Harpford, Podbury's Cottage c1960

My Grandfathers Cottage

Podburys Cottage was my Grandfathers cottage. (William Cooper). It was then named Ginko Cottage. My grandfather was a gardener at Harpford House and I believe that this was a "Tied" cottage.

I personally lived in Ginko cottage from birth in 1940 to my grandfathers death in 1946.

Good Times

Some of my first memories were picking the daffodils which my family grew, my great grandfather being the Walter Hill who grew the first King Alfreds.  We lived in Ova-Yonda in Back Lane, my grandparents lived in Waterleat, now the tea rooms. It was in the brook that ran through the property that I watched my grandfather tickle trout and I caught minnows and sticklebacks.
My great-aunt lived in a cottage further down the High Street and my great-uncle lived a house near the Cannon.  
My parents were Percy and Betty Hill. They entertained many, Dad playing the piano, Mum singing and eventually me doing 'a turn'. Dad had a dance band during the 1950s and in the 1960s going into a pub with a piano and tinkling away so people could have a good old sing-song.
The fun we had in the village hall, fancy dress parties and games, later on dances. Christmas time was when the school would put on a concert. I was Angel Gabriel for at least 3 years.
Does anyone remember the Furry Dance we did down through village, gosh was I shattered by the time we reached the village hall! The Coronation was celebrated with yet another fancy dress parade but I remember crowding into Rita Wood's house in School Lane to watch their TV, just catching the crowning.
I can't remember exactly the year, maybe it was 1956, when we held a pageant celebrating a charter given to the village. I rode my pony as a princess, and Mum and was a peasant.
To have the railway was great because it was on this that we travelled on many a school trip. It was so sad when it closed.
Aylesbeare Common was a good old stomping ground too, walking up to Benchams on a Sunday afternoon. We'd pick heather and watch for the skylarks. Mum had an aversion to snakes, and sod's law she would be the one to find an adder, which meant the end of our little jaunt.
There are so many memories, but I just wonder if there is anyone else who can remember some of these things?
Susan Snell  

The old railway station

My friends and I spent many happy hours playing on the old platform and under the old railway bridge before they were both demolished.
We used to play hopscotch on the platform and had a camp amongst the trees at the back.
We made a rope swing there and used to take a packed lunch down on school holidays and spend all day there messing about.
We had a secret club and had to give a password before you could enter it like children do.
The old bridge was shored up with peices of wood and we would climb up and down it racing each other to the top.
I remember there was an old tramp lived under there at one time.

Evacuee

My name was Evelyn Smith "Eve".  I was evacuated to my uncle and aunt's home during the war.  My uncle was Sidney Smith - he was station master.  We lived at 3 Coombe Lea.  Miss Richardson was our school teacher - a really beautiful lady and an excellent teacher.  My best friend was Nancy Leach - she lived in Dawes Cottage.  I remember the gypsies who came through the village - the eldest girl was named Caroline.  There were twin boys who lived on a farm - can't remember their names.  Skinner's farm was just down the lane from 3 Coombe Lea - they brought fresh milk to our house every day - or maybe we fetched it from the farm in our little churn - not sure - but it was always warm from the cow - LOVERLY!!  My cousin Josie and another cousin from London (Ettie) were land girls in Tipton.
Buster (last name skips my memory at the moment - was connected with the Great Train Robbery when he grew up).  Does anyone remember him?  Does anyone remember who he was bilited with?   I remember a little black girl  from Abyssinia who lived in one of the Coombe Lea houses - I thought she was one of the most beautiful little girls I had ever seen  -  I just adored her tight curly black hair.   She was the very first black person I had ever seen.    There was another local girl who lived in Tipton - I think here name was Renee West - a friend of mine and Nancy's.       I married and came to the United States in 1955 - my name is now Eve White - husband's name is Kenneth.  I still keep in touch with Nancy Leach - since 1945!!    I would love to hear from anyone in Tipton.        
By the way, I am a writer of cat books.  Look me up on the web for a synopsis of my first book at "www.dinklesmiff.com"  

E-mail:   ew37214@bellsouth.net
        2700 Nodyne Drive
        Nashville, Tennessee  37214  U.S.A.