Stratford St Mary, Essex

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MY DAD?

My dear dad, who is 90, was as a small child sent to live on a farm in Stoke By Nayland, as he was orphaned. It would be between about 1924-1929. He has very happy memories of staying with the farmer and his wife. Dad was also a choir boy at the local church. His name is Dennis Craddock, and he... [more]

Early memories of Brook Street

I lived in Brook Street with my family between about 1958 and 1967. We lived at the bottom of the road nearest the High Street and opposite a large pond, which was a source of great entertainmanet to me and my sister at times! We watched local firemen practice fire drill, unrolling huge hoses and aiming the water into... [more]

Witches

I have visited Manningtree only once, but I have an interest in the area as my father (Donald Turner) is tracing our family tree and he has discovered that one of our ancestors - Elizabeth Goodwin was tried and hung as one of the witches of Manningtree  by Matthew Hopkins!  She was accused of casting a spell on a grocers horse,... [more]

schooldays and beyond

Starting school for the first time was at Mistley Norman School, my first teacher was Miss Temple in the infants we were given a slate board and slate pencil one thing that sticks in my memory we all had a small mattres and after dinner we all had to have a nap.Then we moved from the prefabs to Lawford soI was... [more]

Mistley

I was born in Mistley at Ye Olde Mill House in 1930. My father Rupert Edwards was a family butcher and my grandparents lived at Shanghai Villa, Mistley. I attended Mistley Norman School and won a scholarship to Colchester High School. My early memories were of the swimming pool and the start of the Second World War. It was fascinating at... [more]

Memories from David Cheverton of Hope Cottage, Heath Road

In 1953 I attended Bradfield Primary School which in this year of 2007 celebrates its centeniory year. I have fond memories of many cricket matches during my time at the school playing against other local school teams. Mr Martin the Headmaster had lots of fast cars, to the delight of all the children. There was always a scramble... [more]

The Bowling Green, Elmstead Market

My great grandfather William Henry Parkins ran The Bowling Green from the 1920s until his death in 1953. I am aware that the Pub has now closed and the last time I visited (6-7 years ago) it was being converted into a private home. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers my great grandfather or any other... [more]

Leadership Course

We completed our Lance Bombadier Leadership training in these barracks, we referred to them as cavalry barracks (they are stables now). I was with 52 Bty 45 Fld Regt RA, stationed at Kirkee Barracks. One of my friends (Arnie Mccallion) was on stable duty but was allergic to horses, the BSM thought he was trying to pull a fast one -... [more]