Oakley memories
Here are memories of Oakley and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Oakley or a Oakley photo.
My 1st Home
I lived at no. 11 Elmwood Cottages from 1950-58 with my parents, brother and sister and have fond memories of the village. We used to collect blackberries to sell to a man with a van who parked on the triangle which is just showing in the forefront of the photo. He would weigh what we had and the money we earned would pay for us to go to Thame fair. Miss Kirby was the infant school teacher and in the winter she would put our morning bottles of milk around the inside of the firegaurd in the classroom, to thaw as they would often be frozen with the tops pushed off. We would then have warm milk to see us through until lunch when we would eat gorgeous meals cooked by Miss Brooks. On my first day at school I was handed a pair of knitting needles and a ball of orange wool to make a scarf for my teddy. Those five stitches took forever to grow, as I constantly... Read more
Gran Honour
I recall as a boy living in Thame Road having to pass the church at dusk, having been in the village playing field until late. We had an old lady who had lived next to us, a Mrs Honour, who we called Gran Honour, who had died and was buried just inside the gate of the churchyard. On passing the graveyard in the dark I would call "Goodnight Gran" and run past as fast as I could for fear she might rise up and chase me.
I Lived Here! Ref. Photo O65003
These were Elmwood Cottages in the Worminghall Road. I was born in the far end house, and lived my first 25 years in the 8th semi along. My Mum and Dad would have had our house since new. It seems odd to think that we were probably at home when this was taken. They were demolished in 1984 to make way for brand new houses. The lovely Elm trees that used to stand in front of the houses sadly got Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s and had to be felled. Just in the foreground on the left is the village garage that was owned and run by Aubrey Bristow, and to the right, just out of picture is the Royal Oak pub, I remember the landlord as being Fred Welford for many years whilst I was growing up. The memories come flooding back.
Memories of Buckinghamshire
Vicarage
My folks moved out in 1985 - we'd been there from 1960, the year I was born, and much had been done to sort out the huge garden. Mum grew lots of veg and we kept chickens as well. When Mrs. Dupont died, her cottage at the top of the yard was rebuilt as it was very old and the builders gave us a lot of firewood from it. My dad, Bob Collier, used to take a 7:30am service at St. Mary's twice a month, and I was allowed to chime one of the bells and he had to tell me not to ring it too high. The Crendon ringers came to practice once a month (the foreman then was Mr. Tyler) and I ended up a ringer myself elsewhere in 1999. Those days you could help out on the farms - I used to do a bit for Bert Heley at Franklins Farm and for Mr. Tombs at village Farm, and once the annual rogation service was held there... Read more
Long Crendon 1939-1940
Just before the Second World War was declared we moved to my grandmother's house at Long Crendon, as she felt it safer from us. (Some hope, as Brize Norton wasn't far away, nor was Oxford). Her house was called Lower House. A gardener/handyman called Shurrock lived in a tumbledown cottage the other side of the garden. I don't remember much as only 2 years old. I caught impetigo and the treatment was painful! We had 2 evacuees called Gilbert and Alec. I remember going a walk in the country and passing an army camp. As nothing was hapening we returned to Kings Langley. My grandmother later moved out of Lower house and the RAF used it as a billet. It was sold after her death in 1945.
RAF
My first posting in the RAF was 1954 - 1956 to the radio unit set in a field above Lower Winchendon. I was billeted with a farmer and his wife, Mr and Mrs Blake. There were five of us scattered throughout the village. Happy days.
Early Childhood in Grendon Underwood
I have vivid memories & photos of my time in Grendon 1931-1934. I went to the local school .... I can remember much about those times if anyone is interested .... just contact me if this is of interest and I will submit as much as you can cope with!!!
The Photo of the Thatched Cottage 'Crucks c1960' was my home!!!
Mr. Roy Windley
41, Westcliffe Avenue,
Westbury Park
NEWCASTLE (STAFFS.)
ST5 4JS
Fax / Tel : 01782 – 612063
Mobile: 07926 -353300
E-Mail: windleyr@tiscali.co.uk
My Boots in Banks Pond
In 1944 three brothers were evacuees in Haddenham, we lived with an old couple named Mr and Mrs Saw in a house, I think it was named Dolly Cote House next to a farm, this was a long time ago but one thing I know is that one of my boots is in Banks Pond as my brother put it in there, if Banks Pond has not been drained it has been in there for 67 years! One of the best two years of my childhood.
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