We're My Roots Lay

A Memory of Kelstern.

I was born in Kelstern 1954, the house I was born in my gran and grandads was next door to the school, sorry to say neither of these exist today, but times move on as they say. My grandparents were Bert and Margery Vickers. My grandad was a shepherd for Mr Joe Clarey. I was christened at St Faiths church. I remember Mr and Mrs Davy who lived in Kelstern Hall, my gran and grandads neigbourgh was Mr and Mrs Traves and their daughter Betty, the other one has gone from memory, there was only 3 tithe cottages in the row, when the Traves left Mr and Mrs Smith moved in. Mr and Mrs Rands who had the post office, this was run from the kitchen. Sunday my grandad did the paper round, Monday was washing day and each of the women took it in turns on alternate Mondays to make a cup of tea. Other residents I knew was Joyce and Bill Crawford and son Kenny, Bill's brother Harry and his wife Olive, they had two sons but their name just escape me. There was Mr Peacock and Mr and Mrs Brockelbank, Mrs Brockelbank was in attendance the on that day in 1954 when I was born, along with mid- wife nurse Chaffee. Going to Louth was a full days event having to walk, if dry across the field to the top road, or if wet walking right round the village up to the main Louth to Lincoln road to catch the bus, there was also dilvery vans that made regular visits, Miss Robertson, Mr Smith, the ladies would have their shopping lists made out and took it in turns to go up into the back of the van for the provisions. I always remember finding my first, bat pellet (this furry ball and wandering what it was) and taking it apart and finding all the small bones. I went with my grandad to see Mr Brockelbank, Mrs Brockelbank asked me if I would like a pear, bearing in mind I was only about 5 or 6 and expecting a piece of fruit, she gave me a tin, this totally fascinated me and I could not wait to get back to my gran who revealed the contents to me. I loved my gran and grandad very dearly and always looked up to them as my Spiritual Parent !!

John Appleton

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