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Southstoke memories

Here are memories of Southstoke and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Southstoke or a Southstoke photo.

Southstoke House

I was a patient at the Southstoke Hospital in approx 1950 and again in 1952/53. I recently visited the village and was sad to find that the beautiful house appears to be 'run down' and the hospital/convalescent home long since gone. I would be interested in any books, photos or memories of Southstoke House. As a small child I spent many years hospitalised in and around Bath.  Two of those years I spent at Southstoke. I loved it there and without doubt, the staff, hospital and setting were idyllic for a long-term disabled and bedridden small girl. I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have similar memories.

Memories of Avon

I Lived in Midford...

The family moved to Midford when I was 15 (1966)... We lived in The Laurels, as you go down Midford hill heading away from Bath our house was to your right over the valley.... I used to work in Bath (David Gregs) and rode a pushbike back and for.... When I was old enough I bought a motor bike which made lifa a lot easier... I also worked at Ryland Huntleys for a short while until getting a job at Clarkes shoe factory, rush hill.... I moved away in 69 when I joined the army... I now live in Melbourne, Australia....

Childhood Days

Combe Road c1955
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This picture of Combe Road brings back many memories, looking straight ahead and slightly to the right is Summer Lane where I attended infant school, the shop on the left was a tobacconist and sweet shop at this time.
On the right of the picture would be the King William pub, adjacent to the shop was a small lane that lead to the local garden allotments, my father had one of these.
Combe Down was, and still is a lovely village, albeit too many cars these days.
Summer Lane leads on to Monkton Combe another lovely old village with its renowned school, and nestling in a beautiful valley.

School

Combe Road c1955
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There was a man called Mr Cole that lived along North Road pass the Horseshoe, both his children went to Combe Down Junior School. The girl was called Rebecca, but I cannot remember the boy's name. The father always took pictures and I am sure he must have a collection of them somewhere, it would be great to see them. I did have some old postcards, but stupidly disposed of them. I love living in Combe Down.

Convalescent Home, Combe Down

Convalescent Home 1907
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I personally do not have any memories of Combe Down, but I do have my mother's memories and a photograph of the Convalescent Home, Combe Down, where I was born! In 1941 my pregnant mother left London due to the bombing and moved to Newton St Loe to stay with her parents, dad was in the air force. Shortly before my birth she was admitted to the home which was apparently being used as a maternity hospital. She has told me several stories of her time there - one night along with a couple of other young expecting mums she climbed out of a window and they all went out for the evening. Of course later they were all in trouble with the matron. After I was born my dad had a couple of days leave and travelled for two days to visit us. On arriving he was so tired he climbed up on her bed and fell... Read more

Saunders And The Little Shop

Church Road c1965
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Saunders was a sweet shop. The old black rickety split door, that I can still hear rattle now as it opened, and you stepped down two steps to get to the shop. Mr and Mrs Saunders, an elderly couple, ran it for years. I remember the step ladder they had to climb to get the sweets off the top shelf. The Little Shop was an aladins cave of toys and artistic meterials. Glitter tubes, Christmas cards and crate paper spring to mind. Mrs.Gould Gouldsmith? from Gladstone Road owned it. To the left stood an old red Phone Box. A drungway or pathway that led to Summer Lane via some steep steps. There was some waste ground where the Come Down school is now situated and we used to catch lizards there. We must have been quick and very patient.

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