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Sunbury-On-Thames
Sunbury-On-Thames photos
Displaying the first of 34 old photos of Sunbury-On-Thames. View all Sunbury-On-Thames photos
Sunbury-On-Thames maps
Historic maps of Sunbury-On-Thames and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Sunbury-On-Thames maps
Sunbury-On-Thames area books
Displaying 1 of 16 books about Sunbury-On-Thames and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Sunbury-On-Thames
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Beauclerc School
I was a boarder at Beauclerc School in the 1950s and remember Miss Garlic and Miss Walters. Miss Garlic did everything - stoked the boiler (called Robin), looked after us, taught, issued the bills and weeded the garden. She kept tortoises and made the papers when she hatched some. The tree was a most beautiful old weeping beech, not a willow, which had a huge skirt under which we were forbidden to go. But we had a Boarders Playground, a bare area under some trees where we played endless games of "house" with sticks and pebbles. Ethel came in from the village to cook the meals, which were only seven menus, served the same days each week. I still have my ration and identity card for use at the school. On Sunday we all walked to St. Saviours Church near Sunbury Cross which was High Church with incense and a Father Judd in charge. There was an Angelus bell on... Read more
Beauclerc School, Sunbury-On-Thames
Did anyone attend the 'old' Beauclerc School in Sunbury-on-Thames? I was there in the 1940s when Miss Clara Garlick was the headmistress and Miss Walters was the Principal. There was a beautiful weeping willow in the gardens. I was a boarder there and there were a few day pupils from the village. The old school has been demolished and there is now a modern school in its place. One of my dear friends was Elizabeth Garlick - the niece of the headmistress. From Beauclerc School I went on to attend Laleham Abbey (School of the Holy Child) from where I have many happy memories too - including the huge tortoise in the quadrangle.
Lower Sunbury
I remember going swimming on Rivermead Island with my good friend Sue Blackmore and her dad Keith whom I used to help on his milk round for some pocket money (circa 1958). He is still with us but now suffers with Althimers (very sad). I am still in frequent contact with Sue. Also I used to go fishing, and still do, at "Flowerpot Green" and "Kings Lawn". We also used the ferry onto the island so we could fish the Weir Pool. Great times.
Childhood Days at Rivermead Island
Rivermead Island takes me back to my childhood through the 1960s, I remember the outdoor swimming pool, BRRR! Paddling in the Thames, a real family place to go on summer Sundays, school holidays. My first school was just across the road, Beauclerc, which was shut and pulled down. The big white building was owned by a Major Morris, offices downstairs, flats upstairs, the old stable block was around the back. I don't know how long he owned it or any history of it. The last time I saw Rivermead Island it looked overgrown ... shame.
Rivermead Island
I was born in Sunbury in 1953 and left in 1978, so have many fond memories of it. Does anyone remember Mrs.Bennett, who taught swimming at the open air pool on Rivermead Island? She was my mother and taught me. She was a tough 'un who insisted I jump in when it was freezing, just to get it over with! She's in a home with dementia now, aged 88. Sad, but still love her to bits! Jo Bennett that was from Fordbridge Road
The Ferries
There were 2 ferries in the mid-1950s when I was about 12. Clarke's as in the photo was a chain ferry and the cost was tuppence - ie 2 pence. The other ferry, Wilson's, opposite the church was pole driven and cost 1 penny. Some years later I joined the Young Conservatives - we used many of the Thames Street pubs for our meetings including The Flower Pot, Magpie, White Horse and Phoenix. In those days there was an open air pool on the island opposite French Street - the water was green and opaque - you'd never be seen if you drowned! St Mary's Youth Club which met in the church hall was a must for us when teenagers. Happy memories of a better time!
Middlesex memories
The Russell Family
I am researching Beatrice Russell who lived in Halliford on Thames with her family in the 1880s and 1890s and possibly later too. I would be grateful for any information, memories, addresses or leads that might help me find out a little more about the Russells. She had a brother called Edward and they both lived in British East Africa, now Kenya in the 1890s. Please send any information to me, sullivanpaul1@gmail.com
Thank you.
