The Church 1901, Leverington
The Church 1901, Leverington Ref: 47597
Memories of The Church 1901, Leverington
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Leverington & local memories
Read and share memories of Leverington and Cambridgeshire inspired by Frith photos.
Early Accommodation For Leverington's Fruit Pickers
It was after World War 1 that strawberry growing became important around the Wisbech area and as strawberry prices continued to rise so more and more strawberries were planted. Eventually, local labour could not cope with the picking so hundreds of poor people from London's East End were encouraged to come to the area for a 'holiday' and earn money as well. They came in special trains to Wisbech's Midland and Great Northern Station (yes, we had two stations in those days) and were given lifts to the farms in farm lorries with sides fixed on the and planks put across for seats. To them it was a real adventure. The farmers had to provide accommodation for these people and very poor it often was. The locals called them ' bunks' and they were usually a number of small cubicles on each side of a narrow corridor. There were straw mattresses and chaff pillows. Some farmers provided grey blankets. The cooking was done in a... Read more
Our Golden Wedding Service
The joy and pleasure of renewing our wedding vows in front of our family and the congregation of St Leonard's will never be forgotten.
Rising Sun
I remember my father taking me in the pub at Sunday dinner times, I think Mr and Mrs Parker kept it then? I have fond memories of Harry and Kath Cooper, Herbie Veni, Bill Rowlet, Arthur Gunns and Ben and Jack, George Murphet, Andy Cousins and lots of other great characters. Would I be right in thinking that a Mrs Ship kept it before the Parkers?.
Leverington Student Camp
I was a West Midlands police cadet in 1978 and as such had to do 6 weeks of community service. For me this meant working with foreign students at the fruit picking camp in Leverington. It was run by a guy in his 30s who came from Kings Lynn. It was the best time I ever had. I cooked, cleaned up, fetched and carried, and loved it all. Instead of sleeping in the Nissan huts with the students me and my colleague had a room at the rear of the TV lounge opposite the kitchen. I met some great people. I especially remember Miriam, who was also a cook. No one argued with her as she was a tough cookie. There were students from France, Italy, Germany and all over. Every night we went to the Six Ringers pub. I remember a woman called Pat who kept the pub with her husband. He had dark hair and she was slim and blonde. They were both very nice people but his... Read more
Chapter House
We lived at the old rectory, and a strange bunch we were...brothers Sinbad, Sadko and Gulliver. It is a pity it got burnt down! So many memories...we all went to the school with the marvellous Mr Gibson and also the local fantastic Doctor Walford. I also remember our lovely Vicar, Canon Hill.
Student Camp.
I too, remember the student camp. I was a teenager then and used to hang around with a group of girls outside the camp, talking with the students. We always promised to stay in touch but of course, this never happened. At that time the students were mainly Turkish and Egyptian with a few others besides. I used to live very close to the camp and was always mindful that my parents were not aware of where I was as the camp was forbidden to us village girls. We always looked forward to the start of the fruit season as it meant we would be talking to very interesting people and learning much about other cultures and nationalities. All this has gone forever which, I think, is a very bad thing.
Leverington County Primary Sghool 1964-1970
I was a pupil at Leverington for 6 years. I started in 1964 and left in 1970. The headmaster was Mr Gibson. He lived in the house attached to the school. The first year teacher was Mrs Hall. The 2nd year teacher was Miss Whitlock. After that there was Mr Lamb, Mr Goulstone, Mrs Wilson and finally Mr Buck. There was also a young lady teacher who started towards the end of my time there. I don't remember her name only that she had very long dark hair and was very young. I have very fond memories of this school and have noticed that it doesn't seem to have changed very much in the passing years. My mother still lives in the same house on Roman Bank and several of the younger generation have passed through this school. It was an excellent school and I hope it still is.
Leverington Camp
I also worked for a couple of summers at the fruit picking camp and had a wonderful time meeting people from all over the world.
The camp was very basic with army beds and blankets in tin huts but we had such a good time. Picked all sorts of fruit but particularily enjoyed the big bramley apple trees, they were quite a challenge, and we had to pick every apple.
I remember the juke box in the hall playing now classic late 70 s tunes and being brought lunch in the orchard and a big tea urn. We were paid with tokens redeemed later. I remember Bob and Paul who supervised us in the orchards with good humour mostly! Also working in Smedleys sorting vegetables.
Yep, we retired of an evening to the Six Ringers, not too far to walk back thankfully.
So many good memories and I had a wonderful time.
Memories Fropm 1982
I have fond memories of a garden fete held in the church grounds in 1982.I was staying at the farm camp nearby, picking fruit etc during the summer. Since me and a friend had such a wonderful time, we came back and spent the glorious summer of 1983 again at the farm camp at Leverington. I remember meeting a very kind lady called Mrs Plum on the way in to Wisbech. Someday I'll visit the area again. S McKinney, Belfast
Leverington Student Camp
Hi - I dont know when it started or ended - but I was a part of it in the seasons 1975 and 76. It was at that time mainly Egyptian and Turkish students coming to make a few quids under the pretention to be learning English. I had at that time no idea about the muslim sacred ideas of what to eat or not to eat, or what rhamadan ment - and I did upset some people when I presented fish&chips as Submarine Pork! All due to my total ignorance at that time.... It was a very happy place though, under the leadership of Frank Rhodes and his wife Carol, And of course not to forget the fantastic chef Heather Pearson... myself I was dj, shopkeeper, accountant, cleaner, driver etc etc - and we did have fantastic booze-outs at the Six Ringers. And I met Fanny Lemarchand - which I still keep in touch with..... Iver
