Harescombe, the Font 1907

sunday mornings

My mother in law, then Marie Elizabeth Burston born 1921 in Wales, whilst in service at Hartlebury House used to go to church every Sunday morning. The postman played the big organ.
Every morning she had to give him and the gardener a piece of leftover cake and a cup of tea. Ernie the gardener was 18 years old and very shy. He took her to the pictures in Stroud one day and she invited him home for tea one Sunday.
The very next day she received a letter from her mother informing that they had moved from Bedwelty in Wales to Blackheath in Birmingham and that she was to come and get a job there as there were plenty. She went to work in a laundry and then an engineering firm which is where she met her husband Albert Victor Carr.

Evacuee

I was evacuated from Birmingham in 1939 aged 12yrs and was known as Dorothy Davis. I stayed at the Villa Cottage, Bristol Road and went to the local school. My happiest memory of Quedgeley is being confirmed at church and at Easter time we used to collect the moss for the church. Also going to see the Severn Bore with the people I stayed with Mrs Veal and her 2 daughters Betty and Joan. I also made a good friend there Dorothy Williams and would like to know if she is still around.

The Old House

The first time I left Scotland was to visit my grandparents at the old house, Kay and Bill. I was excited, and after many trips we lived with them for a while. Papa always had a bag of pennies for us and Grandma introduced me to literature. At that time we shared a love for Cliff Richard. We moved to Rose Cottage, and had the best ever Easter when Laurie hid so many Easter eggs in the garden for us, there may still be some there!  Gloucestershire is the only place in England that I would ever consider living in.  Uncle John was the postie at that time. As kids we were very afraid of the story of lady in the lake. nowadays, I am convinced the old house was haunted, especially the 'dressing room' just outside Bill's bedroom.  I also remember the day there was a fox hunt, and the fact that Laurie did not want these people on his land. I quite agree!  I hope one day to go back and check out Uncle John's 'phonebox' at the Woolpack.

RE CHILDRENS HOME

My dad Roy Taylor was at a childrens' home. He never knew whether it was called Rodbrough or Roxborough House either. He would have been there in the 1950s. He often mentions The Black Boys School which was as it was known and was nearby. I will ask him what else he remembers.
Jayne Smith