The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Nutfield memories

Here are memories of Nutfield and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Nutfield or a Nutfield photo.

The Queen's at Nutfield

Queen's Head 1903
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Yes the Queen's Head at Nutfield took a lot of money off the hard working Monotype apprentices. I was one of them. I am Graham Bourne. Terry Hindley and I would spend many a happy hour plus after overtime at "the Type" on a Saturday hoping in vain that Ted would eventually buy us a drink.

I even held my stag-do at the Queen's in July 1971. It must have been a good night because we had to go back and aplogise the next day on our way to the church. Even then I don't remember Ted buy me a drink.

Headmistress at Nutfield C of E Primary

The Queen's Head c1965
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I visited Nutfield when I was 4 or 5 with my granny Lillian Curry - who was headmistress (a grand term for the head teacher of a 2 room school) of Nutfield C of E. She must have been appointed in the late 1930s and worked there for 20 years - through the war - and retired in the mid 1950s. She recalled the terrible smell of the trains she caught from Carshalton Beeches in 1940 after Dunkirk - the  soldiers had been transported in them after weeks of retreat across France and days standing in the sea waiting for boats.
I wonder if any of her pupils are still in the village?

Did Ted Hart Ever Buy You A Drink?

The Queen's Head c1965
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

The watering hole for any Monotype apprentices after working overtime on a Saturday morning. Seemed like I spent a good deal of my time in this establishment in those days. I'm 57 now and living in Devon. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers this great pub.

Memories of Surrey

Selmes Butchers

The Village Butchers Shop c1935
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I remember being sent to Selmes the Butchers to buy my Mother Mrs Dora Maynard, cuts of meat. The floor was covered in sawdust and there was a little cashiers office at the end of the counter. It always had a very friendly atmosphere although I used to cry when I saw the animals being unloaded from the lorries into the slaughteryard. Once or twice I saw them escape.

Helen Swabey (Formerly Maynard)

Childhood

High Street c1935
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Looking at the pictures takes me back to my childhood, having lived in the village for 20 years. My home was at the end of this slip road behind the large hedge. I remember walking down to the bakers and to Taylor and Bristows, to me was like an Aladdin's cave, and then on to the butcher for steak for my dog. The village has changed but many things have stayed the same, only older. I still go back for the odd walk round. It was great to find this web site.

Correction

Looking West 1907
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

That's actually looking west.

Small Boy on Donkey

On Fair Day 1907
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

The small boy on the donkey is my father, Arthur Wallis, born 1904 in Bletchingley. The man standing to the right is my grandfather, Arthur Wallis senior, born 1862 in Bletchingley. Arthur Wallis senior was the licensee of the Red Lion Inn and later the proprietor of the newsagents in the background. The Wallis family came to Bletchingley early 1700s and for 200 years carried out bricklaying as their trade.

Selmes Butchers

The Village Butchers Shop c1935
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My father Francis Coppard worked here as long as I can remember until his death in 1957, he delivered the meat as well as slaughtering the cattle. I always remember his job on Saturday morning was to make sausages for the owners and staff and Saturday night supper was these fantastic tasting sausages, they do not taste like that today.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 26,169 memories of 5,731 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

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.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

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.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Nutfield > Memories of Nutfield

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.