century. Labourers work- ing nearby have obviously been drafted in to add a rustic charm to the picture.

Marlborough Photographic Memories

This fine old 17th- century farmhouse, built in a mixture of materials, stone, brick, tile-hanging and long straw thatch, is typical of the area around Marlborough. It was known as Brown's by 1718. By the middle of the 20th century it was being used as an outhouse, and it was demolished in 1961–2 to make way for more modern farm buildings.