Long Wittenham

Family Connections.

The Barley Mow Inn 1890
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

This was my grandfathers favourite inn at the time the photograph was taken. He was coachman at the Manor House at Long Wittenham a short walk along the 'Maddy' (a road from the inn to Long Wittenham following the river and very prone to flooding). Its a family story that he would often spend too long here and Granny would have to prepare the horse and coach and dress up in his clothes to fetch the master of the house from Didcot station several miles away. I remember her as a very resourceful woman. She died in 1938 on her 83rd birthday.

LLwer And Upper Culham Farm

When I was 18, I lived with my relatives on the outskirts oif Reading. I was offered a job working as a builders labourer. The year was 1963 and I was given a lift most days to work, which was at Upper and Lower Culham Farm. The man ( Mr Berens ) we were working for was apparently a millionaire, and I believe that were true! I worked every day of the week, and on Friday my wage packet had 14 crispy, consecutive numbered pound notes in it ! We built pig styes and a corn drier at one farm. I used to fly from one farm to the other at top speed on a little grey tractor! I loved it. We worked on the owners big house and when I worked on the roof I was amazed at the graffiti carved into the chalk blocks, people's names that had worked there before I did; I think the dates and names were... Read more

Broadway Has Not Changed ! Though Woollies Has Gone.

Broadway c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My Family lived here in 1955.- Dad worked in Army Police, Mum was a Housewife. I remember riding on the back of my Mum"s bike - playing near the woods with my sister (prohibited!) - travelling on the last steam train to Wallingford, and having to walk 1/2 mile to school every day along Park Road (past the famous Tin Peas Factory). But the Best memory was buying my 1st 7 inch record for 1 shilling and 2 pence called "Portrait of my Love" sang by Mat Munroe at-- where you ask? Woolworths of course ! Agh the good old 50"s.

Kiln Cottage

Not so much a memory more a request. Does anyone remember a place called Kiln Cottage which I understand was an orchard/?farm? I had a postcard from my grandfather to my grandmother when he was in the forces address to 1 Kiln Cottage, Didcot. Very old members of the family (even older than me) remember visiting the farm as children. My grandparents were William Thomas and Elsie (or Alice) Dollimore. I would love to know if anyone had any memories as I am attempting my family tree. My email address is pw007g3283@blueyonder.co.uk

Sheila Carrington

High Street c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

When my family moved to Sutton Courtenay in the 1960s this was the only shop left in the old part of the village. It was a fabulous place with big glass jars of sweets behind the counter, I used to visit here as soon as I received my pocket money! It was run by the Mussells, I think (pronounced 'Muzz-ells'). My sister got a job there on Saturdays. Unfortunately it eventually closed in the early 1980s.

The Village of Fond Childhood Memories (1955 )

High Street c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I would have been three years old back then, living, as we did, at 77 High Street with my grandparents (the Dentons). Harry (my grandfather) used to keep bees and was regularly praised for his beautiful floral front garden. I, my brother (Desmond) and our parents later moved to Frilsham Street. The village is still my most favourite place in the entire world as it encapsulates all my cherished childhood memories. I left the village for work, aged 17, in 1969 but still seem to know it like the back of my hand decades later.