Romsey memories
Here are memories of Romsey and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Romsey or a Romsey photo.
Old School
Hello I attended this school for a few years from about 1942. I think it was known then as Romsey Abbey Infants School. Later I went on to the Abbey Junior School (which is now a library). As far as I know it was never a childrens home. I was born in Palmerston Street, but now live in Yorkshire. Regards Ken K
Childhood Days
I together with my sister was "billeted" as an evacuee in this convent in 1941 at the age of 6. My first impression on seeing the photo was that the wall surrounding the "school yard" (not shown) was as high as I remembered it. I visited the convent in 1995 during a visit to the UK only to see that that wall was very much lower, also the swimming pool was gone, and the tunnel that we slept in during the air raids was much shorter and cleaner than I recalled. I still have the postcard sent to my parents by the Mother Superior in 1941 requesting that they present us to her on August 18th 1941. The picture on the card is of my class room I vividly recall the class room, the dining room, the orchard, the walks round the back of the convent past the pool and past the statues down to the river. The chaple to was the same as I recalled and also the many times... Read more
A Question For Anyone Who Remembers This School?
Just wondering if anybody remembers this school? I have been looking for my mother's children's home as she was boarded out in I believe the Romsey area for absolutely ages. I have just seen this picture and wondered if it was indeed a children's home in the 1930s? My mother was illegitamate and hidden away for 6 years until her mother reclaimed her in 1938. I have searched lots of children's home lists in Southampton with no results as such. I would really appreciate anybody remembering if this was a children's home?? Thanks ever so.
Broadlads Estate
My grandfather farmed Bushey Leazes farm on the Broadlands estate until his retirement. I loved that farm, playing in hay lofts, milking the cows, they had guard geese that would come down the long lane from the farm and not let you by till Gran shouted down at them. I lived nearby in Malt House Cottage, Leigh, but spent most of my time at the farm.
Family Connections.
My late husband's father and uncle owned the grocery shop known as Hook Brothers. This shop was forced to close when Barclays Bank took over the building in the early 1960s. The closure meant that links were severed with noted local residents such as the Mountbatten family at Broadlands.
Memories of Hampshire
Olden Family
I've been researching my family history and my great-grandmother Sarah Anne Olden lived in Michelmersh in the 1880s. I think she had a large family and a lot of them are buried at Awbridge. She married Enos, or Eneas, Hillier and they lived in Awbridge and had 6 children. Ella was my grandmother, married name Myles. Iremember travelling around the area with her in the 1960s. I wonder if anyone remembers anything about the Oldens or the Hilliers? I believe Enos came from Titchfield and have found him on the 1881 census aged 15 living with a family called Abraham in Michelmersh. If anyone has any memories or any information I would love to hear from you.
The Sanitorium - Mid1960's
I remember the perimeter fence was of corrugated iron, my brothers and our pals used to climb through the gaps to steal the apples. Unfortunately the only trees to have eating apples were situated near to the main buildings. We used to swap sweaters and take it turns to run the gauntlet for them. No harm was intended or any damage done.
In later years we used to pick wild flowers for the residents and talk to the ones that were able to go outside.
The Tabby Cat
My Grandad Wellman (Herb) was the Landlord at the Tabby Cat for several years until he retired. Before that he was at the Leigh (Eastleigh) & Cons Club before that!!
Childhood
My sister and I and our older brother, who did not survive, were born at 175 Hursley Road in the 1940s. The house is still standing and is now owned by Draper's Tools. We drove by on a cold, damp late October day in 2008 and took some pictures. We were disappointed to see that our beloved garden, so carefully tended by our parents, is now the parking lot! Perhaps the next time we will plan to see the changes that have taken place inside. My sister is now in Devon. I am in the US, in South Carolina.
When I Was There!
I was a patient at the Sanatorium, the first time was when I was between 10 and 11 years old. I would have been there about 9 months at that time. I remember the apple orchard and there was an apple storage room. The Doctor was very kind to us children and would take us to pick apples and then we placed them in the storage room. I remember to this day the apple pie at lunch time on a Sunday, always apple pie, it had a lovely crispy crust and sliced apple and cloves. I have always put whole cloves in my apple pies when cooking them. I was a skinny kid when I went in, but when I went home I wieghed 12 stone!! They looked after us well, and I cant remember being sad at any time.
In 1952 I was admitted again and this time there were no children there. I met some lovely teens and older women... Read more
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