Wisbech memories
Here are memories of Wisbech and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Wisbech or a Wisbech photo.
Childhood Memory,
My dad used to work at Dagless'es the yacht builders. I have many fond memories of walking to meet him after work together with my mum and baby brother! I can still remember the smell of the wood and workshops...
Childhood
l was born in Wisbech in May 1957, me and my mates were always down by the docks. We were always playing there and we used to do alot of fishing there as well. l can remember the building the round one, l think it was the gas works. I have lovely child hood memories of being young and running wild. Alan, the Netherlands.
The Castle Inn Wisbech
Great great great grandfather lived here, he was the publican. Goulder Gray.
The Hope Inn
I think it was 1949/50, I remember living along the canal side, Trafalgar Row it was called, over the other side from the Hope Inn. Somehow I think it was further up than Somerfield almost opposite the Empire. Most of my family used this pub as their social outlet for weekends, remember no TV, bingo or much else then. I remember the landlord and landlady a Mr. and Mrs. Firth and they had a son I think he was called Trevor. I never did see inside the pub, I used to have to play in their yard or sometimes I would be able to sit in the kitchen when it was colder. I can't quite see my house from this photograph but the next photograph I can see it exactly only because my father painted the passageway opening to the other terraced houses a brilliant white! Oh happy days!
English Brothers.
The opened sided storage sheds were owned by English Brothers.
The Harbour Line.
Look carefully between the first two trees on the left of the photograph. In the gap with the house in the background you will see a horizontal dark line which follows to the right. This is the railway line called the Harbour Line which operated until about 1967. The engine was driven by Mr Charlie Rands, who lived in Elm Road. In the main I remember it carrying timber from English Brothers, although it would have carried perhaps produce to and from Smedleys. It was only separated from the park by a post and wire fence.
My family and I are convinced I am the man walking next to the man in the jacket and tie who appears to have his arm around a child. The Austin A40 pick up truck in the foreground behind the telephone box could be the one I owned at about that time.
Napier Terrace
Please see the section on Napier Terrace, and Tony Stebbig please contact. Martin
Wisbech Old Market Place
I was born in Wisbech in 1960, my father worked for the family business, Hutson & Sons, my Grandpa also had a pet shop in the old market place, we lived with him for a while
Wonder what happened to the lovely panelling in his sitting room, there was a granary at the back of the house, used to be able to go out onto the roof and look out over the river, I also remember Mrs Reed's shop in the market place......And being taken to Bunnys, in the town, can't rember his surname, for shoes!
And the lovely dept store that used to be next door, with that funny contraption that used to put the money in a tube thing!
I live in Gloucestershire now and am not in touch with any of the Arch / Hutson family. Any news would be nice.
Napier Terrace
I was born in Wisbech in 1937 in Ramnoth Road, we moved to Napier Terrace on the canal until after the war when we moved to Wales. I have fond memories of living in Napier Terrace, we lived in the last house, No 37. My father was in ARP when a bomb fell on the cinema. A lasting memory was when I learned to ride a bike, I fell into the canal. We had an allotment and I remember a Mr Peachey who had only one leg, and Mr Tash the coalman. I worked for Ashworths the newsagent on the bridge. I used to meet the train and get the papers. Happy days.
If anyone has any photos of Napier Terrace please contact me, thanks.
The Canal.
I went to St Peter's School, shown by the side of the canal, half way up the picture on the left, and contained in the triangle. It was demolished prior to the canal being filled to create Churchill Road. This was an important site during winter for us local boys. Council workmen would shovel snow from the town and tip it on the canal bank. Snow meant ice and we were able to toboggan down the bank onto the frozen water. Don't forget that in the Fens anything above the horizontal is a great treat!
Memories of Cambridgeshire
Early Accommodation For Leverington's Fruit Pickers
It was after World War 1 that strawberry growing became important around the Wisbech area and as strawberry prices continued to rise so more and more strawberries were planted. Eventually, local labour could not cope with the picking so hundreds of poor people from London's East End were encouraged to come to the area for a 'holiday' and earn money as well. They came in special trains to Wisbech's Midland and Great Northern Station (yes, we had two stations in those days) and were given lifts to the farms in farm lorries with sides fixed on the and planks put across for seats. To them it was a real adventure. The farmers had to provide accommodation for these people and very poor it often was. The locals called them ' bunks' and they were usually a number of small cubicles on each side of a narrow corridor. There were straw mattresses and chaff pillows. Some farmers provided grey blankets. The cooking was done in a... Read more
Rising Sun
I remember my father taking me in the pub at Sunday dinner times, I think Mr and Mrs Parker kept it then? I have fond memories of Harry and Kath Cooper, Herbie Veni, Bill Rowlet, Arthur Gunns and Ben and Jack, George Murphet, Andy Cousins and lots of other great characters. Would I be right in thinking that a Mrs Ship kept it before the Parkers?.
Our Golden Wedding Service
The joy and pleasure of renewing our wedding vows in front of our family and the congregation of St Leonard's will never be forgotten.
Memories Fropm 1982
I have fond memories of a garden fete held in the church grounds in 1982.I was staying at the farm camp nearby, picking fruit etc during the summer. Since me and a friend had such a wonderful time, we came back and spent the glorious summer of 1983 again at the farm camp at Leverington. I remember meeting a very kind lady called Mrs Plum on the way in to Wisbech. Someday I'll visit the area again. S McKinney, Belfast
Leverington Camp
I also worked for a couple of summers at the fruit picking camp and had a wonderful time meeting people from all over the world.
The camp was very basic with army beds and blankets in tin huts but we had such a good time. Picked all sorts of fruit but particularily enjoyed the big bramley apple trees, they were quite a challenge, and we had to pick every apple.
I remember the juke box in the hall playing now classic late 70 s tunes and being brought lunch in the orchard and a big tea urn. We were paid with tokens redeemed later. I remember Bob and Paul who supervised us in the orchards with good humour mostly! Also working in Smedleys sorting vegetables.
Yep, we retired of an evening to the Six Ringers, not too far to walk back thankfully.
So many good memories and I had a wonderful time.
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