The Six Ringers c1965, Leverington

N.U.S. Camp

I think it was July 1967. We arrived at Leverington hitch-hiking from the Continent. We were nineteen years old, and we had so little money that we had decided never to pay for accommodation until we got to Leverington. I remember we slept in a lean-to shed at the back of a pub. The pub owner had served us a few pints and listened to our little story. She offered this solution. Another night, we slept in a kind of blockhouse in the middle of a field. Round about midnight, two policemen woke us up with their torches and checked our passports. Some motorist had seen us walking across the field with our suitcases and had thought it was rather strange. Tom, the manager of the farm camp at Leverington (I think it was called "N.U.S. Camp"), and Jim, the cook, welcomed us and showed us round the place. They were both from Ghana and students in England, and nice chaps too. I don't know how today's 'campers' are accommodated,... Read more

N.U.S. Camp Second Time.

The second year we came to Leverington was 1968, June and July. Our country had just lived the most spectacular revolt of the twentieth century, and we decided to air ourselves in England. Instead of two, we were three boys this time, and we came in my car. Tom knew us from last year, but it was his duty to deliver his standard speech on the rules of the camp : "This is a WORKING CAMP, NOT a HOLIDAY CAMP ! When you do not work in the fields, you can enjoy yourselves, but I don't want to find French boys and Swedish girls fooling around together in the laundry... etc... ". This speech always raised laughter among us, because we tended to confuse leisure and work. The guys and girls from eastern countries (communist lands then) DID work hard, because they could not export hard currency from their home countries, and they depended on what they earned at Leverington for their living. We did not really depend on our... Read more

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

Nus Camp Leverington

The Rising Sun c1965
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I had been in other camps in The Wisbech area, but always liked Leverington the best. I don't remember the two Ghana boys. At one stage we had a female to look after us, I do not remember her name. She used to make use of me as I had a scooter with me one year. Another time we had a guy again, I don't remember his name. We used to sleep in ex army tents, that may have changed at a later date. When we were on the farm picking strawberrys, the Super's name was Dick. John Webb

NUS Leverington

The Rising Sun c1965
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One Sunday, I and my friend Olga decided that we would try to hitch a ride to Hunstanton.When we got on to the highway, we could not believe the number of cars that drove past us. We were about to turn back when this old Ford Anglia pulled up and asked us if we would like a lift.They were going to Hunstanton - a vey nice couple who talked all the time. They said that they would be going back later, but we did not arrange to meet, as we hoped to catch up with Olga's friend who was also Hitching. At about five o'clock in the afternoon having met her friends, we decided to make our way back to camp. The traffic on the highway was now worse than before, we were beginning to think that we might have a long night in front of us with a lot of walking. When out of the blue, there was the old Ford Anglia and the couple asking if we would like a... Read more

Leverington Blacksmiths Shop

The Rising Sun c1965
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I also remember on the way home from Leverington Primary School, sometimes watching Jack Henery in his blacksmith's shop. It was really good watching him shoeing horses, and making and repairing things, bikes, farm tools etc. Does anyone else remeber the blacksmith's shop? It would be nice to know your comments.

Our Golden Wedding Service

The Church c1965
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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

The Rising Sun c1965
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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?.

NUS Camp Leverington

I wonder if any of rour readers might have any Old Photos of Leverington NUS Camp around the late 50's. I think at that time it was all tented accommodation. You could post it on The InterNet. Or I can let you have my E-Mail address. Thanks, John.

NUS Camp Leverington.Late50/60's

We were woken up one night, the tent we were sleeping in had come down on top of us. When we eventually found our way out, there were two Spanish girls doubled up with laughter, they were armed with 'water bombs'. The next week we raided their camp but we went one better, we took the camp hose which was very long. John

NUS Leverington

Perry Como had just been playing 'No Other Love Have I'. That, and it's Saturday afternoon in Leverington. That night we held a party for all the other NUS Camps in the area. We had to clean and decorate and make the camp look nice. It is amazing what can be done with some newspaper and a pot of paint. Our guests started arriving at 8pm, there was a small cover charge for some light refreshments and a seat on the bus home. One night, I missed the bus back to my camp.The camp was full and I could find nowhere to sleep. All the tents were full, with no spare beds. I looked around and found the Blanket Loft, and there I spent the night. A Swiss boy usually slept there and he was not very happy that I had found his 'sleeping place' - he worked in Smeedleys all day not picking strawberrys, as he should. John

Even to this day if I hear the above I go back to Leverington. It is a Saturday Afternoon in June. We have all had a hard week picking strawberries - it is now time to relax, we are all sitting in the camp lounge room. Someone has just put on a record "Unchanged Melody" A French boy and Norwegian girl have started dancing cheek to cheek. Tonight we are all going down to the pub we have been told that there is a dance on afterwards. Maybe we can meet some Scandinavian girls from other camps. John Webb

NUS Camp Leverington

It was a hot sultry afternoon at NUS Camp Leverington and I had decided to walk into Wisbeach, and had just walked past this church. In the church grounds, under large shade trees, I heard a cricket match with people cheering - I wanted to go in and watch. In those days, to go into a Non-Catholic Church you would be 'damed for ever'. I have never forgotten this church. Recently, I had the opportunity to get back to England and with time to spare, I found my way out to Wisbech,and found a sign post pointing to Leverington.. After many hours and asking people, I finally came back to Wisbech and found the Tourst Office. I was told 'Yes, there had been a church but it had been sold for development some twenty years ago'. What a disappointment. The photo shown above... is that the same church? John Webb

No Memory, Need Help

I have recently purchased a token,1halfd, and on the other side, it states: Arthur Wilson Leverington. I have spoken to the Wisbech Museum, and they said it might be a fruit picker token. I would like to know who was Arthur Wilson, and what was his business, landlord, blacksmith, etc? If anyone can help it would be great, thanks. Brian.

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