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Leigh Common
Leigh Common maps
Historic maps of Leigh Common and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Leigh Common maps
Leigh Common photos
We have no photos of Leigh Common, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Cucklington| Wincanton| Zeals| Stourhead| Gillingham| Bruton| Mere| Templecombe| Yenston| Charlton Horethorne
Leigh Common area books
Displaying 1 of 11 books about Leigh Common and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Leigh Common
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Somerset memories
Conversion to Faith
I have great memories of the Church of St Luke and St Teresa. After instruction I was received into the church by Fr. Paul O' Sullivan, I had my confirmation there the following year. My husband and I were married at St Luke and St Teresa over 50 years ago, sad to say he passed away in 2005. Our eldest daughter was baptised in this church 1961, she was born at Templecombe that year. We came to live in Co. Clare, Ireland in 1971 but often visit Wincanton. On one such visit we were sad to find that the Carmelite Order had left the area. My first time to go into St Luke's was in 1955, when a friend, since deceased, brought me to Mass, being in Latin at that time it was difficult to understand. We now have 10 grandchildren carrying on the faith that I received at the Church of St Luke and St Teresa all those years ago.
My Childhood
I was born in Templecombe Hospital in April 1943. My mother was Lilian Game (nee Atkins) and was staying with my grandfather, Ernest Atkins at 13 Silver Street, opposite the church (sadly now the site of a garage). My mother was married there in 1939 and was able to walk to the church because it was so close by. I was christened in St. Peter & Paul in May 1943. I have many happy memories of Wincanton, having stayed with my Gramp many times up until the beginning of the 1960's. They were happy days!
Good Old Days
I met my late husband whilst working at the Cow & Gate in 1955. Although neither of us worked there for very long, we'd some good memories. We married in August 1957, at that time I was working at Verrington Hospital as a nursing assistant, or as we were then called, a nursing auxillary.
Many years have passed,since those days. We came to live in Ireland in 1971 with our three children, all of whom are now married with families. We have been back to visit Wincanton and other places around over the years, and have seen many changes, but nothing can take away those memories of the Cow & Gate in the good old days.
Those Younger Days
I remember Wincanton when my grandparents ran the grocery shop in North Street. I often stayed and poped next door to the wonderful cake shop then onto my great uncles who ran Parsons Dairies. I went out with my grandfather when he delivered the many boxes of groceries and I usually fell asleep in the soft leather seats of his car. The shop was sold when my grandparents moved to Somerton but I never forget those times in Wincanton and I have visited again when researching the family tree. Many of my ancesters can be found in the cemetery of Wincanton Parish Church and I also called into the church to learn more of that history. Recently I discovered that the King who was patron of the Medical Association had also visited Parson Dairies!!
Auntie June Cother
Auntie June, my dad's sister, turned 90 July 2, 2010. We had a wonderful party for her, at the Red Cross hall. The food was prepared by a group of ladies who certainly know how to put on a great spread. Auntie enjoyed her day. This year she will be 91, I will be with her once again to share her special day. Wincanton is one of the friendliest towns I have ever visited. I look forward each year to returning there and wish if circumstances were different I could live there. Leaning over the brick wall on the High Street, in Spring falls blossom, I think from apple tress...so pretty. One tends to wander around the streets looking up at the old architecture. I hate to see empty shops and empty pubs, there is a life, if only the locals would support their town. Of course parking is the biggest problem this town has. The roads are narrow through town.
War Years
I was born in a village near Bruton in 1939. My early memories of walking to school with my gas mask in a bag over the shoulder (never had to use it). There was an army camp down the road from our cottage, so there was lots of activity around. I used to watch the searchlight, thought at that time it was very exciting. We used to wait for the convoys of American soldiers to pass the bottom of our lane, they use to throw strips of chewing gum to us, which was a treat as we hadn't seen it before. I attended Bruton County School from 1944-1954. I go back to Somerset as often as I can and visit family and friends, but never seem to meet any of the past pupils of my old school. I am many miles away from Bruton now, but have memories that I will cherish forever.
Audrey O'Halloran - nee Hutchings.
My Birthplace
My grandparents, Frank and Amy Hazzard, lived in Templecombe in Somerset. They lived in Lilly Lane Farm and then later in Yew Tree House. My grandfather, Frank Hazzard, was a farmer. He was blind, but was one of only three blind bellringers in the country. He was also a very good carpenter and I can still remember visiting him in his workshop with the wonderful smell of wood shavings. I still have a box that he made for me. My grandmother's maiden name was Foreman. I was born Gillian Mary Owen in Templecombe Hospital on 8th November 1946.
