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Soham
Soham maps
Historic maps of Soham and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Soham maps
Soham area books
Displaying 1 of 10 books about Soham and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Soham
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Soham.
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A Stream Clean Enough to Eat From
My grandfather's family, the Barbers, who were farmers, lived in Alton House at one end of the village until my grandmother died. My mother remembered the tension on butter-churning days when the milk wouldn't 'turn.' I believe my maternal grandmother, Ethel Kitchener, was born in Soham but I am not sure where. Her sister, when married, lived at the other end from Alton House in a small semi-detached cottage close to the stream, from which I well remember getting watercress to eat in sandwiches for tea. When I visited a couple of years ago the houses were both looking well-kept and prosperous and ponies were grazing on what must be common land near my great-aunts' house.
GEORGE AND TAVERN..HIGH STREET
I AM TRACING RELATIVES ON MY FATHERS SIDE...RELATIVES I NEVER GOT TO KNOW. IN DOING MY RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MY FATHERS PARENTS (MY GRANDPARENTS) WERE PUBLICANS OF THE GEORGE AND TAVERN WHICH AT THAT TIME 1900 WAS IN SOHAM HIGH STREET. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GET HOLD OF ANY REFERNCE TO GEORGE AND TAVERN AROUND 1900...AND IF POSSIBLE GET HOLD OF ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GEORGE AND TAVERN..IF ANY EXHIST. MY GRANDPARENTS WHO WERE PUBLICANS AT THE GEORGE AND TAVERN WERE ..FREDERICK TURNER LAVENDER AND HIS WIFE SARAH. I HOPE TO VISIT SOHAM VERY SHORTLY..AS WELL AS THE VILLAGES OF WELNEY..UPWELL AND DOWNHAM. WHERE MOST OF MY FATHERS RELATIVES LIVED IIN THE 18/19 CENTURIES.
Cambridgeshire memories
My First Experience of England
When my family arrived in England from the US we went straight to our home which was located in Burwell. While my parents went to buy groceries for the kids we were able to start meeting our new playmates in the area. This was my first expereince with the difference in our english language. To this day I still get a laugh remembering when a young girl was leaving she said "Cheerio" and I thought to my self why is she talking about a cereal.
The Moon & Sixpence
When my mother first bought the 'Pink' cottage, at the edge of the fen, it was very dilapidated, the barn in the back was almost gone, we had no electricity, no running water, the ceilings were too low, the stairs were falling down. My first memory of the place was my mother gardening, I would 'line up' worms in a row, of course they wriggled away. My fifth birthday party was held at the hall, just up the road. We kept horses in Mr Wells's field at the end of the village (Burwell Road side), we would ride on Devil's Dyke, or out on the fens, sometimes to the village shop, (run by Mr Seargent I think?). The dairy farmer used to drive his cows on to the green and down to the field by the dyke, then home again every day. The Lord Mayor used to come yearly and throw new pennies about for the children. I have recently returned to see the cottage, it is very grand now,... Read more
The Cutter Inn
I am not entirely sure of the year, but I am told that one of my great grandfather's brothers owned this Inn at one time. I would love to hear from anyone that can shed more light on this.
Happiest Times
This place holds special and fond memories for me as I would often travel the 150 miles to meet my very best friend here over the years, to eat and walk along the river. My health is not as it was these days and I have not managed to visit for some time. It amazes me how little the place really has changed over the years. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
Baron of Beef
My Dad did his National Service at RAF Ely Hospital in 1953/4. We held a reunion at the weekend (27th Sept 08) in the Lamb Hotel which was attended by about 27 people. The Baron of Beef, the Rifleman's (on Lyn Road), the Cutter and the Minster were their favoured pubs. I would love to obtain photos from the 1950s especially of the Baron of Beef, which was at 13 Fore Hill. I understand its license was surrendered in 1958 when it closed. The property was demolished and rebuilt. It is now a children's clothes/toy shop. If there are any photos of this period out there we would love to see them. Many thanks. Regards, Carol Greig
