Village c1960, Rode
Village c1960, Rode Ref: R406012
Memories of Village c1960, Rode
I Miss Them Still...............
Marcel & Anne Dutru bought a house in Rode in about 1969. The entire family thought that they were quite mad moving from the centre of London to a wee village that no-one had ever heard of. They lived so happily at 23 High Street for a good many years. My dad loved his wife, his new home and his life there. He was never happier than when family members came to stay and he could show them around the area. He was quite an historian and knew more about the area than most locals ...The entire family loved to visit because they were always made so welcome. Anne was such a good cook and her spreads were famous. All the grandchildren were spoiled rotten when they went there, so naturally kept going back for more. Marcel and Anne are both buried in the village chuchyard there. [At least that's where their ashes are] The day after my dad's ashes were scattered [December '91] Clive, who was Anne's nephew and... Read more
Rode & local memories
Read and share memories of Rode and Somerset inspired by Frith photos.
A Lost Childhood
My beloved late mum grew up and lived in the stunning village of Rode, way back in the late thirties I think. Sadly she's gone now, and I wish I had written down more of her memories of Rode. Her family name was Humphries, and she told me of how her late father worked as a gardener in a big manor house there, and on a farm. She had memories of only being tall enough to actually walk upright UNDER the belly of a carthorse on the farm! She recalled how kind the people who owned the big house were to my mum and her dad. She told me how her father worked with a sythe to cut down the grass, and the poor squeeling frogs hidden unfortunatly IN the grass at the time, a sound that stayed with her a lifetime, founding her hatred of all things froggie. Sadly her little sister is buried in the parish church, in an unmarked grave, after being knocked down and killed, aged around... Read more
Early 80's
During the early '80's when i was working as a cameraman for the US TV network ABC I used to come and visit my father (Marcel Dutru and his wife Anne) who had retired in Rode after a long career in the catering trade. I had many happy memories of the place and of course the pubs. The X Keys especially where we used to go upstairs and play bowls. We met some delightful people one of which I still email and chat with. Bill Lapham. Browsing the internet and seeing this site brought back the past and when my father was alive. Bob Dutru- Niagara Falls, Canada
