Seend, Wiltshire

Personal Reflections

I was born in Sandleaze, Worton in 1957. I was brought up at 1 Mill Road near the Marston boundary. I remember many things about the village especially the Rose and Crown Pub and the Mill. I remember with pride the war memorial which stood outside the library hall proudly dispalying the name of my uncle Raymond Glen Whitton Henly who died during WWII. The church was quaint if I recall correctly with an archway gate of iron. I remember once my brother returning home on leave one late summers evening and walked home past the church following the brook and weir. On passing the church he swore to his dying day he saw a lady in Victorian costume laying flowers on a grave near a wall when he said good evening to her she disappeared and when he looked there were no flowers on the grave either. The same brother left his mark on the local school too he once kicked a hole in one of the doors because he would not let the school dentist near him. I have scary memories of the head teacher there Mr. Hayter. I used to stand openmouthed when the local hunt passed by - the red coats and the baying of the hounds one name that stood out here was theat of Mrs. Brassey occupant if I am correct of the mill. My favourite memory though is toddling after uncle Bill Sumner to get an egg for my breakfast on a Sunday from his chickens. He had a very pretty cow (well i thought it was cute) called Daisy - and I often had a drop of milk from her. I remember affectionately the neighbours at Mill Road - Mrs Blackwell and Mr & Mrs Holloway. I remember Mrs Blackwell waving us goodbye clutching my cat Smokey which we left behind when we moved to Wales. I also left a few of my toys hidden in the coal shed when we left - not realising that we were never coming back. I remeber too that my mum grew lots of flowers and fruit and veg in her garden. We had apples and plums and damsons, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackcurrents. We also kept chickens and had a duck called Charlie Drake. We had a german shepherd called Flame which got over exited and hurt me with its paw so my dad took it to the vet - luckily Wiltshire Police took him as he was just a pup. We then had a white poodle called Fifi. I always wanted a poodle because we used to pass a pub called the chocolate poodle somewhere near Worton. Great Cheverell I think. I rememebr too a lane running behind the Holloways house and the gypsy caravans that used to park there and next to that a field where we used to gather mushrooms early in the morning. The green at the very bottom of the village was where we children played ball games this officialy was Marston. There were houses here and some of the residents were the Elliots, Dowdles, and Kites. Across the road from the cottages was a grand house where a Captain Haynes (I think that was his name) lived. I still have family living in Sandleaze. The other thing I remember is the bus that we used to take to Devizes run by Bodman coaches i also remeber the village post office and shop and the small single pump garage with its National Oil Company Logo. I think I must make an effort and return tot he village one day and see what the changes are like. (Teresa. Nee Sheridan)

War Memorial

I remember as a young boy sitting on the war memorial with my grandparents Elwin (Jim) Andrews and Mable (Olive) Andrews, watching the gliders from Keevil and talking to passersby on long sunny evenings. People would stop and talk for ages and it was fascinating to hear the village gossip. I remember in particular Mrs Scarborough would often stop for a chat.

Prison Buildings by side of canal

Hello,

My name is John Ryan and I can remember Devizes when I was evacuated there in 1940 from Tilbury Essex. I was 11 years old.

I can remember where we all assembled in what I think was the Catholic school, which I believe was St Joseph's. There was about 40 of us and I happened to be the last to be picked for accommodation with a local family.

I remember the lady, her name was Phyllis Hillier and she was very kind to me as the rest of the family were. I remember going down a big hill towards the canal and crossing a small bridge and turning left down into the building which was originally a prison but it was converted into flats. It was a ground floor flat which was very nice and comfortable. After settling into my new home, I remember starting school where we had to walk along the canal or back up the hill to the town where the school was situated. This was where I met up with all of my friends and sister, Kitty. We all chatted and found out where everyone was living and my friend Billy Watts was about 10 minutes walk from where I was so we saw each other every day going to school and playing together weekends.

I recall that Phyllis had a sheepdog whose name was Biddy and we were great friends. After a time I used to go regularly to a wood yard that was the other side of the town - I think I recall going about twice a week at least which was about two miles or so away. I used to push a wooden cart and fill it with logs for the fire and Biddy came with me every time. He would sit in the cart going and walk beside coming home. One day I remember a couple of boys I met on the way got a bit rough with me but Biddy soon cleared them off so he became very protective of me.

I also remember a Mr Kingsley who lived at the flat, he was also very nice but something happened to his leg, it got very nasty and he died which was very sad.

Phyllis had a sister who also lived at the flat but I can't remember her name. Her husband was in the RAF and he used to visit occasionally. There was also another man, his name was Hillier but afraid I can't remember his first name. I do remember he got married and lived in a house or flat not far from the town centre.

I was evacuated to Devizes for about 12 months and enjoyed every moment of it even though I used to go and get wood and also clean around the house as I remember Phyllis would clean and polish every day, of which I helped sometimes.

During the latter part of my stay in Devizes most of my friends had returned home even my sister but I was not keen on returning. One day however I remember my mother arriving in Devizes to fetch me back home which was a shock as I was not expecting it. I did not want to go but I had to because all of my friends had returned home. I was most upset because I was very happy there and I did not want to leave Biddy.

If any of the Hillier family read this memory of mine, I would be very happy to hear from them but I am now 79 so I don't suppose there is any chance of this happening.

To a beautiful Devizes and my stay there.

John Ryan.

Quaker's Walk

I was employed to fell the elm trees lining the walk during the Dutch Elm disease crisis that cleared so many beautiful trees from a lovely area. My only consolation was the glorious view up to Oliver's Castle which is now sadly blocked by housing estates.