West Hagbourne

Boot Inn 1955, Now The Old Boot, A Private House

The Boot Inn c1955
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Ceased operation as a pub in 1959. Now (2007) privately occupied by the Beran family. Previous owners were a builder who divided the land, the village schoolmaster, and the Jarvis'. A few relics of its pub days remain with serving hatches still visible and vertical planking in the hallway. The black rectangle to the left of the building was the privy, now gone. The large tree behind has gone but we have a Silver Birch of equal size by the front gate.

Kiln Cottage

Not so much a memory more a request. Does anyone remember a place called Kiln Cottage which I understand was an orchard/?farm? I had a postcard from my grandfather to my grandmother when he was in the forces address to 1 Kiln Cottage, Didcot. Very old members of the family (even older than me) remember visiting the farm as children. My grandparents were William Thomas and Elsie (or Alice) Dollimore. I would love to know if anyone had any memories as I am attempting my family tree. My email address is pw007g3283@blueyonder.co.uk

Sheila Carrington

Wartime Boarding School

Church End c1955
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I was evacuated from London to Blewbury Healm-wic Boarding School in 1941 (the thatched cottage shown in the photograph). The Williamson sisters ran the school, owned I believe by their brother, a naval architect (submarines). They opened the school for refugee children, teaching many subjects including Maths, French, English, Literature, Art, Geography and History.
My sister and I spent many happy years at the school, visiting racing stables, church fetes wtih donkey races (jockeyed by Gordon Richards and other renowned names). The school had the use of a cherry orchard with cows, chickens etc.
I remember the church, thatched wall path ways and the 'Load of Mischief' and 'Barley Mow' pubs. In my later years I played for the local cricket team. I matriculated in Oxford and finally moved back to London.

Boarding School Memories

Church End c1955
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My friend Catharine (Katie) was also at this school in 1946/47, about 7 years old before moving to South Africa. I remember walking in a crocodile line, carrying a hot brick to keep warm, on the walk to the vicarage. Mostly happy memories of Laurie & sisters Phylis & Dorothy Williamson & Prue. Miss Maggs (Sally) looked after the animals in the orchard.

Matthew Kimbers Cross

As a child I remember a cross made of iron painted green at the roadside between the two turnings into East Hendred. It bore the name "Matthew Kimber". Daffodils would appear there in the spring. Can anyone tell me what it was about?

High Street c1955
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When my family moved to Sutton Courtenay in the 1960s this was the only shop left in the old part of the village. It was a fabulous place with big glass jars of sweets behind the counter, I used to visit here as soon as I received my pocket money! It was run by the Mussells, I think (pronounced 'Muzz-ells'). My sister got a job there on Saturdays. Unfortunately it eventually closed in the early 1980s.

The Village of Fond Childhood Memories (1955 )

High Street c1955
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I would have been three years old back then, living, as we did, at 77 High Street with my grandparents (the Dentons). Harry (my grandfather) used to keep bees and was regularly praised for his beautiful floral front garden. I, my brother (Desmond) and our parents later moved to Frilsham Street. The village is still my most favourite place in the entire world as it encapsulates all my cherished childhood memories. I left the village for work, aged 17, in 1969 but still seem to know it like the back of my hand decades later.