Marlborough memories
Here are memories of Marlborough and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Marlborough or a Marlborough photo.
Great Grandfather
It is strange to see one of the two portraits that hung in my grandparents' hallway, for sale on the web. Issac was born in 1837 in Berwick Bassett, Wiltshire. Taught himself to read and write while an agricultural labourer, and joined the Wilts Constabulary in 1874. During the winter of 1881/2 he was pensioned out of the police from injuries sustained in the line of duty. The family story is that he was set upon by poachers in Savernake Forest while he was the local constable at Froxfield and nearly lost the sight in his left eye as a result. He lost his first wife and mother of 3 children at pretty much the same time. He subsequently moved to Marlborough to become Town Crier, Beadle and Bill Poster. In 1888 he remarried Elizabeth Simms (nee Harper) from Barbury Castle and had another three children with her, the youngest being my grandfather, Albert Reginald, born 1894. Isaac remained in this municipal position until his death, aged 73, in 1911.
Happy Days
My name is Leslie Gale. My mum and dad moved into the house along Treacle Bolly in March the 7th 1947 and a week later we were flooded out. Does anybody else remember this flood as several bridges were washed away? We moved out of this house in 1950.
My Family Used to Own This!
A photo very similar to this hangs in my bedroom, I am a West and spent many a happy summers here. My family used to own the tearooms, my mother and her brother were caught in the fire in 1966 which resulted in the top two floors being burnt down. Me, my brother and sister visited only once a year as we live in County Durham up north, but this building means a huge amount to my mum and this picture of it before the fire is treasured in our house. It's lovely to see a picture as it was originally, thanks, Natalie.
Wartime Marlborough
Evacuated with my sister and mother, one of our favourite walks was to Treacle Bolley where we collected rose hips which were then sent away to be made into a source of vitamin C and distributed to those who needed it. On a visit to Marlborough (from London) a few years ago, I was unable to find Treacle Bolley nor anyone who had ever heard of it. Is there anyone out there who knows this lovely spot? (April 2008)
Wartime Marlborough
Sent out of London during the Blitz with my mother, grandmother and sister, a visit to the Polly Tea Rooms was for special occasions only. We loved it when the parents of the boys from Marlborough School came to visit and brought their sons to Polly's for tea (even though we were only 5 or 6!). Happily, the tea rooms are still there, whilst the Merlin on the other side and at the other end of the High Street has disappeared.
Marlborough Mop Fair
I have a photograph of a group of children at the Marlborough Mop Fair from the convalescant home, which used to be a home for old homeless gentlemen, then became a hospital for children recovering from various illnesses. I worked nights, and sometimes got very scared when an old man would come rattling on the door, demanding to get in. Jean Rixon to the left, Norah Wyatt in the center and myself on the right. and several of the darling children. Norah and Jean were both my bridesmaids when I got married at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, on George Lane in 1953. Such happy days, always to be remembered. Unfortutunately I have been told that this website does not yet accept photographs from contributors, so I can't post it with this memory. Chris Utrup, nee Mary Broadway
Memories of Wiltshire
School
I lived and went to school in Ogbourne St Andrew, I think the headmistress was a Miss Platt and very authoritarian. I always remember school dinners because we were not allowed to leave anything it all had to be eaten. Fried tomato was my nemesis.
We rented the house next to the shop, I remember from a very early age, 8-ish, spending time in the pub (it was the Wheatsheaf then) playing darts with the men, it was more of a social club all those years ago. My gran lived in the last house on the road going towards Marlborough (terrace of about 4!!), after her house was the Green Hut, where all the jumble sales were held. This has been knocked down and a house put on it. Another house has appeared in what would have been Gran's garden.
Mum was a stable-lass and worked in Turnells stables and Gran worked in the Manor House cleaning for Mr Cooper. I do remember it was boring at times... Read more
Cullys Farm
My grandfather farmed Cullys Farm in the early decades of the last century and I believe so did his father and grandfather. My grandfather had 7 children and took in my great-uncle's children when their father Willam Fishlock from Avebury was killed in the First World War. I have somewhere photos of the family at Cullys which I will dig out, if anyone wants to see them.
Granny Marsh
I was born in Marlborough and my grandmother ran a small grocery store at Clench Common. She was married to John Marsh until he died many years before I was born. I believe he was a war hero in the First World War. Any information on the Marsh family would be wonderful. My mother was Lillie F. W. Marsh.
My Great-Grandfather And Mother Isaacs
In 1939-40 I was evacuated to Lockeridge to live with my great-aunt Mrs Haynes, who I think lived in one of the thatched cottages in the photo of the Dene. She was, I think, housekeeper at the big house in Lockeridge. We lived in the cottage with my great-grandfather and great-grandmother who died in 1940 and 1949 respectively and are burried in St Michael's and All Angels' churchyard in West Overton.
Lockeridge School
Whilst researching my family history I have found several photographs of classes at Lockeridge School 1915. It could be my mother Dorothy Mortimore with standard 11.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 26,185 memories of 5,732 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Thornley, County Durham
- Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
- Hatch End, Middlesex
- Dartford, Kent
- Barking, Essex
- Berwick, East Sussex
- Woking, Surrey
- St Asaph, Clwyd
- Padstow, Cornwall
- Plumstead, Norfolk
- Spennymoor, County Durham
- Cemmaes Road, Powys
- Hounslow, Middlesex
- Chadwell Heath, Essex
- Troedrhiwfuwch, Gwent
- Portsmouth, Hampshire
- Kitts Green, West Midlands
- Steep Marsh, Hampshire
- Kingskerswell, Devon
- Huyton, Merseyside
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
