Prestwood, Buckinghamshire

Two weddings

My parents were married at Great Hampden church in July 1929, they were Neater Ruth Groom of Prestwood, and Harold Aubrey Hall of Beenham in Berkshire. January 4th 1956 Barbara Hall, their only child, was married to Reginald Frank Ridgley, also of Prestwood. My mother died in April 1994, the wild cherry blossom and bluebells were adorning the Glade as we... [more]

PIGLET

We came to live in Downley Road in 1987 at The Barn which was in a bit of a state in those days. Wife, daughter, me and three cats. The very first memory I have is of our first weekend here when we thought we would  quickly nip out to the back of the common to get our bearings for half... [more]

The most interesting gents barbers in the world

Probably just behind the photographer was an old fashioned mens barber shop. All the old men would go there for a haircut and mums would take their sons too. What the mums never knew is that when you sat in the alcove to have your hair washed there were numerous naughty pictures that could only be seen from in there. I... [more]

william russell wilson bligh

William Russell Wilson Bligh came to Australia and was living with his Uncle Sir Maurice O'Connell at Tarmons in Sydney in 1845. I have a copy of a letter written that expresses her concerns about her 18year old son and the way he is neglecting his family duty by not paying his uncle his due from his newly earned wages. He... [more]

When I was a boy

I was born in Princes Risborough and fondly remember as a young boy going into the shop with the bay window (shown on the right of your picture) to buy sweets and giggle at the young girls. The shop was known locally as 'Blue Kettle Jacks' although it was properly known, I think, as The Old Blue Kettle.

Parish Church

On Sept 2 1877 William Frederick Beels married Emily Arkell in the Parish Church. William Frederick Beels' son was Frederick John Beels. His son was Frederick James Beels. Frederick James lived in Risboro with his grandparents and he remembers having to go to the next town by train to get groceries. He had to go by himself because his mother looked... [more]

Catching newts

That building to the left with the little spire was my school when I was 11 in 1966. I have spent many hours catching newts in that pond in the foreground. It was partly surrounded by a brick and concrete wall and they would tuck themselves into little caves.