Worfield memories
Here are memories of Worfield and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Worfield or a Worfield photo.
Sir Oliver Leese
When I was a student I worked at the Cactus Gardens in the summer of 1957 and 1958. The gardens were owned by Lieutenant General Sir Oliver Leese and his wife, Margaret. They lived in the wonderful Lower Hall, behind the high wall on Worfield’s main street.
The sixteenth century, Lower Hall was given to Margaret by her mother, Hilda Leicester-Warren, who was a Davenport before her marriage and also owned Davenport Hall, though she and her husband lived in Cheshire.
Oliver was educated at Eton and afterwards joined the Coldstream Guards and after basic training thrown into the first World War; winning the DSO in the battle of the Somme. In the second World War, he commanded various divisions and succeeded Mongomery as commander of the Eighth Army. In 1944 he commanded the army in South East Asia.
After the war he started a mushroom farm, among his employees: Ernie Bishop who had been with him at Alamein and Bill Buck who... Read more
Sir Oliver Lees Cacti Garden
I remember going to the Mexican gardens at Worfield, I'm sure they were owned by Sir Oliver Lees and there was a Mexican band.
Mexican Garden And Sir Oliver Lees
I too remember the Mexican cacti garden at Worfield. It was owned by Lieutenant General Sir Oliver Lees and was a favourite place of my father's as there was a Mexican band. We used to sit and listen to the unusual strains of the Mexican songs over the Shropshire countryside. Bizarre, but a lovely memory!
My Uncle's Grave
This isnt really a memory as such but I'm after some help if anyone can. My uncle died before I was born and he was buried in Worfield. I know from my aunty that he isn't buried in the main graveyard but further up the hill, in a different graveyard, but unfortunately, his grave is unmarked. I just wonder if anyone has any type of record of burials in Worfield in the early 1960s. He was only 14 when he died and his name was Michael Barlow. I hope that might jog some memories.
My dad's family travelled the world as my grandfather was in the RAF and they were stationed at RAF The Hobbins which it was known at the time.
I'd love to know where his grave is so I can pay my respects. My family is all over the place, I don't speak to my dad (his brother) and my grandma is in a home and is completely un-compas-mentas.
It's a long shot but... Read more
Major's Cacti Gardens, Worfield
As a child in the 1960s I recall being taken to a Colonel's (or Major's) cacti gardens in Worfield. It was quite an affair as I recall. I also recall when the owner died he insisted the whole place was destroyed - the cactus burnt etc. Can anyone recall this? I have googled, but nothing pops up.
Worfield School Dinners
During 1956/57 my parents lived at Oldington, off the Bridgnorth road and my local school was at Worfield.
I was 6 years old at the time and attended the school there with my older cousins, Olive, Micheal and Alan Woodifled. We were picked up by the bus at the top of the lane and it chugged its smoky way down to the school in Worfield. I loved it there. Such a cosy, intimate place. The most memorable thing about the school was lunchtime when we always seemed to have a huge jug of creamy custard and fantastic biscuits with our dessert. Delicious.
I loved the village and return often to see what, if anything, has changed.
Many of my friends have held their wedding receptions at the Worfield Village Hall and I ALWAYS look forward to such occasions.
Carrol Kelly nee Woodfield
Memories of Shropshire
Old Fire Station
The building on the left of the two arches is the old town Fire Station, which was replaced in the 1960's with a new station on Innage Lane. The property is now a retail outlet. If on a visit to the town you look above the shop front you will see engraved the words Fire Station.
Fire Station
My great-great-grandfather and family resided here, at 1 High Street. It was once a Fire Station!
Fire Station Northgate - Great Grandfather Enoch Williams
My great grandfather was Enoch Williams at one time Superintendent of the Fire Station at 1 High Street. He went to Bridgnorth from Gt Whitley in 1894. I have photos of the fire crew of that time - horses and carriage. Horses were kept in a field down Love Lane! Enoch and my grandmother Rebecca had many children and lived above the fire station. My grandfather William Williams had the shop to the right of this picture from 1908. It is now Wetherspoons pub. The Builders' Merchant, William Williams still operates in The Innage.
Richard Baxter's House
This house is significant because I lived around the church close in Glenn Place (top of Moat Street) at the time of this picture. Also, my late father was a well known sign writer - Herman Williams - who hand-painted the 'Baxter's House' details on the front of the house. Richard Baxter was a former curate at St Leonard's (details on the house and a photo inside St Leonard's).
St Leonard's Church
This Church is now in the care of the Redundant Churches Commission having been closed for regular worship in the 1970s. It is open daily and special events are held there including the annual Hyden Festival and other concerts and special worship services. I was baptised there in 1948, attended Sunday School across the road in "The Old Grammar School" (now a Solicitors Office) and my husband and I married there in 1971. Happy memories and regularly visited whenever we return for a holiday.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 26,179 memories of 5,732 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Barkingside, Essex
- Loughor, West Glamorgan
- Raynes Park, Greater London
- Gravesend, Kent
- Croydon, Surrey
- Stanhope, County Durham
- Marchwood, Hampshire
- Thornley, County Durham
- Moseley, West Midlands
- Bodfari, Clwyd
- Gawber, South Yorkshire
- Dartford, Kent
- Twechar, Lanarkshire
- Troedrhiwfuwch, Gwent
- Willerby, North Humberside
- Walsall, West Midlands
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
- Osterley, Greater London
- Tintwistle, Derbyshire
- Ringwood, Hampshire
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
