Rode
Rode maps (2 available)
Map of Somerset
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Rode books (8 available)
Rode memories
Read and share memories of Rode and Somerset inspired by Frith photos
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
Contributed by Bob Dutru
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 ...read more here
Contributed by Sally D Kelly
Somerset memories
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 ...read more here
A memory of Rode contributed by Sally D Kelly
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
A memory of Rode contributed by Bob Dutru
Extracts From Rode & Somerset books
The church lies behind a huddle of dilapidated cottages
lining the Nunney Brook; here, wool was washed during
the busy years of the cloth trade. Today the cottages are
all restored. They have small gardens overlooking the
brook, which is home to many ducks.
An extract from from"Frome Photographic Memories".
This gabled thatched
cottage is very typical
of the area. Thatch
was used before tile
and slate. This cottage
might be a local store,
as the bottom sign is
advertising Typhoo Tea.
The street remains much
the same today.
An extract from from"Frome Photographic Memories".
These cottages lie on
the road down from
the school, one of the
first church schools in
Somerset. The thatch
looks so picturesque
today. The signpost
beyond directs the
driver to Frome on the
right and Coleford to
the left. The ‘halt’ sign
looks less strident than
those we are used to today.
An extract from from"Frome Photographic Memories".
A view of the south
porch. St Andrew’s
Church was built in
the latter part of the
15th century of oolitic
limestone in the
Perpendicular style.
Buried in the graveyard
now is Monsignor
Ronald Knox, who lived
for a time at the Manor.
Siegfried Sassoon and
Lady Violet Bonham
Carter are also buried here.
An extract from from"Frome Photographic Memories".
This is a good view of the
village and St Andrew’s
church. Note the pony
and trap setting off for
the road to Frome to
the left of what is now a
general store and post
office. On the riverbank
there is now a small
pumping station.
An extract from from"Frome Photographic Memories".