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Swithland
Swithland maps
Historic maps of Swithland and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Swithland maps
Swithland area books
Displaying 1 of 9 books about Swithland and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Swithland
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memories of Swithland.
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Memories of Swithland
My first memory of Swithland Village goes way back to the days when I was very young. The war was over and we had become accustomed to Holidays at Home instead of going to the sea-side. My parents bought a chalet in what we called Swithland Woods but it was actually farm land that had been given over to accomodate recovering soldiers from WW 1. Chalets had been built and large tents were used to house the soldiers. The farm belonged to a family named Lane, who several generations later are still the owners. As a family we would cycle from Leicester on Friday evening and spend our week-ends there. As we cycled through Swithland Village we knew that we we almost there,, all that we had facing us was that steep hill which we had to climb, up from the triangle I believe we got off and pushed. We didn't mind that because we knew that we were almost there. During school... Read more
Leicestershire memories
School Days
I grew up in Woodhouse Eaves and my siblings and I went to the school in this picture. This is of St Paul's junior school and if my memory is correct it had four classrooms, and the headmaster's office was in the building closest in view. We had to go into his office to get our school supplies as he had them stored in a great big cupboard! The metal barrier outside each entrance was a favourite for doing somersaults over.
Every school day we would walk from school to our dinner room which is pictured down on Main St on the left. We had to cross the street at the bottom, and a lady called Mrs. Hardy would stop the traffic with her "lollipop" so we could cross safely. We called her the "lollipop lady!"
The school house is pictured on the right down the hill, and that is were our headmaster lived. His name was Mr Hughes, though we all called him "Taffy" since he... Read more
Childhood Summer Holidays at Taylor's Rock, Woodhouse Eaves
I spent many a summer holiday as a child (between 1976 and around 1983) at Taylor's Rock on Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves. I still consider it to be the only place I have ever truly felt at home and I miss it dreadfully, even now! I have incredibly fond memories of Broombriggs Cottage Farm, next to Taylor's Rock, time spent playing in the Beacon - there was the most wonderful tree there - great for climbing or just sitting on - I often wonder if it's still there..... My sister and I used to love driving into Woodhouse Eaves with our Great Aunt to collect fresh eggs or newspapers. The postman stopped to join us for breakfast at Taylor's Rock most days. If anyone remembers the Herberts, particularly Margery Herbert then do get in touch!
Worked There When it Was A Cheshire Home 1980++
I have photos of all of the bedrooms that were named after nursery rhymes.
Memories Forgotten
My family lived in Woodhouse Eaves for a short while - it was a beautiful town and although I have few memories now, I do remember a local Doctor - Dr. Wykes, who taught me to ride a horse. I often wonder what happened to him - I live in the States now but have never forgotten him or his family.
I am not sure of the correct dates but am sure it was either 1951 or 1952. My father was with the RAF at that time so we never stayed long anywhere. If anyone knows of Dr. Wykes I would love to hear from them.
Fond Memories
I grew up in Woodhouse Eaves from 1943-53, living in Beacon Road, number 65. My grandfather Handley lived in the last house in that row of white cement-rendered houses, it had the only garage in the row in which he kept his Austin tourer circa 1930. Mum, Dad and myself used to sit in the dicky seat which was the boot for our day trips to Cleethorpe and Mablethorpe. My uncle Harry who was the village chimney sweep lived in an old cottage in Main Street. My grandparent originally lived in the old almshouse on the corner of Main Street opposite the Co-op. I remember it had a water pump at the bus stop. I attended St Paul's during my primary schooling and definately remember Mr Hughes (Taffy) the headmaster as I was the recipient of 6 of the best a couple of times. I have not so fond memories of the school dinners which we marched to at the hall in Main Street just past the almshouses, it put... Read more
My Beautiful Grandmother
My beautiful grandmother was just that and hailed from Woodhouse Eaves or so I think. I am trying to find history regarding my family and found this site which may be useful. I remember Grandma talking of her past, youth, friends and relatives and as a child used to be enthralled with this lovely lady and seeing those magnificent photos of her when she was about 19, 20 years old and having the tiniest of waists. Her maiden name was Jordan and married Bond. She moved to the North of England in early mid life and was always homesick for her village in Leicestershire.
