Wimborne St Giles, Dorset

The Village School

I was the Head Teacher of the Cranborne First School from 1974-1978. The school was situated just off the square. It was a delightful little school and I have happy memories of my time there with my two teachers: Mrs Barbara Bayes and Mrs Gawman (who succeeded me as Head). Lord Salisbury was the Chairman of our Governors and occasionally I... [more]

The shoe shop

I am only 23, but I remember the shoe shop very well, as it belonged to my grandfather Alex Adams, and had been in the family for many years.  And I do believe the child being walked up the road is my mum Linda Bright, nee Adams, and her gran, my great-gran Emma Adams.  She would have been 2-3 years old.... [more]

Cranborne 1938

I was living at Cranborne where my father was the police sergeant. At the time of a crisis, members of the government came to stay with Lord Cranborne at the manor.
The  matter of security arose and it was decided a policeman should be on duty at all times as he would notice any strangers. Around the same period the massive... [more]

Cranborne in the early sixties

I lived in Cranborne for two years from November 1963. My father owned the shops at the far end of the terrace in this picture and the building immediately facing, although it was derelict at that time. My sister and I were enrolled in the local secondary school that had opened two months earlier.

Sixpenny Handley, The Roe Buck Inn

My ancester Edward Dutch built and ran this hotel after the village fire in 1892
- as recorded in the censuses of the time. Take a look at my family history at www.thedutchfamily.co.uk/h_dutch.htm

Alexander Charles Day

This photo is of my Grandfather, whom I have such lovely memories of. I understand that Grandad used to work with the heavy horses in the days before tractors, so for me this picture is a wonderful find. He was married to Gladys (nee Smith) who was not a local girl, originally a Londoner. They had 6 children, Edgar (Gary), who... [more]

Coombes of Church Farm

I believe my Great Grandparents Annie and Maurice (Frank) Coombes lived and farmed at Church Farm during the 1920s.  My father Thomas (Aubrey) Coombes used to spend most of his school holidays there as a boy. This was a very happy time in his life. Long summers helping his grandfather and being spoilt by grandmother Annie.  

When they gave... [more]

Sister Enid Butler's Orphanage.

I was a child that lived at the 'Sister Butler's orphanage' in the early I960s.  This message is to anyone that was also at the orphanage at that time, particularly Alison Burbidge, as I have read her account stating that Alison would have been at the orphanage at the same time as me. I have a lot of memories of... [more]