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Winsley

Winsley photos (3 available)

Old photo of Winsley

Winsley maps (2 available)

Old map of Winsley

Winsley books (14 available)

Winsley memories

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Wiltshire memories

Canter across the canal

Avoncliff, the Aqueduct c1950

It must have been around the late 1960s, early 1970s when my sister and I used to ride our ponies down to Avoncliff. We lived a short distance away in Upper Westwood and our mother liked us to ride along the tow path as it kept us away from the roads and any traffic that may spook our ponies.  Avoncliff was a favourite place - at that time the aqueduct was dry and instead of going down and under the bridge we used to take our nimble ponies down the bank, canter across the bottom and leap up the other side!  I'm sure our ponies used to enjoy it as much as we did as they used to start prancing around ...read more here
A memory of Avoncliff contributed by FRances Nelson

My Mother's Wartime Memories

Or it could be late 1930s. My mother Ivy Eaglestone, at the age of about 11, was evacuated from London with her brother Leslie to stay at The Black Horse with Mr and Mrs Hughes, Elizabeth and Joe. They had 4 children: Josephine, married to Eddie who sadly died, Bettie a sargeant in the ATS, Lloyd who taught my mother to tell the time, and Donald who she never met. My mother remembers her two and half years there very fondly. Her brother, however, could not settle and was sent back to London. My mother adored every second of her time in Trowbridge. She played with two young brothers, nephews of Mr and Mrs Hughes, Teddie and Leonnard Foster. She also ...read more here
A memory of Trowbridge contributed by Tamara Fagg

Faraway Castles

Trowbridge, Rood Ashton House 1900

As a child playing on the allotments behind the Fire station in Trowbridge I used to see the white buildings gleaming in the sun of the Manor on the far hills. It was always so beautiful sitting majestically in the distance I longed to see it up close. My father once took us around the estate and lake when access was allowed and I was intrigued by the romance and wildness of the house and garden. Years later after time and destruction had taken their toll I did see it again but sadly it had lost much of the original beauty as well as size. I still think about it today even though I am far away. Whenever I am in ...read more here
A memory of Trowbridge contributed by Barbara Thompson

Summer Days

Trowbridge, the Swimming Pool c1955

My Sister Carolynn and I practically lived at the pool in summer even before it was heated and was often a bit chilly. Walking through the park & over the waste ground with our costume rolled in a towel under our arm. Entering the gate and hearing the fountain splashing, children screaming with laughter and the smell of chlorine in our noses, it was magic.
A quick change & walk through the disinfectant pool and we were there with everyone else having fun. When after many happy hours of swimming and jumping in it was time to leave we would put our costume throught the mangle and head home exausted but happy and keen for the next day so we ...read more here
A memory of Trowbridge contributed by Barbara Thompson

Extracts From Winsley & Wiltshire books

Chippenham, the Maud Heath Causeway c1955

This is the bridge over the River Avon. The limestone monument, dated 1698 (right), records Maud Heath’s bequest to the local community. In the 19th century the pillar was moved three times as the trustees sought firmer and safer footings.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, the School c1960

We are looking past a mature oak tree and the caretaker’s lodge to the main buildings of the secondary modern school for boys, constructed in 1959.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, Secondary Modern School for Girls c1960

The main entrance into the girls’ school off Hardenhuish Lane.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, St Nicholas' Church, Hardenhuish c1960

The tomb of the economist David Ricardo (to the right of the church) was designed by William Pitts in the Greek style, with a canopy on four Doric columns. Under the canopy are four maidens.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".

Chippenham, Hardenhuish, the Church c1960

The church is Georgian, and is built of faced ashlar in a plain but impressive style with Venetian-style windows and a small tower with an octagon top. The site on a hill makes the church visible from many miles away.
An extract from from"Chippenham Town and City Memories".