Hawkchurch, Devon

Axminster Secondary Modern School in the 1950s

I was born in Axminster and having failed my eleven-plus exam (fortunately) I went to the secondary modern school where Mr Tolchard was headmaster (known affectionately as Herby). My favourite teacher was Mr Hayman, our maths teacher, who was brilliant at flicking chalk at anyone whispering during his classes - the chalk always found its mark. He was better known to me and my fellow musicians as the music teacher and conductor of our little school orchestra. His violin playing left a lot to be desired, but we would have played standing on our heads if he thought it would improve the sound of the orchestra. We all enjoyed every minute of our orchestral sessions with him, and not because we would be missing out on a boring history lesson either. My other favourites were Miss Champion, the art teacher, and Miss Barclay, our sewing teacher - both let us chatter while we worked, as long as we were not too loud. I liked Miss Biggs too, even though she had walloped me on the head once with her Bible for talking during assembly.
It was a great school and I am proud to have been one of its pupils. I still have very fond memories of many of the friends I made there, and am still in contact with three of them.
Sadly my family moved to Somerset in 1960, but a piece of me still remains at Axminster. The last time I visited the town, I noticed the changes taking place, especially around the North Street, where I lived and played. The playing fields and fire station where my father was a fire officer. The old Axe Vale laundry has long gone. I believe that the cricket field has also disappeared.
If anyone has any old photographs of these places or any of Axminster Sec. Mod. School. I would love to see them.
I have many, many very happy memories of my time in Axminster. One day I may visit again.
Marjorie Alcock

Reflections from childhood

I was born at Reeds Hill Farm in 1942. I started school at a two room school in Chardstock, we walked to school which for me was a long way and I usually got my older sisters who had to walk from the farm past my school to catch the bus to the senior school in Axminster.  I remember the school getting big cases of food from Canada which was shared out to us to take home.  There were all sorts of things we couldn't get because of rationing.  All that I can remember were the big bags of sweets!!!  We moved into Axminster when I was 7 or 8.  But I still like to go and visit Chardstock, when I go home to England, from the USA where I have lived most of the time since 1966.
I rode as a professional steeplechase jockey there and in US and have also trained many winners on both sides of the Atlantic.
I try and get back to see my family in and around Chard at least once a year.
I'm now a travel agent/tour guide and bring groups from US to see places like Ford Abbey and Clovelly.  Places  that my family and many there have Never visited.!!!!!~??

one of my many schools

I went to Uplyme school from about 1958/59, I was about 8 years old, we lived in Combpyne and came to school by bus which we caught at Rousden.  My memories of the school are three sisters by the name of Taylor, one I think was Belinda, and a girl called Ruth. I also remember two brothers Frank and Ralph I think they were from Africa. I thought the teachers were frightening at the time. I remember we were taken to someone's house in the village to watch something on television, something to do with the royal family I think. I have not been back to Uplyme or Combpyne since I left, hope to one day though.  My brother also used to catch the bus but he went on to a school in Axminster. I remember one day that I left my satchel on the steps were we used to catch the bus, and it was still there when we came home, it wouldn't be nowadays.  My name then was Sally Stapleton.

School days

My first school was at Uplyme. I started when I was 4 which was nearly 54 years ago now. I remember the headmaster was a Mr Denham and he lived in a house on the top of the hill opposite the Church. I remember being quite scared of him. The teacher who I also remember with great fondness was a Mrs Hurst, she was a very kind and caring lady. I also remember that at Christmas we always held the Nativity Play inside the church.