Newton Ferrers, Devon

My stay at Collaton Cross

I lived in Collaton Cross for a short while when my Husband was in the R.A.F. My surname then was TURTLE. My son Nicholas was born in the house in Collaton Cross. He was ill at birth and taken to Freedom Fields Hospital in Plymouth where he had a successful operation and is now a strapping six foot 3inches and very... [more]

Found memories of early days at Yealmpton

Now living in Australia and having revisited Yealmpton in recent times, the changes are amazing. Where there used to be fields in which I played with mates, sadly houses now stand. The old bridge, church, Mother Hubbard's Cottage and pubs are still much as I remember them, but the old charm seems to be missing. In 'my days' I could name just about... [more]

Navy transit camp Lyneham

Nights at the local inn. Hikes to Yealm River. Company of land girls at nearby camp. Newton Ferrers.

A very new Broadway

In 1962 my parents and I (12 years old) moved from Bristol to open Victoria Wine (later to become the Wine Market before reverting back to Victoria Wine). There were still several empty units awaiting occupation. I can recall most of the shops that were open, starting at the fire station end was James & Rosewell hardware, a ladies hairdresser,... [more]

Home away from Home

We were one of the early families to have a caravan at Bovi. This was what the campers called it back then. Caravans were positioned randomly before terraces were excavated in the field over the fence from the green above Sandy Parlour (Bovisand's third beach). There was a community of campers and Christmas parties each year were fabulous for us kids. A... [more]

My first memories

I was born in Garden Village, Billacombe in 1944 and lived there until I was 8 years old. My memories are very strong of walking up Pleasure Hill to Sunday School at Pomphlet, walking to and from Goosewell Infant School and buying cream buns from Goodbodys Bakery on the way home. We lived with my grandparents who kept chickens, had wonderful apple... [more]

A  Naval  Hideaway.

What a great little place to be when in the RN. I was serving on the Boom Defence Boats in 1954/5. These boats were coal burning, and I was a stoker, so it was pretty hard work!  We spent most of our time in Pembroke Dock, but now and again we had to do some work in the Plymouth area, and... [more]

Growing Up

We moved to Cattedown in 1952 when I was 8 years old, to Tresillian Street. My first memory is of the Coronation celebrations and a resulting street party, when we received Coronation Mugs, had bicycle decoration contests and street games. How I escaped getting into serious trouble is still a mystery to me because we (the boys in the street) used to... [more]