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Haddenham memories

Here are memories of Haddenham and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Haddenham or a Haddenham photo.

My Boots in Banks Pond

Banks's Pond c1960
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In 1944 three brothers were evacuees in Haddenham, we lived with an old couple named Mr and Mrs Saw in a house, I think it was named Dolly Cote House next to a farm, this was a long time ago but one thing I know is that one of my boots is in Banks Pond as my brother put it in there, if Banks Pond has not been drained it has been in there for 67 years! One of the best two years of my childhood.

The Ceileidhs at Haddenham Village Hall


A recent visit to Haddenham reminded me of earlier visits to the monthly ceileidhs with Whitethorn Morris. More than 20 years ago I made my first visit to Haddenham and I remember leading the Whitethorn Band on my accordian for the interval entertainment spot in the crowded ceileidh.

Just this month, November 2009, the dancers were invited back to perform again and it was a great thrill to return from semi-retirement and help out with their dance music. Although no longer the band leader, I did bring along my accordian and joined in the tunes. Some of the dancers were also returning after 20 years but most amazing of all was that the hall itself - the village social centre - appears unchanged, and even the evening's dance caller, Hugh Rippon, was the very same person!

It was not only a nostalgic return to a former happy dance venue but also great fun and a chance to see many faces I remember from earlier years. I... Read more

Memories of Buckinghamshire

Seven Stars Inn

I was born in the public house called Seven Stars Inn, Dinton. The date was the 5th November 1940. My godfather, then Doctor Ralph Gardiner, delivered me. He lived over the stile in the farm nearby. The pub was run by my nan and her second husband Harry. Her first husband ran a cattle business at the rear of the pub. Unfortunately he died after a truck door hit him in the back. My mother lived at the pub with nan (her mum) where, on arriving looking for digs, my father met her. The pub bar itself had two rooms, a small lounge in which I was born, and a large bar. Nan served from a small bar in the wall. Dominos was an almost nightly game and darts were played sometimes. The pub took in some refugees from London and I met a few of them. There was a strong touch of 'Cromwell' about the pub, it had very narrow stairs to the bedrooms, two small and one very... Read more

RAF

My first posting in the RAF was 1954 - 1956 to the radio unit set in a field above Lower Winchendon. I was billeted with a farmer and his wife, Mr and Mrs Blake. There were five of us scattered throughout the village. Happy days.

Long Crendon 1939-1940

Just before the Second World War was declared we moved to my grandmother's house at Long Crendon, as she felt it safer from us. (Some hope, as Brize Norton wasn't far away, nor was Oxford). Her house was called Lower House. A gardener/handyman called Shurrock lived in a tumbledown cottage the other side of the garden. I don't remember much as only 2 years old. I caught impetigo and the treatment was painful! We had 2 evacuees called Gilbert and Alec. I remember going a walk in the country and passing an army camp. As nothing was hapening we returned to Kings Langley. My grandmother later moved out of Lower house and the RAF used it as a billet. It was sold after her death in 1945.

Summer Days in Stone

We were very lucky to grow up in Stone at a time when we could hang out all day with our friends enjoying the joys of the river at Eythrope, sipping cool water from the Egyptian Springs, or swinging on a rope over the dip in Bluebell Woods, there was always someone to play with and just chat about nothing. Idyllic days!  

Vicarage

My folks moved out in 1985 - we'd been there from 1960, the year I was born, and much had been done to sort out the huge garden. Mum grew lots of veg and we kept chickens as well. When Mrs. Dupont died, her cottage at the top of the yard was rebuilt as it was very old and the builders gave us a lot of firewood from it. My dad, Bob Collier, used to take a 7:30am service at St. Mary's twice a month, and I was allowed to chime one of the bells and he had to tell me not to ring it too high. The Crendon ringers came to practice once a month (the foreman then was Mr. Tyler) and I ended up a ringer myself elsewhere in 1999. Those days you could help out on the farms - I used to do a bit for Bert Heley at Franklins Farm and for Mr. Tombs at village Farm, and once the annual rogation service was held there... Read more

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