Memories of Kirdford

Kirdford during the Second World War

My cousin and her brother were evacuated to Kirdford for the duration of the Second World War. They lived in a property rented by their parents which was called Clark's Farm. When I tried to trace the house a few years back I was told it was no longer in existence.  My cousin will be 70 in 2010 and I have a friend willing to do a painting for me - is there anyone who might have a photograph of Clark's Farm which we could use as a base for the picture?

Juliet Baxter

KIRDFORD in the '20's

Born at Halfway house in 1917, attended the school Jan 1922 to Dec 1931. Joined the army, Royal Horse Artillery, Jan 1932.  Served in India Feb 1933 to Dec 1939. War, Desert, Normandy, retired because of wounds.

Worked in London (Unilever) 1946 -1950. Came to Australia 1950. Diplomatic posting to London (Australian) 1958 - 1962. Returned to Australia.
Last motored through Kirdford in 2002, could find none remembering me.

Is there anyone today who can remember Tony Matthews?

Kirdford School in the sixties

I went to school in Kirdford for a couple of years in the sixties and have fond memories of it.
The school headteacher was Miss Dunsmore and there was a Miss Dadswell and a Mrs Heaver I think. The toilet block was outside, as most schools were in those days.
There was a metal roundabout on the patch of ground outside the school gate. I used to travel on a school bus from Ifold (Ken's Camel I think we called the bus - probably because it was owned by Ken Scammel) I did my cycling proficiency there and remember cycling from Ifold past extensive orchards of apple trees and past Kirdford Growers where the apples were stored.
The classrooms were heated in winter by big old coke burning stoves with a metal guard round them. The headteachers office was a room off the top classroom.
I recently went back and couldn't find the school - it must have been demolished but Kirdford itself hadn't changed much and I approached the village on a road that passed the old school playing field which was probably the village playing field.
I was really pleased to find a picture on this site of the school I remembered so well.

My grandmother Pullen

My grandmother Margaret Pullen was married to Frank Pullen. He was my step-grandfather.  I know only that he served in the African Boer war and I saw the medal once. His father was a local preacher and that's all I know of him. He has 2 surviving children, Frank and Della and 3 other step-children, my father Peter Karesa, Debra Karesa and Pat Karesa.

A lovely village where time has stood still

I recently visited Kirdford with my mother to try and trace family history. My mother is a Pullen and all her ancestors originated from Kirdford, we visited the graveyard and lo and behold found some Pullen graves. We also visited a few of the houses mentioned in census returns where Pullens had lived. It would have been nice to talk to some older members of the community who maybe had a tale or two to tell. However the village was peaceful and when asking in the local shop we were told that they were new to the village and could not help. Anyway a lovely village where time has definitely stood still.