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Wilmington

Wilmington maps

Historic maps of Wilmington and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Wilmington maps

Wilmington area books

Displaying 1 of 6 books about Wilmington and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Wilmington

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Avon memories

Farmborough 1945 Till 1960

I lived and went to school at Farmborough, I started school at five years old, my first teacher was Miss Leakey, who later married and became Mrs Smith, two things I remember about her, she had one arm, but was quite strict, anyone not paying attention would be brought back in line by her holding your chin and shaking it, needless to say, we did not play her up very often. Mr Barratt was the headmaster and taught the older children. The school was situated in the road called The Street, which had a brook running alongside, this brook was about four feet below the street level, half way down The Street was a shop, owned by Mrs Halls, who sold virtually everything, from sweets to wool. The vicar was Rev Waddington, who regularly visited the school. I was taken to the Methodist Chapel at the Batch, where Mr Shore and Mr Belsh would take the Sunday School. I lived with Mum at Nanny Brown's House in Timsbury Road,... Read more

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A unit of The Army Cadet Force was formed in Farmborough, with headquarters at Bath, about ten or a dozen lads joined. The National Service was then still operating, which us lads expected to be called into, being a cadet would hopefully give us a head start when we expected to be called up at eighteen. Each year Farmborough held a Carnival, which most folk looked forward to, they would dress up as all sorts of things and would decorate anything from a bike to a pram, or tractors and lorries decked as themes, the Carnival would usually be led around the village by the Army Cadet Band, from Bath, it would start at Kingwell, go around the village and end in the field next to The Parish Hall, then in the evening a dance in the Legion hut in Hunstreet Lane.

Memories of Carlingcott

My sister and I attended Carlingcott Methodist Church and we were both in Cora Brock's class. Cora lived opposite the church. Mr Wines was the Sunday School Superintendant. At Easter the church was packed with people and we always had new cloths for Easter. Next to the church was Mr Nichol's farm and we use to by Morgan Sweet apples from him. Also in the village was Mr Wilcox's shop, who sold most things, it was very small but rather like an Aladdin's Cave. There was also The Bee Hive public house and I seem to recall a small butchers shop just along from the church. I have very happy memories of attending the church. Angela Holmes (nee Jones)

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.

Architectural Notes

Grand Pump Room Hotel 1901
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As a former resident of Bath I recall that this building was not particularly liked. In 1959 the hotel was demolished and a block of 33 flats at 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor level with shops at the ground floor was built. The quality of building work and the amenities of the building was exceptional and included electric underfloor heating beneath parquet floors in the main living room and an air extractor system to bathrooms and kitchens without external windows. The two side wings of the property housed lifts serving the three floors and also included very convenient rubbish chutes. There was also an entryphone system - a relatively new concept in Britain at that time. The rooms in the flats were well proportioned with 9' ceilings and large sash windows.

Because of the underlying geology of the area it was necessary to construct a deep and strong platform several metres below street level over which were constructed vertically... Read more

Where Have The Trees Gone?

Great Pulteney Street 1887
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Does anyone know when the trees were felled? I have found a slightly later photo around the turn of the century and this has the trees still. Today there are none, although I think those on Laura Place are still there. If anyone knows about this, I'd love to hear from you: moretrees@live.co.uk

Southgate Hotel

Southgate Street 1904
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My Great Great Grandparents were William and Elizabeth Pratt.
In the 1880s William and his family had lived and worked on the Longleat Estate, William was the Head Gardener at that time.
In 1891 they moved to Bath, and sadly William died there in 1892, and on his death certificate it stated that he died at 24 Southgate Street.
Further sadness followed when son Arthur Reginald also died, he was only 14.
Thanks to the Bath Post Office Directories of 1895 I was able to establish that the address was the Southgate Hotel and the Proprietor is stated as William's wife Elizabeth.
The Southgate Hotel can be seen on photo ref 52994 on the right hand side looking up Southgate Street, the first building is the public house The Full Moon, then Dorchester St intersects, the next building is no 26, in 1895 was named Bright William & Son Chemist ,followed by no 25 The Refreshment Rooms, and next door is no 24, Southgate Hotel. The hotel is identifiable if... Read more

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