The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Berkshire > Chilton Foliat
2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Chilton Foliat

Chilton Foliat photos (6 available)

Old photo of Chilton Foliat

Chilton Foliat maps (2 available)

Old map of Chilton Foliat

Chilton Foliat books (12 available)

Chilton Foliat memories

The past the present and the future

Chilton Foliat, the Village 1908

I was born 3rd July 1959 in Marlborough hospital, I spent the first few months of my life in Ramsbury, my parents lived opposite the fire station, until our house burnt down and we moved to Crabtree Close, Chilton Foliat, where my dad still lives.

I then went to the "OLD" Chilton Foliat Village School, which is no longer a school but has been converted into a house. The head master in those days was Mr Hassel. Mr and Mrs Dobson had the village shop and post office, I can still smell the scents from the ham that Mr Dobson used to slice up at the back of the shop, I was very sad to hear that they passed ...read more here
Contributed by Mandy Chaverou

Berkshire memories

The past the present and the future

Chilton Foliat, the Village 1908

I was born 3rd July 1959 in Marlborough hospital, I spent the first few months of my life in Ramsbury, my parents lived opposite the fire station, until our house burnt down and we moved to Crabtree Close, Chilton Foliat, where my dad still lives.

I then went to the "OLD" Chilton Foliat Village School, which is no longer a school but has been converted into a house. The head master in those days was Mr Hassel. Mr and Mrs Dobson had the village shop and post office, I can still smell the scents from the ham that Mr Dobson used to slice up at the back of the shop, I was very sad to hear that they passed ...read more here
A memory of Chilton Foliat contributed by Mandy Chaverou

Another school 1959/63

I went to school in Ramsbury from about 1959/1961, I remember the head teacher being a Mr Eastoe, I liked Ramsbury because we all used to gather at the river to go swimmimg, we used to buy an inner tube of a car at the local garage for 6 pence (old money of course).  I'm sure half of everybody who went to the river couldn't swim, but it was fun. We lived in Axford about 2 or 3 miles away towards Marlborough, our house was at the start of the village, it hasn't changed much. I went back to this area about 10 years ago, I used to live next door to the Kirby family.  I also remember the Kings, Williams, ...read more here
A memory of Ramsbury contributed by sally cundall

My Gt. Bedwyn Family.

The Eastman Family lived in Gt. Bedwyn from 1735. My Grandad lived in Brook Street then later at Railway Terrace, until his death in 1934. My Grandad had died several years before I was born, but I have vivid memories of my Grandma Carrie; she died in 1951. She was a tiny woman about 5ft 2ins - I was taller than her when I was 10 years old. She had very long hair which she put up in a bun on the top of her head. She took it out to brush it at night and I remember it was not that grey even when she was 80. I think she used to say she put soda in the water. She ...read more here
A memory of Great Bedwyn contributed by Heather Trayhorne

Extracts From Chilton Foliat & Berkshire books

Chilton Foliat, the Village 1908

Chilton Foliat is at the eastern extremity of the county, on the river Kennet. Here, a horse waits patiently outside the thatched pub for the return of his driver. The decorative headers on the brick façade of the inn make an interesting chequered pattern.
An extract from from"Wiltshire Pocket Album".

Savernake, Forest, Puthall Gate 1906

This is a typical lodge house of the Ailesbury Estate variety; it bears Gothic features such as the ornate barge-boards and detailing to the eaves. This lodge has fish-scale tiles that were popular in the later 19th century. Labourers work- ing nearby have obviously been drafted in to add a rustic charm to the picture.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".

Savernake, Brown's Farm 1908

This fine old 17th- century farmhouse, built in a mixture of materials, stone, brick, tile-hanging and long straw thatch, is typical of the area around Marlborough. It was known as Brown’s by 1718. By the middle of the 20th century it was being used as an outhouse, and it was demolished in 1961–2 to make way for more modern farm buildings.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".

Ramsbury, Burdett Street 1906

We are looking towards Back Lane. This is a street mainly of 16th- or 17th- century timber-framed cottages. In the garden of No 2, on the bottom left of the picture, a plague pit was found with the remains of five skeletons, a legacy of the Black Death in 1348- 9. The lady wearing a flat cap looks like she means business!
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".

Ramsbury, Moon's Mill 1907

Thought to have been built in the late 17th century, this fine old mill house, once one of ten in the Ramsbury area, was turned into a dwelling as late as the 1960s. Now called Moon’s Mill, it was previously known as Upper Mill in the 18th century, Gibbs’ Mill, and Edwards Mill in the mid 19th century.
An extract from from"Marlborough Photographic Memories".